Skip to main content
CVIR Endovascular
CVIR Endovascular Cover Image
Download PDF

Adult-onset portosystemic encephalopathy caused by patent ductus venosus successfully treated with endovascular coil embolization: a rare case report

CVIR Endovascular volume 3, Article number: 28 (2020) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Patent ductus venosus (PDV) is a congenital shunt between the portal vein (PV) and inferior vena cava (IVC). However, there are few reports on symptomatic adult-onset PDV, and the appropriate management of this condition remains unknown. In particular, there are few reports on the use of endovascular therapy for the treatment of patients with symptomatic adult-onset PDV. However, the strategies, indications, long-term efficacy, and safety of this therapy remain poorly understood. Here we report a rare case of adult-onset PDV successfully treated via endovascular coil embolization using a retrievable IVC filter.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old man with a clinical course of progressive general fatigue and ataxia for 3 months was diagnosed with depressive personality disorder in another hospital 2 months ago and then referred to our hospital for detailed examination and further treatment. Blood test results showed hyperammonemia, indicating hepatic encephalopathy. Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography and transarterial portography revealed a portosystemic shunt that connected the left PV to IVC. Endovascular coil embolization was successfully performed after temporary balloon occlusion testing and the placement of a retrievable IVC filter. After the procedure, ammonia levels gradually reduced, and his symptoms improved without any postoperative complications. No clinical symptoms were observed at the 6-year clinical follow up.

Conclusion

This report supports the findings of other studies and offers a less invasive therapeutic option, thereby aiding clinicians in making appropriate treatment decisions for these patients.

Peer Review reports

Background

Several studies have described patent ductus venosus (PDV), a congenital shunt located between the portal vein (PV) and inferior vena cava (IVC). It is one of the causes of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) secondary to hyperammonemia in adults, but it is not well understood owing to its rarity and non-specific presentation; therefore, its diagnosis is often delayed. Consequently, these cases are often misdiagnosed as mental disorders (Saito et al. 2013; Watanabe 2000). Additionally, the optimal treatment management remains unclear. Symptomatic PDV management is classified into four types: low-protein diet therapy (Watanabe 2000), surgical management (Kamata et al. 2000; Perini et al. 2018; Kamimatsuse et al. 2010; Hara et al. 2013), liver transplantation, and endovascular therapy (EVT). To the best of our knowledge, there is limited information about adult-onset PDV in the literature; moreover, the results of the treatment methods used are unclear owing to the rarity of this condition. Furthermore, the number of case reports on the use of EVT for patients with PDV is limited (Saito et al. 2013; Schwartz et al. 1999; Marx et al. 2001; Shen et al. 2001; Chacko et al. 2016; Llanos et al. 2014; Cho et al. 2009; Araki et al. 2003; Maeda et al. 2009; Paudel and Hoffer 2015); of these reports, EVT was performed in only four adult patients. The short- and long-term efficacies and the safety of this procedure remain unclear. Hence, strategies for the use of transcatheter method to treat patients with PDV have not been established yet. Here we present an extremely rare case of symptomatic adult-onset PDV successfully treated via endovascular coil embolization.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 35-year-old man without any medical history who suffered from progressive general fatigue and transient mental confusion for 3 months. The patient was misdiagnosed with depressive personality disorder in another hospital, and the treatment was ineffective. Subsequently, the patient was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. Laboratory tests at our hospital revealed the presence of hyperammonemia (263 μg/dl), which suggested HE. Other laboratory data revealed no significant abnormalities, except low levels of serum albumin (3.0 g/dl) and a slightly elevated level of total bilirubin (1.4 mg/dl). Hepatitis B antigen and hepatitis C virus antibody were negative. Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) suggested a portosystemic shunt that connected the left PV to the IVC (arrowhead in Fig. 1a, b).

Fig. 1
figure1

The findings of contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and transcatheter angiogram. a, b Contrast-enhanced MDCT showing an abnormal venous connection between the left portal vein and the inferior vena cava (IVC; white arrows), suggestive of patent ductus venosus. c, d Elective superior mesenteric angiogram with delayed venous phase image and transfemoral venography showing the same findings as those of MDCT

Full size image

Initially, conservative therapies including a low-protein diet were selected. However, they could not improve his symptoms owing to the presence of HE. A multidisciplinary team decided that surgical ligation might be associated with higher risks than endovascular coil embolization. Thus, informed consent was obtained from the patient and endovascular coil embolization under local anesthesia was planned. Before the procedure, elective superior mesenteric angiogram with delayed venous phase image and transfemoral venography were performed to confirm PDV diagnosis. Additionally, percutaneous liver biopsy was performed to discriminate pathological changes in the liver specimens (arrowhead in Fig. 1c, d). The findings of these examinations showed a portosystemic shunt that connected the left PV to the IVC and no evidences of hepatitis, cirrhosis, or veno-occlusive disease.

