The Utility of Indigo Carmine and Lipiodol Mixture for Preoperative Pulmonary Nodule Localization before Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a mixture of indigo carmine and lipiodol (MIL) as a marker of pulmonary nodule before video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty-eight sessions of pulmonary marking were performed using MIL before VATS for 184 nodules (mean size, 1.2 ± 0.6 cm; range, 0.3-3.6 cm) on 157 patients (83 men and 74 women; median age, 66 years). The mean distance between the lung surface and the nodule was 0.8 ± 0.7 cm (range, 0-3.9 cm). MIL was injected near the nodule using a 23-gauge needle. Mean number of 1.2 ± 0.4 (range, 1-3) punctures were performed in a session for the target nodules, with mean number of 1.1 ± 0.3 (range, 1-3). Successful targeting, localization, and VATS were defined as achievement of lipiodol accumulation at the target site on computed tomography, detection of the nodule in the operative field by fluoroscopy or visualization of dye pigmentation, and complete resection of the target nodule with sufficient margin, respectively. RESULTS: The successful targeting rate was 100%, and the successful localization rate was 99.5%, with dye pigmentation for 160 nodules (87.0%) and intraoperative fluoroscopy for 23 nodules (12.5%). Successful VATS was achieved for 181 nodules (98.4%). Two nodules (1.1%) were not resectable, and surgical margin was positive in 1 nodule (0.5%). Complications requiring interventions occurred in 5 sessions (3.0%) and included pneumothorax with chest tube placement (n = 3) and aspiration (n = 2). No complication related to the injected MIL occurred. CONCLUSIONS: MIL was safe and useful for preoperative pulmonary nodule marking.

Intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt via the right adrenal vein: treatment with vascular plug.

A 65-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to alcohol-related liver cirrhosis had undergone transarterial chemoembolization 11 times. However, treatment for HCC was difficult to continue, due to episodic hepatic encephalopathy. He was referred to our hospital for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, showing a Child-Pugh score of 8 despite medical therapy. Abdominal computed tomography revealed intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt comprising two shunt tracts from the right posterior portal vein to the inferior vena cava via the right adrenal vein. The larger tract was occluded using an Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) II, and the smaller tract was occluded using an original AVP. The postembolization course was uneventful. Hepatic encephalopathy improved after shunt occlusion and no recurrence had occurred as of one year after the procedure.

Percutaneous drainage for afferent limb syndrome and pancreatic fistula via the blind end of the jejunal limb after pancreatoduodenectomy or bile duct resection.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of percutaneous drainage via the blind end of the jejunal limb (BEJL) for afferent limb syndrome and pancreatic fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous drainage via the BEJL was performed in eight patients (seven men and one woman; mean age, 63 y; range, 42-71 y) presenting with afferent limb syndrome (n = 6) or pancreatic fistula (n = 2) following pancreatoduodenectomy or bile duct resection with reconstruction at our institute from March 2005 to June 2013. Reconstruction was performed by using a modified Child method or the Roux-en-Y method, and the BEJL was surgically fixed to the abdominal wall. Afferent limb syndrome was caused by tumor recurrence or postoperative complications. Technical success, clinical success, and complications were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Technical success of drainage via BEJL was achieved in all patients. Drainage catheters (5-10 F) were inserted into the afferent limbs of six patients, into the pancreatic duct of one patient, and into the pancreatic fistula of one patient. Metallic stents were subsequently placed to address malignant afferent limb obstruction in two patients. Clinical success was achieved in seven patients (87.5%), and no patients developed major complications. Drainage catheters were removed from four patients. The mean catheter indwelling period in all patients was 143 days (range, 21-292 d). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous drainage via BEJL after pancreatoduodenectomy or bile duct resection may be a feasible treatment for afferent limb syndrome and pancreatic fistula.

Ring-enhancement pattern on contrast-enhanced CT predicts adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas: a matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the pancreas, exhibiting both glandular and squamous differentiation. However, little is known about its imaging features. This study examined the imaging features of pancreatic ASC. METHODS: We evaluated images of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). As controls, solid pancreatic neoplasms matched in a 2:1 ratio to ASC cases for age, sex and tumor location were also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-three ASC cases were examined, and 46 solid pancreatic neoplasms (43 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, two pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and one acinar cell carcinoma) were matched as controls. Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in the outline and vascularity of tumors on contrast-enhanced CT in the ASC and control groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). A smooth outline, cystic changes, and the ring-enhancement pattern on contrast-enhanced CT were seen to have significant predictive powers by stepwise forward logistic regression analysis (P = 0.044, P = 0.010, and P = 0.001, respectively). Of the three, the ring-enhancement pattern was the most useful, and its predictive diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for diagnosis of ASC were 65.2%, 89.6%, 75.0% and 84.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that presence of the ring-enhancement pattern on contrast-enhanced CT is the most useful predictive factor for ASC.

