Vertebroplasty as a palliative treatment option for intractable pain in pediatric patients with spinal tumors.

Primary and secondary malignant tumors of the spine are relatively uncommon in the pediatric population but are associated with high morbidity and significantly decreased quality of life due to pain. Local management of these tumors is often challenging due to the importance of maintaining vertebral mechanical integrity as well as the spinal growth potential. Typically, surgery and/or radiation therapy have been used in the primary management of these tumors. However, treatment options become more limited when there is relapse or refractory disease, with re-resection or additional radiotherapy often not being viable therapies. Vertebroplasty is a currently underutilized modality that might provide significant pain palliation in cases of relapsed cancer in the spine.

Safety and Efficacy of a Truncated Deflation Algorithm for Distal Transradial Access.

PURPOSE: To assess safety and efficacy of a modified rapid hemostasis protocol for distal transradial access (TRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing percutaneous image-guided procedures from a distal TRA with rapid deflation hemostasis protocol was performed. Between March 2017 and August 2019, 593 procedures in 434 patients were performed. Mean patient age was 63.5 y (range, 18-94 y). RESULTS: The most common procedures were transarterial chemoembolization (218; 36.8%), abdominal and pelvic embolization (116; 19.6%), yttrium-90 mapping (115; 19.4%), yttrium-90 administration (84; 14.2%), and diagnostic angiography (44; 7.4%). Mean (range) values for clotting parameters were international normalized ratio 1.2 (0.9-3.2), partial thromboplastin time 33.5 s (26-44 s), and platelets 23.4 × 109/L (37-552 × 109/L). A hematoma developed in 7 (1.2%) patients. No radial artery occlusions were encountered during follow-up. Nursing intensity was defined as the number of minutes after the procedure required for assessing and managing the access site for bleeding. The mean nursing intensity was 25.1 min (range, 25-40 min). CONCLUSIONS: The rapid deflation hemostasis protocol for distal TRA at the anatomical snuffbox was feasible and safe. No significant difference or association was found between hematoma formation and clotting parameters after the procedure or type of vascular access equipment used.

Impact of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Use at the Time of Prostatic Artery Embolization for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Obstruction.

PURPOSE: To compare the 12-month post-prostatic artery embolization (PAE) clinical outcomes of patients who were and were not taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) at the time of PAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent PAE from 2010 to 2017 due to lower urinary tract symptoms, secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). One hundred fifty-five patients were included and divided in 2 groups; these groups did not present statistically significant differences in their baseline characteristics-those taking 5ARIs (Y-5ARIs, n = 40) and those not taking 5ARIs (N-5ARIs, n = 115). International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the sub-item Quality of Life (QoL), and the incidence of clinical failure were used as primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints included mean prostate volume reduction and mean peak flow rate (Qmax) improvement. Clinical failure or recurrence was defined as absence of symptomatic improvement (IPSS ≥ 8 or QoL ≥ 3) or the need for invasive BPH treatment (PAE or transurethral resection of the prostate) during the 12-month follow-up period. RESULTS: After 12-month follow-up, IPSS, QoL, and prostatic volume were significantly lower compared to baseline in both groups, and Qmax showed a significant increase. No statistically significant differences were observed in outcomes between N-5ARIs and Y-5ARIs, and the clinical failure rate for both groups was approximately 20%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 5ARIs did not show a detrimental effect on clinical outcomes of PAE, in either subjective (IPSS, QoL, and clinical failure) or objective (prostatic volume and Qmax) parameters.

Contralateral Hypertrophy Post Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolization in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus.

Objectives Contralateral hypertrophy of non-irradiated liver following Yttrium-90 (90Y) transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is increasingly recognized as an option to facilitate curative surgical resection in patients that would otherwise not be surgical candidates due to a small future liver remnant (FLR). This study aimed to investigate the correlation between patient features and liver hypertrophy and identify potential predictors for liver growth in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) undergoing TARE. Methodology Twenty-three patients with HCC and PVTT were included. Contralateral liver hypertrophy was assessed at six months posttreatment based on CT or MRI imaging. Thirteen patient features were selected for statistical and prediction analysis. Univariate Spearman correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed. Subsequently, four feature-selection methods based on multivariate analysis were used to improve model generalization performance. The selected features were applied to train linear regression models, with fivefold cross-validation to assess the performance of the predicted models. Results The ratio of disease-free target liver volume to spared liver volume and total liver volume showed the highest correlations with contralateral hypertrophy (P-values = 0.03 and 0.05, respectively). In three out of four feature-selection methods, the feature of disease-free target liver volume to total liver volume ratio was selected, having positive correlations with the outcome and suggesting that more hypertrophy may be expected when more volume of disease-free liver is irradiated. Conclusions Contralateral hypertrophy post-90Y TARE can be an option for facilitating surgical resection in patients with otherwise small FLR.

Treatment modalities to manage hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein thrombosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A number of therapeutic treatment strategies exist for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). The aim of this review is to provide a current understanding of treatment options and determine the relative effectiveness of treatment options in preventing mortality over 24 months. METHODS: A search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL from 2007 to 2022. Articles were screened to identify those that reported on all-cause mortality among treated, non-palliative patients with HCC and PVT. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool (ROBINS-1). Mortality rates at prespecified timepoints between 6 and 24 months were extracted and summarized using a random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model. This review was registered a priori on PROSPERO (CRD42022290708). RESULTS: When comparing radiotherapy (RT) to sorafenib and combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), there was a trend that RT yields better survival at 6 months [odds ratio (OR) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-1.76]. When comparing sorafenib to Y90 and RT, sorafenib was associated with higher odds for mortality at 6 months (OR 2.20, 95% CI: 1.11-4.39). No significant differences were noticed from 12 to 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Future strategies for HCC with PVT should look at the combination of radiation and systemic treatments either concurrently or sequentially.

Toward Fluoro-Free Interventions: Using Radial Intracardiac Ultrasound for Vascular Navigation.

Transcatheter cardiovascular interventions have the advantage of patient safety, reduced surgery time and minimal trauma to the patient's body. Transcathether interventions, which are performed percutaneously, are limited by the lack of direct line of sight with the procedural tools and the patient anatomy. Therefore, such interventional procedures rely heavily on image guidance for navigating toward and delivering therapy at the target site. Vascular navigation via the inferior vena cava, from the groin to the heart, is an imperative part of most transcatheter cardiovascular interventions including heart valve repair surgeries and ablation therapy. Traditionally, the inferior vena cava is navigated using fluoroscopic techniques such as venography and computed tomography venography. These X-ray-based techniques can have detrimental effects on the patient as well as the surgical team, causing increased radiation exposure, leading to risk of cancer, fetal defects and eye cataracts. The use of a heavy lead apron has also been reported to cause back pain and spine issues, thus leading to interventionalist's disc disease. We propose the use of a catheter-based ultrasound augmented with electromagnetic tracking technology to generate a vascular roadmap in real time and perform navigation without harmful radiation. In this pilot study, we used spatially tracked intracardiac echocardiography to reconstruct a vessel from a phantom in a 3-D virtual environment. We illustrate how the proposed ultrasound-based navigation will appear in a virtual environment, by navigating a tracked guidewire within the vessels in the phantom without any radiation-based imaging. The geometric accuracy is assessed using a computed tomography scan of the phantom, with a Dice coefficient of 0.79. The average distance between the surfaces of the two models comes out to be 1.7 ± 1.12 mm.

Initial experience of the use of ethylene-vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH) as an alternative technique for lung nodule localization prior to VATS.

Identifying pulmonary nodules for resection that are small or are deep within the lung parenchyma is a frequently encountered challenge during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Several image-guided localizing techniques have been described; however, there is limited literature on using these techniques in pediatric patients. We assessed the feasibility of using a commercially available ethylene-vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH) as an alternative technique for lung nodule localization prior to VATS. We describe our experience of successful EVOH lung nodule localization in three pediatric patients with an oncologic history presenting with new lung nodules.

Transarterial coil embolization of an aortic root pseudoaneurym in a patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare autosomal-dominant connective tissue disorder characterized by arterial aneurysms and vascular friability. Surgical intervention for LDS patients carries significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, the standard management of aortic root pseudoaneurysms is surgical intervention. CASE PRESENTATION: A 20 year old male with LDS presented with a progressively enlarging ascending aortic aneurysm. He underwent a Bentall-type aortic root replacement complicated by a 20 mm aortic root anastomotic pseudoaneurysm. Due to the patient's high risk for repeat surgical intervention, he underwent successful transarterial coil embolization of his aortic root pseudoaneurysm without complication. CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization may provide an alternative treatment for patients presenting with aortic root pseudoaneurysm who are high risk for traditional surgical treatment, such as those with connective tissue disease.

Left Distal Transradial Access (ldTRA): A Comparative Assessment of Conventional and Distal Radial Artery Size.

PURPOSE: To assess left radial artery size, technical feasibility and safety of ldTRA in the anatomical snuffbox for percutaneous image-guided procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was performed from November 2016 to June 2018 on all patients undergoing ldTRA for interventional radiology procedures. RESULTS: A total of 287 patients (91 female and 196 male), aged 18-94 years (mean age 64 years), were included. 389 procedures were performed which included hepatic chemoembolization (n = 161), selective internal radiation therapy Y-90 mapping (n = 74), selective internal radiation therapy Y-90 administration (n = 48), diagnostic angiography (n = 34), mesenteric and pelvic embolization (n = 59), stent insertion (n = 8) and miscellaneous (n = 5). Mean sonographic measurement of the left radial artery size at the conventional site at the wrist was 2.55 mm (range 1.4-3.3 mm) and 2.34 mm (range 1.4-3.2 mm) at the anatomical snuffbox (p < 0.001). Technical success rate was 100%, a single small hematoma occurred in the first patient (0.3%). 74.2% of patients had follow-up for radial artery patency (mean 46 days, range 0-66 days), which did not reveal radial artery occlusions or pseudoaneurysm formation. CONCLUSION: The left distal radial artery in the anatomical snuffbox is smaller in comparison with the conventional access site at the wrist. The difference however is small and does not require intentional downsizing of vascular access equipment to facilitate utilization of ldTRA. Assessment of the vessel size is imperative for appropriate equipment selection and optimizing procedural success. This study supports that ldTRA is technically feasible and safe.

Ablative Transarterial Radioembolization Improves Survival in Patients with HCC and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus.

PURPOSE: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus have a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. We sought to compare survival, tolerability, and safety in such patients treated with conventional yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization dosimetric techniques or ablative transarterial radioembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, single-center cohort study included patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and right, left, and/or main portal vein tumor thrombus, preserved liver function (Child-Pugh class ≤ B7), and good performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≤ 1) treated with yttrium-90 microspheres from 2011 to 2018 with ablative intent transarterial radioembolization (A-TARE), or conventional technique (cTARE). Statistical models were used to compare overall survival, post-treatment survival, toxicities, and prognosticators of response. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included (21 [36.8%] ablative and 36 [63.2%] conventional intent). Median overall survival was 15.7 months. Compared to conventional treatment, ablative radioembolization was associated with longer median overall survival (45.3 vs 18.2 months; P = 0.003), longer post-treatment survival (19.1 vs 4.9 months; P = 0.005), a 70% lower risk of death (hazard ratio 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.70; P = 0.005), and improved 4-year survival (53.9% vs 11.2%). Overall survival did not differ significantly between treatment with resin and glass microspheres (27.5 vs 22.2 months; P = 0.62). Acceptable hepatic toxicities were observed after yttrium-90 administration, without statistical differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus, A-TARE is associated with longer survival than cTARE. Neither modality is associated with deleterious effects on liver function.

