Modified Radiation Lobectomy Strategy of Radioembolization for Right-Sided Unresectable Primary Liver Tumors.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of using modified radiation lobectomy (mRL) to treat primary hepatic tumors located in the right hepatic lobe (Segments V-VIII) and to determine future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at a single institution to include 19 consecutive patients (7 females, 12 males) who underwent single-session mRL for right-sided primary hepatic tumors: 15 received segmentectomy plus lobectomy (segmental dose of >190 Gy and lobar dose of >80 Gy); 4 were treated with the double-segmental approach (dominant segments of >190 Gy and nondominant segments of >80 Gy). Treated tumors included 13 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 4 cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and 2 mixed-type HCC-CCA with a median dominant tumor size of 5.3 cm (interquartile range [IQR], 3.7-7.3 cm). FLR of the left hepatic lobe was measured at baseline, T1 (4-8 weeks), T2 (2-4 months), T3 (4-6 months), and T4 (9-12 months). RESULTS: Objective tumor response and tumor control were achieved in 17 of the 19 (89.5%) and 18 of the 19 (94.7%) patients, respectively. FLR hypertrophy was observed at T1 (median, 47.8%; P = .025), T2 (median, 48.4%; P = .012), T3 (median, 50.4%; P = .015), and T4 (median, 59.1%; P < .001). Patients without cirrhosis demonstrated greater hypertrophy by 6 months (median, 55.8% vs 47.2%; P = .031). One patient developed a Grade 3 adverse event (ascites requiring paracentesis) at 1-month follow-up. Grade ≥2 serum toxicities were associated with worse baseline Child-Pugh Score, serum albumin, and total bilirubin (P < .05). Among 7 patients who underwent neoadjuvant mRL, 2 underwent resection and 1 received liver transplant. CONCLUSIONS: mRL appears safe and effective for treatment of right-sided primary hepatic tumors with the benefit of promoting FLR hypertrophy.

Selective internal radiation therapy using yttrium-90 microspheres for treatment of localized and locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) using yttrium-90 for localized and locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with localized iCCA treated with SIRT at a single institution. Overall survival (OS), local tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity were collected. Stratified analysis was performed based on surgical resection. Predictor analysis of OS was performed using the Fine-Grey regression analysis model with patients bridged to surgery regarded as competing events. RESULTS: A total of 28 consecutive patients with localized iCCA were treated with a total of 38 sessions of SIRT (17 segmental, 13 lobar, and 8 combined deliveries) and a mean dominant target dose per session of 238.4 ± 130.0 Gy. The cumulative radiologic response rate was 16/28 (57.1%) with a median PFS of 265 days. Median survival time (MST) was 22.9 months for the entire cohort with 1-year and 3-year survival of 78.4% and 45.1%, respectively. Ten patients (34.5%) were downstaged to surgical intervention (7 resection, 3 transplant) and showed longer OS (p = 0.027). The 1-year and 3-year OS for patients who received surgery were 100% and 62.5% (95% CI: 14.2-89.3%), respectively. Age (p = 0.028), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (p = 0.030), and objective radiologic response (p=0.014) are associated with OS. Two ≥grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia, anemia, and one pleuro-biliary fistula occurred post-SIRT. CONCLUSIONS: SIRT for localized iCCA is safe and effective in achieving radiological response, downstaging to surgery and transplant, and resulting in pathologic necrosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Selective internal radiation therapy should be considered for patients with localized and locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. KEY POINTS: • The effectiveness of radioembolization for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) can be underestimated given the inclusion of extrahepatic disease. • Radioembolization is safe and effective for local and locally advanced iCCA. Age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and radiologic response are associated with survival. • Radioembolization should be considered for patients with localized and locally advanced iCCA.

Segmental Yttrium-90 Radioembolization Using Glass Microspheres Greater than 400 Gray for the Treatment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Preliminary Experience.

Radiation segmentectomy with a dose of >190 Gy using yttrium-90 (90Y) glass microspheres for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has been shown to be safe and effective. The present study further increased the dose to >400 Gy for treatment of iCCA as complete pathologic necrosis has been shown in hepatocellular carcinoma using this ablative approach. A total of 10 patients with 13 tumors (median size, 5.3 cm; range, 1.5-13.6 cm) at a single institution underwent >400-Gy segmental radioembolization. Objective response was achieved in all tumors (13 of 13, 100%). One patient developed a Grade 3 or greater major adverse event (stroke and hepatic decompensation). One patient was bridged to transplant (>95% pathologic necrosis), whereas another underwent resection (>99% necrosis). Contralateral hypertrophy was observed in 6 out of 6 patients treated with modified lobectomy dosing, with a functional liver reserve increase from a median of 31.5% to 57.1%. The present report suggests that segmental transarterial radioembolization with >400 Gy is feasible in terms of safety and effectiveness for treating iCCA.

Combination of transarterial radioembolization with atezolizumab and bevacizumab for intermediate and advanced staged hepatocellular carcinoma: A preliminary report of safety and feasibility.

Purpose: The IMbrave150 Phase III trial demonstrated the superiority of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) over sorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility of TARE in combination with Atezo/Bev for the treatment of intermediate and advanced staged HCC. Methods: A retrospective review at a single institution was performed between May 2021 and December 2022. Patients who received TARE using yttrium-90 (Y90) with concomitant or sequential Atezo/Bev systemic treatment were included. The following outcomes were retrieved: overall survival (OS), radiologic tumor response, progression-free survival, technical adverse events related to TARE, and toxicity based on the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Results: Ten consecutive patients with intermediate (n â€‹= â€‹4) and advanced stage HCC (n â€‹= â€‹6) were treated with TARE and sequential/concomitant Atezo/Bev. Tumor control was achieved in all TARE-treated target lesions (100%). Overall disease progression occurred in 4 patients with PFS of 78.8% and 66.7% at 6- and 12- months, respectively. Two patients died at follow-up, with 6-month and 12-month OS rates of 90.0% and 77.1%, respectively. Three (75%) patients with intermediate stage disease were downstaged into Milan criteria. One patient developed grade 3 transaminitis and hypoglobulinemia, while Atezo/Bev was switched to Lenvatinib in another patient due to immunotherapy related myositis. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the initial safety and feasibility of combined TARE with Atezo/Bev for intermediate/advanced stage HCC. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Transarterial Radioembolization versus Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus Percutaneous Ablation for Unresectable, Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma of ≥3 cm: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) and transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolic agents combined with percutaneous ablation (transarterial chemoembolization [TACE] + ablation) in the treatment of treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of ≥3 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary HCC of ≥3 cm received combined TACE + ablation, and 40 patients received TARE at a single institution. Local tumor response, tumor progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, need for reintervention, bridge to transplant, and major complications were compared. Clinical variables and outcomes were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: Before PSM, patients who underwent TARE had a larger tumor size (3.7 vs 5.5 cm; P = .0005) and were older (61.5 vs 69.3 years; P = .0014). After PSM, there was no difference in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups, with the mean tumor sizes measuring 3.9 and 4.1 cm in the TACE + ablation and TARE cohorts, respectively. After PSM (n = 19 in each group), no statistically significant difference was observed in local radiological response (disease control rates, 100% vs 94.7%; P = .31), survival (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-1.80; P = .469), PFS (SHR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.21-1.71; P = .342), bridge to transplant (21.1% vs 31.6%, P = .46), and major adverse event rates (15.8% vs 10.5%, P = .63) between the 2 groups. The mean total number of locoregional interventions was higher in the TACE + ablation cohort (1.9 vs 1.3 sessions, P = .02), with an earlier median reintervention trend (SHR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.20-1.32; P = .167). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that TARE and the combination of TACE and ablation are comparable in safety and effectiveness for treating treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary HCC of ≥3 cm.

