Randomised controlled trial of temoporfin photodynamic therapy plus chemotherapy in nonresectable biliary carcinoma--PCS Nordic study.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with stent have shown promising results in the treatment of biliary tract cancer (BTC) in patients not suitable for surgery. Chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival in patients with local advanced and metastatic BTC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the current randomized trial the combination of chemotherapy and stent with and without temoporfin (Foscan) photodynamic therapy (PDT), with a primary endpoint on feasibility and safety, has been performed. Ten patients in each group. RESULTS: No serious, acute procedure-related complication related to PDT or the treatment combination was seen. The number of patients with cholangitis was equal in both groups. In the PDT group--arm A--two patients had cutaneous erythema after sun exposition, one of them with a localized blister. No neutropenic infection was seen. Quality of Life (QoL) was similar in both treatment groups. Progression free survival was numerically longer in the PDT group. CONCLUSION: The treatment combination was feasible. There was no serious complication related to PDT or the treatment combination. Number of cholangitis was equal in both groups, two abscesses were observed in the PDT group. Progression free survival was numerically longer in the PDT group.

Periprosthetic leak and rupture after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: the significance of device design for long-term results.

We present a case of abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with an endovascular bifurcated aortic graft in which a periprosthetic leak caused by a tear in the polyester prosthesis appeared between 9 and 12 months after surgery. The tear appeared adjacent to a suture breakage that caused separation of two struts of the nitinol wire framework in the body of the stent graft. The leak was sealed with insertion of a new endovascular tube graft into the body of the bifurcation. Eight months later, the patient had a nonfatal rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm because detachment of the second limb from the bifurcation caused a new major periprosthetic leak. According to the manufacturer of this device, suture breakage with separation of metal components is commonly seen, but perforation of the polyester prosthesis caused by movement of the metal stent against the fabric has not been reported. It is likely that this occurred in our patient. Detachment of the second limb from the bifurcated stent, causing a rupture, has been described before. Increasing angulation and tortuosity of the stent graft, as a result of either remodeling of the sac or elongation of the stent, and reduced compliance to angulation after the stent-in-stent procedure might have contributed to the detachment in this case.

[Percutaneous pleural and pericardial drainage]. / Perkutan pleura-og perikarddrenasje.

Both MRI, CT and sonography will give a good presentation of fluid collection in pleura and pericardium. Sonography is the ideal imaging method for monitoring interventional procedures. Its ability to visualize superficial fluid collection and its real-time capability allows precise control of needle and catheter insertions. If the abnormality is poorly seen with ultrasound, often because of air in the collection, CT can be used as a guidance system. Diagnostic thoracocentesis and pericardiocentesis are performed mainly to exclude malignancy and infections, and the punctions are made with small needles. Therapeutic thoracocentesis is usually performed to relieve dyspnoea and small catheters are used. Drainage of empyema is performed with larger catheters because of the high viscosity of the infected fluid. Patients with threatening cardiac tamponade will often respond immediately to drainage of the pericardial space by catheter. These procedures can be done with local anesthesia only. If complications occur, it is mainly the pneumothorax that has to be treated. This can be managed directly under the procedure as the drainage catheter is attached to continuous pleural suction, or a catheter can be inserted in the pleural space after diagnostic punction. Patients with coagulation abnormalities must be evaluated especially before any intervention, otherwise there are no contraindications for these image-guided percutaneous procedures.

[Percutaneous drainage of abdominal abscesses]. / Perkutan drenasje av abdominale abscesser.

Percutaneous drainage of abdominal abscesses has proved to be one of the most successful and gratifying of all interventional radiology procedures. Collections of intra-abdominal fluid can be detected easily with computer tomography and sonography. Diagnostic aspiration is done under guidance of sonography or computer tomography. Sonography is the ideal imaging method for monitoring interventional procedures. Its ability to visualize the collection of superficial fluid and its real-time capability allows precise control of insertions of needles and catheters. If the collection is poorly seen with sonography, often because of air, computer tomography can be used as a system of guidance. It is essential that radiologists and surgeons collaborate in the treatment of patients with abscesses. Percutaneous drainage is favoured in patients at high risk with open surgery, while diffuse collections between bowels almost always need surgical drainage. Simple abscesses can be treated successfully with percutaneous drainage. Complicated abscesses in the pancreas can also be treated with good results. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia. Most complications are minor and can be treated conservatively. Coagulation abnormalities must be corrected, but there are no other contraindications to these image-guided percutaneous procedures.