A successful endovascular repositioning of migrated transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) stent.

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure is performed to create an intrahepatic tract between the hepatic and portal veins which helps to shunt blood away from the hepatic sinusoids. This shunt decreases the portal venous pressure and secondary morbidities, including variceal bleeding and recurrent ascites. However, stent migration is a known complication of TIPS stent placement which may occur both during the procedure or postprocedural. We present a case of a 58-year-old male with history of liver cirrhosis in the setting of alcohol abuse and chronic hepatitis C infection who presented with melena and hematemesis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed 4 columns of large grade IV esophageal varices with stigmata of recent bleeding. Despite endoscopic variceal banding, the patient had persistent episodes of hematemesis and became hemodynamically unstable requiring pressor support. The decision was made to proceed with emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement. After obtaining transhepatic portal access and initial stent deployment, the stent migrated from the TIPS tract into the main portal vein. While maintaining through-and-through wire access, the stent was successfully mechanically retracted using an angioplasty balloon and it was appropriately repositioned within the original TIPS tract. The stent was then further secured in place with a slightly larger stent which was deployed within the hepatic portion of the initially migrated stent. This technique was successful and obviated complete removal of the stent and follow-up imaging demonstrated patent flow and adequate positioning several months after the procedure.

Complications of Ileal Conduits after Radical Cystectomy: Interventional Radiologic Management.

Since their introduction into clinical practice in the 1950s, ileal conduits have been the most common type of urinary diversion used after radical cystectomy worldwide. Although ileal conduits are technically simpler to construct than other forms of urinary diversion, a variety of complications can occur in the early and late postoperative periods. Early complications include urine leakage, urinary obstruction, postoperative fluid collection (eg, urinoma, hematoma, lymphocele, or abscess), and fistula formation. Late complications include ureteroileal anastomotic stricture, stomal stenosis, conduit stenosis, and urolithiasis. Although not directly related to ileal conduits, ureteroarterial fistula can occur in patients with an ileal conduit. Interventional radiologists can play a pivotal role in diagnosis and management of these complications by performing image-guided minimally invasive procedures. In this article, the authors review the surgical anatomy of an ileal conduit and the underlying pathophysiology of and diagnostic workup for complications related to ileal conduits. The authors also discuss and illustrate current approaches to interventional radiologic management of these complications, with emphasis on a collaborative approach with urologists or endourologists to best preserve patients' renal function and maintain their quality of life. ©RSNA, 2020.

Novel case of percutaneous access of afferent limb of Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for biliary decompression and jejunoplasty in a patient with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare condition characterized by multifocal fibrotic bile duct strictures and progressive liver disease. Due to its recurrence even after liver transplantation, an alternative surgical procedure, the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, is practiced with positive outcomes. We present a case of a 55-year-old female with history of primary sclerosing cholangitis and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy approximately 25 years ago who presented to the emergency department with acute cholangitis. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a dilated loop of small bowel in the right upper quadrant and mid-abdomen with normal bile duct caliber. Interventional radiology was consulted for percutaneous biliary and Roux limb decompression. Ultrasound was utilized to identify and percutaneously access the dilated afferent jejunal limb. With the help of a T-fastener, the jejunal loop was tacked against the anterior abdominal wall and the system was successfully decompressed with a drain left in place. On follow-up, delayed contrast transit through the Roux limb and a stricture in the native jejunum distal to the anastomosis was identified. Hampering of the downstream flow of bile was noted and this was determined to be the likely cause of the initial episode of cholangitis. The strictured bowel segment was balloon-dilated by interventional radiology. Repeat injection of contrast revealed significant improvement in the caliber of the stenotic segment. At 3 weeks' postprocedure, a follow-up enteroscopy of the bowel was performed through the same percutaneous access site. Using this technique, the patient avoided a major invasive surgical procedure.

