Thermal Ablation for Small Renal Masses: Identifying Anthropometric Factors for Predicting Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To test for specific anthropometric parameters to predict perioperative outcomes after thermal ablation (TA) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective single center (2008-2022) analysis of 538 T1a-b RCC patients treated with TA. We tested for specific anthropometric parameters, namely skin to tumor distance (STTD), perirenal fat thickness (PFT), median psoas muscle axial area (PMAA) and median paravertebral muscle axial area (PVMAA), to predict TRIFECTA achievement: (1) absence of CLAVIEN-DINDO≥ 3 complications; (2) complete ablation; (3) absence of ≥ 30% decrease in eGFR. Univariable (ULRM) and multivariable logistic regression models (MLRM) were used for testing TRIFECTA achievement. RESULTS: Overall, 103 patients (19%) did not achieve TRIFECTA. Of all anthropometric factors, only lower PMAA was associated with no TRIFECTA achievement (10 vs. 11 cm2, P = .02). However, ULRMs and MLRMs did not confirmed the aforementioned association. We than tested for the 3 specific TRIFECTA items. In separate ULRM and MLRM predicting incomplete ablation, both continuously coded STTD (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.02; CI: 1.01-1.03; P = .02) and STTD strata (STTD > 10 cm; OR: 2.1; CI: 1.1-4.1; P = .03) achieved independent predictor status. Conversely, in separate ULRM and MLRM predicting CLAVIEN-DINDO ≥3 complications, both continuously coded PFT (OR: 1.04; CI: 1.01-1.07; P = .01) and PFT strata (PFT ≥ 14 mm; OR: 3.3; CI: 1.6-10.2; P = .003) achieved independent predictor status. Last, none of the anthropometric parameters were associated with eGFR decrease ≥ 30%. CONCLUSION: None of the tested anthropometric parameters predicted TRIFECTA achievement. However, when the 3 specific TRIFECTA items were tested, STTD and PFT were associated with, respectively, incomplete ablation and CLAVIEN-DINDO ≥ 3 complications.

Predicting Peri-Operative Outcomes in Patients Treated with Percutaneous Thermal Ablation for Small Renal Masses: The SuNS Nephrometry Score.

Our objective was to develop a new, simple, and ablation-specific nephrometry score to predict peri-operative outcomes and to compare its predictive accuracy to PADUA and RENAL scores. Overall, 418 patients were treated with percutaneous thermal ablation (microwave and radiofrequency) between 2008 and 2021. The outcome of interest was trifecta status (achieved vs. not achieved): incomplete ablation or Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3 complications or postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease ≥ 30%. First, we validated the discrimination ability of the PADUA and RENAL scoring systems. Second, we created and internally validated a novel scoring (SuNS) system, according to multivariable logistic regression models. The predictive accuracy of the model was tested in terms of discrimination and calibration. Overall, 89 (21%) patients did not achieve trifecta. PADUA and RENAL scores showed poor ability to predict trifecta status (c-indexes 0.60 [0.53-0.67] and 0.62 [0.55-0.69], respectively). We, therefore, developed the SuNS model (c-index: 0.74 [0.67-0.79]) based on: (1) contact surface area; (2) nearness to renal sinus or urinary collecting system; (3) tumour diameter. Three complexity classes were created: low (3-4 points; 11% of no trifecta) vs. moderate (5-6 points; 30% of no trifecta) vs. high (7-8 points; 65% of no trifecta) complexity. Limitations include the retrospective and single-institution nature of the study. In conclusion, we developed an immediate, simple, and reproducible ablation-specific nephrometry score (SuNS) that outperformed PADUA and RENAL nephrometry scores in predicting peri-operative outcomes. External validation is required before daily practice implementation.

