Radiologic and clinical results of transarterial ethanol embolization for renal angiomyolipoma.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of selective arterial embolization for renal angiomyolipoma (AML) using ethanol alone or ethanol with additional embolic materials and to analyze the factors influencing safety and efficacy. METHODS: One hundred nineteen AMLs treated with embolization were included retrospectively during a 15-year period. Technical, radiologic, and clinical success were recorded and risk factor analysis was performed. Complications on follow-up images, post-embolization syndrome (PES), major complications, and changes in renal function were also evaluated. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 106 of 119 tumors. Tumor size significantly decreased after treatment (reduction rate: 55%). Significant risk factors for tumor reduction included tumor enhancement on preprocedural CT and residual tumor staining. Radiologic success was achieved in 114 of 119 tumors (risk factor: residual tumor staining), and clinical success was achieved in 22 of 23 patients. Complications on follow-up images occurred in 40 of 119 tumors, and PES occurred in 53 of 104 patients. No major complications occurred. There were no cases of renal function impairment. CONCLUSION: Selective transarterial embolization using ethanol alone or ethanol with additional embolic materials reduced AML size, alleviated symptoms, and can be performed safely without permanent impairment. KEY POINTS: • Percutaneous transarterial ethanol embolization reduces AML size and alleviates symptoms. • Embolization can be performed safely without permanent impairment of renal function.

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy with single gastropexy: outcomes in 636 patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the technical success and overall complication rate of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) with single gastropexy using a separate tract from that used for tube placement. METHODS: From January 2014 to December 2018, 636 patients (469 men, 167 women; mean age 66.8 years; age range, 22-98 years) underwent PRG using single gastropexy at a tertiary center. Preprocedural computed tomography (CT) was recommended if there were no data on the location of the stomach on previous CT. After a single anchor was applied, the PRG tube was inserted through a separate tract from that used for tube placement. The technical success rate and major and minor complications were retrospectively reviewed. The number of patients and percentages were used as descriptive statistics for evaluating the complication rate. RESULTS: The technical success rate of PRG with single gastropexy was 99.2% (631/636). There were 32 complications among the 631 procedures. There were 19 (3.0%) major complications, including peritonitis (n = 7), migration (n = 5), infection (n=4), malposition (n = 2), and bleeding (n = 1). There were 13 (2.1%) minor complications, including local infection (n = 11), malfunction (n = 1), and pneumoperitoneum (n = 1). The overall complication rate within 30 days of PRG placement was 4.1% (26/631). CONCLUSIONS: PRG with single gastropexy using a separate tract from that used for tube placement is technically feasible with a low complication rate. KEY POINTS: • Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy with single gastropexy using a separate tract from that used for tube placement is technically feasible. • Complications including peritonitis and bleeding were comparatively low with the conventional technique.

Endovascular treatment results and risk factors for complications of body and extremity arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the complication rate and treatment outcomes of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) during a 20-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 306 patients (135 men, 171 women; mean age, 30.8 years) with body and extremity AVMs who were treated between 1996 and 2017. A total of 913 sessions of endovascular treatment were performed. Patients were divided into two decades of the study period to compare complications and clinical results. Group 1 comprised 107 patients treated in the first decade of the study period, and group 2 comprised 199 patients treated in the last decade. AVMs were classified according to the angiographic findings. Complication rates, number of treatment sessions, and treatment results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Minor complication (group 1, 20.1%; group 2, 18.5%) and major complication (group 1, 3.1%; group 2, 4.1%) rates were similar between groups (P = .79). The mean number of treatment sessions in group 1 and group 2 was 4.2 and 2.3, respectively, indicating a 45% reduction in treatment sessions (P < .0001). The treatment failure rate decreased from 9.3% in group 1 to 1.5% in group 2 (P = .04). The clinical success rate was 54.2% in group 1 and 64.3% in group 2 (P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: With an accumulation of AVM treatment experience, the number of treatment sessions and the rate of treatment failures were significantly reduced.

