Colonic varices treated with embolization after pancreatoduodenectomy with portal vein resection: a case report

Percutaneous transhepatic sclerotherapy for ascending colonic varices due to left-sided portal hypertension

Left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH) causes varices and splenomegaly due to splenic vein issues. Colonic varices are rare and lack standardized treatment. We report the successful treatment of colonic varices caused by LSPH, by addressing both the afferent and efferent veins. A 70-year-old man with distal cholangiocarcinoma had surgery without splenic vein resection, leading to proximal splenic vein stenosis and varices at multiple locations. Percutaneous transhepatic splenic venography revealed that collateral veins flowed into the ascending colonic varices and returned to the portal vein. Complete thrombosis of the varices was achieved by injecting sclerosants and placing coils in both the afferent and efferent veins. The procedure was safe and effective, with no variceal recurrence. This approach provides a minimally invasive option for treating colonic varices associated with LSPH.

Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for transverse colonic varices due to an inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula

BACKGROUND

Colonic varices are a rare gastrointestinal anomaly often associated with portal hypertension. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) region is even rarer. Diagnosis and treatment of these entities present unique challenges, especially when the IMA is involved.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 48-year-old man with a history of cholecystectomy presented with after a positive fecal occult blood test. Investigations revealed varices from the splenic flexure to the transverse colon and suspected AVF in the IMA region. Given the high risk and low efficacy of endoscopic and radiological interventions, laparoscopic sigmoidectomy was performed. This surgical approach successfully addressed both the AVF and the associated varices.

CONCLUSION

This case underscores the importance of surgical intervention for AVF and colonic varices in the IMA region, particularly when other treatment options pose high risks and have limited efficacy. The favorable postoperative outcome in this case highlights the effectiveness of carefully chosen surgical methods when managing such complex and rare conditions.

Left-sided portal hypertension: Update and proposition of management algorithm

Left-sided or segmental portal hypertension (SPHT) is a rare entity, most often associated with pancreatic disease or antecedent pancreatic surgery. The starting point is splenic vein obstruction secondary to local inflammation or, less often, extrinsic compression. SPHT leads to splenomegaly and development of collateral porto-systemic venous circulation. SPHT should be suspected in patients with pancreatic history who present with episodic upper gastrointestinal bleeding and splenomegaly with normal liver function tests. The most common clinical presentation is major upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to rupture of esophageal and/or gastric varices. At the present time, there are no management recommendations for SPHT, particularly when the patient is asymptomatic. In patients with upper gastro-intestinal bleeding, hemostasis can be obtained either by medical or interventional means according to patient status and available resources. For symptomatic patients, splenectomy is the reference treatment. Recently, less invasive, radiologic procedures, such as splenic artery embolization, have been developed as an alternative to surgery. Additionally, sonography-guided endoscopic hemostasis can also be envisioned, leading to the diagnosis and treatment of the lesion by elastic band ligation or by glue injection into the varices during the same procedure. The goal of this article is to describe the pathophysiological mechanisms behind SPHT and its clinical manifestations and treatment, based on a review of the literature. Because of the absence of recommendations for the management of SPHT, we propose a decisional algorithm for the management of SPHT based on the literature.

Isolated Colonic Varices in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Colonic varices are a rare subtype of ectopic varices and form due to portal hypertension, splenic or portal vein thrombosis, and mesenteric vein obstruction. When present, they are most common in the rectum. We discuss a patient with hematochezia who had isolated right-sided colonic varices related to pancreatic cancer, which is rare. The mass involved the superior mesenteric vein, leading to left-sided portal hypertension and resultant varices. These are difficult to diagnosis because they flatten with insufflation on colonoscopy, so computed tomography or angiography is the gold standard. Treatment options are limited and may require a multidisciplinary approach.

Sinistral Portal Hypertension after Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Splenic Vein Resection: Pathogenesis and Its Prevention

To achieve curative resection for pancreatic cancer during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), extensive portal vein (PV) resection, including porto-mesenterico-splenic confluence (PMSC), may sometimes be necessary if the tumor is close to the portal venous system. Recently, this extended resection has been widely accepted in high-volume centers for pancreatic resection due to its favorable outcomes compared with non-operative treatment. However, in patients with long-term survival, sinistral portal hypertension (SPH) occurs as a late-onset postoperative complication. These patients present gastrointestinal varices due to congested venous flow from the spleen, which may cause critical variceal bleeding. Since the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer has improved, owing to the development of chemotherapy and surgical techniques, SPH is no longer a negligible matter in the field of pancreatic cancer surgery. This review clarifies the pathogenesis and frequency of SPH after PD through PMSC resection and discusses its prediction and prevention.