Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of hypersplenism: A feasible therapeutic option

World J Gastroenterol. 2015 May 28;21(20):6391-7. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i20.6391.

Abstract

We present a case of a patient with hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension due to hepato-splenic schistosomiasis, which was accompanied by severe and refractory thrombocytopenia. We performed spleen ablation and measured the total spleen and ablated volumes with contrast-enhanced computed tomography and volumetry. No major complications occurred, thrombocytopenia was resolved, and platelet levels remained stable, which allowed for early treatment of the patient's underlying disease. Previous work has shown that splenic radiofrequency ablation is an attractive alternative treatment for hypersplenism induced by liver cirrhosis. We aimed to contribute to the currently sparse literature evaluating the role of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the management of hypersplenism. We conclude that splenic RFA appears to be a viable and promising option for the treatment of hypersplenism.

Keywords: Hypersplenism; Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation; Portal hypertension; Splenic ablation; Thrombocytopenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Contrast Media
  • Humans
  • Hypersplenism / diagnosis
  • Hypersplenism / parasitology
  • Hypersplenism / surgery*
  • Hypertension, Portal / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Portal / parasitology
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / complications
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / diagnosis
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Count
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / complications
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnosis
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / parasitology*
  • Thrombocytopenia / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia / parasitology
  • Thrombocytopenia / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Contrast Media