An inferior mesenteric-caval shunt via the internal iliac vein with portosystemic encephalopathy

Intern Med. 2001 Sep;40(9):887-90. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.40.887.

Abstract

We report here a case of an unusual extrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt in a 37-year-old woman without liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension, who developed portal systemic encephalopathy. Angiography demonstrated an inferior mesenteric-caval shunt characterized by the presence of direct communication of the inferior mesenteric vein with the left internal iliac vein. After the treatment with percutaneous transcatheter embolization of the shunt via a femoral vein approach using coils, she had no episode of portal systemic encephalopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Female
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / diagnosis*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Iliac Vein / abnormalities*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications*
  • Mesenteric Veins / abnormalities*
  • Vascular Fistula / complications*
  • Vascular Fistula / therapy*
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / abnormalities