Patch Technique for Primary Treatment of Type A Carotid Cavernous Fistula: A Case Series and Technical Notes.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of flow diverters (FDs) in the treatment of high-flow Type A carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) has been described before mainly as an adjunct to the traditional endovascular techniques and rarely as a stand-alone treatment. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated our experience with FDs as the solo nonadjunctive treatment of Type A CCF with severe cortical venous reflux (CVR). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with Type A CCFs who were treated using FDs' patch technique (PT). Patients' demographics, clinical data, and preoperative and postoperative ocular examination were recorded. The procedure technique, pipeline embolization device (PED) diameters, and immediate and late procedure outcomes were described. RESULTS: Three patients were included in this case series. All patients had history of trauma and presented with decreased visual acuity, cranial nerve II deficit, limited extraocular muscles' movement, and increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Diagnostic angiography was performed, which confirmed high-flow Type A CCF. Endovascular treatment was performed through distal radial access in 2 patients and femoral access in 1 patient by deploying 4 sequentially enlarging PEDs with immediate resolution of the ocular symptoms. Follow-up angiography confirmed complete resolution of CCF in 2 patients. One patient was lost to follow-up; however, angiogram at 4 months demonstrated residual small CCF with significant improvement from postprocedure angiogram. CONCLUSIONS: The patch technique using sequentially enlarging FDs is a reasonable alternative solo technique for the treatment of direct CCF symptoms and results in immediate resolution of CVR while preserving the cavernous sinus anatomy.

Normal preoperative levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase predict the absence of common bile duct stones in patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a retrospective cohort study.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, nowadays, is considered the gold standard option for management in patients diagnosed with symptomatic cholelithiasis. Nevertheless, some patients may have coexisting choledocholithiasis, which manifests later in life with grave complications such as cholangitis and pancreatitis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of preoperative gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in predicting choledocholithiasis in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Method: A total of 360 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis based on diagnosis aided with abdominal ultrasound were included in the study. The study design was a retrospective cohort. Patients were evaluated based on a comparison between findings of per-operative cholangiogram and laboratory measure of GGT. Result: The mean age of study participants was 47.22 (±28.41) years. Mean GGT levels were 121.54 (±87.91) U/l. One hundred (27.7%) participants had raised GGT. But only 19.4% had been diagnosed with filling defect positive on cholangiogram. The predictability of GGT for positive cholangiogram is statistically significant at less than 0.001 with an area under the curve of 0.922 (0.887-0.957), sensitivity of 95.7%, specificity of 88.6%, and accuracy of 90%. The standard error reported (0.018) was found to be relatively low. Conclusion: Based on the provided information, it is concluded that GGT plays an important role in predicting the coexistence of choledocholithiasis in symptomatic cholelithiasis and can be used in the setting where the facility of per-operative cholangiogram is not available.

Finding undiagnosed patients with hepatitis C virus: an application of machine learning to US ambulatory electronic medical records.

AIMS: To develop and validate a machine learning (ML) algorithm to identify undiagnosed hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, in order to facilitate prioritisation of patients for targeted HCV screening. METHODS: This retrospective study used ambulatory electronic medical records (EMR) from January 2015 to February 2020. A Gradient Boosting Trees algorithm was trained using patient records to predict initial HCV diagnosis and was validated on a temporally independent held-out cross-section of the data. The fold improvement in precision (proportion of patients identified by the algorithm who are HCV positive) over universal screening was examined and compared with risk-based screening. RESULTS: 21 508 positive (HCV diagnosed) and 28.2M unlabelled (lacking evidence of HCV diagnosis) patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. After down-sampling unlabelled patients to aid the algorithm's learning process, 16.2M unlabelled patients entered the analysis. Performance of the algorithm was compared with universal screening on the held-out cross-section, which had an incidence of HCV diagnoses of 0.02%. The algorithm achieved a 101.0 ×, 18.0 × and 5.1 × fold improvement in precision over universal screening at 5%, 20% and 50% levels of recall. When compared with risk-based screening, the algorithm required fewer patients to be screened and improved precision. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents strong evidence towards the use of ML on EMR data for the prioritisation of patients for targeted HCV testing with potential to improve efficiency of resource utilisation, thereby reducing the workload for clinicians and saving healthcare costs. A prospective interventional study would allow for further validation before use in a clinical setting.

