Application of intraoperative indocyanine green videoangiography in the surgical treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography in surgical management of spinal dural ateriovenots fistulae (dAVFs) . Methods In this retrospective analysis we examined nine cases of dAVFs,diagnosed by complete spinal angiography,in which laminoplasty were performed through posterior approach. An operating microscope-integrated light

Unsatisfactory outcomes of prolonged ischemic priapism without early surgical^shunts： our clinical experience and a review of the literature

Ischemic priapism is a rare occurrence which can cause severe erectile dysfunction （ED） without timely treatment. This retrospective study reports our experience in treating prolonged ischemic priapism and proposes our further considerations. In this paper, a total of nine patients with prolonged ischemic priapism underwent one to three types of surgical shunts, including nine Winter shunts, two AI-Ghorab shunts and one Grayhack shunt. During the follow-up visit （after a mean of 21.11 months）, all patients＇ postoperative characters were recorded, except one patient lost for death. Six postoperative patients accepted a 25-mg oral administration of sildenafil citrate. The erectile function of the patients was evaluated by their postoperative 5-item version of International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire （IIEF-5）, which were later compared with their premorbid scores. All patients had complete resolutions, and none relapsed. The resolution rate was 100%. Seven patients were resolved with Winter shunts, one with an AI-Ghorab shunt and one with a Grayhack shunt. The mean hospital stay was 8.22 days. There was only one urethral fistula, and the incidence of postoperative ED was 66.67%. Four patients with more than a 72-h duration of priapism had no response to the long-term phosphodiesterase type 5 （PDE-5） inhibitor treatment. These results suggest that surgical shunts are an efficient approach to make the penis flaccid after prolonged priapism. However, the severe ED caused by prolonged duration is irreversible, and long-term PDE-5 inhibitor treatments are ineffective. Thus, we recommend early penile prosthesis surgeries for these patients.

Ductus Arteriosus Stent Compared with Surgical Shunt for Infants with Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ductus arteriosus stent(DAS)compared with surgical systemic-pulmonary artery shunt(SPS)in patients with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow.A literature search was conducted in PubMed,Embase,and the Cochrane Library databases from their inception to December 2020.Two reviewers independently screened the articles,evaluated the quality of the articles,and collected the data.Meta-analyses were conducted using fixed and random effects models.We used the I-square(I2)test to examine heterogeneity and the funnel plot Egger’s test was used to test for publication bias.We analyzed nine studies including 842 patients were included in the present study(DAS:n=295;SPS:n=547).There was a benefit in favor of DAS group for medium-term mortality(RR,0.63;95%CI,[0.40,0.99];P=0.91,I^(2)=0%).DAS group demonstrated a reduced risk for complications compared with SPS(RR,0.46;95%CI,[0.29,0.72];P=0.78,I^(2)=0%).There was an increased risk for unplanned reintervention for DAS(RR,1.77;95%CI,[1.42,2.20];P=0.61,I2=0%).DAS demonstrated shorter mean intensive care unit length of stay(MD,–5.12;95%CI,[–7.33,–2.91];P=0.005,I^(2)=76%).There was also demonstrated higher postprocedure oxygen saturation for SPS over DAS(MD,1.78;95% CI,[0.92,2.64];P=0.46,I2=0%).There was no difference between the two groups in terms of mortality within 30 days,Nakata Index,and hospital length of stay.Conclusions:In terms of initial palliative surgical in the ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow,DAS demonstrated a lower risk of medium-term mortality,lower risk of complications,higher risk of unplanned reintervention,shorter ICU length of stay,and higher postprocedure oxygen saturation compared with SPS.