First, we planned to perform endovascular coil embolization using a 6-French catheter with a 20-mm-diameter balloon (Selecon MP catheter II: TERUMO Clinical Supply, Gifu, Japan). An 8-French sheath was inserted into the right jugular vein; following catheter insertion into the target vessel, the balloon was carefully inflated. However, the catheter was found to be floating and was easily pulled out. The aneurysmal dilatation diameter was found to be wider than that determined during the pre-procedure assessment. Therefore, we used a 7-French Swan-Ganz catheter (Edwards Lifescience, CA, USA) with a maximum balloon size diameter of 35 mm via the right common femoral vein (CFV), and it could occlude the target vessel completely. Additionally, complete occlusion was confirmed by catheter angiography via tip-hole of Swan-Ganz catheter and 5-French Judkins R. Temporary balloon occlusion testing (BOT) was performed for 3 h in intensive care unit to assess the changes in portal hemodynamics after complete embolization (Fig. 2). PV pressure increased from 10 to 30 mmHg after BOT. Laboratory results after 3 h showed a reduction in ammonia levels and no significant increase in transaminase. Moreover, abdominal ultrasonography showed no findings of congestive liver. Before coil embolization, a retrievable IVC filter (OptEase vena cava filter: Cordis Endovascular, A Johnson & Johnson company, Warren, NJ) had been placed to protect against coil migration at the connecting portion between the target vessel and IVC via the left CFV (arrowhead in Fig. 3a). A 6-French guiding catheter (Mach 1 MP: Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) was advanced into the target vessel via the right CFV. Coil embolization of the aneurysmal portion of the target vessel was accomplished using 18 coils: 6 interlocking detachable coils (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) and 12 Trufill DCS Orbit Galaxy Complex Fill (Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. Raynham, MA) through a microcatheter (PROWLER SELECT Plus: Johnson & Johnson, Miami, FL, USA; Figs. 3b and 4). Immediately after coil embolization, his symptoms disappeared. However, it took 6 months for the serum ammonia levels to reach the normal range. Subsequently, the patient was free of the clinical symptoms and presented with no procedure-related complications during 6-year clinical follow up.

Fig. 2
figure2

Temporary balloon occlusion testing was performed for 3 h. The laboratory test following temporary BOT shows decreased serum ammonia levels in SVC, portal vein, and IVC

Full size image
Fig. 3
figure3

Coil embolization following placement of the IVC filter (white arrows)

Full size image
Fig. 4
figure4

Coil embolization successfully performed using 18 coils

Full size image

Conclusions

Ductus venosus is naturally closed immediately after birth (Meyer and Lind 1966; Vade et al. 2001). PDV is a persisting congenital connection between the PV and IVC, and this extremely rare portosystemic shunt may be the cause of adult-onset portosystemic encephalopathy. To the best of our knowledge, there is limited information about adult-onset symptomatic PDV in the literature (Barsky et al. 1989; Barjon et al. 1972; Nakatsuji et al. 1991; Jacob et al. 1999; Nagano et al. 1999).

The treatment options for symptomatic PDV are as follows: conservative management with a low-protein diet, surgical management including liver transplantation, and endovascular management (Barsky et al. 1989; Franchi-Abella et al. 2010; Uchino et al. 1996; Orii et al. 1997). Patients with mild symptomatic adult-onset PDV may be treated via conservative management (Saito et al. 2013; Watanabe 2000; Araki et al. 2003). However, other interventional therapies can be indicated for patients with refractory symptoms, in addition to conservative therapy (Saito et al. 2013; Araki et al. 2003; Maeda et al. 2009). In recent years, the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive laparoscopic treatment for PDV has been reported (Perini et al. 2018; Takama et al. 2019; Hara et al. 2013). However, surgical management is generally more invasive owing to a complicated procedure and several potential risks, and the clinical results remain quite questionable (Barsky et al. 1989; Nakatsuji et al. 1991; Yamashita et al. 1982). In contrast, theoretically, EVT is less invasive. The first case of an adult patient who underwent coil embolization for PDV occlusion was reported in 2003 (Araki et al. 2003). There are extremely limited reports on the use of EVT for patients with symptomatic adult-onset PDV so far (Saito et al. 2013; Araki et al. 2003; Maeda et al. 2009). Several procedural strategies and techniques, including BOT before coil embolization and the use of various devices have been reported in all age groups (Saito et al. 2013; Araki et al. 2003; Maeda et al. 2009). However, the transcatheter method of treatment has not been established yet. In addition, the short and long-term efficacies and safety of this procedure remain unknown.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient who underwent coil embolization following retrievable IVC filter placement for PDV occlusion. Coil embolization has been performed along with balloon occlusion in previous studies to avoid coil migration (Araki et al. 2003; Maeda et al. 2009). We first attempted to occlude the target vessel with a balloon catheter; however, the balloon catheter was found to be floating and failed to occlude the exit of the target vessel completely because of a wider aneurysmal dilatation diameter than predicted. Thus, a 7-French Swan-Ganz catheter was used during BOT, and a retrievable IVC filter was placed to avoid coil migration during coil embolization.

