Portal hyperflow in patients with hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis

Splenectomy Combined with Endoscopic Variceal Ligation (EVL) versus EVL Alone for Secondary Prophylaxis of Variceal Bleeding in Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Background

Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) is one of the most common causes of portal hypertension in developing countries. Variceal bleeding is the most common cause of mortality during HSS. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of splenectomy associated with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) compared with EVL alone in preventing variceal bleeding in patients with HSS.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective, case–control study. Between January 2015 and December 2019, a total of 59 patients with HSS who had at least one variceal bleeding episode and received EVL with or without splenectomy were identified and stratified. In this case–control design, 22 patients had splenectomy + EVL (case group) and 37 patients had EVL alone (control group). The main endpoints were the rate of variceal rebleeding and the mortality rate between the two groups.

Results

The mean age of our patients was 39.92 ± 13.4 (19–75) years with a sex ratio of 1.8. The recurrence rate of variceal bleeding was significantly lower in the case group (splenectomy + EVL) than in the control group (EVL alone) (4.45% vs 27.2%, p = 0.041). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mortality (4.54 vs 2.7%, p = 1.00).

Conclusion

Splenectomy combined with EVL was effective than EVL alone in preventing variceal rebleeding in patients with HSS.

Diagnosis and clinical management of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: A scoping review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) is a disease caused by chronic infection with Schistosma spp. parasites residing in the mesenteric plexus; portal hypertension causing gastrointestinal bleeding is the most dangerous complication of this condition. HSS requires complex clinical management, but no specific guidelines exist. We aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of consolidated findings and knowledge gaps on the diagnosis and treatment of HSS.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We reviewed relevant original publications including patients with HSS with no coinfections, published in the past 40 years, identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Treatment with praziquantel and HSS-associated pulmonary hypertension were not investigated. Of the included 60 publications, 13 focused on diagnostic aspects, 45 on therapeutic aspects, and 2 on both aspects. Results were summarized using effect direction plots. The most common diagnostic approaches to stratify patients based on the risk of variceal bleeding included the use of ultrasonography and platelet counts; on the contrary, evaluation and use of noninvasive tools to guide the choice of therapeutic interventions are lacking. Publications on therapeutic aspects included treatment with beta-blockers, local management of esophageal varices, surgical procedures, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Overall, treatment approaches and measured outcomes were heterogeneous, and data on interventions for primary prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding and on the long-term follow-up after interventions were lacking.

CONCLUSIONS

Most interventions have been developed on the basis of individual groups' experiences and almost never rigorously compared; furthermore, there is a lack of data regarding which parameters can guide the choice of intervention. These results highlight a dramatic need for the implementation of rigorous prospective studies with long-term follow-up in different settings to fill such fundamental gaps, still present for a disease affecting millions of patients worldwide.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings in young patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni without overt symptoms

The purpose of this study was to describe the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in young patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni without overt neurologic manifestations. This study included 34 young persons (age range = 9-25 years) with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni who had been previously treated. Patients were scanned on a 1.5-T system that included multiplanar pre-contrast and post-contrast sequences, and reports were completed by two radiologists after a consensus review. Twenty (58.8%) patients had MRI signal changes that were believed to be related to schistosomiasis mansoni. Twelve of the 20 patients had small focal hyperintensities on T2WI in the cerebral white matter, and eight patients had symmetric hyperintense basal ganglia on T1WI. There was a high frequency of brain MRI signal abnormalities in this series. Although not specific, these findings may be related to schistosomiasis.

Influence of the inversion of the portal/splenic vein diameter in the results of the surgical treatment of schistossomotic portal hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the morbidity and mortality in surgical treatment of schistosomal portal hypertension in patients with inversion of the Portal/Splenic Vein diameter ratio.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients undergoing surgical treatment of portal hypertension in the period between September 1993 and January 2004. The study population was divided into two groups: a) Inversion--splenic vein diameter greater than or equal to portal vein's--and b) control group (portal vein diameter greater than the splenic vein's). Statistical comparisons used the Student t test for averages difference, chi-square test for proportions difference and Fisher's exact test for small samples.

RESULTS

169 patients were analyzed, with follow-up averaging 23.6 months. Twenty-one patients (12.4%) had splenic vein caliber greater of equal than the portal vein's (Inversion--study group). The mean preoperative diameter of the portal and splenic veins were respectively 1.49 and 1.14 cm in the control group, and 0.98 versus 1.07 cm in the inversion group. The portal vein diameter was significantly higher in the control group when compared to the inversion group (p <0.05). Varices in the gastric fundus were found in 33.3% of the inversion group and in 38.5% of patients in the control group. Postoperative rebleeding occurred in 23.1% of patients in the inversion group and in 13.4% of the control group ones (p > 0.05). In the postoperative evaluation with Doppler ultrasonography of portal vessels, no cases of portal vein thrombosis were observed in the inversion group, whilst in the control group portal thrombosis was identified in 16.9% of the patients (p <0.05). Death occurred in one (4.8%) individual from the inversion group; mortality was 4.1% in the control group (p>0.05). The mean serum level of platelets was significantly lower (65,950/mm²) in the inversion group than in the controls (106,647/mm²) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the reversal of portal/splenic vein caliber ratio does not represent a contraindication to surgical treatment of schistosomal portal hypertension.

Pre- and postoperative systemic hemodynamic evaluation in patients subjected to esophagogastric devascularization plus splenectomy and distal splenorenal shunt: A comparative study in schistomomal portal hypertension

AIM: To investigate the systemic hemodynamic effects of two surgical procedures largely employed for treatment of schistosomal portal hypertension.

METHODS: Thirty-six patients undergoing elective surgical treatment of portal hypertension due to hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis were prospectively evaluated. All patients were subjected to preoperative pulmonary artery catheterization; 17 were submitted to esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy (EGDS) and 19 to distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS). The systemic hemodynamic assessment was repeated 4 d after the surgical procedure.

RESULTS: Preoperative evaluation revealed (mean ± SD) an increased cardiac index (4.78 ± 1.13 L/min per m²), associated with a reduction in systemic vascular resistance index (1457 ± 380.7 dynes.s/cm⁵.m²). The mean pulmonary artery pressure (18 ± 5.1 mmHg) as well as the right atrial pressure (7.9 ± 2.5 mmHg) were increased, while the pulmonary vascular resistance index (133 ± 62 dynes.s/cm⁵.m²) was decreased. Four days after EGDS, a significant reduction in cardiac index (3.80 ± 0.4 L/min per m², P < 0.001) and increase in systemic vascular resistance index (1901.4 ± 330.2 dynes.s/cm⁵.m², P < 0.001) toward normal levels were observed. There was also a significant reduction in pulmonary artery pressure (12.65 ± 4.7 mmHg, P < 0.001) and no significant changes in the pulmonary vascular resistance index (141.6 ± 102.9 dynes.s/cm⁵.m²). Four days after DSRS, a non-significant increase in cardiac index (5.2 ± 0.76 L/min per m²) and systemic vascular resistance index (1389 ± 311 dynes.s/cm⁵.m²) was observed. There was also a non-significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure (19.84 ± 5.2 mmHg), right cardiac work index (1.38 ± 0.4 kg.m/m²) and right ventricular systolic work index (16.3 ± 6.3 g.m/m²), without significant changes in the pulmonary vascular resistance index (139.7 ± 67.8 dynes.s/cm⁵.m²).

CONCLUSION: The hyperdynamic circulatory state observed in mansonic schistosomiasis was corrected by EGDS, but was maintained in patients who underwent DSRS. Similarly, the elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure was corrected after EGDS and maintained after DSRS. EGDS seems to be the most physiologic surgery for patients with schistosomal portal hypertension.

Late follow-up of patients submitted to subtotal splenectomy

BACKGROUND

Over the past 21years, we have performed more than 200 subtotal splenectomies, in which the upper splenic pole vascularized only by the gastrosplenic pole vascularized only by the gastrosplenic vessels is preserved, to treat different pathologic conditions. A meticulous follow-up of the postoperative results of this procedure is of fundamental importance.

