Portal vein pseudoaneurysm with portoenteric fistula: an unusual cause for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Stent-graft placement for delayed extrahepatic portal hemorrhage after surgical treatment for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A case report

•

Stent-graft placement is a viable option for treatment of portal vein hemorrhage.

•

Postoperative hemorrhage was caused by extrahepatic portal vein pseudoaneurysm formation.

•

Portal vein pseudoaneurysm occurred at the reconstructed portion.

Introduction

Potential curative therapy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma requires extensive surgical treatment, which can still be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Postoperative hemorrhage from the portal vein is a rare but life-threatening complication. We herein report postoperative hemorrhage from an extrahepatic portal vein pseudoaneurysm successfully treated by stent graft placement late after surgical treatment for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Presentation of case

An 83-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of jaundice. Based on radiological findings, we diagnosed the patient with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. After endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage, resection of the extrahepatic bile duct combined with extended left hemi-hepatectomy, including the caudate lobe, lymphadenectomy of the hepatoduodenal ligament, partial resection and reconstruction of the portal vein, and right hepaticojejunostomy was performed. Fourteen days postoperatively, bleeding through the abdominal drain around the portal vein was observed. Twenty days postoperatively, abdominal computed tomography revealed a portal vein pseudoaneurysm that had formed at the portion of reconstruction. Therefore, 24 days postoperatively, a stent graft placement of the pseudoaneurysm through the ileocolic vein was performed. Subsequently, the portal vein hemorrhage ceased.

Discussion

Our present postoperative extrahepatic portal vein hemorrhage case was caused by an extrahepatic portal vein pseudoaneurysm that had formed at the reconstructed portion by erosion due to the chemical effect of the leaking bile and mechanical irritation of the surgical drain adjacent to the portal vein.

Conclusion

Stent-graft placement is a minimally-invasive, safe, and effective treatment option for hemorrhage from postoperative portal vein pseudoaneurysm.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Therapy for Portoduodenal Fistula

Portoenteric fistula is a rare cause of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Most cases can be treated with radiointervention or surgery, but portoenteric fistula is associated with a high mortality. We reported a case of intermittent massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a 33-year-old man with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection followed by chemoradiation. A portoduodenal fistula due to chronic duodenal ulceration was identified. The bleeding was successfully controlled by endoscopic ultrasound-guided coil placement through the duodenal bulb using the anchoring technique. Follow-up endoscopy and computed tomography scan showed multiple coil placements between a part of the portal vein and the duodenal bulb without any evidence of portal vein thrombosis. There were no complications, and bleeding did not recur during the 8-month follow-up period.

Endovascular management for significant iatrogenic portal vein bleeding

Background Despite conservative treatment, hemorrhage from an intrahepatic branch of the portal vein can cause hemodynamic instability requiring urgent intervention. Purpose To retrospectively report the outcomes of hemodynamically significant portal vein bleeding after endovascular management. Material and Methods During a period of 15 years, four patients (2 men, 2 women; median age, 70.5 years) underwent angiography and embolization for iatrogenic portal vein bleeding. Causes of hemorrhage, angiographic findings, endovascular treatment, and complications were reported. Results Portal vein bleeding occurred after percutaneous liver biopsy (n = 2), percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (n = 1), and percutaneous cholecystostomy (n = 1). The median time interval between angiography and percutaneous procedure was 5 h (range, 4-240 h). Common hepatic angiograms including indirect mesenteric portograms showed active portal vein bleeding into the peritoneal cavity with (n = 1) or without (n = 2) an arterioportal (AP) fistula, and portal vein pseudoaneurysm alone with an AP fistula (n = 1). Successful transcatheter arterial embolization (n = 2) or percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (n = 2) was performed. Embolic materials were n-butyl cyanoacrylate alone (n = 2) or in combination with gelatin sponge particles and coils (n = 2). There were no major treatment-related complications or patient mortality within 30 days. Conclusion Patients with symptomatic or life-threatening portal vein bleeding following liver-penetrating procedures can successfully be managed with embolization.

Uncommon Case of a Post-Traumatic Portal Vein Pseudoaneurysm Treated with Percutaneous Transhepatic Stent Grafting

We describe a man who presented with a traumatic portal vein pseudoaneurysm, which was subsequently managed with a percutaneous transhepatic stent graft. This case demonstrates a rarely seen condition in the traumatic population and a novel management strategy, which should be considered in the management of this challenging injury.

Spontaneous resolution of asymptomatic hepatic pseudoaneurysm post radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of a hepatic tumour is an established treatment option with an acceptable complication rate. Formation of a pseudoaneurysm after RFA of liver metastasis is an uncommon complication. We report the case of a 69-year-old female patient developing a hepatic pseudoaneurysm after RFA of liver metastasis. On a follow-up CT scan 6 weeks later, there was spontaneous resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. Hepatic pseudoaneurysms are usually treated owing to the risk of rupture. Invasive procedures or conservative management of an asymptomatic hepatic pseudoaneurysm is still the subject of debate. The spontaneous resolution of a hepatic pseudoaneurysm in our patient suggests that an asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm maybe observed for resolution instead of being treated at presentation.

Stent-graft treatment for extrahepatic portal vein hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy

We report a case of intraperitoneal hemorrhage from the extrahepatic portal vein after pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal bile duct carcinoma. A stent-graft was deployed from the superior mesenteric vein to the main portal vein using a transhepatic approach. After the procedure, the patient remained free of intraperitoneal hemorrhage and was discharged 2 months later.

The delayed massive hemorrhage after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer: characteristics, management opinions and risk factors

AIMS

This study was designed to investigate the clinical features of delayed massive hemorrhage (DMH) after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed 1536 GC patients with major gastrectomy between 1998 and 2011. Based on the time onset of postoperative bleeding, patients were divided into early postoperative hemorrhage (EPH), delayed massive hemorrhage (DMH), and no-bleeding groups. Postoperative mortality, bleeding treatment, and risk factors of hemorrhage were explored.

RESULTS

In sum, 15 (0.9%) patients suffered from DMH, with three (20%) dead cases. None of 18 (1.2%) patients with EPH died, but there were three dead cases in no-bleeding group. DMH had more extra-intestinal bleeding (P = 0.037) than EPH. Angiographic embolization was performed in 12 (80%) of DMH patients and successful in ten cases. Surgical procedures were applied in only two embolization-failed cases. Extended lymphadenectomy (P = 0.038), vascular skeletonization (P = 0.012) and advanced TNM stage (P < 0.001) were correlated with DMH.

CONCLUSIONS

DMH can be successfully managed with angiographic embolization, followed by alternative surgery. Extensive lymphadenectomy and vascular skeletonization should be discreetly performed during gastrectomy.

Pseudoaneurysm of the portal vein as a rare source of gastrointestinal bleeding in pregnancy: a case report

A 28-year-old, 32 week pregnant primigravida woman with a past history of increased blood pressure presented with RUQ pain as well as sudden onset of hematemesis. This case illustrates the occurrence of a rare complication (rupture of portal vein pseudoaneurysm inside the biliary system), appearing as upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a pregnant woman. The cause of the rupture is presumably pregnancy-related. We would like to emphasize the presence of pseudoaneurysm of the portal vein as a rare source of gastrointestinal bleeding in pregnancy.