Cerebrovascular Disease Detected on Preprocedural Computed Tomography in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of data on the prevalence and clinical impact of cerebrovascular disease detected on preprocedural computed tomography (CT) before aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing AVR, the authors compared clinical outcomes between patients with and without cerebrovascular disease detected on preprocedural CT, which was defined as chronic brain infarction or hemorrhage. The primary outcome measure in this study was a composite of all-cause death or stroke. Among 567 study patients, 200 patients (35.3%) had cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT. Among 200 patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT, only 28.5% of patients had a clinical history of symptomatic stroke. The cumulative 3-year incidence of death or stroke was higher in patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT than in those without cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT (40.7% versus 24.1%, log-rank P<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, the higher risk of patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT relative to those without remained significant for death or stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 1.42 [95% CI, 1.02-1.98]; P=0.04). Among 200 patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT, patients with prior symptomatic stroke compared with those without were not associated with higher adjusted risk for death or stroke (HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.72-1.94]; P=0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing AVR, a substantial proportion had cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT, with a clinical history of symptomatic stroke in one-fourth of patients. Regardless of history of symptomatic stroke, patients with cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT had worse clinical outcomes compared with those without cerebrovascular disease on preprocedural CT.

[A case of neurosarcoidosis initially diagnosed as cervical spondylotic myelopathy, leading to diagnosis by gadolinium contrast-enhanced MRI].

A 70-year-old female presented with bilateral numbness in her upper limbs. She was diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and underwent cervical laminoplasty. However, there was no significant improvement in sensory disturbance, and at 6 months after surgery, she developed subacute motor and gait disturbance in four extremities. Spinal MRI revealed a long lesion of the spinal cord with edema, and a part of the lesion showed gadolinium contrast enhancement. Bronchoscopy revealed an elevated CD4/8 ratio, and gallium scintigraphy demonstrated an accumulation in the hilar lymph nodes, leading to a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis. In case of rapid deterioration during the course of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, neurosarcoidosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis, which can be assessed by contrast-enhanced MRI.

Atypical negative pressure pulmonary edema after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy for COVID-19.

NPPE imaging findings were reported to show a preferential central and nondependent distribution. However, in our case, NPPE showed a peripheral accent pattern, resembling the ARDS pattern of COVID-19 pneumonia 4 months ago. Capillary damage from COVID-19 might still exist.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with a coaxial reservoir system using a non-braided spiral tip microcatheter.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a coaxial reservoir system with a non-braided spiral tip microcatheter and exclusive port for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro evaluation included evaluation of pressure tolerance/flow rate of the coaxial reservoir system, and the strength of connection between the 2.7-F catheter and port. Due to the difficulty of implanting conventional reservoirs, coaxial reservoirs were implanted via the femoral artery of 80 patients. We implanted a non-braided 2.7-F microcatheter with a spiral shaped tip, 5-F catheter, and a port. Clinical assessment included evaluation of technical success and complications. RESULTS: In vitro evaluation of the coaxial reservoir at its maximum pressure load showed that flow rates for 300 mg I/mL iopamidol contrast medium were 0.25 ± 0.04 mL/s (undiluted), 1.03 ± 0.01 mL/s (50% dilution), and 2.91 ± 0.01 mL/s (30% dilution). Connection strength between the 2.7-F catheter and port was 13.4 ± 0.57 N. Percutaneous port catheter placement was successful in all patients (100%, n = 80). Complications included hepatic arterial occlusion (10%, n = 8), catheter tip dislocation (1.3%, n = 1), and catheter occlusion (1.3%, n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: A coaxial reservoir system with a non-braided microcatheter and exclusive port is safe and effective for difficulty of implanting conventional reservoir.

[A case of IgG4-related sclerosing disorders involving the mesentery and the pancreas].

A 78-year-old man presented with upper abdominal pain. He underwent an abdominal computed tomography scan which revealed irregularly shaped mass lesions in the mesentery and in the pancreatic head and body. The mass lesions were suspected to be pancreatic cancer with peritoneal dissemination and a surgical biopsy was performed. Histologic studies revealed lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis with significant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells. His serum IgG4 level was 223 mg/dl. Findings from histologic and serum studies were compatible with IgG4-related sclerosing disorders. The mass lesions responded to steroid therapy and disappeared. The difficulty in making a definitive diagnosis is discussed.

A case of postirradiation angiosarcoma of the greater omentum with hemorrhage.

Angiosarcoma, one of the least common sarcomas, occurs most commonly in the skin and soft tissues, and postirradiation angiosarcoma of the greater omentum is extremely rare. Only one reported case of postirradiation angiosarcoma involved the greater omentum. We describe the case of 74-year-old female with a history of cervical cancer treated with abdominal irradiation 5 years before. On admission, she had nausea, vomiting anorexia, and fatigue. She underwent an abdominal computed tomography scan that revealed an irregularly shaped tumor bounded by transverse colon. The patient died on the 34th hospital day. Autopsy revealed that the tumor was composed of anastomosing irregular vascular channels of variable calibers, involving the adipose tissue of the omentum. Histological studies suggested angiosarcoma. The definitive diagnosis was postirradiation angiosarcoma of the greater omentum, which is an extremely rare condition with an overall dismal prognosis.

Arterial catheterization and embolization for management of emergent or anticipated massive obstetrical hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications, efficacy, and safety of arterial catheterization and embolization for the management of emergent or anticipated massive obstetrical hemorrhage and its effects on menses and fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients underwent arterial catheterization and embolization for intractable obstetrical hemorrhage between January 2001 and December 2005. Three groups of patients were identified: group 1 (n = 6) experienced postpartum hemorrhage; group 2 (n = 5) had anticipated severe postpartum hemorrhage; and group 3 (n = 7) had a risk factor for anticipated severe hemorrhage after dilation and evacuation. Gynecological information after embolization was obtained from medical records and telephone interviews. RESULTS: All patients in group 1 had a favorable outcome after treatment with a single embolization. All patients in group 2 had a placenta previa with an estimated blood loss of 1215-3250 ml. In group 3, bleeding was controlled in six patients; one patient had a hysterectomy because embolization was not possible. There were no short-or long - term complications, and normal menstruation resumed. Four patients became pregnant after embolization. CONCLUSION: Arterial catheterization and embolization is an effective, safe method for treating intractable obstetrical hemorrhage and might eliminate the need for hysterectomy and maintain reproductive ability.

Hyperplastic nodular hepatic lesions following end-to-side portacaval shunting in childhood.

We describe a 48-year-old man with nodular intrahepatic lesions accompanied by communication between the inferior vena cava and portal systems as well as absence of intrahepatic portal veins. After infection with malaria in childhood, end-to-side portacaval shunting had been performed to treat upper gastrointestinal bleeding at the age of 15 years. A biopsy specimen obtained under ultrasonographic guidance showed hyperplastic nodules suggestive of focal nodular hyperplasia. The estradiol concentration in the blood was elevated (55 pg/ml). This case suggests that portacaval shunting may be associated with hyperplastic liver nodules through hyperestrogenemia and abnormal hepatic hemodynamics.

Coil embolization of splenic artery aneurysm with preservation of the parent artery using a neck remodeling technique.

We describe a case of a large and wide neck splenic artery aneurysm, treated by coil embolization using a balloon neck remodeling technique. The patency of the splenic artery was preserved without technical complications. This method should be considered as an alternative method for transcatheter management of splenic artery aneurysms.