[Long-term survival of a patient with sigmoid colon cancer showing multiple liver metastases treated by performing partial hepatectomy, five years after achieving a complete response via hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy].

Although systemic multidrug chemotherapy is the first-line therapy for unresectable colorectal cancer, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAI)may be a potential alternative treatment for patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastasis. A 65-year-old man underwent sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer with bilobar, multiple liver metastases. Postoperatively, an HAI regimen of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU, 1,000mg/m²/5 h/every week)was administered for 26 weeks; the total dose of 5-FU administered was 52 g. Complete response(CR)was achieved, according to an imaging diagnosis technique. Thereafter, the patient was followed-up in an outpatient setting, without any further anti-cancer treatment. A solitary liver metastasis was identified by using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), 6 years 6 months after achieving CR. The patient underwent partial liver resection for the recurrent liver metastasis. Histological diagnosis revealed an adenocarcinoma, consistent with the findings for metastatic sigmoid colon cancer. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful, and he remains alive 5 years after liver resection, without any evidence of tumor recurrence. Further long-term follow-up might be advisable considering the slow-growing nature of this tumor.

Successful ureteral stent placement with rendezvous technique for ureteral obstruction after urinary diversion: A case report.

Ureteral obstruction after urinary diversion is not a rare complication, and the treatment is generally the ureteral stent placement via antegrade approach via the nephrostomy. We present a case of 64-year-old man with history of total pelvic resection and urinary diversion for local recurrence of rectal cancer who presented bilateral ureteral obstruction due to postoperative adhesion. First, bilateral nephrostomies were performed. The antegrade approach via nephrostomy could not break through the obstruction in the left side. Therefore, antegrade and retrograde approaches were attempted, and the internal-external drainage catheter could be placed by the rendezvous technique using bilateral microcatheters and microguidewires. The patient was able to avoid a permanent nephrostomy and continues to undergo regular internal drainage catheter exchange. Permanent nephrostomy considerably reduces the patient's quality of life, and in cases of tight obstruction, rendezvous techniques can be used.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with a portal vein tumor thrombus and pulmonary metastases of rectal cancer with microsatellite stability using atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

Herein, we report the successful treatment using atezolizumab plus bevacizumab of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a portal vein tumor thrombus and multiple pulmonary metastases from rectal cancer with microsatellite stability. This patient developed rectal cancer with synchronous pulmonary metastases and HCC. After resecting the primary lesion of the rectal cancer, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was performed for the HCC. Drug therapy was planned for multiple pulmonary metastases of rectal cancer; however, the early development of recurrent HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus had to be highly prioritized, and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was introduced. Following the disappearance of the recurrent HCC lesion, the metastatic pulmonary nodules shrunk into scar-like spots. The treatment for both HCC and pulmonary metastases of rectal cancer were considered to result in clinical complete response.

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy in patients with malignant pharyngoesophageal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is widely practiced, but we use interventional radiology techniques to perform percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy in cancer patients with conditions that prevent endoscope insertion due to pharyngoesophageal obstruction. This study retrospectively investigated the effectiveness of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy at our hospital. METHODS: We investigated the medical records of 105 patients who underwent percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy between 2001 and 2011. The technique used for percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy comprised insufflation to dilate the stomach via a nasogastric tube, followed by fluoroscopically guided puncture and gastrostomy tube placement. In patients for whom a nasogastric tube could not be inserted, the stomach was punctured with a fine needle under ultrasonographic guidance and insufflated via this puncture needle to achieve dilation. RESULTS: Patients comprised 75 men and 30 women (mean age, 63 years). A nasogastric tube was used during percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy in 81 cases, but could not be used in 24. The percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy procedure was successful in all cases. Serious post-percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy complications comprised one case each of decreased hemoglobin requiring blood transfusion, pneumoperitonitis that was treated by a laparotomy and infected fistula requiring tube removal (3/105, 2.9%). Duration of gastrostomy tube placement was 1-731 days, and the outcome was death in 59 cases, hospital transfer in 23, tube removal in 18 and survival with gastrostomy tube in place in 5. CONCLUSIONS: Serious complications requiring treatment occurred in 2.9% of cases in which percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy was performed, with mostly good effectiveness. Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy is feasible even for patients in whom a nasogastric tube cannot be inserted.

