Evaluation of splenic embolization in patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism

Twenty-five patients with hypersplenism caused by portal hypertension were treated by repeated partial splenic embolization. Fourteen surviving patients were followed for up to six years showing a good response on peripheral blood count and bleeding tendency. Three patients died in connection with the treatment and another eight died within half a year because of the underlying liver disease. The discomfort and complications of fever, pain, pleural effusion, and abscess formation and the possibility to avoid these by repeated partial embolization under antibiotic cover are discussed. The results are compared with reports in the reviewed actual literature and the splenic embolization is given a place among the means of a successful selective symptomatic treatment of partial hypertension.