ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Microcatheters and microcoils are produced by a number of different companies, and this is one of the reasons that their compatibility is sometimes unclear. Therefore, we conducted an experimental study to evaluate the compatibility of microcoils through major microcatheters using an in vitro model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed trials on eight types of microcoils with 16 types of microcatheters in a vascular model under fluoroscopy. The microcatheters were perfused with normal saline and the vascular model with normal saline with lubricant during the experiment. Two radiologists evaluated their compatibility with scores of 1 through 5 in a double-blinded state (1: not passable, 2: passable with exertion, 3: passable with some resistance, 4: passable with slight resistance, and 5: passed without resistance). RESULT: A total of 512 combinations were examined. The number of scores with 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 were found for 465, 11, 3, 2, and 15 combinations, respectively. Sixteen combinations were non-applicable due to the depletion of microcoils. CONCLUSION: Although this experiment has multiple limitations, most microcoils and microcatheters are compatible if their primary diameters are smaller than the indicated microcatheter tip inner diameters, with some exceptions.
Subject(s)
Embolization, Therapeutic , Saline Solution , FluoroscopyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths throughout the world. Chest computed tomography (CT) is now widely used in the screening and diagnosis of lung cancer due to its effectiveness. Radiologists must identify each small nodule shadow from 3D volume images, which is very burdensome and often results in missed nodules. To address these challenges, we developed a computer-aided detection (CAD) system that automatically detects lung nodules in CT images. METHODS: A total of 1997 chest CT scans were collected for algorithm development. The algorithm was designed using deep learning technology. In addition to evaluating detection performance on various public datasets, its robustness to changes in radiation dose was assessed by a phantom study. To investigate the clinical usefulness of the CAD system, a reader study was conducted with 10 doctors, including inexperienced and expert readers. This study investigated whether the use of the CAD as a second reader could prevent nodular lesions in lungs that require follow-up examinations from being overlooked. Analysis was performed using the Jackknife Free-Response Receiver-Operating Characteristic (JAFROC). RESULTS: The CAD system achieved sensitivity of 0.98/0.96 at 3.1/7.25 false positives per case on two public datasets. Sensitivity did not change within the range of practical doses for a study using a phantom. A second reader study showed that the use of this system significantly improved the detection ability of nodules that could be picked up clinically (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a deep learning-based CAD system that is robust to imaging conditions. Using this system as a second reader increased detection performance.
Subject(s)
Deep Learning , Lung Neoplasms , Humans , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Phantoms, Imaging , Lung/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture caused by migration of a Zenith stent-graft main body years after its separation from the suprarenal stent. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old man underwent endovascular aneurysm repair with a Zenith stent-graft for an infrarenal AAA in year 2000. At that time, a femorofemoral bypass was performed because the left external iliac and common femoral arteries were dissected during treatment. In 2013, follow-up computed tomography (CT) showed disconnection of the uncovered proximal stent, which led to a type Ia endoleak. An additional Zenith main body and Large Palmaz XL balloon-expandable stent were deployed; the endoleak disappeared. In 2016, the patient had abdominal pain, and emergency CT showed AAA rupture caused by migration of the first main body deployed in 2000 under the distal edge of the contralateral (left) leg of the additional main body from 2013, which led to a type IIIa endoleak between the 2 main bodies. A converter and iliac legs were deployed to successfully seal the type IIIa endoleak. The patient remains well 18 months after the second repair; CT scans document stable stent-grafts and no endoleak. CONCLUSION: Physicians should be aware of the potential risk for AAA rupture caused by late main body migration after treatment for suprarenal stent separation from a Zenith stent-graft.
