Local control, safety, and survival following image-guided percutaneous microwave thermal ablation in primary lung malignancy.

AIM: To determine local control, safety, and survival following percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided high-power microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of primary lung malignancy at a single institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From July 2010 to June 2016, 52 patients (mean age 76.3 years, range 55-91 years) with 61 unresectable primary lung cancers of mean diameter 23.8 mm (range 26-55 mm) underwent MWA in 55 ablation sessions. Tumours were diagnosed at biopsy, or positron-emission tomography (PET) avidity (mean SUV max = 10.51) and interval growth. Statistical analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier modelling and Cox and logistic regression. RESULTS: Local tumour progression (LTP) was diagnosed in six lesions (10%). Median time to local recurrence was 3 months (range 2-14 months). There was a near 12-fold increased odds of local recurrence if the lesion size was >3 cm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84-75.14; p=0.009). The median inpatient stay was 1 day, with no intra-procedural deaths and a 0% 30-day post-ablation mortality rate. Pneumothorax requiring drain was the most serious complication, occurring in 22% (n=12) of patients. Presence of severe emphysema and predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of <50% were found to predict future requirement of a drain (odds ratio [OR] 8.17, 95% CI: 1.62-41.37, p=0.01 and OR: 5.14, 95% CI: 1.28-20.68, p=0.02 respectively), when adjusted for age and gender. Tumour size >3 cm had a hazard ratio of 4.37 compared with tumour size ≤3 cm (95% CI: 1.45-13.17, p=0.009) of risk of cancer death at any time, by Cox regression. CONCLUSION: MWA for primary lung malignancy is a safe and effective treatment for primary lung tumours with outcomes that may be comparable to stereotactic body radiation therapy.

The management of colorectal liver metastases.

Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe. Approximately one-quarter of patients have synchronous hepatic metastases and metachronous liver metastases occur in a further 30%. The scope of surgery in management of colorectal metastases has evolved to include selected patients with extra-hepatic disease for whom R0 resection is considered feasible; however, locoregional treatments are increasingly recognised as viable management options in those patients deemed unsuitable for surgery and there is an expanding body of evidence regarding their ability to achieve local control and increase progression-free survival in the liver. Locoregional therapies increasingly practised in the management of unresectable liver metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) include percutaneous ablation, primarily in the form of radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation, although there remains a lack of data regarding long-term outcome. Radio-embolisation (RE) is the most comprehensively studied embolisation technique in the context of colorectal liver metastases, predominantly using yttrium 90 (90Y). The data published to date suggests that 90Y represents a safe and effective cytoreductive modality. The optimal dose and timing of therapies remains uncertain and further studies are required to determine its relationship with systemic treatment. Irinotecan-loaded drug-eluting beads (DEBIRI) transcatheter arterial chemo-embolisation (TACE) represents a further therapy with considerable potential. There is evidence of improved overall survival in the salvage setting. As with the other therapies discussed, further research is required to elucidate the optimal role and timing of these treatments within the increasingly crowded space of therapies for mCRC.

Adenomatous-Dominant Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (AdBPH) as a Predictor for Clinical Success Following Prostate Artery Embolization: An Age-Matched Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical impact of performing prostate artery embolization (PAE) on patients with adenomatous-dominant benign prostatic hyperplasia (AdBPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients from the ongoing proSTatic aRtery EmbolizAtion for the treatMent of benign prostatic hyperplasia (STREAM) trial were identified as having AdBPH; defined as two or more adenomas within the central gland of ≥1 cm diameter on multi-parametric MRI (MP-MRI). These patients were age-matched with patients from the STREAM cohort, without AdBPH. Patients were followed up with repeat MP-MRI at 3 months and 1 year. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), international index for erectile function (IIEF), and quality of life assessment from the IPSS and EQ-5D-5S questionnaires were recorded pre-PAE and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 68 (61-76). All patients had PAE as a day-case procedure. The technical success in the cohort was 23/24 (96%). There was a significant reduction in prostate volume following embolization with a median reduction of 34% (30-55) in the AdBPH group, compared to a mean volume reduction of 22% (9-44) in the non-AdBPH group (p = 0.04). There was a significant reduction in IPSS in the AdBPH group following PAE when compared with the control group [AdBPH median IPSS 8 (3-15) vs. non-AdBPH median IPSS 13 (8-18), p = 0.01]. IPSS QOL scores significantly improved in the AdBPH group (p = 0.007). There was no deterioration in sexual function in either group post-PAE. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that AdBPH has been identified as being a predictor of clinical success following PAE.

