Common design and data elements on rectal artery embolization for treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoidal disease: an interactive systematic review of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Internal hemorrhoids (IH) is a common medical condition that can result in morbidity secondary to bleeding and discomfort. Treatment for IH has traditionally consisted of dietary and conservative medical management, focal treatments including banding and sclerotherapy or hemorrhoidectomy. Recently, rectal artery embolization (RAE) has been studied as a potential treatment for bleeding predominant IH. We performed a common design and data element analysis of studies that report on RAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a qualitative systematic literature review for rectal artery embolization (RAE) for symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease. The screening process involved five online databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, DOAJ, and Scopus). Additionally, ClinicalTrials.gov was examined for active, unpublished completed studies. The initial search yielded 2000 studies, with 15 studies meeting the inclusion criteria after screening and assessment. The included studies comprised one RCT, one case series, one pilot study and 12 cohort studies. RESULTS: The population analysis revealed a male predominance across all studies, with varying cohort sizes. The baseline Goligher hemorrhoid grade was utilized in 80% of studies. The majority (73.3%) employed a transfemoral approach, and coils were the primary embolic material in 60% of studies, 26.6% were combination of coils and particles, and 6.6% were particles only. Patient selection criteria highlighted RAE's applicability for high surgical risk patients and those with anemia, chronic hematochezia, or treatment-refractory cases. Exclusion criteria emphasized factors such as previous surgeries, colorectal cancer, rectal prolapse, acute hemorrhoidal complications, and contrast allergy. Study designs varied, with cohort studies being the most common (12/15; 80%). Procedural details included the use of metallic coils and detachable micro-coils, with a high technical success rate reported in most studies ranging from 72 to 100%. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 18 months. The majority of studies reported no major immediate or post-procedural complications. CONCLUSION: While all studies focused on RAE as a treatment for IH, there was a great degree of heterogeneity among included studies, particularly regarding inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, outcomes measures and timeframe. Future literature should attempt to standardize these design elements to help facilitate secondary analyses and increase understanding of RAE as a treatment option.

Management of a decade-old recurrent chylothorax with breast fistulization: a case report.

Background: Chylothoraces result from traumatic or non-traumatic insult to the thoracic duct, allowing for lymph to accumulate in the chest. Patients present with increasing dyspnea and fatigue, and the diagnosis is made via chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and comparative analysis of the pleural fluid and serum. Management largely entails diet modification and drainage with or without adjunct medications, reserving pleurodesis, percutaneous duct embolization, or thoracic duct ligation for recalcitrant cases. Case Description: A 72-year-old female presented with a 10-year history of recurrent chylothorax. This was precipitated by a rib biopsy in 2013 for concerns of fibrous dysplasia, which was complicated by pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement and recurrent chylous effusion. The patient remained minimally symptomatic despite its chronicity. The lymphatic leak fistulized into her right breast in 2019 to cause significant swelling and exacerbate discomfort. Upon presentation, she noted incessant dyspnea, right arm and breast lymphedema, and exercise intolerance. Initial treatment involved placement of an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) and interventional radiology (IR)-guided thoracic duct embolization. When persistent, she proceeded with video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) decortication, talc pleurodesis, and ligation of the chylous leak. She was discharged with a drain that remained for one month until sinograms displayed resolution of the effusion. Conclusions: Optimal chylothorax management remains debatable as it is understudied with few high-quality trials guiding treatment. When conservative management is unsuccessful, procedural intervention is often required to minimize morbidity and mortality. A literature review yielded sparse similarities between our case and others, highlighting the irregularity of presentation, challenges faced, and importance of a multidisciplinary approach in management.

A large congenital pancreatic cyst mimicking a macrocytic lymphatic malformation.

Congenital pancreatic cysts (CPCs) are rare developmental anomalies that arise in-utero from the pancreas. They are exceedingly rare in the literature, and most are discovered postnatally. Prenatal diagnosis is uncommon with only 21 published reports of prenatally diagnosed CPCs in the literature. CPCs may form unilocular or multilocular macrocysts which can distort normal anatomy. There is considerable overlap of imaging features with other macrocystic lesions of the neonatal abdomen. Ultrasound-guided biopsy and analysis of cyst aspirate for pancreatic enzymes may assist with obtaining an accurate preoperative diagnosis. We report a case of a 37-week gestational age female infant born with a known prenatal 9.5 cm macrocystic intrabdominal mass. An intrabdominal lymphatic malformation was initially diagnosed based on clinical and imaging features. Since conservative therapy with with cyst drainage and serial sclerotherapy was not effective, an ultrasound-guided biopsy was performed to rule out malignancy. Pancreatic tissue was identified on pathology. An exploratory laparotomy and total cystectomy was performed which confirmed the diagnosis of congenital pancreatic cyst originating from the pancreatic tail. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of congenital pancreatic cysts and the importance of a multimodal and multidisciplinary diagnostic approach.

Percutaneous MR Imaging-Guided Laser Ablation and Cryoablation for the Treatment of Pediatric and Adult Symptomatic Peripheral Soft Tissue Vascular Anomalies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided laser ablation and cryoablation for the treatment of symptomatic soft tissue vascular anomalies (VAs) of the trunk and extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was undertaken of all pediatric and adult patients who underwent MR imaging-guided and monitored laser ablation and/or cryoablation for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral soft tissue VA. Preablation and postablation MR imaging was independently reviewed. Pain scores on the visual analog scale (0 to 10) and self-reported subjective symptomatic improvement were assessed. Change in VA size and pain scores were compared using a paired t test. RESULTS: Thirty patients (24 females; age, 10-75 years) with 34 VAs were treated for moderate to severe pain (n = 27) or swelling/mass effect (n = 3) with 60 total ablation sessions. The baseline maximum VA diameter was 9.5 cm ± 8.6. At baseline, all VAs (100%) demonstrated variable T2-weighted signal hyperintensity and enhancement. The baseline pain score was 6.4 ± 1.6. Clinical follow-up was available for 23 patients. At a mean follow-up time of 12.2 months ± 10.1, 19 of 20 (95%) patients treated for pain and 2 of 3 (67%) patients treated for swelling/mass effect reported partial or complete symptomatic relief. There was a significant decrease in the postablation pain scores (-5.7 ± 1.0, P < .001) and maximum VA size (-2.3 cm ± 2.7, P = .004), with >50% reduction in VA T2 signal (59%) and enhancement (73%). Nine of 30 (30%) patients experienced minor complications. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging-guided and monitored percutaneous laser ablation and cryoablation appear to be safe and effective for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral soft tissue VAs.

Smoking Significantly Impacts Persistence Rates in Embolized Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations in Patients with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

Background Embolization is the standard of care for treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). Persistence of PAVMs after embolization occurs for undefined reasons but may include inflammation related to smoking in dysregulated angiogenesis. Purpose To determine whether patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) who smoke tobacco are more prone to PAVM persistence after embolization. Materials and Methods Patients with HHT treated for PAVMs between January 2000 and August 2017 were retrospectively identified. Only PAVMs with no previous treatment and patients with both clinical and imaging follow-up were included. Age, sex, PAVM characteristics (size, complexity, and location), embolization material used, microcatheter type, smoking history, active tobacco use, and other risk factors for arterial disease were analyzed by using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to determine risk factors for persistence. Results Five-year persistence-free survival rates in nonsmokers, smokers of 1-20 pack-years, and smokers of more than 20 pack-years were 12.2%, 21.9%, and 37.4% respectively. Smokers with more than 20 pack-years relative to nonsmokers had greater risk of persistence after adjusting for arterial feeder size (hazard ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5, 10.0; P = .007). Patients who reported active tobacco use at the time of PAVM embolization had a 5-year cumulative incidence of persistence of 26.3% compared with 13.5% in inactive smokers. After adjusting for arterial feeder size, the risk of persistence was greater in tobacco users versus inactive smokers at the time of treatment (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2, 4.7; P = .01). Conclusion Smoking is associated with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation persistence after embolization in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Trerotola and Pyeritz in this issue.

Venous thromboembolic and bleeding complications among pregnant women with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a vascular malformation overgrowth syndrome characterized by capillary malformation, venous malformation, and limb overgrowth, with or without lymphatic malformation. Patients are at an increased risk of hemorrhage and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Consequently, women with this condition often are counseled to avoid pregnancy, but minimal data are available on the relationship between pregnancy, VTE, and bleeding risk. OBJECTIVE: To review the risk of VTE and bleeding in pregnant and nulligravid women with KTS. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was performed of women with KTS, aged ≥18 years, evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota, from August 1945 to April 2018. RESULTS: We identified 75 women with ≥1 pregnancy and 64 nulligravid women. VTE prevalence was 14 of 70 (20%) for women with a history of pregnancy and 16 of 64 (25%) for nulligravid women (P = .93). Among the 70 women with a history of pregnancy, 7 of 18 VTE events (39%) occurred in association with pregnancy, with VTE affecting 7 of 151 pregnancies (4.6%). Significant bleeding prevalence was 6 of 70 (8.6%) for women with a history of pregnancy and 6 of 64 (9.4%) for nulligravid women (P = .54). LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective review. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VTE and bleeding was similar in patients with KTS, irrespective of pregnancy status.

Pain, psychiatric comorbidities, and psychosocial stressors associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is characterized by the triad of capillary malformation, venous malformation with or without lymphatic malformation, and limb overgrowth. Patients with KTS have lower scores in general in mental health, physical function, and quality of life than the general population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pain and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with KTS. METHODS: A retrospective review of 410 patients with KTS evaluated during 1976-2012 was conducted to identify the presence of pain, psychiatric comorbidities, and psychosocial stressors. RESULTS: Pain was reported by 260 patients (63.4%) and was associated with any KTS complication (P < .0001) and venous malformations of the lower extremities (P = .0008) and feet (P = .0007). Ninety-five patients had a diagnosed psychiatric condition (23.2%), most commonly depression (15.1%) and anxiety (5.1%). Pain (P = .0016), superficial thrombosis (P = .0269), deep embolic/thrombotic events (P = .0005), gastrointestinal complications (P = .0085), genitourinary complications (P = .0163), and capillary malformation of the hands (P = .0040) were associated with having a psychiatric diagnosis. LIMITATIONS: This is a retrospective study that relied on physician detection and reporting of variables. CONCLUSION: Pain and psychiatric conditions, particularly depression and anxiety, are common in patients with KTS. Awareness of the psychosocial impact of KTS and appropriate screening are important.

Safety and Effectiveness of Palliative Tunneled Peritoneal Drainage Catheters in the Management of Refractory Malignant and Non-malignant Ascites.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and effectiveness of tunneled peritoneal catheters in the management of refractory malignant and non-malignant ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective review was undertaken of patients who underwent ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided tunneled peritoneal catheter placement for management of refractory malignant or non-malignant ascites between January 1, 2009, and March 14, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients (76 M/61 F, mean age 62.9 years) underwent tunneled peritoneal catheter placement for refractory malignant (N = 119; 86.9%) or non-malignant (N = 18; 13.1%) ascites. Technical success was 100% with no immediate complications. Nineteen patients (13.9%) experienced a total of 11 minor and 12 major complications. Nine patients developed a catheter-associated infection. The remaining complications included leakage at the dermatotomy site (N = 8), catheter dislodgement (N = 2), obstruction (N = 2), and groin pain (N = 2). Patients who developed a catheter-associated infection had a significantly longer catheter dwell time compared to those who did not develop an infection (median, 96.5 vs. 20 days; p < 0.01). Nine patients (6.6%) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 128 patients, 125 died and the majority had a catheter in place (90.4%) at the time of death. There was one catheter-associated death (bacterial peritonitis; 0.8%). The median time from catheter placement to death was significantly shorter in patients with malignant versus non-malignant ascites (18.5 vs. 85 days; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Tunneled peritoneal drainage catheters are effective and relatively safe in the management of malignant and non-malignant ascites. Longer catheter dwell time may be a risk factor for catheter-associated infection, particularly in patients with a longer anticipated survival in the palliative setting.

Can digital breast tomosynthesis replace conventional diagnostic mammography views for screening recalls without calcifications? A comparison study in a simulated clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) as an alternative to conventional diagnostic mammography in the workup of noncalcified findings recalled from screening mammography in a simulated clinical setting that incorporated comparison mammograms and breast ultrasound results. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-six women, with 158 abnormalities, underwent diagnostic mammography and two-view DBT. Three radiologists viewed the abnormal screening mammograms, comparison mammograms, and DBT images and recorded a DBT BI-RADS category and confidence score for each finding. Readers did not view the diagnostic mammograms. A final DBT BI-RADS category, incorporating ultrasound results in some cases, was determined and compared with the diagnostic mammography BI-RADS category using kappa statistics. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for DBT and diagnostic mammography. RESULTS: Agreement between DBT and diagnostic mammography BI-RADS categories was excellent for readers 1 and 2 (κ = 0.91 and κ = 0.84) and good for reader 3 (κ = 0.68). For readers 1, 2, and 3, sensitivity and specificity of DBT for breast abnormalities were 100%, 100%, and 88% and 94%, 93%, and 89%, respectively. The clinical workup averaged three diagnostic views per abnormality and ultrasound was requested in 49% of the cases. DBT was adequate mammographic evaluation for 93-99% of the findings and ultrasound was requested in 33-55% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that DBT can replace conventional diagnostic mammography views for the evaluation of noncalcified findings recalled from screening mammography and achieve similar sensitivity and specificity. Two-view DBT was considered adequate mammographic evaluation for more than 90% of the findings. There was minimal change in the use of ultrasound with DBT compared with diagnostic mammography.

Imaging sarcomas of the great vessels and heart.

Primary sarcomas of the aorta, pulmonary artery, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and the heart are rare neoplasms. Aortic sarcomas are broadly categorized as either primarily luminal or primarily mural, with luminal sarcomas more likely to be misdiagnosed as thrombus. Pulmonary artery sarcomas are often mistaken for pulmonary embolism both clinically and at imaging. Vena caval sarcomas appear as intraluminal or extraluminal masses connecting to or filling the veins. The most common are leiomyosarcomas of the inferior vena cava. Primary sarcomas of the heart are rare and usually appear as heterogeneous aggressive masses.