Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts through hepatic neoplasms

Does depressurization of the portal vein before liver transplantation affect the recurrence of HCC? A nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension (PHT) has been proven to be closely related to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Whether PHT before liver transplantation (LT) will affect the recurrence of HCC is not clear.

METHODS

110 patients with depressurization of the portal vein (DPV) operations (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt-TIPS, surgical portosystemic shunt or/and splenectomy) before LT from a HCC LT cohort, matched with 330 preoperative non-DPV patients; this constituted a nested case-control study. Subgroup analysis was based on the order of DPV before or after the occurrence of HCC.

RESULTS

The incidence of acute kidney injury and intra-abdominal bleeding after LT in the DPV group was significantly higher than that in non-DPV group. The 5-year survival rates in the DPV and non-DPV group were 83.4% and 82.7% respectively (P = 0.930). In subgroup analysis, patients in the DPV prior to HCC subgroup may have a lower recurrence rate (4.7% vs.16.8%, P = 0.045) and a higher tumor free survival rate (88.9% vs.74.4%, P = 0.044) after LT under the up-to-date TNMI-II stage, while in TNM III stage, there was no difference for DPV prior to HCC subgroup compared with the DPV after HCC subgroup or the non-DPV group.

CONCLUSION

Compared with DPV after HCC, DPV treatment before HCC can reduce the recurrence rate of HCC after early transplantation (TNM I-II). DPV before LT can reduce the recurrence of early HCC.

Risks and benefits of TIPS in HCC and other liver malignancies: a literature review

BACKGROUND

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a well-validated treatment option for clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in the context of liver cirrhosis. Its high efficacy and safety in the management of treatment-refractory ascites and variceal bleeding have been extensively proven. Contraindications for TIPS include severe right heart failure, hepatic encephalopathy, and sepsis. However, the role of liver malignancy in TIPS is debatable. Mostly, primary liver malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) emerge from advanced liver diseases. Coexisting portal hypertension in HCC often results in limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Previous studies have shown that TIPS implantation in patients with HCC is technically feasible and is usually not associated with major adverse events. Furthermore, TIPS may help in bridging the time to liver transplantation in early HCC and allow for locoregional treatment in advanced HCC. However, several studies suggest that seeding tumour cells to the lungs by TIPS placement might worsen the prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

TIPS placement in patients with coexisting liver malignancy remains a case-by-case decision, and there is no profound evidence allowing general recommendations. This review aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview of the potential risks and benefits of TIPS placement in patients with liver malignancies.

The Role of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) in Treating Portal Hypertension in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver cancer is very frequent, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of liver cancer cases. Its growing incidence has been greatly affected by the increasing prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The latter is a new epidemic in our era. In fact, HCC is often generated from noncirrhotic liver and its treatment benefits from surgical and nonsurgical approaches, potentially bridged by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) use. TIPS use is an effective treatment for portal hypertension complications, but its application in patients with HCC and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) remains controversial due to concerns about tumor rupture, dissemination, and increased toxicity. The technical feasibility and safety of TIPS use in HCC patients have been evaluated in several studies. Despite concerns about intraprocedural complications, retrospective studies have shown high success rates and low complication rates in TIPS placement for HCC patients. TIPS use in combination with locoregional treatments, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or transarterial radioembolization (TARE), has been explored as a treatment option for HCC patients with portal hypertension. These studies have shown improved survival rates in patients undergoing TIPS in combination with locoregional treatments. However, the efficacy and toxicity of TACE in combination with TIPS use require careful evaluation, as changes in venous and arterial flow can affect treatment outcomes and complications. The results from studies evaluating the impact of TIPS on systemic therapy and surgical options are also promising. In conclusion, the TIPS is a sufficiently safe, useful item available for physicians treating complications of portal hypertension. Moreover, a TIPS can be used in combination with locoregional therapy in HCC patients. Systemic chemotherapy can also benefit of the use of TIPS placement. A complex interplay affects TIPS use with surgery. The latter needs further data. The TIPS is a useful and safe add-on treatment, changing the natural course of HCC progression. Its use is regulated by a sophisticated physiologic and pathophysiologic flow of evidence.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the management of symptomatic malignant pseudocirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Pseudocirrhosis is defined by radiologic changes of the liver parenchyma secondary to metastatic disease and/or cancer treatments, and portends a high rate of morbidity and mortality from sequelae of portal hypertension. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective treatment for portal hypertension; however, TIPS is relatively contraindicated in the setting of hepatic metastases. The study aims to determine the technical efficacy and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing TIPS for symptomatic pseudocirrhosis.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients with hepatic malignancy who underwent TIPS between 2008 and 2020 at a single tertiary care center. Patients with imaging findings of pseudocirrhosis and without history of primary liver malignancy or confounding causes of cirrhosis were included. West Haven scores assessing hepatic encephalopathy were obtained from chart review. Technical success was defined as successful TIPS creation with reduction in the portosystemic gradient (PSG). Clinical success was defined as resolution of variceal bleeding and/or ascites.

