Recanalization of portal vein thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation: Efficacy and safety of the transsplenic access.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular management of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is challenging. Transsplenic access (TSA) is growing as an access option to the portal system but with higher rates of bleeding complications. The aim of this article is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transsplenic portal vein recanalization (PVR) using a metallic stent after pediatric liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 15 patients with chronic PVT who underwent PVR via TSA between February 2016 and December 2020. Two children who had undergone catheterization of a mesenteric vein tributary by minilaparotomy were excluded from the patency analysis but included in the splenic access analysis. The technical and clinical success of PVR and complications related to the procedure via TSA were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirteen children with PVT were treated primarily using the TSA. The mean age was 4.1 years (range, 1.5-13.7 years), and the most common clinical presentation was hypersplenism (60%). Technically successful PVR was performed in 11/13 (84.6%) children, and clinical success was achieved in 9/11 (81.8%) children. No major complications were observed, and one child presented moderate pain in the TSA (from a total of 17 TSA). The median follow-up was 48.2 months. The median primary patency was 9.9 months. Primary patency in the first 4 years was 75%, and primary assisted patency was 100% in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Transsplenic PVR is a safe and effective method for the treatment of PVT after pediatric liver transplantation.

Prostatic Artery Embolization Using Polyethylene Glycol Microspheres: A 1-Year Follow-up Prospective Study Including 30 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) using polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres in patients with moderate-to-severe benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, prospective study of 30 patients who underwent PAE from August 2020 to December 2021 using PEG 400-µm microspheres was conducted. Patient evaluation data using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual volume (PVR), and prostate volume (PV) at baseline and 3 and 12 months after PAE were obtained. RESULTS: Bilateral PAE was performed in all patients. One patient had early clinical failure (3.3%) and another presented with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) recurrence (3.3%) at the 12-month follow-up. Twenty-eight patients (93.3%) experienced significant and durable LUTS improvement. Mean absolute (and relative) improvement at 3 and 12 months were: IPSS, 14.6 points (-69%) for both; QoL, 3.3 points (-70%) and 3.5 points (-74%); Qmax, 6.3 mL/s (+78%) and 8.6 mL/s (+100%); PSA reduction, 1.2 ng/mL (-22%) and 1.0 ng/mL (-15%); PVR reduction, 48 mL (-56%) and 58.2 mL (-49%); PV reduction, 23.4 cm3 (-29%) and 19.6cm3 (-25%); (P < .05 for all). No major adverse events were observed. Minor adverse events included urinary tract infection (4/30, 13.3%), prostatic tissue elimination (3/30, 10%), penile punctiform ulcer (1/30, 3.3%), and urinary retention (1/30, 3.3%). CONCLUSIONS: PAE using PEG microspheres was observed to be effective with sustained LUTS improvement at the 12-month follow-up. The incidence of urinary infection and prostatic tissue elimination was higher than previously reported for other embolics.

Life-threatening variceal bleeding after liver transplantation and extensive portal vein thrombosis: Desperate times call for desperate measures.

BACKGROUND: The management of complex, intra- and extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after liver transplantation (LT) is challenging. Although most of the patients remain asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic in the chronic setting, some of them may develop severe portal hypertension and related complications, notably gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. In the emergency scenario, clinical and endoscopic treatments as well as intensive support constitute the bases of conservative management, while more definitive treatment options such as surgical shunting and retransplantation are related to high morbidity rates. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was largely considered of limited role due to technical difficulties arising from extensive PVT. Recently, however, new minimally invasive image-guided techniques emerged, allowing portal vein recanalization and TIPS creation simultaneously (TIPS-PVR), even in complex PVT pretransplant patients. METHODS: Herein, we describe a novel indication for TIPS-PVR in a post-LT adolescent presenting with life-threatening, refractory GI bleeding. RESULTS: The patient presented with complete resolution of the hemorrhagic condition after the procedure, with no deterioration of hepatic function or hepatic encephalopathy. Follow-up Doppler ultrasound after TIPS-PVR showed normal hepatopetal venous flow within the stents, and no evidence of complications, including intraperitoneal or peri splenic bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the feasibility of TIPS-PVR in the post-LT scenario complicated by extensive PVT. In this case, a complete resolution of the life-threatening GI bleeding was achieved, with no major complications. Other patients with complex chronic PVT might benefit from the use of the described technique, but further studies are required to determine the correct timing and indications of the procedure, eventually before the occurrence of life-threatening complications.

