title: Clinical and radiologic manifestations of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts: a comprehensive review.
abstract: Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPS) is a rare condition in which the portomesenteric blood drains into a systemic vein, bypassing the liver through a complete or partial shunt. Most often, the diagnosis is made primarily with Doppler ultrasonography. Computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance angiography are used for further classification of the shunt and assessment of accompanying anomalies. Conventional angiography is necessary when results of the other tests disagree or are inconclusive. CEPS is classified into two types according to the pattern of anastomoses between the portal vein and systemic vein. In type 1, intrahepatic portal venous supply is absent; in type 2, intrahepatic portal venous supply is preserved. Type 1 usually occurs in girls with associated malformations, such as situs ambiguous with polysplenia and congenital heart defects. Associated anomalies are less frequent in type 2, and symptoms usually develop later without a gender preference. Hepatic encephalopathy and liver dysfunction are possible complications of both types and usually develop during adulthood. Both types are also associated with regenerative hepatic nodules. The clinical setting and imaging appearance of these nodules can help one avoid misdiagnosis. Definitive treatment of CEPS is determined by the type of shunt. Liver transplantation is the only effective treatment for symptomatic type 1 CEPS; surgical closure or embolization of the shunt is the therapeutic approach for type 2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Radiology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain. edualonsogamarra@gmail.com
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alonso-Gamarra
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parrón
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Consuelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: Loreto
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hierro
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López-Santamaría
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D000792:Angiography; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011168:Portal System / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler