Pediatric lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization and thoracic duct disruption: a single-institution experience in 11 children with chylothorax.

BACKGROUND: Interventional radiology treatment of chylothorax is well described in adults, with high technical and clinical success that decreases patient morbidity and mortality. However there is limited experience in children. OBJECTIVE: To report the technical and clinical success of lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization and thoracic duct disruption in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 11 pediatric patients (7 boys, 4 girls; median weight 6.0 kg) who underwent lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization from November 2015 to May 2017. All 11 (100%) children presented with chylothorax, with 1 (9%) having concomitant chylous ascites and 1 (9%) having concomitant chylopericardium. Ten (91%) children had traumatic chylothorax and one (9%) had congenital chylothorax. We recorded technical success, clinical success and complications. RESULTS: Twelve procedures were completed in 11 children. Bilateral intranodal lymphangiography was technically successful in all (100%) patients. Central lymphatics were visualized in eight (67%) procedures. Access to central lymphatics was attempted in eight procedures and successful in five (63%). In three (37%) of the eight procedures, disruption was performed when the central lymphatics could not be accessed. Clinical success was achieved in 7/11 (64%) children. Three minor complications were reported. No major complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization and thoracic duct disruption are successful interventional strategies in children with chylothorax and should be considered as viable treatment options at any age.

Quality improvement guidelines for pediatric abscess and fluid drainage.

Image-guided drainage of abscesses and fluid collections is a valuable tool in the treatment of pediatric patients. It may obviate surgery or optimize the child's clinical condition for subsequent surgery. Compared with adults, several differences exist in terms of etiology, risks (especially radiation exposure), preprocedural imaging and planning, technical considerations, support issues such as sedation, and complications. Knowledge of these differences is important in the planning and treatment of these patients. In addition, a quality improvement plan can be used to assess practice performance.

Renal artery interventions during infrarenal endovascular aortic repair: a greater potential of subsequent failure?

PURPOSE: To determine the anatomic and functional outcomes of renal artery interventions during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and compare them with renal artery interventions without EVAR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A renal artery revascularization database (1987-2007) was reviewed to identify patients who underwent renal intervention during EVAR and those who had an intervention in the absence of EVAR. Outcomes were analyzed with respect to patient comorbidities, renal anatomy and function, procedural events, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 413 patients (239 men; 58%) underwent 589 renal artery revascularizations (51 with EVAR and 362 without). Mean age was 70 years +/- 10. Mean follow-up was 3.5 years (range, 1-13 y). Primary indications for renal intervention were hypertension (63%) and elevated creatinine level (27%). The EVAR group was more likely to incur an increased creatinine level at 1 month after intervention (33% vs 18%; P = .007). Freedom from restenosis was similar (P = .501), but arterial occlusion rate was higher in the EVAR group (96% +/- 3% vs 100% +/- 10% cumulative patency at 3 y; P = .005). At 3 years, freedom from recurrent symptoms (P = .26), freedom from adverse renal events (P = .12), and survival (85% +/- 8% vs 75% +/- 2%; P = .83) were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Renal artery revascularization during EVAR should be considered higher risk because of the high incidence of procedural complications, early functional injury, and early occlusion rates. However, the long-term sequelae and benefits of such a procedure are similar to those of a renal revascularization procedure in the absence of EVAR.