Arteriovenous Shunt Stenosis Evaluation Using a Fractional-Order Fuzzy Petri Net Based Screening System for Long-Term Hemodialysis Patients

This paper proposes the evaluation of arteriovenous shunt (AVS) stenosis using a fractional-order Fuzzy Petri net based screening system for long-term hemodialysis treatment of patients. The screening system uses the Burg method, the fractional-order chaos system, and the Fuzzy Petri net (FPN) for early detection of AVS dysfunction. The Burg method is an autoregressive (AR) model that is used to estimate the frequency spectra of a phonoangiographic signal and to identify the spectral peaks in the region from 25 Hz to 800 Hz. In AVS, the frequency spectrum varies between normal blood flow and turbulent flow. The power spectra demonstrate changes in frequency and amplitude as the degree of stenosis changes. A screening system combining fractional-order chaos system and FPN is used to track the differences in the frequency spectra between the normal and stenosis access. The dynamic errors are indexes that can be used to evaluate the degree of AVS stenosis using a FPN. For 42 long-term follow-up patients, testing results show that the proposed screening system is more efficient in the evaluation of AVS stenosis.

Priapism secondary to chronic myeloid leukemia treated by a surgical cavernosa-corpus spongiosum shunt: Case report

Priapism secondary to chronic myeloid leukemia(CML)is rarely observed in the clinic.Here,we present an 18-year-old patient with priapism for over 72 h due to hyperleukocytosis.Emergent interventions such as therapeutic aspiration and intracorporal injection of phenylephrine failed before a surgical corpora cavernosa-corpus spongiosum shunt was inserted to relieve symptoms.During hospitalization,bone marrow aspiration confirmed the diagnosis of CML.

The clinical significance of intrahepatic arteriovenous shunt in patients with hepatic carcinoma

Objective To investigate the clinical features of intrahepatic arteriovenous shunt (AVS) in patients with hepatic carcinoma. Methods The clinical data including results of therapy of 538 hepatic carcinoma patients admitted between 1996 and 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 71 cases of AVS altogether with 61 cases of arterio-portal shunt and 8 cases of hepatic arterior-venous shunt. Thirty out of 39 AVS cases with fistula formed between hepatic artery and main portal branch developed portal hypertension. The patients received a total of 84 sessions of transarterial chemotherapy and embolization (TACE) with a success rate of 61% (51 sessions). After TACE liver failure ensued in 3 cases. The mean survival time of these patients was 5. 77 months. Conclusion Arterio-portal /venous fistula is a common complication among hepatic carcinoma patients which ofter predicts poor prognosis. A high percentage of AVS patients will not tolerate TACE and in which the portal hypertension will be

Progress and Prospects of Surgical Treatment of Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is a group of syndrome characterized by splenic hyperfunction, esophageal and gastric varices and ascites caused by abnormal portal vein hemodynamics. Among them, upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by esophageal and gastric varices is the most dangerous complication, which often threatens the lives of patients. After half a century of development, the treatment of portal hypertension is divided into two categories: medical drug therapy, endoscopic therapy and surgical treatment. With the understanding of portal hypertension and the continuous development of medical technology, the surgical operation of portal hypertension has also been greatly improved, reducing postoperative complications and improving the quality of life of patients after operation. However, at present, there is no surgical method that can completely cure portal hypertension. This article reviews the progress of surgical treatment of portal hypertension in recent years, in order to provide reference for the surgical treatment of portal hypertension.

Evaluation of surgical procedure selection based on intraoperative free portal pressure measurement in patients with portal hypertension

BACKGROUND: Various surgical procedures can be used to treat liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. How to select the most appropriate procedure for patients with portal hypertension has become a difficult problem. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the value of intraoperative free portal pressure (FPP) and postoperative complications, and to explore the significance of intraoperative FPP measurement with respect to surgical procedure selection. METHODS: The clinical data of 187 patients with portal hypertension who received pericardial devascularization and proximal splenorenal shunt combined with devascularization (combined operation) at the Department of General Surgery in our hospital from January 2001 to September 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Among the patients who received pericardial devascularization, those with a postoperative FPP >= 22 mmHg were included in a high-pressure group (n=68), and those with FPP <22 mmHg were in a low-pressure group (n=49). Seventy patients who received the combined operation comprised a combined group. The intraoperative FPP measurement changes at different times, and the incidence of postoperative complications in the three groups of patients were compared. RESULTS. The postoperative FPP value in the high-pressure group was 27.5 +/- 2.3 mmHg, which was significantly higher than that of the low-pressure (20.9 +/- 1.8 mmHg) or combined groups (21.7 +/- 2.5 mmHg). The rebleeding rate in the high-pressure group was significantly higher than that in the low-pressure and combined groups. The incidence rates of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy and liver failure were not statistically different among the three groups. The mortality due to rebleeding in the low-pressure and combined groups (0.84%) was significantly lower than that of the high-pressure group. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that FPP is a critical measurement for surgical procedure selection in patients with portal hypertension. A FPP value >= 22 mmHg after splenectomy and devascularization alone is an important indicator that an additional proximal splenorenal shunt needs to be performed. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2010; 9: 269-274)

