The diameter of the originating vein determines esophageal and gastric fundic varices in portal hypertension secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether and how the diameter of the vein that gives rise to the inflowing vein of the esophageal and gastric fundic varices secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis, as measured with multidetector-row computed tomography, could predict the varices and their patterns. METHODS: A total of 106 patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis underwent multidetector-row computed tomography. Patients with and without esophageal and gastric fundic varices were enrolled in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Group 1 was composed of Subgroup A, consisting of patients with varices, and Subgroup B consisted of patients with varices in combination with portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts. The diameters of the originating veins of veins entering the varices were reviewed and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The originating veins were the portal vein in 8% (6/75) of patients, the splenic vein in 65.3% (49/75) of patients, and both the portal and splenic veins in 26.7% (20/75) of patients. The splenic vein diameter in Group 1 was larger than that in Group 2, whereas no differences in portal vein diameters were found between groups. In Group 1, the splenic vein diameter in Subgroup A was larger than that in Subgroup B. A cut-off splenic vein diameter of 8.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 58.1% for predicting the varices. For discrimination of the varices in combination with and without portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts, a cut-off diameter of 9.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 60.0%. CONCLUSION: The diameter of the splenic vein can be used to predict esophageal and gastric fundic varices and their patterns.

Protection of estrogen in portal hypertension gastropathy: an experimental model / Proteção do estrogênio na gastropatia da hipertensão portal: um modelo experimental

CONTEXT: Portal hypertension is a complication secondary to cirrhosis that is characterized by increased blood flow and/or vascular resistance in the portal system, causing the appearance of a hyperdynamic collateral circulation. Partial portal vein ligation is an experimental model used in rats to study the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in pre-hepatic portal hypertension. Estrogen E2 is an antioxidant molecule with various physiological actions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the antioxidant activity of endogenous estrogen in an experimental model of partial portal vein ligation by comparing intact with castrated rats. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats, weighing on average 250 g were used and divided into four groups: sham-operated (SO); intact (I) with partial portal vein ligation (I + PPVL), castrated (C) and castrated with partial ligation of the vein (C + PPVL). Day 1: castration or sham-operation; day 7, PPVL surgery; on day 15 post-PPVL, portal pressure in the mesenteric vein of rats was measured on polygraph Letica. Lipid peroxidation in the stomach was assessed using the technique of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Statistical analysis was done with ANOVA - Student-Newman-Keuls (mean ± SE), and P<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Portal pressure was significantly increased in C + PPVL as compared to the other groups. There was no significant difference in the group of intact rats. TBARS showed significant damage in C and C + PPVL in relation to others. Antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased in the castrated rats with subsequent PPVL as compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: We suggest that estrogen E2 plays a protective role in intact compared with castrated rats because it presents hydrophenolic radicals in its molecule, thus acting as an antioxidant in this experimental model.

CONTEXTO: A hipertensão portal é uma complicação secundária à cirrose que tem como característica aumento do fluxo sanguíneo e/ou resistência vascular no sistema porta, causando o surgimento de uma circulação colateral hiperdinâmica. A ligadura parcial de veia porta é o modelo experimental utilizado em ratos para estudar os mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos na hipertensão portal pré-hepática. O estrogênio E2 é uma molécula antioxidante com diferentes ações fisiológicas. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a ação antioxidante do estrogênio endógeno em modelo experimental de ligadura parcial de veia porta comparando ratas intactas com ratas castradas. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas 20 ratas Wistar, pesando em média 250 g, divididas em quatro grupos: "sham-operated" (SO); intactas com ligadura parcial da veia porta (I + LPVP); castradas (C) e castradas com ligadura parcial da veia porta (C + LPVP). No 1º dia: castração ou "sham-operated"; no 7º dia cirurgia de LPVP; no 15º dia após a LPVP, foi verificada a pressão portal na veia mesentérica das ratas, no polígrafo Letica. A lipoperoxidação no estômago foi avaliada através da técnica das substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbitúrico e a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase, catalase e glutationa peroxidase. A análise estatística utilizada foi ANOVA - Student-Newmann-Keuls, (Média ± EP) e foi considerado significativo para P<0.05. RESULTADOS: A pressão portal mostrou aumento significativo no grupo C + LPVP em relação aos demais, não houve diferença significativa no grupo das ratas intactas. O TBARS mostrou dano estatisticamente significativo no grupo C e C + LPVP em relação aos demais. Quanto às enzimas antioxidantes, as ratas castradas e com posterior ligadura parcial de veia porta tiveram aumento significativo em relação às demais. CONCLUSÃO: Sugere-se que o estrogênio E2, por apresentar radicais hidrofenólicos em sua molécula, desempenha um papel protetor nas ratas intactas em comparação com as castradas, agindo assim, como antioxidante, neste modelo experimental.

