Case report: bleeding gastric varices secondary to splenic vein thrombosis successfully treated by splenic artery embolization.

Splenic vein thrombosis is a complication of pancreatic carcinoma or pancreatitis. It may lead to gastric varices which are difficult to treat and splenectomy may be required to stop variceal bleeding. A case of bleeding gastric varices secondary to splenic vein thrombosis and successfully treated by splenic artery embolization is reported. Embolization was performed by transcatheter deposition of four Gianturco coils into the splenic artery. This resulted in reduced blood flow through the spleen with partial splenic infarction and cessation of variceal bleeding. There has been no recurrence of bleeding in the 6 months since the procedure. Literature review confirms that experience of using this treatment is very limited and it should therefore be restricted to patients at high risk from surgery.