Difficult removal of totally implantable venous access devices in adult patients: Incidence, risk factors, and management.

BACKGROUND: Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) have played an important role of medical oncology practice. However, operators sometimes encounter considerable difficulty when removing TIVADs. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of difficult TIVAD removal, determine associated risk factors, and investigate interventional radiology (IR) approaches to difficult removal. METHODS: A total of 514 TIVAD removal procedures performed in a single-center between January 2014 and May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed to determine incidence of difficult removal and associated risk factors. IR approaches applied in difficult removal cases were also reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of difficult removal was 7.4% (38/514). In univariable analysis, indwelling duration, silicone catheter, and subcutaneous leakage of fluid were identified as significant risk factors for difficult removal. Multivariable analysis showed that indwelling duration per year (odds ratio (OR), 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28-1.67; p < 0.01) and subcutaneous leakage of fluid (OR, 6.04; 95% CI, 2.45-14.91; p < 0.01) were significantly associated with difficult removal. In the 38 difficult removal cases, 32 TIVADs could be removed using more dissection and traction than the standard removal method. In the other 6, TIVADs were successfully removed by using several IR techniques, including insertion of a guide wire (n = 1), dissection using an introducer sheath (n = 2), pushing with a dilator (n = 1), and pulling with a snare (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Difficult TIVAD removal is uncommon. However, operators should expect it when removing long indwelling TIVADs and those with subcutaneous leakage. IR approaches to difficult removal are minimally invasive and can be useful.

Clinical Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation Combined with Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Degradable Starch Microsphere Mixed with Mitomycin C for the Treatment of Non-hepatocellular Carcinoma Malignant Liver Tumors.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization using degradable starch microspheres for non-hepatocellular carcinoma malignant liver tumors. Material and Methods: A total of 15 patients (13 men, 2 women; median age, 67 years) who underwent radiofrequency ablation immediately after transarterial chemoembolization using degradable starch microspheres for liver tumors between July 2011 and September 2020 were included in this study. Thirteen patients had liver metastases from colorectal cancer (n = 6), esophageal cancer (n = 2), lung cancer (n = 2), and other tumors (n = 3), and 2 patients had primary liver tumor of cholangiocellular carcinoma (n = 1) and gastrinoma (n = 1). Twenty tumors (median size, 16 mm) were treated in 17 sessions. Technical success, safety, local tumor progression, and overall survival were evaluated. Safety was assessed according to the clinical practice guideline of the Society of Interventional Radiology. Results: All treatment procedures were successfully completed. There were no major complications. Grade-B complications of self-limiting pneumothorax (n = 1), vomiting (n = 1), and fever (n = 1) occurred in 1 session each. Local tumor progression developed in two tumors (local tumor progression rate, 10%, 2/20). The local tumor progression rates were 5% and 11% at 1 year and at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Tumor size of more than 20 mm (P = 0.0003) and contact with major vessels (P = 0.03) were significant risk factors for local tumor progression. The patients were treated with repeat radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization using degradable starch microspheres. During median follow-up of 48 months (range, 4-77 months), 5 patients died (33%, 5/15). The overall survival rates were 100%, 85%, and 57% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The median overall survival time was 69 months. Conclusions: Radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization using degradable starch microspheres was safe and showed favorable local control for non-hepatocellular carcinoma malignant liver tumors.

Phase II study of combination chemotherapy with biweekly cetuximab and irinotecan for wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and fluoropyrimidines.

The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of combination chemotherapy with every second week cetuximab and irinotecan in patients with pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer harboring wild-type KRAS. Patients with wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer that had progressed after chemotherapy with irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and fluoropyrimidine were included. Cetuximab was administered at 500 mg/m(2) biweekly with irinotecan. The primary endpoint was response rate. The pharmacokinetics of cetuximab was also evaluated in 5 patients. From May 2009 to February 2010, a total of 31 patients were enrolled from five institutions. One patient was not eligible. Among the 30 patients who were treated with biweekly cetuximab plus irinotecan, partial response was observed in 9 patients. The objective response rate was 30.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.7%-49.4%) and the disease control rate (complete response, partial response, or stable disease) was 76.7% (95% CI, 57.7%-90.0%). The median progression-free survival was 5.3 months and median overall survival was 10.8 months. Grade 3 skin toxicity was observed in 3 patients (10.0%) and one treatment related death due to pneumonia was observed. Combination chemotherapy with biweekly cetuximab and irinotecan was effective for pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer with wild-type KRAS.

Malignant inferior vena cava syndrome and congestive hepatic failure treated by venous stent placement.

