Idiopathic myelofibrosis complicated by portal hypertension treated with atransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

Idiopathic myelofibrosis may be accompanied by portal hypertension. The aut hors report a 56-year-old man with idiopathic myelofibrosis and splenomegal y complicated by hepatopathy, severe portal hypertension and recurrent vari ceal bleeding. A transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) was inserted. Variceal bleeding never recurred. A short episode of encephalopat hy, which is a known complication of porto-systemic shunting, ceased prompt ly after conservative treatment. The patient eventually died six months lat er due to metabolic deterioration and hepatic failure related to his underl ying hematological disease. TIPS is a promising treatment modality for alle viating symptomatic portal hypertension in hematological disorders.