Vertebroplasty versus Active Control Intervention for Chronic Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures: The VERTOS V Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Evidence regarding percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) for chronic painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) remains limited. Purpose To compare pain relief, quality of life, and disability between PV and active control (anesthetic infiltration) interventions for chronic OVCF. Materials and Methods This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted between May 2013 and June 2019 in participants with pain due to OVCF lasting longer than 3 months with bone marrow edema present at MRI. Study participants were randomly assigned to undergo PV (n = 40) or active control intervention (n = 40). The primary outcome was pain severity, assessed with the visual analog scale (VAS) (range, 0-10) during 12 months after treatment. Secondary outcomes included Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO) score (range, 0-100) and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score (range, 0-100). Outcomes were analyzed according to a longitudinal multilevel model used to test the difference between groups in change from baseline across follow-up. Results The mean age of the 80 participants (54 women) was 69 years ± 10 (SD) in the PV group and 71 years ± 10 in the active control group. VAS score was 7.6 (95% CI: 7.0, 8.2) in the PV group and 7.3 (95% CI: 6.9, 7.8) in the active control group at baseline (P = .47) and 3.9 (95% CI: 3.1, 4.8) and 5.1 (95% CI: 4.3, 6.0), respectively, at month 12 (P = .045). At month 12, the group difference from baseline was 1.3 (95% CI: 0.1, 2.6; P = .02) for VAS, 5.2 (95% CI: 0.9, 9.4; P = .02) for QUALEFFO, and 7.1 (95% CI: -3.3, 17.5; P = .18) for RMDQ, favoring the PV group. Conclusion In the treatment of pain caused by chronic OVCFs, PV is more effective for pain relief and quality of life improvement than anesthetic injection alone, with similar improvement for disability between the groups. Clinical trial registration no. NCT01963039 © RSNA, 2023 See also the editorial by Beall and De Leacy in this issue.

Cost Effectiveness of Splenic Artery Embolization versus Splenectomy after Trauma in the Netherlands.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that splenic artery embolization (SAE) is more cost-effective than splenectomy from a societal perspective in the Netherlands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient-level data obtained from the SPLENIQ study were used to populate a health economic model and were supplemented with expert opinion when necessary. Propensity score matching was used to correct for baseline differences in injury severity scores. The health economic model consisted of 3 health states (complications after intervention, SAE failure, and recovery) and a dead state. Model outcomes were incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental costs of SAE over splenectomy. The Dutch health economic guidelines were followed. The model used a lifetime time horizon. Uncertainty was assessed using probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analyses. RESULTS: Patients undergoing SAE had a higher life expectancy than patients undergoing splenectomy. Incremental QALYs were 3.1 (mostly explained by difference in life expectancy), and incremental costs were €34,135 (explained by costs related to medical consumption and lost productivity in additional life years), leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €11,010 per QALY. SAE was considered cost-effective in >95% of iterations using a threshold of €20,000 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS: SAE results in more QALYs than splenectomy. Intervention costs for SAE are lower than that for splenectomy, but medical consumption and productivity costs in later years are higher for SAE due to better survival. SAE was found to be cost-effective compared with splenectomy under appropriate Dutch cost-effectiveness thresholds.

Uterine Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Adenomyosis: Proceedings from a Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation Research Consensus Panel.

Adenomyosis poses an important diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in women's health because of a variety of clinical/imaging presentations and frequent coexistence with other benign gynecologic conditions. In recent years, uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of adenomyosis has shown encouraging and favorable outcomes and long-term symptom improvement. To expand the current understanding of adenomyosis pathophysiology, imaging diagnostic criteria, and treatment outcomes, the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation gathered a multidisciplinary Research Consensus Panel with experts from diverse backgrounds. The topics addressed were centered around the following: (i) the clinical presentation and imaging findings to diagnose adenomyosis; (ii) the currently available medical, interventional, and surgical treatment options; and (iii) existing literature for and experiences with UAE in symptomatic disease. The panel acknowledged that before the pursuit of a clinical trial, it would be necessary to first evaluate the imaging criteria for adenomyosis and correlate them with pathology and symptoms to establish a noninvasive imaging classification system. Second priority was given to the development of a quality of life questionnaire to assess patient outcomes following treatment. The third priority was the performance of a prospective clinical trial comparing UAE with medical therapy, which would help establish UAE in the treatment algorithm and societal guidelines for symptomatic adenomyosis.

Trends in frequency and outcome of high-risk breast lesions at core needle biopsy in women recalled at biennial screening mammography, a multiinstitutional study.

Between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, we studied the incidence, management and outcome of high-risk breast lesions in a consecutive series of 376,519 screens of women who received biennial screening mammography. During the 6-year period covered by the study, the proportion of women who underwent core needle biopsy (CNB) after recall remained fairly stable, ranging from 39.2% to 48.1% (mean: 44.2%, 5,212/11,783), whereas the proportion of high-risk lesions at CNB (i.e., flat epithelial atypia, atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ and papillary lesions) gradually increased from 3.2% (25/775) in 2011 to 9.5% (86/901) in 2016 (p < 0.001). The mean proportion of high-risk lesions at CNB that were subsequently treated with diagnostic surgical excision was 51.4% (169/329) and varied between 41.0% and 64.3% through the years, but the excision rate for high-risk lesions per 1,000 screens and per 100 recalls increased from 0.25 (2011) to 0.70 (2016; p < 0.001) and from 0.81 (2011) to 2.50 (2016; p < 0.001), respectively. The proportion of all diagnostic surgical excisions showing in situ or invasive breast cancer was 29.0% (49/169) and varied from 22.2% (8/36) in 2014 to 38.5% (5/13) in 2011. In conclusion, the proportion of high-risk lesions at CNB tripled in a 6-year period, with a concomitant increased excision rate for these lesions. As the proportion of surgical excisions showing in situ or invasive breast cancer did not increase, a rising number of screened women underwent invasive surgical excision with benign outcome.

Interval breast cancer characteristics before, during and after the transition from screen-film to full-field digital screening mammography.

BACKGROUND: To determine the proportion of "true" interval cancers and tumor characteristics of interval breast cancers prior to, during and after the transition from screen-film mammography screening (SFM) to full-field digital mammography screening (FFDM). METHODS: We included all women with interval cancers detected between January 2006 and January 2014. Breast imaging reports, biopsy results and breast surgery reports of all women recalled at screening mammography and of all women with interval breast cancers were collected. Two experienced screening radiologists reviewed the diagnostic mammograms, on which the interval cancers were diagnosed, as well as the prior screening mammograms and determined whether or not the interval cancer had been missed on the most recent screening mammogram. If not missed, the cancer was considered an occult ("true") interval cancer. RESULTS: A total of 442 interval cancers had been diagnosed, of which 144 at SFM with a prior SFM (SFM-SFM), 159 at FFDM with a prior SFM (FFDM-SFM) and 139 at FFDM with a prior FFDM (FFDM-FFDM). The transition from SFM to FFDM screening resulted in the diagnosis of more occult ("true") interval cancers at FFDM-SFM than at SFM-SFM (65.4% (104/159) versus 49.3% (71/144), P < 0.01), but this increase was no longer statistically significant in women who had been screened digitally for the second time (57.6% (80/139) at FFDM-FFDM versus 49.3% (71/144) at SFM-SFM). Tumor characteristics were comparable for the three interval cancer cohorts, except of a lower porportion (75.7 and 78.0% versus 67.2% af FFDM-FFDM, P < 0.05) of invasive ductal cancers at FFDM with prior FFDM. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the proportion of occult interval cancers is observed during the transition from SFM to FFDM screening mammography. However, this increase seems temporary and is no longer detectable after the second round of digital screening. Tumor characteristics and type of surgery are comparable for interval cancers detected prior to, during and after the transition from SFM to FFDM screening mammography, except of a lower proportion of invasive ductal cancers after the transition.