A 65-year-old woman with liver metastases from colon cancer and tumor thrombus extending from the right hepatic vein (HV) to the right atrium (RA) presented with marked lower-extremity edema and massive ascites. Computed tomography showed tumor thrombus completely occluding the inferior vena cava (IVC) and HV ostia. Recanalization of the IVC and HVs was performed. Metallic stents were placed in tandem from the superior vena cava to the IVC through the RA, and additional metallic stents were placed in the left HV. The patient's symptoms were relieved, and there was no recurrence of these symptoms for 19.5 months until death.

[A case of hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma treated effectively by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with cisplatin and degradable starch microspheres].

A 37-year-old male presented with hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma after the enucleation of an affected eye. Hepatic metastases were thought to be the critical factors determining prognosis, so transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed for local control of the hepatic metastases. The first TACE with cisplatin (CDDP) and gelatin sponge (GS) did not have much success because fine feeding arteries to the main hepatic tumor on the caudate lobe branched out from the hepatic artery, and GS particles were not distributed in the tumor vessels. We used degradable starch microspheres (DSM) as finer obstructing material for the next treatment, and hepatic metastases were treated effectively with repeated CDDP/DSM-TACE.

Retrograde ureteric stenting and ileus tube insertion for a safer reoperation after pelvic exenteration: a case report.

A 64-year-old male had undergone open pelvic exenteration and urinary tract reconstruction with an ileal conduit for locally advanced rectal cancer. Six years later, he developed a late-onset perineal intestinal fistula and was scheduled for surgical treatment. Before reoperation, a transnasal ileus tube was inserted toward the ileal fistula, and ureteric stents were placed by endoscopy into the bilateral ureters via an ileal conduit. After laparotomy, ureteric stents and an ileus tube were palpable in the ileal conduit and jejunum to the proximal ileum. Ileal transection and ileo-transverse bypass were safely performed. The patient showed satisfactory progress and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 14. Retrograde ureteric stenting and ileus tube insertion seems to present a less-invasive and effective method for a safer reoperation after pelvic exenteration.

Clinical usefulness of Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy in the Diagnosis of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the detectability of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). METHODS: From January 2016 to October 2020, 125 SRS examinations using indium-111 pentetreotide performed for patients with NEN lesions were retrospectively evaluated. The detection rate of NEN lesions was determined according to histopathological classification by primary site and by organ. RESULTS: At least one NEN lesion was detected in 73% (91/125) with a positive Krenning score of ≥2 in SRS. The detection of abdominal NENs (gastrointestinal tract, 38; pancreas, 62; and others, 14) was 89% (49/55) for neuroendocrine tumor (NET)-grade (G) 1, 78% (32/41) for NET-G2, 66% (2/3) for NET-G3, 31% (4/13) for neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), 100% (1/1) for mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm, and 0% (0/1) for non-classified NEN. That of thoracic NENs was 33% (2/6) for typical carcinoid tumor and 40% (2/5) for atypical carcinoid tumor. For a total of 226 organ lesions, hepatic lesions were 76% (58/76); pancreatic lesions, 61% (31/51); lymph node lesions, 77% (27/35); bone lesions, 83% (20/24); duodenal lesions, 82% (9/11); and other lesions, 41% (11/27). CONCLUSION: The detectability of SRS for NEN in Japan was verified at a center, and its usefulness was confirmed.

Phase II study of combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and cetuximab for pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer harboring wild-type KRAS.

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of combination irinotecan and cetuximab chemotherapy in patients with pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer harboring wild-type KRAS. Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that had progressed after chemotherapy with irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and fluoropyrimidine were included. KRAS status was evaluated using the Cycleave PCR method; only patients without KRAS mutations were included. Cetuximab was administered initially at 400 mg/m² followed by weekly 250 mg/m² infusions. Irinotecan was administered biweekly. From October 2008 to April 2009, a total of 30 patients were enrolled. The objective response rate was 30.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.7-49.4%) and the disease control rate (complete response, partial response, or stable disease) was 80.0% (95% CI, 61.4-92.3%). Among the 15 patients with stable disease, 11 patients experienced >10% tumor shrinkage. Median progression-free survival was 5.8 months (95% CI, 4.1-7.6). Median overall survival was not reached at a median follow-up of 10.1 months. Grade 2 skin toxicity was observed in 23 patients, while no grade 3 skin toxicity was observed. Combined irinotecan and cetuximab is effective for pretreated metastatic wild-type KRAS colorectal cancer.

Prolonged survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer following first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy with molecular targeting agents and curative surgery.

