Massive hepatic necrosis with toxic liver syndrome following portal vein ligation

World J Gastroenterol. 2013 May 14;19(18):2826-9. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i18.2826.

Abstract

Right portal vein ligation (PVL) is a safe and widespread procedure to induce controlateral liver hypertrophy for the treatment of bilobar colorectal liver metastases. We report a case of a 60-year-old man treated by both right PVL and ligation of the glissonian branches of segment 4 for colorectal liver metastases surrounding the right and median hepatic veins. After surgery, the patient developed massive hepatic necrosis with secondary pulmonary and renal insufficiency requiring transfer to the intensive care unit. This so-called toxic liver syndrome finally regressed after hemofiltration and positive oxygen therapy. Diagnosis of acute congestion of the ligated lobe was suspected. The mechanism suspected was an increase in arterial inflow secondary to portal vein ligation concomitant with a decrease in venous outflow due to liver metastases encircling the right and median hepatic vein. This is the first documented case of toxic liver syndrome in a non-cirrhotic patient with favorable issue, and a rare complication of PVL.

Keywords: Colorectal liver metastases; Hemofiltration; Liver failure; Portal vein ligation; Toxic liver syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Hemofiltration
  • Humans
  • Ligation
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography
  • Necrosis
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Portal Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Portal Vein / surgery*
  • Renal Insufficiency / etiology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Syndrome
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / adverse effects*