Antibiotics in interventional radiology.

The range and number of interventional procedures is rapidly increasing each year. A major complication associated with many procedures is infection, which can result in serious adverse outcomes for the patient. Consequently, antibiotics are amongst the most common pharmaceuticals used by the interventionist, particularly for non-vascular procedures, yet almost no randomized controlled trial data exist to inform our decision when formulating appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis regimens. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the utilization of antibiotics for common interventional radiology procedures, focusing on timing and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis.

The role of interventional radiology and imaging in pancreatic islet cell transplantation.

Pancreatic islet cell transplantation (PICT) is a novel treatment for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes who have inadequate glycaemic control or hypoglycaemic unawareness, and who suffer from the microvascular/macrovascular complications of diabetes despite aggressive medical management. Islet transplantation primarily aims to improve the quality of life for type 1 diabetic patients by achieving insulin independence, preventing hypoglycaemic episodes, and reversing hypoglycaemic unawareness. The islet cells for transplantation are extracted and purified from the pancreas of brain-stem dead, heart-beating donors. They are infused into the recipient's portal vein, where they engraft into the liver to release insulin in order to restore euglycaemia. Initial strategies using surgical access to the portal vein have been superseded by percutaneous access using interventional radiology techniques, which are relatively straightforward to perform. It is important to be vigilant during the procedure in order to prevent major complications, such as haemorrhage, which can be potentially life-threatening. In this article we review the history of islet cell transplantation, present an illustrated review of our experience with islet cell transplantation by describing the role of imaging and interventional radiology, and discuss current research into imaging techniques for monitoring graft function.

Pancreas transplants.

Cadaveric, whole pancreas transplantation has proved an effective therapy in the treatment of long-standing type 1 diabetes mellitus and is capable of achieving an insulin-independent eugyclaemic state. As a result, this procedure is being increasingly performed. However, the surgical procedure is complex and unfamiliar to many radiologists. Imaging with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives excellent results and can be used confidently to diagnose vascular, enteric, and immune-mediated complications. We present a review of the normal post-transplantation appearance and the features of early and late complications.

Thrombin injection for acute hemorrhage following angiography.

Femoral arterial puncture is the main access for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in vascular disease. Significant complications are unusual and include uncontrolled bleeding which usually requires surgery. We report the use of ultrasound-guided thrombin injection that prevented any immediate need for surgery in 2 cases of uncontrolled bleeding following femoral arteriography. Clinical presentations and treatment are reported, together with a review of the literature.

Angioseal versus manual compression for haemostasis following peripheral vascular diagnostic and interventional procedures--a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the angioseal device to manual compression for femoral artery puncture following peripheral vascular procedures, in the context of day case vascular procedures. One hundred patients were prospectively randomised to haemostasis using the angioseal device or manual compression following arterial puncture for peripheral vascular diagnostic or intervention procedures. Data were collected regarding time to haemostasis and complications immediately post-procedure, at 1h, 2h and at 1 week. There were 50 patients in each group. There were no significant differences in demographic variables, or in complication rates immediately, at 1h, 2h and at 1 week (Chi-squared). The only significant difference between the two groups was time to haemostasis. The mean time to haemostasis in the compression group was 10.6 min and 2.0 min in the angioseal group (t-test p<0.0001). In conclusion, no significant differences in complications were found between manual compression and angioseal. However, there was a significant difference in time to haemostasis.

Thromboelastographic changes following nonionic contrast medium injection during transfemoral angiography in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) are known to be systemically hypercoagulable and there is concern that exposing them to contrast media during angiography may exacerbate that thrombotic tendency. Many in vitro studies in which blood is exposed to contrast media suggest that nonionic contrast medium (NICM) has a weaker anticoagulant effect than ionic contrast medium (ICM) and some studies suggest that NICM can lead to activation of coagulation thus increasing the risk of thrombotic events where it is employed. We have looked at the changes in coagulation adjacent to the site of contrast injection/potential angioplasty to determine the magnitude of change locally. METHODS: We measured changes in the coagulability of aortic blood samples immediately before and within 2 min after injection of the last bolus of iohexol (NICM) prior to any intervention procedure in 30 patients with PAOD. Samples were analyzed using thromboelastography (TEG) to identify changes in the coagulability of the aortic blood samples. RESULTS: TEG tracings of samples taken from the aorta after injection of NICM showed a significant increase in R time (time to fibrin formation) (p = 0.036) and in k time (dynamics of clot formation) (p = 0.028) and a reduction in Angle (decreased acceleration of fibrin build-up) (p = 0.013), Maximal amplitude (MA) (reduced ultimate clot strength) (p = 0.018) and Coagulation Index (CI) (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: These changes in TEG parameters show that the local effect of NICM is a reduction in coagulation activity rather than the activation suggested by some previous studies.

