Portal thrombosis after surgical treatment of schistosomatic portal hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have investigated the correlation between the effects of different surgical treatments and laboratory exams for schistosomal portal hypertension, especially concerning portal system thrombosis. The etiopathogenic factors of this thrombosis are not fully understood. In this study, the correlation between surgical treatment for schistosomal portal hypertension and the occurrence of postoperative portal system thrombosis was investigated. METHODS: A total of 61 patients who underwent surgical treatment for schistosomal portal hypertension were distributed into four groups: Patients in Group 1 (n=12) underwent portal variceal disconnection associated with splenic artery ligation and spleen preservation. Patients in Group 2 (n=20) underwent portal variceal disconnection and total splenectomy. Patients in Group 3 (n=20) underwent portal variceal disconnection with subtotal splenectomy, preserving the upper splenic pole supplied by the splenogastric vessels. Patients in Group 4 (n=9) underwent portal variceal disconnection with total splenectomy and autogenous splenic implants on the greater omentum. Late postoperative portal vein thrombosis was diagnosed using Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: Over the 10-year follow-up, portal vein thrombosis occurred in 26 operated patients (42.6%), with no significant difference observed among the four surgical groups (p=0.217). Most of the thrombi only partially occluded the portal system veins. All the patients presented with a thrombus inside the portal vein. There was no difference in hematological and biochemical tests between groups with or without portal vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Portal vein thrombosis is often observed in the late postoperative period, irrespective of the surgical treatment employed, and is not associated with patient characteristics or any hematological and biochemical tests.

Portal vein Doppler tracks volume status in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation: a proof-of-concept study.

AIMS: Renal and liver congestion are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Currently, there are no valid sonographic indicators of fluid status in this population. Intra-renal venous Doppler (IRVD) is a novel method for quantifying renal congestion but its interpretation can be challenging in severe TR due to altered haemodynamics. This study explores the potential of portal vein Doppler (PVD) as an alternative marker for decongestion during volume removal in patients with severe TR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-two patients with severe TR undergoing decongestive therapy were prospectively enrolled. Inferior vena cava diameter, PVD, and IRVD were sequentially assessed during volume removal. Improvement criteria were portal vein pulsatility fraction (PVPF) < 70% and renal venous stasis index (RVSI) < 0.5 for partial improvement, and PVPF < 30% and RVSI < 0.2 for complete improvement. After volume removal, PVPF significantly improved from 130 ± 39% to 47 ± 44% (P < 0.001), while IRVD improved from 0.72 ± 0.08 to 0.54 ± 0.22 (P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients displayed improvement in PVD compared to IRVD (partial: 38% vs. 29%, complete: 41% vs. 7%) (P < 0.001). Intra-renal venous Doppler only improved in patients with concomitant improvement in severe TR. Portal vein Doppler was the only predictor of achieving ≥5 L of negative fluid balance [area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.83 P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: This proof-of-concept study suggests that PVD is the only sonographic marker that can track volume removal in severe TR, offering a potential indicator for decongestion in this population. Further intervention trials are warranted to determine if PVD-guided decongestion improves patient outcomes in severe TR.

Disasters that develop in the liver due to hydatid cyst: a case report.

Hilar cavernous transformation is the formation of venous structures rich in collateral around the portal vein. Portal vein thrombosis is a rare entity. Although there are many reasons for its etiology, few cases have been reported secondary to hydatid cysts in the liver. Here, we present a 24-year-old patient with complaints of abdominal pain and swelling. Her CT and MRI scans show cholelithiasis with portal vein thrombosis and hilar cavernous transformation due to giant hydatid cyst compression in the lateral liver sector.

La transformación cavernosa hiliar es la formación de estructuras venosas ricas en colaterales alrededor de la vena porta. La trombosis de la vena porta es una afección poco frecuente. Aunque existen muchas razones en su etiología, se han descrito pocos casos secundarios a quiste hidatídico en el hígado. Aquí se presenta el caso de una paciente de 24 años con quejas de dolor abdominal e hinchazón. La tomografía computarizada y la resonancia magnética mostraron colelitiasis con trombosis de la vena porta y transformación cavernosa hiliar por compresión del quiste hidatídico gigante en el sector lateral del hígado.

