Multidetector computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of double superior mesenteric veins:A case report

BACKGROUND This study aimed to describe the findings of double superior mesenteric veins(SMVs),a rare anatomical variation,on multidetector computer tomography(MDCT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)images.CASE SUMMARY We describe the case of a 34-year-old male,who underwent both MDC and MRI examinations of the upper abdomen because of liver cirrhosis.MDCT and MRI angiography images of the upper abdomen revealed an anatomic variation of the superior mesenteric vein(SMV),the double SMVs.CONCLUSION The double SMVs are a congenital abnormality without potential clinical manifestation.Physicians need to be aware of this anatomical variation during abdominal surgery to avoid iatrogenic injury.

Ligamentum teres hepatis as a graft for portal and/or superior mesenteric vein reconstruction:From bench to bedside

BACKGROUND Pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with portal vein(PV)and/or superior mesenteric vein(SMV)resection in patients with pancreaticobiliary malignancy has become a common surgical procedure.There are various grafts currently used for PV and/or SMV reconstruction,but each of these grafts have certain limitations.Therefore,it is necessary to explore novel grafts that have an extensive resource pool,are low cost with good clinical application,and are without immune response rejection or additional damage to patients.AIM To observe the anatomical and histological characteristics of the ligamentum teres hepatis(LTH)and evaluate PV/SMV reconstruction using an autologous LTH graft in pancreaticobiliary malignancy patients.METHODS In 107 patients,the post-dilated length and diameter in resected LTH specimens were measured.The general structure of the LTH specimens was observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Collagen fibers(CFs),elastic fibers(EFs),and smooth muscle(SM)were visualized by Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining,and the expression of CD34,factor VIII-related antigen(FVIIIAg),endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),and tissue type plasminogen activator(t-PA)were detected using immunohistochemistry in LTH and PV(control)endothelial cells.PV and/or SMV reconstruction using the autologous LTH was conducted in 26 patients with pancreaticobiliary malignancies,and the outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS The post-dilated length of LTH was 9.67±1.43 cm,and the diameter at a pressure of 30 cm H2O was 12.82±1.32 mm at the cranial end and 7.06±1.88 mm at the caudal end.Residual cavities with smooth tunica intima covered by endothelial cells were found in HE-stained LTH specimens.The relative amounts of EFs,CFs and SM in the LTH were similar to those in the PV[EF(%):11.23±3.40 vs 11.57±2.80,P=0.62;CF(%):33.51±7.71 vs 32.11±4.82,P=0.33;SM(%):15.61±5.26 vs 16.74±4.83,P=0.32].CD34,FVIIIAg,eNOS,and t-PA were expressed in both LTH and PV endothelial cells.The PV and/or SMV reconstructions were successfully completed in all patients.The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 38.46%and 7.69%,respectively.There were no graft-related complications.The postoperative vein stenosis rates at 2 wk,1 mo,3 mo and 1 year were 7.69%,11.54%,15.38%and 19.23%,respectively.In all 5 patients affected,the degree of vascular stenosis was less than half of the reconstructed vein lumen diameter(mild stenosis),and the vessels remained patent.CONCLUSION The anatomical and histological characteristics of LTH were similar to the PV and SMV.As such,the LTH can be used as an autologous graft for PV and/or SMV reconstruction in pancreaticobiliary malignancy patients who require PV and/or SMV resection.

Interventional treatment for symptomatic acute-subacute portal and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis

AIM: To summarize our methods and experience with interventional treatment for symptomatic acute-sub-acute portal vein and superior mesenteric vein throm-bosis (PV-SMV) thrombosis. METHODS: Forty-six patients (30 males, 16 females, aged 17-68 years) with symptomatic acute-subacute portal and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis were ac-curately diagnosed with Doppler ultrasound scans, com-puted tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. They were treated with interventional therapy, including direct thrombolysis (26 cases through a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; 6 through percutane-ous transhepatic portal vein cannulation) and indirect thrombolysis (10 through the femoral artery to superior mesenteric artery catheterization; 4 through the radial artery to superior mesenteric artery catheterization). RESULTS: The blood reperfusion of PV-SMV was achieved completely or partially in 34 patients 3-13 d after thrombolysis. In 11 patients there was no PV-SMV blood reperfusion but the number of collateral vessels increased signif icantly. Symptoms in these 45 patients were improved dramatically without severe operationalcomplications. In 1 patient, the thrombi did not respond to the interventional treatment and resulted in intestinal necrosis, which required surgical treatment. In 3 patients with interventional treatment, thrombi reformed 1, 3 and 4 mo after treatment. In these 3 patients, indirect PV-SMV thrombolysis was performed again and was successful. CONCLUSION: Interventional treatment, including direct or indirect PV-SMV thrombolysis, is a safe and effective method for patients with symptomatic acutesubacute PV-SMV thrombosis.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection for patients with pancreatic cancer with venous invasion

BACKGROUND： With the development of new surgical tech- niques, pancreaticoduodenectomy （PD） with portal vein or superior mesenteric vein （PV/SMV） resection has been used in the treatment of patients with borderline resectable pan- creatic cancer. However, opinions of surgeons differ in the effectiveness of this surgical technique. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of this approach in patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS： Follow-up visits and retrospective analysis were carried out of 208 patients with pancreatic cancer who had undergone PD （PD group） and PD combined with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction （PDVR group） from June 2009 to May 2013 at our center. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the clinical features, the difference of survival time and risk factors of venous invasion in pancreatic cancer. Factors relating to postoperative survival time of pancreatic cancer were also investigated. RESULTS： In the PDVR group, which consisted of 42 cases, the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 70%, 41% and 16%, respective- ly and the median survival time was 20.0 months. Among the 166 patients in the PD group, the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 80%, 52%, and 12%, respectively with the median survival time of 26.0 months. No significant difference in survival time and R0 resection ratio was found between the two groups. Lum- bodorsal pain, tumor with pancreatic capsular invasion and bile duct infiltration were found to be independent risk factors for PV invasion in pancreatic cancer. In addition, non R0 resection,large tumor size （〉2 cm） and poorly differentiated tumor were independent risk factors for survival time in post-PD. CONCLUSIONS： The tumor has a higher chance of venous invasion if preoperative imagings indicate that it juxtaposes with the vessel. Lumbodorsal pain is the chief complaint. Pa- tients with pancreatic cancer associated with PV involvement should receive PDVR for R0 resection when preoperational assessment shows the chance for eradication.

Small Bowel Stricture Complicating Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis

Superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis is a relatively rare disease.Most patients may be successfully treated with anti-coagulation alone.However,bowel stricture may develop due to intes-tinal ischemia which may require surgical treatment.This report describes a rare case of small bowel stricture occurring one month after successful treatment of SMV thrombosis.After segmental resection of strictured bowel,the patient’s post-operative course was uneventful.

Isolated varices over hepatic flexure colon indicating superior mesenteric venous thrombosis caused by uncinate pancreatic head cancer - a case report

Very rare cases of varices involving right side colon were reported. Most of them were due to cirrhotic portal hypertension or other primary causes. No report case contributed to pancreatic cancer. Here, we reported a case of uncinate pancreatic cancer with the initial finding of isolated hepatic flexure colon varices. Following studies confirmed isolated varices involving hepatic flexure colon due to pancreatic cancer with occlusion of superior mesenteric vein. From this report, superior mesenteric vein occlusion caused by uncinate pancreatic head cancer should be considered as a differential diagnosis of colon varices.