Correlación clínica- para-clínica en un escolar con hipertensión porta de etiología a esclarecer / Clinical-paraclinical in a school with portal hypertension to determine

La hipertensión porta (HTP) es el resultado del incremento de la presión dentro del sistema venoso porta. Se presenta con poca frecuencia en el paciente pediátrico pero es una de las mayores causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en el niño con enfermedad hepática. La mayoría de los pacientes con http presentan un estado hiperdinámico, lo cual aumenta el flujo venoso porta y mantiene la hipertensión. Puede ser secundaria a obstrucción a nivel prehepático, intrahepático o extrahehepático.

Portal hypertension (PH) is the result of increased pressure within the portal venous system. It occurs infrequently in the pediatric patient but it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children with liver disease. Most patients with PH have a hyperdynamic state, which increases venous flow and portal hypertension remains. May be secondary to obstruction at prehepatic, intrahepatic or extrahehepatic.

Semiología renal y genitourinaria en pediatría: segunda parte / Nephrologoy and urology semiology in children: second part

Entre las patologías renales en niños, se encuentra la injuria renal aguda; que es la pérdida súbita de la función renal; el síndrome nefrótico que es el espectro más grave de proteinuria; el síndrome nefrítico caracterizado por la riada edema, hematuria macro o microscópica e hipertensión arterial.

Among the renal pathology in children is acute kidney injury, which is the sudden loss of kidney function, the nephrotic syndrome is the most severe spectrum of proteinuria, the nephrotic syndrome characterized by the triad of edema, macro or microscopic hematuria and arterial hypertension.

Hipertensión porta / Portal hypertension

La hipertensión porta en niños es un síndrome que resulta del aumento de la presión dentro del sistema venoso porta por encima de 10 mm Hg. Inicialmente puede ser asintomática, luego se puede manifstar con hematemesis, esplenomegalia, anemia, ascitis y circulación colateral. En la hipertensión porta prehepática las pruebas de función del hígado (aminotransferasasy niveles de albúmina) y las hematológicas están mínimamente alteradas. En hipertensión porta losniños se puede complicar con variasmanifestaciones, pero cuando se presenta el sangrado de vías digestivas altas por ruptura de várices esofágicas, puede ser realmente alarmante porque algunas veces es profuso, este generalmente es más frecuente ante un hígado cirrótico porque se suele acompañar con peor función hepática.

Portal hypertension in children is a syndrome that results from increased pressure within the portalvenous system above 10 mm Hg. May be asymptomatic initially, then may manifest with hematemesis, splenomegaly, anemia, ascites and collateral circulation. In prehepatic portal h y p e r t e n s i o n o f l i v e r f u n c t i o n t e s t s (aminotransferase and albumin levels) and hematologic are minimally altered. Portal hypertension in children is complicated by several events, but when presented with upper GI bleeding from ruptured esophageal varices, can be very alarming because sometimes it is heavy, this usually is more common to a cirrhotic liver because it is usually accompanied with poor liverfunction.