Sonographic and Anatomical Evaluation of the Liver and Portal Vein Reference Values / Evaluación Ecográfica y Anatómica de los Valores de Referencia del Hígado y la Vena Porta

SUMMARY: This paper's aim is a morphometric evaluation of liver and portal vein morphometry using ultrasonography in healthy Turkish population. This study was carried out with 189 subjects (107 females, 82 males). The demographic data and the body surface area were calculated. The longitudinal axis of the liver for two lobes, diagonal axis or liver span, anteroposterior diameter of the liver and portal vein, portal vein transverse diameter, caudate lobe anteroposterior diameter, and portal vein internal diameters as well as longitudinal liver scans in an aortic plane, sagittal plane, transverse plane, and kidney axis were measured. All measurements were analyzed according to age, sex, body mass index, obesity and alcohol consumption. The mean values of the age, height, weight and body mass index were calculated as 44.39 years, 167.05 cm, 74.23 kg, and 27.06kg/m2 in females, respectively. The same values were 44.13 years, 167.70 cm, 75.93 kg and 26.71 kg/m2 in males, respectively. There was significant difference between demographic characteristics, gender, and alcohol consumption in terms of anteroposterior diameter of the liver, portal vein transverse diameter of the right side and liver transverse scan. Also, some measurements including portal vein transverse diameter, liver transverse scan and at kidney axis longitudinal scan of liver showed significant difference between the age groups. There was significant difference in diagonal axis and anteroposterior diameter of liver, portal vein internal diameter, and longitudinal liver scans of the aortic plane parameters between obesity situation. The findings obtained will provide important and useful reference values as it may determine some abnormalities related liver diseases. Also, age, sex, obesity and body mass index values can be effective in the liver and portal vein morphometry related parameters.

El objetivo de este artículo fue realizar una evaluación de la morfometría del hígado y la vena porta mediante ecografía en una población turca sana. Este estudio se llevó a cabo en 189 sujetos (107 mujeres, 82 hombres). Se calcularon los datos demográficos y la superficie corporal. Se midió eleje longitudinal del de dos lóbulos del hígado, el eje diagonal o la extensión del hígado, los diámetros anteroposterior del hígado y de la vena porta, el diámetro transversal de la vena porta, anteroposterior del lóbulo caudado y los diámetros internos de la vena porta, así como las exploraciones longitudinales del hígado en un plano aórtico. Se midieron el plano sagital, el plano transversal y el eje del riñón. Todas las mediciones se analizaron según edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal, obesidad y consumo de alcohol. Los valores medios de edad, talla, peso e índice de masa corporal se calcularon como 44,39 años, 167,05 cm, 74,23 kg y 27,06 kg/m2 en las mujeres, respectivamente. Las mismas variable fueron 44,13 años, 167,70 cm, 75,93 kg y 26,71 kg/m2. Hubo diferencias significativas entre las características demográficas, el sexo y el consumo de alcohol en términos de diámetro anteroposterior del hígado, diámetro transversal de la vena porta del lado derecho y exploración transversal del hígado. Además, algunas mediciones, incluido el diámetro transversal de la vena porta, la exploración transversal del hígado y la exploración longitudinal del hígado en el eje del riñón, mostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de edad. Hubo diferencias significativas en el eje diagonal y el diámetro anteroposterior del hígado, el diámetro interno de la vena porta y los parámetros de las exploraciones hepáticas longitudinales del plano aórtico entre situaciones de obesidad. Los hallazgos obtenidos proporcionarán valores de referencia importantes y útiles ya que pueden determinar algunas anomalías relacionadas con enfermedades hepáticas. Además, los valores de edad, sexo, obesidad e índice de masa corporal pueden ser eficaces en los parámetros relacionados con la morfometría del hígado y la vena porta.

Abernethy Malformation: Possible Diagnosis for Patients with Congenital Heart Disease and Persistent Cyanosis.

CLINICAL DATA: Infant, nine months of age, female, diagnosed with congenital heart disease, with signs of heart failure associated with cyanosis and difficulty in gaining weight. CHEST RADIOGRAPHY: Cardiomegaly with prevalence of pulmonary vascular network. ELECTROCARDIOGRAM: Ectopic atrial rhythm with right ventricular overload and left anterosuperior divisional block. ECHOCARDIOGRAM: Single atrium with absent interatrial septum, atrioventricular connection with a single valve and two orifices, with increased pulmonary pressure and high Qp/Qs. COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: Absence of portal vein and intrahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava. Infrahepatic portion continuing with the azygos system at the level of the thoracic cavity, presence of mesenteric-caval communication associated with signs suggestive of hepatic peribiliary fibrosis. DIAGNOSIS: Abernethy malformation is a rare condition and represents an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt that develops between the mesenteric-portal vasculature and the systemic veins. It may be associated with cardiac malformations and advance with pulmonary hypertension and even the need for liver transplantation. Persistent cyanosis after corrective surgery led to a deeper investigation and correct diagnosis of this malformation. OPERATION: Sternotomy with 68 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass and nine minutes of total circulatory arrest. In the postoperative period, persistence of cyanosis was evident, even though there were no immediate complications. Patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. An abdominal computed tomography angiography confirmed the diagnosis of Abernethy type I malformation, and the patient was transferred for liver transplantation after congenital heart disease treatment.

Traumatic high flow arterioportal fistula. Correction by a covered stent.

The arterio-portal fistula is a rare entity, generally associated with different causes, among which penetrating trauma stands out. They can occur at the beginning asymptomatic or manifest by a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms with severe limitation of the patient's quality of life and even compromise it. Immediate therapeutic action, whether surgical or endovascular, is vital for the definitive solution of the primary triggering cause. We present the case of a patient with a stab wound to the abdomen who developed an arterioportal fistula with associated portal hypertension as a complication. It is treated by placing a covered stent at the level of the anomalous communication, with definitive clinical and imaging resolution.

[Importance of prenatally diagnosed portosystemic vascular shunts in clinical outcomes]. / Importancia de las derivaciones vasculares portosistémicas de diagnóstico prenatal en la evolución clínica.

Portosystemic venous shunts (PSVS) are malformations that result from abnormal communications between the portal and hepatic veins or inferior vena cava. Prenatal diagnosis is made by evaluating the fetal venous circulation and it is classified as intrahepatic and extrahepatic, with different evolution and complications. OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of prenatal diagnosis of portosystemic vascular shunts and review the importance of this rare pathology in its neonatal and pediatric evolution. CLINICAL CASES: Case 1: pregnancy with fetal growth restriction, 2nd percentile, polyhydramnios, without fetal malformations and abnormal patterns on fetal Doppler. Abnormal blood flow through the ductus venous and abnormal venous communication in the liver were identified. Normal genetic study. Male newborn (NB) delivered at 36 weeks, because of severe fetal growth restriction, by emergency cesarean section. He evolved asymptomatic, with normal liver function, and did not continue follow-up. Case 2: pregnancy with fetal growth restriction < percentile 1. Agenesis of the ductus venous and abnormal communication between the portal vein and the left suprahepatic vein were identified with no other malformations or signs of heart failure. Severe SGA newborn was delivered by induction of labor at 35 weeks. He evolved asymptomatic. Normal complementary study. A home check-up at 2 months showed persistent vascular anomaly without systemic involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Even though in the cases presented there were no neonatal complications, this kind of malformations require a high index of suspicion in cases with fetal growth restriction, as well as a long-term multidisciplinary follow-up.

Liver Transplantation After Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis is a relatively frequent complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. Its detection and management are essential to avoid worsening portal hypertension or liver function complications. This complication can also negatively impact or even preclude liver transplant. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a patient who presented with acute portal vein thrombosis, which allowed the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma within the Milan criteria. Chemical thrombolysis was performed with a mechanical aspiration of the thrombus, and in a second moment, the patient was submitted to a liver transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in the therapeutic approach to portal vein thrombosis and surgical techniques have allowed the condition to no longer be an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation. Diagnosis in the acute phase is associated with greater therapeutic success, aiming to avoid the extension of thrombosis and achieve portal vein recanalization.

Hydatid liver disease with portal vein invasion, cavernous transformation and portal biliopathy.

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic parasitic disease, most commonly affecting the liver, lungs and nervous system. Portal vein involvement by hydatid cyst disease is very rare with only few cases published to our knowledge. We describe a case involving a 53-year-old woman with portal vein invasion, cavernous transformation and portal biliopathy.

Increased Prevalence of Left Lobe Atrophy in Long-standing Extrahepatic Portal Vein Obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe long-term changes in standard blood tests and ultrasound (US) findings in pediatric patients with Extrahepatic Portal Vein Obstruction (EHPVO) who have not undergone Meso-Rex Bypass (MRB) surgery. METHODS: US, laboratory, and endoscopic data of 77 patients were analyzed and compared at 2 different points in time: at initial workup and at most recent follow-up. Differences were assessed using McNemar and Wilcoxon tests, while correlations were evaluated using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was the most frequent initial manifestation of EHPVO, in 45.4% of subjects. The mean age at diagnosis was 4.3 years. Seventy-four percentage had a previous history of umbilical catheterization and/or neonatal sepsis. Over time, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and, interestingly, of left lobe atrophy (LLA), even though the number of esophageal varices and the need for endoscopic interventions reduced. A significant correlation was found between history of umbilical catheterization and LLA, splenomegaly and LLA, and gallbladder wall thickening and LLA. Overall, the number of patients with cholelithiasis at initial workup was low (and therefore, not analyzed with inferential statistics); however, we observed a relative increase over time. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients with EHPVO followed over more than 8 years without treatment with MRB, we report the novel finding of a significant increase in the prevalence of LLA over time. LLA correlated with past medical history of umbilical catheterization, and findings of splenomegaly and gallbladder wall thickening. We propose that that LLA should be further explored as a marker of portal hypertension, particularly in the context of a history of umbilical catheterization.

Robotic Resection and Reconstruction of the Superior Mesenteric Vein Without Graft During Pancreatoduodenectomy (with Video).

BACKGROUND: Pancreatoduodenectomy is the procedure of choice for tumors in the head of the pancreas. Invasion of major vessels is a relative contraindication for minimally invasive approach. We present a video of a robotic resection and reconstruction of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) without the use of a graft during pancreatoduodenectomy. METHODS: A 56-year-old female with ductal adenocarcinoma is referred for treatment. CT scan and endoscopic ultrasound showed a 3-cm tumor in the pancreatic head with contact with SMV. The multidisciplinary team decided for upfront surgery. Robotic superior mesenteric artery first approach was used to release the head of the pancreas, so the whole surgical specimen is only attached by the tumor invasion of the SM. After the partial resection of the SMV, its extension precluded lateral suture and a transverse anastomosis was necessary to minimize the risk of narrowing of the SMV. After completion of the venous anastomosis, reconstruction of the alimentary tract was done as usual. RESULTS: Operative time was 430 min. Time of clamping was 30 min and the time for the SMV suture is 23 min. Estimated blood loss was 370 mL. Pathology confirmed a T3N1 ductal adenocarcinoma with free margins. The patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic resection and reconstruction of the SMV is safe and feasible without graft during pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with invasion but not encasing of the portal vein or SMV. The proposed technique should be used in cases where the invasion requires extended resection that precludes simple lateral suture.

Ovarian Vein to Portal Vein Reconstruction: Another Option in Liver Transplant With Portal Vein Thrombosis.

Portal vein thrombosis is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis and a challenge for the transplant team. Not so long ago, portal vein thrombosis was considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplant, but improvements in surgical techniques have overcome this problem in many transplant centers around the world. Here, we present the case of a 52-year-old female patient with cirrhosis from a primary biliary cholangitis and a complex portal vein thrombosis. She underwent a deceased donor liver transplant with a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease of 40. The portal thrombosis was handled using a portosystemic shunt from the splenic vein to the left ovarian vein, which was visualized on a computed tomography scan performed as part of the study protocol. The donor was a 52-year-old woman with brain death secondary to a vascular cerebral accident. A caval replacement technique was used with no complications during surgery. For the portal anastomosis, the dilated left ovarian vein was carefully dissected and brought through the lesser sac, behind the stomach, to obtain a suitable length. An end-to-end anastomosis of the graft portal vein to the left ovarian vein was performed with a 6-0 Prolene running suture. An abdominal computed tomography scan was performed 6 months after liver transplant showing patency of portal vein and no anastomotic defects, and after 24 months of follow-up the patient is in good clinical condition with normal laboratory values and Doppler ultrasonography with no vascular anomalies and adequate portal flow. To our knowledge, the use of a spleno-ovarian shunt has not been reported as an alternative for portal reconstruction in a case of thrombosis.

Aneurisma de la vena porta. A propósito de un caso / Portal vein aneurysm. A case presentation

RESUMEN Fundamento: los aneurismas de la vena porta son entidades poco frecuentes, representan aproximadamente el 3% de los aneurismas del sistema venoso. La mayoría de los aneurismas de la vena porta se detectan en pacientes con hígado sano, aunque en algunas ocasiones la hipertensión portal podría favorecer el desarrollo de la patología. Los lugares más comunes son la confluencia venosa esplenomesentérica, la vena porta principal y las ramas de la vena porta intrahepática en los sitios de bifurcación. Objetivo: presentar el caso de un paciente portador de una aneurisma de la vena porta. Presentación del Caso: Paciente femenina, blanca de 49 años de edad con antecedentes de trastornos dispépticos, y en ocasiones, dolor a nivel del hipocondrio derecho. Su examen físico era negativo y la impresión diagnóstica de su médico de asistencia era litiasis vesicular. Durante la realización del examen ultrasonográfico se encuentra como dato positivo una dilatación de tipo aneurismático de la vena porta en el inicio de su trayecto intrahepático de 18 mm de diámetro, y el resto del examen resultó negativo. Conclusiones: Por lo inusual de este caso se decide hacer su presentación.

ABSTRACT: portal vein aneurysms are uncommon, representing approximately the 3% of venous system aneurysms. Most portal vein aneurysms are detected in patients with healthy liver, although on some occasions portal hypertension could favor their development. The most common sites are the splenomesenteric venous confluence, the main portal vein and the branches of the intrahepatic portal vein at bifurcation sites. Objective: to present the case of a patient with a portal vein aneurysm. Case Presentation: A 49-years-old white female patient with a history of dyspeptic disorders, and sometimes pain in the right upper quadrant. Her physical examination was negative and the diagnostic impression from her attending physician was gallstones. During the ultrasound examination, an aneurysmal dilatation of the portal vein at the beginning of its intrahepatic path of 18 mm in diameter was found as a positive finding, being the rest of the examination negative Conclusions: Due to the unusual nature of this case, it was decided to present it.

Acute portal vein thrombosis in mild cholecystitis. A consequence of coronavirus disease 2019 infection?

La infección por el virus SARS-CoV-2 provoca, además de cuadros respiratorios graves, episodios trombóticos en múltiples localizaciones debido a una mala regulación de la respuesta inmune. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con colecistitis incipiente que desarrolló trombosis portal aguda sin ningún otro antecedente salvo haber pasado de forma asintomática una infección por COVID-19. Dado que esta complicación es extremadamente infrecuente en pacientes sin factores predisponentes ni infecciones graves, consideramos que la infección por COVID-19 pudo ser un factor desencadenante de la trombosis portal y debemos de tenerlo en cuenta de cara al manejo y tratamiento de futuros casos similares.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019 infection causes, in addition to severe respiratory symptoms, thrombotic episodes in multiple locations due to dysregulation of the immune response. We present the case of a patient with incipient cholecystitis who developed acute portal thrombosis with no other antecedents except having passed an asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Since this complication is extremely rare in patients without predisposing factors or serious infections, we consider that COVID-19 infection could be a triggering factor for portal thrombosis and we must take it into account in the management and treatment of future similar cases.

Occult Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated With Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Liver Transplant Recipients.

Transplant eligibility for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is determined by the imaging identification of tumor burden within the Milan criteria. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(s) (TIPS) reduce portal hypertension but may impact HCC visualization. It was hypothesized that the presence of pretransplant TIPS would correlate with occult HCC and reduced survival. A single-center, retrospective, case control study was performed among liver transplant recipients with HCC (2000-2017). The primary endpoint was occult disease on explant pathology. Backward stepwise logistic regression was performed. The secondary endpoints disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Of 640 patients, 40 had TIPS and more frequently exhibited occult disease (80.0% versus 43.1%; P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 4.16; P < 0.001). Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) similarly correlated with occult disease (OR, 1.97; P = 0.02). Explant tumor burden was equivalent between TIPS subgroups; accordingly, TIPS status was not independently associated with reduced DFS or OS. However, exceeding the Milan criteria was associated with reduced DFS (hazard ratio, 3.21; P = 0.001), and TIPS status in patients with a single suspected lesion (n = 316) independently correlated with explant tumor burdens beyond these criteria (OR, 13.47; P = 0.001). TIPS on pretransplant imaging are associated with occult HCC on explant pathology. Comparable occult disease findings in patients with PVT suggest that the mechanism may involve altered hepatic perfusion, obscuring imaging diagnosis. TIPS are not independently associated with reduced DFS or OS but are associated with exceeding the Milan criteria for patients with a single suspected lesion. The presence of TIPS may necessitate a higher index of suspicion for occult HCC.

Neurological Symptoms of Congenital Portosystemic Shunt Reversed by Venous Endovascular Intervention: A Six Years Follow-Up Study.

Congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) is a rare disorder characterized by a diversion of Porto-mesenteric blood into systemic veins. Type I is an end to side fistula between the portal vein and the inferior vena cava. Type II is a side to side fistula between the main portal vein or its branches and mesenteric, splenic, gastric, and systemic veins. Clinical presentation of these patients varies. Treatment and management are guided by the type of malformation and clinical presentation. Herein, we present a case of CPSS Type IIb with neurological symptoms, treated with endovascular occlusion with 6-year follow-up without remission.