Palliative treatment of inoperable malignant tracheobronchial obstruction: temporary stenting combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical results of temporary stenting followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy in patients with inoperable malignant tracheobronchial strictures. CONCLUSION: Temporary stenting combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may be clinically effective in the palliative treatment of patients with malignant tracheobronchial strictures. Stent placement may serve as an effective bridge to radiation and/or chemotherapy, allowing the latter to consolidate durable relief of obstructing symptoms by reducing tumor burden. Furthermore, our treatment strategy may increase patients' quality of life by reducing stent-related complications.

Inferior phrenic artery: anatomy, variations, pathologic conditions, and interventional management.

The inferior phrenic artery (IPA) is the most common source of extra-hepatic collateral blood supply for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and frequently supplies HCCs located in the bare area of the liver. Other pathologic conditions including hemoptysis, diaphragmatic or hepatic bleeding due to trauma or surgery, and bleeding caused by gastroesophageal problems (eg, Mallory-Weiss tear or gastroesophageal cancer) may be related to the IPA. Over a 4-year period, the authors performed 383 interventional procedures related to the IPA. The right and left IPAs originate with almost equal frequency from the aorta and celiac axis and with lesser frequency from the renal arteries. Various other sites of origin-such as the left gastric, hepatic, superior mesenteric, spermatic, and adrenal arteries-are also seen. Radiologists must be familiar with the normal spectrum of IPA anatomy so that detection and adequate interventional management can be achieved when pathologic conditions related to the IPA are present.