Is there ileopathy in portal hypertension?

Prevalence, nature, and predictors of colonic changes in children with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The medical literature on colonic changes in children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) is limited. We evaluated EHPVO children for prevalence, nature, and relation of colonic changes with disease duration, extent of splenoportal axis (SPA) thrombosis, portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), and esophageal varices (EVs). The correlation between histologic and endoscopic changes was studied.

METHODS

Subjects were evaluated by colonoscopy with ileoscopy and biopsy sampling, clinico-laboratory profiles, and SPA imaging. Colonic changes were classified as varices (rectal/colonic) and portal hypertensive colopathy (PHC; colitis-like or vascular lesions). Morphometric analysis of colonic biopsy specimens was performed.

RESULTS

Fifty-four children (median age, 12 years [range, 8-15]; hematochezia in 9 [16.6%]) were evaluated. Rectal and colonic varices were seen in 51 (94%) and 2 (3.7%) cases, respectively. Seventy-five percent of patients had PHC, and colitis-like lesions were more common than vascular lesions (36/40 vs 23/40; P = .001). Colopathy changes were pancolonic in 52.5%, left-sided in 42.5%, and right-sided in 5% of cases. Sixteen percent of patients (8/49) had ileal changes. Children with PHC had PHG more often (90% vs 57%; P = .01), more endotherapy sessions (mean 6 [range, 4-8] vs 2 [range, 1-4]; P = .03), and large EVs less often (12.5% vs 43%; P = .02) than those without colopathy. The extent of SPA thrombosis was similar in patients with and without PHC. The number of capillaries per crypt was higher in EHPVO than in control subjects. Morphometric changes had no correlation with endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Most EHPVO children had colonic changes, and 16% had ileopathy. "Colitis-like" changes and left-side involvement were more common. Patients with PHG and eradicated EVs had a higher risk of PHC.

Multidetector CT enterography of focal small bowel lesions: a radiological-pathological correlation

Focal small bowel lesions present a diagnostic challenge for both the radiologist and gastroenterologist. Both the detection and characterization of small bowel masses have greatly improved with the advent of multidetector CT enterography (MD-CTE). As such, MD-CTE is increasingly utilized in the workup of occult gastrointestinal bleeding. In this article, we review the spectrum of focal small bowel masses with pathologic correlation. Adenocarcinoma, the most common primary small bowel malignancy, presents as a focal irregular mass occasionally with circumferential extension leading to obstruction. Small bowel carcinoid tumors most commonly arise in the ileum and are characterized by avid enhancement and marked desmoplastic response of metastatic lesions. Aneurysmal dilatation of small bowel is pathognomonic for lymphoma and secondary findings of lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly should be sought. Benign small bowel masses such as leiomyoma and adenoma may be responsible for occult gastrointestinal bleeding. However, primary vascular lesions of the small bowel remain the most common cause for occult small bowel gastrointestinal bleeding. The arterial phase of contrast obtained with CTE aids in recognition of the vascular nature of these lesions. Systemic conditions such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and Crohn's disease may be suggested by the presence of multiple small bowel lesions. Lastly, potential pitfalls such as ingested material should be considered when faced with focal small bowel masses.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy: A systematic review of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, natural history and therapy

AIM

To describe the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, natural history, and therapy of portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) based on a systematic literature review.

METHODS

Computerized search of the literature was performed via PubMed using the following medical subject headings or keywords: "portal" and "gastropathy"; or "portal" and "hypertensive"; or "congestive" and "gastropathy"; or "congestive" and "gastroenteropathy". The following criteria were applied for study inclusion: Publication in peer-reviewed journals, and publication since 1980. Articles were independently evaluated by each author and selected for inclusion by consensus after discussion based on the following criteria: Well-designed, prospective trials; recent studies; large study populations; and study emphasis on PHG.