Imaging Utilization Patterns and Injury Characteristics Associated with Electric Standing Scooters in a Major Urban Area.

BACKGROUND: The recent proliferation of electric standing scooters in major urban areas of the United States has been accompanied by injuries of varying severity and nature, representing a growing public health concern. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to characterize imaging utilization patterns for injuries associated with electric scooter (e-scooter) use, including their initial emergency department (ED) management. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the electronic medical record for all patients presenting to affiliated EDs for e-scooter-related injuries between July 2018 and April 2020. Demographics, date and time of presentation, imaging study type, resultant injury, and procedural details were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were included; mean age was 27.6 years. Of these, 55 patients (57%) had injuries identified on imaging and 40% of all imaging studies were positive. Most identified injuries (61%) were musculoskeletal, with a small number of neurological (2%) and genitourinary (1%) injuries. The highest prevalence of presentations occurred in August; most patients (72%) presented between 3 pm and 1 am and granular peaks were between 12 am and 1 am and 5 pm and 6 pm. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with e-scooter injuries have a high likelihood of injury to the radial head, nasal bone, and malleoli. Emergency physicians should be especially vigilant for injuries in these areas at presentation. Visceral injuries are uncommon but may be severe enough to warrant surgery.

Validation of the Summit Lab Score in Predicting Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Individuals with High Arterial Stiffness.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and CV disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to worse outcomes. A number of tools are currently available to stratify the risk of adverse outcomes in these patients with COPD. This post hoc analysis evaluated the Summit Lab Score for validation as a predictor of the first episode of moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and other outcomes, in patients with COPD and high arterial pulse wave velocity (aPWV). METHODS: Data from a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate treatment effects of once-daily fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 100/25 µg in patients with COPD and an elevated CV risk (aPWV≥11m/s) over 24 weeks. The previously derived Summit Lab Score and, secondarily, the Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS) were computed for each patient, with patients then stratified into tertiles for each score. Risk of moderate-to-severe AECOPD was analyzed across tertiles using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: In 430 patients with COPD, Kaplan-Meier probabilities of no moderate-to-severe AECOPD for Summit Lab Score tertiles 1, 2, and 3 were 92.3%, 95.5%, and 85.1%, respectively (P trend = 0.015), over 24 weeks. Grouped by IMRS tertiles, the respective probabilities were 92.9%, 91.2%, and 88.3%, respectively (P trend = 0.141). Length of stay in the hospital (P = 0.034) and the hospital ward (P = 0.042) were also significantly different between Summit Lab Score tertiles but not for intensive care (P = 0.191). CONCLUSION: The Summit Lab Score was associated with the 24-week risk of moderate-to-severe AECOPD in COPD patients with elevated CV risk. Secondarily, IMRS showed a trend towards differences in the risk of AECOPD, which was not statistically significant.