RESULTS

Nine patients (4 female/5 male), average (± SD) age 61.2±9.5 years with metastatic pseudocirrhosis were included for analysis. Primary malignancy was colorectal adenocarcinoma (n=5), neuroendocrine tumor (n=3), and malignant endothelial hemangioendothelioma (n=1). Average Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD-Na) score was 15.7±3.7. Technical success was 8/9 (89%) with average PSG reduced from 23.5±11.0 to 6.5±2.8 mmHg (P=0.001). Clinical success was 6/9 (67%). Two patients required TIPS revision after initial clinical success. Mild-moderate HE occurred in 6/9 patients post TIPS (67%), with a highest West Haven score of 2. Time from TIPS to death for acute variceal bleeding and ascites was 4.9±4.2 and 12±16.5 months, respectively. Cause of death was disease progression (n=5), variceal bleeding (n=1), or unavailable (n=2).

CONCLUSIONS

TIPS in the setting of malignant pseudocirrhosis can be created safely with similar clinical outcomes to TIPS performed for benign disease. Rates of low-grade hepatic encephalopathy may be higher amongst patients undergoing TIPS for pseudocirrhosis.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for the Prevention of Gastric Variceal Rebleeding in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study included 126 cirrhotic patients (mean age, 54.1 ± 10.2 years; 110 men) with HCC who underwent TIPS creation for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding. Of these, 110 (87.3%) patients had gastroesophageal varices and 16 (12.7%) patients had isolated gastric varices. Thirty-five (27.8%) patients had portal vein tumor thrombus.

RESULTS

TIPS creation was technically successful in 124 (98.4%) patients. Rebleeding occurred in 26 (20.6%) patients during the follow-up period. The 6-week and 1-year actuarial probabilities of patients remaining free of rebleeding were 98.3% ± 1.2% and 81.2% ± 3.9%, respectively. Forty-nine (38.8%) patients died during the follow-up period. The 6-week and 1-year actuarial probabilities of survival were 98.4 ± 1.1% and 65.6 ± 4.4%, respectively. Two (1.6%) patients had major procedure-related complications, including acute liver failure (n = 1) and intra-abdominal bleeding (n = 1). Thirty-three (26.2%) patients had at least 1 episode of overt hepatic encephalopathy during the follow-up period. Shunt dysfunction occurred in 15 (11.9%) patients after a median follow-up time of 11.4 months (range, 1.4-41.3 months). Lung metastasis occurred in 3 (2.4%) patients, 3.9-32.9 months after TIPS creation.

CONCLUSIONS

TIPS creation may be effective and safe for the prevention of gastric variceal rebleeding in patients with HCC.

Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) in 40 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are major complications of advanced liver cirrhosis. Thus, patients are often affected by both complications. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) is an effective treatment for portal hypertension and its complications. However, no established guidelines for the treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension in HCC patients are currently available. In addition, only limited information exists about the consequence of TIPSS implantation in patients with HCC.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and overall survival in HCC patients who underwent TIPSS implantation.

METHODS

Forty HCC patients with portal hypertension who were treated with TIPSS between 1995 and 2012 were included in the analysis. Medical records and imaging studies were analysed. The indication for TIPSS implantation, procedure-related complications, treatment success and overall survival were assessed.

RESULTS

TIPSS implantation was performed in 23 patients (57.5%) due to treatment refractory ascites, in 14 patients (35.0%) due to recurrent variceal bleeding and in three patients (7.5%) due to ascites and variceal bleeding. Primary technical success was assessed in all patients. After TIPSS implantation, no variceal bleeding reoccurred and ascites was controlled in 74.1%. No severe procedure-related complications and no deterioration of liver function were observed. Post-TIPSS hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 40.0% of all patients. 30-day, 90-day-, 1-year- and 5-year survival rates were 97.5%, 75.0%, 42.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Median overall survival after TIPSS implantation was 180 days.

CONCLUSION

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt implantation is an effective and safe treatment for portal hypertension in patients with HCC.

Imaging of abdominal and pelvic surgical and postprocedural foreign bodies

Every form of medical and surgical treatment, even the most trivial one, carries with it some chance of complications. This risk is usually small, and the benefit of the treatment should clearly outweigh the risk. Treatment-related complications may occur, however, presenting either soon after the intervention or remote from it. In this review, the focus is on imaging findings of surgical materials used in abdominal surgery, and of a wide array of implanted abdominal devices. The pertinent complications of these devices and of retained surgical objects are highlighted and illustrated.

Percutaneous management of malignant fluid collections

The development of a pleural effusion or ascites in patients with underlying malignancy typically heralds end-stage disease and often results in a significant reduction in the patient&'s quality of life. The goal of treatment is the safe and effective palliation of symptoms with minimal inconvenience to the patient. Malignant fluid collections in the chest and abdomen are amenable to percutaneous management with either intermittent thoracentesis or paracentesis or by placement of temporary or permanent drainage catheters.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in patients with hepatic malignancy

Since its first clinical application in 1988, the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has emerged as a safe and effective means of managing patients with morbid portal hypertension. Despite the considerable body of literature on TIPS, portal decompression in patients with malignancy has not been sufficiently examined. These patients typically experience sequelae of portal hypertension that requires palliation. The purpose of this article is to review the reported experience with TIPS in patients with malignancy.

