Hepatic infarction occurred after 125I particle stent treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic infarction is a rare liver condition. The purpose of this study is to report a case of hepatic infarction caused by thrombus formation following portal vein stent implantation in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus, and to explore the underlying causes. CASE REPORT: The patient in this study was a 52-year-old male admitted with diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma involving the right lobe and portal vein tumor thrombus. After undergoing portal vein stent implantation and 125I particle strand implantation treatment, the portal vein was patent, and the pressure decreased. However, multiple instances of hepatic artery chemoembolization combined with targeted immunotherapy resulted in gradual reduction in the diameter of the hepatic artery and affecting hepatic arterial blood flow. Two months post-stent implantation, thrombus formation within the stent was noted, and the patient's condition did not improve with anticoagulant therapy, as evidenced by follow-up CT scans showing an increase in thrombi. Six months later, the patient suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding and, despite emergency esophagogastric variceal ligation and hemostatic treatment, developed hepatic parenchymal infarction and liver function failure. CONCLUSIONS: We reveal the underlying cause is that (1) thrombus formation within the portal vein stent, leading to portal vein embolism and obstructed blood flow due to exacerbate portal hypertension after various treatments; and (2) the effect of hepatic artery chemoembolization, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy on tumor angiogenesis, causing reduced hepatic artery diameter and impaired arterial blood flow. These factors disrupt the liver's dual blood supply system, ultimately contributing to hepatic infarction. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hepatic infarction as a complication following portal vein stent implantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus, and it holds significant reference value for guiding the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with concurrent portal vein tumor thrombus in a clinical setting.

Percutaneous transhepatic stenting for acute superior mesenteric vein stenosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein reconstruction: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transhepatic stent placement has become a common strategy for the postoperative treatment of portal vein (PV)/superior mesenteric veins (SMV) stenosis/occlusion. It has been widely used after liver transplantation surgery; however, reports on stent placement for acute PV/SMV stenosis after pancreatic surgery within postoperative 3 d are rare. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we reported a case of intestinal edema and SMV stenosis 2 d after pancreatic surgery. The patient was successfully treated using stent grafts. Although the stenosis resolved after stent placement, complications, including bleeding, pancreatic fistula, bile leakage, and infection, made the treatment highly challenging. The use of anticoagulants was adjusted multiple times to prevent venous thromboembolism and the risk of bleeding. After careful treatment, the patient stabilized, and stent placement effectively managed postoperative PV/SMV stenosis. CONCLUSION: Stent placement is effective and feasible for treating acute PV/SMV stenosis after pancreatic surgery even within postoperative 3 d.

Analysis of three-dimensional visualization imaging of severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation and clinical efficacy of portal vein stent implantation / 器官移植

Objective To analyze three-dimensional imaging characteristics and advantages for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation, and to evaluate clinical efficacy of portal vein stent implantation. Methods Clinical data of 10 patients who received portal vein stent implantation for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging characteristics of severe portal vein stenosis, and advantages of three-dimensional reconstruction imaging and interventional treatment efficacy for severe portal vein stenosis were analyzed. Results Among 10 patients, 3 cases were diagnosed with centripetal stenosis, tortuosity angulation-induced stenosis in 2 cases, compression-induced stenosis in 2 cases, long-segment stenosis and/or vascular occlusion in 3 cases. Three-dimensional reconstruction images possessed advantages in accurate identification of stenosis, identification of stenosis types and measurement of stenosis length. All patients were successfully implanted with portal vein stents. After stent implantation, the diameter of the minimum diameter of portal vein was increased [(6.2±0.9) mm vs. (2.6±1.7) mm, P<0.05], the flow velocity at anastomotic site was decreased [(57±19) cm/s vs. (128±27) cm/s, P<0.05], and the flow velocity at the portal vein adjacent to the liver was increased [(41±6) cm/s vs. (18±6) cm/s, P<0.05]. One patient suffered from intrahepatic hematoma caused by interventional puncture, which was mitigated after conservative observation and treatment. The remaining patients did not experience relevant complications. Conclusions Three-dimensional visualization technique may visually display the location, characteristics and severity of stenosis, which is beneficial for clinicians to make treatment decisions and assist interventional procedures. Timely implantation of portal vein stent may effectively reverse pathological process and improve portal vein blood flow.

Implanting Iodine-125 Seed Strand Inside the Portal Vein Stent: An Improved Approach to Endovascular Brachytherapy for Treatment of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Main Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of implanting an iodine-125 (125I) seed strand inside a portal vein stent (PVS) in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and main portal vein tumor thrombus (mPVTT). Patients and Methods: Twenty-three patients who diagnosed with HCC and mPVTT and underwent endovascular implantation 125I seed strands and portal vein stenting were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups. For patients in group A (n = 12), the 125I seed strand was placed outside the PVS, and for those in group B (n = 11), the strand was placed inside the PVS. Technical success, pain intensity during the procedure (numeric rating scale), procedure-related complications, changes in liver function, stent patency, and survival rates were recorded and analyzed. Results: The procedures were successful in all patients, and no serious procedure-related complications occurred in either group. Pain intensity during the procedure was significantly lower in group B than in group A (2.64 ± 1.50 vs 4.08 ± 1.78, p = 0.048), and there were no significant differences between pre- and post-procedure liver function in either group. The median duration of stent patency was 9 months (95% CI 2.21-15.79 months) in group A and 12 months (95% CI 3.63-18.37 months) in group B (p = 0.670). Median survival was 12 months (95% CI 10.30-13.70 months) in group A and 13 months (95% CI 10.03-15.97 months) in group B (p = 0.822). The cumulative stent patency and survival rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 75%, 50%, and 41.7%, and 83.3%, 75%, and 50% in group A and 72.7%, 62.3%, and 31.2%, and 90.9%, 80.8%, and 50.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Implantation of 125I seed strand inside the PVS is effective and feasible for treating patients with HCC and mPVTT.

Transsplenic tract closure after transsplenic portalvenous access using gelfoam-based tract plugging.

BACKGROUND: To assess the feasibility and safety of a gelfoam torpedo plugging technique for embolization of the transsplenic access channel in adult patients following transvenous portal vein interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 09/2016 and 08/2021, an ultrasound guided transsplenic portalvenous access (TSPVA) was established in twenty-four adult patients with a 21-G needle and 4-F microsheath under ultrasound guidance. Afterwards, sheaths ranging from 4-F to 8-F were inserted as needed for the procedure. Following portal vein intervention, the splenic access tract was embolized with a gelfoam-based tract plugging (GFTP) technique. TSPVA and GFTP were performed twice in two patients. Patients' pre-interventional and procedural characteristics were analyzed to assess the feasibility and safety of the plugging technique according Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) classification system. Values are given as median (minimum;maximum). Subgroup analysis of intercostal vs. subcostal puncture site for TSPVA was performed using the two-sided Mann-Whitney-U test or Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test. Level of significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: The study population's age was 56 (29;71) years and 54% were female patients. Primary liver disease was predominantly liver cirrhosis with 62% of the patients. Pre-interventional model for end-stage liver disease score was 9 (6;25), international normalized ratio was 1.15 (0.86;1.51), activated partial thromboplastin time was 33s (26s;52s) and platelet count was 88.000/µL (31.000;273.000/µL). Ascites was present in 76% of the cases. Craniocaudal spleen diameter was 17cm (10cm;25cm). Indication for TSPVA was assisted transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement in 16 cases and revision in two cases, portal vein stent placement in five cases and variceal embolization in three cases. TSPVA was successfully established in all interventions; interventional success rate was 85% (22/26). The splenic access time was 33min (10min;133min) and the total procedure time was 208min (110min;429min). Splenic access was performed with a subcostal route in 11 interventions and with an intercostal route in 15 interventions. Final sheath size was 4-F in 17 cases, 5-F in three cases, 6-F in five cases, 7-F in two cases and 8-F in one case. A median of two gelfoam cubes was used for GFTP. TSPVA- and GFTP-related complications occurred in 4 of 26 interventions (15%) with a subcapsular hematoma of the spleen in two patients (CIRSE grade 1), access-related infection in one patient (CIRSE grade 3) and both in one patient (CIRSE grade 3). In detail, one access-related complication occurred in a patient with subcostal TSPVA (CIRSE grade 1 complication) and the other three complications occurred in patients with intercostal TSPVA (one CIRSE grade 1 complication and two CIRSE grade 3 complication) (p = 0.614). No patient required interventional or surgical treatment due to puncture tract bleeding. CONCLUSION: Gelfoam-based plugging of the puncture tract was feasible and safe for transsplenic access in adult patients undergoing percutaneous portal vein interventions. The lack of major bleeding complications and complete absorption of the gelatine sponge make it a safe alternative to transjugular and transhepatic access and re-interventions via the splenic route.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of jejunal varix of the afferent loop after pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Jejunal varix is a concerning late complication after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) due to the risk of recurrent and intractable bleeding. Our aim was to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of jejunal varix after PD. METHODS: A total of 709 patients who underwent PD between 2007 and 2017 were included. Preoperative and postoperative CT images were reviewed to evaluate the development of portal vein (PV) stenosis (≥50%) and jejunal varices. RESULTS: Jejunal varix developed in 83 (11.7%) patients at a median of 12 months after PD. Eighteen (21.7%) patients experienced variceal bleeding. PV stenosis (P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 33.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 15.6-66.7) and PV/superior mesenteric vein resection (P = 0.028; OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.7) were independent risk factors for jejunal varix. Of the nine patients who underwent stent placement for PV stenosis before the formation of jejunal varices, none experienced variceal bleeding. By contrast, 18 (27.3%) of the 135 patients without PV stent placement experienced at least one episode of variceal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of jejunal varix was substantial after PD. PV stenosis was a strong risk factor for jejunal varix. Early PV stent placement and maintaining stent patency could reduce the risk of variceal bleeding in patients with PV stenosis.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by total pancreatectomy with splenectomy and combined vascular resections after preoperative percutaneous transhepatic portal vein stent placement in locally advanced pancreatic cancer with portal vein total obliteration.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignant diseases in gastrointestinal system that only about 15-20% of the patients are potential candidates for resection at diagnostic stage. However, with the advent of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and advancement of surgical skills, patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), which were deemed initially unresectable, have undergone margin negative radical resection. Here, we present a case of a patient with LAPC who was previously treated with neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX and underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with vascular resection after preoperative percutaneous transhepatic portal vein stent placement to relieve of portal vein obliteration. The patient recovered without any complication and was discharged on day 8 postoperatively.

A case of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein stent placement and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for duodenal variceal rupture occurring during chemotherapy for unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Duodenal varices are ectopic varices that are rare but can involve any site along the digestive tract outside the gastroesophageal region. Ectopic variceal bleeding is generally massive and life threatening; the mortality rate is approximately 40%. Up to 17% of ectopic varices occur in the duodenum. However, duodenal varices pose a significant therapeutic challenge due to the lack of standard treatment guidelines. We report a case of duodenal variceal bleeding secondary to portal vein stenosis in a 77-year-old woman receiving chemotherapy for unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. The patient presented with melena, nausea, vomiting and unstable vital signs suggestive of hemorrhagic shock. Emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed large nodular varices with a ruptured erosion on top in the superior duodenal angle, and variceal bleeding had stopped by the time of the procedure. Subsequent computed tomography showed the development of portosystemic collaterals; therefore, we performed percutaneous portal vein stent placement to reduce portal vein pressure. Since persistent bleeding was suspected, we also performed endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and achieved successful hemostasis with an improvement in liver function. This case revealed that a combination of portal vein stent placement and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy might be an effective therapy for duodenal variceal bleeding caused by portal vein stenosis.

Acute portal vein thrombosis after liver transplant presenting with subtle ultrasound abnormalities: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after liver transplantation (LT) is an uncommon complication with potential for significant morbidity and mortality that transplant providers should be cognizant of. Recognizing subtle changes in post-operative ultrasounds that could herald but do not definitively diagnose PVT is paramount. CASE SUMMARY: A 30-year-old female with a history of alcohol-related cirrhosis presented with painless jaundice and received a deceased donor orthotopic liver transplant. On the first two days post-operatively, her liver Doppler ultrasounds showed a patent portal vein, increased hepatic arterial diastolic flows, and reduced hepatic arterial resistive indices. She was asymptomatic with improving labs. On post-operative day three, her resistive indices declined further, and computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large extra-hepatic PVT. The patient then underwent emergent percutaneous venography with tissue plasminogen activator administration, angioplasty, and stent placement. Aspirin was started to prevent stent thrombosis. Follow-up ultrasounds showed a patent portal vein and improved hepatic arterial resistive indices. Her graft function improved to normal by discharge. Although decreased hepatic artery resistive indices and increased diastolic flows on ultrasound are often associated with hepatic arterial stenosis post-LT, PVT can also cause these findings. CONCLUSION: Reduced hepatic arterial resistive indices on ultrasound can signify PVT post-LT, and thrombolysis, angioplasty, and stent placement are efficacious treatments.

