Lower extremity pseudoaneurysms and their interventional radiological management: a pictorial review.

Lower extremity pseudoaneurysms (PsAs) are mostly developed after traumatic or iatrogenic injury to the arteries. Unless treated, they can be complicated by adjacent mass effects, distal embolism, secondary infection, and rupture. Imaging helps in the diagnosis and planning of therapeutic intervention. Ultrasonography (USG) is often diagnostic, while CT angiography aids in vascular mapping required for intervention. Image-guided therapy offers to manage these pseudoaneurysms in a minimally invasive approach, obviating the need for surgery. A smaller, superficial, and narrow-necked PsA can easily be managed with local USG-guided compression or thrombin injection. When the percutaneous approach is not a feasible option, PsA from expendable arteries can also be managed with coiling or glue injection. Wide-necked PsA from an unexpendable artery necessitates stent graft placement, although coiling of the neck may be a viable and cheaper alternative for a long- and narrow-necked PsA. Presently, vascular closure devices are also used to seal a small arterial rent through a direct percutaneous approach. This pictorial review entails various techniques to deal with lower extremity pseudoaneurysms. An idea about the various intervention radiological approaches will help in choosing appropriate methods to tackle lower extremity pseudoaneurysms.

Management of refractory rectal variceal bleed using computed tomography.

The management of refractory rectal variceal bleed using a minimally invasive percutaneous approach is described. Rectal varices are portosystemic collaterals that arise as a complication of portal hypertension. Bleeding is less common from rectal varices than from esophageal varices, but it is potentially life-threatening. Hence, it is of interest to describe a novel minimally invasive percutaneous technique to control refractory bleeding from rectal varices in a complex scenario where other proven treatments have failed. In the present study, a 28-year-old male presented to the Emergency department with one episode of hematemesis, hematochezia and severe abdominal pain. Sigmoidoscopy revealed actively bleeding rectal varices. CT abdominal angiogram revealed variceal formation in the rectum. we successfully performed CT guided percutaneous N- butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue injection of rectal varices with immediate and complete cessation of rectal bleed after failed endoscopic sclerotherapy.

A Sticky Situation: An Uncommon Cardiac Complication of Cyanoacrylate Glue Injection.

This case report describes an uncommon cardiac complication related to the endoscopic injection of cyanoacrylate glue to treat gastric variceal bleeding. The presentation and management options are reviewed and compared with our step-by-step approach in a patient requiring a liver transplant. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Comparison of efficacy and safety of endoscopic and radiological interventions for gastric varices: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Aim of the study: There is a paradigm shift in the management of gastric varices with the availability of endoscopic ultrasound and radiologic interventions. The optimal choice of intervention remains a dilemma for most treating physicians. Material and methods: We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ScienceDirect for studies comparing endoscopic glue injection, endoscopic thrombin injection (THB), variceal band ligation, EUS-guided coiling, EUS-guided glue injection, EUS-guided coiling with glue (EUS-C+G), balloon occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO), and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for gastric varices in adults. The data on four outcomes - obliteration of varices, rebleeding, adverse effects, and mortality - were pooled using a random-effects model. Treatment estimates were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) along with their 95% confidence interval (CI). The relative ranking of interventions for various outcomes was calculated as their surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Results: We identified 34 studies (10 randomized controlled trials, 24 non-randomized trials) with 2783 patients. Based on SUCRA plots, BRTO (SUCRA 95.1) had the highest rate of variceal obliteration followed by EUS-C+G (SUCRA 80.9). The risk of rebleeding was lowest with BRTO (SUCRA 85.1) followed by EUS-C+G (SUCRA 78.8). Moderate-severe adverse effects were least likely with THB (SUCRA 92.5) and highest with TIPS (SUCRA 3.7). In terms of mortality, EUS-C+G (73.5) had the lowest probability of overall mortality followed by TIPS (69.1). Conclusions: In this network meta-analysis, we found BRTO and EUS-guided therapies to be superior to endoscopic glue injection. However, the level of evidence remains low.

A case report of an endoscopic approach to life-threatening cecal variceal hemorrhage.

