Chest tube placement incidence when using gelatin sponge torpedoes after pulmonary radiofrequency ablation.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of the gelatin torpedoes embolization technique after lung neoplastic lesions percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) to reduce chest tube placement rate and hospital length of stay, and the safety of this embolization technique. Materials and methods: A total of 114 PRFA of lung neoplastic lesions performed in two centers between January 2017 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Two groups were compared, with 42 PRFA with gelatin torpedoes embolization technique (gelatin group) and 72 procedures without (control group). Procedures were performed by one of seven interventional radiologists using LeVeen CoAccess™ probe. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for chest tube placement and hospital length of stay. Results: There was a significantly lower chest tube placement rate in the gelatin group compared to the control group (3 [7.1 %] vs. 27 [37.5 %], p < 0,001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between chest tube placement and gelatin torpedoes embolization technique (OR: 0.09; 95 % CI: 0.02-0.32; p = 0.0006). No significant difference was found in hospital length of stay between the two groups. Multivariate analysis did not show a significant relationship between hospital length of stay and gelatin torpedoes embolization technique. No embolic complication occurred in the gelatin group. Conclusion: Gelatin torpedoes embolization technique after PRFA of lung neoplastic lesions resulted in significantly reduced chest tube placement rate in our patient population. No significant reduction in hospital length of stay was observed. No major complication occurred in the gelatin group.

Progression toward Vertebral Collapse of Vertebral Metastases Treated with Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Rate and Risk Factors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate of the rate of and risks for progression toward collapse in vertebral metastases (VMs) treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 151 PVs were performed in 81 patients with vertebral metastases and were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up imaging was performed at 12 months to measure vertebral body height and to report vertebral collapse at the level of the treated vertebrae. Vertebral characteristics (spine instability neoplastic score [SINS], number of lysed cortices, and prior radiotherapy) and procedural parameters (Saliou score, cortical contact with cement, and intradiscal cement leakage) were compared between the group of patients with and without collapse of the treated vertebrae. RESULTS: Of the vertebrae treated with PV, 41 of 151 (27%) progressed toward collapse. Vertebral collapse was influenced by a high SINS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, P = .004), SINS value > 9 (OR = 2.96, P = .004), intradiscal cement leakage (OR = 2.18, P = .048), pre-existing spinal deformity (OR = 2.65, P = .020), and pre-existing vertebral fracture (OR = 3.93, P = .045). A high Saliou score (OR = 0.82, P = .011), more than 3 cortices in contact with the cement (OR = 0.38, P = .014), and preserved spinal alignment (OR = 0.38, P = .020) were associated with a lower incidence of collapse. CONCLUSIONS: Rate of vertebral collapse despite PV was influenced by vertebra-specific characteristics and by cement injection quality. Vertebrae with a SINS of ≤9 and with homogeneous cement filling had a lower incidence of collapse.

Electromagnetic navigation system combined with High-Frequency-Jet-Ventilation for CT-guided hepatic ablation of small US-Undetectable and difficult to access lesions.

Objectives: To report the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous ablation of small hepatic malignant tumors that are invisible on ultrasound and inaccessible using in-plane CT guidance, using a combination of high-frequency jet-ventilation (HFJV) and electromagnetic (EM) needle tracking. Methods: This study reviewed 27 percutaneous ablations of small hepatic tumors (<2 cm) performed using EM navigation-based probe placement and HFJV. All lesions were invisible on ultrasound and difficult to reach on CT requiring a double-oblique approach. The primary outcome was technical efficacy, defined as complete lesion coverage, and evaluated on contrast enhanced MRI after 3 and 6 months. Needle placement accuracy, the number of control CT acquisitions, procedure time, complications and radiation doses were assessed. Results: Twenty-one patients with 27 treated lesions (14 hepatocellular carcinomas and 13 metastases) were included in this study. Mean tumor size was 12 ± 5.7 mm. Thirty-three percent of the lesions were located on the hepatic dome. Complete ablation was obtained in 100% at the 3- and 6-month MRI follow-up. The ablation probe was correctly placed on the first pass in 96%, with a mean path-to-tumor angle of 7 ± 4 degrees and a mean tip-to-tumor distance of 22 ± 19mm. A readjustment for additional overlapping application resulted in complete treatment in 4 patients. Needle placement took a mean 23 ± 12 min with mean radiation doses of 558 mGy*cm. No major complications were reported. Conclusion: Percutaneous liver ablation of lesions that cannot be seen on US and requiring out-of-plane CT access can be successfully and safely treated using electromagnetic-based navigation and jet-ventilation.