Image-Guided Ablations in Patients with Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed tumors and a leading cause of death. The high risk of local recurrence and distant metastases represent a significant clinical issue. Different image-guided ablation techniques can be applied for their treatment as an alternative to surgery, radiotherapy or systemic treatments. A retrospective analysis was conducted at our institution, including a total number of 34 RCC patients and 44 recurrent RCC tumors in different locations (kidney, lung, adrenal gland, liver, pancreas, pararenal and other) using microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation and laser ablation. The estimated time to local and distant tumor progression after treatment were 22.53 ± 5.61 months and 24.23 ± 4.47 months, respectively. Systemic treatment was initiated in 10/34 (29%) treated patients with a mean time-to-systemic-therapy of 40.92 ± 23.98 months. Primary technical success was achieved in all cases and patients while the primary efficacy rate was achieved in 43/44 (98%) cases and 33/34 (97%) patients, respectively, with a secondary technical success and efficacy rate of 100%. At a mean follow-up of 57.52 months ± 27.86 months, local tumor progression occurred in 3/44 (7%) cases and distant progression in 25/34 (74%) patients. No significant complications occurred. Image-guided ablations can play a role in helping to better control recurrent disease, avoiding or delaying the administration of systemic therapies and their significant adverse effects.

Prospective Cohort Study Quantifying the Effect of the LevaLap 1.0 on the Distance between the Abdominal Wall and Intra-abdominal Viscera.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: More than 13 million laparoscopic procedures are performed globally every year. The LevaLap 1.0 device may facilitate safe abdominal access when using the Veress needle for initial abdominal insufflation during laparoscopic surgery. We undertook this study to test the hypothesis that use of the LevaLap 1.0 would increase the distance from the abdominal wall to underlying viscera and the retroperitoneum, including from major vessels. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Referral center. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients scheduled to undergo an interventional radiology procedure under general anesthesia and muscle relaxation. INTERVENTIONS: Application of the LevaLap 1.0 device on the umbilicus and on Palmer's point, during computed tomography scanning. MEASUREMENTS: Distance from the abdominal wall to the underlying bowel and to retroperitoneal blood vessels and more distant intra-abdominal organs before and after vacuum was applied to the LevaLap 1.0. MAIN RESULTS: The device did not significantly increase the distance from the abdominal wall to the immediate underlying bowel. Alternatively, the LevaLap 1.0 created a significant increase in the distance between the abdominal wall at the access point and more distant intra-abdominal organs at the umbilicus and at Palmer's point (mean ± SD: +3.91 ± 2.32 cm, p = .001, and +3.41 ± 3.12 cm, p = .001, respectively). At the umbilicus, the device increased the distance between the abdominal wall and the anterior wall of the vena cava by +5.32 ± 1.22 cm (p = .004) or the anterior wall of the aorta by 5.49 ± 1.40 cm (p = .004). At Palmer's point, the device increased the distance between the anterior abdominal wall and the colon and/or small bowel by 2.13 ± 1.81 cm (p = .023). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The LevaLap 1.0 increased the distance between abdominal wall and major retroperitoneal blood vessels by >5 cm, promoting safer access during Veress needle insufflation when performing laparoscopic surgery.

High-dose continuous-infusion ifosfamide in advanced thymic epithelial Tumors: A TYME network study.

BACKGROUND: We reported the efficacy and safety results of high-dose, continuous-infusion Ifosfamide,in patients with advanced thymoma (TM) and thymic carcinoma (TC). METHODS: This was a multicentric, prospective study in patients with advanced TM or TC, who had progressed after at least one line of platinum-based chemotherapy. Previous treatment with an anti-angiogenesis or anti-PD(L)1 was allowed. Patients received Ifosfamide (1 g/m2/day) and sodium-2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (1 g/m2/day), as continuous infusion, via a portable pumps for 14 consecutive days. Treatment was administered every 4 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity, up to a maximum of 6 cycles. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR) assessed by RECIST1.1. Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were enrolled from October 2020 to January 2022. Twelve patients had a TC, 5 a TM and 1 a mixed TM/TC. Sixty-one percent of patients (11/18) had stage IVB disease according to Masaoka-Koga, and 39% (7/18) had an ECOG-PS 2. The median number of previous lines of therapy was 2 (range:1-5), and 72% (13/18) and 61% (11/18) of patients were pretreated with an anti-angiogenesis drug and an anti-PD(L)1 drug respectively. The ORR and the disease control rate (DCR) were 28 % (95 %CI: 10 %-53 %) and 67 % (95 %CI: 41 %-86 %), respectively. The median follow-up for PFS was 17.3 months (95 %CI: 4.3-NA), and median PFS was 5.4 months (95 %CI: 2.9-6.4). The median duration of response and SD was respectively 19.6 months (95 %CI: 3.5-NA) and 6.0 months (95 % CI: 3.8-6.4). In patients with TC, the ORR and DCR were 15 % (95 % CI: 2 %-45 %) and 54 % (95 % CI: 25 %-81 %), respectively. In the subgroup of 5 patients with TM, 2 PR and 3 SD were observed. Most patients had only mild (grade 1-2) AEs, the most common being nausea and vomiting (39%; 7/18) and transaminases elevation (33%; 6/18). Twenty-two percent of patients (4/18) experienced an AEs of grade 3 and required ifosfamide dose reduction. No patients had severe AEs. CONCLUSION: High-dose continuous-infusion Ifosfamide can be considered as a valuable treatment option in patients with advanced thymic epithelial tumors.

Thermal ablation for small renal masses: Identifying the most appropriate tumor size cut-off for predicting perioperative and oncological outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To test TRIFECTA achievement [1) absence of CLAVIEN-DINDO ≥3 complications; 2) complete ablation; 3) absence of ≥30% decrease in eGFR] and local recurrence rates, according to tumor size, in patients treated with thermal ablation (TA: radiofrequency [RFA] and microwave ablation [MWA]) for small renal masses. METHODS: Retrospective analysis (2008-2020) of 432 patients treated with TA (RFA: 162 vs. MWA: 270). Tumor size was evaluated as: 1) continuously coded variable (cm); 2) tumor size strata (0.1-2 vs. 2.1-3 vs. 3.1-4 vs. >4 cm). Multivariable logistic regression models and a minimum P-value approach were used for testing TRIFECTA achievement. Kaplan-Meier plots depicted local recurrence rates over time. RESULTS: Overall, 162 (37.5%) vs. 140 (32.4%) vs. 82 (19.0%) vs. 48 (11.1%) patients harboured, respectively, 0.1 to 2 vs. 2.1 to 3 vs. 3.1 to 4 vs. >4 cm tumors. In multivariable logistic regression models, increasing tumor size was associated with higher rates of no TRIFECTA achievement (OR:1.11; P< 0.001). Using a minimum P-value approach, an optimal tumor size cut-off of 3.2 cm was identified (P< 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression models, 3.1 to 4 cm tumors (OR:1.27; P< 0.001) and >4 cm tumors (OR:1.49; P< 0.001), but not 2.1 to 3 cm tumors (OR:1.05; P= 0.3) were associated with higher rates of no TRIFECTA achievement, relative to 0.1 to 2 cm tumors. The same results were observed in separate analyses of RFA vs. MWA patients. After a median (IQR) follow-up time of 22 (12-44) months, 8 (4.9%), 8 (5.7%), 11 (13.4%), and 5 (10.4%) local recurrences were observed in tumors sized 0.1 to 2 vs. 2.1 to 3 vs. 3.1 to 4 vs. >4 cm, respectively (P= 0.01). CONCLUSION: A tumor size cut-off value of ≤3 cm is associated with higher rates of TRIFECTA achievement and lower rates of local recurrence over time in patients treated with TA for small renal masses.

Small-size (40 µm) Beads Loaded with Irinotecan in the Treatment of Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate survival outcomes and safety after chemoembolization using irinotecan-loaded small-size beads (DEB-IRI) in patients with colorectal liver metastases unresponsive to standard chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2013 and August 2019, fifty-five patients (32 males, median age 64.5 years) with pretreated colorectal liver metastases unresponsive to standard chemotherapy underwent 197 chemoembolization procedures (mean 3.6 ± 2.3 SD per patient). Thirty patients (30/55; 55%) had extrahepatic disease metastatic to the lungs, lymph nodes or peritoneum. Local tumor control was evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Median overall survival, survival rates at 1 and 2 year and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: Local tumor control was achieved in 32/55 (58%), 12/55 (22%), 4/55 (7%) and 2/55 (4%) patients at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. Median overall survival was 9.9 months (95% CI: 6.2-14.2 months) with 1- and 2-year survival rates of 45% and 15%, respectively. A total of 30 (15%) G1-G3 treatment-related adverse events occurred across all embolization procedures. No severe treatment-related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Chemoembolization using irinotecan-loaded small-size beads is a safe and effective procedure as a salvage treatment in patients with colorectal liver metastases, showing good results in terms of liver-specific progression free survival and overall survival.

Multi-institutional analysis of outcomes for thermosphere microwave ablation treatment of colorectal liver metastases: the SMAC study.

