Successful embolisation of intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt using AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II

An intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt is a relatively rare abnormality that can cause encephalopathy owing to hyperammonaemia. Two patients with encephalopathy owing to intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts were treated with transcatheter emboli sation using the AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II. Both patients achieved complete obliteration, which was confirmed on dynamic CT. Their symptoms that had been related to portalsystemic encephalopathy subsequently improved after the intervention. No short-term complications were observed in either patient. We recommend that the AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II be used for embolis ation owing to its superior safety and utility when compared with metallic coils or other liquid embolic materials.