Evaluation of infectious complications following percutaneous liver ablation in patients with bilioenteric anastomoses.

PURPOSE: Prior bilioenteric anastomosis (BEA) has been associated with elevated risk of abscess formation after thermal ablation of hepatic tumors. We assessed the incidence of hepatic abscess after thermal ablation in a BEA cohort treated with extended antibiotic regimens following ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review was performed to identify patients with BEA who underwent percutaneous hepatic thermal ablation between January 1, 2003-September 1, 2016. Fifteen patients with BEA underwent 18 percutaneous thermal ablation procedures. Patient and procedural characteristics were reviewed, as well as the antibiotic regiment utilized post ablation. Complications were characterized via standardized nomenclature [Common Terminology for Clinically Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03]. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with BEA underwent treatment of 49 liver lesions during 18 ablation sessions. Mean follow-up in these patients was 39 months (range 3-138 months). Two patients (11%) developed hepatic abscesses, both of which occurred within 45 days of the ablation procedure while the patients were still on extended prophylactic antibiotic therapy. No additional CTCAE clinically significant complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Thermal ablation of hepatic tumors can be accomplished safely in patients with BEA. Long-term post-procedural antibiotics may mitigate the risk of hepatic abscess formation. Due to the high number of patients who are deemed surgically unresectable, patients with BEA may have limited alternate treatment modalities and percutaneous hepatic thermal ablative treatments warrant consideration.

SAPHO Syndrome: Imaging Findings of Vertebral Involvement.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Imaging findings in patients with a combination of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) are often misinterpreted as discitis/osteomyelitis or metastases, resulting in multiple biopsies and delayed diagnosis. We have incidentally noted a semicircular morphology in vertebral body imaging in several cases of SAPHO syndrome with vertebral involvement. Our goal was to evaluate the prevalence of this distinctive morphology in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with SAPHO syndrome diagnosed between July 1998 and August 2013 was conducted. A descriptive analysis of MR imaging, CT, radiography, bone scanning, and PET imaging was performed for the presence and distribution of vertebral body signal intensity or attenuation changes and/or enhancement; contiguous vertebral body involvement; vertebral body collapse; endplate irregularity; disc space, facet, and spinous process involvement; subligamentous thickening; and paraspinal soft-tissue involvement. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (16 women [89%]; mean age, 52.9 years) with SAPHO and spine involvement were included. Contiguous involvement of ≥2 vertebral bodies was found in 16 patients (89%), with a curvilinear or "semicircular" pattern involving portions of adjacent vertebral bodies in 10 (63%, P = .14). Most intervertebral discs demonstrated absence of abnormal T2 hyperintensity (73%) and enhancement (89%). Subligamentous thickening was present in 12 (67%). Paraspinal soft-tissue involvement was present in 6 (33%). CONCLUSIONS: SAPHO syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis in a patient with a curvilinear or semicircular pattern of vertebral involvement, contiguous vertebral body involvement, and absence of intervertebral disc edema and enhancement.