The value of percutaneous transhepatic treatment of biliary strictures following pediatric liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percutaneous transhepatic approach to the treatment of biliary strictures in pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of data obtained from the medical records, laboratory reports, and imaging examination reports of pediatric liver transplant recipients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, because of clinical suspicion of biliary strictures, between 1st September 2012 and 31 May 2015. Data were collected for 12 patients, 7 of whom were found to have biliary strictures. RESULTS: In the 7 patients with biliary strictures, a total of 21 procedures were carried out: 2 patients (28.6%) underwent the procedure twice; 3 (42.8%) underwent the procedure three times; and 2 (28.6%) underwent the procedure four times. Therefore, the mean number of procedures per patient was 3 (range, 2-4), and the average interval between them was 2.9 months (range, 0.8-9.1 months). The drainage tube remained in place for a mean of 5.8 months (range, 3.1-12.6 months). One patient presented with a major complication, hemobilia, which was treated with endovascular embolization. Clinical success was achieved in all 7 patients, and the mean follow-up after drain removal was 15.4 months (range, 5.3-26.7 months). CONCLUSION: The percutaneous transhepatic approach to treating biliary strictures in pediatric liver transplant recipients proved safe, with high rates of technical and clinical success, as well as a low rate of complications.

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar o valor da abordagem transparieto-hepática no tratamento de estenoses biliares em pacientes pediátricos submetidos a transplante de fígado. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com revisão de prontuários, exames laboratoriais e de imagem dos pacientes pediá­tricos submetidos a transplante hepático. Foram incluídos pacientes com suspeita de estenose de vias biliares que realizaram colangiografia transparieto-hepática para diagnóstico, entre 1º de setembro de 2012 e 31 maio de 2015. Os dados de 12 pacientes foram coletados, dos quais 7 apresentaram estenose de vias biliares. RESULTADOS: No total foram realizados 21 procedimentos: 2 pacientes realizaram dois procedimentos (28,6%), 3 pacientes realizaram três procedimentos (42,8%) e 2 pacientes realizaram quatro procedimentos (28,6%). A média de procedimentos por paciente foi 3 (variação: 2­4) e o intervalo médio entre os procedimentos foi 2,9 meses (variação: 0,8­9,1 meses). A permanência média do dreno foi 5,8 meses (variação: 3,1­12,6 meses). Uma paciente apresentou hemobilia com instabilidade hemodinâmica, tratada com sucesso por via endovascular. O sucesso clínico foi alcançado nos 7 pacientes e o seguimento médio após retirada do dreno foi 15,4 meses (variação: 5,3­26,7 meses). CONCLUSÃO: A abordagem transparieto-hepática das estenoses biliares em crianças submetidas a transplante de fígado demonstrou ser tratamento eficaz, com baixo índice de complicações.

Abdominal vascular syndromes: characteristic imaging findings.

Abdominal vascular syndromes are rare diseases. Although such syndromes vary widely in terms of symptoms and etiologies, certain imaging findings are characteristic. Depending on their etiology, they can be categorized as congenital-including blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome)-or compressive-including "nutcracker" syndrome, median arcuate ligament syndrome, Cockett syndrome (also known as May-Thurner syndrome), and superior mesenteric artery syndrome. In this article, we aimed to illustrate imaging findings that are characteristic of these syndromes, through studies conducted at our institution, as well as to perform a brief review of the literature on this topic.

As síndromes vasculares abdominais englobam doenças raras, com sintomas e causas diversas, mas com achados de imagem característicos. Dividem-se em dois grupos distintos, a depender de sua origem, que pode ser congênita (síndrome de blue rubber bleb nevus, síndrome de Klippel-Trenaunay e telangiectasia hereditária hemorrágica/Rendu-Osler-Weber) ou compressiva (síndrome do "quebra-nozes", síndrome do ligamento arqueado, síndrome de Cockett ou May-Thurner e síndrome da artéria mesentérica superior). Neste artigo, o nosso objetivo é ilustrar achados de imagens determinantes dessas doenças, por meio de estudos adquiridos em nossa instituição, associando uma breve revisão da literatura.

