The impact of an angiosome-targeted revascularization on healing rate, limb salvage and survival in critical limb threatening ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: According to the angiosome concept ulcer healing and limb salvage should be superior if direct arterial flow to the source vessel of an affected angiosome is established compared to indirect flow where the angiosome is perfused by means of collaterals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of direct versus indirect revascularization (DR/IR) in endovascular versus bypass surgery on ulcer healing, limb salvage and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of both endovascular and bypass distal (below the knee) lower limb revascularizations for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) between 1993 and 2014 was performed. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 126 endovascular and 198 bypass procedures. DR and IR were achieved in 57.4% and 42.6% limbs respectively. DR was not superior to IR regarding all three major endpoints when endovascular and bypass procedures were analyzed separately. Endovascular and bypass procedures resulted in comparable healing rates. All patients who did not achieve wound healing (HR 7.49; 95% CI 4.25-13.20, p = .0001) or needed to be treated with a bypass (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.05-3.05, p = .034) were at an increased risk for major amputation. Increased mortality rate was noted after endovascular procedures (HR 1.45; 95% CI 1.04-2.00, p = .026). CONCLUSION: This retrospective study with comparable results for DR and IR did not support the angiosome concept. Achieving wound healing remains critical in patients with CLTI to reduce major amputation rates. Overall the implications of the angiosome concept seem to be limited due to its feasibility in patients with CLTI.

Impact of Angiosome Targeted Femorodistal Bypass Surgery on Healing Rate and Outcome in Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia.

OBJECTIVE: In the presence of long lesions, in patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia, a femorodistal bypass is often the only option to avoid major amputation. This study investigated whether targeted bypass to the affected angiosome, according to the angiosome concept definition of direct (DR) and indirect revascularisation (IR), has an impact on wound healing, major amputation rate, and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed at Ghent University Hospital of 201 non-healing ischaemic wounds (Rutherford categories 5 and 6) requiring femorodistal bypass surgery in 177 patients (61% male, median age 69 years) with a follow up of 36 months. For every patient, the site of the ulcer, the type of bypass, and material were identified. Based on ulcer location and distal anastomosis, the legs were divided into DR and IR. Kaplan-Meier univariable analysis was used to estimate cumulative ulcer healing, leg salvage, survival, and patency. RESULTS: DR was performed in 103 legs (51%) and IR in 98 legs (49%), with no difference in comorbidity. The mean wound healing time was seven months. DR did not lead to a higher healing rate. The fastest healing rate was obtained when opting for a DR with an autologous greater saphenous vein (GSV; 90% at 12 months). Cryopreserved allografts also yielded good results, especially for wound healing after IR (85% at 12 months). Major amputation was performed in 28.5% after IR vs. 17.3% after DR (p = .071). There was no difference in mortality rate (36.8% [DR] vs. 41.3% [IR]) (p = .088). Autologous GSV had a longer primary patency, primary assisted patency, and secondary patency (26, 34, and 38 months, respectively) than cryopreserved GSV (12.5, 18, and 24 months, respectively) (p = .002, p = .003, and p = .018, respectively), with no difference between DR and IR. CONCLUSION: Direct or indirect revascularisation performed according to the angiosome concept definition yields similar results with regard to healing rates, limb salvage, and mortality.

Intrathecal gadolinium-enhanced MR-cisternography for the detection of a petrous bone defect in a patient with spontaneous intraventricular pneumocephalus.

Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus is a rare entity. We describe the case of a 55-year-old patient with intraventricular pneumocephalus associated with a bony defect at the level of the right petrous bone caused by otomastoiditis. She presented herself at the emergency department with a 1-month history of progressive balance problems, tinnitus and fullness in the right ear. Head-CT showed pneumocephalus secondary to chronic otomastoiditis with focal erosion of the petrous bone. Nasal fluid analysis tested positive on the presence of beta-transferrin. MRI before and after intrathecal gadolinium administration showed leakage of gadolinium into the right mastoid air cells. The dural defect was closed by an artificial graft. Post-operatively, gait problems, rhinorrhea and tinnitus resolved, but of mild-to-moderate headache persisted at a 3-month outpatient evaluation. This article shows that CT is the imperative for the diagnosis of pneumocephalus and to detect the underlying cause. When there is doubt about the fistula location, MR-cisternography with gadolinium can be a valuable tool to detect or confirm the fistulous site.

An uncommon cause of sciatic pain: tuberculous osteomyelitis of the ischial tuberosity.

A 66-year-old Caucasian female presented with insidious sciatic pain leading to an uncommon diagnosis of tuberculous osteomyelitis with unknown portal entry. The patient did not report a history of a previous tuberculosis (TB) infection and her chest X-ray was negative for TB. Considering TB in the differential diagnosis of a 'bone abscess', it is of paramount importance to come to a correct diagnosis. Conventional radiographs still remain the first-line imaging modality for evaluation of skeletal symptomatology. However, biopsies or aspirates are often needed to yield the definitive diagnosis. The lack of awareness of the potential extrapulmonary involvement of TB leads to an important delay in diagnosis and treatment. Antituberculous drugs should be started at the time of biopsy and continued during 12-18 months, due to poor drug penetration into osseous and fibrous tissues.