Selective embolization of the splenic vein in patients with hepatic encephalopathy and splenorenal shunt.
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.
Mezawa
Shinichi
S
Gastroenterology Center, Tokeidai Hospital, Sapporo Medical University, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0031, Japan. smezawa@hotmail.com
Homma
Hisato
H
Akiyama
Takehide
T
Katsuki
Shinichi
S
Murakami
Ken
K
Hirata
Kenichiro
K
Kogawa
Katsuhisa
K
Takahashi
Syo
S
Sato
Tsutomu
T
Doi
Tadashi
T
Niitsu
Yoshiro
Y
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