Outcomes of percutaneous interventions for managing stenosis after meso-Rex bypass for extrahepatic portal vein obstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine outcomes in children with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction who underwent percutaneous intervention for anastomotic stenosis after meso-Rex bypass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients who underwent meso-Rex bypass between 1997 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed, and 15 who underwent transhepatic portal venography for graft stenosis were identified. Technical success and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine of 15 patients (60%) with anastomotic stenosis were successfully treated by endovascular techniques and remain symptom-free with patent shunts, three (20%) underwent technically successful interventions but currently have recurrent stenosis, and three (20%) underwent failed attempts at percutaneous intervention. All three in whom percutaneous intervention failed required surgical revision, including two with near-occlusive lesions that prevented traversal of the stenosis and one who developed postprocedure shunt thrombosis. In total, patients underwent 27 endovascular procedures, including 17 balloon venoplasties, four cutting balloon venoplasties, five stent placements, and one balloon venoplasty with thrombolysis. The mean pressure gradient across the stenosis decreased from 11 mm Hg ± 3 to 5 mm Hg ± 3 (P < .001) after technically successful intervention. Platelet count improved (from 97,000/µL ± 41,000 to 165,000 ± 67,000/µL; P = .002) and ammonia levels decreased (from 40 µmol/L ± 11 to 24 µmol/L ± 13; P = .05) after intervention. Patients were followed for a median duration of 39 months after the last intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous interventions allow for long-term vein graft patency and clinical resolution of symptoms in the majority of patients with anastomotic stenosis after meso-Rex bypass.

Pre- and postoperative imaging and interventions for the meso-Rex bypass in children and young adults.

The meso-Rex bypass is a physiological and anatomical bypass procedure for relief of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction and restoration of mesenteric venous return to the liver. Most patients who are candidates for the bypass are children or young adults with portal hypertension and hypersplenism secondary to cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Most frequently, the bypass utilizes an autologous venous graft to connect the intrahepatic left portal vein to the infrapancreatic superior mesenteric vein (SMV) re-establishing first-pass portal perfusion. We describe the preoperative imaging of the 92 bypass candidates, the surgical anatomy as reflected in postoperative imaging, and the imaging of bypass complications at our institution.Preoperative imaging with US, CT and MR is directed to demonstrate patency and size of the left portal vein and SMV, to define the extent of cavernous transformation and splanchnic collaterals, and to assess for any associated abdominal vascular or solid organ abnormalities. Postoperative imaging is aimed at diagnosing meso-Rex bypass stenosis or occlusion and the interventional management of these complications.

Percutaneous drainage of abdominal and pelvic abscesses in children.

It has only been in the last several decades that abscesses within deep compartments, particularly within the abdomen and pelvis, have become safely accessible with imaging guidance. Since that time, percutaneous abscess drainage has become the standard of care in children. We review the clinical features, diagnosis, and image-guided management of abdominal and pelvic abscesses in children.