CONGENITAL HEPATOPORTAL ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULA

Background. Two children with congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas have been investigated and treated surgically. These cases have been reviewed with five cases previously reported. Methods. Two children, 5 months and 14 months of age, presenting with failure to thrive, hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding with evidence of portal hypertension, were found to have congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas. Results. Doppler ultrasonographic examination was important in identifying abnormal portal venous flow. Angiogram identified the fistulas, confirming the diagnosis. Both patients had significant portal hypertension (pressure more than 30 mm Hg). Surgical resection in one child was unsuccessful, but surgical ligation of the hepatic artery controlled the symptoms in both patients. Conclusions. Rapid collateralization of the hepatic arterial blood supply made embolization a short-term therapeutic measure, and surgical ligation of the hepatic artery is the treatment of choice pr congenital hepatoportal arteriovenous fistulas.