Cecal varices are a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. We describe a 29-year-old man with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis who developed gastrointestinal bleeding in the hospital. A computed tomography mesenteric angiogram showed bleeding cecal varices, which were successfully treated by glue injection therapy at colonoscopy. The procedure appeared to be complicated by bacteremia due to Escherichia coli.

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided combination therapy for treatment of gastric varices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: EUS-guided combination therapy (coil and hemostatic glue) for bleeding and non-bleeding gastric varices has recently attracted considerable attention after promising results were published in multiple small studies. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of EUS-guided combination therapy in the treatment of GVs. METHODS: Publications investigating the safety and efficacy of EUS-guided combination therapy in patients with gastric varices were searched in Medline, Ovid Journals, Medline non-indexed citations and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Pooling was conducted by both fixed and random effects model. RESULTS: In pooled analysis of 10 studies (N = 323), the technical success of EUS-guided combination therapy was 98.66% (95% CI 97.14-99.62). The pooled variceal obliteration rate after first session of treatment was 78.31% (95% CI 73.05-83.14). In patients requiring single or multiple treatment sessions, the overall variceal obliteration rate was 96.79% (95% CI 94.28-98.60). The pooled rate of hemorrhage from treated gastric varices was 4.92% (95% CI 2.85-7.52). After EUS-guided combination therapy, the pooled percentage of patients developing abdominal pain was 9.79% (95% CI 6.82-13.24), pulmonary embolism was 2.20% (95% CI 0.89-4.06), febrile episodes was 1.17% (95% CI 0.30-2.61), and procedure-related bleeding was noted in 2.62% (95% CI 1.18-4.63) of the patients. Subgroup analysis of studies using coil embolization and cyanoacrylate injection showed pooled variceal obliteration rate of 77.92% (95% CI 72.35-83.01) after first session of treatment. In patients requiring single or multiple treatment sessions, the overall variceal obliteration rate was 96.76% (95% CI 94.11-98.65). The pooled rate of re-bleeding from treated gastric varices was 5.09% (95% CI 2.90-7.83). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that EUS-guided combination therapy is safe and effective for patients with gastric varices and should be considered in the clinical management of these patients.

Fibrin glue injection method for complex fistula after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic fistula is the most problematic complication in pancreatectomy. Although drainage can be used to relieve this complication, pancreatic surgeons often encounter refractory pancreatic fistula. Fibrin glue injection, with the use of a twofold diluted solution B and a double-lumen tube, was found effective in treating this complicated pancreatic fistula. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 64-year-old Japanese man who underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic tail cancer. After initial drainage of the pancreatic fistula diagnosed 4 days postoperatively, on day 134, refractory pancreatic fistula was observed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography. We used fibrin glue injection, with a twofold diluted solution containing thrombin and calcium chloride and a double-lumen tube, for treating the refractory fistula; the fluid drainage was almost stopped with no fever or abdominal pain. No recurrence of pancreatic cancer has been observed since the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrin glue injection was effective for complicated pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy. Using a twofold diluted solution B containing thrombin and calcium chloride and a double-lumen tube makes possible the thorough injection of fibrin glue.

Treatment of ectopic variceal bleeding at choledochojejunostomy by endoscopic glue injection therapy with cyanoacrylate: Report of three cases including long-term outcomes.

Ectopic varices around the choledochojejunostomy site after pancreatoduodenectomy are rare. Diagnosing ectopic varices is difficult but, if untreated or misdiagnosed, the resulting mortality is high. This report describes three cases of ectopic variceal bleeding at the choledochojejunostomy site that were improved by endoscopic glue injection therapy (EGIT) with cyanoacrylate (CA). Case 1 was a 68-year-old man admitted to the hospital with hematemesis and melena. Six years prior, the patient underwent a total pancreatectomy for intraductal papillary mucinous adenocarcinoma. We diagnosed ectopic variceal rupture at the choledochojejunostomy site and controlled bleeding by EGIT with alpha-CA (αCA). Two recurrences of bleeding were improved by EGIT. Case 2 was a 71-year-old man admitted to the hospital with melena. Two and a half years prior, the patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. We found the red plug on the ectopic varices at the choledochojejunostomy site through endoscopic observation and performed EGIT with αCA. He had no recurrence. Case 3 was a 77-year-old woman admitted to the hospital with melena. Eleven years prior, the patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis at the pancreatic head. We controlled ectopic variceal bleeding at the choledochojejunostomy site by EGIT with αCA. Seven years after EGIT, ectopic varices could not be identified with an endoscope and there was no recurrence of ectopic bleeding.

