Vessel Occlusion using Hydrogel-Coated versus Nonhydrogel Embolization Coils in Peripheral Arterial Applications: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydrogel-coated coils for vessel occlusion in the body trunk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 77 patients with various peripheral vascular lesions, treatable by embolization with coils, were randomized (hydrogel group, n = 38; nonhydrogel group, n = 39). In the hydrogel group, embolization of the target vessel was conducted using 0.018-inch hydrogel-coated coils (AZUR 18; Terumo Medical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) with or without bare platinum coils. The nonhydrogel group received both bare platinum coils and fibered coils without the use of hydrogel-coated coils. RESULTS: Complete target vessel occlusion was accomplished in 36 patients in the hydrogel group and 37 patients in the nonhydrogel group. No major adverse events were observed in either group. The median number of coils/vessel diameter and the median total coil length/vessel diameter were significantly larger in the nonhydrogel group than in the hydrogel group (P = .005 and P = .004, respectively). The median embolization length was significantly longer in the nonhydrogel group (31.95 mm) than in the hydrogel group (23.43 mm) (P = .002). If no expansion was assumed, the median packing density in the hydrogel group was 44.9%, which was similar to that in the nonhydrogel group (46.5%) (P = .79). With full expansion assumed, the median packing density in the hydrogel group was 125.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogel-coated coils can be safely used for peripheral vascular coil embolization, and hydrogel-coated and conventional coils in combination allow for a shorter embolization segment and shorter coil length.

[Transaortic Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Via Right Anterior Mini-thoracotomy;Report of a Case].

An 81-year-old man presented with ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm under stable condition. He had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure and rheumatoid arthritis. We performed hybrid thoracic endovascular aortic repair via right anterior mini-thoracotomy inserting a device through a conduit on the ascending aorta. The patient was discharged without aorta-related complications.

[MASSIVE HEMORRHAGE FROM THE FISTULA FORMATION BETWEEN CUTANEOUS URETEROSTOMY AND INFERIOR EPIGASTRIC ARTERY: A CASE REPORT].

A 87-year-old man received radical nephroureterectomy for right renal pelvic cancer in 2009 and left cutaneous ureterostomy after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in 2013. He visited the hospital for exchanging a 7 or 8 Fr single-J catheter every 2 to 4 weeks. Eleven months after the 2nd operation, massive bleeding from the stoma occurred when ureteral catheter was exchanged. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed that left inferior epigastric artery was located close to left ureter. Angiography of the left inferior epigastric artery didn't show an obvious fistula, but revealed the stoma was surrounded by ramified new blood vessels from left inferior epigastric artery. We suspected a rupture of the vessels and performed embolization for the branch of inferior epigastric artery to left ureter. This embolization made it possible for the bleeding to be controlled. Massive bleeding from the branch of inferior epigastric artery is very rare, and we report the case and review the literature.

Double coaxial microcatheter technique for transarterial aneurysm sac embolization of type II endoleaks after endovascular abdominal aortic repair.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of transarterial sac embolization with a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate and ethiodized oil (Lipiodol; Guerbet Japan, Tokyo, Japan) (NBCA-LPD) for type II endoleaks after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) using a double coaxial microcatheter technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 20 consecutive cases of type II endoleaks treated by transarterial embolization using the technique from August 2010 to June 2013. The treatment indication was persistent type II endoleak over 6 months after EVAR associated with aneurysm expansion ≥ 5 mm in maximum diameter. A 1.9-F nontapered microcatheter was advanced to the aneurysmal sac through a 2.7-F microcatheter, which was coaxially introduced through a catheter. The endpoint of the procedure was intrasaccular filling with NBCA-LPD and occlusion of the feeder of the type II endoleak. The technical success rate was defined as success in transarterial intrasaccular approach followed by embolization of the intrasaccular channel and inflow arteries. Clinical success was defined as aneurysmal sac shrinkage or stabilization (freedom from sac expansion > 5 mm in maximum diameter). RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 18 of 20 cases. During a mean follow-up period of 18.5 months, complete sac occlusion was observed in 13 cases (65%). Clinical success was achieved in 16 cases (80%). No serious complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The transarterial intrasaccular approach with a double coaxial microcatheter technique can be successfully performed in most cases, and transarterial aneurysm sac embolization using NBCA-LPD has been proven to be feasible.

Invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: relationships between mural nodules detected on thin-section contrast-enhanced MDCT and invasive components.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the relationships between mural nodules (MNs) and invasive components in patients with invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) on the basis of thin-section contrast-enhanced multidetector CT (CE-MDCT) and pathologic findings. METHODS: This retrospective study included 28 patients with surgically confirmed invasive IPMN. Two radiologists independently evaluated the thin-section (1-mm section thickness, no overlap) triple-phase CE-MDCT images for MNs, invasive components, and the continuity between them using a five-point scale (confidence scores of 1-3 as negative, 4 and 5 as positive). Kappa statistic was used to evaluate interobserver agreement. The CE-MDCT findings were correlated with pathologic findings. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was good or excellent. MNs consisting of tumor cells were recognized in 12 (42.9%) of 28 patients with no discrepancy between the two radiologists. Invasive components were detected in 85.7% and 82.1% in the pancreatic parenchymal phase for radiologist 1 and 2, respectively, and recognized as hypoattenuating areas. Pathologic continuities between MNs and invasive components were confirmed in five (41.7%) of 12 patients with MNs and these were detected on CE-MDCT. When combined seven patients without continuities between MNs and invasive components and 16 patients without MNs, the invasive components pathologically derived from non-nodular low-height papillary epithelium in 23 (82.1%) of 28 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The invasive components derived more often from low-height papillary epithelium without MN appearance on CE-MDCT than from MN. Careful attention should be paid to the existence of an invasive component even in the absence of an enhancing MN.

Ten-year experience of the thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment using a hybrid thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVES: The treatment of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm continues to have a high mortality and paraplegia rate. In superaging societies, the methods of performing less invasive operations remain a major issue. We reviewed our 10-year experience in the treatment of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm using a hybrid procedure of combined visceral reconstruction and thoracic endovascular aortic repair. METHODS: Sixty patients underwent a hybrid repair for the treatment of the thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2007 and 2016. The mean age was 72.7 years. A true aneurysm was found in 43 (72%) patients and a chronic dissection in 17 (28%) patients. The standard operative procedure involved replacing the abdominal aorta with an artificial graft, and the visceral arteries were reconstructed using a quadrifurcated graft. Renovisceral debranching and stent grafting were performed as a 2-stage procedure. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 5%. Two (3%) patients died due to an aneurysmal rupture in the hospital just after renovisceral debranching. The other 2 patients died due to an aneurysmal rupture in the long-term period after preventive renovisceral debranching. Two (3%) patients experienced spinal cord ischaemia after the stenting procedure. Four (7%) patients required additional treatment during the follow-up period. The overall survival was 75.9% at 2 years, 65.2% at 5 years and 43.5% at 8 years. The rates of freedom from aorta-related events were 92.9% at 2 years, 80.5% at 5 years and 72.5% at 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid repair is considered to be a good option for elderly and high-risk patients. Further long-term follow-up is necessary to extend the indication in younger patients.

"Squid-capture" modified in situ stent-graft fenestration technique for aortic arch aneurysm repair.

An 83-year-old female was found to have an fusiform aneurysm in the aortic arch. She was deemed to be a high surgical risk; therefore, endovascular stent-graft placement followed by revascularization of the brachiocephalic trunk using in situ stent-graft fenestration was considered. However, the safe application of fenestration was deemed difficult due to the tortuosity of the brachiocephalic artery. The patient was successfully treated with the aid of the "squid-capture" technique, which consists of deployment of the stent-graft in a snare wire loop that was advanced from the brachiocephalic artery and fenestration of the stent-graft with the support of the loop. A follow-up exam revealed complete sealing of the aneurysm without any complications. The squid-capture technique allows for the safe and secure puncture of the graft.

Evaluation of microscopic tumor extension in early-stage cervical cancer: quantifying subclinical uncertainties by pathological and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

We performed a detailed analysis of hysterectomy specimens of uterine cervical cancer to determine the appropriate length of uterine body to include within the clinical target volume. Between 2008 and 2011, 54 patients with uterine cervical carcinoma underwent hysterectomy. Those with quality pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were included for analysis. Tumor sizes measured by MRI and microscopy were compared with regard to brachytherapy-oriented parameters. Detailed descriptive analysis focusing on the extent of tumor involvement was also performed. A total of 31 specimens were analyzed. The median maximal tumor length measured by MRI was slightly shorter than microscopic length (19 vs. 24 mm, respectively), while the maximal radius was almost identical. No tumors with a maximal size <2 cm by MRI (n = 6) extended to the uterine body ≥ 1/3. The majority of maximal tumor length underestimation on MRI was within 1 cm. Precise tumor delineation can be made by MRI. For patients with tumors <2 cm on MRI, treating the entire uterine body length may not be necessary. A 1-cm margin around an MRI-based gross tumor seems to be adequate to cover the actual tumor involvement.

Association of computed tomography-detected pulmonary interstitial changes with severe radiation pneumonitis for patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy.

We evaluated associations of interstitial changes with radiation pneumonitis (RP) for patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy. Between 2005 and 2009, patients who received thoracic radiotherapy of 40 Gy or more for lung cancer or thymic tumors and were followed-up for more than 6 months were eligible for this study. Possible risk factors for RP included the presence of interstitial changes on computed tomography before radiotherapy, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels; these were compared with the incidences of severe RP. A total of 106 patients were included. The incidences of RP were 4 (4%), 0 (0%), and 5 (5%) for grades 3, 4, and 5, respectively. For those with interstitial changes, the incidence of RP ≥ grade 3 was significantly increased from 3% (2/79) to 26% (7/27) (p < 0.001). CRP and LDH levels were also associated with increased RP, as were pulmonary emphysema and performance status ≥ 2. Among 91 patients with RP ≥ grade 1, RP grade ≥ 3 occurred significantly earlier than grades 1 and 2. In conclusion, pulmonary interstitial changes, LDH and CRP levels, pulmonary emphysema, and performance status ≥ 2 were significantly associated with RP ≥ grade 3. RP grade ≥ 3 occurred significantly earlier than grades 1 and 2. The early appearance of interstitial changes requires careful management due to the possibility of severe RP.

Invasive carcinomas derived from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: a long-term follow-up assessment with CT imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To describe computed tomography (CT) findings of invasive carcinoma derived from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas during long-term follow-up. METHODS: Follow-up CT findings of 5 patients with IPMNs progressing to invasive carcinomas were respectively reviewed for 12 to 63 months. All patients underwent thin-section 3-phase helical and/or multislice CT. RESULTS: Invasive carcinomas were detected as hypo- (n = 3) or hyperattenuating (n = 2) solid masses in the pancreatic parenchyma on contrast-enhanced CT. Hypoattenuating masses were mostly visualized on arterial dominant phase images. In 4 branch-duct type IPMNs, the solid masses appeared with (n = 3) or without (n = 1) dilatation of the main pancreatic duct after 3 to 5 years. In the remaining combined-type IPMN, a solid mass was detected on initial CT and progressively increased during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial dominant phase CT is useful for detecting invasive carcinoma derived from IPMNs and is an effective follow-up method.