Emergency and elective implantation of covered stent systems in iatrogenic arterial injuries.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of covered stents for the management of iatrogenic arterial injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 03 / 1998 and 12 / 2009, 31 patients underwent selective covered stent implantation after iatrogenic arterial injury. 12 / 31 of these patients (38.7 %) were hemodynamically unstable. Six different endovascular covered stent types were utilized. The primary endpoints of this study were technical and clinical success and rates of minor and major complications. RESULTS: Initial angiograms demonstrated active extravasation in 19 (61.3 %) patients and pseudoaneurysms in 12 (38.7 %) patients. The following sites of bleeding origin were detected: axillary artery, subclavian artery, common iliac artery, external iliac artery, internal iliac artery, common femoral artery, superficial femoral artery, popliteal and fibular artery, femoro-popliteal and popliteo-crural bypasses, common hepatic artery, aberrant hepatic artery, cystic and gastroduodenal artery. In all patients bleeding was effectively controlled by covered stent implantation resulting in an immediate technical success of 100 %. Clinical success attributed to covered stent implantation was documented in 30 of the 31 patients (96.8 %). Major complications included death in four patients (11.1 %), acute thrombosis with arm ischemia in one patient (2.8 %) and stent fracture with associated pseudoaneurysm in another patient (2.8 %). In 2 / 31 patients (6.5 %) covered stent failure was detected and successfully treated by implantation of a second covered stent. CONCLUSION: Emergency and elective implantation of covered stents may be used for minimally invasive and effective management of iatrogenic arterial injury.

Endovascular stenting of a renal transplant vein.

We describe successful endovascular stenting of a high-grade stenosis of a renal transplant vein in a 53-year old patient. Kidney transplantation had been performed due to IgA nephropathy and the patient had become symptomatic two months after uneventful recovery from operation.

[Guidance of interventions in subintimal recanalization and fenestration of dissection membranes using a novel dual-lumen intravascular ultrasound catheter]. / Steuerung der Interventionen bei subintimaler Rekanalisation und Fenestration von Dissektionsmembranen durch einen neuartigen zweilumigen intravaskulären Ultraschallkatheter.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of IVUS-guided puncture for gaining controlled target lumen reentry in subintimal recanalization of chronic iliac/femoral artery occlusions and in fenestration of aortic dissections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 5/2004 and 12/2005 12 consecutive patients (7 male, 5 female; mean age 64.6 +/- 12.0 years) with chronic critical limb ischemia and ischemic complications of aortic dissection were treated using the Pioneer catheter. This 6.2-F dual-lumen catheter combines a 20-MHz IVUS transducer with a pre-shaped extendable, hollow 24-gauge nitinol needle. This coaxial needle allows real-time IVUS-guided puncture of the target lumen and after successful reentry a 0.014" guidewire may be advanced through the needle into the target lumen. 7 patients were treated for aortic dissection and 5 patients (with failed previous attempts at subintimal recanalization) for chronic arterial occlusion. Patients with aortic dissection (5 type A dissections, 2 type B dissections) had developed renal ischemia (n = 2), renal and mesenteric ischemia (n = 2), or low extremity ischemia (n = 3). Patients with chronic arterial occlusions (2 common iliac artery occlusions, 3 superficial femoral artery occlusions) experienced ischemic rest pain (n = 4), and a non-healing foot ulcer (n = 1). RESULTS: The technical success rate using the Pioneer catheter was 100%. The recanalization/fenestration time was 37 +/- 12 min. Procedure-related complications did not occur. In 10 cases a significant improvement of clinical symptoms was evident. One patient with aortic dissection and ischemic paraplegia required subsequent surgical intervention. One patient had persistent ischemic rest pain despite successful recanalization of a superficial femoral artery occlusion. CONCLUSION: The Pioneer catheter is a reliable device which may be helpful for achieving target lumen reentry in subintimal recanalization of chronic occlusions and in fenestration of aortic dissections.

Superselective embolization of deep femoral artery branch pseudoaneurysm with a coaxial microcatheter system.

This report describes the use of transluminal coil embolization to treat pseudoaneurysm of deep femoral artery branch in two patients. The pseudoaneurysms had developed after coronary angiographv in one patient and after hip replacement in the other. Immediate control angiography after embolization procedures demonstrated complete closure of the pseudoaneurysms. During follow-up of 19 and 3 months, respectively, there was no recurrent bleeding. The aim of this case report is to show the advances in endovascular microcatheter technology, and embolic materials, that made percutaneous transluminal embolization of arterial pseudoaneurysms safe and efficient. In addition, it keeps the medical personnel aware of vascular injuries at the access site related to endovascular procedures as well as vascular complications of total hip arthroplasty. It calls their attention to the possibility of endovascular treatment as an alternative to surgery.

Automated software supported versus manual aorto-iliac diameter measurements in CT angiography of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms: assessment of inter- and intraobserver variation.

BACKGROUND: Open surgical or endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) relies on precise preprocedual imaging. Purpose of this study was to assess inter- and intraobserver variation of software-supported automated and manual multi row detector CT angiography (MDCTA) in aortoiliac diameter measurements before AAA repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty original MDCTA data sets (4 x 2mm collimation) of patients scheduled for endovascular AAA repair were studied on a dedicated software capable of creating two-dimensional reformatted planes orthogonal to the aortoiliac center-line. Measurements were performed twice with afour-week interval between readings. Data were analysed by two blinded readers at random order Two different measurement methods were performed: reader-assisted freehand wall-to-wall measurement and semi-automatic measurement. RESULTS: Aortoiliac diameters were significantly underestimated by the semi-automatic method as compared to reader-assisted measurements (p < 0.0031). Intraobserver variability of AAA diameter calculation was not significant (p > 0. 15) for reader-assisted measurements except for the diameter of the left common iliac artery in reader 2 (p = 0.0045) and it was not significant (p > 0. 14) using the semi-automatic method. Interobserver variability was not significant for AAA diameter measurements using the reader-assisted method and for proximal neck analysis with the semiautomatic method (p > 0.27). Relevant interobserver variation was observed for semi-automatic measurement of maximum AAA (p = 0.0007) and iliac artery diameters (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated MDCTA software provides a useful tool to minimize aortoiliac diameter measurement variation and to improve imaging precision before AAA repair. For reliable AAA diameter analysis the reader-assisted freehand measurement method is recommended to be applied to a set of reformatted CT data as provided by the software used in this study.

Coil embolization of an infected superior gluteal artery pseudoaneurysm caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

We describe the successful selective coil embolization of an infected superior gluteal pseudoaneurysm secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a 36-year old women. The patient presented with a long history of drug abuse and perisacral abscesses due to chronic sacroilitis. The chosen strategy provides a safe and successful management of infected false gluteal artery aneurysm.

[Embolization therapy of an arteriovenous fistula after percutaneous lithotripsy in combination with angioplasty of an ipsilateral kidney arterial stenosis]. / Embolisationstherapie einer arteriovenösen Fistel nach perkutaner Nephrolitholapaxie in Kombination mit der Angioplastie einer ipsilateralen Nierenarterienstenose.

We describe successful selective coil embolization therapy in a patient with renal hemorrhage caused by iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm after percutaneous nephrostomy and lithotripsy. In the same session, an incidentally detected severe renal artery stenosis that had caused moderate hypertension was treated by balloon angioplasty. No complications occurred. Coaxial micro-catheter technique and platinum microcoils were used for embolization and allowed targeted occlusion of the bleeding renal artery and preserved the surrounding renal parenchyma. Bleeding was controlled immediately and hematuria disappeared after embolization therapy.

Endovascular treatment of a traumatic thoracic aortic aneurysm initially presenting as acute critical limb ischemia.

We describe the successful endovascular treatment of a traumatic thoracic aortic aneurysm in a 32-year old male presenting with acute critical limb ischemia. The patient's condition arose from embolism growth in an aneurysmal lesion incurred seven years previously in a motorcycle accident.

[Transjugular liver core biopsy: indications, results, and complications]. / Transjuguläre Leberstanzbiopsie: Indikationen, Ergebnisse, Komplikationen.

PURPOSE: To evaluate benefit, feasibility, and frequency of complications with transjugular liver biopsy using a semi-automatic Tru-cut system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive patients (57 males, 28 females) with various liver disorders (cirrhosis [30], hepatitis [12], acute hepatopathy [34], orthotopic liver transplantation [8], hepatocellular carcinoma [1]), coagulopathies (n=71) and/or ascites (n = 46) were referred to our department for a transjugular liver biopsy. Mean age was 48 +/- 16 years (range 17 to 75 years). Success and complications were retrospectively evaluated from the radiology reports, pathology reports, and patient files. Success was defined as procuring a tissue specimen that enabled a definite histological diagnosis. The complications included thrombosis at the puncture site, hematoma, cardiac arrhythmia, capsular perforation, hemorrhage, and cardiac damage. Mortality included all deaths within 30 days after the procedure. Procedure-related mortality included all deaths related to the procedure. RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful in 80 patients (94 %) and unsuccessful in 5 patients (6 %) due to a failed hepatic vein cannulation (1 patient with Budd Chiari syndrome and total liver vein occlusion, 4 patients with unsuitable anatomy). One biopsy pass was made in 22 patients, and two passes were made in 45 and three or more passes in 14 patients, all in a single session. The sample quality was judged by the pathologist as good in 71 of 80 patients (89 %) and poor in 8 patients (10 %). A diagnosis was not possible in 1 patient. Eight procedure-related complications occurred, which were classified according to the criteria of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) as minor in 5 (3 type A, 2 type B) and major in 3 (1 pneumothorax, type C, 1 nonfatal bleeding, type D, and 1 fatal bleeding, type F). Procedure-related mortality was 1 %, overall mortality 15 % (mostly due to progressive liver failure). CONCLUSION: In patients with coagulopathies, transjugular liver biopsy is a viable alternative for hepatic tissue evaluation with a good sample quality. In a small number of patients severe complications may occur.

