Safety and efficacy of splenic artery coil embolization for hypersplenism in liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Partial splenic artery embolization is an effective treatment for hypersplenism but often lacks long-term benefits. PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term effects of coil embolization of the splenic artery in patients with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism underwent coil embolization of the main splenic artery. The coils were deployed in the mid- or distal segment of the splenic artery to allow collateral blood flow to the spleen. The following data were collected from 2 weeks to 4 years after the embolization: technical success, length of hospital stay, white blood cell count, platelet count, splenic volume, and complication. RESULTS: The technical success rate of splenic artery coil embolization was 100%. The post embolization syndrome rate was 75% (36/49) with no incidence of major complications. The mean length of hospital stay was 9 days. After embolization, the patient's white blood and platelet counts increased significantly, peaked at 2 weeks, and gradually decreased during the 4-year follow-up period, but remained at significantly higher levels than pre-embolization levels. Follow-up CT scans demonstrated a gradual increase in the volume of the enhanced portions of the spleens with a decrease in the volume of unenhanced portion. No significant changes occurred in the red blood cell count and liver function after the embolization. CONCLUSION: Embolization of the mid-and distal main splenic artery with coils is a safe and effective treatment of hypersplenism in cirrhosis with long-term hematologic benefits.

[Hypersplenism in liver cirrhosis].

Hypersplenism is defined as the association of anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia with bone marrow hyperplasia and splenomegaly. Hypersplenism is common in liver cirrhosis and frequent in patients with portal hypertension. The effects of portacaval shunt are variable; hypersplenism hardly ever improves but rarely develops after surgery. Since the spleen is a major component of the mononuclear phagocyte system, splenectomy reduces antibody synthesis. Although splenectomy abolishes hypersplenism, it may lead to sepsis. Recently, partial splenic embolization, using gelform injected directly into the splenic artery, has been performed in patients with cirrhosis. Partial splenic embolization induces an increase in the number of circulating blood cells. In addition, the levels of albumin, hepaplastintest, cholesterol and cholinesterase are increased significantly after treatment. Partial splenic embolization rarely causes problems and may actually be beneficial.

Hypersplenism.

These discussions are selected from the weekly staff conferences in the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Taken from transcriptions, they are prepared by Drs. David W. Martin, Jr., Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Kenneth A. Woeber, Associate Professor of Medicine, under the direction of Dr. Lloyd H. Smith, Jr., Professor of Medicine and Chairman of the Department of Medicine. Requests for reprints should be sent to the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, Ca. 94122.