eISSN: 2373-6372

Gastroenterology & Hepatology: Open Access

Correspondence:

Received: January 01, 1970 | Published: ,

Citation: DOI:

Download PDF

Abstract

We present clinical case of portal vein thrombosis at the liver cirrhosis patient with signs of severe decompensation of liver function and portal hypertension. A feature of this case is that after consumption of alcohol condition of the patient was estimated erroneously as alcoholic hepatitis with high Maddrey index (105). However, later diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis was confirmed. The cancellation of anti-inflammatory therapy and administration of anticoagulants allowed to stabilizate of critical situation. Thus, the clinical experience has shown that dopplersonography is necessary at the liver cirrhosis, especially in case of decompensation.

Keywords: liver cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis, portal hypertension, hepatic failure, dopplersonography, vitamin K antagonists, low molecular weight heparins

Introduction

The diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was first diagnosed in 1862 by Botkin SP. in Russia and in Europe it was first described in 1868 by Balfour GW and Stewart TG.^1,2 The thrombosis were considered unlikely at the liver cirrhosis and anticoagulants were contraindicated, but modern studies have shown that PVT is not uncommon. Prevalence of PVT ranges from 2.1% to 23.3% among candidates for liver transplantation without HCC.³ According to autopsy, the frequency of PVT in liver cirrhosis is 6-64%.⁴ Clinical symptoms range from asymptomatic to acute rapid thrombosis

Case report

Patient B., female, 52yrs. Anamnesis: alcohol abuse is for many years, she noted changes in liver tests in during 10yrs. Diagnosis of the alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhotic stage, class A (Child-Turcotte-Pugh score) was confirmed 6years ago. She took periodically various drugs – ursodeoxycholic acid, silimarin. In during the holiday in Spain she felt satisfactory, consumed about 30-40grs of alcohol per day. After the arrival in a week patient noted the gradual appearance of weakness, nausea, repeated vomiting, then moderate jaundice and itching of the skin, drowsiness, moderate enlargement of abdomen, legs edema. She was hospitalized in the Gastroenterology department of St.-Petersburg City Hospital 2 and patient’s condition was severe. The condition was regarded as “Alcoholic liver disease: steatohepatitis, high activity (acute alcoholic hepatitis?). Cirrhotic stage, class С of Child–Turcotte–Pugh score, MELD-25, Мaddrey Index-105. Syndrome of Portal hypertension (splenomegaly, hypersplenism, ascites, enlarged esophageal veins 1 degree) and liver failure (1 stage of hepatic encephalopathy, decreased prothrombine, аlbumin, cholesterol)”. Autoimmune, viral screening, ceruloplasmin were normal. The doctors recommended anti-inflammatory treatment (prednisolone 30mgs), diuretics (spironolactone 100mgs), therapy of hepatic encephalopathy (rifaximin, lactulose, Hepa-Merz), beta-blockers. Despite the ongoing therapy, the her condition worsened in the form of an increase in hepatic insufficiency and cholestasis: decrease of blood total protein from 60 to 52g/l, albumin to 29g/l, cholesterol from 2.1 to 1.07mmol/l, platelets –to 66x10⁹/L, increase of ALT from 183 to 188U/l, АSТ from 311 to 333U/l, total bilirubin from 22.1mg/dl (direct–12.7mg/dl) to 27.4mg/dl (direct-17,6mg/dl). We noted normalization of electrolytes and decrease of ascite. Hepatic encephalopathy 1^st stage progressed to encephalopathy 2^nd stage. The consultant-hepatologist recommended an US dopplerography that detected signs of portal vein thrombosis. Conclusion of US-dopplerography: portal hypertension, occlusive PVT with not determined blood flow, passabled vena cava inferior (diameter 17.5mm, collapsing to 50%-normal), decreased monophonic blood flow in hepatic veins. Enlarged spleen vein to 13mm with inverted blood flow and enlarged hepatic artery to 5mm.

Patient was consulted by hepatosurgeon: risk of surgical treatment is very high due to severe condition of patient and contraindications for operation. Hepatologist stopped prednisolone and it was decided to prescribe anticoagulants according to international recommendations.^5,6 We started a treatment with Xa factor selective inhibitor - Natrium Fondaparinux (Arixtra) 5mg, then 2mgs per day s.c. , Rabeprazole. In some days we noted a considerable positive dynamics of clinical and laboratory data with gradually improvement of hepatic function, decrease of cholestasis and cytolysis in next weeks. Control US-Dopplerography revealed positive dynamics: appearance of initial recanalization of portal vein, mosaic blood flow. In 2weeks control triplex US dopplerography revealed signs of partial recanalization of portal vein to 45% with linear parietal blood flow and linear speed of blood flow 8sm/sec. Spleen vein decreased to 7,0mm, cava inferior vein non enlarged, 12mm, phased blood flow.

The patient discharged from the hospital in satisfactory condition. We recommended the introduction of the Arixtra 6weeks under the supervision of a physician and the control of clinical, biochemical analysis, coagulogram, US-dopplerography. In future it’s necessary to decide the question of administration of indirect anticoagulant (AVK). It is recommended to continue taking of rabeprazole, creon, lactulose, Hepa-Merz, spironolactone, beta-blockers. Conclusion: this Case Report demonstrated, that at the chronic liver diseases patients with cirrhotic stage it’s necessary to administer Ultrasound Dopplerography, especially with decompensation, for diagnosis of the portal vein thrombosis.