Sclerotherapy using Surgiflo and alcohol: a new alternative for the treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts.

PURPOSE: This study aims to review the results of sclerotherapy using Surgiflo in addition to alcohol in primary aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC). METHODS: A total of 16 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of primary ABC were treated by percutaneous Surgiflo and alcohol injection at our institution. Clinical follow-up included the assessment of pain, swelling, limping and functional impairment. Radiological parameters included tumour volume, physis-cyst distance, thickness of cyst cortex, and presence of intracystic septations. Mean follow-up was 35,6 months (24-71 months). Treatment was considered successful when the cyst volume decreased by a minimum of 10%, the bone cortex became thicker, and the distance to physis increased. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 9.5 years (5.16-13.84 years). All ABC's were primary and all patients underwent a single Surgiflo and alcohol session except for two (12.5%) who required a second session. All patients had a good clinical result at final follow-up. Satisfactory cyst healing was achieved in 11 cases according to radiological parameters. Tumour volume decreased from a mean of 122 cm3 (111 to 133) before injection to 86 cm3 (76 to 96) at last follow-up (p < 0.01). Physis-cyst distance increased from a mean of 1 cm (0.1 to 2) to 2.1 cm (0.5 to 4) at last follow-up (p < 0.01). Cortical thickness improved from 1 mm (0.5 to 1.5) to 2 mm (1 to 3.5) at last follow-up (p < 0.01).There were no treatment related complications. Surgery was performed in one patient having a C3 vertebra ABC after developing quadriparesis due to tumour progression. CONCLUSION: Sclerotherapy using Surgiflo and alcohol may be used as an efficient, safe and minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of primary ABCs.

[Giant venous malformation of the tongue: the value of Surgiflo]. / Malformation veineuse géante de la langue: intérêt du surgiflo.

Cavernous hemangiomas are rare congenital venous malformations having propensity for the head and neck. These venous malformations, especially the large and intraoral ones, may cause severe symptoms requiring aggressive treatment. Today, the main treatment is based on sclerotherapy, associated or no with surgery. We report on a patient presenting an enormous venous malformation of the face and tongue, which was treated successfully in our department by embolization, sclerotherapy and maxillo-facial surgery, with a special focus on Surgiflo in our technique.

[Non invasive imaging of bilateral vertebral arteries agenesis]. / Imagerie non invasive d'une agénésie bilatérale des artères vertébrales.

Imaging descriptions are lacking for vertebral artery variants reported in the anatomy literature. We report thus a variant of vertebral arteries discovered incidentally in a patient admitted for aortocoronary bypass. Doppler of the supra-aortic arches revealed the absence of cervical segments of both vertebral arteries. Transcranial doppler revealed the presence of intracranial segments of these arteries that continued in a normal basilar trunk. MR-angiography performed on a 3T machine confirmed the bilateral absence of cervical segments and the presence of normal intracranial segments arising from the occipital arteries, branches of the external carotid arteries. Embryologic analysis explains this variant by an involution of cervical segments and persistence of anastomoses between the external carotid system and the vertebrobasilar system that normally regresses during fetal life. This anastomosis enables irrigation of the intracranial vertebrobasilar system by the external carotid artery. The introduction of 3T MR-angiography has enabled better and more precise detection of vascular variants without invasive angiography.

[Left innominate artery arising from the ascending aorta in the absence of right innominate artery]. / Tronc artériel brachiocéphalique gauche naissant de l'aorte ascendante en l'absence de tronc artériel brachiocéphalique droit.

It is important to detect anatomic variants of the supraaortic trunks prior to cardiovascular surgery in order to adjust the surgical technique. We report here, an anatomic variant that was not described previously, detected on a chest multidetector CT and confirmed during surgery. This variant consists of a left innominate artery, arising from the ascending aorta before the right subclavian and common carotid arteries that arise separately from the aortic arch. It is important to notice the absence of associated cardiovascular malformations. We formulate a possible explanation of the described variant through an embryologic study of the vasculogenesis.

Use of desmopressin as an alternative to corticotropin-releasing hormone during inferior petrosal sinus sampling in a child with Cushing's disease.

Cushing's syndrome (CS) is rare in children. Information on bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) in children with CS is limited. In the procedure CRH is always used to stimulate ACTH values. In addition, growth failure is the main complication of pediatric CS, mainly due to a profound GH suppression that persists for a few months after cure of the disease. Early treatment with recombinant GH after CS cure may partly reverse this phenomenon. We report herein a case of Cushing's disease (CD) in a 7-yr-old child, presenting with severe growth failure. No pituitary adenoma was shown on magnetic resonance imaging and a BIPSS using desmopressin allowed the identification of a central to peripheral (C/P) gradient; however transphenoidal surgery (TSS) did not cure the disease thus requiring the performance of bilateral adrenalectomy. After cure of the disease, a partial catch up of the growth delay occurred without any GH treatment. Our case reinforces the fact that BIPSS can be performed safely in very young children with CD. It also suggests for the first time that the use of desmopressin during the procedure gives the same information as CRH, as well as confirming the fact that the success of TSS is poor in very young children. Finally, it suggests that growth failure in children with CS can be partially reversed after surgical cure of the disease without any GH treatment and that the high IGF-I observed during corticosteroid replacement therapy is due to a state of IGF-I resistance.

[Unusual location of a parathyroid adenoma: the carotid sheath]. / Localisation atypique d'un adénome parathyroïdien: la gaine carotidienne.

We report the imaging features of an occult parathyroid adenoma with unusual location in the carotid sheath. Our patient presented with primary hyperparathyroidism. Following negative neck ultrasound and scintigraphy, exploratory neck dissection with partial thyroidectomy was performed twice over a 2 day period without biological response. Cervical and mediastinal CT and MRI were performed with no result. Digital angiography showed a tumoral blush supplied by the left inferior thyroid artery and located in close contact with the carotid artery. Venous sampling of the neck confirmed the left location of the adenoma and a third surgical intervention found the adenoma embedded in the left carotid sheath. This is an unusual case of parathyroid adenoma that necessitated the use of several imaging techniques.

[Pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to retroperitoneal lymph nodes, diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and treated by embolization]. / Faux anévrysme de l'aorte abdominale naissant dans un magma ganglionnaire: diagnostic par écho doppler et traitement par embolisation.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to retroperitoneal enlarged lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 40 years old patient, with known sarcoma and metastatic retroperitoneal lymph nodes was referred for abdominal ultrasound because severe abdominal pain after defecation. RESULTS: The Doppler examination revealed magma of retroperitoneal lymph nodes surrounding the abdominal aorta inside of which a saccular collection of circulating blood, communicating with the aorta, was detected. The spectrum registered in the channel revealed a bidirectional flow compatible with a pseudoaneurysm. MR angiography confirmed the diagnosis. Successful occlusion was done by coil embolization. CONCLUSION: Pseudoaneurysms of the abdominal aorta are very rare. We report the first case of pseudoaneurysm arising in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Diagnosis by Doppler ultrasound allowed a rapid treatment by embolization.

[Unusual variation of the splenic artery]. / Variante originale de l'artère splénique.

The authors describe an exceptional variation of the splenic artery found on a preoperative angiogram and confirmed after surgery on splenopancreatectomy specimens. Total duplication of the splenic artery is herein reported for the first time and suggest the need for a new classification of digestive arteries anomalies.

[Imaging of an aberrant occipital artery arising from the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery]. / Imagerie d'une artère occipitale aberrante naissant de l'artère carotide interne à l'étage cervical.

We report a case of asymptomatic occlusion of the right internal carotid artery owing to the presence of a rare anatomic variant (occipital artery originating from the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery). During the preoperative workup for a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a 65-year-old patient, an occlusion of the right internal carotid artery was visualized on Duplex ultrasound. Distally to the occluded site, the artery was patent thanks to a vessel parallel to it but with a reverse blood flow. MRA and angiography of the brachiocephalic trunk confirmed the occlusion of the internal carotid artery and its opacification distally via an aberrant occipital artery arising at the supra-bulbar level and communicating with the right vertebral artery. Therapeutic abstention was decided and the patient was operated of CABG without any neurological complication. Occipital artery arising from the internal carotid artery is a rare anomaly. Its association with internal carotid artery occlusion may be beneficial because it makes surgery possible, even in a chronic stage, if the patient is symptomatic. If the patient is asymptomatic, therapeutic abstention could be considered.

[Distal glue embolization in a patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage]. / Embolisation distale à la glu d'une hémorragie digestive.

This is a case report, concerning the endovascular use of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, for treatment of a digestive hemorrhage from a distal branch of the superior mesenteric artery, leading to a successful outcome. This material, usually used in brain angiomas, constitutes an alternative for digestive embolization, which is quick, precise and definitive, without additional risk in experienced hands.