Role of Ultrasound Elastography in Patient Selection for Prostatic Artery Embolization.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) on prostate elasticity as assessed using ultrasound elastography (US-E) and to describe baseline US-E's potential role in patient selection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective investigation that included 20 patients undergoing PAE to treat lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). US-E with measurement of the prostatic elastic modulus (EM) and shear wave velocity (SWV) was performed before PAE and at 1-month follow-up. Baseline, 3-month, and 1-year follow-up evaluations included prostate-specific antigen, uroflowmetry, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical assessment using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) metrics. RESULTS: Seventeen patients entered statistical analysis. US-E showed a significant reduction in mean prostatic EM (34.4 kPa vs 46.3 kPa, -24.7%, P < .0001) and SWV (3.55 m/s vs 4.46 m/s, -20.0%, P < .0001) after PAE. There were moderate positive correlations between baseline EM and 1-year IPSS (R = 0.62, P = .007) and between baseline SWV and 1-year IPSS (R = 0.68, P = .002). Baseline SWV ≥ 5.59 m/s and baseline EM ≥ 50.14 kPa were associated with suboptimal IPSS and QoL outcomes after PAE with high degrees of sensitivity (100%) and specificity (69-100%). CONCLUSIONS: PAE led to a positive effect on the BPH dynamic component related to prostatic elasticity. There was a moderate positive correlation between baseline prostatic elastographic parameters and 12-month IPSS. Measurement of baseline elastographic characteristics may become useful for the evaluation and selection of patients for PAE.

Prostatic Artery Embolization: Indications, Preparation, Techniques, Imaging Evaluation, Reporting, and Complications.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous growth of the transitional zone of the prostate, which surrounds the prostatic urethra. Consequently, it can cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and bladder outlet obstruction symptoms that may substantially reduce a patient's quality of life. Several treatments are available for BPH, including medications such as α-blockers and 5α-reductase inhibitors and surgical options including transurethral resection of the prostate and prostatectomy. Recently, prostatic artery embolization (PAE) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for selected men with BPH and moderate to severe LUTS. Adequate pre- and postprocedural evaluations with clinical examinations and questionnaires, laboratory tests, and urodynamic and imaging examinations (particularly US, MRI, and CT) are of key importance to achieve successful treatment. Considering that the use of PAE has been increasing in tertiary hospital facilities, radiologists and interventional radiologists should be aware of the main technical concepts of PAE and the key features to address in imaging reports in pre- and postprocedural settings. An invited commentary by Lopera is available online. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.

Prostatic Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: 10 Years' Experience.

