Outcomes in Patients with Macrotrabecular-Massive Subtype Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolization.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with and without macrotrabecular-massive (MTM) subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one consecutive patients with HCC (male, 90.3%; mean age, 65.3 years [SD ± 10.7]) who underwent yttrium-90 TARE between September 2014 and January 2022 were grouped into the MTM-HCC (n = 17, 41.5%) and non-MTM-HCC (n = 24, 58.5%) groups based on their histopathological subtypes. Demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics were compared. Survival, univariate, and multivariate analyses were performed, and prognostic factors were evaluated. RESULTS: In MTM-HCC group, the rates of moderately to poorly differentiated tumors were significantly higher (13/17 vs 8/16, P = .007), and new intrahepatic/extrahepatic metastases were detected more frequently (12/17 vs 15/24, P = .038). Median overall survival (OS) in the cohort was 29 months (range, 17.1-40.9 months), whereas patients with MTM-HCC had a significantly shorter median OS (20 vs 44 months, P = .014). In univariate analysis, MTM-HCC subtype (hazard ratio [HR], 2.690; P = .021), the presence of satellite nodules (HR, 3.810; P = .004), and macrovascular invasion (HR, 3.321; P = .012) were identified as significant prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, MTM-HCC subtype and macrovascular invasion were determined as independent poor prognostic factors (P = .038 and P = .012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HCC treated with yttrium-90 TARE, both the rates of moderately to poorly differentiated histopathological classes and the development of intrahepatic or extrahepatic metastases were significantly higher in the MTM-HCC subtype. OS was worse in patients with MTM-HCC, and macrovascular invasion and MTM-HCC subtype were identified as independent poor prognostic factors.

Clinical and prognostic significance of CD14 (+) HLA-DR (-/low) myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma received transarterial radioembolization with Yttrium-90.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. For unresectable HCC, transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 is a widely used treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) and CD39+ T cells can be non-invasive predictive biomarkers of radiological response and prognosis in patients with HCC treated with TARE. This study was conducted on 39 patients with HCC who were treated with TARE between August 2018 and December 2019 and the control group consisted of 23 healthy volunteers. CD4+, CD8+, CD39+ T cells, Natural killer (NK) cells, myeloid cells (MC) and M-MDSC parameters are examined in the course of TARE treatment with student t test and Kaplan-Meier method. There were statistically significant differences in M-MDSC, CD39+ T cells and MC values between healthy controls and HCC patients. A statistically significant difference was found in M-MDSC and CD4+ T cells values in the HCC patient group who responded to the treatment compared to those who did not. Survival analysis found that patients with lower frequencies (under 3.81%) of M-MDSC showed more prominent differences of overall survival (OS) compared to patients with all high groups. We found that M-MDSC in the peripheral blood might be a useful non-invasive biomarker to predict OS. We have shown for the first time that M-MDSC is correlated with treatment response in HCC patients treated with TARE. Additionally, we have found that the percentage of CD39+ T cells is high in HCC patients and these cells are positively correlated with M-MDSC.

Hemodynamics of the temporal and nasal short posterior ciliary arteries in pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate blood flow changes in the temporal and nasal short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) in pseudoexfoliation syndrome using color Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 67 eyes of 53 patients scheduled for cataract surgery. Pseudophakic eyes, eyes with traumatic cataract, were excluded. The demographic characteristic of the patients were recorded. Ocular blood flow was measured using 6-10 MHz Doppler ultrasound. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean flow velocity (Vm), and resistive index (RI) in the temporal and nasal SPCAs were determined for 39 eyes of 30 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and cataract and a control group comprising 28 eyes of 23 patients with senile cataract. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome had significantly lower PSV (8.85 ± 2.88 cm/s), EDV (3.21 ± 1.12 cm/s), and Vm (5.27 ± 1.98 cm/s) in the temporal SPCA (PSV P = .001; EDV P = .002; Vm P = .001). There was no difference in velocities in the nasal SPCA. RI of both the temporal and nasal SPCA did not differ statistically between the groups (temporal SPCA P = .517, nasal SPCA P = .752) CONCLUSION: There were significant decreases in temporal SPCA hemodynamic parameters in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. These findings suggest that temporal SPCA ocular blood flow measurements have greater diagnostic value than those of the nasal SPCA.

Safety and efficacy analysis of microwave ablation in small hepatocellular carcinomas sized below 3 cm.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in small hepatocellular carcinomas sized ≤ 3 cm, determine long-term survival, and identify prognostic factors for survival rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the radiological and laboratory findings obtained from 31 consecutive patients who underwent MWA were retrospectively evaluated. The survival periods and complication rates were analysed. RESULTS: Microwave ablation was applied to 42 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in 31 patients. The mean age of the patients was 61 ± 7.3 (median 62, range 46-78) years. The mean overall survival (OS) was 47.4 ± 3.3 months. The rates of cumulative OS in the first, second, and third years were 95.2%, 91.8%, and 79.2%, respectively. The mean disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 24.1 ± 2.5 months. The cumulative DFS rates in the first, second, and third years were 75.6%, 52.5%, and 28.2%, respectively. The number of tumours and tumour distribution were determined as prognostic factors. No major complication was detected, but six patients (13.9%) developed minor complications after MWA. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is a safety treatment modality with very low rates of complications. It offers an effective treatment with a high rate of complete response and local disease control according to the short-term results. In the long term, it prolongs the survival time of the treated patients. The number of tumours and tumour distribution were determined as prognostic factors affecting survival rates.

Short-term changes of angiogenesis factors after transarterial radioembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

PURPOSE: To analyze changes in angiogenesis factors after transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium- 90-loaded resin microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: Interleukin-6, interleukin-8, hepatocyte growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and angiopoietin-2 levels in 26 patients were measured before TARE and on day 1, 7, 14, and 30 after TARE and evaluated regarding radiological response. RESULTS: In the sixth month of follow-up, 11 (42.30%) patients had a complete or partial response to treatment, while progressive disease was found in 15 (57.69%) patients. The percentage changes in VEGF-A in the non-responders on day 30 (P = 0.034) after TARE were significantly more obvious. Peak formation rates of VEGF-A were higher in non-responders (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Short-term changes in angiogenesis factors in HCC patients after TARE with Yttrium-90-loaded resin microspheres fluctuate with different amplitudes at different times. The upregulation of growth factors has a prognostic capacity. Changes in VEGF-A after TARE may be helpful for the early recognition of non-responders.

Prediction of Local Tumor Progression After Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Carcinoma Liver Metastases Patients by MRI Radiomics and Clinical Characteristics-Based Combined Model: Preliminary Results.

PURPOSE: To investigate the predictability of local tumor progression (LTP) after microwave ablation (MWA) in colorectal carcinoma liver metastases (CRLM) patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics and clinical characteristics-based combined model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive CRLM patients (67 tumors) with post-MWA complete response at 1st month MRI were included in this retrospective study. One hundred and eleven radiomics features were extracted for each tumor and for each phase by manual segmentation from pre-treatment MRI T2 fat-suppressed (Phase 2) and early arterial phase T1 fat-suppressed sequences (Phase 1). A clinical model was constructed using clinical data, two combined models were created with feature reduction and machine learning by combining clinical data and Phase 2 and Phase 1 radiomics features. The predicting performance for LTP development was investigated. RESULTS: LTP developed in 7 patients (16.6%) and 11 tumors (16.4%). In the clinical model, the presence of extrahepatic metastases before MWA was associated with a high probability of LTP (p < 0.001). The pre-treatment levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen were higher in the LTP group (p = 0.010, p = 0.020, respectively). Patients with LTP had statistically significantly higher radiomics scores in both phases (p < 0.001 for Phase 2 and p = 0.001 for Phase 1). The classification performance of the combined model 2, created by using clinical data and Phase 2-based radiomics features, achieved the highest discriminative performance in predicting LTP (p = 0,014; the area under curve (AUC) value 0.981 (95% CI 0.948-0.990). The combined model 1, created using clinical data and Phase 1-based radiomics features (AUC value 0,927 (95% CI 0.860-0.993, p < 0.001)) and the clinical model alone [AUC value of 0.887 (95% CI 0.807-0.967, p < 0.001)] had similar performance. CONCLUSION: Combined models based on clinical data and radiomics features obtained from T2 fat-suppressed and early arterial-phase T1 fat-suppressed MRI are valuable markers in predicting LTP after MWA in CRLM patients. Large-scale studies with internal and external validations are needed to come to a firm conclusion on the predictability of radiomics models in CRLM patients.

Predictability of the radiological response to Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics analysis in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

PURPOSE: The study aims to investigate the predictability of the radiological response in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) patients undergoing Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with a combined model built on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics and clinical features. METHODS: Thirty-six naive iCC patients who underwent TARE were included in this study. The tumor segmentation was performed on the axial T2-weighted (T2W) without fat suppression, axial T2W with fat suppression, and axial T1-weighted (T1W) contrast-enhanced (CE) sequence in equilibrium phase (Eq). At the sixth month MRI follow-up, all patients were divided into responders and non-responders according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Subsequently, a radiomics score (rad-score) and a combined model of the rad-score and clinical features for each sequence were generated and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Thirteen (36.1%) patients were considered responders, and the remaining 23 (63.9%) were non-responders. Responders exhibited significantly lower rad-scores than non-responders (P < 0.050 for all sequences). The radiomics models showed good discriminatory ability with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.696 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.522­0.870] for the axial T1W-CE-Eq, AUC of 0.839 (95% CI, 0.709­0.970) for the axial T2W with fat suppression, and AUC of 0.836 (95% CI, 0.678­0.995) for the axial T2W without fat suppression. CONCLUSION: Radiomics models created by pre-treatment MRIs can predict the radiological response to Yttrium- 90 TARE in iCC patients with high accuracy. Combining radiomics with clinical features could increase the power of the test. Large-scale studies of multi-parametric MRIs with internal and external validations are needed to determine the clinical value of radiomics in iCC patients.

A machine learning approach to distinguishing between non-functioning and autonomous cortisol secreting adrenal incidentaloma on magnetic resonance imaging using texture analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possibility of distinguishing between nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) and autonomous cortisol secreting adrenal incidentalomas (ACSAI) with a model created with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics and clinical features. METHODS: In this study, 100 adrenal lesions were evaluated. The lesions were segmented on unenhanced T1-weighted in-phase (IP) and opposed-phase (OP) as well as on T2-weighted (T2-W) 3Tesla MRIs. The LASSO regression model was used to select potential predictors from 108 texture features for each sequence. Subsequently, a combined radiomics score and clinical features were created and compared. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between median rad-scores for ACSAI and NFAI in training and test sets (p < 0.05 for all sequences). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the length of the tumor (OR = 1.09, p = 0.007) was an independent risk factor related to ACSAI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for building clinical-radiomics (combined) models. The Op, IP, and IP plus T2-W model had a higher performance with area under curve (AUC) 0.758, 0.746, and 0.721 on the test dataset, respectively. CONCLUSION: ACSAI can be distinguished from NFAI with high accuracy on unenhanced MRI. Radiomics analysis and the model constructed by machine learning algorithms seem superior to another radiologic assessment method. The inclusion of chemical shift MRI and the length of the tumor in the radiomics model could increase the power of the test.

Retrobulbar Short Posterior Ciliary Artery Hemodynamics in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To investigate retrobulbar blood flow changes in the short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: In this prospective study, there were 22 eyes in the PEG group, 28 eyes in the POAG group, and 28 eyes with senile cataract in the control group. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (Vm), and resistivity index (RI) parameters of the temporal and nasal SPCAs were compared between the study groups. Results: Mean temporal PSV, EDV, and Vm value were significantly lower in both the POAG group and the PEG group (P = 0.049, P = 0.004, P = 0.020), respectively. Temporal SPCA RI values were not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.115). Conclusion: There are retrobulbar blood flow changes in glaucomatous compared to nonglaucomatous eyes. However, SPCAs blood flow characteristics are similar between PEG and POAG subtypes.

Reduction of Hepatopulmonary and Intrahepatic Shunts after Treatment with Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the reduction of elevated shunts after treatment with sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients planned for transarterial radioembolization (TARE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen HCC patients treated with sorafenib were investigated. Shunts were evaluated by SPECT/CT after Technetium-99 m Tc-macroaggregated albumin injection. RESULTS: All patients had high LSF (median 43.5%, range 28-86), and two (12.5%) of them had widespread intrahepatic shunts with concomitants elevated (36%) and acceptable (18%) lung shunt fraction (LSF). The mean duration of the sorafenib use was 134.4 ± 59.2 days. While one patient (6.25%) developed hand-foot syndrome, minor side effects were seen in all patients. After sorafenib use, LSF fell below 20% in eight patients, and TARE was applied to all of them. There was strong negative correlation between the failure of shunt reduction and presence of macrovascular invasion (ρ = - 0.775) and infiltrative tumour type (ρ = - 0.775). CONCLUSION: Sorafenib use may be beneficial in some selected HCC patients with elevated shunts. Expected results may not be obtained in patients with infiltrative tumour type or macrovascular invasion, but patients with nodular tumour type with the absence of macrovascular invasion may be appropriate candidates for shunt reduction with ensuring subsequent TARE. Further investigations with sufficient patient population and standardized protocols of follow-up periods are needed to clarify the values for sorafenib use in HCC patients with evaluated shunts.

Trans-Arterial Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 of Unresectable and Systemic Chemotherapy Resistant Hepatoblastoma in Three Toddlers.

The aim of this short communication was to report the results of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 (Y90) loaded resin microspheres in three toddlers with unresectable and systemic chemotherapy-resistant HB hepatoblastoma (HB). Six TARE procedures were performed on the patients. The dose required for treatment was calculated using partition model. Administered doses of Y90 were 1.369, 0.851, and 1.147 GBq. Complete radiological response in two patients and partial response enabling liver resection in one patient were achieved. Neither life-threatening nor minor complications developed after the treatment. These results demonstrates that HB is a radiosensitive neoplasm, and TARE-Y90 can be used as the primary, neoadjuvant and palliative treatment method in patients with unresectable and systemic chemotherapy-resistant HBs. However, studies with higher number of patients and long-term results are required.

Extrarenal pseudoaneurysm of the arterial anastomosis in a renal transplant: endovascular coil embolization with balloon remodeling technique.

Anastomotic pseudoaneurysms of transplanted kidneys are a very rare complication and encountered in less than 1% of such operations. They may be devastating and cause functional impairment and even loss of the graft. In this report, we present the first case of treatment of extrarenal pseudoaneurysm of arterial anastomosis in a renal transplant patient with endovascular coil embolization with the balloon remodeling technique. This method is mostly used in the treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms.

Whole tumor volumetric ADC analysis: relationships with histopathological differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between values obtained from whole tumor volumetric apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements and histopathological grade in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Fifty-one naïve patients with HCC were included in the study. The tumors were classified according to the Edmondson-Steiner grade and separated as well-differentiated and non-well-differentiated (moderately and poorly differentiated). The ADC parameters of groups were compared by applying Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation between tumors' histopathological stage and whole tumor ADC parameters was investigated using Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (ROC) was applied to calculate the area under curve (AUC) with intersection point of ADC parameters and curve. RESULTS: Mean and percentile ADC values of well-differentiated tumors were significantly higher than those of non-well-differentiated tumors (p < 0.05). The strongest correlation between histopathological grade and ADC parameters was 75th percentile ADC (r = - 0.501), 50th percentile ADC (r = - 0.476) and mean ADC (r = - 0.465). Mean, 75th and 50th percentile ADC values used for the distinction of groups gave the highest AUC at ROC analysis (0.781, 0.781, 0.767, respectively). When threshold values of mean, 75th and 50th percentile ADC values were applied (1516 mm2/s, 1194 mm2/s, and 1035 mm2/s) sensitivity was calculated as 0.73, 0.91, 0.83, respectively, and specificity was calculated as 0.82, 0.61, and 0.68, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A correlation between whole tumor volumetric ADC values and HCCs' histopathological grade was detected in this study. 75th percentile, 50th percentile and mean ADC values are determined as highly sensitive and specific tests when the threshold values are applied for distinguishing between well-differentiated tumors and moderately/poorly differentiated tumors. When all these findings are evaluated together, HCCs' volumetric ADC values might be a useful noninvasive predictive parameters for histopathological grade in patients with HCC.

Super-selective transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with doxorubicin-eluting beads sized 40-75 microns: assessment of efficacy and safety.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of super-selective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with doxorubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads (DEB) sized 40-75 µm for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in early and intermediate stages according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study was conducted with 45 consecutive HCC patients treated by 72 sessions of DEB-TACE during the 2012-2017 period. Thirty-seven patients (82.2%) had single tumor staged BCLC A and B (53.3% and 46.7%, respectively). All procedures were performed by super-selective approach using 1.7-2.0 F microcatheters. Cone beam CT was performed to detect all tumor-feeding arteries and assess the treatment results immediately. Dynamic MRI and laboratory tests were obtained at 1-month follow-up and every 3 months thereafter. Response to treatment according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, demographic and clinical status, laboratory tests, time-to-event durations and rates, complications according to the National Cancer Institute Criteria for Adverse Events were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients (median age, 65.6 years; range, 35-88 years; 33 men, 73.4%) were included. Eight patients (17.7%) underwent liver transplantation after DEB-TACE, and 20 (44.4%) died during the follow-up period. Median follow-up was 22 months (range, 13-31), and 42 (93.3%) patients were followed up for more than 1 year. Overall complete response, partial response, and progressive disease rates were 53.3%, 33.3%, and 13.4% at one year and 22.2%, 26.7%, and 13.3% at three years, respectively. For target lesions, these rates were 60.0%, 26.7%, and 13.3% at one year and 28.9%, 6.7%, and 4.4% at three years, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) duration was 24 months (95% CI, 20.9-31.9 months). At one year and three years, OS rates were 71.0% and 44.4%, respectively. The only statistically significant relationship with OS was presence of chronic liver disease, which worsened the OS rate (P = 0.031). Time-to-progression (TTP) was 23 months (95% CI, 15.1-40.0), and progression-free survival (PFS) was 28 months (95% CI, 6.2-39.8). Post-embolization syndrome occurred in 10 patients (22.2%). Transient grade I/II bilirubin and aminotransferase elevation was observed in 26 (57.7%) and 18 (40%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Super-selective DEB-TACE with doxorubicin-loaded beads sized 40-75 µm is an effective and safe treatment method with prolonged TTP and PFS in early and intermediate stages of HCC. Presence of chronic liver disease is the only significant factor that worsened OS ratios after DEB-TACE.

A comparative study of the pancreas in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis and healthy children using two-dimensional shear wave elastography.

PURPOSE: To compare sonographic parameters of the pancreas between healthy children and pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with pancreatic involvement using shear wave elastography (SWE) and to investigate the efficacy of SWE in the diagnosis of pancreatic involvement in pediatric CF patients. METHODS: The pancreas was evaluated in 38 patients with CF and 38 healthy children using conventional B-mode ultrasonography (US) and two-dimensional (2D)-SWE. RESULTS: The pancreatic 2D-SWE values of the CF group were significantly lower than those of the healthy control group (1.01 ± 0.16 vs. 1.31 ± 0.01 m/s for the head, 1.03 ± 0.05 vs. 1.28 ± 0.08 m/s for the pancreatic body, and 1.02 ± 0.05 vs. 1.30 ± 0.10 m/s for the tail; p < 0.005 for all the comparisons). When the threshold values were obtained for the pancreatic head, body, and tail segments for the differentiation of the CF patients and healthy controls, the sensitivity of the test was determined as 81.5%, 76.3%, and 73.3%, respectively, and the specificity as 97.3%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. When the patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of B-mode US characteristics (homogeneity, sharp demarcation, and hyperechoic pancreas), there was a significant difference in the 2D-SWE values of the pancreatic head between the patients with and the patients without these characteristics (p = 0.048 for homogeneity, p = 0.021 for sharp demarcation, and p = 0.006 for hyperechoic pancreas). CONCLUSION: The measurement of 2D-SWE values was found to be an easily applicable non-invasive test with high sensitivity and specificity for the demonstration of changes in the pancreas of pediatric CF patients.

The effect of retroperitoneal fat tissue thickness on testicular venous drainage.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated a possible effect of the amount of retroperitoneal fat tissue on testicular venous drainage to shed light on the mechanism of varicocele occurrence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 132 patients with no fertility complaints were included in this study. Retroperitoneal fat thickness (RPFT) was measured during abdominal computed tomography examinations. According to the calculated body mass index (BMI), patients were categorized as normal, overweight or obese using National Institutes of Health criteria. Relationships were sought between RPFT, BMI and testicular vein-pampiniform plexus diameters measured with ultrasonography on both sides. RESULTS: Left and right testicular vein maximum diameters were significantly larger in obese patients compared with normal and overweight men (p = 0.01 and p = 0.003, respectively). In accordance with this, the left and right pampiniform plexus diameters were larger in the obese group than in the normal and overweight groups (p = 0.004 and p = 0.006, respectively). There was a moderate but significant correlation between the right testicular vein maximum diameter and mean RPFT (p = 0.003). The relationship between bilateral pampiniform plexus diameters and retroperitoneal fat distribution was stronger and significant (p = 0.0001). Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between BMI and retroperitoneal fat distribution (R = 0.53, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The amount of retroperitoneal fat, which is related to BMI, could be a contributing factor in the etiology of right varicocele.