Eleven cases of DEB-TACE comprehensive interventional strategy for stage Ⅲa hypo-vascular hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of portal vein stenting combined with 125I particle strand implantation followed by drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and molecular-targeted therapy for the treatment of stageⅢa liv-er cancer lacking a blood supply. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 11 patients who had stageⅢa liver cancer lacking a blood sup-ply combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) was conducted from October 2016 to October 2018. All the patients under-went portal vein stenting combined with 125I particle strand implantation, DEB-TACE, and comprehensive treatment containing molecu-lar-targeted drugs. During the follow-up period, all patients were evaluated for stent patency after the implantation and tumor re-sponse after DEB-TACE treatment. The liver function and blood routine changes before and 1 month after the surgery were completed, and the complications were summarized. Results: All 11 patients were judged as stageⅢa liver cancer based on the Chinese staging criteria (2017), Child-Pugh classification grade A and B. The imaging findings indicated that these tumors were hypovascular. The maxi-mum diameter of these lesions was (8.4±4.1) (2.8-14.1) cm, and all patients had PVTT. Among them, there were 4 cases of Cheng's typeⅡand 7 cases of typeⅢ: 6 cases of main PVTT≥50% and 1 case of PVTT<50%. All patients underwent portal vein stenting com-bined with 125I particle strand implantation, DEB-TACE, and comprehensive treatment containing molecular-targeted drugs. Three and 6 months after stent implantation, the patency rate was 100%; 3 months after DEB-TACE treatment, complete response was achieved in 4 (36.4%) patients, partial response was achieved in 5 (45.5%) patients, and stable disease was achieved in 2 (18.2%) patients. No patients exhibited progressive disease. Therefore, the objective response rate was 81.8% and disease control rate was 100%. As for the liver and kidney function and blood routine tests, there were no significant differences between baseline and 1 month after the sur- gery. In addition, no patient had any serious complication during the perioperative period. Conclusions: For patients with stageⅢa liv-er cancer lacking a blood supply and PVTT, a comprehensive treatment strategy including portal vein stenting combined with 125I parti-cle strand implantation, DEB-TACE, and molecular-targeted therapy can restore portal vein blood flow and maintain mid-and long-term stent patency, while effectively killing tumors and controlling tumor growth, which is a safe and effective treatment strategy.

Portal hypertension and chylous ascites complicating acute pancreatitis: the therapeutic value of portal vein stenting.

Chylous ascites as a consequence of acute pancreatitis is very rare. We present an unusual case of a 73-year-old man who developed refractory chylous ascites one month after an acute severe episode of gallstone pancreatitis, associated with portal hypertension. He was successfully treated with portal vein stenting, which has remained patent to date.

Portal vein stent placement for the treatment of postoperative portal vein stenosis: long-term success and factor associated with stent failure.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein stenosis develops due to different causes including postoperative inflammation and oncological processes. However, limited effective therapy is available for portal vein stenosis. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of a portal vein stent for portal vein stenosis after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery and to determine the factors associated with stent patency. METHODS: From December 2003 to December 2015, portal vein stents were implanted in 29 patients who had portal vein stenosis after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of portal vein stent placement. Twelve clinical variables were analyzed for their role in stent patency. RESULTS: The symptoms before portal vein stent placements included nine patients with hepatic encephalopathy, six patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, four patients with ascites, and four patients with hyperbilirubinemia. Portal vein thrombosis due to postoperative portal stenosis was found in four patients. Portal vein stent were successfully implanted without any major complications. Of the 21 patients with symptoms, 17 showed improvement, and stent patency was maintained in 22 (76%) patients. The presence of a collateral vein is the only variable related to the development of an occlusion after portal stenting. CONCLUSION: Portal vein stent were implanted safely and had good long-term patency. This procedure is useful to relieve portal hypertension-related symptoms and to improve the quality of life. Our data strongly suggest that embolization to block blood flow in a collateral vein during portal vein stent placement will improve the patency of the stent.

