Abstract: Objective To compare the clinical effect of glucocorticoids and NSAID in the treatment of partial splenic
embolization syndrome. Methods Sixty patients with cirrhosis and spleen hyperactivity who developed partial splenic
embolization syndrome after partial splenic embolization with Seldinger technique were randomized equally into two groups
to receive treatments with intravenous dexamethasone or oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). White blood
cell counts, liver functions, fever duration, abdominal pain duration, hospital stay, and occurrence of upper gastrointestinal
hemorrhage and spleen abscess were recorded and analyzed. Results In dexamethasone group, the average fever duration,
abdominal pain duration, and hospitalization days was 3.36±2.31, 7.39±4.00, and 11.48±3.29 days, respectively, significantly
shorter than those in NSAIDs group (5.72 ± 3.83, 9.59 ± 4.22, and 15.07 ± 7.93 days, respectively, P<0.05). Seven days after the
operation, white blood cell count (×109/L) significantly increased from 4.23±5.09 to 8.49±3.53 in dexamethasone group (P<0.05),
and from 3.21±1.33 to 6.52±2.37 in NSAIDs group (P<0.05); the increment was more obvious in dexamethasone group (P<0.05).
The two groups of patients showed no significant difference in liver functions after the operation. None of the patients
developed upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage or spleen abscess. Conclusion Intravenous dexamethasone produces better
therapeutic effect than oral NSAIDs in the management of partial splenic embolization syndrome.