Liver Transplantation Following Yttrium-90 Radioembolization: 15-Year Experience in 207-Patient Cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Radioembolization (yttrium-90 [Y90]) is used in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a bridging as well as downstaging liver-directed therapy to curative liver transplantation (LT). In this study, we report long-term outcomes of LT for patients with HCC who were bridged/downstaged by Y90. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Patients undergoing LT following Y90 between 2004 and 2018 were included, with staging by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) tumor-node-metastasis criteria at baseline pre-Y90 and pre-LT. Post-Y90 toxicities were recorded. Histopathological data of HCC at explant were recorded. Long-term outcomes, including overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific mortality (DSM), and time-to-recurrence, were reported. Time-to-endpoint analyses were estimated using Kaplan-Meier. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a log-rank test and Cox proportional-hazards model, respectively. During the 15-year period, 207 patients underwent LT after Y90. OS from LT was 12.5 years, with a median time to LT of 7.5 months [interquartile range, 4.4-10.3]. A total of 169 patients were bridged, whereas 38 were downstaged to LT. Respectively, 94 (45%), 60 (29%), and 53 (26%) patients showed complete, extensive, and partial tumor necrosis on histopathology. Three-year, 5-year, and 10-year OS rates were 84%, 77%, and 60%, respectively. Twenty-four patients developed recurrence, with a median RFS of 120 (95% confidence interval, 69-150) months. DSM at 3, 5, and 10 years was 6%, 11%, and 16%, respectively. There were no differences in OS/RFS for patients who were bridged or downstaged. RFS was higher in patients with complete/extensive versus partial tumor necrosis (P < 0.0001). For patients with UNOS T2 treated during the study period, 5.2% dropped out because of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Y90 is an effective treatment for HCC in the setting of bridging/downstaging to LT. Patients who achieved extensive or complete necrosis had better RFS, supporting the practice of neoadjuvant treatment before LT.

CLABSI reduction using evidence based interventions and nurse empowerment: a quality improvement initiative from a tertiary care NICU in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We designed a CLABSI Prevention Package (CPP) to decrease NICU CLABSI rates, using evidence-proven interventions. DESIGN: This was a quality improvement (QI) project. Data collection was divided into three phases (pre-implementation, implementation and post implementation). SQUIRE2.0 guidelines were used to design, implement and report this QI initiative. SETTING: A tertiary care level 3 NICU at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the AKUH NICU from 1 January 2016 to 31 March 2018 who had a central line in place during their NICU admission. INTERVENTIONS: CPP used evidence-based interventions focusing on hand hygiene, aseptic central line insertion techniques and central line care, prevention of fungal infections and nurse empowerment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CLABSI rates pre and post intervention were recorded. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for CLABSI, device (central line) utilisation ratio, CLABSI related mortality and micro-organism profile. RESULTS: CLABSI rates decreased from 17.1/1000 device days to 5.0/1000 device days (relative risk (RR)=0.36, CI=0.17-0.74). Device (central line) utilisation ratio declined from 0.30 to 0.25. Out of 613 patients enrolled in our study, 139 (22.7%) died. Mortality was higher in CLABSI group (n=20, 44%) as compared with non CLABSI group (n=119, 21.1%) (p<0.001). Gestational age of <27 weeks was an independent risk factor for CLABSI (RR=4.45, CI=1.10-18.25, p=0.03). A total of 158 pathogens were isolated among which 68 were associated with CLABSI. Gram-negative bacteria 31 (47.7%) were the most common cause of CLABSI. Ninety-seven (61%) micro-organisms were multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSIONS: CPP was effective in decreasing NICU CLABSI rates and can be used as a model to decrease NICU CLABSI rates in low or middle-income countries.

Correlation of chest radiography findings with the severity and progression of COVID-19 pneumonia.

PURPOSE: Aim is to assess the temporal changes and prognostic value of chest radiograph (CXR) in COVID-19 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of confirmed COVID-19 patients presented to the emergency between March 07-17, 2020. Clinical & radiological findings were reviewed. Clinical outcomes were classified into critical & non-critical based on severity. Two independent radiologists graded frontal view CXRs into COVID-19 pneumonia category 1 (CoV-P1) with <4 zones and CoV-P2 with ≥4 zones involvement. Interobserver agreement of CoV-P category for the CXR preceding the clinical outcome was assessed using Kendall's τ coefficient. Association between CXR findings and clinical deterioration was calculated along with temporal changes of CXR findings with disease progression. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were evaluated for clinical features. 56 of these (total: 325 CXRs) were evaluated for radiological findings. Common patterns were progression from lower to upper zones, peripheral to diffuse involvement, & from ground glass opacities to consolidation. Consolidations starting peripherally were noted in 76%, 93% and 48% with critical outcomes, respectively. The interobserver agreement of the CoV-P category of CXRs in the critical and non-critical outcome groups were good and excellent, respectively (τ coefficient = 0.6 & 1.0). Significant association was observed between CoV-P2 and clinical deterioration into a critical status (χ2 = 27.7, p = 0.0001) with high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (71%) within a median interval time of 2 days (range: 0-4 days). CONCLUSION: Involvement of predominantly 4 or more zones on frontal chest radiograph can be used as predictive prognostic indicator of poorer outcome in COVID-19 patients.

