Management of Bleed from Percutaneous Portal Puncture Site (post-BRTO) by Trans-jugular-Trans-Hepatic Embolization

Abstract

We report the case of an elderly male, who was a known case of chronic liver parenchymal disease. He presented with a history of melena for 2 weeks and upper-GI endoscopy revealed fundal varices. He was planned for BRTO. Along with BRTO, a percutaneous trans-hepatic puncture of a branch of the right portal vein was also performed for proper embolization of the varices. The trans-hepatic puncture-tract was embolized after the procedure. However, after 24 hours of the procedure, the patient developed hypotension and abdominal distension due to hemorrhage from the portal puncture site. Portal-venography was performed via the trans-jugular-trans-hepatic route to confirm the source of hemorrhage and embolization of the culprit portal venous branch was performed via the same route. The patient was stable after the procedure. Various interventional procedures via the trans-jugular route have been routinely described in the literature, including trans-jugular liver biopsies, placement of TIPSS shunts and endovascular interventions for haemodialysis. However, the literature on trans-jugular embolization of portal vein is scarce. This case describes the unexpected clinical situation, in the form of bleeding from the portal puncture site, despite embolization of the trans-hepatic tract after BRTO. Finally, a creative solution was thought of and trans-jugular embolization of the portal vein was performed, which succeeded in terminating the ongoing bleeding from the portal vein.

Keywords

• brto
• portal vein embolization