Predictive Factors of Local Recurrence after Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases Thermal Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Identify risk factors for local recurrence (LR) after radiofrequency (RFA) and microwave (MWA) thermoablations (TA) of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CCLM). METHODS: Uni- (Pearson's Chi2 test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon test) and multivariate analyses (LASSO logistic regressions) of every patient treated with MWA or RFA (percutaneously and surgically) from January 2015 to April 2021 in Centre Georges François Leclerc in Dijon, France. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were treated with TA for 177 CCLM (159 surgically, 18 percutaneously). LR rate was 17.5% of treated lesions. Univariate analyses by lesion showed factors associated with LR: sizes of the lesion (OR = 1.14), size of nearby vessel (OR = 1.27), treatment of a previous TA site LR (OR = 5.03), and non-ovoid TA site shape (OR = 4.25). Multivariate analyses showed that the size of the nearby vessel (OR = 1.17) and the lesion (OR = 1.09) remained significant risk factors of LR. CONCLUSIONS: The size of lesions to treat and vessel proximity are LR risk factors that need to be considered when making the decision of thermoablative treatments. TA of an LR on a previous TA site should be reserved to specific situations, as there is an important risk of another LR. An additional TA procedure can be discussed when TA site shape is non-ovoid on control imaging, given the risk of LR.

Selective Arterial Embolization with N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Prior to CT-Guided Percutaneous Cryoablation of Kidney Malignancies: A Single-Center Experience.

The study's purpose was to assess the safety, feasibility and efficiency of selective arterial embolization (SAE) using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue before percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) of renal malignancies in patients whose tumor characteristics and/or comorbidities resulted in an unacceptable risk of bleeding. In this single-center retrospective study of 19 consecutive high-risk patients (median age, 74 years) with renal malignancies managed in 2017-2020 by SAE with NBCA followed by PCA, data about patients, tumor and procedures characteristics, complications, renal function and hemoglobin concentration before and after treatment, as well as recurrence were collected. Charlson comorbidity index was ≥4 in 89.5% of patients. Ten patients were treated by antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant therapy. Median tumor largest diameter was 3.75 cm (range, 1-6.5 cm) and R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score was ≥7 in 80%, indicating substantial tumor complexity. No major complications were recorded and minor complications occurred in 7 patients. No residual tumor was found at 6-week imaging follow-up in 18/19 patients. Tumor recurrence was visible in 1/16 patients at 6-month imaging follow-up. No significant difference was found for renal function after treatment (p = 0.07), whereas significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration was noted (p = 0.00004), although it was relevant for only one patient who required only blood transfusion and no further intervention. SAE prior to PCA is safe and effective for managing renal malignancies in high-risk patients.

Selective Arterial Embolization of Renal Angiomyolipomas with a N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate-Lipiodol Mixture: Efficacy, Safety, Short- and Mid-Term Outcomes.

Selective arterial embolization (SAE) for renal angiomyolipoma (rAML) is effective to treat or prevent bleeding. We report our experience using a cyanoacrylate-Lipiodol mixture. We performed a single-center retrospective review of all rAMLs embolized with cyanoacrylate glue between July 2014 and June 2020. Demographics, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) status, clinical presentation, angiography features, and follow-up data were recorded. Pre- and post-procedure rAML sizes and volumes were estimated from computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Kidney function was assessed before and after the procedure. We identified 24 patients (22 females and 2 males, mean age 51 years) treated for 27 AMLs, either prophylactically (n = 20) or as an emergency (n = 4). Technical success was achieved for 25/27 AMLs; two patients, each with a single AML, required nephrectomy and repeated embolization, respectively. Major complications occurred in three patients and minor complications such as postembolization syndrome in 15 patients. AML volume reduction after embolization was 55.1% after a mean follow-up of 15 months (range, 1-72 months). Factors associated with greater volume reduction were a smaller percentage of fat (p = 0.001), larger initial rAML volume (p = 0.014), and longer follow-up (p = 0.0001). The mean creatinine level did not change after SAE. Embolization of rAMLs with a mixture of cyanoacrylate and Lipiodol is feasible, safe, and effective in significantly decreasing tumor volume.

Prostate Artery Embolization Using N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Glue for Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Valid Alternative to Microparticles?

Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcomes of prostate artery embolization (PAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue as the only embolic agent in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs). A two-center retrospective study of 50 patients (mean age, 67.6 ± 7.4 years; range, 54-85 years) treated with NBCA between 2017 and 2020 was conducted. PAE was performed using a mixture of Glubran 2 glue and Lipiodol in a 1:8 ratio, under local anesthesia, on an outpatient basis, after cone-beam computed tomography vascular mapping. Mean total injected NBCA/Lipiodol volume was 0.9 ± 0.3 mL, total injection time was 21.9 ± 7.8 s, and total radiation dose was 18,458 ± 16,397 mGy·cm. Statistically significant improvements over time occurred for the International Prostate Symptoms Score (9.9 ± 6.8 versus 20.5 ± 6.7, p = 0.0001), quality-of-life score (2.2 ± 1.5 versus 4.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.0001), prostate-specific antigen level (4.6 ± 3.0 versus 6.4 ± 3.7, p = 0.0001), and prostate volume (77.3 ± 30.5 versus 98.3 ± 40.2, p = 0.0001) at a median of 3 months versus baseline. Minor adverse events developed in 11/50 (22%) patients, but no major complications occurred. The International Index of Erectile Function did not change significantly. PAE with NBCA is feasible, safe, fast, and effective for patients with BPH-related LUTSs. Prospective comparative studies with longer follow-ups are warranted.

Efficacy, safety and outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue for non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) as the single embolic agent for the management of non-variceal upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search using MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases was performed for studies published from January 1980 to December 2019. Data from eligible studies were extracted and evaluated by two independent reviewers. Exclusion criteria were sample size <5, article reporting the use of NBCA with other embolic agents, no extractable data, and duplicate reports. Technical success, clinical success, 30-day rebleeding, 30-day overall and major complications, and 30-day mortality were evaluated. The estimated overall rates were calculated with their 95% confidence intervals, based on each study rate, weighted by the number of patients involved in each study. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the Q test and I2 statistic. RESULTS: Fifteen studies with 574 patients were included. For upper GIB (331 patients), the technical and clinical success rates, and 30-day rebleeding and mortality rates, were 98.8% (328 of 331 patients) and 88.0% (237 of 300 patients), and 12.5% (69 of 314 patients) and 15.9% (68 of 331 patients), respectively. Thirty-day overall and major complications occurred in 14.3% (28 of 331 patients) and 2.7% (7 of 331 patients) of patients, respectively. For lower GIB (243 patients), the technical and clinical success rates, and 30-day rebleeding and mortality rates, were 98.8% (78 of 78 patients) and 78.0% (145 of 189 patients), and 15.7% (33 of 218 patients) and 12.7% (14 of 78 patients), respectively. Thirty-day overall and major complications occurred in 13.0% (25 of 228 patients) and 8.6% (19 of 228 patients) of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: TAE with NBCA is safe and effective for treating non-variceal GIB, with high clinical success and very low major complication rates.

Percutaneous Implantation of a Microcatheter-Port System for Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy of Unresectable Liver Tumors: Technical Feasibility, Functionality, and Complications.

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of percutaneously implanted arterial port catheter systems for hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy (HAI) in patients with unresectable liver malignancies. From October 2010 to August 2018, arterial port catheters for HAI were percutaneously implanted in 43 patients with unresectable liver malignancies. Three different catheter placement techniques were compared: a conventional end-hole catheter placed in the common hepatic artery (technique 1, n = 16), a side-hole catheter with the tip fixed in the gastroduodenal artery (technique 2, n = 18), and a long-tapered side-hole catheter with the tip inserted distally in a segmental hepatic artery (technique 3, n = 6). Catheter implantation was successful in 40 (93%) of the 43 patients. Complications related to catheter placement were observed in 10 (23%) patients; 5 (83%) of the 6 major complications were resolved, as well as all 4 minor complications. Catheter migration and occlusion occurred in 9 (22.5%) patients. Catheter migration was more frequent with technique 1 (n = 6) than with technique 2 (n = 1), although the difference was not significant (p = 0.066). Percutaneous arterial port catheter implantation for HAI is highly feasible and carries a low risk of complications.

Portal vein embolization with ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer for contralateral lobe hypertrophy before liver resection: safety, feasibility and initial experience.

BACKGROUND: To report our preliminary experience with preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) using liquid ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer. METHODS: Retrospectively review of patients with primary or secondary liver malignancies scheduled for extensive hepatectomy after the induction of future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy by right or left PVE with EVOH as the only embolic agent between 2014 and 2018 at two academic centers. Cross-sectional imaging liver volumetry data obtained before and 3-6 weeks after PVE were used to assess the FLR volume (FLRV) increase, degree of FLR hypertrophy and the FLR kinetic growth rate (KGR). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (17 males; mean age, 58.7±11 years; range, 32-79 years) were included. The technical and clinical success rate was 100%. PVE produced adequate FLR hypertrophy in all patients. Embolization occurred in all targeted portal branches and in no non-target vessels. The %FLRV increased by 52.9%±32.5% and the degree of FLR hypertrophy was 16.7%±6.8%. The KGR was 4.4%±2.0% per week. Four patients experience minor complications after PVE which resolved with symptomatic treatment. The resection rate was 84.5%. One patient died during surgery for reasons unrelated to PVE. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PVE with EVOH copolymer is feasible, safe, and effective in inducing FLR hypertrophy.

Packing Technique with or without Remodeling for Endovascular Coil Embolization of Renal Artery Aneurysms: Safety, Efficacy and Mid-Term Outcomes.

The endovascular treatment of renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) has lower morbidity and shorter stay lengths compared to surgical repair. Here, we describe coil packing with or without remodeling and assess outcomes and complications. We retrospectively identified the 19 consecutive preventive endovascular RAA coil embolizations done in 18 patients at our center in 2010-2020. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, technical success rate, complications, and recurrences were recorded. Mean patient age was 63 ± 13 years. The RAA was >1.5 cm in 11 cases, and in four cases, the aneurysm-to-parent artery size ratio was >2. Simple coiling was performed for 11 (57.9%) aneurysms, stent-assisted coiling for seven (36.8%) aneurysms, and balloon-assisted coiling for one (5.3%) aneurysm. Technical success rate was 100%. Complete definitive RAA exclusion was achieved with a single procedure for 17 (89.5%) aneurysms, whereas two (10.5%) aneurysms required a repeat procedure. Four minor complications occurred but resolved with no long-term consequences. No major complications occurred during the mean follow-up of 41.1 ± 29.7 months. Coil embolization by sac packing or remodeling proved very safe and effective. Together with the known lower morbidity and shorter stay length compared to open surgery, these data indicate that this endovascular procedure should become the preventive treatment of choice for RAAs.

Percutaneous Rotational Mechanical Atherectomy Plus Thrombectomy Using Rotarex S Device in Patients With Acute and Subacute Lower Limb Ischemia: A Review of Safety, Efficacy, and Outcomes.

Acute and subacute ischemia of lower limbs is associated with high risk of amputation and potential severe life-threatening complications. Despite a lack of clear therapeutic recommendations, surgical treatments such as thrombectomy or bypass and/or catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) have been first-line procedures in both acute and subacute limb ischemia, but each therapy may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Such situations demand fast restoration of appropriate flow to preclude limb loss and other complications. Percutaneous mechanical atherectomy plus thrombectomy (MATH) represents a minimally invasive approach for quickly recanalizing thrombus-containing lesions whatever the age of thrombus. Indeed, many chronic patients can present with critical limb ischemia, with thrombus-containing occlusive lesions triggered by underlying atherosclerotic disease. MATH offers various advantages over surgery and CDT, with lower invasiveness, faster recanalization, and the possibility to immediately treat the underlying lesions, with a lower rate of bleeding complications and no need for intensive care unit stay. Currently, several mechanical thrombectomy devices are offered as an alternative therapy and can be divided into pure rotational MATH systems and rheolytic thrombectomy devices. The only pure rotational MATH device currently available on the market is the Rotarex S device. We aimed to review contemporary clinical data regarding the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of MATH therapy using Rotarex S catheter in acute and subacute thrombus-containing arterial lesions of lower limbs. Future perspectives of Rotarex S MATH treatment and cost-effectiveness of its routine use will be also discussed.

Percutaneous mechanical atherothrombectomy using the Rotarex®S device in peripheral artery in-stent restenosis or occlusion: a French retrospective multicenter study on 128 patients.

BACKGROUND: To ascertain the safety and mid-term outcomes of Rotarex®S rotational atherectomy plus thrombectomy device (Straub Medical AG, Wangs, Switzerland) with or without adjunctive treatment (e.g., percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, PTA/drug-coated balloon, DCB/stenting) in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) or occlusion in the iliac and/or infrainguinal arteries. METHODS: French multicenter retrospective study of all patients treated by in-stent percutaneous mechanical debulking (PMD) of the lower limbs with Rotarex®S device between January 2013 and November 2018. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 128 patients (88 men and 40 women), aged 39-94 years (mean, 66.7±12 years). All patients presented with cardio-vascular risk factors. Overall, 51.5% of patients had critical limb ischemia. The study demonstrated a technical success of 96.9% in the population with PMD and adjunctive PTA (95/128, 74.2%) or adjunctive DCB (16/128, 12.5%) or both (13/128, 10.2%). At 12-months follow-up, the primary clinical success/patency rate was 92.3% and the secondary clinical success/patency rate was 91.4%. Rate of limb salvage was 93.7%. Overall 32 (25%) reinterventions were reported with mean time from Rotarex®S treatment to reintervention of 7.1±8.2 months. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 19.5% (25/128). Seven (5.5%) patients developed distal embolism that responded to endovascular treatment. At mean follow-up, major adverse events (MAE) observed were death (18/128, 14.1%), myocardial infarction (MI) (9/128, 7.0%), stroke (2/128, 1.6%) and renal failure (3/128, 2.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Recanalization with Rotarex®S rotational atherectomy plus thrombectomy device is a practical choice for arterial ISR/occlusions of the iliac and/or infrainguinal arteries, regardless of the age of the thrombus, with satisfying TLR. Only adjunctive PTA is often necessary to further improve the recanalization.

When all else fails - Radiological management of severe gastrointestinal bleeding.

Although most cases of acute nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) either spontaneously resolve or respond to medical management and endoscopic therapy, there are still a significant proportion of severe patients who require emergency angiography and endovascular treatment. Over the past three decades, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has become the first-line therapy for the management of acute nonvariceal GIB that is refractory to endoscopic hemostasis. Advances in catheter-based techniques and newer liquid embolic agents, as well as recognition of the effectiveness of minimally invasive treatment options, have expanded the role of interventional radiology in the treatment of bleeding for a variety of indications. TAE is a safe and effective minimally invasive alternative to surgery, when endoscopic treatment fails to control acute bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. In this article we review the current role of angiography and TAE in the management of acute nonvariceal GIB.

Partial splenic embolization with Glubran®2/Lipiodol® mixture for oncological patients with hypersplenism-related thrombocytopenia requiring systemic chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Partial splenic embolization (PSE) has been used to improve thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism. The optimal embolic agent is still debated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, hematologic response and outcomes of PSE with cyanoacrylate glue for oncological patients with hypersplenism-related thrombocytopenia requiring systemic chemotherapy (SC). METHODS: Retrospective single-center observational report of cancer patients with thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism and requiring SC who underwent PSE with N-butyl cyanoacrylate-methacryloxy sulfolane (NBCA-MS) Glubran®2 glue between February 2015 and September 2017. All patients were treated under local anesthesia with a Glubran®2/Lipiodol® mixture of 1:5 ratio. They all received empiric antibiotic coverage. Splenic volume and parenchyma infarction rate were evaluated by CT scan within 1 month of PSE. Primary and secondary endpoints of the current study included a platelet count increase >150×109/L and the initiation of SC, respectively. Periprocedural laboratory values and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: PSE was performed in eight patients (6 males, 2 females; median age, 59 years; range, 33-75 years) for a technical success of 100%. For procedures with adequate follow-up, primary and secondary endpoints were achieved in 100% (7 of 7 patients) and 100% (7 of 7 patients) of patients, respectively. One patient died before follow-up, unrelated to the procedure. Mean splenic infarction post-PSE was 55% (range, 21-70%) on CT scan. For 7 patients with laboratory follow-up, the mean platelet count significantly increased from 74×109/L [range, (62-83) ×109/L] immediately before PSE to a peak level of 272×109/L [range, (161-417) ×109/L] 10 days after PSE (P<0.05). All patients could receive SC after PSE. No non-target glue embolization occurred. All patients experienced a transient and moderate postembolization syndrome. No severe postembolization syndrome occurred. No major complication was reported. The mean overall survival was 7.9 months (range, 0.6-10.4 months) among the 8 patients after PSE. CONCLUSIONS: PSE with cyanoacrylate glue is safe and effective in the management of thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism in cancer patients. It allows sufficient platelet count improvement for administration of SC.