OBJECTIVES: Oligometastatic colorectal cancer benefits of locoregional treatments but data concerning microwave ablation (MWA) are limited and interactions with systemic therapy are still debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and effectiveness of Thermosphere™ MWA (T-MWA) of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) and factors affecting local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS). METHODS: In this multi-institutional retrospective study (January 2015-September 2019), patients who underwent T-MWA for CLM were enrolled. Complications according to SIR classification were collected, primary efficacy and LTP were calculated. Analyzed variables included CLM size at diagnosis and at ablation, CLM number, ablation margins, intra-segment progression, chemotherapy before ablation (CBA), variations in size (ΔSDIA-ABL), and velocity of size variation (VDIA-ABL) between CLM diagnosis and ablation. Uni/multivariate analyses were performed using mixed effects Cox model to account for the hierarchical structure of data, patient/lesions. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two patients with 213 CLM were evaluated. Complications were reported in 6/150 procedures (4%); no biliary complications occurred. Primary efficacy was achieved in 204/213 CLM (95.7%). LTP occurred in 58/204 CLM (28.4%). Six-, twelve-, and eighteen-month LTPFS were 88.2%, 75.8%, and 69.9%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, CLM size at ablation (p = 0.00045), CLM number (p = 0.046), ablation margin < 5 mm (p = 0.0035), and intra-segment progression (p < 0.0001) were statistically significant for LTPFS. ΔSDIA-ABL (p = 0.63) and VDIA-ABL (p = 0.38) did not affect LTPFS. Ablation margins in the chemo-naïve group were larger than those in the CBA group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: T-MWA is a safe and effective technology with adequate LTPFS rates. Intra-segment progression is significantly linked to LTPFS. CBA does not affect LTPFS. Anticipating ablation before chemotherapy may take the advantages of adequate tumor size with correct ablation margin planning. KEY POINTS: • Thermosphere™-Microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment for colorectal liver metastases with no registered biliary complications in more than 200 ablations. • Metastases size at time of ablation, intra-segment progression, and minimal ablation margin < 5 mm were found statistically significant for local tumor progression-free survival. • Chemotherapy before ablation modifies kinetics growth of the lesions but deteriorates ablation margins and does not significantly impact local tumor progression-free survival.

Hemorrhoids Embolization: State of the Art and Future Directions.

Hemorrhoidal disease is a frustrating problem that has a relevant impact on patients' psychological, social, and physical well-being. Recently, endovascular embolization of hemorrhoids has emerged as a promising mini-invasive solution with respect to surgical treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the indications, technical aspects, clinical outcomes, and future prospective of endovascular embolization of symptomatic hemorrhoid patients.

Real-Time US-CT fusion imaging for guidance of thermal ablation in of renal tumors invisible or poorly visible with US: results in 97 cases.

PURPOSE: To assess the capability of ultrasound-computed tomography (US-CT) fusion imaging to guide a precise targeting of renal tumors invisible or poorly visible with US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2016 renal tumors poorly visible or inconspicuous/invisible at US were treated at our institution with the guidance of US/CT fusion in a room equipped with CT scanner. Feasibility of the procedure, accuracy of targeting, complications, and technique efficacy were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 227 patients treated from 2016 to March 2020, 91 patients (65 males and 26 females, mean age 68.5 ± 10.1 years) with 97 renal lesions (mean maximum diameter 21.6 ± 9.4 mm) inconspicuous/invisible (29/97, 29.9%) or poorly visible (68/97, 70.1%) at US underwent treatment under US-CT fusion guidance. US-CT fusion imaging guidance was always technically feasible and enabled correct targeting in 97/97/(100%) of cases. Technical success was achieved in 93/97 lesions (95.9%). Three lesions were retreated during the same ablative session, while 1 was retreated in a subsequent session. Thus, primary efficacy was achieved in one session in 96/97 (98.9%) cases and secondary efficacy in 97/97 (100%) cases. CONCLUSION: US-CT image fusion guidance allows for a correct tumor targeting of renal tumors poorly visible or inconspicuous/invisible with US alone, with a high rate of technical success and technique efficacy.

Local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma successfully treated with fusion imaging-guided percutaneous thermal ablation.