Correction to: Prognosticating Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Elevated Baseline Alpha-fetoprotein Treated with Radioembolization Using a Novel Laboratory Scoring System: Initial Development and Validation.

The name of the eleventh author is listed incorrectly in the published article as Nitin Kataraya. The correct name is Nitin Katariya.

Safety and efficacy of radioembolization with glass microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with elevated lung shunt fraction: analysis of a 103-patient cohort.

BACKGROUND: Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin is used to estimate lung shunt fraction (LSF) prior to yttrium-90 (Y90). Studies have debated the safety and efficacy of Y90 in patients with LSF > 15%. We aimed to assess the role of Y90 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with LSF > 15%. METHODS: With IRB approval, we searched our prospectively acquired database of HCC patients with Y90 treated with LSF > 15%. Median LSF and liver and lung doses were calculated. The response was assessed using RECIST. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from date of first Y90. RESULTS: A total of 103 HCC patients underwent Y90. The median baseline LSF was 24.4% (IQR 18.1-28.8). Patients exhibited multifocal disease (59/103, 60%) and median tumor size of 7.85 cm (IQR 5.2, 10.57). BCLC class was A, B, C, and D in 7 (7%), 5 (5%), 85 (83%), and 6 (6%) patients, respectively. The median liver dose was 84.6 Gy (IQR 57.4, 107.55). The median lung dose per session and cumulatively was 22.9 Gy (IQR 15-28) and 29.5 Gy (IQR 20.5-44.3). Thirty-three patients (32%) demonstrated partial response, 57 stable disease, and 13 (13%) had progressive disease. The median OS was 7.3 months (95% CI 5.3, 11.47). Twenty patients (19%) had non-specific pulmonary symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, wheezing) in the 1-year post-Y90. The median time to the appearance of non-specific pulmonary symptoms was 63 days (range 7-224). Thoracic imaging demonstrated no pulmonary fibrosis/injury following treatment in any patient. CONCLUSION: Y90 can be performed in patients with LSF > 15%. The RECIST response was identified in 32% of the patients. In isolation, LSF > 15% should not deter from treatment with Y90.

Prognostic Role of Albumin, Bilirubin, and ALBI Scores: Analysis of 1000 Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Radioembolization.

