Portal venous dilatation and stenting for bleeding jejunal varices: report of two cases.

We present two patients who underwent a portal stent placement for bleeding jejunal varices of the afferent loop caused by extrahepatic portal venous stenosis. Case 1 involved a 66-year-old woman who developed bleeding jejunal varices due to extrahepatic portal venous stenosis 1 year after a pancreaticoduodenectomy with intraoperative radiation therapy. Percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation and stent placement were performed. Since undergoing the procedure, no bleeding has occurred. Case 2 concerned a 44-year-old woman who had a rupture and bleeding of jejunal varices 16 years after a choledocojejunostomy. Stenosis was observed from the right and left branches of the portal vein to its intrahepatic branches. Both balloon dilatation and stent placement were attempted. However, the stent could not be fully inserted into the intrahepatic portal vein. Portal stent placement is less invasive and radical, and therefore should be attempted for the treatment of extrahepatic portal venous stenosis. However, there are limits to its application if the stenosis extends to the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein.