Partial splenic embolization for hypersplenism in cirrhotic patients. A case series

The prognosis of liver cirrhosis depends on the presence of its major complications as well as on other factors such as hypersplenism with thrombocytopenia. Partial splenic embolization is an effective interventional procedure performed in liver cirrhosis complicated with portal hypertension to improve the low platelet count. This technique represents an efficient alternative to splenectomy, which has major drawbacks and is associated with a high morbidity. We report a series of patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension who presented with severe thrombocytopenia and were treated with partial splenic embolization eventually having a favourable outcome.