BACKGROUND: The ability of molecular targeting agents to improve overall survival (OS) in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients who underwent oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy remains controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 331 patients with MCRC who underwent first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Treatment outcomes were compared between patients who started chemotherapy from April 2005 to March 2007 (cohort A; n = 157) and those who started it from April 2007 to March 2009 (cohort B; n = 174). To evaluate the impact of exposure to agents, we applied time-varying covariate analysis to avoid possible lead-time bias. RESULTS: Median OS of cohorts A and B was 21.3 and 28.6 months, respectively (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50-0.87, p = 0.003). Exposure to bevacizumab (25 vs. 76%), anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (18 vs. 33%) or curative surgery after chemotherapy (4 vs. 10%) was significantly higher in cohort B. According to a multivariate Cox model with exposure to each agent or treatment as a time-varying covariate, hazard ratios of death were 0.71 (95% CI, 0.51-0.96; p = 0.03) for bevacizumab, 0.62 (95% CI, 0.40-0.89; p = 0.01) for anti-EGFR and 0.22 (95% CI, 0.06-0.57; p = 0.004) for surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Increased exposure to molecular targeting agents or surgery after chemotherapy appears to contribute to an improvement in OS in recent patients with MCRC who have undergone oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Retrospective analysis of cetuximab monotherapy for patients with irinotecan-intolerant metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of cetuximab for irinotecan-intolerant patients has not yet been evaluated in detail. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of cetuximab monotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) that was intolerant to irinotecan. RESULTS: Among 105 patients who received cetuximab-containing chemotherapy until March 2010, 22 patients were treated with cetuximab monotherapy due to irinotecan intolerance. Cetuximab was given at the approved dosage to all patients. The performance status was 2 or 3 in 17 patients (77%). All but 1 patient had wild-type KRAS tumors. The causes of irinotecan intolerance were icterus (n = 9; 41%; median serum total bilirubin, 6.3 mg/dl), symptomatic peritoneal metastasis or obstruction (n = 8; 36%), and thrombocytopenia (n = 1; 5%). Four patients (18%) refused irinotecan due to previous irinotecan-associated toxicity. Two patients achieved a partial response with an apparent drop of serum bilirubin, for a response rate of 9.1%. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.6 and 3.5 months, respectively. No grade 3 or 4 adverse events or treatment-related deaths were experienced. CONCLUSION: Cetuximab monotherapy for irinotecan-intolerant MCRC is feasible. However, the overall efficacy was modest in the present cohort, despite the fact that most of the patients had wild-type KRAS tumors; further effective therapies should be evaluated to improve the prognosis of this patient population.

Preoperative Embolization of Spinal Metastatic Tumor: The Use of Selective Computed Tomography Angiography for the Detection of Radiculomedullary Arteries.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative embolization for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) has a risk of spinal ischemia. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of preoperative embolization in patients with MSCC and evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) angiography for the detection of the radiculomedullary arteries (RMA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 20 patients (12 men and 8 women; median age, 66 years), who underwent preoperative embolization before a decompression surgery, which corresponded to 22 embolization procedures. The detection ability of RMA was evaluated using angiography and selective CT angiography. Surgical data including intraoperative blood loss and transfusion were also evaluated. RESULTS: Six RMAs were identified at the levels of affected vertebrae and one level above and below in the diagnostic spinal angiography. In addition to spinal angiography, adjunctive selective CT angiography allowed visualization of another five RMAs. Overall, 11 RMAs were identified in 9 patients. Preoperative embolization was successfully achieved in all patients. As regards complications related to embolization procedure, palsy exacerbated in one patient (4.5%), which improved postoperatively. During the surgical procedure, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 353.4±254.2 mL without intraoperative transfusion in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed small amounts of intraoperative blood loss without any severe complications related to preoperative embolization. Selective CT angiography was a useful technique to detect RMAs and contributed to the safety of preoperative embolization.

Percutaneous Image-guided Needle Biopsy of Musculoskeletal Tumors: Technical Tips.

With recent advances in imaging technology, the frequency of detecting musculoskeletal lesions has also increased. Percutaneous image-guided needle biopsy is occasionally required for the diagnosis of such lesions. Moreover, in the era of personalized cancer care, chances in histopathological diagnosis and the importance of histopathological diagnosis by percutaneous needle biopsy are increasing. However, as percutaneous needle biopsy is not a common procedure for musculoskeletal lesions, careful planning and the application of adequate techniques such as hydrodissection and the trans-osseous approach are occasionally required. In this review, we have summarized the indications and techniques for percutaneous image-guided needle biopsy for musculoskeletal lesions, including lymphatic lesions.