[Microcatheterization with gadolinium and glue embolization for post-biopsy arteriovenous fistula in a patient with renal failure]. / Microcathétérisme sous gadolinium et embolisation à la colle d'une fistule artérioveineuse post-biopsique chez un insuffisant rénal.

Percutaneous renal biopsy is frequently used in diagnosis of renal dysfunction. Nevertheless, complications, mostly vascular, may occur. Treatment must be minimally invasive with nephron preservation, especially in kidney failure. We present an interesting therapeutic approach with highly selective catheterization under gadolinium and glue embolization, leading to total cure of iatrogenic fistula without renal deterioration.

Left-sided omental torsion: CT appearance.

A 34-year-old male presented with exquisite left flank pain. Computed tomography showed a hyperdense vascular structure surrounded by whirling linear streaks situated in the greater omentum under the splenic flexure of the colon. Omental stranding extended caudally into the pelvis where part of the inflamed omentum entered a left inguinal hernia sac. Surgery revealed left-sided torsion of the greater omentum. Left-sided omental torsion is infrequent and pre-operative diagnosis is rarely established. The CT findings of an omental fatty mass with a whirling pattern is characteristic of omental torsion. Preoperative diagnosis is important because conservative management has been suggested.

Imaging of an exceptional tumor: myxoid chondrosarcoma of the jugular foramen.

We report on an unusual tumor of the jugular foramen in a 26-year-old male. The lesion showed moderate enhancement on CT scan and a higher signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images than on T1, with a massive enhancement after gadolinium. Tumor was entirely removed surgically and histology was consistent with a low-grade myxoid chondrosarcoma, an exceptional tumor in this location. The differential diagnosis includes paragangliomas, schwannomas, metastases and meningiomas. Radiological and histological features can also mimic chordomas. However, immunohistochemical analysis certifies the diagnosis.

[Hemostatic embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma complicated by hemoperitoneum. Apropos of 2 cases and review of the literature]. / Embolisation hemostatique de carcinome hepatocellulaire complique D'hemoperitoine. A propos de deux cas et revue de la littérature.

Rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma is a severe complication that occurs in about 10% of patients. It may occur as a terminal event in patients with advanced disease or it may be the first presentation in a healthy individual. Various treatment options have been proposed, which include conservative treatment, transarterial embolization and operative hemostasis or liver resection. We report intraperitoneal hemorrhage and hypovolemia in two patients with spontaneous rupture of an hepatocellular carcinoma treated successfully by transarterial hepatic embolization. On follow-up, these patients died 7 and 8 months after this treatment respectively.

[Endocrinologic recovery after treatment of an intrasellar aneurysm]. / Récupération endocrinienne après cure d'un anévrisme intrasellaire.

OBJECTIVE: Cavernous intrasellar aneurysms are rare, but may be clinically mistaken for an hypophyseal tumor, thus the need for a preoperative diagnosis. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report on a 60-year-old woman suffering from retroorbital headache, diplopia and decreased visual acuity, along with hyperprolactinemia and both gonadotropic and thyreotropic deficencies. Computed tomography revealed a sellar mass with superior extension, but MR raised the possibility of a cavernous aneurysm, that was confirmed by arteriography, avoiding a disastrous transsphenoidal surgery. DISCUSSION: Intracavernous aneurysms are known having a benign course, but serious meningeal hemorrhage can occur in 1.4% of cases and carotid-cavernous fistulae in 8% of patients, warranting treatment. Medial development is rare and may be responsible for endocrinologic manifestations. Neurosurgical approach remains hazardous, and endovascular occlusion represents the method of choice. CONCLUSION: Intracavernous aneurysm must be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of pituitary masses because it has a completely different management.

Intraosseous orbitosphenoidal cavernous angioma. Case report.

Primary orbital intraosseous angiomas are rare. The authors report the case of a 55-year-old man who harbored a multifocal cavernous angioma in an unusual sphenoorbital location. The lesion was responsible for unilateral exophthalmos and blindness. Characteristic imaging findings, which included a honeycomb pattern on plain x-ray films and computerized tomography scans, a heterogeneous high signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images, and slowly flowing venous lakes on power Doppler ultrasonograms and angiograms, are presented and discussed.

[Venous malformation of the corpus adiposum buccae]. / Malformation veineuse de la boule graisseuse de Bichat.

We report on a venous malformation (previously known as a cavernous angioma) with an unusual location in the corpus adiposum buccae. Diagnosis, histologic classification and management of these rare lesions are discussed.