Abstract
An intrahepatic arterioportal fistula causing portal hypertension was successfully embolized with an occlusive balloon and microcoils. This patient had suffered gastroesophageal varix bleeding and syncope for about one month. About 40 years previously, he had undergone surgery after a traffic accident. Using abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography and angiography, we diagnosed the presence of this intrahepatic arterioportal fistula between the right hepatic artery and portal vein. Embolization using only coils failed because blood flow in this artery was massive and too fast. Thus, we first applied the occlusive balloon to the proximal right hepatic artery and using the co-axial technique then embolized this fistula with microcoils. Eight months after embolization, the patient was well and showed no sign of gastroesophageal bleeding.