Uterine Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Adenomyosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effect of uterine artery embolization (UAE) on symptomatic adenomyosis was evaluated in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Four groups were evaluated: short-term (< 12 months) pure adenomyosis, short-term adenomyosis with fibroids (combined adenomyosis), long-term (> 12 months) pure adenomyosis, and long-term combined adenomyosis. Improvement of symptoms occurred in 83.1% (872/1,049) of patients. Reported symptom reduction was 4.8% greater in the short-term combined group (P = .169) and 11.4% greater in the long-term combined group (P = .003). Uterine volume was reduced in all patients at 3 months. The effects of UAE on symptom improvement and uterine volume reduction in patients with adenomyosis are encouraging.

Volumetric MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound versus uterine artery embolisation for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids: comparison of symptom improvement and reintervention rates.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) with that of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for treatment of uterine fibroids. METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2013, 51 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent MR-HIFU. Follow-up and MR imaging were compared to 68 women treated with UAE, who fulfilled eligibility criteria for MR-HIFU - e.g., size (≤ 12 cm) and number (≤ 5) of fibroids. We compared median symptom severity (tSSS), total health-realted quality of life (HRQoL) scores, and reintervention rates. The adjusted effect on symptom relief and HRQoL improvement was calculated using multivariable linear regression. Cox regression was applied to calculate the adjusted risk of reintervention between both treatments. RESULTS: Median tSSS improved significantly from baseline to three-month follow-up (P < 0.001) for both MR-HIFU (53.1 (IQR [40.6-68.8]) to 34.4 (IQR [21.9-46.9]) and UAE (65.3 (IQR [56.3-74.2]) to 21.9 (IQR [9.4-34.4]). In addition, significantly better HRQoL scores were observed after three months (P < 0.001). However, in multivariate analysis, UAE had a stronger effect on symptom relief and HRQoL improvement than MR-HIFU (P < 0.001). Patients treated with MR-HIFU had a 7.1 (95 % CI [2.00-25.3]; P = 0.002) times higher risk of reintervention within 12 months (18/51 vs. 3/68). CONCLUSION: Both MR-HIFU and UAE result in significant symptom relief related to uterine fibroids. However, MR-HIFU is associated with a higher risk of reintervention. KEY POINTS: • This study compared outcomes between volumetric MR-HIFU and UAE for uterine fibroids. • Both MR-HIFU and UAE result in significant symptom relief and quality of life improvement. • UAE had a stronger positive effect on the clinical outcomes. • Reintervention rate after MR-HIFU ablation was significantly higher than after UAE.

Mid-term clinical efficacy of a volumetric magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound technique for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the mid-term efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) using a volumetric ablation technique for treating uterine fibroids. METHODS: Forty-six premenopausal women with 58 symptomatic uterine fibroids were prospectively included for MR-HIFU. After treatment, CE-MRI allowed measurement of the non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio, defined as the non-enhancing part of the fibroid divided by fibroid volume. Clinical symptoms and fibroid size on T2W-MRI were quantified at 3 and 6 months' follow-up. The primary endpoint was a clinically relevant improvement in the transformed Symptom Severity Score (tSSS) of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life questionnaire, defined as a 10-point reduction. RESULTS: Volumetric ablation resulted in a mean NPV ratio of 0.40 ± 0.22, with a mean NPV of 141 ± 135 cm(3). Mean fibroid volume was 353 ± 269 cm(3) at baseline, which decreased to 271 ± 225 cm(3) at 6 months (P < 0.001), corresponding to a mean volume reduction of 29 % ± 20 %. Clinical follow-up showed that 54 % (25/46) of the patients reported a more than 10-point reduction in the tSSS. Mean tSSS improved from 50.9 ± 18.4 at baseline to 34.7 ± 20.2 after 6 months (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Volumetric MR-HIFU is effective for patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids. At 6 months, significant symptom improvement was observed in 54 % of patients. KEY POINTS: • Volumetric MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound is a novel ablation technique for leiomyomatosis. • We prospectively evaluated the outcome of volumetric MR-HIFU ablation for symptomatic fibroids. • This study showed that volumetric MR-HIFU results in an effective treatment. • A randomised controlled trial would set this technique in an appropriate context.