Background Long-term experience with prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for benign prostatic hyperplasia remains limited. Purpose To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term results of PAE for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Materials and Methods This retrospective single-center study was conducted from June 2008 to June 2018 in patients with moderate to severe benign prostatic hyperplasia-related symptoms. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality-of-life score, maximum urinary flow rate, postvoid residual volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and prostate volume were assessed. PAE was performed with 100-500-µm embolic microspheres. Mixed-model analysis of variance and Kaplan-Meyer method was accessed, as appropriate. Results A total of 317 consecutive men (mean age ± standard deviation, 65 years ± 8) were treated. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 96 months (mean, 27 months). Bilateral and unilateral PAE was performed in 298 (94%) and 19 (6%) men, respectively. Early clinical failure occurred in six (1.9%) and symptom recurrence in 72 (23%) men at a median follow-up of 72 months. Mean maximum improvement was as follows: IPSS, 16 points ± 7; quality-of-life score, 4 points ± 1; prostatic volume reduction, 39 cm3 ± 39 (39% ± 29); maximum urinary flow rate, 6 mL/sec ± 10 (155% ± 293); and postvoid residual volume, 70 mL ± 121 (48% ± 81) (P < .05 for all). Unilateral PAE was associated with higher recurrence (42% vs 21%; P = .04). Baseline PSA was inversely related with recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.9 per nanograms per milliliter of PSA; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8, 0.9; P < .001). Embolization with combined particle sizes (100-500 µm) did not relate to symptom recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.1 for 100-500-µm group vs 300-500-µm group and hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.5 for 100-500-µm group vs 100-300-µm group; P = .19).None of the patients presented with urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Conclusion Prostatic artery embolization was a safe and effective procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia with good long-term results for lower urinary tract symptoms. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Evaluation of Morphological and Clinical Factors Related to Failure of Percutaneous Treatment with Thrombin Injection of Femoral Pseudoaneurysms from Cardiac Catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) has become the method of choice in the treatment of pseudoaneurysm caused by endovascular procedures because it is minimally invasive, costs less, and effective, with short hospitalization time. The objective was identify the morphological aspects of femoral pseudoaneurysms and clinical aspects of patients that may lead to the failure of UGTI in femoral pseudoaneurysms after cardiac catheterization. POPULATION AND METHOD: From December 2012 to December 2016, 60 patients with pseudoaneurysms caused by cardiac catheterization were referred to the interventional radiology unit to be treated with UGTI. Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed for comorbidities, use of antiplatelet agents, anticoagulation, indication of cardiac catheterization, and so forth. Morphological aspects of the pseudoaneurysms such as volume, diameter (anteroposterior, laterolateral, and longitudinal), length, and diameter of the neck were analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success of UGTI was achieved in 100%. No clinical aspects of the patients were statistically significant for UGTI failure in occlusion of the pseudoaneurysms. For morphological aspects of pseudoaneurysm: anteroposterior (P = 0.029), longitudinal (P = 0.020), and neck diameters (P = 0.004) were statistically significant for UGTI failure. Logistic regression analysis for longitudinal diameter showed that for each centimeter, there was a 2.66 chance of failure of pseudoaneurysm thrombosis in a single thrombin injection session (95% confidence interval: 1.33-5.30). For longitudinal and neck diameters greater than 1.8 cm and 0.55 cm, respectively, there is a greater probability of needing more than one UGTI session for complete thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Among variables, the longitudinal dimension was more significant, and in a larger diameter, the treatment with thrombin injection presented greater complexity.

Outcomes of endovascular treatment of renal arterial stenosis in transplanted kidneys.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of endovascular treatment of TRAS with PTA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched our prospectively collected database looking at cases of TRAS between January 2005-December 2011. CCT was the gold-standart for diagnosis of TRAS. Parameters analysed comprised technical aspects, arterial blood pressure variation, and renal function. A minimum follow-up of 24 months was considered. RESULTS: Of the 2221 renal transplants performed in the selected period, 22 (0.9%) patients were identifi ed with TRAS. Fourteen (63.6%) were male and mean age was 377±14.8years (12-69). Kidney graft was from deceased donnors in 20 (80%) cases. On doppler evaluation, mean blood fl ow speed after transplantation, at TRAS diagnosis and after TAP was 210.6±99.5, 417±122.7 and 182.5±81.6mL/sec, respectively (p<0.001). For SBP and DBP, there was a signifi cant difference between between preintervention and all post-treatment time points (p<0.001). After 1 month of the procedure, there was stabilization of the Cr level with a signifi cant difference between mean Cr levels along time (p<0.001). After a mean follow-up of 16±4.2 (3-24) months, overall success rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment with PTA/stenting is a safe and effective option for managing TRAS, ensuring the functionality of the graft and normalization of blood pressure and renal function.

Role of Urodynamic Studies in Management of Benign Prostatic Obstruction: A Guide for Interventional Radiologists.

Urodynamic testing is the most accurate representation of bladder outlet obstruction physiology. As prostate artery embolization becomes an increasingly common therapy for benign prostatic obstruction, knowledge of urodynamic assessment and reports can assist the interventional radiologist in selecting appropriate patients. This review summarizes the role of urodynamic studies in the management of benign prostatic obstruction, including patient selection, interpretation of urodynamic studies, and their potential to predict patient outcomes.

