Tumor Size and Watershed Area Correlate with Incomplete Treatment and Tumor Progression after Selective Radioembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To identify factors of incomplete treatment after segmental transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for treatment-naive and solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 consecutive patients (age, 68.5 years [SD ± 8.0]; 25/75 [33.3%] women) with treatment-naive, solitary HCC underwent segmental or subsegmental TARE with glass microspheres (tumor size, 3.8 cm [SD ± 2.2]; administered dose, 222.6 Gy [SD ± 123.9]) at a single institution from November 2015 to June 2022. Radiologic response and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed as per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. RESULTS: Complete treatment was achieved in 48 of 75 (64.0%) patients (mean follow-up, 33.2 months [SD ± 27.4]). Patients with incomplete treatment (27/75, 36%) presented with larger tumor size (5.0 [SD ± 2.5] vs 3.1 [SD ± 1.6] cm; P = .0001), with more tumors located in the watershed zone (81.5% vs 41.7%; P = .001). These patients were less likely to be bridged to transplant or resection (22.2% vs 52.1%; P = .015). Watershed tumors demonstrated worse target tumor PFS (median PFS, 19 months vs not reached; P = .0104) and overall PFS (9.1 months vs not reached; P = .0077). Watershed location was associated with worse PFS among tumors >3 cm in size (8.4 months vs not reached; P = .035) but not in tumors ≤3 cm in size (52.2 months vs not reached; P = .915). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size and watershed location were associated with incomplete treatment after segmental TARE for HCC. Watershed tumors were associated with worse PFS, particularly tumors larger than 3 cm. These tumors may require careful treatment planning and repeated treatments to ensure a durable response.

Transarterial Radioembolization versus Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Percutaneous Ablation for Unresectable, Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma of ≥3 cm: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) and transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolic agents combined with percutaneous ablation (transarterial chemoembolization [TACE] + ablation) in the treatment of treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of ≥3 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary HCC of ≥3 cm received combined TACE + ablation, and 40 patients received TARE at a single institution. Local tumor response, tumor progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, need for reintervention, bridge to transplant, and major complications were compared. Clinical variables and outcomes were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: Before PSM, patients who underwent TARE had a larger tumor size (3.7 vs 5.5 cm; P = .0005) and were older (61.5 vs 69.3 years; P = .0014). After PSM, there was no difference in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups, with the mean tumor sizes measuring 3.9 and 4.1 cm in the TACE + ablation and TARE cohorts, respectively. After PSM (n = 19 in each group), no statistically significant difference was observed in local radiological response (disease control rates, 100% vs 94.7%; P = .31), survival (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-1.80; P = .469), PFS (SHR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.21-1.71; P = .342), bridge to transplant (21.1% vs 31.6%, P = .46), and major adverse event rates (15.8% vs 10.5%, P = .63) between the 2 groups. The mean total number of locoregional interventions was higher in the TACE + ablation cohort (1.9 vs 1.3 sessions, P = .02), with an earlier median reintervention trend (SHR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.20-1.32; P = .167). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that TARE and the combination of TACE and ablation are comparable in safety and effectiveness for treating treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary HCC of ≥3 cm.

Empiric Transcatheter Embolization for Acute Arterial Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of empiric embolization compared with targeted embolization in the treatment of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). MATERIALS AND METHODS. We searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for studies performed without language restrictions from January 2000 to November 2019. Only clinical studies with a sample size of five or more were included. Clinical success, rebleeding and complication rates, survival rates, bleeding cause, embolic materials, and vessels embolized were recorded. Empiric embolization and targeted embolization (i.e., embolization performed based on angiographic evidence of ongoing bleeding) were compared when possible. Meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS. Among 13 included studies (12 retrospective and 1 prospective), a total of 357 of 725 patients (49.2%) underwent empiric embolization for UGIB. The clinical success rate of empiric embolization was 74.7% (95% CI, 63.1-86.3%) among the 13 studies, and the survival rate was 80.9% (95% CI, 73.8-88.0%) for 10 studies. On the basis of comparative studies, no statistically significant difference was observed between empiric and targeted embolization in terms of rebleeding rate in 111 studies (36.5% vs 29.6%; odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% CI, 0.77-1.65; p = .53), mortality in eight studies (23.3% vs 18.0%; OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.89-2.33; p = .14), and need for surgery to control rebleeding in four studies (17.8% vs 13.4%; OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.58-3.07; p = .49). The pooled embolization-specific complications were 1.9% (empiric) and 2.4% (targeted). CONCLUSION. According to all available published evidence, empiric embolization assessed with endoscopic or preprocedural imaging findings (or both) appears to be as effective as targeted embolization in preventing rebleeding and mortality in patients with angiographically negative acute UGIB. Because of its favorable safety profile, empiric embolization should be considered for patients in this clinical scenario.

Caval pseudoaneurysms following complex inferior vena cava filter removal: Clinical significance and patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of caval pseudoaneurysm and extravasation post-complex inferior vena cava filter retrieval. METHODS: A total of 83 patients (70% female, average age 56) underwent complex inferior vena cava filter retrieval between January 2015 and December 2019 utilizing either rigid endobronchial forceps (n = 69, 83%) and/or excimer laser (n = 20, 24%). Procedural variables were recorded. The incidence and size of caval pseudoaneurysms and extravasation along with treatment type and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success in all cases was 96% (n = 80). Average fluoroscopy time was 23 min (median: 20.2, range: 0.9-129.5). Average filter dwell time was 85 months (range: 2-316 months). Caval pseudoaneurysm was detected on post-retrieval venography in 10 patients (12%) and frank extravasation occurred in 1 case (1%). Average pseudoaneurysm length and width was 20.4 mm (range: 5-45 mm) and 12.9 mm (range: 4-24 mm), respectively. Pseudoaneurysms occurred most frequently during the removal of Optease (n = 5) and Celect (n = 2) filters. The pseudoaneurysms completely resolved with prolonged (>5 min) balloon angioplasty in all but one instance where a small portion of the pseudoaneurysm persisted. This patient was admitted and observed overnight before being discharged without complication. The solitary case of significant extravasation was effectively managed with immediate stent placement and the patient remained hemodynamically stable. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographically detectable caval pseudoaneurysm and extravasation is not uncommon in complex inferior vena cava filter retrieval and, despite being considered a major complication by Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines, can often be managed without stenting or other invasive treatment.

Improved Utilization Following Conversion of a Fluoroscopy Suite to Hybrid CT/Angiography System.

PURPOSE: To assess changes in operational utilization following conversion of a single IR suite to a hybrid CT/angiography (Angio-CT) system at an academic tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total number of interventional procedures and diagnostic CT examinations performed in 29 rooms (20 diagnostic radiology, 7 IR, 2 shared between divisions) was calculated in the 24 months before conversion of an IR suite to Angio-CT and 12 months after conversion. The total number of IR procedures (global IR/month) and diagnostic CT scans per month (global CT/month) in both before and after conversion periods was calculated and defined as baseline institutional growth. This was compared against the change in the number of IR procedures performed in the before and after periods in the converted room (Angio-CT/month) as well as the number of diagnostic CT scans performed in the shared rooms (shared CT/month). RESULTS: The percent change in global CT and global IR from the before to the after periods was 39.2% and 3.1%, respectively. Shared CT per month and Angio-CT per month increased by 46.7% and 12.0% across the same time periods, respectively. The ratio of the percent increase in Angio-CT per month to percent increase in global IR per month was 3.87. The ratio of the percent increase in shared CT per month to percent increase in global CT per month was 1.19. CONCLUSIONS: Operational utilization improved in both diagnostic radiology and IR sections following conversion of a conventional fluoroscopic IR suite to an Angio-CT room.

A Single-Institutional Comparative Analysis of Advanced Versus Standard Snare Removal of Inferior Vena Cava Filters.