In previous reports, more than half of the patients with PDV were complicated with absence or hypoplasia of the intrahepatic portal venous system and were indicated for liver transplantation or surgical ligation of the shunt after BOT (Wanless et al. 1985; Matsubara et al. 1996). Moreover, the PV pressure after BOT (under 22 mmHg) was reported to be a predictor of the postoperative risks (Kamimatsuse et al. 2010). In our case, percutaneous liver biopsy before procedure showed no significant abnormalities. Moreover, although the PV pressure after and 3-h temporary BOT was elevated to 30 mmHg, the patient was free of clinical symptoms with no procedure-related complications at the 6-year clinical follow up.

In conclusion, the findings of this case support those of other studies and indicate the efficacy and safety of endovascular coil embolization following retrievable IVC filter placement for the treatment of patients with symptomatic adult-onset PDV. This treatment approach may offer a less invasive therapeutic option.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets during and/or analyzed during the current case report are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

PDV:

Patent ductus venosus

PV:

Portal vein

IVC:

Inferior vena cava

HE:

Hepatic encephalopathy

EVT:

Endovascular therapy

MDCT:

Multi detector computed tomography

CFV:

Common femoral vein

BOT:

Balloon occlusion testing

References

  1. Araki T, Konishi T, Yasuda S, Osada T, Araki T (2003) Embolization of the patent ductus venosus in an adult patient. Am J Roentgenol 180:716–718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Barjon P, Lamarque JL, Michel H, Fourcade J, Mimran A, Ginestie JF (1972) Persistent ductus venosus without portal hypertension in a young alcoholic man. Gut 13:982–985

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Barsky MF, Rankin RN, Wall WJ, Ghent CN, Garcia B (1989) Patent ductus venosus: problems in assessment and management. Can J Surg 32:271–275

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Chacko A, Kock C, Joshi JA, Mitchell L, Ahmad S (2016) Patent ductus venosus presenting with cholestatic jaundice in an infant with successful trans-catheter closure using a vascular plug device. Indian J Radiol Imaging 26:377–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cho YK, Chang NK, Ma JS (2009) Successful transcatheter closure of a large patent ductus venosus with the amplatzer vascular plug II. Pediatr Cardiol 30:540–542

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Franchi-Abella S, Branchereau S, Lambert V, Fabre M, Steimberg C, Losay J, Riou JY, Pariente D, Gauthier F, Jacquemin E, Bernard O (2010) Complications of congenital portosystemic shunts in children: therapeutic options and outcomes. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 51:322–330

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Hara Y, Sato Y, Yamamoto S, Oya H, Igarashi M, Abe S, Kokai H, Miura K, Suda T, Nomoto M, Aoyagi Y, Hatakeyama K (2013) Successful laparoscopic division of a patent ductus venosus: report of a case. Surg Today 43:434–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Jacob S, Farr G, Vun DD, Takiff H, Mason A (1999) Hepatic manifestations of familial patent ductus venosus in adults. Gut 45:442–445

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Kamata S, Kitayama Y, Usui N, Kuroda S, Nose K, Sawai T, Okada A (2000) Patent ductus venosus with a hypoplastic intrahepatic portal system presenting intrapulmonary shunt: a case treated with banding of the ductus venosus. J Pediatr Surg 35:655–657

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kamimatsuse A, Onitake Y, Kamei N, Tajima G, Sakura N, Sueda T, Hiyama E (2010) Surgical intervention for patent ductus venosus. Pediatr Surg Int 26:1025–1030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Llanos D, Armijo J, Bodas A, Vaquero E, Pedraja I, Arrazola J (2014) Transjugular closure of a patent ductus venosus in a symptomatic 14-year-old boy using a vascular plug. J Pediatr 164:426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Maeda M, Tazawa J, Mori K (2009) Transvenous embolization of patent ductus venosus in two adult cases. J Rural Med 4:21–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Marx M, Huber WD, Crone J, Lammer J, Perneczky-Hintringer E, Heller S, Schlemmer M, Salzer-Muhar U (2001) Interventional stent implantation in a child with patent ductus venosus and pulmonary hypertension. Eur J Pediatr 160:501–504