RESULTS

PHG is diagnosed by characteristic endoscopic findings of small polygonal areas of variable erythema surrounded by a pale, reticular border in a mosaic pattern in the gastric fundus/body in a patient with cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Histologic findings include capillary and venule dilatation, congestion, and tortuosity, without vascular fibrin thrombi or inflammatory cells in gastric submucosa. PHG is differentiated from gastric antral vascular ectasia by a different endoscopic appearance. The etiology of PHG is inadequately understood. Portal hypertension is necessary but insufficient to develop PHG because many patients have portal hypertension without PHG. PHG increases in frequency with more severe portal hypertension, advanced liver disease, longer liver disease duration, presence of esophageal varices, and endoscopic variceal obliteration. PHG pathogenesis is related to a hyperdynamic circulation, induced by portal hypertension, characterized by increased intrahepatic resistance to flow, increased splanchnic flow, increased total gastric flow, and most likely decreased gastric mucosal flow. Gastric mucosa in PHG shows increased susceptibility to gastrotoxic chemicals and poor wound healing. Nitrous oxide, free radicals, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and glucagon may contribute to PHG development. Acute and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding are the only clinical complications. Bleeding is typically mild-to-moderate. Endoscopic therapy is rarely useful because the bleeding is typically diffuse. Acute bleeding is primarily treated with octreotide, often with concomitant proton pump inhibitor therapy, or secondarily treated with vasopressin or terlipressin. Nonselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonists, particularly propranolol, are used to prevent bleeding after an acute episode or for chronic bleeding. Iron deficiency anemia from chronic bleeding may require iron replacement therapy. Transjugular-intrahepatic-portosystemic-shunt and liver transplantation are highly successful ultimate therapies because they reduce the underlying portal hypertension.

CONCLUSION

PHG is important to recognize in patients with cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic portal hypertension because it can cause acute or chronic GI bleeding that often requires pharmacologic therapy.

Small bowel bleeding: a comprehensive review

The small intestine is an uncommon site of gastro-intestinal (GI) bleeding; however it is the commonest cause of obscure GI bleeding. It may require multiple blood transfusions, diagnostic procedures and repeated hospitalizations. Angiodysplasia is the commonest cause of obscure GI bleeding, particularly in the elderly. Inflammatory lesions and tumours are the usual causes of small intestinal bleeding in younger patients. Capsule endoscopy and deep enteroscopy have improved our ability to investigate small bowel bleeds. Deep enteroscopy has also an added advantage of therapeutic potential. Computed tomography is helpful in identifying extra-intestinal lesions. In cases of difficult diagnosis, surgery and intra-operative enteroscopy can help with diagnosis and management. The treatment is dependent upon the aetiology of the bleed. An overt bleed requires aggressive resuscitation and immediate localisation of the lesion for institution of appropriate therapy. Small bowel bleeding can be managed by conservative, radiological, pharmacological, endoscopic and surgical methods, depending upon indications, expertise and availability. Some patients, especially those with multiple vascular lesions, can re-bleed even after appropriate treatment and pose difficult challenge to the treating physician.

Small-bowel lesions caused by portal hypertension of schistosomal origin: a capsule endoscopy pilot study

BACKGROUND

Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent disease. It can evolve to its hepatosplenic form in up to 10% of the cases. The small-bowel lesions developed during the hepatosplenic stage of the disease have not been described in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe, for the first time, in a pilot study, the endoscopic aspects of the lesions in the small bowel of patients with portal hypertension due to schistosomiasis, using the PillCam SB, and to determine the usefulness of the method for the diagnosis of esophageal varices.

DESIGN

Case series.

SETTING

Tertiary-care medical center.

PATIENTS

Nine nonrandomized patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and esophageal varices without previous GI bleeding were selected based on findings from the PillCam SB. Patients using medications that could alter the coagulation, with history of abdominal surgery, who were undergoing treatment of the portal hypertension other than beta-blocker, and with symptoms suggesting bowel obstruction were excluded. The findings were interpreted by a single endoscopist.

RESULTS

Capsule endoscopy was able to diagnose esophageal varices in all 9 patients. All of the patients presented angioectasias and venectasias in the small bowel. Small-bowel varices were present in 22.2% of the patients; edema and erosions were found in 66.7% and 88.9%, respectively. Lesions of so-called "scarred mucosa" were found in 55.5% of the patients.

LIMITATIONS

Small number of patients; case series.

CONCLUSION

The PillCam SB was effective, giving a significant contribution to the description of the esophageal varices and small-bowel lesions of the patients with portal hypertension caused by Schistosoma mansoni.

