Case Report: Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, a Rare Clinical Manifestation of Abernethy Malformation Type II

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a child with congenital portosystemic shunt

Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are rare congenital vascular anomalies characterized by abnormal connections between the portal vein and systemic circulation, bypassing the liver. They can lead to complications such as recurrent encephalopathy, liver nodules, portopulmonary hypertension, and neurocognitive issues due to hyperammonemia and rarely kidney involvement. Hepatic hemodynamic changes can lead to liver nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in extrahepatic shunts. We describe here an 11-year-old girl with type 1 intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with focal nodular hyperplasia in the liver, presenting with nephrotic syndrome that was diagnosed as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis on kidney biopsy and that responded partially to therapy with immunosuppressants.

The Significance of Congenital Portosystemic Shunts in Congenital Heart Disease and the Bizarre Phenomenon of Alternating Portosystemic and Systemic-Portal Shunting

Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSSs) are rare vascular anomalies characterized by abnormal connections between the portal/splanchnic veins and the systemic veins. CPSSs often occur as an isolated congenital anomaly, but they can also coexist with congenital heart disease (CHD). Owing to their myriad consequences on multiple organ systems, familiarity with CPSS is of tremendous importance to the care of patients with CHD. The rationale and timing for interventions to embolize CPSS in this scenario are discussed. Specific shunt embolization techniques are beyond the scope of this article.

A rare presentation of type II Abernethy malformation and nephrotic syndrome: Case report and review

Type II Abernethy malformation is an extremely reported congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt in complication with nephrotic syndrome. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with symptoms of type II Abernethy malformation and nephrotic syndrome. This diagnosis of this type II Abernethy malformation was based on physical examination, blood tests, urinalysis, nephrotic and hepatic function tests, routine clinical lipid measurements, abdominal ultrasonography, and computed tomographic angiography. A kidney biopsy revealed the pathological features of nephrotic syndrome. This is the second reported patient diagnosed with type II Abernethy malformation and nephrotic syndrome. Captopril treatment was effective in improving the symptoms of this case. A patient with type II Abernethy malformation related to immune complex-mediated glomerular injury was effectively improved with medication. Type II Abernethy malformation is a causative factor of immune complex-mediated glomerular injury in nephrotic syndrome. Captopril treatment significantly improved the symptoms in this case.

Presentation of Congenital Portosystemic Shunts in Children

Background: Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are rare vascular anomalies resulting in communications between the portal venous system and the systemic venous circulation, affecting an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 live births. CPSS can present at any age as a multi-system disease of variable severity mimicking both common and rare pediatric conditions. Case presentations: Case A: A vascular malformation was identified in the liver of a 10-year-old girl with tall stature, advanced somatic maturation, insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenemia and transient hematuria. Work-up also suggested elevated pulmonary pressures. Case B: A young girl with trisomy 8 mosaicism with a history of neonatal hypoglycemia, transient neonatal cholestasis and tall stature presented newly increased aminotransferase levels at 6 years of age. Case C: A 3-year-old boy with speech delay, tall stature and abdominal pain underwent abdominal ultrasound (US) showing multiple liver nodules, diagnosed as liver hemangiomas by hepatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Management and outcome: After identification of a venous malformation on liver Doppler US, all three patients were referred to a specialized liver center for further work-up within 12 to 18 months from diagnosis. Angio-computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of either an intrahepatic or extrahepatic CPSS with multiples liver nodules. All three had a hyperintense signal in the globus pallidus on T1 weighted cerebral MRI. Right heart catheterization confirmed pulmonary hypertension in cases A and C. Shunts were closed either using an endovascular or surgical approach. Liver nodules were either surgically removed if there was a risk of malignant degeneration or closely monitored by serial imaging when benign. Conclusion: These cases illustrate most of the common chief complaints and manifestations of CPSS. Liver Doppler US is the key to diagnosis. Considering portosystemic shunts in the diagnostic work-up of a patient with unexplained endocrine, liver, gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular, hematological, renal or neurocognitive disorder is important as prompt referral to a specialized center may significantly impact patient outcome.

Case report: Rare abernethy malformation with hepatopulmonary syndrome in a pediatric patient

Abernethy malformation is a rare abnormality of the hepatic portal vein system with non-specific and diverse clinical manifestations. Here, we described a case of abernethy malformation with hepatopulmonary syndrome in a 10-year-old girl. On physical examination, cyanosed lips and acropachy could be found. Her oxygen saturation fluctuated at 89-94%, and the fasting blood ammonia was 98 umol/L. Furthermore, there were abnormalities in the imaging. The microbubble test with contrast echocardiography was positive. Computer tomography angiography (CTA) showed the splenic vein, and the superior mesenteric drained directly into the inferior vena cave after confluence. The same result was also observed in delayed splenic arteriography. Then, we discovered a tiny branch of the intrahepatic portal vein by the inferior vena cava balloon occlusion test, which could also show the confluence of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein with the inferior venacave. According to the evidence above, we concluded that the girl was a patient of type II abernethy malformation. For the severe dysplasia of the portal vein, the girl accepted partial ligation of portosystemic shunt and Rex shunt, which improved her oxygen saturation and exercise tolerance.