Percutaneous treatment of symptomatic superior mesenteric vein stenosis using self-expanding nitinol stents

To evaluate the technical and clinical success of percutaneous superior mesenteric vein (SMV) stenting in symptomatic patients using self-expanding nitinol stents.

We retrospectively analyzed the technical and clinical success of percutaneous SMV stenting of 6 symptomatic patients (3 men, mean age 67 years, range 48-81 years). Stenosis of the SMV was caused by postoperative stricture (n=3), pancreas carcinoma (n=1) and pancreatitis (n=2). As a result of the stenosis, 3 patients had symptomatic ascites, 2 patients showed signs of mesenteric ischemia and 1 patient had recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Stenting was performed by a percutaneous transhepatic approach using self-expanding nitinol stents.

Stenting of the SMV was technically and clinically successful in all patients. No peri-interventional complications occurred. The stent diameters ranged from 6 to 14 mm. During the mean follow-up of 6 months (range, 2-10 months) 1 patient presented early stent occlusion 2 weeks after placement.

Stenting of a symptomatic SMV stenosis using self-expanding nitinol stents is feasible and clinically effective.