The value of percutaneous transhepatic treatment of biliary strictures following pediatric liver transplantation / O valor do tratamento das estenoses biliares por via transparietal pós-transplante hepático pediátrico

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the percutaneous transhepatic approach to the treatment of biliary strictures in pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of data obtained from the medical records, laboratory reports, and imaging examination reports of pediatric liver transplant recipients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, because of clinical suspicion of biliary strictures, between 1st September 2012 and 31 May 2015. Data were collected for 12 patients, 7 of whom were found to have biliary strictures. Results: In the 7 patients with biliary strictures, a total of 21 procedures were carried out: 2 patients (28.6%) underwent the procedure twice; 3 (42.8%) underwent the procedure three times; and 2 (28.6%) underwent the procedure four times. Therefore, the mean number of procedures per patient was 3 (range, 2-4), and the average interval between them was 2.9 months (range, 0.8-9.1 months). The drainage tube remained in place for a mean of 5.8 months (range, 3.1-12.6 months). One patient presented with a major complication, hemobilia, which was treated with endovascular embolization. Clinical success was achieved in all 7 patients, and the mean follow-up after drain removal was 15.4 months (range, 5.3-26.7 months). Conclusion: The percutaneous transhepatic approach to treating biliary strictures in pediatric liver transplant recipients proved safe, with high rates of technical and clinical success, as well as a low rate of complications.

Resumo Objetivo: Demonstrar o valor da abordagem transparieto-hepática no tratamento de estenoses biliares em pacientes pediátricos submetidos a transplante de fígado. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo com revisão de prontuários, exames laboratoriais e de imagem dos pacientes pediá­tricos submetidos a transplante hepático. Foram incluídos pacientes com suspeita de estenose de vias biliares que realizaram colangiografia transparieto-hepática para diagnóstico, entre 1º de setembro de 2012 e 31 maio de 2015. Os dados de 12 pacientes foram coletados, dos quais 7 apresentaram estenose de vias biliares. Resultados: No total foram realizados 21 procedimentos: 2 pacientes realizaram dois procedimentos (28,6%), 3 pacientes realizaram três procedimentos (42,8%) e 2 pacientes realizaram quatro procedimentos (28,6%). A média de procedimentos por paciente foi 3 (variação: 2-4) e o intervalo médio entre os procedimentos foi 2,9 meses (variação: 0,8-9,1 meses). A permanência média do dreno foi 5,8 meses (variação: 3,1-12,6 meses). Uma paciente apresentou hemobilia com instabilidade hemodinâmica, tratada com sucesso por via endovascular. O sucesso clínico foi alcançado nos 7 pacientes e o seguimento médio após retirada do dreno foi 15,4 meses (variação: 5,3-26,7 meses). Conclusão: A abordagem transparieto-hepática das estenoses biliares em crianças submetidas a transplante de fígado demonstrou ser tratamento eficaz, com baixo índice de complicações.

Abdominal vascular syndromes: characteristic imaging findings / Síndromes vasculares abdominais: achados de imagem característicos

Abstract Abdominal vascular syndromes are rare diseases. Although such syndromes vary widely in terms of symptoms and etiologies, certain imaging findings are characteristic. Depending on their etiology, they can be categorized as congenital-including blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome)-or compressive-including "nutcracker" syndrome, median arcuate ligament syndrome, Cockett syndrome (also known as May-Thurner syndrome), and superior mesenteric artery syndrome. In this article, we aimed to illustrate imaging findings that are characteristic of these syndromes, through studies conducted at our institution, as well as to perform a brief review of the literature on this topic.

Resumo As síndromes vasculares abdominais englobam doenças raras, com sintomas e causas diversas, mas com achados de imagem característicos. Dividem-se em dois grupos distintos, a depender de sua origem, que pode ser congênita (síndrome de blue rubber bleb nevus, síndrome de Klippel-Trenaunay e telangiectasia hereditária hemorrágica/Rendu-Osler-Weber) ou compressiva (síndrome do "quebra-nozes", síndrome do ligamento arqueado, síndrome de Cockett ou May-Thurner e síndrome da artéria mesentérica superior). Neste artigo, o nosso objetivo é ilustrar achados de imagens determinantes dessas doenças, por meio de estudos adquiridos em nossa instituição, associando uma breve revisão da literatura.