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©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2012; 18(16): 1996-1998
Published online Apr 28, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i16.1996
Published online Apr 28, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i16.1996
Melena-associated regional portal hypertension caused by splenic arteriovenous fistula
Bin Chen, Cheng-Wei Tang, Chun-Le Zhang, Jia-Wei Cao, Bo Wei, Xiao Li, Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Chen B, Tang CW, Zhang CL, Wei B and Li X managed the patient; Chen B, Zhang CL, Cao JW and Li X wrote the report.
Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81171444
Correspondence to: Xiao Li, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. simonlixiao@gmail.com
Telephone: +86-28-85422385 Fax: +86-28-88092354
Received: October 9, 2011
Revised: January 4, 2012
Accepted: February 26, 2012
Published online: April 28, 2012
Revised: January 4, 2012
Accepted: February 26, 2012
Published online: April 28, 2012
Abstract
Regional portal hypertension is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We reported an extremely rare case in which regional portal hypertension was associated with both the splenic arteriovenous fistula and chronic pancreatitis. In June 2010, our patient, a 41-year-old man, was admitted to a local hospital due to a sudden melena and dizziness without haematemesis and jaundice. The splenic arteriovenous fistula in this patient was successfully occluded through transcatheter arterial embolization. At the 12-mo follow-up, our patient was in good condition.
Keywords: Regional portal hypertension; Splenic arteriovenous fistulas; Pancreatitis; Transcatheter arterial embolization; Upper gastrointestinal bleeding