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In the western world, non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a rare disease. However in the Indian subcontinent, it is estimated that over 30% of cases of variceal bleeds are due to NCPH or extra hepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO). Multiple splenic abscesses are a rare condition in  clinical practice, and are seen mostly in immune-compromised patients or in those presenting following an intervention.1 There are also reports of such spontaneous abscesses developing in the setting of enteric fever or infective endocarditis. Reports have suggested that ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe and feasible alternative to surgery in the treatment of splenic abscesses allowing splenic preservation.2 A search through available literature has shown several reports of splenic abscesses developing after splenic artery embolisation. Splenectomy is reserved for those cases where medical treatment has failed. To the best of our knowledge, the development of a spontaneous splenic abscess in a cirrhotic patient has only been described in one prior case report by Cacopardo et al.3 There are  no prior descriptions of such a case in a patient with NCPF.

We report the case of a 39 year old clerk who was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B in 2011 and has been on tenofovir for the same. He presented to our emergency with a history of progressively worsening abdominal distension for the last 3 months and intermittent high grade fever for 2 months. He did not report hematemesis, melena or altered sensorium. He denied any prior abdominal trauma or surgery, chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, cough or altered bowel habits. On physical examination he was found to be pale, icteric, severely sarcopenic and had a tender massive splenomegaly, palpable 15 cm below the left hypochondrium extending up to the pelvis. He was found to have evidence of anemia, hyperbilirubinemia and hypoalbuminemia upon investigation. His INR was 2.4 and thromboelastography showed global coagulation failure requiring correction. Serum alkaline phosphatase was grossly elevated to 213 IU/l with mild elevation of other liver enzymes. CT imaging of the abdomen revealed a normal appearing liver, massive splenomegaly and a patent dilated portal venous system with multiple collaterals and a large lieno- renal shunt. The spleen showed a large abscess about 15 x 21 x 10 cm in size, with no evidence of rupture ( Figure 1 and 2). Iron studies showed elevated serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation-71.2%. Gastroduodenoscopy did not show any varices or portal hypertensive gastropathy. His transjugular liver biopsy showed evidence of chronic hepatitis, and hepatic venous portal gradient was just 4 mm Hg confirming the clinical suspicion of non cirrhotic portal hypertension (Figure 3 and 4). Malaria antigen test, widaltitres and viral serologies for hepatitis A, C, E, herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus and Ebstein Barr virus were all negative. His HBsAg and anti HBe were reactive without detection of HBV DNA or HBeAg. Interestingly, on immuno-phenotyping of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, he was found to have CD4 lymphocytopenia with a CD4 count of 195 cells/µl. However his CD4/CD8 ratio was within normal limits and IgG was 13.1 g/l. HIV-1 and 2 and HIV 1 RNA were non-reactive and there was as no evidence of lymphoma or parasitic infections. 2D Echocardiography did not reveal any endocarditis. Bone marrow biopsy aspirate showed evidence of a reactive marrow with no abnormal cells, with increased cellularity (75%) and normal trilineagehematopoiesis.

He was transfused as per the results of thromboelastography to correct anemia and coagulopathy following which ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage (PCD) of the largeabscess was done, immediately draining 2 L of pus. Gram stain of the pus showed acute suppurative inflammation on cytology. Pus culture showed growth of multi-drug resistant (MDR) E. coli. Tuberculosis- polymerase chain reaction (TB-PCR), fungal stains and culture were negative. Amoebic and hydatid serologies were not reactive. On repeat scan a second collection in the left peri-splenic space was noted for which a second PCD was done which showed minimal fluid output. A third drainage tube was inserted on re-look sonography which showed a pelvic collection. Drains were left in situ for 4 weeks with eventual collapse of the abscess cavity with regression in splenic size to 5 cm below costal margin. All drains were removed by the fourth week. He received 4 weeks of intravenous followed by 8 weeks of oral antibiotics. The patient was afebrile after 5 days of antibiotics and drainage, and has remained well since then with improved nutritional status. He has a mild anemia (Hb-10.2g/dl) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count 1.1 x 10 7/L) with normal INR. He is planned for interval splenectomy with creation of a proximal lieno-renal surgical shunt as definitive therapy.

Splenic abscesses have been reported in the literature largely in the setting of post splenic artery embolisation for variceal bleeding or symptomatic hypersplenism. Patients present between 10 days to 3 months following splenic artery embolisation.1 Treatment of these  splenic abscesses include percutaneous drainage and antibiotics, or occasionally, splenectomy. Mortality rates range from 0.1%-6.3% of patients undergoing splenic artery embolisation, and the formation of a splenic abscess is the predominant cause of death. Another setting for the development of a splenic abscess has been described after endoscopic sclerotherapy due to embolisation of the sclerosant causing retrograde thrombosis.

According to the consensus statement of the Asia Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) on NCPF, the disease accounts for approximately 10-30% of all cases of variceal bleed in several parts of the world including India.4 Sarin et al. proposed a unifying common hypothesis for both NCPF and extra hepatic portal vein obstruction wherein a major thrombotic event in the main portal vein at a young age results in EHPVO, whereas repeated microthrombotic events in smaller and medium-sized (<300 micron) branches lead to NCPF. Shouten et al proposed that intrahepatic venous obstruction (obliterative venopathy) and increased splenic blood flow (due to high levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase) was the underlying basis for NCPF.  Patients with NCPF commonly present with splenomegaly (74%-97%), variceal bleed (65%-72%), anemia (90%), and ascites (10%-25%).5 Our patient  had massive splenomegaly alone. He had never bled, nor had he any ascites.

Spleno-portal axis abnormalities might be the consequence of multiple inflammatory states including autoimmune and infective. CD4(+) T cell counts were significantly lower among cirrhotic patients than among HIV-seronegative historic control subjects without liver disease. Abnormal CD4(+) T cell counts were associated with splenomegaly (P=.03), thrombocytopenia (P=.002), and leukopenia (P<.001). However, the percentage of CD4(+) T cells was normal in 95% of patients who had a low absolute CD4(+) T cell count. Our patient also had a low CD4 count, but his CD4% and CD4/CD8 ratio were normal. In cirrhosis,the immune disturbance is characterized by severe B cell defects., increased numbers of exhausted CD21, low B cells, and T cell activation pointing to an inflammatory or infective state.The reduced frequency of regulatory T cells might also contribute to autoimmunity and inflammation.6

Our patient had suffered a large splenic abscess, and is likely to need a splenectomy even though he was managed successfully by percutaneous drainage. In the setting of an already immune-compromised state, splenectomy might predispose him to opportunistic infections. In addition, removal of the spleen alone will lead to symptomatic portal hypertension with development of varices. Hence a surgical splenorenal shunt will also have to be created to decompress the portal venous system. He is therefore planned for combined splenectomy and shunt surgery.