J Korean Radiol Soc.  1990 Feb;26(1):134-140. 10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.1.134.

Partial splenic embolization as treatment for hypersplenism in portal hypertension

• Seo HS
• Lee MH

• KMID: 2358987
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.1.134

Abstract

Partial spenic embolization (PSE) was performed in thirteen cirrhotics and two patients of idiopathic portalhypertension with hypersplenism using Gelfoam pieces suspended in an antibiotic solution. The patients werefollowed for 60 weeks after PSE. White blood cell count was the highest within one week after PSE, and decreasedgradually but maintained within normal limit until 60 weeks after PSE. Platelet count increased immediately andnormalized at the first week, and reached at the maximal value at the 4th week after PSE. And then platelet countdecreased gradually but maintained within normal limit until 60 week after PSE. Hemoglobin value tended toincrease gradually about 4 weeks after PSE without significant interval change initially. After PSE abdominalpain, fever, ascites and pleural effusion were observed but were well tolerated, and there were no seriouscomplications such as splenic abscess, subphrenic abscess, splenic rupture and so on. Consequently, PSE is thoughtto be an attractive therapeutic modality to physicians managing patients with hypersplenism in portal hypertensionnot only because it is a nonsurgical procedure without serious complications but because it provides excellentresults hematologically.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Ascites
Blood Platelets
Fever
Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable
Humans
Hypersplenism*
Hypertension, Portal*
Leukocyte Count
Platelet Count
Pleural Effusion
Splenic Rupture
Subphrenic Abscess