A History and Modern Framework for Quality Improvement in Interventional Radiology.

Quality improvement (QI) initiatives have benefited patients as well as the broader practice of medicine. Large-scale QI has been facilitated by multi-institutional data registries, many of which were formed out of national or international medical society initiatives. With broad participation, QI registries have provided benefits that include but are not limited to establishing treatment guidelines, facilitating research related to uncommon procedures and conditions, and demonstrating the fiscal and clinical value of procedures for both medical providers and health systems. Because of the benefits offered by these databases, Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) and SIR Foundation have committed to the development of an interventional radiology (IR) clinical data registry known as VIRTEX. A large IR database with participation from a multitude of practice environments has the potential to have a significant positive impact on the specialty through data-driven advances in patient safety and outcomes, clinical research, and reimbursement. This article reviews the current landscape of societal QI programs, presents a vision for a large-scale IR clinical data registry supported by SIR, and discusses the anticipated results that such a framework can produce.

Coronary CT Fractional Flow Reserve before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Clinical Outcomes.

Background The role of CT angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) in pre-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) assessment is uncertain. Purpose To evaluate the predictive value of on-site machine learning-based CT-FFR for adverse clinical outcomes in candidates for TAVR. Materials and Methods This observational retrospective study included patients with severe aortic stenosis referred to TAVR after coronary CT angiography (CCTA) between September 2014 and December 2019. Clinical end points comprised major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiac death, or heart failure admission) and all-cause mortality. CT-FFR was obtained semiautomatically using an on-site machine learning algorithm. The ability of CT-FFR (abnormal if ≤0.75) to predict outcomes and improve the predictive value of the current noninvasive work-up was assessed. Survival analysis was performed, and the C-index was used to assess the performance of each predictive model. To compare nested models, the likelihood ratio χ2 test was performed. Results A total of 196 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 75 years ± 11; 110 women [56%]) were included; the median time of follow-up was 18 months. MACE occurred in 16% (31 of 196 patients) and all-cause mortality in 19% (38 of 196 patients). Univariable analysis revealed CT-FFR was predictive of MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 4.1; 95% CI: 1.6, 10.8; P = .01) but not all-cause mortality (HR, 1.2; 95% CI: 0.6, 2.2; P = .63). CT-FFR was independently associated with MACE (HR, 4.0; 95% CI: 1.5, 10.5; P = .01) when adjusting for potential confounders. Adding CT-FFR as a predictor to models that include CCTA and clinical data improved their predictive value for MACE (P = .002) but not all-cause mortality (P = .67), and it showed good discriminative ability for MACE (C-index, 0.71). Conclusion CT angiography-derived fractional flow reserve was associated with major adverse cardiac events in candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement and improved the predictive value of coronary CT angiography assessment. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Choe in this issue.

Current Interventional Radiology-Related Benchmarked Clinical Quality Measures Are Less Likely to be "Capped" Than Diagnostic Radiology Clinical Quality Measures.

In the merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS), quality measures are considered topped out if national median performance rates are ≥95%. Quality measures worth 10 points can be capped at 7 points if topped out for ≥2 years. This report compares the availability of diagnostic radiology (DR)-related and interventional radiology (IR)-related measures worth 10 points. A total of 196 MIPS clinical quality measures were reviewed on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services MIPS website. There are significantly more IR-related measures worth 10 points than DR measures (2/9 DR measures vs 9/12 IR measures; P = .03), demonstrating that clinical IR services can help mixed IR/DR groups maximize their Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services payment adjustment.

Histone deacetylase inhibition prevents the growth of primary and metastatic osteosarcoma.

