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DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-861569
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.
Portal Vein Dilatation in The Liver Transplant Recipient
Publication History
Publication Date:
07 January 2005 (online)
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Portal vein stenoses are quite rare in liver transplant recipients except when interposition grafts are used to facilitate the surgical anastomosis.[1] Often these lesions are discovered with non-invasive screening tests such as ultrasound but can also present with symptoms related to portal hypertension. Because stenoses can progress to complete occlusions that portend a much worse prognosis, we have aggressively sought and dilated stenoses. When encountered, this type of vascular complication is effectively alleviated with percutaneous angioplasty.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Metallic stents have also been used effectively to treat recurrent and elastic stenoses.[6] [7] [8]
REFERENCES
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- 2 Raby N, Karani J, Thomas S, O'Grady J, Williams R. Stenosis of vascular anastomoses after hepatic transplantation: treatment with balloon angioplasty. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1991; 157 167-171
- 3 Rollins N K, Sheffield E G, Andrews W S. Portal vein stenosis complicating liver transplantation in children: percutaneous transhepatic angioplasty. Radiology. 1992; 182 731-734
- 4 Zajko A B, Sheng R, Bron K, Reyes J, Nour B, Tzakis A. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of venous anastomotic stenoses complicating liver transplantation: intermediate-term results. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 1994; 5 121-126
- 5 Funaki B, Rosenblum J D, Leef J A, Hackworth C A, Szymski G X, Alonso E M. Angioplasty treatment of portal vein stenosis in children with segmental liver transplants: mid-term results. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997; 169 551-554
- 6 Cherukuri R, Haskal Z J, Naji A, Shaked A. Percutaneous thrombolysis and stent placement for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation: long-term follow-up. Transplantation. 1998; 65 1124-1126
- 7 Mathias K, Bolder U, Lohlein D, Jager H. Percutaneous transhepatic angioplasty and stent implantation for prehepatic portal vein obstruction. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 1993; 16 313-315
- 8 Funaki B, Rosenblum J D, Leef J A et al.. Percutaneous treatment of portal venous stenosis in children and adolescents with segmental hepatic transplants: long-term results. Radiology. 2000; 215 147-151
Brian Funaki M.D.
Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Chicago Hospitals
5840 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2026
Chicago, IL 60637