Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for the Treatment of Duodenal Variceal Bleeding - A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Duodenal varices are uncommon complications of portal hypertension. Although duodenal variceal bleeding is infrequent, it is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate. Non-surgical methods for duodenal variceal bleeding include endoscopic band ligation, endoscopic sclerotherapy, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and retrograde transvenous obliteration. On the other hand, an optimal treatment strategy for this rare condition has not been established. A 38-year-old male with a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis presented with hematemesis. An emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed large, multiple varices in the second portion of the duodenum, and plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) was performed accordingly. Gastrointestinal bleeding was resolved after the procedure. Follow-up EGD conducted after 11 weeks revealed complete obliteration of the previously observed duodenal varices. PARTO may be considered a viable option for treating duodenal variceal bleeding.

Keywords

• duodenum
• varix
• gastrointestinal hemorrhage
• embolization
• therapeutic