Endoscopic characterization of the small bowel in patients with portal hypertension evaluated by double balloon endoscopy

BACKGROUND

The endoscopic abnormalities present in the small bowel (SB) of patients with portal hypertension (PH) are not well understood. This study sought to evaluate endoscopic findings of the SB in patients with PH by double balloon endoscopy (DBE).

METHODS

We evaluated the endoscopic findings of SB in 15 patients with PH and 49 controls without liver disease or PH. A total of 24 and 90 procedures were performed for PH patients and control patients, respectively, through oral and/or anal approaches.

RESULTS

Fourteen of the 15 patients exhibited villous abnormalities, including edema (73%), atrophy (40%), and reddening (47%) of villi. Vascular lesions, such as angiodysplasia-like abnormalities (67%), dilated/proliferated vessels (93%), and varices (7%), were observed in all patients with PH. Although they were associated with ascites, these abnormalities did not correlate with any laboratory findings. None of these abnormalities was observed in controls. Definitive or suspected bleeding sources were identified in 9 of 13 patients with both PH and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), which was similar to the incidence in controls with OGIB. Although the frequency of postprocedure fever (>37.5 degrees C) was higher in patients with PH in comparison to controls (29% vs. 2%, P < 0.01), endoscopic treatment under DBE was performed on 3 PH patients without serious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic abnormalities of the SB may be prevalent in patients with PH. Although postprocedure fever of DBE may occur more commonly in patients with PH, DBE is useful as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool to evaluate the SB.

Effect of portal hypertension in the small bowel: an endoscopic approach

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The effects of portal hypertension in the small bowel are largely unknown. The aim of the study was to prospectively assess portal hypertension manifestations in the small bowel.

METHODS

We compared, by performing enteroscopy with capsule endoscopy, the endoscopic findings of 36 patients with portal hypertension, 25 cirrhotic and 11 non-cirrhotic, with 30 controls.

RESULTS

Varices, defined as distended, tortuous, or saccular veins, and areas of mucosa with a reticulate pattern were significantly more frequent in patients with PTH. These two findings were detected in 26 of the 66 patients (39%), 25 from the group with PTH (69%) and one from the control group (3%) (P < 0.0001). Among the 25 patients with PTH exhibiting these patterns, 17 were cirrhotic and 8 were non-cirrhotic (P = 0.551). The presence of these endoscopic changes was not related to age, gender, presence of cirrhosis, esophageal or gastric varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, portal hypertensive colopathy, prior esophageal endoscopic treatment, current administration of beta-blockers, or Child-Pugh Class C. More patients with these endoscopic patterns had a previous history of acute digestive bleeding (72% vs. 36%) (P = 0.05). Active bleeding was found in two patients (5.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of varices or areas of mucosa with a reticulate pattern are manifestations of portal hypertension in the small bowel, found in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. The clinical implications of these findings, as regards digestive bleeding, are uncertain, although we documented acute bleeding from the small bowel in two patients (5.5%).

Characteristic endoscopic features of portal hypertensive enteropathy

BACKGROUND

Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) and capsule endoscopy have opened up a new field of investigation regarding the small intestine. Although DBE has been widely used for diagnosis and treatment of different lesions in the small intestine, there is a paucity of information regarding endoscopic features of the small intestine in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).

METHODS

Endoscopic images of the small intestine were taken in 21 patients with LC by DBE (EN-450P5/20 or EN-450T5/W). Biopsy specimens were taken from various parts of the small intestine and examined microscopically. Different endoscopic features of the small intestine were compared in relation to the clinical parameters of these patients.

RESULTS

Erythema and telangiectasia were observed in five patients (24%) and one patient (5%), respectively. In eight patients (38%), the small intestinal mucosa was edematous, and the intestinal villi of these patients were swollen and rounded, resembling herring roe. The patients with a herring roe appearance in the small intestine had advanced LC (Child's classification B and C), and all of them also had portal hypertensive gastropathy and portal hypertensive colopathy. In comparison with patients without a herring roe appearance in the small intestine, patients with a herring roe appearance had a significantly increased spleen volume (P<0.05) and decreased platelet counts (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although preliminary, this study indicated that DBE may be useful for detecting different types of endoscopic lesions in patients with LC. A herring roe appearance seems to be one of the characteristic features of portal hypertensive enteropathy. However, further study will be required to develop insights about its pathogenesis.

