Splenic artery embolization in the treatment of blunt splenic injury: single level 1 trauma center experience.

PURPOSE: To describe the experience of a single level 1 trauma center in the management of blunt splenic injuries (BSI). METHODS: This is a retrospective study with Institutional Review Board approval. The medical records of 450 patients with BSI treated between January 2016 and December 2022 were reviewed. Seventy-two patients were treated with splenic artery embolization (SAE), met the study criteria, and were eligible for data analysis. Spleen injuries were graded in accordance with the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale. Univariate data analysis was performed, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The splenic salvage rate was 90.3% (n = 65/72). Baseline demographics were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). Distal embolization with Gelfoam® had similar rates of splenic salvage to proximal embolization with coils (90% vs. 94.1%, P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of splenic infarction between distal embolization with Gelfoam® (20%, 4/20) and proximal embolization with coils (17.6%, 3/17) (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in procedure length (68 vs. 75.8 min) or splenic salvage rate (88.5% vs. 92.1%) between proximal and distal embolization (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in procedure length (69.1 vs. 73.6 min) or splenic salvage rate (93.1% vs. 86.4%) between Gelfoam® and coil embolization (P > 0.05). Combined proximal and distal embolization was associated with a higher rate of splenic abscess formation (25%, 2/8) when compared with proximal (0%, 0/26) or distal (0%, 0/38) embolization alone (P = 0.0003). The rate of asymptomatic and symptomatic splenic infarction was significantly higher in patients embolized at combined proximal and distal locations (P = 0.04, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The endovascular management of BSI is safe and effective. The overall splenic salvage rate was 90.3%. Distal embolization with Gelfoam® was not associated with higher rates of splenic infarction when compared with proximal embolization with coils. Combined proximal and distal embolization was associated with a higher incidence of splenic infarction and splenic abscess formation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Distal splenic embolization with Gelfoam® is safe and may be beneficial in the setting of blunt splenic trauma.

When Educational Images Don't Reflect the Population: Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens, a Case Report.

Introduction: Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is an uncommon, potentially life-threatening complication of acute deep venous thromboses that requires a timely diagnosis. The name of the condition, the visual diagnostic criteria, and the preponderance of cases in the literature referencing findings exclusively in patients with lighter skin complexions means that PCD may not be on the differential diagnosis for the patient with more melanated skin who is experiencing this time-sensitive vascular emergency. Case Report: We describe one case of PCD in a patient with darker skin complexion and the importance of identifying clinical findings, regardless of skin color, given the paucity of reference images for PCD in darker complected patients. Our literature review yielded 60 case reports for PCD. Only two papers included images referencing patients of color. Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis requires recognition of diagnostic findings, which may vary significantly between phenotypically distinct populations. Many pathognomonic physical exam findings rely on descriptors based on presentation in phenotypically white patients.

The History of the Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt.

Few, if any, developments in the past three decades have advanced the field of portal hypertension more than the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS). Initially pursued in animal studies more than 50 years ago, and discovered serendipitously, TIPS quickly became used clinically in the treatment of refractory esophageal hemorrhage. The technique is now used for many other clinical indications as well as to bridge patients to liver transplantation. Several technical advancements have improved short- and long-term outcomes of the procedure. This article will review the development of TIPS from its inception to the current state of care regarding this important minimally invasive option for patients with portal hypertension.

Portal Vein Thrombosis: Introduction to Imaging and Etiology.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a complex medical condition that presents differently depending on the etiology. Appropriate imaging is necessary to determine the extent of clot, as well as its chronicity. While determining the characteristics of the PVT, imaging may also reveal the underlying cause of PVT. The purpose of this article is to describe the most common imaging modalities used in the evaluation of PVT, and to describe the findings of PVT.

Abdominal Pseudoaneurysms in Patients With High-Grade Traumatic Injuries.

Utilization of CT scans in the work-up of trauma patients has led to increasing diagnosis of traumatic pseudoaneurysms (PSAs). While rare, PSAs have devastating consequences if ruptured. Evidence for the benefit of early detection of PSAs is lacking. The objective of this case series was to determine the incidence of solid organ PSAs after trauma. A retrospective chart review of patients with AAST grade 3-5 traumatic solid organ injuries was performed. 47 patients were identified with PSAs. PSAs were most common in the spleen. A CT finding of contrast blush or extravasation was found in 33 patients. 36 patients underwent embolization. 12 patients had an abdominal CTA prior to discharge. Re-admission was required for 3 patients. 1 patient presented with PSA rupture. During the study, there was no consistency in surveillance for PSAs. Future studies are needed to develop evidence-based practice guidelines for PSA surveillance in high risk populations.