Safety and efficacy of repeat Y90 radioembolization to the same hepatic arterial territory.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of repeat transarterial radioembolization (TARE) to similar hepatic arterial territories. METHODS: Between 3/2011 and 4/2019, 26 patients (25 males and 1 Female, Mean Age: 65 yo, SD: 11.7 yo, Range: 18-83.0 yo) received TARE with Y90 glass microspheres to treat recurrent or residual primary disease in similar hepatic arterial lobe or segments. Tumor response was evaluated by imaging using the modified-RECIST criteria. Incidence of RILD and adverse events were categorized by a standardized scale using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.4.0. RESULTS: Mean cumulative activity after the first treatment was 2.50 GBq (SD:1.04 GBq, Range:0.61-4.93 GBq) and second treatment was 2.27 GBq (SD:1.01 GBq, Range:0.92-5.46 GBq). Mean interval time between initial and repeat treatments was 9.6 months (Range: 1-53 months). Tumor responses were complete, partial, or progression in 73% (n = 19/26), 23% (n = 6/26), and 4% (n = 1/26) in repeat treatment patients, respectively. The incidence of RILD was 0%. Toxicity after first and second treatment was seen in 19% (n = 5/26) & 23% (n = 6/26) patients, respectively, and were all of CTCAE Grade 2. No significant predictors of treatment toxicity for repeat treatment were identified except increased MELD score (p = 0.04). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis in patients with repeat treatment showed a median survival of 15.0 months (95% CI 8.8-21.1 months) and 19.0 months (95% CI 8.1-29.9 months) in patients who only received one treatment with a p value of 0.485. CONCLUSION: Repeat TARE with glass microspheres was an effective and safe treatment strategy for disease management in patients with residual or recurrent disease to the similar hepatic arterial territories without any major treatment related toxicity. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Although safety and efficacy of repeat radioembolism has been studied, no study has focused on repeat treatment to similar hepatic arterial territories. The current study shows that repeat treatment to the same hepatic arterial territory is as safe as single treatment to the same territory.

Hybrid angiography-CT for transarterial radioembolization: a pictorial essay.

Although hybrid angiography-CT (Angio-CT) has a long history of use for interventional oncology procedures, its applications for transarterial radioembolization (TARE) are not as well described in the literature. This pictorial essay demonstrates a single-institution experience with the utilization of an Angio-CT system for TARE treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Procedural images and clinical data for twenty-four patients who underwent initial angiographic mapping with hepatopulmonary shunt fraction assessment and or administration of Yttrium-90 (Y-90) microspheres using the Angio-CT system to date were reviewed. Cases were reviewed for examples that highlight the specific utility of Angio-CT. Three representative TARE cases were selected which illustrate unique advantages and applications of the Angio-CT system when performing TARE. These include the ability to optimally delineate hepatic vascular anatomy, accurately calculate liver volumes for dosimetry, and improve the detection and characterization of equivocal lesions. Angio-CT has unique advantages which can be applied to TARE treatment of patients with HCC. The technology has potential to be an especially effective tool for those who aim to be at the cutting edge of the rapidly growing field of interventional oncology.

Yttrium-90 Radioembolization Therapy for Combined Hepatocellular and Cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using glass microspheres for the treatment of mixed hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) in a propensity-matched study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2013 and 2019, 10 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed HCC-CC received TARE of a targeted territory using glass microspheres as a primary initial treatment. Baseline demographics in addition to tumor distribution, Child Pugh score, and BCLC were recorded. Tumor response was assessed according to modified RECIST criteria. The HCC-CC cohort was matched to the HCC cohort, and objective response and survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: In the HCC-CC cohort, patients had a 70% objective response rate (ORR), and in the HCC cohort, patients had a 90% ORR after matching (p = 0.54). The median overall survival (OS) for HCC patients was 12.3 months (95% CI: 6.0-17.4 months) in the matched population, and for HCC-CC patients, the median OS was 15.2 months (95% CI: 2.7-20.2 months) (p = 0.98). The median progression-free survival (PFS) for HCC patients was 11.6 months (95% CI: 2.53-19.3 months) in the matched population, and for HCC-CC patients, the median PFS was 15.2 months (95% CI: 2.7-20.2 months) (p = 0.94). The median transplant-free survival (TFS) for HCC patients was 12.3 months (95% CI: 6.0-17.4 months) in the matched population, and for HCC-CC patients, the median TFS was 15.2 months (95% CI: 2.7-20.2 months) (p = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: While outcomes of combined HCC-CC are poor and optimal treatment remains undefined, TARE appears to represent an effective locoregional treatment with survival outcomes similar to that of HCC treated by TARE.