A shift toward endovascular repair for vascular complications in lumbar disc surgery during the last decade.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate 2 patients who underwent endovascular repair directly after acute life-threatening vascular injury complicating lumbar disc surgery, and to update an overview of the literature from 2002 to gain insights into characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of this rare, life-threatening complication. METHODS: PubMed was searched for English language studies on vascular injury (lacerations, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysms) complicating lumbar disc surgery by a posterior approach published from 2002. Two cases from the authors' institute were added to the review. Information on patient characteristics, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and outcomes were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. CASE REPORTS: The first case describes a 54-year-old man who underwent lumbar disc surgery through a posterior approach (L5-S1) and became hypotensive intraoperatively. Angiography revealed an injury of the right internal iliac artery. Bleeding was successfully repaired by endovascular repair (acute balloon occlusion followed by coiling). The second case describes a 51-year-old women who suddenly became hypotensive during L4 through L5 discectomy caused by bleeding from a laceration in the right common iliac artery. Angiography confirmed the diagnosis, and the bleeding was successfully treated through endovascular repair with a covered stent. RESULTS: A total of 56 cases from 34 articles were found in the literature since 2002, including lacerations, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysms. Two cases from the authors' institute were added to the review. Vascular injury was recognized intraoperatively in 36%, and within 24 hours postsurgery in 28%. The common iliac artery was most frequently affected (51%), followed by the iliac vein (23%). All lacerations were detected during surgery, whereas most arteriovenous fistulas and pseudoaneurysms were detected in the long term. Treatment consisted of open surgical repair (57%) or endovascular repair (43%). All patients survived surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Publication bias might play a role in the literature of this area because all cases survived surgery, whereas mortality rates for this condition are high. However, early recognition, diagnosis, and prompt surgical repair are essential to prevent fatal outcomes in vascular injuries complicating lumbar disc surgery. Endovascular repair is a minimally invasive, fast, and efficient treatment modality that is increasingly and preferably used because of its low morbidity and mortality.

Emergency embolization of a massive life-threatening placenta percreta bleeding following delivery by Cesarean section.

The rise in the number of Cesarean sections (CS) worldwide has increased the incidence of the placenta accreta spectrum disorders in the past years. About 5% of patients undergoing a CS develop placenta percreta. A 30-year-old woman, G2P1 with previous uncomplicated CS delivery had an elective CS delivery at 37w6d. The delivery was complicated by a substantial hemorrhage. On emergency laparotomy a placenta percreta was seen in the broad ligament, which could not be removed surgically. Embolization was performed with Gelfoam particles until stasis in the right uterine artery with placement of a coil. Patient discharge was 12 days after intervention. Emergency embolization is an effective treatment in bleeding complications due to placenta percreta at partus.

Predictive Factors for Sustained Pain after (sub)acute Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures. Combined Results from the VERTOS II and VERTOS IV Trial.

PURPOSE: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are treated conservatively or in selected cases with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV). The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to determine predictive factors for a high visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score after conservative, sham or PV and is based on previously published randomized trials. METHODS: The VERTOS II compared conservative versus PV, and VERTOS IV compared sham versus PV treatment. The conservative group received pain medication. The sham and PV group received subcutaneous lidocaine/bupivacaine. In addition, the PV group received cementation, which was simulated in the sham group. Nineteen different predictors of high (≥ 5) versus low (< 5) VAS pain score at 12 months were investigated. RESULTS: 20.7% of patients in the PV group demonstrated a VAS ≥ 5 at the 12-month, compared to 40.1% in the conservative or sham group, with a significant difference (χ2(1) = 15.26, p < 0.0001, OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.59 to 4.15). In the subgroup analysis, we detected five predictors for the risk of high pain scores (VAS ≥ 5 after 12 months follow-up), namely: female, baseline VAS > 8, long-term baseline pain, mild/severe Genant and new fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant more patients had a high pain score at 12 months in the sham and conservative group when compared with the PV group. Five predictors were identified for sustained high local back pain, regardless of the received treatment. Patients with moderate fracture deformity were less likely to have high pain scores at 12 months if they received PV than if they had sham or conservative therapy.

Vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (Vertos II): an open-label randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is increasingly used for treatment of pain in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, but the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and safety of the procedure remain uncertain. We aimed to clarify whether vertebroplasty has additional value compared with optimum pain treatment in patients with acute vertebral fractures. METHODS: Patients were recruited to this open-label prospective randomised trial from the radiology departments of six hospitals in the Netherlands and Belgium. Patients were aged 50 years or older, had vertebral compression fractures on spine radiograph (minimum 15% height loss; level of fracture at Th5 or lower; bone oedema on MRI), with back pain for 6 weeks or less, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 5 or more. Patients were randomly allocated to percutaneous vertebroplasty or conservative treatment by computer-generated randomisation codes with a block size of six. Masking was not possible for participants, physicians, and outcome assessors. The primary outcome was pain relief at 1 month and 1 year as measured by VAS score. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00232466. FINDINGS: Between Oct 1, 2005, and June 30, 2008, we identified 431 patients who were eligible for randomisation. 229 (53%) patients had spontaneous pain relief during assessment, and 202 patients with persistent pain were randomly allocated to treatment (101 vertebroplasty, 101 conservative treatment). Vertebroplasty resulted in greater pain relief than did conservative treatment; difference in mean VAS score between baseline and 1 month was -5·2 (95% CI -5·88 to -4·72) after vertebroplasty and -2·7 (-3·22 to -1·98) after conservative treatment, and between baseline and 1 year was -5·7 (-6·22 to -4·98) after vertebroplasty and -3·7 (-4·35 to -3·05) after conservative treatment. The difference between groups in reduction of mean VAS score from baseline was 2·6 (95% CI 1·74-3·37, p<0·0001) at 1 month and 2·0 (1·13-2·80, p<0·0001) at 1 year. No serious complications or adverse events were reported. INTERPRETATION: In a subgroup of patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and persistent pain, percutaneous vertebroplasty is effective and safe. Pain relief after vertebroplasty is immediate, is sustained for at least a year, and is significantly greater than that achieved with conservative treatment, at an acceptable cost. FUNDING: ZonMw; COOK Medical.

Postprocedural CT for perivertebral cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty is not necessary--results from VERTOS II.

INTRODUCTION: During percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV), perivertebral cement leakage frequently occurs. There is some concern that cement deposits may migrate towards the lungs via the veins during follow-up. We used baseline and follow-up computed tomography (CT) to assess the incidence and extend of late cement migration in a large consecutive patient cohort. METHODS: VERTOS II is a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing PV with conservative therapy for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). Patients assigned to PV had baseline postprocedural CT scans of the treated vertebral bodies. After a mean follow-up of 22 months, 54 of 78 patients (69%) had follow-up CT. CT scans were analyzed and compared for perivertebral venous, discal, and soft tissue leakage. RESULTS: Perivertebral cement leakage occurred in 64 of 80 treated vertebrae (80%; 95% CI, 70% to 87%). All patients remained asymptomatic. Perivertebral venous leakage was present in 56 vertebrae (88%), mostly in the anterior external venous plexus (46 of 56, 82%). Discal leakage occurred in 22 of 64 vertebrae (34%) and soft tissue leakage in two of 64 (4%). Mean injected cement volume in vertebrae with leakage was higher (4.5 versus 3.7 cm(3), p = 0.04). Follow-up CT scan showed unchanged perivertebral cement leakages without late cement migration. CONCLUSION: Perivertebral cement leaks during PV for OVCFs occurred frequently in the VERTOS II trial. Cement leakage occurred more frequently with higher injected volumes. However, all patients remained asymptomatic, and late cement migration during follow-up did not occur. Standard postprocedural CT of the treated vertebral body in PV is not necessary.

Is an intrauterine device a contraindication for uterine artery embolization? A study of 20 patients.

The presence of an intrauterine device (IUD) has been traditionally considered a risk factor for postprocedural infection in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization (UAE). The authors retrospectively evaluated the occurrence of infectious complications following embolization in 20 women with IUDs. After a mean follow-up of 20.5 months, none of the patients developed an infectious complication. One patient required hysterectomy following embolization for persistent pain. Pathologic evaluation of the hysterectomy specimen demonstrated ischemia without evidence of inflammation. This experience suggests that the presence of an IUD might not be considered a contraindication for UAE.

Embolization of uterine leiomyomas with polyzene F-coated hydrogel microspheres: initial experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of Polyzene F-coated hydrogel microspheres for uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2006 and August 2008, 86 nonconsecutive premenopausal women (mean age, 43.9 years; median, 44 y; range, 28-54 y) were treated with UAE. Calibrated microspheres of 500, 700, and 900 µm, alone or in combination, were used as embolic agents. Change in uterine and tumor volume and tumor infarction rate during follow-up were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical follow-up was evaluated by the Uterine Fibroid Severity and Quality Of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire at baseline, 3 months, and last follow-up in November 2008. RESULTS: At 3 months, mean volume reductions of the dominant leiomyoma and uterus were 45% and 42%, respectively, and complete infarction of the dominant leiomyoma was achieved in 69 patients (80%). Complete infarction of the overall tumor burden was achieved in 52 patients (60%). Infarction rates of the dominant tumor and overall tumor burden were more than 90% in 81 patients (94%) and 79 patients (91%), respectively. During follow-up, permanent amenorrhea developed in seven women (8.1%). Four women (4.7%) had additional therapy after UAE; three had a hysterectomy and one had a second embolization. The UFS-QOL showed significant improvement in symptom severity and quality of life after 3 months that continued to improve at last follow-up (mean, 12.8 months). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, Polyzene F-coated hydrogel microspheres for UAE resulted in good dominant and overall tumor infarction in most patients, with corresponding improvement of symptoms. Determining optimal sizing of the material and comparing outcomes versus those of other embolic agents requires additional study.

Clinical course of pain in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

PURPOSE: The authors prospectively determined the natural course of pain in patients with conservatively treated acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF). In addition, the type of conservative therapy that these patients received was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients older than 50 years, referred for spine radiography for acute back pain, were asked to complete a baseline clinical questionnaire. Patients with an acute VCF were followed up at 6 and 23 months with a questionnaire that included a Visual Analog Score (VAS) and type of pain medication and other conservative treatment. Significant pain relief was defined as a decrease in VAS of 50% or more. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (mean age, 78 years; range, 51-95) with acute VCF were followed up for almost 2 years. Significant pain relief was noted in 22 of 35 patients (63%) at 6 months and in 25 of 36 (69%) at 23 months. In patients with persisting pain at 23 months (mean VAS 6.4), some decrease in VAS was apparent at 6 months but not in the 6-23 months interval. No predictors for significant pain relief could be identified. Patients with significant pain relief used less pain medication and had less physical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In most patients with an acute VCF, pain decreases significantly with conservative therapy, predominantly in the first 6 months. However, almost 2 years after an acute VCF, a third of patients still had severe pain necessitating pain medication and physical therapy in the majority. No predictors for transition from acute to chronic pain could be identified.

The evidentiary basis of vertebral augmentation: a 2019 update.

