title: "Vascular lock" causing splenic perfusion defects during irreversible electroporation of a locally advanced pancreatic tumor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is little reported experience of irreversible electroporation (IRE) of locally advanced pancreatic tumors (LAP). In literature, few data reported complications. In particular vascular vasoconstriction miming splenic infarcts in humans has never been found.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report describes the onset of asymptomatic multiple little splenic perfusion defects after the treatment of a LAP localized in the boby-tail portion of the pancreas with the application of five percutaneous probes for IRE, in a 79 year-old man. Splenic artery was regularly patent but entirely trapped in the tumor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of our knowledge, until now, no experience concerning percutaneous IRE of pancreatic cancer described that phenomenon. The cause could not be established with certainty and "vascular lock" may be a valid hypothesis. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate its frequency and its exact pathophysiological cause in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Insubria. Varese, Italy. gcarraf@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ierardi
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lucchina
authors.forename: Ejona
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Duka
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bacuzzi
authors.forename: Gianlorenzo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dionigi
authors.forename: Gianpaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrafiello