Targeted versus Empiric Embolization for Delayed Postpancreatectomy Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Study of 312 Patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of empiric embolization (EE) compared with targeted embolization (TE) in the treatment of delayed postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of patients with delayed PPH between January 2012 and August 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. In total, 312 consecutive patients (59.6 years ± 10.8; 239 men) were included. The group was stratified into 3 cohorts according to angiographic results and treatment strategies: TE group, EE group, and no embolization (NE) group. The χ2 or Fisher exact test was implemented for comparing the clinical success and 30-day mortality. The variables related to clinical failure and 30-day mortality were identified by univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Clinical success of transcatheter arterial embolization was achieved in 70.0% (170/243) of patients who underwent embolization. There was no statistical difference in clinical success and 30-day mortality between the EE and TE groups. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that malignant disease (odds ratio [OR] = 5.76), Grade C pancreatic fistula (OR = 7.59), intra-abdominal infection (OR = 2.54), and concurrent extraluminal and intraluminal hemorrhage (OR = 2.52) were risk factors for clinical failure. Moreover, 33 patients (13.6%) died within 30 days after embolization. Advanced age (OR = 2.59) and intra-abdominal infection (OR = 5.55) were identified as risk factors for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: EE is safe and as effective as TE in preventing rebleeding and mortality in patients with angiographically negative delayed PPH.

Partial splenic embolization with embosphere microspheres (700-900 µm) for the treatment of hypersplenism: comparison of selective superior splenic artery embolization and inferior splenic artery embolization.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes of superior versus inferior splenic artery embolization in partial splenic embolization (PSE) and identify predictors of major complications. Material and methods: This retrospective case-control study included 73 patients who underwent PSE between May 2005 and April 2021. They were divided into two groups: the superior and middle splenic artery embolization group (Group A, n = 37) and the inferior and middle splenic artery embolization group (Group B, n = 36). Outcome differences and major complications between the groups were assessed. Logistic regression was used to analyze potential predictors of major complications, and the optimal cutoff value for splenic embolization rates was determined using the Youden index. Results: There were no significant differences in laboratory and radiological outcomes between the two groups. Group A had a significantly lower incidence of major complications than Group B (p = 0.049), a lower Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for pain (p = 0.036), and a shorter hospital stay (p = 0.022). Independent risk factors for major complications included inferior and middle splenic artery embolization (odds ratio [OR] = 3.672; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.028-13.120; p = 0.045) and a higher spleen embolization rate (OR = 1.108; 95% CI = 1.003-1.224; p = 0.044). The optimal cutoff for spleen embolization rate to predict major complications was 59.93% (sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 63.6%). Conclusion: Using 500-700 µm microspheres for PSE, targeting the middle and superior splenic artery yields similar effects to targeting the middle and inferior artery, but results in lower rates of major complications and shorter hospital stays. To effectively minimize the risk of major complications, the embolization rate should be kept below 59.93%, regardless of the target vessel.

The outcomes of interventional treatment for Budd-Chiari Syndrome complicated by inferior vena cava thrombosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of interventional treatment for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) complicated by Inferior Vena Cava thrombosis (IVCT) patients. METHODS: We evaluated the published studies on interventional treatment for BCS complicated by IVCT. Meta-analysis was used to calculate the combined effect size and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on random effect. The publication bias was assessed by Begg's test. RESULTS: Sixteen studies on interventional treatment for BCS complicated by IVCT patient were selected for meta-analysis, a total of 767 BCS complicated by IVCT patients were included. The combined effect size (95% CI) were 99% (98-100%) for the total successful rate of IVC recanalization, 15% (11-21%) for the rate of IVC restenosis after initial operation, 92.0% (86-97%) for the rate of clinical improvement, 76% (68-84%) for the rate of thrombus clearance and 0.00% (0-1%) for the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE). Through subgroup meta-analysis about the rate of thrombus clearance, we got the pooled results (95% CI) of individualized treatment strategy (ITS) group and non-individualized treatment strategy (non-ITS) group, were 81% (71-92%) and 73% (63-83%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The interventional treatment for BCS complicated by IVCT patients is safe and effective with low incidence of PE, high thrombus clearance rate, high technically successful rate, good patency, and high clinical improvement rate. Moreover, subgroup analysis indicated that management based on the type and extent of the thrombus is proposed.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with simultaneous DynaCT-guided radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To introduce the technique and investigate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with simultaneous DynaCT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of solitary large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) (maximal diameter > 5 cm). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients who received TACE combined with simultaneous DynaCT-guided RFA for solitary large HCCs between January 2012 and August 2016 were reviewed, and the success rate, safety, local tumor progression (LTP), and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively investigated. OS and time to progression were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 100%, average operative time for DynaCT-guided RFA was 45.3 ± 4.8 min, average radiation dose was 730.5 ± 78.8 mGy, and no life-threatening complications were observed. At 1-month follow-up enhanced MRI, complete remission was achieved in 82.6% of patients (38/46), and partial remission in 17.4% (8/46). The median follow-up period was 29.5 months (interquartile range 4.0-69.0 months). At 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery, the LTP rates were 4.3, 13.1, and 30.4%, respectively, and the OS rates were 89.1, 71.7, and 56.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DynaCT-guided TACE + RFA is safe and feasible for the treatment of solitary large HCCS. TACE combined with simultaneous RFA provides a new treatment option for solitary large HCCs in which DynaCT has important clinical value.

Prostatic arterial embolization for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia: a comparative study of medium- and large-volume prostates.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcomes of prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) in treating large (>80 mL) in comparison with medium-sized prostate glands (50-80 mL) to determine whether size affects the outcome of PAE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 115 patients (mean age 71.5 years) diagnosed with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) attributable to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refractory to medical treatment underwent PAE. Group A (n = 64) included patients with a mean prostate volume of 129 mL; group B (n = 51) included patients with a mean prostate volume of 64 mL. PAE was performed using 100-µm particles. Follow-up was performed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax ), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), the International Index of Erectile Function short form (IIEF-5), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3 and 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in baseline IPSS, QoL, Qmax , PVR, PSA level or IIEF-5 score. The technical success rate was 93.8% in group A and 96.8% in group B (P = 0.7). A total of 101 patients (55 patients in group A and 46 patients in group B) completed the mean (range) follow-up of 17 (12-33) months. Compared with baseline, there were significant improvements in IPSS, QoL, Qmax , prostate volume and PVR in both groups after PAE. The outcomes in group A were significantly better than in group B with regard to mean ± sd IPSS (-14 ± 6.5 vs -10.5 ± 5.5, respectively), Qmax (6.0 ± 1.5 vs 4.5 ± 1.0 mL/s, respectively), PVR (-80.0 ± 25.0 vs -60.0 ± 20.0 mL, respectively), prostate volume (-54.5 ± 18.0 mL [-42.3%] vs -18.5 ± 5.0 mL [-28.9%], respectively), and QoL score (-3.0 ± 1.5 vs -2.0 ± 1.0) with P values <0.05. The mean IIEF-5 score was not significantly different from baseline in both groups. No major complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: We found that PAE is a safe and effective treatment method for patients with LUTS attributable to BPH. The clinical and imaging outcomes of PAE were better in patients with larger prostate glands than medium-sized ones.

Experimental study on the safety of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein ablation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is a common complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with poor prognosis. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used for PVTT, however, its safety remains unclear. In this study, we have evaluated the safety of percutaneous transhepatic RFA of pigs' normal portal vein (PV). METHODOLOGY: RFA was conducted in miniature pigs either by local direct ablation (group A, n=6), or after occlusion by balloon or by thrombus (group B, n=4). The MRI imaging and pathological changes of PV were recorded after operation. RESULTS: RFA was successful in 4 of 6 pigs in group A and 3 of 4 pigs in group B. One pig (P4) died one day after RFA in group A. P1 showed a significantly increased thrombus in peritoneal cavity in contrast to another survived pig (P2) with inflammatory edema, but no obvious abnormalities were observed in the other two pigs (P1 and P3) in Group A. But in Group B, the range of PV lesion was larger than that in Group A with thrombus in lumens, and even inflammatory edema range increased significantly 3 weeks later. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous intravascular RFA using an endovascular bipolar RF device is technically feasible but the safety needs further investigation.

Prostatic arterial embolization for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia: A prospective single-center investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of prostatic arterial embolization as a primary treatment for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: A total of 64 patients with prostates >80 mL were included in the study. Prostatic arterial embolization was carried out using a combination of 50-µm and 100-µm particles. Clinical follow up was carried out using the International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life, peak urinary flow, postvoid residual volume, International Index of Erectile Function Short Form, prostate-specific antigen, and prostatic volume at 1, 3, 6 and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Prostatic arterial embolization was technically successful in 60 of 64 patients (93.8%). Follow-up data were available for 60 patients with a mean of 18 months. A clinical improvement, defined as reduction of International Prostate Symptom Score and increase of peak urinary flow, at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months, was achieved in 95.0%, 95.0%, 93.3%, 92.6% and 90.5%, respectively. A total of 42 patients had completed the follow up at 24 months after prostatic arterial embolization. There was an improvement in terms of mean International Prostate Symptom Score (pre-prostatic arterial embolization vs post-prostatic arterial embolization 27.0 vs 8.0; P < 0.01), mean quality of life (5.5 vs 2.0; P < 0.01), mean peak urinary flow (7.0 vs 13.0; P < 0.01), mean postvoid residual volume (130 vs 45.0; P < 0.05) and prostatic volume (121.0 vs 71.5, reduction of 40.9%; P < 0.01) were significantly different with respect to baseline. CONCLUSION: Prostatic arterial embolization seems to be a safe and effective treatment method for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it might play an important role for patients in whom medical therapy has failed, who are not candidates for surgical treatment.

Combined embolization and surgical resection of a giant mediastinal tumor.

Large mediastinal tumors typically have a rich blood supply derived from multiple arteries, and surgical resection can be associated with a large blood loss. Embolization is used to treat a variety of malignant and benign conditions preoperatively, as well as an alternative to surgery, however, the use of preoperative embolization of large mediastinal tumors has not been extensive. Herein, we report a case of a giant mediastinal tumor measuring >15 cm and extending into both chest cavities in which preoperative embolization was used to reduce the surgical blood loss and facilitate excision of the lesion.

Bile Duct Injury after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization: Risk Factors and Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The current study aims to investigate the risk factors and clinical implications of bile duct injury after performing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of patients with hepatic malignancy. METHODOLOGY: A total of 2340 patients with hepatic malignancies underwent 5656 TACE procedures without any radiographic evidence of biliary abnormalities pre-TACE. Of these, 40 patients developed bile duct injuries 3 weeks to 3 months after TACE. RESULTS: TACE-induced bile duct injuries occurred in 30 out of 348 patients with liver metastatic tumors (8.6%) and in 10 out of 1992 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (0.5%). Bile duct injuries, including focal (n = 12) and multiple intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (n = 16), along with cystic lesions or bilomas (n = 12), were identified during follow-up post-TACE imaging. In addition, 6 patients with multiple bile duct injuries presented mild jaundice, and 8 patients with large biloma showed associated serious bacterial infections. The remaining 26 patients were asymptomatic. Biliary injury-related mortality occurred in 4 patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of TACE-induced bile duct injury imaging findings can help interventional radiologists in providing correct diagnosis and treatment. Awareness of patients with high-risk factors may also reduce post-TACE ischemic biliary injuries.

[Application value of preoperative embolization in primary retroperitoneal tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of angiography in clarifying the origin of the feeding arteries of primary retroperitoneal tumors and to explore the application of embolization therapy in the treating of primary retroperitoneal tumor. METHODS: 68 patients with primary retroperitoneal tumor were randomized into conventional tumor resection group (n = 35) and the preoperative embolization group (n = 33). Some clinical data were compared between the preoperative embolization group and the routine operation group, including blood loss, blood transfusion, operation time and adverse reactions after embolization. All the diagnoses were pathologically confirmed. The origins of the tumor-feeding arteries were analyzed. The clinical value of embolization in assisting the surgery as well as in making prognosis was assessed. RESULTS: According to their location and size, primary retroperitoneal tumors had feeding arteries from different origins. In this series of cases the tumor blood supply originated from the lumbar artery (81.8%), internal iliac artery (45.5%) and adrenal artery (27.3%). In the preoperative embolization group and conventional surgery group, the blood loss was 912 ml vs. 2 500 ml (P < 0.001), the blood transfusion was 1 000 ml vs. 2 600 ml (P < 0.001), the operation time was 4.1 h vs. 5.9 h (P < 0.001), and the length of hospital stay was 12.5 d vs. 19.8 d (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The origins of the feeding arteries in primary retroperitoneal tumors are very complex. Preoperative embolization therapy may effectively reduce the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative adverse events, length of hospital stay, and facilitate the patients' recovery.

[Analysis of efficacy and prognostic factors of transarterial chemoembolization combined with multimodality therapy for huge hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, survival and prognosis of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone and TACE in combination with multimodality therapy for huge hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 115 patients with huge hepatocellular carcinoma treated in our hospital from August 2008 to January 2012. Among them, 72 patients were treated by TACE alone (TACE group) and 43 patients by TACE plus multimodality therapy (TACE-combined treatment group). Their clinicopathological data and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: The median follow-up of the 115 cases was 24 months (range 1-40 months). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates for the TACE group were 60.4,% 23.3% and 9.8%, respectively, and 39 months, 78.1%, 43.3% and 36.8%, respectively, for the combined treatment group (P < 0.001). The univariate analysis showed that the patient gender and age, HIV infection and AFP level were not significantly correlated with prognosis of the patients (P > 0.05 for all), while multimodality therapy, Child's grading, ECOG scores, distant metastasis, and portal vein tumor thrombus were significantly related to the overall survival. Moreover, the Cox multivariate survival analysis revealed that therapy and ECOG scores were independent prognostic indicators (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Multimodality therapy is a safe and effective treatment for huge hepatocellular carcinoma. Multimodality therapy and ECOG scores are independent prognostic indicators for the patients.

[Value of (18)F-FDG PET in preoperative TACE of hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of (18)F-FDG PET-CT SUVmax value in 85 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 patients with HCC before TACE to evaluate the prognostic significance of SUVmax of (18)F-FDG PET-CT. The survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank method was used for univariate analysis, and Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups before TACE: The high metabolic group (63 patients, with SUVmax value 7.71 ± 2.78) and low metabolic group (22 patients, with SUVmax value 3.89 ± 0.80). The SUVmax levels were statistically different (P < 0.001). The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates of the 63 patients of high metabolic group were 66.6%, 26.9% and 12.6%, respectively. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates of the 22 patients of low metabolic group were 81.8%, 72.7% and 63.6%, respectively. The median survival time of the high metabolic group was 16.0 months and that of the low metabolic group was 48.0 months (P = 0.001). Univariate analysis indicated that SUVmax value of the intrahepatic primary tumor, hepatic cirrhosis, Child-Pugh score, ECOG score, intrahepatic tumor size, number of tumors(solitary or multiple), portal vein tumor thrombus, BCLC stage, and serum AFP level were significantly correlated with prognosis of the patients (P < 0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis indicated that SUVmax value, tumor size >8 cm, number of tumors (solitary or multiple) and AFP level were independent prognostic factors (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: The SUVmax value of the primary intrahepatic tumor can be used as an important prognostic factor to predict the effect of TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Prognostic significance of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase before transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of serum GGT in patients with intermediate HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B) treated with TACE. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 162 intermediate HCC patients receiving TACE treatment in 301 Hospital Department of Interventional Radiology from August 2008 to December 2011. Survival rates and prognostic significance were compared between the 116 patients (High GGT group) and 46 patients (normal GGT group). The survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Log-rank method was used for univariate analysis, and the Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The level of GGT was statistically different (P < 0.01) in the high GGT group and normal GGT group before TACE, which was respectively (168 ± 121) U/L and (33 ± 9) U/L. After patients treated with TACE, the 1, 2 and 3 year survival rates were 54.3%, 33.6% and 25.0%, respectively, and the median survival time was 23.0 months in the high GGT group. The 1, 2 and 3 year survival rates were 87.0%, 56.5% and 41.3%, respectively, and the median survival time was 36.0 months in the normal GGT group. It has statistically significant(P = 0.000) on the median survival time. It was showed that the survival rares (P < 0.05) were relevant with the following several aspects by univariate analysis: the level of serum GGT before TACE, hepatocirrhosis, Child score, tumor size, tumor numbers and serum AFP level, and the prognosis-related factors were relevant with the following several aspects by Cox multiple regression analysis: the level of serum GGT before TACE, tumor numbers, serum AFP level and tumor size. CONCLUSION: The level of GGT before TACE was an important prognostic factor to predict the effect of TACE on patients with intermediate HCC.

Efficacy and predictive factors of transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1 inhibition for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have rarely been evaluated and it is unknown which factors are related to efficacy. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and independent predictive factors of TACE combined with lenvatinib plus PD-1 inhibitors for unresectable HCC. METHODS: This study retrospectively enrolled patients with unresectable HCC who received TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment between March 2019 and April 2022. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were evaluated in accordance with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Additionally, the prognostic factors affecting the clinical outcome were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients were enrolled with a median follow-up duration of 12.63 months. The median OS was 26.43 months (95%CI: 17.00-35.87), and the median PFS was 10.07 months (95%CI: 8.50-11.65). The ORR and DCR were 61.76% and 81.37%, respectively. The patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Classification (BCLC) B stage, early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) response (decrease), or early alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response (decrease > 20%) had superior OS and PFS than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: This study showed that TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment was well tolerated with encouraging efficacy in patients with unresectable HCC. The patients with BCLC B-stage disease with early NLR response (decrease) and early AFP response (decrease > 20%) may achieve better clinical outcomes with this triple therapy.

Characterization of extreme rainfall changes and response to temperature changes in Guizhou Province, China.

Different geographical zones have regional heterogeneity in underlying earth surface structure and microclimate which result in different evolution trends and their response to climate change varies in extreme rainfalls in these zones. In the Guizhou province of China, there are complex landforms, which lead to spatial redistribution of rainfall, frequent extreme rainfall, and disasters high risk of geologic disasters. Research on extreme climate in Guizhou mostly paid attention to its spatio-temporal characteristics and modeling, but lack of analysis on its characteristics of extreme rainfall variability and response to temperature changes under different subsurface conditions. This study investigated the characteristics of the extreme rainfall spatiotemporal and recurrence periods in Guizhou province and discussed the relationship between the response of extreme rainfall to temperature change. Daily rainfall data from 1990 to 2020 and 2021-2100 at 31 meteorological observation stations throughout the province were collected to calculate extreme precipitation. This research had the following results. (1) Both historical and future periods show an upward trend in extreme rainfall in Guizhou province, with a spatial distribution pattern of "high in the south and low in the north, high in the east and low in the west" and "high in the southeast and low in the northwest", respectively; the spatial distribution of extreme rainfall under each recurrence period is consistent with the non-recurrence period. (2) Both historical and future periods show an upward trend in temperature in Guizhou province, with a spatial distribution consistent with that of the extreme rainfall in the corresponding period. (3) The change in extreme rainfall intensity with increasing temperature is almost always greater than the C-C rate for different periods and underlying earth surface structure; Extreme rainfall has a Hook response structure to temperature change, and the climate response structure shifts to the right with climate warming. The results of the study can provide a basis for decision-making on regional disaster prevention and mitigation in the context of temperature change.

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with Budd-Chiari syndrome: imaging features and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

BACKGROUND: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) often leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been increasingly used to treat BCS patients with HCC. The purposes of this study were to illustrate imaging features in BCS patients with HCC, and to analyze the effects of TACE on BCS patients with HCC. METHODS: 246 consecutive patients with primary BCS were retrospectively studied. 14 BCS patients with HCC were included in this study. BCS were treated with angioplasty and/or stenting, and HCC were managed with TACE. Imaging features on ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and angiography and the serum AFP level were analyzed. RESULTS: Inferior vena cava block and stricture of hepatic venous outflow tract more frequently occurred. Portal vein invasion was found in only 2 patients (14.2%). Imaging studies showed that most nodules of HCC were near the edge of liver, irregular, more than 3 cm in diameter, heterogeneous mass and solitary (≤3 nodules). HCC in patients associated with BCS was isointense or hypointense in nonenhanced CT images, and exhibited heterogeneous enhancement during the arterial phase and washout during the portal venous phase on enhanced CT and MRI. The serum AFP level significantly declined after TACE treatment. CONCLUSIONS: BCS patients with inferior vena cava block and stricture of hepatic venous outflow tract seems to be associated with HCC. A single, large, irregular nodule with a peripheral location appears to be HCC. TACE can effectively treat HCC in BCS patients.

Sorafenib in combination with transarterial chemoembolization in Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a subgroup interim analysis of the START trial.

AIM: The third interim results of the START trial showed encouraging safety and efficacy profiles, with a median time to progression of 9 months. This subgroup analysis presents results in Chinese patients enrolled in the START trial. MATERIALS & METHODS: Sixty two Chinese patients (median age 52 years) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma had transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) performed with an emulsion of Lipiodol(®) (Guerbet, Paris, France) and doxorubicin (30-60 mg) followed by embolization with absorbable particles. Sorafenib (400 mg twice-daily) was administered continuously with dose holidays 4 days prior to and post TACE procedures. TACE was performed every 6-8 weeks and responses were assessed after 4-6 weeks and then every 3 months if no further TACE was indicated. Patients continued receiving sorafenib until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. RESULTS: Thirty seven patients (59.68%) received no more than two TACE procedures. During sorafenib treatment (median duration 6.4 months; mean daily dose 787.6 mg), 75.8% of patients experienced adverse events, most commonly pyrexia (37.1%), diarrhea (27.4%), skin reactions (22.6%), alopecia (19.4%) and abnormal hepatic function (16.1%). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were abnormal hepatic function (6.5%) and diarrhea (3.2%). The median time to progression and overall survival were 10.6 and 16.5 months, respectively, and the objective response and stable disease rates were 44.3 and 42.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combination of the TACE and sorafenib proved both safe and effective in the treatment of Chinese patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Interventional embolization of giant thoracic tumors before surgical resection.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative embolization of tumors is a well-established procedure that has been successfully applied in various clinical situations. Preoperative embolization can reduce the vascularity of tumors resulting in a clearer operative field, less difficult dissection, decreased blood loss, and, in some cases, a decrease in tumor size. However, few studies have been conducted regarding the preoperative embolization of giant thoracic tumors. PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness and safety of interventional embolization of giant thoracic tumors before surgical resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 14 consecutive patients with giant thoracic tumors received angiography and the feeding arteries of the tumors were embolized using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and gelatin sponges 1 day before surgical resection. The patient records were retrospectively reviewed and data regarding diagnoses, embolization, and surgical resection were recorded. RESULTS: Angiography revealed the feeding arteries of the tumors to be characterized by multiple branches and thickened vessel trunks with abnormal distal branches superimposed of the tumor shadow. Embolization was successfully without complications in all patients, and all feeding vessels of each tumor were occluded. Embolization reduced the severity of bleeding during surgery and decreased the difficulty of resection of the tumor. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Interventional embolization is a safe and efficient method to facilitate the surgical resection of giant thoracic tumors.

