Embolización de colaterales portosistémicas espontáneas como tratamiento de la encefalopatía hepática refractaria / Embolization of spontaneous portosystemic shunts as treatment for refractory hepatic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of cirrhosis associated with a reduced survival. The presence of high-flux spontaneous porto-systemic shunts can induce HE even in patients with preserved liver function. AIM: To evaluate the effect of spontaneous porto-systemic shunt embolization (SPSE) over HE and its long-term evolution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 11 patients (91% males) with severe HE non-responsive to medical treatment in whom a SPSE was performed. The grade of HE (employing West Haven score), survival, MELD and Child-Pugh score, ammonia levels, degree of disability (employing the modified Rankin scale (mRs)) were evaluated before and at thirty days after procedure. RESULTS: The most common etiology found was non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (63.6%). A reduction of at least two score points of HE was observed in all patients after thirty days. There was a significant reduction on median (IQR) West Haven score from 3 (2-3) at baseline to 1 (0-1) after the procedure (p < 0.01). Twelve months survival was 63.6%. There was a decrease in median ammonia level from 106.5 (79-165) (ug/dL) to 56 (43-61) after SPSE (p = 0.006). The median mRS score before and after the procedure was 3 (3-5) and 1 (1-2.5), respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: According to our experience, SPSE is a feasible and effective alternative to improve HE and functionality of patients with refractory EH.

Application of transmesenteric vein extrahepatic portosystemic shunt to treat extrahepatic portal vein obstructive disease / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the feasibility, safety and effectivity of applying transmesenteric vein extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TEPS) to treat extrahepatic portal vein obstructive disease (EHPVOD).Methods:From December 2020 to April 2021, 12 patients with EHPVOD in the Vascular Surgery Department of Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital were prospectively enrolled in the study. The infra-umbilical median longitudinal minilaparotomy was performed to expose the branch of superior mesenteric vein (SMV). RUPS-100 was introduced into the trunk of SMV. A balloon with a diameter of 20 mm was introduced through right internal jugular vein (RIJV) into inferior vena cava (IVC). Under fluoroscopy, RUPS-100 was used to puncture the balloon in IVC. A stiff guide wire was used to establish the pathway between RIJV and SMV. Finally the portosystemic shunt between IVC and SMV was established with a covered stent-graft. The total operative time, the time of establishing portosystemic shunt alone, the dosage of contrast agent, the preoperative and postoperative pressure of SMV were recorded. Paired t test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative pressure of SMV. Results:All 12 patients were successfully performed TEPS. The total operative time was (113±32) min, the time of establishing portosystemic shunt alone was (31±5) min, the dosage of contrast agent was (129±48) ml. The postoperative pressure of SMV [(14.3±2.1) mmHg] decreased significantly ( t=20.125, P<0.01) compared to baseline [(27.8±2.7) mmHg]. All portal hypertension symptoms released after the operations.There was 1 case of delayed incision healing, 1 case of bacteremia and 1 case of slight hepatic encephalopathy, but all of them were cured. There was no death case. Postoperative CT showed all portosystemic shunts were patent. Conclusion:TEPS is a new, safe, effective and feasible treatment method for patients of acute and chronic EHPVOD.

Portal venous perfusion steal causing graft dysfunction after orthotopic liver transplantation: serial imaging findings in a successfully treated patient

A 53-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Preoperative computed tomography revealed main portal vein luminal narrowing by flat thrombi and the development of cavernous transformation. On post-transplantation day 1, thrombotic portal venous occlusion occurred, and emergency thrombectomy was performed. Subsequent Doppler ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography confirmed the restoration of normal portal venous flow. The next day, however, decreased portal venous velocity was observed via Doppler ultrasonography, and serum liver enzymes and bilirubin levels remained persistently elevated. Direct portography identified massive perfusion steal through prominent splenorenal collateral veins. Stent insertion and balloon angioplasty of the portal vein were performed, and subsequent Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated normalized portal flow parameters. Afterwards, the serum liver enzymes and bilirubin levels rapidly normalized.

Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration of Spontaneous Splenorenal Shunt for Refractory Hepatic Encephalopathy: Case Series

Intervention treatment such as balloon retrograde or anterograde transvenous obliteration has been used for management of refractory hepatic encephalopathy as well as gastric variceal bleeding. Recently, plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration without a help of balloon was newly developed to treat these patients. Here, we report three cases suffering refractory hepatic encephalopathy who were treated with this new technique.

Multidetector row CT study of percutaneous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt / 中华放射学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate imaging features of the liver, portal vein and hepatic vein or transhepatic inferior venacava in patients with severe liver cirrhosisin multidetector row computed tomography ( MDCT), and assess the feasibility, safety and clinical significance of percutaneous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PTIPS). MethodsFifty patients with severe liver cirrhosis confirmed by clinical data and imaging examination were enrolled in this study. Simulation of intrahepatic portosystemic shunt by percutaneous transhepatic approch is as follows. The right midaxillary line (the eighth or ninth intercostal space) was selected as puncture point A the right branch of portal vein was puncture point B,transhepatic inferior vena cava was puncture point C, and the distal part of right portal vein was D. A-B-C connection is simulated as percutaneous transhepatic puncture tract, C-B-D connection is simulated as portosystemic shunt tract.After tri-phase contrast-enhanced CT scanning, postprocessing images through multiple planner reconstruction ( MPR ) were obtained. The data were indicated statistically by x ± s. And 95％ confidence interval for mean was calculated.Anatomic relationship among the right portal vein,transhepatic inferior vena cava, hepatic artery and bile duct were analyzed for all patients. ResultsThe length of the needle (A-B-C) is ( 145. 7 ± 14. 8 ) mm. The curvature of the needle ( the angle of A-B line and B-C line) is ( 145.0 ±9.9)°. The length of transhepatic shunt tract (B-C) is (42.7 ±7.2) mm. The length of the shunt tract (C-B-D) is ( 117. 7 ±11.6 ) mm; The angle of the shunt tract ( the angle of B-C line and B-D line) is (1O8.5 ± 5.9)°. In 24/50 patients, transhepatic inferior vena cava locate in the dorsal of the right portal vein, in 26/50 patients they are in the same plane.In all patients, the right branches of hepatic artery and bile duct locate in the ventral of the right portal vein.Conclusion The procedure of PTIPS is feasible and safe. To quantify the length and angle of the needle and the length and angle of the shunt tract provides the anatomic basis for clinical application.

Congenital Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunt and Liver Mass in a Child Patient: Successful Endovascular Treatment with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP)

A congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is a rare anomaly; but, the number of diagnosed cases has increased with advanced imaging tools. Symptomatic portosystemic shunts, especially those that include hyperammonemia, should be treated; and various endovascular treatment methods other than surgery have been reported. Hepatic masses with either an intra- or extrahepatic shunt also have been reported, and the mass is another reason for treatment. Authors report a case of a congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with a hepatic mass that was successfully treated using a percutaneous endovascular approach with vascular plugs. By the time the first short-term follow-up was conducted, the hepatic mass had disappeared.

Congenital Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts

Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are an anomalous connection between the portal vein and hepatic vein/IVC, which may be either congenital or acquired secondary to liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension. Cases of congenital intrahepatic shunts are usually encountered in children and may spontaneously resolve. We report 5 cases of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in neonates and an adult.