A long-term investigation of transcatheter splenic arterial embolization for hypersplenism.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study investigated longterm changes in the parameters of blood and liver function tests following TSAE.

PATIENTS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-five patients received transcatheter splenic arterial embolization (TSAE) as a treatment for hypersplenism, and their post- TSAE conditions were monitored for over a year. We evaluated changes in blood and liver function tests, and examined changes of platelet associated immunoglobulin G (PA-IgG), liver and spleen volumes and hemodynamics in order to consider the mechanism of liver function improvement following TSAE.

RESULTS

In blood tests, platelet and WBC counts significantly increased one year after TSAE and this increased level continued up to the fifth year. In liver function tests, levels of serum total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, and results of the hepaplastin test significantly improved after the one year, and these levels remained even over one year.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study indicated involvements of decreased platelet pool in the spleen and probable immunological mechanisms in association with PA-IgG in platelet count increase. Indocyanine green clearance (15') were improved in 5 of 8 patients (62.5%) after TSAE. These points may indicate an involvement of hemodynamic changes in the improvement of liver function parameters.