The Paradox of Modern Technology in Standardizing Thermal Liver Ablation: Fostering Uniformity or Diversity?

PURPOSE: Currently, significant medical practice variation exists in thermal ablation (TA) of malignant liver tumors with associated differences in outcomes. The IMaging and Advanced Guidance for workflow optimization in Interventional Oncology (IMAGIO) consortium aims to integrate interventional oncology into the standard clinical pathway for cancer treatment in Europe by 2030, by development of a standardized low-complex-high-precision workflow for TA of malignant liver tumors. This study was conducted at the start of the IMAGIO project with the aim to explore the current state and future role of modern technology in TA of malignant liver tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted followed by an expert focus group discussion with core members and collaborating partners of the consortium. RESULTS: Of the 13 participants, 10 respondents filled in the questionnaire. During the focus group discussion, there was consensus on the need for international standardization in TA and several aspects of the procedure, such as planning based on cross-sectional images, the adoption of different techniques for needle placement and the importance of needle position- and post-ablative margin confirmation scans. Yet, also considerable heterogeneity was reported in the adoption of modern technology, particularly in navigational systems and computer-assisted margin assessment. CONCLUSION: This study mirrored the current diversity in workflow of thermal liver ablation. To obtain comparable outcomes worldwide, standardization is needed. While advancements in tools and software hold the potential to homogenize outcome measurement and minimize operator-dependent variability, the rapid increase in availability also contributes to enhanced workflow variation.

Stripping the catheter: A new device for an old technique.

Fibroblastic sleeve is a common pathophysiological phenomenon characterized by the formation of a mixed fibrous-collagen tissue encasing the outside of venous access devices. Although it nearly always presents asymptomatically, this catheter-related complication represents one of the leading culprits of venous catheters malfunction. Several techniques have been described for the management of dysfunctional catheters secondary to fibroblastic sleeve, including medical therapy, catheter exchange, balloon angioplasty, and percutaneous stripping. However, there is no common consensus for the treatment management in patients who present contraindications to surgical port removal. This report illustrates the case of a port catheter malfunction due to a fibroblastic sleeve in an oncological patient with a high risk of bleeding. This was effectively treated with a minimally invasive stripping technique using an off-label device for mechanical thrombectomy, namely the ClotTriever system (Inari Medical, Irvine, CA).

The role of CEUS in the management of biloma.

BACKGROUND: A biloma refers to an abnormal, well-defined accumulation of bile outside the biliary tree within the abdomen, which can be either intra- or extra-hepatic in nature. It can result from traumatic or iatrogenic causes, leading to a disruption in the biliary system. Without prompt diagnosis and appropriate management, it can result in significant morbidity and mortality. While magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the typical diagnostic method, there are instances where it may not provide conclusive results. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 72-year-old woman who underwent an hepatic resection of the seventh segment after recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). During the ultrasound (US) follow-up, she developed a peri-hepatic collection which proved to be a biloma continuously refurnished by the biliary tree. Neither the MRCP nor the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) were able to clearly detect the exact site of the bile leak. While awaiting the Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP), a Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) was conducted administering the contrast agent directly through the percutaneous drainage catheter placed in the biloma. This revealed the presence of contrast flow from the collection to a peripheral right bile duct, confirming the intra-hepatic leak communication. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) presents a straightforward, secure, and precise approach to detect biliary leakage responsible for the formation of a biloma. Additionally, the adoption of CEUS offers the dual benefit of minimizing radiation exposure for the patient and obviating the requirement for anesthesia. In summary, CEUS emerges as a compelling alternative to conventional diagnostic methods for effectively managing a biloma.

CT after Lung Microwave Ablation: Normal Findings and Evolution Patterns of Treated Lesions.

Imaging-guided percutaneous ablative treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation and microwave ablation (MWA), have been developed for the treatment of unresectable primary and secondary lung tumors in patients with advanced-stage disease or comorbidities contraindicating surgery. Among these therapies, MWA has recently shown promising results in the treatment of pulmonary neoplasms. The potential advantages of MWA over RFA include faster ablation times, higher intra-tumoral temperatures, larger ablation zones and lower susceptibility to the heat sink effect, resulting in greater efficacy in proximity to vascular structures. Despite encouraging results supporting its efficacy, there is a relative paucity of data in the literature regarding the role of computer tomography (CT) to monitor MWA-treated lesions, and the CT appearance of their morphologic evolution and complications. For both interventional and non-interventional radiologists, it is crucial to be familiar with the CT features of such treated lesions in order to detect incomplete therapy or recurrent disease at early stage, as well as to recognize initial signs of complications. The aim of this pictorial essay is to describe the typical CT features during follow-up of lung lesions treated with percutaneous MWA and how to interpret and differentiate them from other radiological findings, such as recurrence and complications, that are commonly encountered in this setting.