Pediatric Liver Transplant: Techniques and Complications.

Liver transplant is considered to be the last-resort treatment approach for pediatric patients with end-stage liver disease. Despite the remarkable advance in survival rates, liver transplant remains an intricate surgery with significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of complications is crucial for patient survival but is challenging given the lack of specificity in clinical presentation. Knowledge of the liver and vascular anatomy of the donor and the recipient or recipients before surgery is also important to avoid complications. In this framework, radiologists play a pivotal role on the multidisciplinary team in both pre- and postoperative scenarios by providing a road map to guide the surgery and by assisting in diagnosis of complications. The most common complications after liver transplant are (a) vascular, including the hepatic artery, portal vein, hepatic veins, and inferior vena cava; (b) biliary; (c) parenchymal; (d) perihepatic; and (e) neoplastic. The authors review surgical techniques, the role of each imaging modality, normal posttransplant imaging features, types of complications after liver transplant, and information required in the radiology report that is critical to patient care. They present an algorithm for an imaging approach for pediatric patients after liver transplant and describe key points that should be included in radiologic reports in the pre- and postoperative settings. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2017.

Tracheoinnominate Fistula: Endovascular Treatment with a Stent Graft in a 4-Year-Old Child.

A 4-year-old boy presented with acute and profuse bleeding at the tracheostomy site. An emergency angiography was performed and identified a pseudoaneurysm at the innominate artery. A selective catheterization of the artery was executed and 2 Advanta V12 balloon-expandable covered stents were implanted in an overlapping manner to occlude the pseudoaneurysm. Final angiography demonstrated patency of the innominate artery and no signs of bleeding. The patient had no postoperative complications and no further bleeding during follow-up. A contrasted computed tomography scan was performed after 20 days and demonstrated no signs of pseudoaneurysm or bleeding. After 4 months, the patient was readmitted to tracheal dilatation and change of T-tube and died of respiratory complications.

Retrograde Proximal Anterior Tibial Artery Access for Treating Femoropopliteal Segment Occlusion: A Novel Approach.

Some challenges have been detected when there are long and complex lesions of femoropopliteal arterial occlusive disease, even with descriptions of the retrograde pedal approaches. The aim of this article is to describe the retrograde proximal anterior tibial artery access for treatment of femoropopliteal segment occlusion when antegrade recanalization failed (retrograde recanalization and rearranging the system into an antegrade position). Technical and clinical success was achieved in 100% of 4 cases, with an improvement of at least 2 Rutherford classes. Minor complication, small hematoma in an anterior compartment of the limb, occurred in 1 patient. No sign of compartmental syndrome was observed.

Malignant paraganglioma in children treated with embolization prior to surgical excision.

BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas (PGL) are rare tumors derived from neural crest cells, whose origins may vary along the chain of the sympathetic nervous system. Such tumors are often characterized by secretion of catecholamines, but sometimes they are biochemically inactive, which makes diagnosis often challenging. Malignant paraganglioma is defined by the presence of this tumor at sites where chromaffin cells are usually not found or by local invasion of the primary tumor. Recurrence, either regional or metastatic, usually occurs within 5 years of the initial complete resection but long-term recurrence is also described. Malignancy is often linked to a SDHB mutation. Preoperative embolization has been applied in the surgical management of PGLs with the objective to decrease intra-operative blood loss and surgery length without complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report two cases of patients with abdominal or pelvic malignant PGLs who have been treated surgically at our center after preoperative embolization. Surgery was a very challenging procedure with multiple surgical teams involved and embolization did not prevent major blood loss and intraoperative complications. Patients required adjuvant treatment with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Many studies in the adult population have established recommendations for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of PGL, but few studies concern the pediatric population. Because malignant PGL is more important in the pediatric population, screening and early diagnosis of PGL is advisable in children with genetic predisposing. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, but a multimodal approach is often required due to the complexity of cases.  The role of preoperative embolization is not established and in our experience it has provided little benefit and major complications.

