Portal Vein Obstruction: Epidemiology, Prognosis, Treatment
Portal Vein Obstruction: Epidemiology, Prognosis, Treatment
Background Portal vein obstruction may be due to portal vein thrombosis (PVT) or its sequale, the portal cavernoma. PVT is a common complication in liver cirrhosis, however, it may also occur as a primary vascular disorder, in absence of any liver disease.
Aim To review the current knowledge on nomenclature, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and management of adult patients with obstruction in the portal vein, either as a primary vascular disease in adults, or as a complication of liver cirrhosis.
Methods A structured search in PubMed was performed using defined keywords (portal vein obstruction, extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction, PVT and portal cavernoma), including full text articles and abstracts in English language.
Results Several causes, operating both at local and systemic level, might play an important role in the pathogenesis of PVT. Frequently, more than one risk factor could be identified; however, occasionally no single factor is discernible. Diagnosis of portal vein obstruction depends on clinical presentation, imaging and laboratory investigations. Prompt treatment greatly affects the patient's outcome.
Conclusions Portal vein obstruction occurring either due to thrombosis in the portal vein or due to the portal cavernoma, can contribute to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with or without cirrhosis. In recent years our understanding of etio-pathogenesis of portal vein obstruction has evolved tremendously, which has led to significant improvement in treatment outcomes. There are still areas where more studies are needed to better clarify the management issues of portal vein obstruction.
Portal vein originates from the confluence of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins posterior to the neck of the pancreas and is an 8-cm, valveless conduit. In the porta hepatis, the portal vein divides into right and left branches that continue to their respective hepatic lobes, ultimately emptying into hepatic sinusoids. The portal vein accounts for 75% of the incoming blood supply to the liver, the rest of the 25% is accounted by the hepatic artery. The outgoing blood from the liver returns to the inferior vena cava via the hepatic veins.
Portal vein obstruction may be due to thrombosis in the portal vein or due to the sequale of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), the portal cavernoma. PVT is a common complication in patients with liver cirrhosis, however, it may also occur as a primary vascular disorder, in absence of any liver disease. Several causes, operating both at local and systemic level, might play an important role in the pathogenesis of PVT. Frequently, more than one risk factor could be identified; however, occasionally no single factor is discernible. Diagnosis of portal vein obstruction depends on clinical presentation, imaging and laboratory investigations. Prompt treatment greatly affects the patient's outcome.
This review aims to discuss the current knowledge on nomenclature, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and management of adult patients with obstruction in the portal vein, either as a primary vascular disease in adults, or as a complication of liver cirrhosis. A structured search in PubMed was performed using defined keywords [portal vein obstruction, extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction (EPHVO), PVT and portal cavernoma], including full text articles and abstracts in English language. Relevant articles were identified through manual review. The reference lists of these articles were reviewed to include further appropriate articles.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Background Portal vein obstruction may be due to portal vein thrombosis (PVT) or its sequale, the portal cavernoma. PVT is a common complication in liver cirrhosis, however, it may also occur as a primary vascular disorder, in absence of any liver disease.
Aim To review the current knowledge on nomenclature, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and management of adult patients with obstruction in the portal vein, either as a primary vascular disease in adults, or as a complication of liver cirrhosis.
Methods A structured search in PubMed was performed using defined keywords (portal vein obstruction, extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction, PVT and portal cavernoma), including full text articles and abstracts in English language.
Results Several causes, operating both at local and systemic level, might play an important role in the pathogenesis of PVT. Frequently, more than one risk factor could be identified; however, occasionally no single factor is discernible. Diagnosis of portal vein obstruction depends on clinical presentation, imaging and laboratory investigations. Prompt treatment greatly affects the patient's outcome.
Conclusions Portal vein obstruction occurring either due to thrombosis in the portal vein or due to the portal cavernoma, can contribute to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with or without cirrhosis. In recent years our understanding of etio-pathogenesis of portal vein obstruction has evolved tremendously, which has led to significant improvement in treatment outcomes. There are still areas where more studies are needed to better clarify the management issues of portal vein obstruction.
Introduction
Portal vein originates from the confluence of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins posterior to the neck of the pancreas and is an 8-cm, valveless conduit. In the porta hepatis, the portal vein divides into right and left branches that continue to their respective hepatic lobes, ultimately emptying into hepatic sinusoids. The portal vein accounts for 75% of the incoming blood supply to the liver, the rest of the 25% is accounted by the hepatic artery. The outgoing blood from the liver returns to the inferior vena cava via the hepatic veins.
Portal vein obstruction may be due to thrombosis in the portal vein or due to the sequale of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), the portal cavernoma. PVT is a common complication in patients with liver cirrhosis, however, it may also occur as a primary vascular disorder, in absence of any liver disease. Several causes, operating both at local and systemic level, might play an important role in the pathogenesis of PVT. Frequently, more than one risk factor could be identified; however, occasionally no single factor is discernible. Diagnosis of portal vein obstruction depends on clinical presentation, imaging and laboratory investigations. Prompt treatment greatly affects the patient's outcome.
This review aims to discuss the current knowledge on nomenclature, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and management of adult patients with obstruction in the portal vein, either as a primary vascular disease in adults, or as a complication of liver cirrhosis. A structured search in PubMed was performed using defined keywords [portal vein obstruction, extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction (EPHVO), PVT and portal cavernoma], including full text articles and abstracts in English language. Relevant articles were identified through manual review. The reference lists of these articles were reviewed to include further appropriate articles.
