Imaging and clinical features in cirrhotic patients complicated with hepatocellular carcinoma with a large spontaneous splenorenal shunt

• Published in: Kanzo Vol. 33; no. 9; pp. 685 - 691
• Main Authors: ITSUBO, Mariko, HAYASHI, Shouta, TSUNO, Shinichi, HOKARI, Atsushi, OKUAKI, Yasushi, OOKAWA, Yasuhiko, ISHIKAWA, Tomohisa, HARA, Masaki, SAKAGUCHI, Masami, KAWABE, Tomonobu, NEGISHI, Masashi, AOYAMA, Nankei, TODA, Goutaro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Hepatology 1992
• ISSN: 0451-4203; 1881-3593
• DOI: 10.2957/kanzo.33.685

Imaging and clinical features in 6 cirrhotic patients complicated with small hepatocellular carcinoma with a large spontaneous splenorenal shunt were studied in comparison with control patients without such a collateral. The diameter of portal vein (PV) was smaller than that of splenic vein (SV) measuring on an angiogram and the diametric ratio (PV/SV) was significantly smaller than that in control group. This fact, the diameter of PV was smaller than that of SV, brings a clue to find out a splenorenal shunt on the first examination using ultrasonography. The endoscopic findings suggested that a large splenorenal shunt may prevent development of advanced esophageal varices. The increased risk of recurrence hepatic encephalopathy in the patients with a large splenorenal shunt was indicated by clinical findings, and the therapeutic procedure as transcatheter arterial embolization therapy may induce encephalopathy as well.