Inadvertent accident during balloon-occluded glue injection for facial AVM: rescue procedure using intentional glue injection.

BACKGROUND: Glue embolization during balloon inflation is a novel technique with many advantages. However, the procedure's major complication is the adhesion of the balloon catheter by glue. Several studies have reported strategies to prevent this. However, no reports have described a rescue method after accidental adhesion occurs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old male was referred to the department of interventional radiology for sclerotherapy of an aggravating large facial arteriovenous malformation (AVM). We planned a transvenous approach to decrease the velocity of AVM and increase the efficacy of the sclerotherapy treatment. We performed glue embolization of a major draining vein during microballoon inflation. Upon injection of the glue, inadvertent glue reflux occurred, and the microballoon was stuck to the vessel wall. While removing the microballoon catheter, its shaft broke in the guiding catheter. We filled the inner lumen of the guiding catheter with glue and waited for polymerization to fixate the broken microballoon catheter inside the guiding catheter. Fortunately, the stuck microballoon was separated, and two broken pieces of microballoon catheter were removed through femoral vein short sheath. CONCLUSION: Intentional glue casting in the outer catheter is very useful when removing anything that is inside the catheter or stuck due to the glue reflux. It can be applied to various similar emergency situations.

Acute Non-glue Pulmonary Embolism Following Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-Guided Glue/Coil Treatment for Gastric Varices: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC) is sometimes associated with the development of esophageal varices (EV) and gastric varices (GV). GV is less common than EV. One of the treatment methods for GV is the injection of glue into the varices, which can be complicated by the embolism of the glue into the pulmonary vessels called glue pulmonary embolism (GPE). Non-glue pulmonary embolism (NGPE) after treatment of gastric varices is not very commonly reported in the literature. Herein, we present a case of the development of non-GPE after the treatment of the GV with glue injection and coiling.

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection in the management of gastric varices: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Bleeding from gastric varices is a catastrophic event and poses difficulty in management. The efficacy and safety of cyanoacrylate injection remain unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection in the management of gastric varices. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus databases, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews through November 2020 and manually reviewed the literature. Trial-specific risk ratios (RRs) were estimated and pooled using random-effect model meta-analysis. RESULTS: We included seven randomized controlled trials (six for secondary prophylaxis and one for primary prophylaxis) at low risk of bias in which 126 deaths were reported among 583 patients with gastric varices. All studies reported the use of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue. Cyanoacrylate use was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality (RR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.98; I2 = 41%) and rebleeding rate after hemostasis (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.35-0.68, I2 = 0%) compared with any other treatment approach not involving cyanoacrylate. When cyanoacrylate was compared with each individual treatment approach (propranolol only, band ligation, sclerotherapy with alcohol or ethanolamine), data comprised sparse limited comparative conclusions. The use of cyanoacrylate injection was not associated with an increase in serious adverse events. The quality of evidence is moderate, graded down due to the small number of events and wide CIs. CONCLUSION: The use of endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection therapy for gastric varices may be associated with lower all-cause mortality and better hemostasis compared with other therapies.

Case Report: Internal Carotid Artery Thrombosis: A Rare Complication After Fibrin Glue Injection for Cavernous Sinus Hemostasis.

Background: Fibrin glue injection within the cavernous sinus (CS) is a demonstrably safe and simple technique to control venous bleeding with a low complication rate. However, this technique does have inherent risks. We illustrate 2 cases of internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis after fibrin glue injection in the CS for hemostasis. Methods: After encountering this complication recently, we conducted a retrospective review of the surgical database of 2 senior neurosurgeons who specialize in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery to identify patients with any complications associated with the use of fibrin glue injection for hemostasis. Approval was given by respective institutional review boards, and patient consent was obtained. Results: Of more than 10,000 microsurgery procedures performed by 2 senior neurosurgeons with a combined experience of 40 years, including procedures for aneurysms and skull base tumors, 2 cases were identified involving ICA thrombosis after fibrin glue injection in the CS for hemostasis. Both cases involved severe ischemic complications as a result of the ICA thrombosis. In this article, we present their clinical presentation, characteristics, management, and outcomes. Conclusion: Direct injection of fibrin glue into the CS for hemostasis can effectively control venous bleeding and facilitate complex dissections. However, it can be associated with ICA thrombosis, with subsequent serious ischemia and poor prognosis. Although this complication appears to be rare, increased awareness of this problem should temper the routine use of fibrin glue in anterior clinoidectomy and transcavernous approaches.

Endoscopic Detection and Management of Esophagogastric Varices.

Introduction Gastrointestinal (GI) varices are abnormally dilated submucosal veins in the digestive tract caused due to portal hypertension. Esophagus and stomach are common locations of varices induced by portal hypertension. Their presence correlates with the severity of the liver disease. Endoscopic variceal band ligation is one of the preferred methods for bleeding and nonbleeding large varices to decrease bleeding risk. Tissue adhesives such as N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate have been used for gastric variceal obturation. Methods This descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal, from March 2014 to January 2020. The endoscopic detection of esophageal and gastric varices was observed. Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) was done for esophageal varices and injection of N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate for gastric varices. Results Esopahageal varices were detected in 1266 patients (8%) and gastric varices were in 36 patients (0.2%) among 15,657 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy. Nine hundred seven (71.6%) were male. Large esophageal varices were endoscopically detected in 54.8% patients, small varices in 31.4% and both (large and small varices) in 13.4%. EVL was done in 30.7% and EVL with cyanoacrylate glue injection in 35 patients (2.7%). Conclusion Esophageal and gastric varices are seen commonly in patients with chronic liver disease. This study was conducted to describe the different types of GI varices in patients undergoing UGI endoscopy. Variceal band ligation for esophageal varices and glue injection for gastric varices are viable options of management.

Endoscopic Cyanoacrylate Glue Injection in Management of Gastric Variceal Bleeding: US Tertiary Care Center Experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue injection (ECGI) is recommended as first-line treatment for bleeding gastric varices (GV) there is still limited experience with this method in the US. Our aim was to analyze our 10-year experience of ECGI for treatment and prophylaxis of gastric variceal bleeding. METHODS: Records of patients undergoing ECGI of GV at our US tertiary care center between 6/2005 and 5/2015 were reviewed. Assessed outcomes were primary hemostasis, early rebleeding during hospitalization, recurrent bleeding during follow-up, eradication and recurrence of GV. RESULTS: Prophylactic ECGI was performed in 16 patients with large GV. Eradication was achieved in 15 (94%). During the median follow-up of 27 (IQR 7-47) months, 4 patients (26.6%) had variceal bleeding; all were treated successfully with ECGI. Fifty-seven patients underwent ECGI for GV bleeding. Primary hemostasis was achieved in all. Early rebleeding occurred in 2 (3.5%) and durable hemostasis could not be achieved. Follow-up beyond initial hospitalization was available in 41 patients. Bleeding recurred in 8 (19.5%) patients during a median follow-up of 12 (IQR, 3-51) months. Eradication of GV was achieved in 92% of patients but recurrent varices were found in 44% during a median follow up period of 33 months. CONCLUSION: ECGI is effective in achieving hemostasis of bleeding GV and their eradication. Recurrent bleeding and recurrence of varices after complete obliteration however are not infrequent and continued surveillance is advisable.