A novel, ring-connected stent versus conventional GI stents: comparative study of physical properties and migration rates in a canine colon obstruction model.

BACKGROUND: Migration of stents is one of the most common adverse events in covered stent placement in GI tract obstruction. OBJECTIVE: To compare physical property and migration rates in a canine colon obstruction model among a novel stent and conventional stents. DESIGN: Comparative physical test and animal study. SETTING: Medical device testing laboratory and animal laboratory. SUBJECTS: Mongrel dogs (N=26). INTERVENTIONS: Surgical colon obstruction followed by placement of a novel (n=13) or conventional (n=13) stent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Physical properties, migration, and adverse events. RESULTS: The novel stent showed better flexibility, as in a physical test of longitudinal compressibility and axial force, than did conventional stents, and it withstood the fatigue test for 10 days. In terms of radial force and tensile strength, the novel stent showed the same or better results than conventional stents. In a canine colon obstruction model, the migration rate of a novel stent was significantly lower than that of a conventional stent (2/13, 15.4% vs 8/13, 61.5%; P=.008). LIMITATIONS: Animal study of limited size. CONCLUSION: The novel, ring-connected stent is more flexible and more resistant to migration than the conventional stents.

Transarterial chemoembolization as first-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinomas infeasible for ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation: a retrospective cohort study of 116 patients.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently infeasible even for very early or early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to various reasons such as inconspicuous tumors or absence of a safe electrode path and the infeasibility rate is reportedly as high as 45%. In such cases, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a commonly practiced alternative. PURPOSE: To analyze long-term outcomes including tumor progression patterns and factors contributing to survival of patients who received TACE as the first line of therapy for very early or early stage HCC infeasible for US-guided RFA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2006 through October 2009, 116 patients with very early or early stage HCCs underwent the first-line therapy TACE after their tumors were deemed infeasible for RFA. Long-term survival rates were calculated and prognostic factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The patterns and rates of tumor progression or recurrence were also evaluated. RESULTS: The 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates of the whole cohort were 94.7%, 68.4%, and 47.2% with a mean overall survival of 53.1 months (95% CI: 48.2-58.0). Preserved liver function with Child-Pugh class A was the only independent factor associated with longer survival. The most common first tumor progression pattern was intrahepatic distant recurrence. The cumulative rates of local tumor progression and intrahepatic distant recurrence at 1, 3, and 5 years were 33% and 22%, 52% and 49%, and 73% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TACE is a viable first-line treatment of HCC infeasible for RFA, especially when liver function was preserved.

Efficacy of RECIST and mRECIST criteria as prognostic factors in patients undergoing repeated iodized oil chemoembolization of intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Given that transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is usually a repeated procedure for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), repeated radiologic response assessments rather than a single time point assessment may have different clinical implications through the repeated course of TACE. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of RECIST and mRECIST criteria as a survival predictor across early time points after repeated TACE of HCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with intermediate stage HCC received repeated iodized oil TACE. Treatment response was assessed according to RECIST and mRECIST criteria at 1, 3, and 6 months after initial TACE. Cox proportional model was used for survival analysis and the predicting power of each time point response was evaluated with C-statistics and time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Inter-method agreement was assessed with the κ coefficient. RESULTS: mRECIST was not applicable in 15 patients because of patchy uptake of iodized oil after TACE. On multivariate analysis, responders at 6 months by RECIST, responders at 3 months, and 6 months by mRECIST showed better survival than non-responders (P < 0.05). Predicting power of response criteria improved over time and mRECIST at 6 months showed the best performance. The degree of agreements was poor or fair between RECIST and mRECIST. CONCLUSION: mRECIST predicted long-term survival as early as 3 months after TACE of intermediate stage HCC. The predicting power of the uni-dimensional response criteria tended to be stronger over time.

A novel animal model of gastrointestinal obstruction for the development of stent.

BACKGROUND: The need for newer gastrointestinal (GI) stents has been continuously raised. Newly developed stents are generally tested for physical properties in vitro and directly introduced to clinical practice because there is no reliable animal model of GI obstruction. The aim of this study was to establish an animal model both that can represent obstruction of the GI tract and be used to develop new stents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgical obstruction of the descending colon by wrapping with a nonabsorbable synthetic mesh and rubber bands was made in 17 healthy mongrel dogs. Four days later, a covered self-expanding metallic stent was placed for the obstructed segment in each dog under fluoroscopic guidance. Patency and migration of the inserted stents were evaluated clinically on a daily basis and fluoroscopically on a weekly basis. After sacrifice of the dogs, the degree and extent of residual colonic obstruction were assessed fluoroscopically. The specimen of the colonic obstructed segment was examined microscopically. RESULTS: In all 17 mongrel dogs, segmental obstruction in the descending colon was successfully created and confirmed with fluoroscopic examination using a contrast medium. The percentage of luminal narrowing ranged from 99%-100%. Stent placement was technically successful in all 17 dogs. During the follow-up period, stent migration occurred in 12 dogs and indwelling time of a stent ranged from 0-95 d (mean 29.2 ± 38.8 d). On postmortem pathologic examination, it was found that fibrosis had newly formed outside the colonic longitudinal muscle layer in all dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Our canine colonic obstruction model is the first animal model that can be feasible for developing a new design of stent and provide in vivo data on complications, particularly stent migration.

Predictive factors for response of peripheral arteriovenous malformations to embolization therapy: analysis of clinical data and imaging findings.

PURPOSE: To find a significant predictive factor for the efficacy of endovascular treatment of peripheral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-six patients (73 male patients and 103 female patients; mean age, 29.4 y) who underwent treatment for AVMs in the body or extremities were included. Per Schobinger classification, lesions in 31 patients (18%) were stage II, those in 136 (77%) were stage III, and those in nine (5%) were stage IV. AVMs were located in the extremities in 130 patients (74%) and in the trunk in 46 patients (26%). AVMs were angiographically classified as type I (n = 1), type II (n = 36), type IIIa (n = 6), type IIIb (n = 9 1), or complex type (n = 42). Demographic factors, clinical data, and imaging data were analyzed to determine a statistically significant relationship with overall clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 68 patients (39%) were cured, 91 patients (52%) showed a partial response, nine patients (5%) showed no response, treatment failed in seven patients (4%), and treatment aggravated the condition in one patient (1%). The overall complication rate was 45% (79 of 176 patients). Minor complications developed in 62 patients (35%) and major complications developed in 17 (10%). Statistically, the extent of AVMs (odds ratio, 0.199) and angiographic classification (odds ratio, 0.162) were significant predictive factors for overall clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of peripheral AVMs, planned with consideration of anatomic extent and angiographic subtypes, is likely to yield good clinical results with low complication rates.

Can percutaneous cholecystostomy be a definitive management for acute acalculous cholecystitis?

GOALS: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcome of percutaneous cholecystostomy without additional cholecystectomy as a definitive treatment for acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). BACKGROUND: AAC mainly occurs in seriously ill patients, and for those considered to be at high-risk for cholecystectomy, immediate percutaneous cholecystostomy can be a simple alternative interim treatment. However, no consensus has been reached on the issue of additional cholecystectomy. STUDY: The medical records of 57 patients that underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy for AAC at a single institution between 1995 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Percutaneous cholecystostomy was technically successful in all patients, and no major complications relating to the procedure were encountered. Symptoms resolved within 4 days in 53 of the 57 (93%) patients. The in-hospital mortality rate was 21% (11/57) and elective cholecystectomy was performed in 18/57 (31%). Twenty-eight patients were managed non-operatively and cholecystostomy tubes were subsequently removed. These 28 patients were follow-up over a median 32 months and recurrent cholecystitis occurred in 2 (7%). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous cholecystostomy is an effective procedure and a good alternative for patients unfit to undergo immediate surgery because of severe sepsis or an underlying comorbidity. After patients with AAC have recovered from percutaneous cholecystostomy, further treatment such as cholecystectomy might not be needed.

Risk factors for stent occlusion after catheter-directed thrombolysis and iliac vein stenting in the treatment of May-Thurner syndrome with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for stent occlusion in patients with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) secondary to May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and iliac vein stenting. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 44 patients who underwent CDT and iliac vein stenting for MTS with iliofemoral DVT between October 2001 and March 2018. MTS was diagnosed based on extrinsic compression of the left common iliac vein (CIV) by the overlying right common iliac artery (CIA) on computed tomography (CT). Clinical records of the study population were reviewed to collect baseline data, procedural characteristics, and outcomes. Final venograms showing diffuse and irregular wall thickening in the iliofemoral vein were considered to indicate a chronic post-thrombotic lesion. The stent position was categorized as follows: confluence coverage without touching the contralateral inferior vena cava (IVC) wall, IVC extension contacting the contralateral IVC wall, or distal to the iliocaval junction. Stent patency was assessed using duplex ultrasonography. Risk factors for stent occlusion were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Results: The median duplex ultrasound follow-up period was 25 months (range, 1-196 months). The overall cumulative patency rate at 12 months was 70.0%. In the univariate Cox regression, factors significantly associated with stent occlusion included symptom duration >2 weeks before CDT, partial thrombolysis (50-99% of thrombus removal), chronic post-thrombotic lesions, and stent position. Multivariate Cox regression showed that chronic post-thrombotic lesions [hazard ratio (HR) =7.15; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-38.81; P=0.023] and a stent distal to the iliocaval junction (HR =5.59; 95% CI: 1.46-21.38; P=0.012) were significantly associated with stent occlusion. Conclusions: Chronic post-thrombotic lesion and a stent distal to the iliocaval junction were important risk factors for stent occlusion in patients who underwent CDT and iliac vein stenting.

Heavily calcified occlusive lesions of the iliac artery: long-term patency and CT findings after stent placement.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of heavy calcification on iliac arterial stent expansion and patency and to define the spatial relationship between the stent and heavy calcifications on computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients (11 men, two women; mean age, 66.5 y) with 14 heavily calcified iliac arteries received primary stent treatment between 1998 and 2008. Anatomic success was defined by less than 30% residual stenosis on final follow-up CT angiography. Hemodynamic success was defined as an increase in the ankle-brachial index (ABI) of at least 0.15 versus baseline. Clinical success was defined by achievement of clinical improvement of at least one clinical category. Stent patency; anatomic, hemodynamic, and clinical success rate; morphology of heavy calcifications; calcium score; and stent geometry were evaluated. RESULTS: Stents were successfully inserted in all cases. During a mean follow-up of 33.6 months (range, 8-55 mo), the stent-implanted iliac arteries remained anatomically patent in all patients on final follow-up. The anatomic, hemodynamic, and clinical success rates were 28.6%, 60%, and 78.6%, respectively. Mean ABIs were 0.68 ± 0.22 before the procedure and 0.91 ± 0.23 after the procedure (P = .021). Mean luminal stenosis measurements were 77.9% before the procedure and 47.9% after the procedure (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Iliac stents in heavily calcified lesions showed hemodynamically significant residual stenosis in a considerable number of cases. However, stent patency was not affected even with incomplete expansion of the stent.

Uterine artery embolization for emergent management of postpartum hemorrhage associated with placenta accreta.

BACKGROUND: Although uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a well-recognized alternative treatment for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) with a high clinical efficacy, the reported success rate of UAE for PPH associated with placenta accreta (PA) is lower. Recently, with advances in techniques and expertise, a few studies have reported favorable results of UAE in controlling PPH in the setting of PA. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of UAE in the emergent management of intractable PPH associated with PA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen consecutive patients who underwent emergent UAE for the management of PPH associated with PA were included in this retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed regarding the delivery and UAE procedure. Follow-up gynecologic outcomes after UAE were obtained by telephone interview. RESULTS: UAE successfully controlled PPH in 14 patients (82.4%). Three patients underwent hysterectomy after UAE failed to stop the bleeding. All hysterectomy cases were accompanied by uterine atony or total placenta previa. Relevant gynecologic findings were obtained from 10 patients; three patients were breastfeeding and seven patients resumed normal menstruation, including one pregnancy. CONCLUSION: UAE appears to be a safe and effective means by which to control PPH associated with PA. PA complicated by uterine atony or placenta previa may be at increased risk of UAE failure.

Ischemic liver injuries after hepatic artery embolization in patients with delayed postoperative hemorrhage following hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Many collateral pathways to the liver are dissected during hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery and, if the arterial bleeding is massive and a hematoma becomes larger, the adjacent portal vein can be compressed with impairment of the portal venous flow. PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency and severity of ischemic liver injuries after hepatic artery embolization in patients with delayed postoperative arterial hemorrhage after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients undergoing proper or common hepatic artery embolization for delayed postoperative arterial hemorrhage after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery achieved hemostasis. To evaluate the frequency and severity of ischemic liver injuries, the liver enzyme levels and CT findings before and after hepatic artery embolization were retrospectively compared and the clinical outcomes after hepatic artery embolization were analyzed. Angiographic findings were also analyzed to reveal any association with development of ischemic liver injuries after hepatic artery embolization. RESULTS: Ischemic liver injuries were observed in 15 (83%) of 18 patients undergoing hepatic artery embolization for postoperative hemorrhage. Injuries included hepatic infarction combined with abscess in one (5%) patient, hepatic infarction in 12 (67%) patients, and transient hepatic ischemia/dysfunction in two (11%). As for the extent of hepatic infarction, lobar infarction developed in two patients and subsegmental infarction in 11. One patient with right hepatic lobar infarction died of hepatic failure 11 days after hepatic artery embolization. In the other 14 patients with ischemic liver injuries, the elevated liver enzymes returned to baseline levels within two weeks. All of the four patients with portal vein stenosis, four patients with no hepatic arterial flow on post-embolization angiogram, and one patient with both had hepatic infarction after hepatic artery embolization. No ischemic liver injuries developed after hepatic artery embolization in three patients with no portal vein stenosis and bilobar hepatic arterial flow via the left hepatic artery aberrantly arising from the left gastric artery or from the common hepatic artery. CONCLUSION: Ischemic liver injuries can develop in most patients undergoing hepatic artery embolization for postoperative arterial hemorrhage after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery; hepatic infarction appears to be the most frequent type of ischemic liver injury. Hepatic artery embolization for postoperative arterial hemorrhage after hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery may carry a great risk of ischemic liver injury if a patient has portal vein stenosis or no aberrant hepatic artery.

Combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matched study.

PURPOSE: To compare therapeutic outcomes of combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in subphrenic versus nonsubphrenic locations by propensity score matching. METHODS: This retrospective study included 293 patients with single HCC (≤ 3 cm) ineligible for ultrasound-guided RFA who received iodized oil TACE and subsequent RFA between June 2010 and January 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to the tumor location: subphrenic (n = 99) and nonsubphrenic (n = 194). Subphrenic HCC was defined as a tumor abutting the diaphragm. Local tumor progression (LTP) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared by propensity score matching. Procedure-related complications were also assessed. RESULTS: Matching yielded 93 matched pairs of patients. In the matched cohorts, cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year LTP rates were 5.4%, 12.1%, and 12.1% in the subphrenic group and 1.1%, 7.5%, and 8.6% in the nonsubphrenic group, respectively, with no significant differences (p = 0.278). Corresponding OS rates were 100%, 80.2%, and 71.3% in the subphrenic group and 97.9%, 88.1%, and 75.6% in the nonsubphrenic group, respectively, with no significant differences (p = 0.308). The subphrenic location was not a significant risk factor for LTP and OS in multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences in complication rates between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic outcomes of combined TACE and RFA for small subphrenic HCC were similar to those for nonsubphrenic HCC. The combination therapy seems to be an effective and safe method in treating small subphrenic HCC.

Embolization of postsurgical esophagopleural fistula with AMPLATZER vascular plug, coils, and Histoacryl glue.

Esophagopleural fistulas after esophageal diverticulectomy are very rare complications. Many treatment options have been reported, and the appropriate method should be chosen according to the individual's clinical status. The authors introduce a new treatment method of esophagopleural fistulas using an AMPLATZER vascular plug (AGA Medical Corporation, Plymouth, Minnesota), coils, and Histoacryl glue (B. Braun, Melsungen AG, Germany), thus avoiding extensive surgery or covered stent insertion.

The efficacy of combined transarterial chemoembolization and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy with TAE and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for HCC with main portal vein thrombosis (MPVT). METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients who had an unresectable HCC with MPVT and underwent combined TAE and 3D-CRT. Treatment responses for the main tumor and the MPVT were assessed. In addition, patient survival and the prognostic factors associated with survival were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall survival for the 18 patients was 13.0 +/- 8.5 months. For the main tumor response, 8 patients were responders and 10 were non-responders. For the MPVT, an objective response was observed in 10 out of the 18 cases. The univariate analysis revealed that the pretreatment AFP level, presence of regional lymph node metastasis, main tumor response and the MPVT response were prognostic factors for survival; however, these factors failed to reach significance on the multivariate analysis. Most of the treatment-related complications were resolved within 4 weeks. No patient had clinical evidence of progressive hepatic insufficiency related to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy with TAE and 3D-CRT was safe and effective for the treatment of HCC patients with MPVT and might provide a survival benefit.

Selective Versus Non-selective Transarterial Chemoembolization via the Intercostal Artery for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To report the 1-month tumor response and safety of selective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) via the intercostal artery (ICA) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in comparison with those of non-selective TACE. METHODS: This retrospective study included 79 HCC patients who underwent TACE via the ICA selectively (selective TACE group; n = 26) or non-selectively (non-selective TACE group; n = 53) between January 2001 and December 2016. Selective TACE was defined when TACE was performed with selective catheterization of the tumor feeding branch of the ICA. TACE performed without selective catheterization of the tumor feeding branch was defined as non-selective TACE. One-month target and overall tumor responses and complications of the two groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Selective TACE group showed better 1-month target and overall tumor responses and lower frequency of complications than non-selective TACE group (P = .007, P = .018, and P < .001, respectively). Performing selective TACE was the only significant favorable factor for better target and overall tumor responses (P = .001 and P = .028, respectively). In univariate analysis for complications, serum α-fetoprotein > 200 ng/mL and non-selective TACE were statistically significant. However, multivariate analysis showed that performing non-selective TACE was the only significant risk factor (odds ratio 13.56; 95% confidence interval 3.51-52.5; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Compared to non-selective TACE via the ICA, selective TACE via the ICA for the treatment of HCC can achieve better tumor response and safety.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia: mid-term results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mid-term imaging, clinical follow-up, and restenosis rates from patients that had undergone percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty (PTRA) for symptomatic renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1999 and July 2006, 16 consecutive renal artery FMD patients underwent PTRA for poorly controlled hypertension. The patients were enrolled into this retrospective study after receiving 19 primary and four secondary PTRAs in 19 renal artery segments. Follow-up monitoring of blood pressure, use of antihypertensive medication, and the serum creatinine level after PTRA were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months, and each following year. The degree of restenosis was evaluated with computed tomographic angiography (CTA) after PTRA at 6, 12 months, and every year if possible. Technical and clinical success rates for the treatment of FMD, and restenosis rates for the renal artery were evaluated. RESULTS: The technical success rate for primary PTRA was 79% (15/19) and the complication rate was 16% (3/19). Hypertension improved in 80% (12/15) of the patients after four weeks follow-up, and was finally cured or improved in 93% (14/15) during the mean follow-up period of 23.6 months. There was a cumulative 22% (4/18) restenosis rate during the follow-up period. All of the patients were treated with a second PTRA without complications and all of the patients were cured of hypertension after the second PTRA. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty for clinically symptomatic renal FMD is technically and clinically successful and safe to perform. For all patients with restenosis, there was a good response after undergoing a second PTRA.

Peripheral arteriovenous malformations with a dominant outflow vein: results of ethanol embolization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess retrospectively the treatment results of ethanol embolization of peripheral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with a dominant outflow vein (DOV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients who had peripheral AVMs with a DOV were enrolled in this study (mean age, 29.7 years; range, 15-42 years). Fifty-one ethanol embolizations (mean, 2.7; range, 1-8) were performed by direct puncture (n = 29), the transarterial approach (n = 13), the transvenous approach (n = 5), or a combination of methods (n = 4) under general anesthesia. Coil and/or core-removed guide wire embolization of the DOV or another flow occlusion technique (i.e., use of an external pneumatic pressure cuff) to achieve vascular stasis were required in all patients during ethanol embolization. Clinical follow-up (mean, 22.2 months; range, 1-53 months) was performed for all patients, and imaging follow-up (mean, 22.1 months; range, 2-53 months) from the last treatment session was performed for 14 patients. The therapeutic outcome (cure, improvement, no change, or aggravation) was assessed according to the clinical response and the degree of devascularization at angiography. RESULTS: Ethanol embolization was considered as an effective procedure in all patients. Thirteen (68%) of 19 patients were cured and six displayed improvement. Three of six patients with improvement needed further treatment sessions for residual AVMs. Four patients (21%) experienced a total of eight complications. Five complications (three events of a distal embolism and one event each of a urinary bladder necrosis and a brain infarct related to the accidental cannulation of the common carotid artery during insertion of the Swan-Ganz catheter) were major and three complications (skin necrosis) were minor. CONCLUSION: Peripheral AVMs with a DOV can be effectively treated with a high cure rate by the use of ethanol embolization alone or in conjunction with the use of coil and/or core-removed guide wire embolization.

Ethanol embolotherapy of pelvic arteriovenous malformations: an initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively assessed the results of performing ethanol embolization for pelvis arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the past 10 years, eight patients (8 females, age range: 27-52 years) with AVMs in the pelvic wall (n = 3) and uterus (n = 5) underwent staged ethanol embolizations (range: 1-5, mean: 2.5) under general anesthesia. Ethanol embolization was performed by the use of the transcatheter and/or direct puncture techniques. Clinical follow-up was performed for all of the patients, and imaging follow-up was available for seven patients. The therapeutic outcomes were established by evaluating the clinical outcome of the signs and symptoms, as well as the degree of devascularization observed on post-procedural angiography. RESULTS: During the 20 sessions of ethanol embolization, the solitary transarterial approach was used 14 times, the transvenous approach was used three times and direct puncture was used once. For two patients, the transarterial and transvenous or direct puncture approaches were used together in one session. For four patients, ethanol and coils were used as embolic agents, and n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and ethanol were used in one patient. Seven (88%) of eight patients were cured of their AVMs and one patient (12%) displayed improvement. Major complications were seen in two patients (25%). CONCLUSION: Ethanol embolization is effective for the treatment of pelvic arteriovenous malformations, though there is a chance of a major complication.