Initiation of hemodialysis at one month following fistulogram in patients with advanced kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated that low contrast volume used in access-related interventions had limited effects on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) after fistulography, but studies are limited and heterogeneous. We sought to evaluate the rate of and factors associated with progression to dialysis (HD) within 1 month after fistulography for patients with advanced CKD. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective cohort analysis of patients with CKD stage IV and V, not yet on HD, undergoing fistulography from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018 was performed. The primary outcome was progression to HD within 1 month. Additional variables and the association with the primary outcome such as medical comorbidities, contrast type or volume were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients underwent 41 fistulograms prior to HD initiation. Progression to HD within 1 month of fistulogram occurred in seven patients (all CKD V). The mean time between fistulogram and HD was 271 days for 31 of 34 patients who ultimately progressed to HD. Those with CKD IV began HD in 549 days on average, while those with CKD V began HD in 190 days on average. Three patients had not initiated HD at a mean of 539 days of follow-up. The only factors associated with progression to HD within 1 month included use of isovue (p = .005) and elevated contrast volume, with a mean of 40 mL (p = .027). CONCLUSION: Although none of the patients with CKD IV required HD within 1 month after fistulogram, the use of larger iodinated contrast volume was associated with progression to HD within 1 month of fistulography for patients with CKD V. Further studies should investigate the safety of iodinated and alternative (e.g., carbon dioxide) contrast media in fistulography or duplex-based HD access procedures for CKD patients, especially CKD V, not yet on HD.

Central Venous Occlusion in the Hemodialysis Patient.

Central venous stenosis (CVS) is encountered frequently among hemodialysis patients. Prior ipsilateral central venous catheterization and cardiac rhythm device insertions are common risk factors, but CVS can also occur in the absence of this history. Chronic CVS can cause thrombosis with partial or complete occlusion of the central vein at the site of stenosis. CVS is frequently asymptomatic and identified as an incidental finding during imaging studies. Symptomatic CVS presents most commonly as an upper- or lower-extremity edema ipsilateral to the CVS. Previously unsuspected CVS may become symptomatic after placement of an ipsilateral vascular access. The likelihood of symptomatic CVS may be affected by the central venous catheter (CVC) location; CVC side; duration of CVC dependence; type, location, and blood flow of the ipsilateral access; and extent of collateral veins. Venous angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement can improve the stenosis and alleviate symptoms, but CVS typically recurs frequently, requiring repeated interventions. Refractory symptomatic CVS may require ligation of the ipsilateral vascular access. Because no available treatment option is curative, the goal should be to prevent CVS by minimizing catheters and central vein instrumentation in patients with chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients.

Giant 20 × 35 cm brachial artery pseudoaneurysm after fistulogram treated with surgical resection of pseudoaneurysm and patch angioplasty of brachial artery.

Brachial artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare entity, which can occur secondary to infectious, traumatic, or iatrogenic causes. We present a 78-year-old female with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis via a right brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistula. She had previously undergone numerous fistulograms and endovascular interventions for right upper extremity swelling due to prolonged bleeding following dialysis. After a recent fistulogram she developed recurrent arm swelling. Duplex showed a large hematoma without any evidence of vascular flow. However, intraoperatively, she was noted to have a giant 20 × 35 cm pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery. Therapeutic options include endovascular stenting, embolization, thrombin injection, ultrasound-guided compression, and surgery. We elected to perform resection of the large pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula ligation due to the large size. Given her end-stage renal disease status and lacking quality autogenous vein, we were able to perform a patch angioplasty repair of her brachial artery without requiring a bypass.

Early access flow rate predicts vascular access patency-related intervention in the first year: A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Arteriovenous fistulas and grafts are lifelines for most hemodialysis patients, and a low access flow rate often requires patency-related intervention, such as angioplasty or thrombectomy, to prevent access failure. We examined whether early access flow rate, measured after initial fistula/graft cannulation, predicts vascular access patency-related intervention within 1 year. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Among 172 patients undergoing surgical creation of a fistula/graft, 52 (30.2%) had documented access flow rates measurement by the Transonic™ ultrasound dilution technique, performed within an average of 48 days from initial access cannulation. The need for a patency-related intervention, defined as undergoing a fistulogram, angioplasty, thrombectomy, or surgical revision, was ascertained within 1 year. A receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) was generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of first and average access flow rates for predicting patency-related intervention within 1 year. FINDINGS: Twenty-eight (53.8%) of the 52 study subjects required a patency-related intervention within 1 year. Their characteristics were not significantly different from those who did not require patency-related interventions. However, first access flow rates were significantly lower in patients requiring patency-related intervention compared to those who did not (898 vs. 1471 mL/min; p = 0.003), as were average access flow rates (841 vs. 1506 mL/min; p < 0.001). The ROC analyses revealed that first access flow rates and average access flow rates predicted the need for patency-related intervention within 1 year, with an area under-the-ROC curve of 0.743 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.608, 0.877) and 0.775 (95% CI 0.648, 0.903), respectively, demonstrating acceptable discrimination. DISCUSSION: In adults undergoing hemodialysis, early access flow rate measurement can predict patency-related intervention within 1 year after initial vascular access cannulation. Additional studies are required to confirm these findings and identify optimal access flow rate cut-off values to predict vascular accesses at higher risk of stenosis.

Complete Second Branchial Fistula: A Rare Entity.

Second branchial anomalies like branchial cyst, sinus or fistula are common lateral neck masses in pediatric age group but it is rare to encounter complete branchial fistula with external as well as internal openings. We present a case of 16 yrs old female patient with complete Branchial fistula which was diagnosed with the help of CT fistulogram and thereafter taken up for surgical excision of fistula under general anaesthesia. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of branchial fistula. In case of lateral neck mass with external opening in pediatric age group strong possibility of diagnosis of branchial fistula should be kept, timely management of the case improves the quality of life.

Assessing the Inflow Segment of a Hemodialysis Access: The Fogarty Balloon Occlusion Technique.

Dialysis access maintenance often requires a fistulogram or shuntogram of arteriovenous access. Assessment of the arterial inflow segment and arterial anastomosis is often a critical portion of the procedure. Retrograde occlusive angiography (ROA) is often used to properly assess the inflow. Manual compression using finger compression or a hemostat is often described in the literature. The Fogarty balloon occlusion technique using a 4-Fr Fogarty catheter balloon (Henry Shein) is a simple and cost-effective method that preserves image quality and decreases radiation exposure in retrograde occlusive angiography.

Comparison of clinical examination, doppler and fistulogram for arterio-venous fistula surveillance in detecting secondary failure.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) surveillance is required to detect early dysfunction (thrombosis, stenosis) and its timely correction prolongs access-patency. Clinical examination (CE) and doppler have been used as screening/surveillance of AVF, for early detection of AVF dysfunction. Since there was inadequate evidence for KDOQI to make recommendations on AVF surveillance and on secondary failure rate. We compared CE, doppler and fistulogram as surveillance modalities in detecting a secondary failure in matured AVF. METHODOLOGY: This prospective-observational, single-center study, was done between December 2019-April 2021. CKD stage 5 patients on dialysis/Not-on-dialysis with matured AVF were included at third month. CE, doppler (blood flow, vein diameter, depth), and fistulogram were done at third and sixth month. Secondary failure was assessed at sixth month classifying AVF to patent/functional and failed group. Diagnostic tests were performed by comparing three methods considering fistulogram as gold-standard. Residual urine output is also monitored to look for any contrast induced residual renal function loss. RESULTS: Of total 407 created AVF, 98 (24%) had primary failure. Twenty-five (6%) had surgical complications including unsuccessful AVF and aneurysm/rupture, 156 lost follow-up at third month, 104 consented patients were enrolled, 16 lost to follow-up subsequently, and 88 patients' data were analyzed at the end. At the sixth month, 76(86.4%) had patent AVF, 8 (9.1%) had secondary failure (Thrombosis-4, Central Venous Stenosis-4), and 4 (4.1%) patients expired. Considering fistulogram as a diagnostic standard, CE showed 87.5% sensitivity, and 93.4% specificity (cohen's kappa value of 0.66). Doppler had sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 96% respectively (cohen's kappa value of 0.75), Combination of clinical examination with doppler showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 89% respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the secondary AVF failure rate is less than the primary, CE is an important and valuable tool in the diagnosis and surveillance of AVF in detecting its dysfunction. Moreover, CE with doppler can be used as a surveillance protocol that can detect early AVF dysfunction at par with Fistulogram.

Development of open-source software for free-hand 3D vascular ultrasound: Dialysis fistula application.

BACKGROUND: The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for End Stage Renal Disease, having superior patency and lower infection risks than prosthetic graft and catheter access. When AVF dysfunction or delayed maturation does occur, the gold standard for diagnosis is the fistula angiogram (a.k.a. fistulogram). 3D ultrasound is available for obstetrical and other specialized uses, but it is cost prohibitive and has a field of view that is too small to cover the region of interest for the dialysis fistula application. We sought to develop a point of care 3D solution using freehand 2D ultrasound data acquisition. METHODS: We developed open-source software for 3D image reconstruction and projection of an angiogram-like image of the vascular access using a 2D freehand ultrasound scanner. We evaluated this software by comparing the ultrasound "sono-angiogram" images to fistulogram images in five subjects, using visual inspection and by applying the Percent of Exact Match (PEM) as a statistic test. RESULTS: The sono-angiograms showed identifiable characteristics that matched the fistulogram results in all five subjects. The PEM ranged between 42.8% and 77.0%, with Doppler and grayscale ultrasound data, showing complementary advantages and disadvantages when used for sono-angiogram image construction. Motion from freehand ultrasound acquisition was a significant source of mismatch. 3D image generation is a potential advantage with ultrasound data. CONCLUSIONS: While further work is needed to improve the accuracy with free hand scanning, fistulogram-like "sono-angiograms" can be generated using point of care 2D ultrasound. Methods such as these may be able to assist in point-of-care diagnosis in the future. The software is open-source, and importantly, the ultrasound data used are non-proprietary and available from any standard ultrasound machine. The simplicity and accessibility of this approach warrant further study.

A Very Rare Disease of Patent Urachus Cyst With Vesico-Umbilical Urinary Fistula in Adults: A Case Report and Short Review.

Rare developmental anomalies known as urachal remnants are brought on by flaws in the foetal developmental process. However, depending on the location and degree of incomplete obliteration, the urachus can undergo a variety of urachal anomalies. An umbilical fistulogram and a voiding cystourethrogram both supported the existence of the adult urachal cyst in this case. To treat the sepsis, we provided the patient with antibiotics first, then a surgical procedure. The entire vesico-umbilical tract with the urachal cyst was removed using the open approach. The excised specimen's histology revealed a foreign body giant cell reaction without any indication of malignancy. The presentation and diagnosis of vesico-umbilical urinary fistula (VUUF) in adults can occasionally be difficult. They happen very rarely. So we began putting forward this case for the same reason.

The management of complex fistula in ano by transanal opening of the intersphincteric space (TROPIS): short-term results.

Purpose: Many methods have been used to treat complex fistulas, but no single technique has been considered standard. Damage to the sphincter may sometimes be unavoidable, and incontinence may be an important cause of morbidity. This study aimed to validate the results of transanal opening of the intersphincteric space (TROPIS), as a technique that avoids damaging the anal sphincter, in patients with complex fistula in ano. Methods: A prospective study was conducted among 35 consecutive patients with complex fistula in ano. After a preoperative magnetic resonance fistulogram, TROPIS was performed in all patients. The St. Mark's incontinence score was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 months. Results: The tracts were intersphincteric in 16 patients, transsphincteric in 10, extrasphincteric in 2, and horseshoe in 3. Four patients had recurrent tracts (3 transsphincteric and 1 intersphincteric). A defined follow-up schedule was used. Curettage was done if postoperative pus drainage from the wound was noted. The fistula healed in 29 patients (82.86%) following TROPIS. The remaining 6 patients received curettage, with healing in 3 (overall healing rate, 91.4%). Patients who received curettage were followed for 3 months, and the outcome was labeled as healed or failed. The mean preoperative incontinence score was 0. One patient developed incontinence to gas postoperatively in week 2, but there was no significant change in the scores at 3 months postoperatively. The mean postoperative incontinence score was 0.02. Conclusion: TROPIS is an effective method for the treatment of complex fistula in ano, with minimal risk for incontinence.

Sono-angiography for dialysis vascular access based on the freehand 2D ultrasound scanning.

INTRODUCTION: Dialysis vascular access, preferably an autogenous arteriovenous fistula, remains an end stage renal disease (ESRD) patient's lifeline providing a means of connecting the patient to the dialysis machine. Once an access is created, the current gold standard of care for maintenance of vascular access is angiography and angioplasty to treat stenosis. While point of care 2D ultrasound has been used to detect access problems, we sought to reproduce angiographic results comparable to the gold standard angiogram (fistulogram) using ultrasound data acquired from a conventional 2D ultrasound scanner. METHODS: A 2D ultrasound probe was used to acquire a series of cross sectional images of the vascular access including arteriovenous anastomosis of a subject with a radio-cephalic fistula. These 2D B-mode images were used for 3D vessel reconstruction by binary thresholding to categorize vascular versus non-vascular structures followed by standard image segmentation to select the structure representative of dialysis vascular access and morphologic filtering. Image processing was done using open source Python Software. RESULTS: The open source software was able to: (1) view the gold standard fistulogram images, (2) reconstruct 2D planar images of the fistula from ultrasound data as viewed from the top, analogous to computerized tomography images, and (3) construct a 2D representation of vascular access similar to the angiogram. CONCLUSION: We present a simple approach to obtain an angiogram-like representation of the vascular access from readily available, non-proprietary 2D ultrasound data in the point of care setting. While the sono-angiogram is not intended to replace angiography, it may be useful in providing 3D imaging at the point of care in the dialysis unit, outpatient clinic, or for pre-operative planning for interventional procedures. Future work will focus on improving the robustness and quality of the imaging data while preserving the straightforward freehand approach used for ultrasound data acquisition.

Contemporary Strategies to Promote Dialysis Access Fistula Maturation.

Background: The inability of a newly created arteriovenous fistula to support hemodialysis due to non-maturation results in increased complications secondary to catheter dependence. Methods: In view of the highly variable approaches by providers with heterogenous backgrounds (general surgery, vascular surgery, interventional radiology and interventional nephrology, urology, transplant surgery, etc.) we sought to describe a collection of algorithms that have functioned well in our hands to manage this challenging clinical problem and guide trainees and practicing clinicians alike.Results: Physical examination along with selective duplex ultrasound and fistulogram can identify most pathologies underlying non-maturation.Conclusion: Both endovascular and open techniques can be employed to optimize maturation rates in this complex population.

An unusual spontaneous recanalization by multiple palmar arteriovenous connections of a chronically occluded radiocephalic hemodialysis fistula.

Preservation of a vascular access is crucial in the management of hemodialysis patients. In this regard, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is an effective tool if performed after an adequate understanding of preliminary fistulograms. The present case showed a chronic dysfunction of a radial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) due to arterial occlusion and partially relieved by the spontaneous development of multiple small arteriovenous connections in the palmar region of the hand. This dense network had been so far able to ensure a sufficient retrograde blood flow for an effective hemodialytic performance. The angioplasty of the post-anastomotic stenotic segment of the radial artery was effective in restoring this neoformed AVF patency.

An Atypical Presentation of a Zygomatic Sialocele in a dog.

A sialocele is an accumulation of salivary fluid due to leakage into the interstitial space surrounding the affected salivary gland and/or its corresponding duct. Reported causes of salivary leakage include trauma, foreign bodies, sialoliths, and neoplasia, but in many cases the etiology is not identified. Clinical signs of sialoceles associated with the zygomatic salivary gland or corresponding duct usually include exophthalmos due to periorbital salivary accumulation, whereas sialoceles associated with the mandibular or sublingual glands or ducts usually manifest as cervical, pharyngeal and/or sublingual salivary accumulation. This case report describes an atypical cervical presentation of a zygomatic sialocele in a dog that resolved after zygomatic sialoadenectomy.

Spontaneous bronchobiliary fistula: Case report.

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare condition that results from the communication between the bile ducts and the bronchial tree. It is characterized by the presence of bile in the sputum as pathognomonic symptom, and it is often associated with suspicious pneumonia. The most common causes include infections (e.g. echinococcosis), hepatobiliary surgery, blunt torso traumas, tumors and percutaneous transhepatic procedures. Opinions about BBF treatment are still controversial as it can be treated by both conservative and surgical procedures, while pharmacological treatments are only rarely used. This case report presents a patient who had been diagnosed with chronic BBF of unknown cause, underwent several ineffective conservative procedures and was at last surgically treated.

Transfemoral Venous Access Facilitates Upper Extremity Dialysis Interventions: Procedural Success and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report technical success and clinical outcomes of transfemoral venous access for upper extremity dialysis interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients underwent a transfemoral venous approach for fistulography (n = 4; 27%) or thrombectomy (n = 11; 73%) over a 14-month period. Access characteristics, sheath size, thrombectomy method, angioplasty site, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, technical and clinical success, complications, and post-intervention primary and secondary patency rates were recorded. RESULTS: Access type included arteriovenous fistulas (n = 10; 67%) and grafts (n = 5; 33%). The most common configuration was brachio-brachial (n = 6; 38%). Mean age of access was 37 months. Mean prior interventions were 4. Right CFV access was used in all patients using 6-8-French (most common: 7-French [n = 10; 67%]) sheaths. Most thrombectomies (n = 11; 73%) required both pharmacologic and mechanical maceration (n = 9; 82%). All accesses required angioplasty to treat underlying stenosis at the outflow vein (n = 12; 80%) or arteriovenous anastomosis (n = 9; 90%). Mean fluoroscopy time was 26.43 min. Air kerma and dose area product were 178.06 ± 225.77 mGy and 57,768.83 ± 87,553.29 µGym2, respectively. Procedural and clinical success rates were 93% and 80%, respectively. Technical failure was due to persistent stenosis in one patient. Clinical failure was due to unsuccessful dialysis immediately following intervention in three patients. Mean post-intervention primary patency and secondary patency durations were 2.8 and 4.8 months, respectively. Primary patency rates at 1 and 3 months were 50% and 35%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 1 and 3 months were 58% and 30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A transfemoral venous approach for intervention of upper extremity dialysis accesses may be a valuable adjunct to traditional approaches.

Lateral cervical sinus: specific sonographic findings in two pediatric cases.

A lateral cervical sinus, also known as a second pharyngeal or branchial cleft fistula/sinus, occurs when the second pharyngeal arch fails to grow caudally over the third and fourth arches, leaving remnants of the second branchial clefts in contact with the surface of the neck via a narrow canal. This type of sinus is detected on the lateral aspect of the neck directly anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. We report two pediatric cases with lateral cervical sinus, and pathognomonic sonographic findings to confirm the diagnosis. The first case involved a 3-month-old boy with a sinus on the lateral neck and occasional drainage from a cervical sinus opening. Sonography revealed that the sinus tract extended between the external and internal carotid arteries. In case two, a 1-month-old girl presented with a sinus on the lateral neck and signs of acute infection at the site of a pinpoint opening. Sonography revealed an oval-shaped cystic lesion and sinus tract extending between the external and internal carotid arteries. Sonography does not require radiation or sedation for children. The best choice for the first examination for lateral cervical sinus is sonography, rather than CT, MRI, or contrast fistulograms.