Endoscopic Fibrin Glue Injection with Coaxial Double Lumen Needle for Severe Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Although endoscopic hemostasis is an effective treatment for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, permanent hemostasis may be difficult to achieve by conventional endoscopic treatment alone in some patients. In addition, conventional hemostatic endoscopic therapy is limited in patients with a risk of gastrointestinal ulcer perforation. We tried endoscopic fibrin glue injection in 21 patients as a new approach to control severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A new type of coaxial double lumen needle was used in the last 15 patients. Hemostasis was obtained immediately by fibrin glue injection in all 7 patients after unsuccessful attempts using conventional methods, including absolute alcohol or epinephrine injection, clipping, or electrocoagulation. There were no episodes of rebleeding in this group. In 10 of the 14 patients who underwent endoscopic fibrin glue injection as the primary therapy, complete hemostasis was achieved with the initial treatment. The remaining 4 required a second injection within 48 hours. There were no treatment-related complications. None of the patients required an additional surgical operation for bleeding, and the period of hospitalization was reduced after the introduction of fibrin glue injection. Considering the effect on acceleration of ulcer healing, endoscopic fibrin glue injection is an effective treatment with no risk of tissue injury. This technique can be used as the first choice or after failure of conventional endoscopic hemostatic methods.

Endoscopic variceal ligation caused massive bleeding due to laceration of an esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue emboli.

Endoscopic variceal obturation of gastric varices with tissue glue is considered the first choice for management of gastric varices, and is usually safe and effective. However, there is still a low incidence of complications and some are even fatal. Here, we present a case in which endoscopic variceal ligation caused laceration of the esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue emboli and massive bleeding after 3 mo. Cessation of bleeding was achieved via variceal sclerotherapy using a cap-fitted gastroscope. Methods of recognizing an esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue plug are discussed.

Technical Note: Thoracic duct embolization for treatment of chylothorax: A novel guidance technique for puncture using combined MRI and fluoroscopy.

Thoracic duct embolization (TDE) is an established radiological interventional procedure for thoracic duct injuries. Traditionally, it is done under fluoroscopic guidance after opacifying the thoracic duct with bipedal lymphangiography. We describe our experience in usinga heavily T2W sequence for guiding thoracic duct puncture and direct injection of glue through the puncture needle without cannulating the duct.

Gluing gastric varices in 2012: lessons learnt over 25 years.

Bleeding from gastric varices (GV) continues to pose a challenge to the endoscopist and no consensus has been reached on the best way for treating these patients. Gastric variceal obturation (GVO) with the tissue adhesive, N-2-butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBC), is considered the treatment of first-choice for this condition in most parts of the world. The liquid monomer polymerizes into a solid cast, obturating the vessel within 10-20 s of coming in contact with ionic solutions such as blood. Gastric variceal obturation achieves hemostasis in over 90% of patients with active bleeding, eradicates GV in over 80% of these patients, and re-bleeding occurs in 3-30%. These results are comparable with those of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS; over 90% hemostasis in acute bleeding with re-bleeding in 15-30%). Though, there has been no direct comparison with GVO, balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of GV (BRTO) achieves near 100% obliteration with recurrence in 0-10% and is superior to TIPS for hemostasis in active bleeding when used in combination with transcatheter sclerotherapy. Several complications have been described for GVO including thromboembolic complications which occur in 0.5-4.3% and may be devastating in some. Many of the complications and the variability in results of GVO can be attributed to variations in injection technique. The use of a standardized injection technique has been reported to achieve 100% hemostasis and obliteration with 6.9% re-bleeding and no embolic complications. Gastric variceal obturation with NBC continues to be the first-choice therapy for GV bleeding outside Japan. Adherence to a standard injection technique will maximize hemostasis and eradication of GV while minimizing complications of therapy.

Tulip bundle technique and fibrin glue injection: unusual treatment of colonic perforation.

We report a case of a 63-year-old male who experienced an iatrogenic sigmoid perforation repaired combining three endoscopic techniques. The lesion was large and irregular with three discrete perforations, therefore, we decided to close it by placing one clip per perforation, and then connecting all the clips with two endoloops. Finally we chose to use a fibrin glue injection to obtain a complete sealing. Four days after the colonoscopy the patient underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy due to evidence of a large polyp of the caecum with high grade dysplasia and focal carcinoma in situ. Inspection of the sigma showed complete repair of the perforation. This report underlines how a conservative approach, together with a combination of various endoscopic techniques, can resolve complicated iatrogenic perforations of the colon.