Outcomes of endoluminal reintervention for restenosis after percutaneous renal angioplasty and stenting.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy for symptomatic atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is common but is associated with a significant restenosis rate. This study evaluates the outcomes of percutaneous endoluminal therapy for symptomatic restenosis (>50% on angiography) after renal intervention. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of records from patients who underwent endovascular intervention for ARAS and were followed by duplex ultrasound scan between January 1990 and January 2008. Clinical benefit defined as freedom from recurrent hypertension or renal-related morbidity (increase in persistent creatinine >20% of baseline, progression to hemodialysis, death from renal-related causes), anatomic patency, restenosis, and patient survival were measured. RESULTS: A total of 447 patients underwent 619 renal artery interventions. A total of 80 vessels restenosed with an actuarial restenosis rate of 19% at 5 years. Of these restenoses, 65 (81%) were associated with recurrent symptoms (recurrent hypertension 84%, or continuing deterioration in renal function 16%). Fifty-five (85%) underwent repeat angioplasty and 10 underwent bypass surgery. The remainder was observed. The 55 percutaneous interventions were performed in 51 patients (61% female, average age 62 years, range, 51-85). A total of 73% had metabolic syndrome, 58% had hyperlipidemia, and 51% were considered diabetic; all of them had primary stenting during their first procedure. There was a 4% technical failure rate in both groups. In the restenosis group, the presence of stent was associated with a 9% technical failure rate, while in the absence of a stent the technical failure rate was only 3% (P < .05). At 5 years, outcomes were equivalent between the primary and recurrent groups for survival (76 +/- 2% vs 75 +/- 8%, primary vs recurrent), cumulative patency (82 +/- 3% vs 70 +/- 10%), freedom from restenosis (81 +/- 3% vs 81 +/- 9%), and retained clinical benefit (44 +/- 4% vs 46 +/- 10%). By Cox proportional hazards and multivariate analysis, administration of statins were associated with freedom from restenosis in the recurrent lesions. Statins, contralateral kidney size (>9 cm) and a >/=20% improvement in baseline creatinine with 3 months were associated with freedom from recurrent symptoms. Restenosis after therapy in recurrent lesions was significantly correlated with recurrent symptoms (Spearman r = 0.4614, P < .0004). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous reintervention for renal artery restenosis is safe and effective with equivalent outcomes to primary intervention. The patients are more likely to present with recurrent hypertension and be younger and of female gender than patients presenting for primary intervention. Functional outcomes after reintervention are equivalent to primary intervention.

Metabolic syndrome: A predictor of adverse outcomes after carotid revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly increasing in prevalence and is associated with carotid plaque development and is a risk factor for stroke. The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes for patients with MetS after carotid revascularization (carotid endarterectomy [CEA] and carotid stenting [CAS]). METHODS: A database of patients undergoing carotid revascularization for primary atherosclerotic lesions was queried from 1996 to 2006. MetS was defined as the presence of >or=3 of the following criteria: blood pressure >or=130 mm Hg/>or=90 mm Hg; Triglycerides >or=150 mg/dL; high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or=110 mg/dL; or Body Mass Index (BMI) >or=30 kg/m(2). Multivariate and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to outcomes. The average follow-up period was 4.5 years. A major adverse event (MAE) was defined as the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or death. RESULTS: A total of 921 patients (mean age: 71 +/- 10 years; 64% male) underwent 750 CEAs and 171 CAS. Thirty-one percent were identified as having MetS, 48% were asymptomatic, 87% had hypertension, 27% had hyperlipidemia, 32% were considered diabetic, and 14% had chronic renal insufficiency. The morbidity and mortality rates for all patients were 16.9% and 1.1%, respectively. The 30-day combined stroke/death rate was 3.6%. The 30-day MAE rates were: 6.7% vs 3.3% for MetS vs No-MetS (P = .02). The 90-day MAE rates were 8.7% vs 4.9% for MetS vs No-MetS (P = .03). MetS patients were more likely to experience a complication than No-MetS patients (23% vs 14%, P = .001). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was no difference between MetS and No-MetS patients with respect to patency, restenosis, re-intervention, or survival, but a difference existed for freedom from stroke, MI, and MAE. The difference between stroke rates was maintained between MetS and No-MetS, when subgrouped by those with and without symptoms. For patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), those with MetS had a 68% and 410% higher risk of developing an MAE and MI, respectively. However, for patients without diabetes, MetS was not significantly associated with MAE, stroke, or MI. No factors were found to be significantly associated with risk of stroke in all cases (in all patients, patients with diabetes, and patients without diabetes). CONCLUSION: MetS is prevalent among patients undergoing carotid revascularization. MetS patients are at a greater risk for perioperative morbidity as well as stroke, MI, and MAE during follow-up when compared to patients without MetS. Long-term stroke prevention is poor in the presence of MetS. MetS should be considered a significant risk factor for patients undergoing carotid revascularization.