PURPOSE: To investigate differences in procedure time, radiation exposure, and periprocedural complications associated with advanced inferior vena cava (IVC) filter retrieval compared with standard snare retrieval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 378 patients underwent standard or advanced IVC filter retrieval over a 5-year period. Technical success, retrieval techniques, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and complications were analyzed. All retrieval procedures with techniques other than a "snare-and-sheath" method were categorized as advanced, including failed standard attempts requiring intraprocedural conversion to advanced techniques. RESULTS: A total of 462 filter retrieval attempts were made in 378 patients (57% female). Success rates for standard and advanced retrieval attempts were 86.8% (317 of 365) and 91.8% (89 of 97), respectively. The rate of periprocedural complications was significantly higher in the advanced retrieval group (P = .006). Complication rates for standard and advanced retrievals were 0.6% (2 of 318; all minor) and 5.2% (5 of 97; 3 minor [3.1%] and 2 major [2.1%]), respectively. The 2 major complications during advanced retrievals included filter fracture and embolization. Average fluoroscopy time for advanced retrievals was significantly higher than for standard retrievals (23.1 min vs 4.3 min; P < .001). Average radiation dose for advanced retrievals was also significantly higher than for standard retrievals (557.2 mGy vs 156.9 mGy; P < .001). Use of general anesthesia was also significantly more common in advanced retrievals compared with standard retrievals (6.2% vs 0.9%; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced filter retrieval results in a similarly high rate of technical success compared with standard snare retrieval but is associated with greater fluoroscopy time, anesthesia requirements, and radiation exposure.

Gender-Specific Factors Influencing Medical Students' Career Choice of IR.

The authors conducted an anonymous survey to assess positive and negative factors that may affect medical students' decisions to pursue a career in interventional radiology (IR). The survey was sent to registrants for the Midwest IR Student Symposium in 2016 and/or 2017, with a response rate of 13%; male and female responses were then compared. Female and male medical students shared similar rankings of factors affecting their decisions about choosing IR as a career, such as concern about lifestyle and excitement about therapeutic applications. Access to female IR mentors and diversification of the currently male-dominated workplace were important, gender-specific concerns.

Outcomes After Percutaneous Angioplasty of Arteriovenous Fistulas and Grafts in African American Patients.

PURPOSE: Arteriovenous fistulas and grafts, necessary for hemodialysis, may develop stenoses due to neointimal hyperplasia, which often require percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Patient and lesion characteristics were evaluated prior to angioplasty and were correlated with 1- and 6-month outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational study of African American hemodialysis patients who presented for angioplasty of a dysfunctional fistula or graft. Clinical outcomes were ascertained from dialysis facilities 1 month and 6 months after angioplasty. One-month clinical success was defined as dialyzer blood flows of 450 mL/min without complications or interval shunt thrombosis, interventions, or loss of access, which was rarely achieved at 6 months. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations of clinical variables with outcomes. RESULTS: There were 150 stenoses treated during 99 procedures performed on 82 patients. The clinical success rate at one month was 67% with no complications as a result of the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Success at 1 month was positively associated with use of aspirin (P = .005) and with referral for high venous pressures (P = .004). Six-month data were available for 81 procedures, with 45.7% requiring repeat angioplasty and 12.3% suffering major complications (thrombectomy, revision surgery, or access abandonment). Major complications were seen predominantly in patients who were not receiving aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin use and high venous pressure were associated with 1-month clinical success and fewer major complications at 6 months. Future work should investigate biologic mechanisms of action of aspirin and long-term effects of use to maintain vascular access.

Inferior Vena Cava Filter Evaluation and Management for the Diagnostic Radiologist: A Comprehensive Review Including Inferior Vena Cava Filter-Related Complications and PRESERVE Trial Filters.