Acute extensive portal and mesenteric venous thrombosis after splenectomy:Treated by interventional thrombolysis with transjugular approach

AIM:To present a series of cases with symptomatic acute extensive portal vein(PV)and superior mesenteric vein(SMV)thrombosis after splenectomy treated by transjugular intrahepatic approach catheter-directed thrombolysis. METHODS:A total of 6 patients with acute extensive PV-SMV thrombosis after splenectomy were treated by transjugular approach catheter-directed thrombolysis. The mean age of the patients was 41.2 years.After access to the portal system via the transjugular approach,pigtail catheter fragmentation of clots, local urokinase injection,and manual aspiration thrombectomy were used for the initial treatment of PV-SMV thrombosis,followed by continuous thrombolytic therapy via an indwelling infusion catheter in the SMV,which was performed for three to six days. Adequate anticoagulation was given during treatment, throughout hospitalization,and after discharge. RESULTS:Technical success was achieved in all 6 patients.Clinical improvement was seen in these patients within 12-24 h of the procedure.No complications were observed.The 6 patients were discharged 6-14 d(8±2.5 d)after admission.The mean duration of follow-up after hospital discharge was 40±16.5 mo.Ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed patency of the PV and SMV,and no recurrent episodes of PV-SMV thrombosis developed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION:Catheter-directed thrombolysis via transjugular intrahepatic access is a safe and effective therapy for the management of patients with symptomatic acute extensive PV-SMV thrombosis.

Prognosis and feasibility of en-bloc vascular resection in stage Ⅱ pancreatic adenocarcinoma

AIM:To establish the prognosis and feasibility of en-bloc vascular resection of stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the head and uncinate process.METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed 87 patients with stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma,who were subjected to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and pylo-rus-preserving PD (PPPD) between 1996 and 2006 in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital,Taiwan. Twelve and 75 patients underwent PD/PPPD with and without resection of portal vein/superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV),respectively.RESULTS:The overall 1-and 3-year survival rates of patients undergoing PD/PPPD with and without vas-cular resection were 50.0% and 16.7%,and 44.4% and 12.2%,respectively. Morbidity and mortality rates in the PV/SMV resection vs non-resection group were 50.0% and 0.0%,and 40.0% and 2.7%,respectively. In multivariate analysis,serum bilirubin,histological differentiation and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors that influenced survival.CONCLUSION:In stage adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head and uncinate process,serum bilirubin,histological differentiation and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors,and en-bloc vascular resection is a feasible option in carefully selected patients.

Multidetector computed tomography three-dimensional and multiplanar reconstruction diagnosis of a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report

BACKGROUND Anastomosis of the testicular vein with the superior mesenteric vein rarely causes severe gastrointestinal bleeding.To date,there have been few studies describing its appearance on medical imaging.Here,we present multidetector computed tomography three-dimensional and multiplanar reconstruction(MPR)images of a typical digital subtraction angiography showing proven ectopic bleeding and provide the first review of the image performance.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old man who had been rushed to the hospital with a four-day history of melena and fainting underwent multiple esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures that failed to identify the source of bleeding.We used MPR combined with three-dimensional reconstruction images,and found that the testicular vein had anastomosed with the superior mesenteric vein,and they clustered together in the jejunal vessel wall,which caused severe gastrointestinal bleeding.Digital subtraction angiography confirmed the location of bleeding.After transfusion and embolization therapy,the patient’s condition improved.CONCLUSION Computed tomography-MPR combined with three-dimensional images offers significant value in the localization and qualitative assessment of rare gastrointestinal hemorrhage.The features of multiphase spiral scanning can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Pancreatic cancer surgery with vascular resection: current concepts and perspectives

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease and resection at an early disease stage is the best chance of cure. Less than 20% of all patients present with a resectable tumor, while another 20% to 30% have locally advanced pancreatic cancer and the majority of the patient suffer from metastatic disease. Recently, it has been recognized that there is a 4th group of patients with so-called borderline resectable disease. Here, the tumor approaches or infiltrates the vascular axis (superior mesenteric vein/portal vein and/or superior mesenteric/hepatic artery/celiac trunk). While a large number of tumors with suspected venous infiltration can be resected with concomitant venous resection and reconstruction, arterial infiltration has been considered a contraindication to resection. Neoadjuvant treatment with combination chemotherapy protocols with or without radiotherapy has allowed for higher resection rates even in patients with arterial invasion. Here, we review the contemporary literature on extensive pancreatic cancer surgery with vascular resection and reconstruction.