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Matsubara T, Sumazaki R, Saitoh H, Imai H, Nakayama J, Takita H (1996) Patent ductus venosus associated with tumor-like lesions of the liver in a young girl. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 22:107–111

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Meyer W, Lind J (1966) The ductus venosus and the mechanism of its closure. Arch Dis Child 41:597–605

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Nagano K, Hoshino H, Nishimura D, Katada N, Sano H, Kato K (1999) Patent ductus venosus. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 14:285–288

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Nakatsuji Y, Kiyosawa K, Furuta K, Nakano Y, Suyama K, Sasaki Y, Yoshizawa K, Tanaka E, Sodeyama T, Furuta S, Nakanishi F, Imai Y, Horigome N, Kajikawa S, Iida F (1991) A case of hepatic encephalopathy and pulmonary hypertension due to intrahepatic portacaval shunt. Kanzo 32:197–204 in Japanese, abstract in English

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Orii T, Ohkohchi N, Kato H, Doi H, Hirano T, Sekiguchi S, Akamatsu Y, Satomi S (1997) Liver transplantation for severe hypoxemia caused by patent ductus venosus. J Pediatr Surg 32:1795–1797

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Paudel K, Hoffer EK (2015) Transhepatic embolization of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts with associated aneurysms. Case Rep Med 2015:375086

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Perini MV, Starkey GM, Goh SK, Riddiough GE, Christophi C (2018) Laparoscopic treatment of a patent ductus venosus and the use of indocyanine green to monitor perioperative hepatic function. J Surg case rep 2018:rjy026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Saito M, Seo Y, Yano Y, Momose K, Hirano H, Yoshida M, Azuma T (2013) Successful treatment using coil embolization of a symptomatic intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt developing through a patent ductus venosus in a noncirrhotic adult. Intern Med 52:555–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Schwartz YM, Berkowitz D, Lorber A (1999) Transvenous coil embolization of a patent ductus venosus in a 2-month-old child. Pediatrics 103:1045–1047

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Shen B, Younossi ZM, Dolmatch B, Newman JS, Henderson JM, Ong JP, Gramlich T, Yamani M (2001) Patent ductus venosus in an adult presenting as pulmonary hypertension, right-sided heart failure, and portosystemic encephalopathy. Am J Med 110:657–660

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Takama Y, Ueno T, Umeda S, Saka R, Tazuke Y, Okuyama H (2019) Laparoscopic ligation of a congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt for children with hyperammonemia: a single-institution experience. Surg Today 49:323–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Uchino T, Endo F, Ikeda S, Shiraki K, Sera Y, Matsuda I (1996) Three brothers with progressive hepatic dysfunction and severe hepatic steatosis due to a patent ductus venosus. Gastroenterology 110:1964–1968

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Vade A, Lim-Dunham J, Iqbal N (2001) Imaging of the ductus venosus in neonates: from patency to closure. J Ultrasound Med 20:681–687

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Wanless IR, Lentz JS, Roberts EA (1985) Partial nodular transformation of liver in an adult with persistent ductus venosus. Review with hypothesis on pathogenesis. Arch Pathol Lab Med 109:427–432

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Watanabe A (2000) Portal-systemic encephalopathy in non-cirrhotic patients: classification of clinical types, diagnosis and treatment. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 15:969–979

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Yamashita S, Nakata K, Muro T, Furukawa R, Kusumoto Y, Munehisa T, Miyake S, Nagataki S, Ishii N, Koji T (1982) A case of hepatic encephalopathy due to diffuse intrahepatic Porto-systemic shunts. Nihon Naika Gakkai Zasshi J Jpn Soc Intern Med 71:844–850

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank their colleagues at the Department of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Center, Taijukai General Kaisei Hospital for their cooperation.

Funding

Not applicable

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular Intervention Radiology Center, Taijukai General Hospital Kaisei Hospital, 3-5-28 Muromachi, Sakaide-City, Kagawa, 762-0007, Japan

    Hiromi Muranishi & Yasuo Komura

Authors
  1. Hiromi Muranishi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yasuo Komura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

HM conducted literature review, preparation of the manuscript, and editing. YK performed the intervention described in this manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hiromi Muranishi.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This case report was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and has been approved by the research ethics committee of our hospital.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report and accompanying images.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This paper was presented as an electronic poster in CIRSE annual congress 2018: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Muranishi, H., Komura, Y. Adult-onset portosystemic encephalopathy caused by patent ductus venosus successfully treated with endovascular coil embolization: a rare case report. CVIR Endovasc 3, 28 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42155-020-00118-1

Download citation

Keywords

  • Symptomatic adult-onset patent ductus venosus
  • Portosystemic encephalopathy
  • Endovascular coil embolization