Phlebosclerotic Colitis in a Cirrhotic Patient with Portal Hypertension: The First Case in Korea

Phlebosclerotic colitis is a rare form of ischemic colitis characterized by the thickening of the wall of the affected colon due to fibrous degeneration of submucosal layer of colon and fibrotic obstruction of the colono-mesenteric vein, resulting in the disturbance of venous return from the colon. The pathogenic mechanism of this entity remains unknown but chronic liver disease with portal hypertension is maybe thought to be one of the speculated mechanisms. Here we first report the case of surgically confirmed phlebosclerotic colitis, that was in the early stage but showed the aggressive nature, in a 61-yr-old cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension in Korea.

Hipertensão porta na esquistossomose mansônica: repercussões do tratamento cirúrgico no perfil histomorfométrico da mucosa gástrica / Portal hypertension in mansonic schistosomiasis: profile of the gastric mucosa

Investigou-se, através da análise digital de imagens, as repercussões do tratamento cirúrgico para controle da hipertensão porta e seus efeitos na vasculatura gástrica de pacientes jovens portadores de esquistossomose mansônica. Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes no pré-operatório (n=5) e grupos de pacientes submetidos à intervenção cirúrgica, em diferentes períodos (0-2 anos, n=04; 2-6 anos, n=13; acima de 6 anos, n=10). Foram obtidas biópsias endoscópicas da mucosa do antro e corpo gástrico, submetidas à rotina histológica e montadas em blocos de parafina. Confeccionaram-se lâminas histológicas que foram usadas para a análise histomorfométrica dos seguintes parâmetros: número médio de vasos por campo, diâmetro médio e espessura da parede dos vasos. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram uma diminuição significativa da densidade e do diâmetro dos vasos a partir dos dois anos de pós-operatório até o período superior a 6 anos. Os dados dão suporte ao conceito de que a técnica cirúrgica ministrada ameniza, em longo prazo, as alterações histopatológicas específicas, como a hemorragia e a ectasia.

The repercussions from surgical treatment for controlling portal hypertension and its effects on the gastric vasculature of young patients with mansonic schistosomiasis were investigated by digital image analysis. The study included five patients at the preoperative stage and 27 patients who had undergone surgical intervention at different times in the past: 0-2 years ago, n=4; 2-6 years ago, n=13, and more than 6 years ago, n=10. Endoscopic biopsies were taken from the mucosa of the gastric antrum and body endoscopic mucosa and the samples underwent routine histological tests after embedding in paraffin blocks. Histological thin sections were used for histomorphometric analysis of the following parameters: mean number of vessels per field, and mean diameter and thickness of the vessel walls. The results showed that, between the patients whose operation was not more than two years ago and those whose operation was more than six years ago, there was a significant decrease in the density and diameter of the vessels. These findings give support to the concept that the surgical treatment administered decreases specific histological alterations like hemorrhage and ectasia, over the long term.

Tratamento endoscópico das varizes esofágicas utilizando alças pré-atadas confeccionadas com fio de poliamida / Endoscopic treatment of esophageal varices, using pretied loop made with polyamide thread

BACKGROUD: The elastic band ligation is the method of choice for treatment of esophageal varices. The action mechanism is a mechanical varices compression with thromboses. Based on this concept we developed a ligature method using pretied loop made with polyamide thread for the treatment of esophageal varices. OBJECTIVE: The present study describes and evaluates the feasibility of the treatment of esophageal varices by the ligature method using pretied loop made with polyamide thread and analyzes the local changes of the ligations and the results, concerning safety, efficiency and complications of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March, 1998 and May, 2000, 58 patients with esophageal varices were treated with pretied loop, made with polyamide thread (26 patients with schistosomiasis, 11 with alcoholic cirrhosis, 9 with hepatitis C, 5 with hepatitis B, 4 of unknown etiology, 2 with hepatitis B and C, and one with Budd-Chiari syndrome/ 42 men and 16 women/ average age of 47,67 ± 13,12 years, range 16-74). A plastic tube was attached to the endoscope tip featured as an accessory working channel, allowing the pretied loop made with polyamide thread to be conducted to the esophagus facilitated by a flexible metallic tube, to perform the esophageal varices ligature. A total of 506 ligatures were done, distributed in 223 sections (average of 2,26 ± 1,08 ligature, varying from 1 to 6 per section). The sessions were perform with the interval of 15 days, until the complete eradication of the esophageal varices. The ecoendoscopy was used as a complementary method to evaluate the varices eradication RESULTS: The esophageal varices were treated successfully in all patients. The complete eradication of varices was achieved in 47 (81,03%) patients. In 37 (63,79%) patients the ligatures resulted in pseudopolyps. It was not identified systemic complications or obits. The ecoendoscopy showed thrombosis in the pseudopolyps...

RACIONAL: A ligadura com bandas elásticas tem se tornado o tratamento de escolha das varizes esofágicas, devido aos bons resultados e as menores taxas de complicações quando comparada à esclerose. Seu mecanismo de ação baseia-se na compressão mecânica do cordão varicoso com interrupção do fluxo sangüíneo e posterior trombose. Tendo como base este mecanismo de ação, desenvolveu-se um método alternativo no qual o cordão varicoso é ligado com uma alça confeccionada com fio de poliamida OBJETIVO: Avaliar a viabilidade do tratamento das varizes esofágicas por método de ligaduras com alças pré-atadas confeccionadas com fio de poliamida, analisando as alterações locais, a segurança, a eficácia e as complicações deste método de tratamento. CASUíSTICA E MÉTODOS: Entre março de 1998 e maio de 2000, 58 pacientes com varizes de esôfago foram tratados com ligaduras com alças pré-atadas, confeccionadas com fio de poliamida (26 esquistossomóticos, 11 com cirrose alcoólica, 9 com hepatite C, 5 com hepatite B, 4 de causa não esclarecida, 2 com hepatite B e C e 1 com síndrome de Budd-Chiari; 42 pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 16 do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 47,67 ± 13,12 anos). Confeccionou-se artesanalmente um canal acessório que acoplado à extremidade do endoscópio, permitia que alças pré-atadas feitas com fio de poliamida fossem conduzidas ao esôfago com auxílio de tubo metálico flexível para se proceder às ligaduras das varizes esofágicas. No total, 506 ligaduras foram realizadas, distribuídas por 223 sessões (média 2,26 ± 1,08 ligaduras por sessão). As sessões foram realizadas com intervalos de 15 dias até a completa erradicação das varizes esofágicas. A ecoendoscopia foi utilizada como método complementar para avaliar a erradicação das varizes em 10 doentes RESULTADOS: O procedimento foi realizado com sucesso em todos os pacientes. A completa erradicação das varizes foi obtida em 47 (81,03%) doentes. Em 37 (63,79%) as...

Hipertensión portal idiopática con infarto esplénico. Complicación no descripta / Idiopathic portal hypertension with splenic infarct. An unreported complication

La Hipertensión Portal Idiopática (HPI) es un síndrome clínico-patológico caracterizado por hipertensión portal no cirrótica. Su prevalencia es baja en occidente y no hemos encontrado casos comunicados en nuestro país. La patente histológica característica de HPI es fibrosis y obliteración de las venas porta intrajepáticas (flebosclerosis), fibrosis portal y periportal, y formación de vasos aberrantes. Presentamos un caso que nos fue derivado por hepatoesplenomegalia y pancitopenia. Al tercer día de internación presentó dolor abdominal y mediante una TAC abdominal se le diagnosticó un infarto esplénico . Posteriormente se le realizó una esplenectomía y biopsia hepática. Los parámetros hematológicos mejoraron después de la operación. Los estudios de imágenes y endoscópicos confirmaron la presencia de hipertensión portal: circulación colateral, vena porta permeable y dilatada y várices esofágicas. Los cambios histológicos del hígado concordaron con el diagnóstico de HPI. Los signos y síntomas característicos de HPI son hemorragias digestivas relacionadas con la hipertensión portal y pancitopenia secundaria al hiperesplenismo y su principal causa de muerte es la hemorragia por várices esofágicas. Como complicación infrecuente de la HPI se ha descripto la trombosis de la vena Porta. En cambio el infarto esplénico, es una rara complicación de la hipertensión portal por cirrosis y del transplante hepático, pero no se han publicado casos en pacientes con HPI.

Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis in children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) is an infrequent cause of portal hypertension in children. We report 11 children with NCPF, from among 338 with portal hypertension, seen over 6.5 years. METHODS: The diagnosis was based on patent splenoportal axis on ultrasonography and/or splenoportal venography and liver biopsy showing no evidence of cirrhosis or other diagnosis, in children with portal hypertension. Those with variceal bleed were managed with endoscopic sclerotherapy and/or shunt surgery. RESULTS: The median age was 11 years (range 5 to 14), and 8 were boys. Presentation was with variceal bleed in 6, lump in left upper abdomen in 5 (though all children had splenomegaly) and esophageal varices on endoscopy. The median spleen enlargement was 8.5 cm; 8 also had hepatomegaly. Hypersplenism was present in 7, and two had developed ascites after bleed. Of 6 children presenting with bleed, variceal obliteration was achieved on sclerotherapy (average 5.6 sessions) in 4 while two underwent shunt surgery for associated hypersplenism. After median follow up of 57.5 months (range 12-78) all are alive and well. CONCLUSION: NCPF is an uncommon cause of portal hypertension in Indian children. Presentation with variceal bleed is less common than in adults; sclerotherapy is effective.

Distal splenorenal shunt. reassessment of rationale from Egyptian perspective

Selective distal splenorenal shunt [DSRS] occupied an important role in the management of bleeding esophageal varices. This role, however, has been challenged by the introduction of new therapies over the past two decades. This encouraged us to reassess our experience with DSRS in order to evaluate its role in the management of portal hypertension at the present time. The results presented in this paper as well as the reported results of the new modalities support the important role of DSRS in the management of variceal bleeding in appropriately selected Egyptian patients

Estado actual del tratamiento quirúrgico de la hipertensión portal en el sangrado por várices esofágicas: experiencia en el Hospital Vargas de Caracas desde Enero de 1996 hasta Mayo de 1997 / Present state of surgical treatment for portal hipertension in variceal bleeding: experience in the Hospital Vargas sine January of 1996 until May of 1997

Con el objetivo de evaluar el estado actual del tratamiento de la hipertensión portal en la hemorragia digestiva superior por várices esofágicas evaluamos retrospectivamente en el Hospital Vargas de Caracas a 19 pacientes que requirieron de cirugía para la hipertensión portal. El período evaluado estuvo comprendido entre Enero de 1996 y Mayo de 1997. El 57,89 por ciento correspondió al sexo masculino, la edad media del grupo estaba en 47,6 años. En 16 pacientes (84,21 por ciento) se realizó transección esofágica y en el resto una derivación porto sistémica. La cirrosis hepática fue responsable de más del 90 por ciento de los casos con hipertensión portal y la mortalidad global del tratamiento quirúrgico fue de 63,16 por ciento que al correlacionarla con la clasificación de Child-Pugh correspondió con el tipo B en 5 pacienttes (41,66 ppor ciento) y para el tipo C en 6 pacientes (50 por ciento). La sobrevida fue de 37,5 por ciento en los que recibieron transección esofágica. La causa de muerte postoperatoria más frecuente fue la insuficiencia hepática. En vista de nuestros resultados creemos que existe una posibilidad quirúrgica para el tratamiento del sangrado por várices esofágicas que no responden o no son susceptibles de tratamiento médico y/o endoscópico

Esclerose hepatoportal associada à trombose de veia porta em crianças: relato de três casos / Hepatoportal sclerosis associated with portal vein thrombosis in children: report of 3 cases

Esclerose hepatoportal é o termo utilizado para designar a condiçäo clínico-patológica responsável por hipertensäo portal näo-cirrótica. Säo apresentados três casos de crianças com esclerose hepatoportal associada à trombose de veia porta. Os dois primeiros pacientes apresentaram, como queixa principal, hemorragia digestiva alta e o terceiro veio encaminhado para investigar hepatoesplenomegalia. O exame ultra-sonográfico evidenciou alteraçöes indicativas de trombose de veia porta extra-hepática nos três casos. A biopsia hepática foi realizada nestes pacientes por apresentarem enzimas hepáticas alteradas (aminotransferase e Gama GT). Os achados histopatológicos principais foram: esclerose subintimal, fibrose portal e proliferaçäo telangiectásica de ramos portais intra-hepáticos, compatíveis com o diagnóstico de esclerose hepatoportal. Os três pacientes apresentaram boa evoluçäo, sendo controlada a hemorragia nos dois primeiros casos por escleroterapia das varizes esofágicas.