The Impact of Suprarenal Cross-Clamping on Kidney Function in Patients Undergoing Retroperitoneal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair following an Enhanced Recovery Protocol.

BACKGROUND: The retroperitoneal approach (RP) is a well-established procedure for juxtarenal and infrarenal (IR) abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair when an endovascular option is not available. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of suprarenal (SR) and IR aortic clamping on postoperative renal function following an Enhanced Recovery Protocol (ERP). Since there are no defined guidelines within aortic surgery, we focused our attention on the role of fluid and vasopressor administration in the development of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study on 140 RP aortic aneurysm repair patients operated between 2009 and 2019. Patients were divided in 2 groups: 24 had SR clamping and 116 IR clamping. Since 2009, at our institution all patients have followed an Enchanced Recovery Program which has been implemented as standard care for patients undergoing open AAA repair. RESULTS: The 2 groups were well matched for baseline characteristics, preoperative renal function, and comorbidity. There was an increased need for intraoperative fluids (P = 0.015), and vasopressors (P = 0.002) in the SR group compared to the IR group. Patients in the SR group showed a higher trend of postoperative AKI as opposed to the control group (37.5% vs. 19.8%), although this event was not statistically significant (P = 0.106). Acute Kidney Injury Network stage III requiring temporary dialysis occurred in only 3 patients who all belonged to the IR group. Conversely, stage I and II with a 2- or 3-fold increase in postoperative creatinine were more frequent in the SR group. However, these normalized before discharge in all cases. To the best of our knowledge, none of the above required permanent dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study show that SR clamping during RP juxtarenal aortic aneurysm repair does not have an adverse effect on postoperative renal function in the short term. However, patients undergoing SR clamping require greater fluid and vasopressor usage, in contrast with the restrictive fluid therapy established by traditional protocols. This could be an important benchmark for future implementation of ERPs in vascular surgery, especially in open procedures requiring visceral clamping.

Sacral neuromodulation system for treating refractory overactive bladder.

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a therapy system used to improve bladder function, including in people with overactive bladder (OAB). It is safe and can improve quality of life. SNM helps improve symptoms through direct modulation of nerve activity; it involves electrically stimulating the sacral nerves that carry signals between the pelvic floor, spinal cord and the brain and is thought to normalise neural communication between the bladder and brain. If patients with OAB do not respond to non-surgical and conservative options, minimally invasive procedures can be offered, including SNM. SNM is performed in two stages: the trial phase, to assess whether it would be effective in the long term; and permanent implantation. This year, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released guidance on the Axonics SNM System® for treating refractory OAB. The Axonics System is rechargeable and lasts at least 15 years, minimising the need for repeat surgery. NICE suggests the Axonics System may have cost advantages for the NHS. Having more than one SNM therapy option available increases options for patients, offering them a choice of handsets and rechargeable versus non-rechargeable implants. Three case studies illustrate how the system works in practice.

Polyglycine conformational analysis: calculated vs experimental gas-phase basicities and proton affinities.

Structures of neutral and protonated polyglycines (Gly(n) and Gly(n)H(+) with n = 1-6) in the vicinity of global energy minima were calculated using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G** (A) and B3LYP/6-31+G** (B) levels. Ninety-three structures were chosen for conformation and protonation studies. Geometries of the peptides are found to vary from open chains to multiple rings. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding is deduced to be the driving force for conformational stability. The preferred protonation sites are shown to be the terminal nitrogen atom and its adjacent amide oxygen atom. Structural series are developed according to geometrical form, hydrogen bonding, and protonation site. Physical factors that influence the relative electronic and thermodynamic stabilities of different structural series are examined. To obtain ab initio values of highest quality for gas-phase basicity (GB) and proton affinity (PA), electronic energies for n = 1-6 and thermal corrections to Gibbs free energy and enthalpy for n = 1-3 were calculated at level A, supplemented by thermal corrections for n = 4-6 at level B. Calculated GB and PA values are compared with mass spectral results obtained by the kinetic method (KM) and reaction bracketing (RB). The KM results and the ab initio values derived from structurally compatible pairs of lowest free energies are generally in good agreement, but the RB results for GB are lower by 2-8 kcal/mol for n = 2-6. Several reaction pathways are proposed to elucidate the experimental results. On the basis of theoretical structures consistent with the measurements, it is concluded that KM mostly samples the neutral and protonated structures of highest populations at thermal equilibrium, whereas RB targets those with sterically most accessible sites for protonation and deprotonation.