title: Selective embolization of the splenic vein in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and splenorenal shunt.
abstract: Obliteration of portal-systemic shunts is effective for portosystemic encephalopathy but is often associated with complications such as retention of ascites and worsening of esophageal varices. Selective embolization of the splenic vein was performed on six patients with hepatic encephalopathy and splenorenal shunts. Hepatic encephalopathy was not observed in four patients after the procedure. Neither retention of ascites nor rupture of esophageal varices was observed because postoperative elevation of portal venous pressure was not as great as that seen when shunt obliteration is performed. This procedure can be an effective and safe treatment option for hepatic encephalopathy with a splenorenal shunt.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Center, Tokeidai Hospital, Sapporo Medical University, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0031, Japan. smezawa@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mezawa
authors.forename: Hisato
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Homma
authors.forename: Takehide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsuki
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Kenichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Katsuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kogawa
authors.forename: Syo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Yoshiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Niitsu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome