ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of two different partial splenic embolization (PSE) methods in treating portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, and to statistically analyze the difference between the two PSE methods. Methods Sixty-two patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension complicated by hypersplenism were divided into group A (peripheral embolization group) and Group B (lower- pole embolization group). Partial splenic embolization with sponge was carried out in all patients of both groups. Before and after PSE color Doppler ultrasoundgraphy was performed to determine the inner diameter of the portal vein and splenic vein, the velocity and rate of flow, the length and thickness of spleen, etc. The results were compared between the two groups. Results The splenic embolization area within 60% - 80%was obtained in 42 patients, and the embolization area>80%was seen in 20 patients. After PSE, decreased flow velocity as well as flow rate was detected in all patients, and both the length and thickness of the spleen were also significantly reduced when compared with the data determined before PSE. The differences between the two groups were statistically significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion Partial splenic embolization can effectively relieve the portal hypertension caused by cirrhosis, and selective peripheral arterial embolization is superior to splenic lower-pole embolization in decreasing the portal pressure.