Prostatic artery embolization for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with prostates > 90 g: a prospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: To describe the safety and efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) with spherical microparticles to treat lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with prostate volume > 90 g. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, single-center, single-arm study was conducted in 35 patients with prostate volumes ranging from 90-252 g. Mean patient age was 64.8 years (range, 53-77 y). Magnetic resonance imaging, uroflowmetry, and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were used to assess clinical and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Mean prostate size decreased significantly from 135.1 g before PAE to 91.9 g at 3 months of follow-up (P < .0001). Mean IPSS and quality-of-life index improved from 18.3 to 2.7 and 4.8 to 0.9 (P < .0001 for both), respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between prostate-specific antigen at 24 hours after PAE and IPSS 3 months after PAE (P = .0057). CONCLUSIONS: PAE is a safe and effective treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with prostate volume > 90 g. Excessively elevated prostate-specific antigen within 24 hours of PAE is associated with lower symptom burden in short-term follow-up.

Microvascular lung vessels obstructive thromboinflammatory syndrome in patients with COVID-19: Insights from lung intravascular optical coherence tomography.

Background: Microvascular lung vessels obstructive thromboinflammatory syndrome has been proposed as a possible mechanism of respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients. However, it has only been observed in post-mortem studies and has never been documented in vivo, probably because of a lack of CT scan sensitivity in small pulmonary arteries. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety, tolerability, and diagnostic value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the assessment of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia for pulmonary microvascular thromboinflammatory syndrome. Methods: The COVID-OCT trial was a multicenter, open-label, prospective, interventional clinical study. Two cohorts of patients were included in the study and underwent pulmonary OCT evaluation. Cohort A consisted of patients with COVID-19 with a negative CT scan for pulmonary thrombosis and elevated thromboinflammatory markers (D-dimer > 10,000 ng/mL or 5,000 < D-dimer < 10,000 ng/mL and one of: C-reactive Protein > 100 mg/dL, IL-6 > 6 pg/mL, or ferritin > 900 ng/L). Cohort B consisted of patients with COVID-19 and a CT scan positive for pulmonary thrombosis. The primary endpoints of the study were: (i) to evaluate the overall safety of OCT investigation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and (ii) to report on the potential value of OCT as a novel diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of microvascular pulmonary thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. Results: A total of 13 patients were enrolled. The mean number of OCT runs performed in each patient was 6.1 ± 2.0, both in ground glass and healthy lung areas, achieving a good evaluation of the distal pulmonary arteries. Overall, OCT runs identified microvascular thrombosis in 8 patients (61.5%): 5 cases of red thrombus, 1 case of white thrombus, and 2 cases of mixed thrombus. In Cohort A, the minimal lumen area was 3.5 ± 4.6 mm2, with stenosis of 60.9 ± 35.9% of the area, and the mean length of thrombus-containing lesions was 5.4 ± 3.0 mm. In Cohort B, the percentage area obstruction was 92.6 ± 2.6, and the mean thrombus-containing lesion length was 14.1 ± 13.9 mm. No peri-procedural complications occurred in any of the 13 patients. Conclusion: OCT appears to be a safe and accurate method of evaluating the distal pulmonary arteries in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Here, it enabled the first in vivo documentation of distal pulmonary arterial thrombosis in patients with elevated thromboinflammatory markers, even when their CT angiogram was negative for pulmonary thrombosis. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov, identifier NCT04410549.

