Facial palsy following embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula.

Intracranial arteriovenous malformations are infrequent. Advances in endovascular treatment techniques have promoted the use of endovascular embolization in management of intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Transvenous or transarterial embolization procedures are effective options in the treatment of the arteriovenous fistulas. However, complications such as cranial nerve palsies may occur. Here, we present a case of right-sided lower motor neuron facial paralysis due to embolization of an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula that have presented with clinical findings on the left eye. Facial functions of the patient improved from total weakness to House-Brackmann grade II, following facial nerve decompression surgery.

Biliary complications after pediatric liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: After liver transplantation, biliary complications are more prevalent in pediatric patients, with reported rates varying between 15% and 30%. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed biliary complications observed in 84 pediatric liver transplantation patients between July 2006 and September 2012. Biliary reconstruction was accomplished via a duct-to-duct anastomosis in 5 (83.3%) of the 6 patients receiving whole liver grafts and in 44 (56.4%) of the 78 patients who received a segmental live donor graft. For the remaining 34 patients with living donor and 1 patient with whole liver graft, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was the preferred method. RESULTS: Post-transplantation biliary complications were encountered in 26 patients (30.1%). The biliary complication rate was 38% in 49 duct-to-duct anastomosis, whereas it was 20% in the hepaticojejunostomy group consisting of 35 recipients. Thirteen of the 18 biliary leaks were from duct-to-duct anastomoses and the remaining 5 were from the hepaticojejunostomies and 6 of the 8 biliary strictures were observed in recipients with duct-to-duct anastomosis. In 19 of the 26 patients, the biliary complications were successfully treated with interventional radiologic procedures and 1 was treated with stent placement during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous interventional procedures are valuable, effective, and life-saving therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of bile leaks and strictures after pediatric liver transplantations.

Analysis of vascular complications after renal transplantation.

PURPOSE: Despite medical and surgical advances, vascular complications remain common after renal transplant, occurring among 3%-15% of patients. These complications may compromise graft function. This study sought to evaluate the frequency and management of vascular complications after renal transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the 1843 transplantations performed at 2 centers by our team since November 1975. The 1349 male and 494 female patients had an overall mean age of 31.5±11.2 years; (range, 3-66). Grafts were obtained from a living-related donor in 1406 (76.29%) or a deceased donor in the remaining 437 (23.71%). The mean donor age was 40.7±13.7 years (range, 2-76). Of 1843 transplants, multiple vascular anastomoses were performed in 155 cases (8.4%), including 130 involving renal arteries and 25 renal veins. RESULTS: Forty-seven vascular complications (2.55%) were observed in 43 procedures (2.33%), most frequently renal artery stenosis (n=14). It was followed by allograft renal artery kinking (n=7), renal vein kinking (n=7), renal artery thrombosis (n=5), renal vein laceration (n=4), renal artery laceration (n=3), renal vein thrombosis (n=2), renal artery disruption (n=2), renal and iliac vein obstructions owing to pressure from a lymphocele (n=1), renal artery and vein obstruction owing to pressure from a hematoma (n=1), or an arteriovenous fistula after percutaneous graft biopsy (n=1). Fifteen of these 47 complications were treated by interventional radiologic procedures. CONCLUSION: The vascular complication rates in our patients were somewhat lower than those reported in the literature. A thorough understanding of how complications impair allograft function and survival is essential for adequate treatment. Interventional radiology is invaluable in the postoperative management of transplant-related complications.

Endovascular stent placement in patients with hepatic artery stenoses or thromboses after liver transplant.

Hepatic artery stenosis or thrombosis following liver transplant is a potentially life-threatening complication. Successful liver transplant depends on uncompromised hepatic arterial inflow. Early diagnosis and treatment of complications prolong graft survival. Interventional radiologic techniques are frequently used to treat hepatic artery complications. Twenty patients with hepatic artery stenoses (n = 11) or thromboses (n = 9) were included in this study. Eighteen of the 20 patients were successfully treated by stent placement. In 9 patients, early endovascular interventions were performed 1 to 7 days after surgery. Two patients were operated owing to the effects of dissection and bleeding from the hepatic artery. Repeat endovascular interventions were performed 10 times in 6 patients. Follow-up ranged from 5 months to 4.5 years. Nine patients with patent hepatic arteries died during follow-up owing to reasons unrelated to the hepatic artery interventions. In 3 patients, the stents became occluded at 3, 5, and 9 months after surgery but no clinical symptoms were present.

