Transcatheter coil occlusion of an intrahepatic arterioportal fistula in a transplanted liver.
The incidence of arterioportal fistulas (APFs) following percutaneous transhepatic procedures is quoted to be between 5 and 20%; the majority of them remain clinically asymptomatic and do not require any treatment. However, an APF large enough to cause a reversal of blood flow in the portal vein is rather uncommon especially in a transplanted liver where it may have potentially hazardous consequences. We report on a 21-year-old female patient who received a liver transplantation on account of a Budd-Chiari syndrome. Following a liver biopsy, a large APF developed in the right lobe of the graft. Despite the known risks associated with catheterization of graft vessels, a successful coil occlusion of the fistula could be carried out thus rendering surgery unnecessary.
Chavan
A
A
Klinik für Diagnostische Radiologie, Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover.
Harms
J
J
Pichlmayr
R
R
Galanski
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation; D006502:Budd-Chiari Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*