Prostatic artery embolization using reflux-control microcatheter: prospective experience addressing feasibility.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) using a reflux control microcatheter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective, single-center investigation that included 10 patients undergoing PAE for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) attributed to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Baseline, 3-month, and 12-month efficacy endpoints were obtained for all patients and included prostate-specific antigen (PSA), uroflowmetry, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and clinical assessment using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and the IPSS-Quality of life (QoL) item. Complications were assessed using the Cirse classification system. RESULTS: Ten patients entered statistical analysis and presented with significant LUTS improvement 12 months after PAE, as follows: mean IPSS reduction of 86.6% (2.8 vs. 20.7, - 17.9, P < 0.001), mean QoL reduction of 79.4% (1.1 vs. 5.4, - 4.3, P < 0.001), mean prostatic volume reduction of 38.4% (69.3 cm3 vs. 112.5 cm3, - 43.2 cm3, P < 0.001), mean peak urinary flow (Qmax) increase of 199.4% (19.9 mL/s vs. 6.6 mL/s, + 13.3 mL/s, P = 0.006) and mean PSA reduction of 50.1% (3.0 ng/mL vs. 6.1 ng/mL, - 3.0 ng/mL, P < 0.001). One patient (10%) needed transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) after PAE due to a ball-valve effect. One microcatheter (10%) needed to be replaced during PAE due to occlusion. Non-target embolization was not observed in the cohort. CONCLUSION: This initial experience suggests that PAE using a reflux control microcatheter is effective and safe for the treatment of LUTS attributed to BPH.

Protection of nontarget structures in prostatic artery embolization.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the efficacy and safety of protective embolization during prostatic artery embolization, as well as to discuss its clinical relevance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, single-center study including 39 patients who underwent prostatic artery embolization to treat lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia between June 2008 and March 2018. Follow-up evaluations, performed at 3 and 12 months after the procedure, included determination of the International Prostate Symptom Score, a quality of life score, and prostate-specific antigen levels, as well as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and uroflowmetry. RESULTS: Protective embolization was performed in 45 arteries: in the middle rectal artery in 19 (42.2%); in the accessory internal pudendal artery in 11 (24.4%); in an internal pudendal artery anastomosis in 10 (22.2%); in the superior vesical artery in four (8.9%); and in the obturator artery in one (2.2%). There was one case of nontarget embolization leading to a penile ulcer, which was attributed to reflux of microspheres to an unprotected artery. There were no complications related to the protected branches. All of the patients showed significant improvement in all of the outcomes studied (p < 0.05), and none reported worsening of sexual function during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Protective embolization can reduce nontarget embolization during prostatic artery embolization without affecting the results of the procedure. In addition, no adverse events other than those expected or previously reported were observed. Therefore, protective embolization of pudendal region is safe.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a eficácia e a segurança da embolização de proteção na embolização de artérias prostáticas e discutir sua relevância clínica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, observacional, de um único centro, que inclui 39 pacientes submetidos a embolização de artérias prostáticas para tratamento de sintomas do trato urinário inferior relacionados a hiperplasia benigna da próstata, de junho de 2008 a março de 2018. O acompanhamento foi realizado em 3 meses e 12 meses, incluindo International Prostate Symptom Score, escore de qualidade de vida, antígeno prostático específico, ultrassom, ressonância magnética e urofluxometria. RESULTADOS: Embolização de proteção foi realizada em 45 artérias: artérias retais médias em 19 (42,2%); artérias pudendas internas acessórias em 11 (24,4%); anastomoses com ramos da artéria pudenda interna em 10 (22,2%); artérias vesicais superiores em quatro (8,9%); e artéria obturatória em uma (2,2%). Houve um caso de embolização não alvo que provocou uma úlcera peniana, atribuída a refluxo de partículas para uma artéria não protegida. Não houve complicações relacionadas com os ramos protegidos. Os pacientes apresentaram melhora significativa em todos os resultados estudados (p < 0,05) e não relataram piora da função sexual durante o acompanhamento. CONCLUSÃO: Embolização de proteção pode ser realizada para diminuir embolização não alvo sem interferir nos resultados da embolização de artérias prostáticas. Além disso, não foi observado nenhum evento adverso diferente dos já esperados ou previamente publicados. A embolização de proteção na região pudenda é segura.

Management and treatment of decompensated hepatic fibrosis and severe refractory Schistosoma mansoni ascites with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

This study aimed to report the first case of a patient with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni, refractory ascites and portal vein thrombosis treated with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), at the Instituto de Radiologia, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. After the procedure, the patient recovered favorably and progressed with portal pressure reduction and no deterioration of the liver function. Endovascular shunt modification is a conservative medical approach that often helps in reducing symptoms significantly, making it a less invasive and a safer alternative to liver transplantation for the treatment of schistosomiasis with portal hypertension.