Partial splenic embolization in five children with hypersplenism: effects of reduced-volume embolization on efficacy and morbidity.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of reducing the volume of spleen infarcted during partial splenic embolization (PSE) for treatment of hypersplenism in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five children with hypersplenism underwent embolization of 30%-40% of the splenic volume. The results were compared with those of a previous study of 70%-80% PSE performed in 17 children.

RESULTS

The hospital stay after the procedure was reduced from 16.0 days +/- 8.0 to 6.6 days +/- 5.6. The febrile period decreased from 15.0 days +/- 8.1 to 5.0 days +/- 6.6. The peak white blood cell count was 8,300/mm3 +/- 4,600 (8.3 x 10(9)/L +/- 4.6) versus 19,400/mm3 +/- 7,800 (19.4 x 10(9)/L +/- 7.8) in the earlier study. The peak platelet count was 153,000/mm3 +/- 65,000 (153 x 10(9)/L +/- 65) versus 636,000/mm3 +/- 406,000 (636 x 10(9)/L +/- 406). The platelet count after a mean follow-up of 14 months was 70,000/mm3 +/- 7,000 (70 x 10(9)/L +/- 7) versus 230,000/mm3 +/- 62,000 (230 x 10(9)/L +/- 62) after a mean follow-up of 45 months. The frequency of variceal hemorrhage decreased from 3.5 to 0.5 episodes per year. The frequency of epistaxis decreased from 30 to 15 episodes per month.

CONCLUSION

Reduced-volume embolization decreased morbidity. All patients maintained a platelet count above baseline, and no patient required repeat embolization.