Lymphatic interventions for isolated, iatrogenic chylous ascites: A multi-institution experience.

OBJECTIVES: Lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization are established treatments for post-surgical chylothorax. There is only limited experience in their application to treat post-surgical chylous ascites. A multi-center analysis of the technical and clinical success of lymphangiography and lymphatic interventions in the treatment of isolated, iatrogenic chylous ascites is reported. METHODS: 21 patients (14 males; 7 females) aged 3-84 years (mean 56.9 years; median 63 years) were treated for isolated, iatrogenic chylous ascites between August 2012 and January 2018. Initial referrals occurred between 5-330 days (mean 72.7 days; median 40 days) after failing conservative therapy. Daily leak volumes ranged from 100 to 3000 mL. Lymphangiographic findings, techniques, clinical outcomes, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: 21 patients underwent 29 procedures. Seven patients underwent multiple procedures after chylous ascites persisted. Bilateral nodal lymphangiography (NL) was technically successful in all (100%) patients. Lymphangiography identified a leak in 14/21 (67%) patients and in 16/29 procedures (55%). Ten procedures (34%) consisted of NL alone and one (3.4%) consisted of NL combined with lymphatic disruption (LD). Six procedures (21%) consisted of nodal glue embolization (NGE) while nine procedures (31%) were catheter-based lymphatic embolization. Three separate patients underwent three procedures (10%) consisting of balloon-occluded retrograde abdominal lymphatic embolization. Clinical success, defined as no additional drainage of chylous ascites at 15 days, was ultimately achieved in 18/21 patients (86%). There were no major or minor complications. CONCLUSION: Lymphatic interventions can successfully treat post-surgical chylous ascites. Given the low risk of procedural complication, early intervention is encouraged.

Erratum: Pediatric Portal Interventions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1642043.].

Fibrillar collagen injection for organ protection during thermal ablation of hepatic malignancies.

Percutaneous image-guided ablation is performed throughout many areas of the body for various pathologies including hepatic malignancies. Heat and cold-based ablative technologies are effective and well-tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. However, ablative therapies may be technically more challenging and cause collateral thermal injury if the targeted lesion is adjacent to critical organs. Previously, techniques including artificial ascites and pneumoperitoneum have been utilized to displace or insulate critical structures from the ablation zone. This technical innovation describes (10-30 mL) fibrillar collagen dissolved in fluid as a focal thermal insulation technique. Small volume fibrillar collagen instillation, and thermal ablation were technically successful in three cases without complication. Clinical follow-up and 3-month imaging confirmed complete ablation of all hepatic malignancies without collateral injury.

Prone Transradial Catheterization for Combined Single-Session Transarterial Embolization and Percutaneous Posterior Approach Cryoablation of Solid Neoplasms.

Transradial access (TRA) has been associated with improved post-procedure hemostasis and patient satisfaction, and decreased hemorrhagic complications, sedation requirements, recovery times, and procedure-related costs when compared with traditional transfemoral catheterization. Supine TRA has been described for the treatment of myocardial infarctions, aortoiliac and femoropopliteal stenoses, and a variety of neoplasms. This original research describes prone transradial catheterization to facilitate combined single-session transarterial embolization and percutaneous cryoablation of solid neoplasms from a posterior approach without repositioning. Prone TRA access, transarterial embolization, and percutaneous cryoablation were successful in all cases described. Mean procedure time was 210 min (range: 140-250 min). One minor complication, transient bacteremia which responded to antibiotics, was reported. No major complications occurred.