Relationship of preoperative venous and arterial imaging findings to outcomes of brachio-basilic transposition fistulae for hemodialysis: a prospective clinical study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the maturation and patency of transposed brachio-basilic fistulae that had been chosen based on the results of preoperative imaging techniques. METHODS: Among 215 patients admitted to our clinic requiring arteriovenous fistulae between May 2004 and September 2005, 59 were scheduled for a transposed brachio-basilic fistula procedure. The relationship between demographic data, laboratory values, invasive and noninvasive imaging studies with patency and maturation time of the fistulae were evaluated by univariate analyses. RESULTS: Primary and secondary patency rates were 82% and 97% at 6 months 72% and 92% at one year respectively. The only parameter found to affect maturation time was basilic vein diameter. The maturation time was 59.3+/-22.3 days (range 32-92 days) for veins less than 3mm in diameter and 24.7+/-4.4 days (range, 21 to 34 days) for those with larger diameters. The number of previously failed fistulae correlated with a decrease in primary patency time. The primary patency rate at 1 year was 58.9% for patients whose preoperative arterial flow rate was below 70cm/sec, while it was 93.3% when the flow was greater. CONCLUSION: We believe that this type of fistula should be the first option in patients in whom the cephalic vein is inappropriate for a vascular access. Preoperative evaluation of the arterial system as well as a history of previous access failure may be considered predictive parameters for the patency of the fistulae.

Preliminary experience with tracheal stent application in children with tracheal stenosis.

Tracheobronchial stenosis in infants and small children is a frustrating lesion for both the pediatric surgeon and the patient and his or her family. Different surgical methods have been described to treat stenoses. Recently, tracheal stents have been introduced to relieve the airway obstruction in these patients. Here, we present 6 patients (2 newborns, 3 infants, and 1 three-year-old) with tracheal or bronchial obstructions treated with age-specific Palmaz balloon-expandable tracheal stents. One patient died due to sepsis. One patient's stent was removed successfully. No other problems occurred in the other 4 patients during 4 to 12 months of follow-up.

Right hepatic lobe donation: impact on donor quality of life.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of living-donor liver transplantation on the donor's quality of life. Among the 48 performed at our hospital from October 2003 to June 2006, 46 (27 men, 19 women; mean age, 37.4 years) were followed for more than 4 months (mean, 16.5+/-8 months). In April 2006, these donors participated in a survey that included medical and psychosocial outcomes. Seven complications occurred in four of 46 donors (8.6%): two biliary leaks, two wound infections, one incisional hernia, one portal vein thrombosis, and one deep venous thrombosis. For the donor with portal vein thrombosis, the vein was recanalized, and she recovered without treatment; a bile leak from the cut liver surface and an incisional hernia also developed in the same donor. The biliary leak was treated with percutaneous drainage, and the incisional hernia was repaired surgically. Fifteen donors were housewives, 31 worked outside the home, and 94% returned to their work. A change in body image was reported in 4.3% of the donors. None reported impaired sexual function. Complete recovery occurred in 86% of donors, 94% of the donors said that they would donate again if necessary, and 97% believe that they had benefited from the donation experience. In conclusion, almost all donors were able to return to their prior jobs within a few months of surgery, and most donors were satisfied with the donation procedure.

Intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion technique for biliary reconstruction: early results.

Biliary complications are critical problems in liver transplantation. Herein, we retrospectively analyzed the early results of an intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion technique for biliary reconstruction. Since November 2004, we have used this technique in 66 patients (32 children and 34 adults). In the new technique, a 5- F Kumpe catheter is inserted into the biliary system in 2 steps. One step is completed at the back table; the second step is completed during the recipient operation. Fourteen patients received whole-liver grafts, 25 received a right lobe, and 27 received a left-lateral or a left lobe. The mean graft weight-to-body weight ratio in the living-donor liver transplantations was 1.6% +/- 1.0% (range, 0.8%-4.1%). Intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion was performed with a duct-to-duct anastomosis in 60 patients and with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in 6 patients. Five biliary complications occurred in 4 patients. Two of these 4 patients had bile leakage from the anastomotic site during the early postoperative period. Biliary stenoses developed at the anastomotic site in 2 patients and from a nonanastomotic site in 1 patient in the late postoperative period. In conclusion, this new technique of biliary reconstruction with intraoperative biliary catheter insertion has significantly reduced our complication rate. Transhepatic biliary stenting seems to prevent biliary complications and makes it simple to maintain percutaneous access in the event that problems arise. Intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion at the back table is a safe means of providing good biliary drainage after liver transplantation.

Renal autotransplantation for the treatment of complex renovascular hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: In individuals with complicated renal vascular disease, renal autotransplantation has been used as an alternative to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which may be unsuccessful or hazardous in these situations. We evaluated the outcomes of renal autotransplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1989 and December 2005, we performed 5 renal autotransplantation procedures. The surgical strategy included renal explantation, ex vivo renal preservation, ex vivo reconstruction of the renal artery if necessary, and renal heterotopic autotransplantation. RESULTS: The study subjects (3 men and 2 women) exhibited one of the following indications for surgery: fibromuscular dysplasia (2 patients), Takayasu's arteritis (1), or atherosclerosis (2). All patients exhibited uncontrolled hypertension before renal autotransplantation. Renal arteries of patients were anastomosed either to the external or internal iliac arteries or to both when there were multiple renal arteries. The renal vein was anastomosed end-to-side to the external iliac vein, and ureteral reimplantation was not performed. Mean posttransplantation follow-up was 9.8 +/- 5.7 years (range, 1-16 years). Mortality and morbidity were not observed during the follow-up, and hypertension and renal function normalized or improved in all 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Renal autotransplantation is a highly effective procedure to treat complex renovascular lesions; ex vivo renal repair is a safe and effective surgical procedure in the clinical setting.

Liver transplantation in children weighing less than 10 kilograms.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remains a major medical and surgical challenge in small pediatric patients. From April 2003 through October 2005, 17 infants (each of whom weighed less than 10 kg) underwent the procedure. Four were girls and 13 were boys (mean age, 15.7 +/- 9.3 months [range, 2-36 months]; mean weight at the time of transplantation, 7.4 +/- 2.6 kg [range, 6-10 kg]). All transplants were obtained from living-related donors. Sixteen left lateral segments and 1 left lobe were transplanted. The median graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 3.5% +/- 1.2% (range, 1.5%-6.1%). During the early postoperative period, hepatic arterial thrombosis was identified in 2 infants, and a biliary leak in 1. Hepatic arterial thrombosis was treated by reanastomosis with polytetrafluoroethylene grafting in the first patient and by surgical embolectomy in the second. The biliary leak was treated with percutaneous drainage. In 1 infant, portal vein stenosis, which was identified during the late postoperative period, was treated by percutaneous balloon dilatation. At this time, 14 (82.3%) infants were alive, exhibiting good graft function at a median follow-up of 11 months (range, 2-36 months). Three infants died: 1 on postoperative day 47 from adult respiratory distress syndrome, 1 on postoperative day 12 from sepsis, and 1 on postoperative day 65 from sepsis associated with EBV infection. Episodes of acute rejection, which occurred in 5 patients, were treated with pulse steroid therapy. On follow-up, histologic examination revealed hepatocellular carcinoma in 2 infants and Burkitt's lymphoma in 1 infant. Our data confirm that extensive use of living-related donors in liver transplantation can result in an excellent outcome for small pediatric patients.

Effect of secondary interventions on patency of vascular access sites for hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of secondary procedures performed to maintain arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) patency. METHODS: There hundred and eighty six vascular access procedures were retrospectively evaluated. 156 (40.4%) patients required radiological interventions to treat acute thrombosis, swelling of the extremity with the access site, insufficient hemodialysis, or stenosis at an anastomotic site. RESULTS: The 386 cases comprised 106 AVGs and 280 AVFs. In 138 of the 156 cases, which required a radiological intervention, the treatment was successful and saved the vascular access site. The unassisted post-intervention patency time for these 138 successful cases was 13.1 +/- 12 months (range, 1-65 months). Twenty-nine (63%) of the 46 access sites treated with surgical thrombectomy were saved. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent, regular follow-up of hemodialysis patients with vascular access sites is the best way to diagnose problems early and allow the best chance of long-term function.

A new technique for bile duct reconstruction in liver transplantation.

Biliary complications are one of the most important problems in liver transplantation. Despite various refinements of surgical technique, liver transplantation is associated with significant numbers of biliary problems. In this article, we describe our novel "intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion" technique for biliary reconstruction in 29 patients, since November 2004 comparing results before and after its implementation. 5-F Kumpe catheter is inserted into the biliary system in two steps. The first is completed at the back table, and the second during the recipient operation. The grafts were from cadavers in 10 cases, with the remaining ones from living donors. Ten patients received whole-liver grafts, 11 received a right lobe, and eight received a left-lateral lobe or left lobe. The mean weight of the living donor grafts was 598 g (range = 270 to 975 g). The mean graft weight-to-body weight ratio in the living donor liver transplantations was 1.6% +/- 1.0% (range, 0.8% to 4.1%). Intraoperative transhepatic biliary catheter insertion was performed with a duct-to-duct anastomosis in 27 cases and with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in two cases. The only biliary complication was one case (3.4%) of bile leakage from the anastomotic site. This rate is significantly lower than that for duct-to-duct biliary reconstructions prior to the new catheter technique (13.0%; P < .05). This new technique of biliary reconstruction with intraoperative biliary catheter insertion has significantly reduced our biliary complication rate. Transhepatic biliary stenting prevents biliary complications and makes it simple to maintain percutaneous access in case such problems arise. However, further studies are needed to compare incidence rates of biliary complications when our novel technique is used versus other surgical techniques.

Venous complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.

We report venous complications, including portal vein and hepatic vein stenoses, that required interventional radiological treatment in three pediatric and two adult living related liver transplant recipients. Between April 2001 and April 2005, 81 liver transplantations were performed at our hospital. Sixty-two grafts were from living donors. During follow-up, three portal vein stenoses were identified in three pediatric recipients, and two hepatic vein stenoses in two adult patients. In the children, two had received left lateral segment grafts, and one had received a right lobe graft from two mothers and one father, respectively. The etiologies of liver failure were Alagille syndrome, biliary atresia, and fulminant Wilson's disease. Portal vein stenoses were identified at 8, 11, and 12 months after transplantation; all three patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal venous angioplasty with a success rate of 100%. The mean follow-up was 102 days; no recurrence has occurred. In contrast, hepatic venous stenoses were diagnosed in two adult recipients. One of them was a 24-year-old woman with autoimmune hepatitis and the other a 43-year-old man with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Hepatic vein stenoses were diagnosed at 3 and 4 months after transplantation. Both hepatic vein stenoses were dilated with balloon angioplasties via the transjugular route. Venous complications identified by Doppler ultrasonography were confirmed by computerized tomographic angiography. Angioplasty represents an effective and safe alternative to reconstructive surgery in the treatment of venous complications after liver transplantation.

Ureteroscopic treatment of proximal ureter stones with the aid of an antegrade occlusion balloon catheter.

PURPOSE: To define the role of an antegrade occlusion balloon catheter in preventing migration of proximal ureteral stones to the dilated proximal ureter during endoscopic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An occlusion balloon catheter was used in 8 of 21 patients with proximal ureteral stones who underwent ureterorenoscopy. Five of the eight patients had solitary kidneys admitting with anuria and had percutaneous nephrostomy. In the other three patients, percutaneous nephrostomy and occlusion balloon catheters were placed a day before the procedure, since these patients had total obstruction and massive dilatation of the proximal ureter and renal collecting system. The balloons of occlusion catheters were inflated with 1 ml of sterile saline proximal to the stones just before ureterorenoscopy. RESULTS: All stones could be reached by ureterorenoscopy and treated successfully with the aid of an ultrasonic lithotripter, and no stone migration to the upper dilated collecting system was observed. Just after the operation, while the patient was still lying on the operation table, the occlusion catheter was removed. The nephrostomy catheter was removed a day later. All patients were totally stone-free after the procedures. CONCLUSION: Occlusion balloon catheters increase the ureteroscopic treatment success rate in proximal ureter stones. This should be kept in mind especially when dilatation of the proximal collecting system is prominent and in cases with unsuccessful previous intervention with a retrograde stone cone catheter.

Biliary complications and their management in pediatric liver transplantations: one center's experience.

Following living-donor liver transplantation, biliary complications are more prevalent among pediatric patients (<18 years old), with reported rates varying between 15% and 30%. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed biliary complications observed in 21 pediatric liver transplant patients (16 boys [76.2%], 5 girls [23.8%] of ages 1 to 18 years (mean, 8.3 +/- 5.05 years) between September 2001 and June 2004. Biliary reconstruction was accomplished via a duct-to-duct anastomosis in 12 (57.1%) and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in 9 (42.9%) patients. Postoperative biliary complications were encountered in six (28.5%) patients. Four of the biliary leaks were from a duct-to-duct anastomosis and two from an hepaticojejunostomy. One (4.7%) patient who experienced biliary leakage after a duct-to-duct anastomosis developed stenosis after the leak healed; five (23.8%) had the leakage treated successfully. One patient had biliary leakage from the duct-to-duct anastomosis subsequent to a hepatic artery thrombosis. All patients with biliary leakage were treated without surgery. Mean follow-up time was 10.2 +/- 9.6 months (range, 1 to 26 months). Three patients died during follow-up; however, these deaths were not related to the biliary complications. Interventional radiologic approaches are effective to biliary complications, even when the anastomoses are heavily disrupted. In cases of biliary complication, percutaneous combined with internal drainage may prevent biliary sepsis and provide long-term patency.

Comparison of two different percutaneous splenic artery interventions in the treatment of hypersplenism: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Splenomegaly and hypersplenism occur in patients with chronic liver disease and liver transplant recipients. The traditional treatment for hypersplenism is surgical removal. Percutaneous interventional methods, such as partial splenic embolization, are alternatives to surgery for hypersplenism. This article gives preliminary findings for a new percutaneous technique in which a narrowed stent is placed in the splenic artery. METHODS: The study focused on 10 patients (eight males and two females) who were treated for hypersplenism. Partial splenic embolization was performed in six patients (age range, 1-43 years) who were waiting for liver transplantation, and narrowed stents were placed in four patients (age range, 12-47 years) who had undergone either orthotopic two patients) or heterotopic two patients) liver transplantation. For embolization, the splenic artery was catheterized and polyvinyl alcohol particles were infused to the distal branches, reducing blood flow in the spleen by 40% to 50%. In the other cases, a narrowed stent was deployed to the middle portion of the splenic artery. RESULTS: Hypersplenism was successfully treated in all 10 cases. Compared with partial splenic embolization, placement of narrowed stents was associated with lower frequencies of postintervention fever and pain, shorter hospital stay, and decreased need for antibiotics. In addition to treating hypersplenism, narrowed-stent placement also completely resolved splenic artery steal syndrome in the two patients (orthotopic liver transplant recipients) with this condition. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous placement of a narrowed stent in the splenic artery is a promising new technique for treating hypersplenism and splenic arterial steal syndrome.

Covered metallic ureteral stent in the management of malignant ureteral obstruction: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of ureteral Dacron-covered metallic stents in the management of malignant ureteral obstruction. METHODS: Covered metallic stents were placed unilaterally using a percutaneous approach in an antegrade fashion into nine ureters of 8 patients with bilateral malignant ureteral obstruction. The contralateral kidneys were drained by percutaneous nephrostomy in 7 patients. The primary diagnoses were rectal cancer in 5 patients and cervical, bladder, and prostate cancers in the remaining cases. RESULTS: Covered metallic stents could be successfully placed in all patients. Only one of nine ureters was stented with a double J-stent. In a mean follow-up of 9 months (range 1 to 14), 7 of 8 patients died because of their primary disease. During the follow-up period, none of the stents were obstructed, displaced, or infected. CONCLUSIONS: Dacron-covered metallic stents appear to be successful in the treatment of patients with malignant ureteral obstruction. The preliminary outcome encourages and justifies the application of this drainage method.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy of a giant benign renal cyst with alcohol.

We report a case of giant, benign renal cyst that was treated with percutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy using 95% alcohol. A seven French catheter was inserted into the cyst under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance, and was then left in place to drain the cyst contents. Approximately 4 l of fluid was drained the first day. The following day, a gravity sinogram was obtained, which showed there were no connections between the cyst and the collecting system. The alcohol treatment involved repeated injections of decreasing amounts of alcohol, with volumes selected in accordance with follow-up sinograms. The patient's symptoms resolved and cyst drainage stopped after 3 successive days of therapy. Totally 600 ml alcohol has given. Follow-up ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) studies showed no recurrent disease; with only a small remnant of the cyst wall. We encountered no major complications during follow-up.

Practical approach to terminate urinary extravasation: percutaneous fistula tract embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate in a case with partial nephrectomy.

A 35-year-old woman who underwent partial nephrectomy had prolonged postsurgical urinary extravasation that led to a percutaneous fistula. A double-J catheter used as a ureteral stent during surgery was in place. A percutaneous pigtail nephrostomy was inserted on the 15th postoperative day but drainage continued. Antegrade pyelography demonstrated extravasation at the lower pole calyx. The double-J stent was removed on the 21st postoperative day, and a retrograde pyelogram showed no obstruction. Because drainage still was excessive on the 25th postoperative day, the fistula tract was embolized percutaneously with N-butyl cyanoacrylate, a tissue adhesive material. Drainage ceased immediately after the procedure, and control pyelography confirmed no extravasation. The patient was discharged on the 28th postoperative day. The patient had no additional complications at 36-month follow-up.

Percutaneous management of ulcerative glandular hypervascularization after Virag-I operation.

A 42-year old man was admitted with glans ulcer, meatal stenosis, urinary retention and impotence. He had undergone a Virag-I operation because of impotence at another hospital 2 months earlier. The deep dorsal vein was isolated under local anesthesia and blocked by coils and embolized by n-butyl cyanoacrylate in a retrograde fashion. After 2 months, the glans had healed completely. The patient has no further urinary problem and is potent.