METHODS

All patients undergoing subtotal splenectomy were invited to be reviewed. A total of 86 patients who had undergone surgery 1-20years ago were gathered; the surgical procedure was performed for one of the following conditions: portal hypertension due to schistosomiasis (n=43), trauma (n=31), Gaucher's disease (n=4), myeloid hepatosplenomegaly due to myelofibrosis (n=3), splenomegalic retarded growth and sexual development (n=2), severe pain due to splenic ischemia (n=2) and pancreatic cystadenoma (n=1). Patients underwent a hematological examination, an immunological assessment, abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, scintigraphy and endoscopy.

RESULTS

Increased white blood cell count and platelets were the only hematological abnormalities. No immunological deficit was found. Esophageal varices were still present in patients who underwent surgery because of portal hypertension although without rebleeding. The ultrasound, tomography and scintigraphy examinations confirmed the presence of functional splenic remnants without significant size alteration.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtotal splenectomy seems to be a safe procedure that can be useful in treating conditions involving the spleen. The functions of the splenic remnants are preserved during long periods of time.

Late postoperative follow-up of patients undergoing subtotal splenectomy

PURPOSE

Over the past 21 years, we have performed more than 200 subtotal splenectomies, in which the upper splenic pole vascularized only by the gastrosplenic pole vascularized only by the gastrosplenic vessels is preserved, to treat different pathologic conditions. A meticulous follow-up of the postoperative results of this procedure is of fundamental importance.

METHODS

All patients undergoing subtotal splenectomy were invited to be reviewed. A total of 86 patients who had undergone surgery 1 to 20 years ago were gathered; the surgical procedure was performed for one of the following conditions: portal hypertension due to schistosomiasis (n = 43), trauma (n = 31), Gaucher's disease (n = 4), myeloid hepatosplenomegaly due to myelofibrosis (n = 3), splenomegalic retarded growth and sexual development (n = 2), severe pain due to splenic ischemia (n = 2) and pancreatic cystadenoma (n = 1). Patients underwent a hematologic exam, an immunologic assessment, abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, scintigraphy and endoscopy.

RESULTS

Increased white blood cell count and platelets were the only hematological abnormalities. No immunologic deficit was found. Esophageal varices were still present in patients who underwent surgery because of portal hypertension although without rebleeding. The ultrasound, tomography and scintigraphy exams confirmed the presence of functional splenic remnants without significant size alteration.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtotal splenectomy seems to be a safe procedure that can be useful in treating conditions involving the spleen. The functions of the splenic remnants are preserved during long periods of time.

Effect of splenectomy and ligature of the left gastric vein on portal hypertensive colopathy in carriers of surgical hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni

PURPOSE

Esophageal variceal sclerotherapy and band ligation seem not to affect the endoscopic findings of Portal Hypertensive Colopathy (PHC) of cirrhotic patients. The aim was to assess the effect of splenectomy and ligature of the left gastric vein on the PHC in carriers of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni who underwent this surgery when they were between 9 and 18 year-old.

METHODS

Fourteen patients, mean age of 19.1 +/- 3.1 years, were included in the postoperative group (GI). The follow-up was from 1 to 9 years. The preoperative group (GII) consisted of nine patients, mean age of 14.0 +/- 3.1 years. Full-length colonoscopy was carried out in all patients. Search was made for PHC lesions.

RESULTS

Telangiectasy (GI 100% vs GII 100%), increased vascularisation (GI 57.1% vs GII 100%), focal and diffuse hyperemia (GI 14.3% vs GII 66.7%), angiodysplasia (GI 7.1% vs GII 33.3%), and rectal varix (GI 0% vs GII 55.6%) were the most frequent findings. It was observed that the patients of this series tended to exhibit fewer hemodynamic manifestations of the PHC after treatment (postoperative versus preoperative - chi2 = 8.155 - p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Splenectomy and ligature of the left gastric vein tend to reduce the abnormal vascular findings of PHC in carriers of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni.