Angiographic embolization of intrahepatic arterioportal fistula

Portal Hypertension and Ascites Due to an Arterioportal Fistula: Sequela of a Remote Traumatic Liver Laceration

Arterioportal fistulas (APFs) are a group of vascular disorders, in which systemic arteries communicate with the portal circulation, presenting as a congenital syndrome or more commonly acquired from iatrogenic instrumentation or abdominal trauma. We report the case of a 58-year-old man who developed ascites without underlying risk factors for portal hypertension, which was attributed to an APF found on imaging, manifesting 43 years after sustaining a liver laceration. After angiographic embolization of the APF, the patient's ascites resolved completely. The prolonged latent period between the patient's abdominal trauma and eventual presentation with ascites highlights the need to consider vascular malformations in the differential diagnosis of unexplained noncirrhotic portal hypertension.

The congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula syndrome: elucidation and proposed classification

Congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula is a rare but treatable cause of portal hypertension for which early recognition may lead to successful radiological management. We report an infant presenting with severe failure to thrive, melena and splenomegaly due to a congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula, successfully ablated after multiple trials of superselective transarterial embolization. Comprehensive review of congenital cases provides an understanding of the key clinical features defining this syndrome. A classification system is proposed, upon which treatment decisions may be based.

Detachable balloon embolization of an arterioportal fistula following liver biopsy in a liver transplant recipient: a case report and review of literature

We report a case of an intrahepatic arterioportal fistula in a 61-year-old female liver transplant recipient. The patient presented with massive ascites 7 months after a percutaneous liver biopsy. A large fistula between the right hepatic artery and the right portal vein was diagnosed on color Doppler ultrasound and confirmed on arteriography. The fistula was successfully embolized with the detachable balloon technique and the ascites resolved. Symptomatic intrahepatic arterioportal fistula in a liver transplant recipient following percutaneous biopsy is rare. Clinical manifestations, surgical or endovascular therapy, and outcome are discussed. The literature on this subject is reviewed.

Arterioportal fistulas in patients with liver cirrhosis: usefulness of color Doppler US for screening

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of routine ultrasonographic (US) evaluation of the hepatic arterial resistive and pulsatility indexes and of the direction of portal venous blood flow for the diagnosis of intrahepatic arterioportal fistulas (APFs) in patients with liver cirrhosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In all patients with cirrhosis examined at one center over 4 years, the resistive (RI) and the pulsatility (PI) indexes in the right and left branches of the hepatic artery were evaluated with Doppler US. An APF was suspected when an RI decrease of at least 20% and a PI decrease of at least 30% were present in one hepatic lobe relative to values in the other lobe and portal blood flow in the lobe with the decreased values was reversed. The RI and PI in patients with an APF were compared with those in 75 patients with cirrhosis and without APFs at angiography.

RESULTS

Seven patients with an APF were identified. APFs suspected at Doppler US were always confirmed with angiography. The percent differences +/- SD in the RI and the PI between the two intrahepatic branches of the hepatic artery in patients with versus in patients without an APF were as follows: RI, 35% +/- 6 (range, 27%-42%) versus 5% +/- 4 (range, 0%-15%) (P: <.001); PI, 50% +/- 5 (range, 41%-58%) versus 11% +/- 7 (range, 0%-26%) (P: <.001).

CONCLUSION

The intrahepatic arterial resistive and pulsatility indexes and the direction of portal blood flow should be evaluated in routine screening for APFs in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Severe portal hypertension due to congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula associated with intrahepatic portal vein aneurysm

A 13-year-old girl was referred for assessment of severe gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Her liver function tests were normal, and she had no evidence of chronic liver disease or history of significant trauma. Clinical and sonographic findings suggested the presence of a portal vein aneurysm associated with a hepatoportal arteriovenous fistula. Abdominal angiography confirmed the diagnosis. The arteriovenous fistula was congenital, and the associated portal vein aneurysm was either congenital or secondary to hemodynamic changes in the portal venous system.