No aspect of neurointerventional practice has been associated with as longstanding contention and debate as to its effectiveness as has vertebroplasty (VP). Four blinded randomized controlled trials published since 2009 have demonstrated conflicting results regarding a conferred benefit in pain reduction and functional improvement for patients who undergo VP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Significant heterogeneity exists between each of these trials, which has resulted in difficulty for interventionalists and surgeons to translate the trial findings into routine clinical practice. In addition, patients and their families are ever more enlightened and enabled via the internet and social media to review both medical literature and websites. Without the proper background and context, their decisions may be lacking appropriate and necessary scientific discussion. This review article summarizes the randomized controlled trial data to date, with particular focus on the aforementioned four blinded studies. We will also evaluate the profound impact of the decrease in vertebral augmentation utilization on short- and long-term patient morbidity and mortality using available national and administrative datasets from both within the USA and internationally. We also consider future trial design to help evaluate this procedure and determine its role in modern neurointerventional practice.

Safety and effectiveness of uterine artery embolization in patients with pedunculated fibroids.

PURPOSE: To assess complications and outcomes of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with pedunculated fibroids in a large single-center patient cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a database with prospectively collected data from 716 women treated with UAE between 1996 and 2008, 29 women were identified with 31 pedunculated fibroids. Magnetic resonance images obtained before and 3 months after UAE were used to calculate stalk diameter change and volume reduction of both the pedunculated fibroid and uterus. Two observers assessed the overall percentage infarction and infarction of pedunculated fibroid. Complications were recorded and long-term clinical follow-up (mean, 33 months; range, 10-78 months) assessed with use of a questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean reduction in uterine and pedunculated fibroid volume was 37% and 33%, respectively. The mean reduction in stalk diameter was 0.3 cm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18, 0.52 cm) or 13% from initial mean diameter. Stalk enhancement was not affected by UAE. The mean pedunculated fibroid infarction and mean overall infarction rates were 87% and 92%, respectively, for observer 1 and 88% and 92% for observer 2, with good interobserver variability. All women returned the questionnaire and no early or late complications of UAE were reported (0%; 95% CI: 0.0%-13.9%). CONCLUSIONS: In this small series of pedunculated subserosal fibroids treated with UAE, no complications occurred. The findings suggest that the use of UAE to treat pedunculated subserosal fibroids may be safe and effective.

Ultrasonography and clinical observation in women with suspected acute appendicitis: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the role of ultrasonography (US) and clinical observation in non-pregnant women of reproductive age with suspected appendicitis. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, US was performed in 234 women with suspected appendicitis. Based on US findings and clinical assessment, 3 patient categories were established. Group A: unequivocal signs--laparoscopy (regardless of US results); group B: equivocalsigns--positive US--laparoscopy; group C: equivocal signs--negative US--observation. US results were compared with surgery, observation and follow-up as the reference standard. RESULTS: The percentages of macroscopically infected appendices at laparoscopy in groups A, B and C were 76, 55 and 5%, respectively. Group A: US was false negative in 27 of 128 women (21%) and false positive in 12 of 40 women (30%). Group B plus C: US was false negative in 3 of 9 women (33%) and false positive in 5 of 57 women (9%). Forty-six of 55 patients (84%) completed observation. CONCLUSION: Because of a high false-negative rate, US as a sole imaging tool is of limited value both in women with unequivocal and equivocal signs of appendicitis. Observation is safe in women with equivocal signs of appendicitis.

Uterine artery embolisation in women with symptomatic adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is frequently called the "forgotten" diagnosis, because of its non-characteristic clinical appearance. Similar to fibroid symptoms, adenomyosis may be the cause of disabling symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, in particular pain (abdominal-, pelvic-, low back- and menstrual pain), with or without bulk related symptoms and fertility issues in premenopausal women. The current literature demonstrates durable symptom improvement in patients with adenomyosis following uterine artery embolisation. It is no longer justified to withhold women the option of uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic adenomyosis with or without fibroids.