Review
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World J Radiol. May 28, 2014; 6(5): 160-168
Published online May 28, 2014. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v6.i5.160
Partial splenic artery embolization in cirrhotic patients
Tyson A Hadduck, Justin P McWilliams
Tyson A Hadduck, Justin P McWilliams, Department of Interventional Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
Author contributions: Hadduck TA and McWilliams JP equally contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Justin McWilliams, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Interventional Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, 757 Westwood Plaza, Suite 2125C, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States. jumcwilliams@mednet.ucla.edu
Telephone: +1-310-2678773 Fax: +1-310-2673631
Received: December 9, 2013
Revised: February 9, 2014
Accepted: May 8, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Splenomegaly is a common sequela of cirrhosis, and is frequently associated with decreased hematologic indices including thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Partial splenic artery embolization (PSE) has been demonstrated to effectively increase hematologic indices in cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly. This is particularly valuable amongst cirrhotic patients that are not viable candidates for splenectomy. Although PSE was originally developed decades ago, it has recently received increased attention. Presently, PSE is being utilized to address a number of clinical concerns in the setting of cirrhosis, including: decreased hematologic indices, portal hypertension and its associated sequela, and splenic artery steal syndrome.