Subject(s)
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/surgery , Aortic Rupture/etiology , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/instrumentation , Blood Vessel Prosthesis , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Endovascular Procedures/instrumentation , Foreign-Body Migration/etiology , Prosthesis Failure , Stents , Aged , Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Rupture/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Rupture/surgery , Endoleak/diagnostic imaging , Endoleak/etiology , Endoleak/surgery , Foreign-Body Migration/diagnostic imaging , Foreign-Body Migration/surgery , Humans , Male , Reoperation , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report an experimental study and clinical case using a coil packing technique that hastens occlusion of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug 1 (AVP1) in short-segment embolization of high-flow target vessels. TECHNIQUE: An experimental vascular stenosis model was made of 12-mm soft polyvinyl chloride tubing. Under continuous pulsatile flow, a 12-mm AVP1 was deployed in the 4-mm-diameter stenosis. Before detachment of the AVP1, a 2.2-F microcatheter was inserted into the AVP1 through its mesh via a 6-F delivery guiding sheath in parallel with the delivery wire. Hydrogel microcoils were deployed tightly in the AVP1 and the plug was detached. After the procedure, the pulsatile saline flow was nearly obliterated. In the first clinical case, a 64-year-old man with a thoracic aortic stent-graft and single vessel debranching for type B aortic dissection developed a residual type II endoleak via the left subclavian artery. This coil packing technique in an AVP1 was employed to successfully embolize the leak. CONCLUSION: Based on the experimental study and the first experience in vivo, tight coil packing of an AVP1 might be a robust technique for ultrashort-segment embolization.
Subject(s)
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/surgery , Aortic Dissection/surgery , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Endoleak/therapy , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Blood Flow Velocity , Embolization, Therapeutic/instrumentation , Endoleak/diagnostic imaging , Endoleak/etiology , Endoleak/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Anatomic , Models, Cardiovascular , Regional Blood Flow , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Background A novel strategy to combine conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and TACE during portal vein occlusion (TACE-PVO) in the presence of high-flow arterioportal shunt (APS) has been developed to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal invasion. Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of this strategy. Material and Methods Twenty-five cases of HCC with portal invasion, treated between April 2006 and December 2015, were evaluated. Balloon occlusion of the portal venous outlet was performed in eight cases of high-flow APS when performing TACE. Conventional TACE was performed in the other 17 cases. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Adverse events and deterioration of liver function were also evaluated. Results The median survival time (MST) was 12 months. One-, two-, and three-year survival rates were 48.0%, 39.3%, and 26.2%, respectively. Subgroup analysis and multivariate analysis revealed the CLIP score as prognostic factor. MST was 2.5 months in the subgroup with CLIP score ≥4 and 26.0 months in the subgroup with CLIP score ≤3 (hazard ratio = 7.7, 95% confidence interval = 2.3-25.8). Transient elevations of the levels of transaminase and bilirubin were observed; however, deterioration of liver function was infrequent; upgrading of Child-Pugh class in 9.1% of cases. Conclusion A novel strategy, combining conventional TACE and TACE-PVO, is effective for HCC with portal invasion. The CLIP score may be useful for considering treatment indication.
Subject(s)
Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical , Balloon Occlusion/methods , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/methods , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Portal Vein , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Proportional Hazards Models , Retrospective Studies , Survival Rate , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The diagnostic steps for primary aldosteronism (PA) include case screening tests, confirmatory tests, and localization. The aim of this study was to identify useful confirmatory tests and their cut-off values for differentiating the subtype of primary aldosteronism, especially in unilateral PA, such as aldosterone-producing adenoma, and bilateral PA, such as idiopathic hyperaldosteronism. Seventy-six patients who underwent all four confirmatory tests, the captopril-challenge test (CCT), furosemide upright test (FUT), saline infusion test (SIT), and ACTH stimulation test (AST), and who were confirmed to have an aldosterone excess by adrenal venous sampling (AVS) were recruited. Subjects were diagnosed as having unilateral aldosterone excess (n=17) or bilateral aldosterone excess (n=59) by AVS. The SIT-positive rate was significantly higher in the unilateral group (94.1%) than in the bilateral group (57.6%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that tumor on computed tomography (CT) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC)max/cortisol on the AST were useful for differentiating the subtype of PA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for distinguishing the subtype of PA showed that a cut-off value of 18.3 PACmax/cortisol on the AST had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 88%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.918 (95% confidence interval 0.7916-0.9708). These data suggest that abdominal CT and AST are useful for differentiating the subtype of PA and the indication for AVS.
Subject(s)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/therapeutic use , Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine , Hyperaldosteronism/classification , Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Aldosterone/blood , Diagnosis, Differential , Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine/standards , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/blood , Hyperaldosteronism/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Reference Values , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous isolated pancreas perfusion (PIPP) by using a pig model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All experiments were approved by the institutional Animal Experiment Ethics Committee. Fifteen pigs were assigned to five groups, and PIPP was performed. Angiographic and dye injection studies were performed to confirm the patency of the PIPP system (group 1). Blood that contained cisplatin (1.5 mg per kilogram of body weight) in an extracorporeal circuit was circulated through the pancreas at three infusion rates (40, 60, and 80 mL/min) to determine the optimal infusion rate in terms of safety and pharmacologic effectiveness (groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Chronological laboratory data and histologic findings were assessed in group 5, which received the optimal infusion rate. Maximum platinum concentration (Cmax) and area under the platinum concentration-time curve were compared by using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Angiography and dye injection confirmed the patency of the PIPP system. Histopathologic examinations showed no abnormalities in the pancreas or other organs at a 40 mL/min infusion rate of cisplatin. However, edematous changes in the pancreas were observed at higher infusion rates. The pharmacologic effectiveness did not differ significantly among groups; therefore, the optimal infusion rate of 40 mL/min was selected. The median pancreatic-to-systemic exposure ratios were 71.8 for Cmax and 54.8 for the area under the curve. All laboratory data remained normal or returned to pretreatment levels within 1 week. CONCLUSION: PIPP at a 40 mL/min infusion rate appears to be safe and feasible for perfusion of the pancreas.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion/methods , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials/prevention & control , Pancreas , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Cisplatin/pharmacokinetics , Feasibility Studies , Female , Pancreas/metabolism , Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Pilot Projects , SwineABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Second-line therapy has limited activity in patients with recurrent or persistent uterine cervical cancer that has progressed after chemoradiation and palliative chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of negative-balance isolated pelvic perfusion (NIPP) in patients with pretreated recurrent/persistent uterine cervical cancer. METHODS: Between April 2004 and May 2013, a total of 26 patients with recurrent or persistent uterine cervical cancer previously treated with platinum-based systemic chemotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy received NIPP therapy at our institution, consisting of a 30-min isolated pelvic perfusion with cisplatin and fluorouracil, followed by isolated pelvic dialysis. Primary endpoints were response rate (RR) and progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and safety. Platinum pharmacokinetics were also evaluated. RESULTS: The RR was 57.7 % (complete response, five patients; partial response, ten patients). The median PFS and OS after NIPP therapy were 11.0 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 6.6-15.4) and 25.1 (95 % CI 17.1-33.1) months, respectively. PFS was significantly better in patients without intestinal involvement (p = 0.016) or dissemination (p < 0.001). Survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after initial NIPP therapy were 65.2, 50.4, and 13.4 %, respectively. The plasma pelvic-to-systemic exposure ratios were 15.4 and 15.8, based on the maximum concentration and the concentration-time curve, respectively. Most adverse events were mild (grade 1-2) (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0). Severe neutropenia (grade 3 or higher) occurred in only 7.7 % of patients. CONCLUSIONS: NIPP appears to be an effective and feasible method for patients with pretreated recurrent or persistent cervical cancer.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy , Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion/adverse effects , Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion/methods , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adenocarcinoma/radiotherapy , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/radiotherapy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary , Chemoradiotherapy , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Cisplatin/blood , Cisplatin/pharmacokinetics , Dialysis , Disease-Free Survival , Feasibility Studies , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Humans , Middle Aged , Pelvis , Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors , Survival Rate , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/radiotherapyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and underlying pharmacokinetics of the retrograde-outflow technique for percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion (PIHP). METHODS: Retrograde-outflow PIHP was performed in 12 male pigs (weight, 37-44 kg) by redirecting hepatic outflow through the portal vein. Blood with cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg) in an extracorporeal circuit was circulated through the liver under isolation using rotary pumps with balloon catheters. Hepatic angiographic examinations were conducted during perfusion, and histopathological examinations of the organs were conducted after perfusion. The maximum platinum concentration (C max), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), and chronologic laboratory data were measured. RESULTS: Retrograde-outflow isolated hepatic angiography confirmed that contrast media flowed into the portal veins in all 12 pigs. The hepatic veins and inferior vena cava were not opacified. Hepatic C max (86.3 mg/l) was 39-fold greater than systemic C max (2.2 mg/l), and hepatic AUC (1330.8 min · mg/l) was 30-fold greater than systemic AUC (44.6 min · mg/l). Histopathological examinations revealed no ischaemic changes or other abnormalities in the liver, duodenum, small intestine, or colon. Within 1 week of the procedure, chronologic laboratory data (n = 3) normalized or returned to pre-therapy levels. CONCLUSIONS: The retrograde-outflow technique appears to enable safe and feasible PIHP therapy. KEY POINTS: ⢠The portal vein acted as an outflow tract under retrograde-outflow PIHP. ⢠Plasma hepatic-to-systemic exposure ratio was 39.2 for the maximum platinum concentration. ⢠Plasma hepatic-to-systemic exposure ratio was 29.8 for the AUC. ⢠The retrograde-outflow technique appears to enable safe and feasible PIHP.
Subject(s)
Cisplatin/pharmacokinetics , Hepatic Veins/diagnostic imaging , Angiography, Digital Subtraction , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Contrast Media , Feasibility Studies , Liver/blood supply , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Male , Models, Animal , Perfusion , Pilot Projects , SwineSubject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon , Portal Vein , Ultrasonography, Interventional , Vascular Diseases/therapy , Angioplasty, Balloon/instrumentation , Chronic Disease , Constriction, Pathologic , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Portal Vein/diagnostic imaging , Portal Vein/physiopathology , Stents , Treatment Outcome , Vascular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Vascular Diseases/physiopathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: To retrospectively evaluate proper hepatic artery embolization, with respect to the development of extrahepatic collaterals. METHODS: Proper hepatic artery embolization was performed in 18 patients with hemorrhagic arterial lesions in the hepatic hilum. Post-procedural development of extrahepatic collaterals was evaluated by computed tomography or angiography. Embolization data and liver function tests were assessed. The correlation of outcomes with portal venous stenosis, hepatic failure prior to embolization, elevation of prothrombin time, and insufficient collateral development were analyzed. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding occurred in 17/18 patients, and one was treated for an idiopathic aneurysm of the proper hepatic artery; all treatments achieved technical success. Extrahepatic collaterals were confirmed in 13 patients. Elevations of liver function test values were transient and returned to baseline within 14 days in patients with collateral development (n = 13), but were unimproved in patients without collaterals (n = 5) (P < 0.001). Portal venous stenosis; prior hepatic failure; unrecovered, elevation of prothrombin time; and insufficient collateral development were significantly correlated with poor outcomes (P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Proper hepatic artery embolization is effective for hemostasis, and extrahepatic collateral development is expected. Therefore, this is a safe treatment without prolonged hepatic ischemic damage, especially in patients without severe portal venous stenosis or prior hepatic failure.
Subject(s)
Collateral Circulation/physiology , Embolization, Therapeutic , Hemorrhage/therapy , Hemostatic Techniques , Hepatic Artery , Liver Circulation/physiology , Liver Diseases/therapy , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Constriction, Pathologic , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Female , Hemorrhage/physiopathology , Humans , Liver Diseases/physiopathology , Liver Failure , Male , Middle Aged , Portal Vein/pathology , Prothrombin Time , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Drug leakage and lack of a drug-removal system have prevented clinical application of isolated pelvic perfusion (IPP). These barriers were overcome with negative-balance IPP (NIPP) in experimental pig models. Here, a phase 1 clinical study of NIPP was performed in patients with incurable symptomatic rectal cancer. PURPOSE: To establish a safe regimen of high-dose regional chemotherapy with NIPP using cisplatin in patients with incurable rectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between June 2004 and January 2007, NIPP therapy was performed for 23 patients (11 women, 12 men; mean age, 58 years). NIPP was routinely performed twice over a 4-week interval. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were defined using a 5 + 3 design, and cisplatin doses were escalated from 170 mg/m(2), with a fixed 5-fluorouracil dose of 1000 mg/m(2). The grade of adverse events (AEs) at the first and second sessions of NIPP therapy, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor response were evaluated. RESULTS: No DLTs were observed during the first session of NIPP. However, at the second session, two patients experienced the DLT of neuropathy after administration of 200 mg/m(2) cisplatin. Therefore, 190 mg/m(2) cisplatin was indicated as the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The plasma pelvic-to-systemic exposure ratio was 18.4 based on the maximum concentration and 19.0 based on the concentration-time curve. Solid tumor responses included complete response in two patients, partial response in five patients, stable disease in 15 patients, and progressive disease in one patient. CONCLUSION: NIPP may offer the safe delivery of high-dose regional chemotherapy (MTD of 190 mg/m(2) cisplatin) with negligible AEs and effective control of tumor growth in patients with incurable rectal cancer.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion/methods , Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials/etiology , Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials/prevention & control , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced , Rectal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion/instrumentation , Chronic Disease , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Cisplatin/adverse effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials/diagnosis , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Fluorouracil/adverse effects , Humans , Infusion Pumps , Male , Maximum Tolerated Dose , Middle Aged , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/prevention & control , Rectal Neoplasms/complications , Rectal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Survival Rate , Treatment FailureABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular malformations that cause hematuria. Treatment for renal AVMs has evolved from open nephrectomy to transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate efficacy and adverse events of TAE for renal