Infusion of 50% glucose solution to occlude an intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt before percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization: report of a case.

A 68-year-old man with cholangiocarcinoma underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization to expand the indication for hepatic resection. Selective right posterior portography revealed an intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt (IPSVS) connecting the segment VII branch to the right hepatic venous branch. An infusion of 50 % glucose solution was given to occlude the shunt. This is novel management for IPSVSs when they are numerous, small, or torturous, and makes the subsequent procedures simpler, shorter, and less expensive.