Surgical treatment of a rare brachial artery aneurysm postarteriovenous fistula closure after kidney transplant:A case report

BACKGROUND Brachial artery aneurysms are defined as dilations greater than 50%of the normal diameter,which are rare among all peripheral arterial aneurysms.While they are often present as pseudoaneurysms,true brachial artery aneurysms are also detected rarely.In this case report,the surgical repair method of true brachial artery aneurysms,which is a rare condition,is explained.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we present a 61-year-old male patient with complaints of swelling and pain in the right arm antecubital region that had been progressing over 6 mo.Upon the diagnosis of a true brachial artery aneurysm associated with arteriovenous fistula,the aneurysm was surgically repaired with an autologous saphenous vein graft.The patient was discharged without any neurovascular complications postoperatively.CONCLUSION True brachial artery aneurysms are rare and there are not any recommendations for their management in the current literature.Even though the treatment of true aneurysms in this artery is primarily based on a surgical treatment,endovascular repair also might be an option.

Clinical analysis of surgical treatment of portal hypertension

AIM： To review the experience in surgery for 508 patients with portal hypertension and to explore the selection of reasonable operation under different conditions. METHODS： The data of 508 patients with portal hypertension treated surgically in 1991-2001 in our centers were analyzed. Of the 508 patients, 256 were treated with portaazygous devascularization （PAD）, 167 with portasystemic shunt （PSS）, 62 with selective shunt （SS）, 11 with combined portasystemic shunt and portaazygous devascularization （PSS＋PAD）, 9 with liver transplantation （LT）, 3 with union operation for hepatic carcinoma and portal hypertension （HCC＋PH）. RESULTS： In the 167 patients treated with PSS, free portal pressure （FPP） was significantly higher in the patients with a longer diameter of the anastomotic stoma than in those with a shorter diameter before the operation （P〈0.01）. After the operation, FPP in the former patients markedly decreased compared to the latter ones （P〈0.01）. The incidence rate of hemorrhage in patients treated with PAD, PSS, 55, PSS＋PAD, and HCC＋PH was 21.09% （54/256）, 13.77 （23/167）, 11.29 （7/62）, 36.36% （4/11）, and 100% （3/3）, respectively. The incidence rate of hepatic encephalopathy was 3.91% （10/256）, 9.58% （16/167）, 4.84% （3/62）, 9.09% （1/11）, and 100% （3/3）, respectively while the operative mortality was 5.49% （15/256）, 4.22% （7/167）, 4.84% （3/62）, 9.09% （1/11）, and 66.67% （2/3） respectively. The operative mortality of liver transplantation was 22.22% （2/9）. CONCLUSION： Five kinds of operation in surgical treatment of portal hypertension have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the selection of operation should be based on the actual needs of the patients.