Inferior vena cava filters are commonly encountered devices on diagnostic imaging that were highlighted in a 2010 Food and Drug Administration safety advisory regarding their complications from long-term implantation. The Predicting the Safety and Effectiveness of Inferior Vena Cava Filters (PRESERVE) trial is an ongoing after-market study investigating the safety and utility of commonly utilized filters in practice today. While most of these filters are safe, prompt recognition and management of any filter-associated complication is imperative to prevent or reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with them. This review is aimed at discussing the appropriate utilization and placement of inferior vena cava filters in addition to the recognition of filter-associated complications on cross-sectional imaging. An overview of the PRESRVE trial filters is also provided to understand each filter's propensity for specific complications.

Indwelling and Retrieval Complications of Denali and Celect Infrarenal Vena Cava Filters.

PURPOSE: To compare indwelling and retrieval complications of Denali and Celect filters placed in the infrarenal inferior vena cava (IVC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted over 2 years at a single institution in which 171 Denali and 162 Celect filters were placed in 333 patients with a mean age of 62.3 years ± 15.7 (161 men; 48.3%). Filter indications included venous thromboembolic disease (n = 320; 96.1%) and surgical prophylaxis (n = 13; 3.9%). A jugular approach was used to place 303 filters (91.0%). Computed tomography (CT) follow-up, complications, and retrieval data were obtained. RESULTS: Follow-up CT imaging was performed on 58 filters from each group with lower incidences of caval strut penetration (one vs 12) and filter tilt (one vs 15) in the Denali filter group (P = .002 and P < .001, respectively). There was no difference in incidences of breakthrough pulmonary embolism (P = .68). Retrieval attempts were performed on 43 Denali and 53 Celect filters with mean indwelling times at retrieval of 128.2 and 144.1 days, respectively (P = .40). Mean fluoroscopy time at retrieval was lower in the Denali group (3.1 min vs 6.0 min; P = .01). There were fewer cases of complex retrieval in the Denali group (n = 2 vs 10; P = .06). Tilt, fluoroscopy time, and air kerma were associated with complex retrieval (P = .04, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). There was one Denali filter deployment complication that led to retrieval failure. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Denali filters are associated with lower incidences of strut penetration and filter tilt as well as shorter fluoroscopy time at retrieval compared with Celect filters when placed in the infrarenal IVC.

Outcomes of Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices Undergoing Mesenteric Angiography for Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

PURPOSE: To compare measures of clinical success, such as the need for subsequent intervention and mortality, in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) undergoing mesenteric angiography for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding with respect to a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 48 consecutive patients undergoing anticoagulation whose GI bleeding was assessed with angiography between August 2007 and June 2014: 24 patients with LVADs and 24 control patients without LVADs. The χ2 and t tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean ages were 62.1 years ± 9.6 and 74.5 years ± 11.3 in the LVAD and control groups, respectively. No significant difference was observed in hemodynamic instability, presenting hemoglobin level and International Normalized Ratio, or hemoglobin nadir. Two patients with LVADs (8.3%) and 8 control patients (33.3%) had bleeding detected on angiograms (P = .032). Six embolizations were performed in patients with LVADs and 8 were performed in control patients. Clinical success was achieved in 2 of 6 patients with LVADs (33.3%) and 7 of 8 control patients (87.5%; P = .036). Seven patients with LVADs (29.2%) and 1 control patient (4.5%) underwent repeat angiography within 14 days (P = .020). Seven patients with LVADs (29.2%) and 4 control patients (18.2%) required postprocedural endoscopic or operative intervention as definitive therapy (P = .302). All-cause in-hospital mortality rates were 16.7% in the LVAD group and 4.2% in the control group (P = .032), and the respective all-cause 1-year mortality rates were 33.3% and 9.1% (P = .080). CONCLUSIONS: A higher rate of clinical failure is observed in patients with LVADs presenting with GI bleeding compared with those without LVADs, with a more frequent need for subsequent endoscopic or surgical intervention.

Strut penetration: local complications, breakthrough pulmonary embolism, and retrieval failure in patients with Celect vena cava filters.

PURPOSE: To investigate strut penetration in patients with Celect filters, specifically local complications and association with breakthrough pulmonary embolism (PE) or retrieval failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted to evaluate patients who received Celect filters between January 2007 and May 2013. A total of 595 filters were placed during the study period. Primary indications included thromboembolic disease (93%) and primary surgical prophylaxis (7%). Complications and retrieval data were assessed by computed tomography (CT) and electronic medical records. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients underwent follow-up abdominal CT at a mean follow-up interval of 176.2 days (range, 0-1,739 d). The rate of strut penetration more than 3 mm outside the caval wall was 28.5% (n = 55). One patient had CT evidence of clinically major strut penetration (1.8%) with strut compression of the right ureter causing hydronephrosis. Indwelling filter time longer than 100 days was associated with strut penetration (P < .001). Age, sex, and history of thromboembolic disease were not associated with strut penetration (P = .51, P = .81, and P = .89). Sixty-three patients presented for follow-up CT pulmonary angiography at a mean of 128.1 days (range, 1-895 d). The rate of breakthrough PE was 12.7%. The overall retrieval success rate was 96.7% (n = 150). Strut penetration was not associated with breakthrough PE or retrieval failure (P = .49 and P = .22). CONCLUSIONS: Although strut penetration is a common complication with Celect filters, there is no association with breakthrough PE or retrieval failure. CT evidence of local complications associated with strut penetration is rare.

Meta-analysis of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation with or without intravascular ultrasound guidance.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase databases were queried until July 2022 for comparative studies reporting procedure metrics for TIPS creation with or without IVUS guidance. Meta-analysis was performed with random-effects modelling for total procedural time, time to portal venous access, fluoroscopy time, iodinated contrast volume use, air kerma, dose area product, and number of needle passes. Intraoperative procedure-related complications were also reviewed. RESULTS: Of 95 unique records initially identified, 6 were eligible for inclusion. A total of 194 and 240 patients underwent TIPS with and without IVUS guidance. Pooled analyses indicated that IVUS guidance was associated with reduced total procedure time (SMD -0.76 [95% CI -1.02, -0.50] P < .001), time to portal venous access (SMD -0.41 [95% CI -0.67, -0.15] P = .002), fluoroscopy time (SMD, -0.54 [95% CI -1.02, -0.07]; P = .002), contrast volume use (SMD, -0.89 [95% CI -1.16, -0.63]; P < .001), air kerma (SMD, -0.75 [95% CI -1.11, -0.38]; P < .001) and dose area product (SMD, -0.98 [95% CI -1.77, -0.20]; P = .013). A total of 4.2 and 7.8 needle passes were required in the IVUS and non-IVUS group, respectively (SMD, -0.60 [95% CI -1.42, 0.21]; P = .134). Pooled complication rates were 15.2% (12/79) and 21.4% (28/131), respectively. CONCLUSION: IVUS guidance during TIPS creation improves procedural metrics including procedural time, contrast usage, and radiation exposure. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: (1) The use of IVUS during TIPS is associated with shorter procedural time, lower contrast usage, and radiation exposure. (2)The use of IVUS is not associated with higher complication rates.

Transarterial interventions in civilian gunshot wound injury: experience from a level-1 trauma center.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of trans-arterial vascular interventions in treatment of civilian gunshot wounds (GSW). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at a level-1 trauma center to include 46 consecutive adults admitted due to GSW related hemorrhage and treated with endovascular interventions from July 2018 to July 2022. Patient demographics and procedural metrics were retrieved. Primary outcomes of interest include technical success and in-hospital mortality. Factors of mortality were assessed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were brought to the endovascular suite directly (endovascular group) from the trauma bay and 25 patients after treatment in the operating room (OR group). The OR group had higher hemodynamic instability (48.0% vs 19.0%, p = 0.040), lower hemoglobin (12.9 vs 10.1, p = 0.001) and platelet counts (235.2 vs 155.1, p = 0.003), and worse Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score (4.1 vs 10.2, p < 0.0001) at the time of initial presentation. Technical success was achieved in all 40 cases in which targeted embolization was attempted (100%). Empiric embolization was performed in 6/46 (13.0%) patients based on computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) and operative findings. Stent-grafts were placed in 3 patients for subclavian artery injuries. Availability of pre-intervention CTA was associated with shorter fluoroscopy time (19.8 ± 12.1 vs 30.7 ± 18.6 min, p = 0.030). A total of 41 patients were discharged in stable condition (89.1%). Hollow organ injury was associated with mortality (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Endovascular embolization and stenting were effective in managing hemorrhage due to GSW in a carefully selected population. Hollow organ injury was a statistically significant predictor of mortality. Pre-intervention CTA enabled targeted, shorter and equally effective procedures.

Evaluation and treatment of suspected type II endoleaks in patients with enlarging abdominal aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate angiographic diagnosis and embolotherapy of patients with enlarging abdominal aortic aneurysms and computed tomographic (CT) diagnosis of type II endoleak. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients referred to a single vascular and interventional radiology section from January 1, 2003, to June 1, 2011, with a diagnosis of enlarging aneurysm and type II endoleak. Twenty-five patients underwent 40 procedures between 12 and 82 months after endograft insertion (mean, 48 mo) for diagnosis and/or treatment of endoleaks. RESULTS: Type II endoleaks were treated with cyanoacrylate, coils, and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer in 16 patients. Technical success rate was 88% (14 of 16 patients) and clinical success rate was 100% (16 of 16 patients). Aneurysm growth was arrested in all cases over a mean follow-up of 27.5 months (range, 6-88 mo). Endoleaks in nine patients were misclassified on CT; two had type I endoleaks and seven had type III endoleaks. Four of the nine patients (two type I endoleaks and two type III endoleaks) were correctly classified after initial angiography. The other five type III endoleaks were correctly classified on CT after coil embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery. Direct embolization was performed via sac puncture with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer in two of the latter five patients and eliminated endoleaks in both. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysm growth caused by type II endoleaks was arrested by embolization. CT misclassification occurred relatively commonly; type III endoleaks purported to be type II endoleaks were found in 28% of patients (seven of 25).

Advancements in Interventional Oncology of the Chest: Transarterial Chemoembolization and Related Therapies.

While embolization therapy has been used for many years in the treatment of nonmalignant diseases of the chest, such as pulmonary arteriovenous malformation treatment and bronchial artery embolization for hemorrhage, the application of transarterial techniques to the treatment of chest neoplasms is relatively uncommon. Extrapolating from transarterial chemoembolization techniques used for liver malignancy, investigators have recently sought to expand the indications for transarterial techniques from the control of symptoms such as bleeding to the control of disease progression and potentially survival benefit in patients with malignancies in the chest. This article provides an overview of the current embolotherapy techniques used in the treatment of patients with thoracic malignancies.

Rigid forceps and excimer laser use for complex inferior cava filter retrieval: a preliminary quantitative analysis of available evidence.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of advanced inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) retrieval using laser assistance compared with forceps via systematic review and quantitative aggregation of available data. METHODS: Pubmed and Embase were queried from establishment to September 2021. Original studies with a sample size ≥ 5 that reported at least one primary outcome of patients who underwent laser- or forceps-assisted IVCF retrieval were included. Primary outcomes included technical success and complication rates. Baseline characteristics were extracted: age, sex, presence of filter thrombus, strut penetration, previous retrieval attempt, filter dwell time, fluoroscopy time, and filter type. Complications were categorized by type and severity. Categorical data was pooled and evaluated with chi-square or Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: From the 16 included studies, a total of 673 and 368 patients underwent laser- and forceps-assisted IVCF retrieval, respectively. Successful retrieval was achieved in 98.1 and 93.7% patients from the laser and forceps groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Major complication rates (1.6 vs 2.1%, p = 0.629) and risk of injury to cava or adjacent organs (1.0 vs 1.4%, p = 0.534) were similar between the two groups. A higher proportion of filters from the laser arm were closed-cell design (75.4 vs 68.1%, p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Based on limited available evidence, forceps- and laser-assisted complex IVCF retrievals were equally safe. The use of laser sheath is associated with a higher retrieval rate than forceps alone, though the baseline characteristics of two cohorts were not controlled. Future large-scale case-controlled comparative studies with longer clinical follow-up are warranted.

