Transsplenic Endovascular Therapy of Portal Vein Stenosis and Subsequent Complete Portal Vein Thrombosis in a 2-year-old Child

A complex catheter intervention for portal vein stenosis and subsequent complete thrombosis after split-liver transplantation was performed using transsplenic access to the portal vein circulation. The combination of intrahepatic, local thrombolysis and extrahepatic portal vein angioplasty performed twice on 2 consecutive days followed by anticoagulation with a high dose of heparin and clopidogrel completely resolved portal vein stenosis and thrombosis. Postinterventional angiographic and serial ultrasound examinations confirmed that the endovascular therapy was successful. In selected patients, percutaneous transsplenic access to the portal vein circulation may be used for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions even in early childhood.