Oesophageal varices prediction in portal hypertension in children by abdominal ultrasonography and hemodynamic evaluation by doppler ultrasound

Thirty patients [nineteen males and eleven females with ages ranging from 1 to 15 years] with portal hypertension were enrolled in this study as well as a control group of 15 children who were age and sex matched. All cases and controls were subjected to complete clinical examination, liver function tests, abdominal ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasound. Upper endoscopy was done to all cases and liver biopsy for 25 of them. Upper endoscopy showed absence of varices in 33.3% of cases, grade I varices in 16.6% of cases, grades II, III and IV in 26.6%, 13.3% and 3.3% of cases, respectively. Ultrasonography of patients and controls showed values of portal and splenic vein diameters, splenic span and lesser omental thickness that were statistically significant between patients and controls. Doppler ultrasound findings which included the congestion index, the maximal, minimal and mean velocities of portal blood flow showed also significant difference between cases and controls. The correlation between endoscopic grading, ultrasonography and Doppler findings were significant where splenic span, splenic and portal vein diameters and congestion index showed a significant difference between group A and group B, group C was excluded from statistical analysis due to the small number of cases. It was concluded that ultrasonography can predict the presence of varices depending on splenic size, diameters of portal and splenic vein, presence of collaterals and thickness of lesser omentum. Moreover, Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive technique recording hemodynamics in case with portal hypertension and the congestion index can be used for follow up of these cases to predict those liable to bleed with a need for prophylactic therapy

Frequency of peptic ulcers in patients with portal hypertension

To find the frequency of peptic ulceration in portal hypertension, 137 patients with portal hypertension were studied retrospectively. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, other malignancies or underlying severe systemic disease were excluded and the remaining 114 patients were included in the study. There were 81 males [mean age 49.1 +/- 13.7 years] and 33 females [mean age 52.9 +/- 10 years]. Portal hypertension was secondary to viral liver disease in 75%. Fifty-seven patients had no evidence of peptic ulcers [group I] and another 57 patients [group II] had peptic ulcers diagnosed during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, sex, Child-Pugh score or variceal size. Duodenal ulcers were found in 24% while gastric ulcers were found in 4.4%; other endoscopic findings included erosive gastritis and duodenitis in 21% and 18.4% respectively. Twelve percent of the patients from group II developed bleeding from the ulcers and the majority of bleeding ulcers responded to conservative treatment. The study concludes that the frequency of peptic ulcers in patients with portal hypertension is high. Bleeding peptic ulcers respond to conservative treatment

Hipertensión portal prehepática en el niño / Prehepatic portal hypertension in children

Con el objetivo de llamar la atención sobre la necesidad de hacer diagnóstico precoz de la hipertensión portal prehepática se presentan las historias clínicas de 6 niños con esta patología. Se trata de 5 varones y 1 niña, que en su mayoría fueron referidos tardíamente a la consulta gastroenterológica a la que llegaron sin que se hubiera planteado el diagnóstico en ninguno de los casos. Todos presentaban esplenomegalia y el antecedente de cateterización venosa umbilical en el período neonatal. La hemorragia digestiva alta fue el motivo de consulta en 3 niños, que la reiteraron en la evolución y que en 2 de ellos puso en riesgo la vida. Se describen los exámenes paraclínicos y el tratamiento realizado. Todos los niños están vivos en el momento actual y realizan vida normal. Se destaca la importancia del diagnóstico precoz. Se insiste en la posibilidad de profilaxis