Image-guided thermal ablations are increasingly applied in the treatment of renal cancers, under the guidance of ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT). Fusion imaging allows exploitation of the strengths of all imaging modalities simultaneously, eliminating or minimising the weaknesses of every single modality. We present a case of a 68-year-old patient treated using US/CT fusion imaging to guide radiofrequency ablation for local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma undetectable by ultrasound.

Image-guided thermal ablation of central renal tumors with retrograde cold pyeloperfusion technique: a monocentric experience.

Purpose: To evaluate feasibility, safety and efficacy of image-guided thermal ablations associated with retrograde pyeloperfusion in patients with centrally located renal tumors.Materials and methods: 48 patients (15 women, 33 men, mean age 69.1 ± 11.8) were treated with image-guided thermal ablation associated with pyeloperfusion for 58 centrally located renal tumors (mean diameter 32.3 ± 7.32 mm). 7 patients had a single kidney. Microwave and radiofrequency ablation were used. All treatments were performed with ultrasound, CT, or fusion imaging guidance under general anesthesia and simultaneous retrograde cold pyeloperfusion technique.Results: Procedure was feasible in all cases. Technical success and primary technical efficacy were reached in 51/58 (88%) and 45/54 tumors (83%). With a second ablation performed in 5 tumors, secondary technical efficacy was achieved in 50/50 (100%) tumors. Minor and major complications occurred in 8/58 (13%) and 5/58 (8%) tumors. No significative change in renal function occurred after treatment.During follow-up, 5 recurrences occurred, that were retreated with a second ablation. At last follow up (mean 32.2 ± 22.0 months), 41/48 (85%) treated patients were free from disease. The median TTP and PFS were 27.0 (range, 2.3-80.0) and 26.5 months (range, 2.3-80.0), respectively.Conclusion: Image-guided thermal ablation associated with protective pyeloperfusion is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment option for patients with central renal tumors with a minimal impact on renal function and relevant potential to avoid nephrectomy.

Long-Term Follow-Up Outcomes after Percutaneous US/CT-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for cT1a-b Renal Masses: Experience from Single High-Volume Referral Center.

Image-guided thermal ablations are increasingly applied in the treatment of renal cancers, under the guidance of ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT). Sometimes, multiple ablations are needed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term results in patients with renal mass treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with both US and CT, with a focus on the multiple ablations rate. 149 patients (median age 67 years) underwent RFA from January 2008 to June 2015. Median tumor diameter was 25 mm (IQR 17-32 mm). Median follow-up was 54 months (IQR 44-68). 27 (18.1%) patients received multiple successful ablations, due to incomplete ablation (10 patients), local tumor progression (8 patients), distant tumor progression (4 patients) or multiple tumor foci (5 patients), with a primary and secondary technical efficacy of 100%. Complications occurred in 13 (8.7%) patients (6 grade A, 5 grade C, 2 grade D). 24 patients died during follow-up, all for causes unrelated to renal cancer. In conclusion, thermal ablations with the guidance of US and CT are safe and effective in the treatment of renal tumors in the long-term period, with a low rate of patients requiring multiple treatments over the course of their disease.

Pancreatic ablation: minimally invasive treatment options.

Despite the significant improvement of knowledge and technologies in tumor treatments, pancreatic tumor remains a complex disease still characterized by a poor prognosis. The increasing role of minimally invasive techniques started to drive the effort of scientific medicine to evaluate the possibilities of application of these techniques to pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this paper is to present a brief summary of the different ablative techniques available and proposed for pancreatic tumor treatment considering invasive, noninvasive, thermal and non-thermal techniques.

Cone-Beam CT-Assisted Ablation of Renal Tumors: Preliminary Results.

INTRODUCTION: Renal ablation is a recognized treatment modality for small renal masses. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) has been recently used in interventional oncology as a promising new guidance device, but this technology still needs to be validated for renal ablations. We aimed to assess the technical success of CBCT applications in renal ablative treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2016 and June 2018, 14 patients (mean age 69, range 54-83, 7F, 7M) underwent 21 renal ablations for histologically proven renal cell carcinoma (RCC). All treatments were performed with ultrasound (US) and CBCT guidance under general anesthesia in a dedicated angiography room setting. CBCT was mainly used to assess needle placement and to exclude complications at the end of the procedure. In two small lesions (< 1 cm), pre-acquired CBCT was co-registered with real-time US to obtain a US-CBCT fusion image guidance for tumor ablation. RESULTS: Whether used alone or in combination with other imaging modalities, CBCT was proven to be technically successful in all 21 procedures to guide or assist tumor ablation. A primary technical efficacy of thermal ablation was achieved in 19/21 ablations (90.1%) at 1 month. Mean procedure duration was 100.2 min (range 160-64). Mean length of hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-10 days). All patients are still under active surveillance for a mean follow-up of 14.5 months (range 4-26 months). CONCLUSIONS: CBCT for renal ablation guidance is a viable tool. Larger series are needed to compare it to MDCT.

Percutaneous laser ablation for benign and malignant thyroid diseases.

Minimally invasive image-guided thermal ablation is becoming increasingly common as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Among the various techniques for thermal ablation, laser ablation (LA) is the least invasive, using the smallest applicators available on the market and enabling extremely precise energy deposition. However, in some cases, multiple laser fibers must be used simultaneously for the treatment of large nodules. In this review, the LA technique is described, and its main clinical applications and results are discussed and illustrated.

Long-term survival with erlotinib in advanced lung adenocarcinoma harboring synchronous EGFR G719S and KRAS G12C mutations.

Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutations were thought to be mutually exclusive in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the development of high sensitive large-scale mutation analysis, has increasingly shown that activating EGFR mutations occasionally coexist with other dominant genetic alterations. Herein, we discuss the case of a patient with advanced NSCLC harboring both the uncommon EGFR G719S and the KRAS G12C mutations, who was treated for 9 years with erlotinib achieving a long-term survival. In light of their rarity, multiple mutations are very challenging for the decision of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treatment, especially when EGFR mutations occur together with mutations known to provide resistance to EGFR TKIs, such as KRAS.

Trans Arterial Embolization of Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Is the Use of Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer as Safe as Coils?

PURPOSE: The safety of liquid embolics over the conventional coils for the treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) approach is still unclear. Purpose of this study is to assess the safety of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH 6%) over coils in the treatment of UGIB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the upper gastrointestinal tract embolization procedures performed in a single center in a 6-year period were reviewed. Patients embolised with coils (Group A) versus those embolised with EVOH 6% (Group B) were compared. Technical/clinical success, bleeding recurrence, complication and mortality rates were analyzed. RESULTS: A total 71 patients were included in the study (41 Group A and 30 Group B). Coagulopathy was present in 21% of Group A and 46% of Group B patients (p < 0.05). Technical and clinical success was 97.6 and 92.7% for Group A, and 100 and 93.3% for Group B respectively, (p > 0.05). Ten patients (17% Group A; 10% Group B) re-bled within the first 36 h and all of them were re-treated successfully with a second embolization. In Group A one major complication (bowel ischemia) occurred. No complication occurred in Group B. The survival rate in the first 30 days was 90.3% for group A and 90% for group B (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated EVOH 6% appears to be as safe and effective as coils in the treatment of non-variceal UGIB.

Comparison between locked and unlocked intramedullary nails in intertrochanteric fractures.

BACKGROUND: Intertrochanteric fractures are of great interest worldwide and are the most frequently operated fractures. Intramedullary nailing is commonly used in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. The purpose of this study is to assess the necessity of using the distal blocking screw in 31-A1 and 31-A2 fractures, classified according to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification system (AO/OTA). METHODS: This is a prospective study of 143 consecutive patients (mean age 85.01 years, mean final follow-up 14.1 months) surgically treated with the same intramedullary nail. In 75 cases, the distal locking screw was not used. Parameters evaluated during follow-up were: blood loss, transfusion requirements, surgery duration, and fluoroscopy time. Harris Hip Score and Barthel Activity Daily Living were used for the clinical evaluation. Radiographic Union Score For Hip (RUSH score) and Tip apex distance (TAD) were measured for radiologic evaluation. RESULTS: The group treated without locking screw showed significantly shorter surgical duration time (31.9 vs. 47.2 min), a decrease in blood loss (variation Hb - 1.06 vs. - 1.97), and reduced X-rays exposure time (25.4 vs. 31.6 s). No significant differences were observed in the postoperative period and in the radiographic and clinical scores. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that in intertrochanteric 31-A1 and 31-A2 stable fractures, the absence of distal locking screw does not compromise bone healing and prevents several clinical complications.