Partial splenic embolisation using n-butyl cyanoacrylate: intraprocedural evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging

Quantitative splenic embolization possible: application of 8Spheres conformal microspheres in partial splenic embolization (PSE)

BACKGROUND

To investigate the safety and efficacy of 8Spheres in partial splenic embolization. To explore the possibility of accurate control of splenic embolic volume by quantifying the number of microspheres used during PSE.

METHOD

The data of 179 patients who underwent PSE were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: 300-500 um microsphere group (N = 83) and 500-700 um microsphere group (N = 96). The spleen volume before PSE, infarct volume and infarct rate of the spleen after PSE, changes in peripheral blood cells after PSE, postoperative adverse events and incidence of infection were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

300-500 um group vs 500-700 um group: postoperative spleen volume (cm³): 753.82 ± 325.41 vs 568.65 ± 298.16 (P = 0.008); spleen embolization volume (cm³): 525.93 ± 118.29 vs 630.26 ± 109.71 (P = 0.014); spleen embolization rate: 41.1 ± 12.3% vs 52.4 ± 10.1% (P = 0.021). Leukocytes and platelets were significantly increased after PSE in both groups; leukocyte, 1 month: 4.13 ± 0.91 vs 5.08 ± 1.16 (P = 0.026); 3 months: 4.08 ± 1.25 vs 4.83 ± 0.98 (P = 0.022); platelet, 1 month: 125.6 ± 20.3 vs 138.7 ± 18.4 (P = 0.019); 3 months: 121.8 ± 16.9 vs 134.3 ± 20.1 (P = 0.017). Incidence of abdominal pain after PSE, 72 (86.7%) vs 69 (71.9%), P = 0.027. The incidence of other adverse events and infections after PSE was not statistically different.

CONCLUSION

PSE with 8Spheres is safe and effective. The use of 500-700 um microsphere for PSE can make the increase of peripheral blood cells more stable. Each vial of 8Spheres corresponds to a certain volume of splenic embolization, so it is possible to achieve quantitative embolization in PSE.

Adverse Events Related to Partial Splenic Embolization for the Treatment of Hypersplenism: A Systematic Review

Partial splenic embolization is a common procedure that reduces thrombocytopenia in patients with hypersplenism. The present review evaluated the adverse event profile of partial splenic embolization detailed in 30 articles. Although the technical success rate of the procedure in these papers is high, many patients experienced postprocedural complications. Minor complications such as postembolization syndrome occurred frequently. Major complications were less frequent but sometimes resulted in mortality. Underlying liver dysfunction and high infarction rates may be risk factors leading to major complications. Interventional radiologists should be aware of the complication profile of this procedure and further advance research in techniques dealing with hypersplenism.

Partial splenic embolization with Glubran®2/Lipiodol® mixture for oncological patients with hypersplenism-related thrombocytopenia requiring systemic chemotherapy

Background

Partial splenic embolization (PSE) has been used to improve thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism. The optimal embolic agent is still debated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, hematologic response and outcomes of PSE with cyanoacrylate glue for oncological patients with hypersplenism-related thrombocytopenia requiring systemic chemotherapy (SC).

Methods

Retrospective single-center observational report of cancer patients with thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism and requiring SC who underwent PSE with N-butyl cyanoacrylate-methacryloxy sulfolane (NBCA-MS) Glubran^®2 glue between February 2015 and September 2017. All patients were treated under local anesthesia with a Glubran^®2/Lipiodol^® mixture of 1:5 ratio. They all received empiric antibiotic coverage. Splenic volume and parenchyma infarction rate were evaluated by CT scan within 1 month of PSE. Primary and secondary endpoints of the current study included a platelet count increase >150×10⁹/L and the initiation of SC, respectively. Periprocedural laboratory values and adverse events were recorded.

Results

PSE was performed in eight patients (6 males, 2 females; median age, 59 years; range, 33-75 years) for a technical success of 100%. For procedures with adequate follow-up, primary and secondary endpoints were achieved in 100% (7 of 7 patients) and 100% (7 of 7 patients) of patients, respectively. One patient died before follow-up, unrelated to the procedure. Mean splenic infarction post-PSE was 55% (range, 21-70%) on CT scan. For 7 patients with laboratory follow-up, the mean platelet count significantly increased from 74×10⁹/L [range, (62-83) ×10⁹/L] immediately before PSE to a peak level of 272×10⁹/L [range, (161-417) ×10⁹/L] 10 days after PSE (P<0.05). All patients could receive SC after PSE. No non-target glue embolization occurred. All patients experienced a transient and moderate postembolization syndrome. No severe postembolization syndrome occurred. No major complication was reported. The mean overall survival was 7.9 months (range, 0.6-10.4 months) among the 8 patients after PSE.

Conclusions

PSE with cyanoacrylate glue is safe and effective in the management of thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism in cancer patients. It allows sufficient platelet count improvement for administration of SC.