Introduction: We compared the efficacy of the ALBI (albumin-bilirubin) score to the established Child-Pugh (CP) grade in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with yttrium-90 radioembolization (Y90). We further assessed the individual contributions of albumin and bilirubin to survival prediction. Methods: 1000 consecutive HCC patients treated with Y90 were included. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan Meier analysis. Sub-stratification analyses were performed using CP and ALBI and in subgroups determined by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) or Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging. The independent impact (hazard ratio (HR)) of ALBI, CP, albumin, and bilirubin on survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Results: Median OS for ALBI 1, 2, and 3 grades was 46.7, 19.1, and 8.8 months, respectively. The HR for death for ALBI 2 vs. ALBI 1 was 3.39 (1.75-6.57); ALBI 3 vs. ALBI 1 was 7.58 (3.89-14.79); and the c-index was 0.623. Median OS for CP A, B, and C was 21.7, 11.3, and 6.0 months, respectively. The HR for death for CP B vs. CP A was 2.04 (1.71-2.43); CP C vs. CP A was 3.27 (2.08-5.14); and the c-index was 0.616. Stratified OS showed unique prognostic groups identified by ALBI within CP-B and CP-C. Median OS for albumin grades 1, 2, and 3 was 46.0, 17.1, and 9.1 months, respectively. Median OS for bilirubin grades 1, 2, and 3 was 15.6, 21.0, and 5.8 months, respectively. The HR for death for albumin 2 vs. 1 was 2.48 (1.81-3.41); albumin 3 vs. 1 was 4.74 (3.44-6.54); and the c-index was 0.640. The HR for death for bilirubin 2 vs. 1 was 1.09 (0.82-1.44); bilirubin 3 vs. 1 was 2.37 (1.66-3.40); and the c-index was 0.533. Conclusions: ALBI outperforms CP in survival prognosis in Y90 treated patients. On sub-analyses, serum albumin (not bilirubin) appears to be the main driver of survival prediction. Our study supports the prognostic ability of ALBI and may suggest a role of albumin alone as a biomarker for patients with HCC.

Technical Aspects and Practical Approach Toward Same-Day Y90 Radioembolization in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 (Y90) has been proven safe and effective for the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. Standard protocols have necessitated planning angiography with Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (Tc99m MAA) administration/scan typically 1-2 weeks prior to the radioembolization therapy. The intent of this practice is to ensure appropriate patient selection and treatment candidacy while also confirming best dosimetry approaches. At our center, we started performing "same-day Y90" in 2008; in a subset of international patients with travel hardship, we performed the planning and treatment procedures consecutively on the same day. In this article, we reveal our practical approach to treating patients on the same day as planning angiography. With more than 160 same-day procedures completed between 2008 and 2017, the safety and efficacy of such a paradigm has been established at our center. This approach is appealing to patients, their families, and referring physicians. Appropriate patient selection and proper preprocedure planning based on baseline imaging are key elements in successful same-day radioembolization treatments.

Prognosticating Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Elevated Baseline Alpha-fetoprotein Treated with Radioembolization Using a Novel Laboratory Scoring System: Initial Development and Validation.

AIMS: To investigate laboratory parameters as predictors of overall survival (OS) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with radioembolization and develop/validate a scoring system. METHODS: With IRB approval, we included all patients with baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 100 ng/dL from our prospectively acquired HCC radioembolization database. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI), and AFP were measured at baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month post-radioembolization Landmarks. OS was assessed from these Landmarks. Univariate/multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate OS predictability of these parameters. Baseline Imaging, Laboratory, and Combination scoring systems were developed. Developing/validating groups were created to investigate/validate the score's OS predictability. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were evaluated. Patients were stratified into groups I, II, and III by using 25th and 75th percentile cutoffs according to change in Laboratory Score from baseline. RESULTS: 345/401 (86%), 238/401 (59%), and 167/401 (42%) patients had laboratory parameters available at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month Landmarks, respectively. ALBI and AFP were significant OS prognosticators at all Landmarks. The Laboratory Score [ALBI + (0.3 × LnAFP)] was developed/internally validated to predict OS from these Landmarks. Areas under the curve of time-dependent ROCs of the Baseline Imaging vs. Laboratory scores in predicting patient OS post 3 and 6 months Landmarks were 0.56 versus 0.82 and 0.57 versus 0.77, respectively. OS differences in groups I, II, and III according to change in Laboratory Score from baseline were significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Post-radioembolization AFP and ALBI scores were significant OS prognosticators. A decrease in post-therapeutic Laboratory Score, which combines AFP and ALBI, correlates with an improved OS.

MR imaging findings of the prostate gland following prostate artery embolization: results from a prospective phase 2 study.

