A case of inflammatory mass resulting from calcium crystal deposition disease around the thoracic spine.

Calcium crystal deposition diseases are transient benign diseases that can cause intense pain. They can sometimes cause masses and soft tissue edema around the calcification, which should be differentiated from tumors and abscesses. We report a case of calcium crystal deposition disease with an enhanced mass on the ventral side of the vertebral bodies resembling tumors and abscesses. A female patient in her 50s visited our hospital complaining of chest pain. Computed tomography revealed a soft tissue mass with polygonal high-density lesions on the ventral side of the thoracic spine. Initially, we suspected it to be a perivertebral tumor and considered a biopsy. However, the pain rapidly improved with the administration of oral acetaminophen (Caronal, Chuo-ku/Tokyo/Japan). Hence, the patient was followed up for the time being. The mass disappeared after 3 months. In addition, polygonal high-density lesions inside the mass disappeared over time. Therefore, it was diagnosed as an inflammatory mass due to calcium crystal deposition disease. Calcium crystal deposition diseases can cause soft tissue edema and inflammatory mass around the calcium crystal deposit that can be confused with a perivertebral tumor. This report elucidates the importance of identifying calcifications within and near the masses to diagnose an inflammatory mass resulting from calcium crystal deposition.

Blood supply to the caudate lobe of the liver from the right inferior phrenic artery: observation by cone-beam computed tomography during arteriography.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate blood supply to the caudate lobe of the liver from the right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA) using cone-beam computed tomography during arteriography (CBCTA-RIPA). METHODS: CBCTA-RIPA examinations during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were collected from 2448 procedures in 787 patients. The exclusion criteria were (1) major artifacts, (2) TACE of hepatic arterial branches before performing CBCTA-RIPA, and (3) repeated CBCTA-RIPA studies in the same patient. Blood supply to three subsegments, the Spiegel lobe (SP), paracaval, and caudate process, was evaluated on CBCTA-RIPA images. The origins and routes of branches supplying the caudate lobe were also evaluated by three-dimensional vessel-tracking software. RESULTS: Forty-seven CBCTA-RIPA examinations in 47 patients (38 with a history of TACE [repeated TACE group] and nine without it [initial TACE group]) were eligible, including five who had previously undergone hepatectomy. Seven had caudate lobe HCCs. Blood supply to the caudate lobe was demonstrated in 21 (44.7%) patients: in 50% (19/38) and 22.2% (2/9) of the repeated and initial TACE groups, respectively. The caudate arteries had previously been embolized in eight patients, the RIPA branch in three, and both in one. Forty-one proximal branches mainly supplied the dorsal part of the SP. All branches but five reached there through the inferior vena cava (IVC) ligament. The RIPA supplied eight of nine caudate lobe HCCs, totally (n = 7) or partially (n = 1). CONCLUSION: The proximal RIPA branches mainly supply the dorsal SP through the IVC ligament, especially in the repeated TACE group.

Intraoperative Bile Duct Disruption Treated Using Intrahepatic Biliary Ablation with Ethanol: A Report of Two Cases.

We report two cases of intraoperative bile duct disruption. In case 1, an isolated bile duct in the remnant of the anterosuperior liver segment after right hepatic lobectomy for cholangiocarcinoma caused bile leakage. In case 2, bile leakage continued from a disrupted accessory hepatic duct during pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic carcinoma. In both patients, a mixture of ethanol and iodized oil at a 10:1 ratio was injected into the disrupted bile duct under balloon occlusion. In case 1, the mixture was injected through a balloon catheter under balloon occlusion overnight. No severe complications developed in either case. Bile leakage stopped postoperatively and did not recur until the patients' death from tumor progression 14 and 16 months after surgery, respectively.

Transarterial Interventional Therapy for Non-functioning Hemodialysis Access.

Transarterial vascular access interventional therapy (VAIVT) for non-functioning hemodialysis access has advantages over the venous approach because natural venous outflow through the fistula as well as the stump at the fistula site in total occlusion can be observed, and most strictures and/or occlusions can be treated via one access route. The brachial arterial approach is essential, but the radial arterial approach at the wrist is also necessary for certain patients. The transarterial approach can be applied to all VAIVTs; however, additional venous access is necessary in cases requiring a large device and those with unsuccessful traversal of the occluded segment via the arterial route. The high origin of the radial artery is a disadvantage of the transbrachial approach, and local hematomas are the most frequent complications.

