[Partial splenic embolization for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

The use of splenic embolization in immune thrombocytopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The effectiveness of splenic embolization (SE) in treating refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) remains uncertain. A systematic literature review was undertaken to assess the effectiveness and safety of SE in treating both paediatric and adult patients with ITP. We conducted an extensive search employing predefined criteria. We extracted platelet counts at baseline and at multiple intervals following SE, along with details of the proportion of embolized spleen parenchyma and the proportion of patients exhibiting complete or partial platelet count responses. We identified nine eligible reports for the analysis of effectiveness (228 patients) and 15 reports for the safety analysis (151 patients). Pooled estimates of complete response (platelet count >100 × 109/L) and overall response (platelet count >30 × 109/L) were 50.1% (95% CI: 38-62.3) and 74.4% (95% CI: 64.9-83.9) respectively. Most studies applied an embolization of at least 60% of the spleen parenchyma. Nearly all the patients suffered from mild adverse events (AEs), 1.3% suffered from serious AEs and one patient died (0.7%). In conclusion, SE resulted in an overall response rate in 74.4% of patients with ITP. However, this finding derives from uncontrolled studies of low to moderate quality.

Long-term efficacy of partial splenic embolization for the treatment of steroid-resistant chronic immune thrombocytopenia

Thrombopoietin-receptor agonists have been recently introduced for a second-line treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Splenectomy has tended to be avoided because of its complications, but the response rate of splenectomy is 60-80% and it has still been considered for steroid-refractory ITP. We performed partial splenic embolization (PSE) as an alternative to splenectomy. Between 1988 and 2013, 91 patients with steroid-resistant ITP underwent PSE at our hospital, and we retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and long-term outcomes of PSE. The complete response rate (CR, platelets > 100 × 10⁹/L) was 51% (n = 46), and the overall response rate (CR plus response (R), > 30 × 10⁹/L) was 84% (n = 76). One year after PSE, 70% of patients remained CR and R. The group with peak platelet count after PSE ≥ 300 × 10⁹/L (n = 29) exhibited a significantly higher platelet count than the group with platelet count < 300 × 10⁹/L (n = 40) at any time point after PSE. The failure-free survival (FFS) rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 78, 56, and 52%, respectively. Second PSE was performed in 20 patients who relapsed (n = 14) or had no response to the initial PSE (n = 6), and the overall response was achieved in 63% patients. There were no PSE-related deaths. These results indicate that PSE is a safe and effective alternative therapy to splenectomy for patients with steroid-resistant ITP as it generates long-term, durable responses.