PURPOSE: To assess changes in imaging and volume characteristics of the prostate gland by magnetic resonance (MR) following prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for benign prostate hyperplasia. METHODS: With IRB approval, we analyzed prospectively acquired MR data of PAE patients at baseline and 6-month following treatment from 2015 to 2017. We reviewed prostate MRs looking for sequelae of embolization [changes in signal intensity and/or enhancement, infection/inflammation, infarction, edema, and change in intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP)]. We calculated the total volume (TV) and central gland volumes (CGV) using DynaCAD® and measured change in volumes. Analyses were performed using SPSS with p < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (n = 43) met our inclusion criteria. 93% (30/43) and 100% (43/43) showed a decrease in TV and CGV at 6-months respectively. At baseline, median TV was 86 cc (range 29.4-232) and median CGV was 54.4 cc (range 12.9-165.5). Median decrease in TV was 18.2% (CI 13.3-27.2) (p = 0.0001) and median decrease in CGV was 26.7% (CI 20.4-35.9) (p = 0.0001). Thirty-seven percent (16/43) of patients had IPP at baseline; 100% showed a decrease in size of median lobe at follow-up. At 6-month follow-up, 33% (14/43) showed imaging features of infarction, 79% (34/43) had decrease in T2-signal intensity, and 51% (22/43) showed a decrease in enhancement. None had edema, peri-prostatic fat changes or infection/inflammation. CONCLUSION: PAE causes a statistically significant reduction in the TV and CGV. There is also a reduction of the degree of IPP. Non-specific findings of infarction, decrease in T2-signal, and enhancement were also seen.

Outcomes of Surgical Resection after Radioembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To longitudinally study clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) as a bridge to surgical resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TARE was performed in 31 patients with HCC before resection. Of patients, 25 underwent major hepatic resection (16 received right hepatectomy and 9 received trisegmentectomy), and 6 underwent partial hepatectomy. Clinical outcomes after TARE and after resection were recorded. Future liver remnant (FLR) was calculated before and after TARE, and actual liver remnant volume was calculated after resection. Radiologic response after TARE and pathologic necrosis were assessed. Overall and recurrence-free survivals after resection were estimated. RESULTS: Median time between TARE and resection was 2.9 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 2-5 months). Median FLR hypertrophy after TARE (and before resection) was 23.3% (IQR:10%-48%) for patients who had radiation lobectomy and 9% (IQR: 6%-25%) for patients who had radiation segmentectomy (P = .037). Median augmented hypertrophy of the liver remnant 3 months after resection was 72% (IQR:45%-88%) in patients who had radiation lobectomy and 94% (IQR: 72%-146%) in patients who had radiation segmentectomy. Complete, 50%-99%, and < 50% pathologic tumor necrosis was identified in 14 (45%), 10 (32%), and 7 (23%) tumors. Disease control was achieved in all 31 patients. Survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 96% and 86%, respectively. Median recurrence-free survival was 34.2 months (95% confidence interval,18.7-34.2). CONCLUSIONS: TARE can serve as a safe bridge to resection providing FLR hypertrophy and disease control.