Endovascular Assessment of Liver Hemodynamics in Patients with Cirrhosis Complicated by Portal Hypertension.

The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is currently considered the gold standard to assess portal hypertension (PH) in patients with cirrhosis. A meticulous technique is important to achieve accurate and reproducible results, and values obtained during measurement are applied in risk stratification of patients with PH, allocating treatment options, monitoring follow-up, and deciding management options in surgical patients. The use of portosystemic pressure gradients in patients undergoing placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts has been studied extensively and has great influence on decisions on shunt diameter. The purpose of this study was to describe the recommended technique to measure HVPG and portosystemic pressure gradient and to review the existing literature describing the importance of these hemodynamic measurements in clinical practice.

Iatrogenic Portobiliary Fistula following Endoscopic Biliary Stent Placement: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Iatrogenic portobiliary fistula is a rare adverse event following endoscopic biliary stent placement. Damage to the portal vein following endoscopic biliary stent placement has previously only been reported as single case reports. Management has ranged from conservative monitoring to surgery. Here, the authors present 4 cases of inadvertent endoscopic placement of a biliary stent into the portal vein. Interventional radiology was called to assist in the management of each of these cases. The experience presented here in conjunction with review of the previously reported cases helps shed light on potential management strategies if this adverse event is encountered in the future.

Management of Renal Artery-Inferior Vena Cava Fistula Following Nephrectomy for Penetrating Trauma.

Background: Renal artery to inferior vena cava fistula is a rare event postnephrectomy. We report a case of an adult male in whom a renal artery to inferior vena cava fistula was detected on non-invasive studies following nephrectomy for penetrating trauma. Case Report: A fistula between the right renal artery and inferior vena cava was confirmed with diagnostic angiography. The fistula was successfully embolized using microcoils. Discussion: This case highlights the importance of exploring retroperitoneal hematomas secondary to penetrating trauma.

Checklist-based Training Improves Consenting Skills Among Radiology Residents.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to demonstrate whether a curriculum based on an informed consent conversation checklist led to improvement in a resident's ability to obtain patient centered and legally sound consent. MATERIAL/METHODS: In this prospective, IRB approved study, Radiology residents from a single institution were asked to obtain informed consent for an imaging study or image-guided procedure from a standardized patient (SP). Encounters were scored by an attending radiologist on a 20-point checklist as well as by the SPs on four consent related questions. Residents were then provided reading material, a lecture, and a consent checklist pocket card. Residents participated in a post-intervention SP encounter. Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test was performed to determine if there was a significant improvement in scores after intervention. RESULTS: Twenty-one residents completed all aspects of the program. There was statistically significant improvement in consenting skills as measured by the attending scores and the SP scores after receiving formal education. Pre-intervention scores had a mean of 9.29 of 20 (SD 1.39), while post-intervention scores had a mean of 16.95 of 20 (SD 1.83). 95.2% (20/21) of residents found the training useful and stated they would recommend it to future trainees. CONCLUSION: Checklist-based consent training improved radiology residents' ability to obtain informed consent.

Techniques for portal vein targeting during a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is one of the most challenging procedures in interventional radiology. Hepatic and portal venous anatomy can be highly variable, and access to the portal vein, which can be quite difficult even for experienced surgeons, is the most critical step in a TIPS. Although there are multiple techniques to achieve a portal venous puncture, each access technique carries a unique set of risks and benefits. Thus, knowledge of these assistive techniques will add to the resources available to the surgeon when planning and subsequently performing a TIPS and, ultimately, increase the likelihood of a safe and successful procedure.

Endovascular management of portal vein obstruction in hepatobiliary cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to describe the procedural safety, technical success, and clinical success of endovascular management of portal and mesenteric venous obstruction in patients with hepatobiliary neoplasms. METHODS: Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved HIPAA compliant retrospective review of 21 consecutive patients with hepatobiliary malignancies who underwent endovascular portal vein recanalization and stent placement between January 2012 and March 2020. Clinical diagnoses were pancreatic cancer (n = 19), colon cancer metastatic to the liver (n = 1), and cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1). Presenting signs and symptoms included: ascites, abdominal pain, abnormal liver function tests, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Stent patency and patient survival are presented with Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. A transhepatic approach was used in 20 cases (95.2%); trans-splenic access in one. Primary stent patency was 95.2%, 84%, and 68% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. All stent occlusions were caused by tumor progression. A total of 80% of patients reported symptomatic improvement. Patient survival at 10 months was 40%. The early death rate was 4.76%. There were no bleeding complications from the percutaneous tracts. CONCLUSION: Endovascular recanalization with stent placement is safe with high technical and clinical success.