Effects of ocreotide on intestinal mucosa in rats with portal hypertensive enteropathy

To clarify the effects of long-term ocreotide (a long-acting somatostatin analogue) treatment on mucosal changes in a rat model of portal hypertensive enteropathy, groups of male Swiss albino rats (n=15 each) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms. These were: sham laparotomy+twice daily subcutaneous saline 0.5 mL (Group 1); portal hypertension induction+twice daily subcutaneous saline 0.5 mL (Group 2); and portal hypertension induction+subcutaneous ocreotide 100 microg/kg/12h (Group 3). After 12 weeks of treatment, jejunal and ileal tissue specimens were obtained and evaluated histopathologically (villus/crypt ratio, mean diameter of dilated vessels, mucosal edema, and fibromuscular proliferation in the lamina propria) and immunohistochemically (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), von Willebrand factor (F8), and cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) labelling). In jejunal specimens, the villus/crypt ratio was markedly lower in Group 2 (2.38+/-0.46 microm) than in Group 1 (5.07+/-2.25 microm) or Group 3 (4.97+/-2.19 microm); mean diameter of dilated vessels was markedly higher in Group 2 (43.30+/-5.71 microm) than in Group 1 (33.53+/-4.00 microm) or Group 3 (36.76+/-3.96 microm); mucosal edema and fibromuscular proliferation were universally absent in Group 1 when compared with the other groups. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between Groups 1 and 2 for villus/crypt ratio, mean diameter of dilated vessels, VEGF immunolabelling intensity, and CD34 immunolabelling intensity; between Groups 1 and 3 for mean diameter of dilated vessels, VEGF immunolabelling intensity, and CD34 immunolabelling intensity; and between Groups 2 and 3 for villus/crypt ratio, mean diameter of dilated vessels, and VEGF immunolabelling intensity. In ileal tissue specimens, the villus/crypt ratio was markedly lower in Group 2 (5.51+/-0.67 microm) than in either Group 1 (7.19+/-2.18 microm) or Group 3 (7.62+/-2.58 microm); mean diameter of dilated vessels was markedly higher in Group 2 (46.36+/-4.77 microm) than in either Group 1 (36.43+/-4.57 microm) or Group 3 (41.31+/-4.70 microm); while mucosal edema was absent in Group 1, it was present in Group 2 and Group 3; and fibromuscular proliferation was universally absent. There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between Groups 1 and 2 for villus/crypt ratio and mean diameter of dilated vessels; between Groups 1 and 3 for mean diameter of dilated vessels; and between Groups 2 and 3 for villus/crypt ratio, mean diameter of dilated vessels, and VEGF immunolabelling intensity. Together, these findings indicate that ocreotide treatment ameliorates histomorphological changes in a rat model of portal hypertensive enteropathy.

[Role of capsule endoscopy in patients with portal hypertension and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding]

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Limited number of data are available on small bowel changes due to portal hypertension. The present retrospective, comparative study was aimed to analyse the diagnostic yield and to describe the findings with capsule endoscopy of cirrhotic patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Capsule endoscopy findings of 11 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and 22 non-cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding who had undergone non-diagnostic upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were compared. Capsule video recordings were evaluated by two investigators at both workplaces. Patients after capsule endoscopy were followed-up until a mean of 19 (1-42) months.

RESULTS

In total 7 men and 5 women were examined at two medical centres in 48 months with a mean age of 66.2 (+/-7.6) years. The average period between the first clinical symptoms and capsule endoscopy was 15.7 (+/-14.9) months. During this period patients were hospitalized in an average of 2.8 (+/-1.3) times and 7.9 examinations were performed per patients prior to capsule endoscopy. A small bowel bleeding source was diagnosed in all 11 patients. Two definitive bleeding sources were observed in 7 patients (63%). Lesions connected to portal hypertension were found in all patients (8 angiodysplasias, 2 portal hypertensive enteropathies and 1 bowel varix). During the follow-up period rebleeding occurred in 27.3% of cirrhotic patients compared with 18.2% rebleeding rate in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Capsule endoscopy is a useful method in patients with portal hypertension and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after negative upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Multiple angiodysplasias are often diagnosed in the background of small bowel bleedings, and several bleeding sources frequently occur in these patients.