Risk Factors for Early Port Infections in Adult Oncologic Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate risk factors for chest port (port) infections within 30 days of placement (early port infections) in adult oncologic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-institution, three-center retrospective study identified 1,714 patients (868 males, 846 females; median age 60.0 years old) who underwent port placement between January 2013 and August 2017. All patients received an intravenous antibiotic prior to port placement. The median absolute neutrophil count was 5,260 cells/µL, the median white blood cell (WBC) count was 7,700 cells/µL, and the median serum albumin was 4.00 g/dL at the time of port placement. Double-lumen ports were most commonly implanted (74.85%) more frequently in an outpatient setting (72.69%). Risk factors for early port infections were elucidated using univariate and multivariate proportional subdistribution hazard regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients (1.2%) had early port infections; 15 patients (0.9%) had positive blood cultures. The mean time to infection was 20 days (range, 9-30 days). The port-related 30-day mortality rate was 0.2% (4 of 1,714 patients). Most bloodstream infections were attributed to Staphylococcus spp. (n = 11). In multivariate analysis, hematologic malignancy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-5.92.; P = .02), hypoalbuminemia (albumin <3.5 g/dL; HR, 3.52; 95% CI: 1.48-8.36; P = .004), leukopenia (WBC <3,500 cells/µL; HR, 3.00; 95% CI: 1.11-8.09; P = .03), and diabetes mellitus (HR, 3.71; 95% CI: 1.57-8.83) remained statistically significant risk factors for early port infection. CONCLUSIONS: Hematologic malignancy, hypoalbuminemia, leukopenia, and diabetes mellitus at the time of port placement were independent risk factors for early port infections.

Biliary-Pleural Fistula following Portal Vein Embolization for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Biliary-pleural fistula (BPF), an abnormal communication between the biliary tract and pleural space, is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication following percutaneous biliary intervention. We report a case of BPF following portal vein embolization (PVE) in a 79-year-old woman with obstructive jaundice secondary to perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. The patient successfully underwent right-sided PVE; however, the patient developed a symptomatic right-sided bilious pleural effusion the following day. Despite aggressive drainage of the pleural effusion with a large-bore chest tube and maximal medical management, the patient died from respiratory failure and pneumonia. Although rare, knowledge of this complication is important when performing PVE in patients with biliary obstruction because it can be life-threatening. Early recognition and management of this complication are crucial to avoid a poor outcome.

Varicocele Embolization Following Failure Of Varicocelectomy: A Case Series And Review Of Literature.

Varicocelectomy remains the same mainstay of treatment for varicoceles. However, with growing focus on minimally invasive techniques, recent literature has investigated the use of venous embolization for the treatment of varicoceles in patients with recurrence after surgical treatment. Embolization has many advantages, including use of local anaesthesia, lower operating time, decreased risk of hydrocele and faster recovery times. In addition to this direct visualization of the vasculature during embolization allows for identification of any anatomic variants or collateral vessel accounting for the recurrence. This permits more definitive treatment in case of prior surgical failure. We present a case series where venous embolization is successfully done following failure of varicocelectomy. For patients who experience recurrence after a varicocelectomy, we recommend consideration for varicocele embolization.

Potential Pitfalls in Transjugular Portosystemic Shunt Placement for Bleeding Rectal Varices.

In patients with portal hypertension, bleeding from rectal varices is rare. However, it can be life-threatening. We report a case of massive bleeding from large rectal varices in a 59-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis. Emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement was performed following failed local endoscopic therapy. Despite normalization of the portosystemic pressure gradient, the patient had another episode of massive bleeding on the following day. Embolization of the rectal varices via TIPS successfully stopped the bleeding. After the procedure, rapid decompensation of the cirrhosis led to severe encephalopathy, and death was observed. Although TIPSs have been reported to be useful in controlling bleeding from rectal varices, our case illustrates the potential pitfalls in using this technique in the treatment of rectal variceal bleeding. TIPSs may not be always successful in controlling massive bleeding from large rectal varices, even after normalization of portal hypertension. TIPSs can also be associated with life-threatening complications that may lead to early mortality.

Application of neural network for simulation of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor performance.

Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors are being used with increasing regularity all over the world, especially in India, for a variety of wastewater treatment operations. Consequently, there is a need to develop methodologies enabling one to determine UASB reactor performance, not only for designing more efficient UASB reactors but also for predicting the performance of existing reactors under various conditions of influent wastewater flows and characteristics. This work explores the feasibility of application of an artificial neural network-based model for simulating the performance of an existing UASB reactor. Accordingly, a neural network model was designed and trained to predict the steady-state performance of a UASB reactor treating high-strength (unrefined sugar based) wastewater. The model inputs were organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, and influent bicarbonate alkalinity. The output variables were one or more of the following, effluent substrate concentration (Se), reactor bicarbonate alkalinity, reactor pH, reactor volatile fatty acid concentration, average gas production rate, and percent methane content of the gas. Training of the neural network model was achieved using a large amount of experimentally obtained reactor performance data from the reactor mentioned above as the training set. Training was followed by validation using independent sets of performance data obtained from the same UASB reactor. Subsequently, simulations were performed using the validated neural network model to determine the impact of changes in parameters like influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and hydraulic retention time on the reactor performance. Simulation results thus obtained were carefully analyzed based on qualitative understanding of UASB process and were found to provide important insights into key variables that were responsible for influencing the working of the UASB reactor under varying input conditions.