Application value of portal vein flow velocity after different interventions on rebleeding in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis complicated with esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To investigate the predictors of rebleeding three months after treatment of esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and the effects of different treatments on rebleeding.Methods:From January 2018 to January 2020, the hepatitis B cirrhosis patients with first onset of EGVB in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were enrolled and followed up for three months. The development of rebleeding, information about portal vein flow velocity and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores after treatment of first bleeding were collected. The statistical analysis was conducted by chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. The efficacy for predictors of rebleeding was evaluated by using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results:Among the 33 patients with the first EGVB, the rebleeding rate during three months follow-up was 42% (14 cases), including one patient (1/8) who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, 10 patients (10/19) were treated with therapeutic endoscopy, and three patients (3/6) were treated with vasoactive drugs. No statistically significant difference in rebleeding rates was found among the three treatment groups ( χ2=3.853, P=0.175). Portal vein flow velocity after treatment for the first onset of EGVB (odds ratio ( OR)=0.21, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.05 to 0.93, P=0.039) and MELD score ( OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.30, P=0.040) were independent predictors for the occurrence of rebleeding events during three months. When the portal vein flow velocity after treatment for the first bleeding was 19 cm/s, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction of the occurrence of rebleeding during three months was 0.86, with the sensitivity of 92% and the specificity of 61%. Conclusion:Among the patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and the first onset of EGVB, different treatments may have little relationship with three-month rebleeding, while portal vein flow velocity ≤19 cm/s is the main predictor for rebleeding within three months.

Iris varix: 10-year experience with 28 eyes

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics, multimodality imaging findings, and clinical course of iris varices. Methods: Retrospective, noncomparative, observational case series of 28 eyes of 26 patients with iris varices, diagnosed between 2007 and 2017, has been used. Results: The mean (±SD) age was 58.3 ± 12.5 years (median 57.5, range 37–81). Patients were 57.7% male and 27% hypertensive. Varices were bilateral in two patients. The mean and median visual acuities were both 20/20 (range 20/16–20/40). Intraocular pressures were 16 mmHg (10–23 mmHg). Secondary glaucoma did not occur. The inferotemporal iris quadrant was affected in 75%. A single varix was seen in 64% and 36% appeared multiple. Varix orientation was radial in 57% and circumferential in 21%. Combined radial and circumferential varix orientation was noted in 18%. One had independent radial and circumferential varices in separate quadrants. A single episcleral sentinel blood vessel directed to the varix was present in 36%. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) showed a slightly increased mean iris thickness of 0.8 mm and multiple echolucent iris stromal vascular channels. Iris angiography showed no leakage of dye. Managed by observation over a mean follow-up of 37.7 months (range, 3–129), 96.4% eyes were stable and one (3.6%) regressed. No corectopia, ectropion uveae, hyphema, or metachronous anterior segment benign or malignant tumors occurred. Conclusion: Iris varix is primarily located in the inferotemporal quadrant and not associated with dysmorphic pupillary findings, progression, secondary glaucoma, or malignancy. Iris varices were benign vasculopathies with no associated ocular or vision-related morbidity.

Cervical varix with thrombosis diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy

Cervical varix is rare and can develop due to various conditions in pregnancy. Most cases of cervical varix during pregnancy are diagnosed in the second or third trimester and are usually associated with abnormal placental location, such as placenta previa or low-lying placenta. A 23-year-old woman with cervical varix bleeding visited our institution at 8 weeks of gestation. This case report describes cervical varix bleeding that developed into a venous thrombus in the first trimester. Ultrasonography with color Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging could be helpful in diagnosis.