Prostate Artery Embolization for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Results From a Prospective FDA-Approved Investigational Device Exemption Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of prostate artery embolization (PAE) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A prospective, single-center, open-label FDA-approved study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PAE for LUTS secondary to BPH. We enrolled men ≥ 45, prostate volume > 40 g, International prostate symptom score (IPSS) > 13, peak flow rate (Qmax) ≤ 12 mL/s, and voided volume ≥ 125 mL. Patients were evaluated with questionnaires (IPSS, quality-of-life [QoL], International index of erectile function, and male sexual health questionnaire for ejaculatory dysfunction) and clinical measures (postvoid residual volume and Qmax at baseline 1, 3, and 12 months) after PAE. Baseline and 6-month total prostate (TV) and central gland (CG) volumes were obtained. RESULTS: 45 patients (mean volume: 99 cc, range: 30-214 g) were treated over the course of the 3-year study. At 1 month, there were improvements in IPSS (23.6 ± 6.1 to 12.0 ± 5.9, P < .0001), QoL (4.8 ± 0.9 to 2.6 ± 1.6, P < .0001), Qmax (5.8 ± 1.0 to 12.4 ± 6.8,P < .0001). At 3 months, there were improvements in IPSS (10.2 ± 6.0, P < .0001), QoL (2.4 ± 1.6, P < .0001) and Qmax (15.3 ± 12.3, P < .0001). At 6 months, there were improvements in IPSS (11.0 ± 7.6, P < .0001) and QoL (2.3 ± 1.7, P < .0001). At 1 year, there were improvements in IPSS (12.4 ± 8.4,P < .0001) and QoL (2.6 ± 1.6, P < .0001). There were reductions in postvoid volume residues: baseline 157 ± 45, 1 month 123 ± 47, P = .057, 3 months 127 ± 114, P = .34, 6 months 112±116, P = .002 and 1 year 109±116 P = .025. Median decreases in TV and CG were 18% (CI: 13-27) (P = 0.0001) and 27% (CI: 20-36)(P = 0.0001), respectively. Self-limited adverse events included dysuria (n = 13), hematuria (n = 6), hematospermia (n = 2), urinary frequency (n = 3) and retention (n = 2). No severe adverse events, nontarget embolization, or adverse effects on erectile function or sexual health. CONCLUSION: This prospective clinical trial demonstrates that PAE is safe and efficacious for BPH, with significant improvement in LUTS and reduction in TV and CG volumes.

Radioembolization Super Survivors: Extended Survival in Non-operative Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To identify baseline characteristics and long-term prognostic factors in non-transplant patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had prolonged survival after treatment with yttrium-90 radioembolization (Y90). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven "Super Survivors" (defined as ≥ 3-year survival after Y90) were identified within our 1000-patient Y90 database (2003-2017). Baseline imaging and follow-up occurred at 1 month and every 3 months thereafter. Overall survival (OS) was calculated with Kaplan-Meier estimates with log-rank test in subgroups: Child-Pugh (CP) score, distribution of disease, portal vein thrombus (PVT), and technique (segmental vs lobar Y90). RESULTS: Median age 69.5 years (range 45-94 years); 69% male; 60% solitary HCC; 79% unilobar disease; 12% PVT; 10% ascites; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage A-54%/B-28%/C-16%/D-2%; CP A-70%/B-28%/C-2%. Longest baseline tumor diameter was 5.4 ± 4.0 cm (mean ± SD). All patients had an imaging response (either partial or complete response). Median OS was 67.5 months (95% CI 55.2-82.5). CP score and main PVT stratified median OS (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.0187, respectively). Beyond 3 years, segmental versus lobar Y90 was associated with improved OS with a median OS of 80.2 versus 46.7 months, respectively (p = 0.0024). Dosing > 200 Gy was not a significant predictor of improved OS. CONCLUSIONS: Super Survivors spanning the BCLC staging system maintained durable OS after radioembolization that was stratified by the extent of underlying liver disease. The common variable among all patients was an imaging response. Segmental versus lobar Y90 may have a long-term associated OS benefit.