[Penile angiography and superselective embolization therapy in arterial priapism]. / Penisangiographie und superselektive Embolisationstherapie bei high-flow Priapismus.

PURPOSE: To report feasibility, benefit and complications of penile angiography and superselective penile embolization in arterial priapism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four consecutive patients (aged 28, 29, 40 and 49 years), who underwent penile angiography for arterial priapism (high-flow priapism) within a four-year period, were identified by a keyword search of our radiology information system. One patient had sustained a direct penile trauma (severe blow to the erected penis) and three patients suffered from recurrent spontaneous priapism. All patients had previously undergone corporeal aspiration and noradrenaline injection to achieve detumescence. Two patients had one or several unsuccessful spongiocavernous shunt procedures. RESULTS: In three of the four patients, superselective pudendal and penile angiography demonstrated pathologic arteriocavernous shunting. In two of the three patients, superselective embolization using a coaxial micro-catheter was attempted. In one of the two patients, the cavernous artery became spastic before embolization material was actually injected, inducing immediate and lasting detumescence. In the other patient, unilateral Gelfoam embolization led to immediate detumescence but the priapism recurred 12 hours after the procedure. A subsequent contralateral Gelfoam embolization was successful. Erectile function was preserved in all cases. No procedure-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Our experience supports the prevailing opinion found in the current literature that superselective coaxial embolization constitutes the treatment of choice in patients with high-flow priapism. Prognosis is good with high probability of preserving the erectile function.

Imaging features of pseudoaneurysms of the hand in children and adults.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to review the imaging features of pseudoaneurysms of the hand in 25 patients. The patients presented with a mass, peripheral paresthesia, or ischemia. Pseudoaneurysm of the hand is a rare and often clinically unsuspected diagnosis. Correct diagnosis is important because there are risks for distal embolic disease with ischemia or gangrene of the fingers, ulnar or digital nerve dysfunction, rupture, or bone erosion and joint destruction. Scant reports appear in the world literature, and this report is the first review, to our knowledge, of the imaging features. The cause may be a history of a single direct trauma or chronic trauma, as seen in patients with hypothenar or thenar hammer syndrome. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the specific imaging appearances of pseudoaneurysms of the hand and their complications may improve the accuracy of radiologic diagnosis, advance the preoperative workup, and prevent possible clinical complications such as digital gangrene, nerve dysfunction, and aneurysm rupture.

Iliac graft access to facilitate endovascular repair of a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm -- a case report.

Arterial access for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair is usually gained through a common femoral artery approach. In small femoral arteries this can be difficult or even impossible owing to the large size of the introduction sheath of the delivery system. In such cases the iliac arteries or the abdominal aorta can be used for vascular access, although, in heavily calcified arteries,even this can be hazardous. The authors report an 81-year-old woman with a contained rupture of the thoracic aorta in whom a polyester graft was used to facilitate vascular access to the common iliac artery for a safe two-stage endovascular repair of the aneurysm.

Establishing radiological percutaneous gastrostomy with balloon-retained tubes as an alternative to endoscopic and surgical gastrostomy in patients with tumours of the head and neck or oesophagus.

The purpose of this study was to report our experience introducing radiological percutaneous gastrostomy (RPG) catheters at a hospital where hitherto only endoscopic and surgical methods have been used. The feasibility, success, time requirements, and complications of RPG were prospectively evaluated during a 12-month period. 26 consecutive patients (median age 63 years, range 41-91 years) underwent gastropexy with T-fasteners followed by insertion of a 12-18 F balloon tube through a peel-away introducer and were followed-up clinically and radiologically. Success and complications occurring within 30 days were assessed. RPG was technically successful in all cases. Median procedure time was 34 min (range 20-90 min), median fluoroscopy time 6.9 min (range 2.3-30 min). 13 surgical gastrostomies were avoided. One minor complication (peristomal leakage) occurred in a patient with gastric reflux and atony. Another patient destroyed the balloon of his tube by injecting food into the balloon port, which led to tube dislocation and peritonitis. In conclusion, radiological gastrostomy can be quickly learned by radiologists and is readily accepted by clinicians. It is an alternative to surgical gastrostomy when percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is not feasible, but can also be used as the primary method instead of the endoscopic method.

Treatment of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia with balloon angioplasty: a prospective follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: to assess restenosis rates and blood pressure response after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) in patients treated for fibromuscular dysplastic renal artery stenosis. METHODS: a prospective 12-month follow-up study of 27 patients with 31 treated renal artery stenosis. Follow-up assessment included colour-coded duplex sonography (CCD) of renal arteries, monitoring of blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, and creatinine measurements before discharge and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary end point was defined as a haemodynamically significant restenosis >60% assessed by CCD. RESULTS: there was a cumulative 23% restenosis rate at 12 months. Arterial hypertension was cured or improved in 93% of patients immediately after the intervention and remained cured/improved in 74% of patients at 12 months of follow-up. Renal failure present in five patients before PTRA stabilised or improved in all patients. CONCLUSION: although restenosis rate after PTRA in fibromuscular dysplasia is as high as in non-ostial atherosclerotic lesions, there remains a considerable higher therapeutic effect. Profound pressure response and recurrent arterial hypertension with restenosis support the high probability of a renovascular origin of arterial hypertension in this young and otherwise healthy population compared to patients with atherosclerotic renal artery lesions.

[Low-osmolar gadodiamide as alternative contrast agent for diagnostic angiography and angiographic interventions in patients with renal insufficiency]. / Einsatz von niederosmolarem Gadolinium zur angiographischen Darstellung und bei interventionell-radiologischen Eingriffen bei niereninsuffizienten Patienten.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the benefit and feasibility of gadolinium contrast agents for intra-arterial use in diagnostic and therapeutic angiography in patients with renal insufficiency. METHODS: In 15 patients with planned peripheral or renal vascular interventions digital subtraction angiography with intra-arterial administration of gadolinium (gadodiamide n = 14, gadolinium-DTPA n = 1) was performed. Gadolinium was used selectively after peripheral catheter placement, mainly as an adjunct to CO2 (n = 12), to assess the distal run-off vessels or to characterize stenotic lesions. RESULTS: In 14 cases gadolinium yielded good or satisfactory results that were superior to those of CO2 angiography in the femoropopliteal region and calf, but also to the aorto-iliac vessels and the renal arteries. A small amount of iodinated contrast media was administered due to insufficient contrast of gadolinium in one patient. Mean serum creatinine level after angiography (295 +/- 167 micromol/l; range 125 - 764 micromol/l) was not significantly different (p >/= 0,37) from the initial level (279 +/- 149 micromol/l; range 143 - 728 micromol/l). CONCLUSION: Gadolinium is a viable alternative contrast agent for digital subtraction angiography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in patients with renal insufficiency. It enhances the diagnostic evaluation of stenosis and run-off vessels.

[Primary and long-term success of percutaneous biliary metallic endoprotheses (Wallstents) in malignant obstructive jaundice]. / Primärerfolg und Langzeitergebnisse biliärer Wallstent-Endoprothesen bei malignem Verschlussikterus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the primary and long-term success of percutaneous metallic endoprotheses (wallstent) in malignant jaundice. METHODS: Retrospective, uncensored analysis of 86 consecutive patients (42 men, 44 women, age 34 to 90 years, mean 62 years), who were percutaneously treated with wallstents for malignant jaundice within a six-year time interval. Indications were pancreatic cancer in 9, gallbladder cancer in 15, Klatskin's tumor in 31, and metastatic disease in 31 cases. The indication for percutaneous stenting was inoperability and lack of endoscopic access. The level of the obstruction was within the liver hilus in 44, extrahepatic in 20, and within a biliodigestive anastomosis in 22 cases. Forty-five patients had undergone abdominal surgery previously. Mean survival was 8.0 months (range, 3 days to 57 months). RESULTS: In 85 of 86 cases (99 %) biliary stenting was feasible. In 82 cases (95 %) laboratory tests indicated regression of the biliary obstruction. Sixty-six patients (77 %) also experienced a clinical benefit from the procedure and in 65 (76 %) patients long-term palliation was achieved and lasted for at least three-quarters of the remaining time of survival. Technical problems with the procedure, usually stent foreshortening, were encountered in 12 cases (14 %). Thirty-days morbidity was 26 % (cholangitis in 15, pancreatitis in 3, liver failure in 2, effusion in 1, hemobilia in 1 case), thirty-day mortality was 15 %, procedure-related in one case. The reintervention rate was 20 %, the patency rate was 91 %, 73 %, and 58 % after 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Even after exhaustion of both surgical and endoscopic therapy options percutaneously deployed wallstents enable effective long-term palliation of malignant jaundice.