Update on Preoperative Embolization of Bone Metastases.

Management of patients with bone metastasis is complex and should include different specialties. Goals of therapy should be identified for each individual patient prior to the start of treatment. Preoperative embolization has generally been considered a safe and effective means of reducing intraoperative blood loss with recent studies and advances in technique reported. Update on indications, contraindications, technique, and efficacy, as well as prognostic factors and complications of preoperative embolization of bone metastases will be reviewed. New trends such as transradial arterial access and usage of liquid embolic agents will be discussed. Large tumor size, increased preprocedural tumor vascularity, longer embolization-to-surgery interval, and radical surgical procedures are associated with greater intraoperative blood loss and prolonged operative time. An accurate, noninvasive method to evaluate tumor vascularity prior to angiography is needed to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from preoperative embolization. Particular attention will be paid to skeletal metastases and spinal metastases as each has its own set of complexity.

Percutaneous treatment of IVC obstruction due to post-resection hepatic torsion associated with IVC thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Migration of the left hepatic lobe into the potential space following right lobe resection can result in torsion and hepatic venous outflow obstruction with compromised venous return from the IVC. If untreated, significant morbidity and mortality can develop. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 29-year-old female with Lynch syndrome who underwent right lobe resection for a metastatic hepatic tumor. There was subsequent migration of the liver remnant, torsion of the IVC, and impaired hepatic outflow, successfully treated with thrombectomy and stenting. CONCLUSION: Following right hepatectomy, hepatic venous outflow obstruction should be consdered in the setting of hepatorenal failure and hemodynamic instability. Endovascular stenting is a viable treatment option.

Radiofrequency and microwave ablation in combination with transarterial chemoembolization induce equivalent histopathologic coagulation necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients bridged to liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Bridging therapy plays an increasingly important role in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) awaiting liver transplantation (LT). Combination therapy with drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and percutaneous thermal ablation, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA), has shown success at prolonging survival and bridging patients to LT. However, few studies have evaluated the two combination therapy regimens head-to-head at a single institution, and fewer have compared histopathology. This retrospective study compares tumor coagulation on explanted livers in patients with HCC treated with DEB-TACE sequentially combined with RFA versus MWA. METHODS: From 2005 to 2015, 42 sequential patients underwent combination therapy prior to LT by Milan criteria, with 11 patients (11 tumors; mean, 2.9 cm; range, 1.8-4.3 cm) in the DEB-TACE/RFA cohort and 31 patients (40 tumors; mean, 2.4 cm; range, 1.1-5.4 cm) in the DEB-TACE/MWA cohort. The mean TACE procedures in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 1.3 (range, 1-2) and 1.3 (range, 1-3), respectively. The mean thermal ablations in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 1.2 (range, 1-2) and 1.3 (range, 1-3), respectively. Tumor coagulation was evaluated on explanted livers. RESULTS: Mean tumor coagulation in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 88.9% (range, 0-100%) and 90.5% (range, 30-100%), respectively (P=0.82). Rates of complete tumor coagulation in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 45% and 53%, respectively (P=0.74). No difference in tumor coagulation was found between the cohorts when separating tumors <3 cm (P=0.21) and >3 cm (P=0.09). Among all 51 tumors, the 36 in complete response (CR) on imaging at LT demonstrated mean tumor coagulation of 95.8%. No correlation was found between tumor coagulation and initial tumor size or time interval to LT. No tumor seeding was seen along the ablation tracts. CONCLUSIONS: RFA and MWA in sequential combination with DEB-TACE, used as a bridge to LT, are equally efficacious at inducing HCC tumor coagulation.

