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Refractory ascites is one of the common complications of portal hypertension in decompensated liver cirrhosis and is characterized by extremely poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is recommended by several international and national guidelines as one of the treatment methods after failure of large volume paracentesis combined protein infusion therapy. TIPS can effectively control the recurrence of ascites, but it can increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy, and there are still controversies over whether it can prolong survival time. With a deeper understanding of TIPS, the maturity of surgical techniques, and the update of stent materials, it is urgent to reevaluate the position of TIPS in the treatment of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension. This article reviews the current status and advances in TIPS for the treatment of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension.
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Objective To evaluate the safety and clinical short-term efficacy of interventional emboliz-ation with hepasphere-loaded microspheres in treating inoperable hepatocellular carcinomas. Methods A total of 15 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization ( TACE ) using hepasphere-loaded microspheres as embolic agent . The clinical data , imaging follow-up materials, complications of interventional treatment, prognosis, etc. were summarized and analyzed. The results were evaluated with modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST); monthly follow-up was made for all patients. A total of 23 TACE procedures were performed in 15 patients. Results The following-up period ranged from 6 months to 15 months , the median follow-up time being 10 months . According to mRECIST, the 3-month objective response rate (CR+PR) was 73.3% and disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 93.3%;the 6-month objective response rate (CR+PR) was 73.3%and the disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 86.7%. No severe complications, such as bile leak complicated by infection, liver abscess, abdominal hemorrhage, bleeding due to tumor rupture, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc. occurred in all patients . Conclusion In treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas , TACE using newly-developed hepasphere microspheres carries satisfactory clinical short-term efficacy and safety, although thelog-term results need to be further investigated with larger sample trial.
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Objective To explore the application of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with selective portal vein embolization (SPVE ) in two-stage hepatectomy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods From September 2010 to September 2013,a total of 107 patients with HCC in the right liver lobe who were not suitable for one stage hepatectomy received TACE or TACE combined with SPVE treatment were enrolled.Among them,55 received TACE therapy and 52 accepted TACE combined with SPVE treatment.The technique success rate,complication,adverse reactions,the volume change of each liver lobe and the rate of hepatectomy of HCC were observed.Chi-square test was used for numerical data comparison and Student′s t test for measurement data.Results TACE or TACE combined with SPVE therapy was successfully applied in all the 107 patients,the technique success rate was 100%.During treatment period,no complications such as ectopic embolization, liver function failure,puncture tract bleeding,gastrointestinal bleeding,bile leakage and hepatic abscess were observed.After treatment,the adverse reactions included liver function impairment,pain in hepatic region,fever,nausea and vomiting.Four weeks after the treatment,the volumes of tumor and right liver lobe decreased to certain degree in patients with HCC of both TACE group and TACE combined with SPVE group.The volume of left liver lobe in TACE group had no obvious change,while remarkably increased in TACE combined with SPVE group.The pre-treatment residual liver volume (RLV)of TACE group and TACE combined with SPVE group was (404.0 ± 46.3 )cm3 and (393.9 ± 65 .7 )cm3 , respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant (t=0.927,P =0.356).Four weeks after the treatment,RLV was (415.4 ±45.7 )cm3 and (567.3 ±88.7 )cm3 ,respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (t= -11 .219,P <0.05).Patients were followed up for three to six months,the rates of hepatectomy were 38.2%(21/55)and 86.5 %(45/52)in TACE group and TACE combined with SPVE group,and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =26.440,P <0.01 ).Conclusion For patients with HCC not suitable for one stage hepatectomy,the treatment of TACE combined with SPVE before operation could effectively control the growth of the tumor,decrease the volume of tumor,increase RLV,and then increase the rate of two-stage hepatectomy.