Multicenter Retrospective Risk Assessment of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Cirrhosis: An Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography-Based Prediction Model

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography predicts the presence of esophageal varices (EVs). We investigated whether an ARFI-based prediction model can assess EV bleeding (EVB) risk in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: The records of 262 patients with cirrhosis who underwent ARFI elastography and endoscopic surveillance at two institutions in 2008 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed, and ARFI spleen diameter-to-platelet ratio scores (ASPS) were calculated. RESULTS: The median patient age (165 men, 97 women) was 56 years. The median ARFI velocity, spleen diameter, platelet count, and ASPS were 1.7 m/sec, 10.1 cm, 145×10⁹/L, and 1.16, respectively. During the median 38-month follow-up, 61 patients experienced EVB. Among all patients (179 without EVs and 83 with EVs), the cutoff value that maximized the sum of the sensitivity (73.1%) and specificity (78.4%) (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.824) for predicting EVB was 2.60. The cumulative EVB incidence was significantly higher in patients with ASPS ≥2.60 than in those with ASPS <2.60 (p<0.001). Among patients with EVs (n=83), 49 had high-risk EVs (HEVs), and 22 had EVB. The cumulative EVB incidence was significantly higher in HEV patients than in low-risk EV patients (p=0.037). At an ASPS of 4.50 (sensitivity, 66.7%; specificity, 70.6%; AUROC, 0.691), the cumulative EVB incidence was significantly higher in patients with a high ASPS than in those with a low ASPS (p=0.045). A higher ASPS independently predicted EVB (hazard ratio, 4.072; p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: ASPS can assess EVB risk in patients with cirrhosis. Prophylactic management should be considered for patients with HEVs and ASPS ≥4.50.

Ascending Colon Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhotic Patient with Emergent Endoscopic Variceal Obturation with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate / 대한소화기학회지

Ectopic varices are rare among patients with portal hypertension, especially in the ascending colon. It is difficult to evaluate massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis by colonoscopy due to hemodynamic instability and poor bowel preparation. In Korea, there has only been one case report about ascending colon variceal bleeding, in which hemostasis was performed by venous coil embolization. We report another rare case of ascending colon variceal bleeding in a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis, who was successfully treated via two sessions of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection through colonoscopy. This case suggests that the careful endoscopic approach and hemostasis with glue injection might be an option for treating massive bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal varix.

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in an ankylosing spondylitis patient / 영남의대학술지

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a disease with an uncertain etiology consisting of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and portal pressure increase in the absence of liver cirrhosis. In INCPH, patients exhibit normal liver functions and structures. The factors associated with INCPH include the following: Umbilical/portal pyremia, bacterial diseases, prothrombic states, chronic exposure to arsenic, vinyl chloride monomers, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Approximately 70% of patients present a history of major variceal bleeding, and treatment relies on the prevention of complications related to portal hypertension. Autoimmune disorders associated with INCPH are mainly systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. To the best of our knowledge, a case of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) associated with INCPH has not been reported thus far. Therfore, we report our experience of a patient with AS accompanied by INCPH, who showed perisplenic varices with patent spleno-portal axis and hepatic veins along with no evidence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy, and provide a brief literature review.

Left Gastric Vein Visualization with Hepatopetal Flow Information in Healthy Subjects Using Non-Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography with Balanced Steady-State Free-Precession Sequence and Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse

OBJECTIVE: To selectively visualize the left gastric vein (LGV) with hepatopetal flow information by non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography under a hypothesis that change in the LGV flow direction can predict the development of esophageal varices; and to optimize the acquisition protocol in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Respiratory-gated three-dimensional balanced steady-state free-precession scans were conducted on 31 healthy subjects using two methods (A and B) for visualizing the LGV with hepatopetal flow. In method A, two time-spatial labeling inversion pulses (Time-SLIP) were placed on the whole abdomen and the area from the gastric fornix to the upper body, excluding the LGV area. In method B, nonselective inversion recovery pulse was used and one Time-SLIP was placed on the esophagogastric junction. The detectability and consistency of LGV were evaluated using the two methods and ultrasonography (US). RESULTS: Left gastric veins by method A, B, and US were detected in 30 (97%), 24 (77%), and 23 (74%) subjects, respectively. LGV flow by US was hepatopetal in 22 subjects and stagnant in one subject. All hepatopetal LGVs by US coincided with the visualized vessels in both methods. One subject with non-visualized LGV in method A showed stagnant LGV by US. CONCLUSION: Hepatopetal LGV could be selectively visualized by method A in healthy subjects.

Treatment of primary orbital varix via inferior petrosal sinus approach / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of treatment of primary orbital varix via venous embolization therapy approach. Methods From January 2007 to January 2015,the clinical data of 12 patients with primary orbital varix were analyzed retrospectively. All the micro-catheters were implanted via the inferior petrosal sinus approach. The microcoils and Onyx18 were used to embolize the primary orbital varix. Four patients were embolized with micro-coils only, three were embolized with Onyx, and five were embolized with microcoil + Onyx. Results After successful catheterization, the lesions were totally embolized in 12 patients. The symptoms of postural exophthalmos disappeared and the pain was relieved,the depressed symptom of eyeball disappeared in 10 cases, and two patients were relieved partially ( single material embolization) . Nine patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months. The orbital DSA,MRI or CT re-examination was performed. The thrombosis of orbital varices within the lesions was observed and no cavity was found. One of the patients suffered from limited lateral eyeball abduction. Another three were lost to follow up. Conclusion The embolization treatment of primary orbital varix is safe, effective, and convenient via inferior petrosal sinus approach.

Treatment of primary orbital varix via inferior petrosal sinus approach / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of treatment of primary orbital varix via venous embolization therapy approach. Methods From January 2007 to January 2015,the clinical data of 12 patients with primary orbital varix were analyzed retrospectively. All the micro-catheters were implanted via the inferior petrosal sinus approach. The microcoils and Onyx18 were used to embolize the primary orbital varix. Four patients were embolized with micro-coils only, three were embolized with Onyx, and five were embolized with microcoil + Onyx. Results After successful catheterization, the lesions were totally embolized in 12 patients. The symptoms of postural exophthalmos disappeared and the pain was relieved,the depressed symptom of eyeball disappeared in 10 cases, and two patients were relieved partially ( single material embolization) . Nine patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months. The orbital DSA,MRI or CT re-examination was performed. The thrombosis of orbital varices within the lesions was observed and no cavity was found. One of the patients suffered from limited lateral eyeball abduction. Another three were lost to follow up. Conclusion The embolization treatment of primary orbital varix is safe, effective, and convenient via inferior petrosal sinus approach.

Portal Vein Stenting for Delayed Jejunal Varix Bleeding Associated with Portal Venous Occlusion after Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to describe portal stenting for postoperative portal occlusion with delayed (≥ 3 months) variceal bleeding in the afferent jejunal loop. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients (age range, 2–79 years; eight men and three women) who underwent portal stenting between April 2009 and December 2015 were included in the study. Preoperative medical history and the postoperative clinical course were reviewed. Characteristics of portal occlusion and details of procedures were also investigated. Technical success, treatment efficacy (defined as disappearance of jejunal varix on follow-up CT), and clinical success were analyzed. Primary stent patency rate was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: All patients underwent hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer surgery except two children with liver transplantation for biliary atresia. Portal occlusion was caused by benign postoperative change (n = 6) and local tumor recurrence (n = 5). Variceal bleeding occurred at 27 months (4 to 72 months) and portal stenting was performed at 37 months (4 to 121 months), on average, postoperatively. Technical success, treatment efficacy, and clinical success rates were 90.9, 100, and 81.8%, respectively. The primary patency rate of portal stent was 88.9% during the mean follow-up period of 9 months. Neither procedure-related complication nor mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: Interventional portal stenting is an effective treatment for delayed jejunal variceal bleeding due to portal occlusion after hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery.

Surgical Removal of Migrated Coil after Embolization of Jejunal Variceal Bleeding: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Jejunal variceal bleeding is less common compared with esophagogastric varices in patients with portal hypertension. However, jejunal variceal bleeding can be fatal without treatment. Treatments include surgery, transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS), endoscopic sclerotherapy, percutaneous coil embolization, and balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO). Percutaneous coil embolization can be considered as an alternative treatment option for those where endoscopic sclerotherapy, surgery, TIPS or BRTO are not possible. Complications of percutaneous coil embolization have been reported, including coil migration. Herein, we report a case of migration of the coil into the jejunal lumen after percutaneous coil embolization for jejunal variceal bleeding. The migrated coil was successfully removed using surgery.