Are Endovascular Interventions for Central Vein Obstructions due to Cardiac Implanted Electronic Devices Effective?

Objective: One of the late-onset complications of cardiac implanted electronic devices (CIEDs) is central venous obstruction (CVO). The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of endovascular treatment of CIED-related CVOs. Methods:Eighteen patients who underwent endovascular management of their device-related CVO were reviewed. Patients were classified into three groups: Group I patients were asymptomatic and needed lead replacement; Group II patients presented with symptomatic CVO without lead dysfunction, and Group III patients were referred with both symptomatic CVO and lead dysfunction. A treatment strategy involved recanalization and balloon angioplasty for Group I and angioplasty/stents for Groups II and III. Technical success, clinical success, complications, and long-term follow-up were assessed. Results: Thirteen patients were in Group I, four in Group II, and one in Group III. Technical and clinical success was achieved in 17 patients (94%). No major complications were reported. Restenosis was observed in two patients at 40 and 42 weeks of follow-up, and these patients were successfully treated with angioplasty. Conclusion: Endovascular management of CVO due to CIED is a safe and efficient technique. Plain balloon angioplasty is sufficient for lead replacement purposes, while stenting is needed for symptomatic CVO to achieve good long-term patency.

Percutaneous intentional intra-luminal-assisted recanalization (PILAR technique) of challenging chronic total occlusions using a high-frequency vibration device.

OBJECTIVES: Recanalization of peripheral chronic total occlusions (CTO) is technically challenging especially in cases of in-stent and/or pre-stent and heavily calcified lesions. A high-frequency vibrational device (HFVD) was first used as a secondary-intention device in CTO recanalizations when they were refractory to a guidewire. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the HFVD as a first-line treatment for challenging CTOs and thus to define the percutaneous intentional intraluminal-assisted recanalization (PILAR) technique. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were treated with the HFVD. Only challenging CTOs were included: 7 pre-stent, 7 in-stent, and 38 highly calcified CTOs. Technical success was defined as the ability to cross the CTO using the HFVD. Secondary outcome was defined as successful intraluminal crossing. Safety endpoints were procedure-related thromboembolism or perforation. Patients were followed up at 3 months and 1 year. RESULTS: The technical success rate for recanalization was 90%, of which 83% were intraluminal. The mean recanalized length was 91 ± 44 mm. One thromboembolic complication occurred, which was subsequently treated with thromboaspiration. Three-month and 1-year primary patency rates were 92% and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HFVD-based PILAR is a safe and effective technique for in-stent or pre-stent CTO recanalization of long and calcified lesions. KEY POINTS: • Intraluminal recanalization is the preferred procedure in heavily calcified or pre-/in-stent CTO. • First-line use of assisted intraluminal recanalization for CTO defines the PILAR technique. • HFVD-based PILAR is safe and provides a high success rate for challenging CTO recanalization.

Superior Vena Cava (SVC) Endovascular Reconstruction with Implanted Central Venous Catheter Repositioning for Treatment of Malignant SVC Obstruction.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a group of clinical signs caused by the obstruction or compression of SVC and characterized by edema of the head, neck, and upper extremities, shortness of breath, and headaches. The syndrome may be caused by benign causes but most of the cases are caused by lung or mediastinal malignant tumors. Stenting of SVC has become widely accepted as the palliative treatment for this condition in malignant diseases, as it offers rapid relief of symptoms and improves the quality of life. Preserving previously placed central venous catheters (CVCs) is a major issue in this population. We report the case of a patient with SVC syndrome caused by tumoral obstruction due to central small-cell lung cancer who had right subclavian implanted CVC and a preferential head and neck venous drainage through the left internal jugular and brachiocephalic vein (BCV). We describe a complex procedure of SVC reconstruction with two different objectives: left recanalization and stent placement to ensure head and neck venous drainage and right BCV stenting for CVC repositioning and subsequent replacement. We also review published cases of SVC obstructions stenting with catheter repositioning. The patient experienced quick relief of symptoms after treatment. Chemotherapy was rapidly delivered through the preserved implanted CVC access. A 3-month follow-up computed tomography showed stents patency.