Percutaneous transportal sclerotherapy with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for gastric varices: technique and clinical efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
This study was deigned to evaluate the technique and clinical efficacy of the use of percutaneous transportal sclerotherapy with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for patients with gastric varices.


METHODS
Seven patients were treated by transportal sclerotherapy with the use of NBCA. For transportal sclerotherapy, portal vein catheterization was performed with a 6-Fr sheath by the transhepatic approach. A 5-Fr catheter was introduced into the afferent gastric vein and a microcatheter was advanced through the 5-Fr catheter into the varices. NBCA was injected through the microcatheter in the varices by use of the continuous single-column injection technique. After the procedure, postcontrast computed tomography (CT) was performed on the next day and then every six months. Gastroendoscopy was performed at one week, three months, and then every six months after the procedure.


RESULTS
The technical success rate of the procedure was 88%. In six patients, gastric varices were successfully obliterated with 1-8 mL (mean, 5.4 mL) of a NBCA-Lipiodol mixture injected via a microcatheter. No complications related to the procedure were encountered. As seen on the follow-up endoscopy and CT imaging performed after six months, the presence of gastric varcies was not seen in any of the patients after treatment with the NBCA-Lipiodol mixture and the use of microcoils. Recurrence of gastric varices was not observed during the follow-up period. Worsening of esophageal varices occurred in four patients after transportal sclerotherapy. The serum albumin level increased, the ammonia level decreased and the prothrombin time increased at six months after the procedure (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous transportal sclerotherapy with NBCA is useful to obliterate gastric varices if it is not possible to perform balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.
Kwak
Hyo Sung
HS
Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Chonbuk, Korea.
Han
Young Min
YM
D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004659:Enbucrilate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D003287:Contrast Media; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D007459:Iodized Oil; D004659:Enbucrilate