RESUMEN
Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are rare developmental anomalies resulting in diversion of portal flow to the systemic circulation. These shunts allow intestinal blood to reach the systemic circulation directly, and if persistent or large, may lead to long-term complications. CPSS can have a variety of clinical presentations that depend on the substrate that is bypassing hepatic metabolism or the degree of hypoperfusion of the liver. Many intrahepatic shunts spontaneously close by 1 year of age, but extrahepatic and persistent intrahepatic shunts require intervention by a single session or staged closure with a multidisciplinary approach. Early detection and appropriate management are important for a good prognosis. The aim of this case series is to describe the varied clinical presentations, treatment approaches, and outcomes of 5 children with CPSS at our institution. Management of these patients should involve a multidisciplinary team, including interventional radiology, surgery, hepatology, and other medical services as the patient's clinical presentation warrants. Regardless of clinical presentation, if a CPSS persists past 1-2 years of age, closure is recommended.
RESUMEN
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a ubiquitous procedure, and a broadly recognized alternative to surgical interventions for symptomatic leiomyomata when uterine preservation is desired. Aside from postembolization syndrome (typically considered an expected feature of recovery), the most frequently described complications are temporary or permanent amenorrhea and lingering vaginal discharge. Less frequently described complications include fibroid expulsion (FE), protracted or refractory pain, infection, urinary retention, and access-related injuries. Reported rates of transcervical FE vary in the literature from 3 to 50% but are most often quoted to be around 5 to 15%. Certain features predispose a patient to FE, including size and location of the tumor, with pedunculated submucosal, submucosal, and transmural lesions considered to be "high risk." While the optimal management of FE has not been definitively determined, high rates of nonoperative management of FE are noted in the literature. This article describes a case in which a fibroid was expulsed following UAE, as well as the management of the complication. A literature review and recommendations for the management of FE is also given.
RESUMEN
The majority of giant hepatic cavernous hemangiomas are asymptomatic and can safely be observed. However, when a lesion becomes symptomatic, affecting quality of life or cannot be distinguished from a malignancy, then operative therapy should be considered. We herein present a case of a symptomatic 12cm × 14cm × 17cm "mega" hemangioma (>10cm) of the left hepatic lobe. This lesion was initially refractory to transarterial embolization of the left hepatic artery, but was subsequently treated successfully with a left lateral extended hepatic segmentectomy (resection). We thus advocate a rational treatment algorithm for management of hepatic "mega" hemangiomas.
