Treatment of chronic portosystemic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients by embolization of portosystemic shunts.
AIMS/BACKGROUNDS: Large spontaneous portal-systemic shunts can occasionally be the cause of chronic and disabling encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients. Shunt embolization has been proposed, however the clinical relevance of this technique remains uncertain.


RESULTS
We report our results in seven patients treated by shunt embolization. Although the procedure was achieved and technically successful in all patients, the clinical results were poor as long-term improvement was obtained in only one patient. Three patients died within 3 months after the procedure from cirrhoses' end stage complications.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that optimal management of these patients with chronic spontaneous encephalopathy is liver transplantation.
Zidi
Sémia H
SH
Hopital Bicetre, Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
Zanditenas
David
D
Gelu-Siméon
Moana
M
Rangheard
Anne-Sophie
AS
Valla
Dominique C
DC
Vilgrain
Valérie
V
Pelletier
Gilles M
GM
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011168:Portal System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome