Percutaneous Thrombin Injection Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics of Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysms

Objective@#To analyze the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (FAP), identify a suitable location and timing for percutaneous thrombin injection (PTI) based on this analysis, and report our clinical experience with the procedure. @*Materials and Methods@#CFD can be used to analyze the hemodynamics of the human body. An analysis using CFD recommended that the suitable location of the needle tip for PTI is at the center of the aneurysm sac and the optimal timing for starting PTI is during the early inflow phase of blood into the sac. Since 2011, seven patients (three male and four female; median age, 60 years [range, 43–75 years]) with FAP were treated with PTI based on the devised suitable location and time. Prior to the procedure, color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to determine the location and timing of the thrombin injection. @*Results@#The technical success rate of the PTI was 100%. The amount of thrombin used for the procedure ranged from 200 IU to 1000 IU (median, 500 IU). None of the patients experienced any symptoms or signs of embolic complications during the procedure. Follow-up CT images did not reveal any embolism in the lower extremities and showed complete thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm. @*Conclusion@#Based on our study of CFD, PTI administered centrally in the FAP during early inflow, as seen on color Doppler, can be an effective technique.

Efficacy and Safety of a Newly Developed Self- Expanding Open-Cell Type Nitinol Stent for Peripheral Arteries: A Preclinical Study in Minipigs

Purpose@#To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the newly designed open-cell type self-expandable nitinol stent (NiTi-stent) for peripheral arteries. @*Materials and Methods@#Twenty-eight limbs of 14 minipigs were randomly assigned to the NiTistent group or conventional nitinol stent group. Stents were symmetrically implanted into the iliac arteries of each animal using carotid artery approach and were observed for 1 month (n = 5) and 6 months (n = 9). The angiographic lumen diameter (ALD), late lumen loss, angiographic stenosis, histomorphometric lumen area, neointimal area, and area stenosis were analyzed and compared between the groups. @*Results@#Stent migration, stent fracture, or thrombus formation were not observed in either group. At the 1-month follow-up, the neointimal area (p = 0.008) and area stenosis (p = 0.016) were significantly smaller in the NiTi-stent group than in the control group. At the 6-months followup, the NiTi-stent group showed significantly larger ALD (p = 0.014), less late lumen loss (p = 0.019), less angiographic stenosis (p = 0.014), larger lumen area (p = 0.040), and smaller neointimal area and area stenosis (p = 0.004 and p= 0.014, respectively) compared with the control group. @*Conclusion@#The NiTi-stent is as safe and effective as the conventional nitinol stent and induces less neointimal hyperplasia in a minipig iliac artery model.

The Diagnosis and Interventional Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which usually occurs in the lower extremities, is the presence of a blood clot within a deep vein that causes symptoms by breaking the venous return. Many cases of calf vein DVT are asymptomatic, or display only mild symptoms. But in the case of a proximal DVT, it affects the venous flow through the entire lower extremity, which results in a post-thrombotic syndrome, or a pulmonary embolism, if the proper treatment isn't performed. The diagnosis of the DVT is made by a radiologic examination. An ultrasound is often used as a first line of diagnosis, but on the other hand, computed tomography venography has also been gaining traction as an alternative method. If diagnosed, finding the cause of the DVT is important, and in the case of a symptomatic proximal DVT, the combination of anticoagulation and interventional treatment can be used towards the recovery of the venous return, preventing complications.

Anatomic Study of Pterygomaxillary Junctions in Koreans

A Case of Vitreous Prolapse through Iridectomy Site after Trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: To report the results of anterior vitrectomy for obstruction of the aqueous outflow shunt by prolapsed vitreous strands after trabeculectomy. CASE SUMMARY: Trabeculectomy was performed on a pseudophakic primary open angle glaucoma patient with uncontrolled intraocular pressure under maximum tolerable medical therapy. Three months after trabeculectomy, the bleb flattened and the intraocular pressure elevated. On gonioscopic examination, vitreous strands prolapsed through the iridectomy site obstructing the inner ostium. The maximum tolerable medical therapy and Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis were attempted, but the intraocular pressure was not controlled. Anterior vitrectomy was performed to remove the prolapsed vitreous strands. After anterior vitrectomy, the bleb regained filtering function and the intraocular pressure was stabilized. CONCLUSIONS: In a case with a prolapsed vitreous into the anterior chamber obstructing the outflow shunt of the aqueous humor after trabeculectomy, anterior vitrectomy showed therapeutic effects.

A Case of Vitreous Prolapse through Iridectomy Site after Trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: To report the results of anterior vitrectomy for obstruction of the aqueous outflow shunt by prolapsed vitreous strands after trabeculectomy. CASE SUMMARY: Trabeculectomy was performed on a pseudophakic primary open angle glaucoma patient with uncontrolled intraocular pressure under maximum tolerable medical therapy. Three months after trabeculectomy, the bleb flattened and the intraocular pressure elevated. On gonioscopic examination, vitreous strands prolapsed through the iridectomy site obstructing the inner ostium. The maximum tolerable medical therapy and Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis were attempted, but the intraocular pressure was not controlled. Anterior vitrectomy was performed to remove the prolapsed vitreous strands. After anterior vitrectomy, the bleb regained filtering function and the intraocular pressure was stabilized. CONCLUSIONS: In a case with a prolapsed vitreous into the anterior chamber obstructing the outflow shunt of the aqueous humor after trabeculectomy, anterior vitrectomy showed therapeutic effects.

Hepatocellular Carcinomas Smaller Than 4 cm Supplied by the Intercostal Artery: Can We Predict Which Intercostal Artery Supplies the Tumor?

OBJECTIVE: To predict which intercostal artery supplies a tumor by examining the spatial relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the intercostal artery feeding the tumor on transverse computed tomography (CT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and September 2009, 46 intercostal arteries supplying HCCs smaller than 4 cm were noted in 44 patients, and CT scans and angiograms of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. The intercostal artery feeding the tumor was marked on the CT scan showing the center of the tumor. In addition, its spatial relationship with the tumor center was examined. The angle of the tumor location was measured on the transverse CT scan in the clockwise direction from the sagittal line on the virtual circle centered in the right hemithorax. Correlations between the angle of the tumor location and the level of the tumor-feeding intercostal artery were assessed with the Spearman rank coefficient. RESULTS: Of 46 intercostal arteries feeding HCC, 39 (85%) were the first ones observed from the tumor center in a counterclockwise direction on the transverse CT image containing the tumor center. The level of the tumor-feeding intercostal artery was significantly correlated with the angle of the tumor, as the posteriorly located tumor tends to be supplied by lower intercostal arteries, while the laterally located tumor by upper intercostal arteries (Spearman coefficient = -0.537; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We can predict the tumor feeder with an accuracy of 85% as the first intercostal artery encountered from the tumor center in a counterclockwise direction on a transverse CT image.

Vitrectomy-Assisted Intravitreal Tissue Plasminogen Activator and SF6 Gas Injection on Submacular Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of vitrectomy-assisted intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and SF6 gas injection in the treatment of submacular hemorrhage. METHODS: Thirty-one eyes of 30 consecutive patients with submacular hemorrhages undergoing vitrectomy with intravitreal tPA (50 microg/0.1 ml) and SF6 gas injection and completed 12 months of follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean duration of visual symptoms was 4.1 days. Submacular blood was completely displaced in all 31 eyes after surgery. The best corrected visual acuity (logMAR) improved to 0.56 +/- 0.46 at 12 months from 1.15 +/- 0.51 at baseline (P = 0.002). The most important factors related to visual acuity at the 12-month follow-up were the underlying etiology for the submacular hemorrhage and visual acuity 3 months after surgery (P = 0.003 and P = 0.000, respectively). The 12-month visual acuity was independent of age, gender, presence of vitreous hemorrhage, sub-ILM hemorrhage, baseline visual acuity, duration of symptoms, and the diameter of the submacular hemorrhage. No retinal detachment or re-submacular hemorrhage developed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This surgical technique can effectively displace submacular hemorrhage without complications. The 3-month visual acuity appears to predict the 12-month visual acuity. The final visual acuity was associated with the primary etiology for the submacular hemorrhage.