Radiation Segmentectomy: Potential Curative Therapy for Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose To report long-term outcomes of radiation segmentectomy (RS) for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The authors hypothesized that outcomes are comparable to curative treatments for patients with solitary HCC less than or equal to 5 cm and preserved liver function. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 70 patients (median age, 71 years; range, 22-96 years) with solitary HCC less than or equal to 5 cm not amenable to percutaneous ablation who underwent RS (dose of >190 Gy) between 2003 and 2016. Patients who underwent subsequent curative liver transplantation were excluded to eliminate this confounding variable affecting survival. Radiologic response of time to progression and median overall survival were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method per the guidelines of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Results Seventy patients were treated with RS over 14 years. Sixty-three patients (90%) showed response by using EASL criteria, of which 41 (59%) showed complete response. Fifty patients (71%) achieved response by using WHO criteria, of which 11 (16%) achieved complete response. Response rates at 6 months were 86% and 49% by using EASL and WHO criteria, respectively. Median time to progression was 2.4 years (95% confidence interval: 2.1, 5.7), with 72% of patients having no target lesion progression at 5 years. Median overall survival was 6.7 years (95% confidence interval: 3.1, 6.7); survival probability at 1, 3, and 5 years was 98%, 66%, and 57%, respectively. Overall survival probability at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100%, 82%, and 75%, respectively, in patients with baseline tumor size less than or equal to 3 cm (n = 45) and was significantly longer than in patients with tumors greater than 3 cm (P = .026). Conclusion RS provides response rates, tumor control, and survival outcomes comparable to curative-intent treatments for selected patients with early-stage HCC who have preserved liver function. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Survival Analysis of Advanced HCC Treated with Radioembolization: Comparing Impact of Clinical Performance Status Versus Vascular Invasion/Metastases.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aim to compare the effects of prognostic indicators on survival analysis for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) C patients undergoing yttrium-90 radioembolization (Y-90). METHODS: A prospectively acquired database (2003-2017) for BCLC C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients that underwent radioembolization with Y-90 was searched. The criteria for BCLC C status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 1 or 2, metastases, and/or portal vein thrombosis (PVT)) were recorded. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed from the date of the first radioembolization with Y-90, censored to curative treatment, to determine median overall survival (OS). Cox regression hazards model was used for multivariate analyses. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: 547 BCLC C patients treated with radioembolization with Y-90 had a median OS of 10.7 months (range: 9.5-12.9). 43% (233 of 547) patients classified as BCLC C solely by their ECOG PS had a median OS of 19.4 months (14.7-23.7); 57% (314 of 547) patients with PVT/metastases had a median OS of 7.7 months (6.7-8.7). On multivariate analysis, ECOG PS was not found to be a statistically significant prognostic indicator of OS in BCLC C whereas metastases and PVT exhibited hazards ratios (95%CI) of 0.51 (0.38-0.69) and 0.49 (0.38-0.63), respectively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Patients classified as BCLC C due to ECOG PS 1 demonstrated longer survival when compared to those presenting with PVT, metastases and/or ECOG PS 2. Hence, ECOG PS 1, as an isolated variable, may not be a true indicator of advanced disease.

Pretransplant Intra-arterial Liver-Directed Therapy Does Not Increase the Risk of Hepatic Arterial Complications in Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center 10-Year Experience.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between pretransplant intra-arterial liver-directed therapy (IAT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic arterial complications (HAC) in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) [namely hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and/or the need for hepatic arterial conduit]. METHODS: A total of 175 HCC patients (mean age: 60 years) underwent IAT with either transarterial chemoembolization or yttrium-90 (90Y) transarterial radioembolization prior to OLT between 2003 and 2013. A matched control cohort of 159 HCC patients who underwent OLT without prior IAT was selected. Incidence of HAC in both cohorts was investigated. The categorical differences between both cohorts were calculated by chi-square test. RESULTS: Among the 175 patients (chemoembolization, n = 82; radioembolization, n = 93), 8 (5%) required conduits due to HA disease (chemoembolization, n = 6; radioembolization, n = 2), 3 (2%) developed HAT (chemoembolization, n = 2; radioembolization, n = 1). Eleven of 175 patients (6.7%) had HAC. Of the 159 control patients, 6 (4%) needed conduits for HA disease and 3 (2%) developed HAT. Nine of 159 patients (5.7%) had HAC. Chi-square analysis between the IAT cohort and the control group yielded a p value of 0.810. When comparing chemoembolization to radioembolization, p = 0.076 (not significant at p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although aggressive pretransplant radioembolization and chemoembolization are both utilized in most liver transplant centers, neither appears to increase the risk of peri-transplant hepatic arterial complications in HCC patients.