Overall survival rates for patients with advanced osteosarcoma have remained static for over three decades. An in vitro analysis of osteosarcoma cell lines for sensitivity to an array of approved cancer therapies revealed that panobinostat, a broad spectrum histone deacetalyase (HDAC) inhibitor, is highly effective at triggering osteosarcoma cell death. Using in vivo models of orthotopic and metastatic osteosarcoma, here we report that panobinostat impairs the growth of primary osteosarcoma in bone and spontaneous metastasis to the lung, the most common site of metastasis for this disease. Further, pretreatment of mice with panobinostat prior to tail vein inoculation of osteosarcoma prevents the seeding and growth of lung metastases. Additionally, panobinostat impaired the growth of established lung metastases and improved overall survival, and these effects were also manifest in the lung metastatic SAOS2-LM7 model. Mechanistically, the efficacy of panobinostat was linked to high expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in osteosarcoma, and silencing of HDAC1 and 2 greatly reduced osteosarcoma growth in vitro. In accordance with these findings, treatment with the HDAC1/2 selective inhibitor romidepsin compromised the growth of osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of patient-derived xenograft osteosarcoma cell lines further demonstrated the sensitivity of the disease to panobinostat or romidepsin. Collectively, these studies provide rationale for clinical trials in osteosarcoma patients using the approved therapies panobinostat or romidepsin.

The relationship between CT scout landmarks and lung boundaries on chest CT: guidelines for minimizing excess z-axis scan length.

OBJECTIVES: As the relationship between CT scout landmarks and chest CT boundaries is not known, the selected scan length is often greater than necessary for the CT scan, resulting in increased radiation dose to the neck and upper abdomen. The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between CT scout landmarks with the superior and inferior boundaries of the lungs on chest CT. METHODS: Retrospective comparison of the location of the top of the first rib on frontal scout and the most inferior costophrenic angle on lateral scout to the chest CT slice just above and below the lungs. The percent of scans that would exclude part of the lung based on CT initiated at several distances above or below these landmarks was calculated. RESULTS: There was 2.7 times greater variability between scout landmarks and lung boundaries inferiorly than superiorly on chest CT (p < 0.001). Initiating CT at the top of the first rib on scout did not exclude any lung on CT. Initiating CT 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 cm inferior to the CPA on lateral scout excluded part of the lung in 45.7%, 12.9%, 4.3%, 1.9%, and 0.8% of CTs. CONCLUSIONS: Chest CT to include the lungs should be performed from the top of the first rib to 3 or 4 cm below the costophrenic angle on lateral topogram. KEY POINTS: • There is a greater motion at the inferior lung than at the superior lung. • Chest CT acquisition from the top of the first rib on scout would not exclude the lung. • Chest CT acquisition from CPA on lateral scout would exclude the lung 46% of time.

Contrast-Enhanced CT May Identify High-Risk Esophageal Varices in Patients With Cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE. The Baveno VI consensus established guidelines to reduce unnecessary screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for esophageal varices (EVs). We assessed whether EVs that would require intervention at EGD can be identified on CT and evaluated if recommending EGD on the basis of CT findings would result in unnecessary EGD according to the Baveno VI consensus guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This single-institution retrospective study identified 97 contrast-enhanced CT examinations within 3 months of EGD in 93 patients with cirrhosis from 2008 to 2018. Demographic information, EGD findings, interventions, and laboratory data were reviewed. CT scans were reviewed for EVs and compared with EGD findings. Var-ices that were 4 mm or larger were considered large, and those requiring intervention were considered high risk. RESULTS. The presence of large EVs on CT was 80% sensitive and 87% specific for high-risk varices at EGD. Large EVs on CT were associated with bleeding as the indication for EGD (p = 0.03) and the presence of high-risk varices at EGD (p < 0.001). The positive predictive value that a large EV on CT corresponded to a high-risk EV at EGD was 90.4% (95% CI, 0.78-0.96). Patients with large EVs on CT were 9.4 times more likely to have a grade III or grade IV EV at EGD. CONCLUSION. Large EVs on CT correlated with high-risk varices at EGD and may be a useful indicator that EGD should be considered for confirmatory diagnosis and treatment. Recommending EGD for patients with EVs of 4 mm or larger did not result in EGD that would be deemed unnecessary according to the Baveno VI consensus guidelines.