Bronchial artery embolization for malignant hemoptysis: a single institutional experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in patients with malignant hemoptysis. METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective study at our academic institution was conducted on all patients treated by BAE for hemoptysis from lung malignancy. Outcome and safety measures were documented according to Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) practice guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients (13 male, 13 female) with lung malignancy underwent BAE for hemoptysis from 2003-2013. Histologic analysis revealed 80% (21/26) of cases were from primary lung malignancies, while the remaining 20% (4/26) represented metastatic disease. Sixty-five percent (17/26) of patients underwent bronchoscopy prior to BAE. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 1,909 days, with average of 155 days. Technical success was achieved in 77% of patients (20/26). Clinical success rate was 75% (15/20). Eighty-five percent of embolized patients (17/20) were treated with particles, 15% (3/20) with gelfoam, and 20% (4/20) with coils. Single-vessel embolization was performed in 70% (14/20), two-vessel in 20% (4/20), and multiple vessels in 10% (2/20). No complications were reported. Six-month all-cause mortality of treated cases was 55% (11/20) with an in-hospital mortality of 25% (5/20). Ten percent (2/20) had remote re-bleeding events beyond 6 months. Statistically significant predictors of mortality were intubation status, hemoglobin/hematocrit at presentation, and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: BAE is a safe and useful treatment for clinically significant hemoptysis in patients with primary or metastatic lung masses despite high overall mortality. Intubation status, low hemoglobin/hematocrit, and thrombocytopenia may represent clinical predictors of short term mortality following BAE. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Most patients undergoing BAE for malignant hemoptysis achieve high clinical success despite suffering a high mortality from underlying disease.

Comparison of combination therapies in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: transarterial chemoembolization with radiofrequency ablation versus microwave ablation.

PURPOSE: To compare retrospectively the outcomes and complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolic agents combined with radiofrequency (RF) ablation or microwave (MW) ablation in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2003-2011, 89 patients with HCC received a combination therapy-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus RF ablation in 38 patients and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus MW ablation in 51 patients. Local tumor response, tumor progression-free survival (PFS), overall PFS, overall survival (OS), and complications were compared. Overall PFS and OS were compared between the two treatment groups in multivariate analysis controlling for Child-Pugh class, Barcelona Clinic Liver Classification stage, and index tumor size. RESULTS: Complete local tumor response was achieved in 37 (80.4%) of the tumors treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus RF ablation and 49 (76.6%) of the tumors treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus MW ablation (P = .67). The median tumor PFS and overall PFS were 20.8 months and 9.3 months (P = .72) for transarterial chemoembolization plus RF ablation and 21.8 months and 9.2 months for transarterial chemoembolization plus MW ablation (P = .32). The median OS of the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus RF ablation group was 23.3 months, and the median OS of the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus MW ablation group was 42.6 months, with no significant difference in the survival experience between the two groups (log-rank test, P = .10). In the multivariate analysis, Barcelona Clinic Liver Classification stage was the only factor associated with overall PFS and OS. One patient in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus RF ablation cohort (3%) and two patients in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus MW ablation cohort (4%) required prolonged hospitalization (< 48 h) for pain management after the procedure (P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Based on similar safety and efficacy outcomes, both combination therapies, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus RF ablation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus MW ablation, are effective treatments for HCC.

Unintended thermal injuries from radiofrequency ablation: organ protection with an angioplasty balloon catheter in an animal model.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate a novel approach of using a balloon catheter as a protective device to separate liver from the diaphragm or nearby bowel during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatic dome tumors in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All experimental procedures were approved by animal Institutional Review Board. Using a 3 cm RF needle electrode, 70 hepatic ablation zones were created using ultrasound in 7 pigs. 50 lesions were created using balloon interposition between liver and diaphragm; 20 lesions were created using the balloon device interposed posteriorly between liver and bowel. Additional 21 control lesions were performed. Animals were sacrificed immediately; diaphragm and bowel were then visually inspected and sectioned. Diaphragmatic and bowel injury was then classified according to the depth of thickness. RESULTS: Control lesions caused full thickness injury, either to diaphragm or bowel. During ablation of lesions with balloon interposition, there was significantly less diaphragmatic injury, P < 0.001 and less bowel injury, P < 0.01. CONCLUSION: Using balloon interposition as a protective device has advantages over previous saline infusion or CO2 insufflation, providing a safe way to expand percutaneous RFA of liver tumors located on the undersurface of the diaphragm. In addition, this method may be used in protection of other organs adjacent to areas being ablated.

Combined pharmacomechanical thrombolysis of complete portomesenteric thrombosis in a liver transplant recipient.

Treatment options for portomesenteric venous thrombosis range from anticoagulation to surgery, depending on chronicity, severity of symptoms, extent of thrombosis, and the availability of local expertise. For acute and subacute cases, a variety of endovascular options have been described in limited published series and case reports, including thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. We report what is to our knowledge the first case in which the Trellis pharmacomechanical thrombolysis device was used successfully to treat complete acute thrombosis of the entire superior mesenteric vein and the entire portal vein with extension into all segmental intrahepatic portal branches in a young adult after liver transplantation. This device, coupled with adjunctive techniques using balloon catheters, facilitated complete restoration of flow, resulting in graft salvage and long-term patency.

The RETRIEVE trial: safety and effectiveness of the retrievable crux vena cava filter.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Crux vena cava filter in patients at risk for pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Crux Biomedical Evaluation of the Crux Inferior Vena Cava Filter System trial was an international prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial in 125 patients implanted with the Crux filter between June 2010 and June 2011. Follow-up was 180 days after filter placement and 30 days after filter retrieval. The primary objective was to determine whether the clinical success rate was at least 80%. Clinical success was defined as technical success of deployment and freedom from definite PE, filter migration, and device-related adverse events requiring intervention. RESULTS: The clinical success rate was 96.0% (120 of 125), with a one-sided lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of 91.8%. The rate of technical success was 98.4% (123 of 125). There were three cases of definite PE (2.4%), two cases of deployment failure, and no cases of device migration, embolization, fracture, or tilting. Investigators observed nine cases of thrombus (all nonocclusive) in or near the filter (six during retrieval evaluation vena cavography, two during computed tomography [CT] scans for PE symptoms, and one during CT for cancer management) and 13 cases of deep vein thrombosis. Device retrieval was attempted at a mean of 84.6 days±57.6 (range, 6-190 d) after implantation and was successful for 98.1% of patients (53 of 54). All deaths (n = 14) were determined to be unrelated to the filter or PE. CONCLUSIONS: The Crux vena cava filter performed safely, with high rates of clinical, technical, and retrieval success.

Metastatic Insulinoma Following Resection of Nonsecreting Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A 56-year-old woman presented to our clinic for recurrent hypoglycemia after undergoing resection of an incidentally discovered nonfunctional pancreatic endocrine tumor 6 years ago. She underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, after which she developed diabetes and was placed on an insulin pump. Pathology showed a pancreatic endocrine neoplasm with negative islet hormone immunostains. Two years later, computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed multiple liver lesions. Biopsy of a liver lesion showed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm, consistent with pancreatic origin. Six years later, she presented to clinic with 1.5 years of recurrent hypoglycemia. Laboratory results showed elevated proinsulin, insulin levels, and c-peptide levels during a hypoglycemic episode. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen redemonstrated multiple liver lesions. Repeated transarterial catheter chemoembolization and microwave thermal ablation controlled hypoglycemia. The unusual features of interest of this case include the transformation of nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumor to a metastatic insulinoma and the occurrence of atrial flutter after octreotide for treatment.

Use of retrievable filters in alternative common iliac vein location in high-risk surgical patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of retrievable filters placed in bilateral common iliac veins in high-risk surgical patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the 4-year study period, 10 patients received bilateral common iliac vein placement of retrievable filters for pulmonary embolism (PE) prophylaxis. These patients were at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) but had no evidence of VTE at the time of filter placement. In nine patients undergoing bariatric surgery, placement of a filter in the inferior vena cava (IVC) was impossible because of megacava (defined as caval diameter ≥ 3.0 cm). In one patient who had planned dissection of an extensive retroperitoneal tumor, there was concern that IVC location of the filter would be prone to complications secondary to intraoperative manipulation. Filter placement and retrieval were evaluated. All patients were followed clinically until 4-6 weeks after filter retrieval. RESULTS: There were 20 filters placed in 10 attempts, 18 (nine patients) through the right internal jugular vein and 2 (one patient) through bilateral femoral veins. The mean (± standard deviation) dwell time of the filters was 40 days ± 10 (range 30-71 days). All filters were successfully removed. There were no procedural complications. No clinically evident PE was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Use of retrievable filters in the bilateral common iliac veins was found to be feasible and effective in preventing PE in patients with contraindications to filter placement in the IVC.