Portal vein recanalization failed to improve chronic intestinal obstruction due to extrahepatic portal vein obstruction

Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) refers to obstruction of the extrahepatic portal vein that is characterized by cavernous transformation, portal hypertension, and intestinal dysfunction. Radiological interventions on EHPVO are an extraordinary challenge, although being reported to be safe and effective in selected patients by pertinent experts. Chronic intestinal dysfunction is a rare complication of EHPVO; it is unknown whether portal vein re-canalization by radiological interventions can improve chronic intestinal dysfunction. We describe a 22-year-old male patient with chronic intestinal dysfunction due to EHPVO, which was not improved by portal vein re-canalization. The patient presented with acute abdominal pain and dyspepsia for 2 weeks without hematochezia in August 2016 and was diagnosed with EHPVO. Due to cavernous transformation, systemic anticoagulation therapy was administered, and although his abdominal pain was relieved, the patient still had dyspepsia and partial jejunum dysfunction. Intestinal segmentectomy was suggested but was refused, and the patient received catheter-directed thrombolysis in another hospital. Although the portal vein was partly recanalized, the intestinal obstruction was not alleviated. Four months after onset, an emergent enterectomy was performed due to severe hematochezia with pathological examination findings of necrosis, ulcer, and granulation formation. Unfortunately, the patient developed a serious systemic infection, severe thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation, which was assumed to be caused by intestinal bacterial translocation and serious malnutrition. The infection was subsequently controlled. In conclusion, in patients with chronic intestinal dysfunction due to EHPVO, portal vein re-canalization may not improve intestinal function. Timely enterectomy may prevent intestinal bacterial translocation and serious malnutrition.