title: Outcomes of partial splenic embolization in patients with massive splenomegaly due to idiopathic portal hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the outcomes of partial splenic embolization (PSE) for massive splenomegaly due to idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, we evaluated the characteristics and prognosis of consecutive patients with IPH who underwent PSE for all indications at a single medical center between June 2009 and January 2015. The inclusion criteria were: presence of hypersplenism, massive splenomegaly, and resultant pancytopenia. The exclusion criteria were: presence of other diseases causing portal hypertension. During the post-PSE period, the patients were hospitalized. All patients underwent abdominal computed tomography imaging 4 wk post-PSE to determine total splenic and non-infarcted splenic volumes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 11 patients, with median age of 33.27 ± 4.8 years, were included in the study. Mean spleen size was 22.9 cm (21-28 cm), and severe hypersplenism was diagnosed in all patients before PSE. Post-PSE, leukocyte and platelet counts increased significantly, reaching peak levels in the second week with gradual decreases thereafter. Liver function tests did not exhibit significant changes during post-intervention follow-up. All patients developed post-embolization syndrome, and one patient experienced serious complications; all complications were successfully treated with conservative therapy and no death occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings showed that PSE has a lower complication rate than previously-reported surgical complication rates, which supports this intervention as a viable alternative for high-risk operable patients with severe hypersplenism.
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gonca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eldem
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bora
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peynircioglu
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Taylan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kav
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysegul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Görmez
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Barbaros Erhan
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Cil
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ferhun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balkancı
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cenk
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sokmensuer
authors.affiliation: Omer Ozturk, Taylan Kav, Yusuf Bayraktar, Department of Gastroenterology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bayraktar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hypersplenism; Idiopathic portal hypertension; Massive splenomegaly; Partial splenic embolization