Percutaneous microwave ablation versus radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are well-validated interventions for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to compare their safety and efficacy through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). METHODS: MEDLINE, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Library were queried up to September 2020 using the terms "microwave", "radiofrequency", "hepatocellular", and "randomized". Only RCTs investigating MWA versus RFA for HCC were included. Baseline study characteristics, complete ablation rate, ablation time, overall survival, local recurrence, and complication rates were investigated. RESULTS: Among the five original studies included, a total of 413 and 431 patients were treated with RFA and MWA, respectively. All studies focused on very early and early-stage HCC only (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage 0 and A). No statistical significance was observed in terms of complete ablation rate (96.7 vs 96.9%, p = 0.882), overall survival (6 month: 95.7 vs 100%, p = 0.492; 1 year: 91.9 vs 94.1%, p = 0.264; 3 year: 77.5 vs 78.4%, p = 0.905), recurrence-free survival (6 month: 99.1 vs 99.7%, p = 0.717; 1 year: 94.6 vs 93.9%, p = 0.675; 3 year: 76.8 vs 77.1%, p = 0.935), and complication rates (p > 0.05 in all types). The mean ablation time of MWA was significantly shorter than RFA (26.9 vs 14.1 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For very early and early-stage HCC, RFA and MWA are equally safe and effective, though the former is associated with a longer ablation time.

Endovascular Arteriovenous Fistula Creation: A Review.

Endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) creation offers a minimally invasive method for the formation of arteriovenous shunts utilized for hemodialysis. Currently, there exist two similar yet unique devices: WavelinQ and Ellipsys. This review analyzes the anatomy, pre- and postoperative considerations, fistula creation methods, and outcomes associated with endoAVF. Currently, data are limited with regard to clinical efficacy of endoAVFs when compared to surgical AVFs. However, early data suggest endoAVFs are a useful technique in the creation of AVFs.

Social Media Growth at Annual Medical Society Meetings: A Comparative Analysis of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology to Other Medical Specialties.

OBJECTIVE: To understand social media growth in both diagnostic and interventional radiology compared to other related specialties by quantifying and comparing hashtag utilization at annual medical conferences. METHODS: Official annual conference hashtags for Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), American College of Radiology (ACR), Radiological Society of North America, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and American Society of Clinical Oncology were analyzed from 2015 to 2019, along with the IR hashtag #IRad. Twitter analytics were obtained with the use of Symplur Signals, a healthcare social media analytics platform. Linear regression analysis was performed on the number of tweets and users for each hashtag. RESULTS: For annual ACR meetings, the number of tweets/user (6.96 in 2019), retweets/user (4.39 in 2019), and impressions/user (40,051 in 2019) were among the highest of all the specialties studied. This trend was observed despite a smaller number of users among ACR than most other conferences. SIR tweets increased significantly at a rate of 1032.8 tweets/year (P = 0.008) while users also significantly grew at a rate of 212.5 users/years (P = 0.007). #IRad tweets are also growing at a rate of 13,234.8 tweets/year (P = 0.026) while #IRad users are growing at a rate of 1309.5 users/year (P = 0.003). Radiological Society of North America users were significantly decreasing at -1207.1 users/year (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: ACR consistently had one of the highest counts of tweets/user, retweets/user, and impressions/user compared to the other studied specialties, suggesting that ACR's Twitter users are more active than users outside of the field of radiology. SIR was the only studied specialty conference that had statistically significant increases in the number of tweets and users.