Emergency splenic arterial embolization for massive variceal bleeding in liver recipient with left-sided portal hypertension

Abstract

Splenic vein thrombosis with gastric variceal bleeding is difficult to manage, and splenectomy may be necessary to stop variceal bleeding. The authors report the case of a post-orthotopic liver transplant patient with bleeding gastric varices secondary to splenic vein thrombosis treated by partial splenic artery embolization. Successful embolization was performed via transcatheter approach depositing Gianturco coils into the intrasplenic artery resulting in immediate cessation of variceal bleeding. No recurrence of bleeding was noted postembolization. In conclusion, splenic artery embolization can be used as treatment for postliver transplant variceal bleeding with hypersplenism. Copyright © 2005 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.