Diffusion tensor imaging quantifying the severity of chronic hepatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is mainly used for detecting white matter fiber in the brain. DTI was applied to assess fiber in liver disorders in previous studies. However, the data obtained have been insufficient in determining if DTI can be used to exactly stage chronic hepatitis. This study assessed the value of DTI for staging of liver fibrosis (F), necroinflammatory activity (A) and steatosis (S) with chronic hepatitis in rats. METHODS: Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group(n = 10) and an experimental group(n = 60). The rat models of chronic hepatitis were established by abdominal subcutaneous injections of 40% CCl4. All of the rats underwent 3.0 T MRI. Regions of interest (ROIs) were subjected to DTI to estimate the MR parameters (rADC value and FA value). Histopathology was used as the reference standard. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the associations between the MR parameters and pathology. The differences in the MR parameters among the pathological stages were evaluated by MANOVA or ANOVA. The LSD test was used to test for differences between each pair of groups. ROC analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The count of each pathology was as follows: F0(n = 15), F1(n = 11), F2(n = 6), F3(n = 9), F4(n = 6); A0(n = 8), A1(n = 16), A2(n = 16), A3(n = 7); S0(n = 10), S1(n = 7), S2(n = 3), S3(n = 11), S4(n = 16). The rADC value had a negative correlation with liver fibrosis (r = - 0.392, P = 0.008) and inflammation (r = - 0.359, P = 0.015). The FA value had a positive correlation with fibrosis (r = 0.409, P = 0.005). Significant differences were found in the FA values between F4 and F0 ~ F3 (P = 0.03), while no significant differences among F0 ~ F3 were found (P > 0.05). The AUC of the FA value differentiating F4 from F0 ~ F3 was 0.909 (p < 0.001) with an 83.3% sensitivity and an 85.4% specificity when the FA value was at the cut-off of 588.089 (× 10- 6 mm2/s). CONCLUSION: The FA value for DTI can distinguish early cirrhosis from normal, mild and moderate liver fibrosis, but the rADC value lacked the ability to differentiate among the fibrotic grades. Both the FA and rADC values were unable to discriminate the stages of necroinflammatory activity and steatosis.

Review of Liver Elastography Guidelines.

Nowadays, shear wave elastographic techniques have brought a substantial reduction of liver biopsies performed to stage liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. The availability of accurate noninvasive methods for the assessment of liver fibrosis was an important breakthrough and prompted ultrasound federations of societies as well as clinical and radiologic societies to issue international guidelines or consensus statements on the clinical applications of shear wave elastographic techniques. This article reviews the guidelines that have been published as of today.

Long-term observation of acute-onset autoimmune hepatitis presenting clinically and radiologically as acute hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: There is yet no gold standard for the diagnosis of acute-onset autoimmune hepatitis (A-AIH), especially histologically acute AIH. As a result, long-term observation of A-AIH has been difficult and the nature is not well known. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features of A-AIH over a long prospective follow-up period. METHODS: Clinical, biochemical, immunological and pathological features of 30 patients (21 female, mean age 55.1 ± 13.1 years) with non-severe A-AIH "without signs of clinical and radiological chronicity" admitted to a community hospital between 2001 and 2015 who were prospectively followed for more than 2 years were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Liver histology of 45% showed acute and 55% chronic hepatitis. Mean age was older, prothrombin time activity was higher, AIH scores before treatment were lower in histologically acute hepatitis than histologically chronic hepatitis significantly. Liver fibrosis was not coarse, but delicate with severe activity in most patients showing chronic hepatitis defined by our strict criteria. Median (range) follow-up period was 6.9 (2.1-16.2) years. Six (20%) patients experienced episode of relapses. All were alive at the last follow-up point. Corticosteroid was continued at 2.5-5 mg/day until the study end point without serious side effects in most patients. Serial change of alanine aminotransferase levels, immunoglobulin G levels and anti-nuclear antibody titers did not show statistical difference between histologically acute and chronic hepatitis. CONCLUSION: Rapid progression of fibrosis could occur in A-AIH. Treatment response and long-term prognosis were good, and not different between patients with histologically acute and chronic hepatitis.