Percutaneous abscess drainage in the UK: A national survey and single centre study.

AIM: To establish the current practice for management of radiologically placed percutaneous drains for abdominal sepsis in the UK and prospectively study the management of radiologically placed drains at our institution. METHOD: A questionnaire on the management of radiologically placed drains was sent to all radiology departments on a Royal College of Radiologists database. We prospectively followed all drains placed by our radiology department for drainage of abdominal collections, over a 7-month period. RESULTS: A total of 210 questionnaires were sent for the national survey, of these 117 were returned (55.7%). The majority of departments (70.5%) reported that after drain insertion the clinical team took over daily management. Just over 5% of departments either formally managed the drain or obtained final outcome data. From October 2003 to April 2004 we followed 63 consecutive drains placed in 45 patients, for abdominal sepsis. Thirty-nine drains (61.9%) were curative and 17 (26.9%) drains failed. Three drains (4.8%) were placed for palliation, and four drains (6.4%) were placed in order to temporise prior to surgery. Forty-three (68.3%) drains had a successful primary outcome: success after secondary percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) improved to 46 (73.0%) drains. Two (3%) major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The current approach in the UK to management of radiologically placed drains differs significantly from that practised in the USA. The most common type of support offered by radiology departments in the UK is of informal advice and follow-up, with the clinical team managing the patient's drain. Observations in our hospital highlighted problems relating to drain management that may impact on the success of PAD. We suggest that more formal radiological support after PAD would improve communication and potentially improve outcomes.

The timing and frequency of complications after peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and iliac stenting: is a change from inpatient to outpatient therapy feasible?

PURPOSE: A prospective study was performed to assess the frequency and timing of complications after transluminal angioplasty and stent placement with a view to changing our practice and performing these procedures on an outpatient basis. METHOD: A total of 266 angioplasties and 51 stent deployments were attempted on 240 consecutive patients. Immediate complications were documented by the radiologists. The timing and nature of any complications during and beyond the first 24 hr were reported by the vascular surgeons. RESULTS: There were 14 complications in 240 patients, giving a complication rate of 4.8% per vessel segment dilated. There were five major and nine minor complications. Eighty-six percent of complications were evident before the patient had left the angiography suite. All complications were evident within 4.5 hr of the procedure. CONCLUSION: The timing of complications suggests it would be reasonable to perform percutaneous transluminal angioplasties and iliac stenting on an outpatient basis in suitable patients.

The frequency and significance of silent myocardial ischemia due to hyoscine butylbromide use in peripheral angiography.

PURPOSE: Hyoscine-N-butylbromide (HB) is an anticholinergic drug used in digital subtraction angiography of the aortoiliac region because it decreases bowel gas movement artifact. HB also causes an increase in heart rate. We investigated whether this could cause silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) in susceptible patients during peripheral angiography. METHODS: Thirty-six patients undergoing peripheral angiography were randomized into two groups, with 17 patients receiving 20 mg HB intraarterially during the angiogram and 19 patients receiving no drug. All patients were fitted with a Holter monitor that recorded the electrocardiogram before, during, and after the angiogram. Heart rate trends and ST segments were then analyzed. RESULTS: Patients given HB had a statistically significant rise in heart rate compared with the control group. Although the difference was not statistically significant, two (12%) patients receiving HB had procedural ST depression compared with none in the control group. Pre- and postprocedural episodes of ST depression were common, occurring in 41% of patients receiving HB and 37% of patients receiving no drug, and were associated with an increase in heart rate. CONCLUSION: The infrequent episodes of procedural SMI, potentially caused by the positive chronotropic effects of HB, are probably insignificant when compared with the high frequency of SMI episodes occurring outside the procedure.

Giant fusiform basilar artery aneurysm: endovascular treatment by flow reversal in the basilar artery.

We report a patient presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage due to rupture of a giant fusiform aneurysm of the proximal basilar artery. The aneurysm was successfully treated by reversing blood flow in the basilar artery by balloon occlusions of both vertebral arteries proximal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery origins. Substantial thrombosis and regression of the aneurysm was evident 4 months later.