[Extrahepatic collateral arteries are involved in the blood supply to hepatocellular carcinoma: angiographic demonstration and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of extrahepatic collateral arteries involved in the blood supply to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to assess the technical success rates and complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) through the collaterals. METHODS: 1356 TACE procedures were performed in 874 consecutive patients through extrahepatic collateral pathways to HCC between August 2006 and August 2010 in our department. The extrahepatic collateral pathways to HCC revealed on angiography were retrospectively evaluated. TACE through extrahepatic collaterals using iodized oil and gelatin sponge particles was performed when a catheter was advanced into the feeding branch to avoid nontarget embolization. RESULTS: Incidences of collateral source to HCC were 76.3% from the right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA), 2.4% from the left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA), 6.9% from the right and 0.4% from the left internal mammary arteries (RIMA, LIMA), 2.9% from the right intercostal artery (RICA), 2.0% from the omental artery, 0.8% from the right or middle colic artery, 2.3% from the cystic artery, 1.3% from the left and 1.1% from the right gastric arteries (LGA, RGA), 3.5% from the right renal capsular artery (RRCA), right middle adrenal artery (RMAA) and right inferior adrenal artery (IAA). Technical success rates of TACE were 95.9% in the RIPA, 93.8% in the LIPA, 100.0% in the RIMA and LIMA, 55.0% in the RICA, 77.8% in the omental artery, 63.6% in the colic artery, 67.7% in the cystic artery, 76.5% in the LGA, 73.3% in the RGA and 95.8% in the RRCA, RMAA, and RIAA. Complications included skin erythema and necrosis after TACE through the RIMA, skin erythema after TACE through the RICA, cholecystitis after TACE through the cystic artery (n = 1), and pleural effusion, basal atelectasis and hiccup after TACE through the IPA. CONCLUSION: TACE through extrahepatic collaterals is safe and feasible, and with a high success rate in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Study on the driving mechanism of lagged effects based on different time scales in a karst drainage basin in South China.

Compared to earthquakes and volcanoes, drought is one of the most damaging natural disasters and is mainly affected by rainfall losses, especially by the runoff regulation ability of the underlying watershed surface. Based on monthly rainfall runoff data recorded from 1980 to 2020, in this study, the distributed lag regression model is used to simulate the rainfall-runoff process in the karst distribution region of South China, and a time series of watershed lagged-flow volumes is calculated. The watershed lagged effect is analyzed by four distribution models, and the joint probability between the lagged intensity and frequency is simulated by the copula function family. The results show that (1) the watershed lagged effects simulated by the normal, log-normal, P-III and log-logistic distribution models in the karst drainage basin are particularly significant, with small mean square errors (MSEs) and significant time-scale characteristics. (2) Affected by spatiotemporal distribution differences in rainfall and the impacts of different basin media and structures, the lag response of runoff to rainfall differs significantly among different time scales. Especially at the 1-, 3- and 12-month scales, the coefficient of variation (Cv) of the watershed lagged intensity is greater than 1, while it is less than 1 at the 6- and 9-month scales. (3) The lagged frequencies simulated by the log-normal, P-III and log-logistic distribution models are relatively high (with medium, medium-high and high frequencies, respectively), while that simulated by the normal distribution is relatively low (medium-low and low frequencies). (4) There is a significant negative correlation (R < - 0.8, Sig. < 0.01) between the watershed lagged intensity and frequency. For the joint probability simulation, the fitting effect of the gumbel Copula is the best, followed by the Clayton and Frank-1 copulas, and while that of the Frank-2 copula is relatively weak. Consequently, the propagation mechanism from meteorological drought to agricultural or hydrological drought and the conversion mechanism between agricultural and hydrological drought are effectively revealed in this study, thereby providing a scientific basis for the rational utilization of water resources and drought resistance and disaster relief in karst areas.