AVMs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 12 patients (three men, nine women; mean age, 56 years) with renal AVM with gross hematuria, who underwent 14 sessions of treatment, using various embolization materials (liquid embolization agents, gelatin sponge, and coils). Among the 12 patients, 10 had cirsoid AVMs, eight of which were high-flow lesions. The remaining two patients had aneurismal AVMs. We assessed technical and clinical success, and also complications. All patients were followed for 7-92 months (mean, 48 months). RESULTS: Technical success was obtained in all patients. Primary clinical success was obtained in all patients; however, recurrence was observed in two patients who were treated with coils alone. A second session of TAE led to the sustained relief of symptoms. Clinical success rate was significant better (P = 0.045) when coils combined with other agents or liquid agents were used, than when only coils were used. No major complications occurred in any of patients; post-embolization syndrome and deterioration of renal function were not observed. CONCLUSION: TAE treatment was safe, effective, and provided a good outcome, except when only coils were used as the embolization agent.
Subject(s)
Arteriovenous Malformations/complications , Arteriovenous Malformations/therapy , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Hematuria/etiology , Hematuria/therapy , Kidney Diseases/complications , Kidney Diseases/therapy , Kidney/blood supply , Aged , Angiography , Arteriovenous Malformations/diagnostic imaging , Female , Hematuria/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Kidney Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Outflow block of the liver is a life-threatening event after living donor liver transplantation. Herein, we rescued a patient suffering from the outflow block of the remnant left hemiliver caused by bending of the left hepatic vein (LHV) after right hemihepatectomy plus caudate lobectomy combined with resection of the middle hepatic vein (MHV). A metastatic tumor sized 6 cm in the caudate lobe of the liver involving the root of the MHV was found in a 50's year old patient after resection of a right breast cancer eight years ago. Right hemihepatectomy and caudate lobectomy combined with resection of the MHV was performed using a two-stage hepatectomy (partial TIPE ALPPS). On day 1, the total bilirubin value increased to 4.5 mg/dL, and a dynamic computed tomography (CT) scan showed the bent LHV. On the diagnosis of outflow block of the left liver, a self-expandable metallic stent was placed in the LHV using an interventional approach, and the pressure in the LHV decreased from 27 cmH2O to 12 cmH2O. The bilirubin value decreased to 1.2 mg/dL on day 3. Outflow block of the LHV can happen after extended right hemihepatectomy with resection of the MHV. Early diagnosis and interventional stenting treatment can rescue the patient from congestive liver failure.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the liver caused by hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) influence pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Liver transplantation (LT) is the most common treatment for HHT-induced hepatic AVMs. However, LT is contraindicated for patients with severe PAH. There is controversy regarding the ideal therapeutic approach for HHT with PAH and hepatic AVMs. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 48-year-old female with PAH and HHT. After the initiation of PAH-targeted drugs, we considered that the PAH was mainly caused by high cardiac output secondary to multiple diffuse AVMs in the liver. LT was contraindicated due to high mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and we opted to perform transcatheter embolization as an alternative treatment for the AVM. Multiple-stage embolization sessions did not effectively improve the shunt in the liver or the pulmonary hemodynamics. The patient died of an uncontrolled gastrointestinal hemorrhage. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: LT was considered in our case; it was contraindicated because of pulmonary hypertension that was in line with the model for end-stage liver disease exception criteria. Repeated embolization did not reduce the liver shunt or improve pulmonary hemodynamics, possibly due to the diffuse distribution of AVMs in the liver and the rapid development of new collateral vessels with each embolization. Recently, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) has been proposed as a more appropriate index for stratifying perioperative risk. CONCLUSION: Based on previous reports and our experience, rapid decision-making regarding LT may be needed based on mPAP and PVR after the initiation of PAH-targeted drugs.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To apply image registration in the follow up of lung nodules and verify the feasibility of automatic tracking of lung nodules using an artificial intelligence (AI) method. METHODS: For this retrospective, observational study, patients with pulmonary nodules 5-30 mm in diameter on computed tomography (CT) and who had at least six months follow-up were identified. Two radiologists defined a 'correct' cuboid circumscribing each nodule which was used to judge the success/failure of nodule tracking. An AI algorithm was applied in which a U-net type neural network model was trained to predict the deformation vector field between two examinations. When the estimated position was within a defined cuboid, the AI algorithm was judged a success. RESULTS: In total, 49 lung nodules in 40 patients, with a total of 368 follow-up CT examinations were examined. The success rate for each time evaluation was 94% (345/368) and for 'nodule-by-nodule evaluation' was 78% (38/49). Reasons for a decrease in success rate were related to small nodules and those that decreased in size. CONCLUSION: Automatic tracking of lung nodules is highly feasible.
Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms , Solitary Pulmonary Nodule , Humans , Artificial Intelligence , Retrospective Studies , Algorithms , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methodsABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification has recently emerged as the standard classification system for clinical management of patients with HCC. According to the BCLC staging system, curative therapies (resection, transplantation, and percutaneous ablation) can improve survival in HCC patients diagnosed at an early stage and offer potential long-term curative effects. Patients with intermediate-stage HCC benefit from transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and those diagnosed at an advanced stage receive sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, or conservative therapy. Most patients receive palliative or conservative therapy only, and approximately 50% of patients with HCC are candidates for systemic therapy. TACE is often recommended for advanced-stage HCC patients all over the world because these patients desire therapy that is more effective than systemic chemotherapy or conservative treatment. This paper aims to summarize both the published data and important ongoing studies for TACE and to discuss technical improvements in TACE for advanced-stage HCC.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/methods , Hemostatics/administration & dosage , Liver Circulation/drug effects , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Animals , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Our aim was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of percutaneous transhepatic obliteration (PTO) alone and combined with balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) for gastroesophageal varices refractory to BRTO alone. Between July 1999 and December 2010, 13 patients with gastroesophageal varices refractory to BRTO were treated with PTO (n = 6) or a combination of PTO and BRTO (n = 7). We retrospectively investigated the rates of survival, recurrence, or worsening of the varices; hepatic function before and after the procedure; and complications. The procedure achieved complete obliteration or significant reduction of the varices in all 13 patients without major complications. During follow-up, the varices had recurred in 2 patients, of which one had hepatocellular carcinoma, and the other died suddenly from variceal rebleeding 7 years after PTO. The remaining 11 patients did not experience worsening of the varices and showed significant improvements in the serum ammonia levels and prothrombin time. The mean follow-up period was 90 months, and the cumulative survival rate at 1, 3, and 5 years was 92.9%, 85.7%, and 85.7%, respectively. Both PTO and combined PTO and BRTO seem as safe and effective procedures for the treatment of gastroesophageal varices refractory to BRTO alone.
Subject(s)
Balloon Occlusion/methods , Esophageal and Gastric Varices/therapy , Adult , Aged , Esophageal and Gastric Varices/mortality , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Failure , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation is a rare entity (0.9%). There are about 200 articles available in PubMed. This review article includes 86 published articles, with 117 cases published after 2000. The median age at diagnosis was 51, and most of the patients were male (87.0%). The symptoms included pain, bleeding, pancreatitis, ulcers in the duodenum or stomach, varix formation, jaundice, and ascites. The diagnostic modalities were angiography, contrast-enhanced CT, MRI, and/or Ultra Sound. The most common treatments were surgery and embolization. The clinical success rate of embolization reported was 57.7%. The tailored embolization based on each agio-architecture had a clinical success rate of 80%. If embolic therapy is ineffective, surgical intervention should be considered.
ABSTRACT
An 86-year-old man underwent total penectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy (ILND) for penile cancer with an enlarged right inguinal lymph node. The accumulation of 100-150 ml of lymphatic fluid was observed in the right inguinal drain in a day after surgery. Compression was performed, without any improvement in lymphorrhea. During the right inguinal lymphangiography performed on postoperative day (POD) 28, lymphorrhea was still detected. Lymphorrhea was improved 2 days after intranodal glue embolization (IGE) was performed using a mixture of lipiodol and n-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (NBCA). IGE was effective for intractable lymphorrhea after ILND in penile cancer.