Outcomes of conventional transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma ≥10 cm.

AIM: To retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≥10 cm. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with naïve HCC ≥10 cm (mean maximum tumor diameter, 130 ± 27.6 mm; single [n = 12], 2-9 [n = 6], and ≥10 [n = 7]) without extrahepatic spread treated with cTACE were eligible. Five (20%) had vascular invasion. Two to three stepwise cTACE sessions using iodized oil ≤10 mL in one cTACE session were scheduled. When the tumor recurred, additional cTACE was repeated on demand, if possible. Overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The prognostic factors were evaluated using uni- and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Stepwise cTACE sessions were completed for 20 (80%) patients, but could not be completed for four (16%). In the remaining (4%) patient, the whole tumor was embolized in one session. Additional treatment, mainly cTACE, was undertaken for 19 (76%) patients. The OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 68, 34.7, and 23.1%, respectively. A tumor number of three was a significant prognostic factor (P = 0.020) and the 1-, 3-, and 4-year OS rates in patients with ≤3 and ≥4 tumors were 81.3 and 33.3, 55.6 and 11.1, and 38.9% and 0%, respectively. Whole tumor embolization and the serum level of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II were also significant prognostic factors (P < 0.001 and P = 0.042, respectively). Bile duct complications requiring additional interventions developed in two (8%) patients. CONCLUSION: Conventional TACE is safe and effective for huge HCCs, but has limited effects in cases with four or more tumors.

Outcomes of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Guidance Software.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of conventional transarterial chemoembolization using guidance software for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred two patients with treatment-naïve HCC with ≤ 7-cm and ≤ 5 lesions treated with conventional transarterial chemoembolization using guidance software were selected. Technical success was classified into 3 grades by computed tomography performed 1 week after transarterial chemoembolization: (i) A, complete embolization with a safety margin; (ii) B, entire tumor embolization without a safety margin; and (iii) C, incomplete embolization. Intrahepatic tumor recurrence was classified into 2 categories: local tumor progression (LTP) and intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR). Overall survival (OS) and tumor recurrence rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Additionally, the incidences of LTP between grade A and B tumors, IDR with/without LTP, and OS with/without LTP were compared by the log-rank test. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six (82.1%) tumors were determined to be grade A, 26 (13.7%) were determined to be grade B, and 8 (4.2%) were determined to be grade C. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year LTP and IDR rates were 31.7%, 49.4%, and 59.4% and 33.9%, 58.2%, and 73.3%, respectively. LTP developed more frequently in grade B tumors than grade A tumors (P = .0016). IDR developed more frequently in patients with LTP than without LTP (P = .0004). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 96.1%, 71.1%, and 60%, respectively; the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates in patients with/without LTP were 95.7%, 69.8%, and 59.3% and 96.2%, 71.6%, and 59.4%, respectively (P = .9984). CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial chemoembolization guidance software promotes the technical success of transarterial chemoembolization and excellent OS in HCC patients.

Usefulness of dual-phase cone-beam computed tomography during arteriography and automated tumour-feeder detection software in transarterial embolization for obscure arterial bleeding in the abdomen.

We report the usefulness of dual-phase cone-beam computed tomography during angiography (CBCTA) and automated tumour-feeder detection software (AFD) in transarterial embolization (TAE) for three consecutive cases of obscure arterial bleeding in the abdomen. Two patients presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding and one showed bleeding into the pancreatic pseudocyst. Superior mesenteric or common hepatic angiography did not demonstrate extravasation, but dual-phase CBCTA and AFD could identify extravasation and an access route to the bleeding point. TAE with gelatin sponge particles and a microcoil was successfully performed under AFD guidance in all patients without any complication, and haemostasis could be achieved.

Chemoembolization for the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of chemoembolization for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors larger than 5 cm in diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemoembolization was performed in 30 patients with HCCs with a largest diameter of more than 5 cm with three or fewer lesions and no portal vein tumor thrombus. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 7.7 cm +/- 2.4. When the tumor was extremely large and had multiple feeding arteries, stepwise chemoembolization sessions at intervals of 3-10 weeks were performed. In addition, extrahepatic collateral supply was identified and embolized. Local therapeutic effects, survival rates, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 33.8 months +/- 24.1. One to 13 chemoembolization sessions (mean, 4.0 sessions +/- 3.0) were performed in each patient. Additionally, 62 collateral vessels were embolized in 21 patients, including 22 vessels in 14 patients at the initial procedure. Early tumor response rate 2-3 months after treatment was 43.3% by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors. Complete radiologic response was achieved in 19 patients. Eleven patients died between 4 and 61 months after treatment (mean, 27.2 months +/- 21.8), including four deaths unrelated to hepatic causes. Nineteen patients have survived for 6-103 months (mean, 37.5 months +/- 25.2). Overall and progression free-survival rates at 1, 3, and 6 years were 82.3% and 66.0%, 73.9% and 57.6%, and 32.9% and 34.2%, respectively. Three infectious complications developed and were managed by interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Chemoembolization was effective for large HCCs, although there is a risk of infectious complications after the procedure.

Sloughing of intraductal tumor thrombus of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is effective for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with intrabile duct thrombus. After TACE, intraductal tumor thrombi occasionally detach from the intrahepatic tumor and drop into the bottom of the common bile duct, causing clinical symptoms similar to the impaction of choledocholithiasis. The investigators describe three cases of sloughing of HCC intraductal tumor thrombi after selective TACE. In each of the three cases, the necrotic tumor cast was successfully removed endoscopically, and the patient's symptoms were dramatically improved. Two patients survived without recurrence of the intraductal tumor thrombus for 8 and 11 months after TACE, respectively.

Hepatocellular carcinoma supplied by the right lumbar artery.

This study evaluated the clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) supplied by the right lumbar artery. Eleven patients with HCC supplied by the right lumbar artery were treated with chemoembolization. The patients' medical records were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent 6.7 +/- 3.7 (mean +/- SD) chemoembolization sessions, and the hepatic arterial branches were noted as being attenuated. The right inferior phrenic artery (IPA) was also embolized in 10 patients. The interval between initial chemoembolization and chemoembolization of the lumbar artery supply was 53.2 +/- 26.9 months. Mean tumor diameter was 3.1 +/- 2.4 cm and was located at the surface of S7 and S6. The feeding-branch arose proximal to the bifurcation of the dorsal ramus and muscular branches (n = 8) or from the muscular branches (n = 3) of the right first (n = 10) or second lumbar artery (n = 1). The anterior spinal artery originated from the tumor-feeding lumbar artery in one patient. All feeders were selected, and embolization was performed after injection of iodized oil and anticancer drugs (n = 10) or gelatin sponge alone in a patient with anterior spinal artery branching (n = 1). Eight patients died from tumor progression 10.1 +/- 4.6 months later, and two patients survived 2 and 26 months, respectively. The remaining patient died of bone metastases after 32 months despite liver transplantation 10 months after chemoembolization. The right lumbar artery supplies HCC located in the bare area of the liver, especially in patients who undergo repeated chemoembolization, including chemoembolization by way of the right IPA. Chemoembolization by way of the right lumbar artery may be safe when the feeder is well selected.

Usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography during ultraselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for small hepatocellular carcinomas that cannot be demonstrated on angiography.

This study evaluated the usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) during ultraselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) that could not be demonstrated on angiography. Twenty-eight patients with 33 angiographically occult tumors (mean diameter 1.3 +/- 0.3 cm) were enrolled in the study. The ability of CBCT during arterial portography (CBCTAP), during hepatic arteriography (CBCTHA), and after iodized oil injection (LipCBCT) to detect HCC lesions was retrospectively analyzed. The technical success of TACE was divided into three grades: complete (the embolized area included the entire tumor with at least a 5-mm wide margin), adequate (the embolized area included the entire tumor but without a 5-mm wide margin in parts), and incomplete (the embolized area did not include the entire tumor) according to computed axial tomographic (CAT) images obtained 1 week after TACE. Local tumor progression was also evaluated. CBCTAP, CBCTHA, and LipCBCT detected HCC lesions in 93.9% (31 of 33), 96.7% (29 of 30), and 100% (29 of 29) of patients, respectively. A single branch was embolized in 28 tumors, and 2 branches were embolized in five tumors. Twenty-seven tumors (81.8%) were classed as complete, and 6 (18.2%) were classed as adequate. None of the tumors were classed as incomplete. Twenty-five tumors (75.8%) had not recurred during 12.0 +/- 6.2 months. Eight tumors (24.2%), 5 (18.5%) of 27 complete success and 3 (50%) of 6 adequate success, recurred during 10.1 +/- 6.2 months. CBCT during TACE is useful in detecting and treating small HCC lesions that cannot not be demonstrated on angiography.