Transjugular Liver Biopsy with Hemodynamic Evaluation: Correlation between Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Histologic Diagnosis of Cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: Measurement of hepatic vein pressures is the accepted gold standard for the evaluation of portal hypertension. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between hepatic vein pressure measurements and histologic findings from transjugular liver biopsies. The hypothesis was that higher hepatic venous pressure gradients would correlate with a histologic diagnosis of cirrhosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent transjugular liver biopsies at our institution between January 2015 and December 2019. Of these, 178 patients who had undergone hemodynamic evaluations during the biopsy procedure were included in the study. Demographic information and laboratory data were extracted from the patients' electronic medical records. The hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG) was determined by subtracting the free hepatic venous pressure from the wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), and the portosystemic gradient (PSG) was determined by subtracting the right atrial pressure from the WHVP. HVPG and PSG were compared by linear regression analysis and by calculating their receiver operating characteristics (ROC). RESULTS: HVPG and PSG measurements were significantly associated with cirrhosis, with area under the ROC curve of 0.79 and 0.78, respectively. At the optimal cutoff of 9 mmHg, sensitivity and specificity for HVPG were 71% and 83% for HVPG and 67 % and 81% for PSG, respectively. No statistical difference was observed between the two measurements. CONCLUSION: A transhepatic venous pressure gradient above a cutoff of 9 mmHg is predictive of histologic cirrhosis, regardless of whether it is expressed as HVPG or PSG, with acceptable to excellent performance characteristics.

Ibero-American Society of Interventionism (SIDI) and the Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI) Standard of Practice (SOP) for the Management of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in the Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVES: to present an interventional radiology standard of practice on the use of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in patients with or at risk to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE) from the Iberoamerican Interventional Society (SIDI) and Spanish Vascular and Interventional Radiology Society (SERVEI). METHODS: a group of twenty-two interventional radiologist experts, from the SIDI and SERVEI societies, attended online meetings to develop a current clinical practice guideline on the proper indication for the placement and retrieval of IVCFs. A broad review was undertaken to determine the participation of interventional radiologists in the current guidelines and a consensus on inferior vena cava filters. Twenty-two experts from both societies worked on a common draft and received a questionnaire where they had to assess, for IVCF placement, the absolute, relative, and prophylactic indications. The experts voted on the different indications and reasoned their decision. RESULTS: a total of two-hundred-thirty-three articles were reviewed. Interventional radiologists participated in the development of just two of the eight guidelines. The threshold for inclusion was 100% agreement. Three absolute and four relative indications for the IVCF placement were identified. No indications for the prophylactic filter placement reached the threshold. CONCLUSION: interventional radiologists are highly involved in the management of IVCFs but have limited participation in the development of multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines.

Endovascular Strategies in the Management of Acute Limb Ischemia.

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) represents one of the most common emergent scenarios encountered by a vascular specialist. Despite expedient revascularization, high rates of limb loss are reported along with high mortality rates which are second only to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Surgical revascularization is standard of care. Endovascular techniques as an alternative have emerged to be appropriate first line therapy when addressing the threatened limb. We review the etiology and classification of ALI and current endovascular techniques and evidence to date in the management of patients acutely presenting with extremity ischemia.

Transjugular Venous Approach for Endovascular Interventions in Hemodialysis Grafts and Fistulas of the Upper Extremities.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the use of a transjugular venous access for interventions in upper extremity hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and grafts. This access is used in selected patients in whom direct puncture of the hemodialysis access is considered to be difficult or cumbersome. Technical success was achieved in 96.7% of patients. If an intervention is unsuccessful, the transjugular access offers the possibility of placement of a dialysis catheter for temporary or long-term hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: The transjugular approach for hemodialysis access endovascular interventions is technically successful and safe. Initially described as an intervention to treat malfunctioning arteriovenous grafts, we have used it successfully in AVF interventions. In our opinion, this approach is a safe and effective alternative that may prove useful in selected patients.