Sedation with Propofol During Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Acute Submassive Pulmonary Embolism Is Associated with Increased Mortality.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if sedation with propofol during catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in patients with acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) affects survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-institution, retrospective study identified 136 patients from 2011-2017 who underwent CDT for acute submassive PE. Patients were grouped based on procedural sedation-propofol versus fentanyl and/or midazolam. Groups were compared for differences in baseline characteristics. Primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate for independent variables predictive of mortality. Propensity-matched analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Propofol was given to 18% (n = 25) of patients, and fentanyl and/or midazolam was given to 82% (n = 111) of patients. Mortality was 28% (n = 7) in the propofol group versus 3% (n = 3) in the fentanyl/midazolam group (P = .0003). Patients receiving propofol had 10.4 times the risk of cardiopulmonary arrest or dying during hospitalization compared with patients receiving fentanyl and/or midazolam (95% confidence interval, 2.9-37.3, P = .0003). The number needed to harm was 4 (95% confidence interval, 2.8-6.8). Logistic regression model analysis including Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index score, right-to-left ventricle diameter ratio and age was not predictive of mortality (P = .19). Adding type of sedation made the model predictive of mortality (P < .001). Propensity-matched analysis controlling for baseline differences in age, adjunctive maneuvers, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and intubation before the procedure revealed that statistical significance between groups remained (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Sedation with propofol during CDT for acute submassive PE is associated with increased mortality and should be used with caution.

What Are the Implications of Alternative Alpha Thresholds for Hypothesis Testing in Orthopaedics?

BACKGROUND: Clinical research in orthopaedics typically reports the presence of an association after rejecting a null hypothesis of no association using an alpha threshold of 0.05 at which to evaluate a calculated p value. This arbitrary value is a factor that results in the current difficulties reproducing research findings. A proposal is gaining attention to lower the alpha threshold to 0.005. However, it is currently unknown how alpha thresholds are used in orthopaedics and the distribution of p values reported. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We sought to describe the use of alpha thresholds in two orthopaedic journals by asking (1) How frequently are alpha threshold values reported? (2) How frequently are power calculations reported? (3) How frequently are p values between 0.005 and 0.05 reported for the main hypothesis? (4) Are p values less than 0.005 associated with study characteristics such as design and reporting power calculations? METHODS: The 100 most recent original clinical research articles from two leading orthopaedic journals at the time of this proposal were reviewed. For studies without a specified primary hypothesis, a main hypothesis was selected that was most consistent with the title and abstract. The p value for the main hypothesis and lowest p value for each study were recorded. Study characteristics including details of alpha thresholds, beta, and p values were recorded. Associations between study characteristics and p values were described. Of the 200 articles (100 from each journal), 23 were randomized controlled trials, 141 were cohort studies or case series (defined as a study in which authors had access to original data collected for the study purpose), 31 were database studies, and five were classified as other. RESULTS: An alpha threshold was reported in 166 articles (83%) with all but two reporting a value 0.05. Forty-two articles (21%) reported performing a power calculation. The p value for the main hypothesis was less than 0.005 for 88 articles (44%), between 0.05 and 0.005 for 67 (34%), and greater than 0.05 for 29 (15%). The smallest p value was between 0.05 and 0.005 for 39 articles (20%), less than 0.005 for 143 (72%), and either not provided or greater than 0.05 for 18 (9%). Although 50% (65 of 130) cohort and database papers had a main hypothesis p value less than 0.005, only 26% (6 of 23) randomized controlled trials did. Only 36% (15 of 42) articles reporting a power calculation had a p value less than 0.005 compared with 51% (73 of 142) that did not report one. CONCLUSIONS: Although a lower alpha threshold may theoretically increase the reproducibility of research findings across orthopaedics, this would preferentially select findings from lower-quality studies or increase the burden on higher quality ones. A more-nuanced approach could be to consider alpha thresholds specific to study characteristics. For example, randomized controlled trials with a prespecified primary hypothesis may still be best evaluated at 0.05 while database studies with an abundance of statistical tests may be best evaluated at a threshold even below 0.005. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgeons and scientists in orthopaedics should understand that the default alpha threshold of 0.05 represents an arbitrary value that could be lowered to help reduce type-I errors; however, it must also be appreciated that such a change could increase type-II errors, increase resource utilization, and preferentially select findings from lower-quality studies.

CT-guided Native Medical Renal Biopsy: Cortical Tangential versus Non-Tangential Approaches-A Comparison of Efficacy and Safety.

Purpose To review a single-center experience with the cortical tangential approach during computed tomography (CT)-guided native medical renal biopsy and to evaluate its efficacy and safety compared with those of a non-cortical tangential approach. Materials and Methods This retrospective study received institutional review board approval, with a waiver of the HIPAA requirement for informed consent. The number of cores, glomeruli, and complications were reviewed in 431 CT-guided medical renal biopsies performed between July 2007 and September 2015. A biopsy followed a cortical tangential approach if the needle path was parallel to the renal cortical surface, at a depth closer to the renal capsule than the renal pelvic fat. A sample was considered adequate if the biopsy yielded at least 10 glomeruli at light microscopy, one glomerulus at immunofluorescence microscopy, and one glomerulus at electron microscopy. The χ2 test, the t test, the Mann-Whitney test, and logistic regression modeling of sample adequacy were performed. Results One hundred fifty-six (36%) of 431 biopsies were performed with the cortical tangential approach. More cores were obtained for the cortical tangential group (2.6 vs 2.4, P = .001); biopsy needle gauge was not significantly different (P = .076). More adequate samples were obtained in the cortical tangential group (66.7% vs 49.8%, P = .001), with more glomeruli (23 vs 16, P = .014). Results were significant after controlling for needle gauge and number of cores (P = .008). The cortical tangential group had fewer complications (1.9% vs 7.3%, P = .018). Conclusion The cortical tangential approach, when applied to CT-guided native medical renal biopsies, results in higher rates of sample adequacy and lower rates of postprocedural complications. © RSNA, 2016.

Yttrium-90 Radioembolization with Resin Microspheres without Routine Embolization of the Gastroduodenal Artery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety of resin microsphere radioembolization (RE) without prophylactic embolization of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2013 and April 2015, all patients undergoing RE with resin microspheres for liver-dominant metastatic disease were treated without routine embolization of the GDA. Selective embolization of distal hepaticoenteric vessels was performed if identified by digital subtraction angiography, cone-beam computed tomography, or technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin scintigraphy. Resin microspheres were administered using 5% dextrose flush distal to the origin of the GDA in lobar or segmental fashion, with judicious use of an antireflux microcatheter in recognized high-risk situations. Gastrointestinal toxicity was evaluated by the performing physician for at least 3 months. RESULTS: RE with resin microspheres was performed in 62 patients undergoing 69 treatments. During planning angiography, embolization of 0 or 1 vessel (median, 1; range, 0-4) was performed in 86% of patients, most commonly the right gastric and supraduodenal arteries. Prophylactic embolization of the GDA was performed in only 2 patients (3%). In 6 treatments (9%), adjunctive embolization was required immediately before RE, and an antireflux microcatheter was used in 14% of treatments. Clinical follow-up was available in 60 of 62 patients (median, 134 d; range, 15-582 d). No signs or symptoms of gastric or duodenal ulceration were observed. CONCLUSIONS: RE using resin microspheres without embolization of the GDA can be performed safely.

Safety of CT-Guided Bone Marrow Biopsy in Thrombocytopenic Patients: A Retrospective Review.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that computed tomography (CT)-guided bone marrow biopsy in patients with a platelet count between 20,000/uL and 50,000/uL is safe and that preprocedure platelet transfusion is unnecessary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included bone marrow biopsies performed between May 2009 and May 2016. The study population included 981 patients-age range, 15-93 years; average age, 57 years; 505 (51.5%) men; and 476 (48.5%) women. One hundred eighty-seven biopsies were performed in patients with a platelet count of 20,000-50,000/µL; 33 were performed in patients with a platelet count of < 20,000/µL. The primary endpoint was hemorrhagic complications, Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) complication class C or above. The complication rates in thrombocytopenic patients were compared to patients with a platelet count of ≥ 50,000/uL. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (CIs) for the complication rate in each group were also calculated. RESULTS: There were no SIR class C or above postprocedure bleeding-related complications, including interventions or transfusions. For patients with a platelet count of < 20,000/µL and of 20,000-50,000/µL, hemorrhagic complications rates were 0% (95% CI: 0-9.1%) and 0% (95% CI: 0-1.6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided bone marrow biopsy is safe in thrombocytopenic patients, with a hemorrhagic complication rate below 1.6% for patients with a platelet count of 20,000-50,000/µL. Routine preprocedure platelet transfusion may not be necessary for patients with a platelet count of 20,000-50,000/µL.

Endovascular Stent Placement for May-Thurner Syndrome in the Absence of Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical utility of iliac vein stent placement for patients with chronic limb edema or pelvic congestion presenting with nonocclusive May-Thurner physiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients (N = 45) undergoing stent placement for May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) without an associated acute thrombotic event between 2007 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed; 11 were excluded for poor follow-up. A total of 34 patients (28 female) were studied (mean age, 44 y; range, 19-80 y). Average follow-up time was 649 days (median, 488 d; range, 8-2,499 d). RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100% (34 of 34). No major and two minor (5%) complications occurred, and 68% of patients (23 of 34) had clinical success with relief of presenting symptoms on follow-up visits. Technical parameters including stent size and number, stent type, concurrent angioplasty, access site, and resolution of collateral iliolumbar vessels were not found to be statistically related to clinical success (P > .05). Similarly, no significant relation to clinical success was seen for clinical factors such as the type of symptoms, presence of chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or concurrent coagulopathy (P > .05). Female sex was found to correlate with clinical success (82% vs 18%; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Iliac stent placement in patients presenting with chronic limb or pelvic symptoms from MTS without acute DVT is associated with clinical success in the majority of patients.

Assessing the Risk of Hemorrhagic Complication following Transjugular Liver Biopsy in Bone Marrow Transplantation Recipients.

PURPOSE: To determine if recipients of bone marrow transplants (BMTs) are at increased risk of hemorrhagic complications following transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: TJLBs in BMT and non-BMT patients between January 2007 and July 2014 were reviewed. Patient demographic and pre- and postprocedural laboratory data were reviewed. Mean platelet count and International Normalized Ratio were 174,300 × 10(3)/µL ± 107.3 (standard deviation) and 1.2 ± 0.4, respectively, for BMT recipients, compared with 88,100 × 10(3)/µL ± 70.9 and 1.2 ± 0.5, respectively, for non-BMT. Patients in whom hemoglobin level decreased by > 1 g/dL and/or required transfusion within 15 days of TJLB were reviewed to determine the presence of a biopsy-related hemorrhagic complication. RESULTS: A total of 1,600 TJLBs in 1,120 patients were analyzed. Of these, 183 TJLBs in 159 BMT recipients and 1,417 TJLBs in 961 patients non-BMT patients were performed. Thirteen TJLBs were complicated by hemorrhage: five in BMT (2.9%) and eight in the non-BMT cohorts (0.6%; P < .01). Preprocedural platelet counts were within normal range (57-268 × 10(3)/µL) in all but one patient (8 × 10(3)/µL). BMT recipients had an odds ratio of 4.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.25-17.3) for post-TJLB bleeding/hemorrhage compared with those without BMTs (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: TJLB continues to be a safe procedure in the vast majority of patients. However, hemorrhagic complications occurred at a rate of 2.9% in BMT recipients, compared with 0.6% in patients without BMTs, and therefore caution should be exercised when performing TJLB in this group.

Transradial Approach for Hepatic Radioembolization: Initial Results and Technique.

OBJECTIVE: The transradial approach (TRA) has been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with arterial coronary interventions. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) performed via the TRA can enhance patient comfort, compared with the traditional transfemoral approach (TFA), by allowing immediate ambulation and precluding potential complications associated with the TFA, such as closure device injury or retroperitoneal hematoma. We report our initial experience with and technique for using the TRA for SIRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1, 2012, and April 30, 2015, a total of 574 procedures, including planning angiograms (n = 329) and infusions of 90Y (n = 245), were performed for 318 patients (mean age, 64.5 years). Of the 245 patients who received 90Y infusions, 52 had SIRT performed with the use of a permanent single-use implant of 90Y resin microspheres and 193 had SIRT performed with the use of millions of small glass microspheres containing radioactive 90Y. Procedural details, technical success, the radial artery (RA) occlusion rate noted at 30 days (as assessed via pulse examination), and the major and minor adverse events noted at 30 days were evaluated. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 561 of 574 cases (97.7%). The reasons for crossover to use of the TFA included an RA loop (n = 2), RA occlusion (n = 9), and type D response as determined by use of a Barbeau test (n = 2). Patients had undergone between zero and six previous TRA procedures. The mortality rate at 30 days was 0%. Superficial bruising occurred in 13 of 574 cases (2.3%). A grade 2 hematoma that required a second nonocclusive hemostasis cuff occurred in one case. Transient forearm numbness or pain occurred in two of 574 cases. One patient had a transient convulsive event occur after receiving intraarterial infusion of verapamil. RA occlusion occurred in nine of 574 cases (1.6%). CONCLUSION: Use of the TRA for SIRT is safe, feasible, and well tolerated and is associated with high rates of technical success and rare complications.

Unresectable solitary hepatocellular carcinoma not amenable to radiofrequency ablation: multicenter radiology-pathology correlation and survival of radiation segmentectomy.

UNLABELLED: Resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) <3 cm; there is interest in expanding the role of ablation to 3-5 cm. RFA is considered high-risk when the lesion is in close proximity to critical structures. Combining microcatheter technology and the localized emission properties of Y90, highly selective radioembolization is a possible alternative to RFA in such cases. We assessed the efficacy (response, radiology-pathology correlation, survival) of radiation segmentectomy in solitary HCC not amenable to RFA or resection. Patients with treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm not amenable to RFA were included in this multicenter study. Administered dose, response rate, time-to-progression (modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [mRECIST]), radiology-pathology correlation and long-term survival were assessed. In all, 102 patients were included in this study. mRECIST complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were 47/99 (47%), 39/99 (39%), and 12/99 (12%), respectively. Median time-to-disease-progression was 33.1 months. In all, 33/102 (32%) patients were transplanted with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) time-to-transplantation of 6.3 months (3.6-9.7). Pathology revealed 100% and 50-99% necrosis in 17/33 (52%) and 16/33 (48%), respectively. Median overall survival was 53.4 months. Univariate analysis demonstrated a survival benefit for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 patients. In the multivariate model, age <65, ECOG 0, and Child-Pugh A were characteristics associated with longer survival. CONCLUSION: Radiation segmentectomy is an effective technique with a favorable risk profile and radiology-pathology outcomes for solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm. This approach may allow for treatment of HCC in difficult locations. Since RFA and resection are not options given tumor location, there appears to be a strong rationale for this technique as second choice.

Embolization of a giant arterioportal fistula requiring multiple Amplatzer vascular plugs.

Arterioportal fistulas (APFs) are rare vascular communications between the mesenteric arterial tree and the portal vein. The causes and presentations of this entity are varied. APFs related to tumor, infection, and trauma have been described. Patients may be asymptomatic or present with hemobilia, portal hypertension, or mesenteric steal syndrome. Small APFs require no intervention, with treatment indicated for large or symptomatic APFs. The treatment has shifted from surgical ligation or hepatic resection to an endovascular-first approach. We describe an endovascular treatment option for the management of an acquired extrahepatic (type 2) APF and present a review of the literature.

Percutaneous Cryoablation for Successful Treatment of a Persistent Urine Leak after Robotic-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy.

Urine leak after nephron-sparing surgery is a difficult and morbid situation that may delay recovery and necessitate additional hospitalization and intervention. The use of cryoablation to treat a 34-year-old woman with persistent urine leak after robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy is described. Surgery was performed to treat ureteral duplication that resulted in recurrent urinary tract infections and back pain. Cryoablation was performed with computed tomography guidance, targeting urine extravasation observed after the administration of intravenous contrast medium. Imaging performed after ablation confirmed resolution of the urine leak; renal function was preserved.