Idiopathic duodenal varix presenting as a massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report

Ectopic variceal bleeding is both a diagnostic dilemma and a therapeutic challenge, especially when it is located in the third part of the duodenum. Varix is rare in the absence of cirrhosis or portal hypertension. Because the diagnosis of this condition is usually delayed, treatment is administered late resulting in high morbidity and mortality rate. We report a case of a 61-year-old lady with an idiopathic duodenal varix presenting as an upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Biliary Cystadenoma Causing Esophageal Varices / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Biliary cystadenomas are benign but potentially malignant cystic neoplasm. The preferred treatment is radical resection because it is difficult to differentiate a benign from a malignant biliary cystadenoma. A 40 year-old woman presented with moderate abdominal discomfort. Esophageal varix was found up to mid-esophagus on endoscopy. She has no prior history of liver disease or chronic alcohol ingestion. About 15cm sized biliary cystadenoma was diagnosed by ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Serum level of bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and tumor marker were elevated. The patient underwent US-guided aspiration. Tumor markers from the aspirated fluid are increased. Left hepatectomy was performed to completely remove the cyst. Histology of the resected specimen confirmed a biliary cystadenoma of the liver with ovary-like stroma. Without prior history of liver disease or chronic alcoholic ingestion, incidental finding of esophageal varix could show an important clue for diagnosis of biliary cystadenoma.

Lumbar Epidural Varix Mimicking Disc Herniation

Lumbar radiculopathy is generally caused by such well-recognized entity as lumbar disc herniation in neurosurgical practice; however rare pathologies such as thrombosed epidural varix may mimic them by causing radicular symptoms. In this case report, we present a 26-year-old man with the complaint of back and right leg pain who was operated for right L4-5 disc herniation. The lesion interpreted as an extruded disc herniation preoperatively was found to be a thrombosed epidural varix compressing the nerve root preoperatively. The nerve root was decompressed by shrinking the lesion with bipolar thermocoagulation and excision. The patient's complaints disappeared in the postoperative period. Thrombosed lumbar epidural varices may mimic lumbar disc herniations both radiologically and clinically. Therefore, must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of lumbar disc herniations. Microsurgical techniques are mandatory for the treatment of these pathologies and decompression with thermocoagulation and excision is an efficient method.

A Case of Idiopathic Severe Acute Pancreatitis following Cesarean Section Delivery / 대한소화기학회지

Acute pancreatitis rarely occurs in the postpartum period. Furthermore, there are very few reports of it after cesarean section delivery. A 35-year-old woman presented with dyspnea and abdominal distension on the third day after cesarean section delivery. Under a suspicion of acute pancreatitis, she was initially managed with conservative treatment. However, she developed intra-abdominal fluid collections and gastric bleeding, which were managed with percutaneous drainage, endoscopic hemostasis, and angiographic embolization. She was discharged with good clinical recovery. Postpartum pancreatitis, especially after cesarean section, is rare; however, its management is not different from that for usual pancreatitis.

A case of portal hypertension by presumed as plexiform neurofibroma at the hepatic hilum

Neurofibromas can occur anywhere in the body, but they usually involve the head, neck, pelvis, and extremities. Abdominal visceral involvement is rare, and intrahepatic involvement is even less common. We describe a patient who suffered from plexiform neurofibromatosis with liver involvement. A 49-year-old man, who had previously been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and abdominal ultrasonography for screening purposes. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed grade 2 esophageal varices and abdominal ultrasonography showed conglomerated nodules with echogenic appearances in the perihepatic space. Magnetic resonance imaging showed presumed plexiform neurofibroma involving the lesser sac and hepatic hilum and encasing the common hepatic artery celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery left portal triad. We report an unusual case of portal hypertension attributed to the compressive narrowing of the portal vein by presumed as plexiform neurofibroma at the lesser sac and hepatic hilum.