Super-Selective Transarterial Chemoembolization with Doxorubicin-Loaded Drug-Eluting Beads Sized Below and Above 100 Microns in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comparative Study.

Objectives To compare efficacy and safety of super-selective DEB-TACE with doxorubicin-loaded microspheres sized below and above 100 microns for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and methods All consecutive patients with HCC who underwent DEB-TACE were included in this retrospective study. Regarding to microsphere size (>100 microns or <100 microns), patients were determined as Group A (n = 28) and Group B (n = 30), respectively. Results Of the 58 patients (78% males), no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of age and gender (P = 0.388, P = 0.888, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of BCLC stages, presence of chronic liver disease, and Child-Pugh classes (P = 0.593, P = 0.081, P = 0.391, respectively). Although statistically insignificant, median overall survival (19 months vs 32 months, P = 0.190) and median progression-free survival (13 months vs 20 months (P = 0.574) were longer and 1-3-years objective response rates (7.40% vs 23.33%, P = 0.330) were higher in Group B than in Group A, respectively. No mortality or major complications were observed. Grade I/ II adverse events were detected in all patients. Transient elevations in liver function tests (Grade III adverse events) were similar in both groups (3.57% vs 3.33%; P = 0.980). Conclusion Super-selective DEB-TACE with doxorubicin-loaded microspheres sized <100 microns is an effective and safe method for the HCC treatment. Objective response rates are higher and survival durations are longer after DEB-TACE performed with doxorubicin-loaded microspheres sized below 100 microns. Keywords Chemoembolization Doxorubicin Microspheres Drug-eluting beads Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Unexpected Hepatic Uptake of Tc-99m-MAA in Lung Perfusion Scintigraphy in a Patient with End-stage Renal Disease

Extra-pulmonary accumulation of Tc-99m-macroaggregated albumin (MAA) is described as uptake areas out of the lung in perfusion scintigraphy. If the particles spread throughout the body before reaching the lung via venous collaterals or due to right-to-left shunt, or if the particles are too small to occlude the pulmonary capillaries, then the agent can be seen at different locations of the body. Extra-pulmonary accumulation of Tc-99m-MAA can be detected mostly in the liver as well as in the brain, kidney, thyroid, myocardium, spleen and vertebra. Herein, we present lung scanning images with unexpected hepatic accumulation of Tc-99m-MAA. This pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy was performed in a patient with end-stage renal disease due to dyspnea in the post-operative period of kidney transplantation

Serum fibroblast growth factor 23 levels do not correlate with carotid intima-media thickness in patients with chronic kidney disease.

High levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF 23) are associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a useful marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum FGF23 levels and CIMT of CKD patients. In this cross-sectional study, CIMT was measured in 162 patients with CKD Stage of 2-5 (age range 18-79 years, 61.7% males). Serum FGF23 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CIMT was measured by ultrasonography. Serum FGF-23 levels were significantly higher (P = 0.046) in advanced CKD patients. CIMT was thicker in patients with advanced CKD patients (P = 0.01). CIMT was correlated with age (r = 0.486, P <0.001), smoking (r = 0.411, P <0.001), and 25-OH Vitamin D (r = -0.195, P= 0.045). There was no correlation between serum FGF23 and CIMT. Multivariate analysis showed that age (ß = 0.373, P <0.001), smoking (ß = 0.228, P = 0.004), and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (ß = -0.164, P = 0.042) were associated with CIMT. There was no relationship between FGF23 and CIMT. The CIMT was found to be related to increased age, smoking, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in CKD patients.

Iliac artery stenosis as a cause of posttransplant renal failure and claudication.

Iliac artery stenosis (IAS) is a rare complication after renal transplantation. We demonstrate a case of ipsilateral external IAS proximally to anastomosis in a kidney recipient, which manifested with renal failure and claudication, and was successfully treated with endovascular stent placement.