Transcatheter Closure of Postoperative Residual Atrial or Ventricular Septal Shunts in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Background:Transcatheter closure(TCC)has emerged as the preferred treatment for selected congenital heart disease(CHD).While TCC offers benefits for patients with postoperative residual shunts,understanding its mid-and long-term efficacy and safety remains crucial.Objective:This study aims to assess the mid-and long-term safety and efficacy of TCC for patients with residual atrial or ventricular septal shunts following CHD correction.Methods:In this consecutive retrospective study,we enrolled 35 patients with residual shunt who underwent TCC or surgical repair of CHD between June 2011 to October 2022.TCC candidacy was determined based on established criteria.Echocardiography and electrocardiogram were conducted during the perioperative period and continued as part of long-term follow-up.Results:Among the patients,5(14.3%)exhibited interatrial shunt-ing,while 30(85.7%)had interventricular shunting.TCC was successfully implemented in 33 of 35 patients,with exceptions in two cases of post-ventricular septal defect repair due to anatomical challenges involving the shape and aortic angulation.This resulted in a TCC success rate of 94.3%.Trace residual shunt was detected in two interventricular shunting cases and a mild residual shunt in one interventricular shunting case;all resolved by the three-month follow-up after TCC.Minor complications included one hematoma at the puncture site and one transient junctional rhythm during the perioperative period.During a median follow-up of 73 months,there were no instances of residual shunt,device embolization,occluder displacement,valve insufficiency,malignant arrhythmia,infective endocarditis,death,or other serious complications.Conclusion:TCC is an effective and safe therapy for patients with residual atrial or ventricular septal shunts following CHD correction.Thesefindings support the consideration of TCC as the preferred treatment option for appropriate patient populations.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Versus Surgical Shunting in the Management of Portal Hypertension

Background:The purpose of this article was to clarify the optimal management concerning transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) and surgical shunting in treating portal hypertension.Methods:All databases,including CBM,CNKI,WFPD,Medline,EMBASE,PubMed and Cochrane up to February 2014,were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TIPS with surgical shunting.Four RCTs,which were extracted by two independent investigators and were evaluated in postoperative complications,mortality,2-and 5-year survival,hospital stay,operating time and hospitalization charges.Results:The morbidity in variceal rehemorrhage was significantly higher in TIPS than in surgical shunts (odds ratio [OR] =7.45,95％confidence interval [CI]:(3.93-14.15),P ＜ 0.00001),the same outcomes were seen in shunt stenosis (OR =20.01,95％ CI:(6.67-59.99),P ＜ 0.000001) and in hepatic encephalopathy (OR =2.50,95％ CI:(1.63-3.84),P ＜ 0.0001).Significantly better 2-year survival (OR =0.66;95％ CI:(0.44-0.98),P =0.04) and 5-year survival (OR =0.44; 95％ CI:(0.30-0.66),P ＜ 0.00001) were seen in patients undergoing surgical shunting compared with TIPS.Conclusions:Compared with TIPS,postoperative complications and survival after surgical shunting were superior for patients with portal hypertension.Application of surgical shunting was recommended for patients rather than TIPS.

Intravascular embolization versus surgical resection for patients with scalp arteriovenous fistula

Background:Scalp arteriovenous fistula(sAVF)is a rare vascular disease;so far,the standard guidelines for the treatment of sAVF are still unclear.Since its complex vascular anatomical structure,surgical management of sAVF remains an enormous challenge.Methods:Between March 2016 and October 2017,three patients with sAVF admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were reviewed,and clinical characteristics,imaging features,and surgical outcomes were analyzed.Results:Three consecutive patients with sAVF were admitted to our hospital during the study period.Two patients received intravascular embolization and one patient received surgical resection.No procedure-related complications occurred after successfully treatment.During the long-term follow-up period,three patients recovered well and had no recurrence of lesion.Conclusions:Either intravascular embolization or surgical resection is an effective therapy method for sAVF.Careful identification of angioarchitecture features contributes to successful treatment for the complex sAVF;therefore,it is recommended that neurosurgeons make the best treatment plan based on the location and number of the fistulas,feeding the artery,and draining the vein.