Vascular Plug Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (PARTO) for Gastric Varix Bleeding Patients in the Emergent Clinical Setting

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of vascular plug assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) for bleeding gastric varix performed in the emergent clinical setting and describe the mid-term clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2012 to January 2015, emergent PARTO was tried in total 9 patients presented with active gastric varix bleeding. After initial insufficient or failure of endoscopic approach, they underwent PARTO in the emergent clinical setting. Gelatin sponge embolization of both gastrorenal (GR) shunt and gastric varix was performed after retrograde transvenous placement of a vascular plug in GR shunt. Coil assisted RTO (CARTO) was performed in one patient who had challenging GR shunt anatomy for vascular plug placement. Additional embolic materials, such as microcoils and NBCA glue-lipiodol mixture, were required in three patients to enhance complete occlusion of GR shunt or obliteration of competitive collateral vessels. Clinical success was defined as no variceal rebleeding and disappearance of gastric varix. RESULTS: All technical and clinical success-i.e., complete GR shunt occlusion and offending gastric varix embolization with immediate bleeding control-was achieved in all 9 patients. There was no procedure-related complication. All cases showed successful clinical outcome during mean follow up of 17 months (12-32 months), evidenced by imaging studies, endoscopy and clinical data. In 4 patients, mild worsening of esophageal varices or transient ascites was noted as portal hypertensive related change. CONCLUSION: Emergent PARTO is technically feasible and safe, with acceptable mid-term clinical results, in treating active gastric varix bleeding.

Embolization of a deep orbital varix through endovascular route.

We report a case of the primary deep orbital venous varix treated by endovascular coil embolization procedure by transfemoral catheterization. This method of treatment has the advantage of image‑guided localization of the pathology, real‑time management and confirmation of the success of the procedure in the sitting.

A Case of Surgical Management for Orbital Organizing Hematoma from Orbital Varix

PURPOSE: Orbital varices, which can lead to proptosis or globe displacement, are caused by Valsalva's maneuver or bending forward. Most of the orbital varices are treated conservatively, but surgical treatment is necessary for severe cosmetic or functional problems. We report a case of orbital organizing hematoma accompanied by an orbital varix which was successfully removed surgically without complications such as intraoperative bleeding. CASE SUMMARY: A 78-year-old female presented with the complaint of 4 mm proptosis and hyperglobus of left eye. Orbit magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well demarcated extraconal mass in the inferior orbit which appeared to be an orbital varix. Initially, we decided to monitor the patient without surgery because proptosis was reduced to 1 mm within a week. However, after 5 months, the symptoms suddenly worsened, specifically, 4 mm of proptosis with severe hyperglobus and pain. MRI showed a 29.7 x 21.2 x 23.7 mm mass compressing the globe upward. Six weeks of conservative care did not improve the symptoms and we eventually performed an anterior orbitotomy through the inferior conjunctiva. There was a minor bleeding during the surgery. Based on the histological test, the mass was determined to be an organizing hematoma covered by a membrane. At 8 months postoperatively, symptoms had not recurred. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital varices are usually treated conservatively since its surgical removal is known to have risks. Nonetheless, if an MRI shows an orbital organizing hematoma, it can be surgically debulked successfully without complications when a chronic hemorrhage from orbital varix causes serious proptosis and globe deviation.

Fetal Intra-abdominal Umbilical Vein Varix Complicated with Patent Ductus Venosus and Atrial Septal Defect / 대한주산의학회잡지

Umbilical vein varix has diverse clinical features and an unpredictable course during the pregnancy and/or perinatal period. We report a rare case of isolated fetal varix of the intra-abdominal umbilical vein, which was associated with fetal cardiomegaly. After birth, the umbilical vein varix remained with continuous blood flow through the patent ductus venosus. In addition, persistent cardiomegaly was complicated with an atrial septal defect.