Future of IR: Emerging Techniques, Looking to the Future and Learning from the Past.

Innovation has been the cornerstone of interventional radiology since the early years of the founders, with a multitude of new therapeutic approaches developed over the last 50 years. What is the future holding for us? This article presents an overview of the in-coming developments that are catching on at this moment, particularly focusing on three items: the new applications of existing techniques, particularly embolotherapy and interventional oncology; the cutting-edge devices; the imaging technologies at the forefront of the image-guidance. Besides this, clinical vision and patient relation remain crucial for the future of the discipline.

Transgraft sac Embolization Combined with Graft Reinforcement for Refractory Mixed-Type Endoleak.

An 80-year-old female underwent EVAR 4 years ago. She presented type II endoleak with sac expansion from 68 to 80 mm during 3-year follow-up after EVAR. Although she underwent translumbar percutaneous sac embolization, the AAA sac continued to enlarge, suggesting mixed-type endoleak including type I, II, and III. Transgraft direct sac angiography revealed endoleak cavity without demonstrable feeding vessel. Transgraft sac embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate and graft reinforcement was performed concurrently, without complications. The graft reinforcement consisted of graft extension for eliminating occult type I endoleak, and relining for eliminating occult type III endoleak. Six months after the procedure, CT showed no signs of sac expansion. Transgraft sac embolization combined with graft reinforcement is one of the available options for persistent and refractory mixed-type endoleak.

Type II endoleak model creation and intraoperative aneurysmal sac embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate-lipiodol-ethanol mixture (NLE) in swine.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of type II endoleak model creation and efficacy of intraoperative aneurysmal sac embolization using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate-lipiodol-ethanol mixture (NLE) for type II endoleak in swine. METHODS: In six swine (mean body weight 53.5 kg), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was created and then end-to-side anastomosis between the left renal artery and AAA sac was performed. And then, endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed, leading to creation of a type II endoleak model. As control group, EVAR without sac embolization was performed in two swine. In four swine, AAA sac was embolized using NLE immediately after EVAR via the microcatheter placed in AAA sac (NLE embolization group). Follow-up aortography was performed immediately and three days after the procedure, and then the aneurysms were extracted. RESULTS: The AAA sac and type II endoleak model were successfully created in all cases. In control group, type II endoleak persisted three days after the procedure. In NLE embolization group, endoleak disappeared immediately and three days after the procedure. In NLE embolization group, AAA sac was occupied with thrombus and embolic material. Inflammatory changes were recognized in aneurysmal sac wall in NLE embolization group. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental study suggests that creation of a type II endoleak model in swine is feasible and that intraoperative AAA sac embolization with NLE during EVAR might reduce the occurrence of type II endoleak.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided balloon-assisted embolization of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms with Glubran®2 cyanoacrylate glue: safety, efficacy and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Femoral pseudoaneurysm (PA) is a frequent complication of arterial access for endovascular procedures. Surgery has traditionally been considered as the gold standard of therapy. We aimed to report our experience of percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided balloon-assisted embolization with cyanoacrylate glue for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral PAs. METHODS: Retrospective two-center study of patients with femoral iatrogenic PAs treated by N-butyl cyanoacrylate-methacryloxy sulfolane (NBCA-MS) Glubran®2 glue embolization between July 2013 and November 2017. All patients underwent contralateral arterial access with balloon placement of an appropriate size in front of the PA neck before glue/lipiodol embolization in a 1:1 ratio by percutaneous US-guided puncture of the aneurysmal sac under fluoroscopy control. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (12 females, 11 males; median age, 79 years; range, 18-93 years) were included. Median PA size was 34 mm (range, 17-60 mm). The median time to treatment was 5 days (range, 1-30 days). Twenty patients (86.9%) were successfully treated by glue injection alone. The three remaining patients (13.1%) with persistent PA or associated arterial-venous fistula were immediately treated during the same procedure by additional stent-graft. Then, overall immediate and 1-month clinical success rates were 100%. No surgical conversion was necessary. No recurrence was reported during the median follow-up of 11 months (range, 2-73 months). Two (8.7%) puncture-related complications occurred at the contralateral arterial access site, which spontaneously resolved. No non-target glue embolization occurred. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided balloon-assisted glue embolization is safe and effective to treat iatrogenic femoral PAs in most cases, offering complete exclusion of the PA and avoiding the morbidity of open surgery.