Shear Wave Liver Elastography with a Propagation Map: Diagnostic Performance and Inter-Observer Correlation for Hepatic Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis.

The aim of this study was to determine the performance of shear wave elastography (SWE) with a propagation map in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis, and to assess its reliability with transient elastography (TE) as the reference standard. Our prospective study included 115 consecutive patients with suspected or alleged chronic hepatitis. Patients underwent SWE by two different operators and TE by sonographers on the same day. The correlation coefficient of the intra-class correlation test between an experienced radiologist and a third-year radiology resident was 0.878. There was a moderate correlation between SWE and TE (r = 0.511) in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. The best cutoff values predicting significant hepatic fibrosis and liver cirrhosis by SWE were >1.78 m/s (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.777) and >2.24 m/s (AUROC = 0.935), respectively. SWE with a propagation map is a reliable method for predicting hepatic fibrosis regardless of operator experience.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of upper abdominal organs at different time points: Apparent diffusion coefficient normalization using a reference organ.

PURPOSE: To compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of upper abdominal organs acquired at different time points, and to investigate the usefulness of normalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 58 patients who underwent three rounds of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging including diffusion-weighted imaging of the upper abdomen. MR examinations were performed using three different 3.0 Tesla (T) and one 1.5T systems, with variable b value combinations and respiratory motion compensation techniques. The ADC values of the upper abdominal organs from three different time points were analyzed, using the ADC values of the paraspinal muscle (ADCpsm ) and spleen (ADCspleen ) for normalization. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and comparison of dependent ICCs were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The ICCs of the original ADC and ADCpsm showed fair to substantial agreement, while ADCspleen showed substantial to almost perfect agreement. The ICC of ADCspleen of all anatomical regions showed less variability compared with that of the original ADC (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Normalized ADC using the spleen as a reference organ significantly decreased variability in measurement of the upper abdominal organs in different MR systems at different time points and could be regarded as an imaging biomarker for future multicenter, longitudinal studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1494-1501.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging predicts clinical outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been demonstrated to quantify hepatic fibrosis, iron, and steatosis. The aim of this study was to determine if MR can be used to predict negative clinical outcomes in liver disease patients. METHODS: Patients with chronic liver disease (n=112) were recruited for MR imaging and data on the development of liver related clinical events were collected by medical records review. The median follow-up was 27months. MR data were analysed blinded for the Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis score (LIF; <1, 1-1.99, 2-2.99, and ⩾3 representing normal, mild, moderate, and severe liver disease, respectively), T2∗ for liver iron content and proportion of liver fat. Baseline liver biopsy was performed in 102 patients. RESULTS: Liver disease aetiologies included non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (35%) and chronic viral hepatitis (30%). Histologically, fibrosis was mild in 54 (48%), moderate in 17 (15%), and severe in 31 (28%) patients. Overall mortality was 5%. Ten patients (11%) developed at least one liver related clinical event. The negative predictive value of LIF<2 was 100%. Two patients with LIF 2-2.99 and eight with LIF⩾3 had a clinical event. Patients with LIF⩾3 had a higher cumulative risk for developing clinical events, compared to those with LIF<1 (p=0.02) and LIF 1-1.99 (p=0.03). Cox regression analysis including all 3 variables (fat, iron, LIF) resulted in an enhanced LIF predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive standardised multiparametric MR technology may be used to predict clinical outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease.

A case report of suspected hepatopulmonary syndrome secondary to ductal plate malformation with chronic active hepatitis in a dog.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a respiratory complication of hepatic disease, that is well recognized in humans and defined by the presence of 1) liver disease, 2) hypoxemia and/or high alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (AaDO2) and 3) intrapulmonary vasodilatation. The present report describes a similar case of HPS in a dog. A six-month-old Papillon was diagnosed with ductal plate malformation with chronic active hepatitis and showed progressive increases in AaDO2 over the course of the following six months. The presence of intrapulmonary vasodilatation was confirmed by agitated saline contrast transthoracic echocardiography. Also, the absence of congenital cardiac defect was confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography. From these results, we suspected that this dog had HPS. This is the first description of suspected canine HPS.

Diagnosis and treatment challenges in a patient with splenic tumor and chronic viral hepatitis.

UNLABELLED: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic tissue located in various parts of the body: lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, adenoids, tonsils, and bone marrow. The disease occurs mainly in adults, with a higher incidence within the age range of 45 to 60 years. We present a clinical case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed in a patient with chronic viral hepatitis B and D. The particularity of this case consists in the diagnosis of primitive spleen lymphoma, described in less than 1% of the cases, and also the difficult antiviral therapy recommendation for the liver disease, given the associated co-morbidity. ABBREVIATIONS: NHL = Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, HDV = Hepatitis delta virus, HCV = Hepatitis C virus, HBV = Hepatitis B virus, CT = Computerized tomography, CEUS = Contrast enhanced ultrasonography, CHOP = cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, R-CHOP = cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab.

Perihepatic nodes detected by point-of-care ultrasound in acute hepatitis and acute-on-chronic liver disease.

AIM: To study the manifestations of perihepatic lymph nodes during the episode of acute hepatitis flare by point-of-care ultrasonography. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-six patients with an episode of acute hepatitis flare (ALT value > 5 × upper normal limit) were enrolled retrospectively. Diagnosis of etiology of the acute hepatitis flare was based on chart records and serological and virological assays. The patients were categorized into two groups (viral origin and non-viral origin) and further defined into ten subgroups according to the etiologies. An ultrasonograpy was performed within 2 h to 72 h (median, 8 h). The maximum size of each noticeable lymph node was measured. Correlation between clinical parameters and nodal manifestations was analyzed RESULTS: Enlarged lymph nodes (width ≥ 5mm) were noticeable in 110 (62.5%) patients, mostly in acute on chronic hepatitis B (54.5%). The viral group had a higher prevalence rate (89/110 = 80.9%) and larger nodal size (median, 7 mm) than those of the non-viral group (21/66 = 31.8%; median, 0 mm) (P < 0.001 for both). Meanwhile, there were significant differences in the nodal size between acute and chronic viral groups (P < 0.01), and between acute hepatitis A and non-hepatitis A viral groups (P < 0.001). In logistical regression analysis, the nodal width still showed strong significance in multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001) to stratify the two groups. The area under the curve of ROC was 0.805, with a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 68.2%, positive predictive value of 80.92%, negative predictive value of 68.18%, and an accuracy of 76.14%. CONCLUSION: Point-of-care ultrasonography to detect perihepatic nodal change is valuable for clarifying the etiologies in an episode of acute hepatitis flare.

Ultrasonographic assessment of liver fibrosis with computer-assisted analysis of liver surface irregularities.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a software program that automatically analyzes the liver surface to diagnose significant fibrosis, by comparing it to the subjective analysis of a radiologist and to transient elastography (Fibroscan(®)). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients with chronic liver disease were included in the study. They underwent liver biopsy, FibroScan(®) and ultrasonographic examination of the liver surface. The liver surface was analyzed by a software program that gave a score of surface irregularities. This evaluation was compared to subjective analysis by a radiologist expert in liver imaging and by two general radiologists. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the patients had significant fibrosis according to the METAVIR score. The AUROC for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis by the software program was 0.80 (95%CI: 0.71-0.87), which was equivalent (P=0.86) to that of FibroScan(®) (0.81; 95%CI: 0.71-0.89). Results of the subjective analysis by the expert radiologist were poorer than those of the software analysis (P=0.02) (AUROC=0.66; 95%CI: 0.56-0.75). Interobserver agreement among radiologists was poor (0.25

Different enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma in dynamic CT for patients with normal liver and chronic liver diseases and with the dose of contrast medium based on body surface area.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize hepatic parenchymal enhancement for normal and diseased liver in dynamic computed tomography (CT) with the dose of contrast medium calculated on the basis of body surface area (BSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 328 consecutive patients who underwent triple-phase contrast-enhanced CT were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into four groups: normal liver (n = 125), chronic hepatitis (CH) (n = 92), Child-Pugh grade A liver cirrhosis (LC-A) (n = 78), and Child-Pugh grade B liver cirrhosis (LC-B) (n = 33). All patients received 22 g I m(-2) as contrast material, calculated on the basis of BSA. CT values were measured in the region of interest during the pre-contrast, arterial, and portal phases, and the change in the CT value (ΔHU, where HU is Hounsfield units) compared with pre-contrast images was calculated. RESULTS: Mean ΔHU for the hepatic parenchyma for the normal liver, CH, LC-A, and LC-B groups during the portal phase was 55.5 ± 11.8 HU, 55.2 ± 12.5 HU, 50.0 ± 13.0 HU, and 43.0 ± 12.7 HU, respectively; generalized estimating equation analysis showed the differences were significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Hepatic parenchymal enhancement during the portal phase decreased as the severity of chronic liver damage increased.

Quantitative assessment of liver fibrosis by digital image analysis: Relationship to Ishak staging and elasticity by shear-wave elastography.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between fibrosis staged by Ishak stage and quantified by digital image analysis (DIA), and to reveal the optimum performance of shear-wave elastography (SWE) using quantitative DIA measurements as a comparative histological standard. METHODS: The proportionate area (PA) of fibrosis was measured by DIA from images of the PA of trichrome-stain (TPA) of 168 chronic hepatitis patients. SWE was performed in 105 patients. The accuracy of SWE for predicting the fibrosis defined by quantitative PA thresholds (≥ 2.5%, ≥ 5%, ≥ 10% and ≥ 20%, respectively) and by Ishak stages was measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS: DIA was proven to be highly reproducible (interclass correlation coefficient 0.926). The TPA range corresponding to each Ishak stage was large, widened as stages progressed, and reached its greatest extent in cirrhosis. TPA magnified at ×50 ranges 11.9-56% for Ishak stage F5-6. A good correlation between TPA and elasticity was presented for more advanced fibrosis (TPA ≥10%, rs = 0.732, P = 0.000) than milder fibrosis (TPA <10%, rs = 0.308, P = 0.006). With the advance of fibrosis either by stages or PA thresholds the discriminative accuracy of SWE gradually increased, but was less satisfactory for milder fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: DIA may serve as a reproducible and reliable quantitative standard for surrogate tests for liver fibrosis. The performance and correlation of SWE with the fibrotic extent were better for advanced fibrosis, but less satisfactory for milder fibrosis.

Prediction of portal pressure from intraoperative ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Portal hypertension is a major risk factor for hepatic failure or bleeding in patients who have undergone hepatectomy, but it cannot be measured indirectly. We attempted to evaluate the intraoperative ultrasonography parameters that correlate with portal pressure (PP) in patients undergoing hepatectomy. METHODS: We examined 30 patients in whom PP was directly measured during surgery. The background liver conditions included chronic viral liver disease in seven patients, chemotherapy-associated steatohepatitis in four patients, fatty liver in one patient, hepatolithiasis in one patient, obstructive jaundice in one patient, and a normal liver in 16 patients. A multivariate logistic analysis and linear regression analysis were conducted to develop a predictive formula for PP. RESULTS: The mean PP was 10.4 ± 4.1 mm Hg. The PP tended to be increased in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. A univariate analysis identified the association of the six following parameters with PP: the platelet count and the maximum (max), minimum (min), endo-diastolic, peak-systolic, and mean velocity in the portal vein (PV) flow. Using multiple linear regression analysis, the predictive formula using the PV max and min was as follows: Y (estimated PP) = 18.235-0.120 × (PV max.[m/s])-0.364 × (PV min). The calculated PP (10.44 ± 2.61 mm Hg) was nearly the same as the actual PP (10.43 ± 4.07 mm Hg). However, there was no significant relationship between the calculated PP and the intraoperative blood loss and post hepatectomy morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This formula, which uses ultrasonographic Doppler flow parameters, appears to be useful for predicting PP.

Initial performance evaluation of iterative model reconstruction in abdominal computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present initial evaluation of the performance of the iterative model reconstruction algorithm (IMR) in abdominal computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Computed tomographic examinations were performed for clinical study of 36 patients and for phantom study. We reconstructed the raw data with 1.0- and 5.0-mm slice thicknesses using filtered back projection (FBP), iDose4, and IMR and evaluated image quality objectively and subjectively. RESULTS: For almost all subjective characteristics, the image quality was better using IMR than iDose4. Objective image noise was significantly less using IMR than iDose4 (P < 0.0001). The contrast-noise ratio of both slice thicknesses increased in order from FBP to iDose4 to IMR. The spatial resolution of reconstructed images was almost identical using IMR, FBP, and iDose4. CONCLUSIONS: The IMR can significantly improve image noise and low-contrast resolution and maintain edge sharpness in abdominal CT images compared with iDose4 or FBP.

Noninvasive diagnostic method for idiopathic portal hypertension based on measurements of liver and spleen stiffness by ARFI elastography.

BACKGROUND: Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography is an ultrasound technique that is capable of measuring tissue stiffness noninvasively. It is difficult to differentiate idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) from liver cirrhosis (LC) or chronic hepatitis (CH), and liver biopsy is essential. We investigated whether it would be possible to noninvasively diagnose IPH by measuring the stiffness of the liver and spleen by ARFI. METHODS: The subjects were 17 IPH patients, 25 LC patients, 20 CH patients, and 20 normal controls (NC). We measured liver stiffness, spleen stiffness, and the spleen/liver stiffness ratio, and plotted ROC curves. RESULTS: The median value of liver stiffness in the IPH group was lower than that in the LC group (p = 0.00077) and about the same as in the CH group (p = 0.79). The median value of spleen stiffness was highest in the IPH group (IPH vs. LC group, p = 0.003; IPH vs. CH group, p < 0.00001). The spleen/liver stiffness ratio was lower in the LC group and in the CH group, and higher in the IPH group (p < 0.001, respectively). When an ROC curve of spleen/liver stiffness ratios was plotted to differentiate between the IPH group and the combined group of patients with other liver diseases (LC + CH group), when a cutoff value of 1.71 was used, the AUROC was 0.933 sensitivity 0.941, specificity 0.800, and accuracy 0.839. CONCLUSION: Measuring the spleen/liver stiffness ratio by ARFI made it possible to noninvasively, specifically, and accurately diagnose IPH.

A quantitative index measured on 99mTc GSA SPECT/CT 3D fused images to evaluate severe fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

PURPOSE: We compared quantitative indices estimated by use of technetium-(99m) galactosyl human serum albumin ((99m)Tc-GSA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) fused imaging and hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the basis of pathological findings we divided 161 patients into non-severe and severe fibrosis groups (n = 81 and n = 80, respectively). We measured 2 indices by (99m)Tc-GSA SPECT/CT fused imaging: liver uptake value (LUV) = [radioactivity (whole liver)/radioactivity (injected)] × 100/body surface area, and functional liver index (FLI) = [radioactivity (hepatocytes)/radioactivity (injected)] × 100/liver volume. We compared these indices with biochemical and histopathological results. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that FLI, LUV, LHL15, and prothrombin time were significant independent predictors of severe fibrosis. On the basis of receiver operating characteristics analysis, the areas under curve values of FLI, LUV, LHL15, and prothrombin time for predicting severe fibrosis were 0.83, 0.73, 0.69, and 0.68, respectively. Using an FLI value of 0.053, it was possible to predict severe fibrosis with 65 % sensitivity, 88 % specificity, and 76 % accuracy. CONCLUSION: Assessment of functional hepatocytes by use of (99m)Tc-GSA SPECT/CT fused images is useful for identifying pathological liver fibrosis.

Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography as compared to transient elastography and liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatopathies.

PURPOSE: To compare two methods of noninvasive assessment: transient elastography (TE) and acoustic radiation force impulse elastography (ARFI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 114 subjects: 38 healthy volunteers, (considered to have no fibrosis - F 0) and 76 patients with chronic liver disease: 53 who had undergone liver biopsy (LB) (7 with F 1, 24 with F 2, 22 with F 3 Metavir) and 23 previously diagnosed with cirrhosis (F4 Metavir). In each patient we performed a liver stiffness measurement by means of TE and ARFI. ARFI (shear wave velocity quantification) was performed at 3 points: at 0 - 1 cm, at 1 - 2 cm and at 2 - 3 cm under the capsule. For each depth, 5 valid measurements were made, and a median value was calculated, measured in m/sec. RESULTS: A direct, strong, linear correlation (Spearman rho = 0.848) was found between TE and the stage of fibrosis (p < 0.001). A significant, direct correlation was found between ARFI measurements made 1 - 2 cm and 2 - 3 cm below the liver capsule and the severity of fibrosis (rho = 0.675 and 0.714 respectively). The subcapsularly measured ARFI values showed a poor correlation with fibrosis (rho = 0.469). The best test for predicting significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) was TE, with the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) 0.908, significantly larger than the AUROCs for ARFI. If only ARFI is considered, measurements made 1 - 2 and 2 - 3 cm below the capsule have the best predictive value, with AUROCs not significantly different from each other (0.767 and 0.731, respectively). For predicting fibrosis (F > 0), TE had the best predictive value: optimized cut-off 5.65 kPa (AUROC -0.898). For ARFI, the cut-offs were: 1.4 m/sec, AUROC -0.747 (1 - 2 cm), and 1.26 m/sec AUROC -0.721 (2 - 3 cm). For predicting cirrhosis (F = 4 Metavir), the optimized cut-offs were: TE -12.9 kPa (AUROC -0.994); ARFI - 1.78 m/sec for measurements made 2 - 3 cm below the capsule, AUROC - 0.951. CONCLUSION: At present, liver elasticity evaluation by means of ARFI is not superior to TE for the assessment of liver fibrosis. For ARFI, the most reliable results are obtained if measurements are made 1 - 2 and 2 - 3 cm below the liver capsule. ARFI is an accurate test for the diagnosis of cirrhosis.

[Left-side venous anastomosis as a method correcting blood outflow from the kidney].

Case histories and surgical protocols of 50 patients who were treated for chronic hepatitis by creating left-side renoportal venous anastomosis (RPVA) were analysed retrospectively. Early after surgery 75% patients had microhematuria, proteinuria to 0.033-0.066 g/l, leucocyturia. At discharge from the hospital these abnormalities were not registered in the majority of the patients. Three months after operation these indices were at the preoperative level. Significant shifts in parameters of urine were associated with an anomalous condition of the left renal vein (annular, retroaortal), its compression, portal hypertension and creation of RPVA without legation of the splenic vein. In a cositive compression test RPVA was created without arrest of arterial inflow for 45 min. This can be a criterion of feasibility of left renal vein ligature if left-side RPVA cannot be performed for preservation of the left kidney. Validity of left-side RPVA use for correction of blood outflow from the left kidney is proven by functional improvement and normal side of the kidneys in long-term postoperative follow-up.