Abstract
The influence of partial splenic embolization (PSE) on the liver function was examined by measuring changes of hepatic hemodynamics and serum cytokines after PSE in 17 patients with liver cirrhosis. Portal blood flows at the splenic vein and portal trunk measured by pulsed Doppler ultrasongraphy decreased after PSE. Indocyanin green retention rate showed no significant change. Hepatic uptake calculated by blood disappearance ratio and Rmax both measured by 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) liver scintigraphy increased significantly three days and decreased 30 days after PSE. Liver volume assayed by single proton emission computed tomography and hepatic blood flow (HBF) measured by 99mTc-GSA liver scintigraphy showed no significant change. Human hepatocyte growth factor increased one and three days after PSE, while transforming growth factor-A increased 14 days after PSE. We conclude that PSE causes changes in the liver function, which are not accompanied by any morphological change of the liver and the change of HBF.