Surgical strategy for cerebral arteriovenous malformation with acute hemorrhage

BACKGROUND： Presently, there have been craniocerebral operation, interventional embolization,stereotactic radiotherapy and other methods in treating cerebral arteriovenous malformation （AVM）.However, the standard of different therapeutic regimens of cerebral AVM at the acute stage of hemorrhage has not been completely identified.OBJECTIVE： To observe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of AVM at the acute stage of hemorrhage in patients, and to analyze corresponding therapeutic strategies.DESIGN： Non-randomized clinical observation.SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery, Foshan First People＇s Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University.PARTICIPANTS： Forty-six patients with cerebral AVM complicated by hemorrhage admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, Foshan First People＇s Hospital between January 1999 and December 2006,were involved in this study. All the patients were confirmed as cerebral AVM complicated by hemorrhage by brain angiography or/and postoperational pathology. The involved patients, 32 males and 14 females,averaged 25 years old, ranging from 6 to 62 years. Informed consents of therapeutic items were obtained from the relatives of all the patients.METHODS： ①On admission, skull CT and brain angiography were conducted in the involved subjects. ②The therapeutic method was confirmed according to the consciousness, hematoma region, hematoma volume,imageological results following comprehensive analysis： DSA examination was permitted to identify the size and position of abnormal vessel mass, and the distribution of feeding artery and draining vein. Craniocerebral operation was carried out as early as possible in patients with severe or progressive conscious disturbance, in which most of hematoma with obvious occupied effect or cerebral hernia was located in lobe of brain. The primary thing was to clean intracerebral hematoma for in time decompression. According to different situations, corresponding therapeutic measures were used for resecting abnormal vessel mass, and the treatments of patients were observed. ③The therapeutic effects were assessed following Glasgow outcome scale（GOS） at 3 months after hemorrhage.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ①The examination results of skull CT and brain angiography of patients on admission. ②Treatment of patients. ③GOS results at 3 months after hemorrhage.RESULTS： Forty-six patients were involved, and all of them participated in the final analysis. ① Examination results of skull CT and brain angiography： Bleeding part： frontal lobe in 7 cases, parietal lobe 15, temporal lobe 19, occipital lobe 3, cerebellar hemisphere 2, and hemorrhage rupturing into ventricle 10. Haematoma volume： small volume of hematoma （〈20 mL） in 4 cases, moderate volume of hematoma （20 - 50 mL） 14, large volume of hematoma （ 50 - 80 mL） 21, great volume of hematoma （〉80 mL） 7; Abnormal vessel mass： Among 17 patients undergoing aortocranial angiography, abnormal vessel mass was found in 16 patients, including cortex 13 patients, basal ganglia and thalamencephalon（deep part） 2 patients, and posterior cranial fossa 1 patient. The size of abnormal vessel mass： small （〈3 cm） 4 patients, moderate （3 -6 cm） 9 patients, and large （〉6 cm） 3 patients. The type of feeding artery： perforating branch blood-supply 1 patient, cortical branch blood supply 13 patients, mixed branch blood supply 2 patients. The type of draining vein： cortical draining （superficial part） 10 patients, deep part draining 2 patients, and mixed draining 4 patients. ② Treatment condition： Among 17 patients undergoing brain angiography followed by craniocerebral operation, hematoma was removed and AVM was completely resected in 12 patients, hematoma was removed and AVM was partially resected in 3 patients, and only hematoma was resected in 2 patients; Among 24 patients undergoing emergent craniocerebral operation, hematoma was removed and AVM was completely resected in 5 patients, hematoma was removed and AVM was partially resected in 9 patients, and only hematoma was resected in 10 patients; Expectant treatment was carried out in the early stage in 5 patients. When disease condition was stable, AVM resection was separately or complicatedly conducted in 13 patients, embolization in 4 patients, and γ - radiotherapy in 5 patients. ③GOS： 5 patients died in postoperative complications, and among the other patients, 19 had moderate or had not functional impairment, 13 had moderate disability, 6 had severe disability, 2 were vegetative state, and 2 died. ④Post-operative re-examination of brain angiography： Among 16 patients undergoing AVM, vessel mass disappeared in 9 patients.CONCLUSION： Good therapeutic effects can be obtained by choosing proper therapeutic regimen according to clinical and imageological characteristics of patients with arteriovenous malformation complicated by hemorrhage at the acute stage.

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF PSEUDOANEURYSM COMPLICATING ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA FOR HEMODIALYSIS

Objective To report surgical experience in pseudoaneurysm (PA) repair of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for renal hemodialysis. Methods Twenty patients undergoing PA repair of AVF for renal hemodialysis were treated in Central Hospital Conde S. Januario of Macao. Sixteen patients had PAs of AVF in upper extremities, 4 in lower extremities. All patients were treated with surgical therapy. Results All operations were finished without death. One patient suffered from acute thrombosis, recovered without any complication through instant thrombectomy. One patient with postoperative incision bleeding recovered after low molecular weight heparin was ceased. And one AVF could not be mature six weeks later, was recovered after ligation of branch vein. And one patient died due to recurrent cerebral infarction. Conclusion Surgical repair is the best choice for PA of AVF for renal hemodialysis.

Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation treated with transcatheter arterial embolization:Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Various treatment methods are available for the treatment of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation(P-AVM);however,there are no established treatment options for asymptomatic P-AVM.CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old and a 50-year-old male patients sought treatment for P-AVM in the pancreas,which was incidentally detected during routine abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging conducted as part of a health check-up.They underwent transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE),and over the course of a 9-year follow-up period,the AVM did not worsen and was asymptomatic.CONCLUSION TAE can be considered as an alternative treatment option for P-AVM in selective cases where patients are asymptomatic or have a high surgical risk.

多学科协作手术治疗妊娠晚期合并颅内巨大动静脉畸形伴破裂出血的围手术期护理

目的总结多学科协作手术治疗妊娠晚期合并颅内巨大动静脉畸形(AVM)伴破裂出血的围手术期的护理经验。方法回顾性分析1例妊娠30+3周合并颅内巨大AVM伴破裂出血的临床资料,结合文献总结护理经验。结果30岁女性,因突发头痛伴意识不清、抽搐8 h余入院。头颈部CTA及CT平扫示右侧枕叶AVM,大小约4.8 cm×3.7 cm×5.0 cm,双侧侧脑室、第三脑室及第四脑室铸型。为保障母婴安全,积极采用多学科联合会诊共同手术治疗。先在产科与麻醉科医生配合下实施剖宫产手术,娩出一男婴,阿氏评分7分;胎儿娩出后,将病人更换体位后实施神经外科手术,利用神经内镜切除颅内血管畸形团,同时清除颅内血肿。围手术期积极采用多学科护理模式控制血压,营养支持、心理干预、延续性护理等方面进行有效干预,住院37 d后康复出院,并与婴儿建立良好的母子关系。结论妊娠晚期合并颅内巨大动静脉畸形伴破裂出血病人,建议积极采用多学科联合会诊共同手术治疗。围手术期注意监测病人血压,加强营养支持和心理干预,并积极预防手术并发症。

产前超声诊断胎儿VACTERL联合征合并肝内门-腔静脉分流1例

孕妇25岁,孕3产1;孕25^(+5)周产前超声提示胎儿发育异常,无家族遗传病史及不良孕产史。产科查体及实验室检查无特殊。产前超声:胎儿生长发育与孕周相符,胎心率148次/分;C3为半椎体(图1A),左侧第10、11肋间隙变窄(图1B),T_(6-7)椎间隙变窄;室间隔上部回声连续性中断约0.30cm,心室水平见过隔血流信号(图1C);食管上段盲袋样扩张,宽约0.80cm;胃泡充盈差。

Side effects of budesonide in liver cirrhosis due to chronic autoimmune hepatitis: Influence of hepatic metabolism versus portosystemic shunts on a patient complicated with HCC

AIM:To investigate the systemic availability of budesonide in a patient with Child A cirrhosis due to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary hepatocellular carcinoma,who developed serious side effects. METHODS:Serum levels of budesonide,6β-OH-budesonide and 16α-OH-prednisolon were measured by HPLC/MS/MS; portosystemic shunt-index (SI) was determined by 99mTc nuclear imaging.All values were compared with a matched control patient without side effects. RESULTS:Serum levels of budesonide were 13-fold increased in the index patient.The ratio between serum levels of the metabolites 6β-OH-budesonide and 16α-OH- prednisolone,respectively,and serum levels of budesonide was diminished (1.0 vs.4.0 for 6β-OH-budesonide,4.2 vs. 10.7 for 16α-OH-prednisolone).Both patients had portosystemic SI (5.7 % and 3.1%) within the range of healthy subjects.CONCLUSION:Serum levels of budesonide Vary uP to 13-fold in AIH Patients with Child A eirrhosis in the absenee ofrelevant Portosystemic shunting.Redueed hePatiemetabolism,as indicated by redueed metabolite-to-drugratio,rather than Portosystemie shunting may explainsystemic side effects of this drug in cirrhosis