Portal 125I seed stent implantation combined with drug-loaded microsphere embolization for the treatment of HCC: initial results in 7 patients / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of portal 125I seed stent implantation combined with doxorubicin-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTF).Methods Prospective single-arm study was designed.Seven HCC patients with MPVTT were sequentially enrolled in this study to receive treatment.Portal pressure before and after portal vein stent implantation were determined,the liver function were tested before and 1-3 days,4 days,5-7 days after portal vein stent implantation,the results and the postoperative complications were analyzed.Results All 7 patients were in BCLC-C stage,with Child-Pugh classification being A-B level.All patients were diagnosed as massive type HCC complicated by portal vein tumor thrombus.The lesions were located in hepatic left lobe (n=l) and hepatic right lobe (n=6),tumor thrombus in left branch of portal vein was seen in one patient and tumor thrombus in right branch of portal vein was found in 6 patients,MPVTT was observed in all 7 patients.Portal 125I seed stent implantation plus DEB-TACE was successfully accomplished in all 7 patients.The portal pressure before and after stent implantation was 15.3 cmH2O and 10.2 cmH2O respectively,the postoperative pressure showed an obvious reduction.After stent implantation,a transient elevation of the serum total bilirubin (TB),alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) could be observed,which gradually decreased in 3-4 days;the recovery of TB level was slower than that of ALT and AST levels.Two patients had concomitant myocardial damage,which was gradually recovered in 2-3 days.Conclusion For the treatment of HCC associated with MPVTT,portal 125I seed stent implantation plus DEB-TACE is safe and feasible,although its long-term curative effect needs to be further clarified.

The value of primary vascular stents in management of early portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation.

If portal vein stenosis (PVS) occurs within 1 month after liver transplantation (LT), especially within 1 week, it can be catastrophic and result in rapid loss of the grafts and mortality. Although surgical treatments have been considered standard treatment for PVS, patients are usually unable to receive operations or re-transplantations, because of their critical conditions and a shortage of grafts. Recently, primary percutaneous transhepatic portal vein stents (PTPS) were suggested as alternative and less-invasive treatments of PVS. However, because lethal complications may follow these primary stent placements for patients in early stages after LT, primary PTPS placements for patients suffering PVS 1 month after LT has been suggested. From November 2009 to July 2015, 38 consecutive adult patients underwent LT at our institution. Among them, six recipients suffered PVS within 1 month after LT. Technical success was achieved in all six patients. Clinical success was obtained in two of the four patients suffering PVS within 1 week after LT, and in the other two patients suffering PVS>1 week after LT. All surviving patients and their grafts were in good condition, and their stents remained patent. Our experience showed that primary PTPS placements can be used to effectively treat patients with PVS encountered within 1 month, and even within 1 week, after LT with acceptable short-term results. However, possible fatal complications should be kept in mind. Long-term results of these procedures need further follow-up.

Metal stent implantation in treatment of portal vein cavernous transformation / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemie shunt (TIPS)to implant the portal vein metallic stent in treatment of cavernous transformation of portal vein (CTPV).Methods Clinical and imaging data of 8 patients with CTPV were retrospectively analyzed who were treated in our hospital.All patients were treated with metallic stent implantation in portal vein including 3 patients by TIPS and 5 by percutaneous transhepatic portal vein.Results All patients were successful in the stent implantation without any occurrence of serious complications such as intra-abdominal hemorrhage and so on.Intraoperative angiography showed blood circulated freely in these stents.1 day-2 weeks later,the patients symptoms of abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding were obviously relieved or disappeared.Follow up 1 month-3 years,1 patient with stent occlusion after one year of operation,the blood flow recovery after stent reimplantation,and the remaining patients,color doppler ultrasound reflected patency of blood flows in their stents.No one suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding or abdominal pain again.Conclusion Implantation of portal vein metallic stent via percutaneous transhepatic portal vein or via TIPS in treatment of cavernous transformation of portal vein is safe and effective.