The difficult transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: alternative techniques and "tips" to successful shunt creation

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is one of the most complex procedures performed by interventional radiologists. Most of these procedures are straightforward and may be successfully completed within 2 hours. In some cases, TIPS creation may be extremely difficult, for example in situations such as: variant anatomy, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic vein thrombosis, or preexisting TIPS. In this article we describe some maneuvers that may be attempted in cases where creation of the shunt proves to be difficult.

Feasibility and long-term evolution of TIPS in cirrhotic patients with portal thrombosis

AIM

Many researchers consider portal thrombosis (PT) as a contraindication to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the feasibility and long-term prognosis of TIPS in cirrhotic patients, with and without, complete PT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Four hundred and thirty-six consecutive cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension were referred for TIPS, between 1990 and 2004. These patients were divided into two groups according to their portal patency. PT+: 34 patients with complete PT with cavernoma (19) or without (15) cavernoma versus PT-: 402 patients with normal portal patency (308) and partial PT (94). Epidemiological data were compared using the chi and Student's t-tests, and comparative evolution was made from actuarial data using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

PT+ patients were more frequently women with viral hepatitis, and TIPS was performed more often for bleeding indications. The TIPS success rate was significantly lower in the PT+ group (79%) than in the PT- group (99.5%) (P<10). Presence of a cavernoma decreased the success rate to 63%. TIPS was always feasible in cases of recent PT and portal cavernoma with an accessible intrahepatic patent portal branch. Early and late outcome and complications were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Complete PT does not modify TIPS' long-term outcome. Rather than a contraindication, PT should be considered as an indication for TIPS in cirrhotic patients with accessible intrahepatic portal vein. Further randomized studies should be planned in cirrhotic patients with recent PT to better qualify TIPS and anticoagulation indications, respectively.

Causes of TIPS dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation is an effective method to control portal hypertension. TIPS creations with bare stents have shown limited and unpredictable patency. In nearly all cases of rebleeding or recurrent ascites after TIPS creation, there is shunt stenosis or occlusion. The purpose of this article is to review the biologic and technical factors that predispose to TIPS failure and how the use of an expandable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered-stent has significantly improved TIPS patency.

CONCLUSION

Biologic and technical factors may predispose to shunt failure. The combination of improved technique and expandable PTFE has significantly improved TIPS patency. The need for follow-up venography and secondary interventions has been reduced significantly as a result of improved shunt patency.

Percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts

PURPOSE

To assess the role of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS).

METHODS

Between January 1999 and September 2004, 6 patients with HCC and TIPS were treated with either TACE (n = 3) or TACE in combination with PEI (n = 3). One patient had a known advanced, untreated HCC prior to TIPS. In the remaining 5 patients HCC was diagnosed 14, 17, 51, 69, and 76 months respectively after elective TIPS. TACE was performed using a mixture of 30-60 mg of epirubicin and 10 ml of lipiodol following superselective catheterization of tumor-feeding vessels. PEI was performed under CT guidance.

METHODS

The mean follow-up time after treatment of HCC was 26.2 months (range 7-46 months). During follow-up, all patients were free of rebleeding. Two patients died 7 and 38 months after one session of TACE and PEI (77 months after TIPS) and three sessions of TACE (91 months after TIPS), respectively. The cause of death was liver failure (Child-Pugh class C) and peritonitis, respectively. A third patient underwent liver transplantation 24 months after TIPS and several sessions of TACE. In the remaining 3 patients, the HCC is well controlled 13, 30, and 46 months after repetitive percutaneous treatment without signs of hepatic deterioration or metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter arterial superselective chemoembolization and percutaneous ethanol injection seems to be beneficial even in HCC patients treated with TIPS, provided that the liver function is adequate.

Peritoneal Ports for Treatment of Intractable Ascites

PURPOSE

To present clinical data for a new peritoneal port for minimally invasive treatment of intractable ascites that can be used for aspiration in a patient's home.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight consecutive peritoneal ports were placed in 27 patients with intractable ascites. Ascites etiology was malignancy in 22 patients, cirrhosis in three, pancreatic duct injury in one, and unknown in one. Technical and clinical success and complications were evaluated until the time of death or the end of the study.

RESULTS

All ports were inserted successfully with removal of all ascites, and all patients had immediate and complete symptom relief. Ascites was managed by periodic drainage, typically by a visiting nurse in the patient's home. The long-term clinical success rate was 96%, with 26 of 27 patients exhibiting maintained relief of symptoms until death or the end of the study. The long-term patency rate was 100% after 1,810 patient-days. Only one patient (4%) had a major complication. This was a port leak that required port exchange. Subsequently, the patient developed bacterial peritonitis.

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal ports appear to be a safe, effective, minimally invasive treatment for intractable ascites. This device allows for reliable ascites aspiration in the patient's home.