UNLABELLED: AIMS/BACKGROUNDS: Large spontaneous portal-systemic shunts can occasionally be the cause of chronic and disabling encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients. Shunt embolization has been proposed, however the clinical relevance of this technique remains uncertain. METHODS/ RESULTS: We report our results in seven patients treated by shunt embolization. Although the procedure was achieved and technically successful in all patients, the clinical results were poor as long-term improvement was obtained in only one patient. Three patients died within 3 months after the procedure from cirrhoses' end stage complications. CONCLUSION: We believe that optimal management of these patients with chronic spontaneous encephalopathy is liver transplantation.
UNLABELLED: AIMS/BACKGROUNDS: Large spontaneous portal-systemic shunts can occasionally be the cause of chronic and disabling encephalopathy in cirrhoticpatients. Shunt embolization has been proposed, however the clinical relevance of this technique remains uncertain. METHODS/ RESULTS: We report our results in seven patients treated by shunt embolization. Although the procedure was achieved and technically successful in all patients, the clinical results were poor as long-term improvement was obtained in only one patient. Three patients died within 3 months after the procedure from cirrhoses' end stage complications. CONCLUSION: We believe that optimal management of these patients with chronic spontaneous encephalopathy is liver transplantation.
Authors: Amanda M Lynn; Siddharth Singh; Stephen E Congly; Disha Khemani; David H Johnson; Russell H Wiesner; Patrick S Kamath; James C Andrews; Michael D Leise Journal: Liver Transpl Date: 2016-06 Impact factor: 5.799