Bronchial Artery Embolization for Hemoptysis in Primary Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Review of 84 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in patients with primary lung cancer-related hemoptysis and to identify factors associated with hemoptysis-free survival. METHODS: Data from 84 patients with primary lung cancer (non-small cell [n = 74] and small cell [n = 10]) who underwent BAE from 1997 to 2018 for the management of hemoptysis were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 53 patients had stage IV lung cancer. The hemoptysis volume prior to initial BAE was trivial (blood-tinged sputum) in 21 patients, moderate (< 300 mL per 24 hours) in 34 patients, and massive (> 300 mL per 24 hours) in 29 patients. RESULTS: Technical success, defined as the ability to selectively embolize the abnormal vessel, was achieved in 83 patients (98.8%), and clinical success was achieved in 69 (82.1%) patients. Polyvinyl alcohol particles were used to embolize in 51 patients, gelfoam in 15 patients, and gelfoam plus microcoils in 17 patients. Hemoptysis recurred in 20 patients (23.8%) during follow-up. The median hemoptysis-free survival and overall survival periods were both 61 days. In the clinical-success and clinical-failure groups, the median overall survival period was 99 and 9 days, respectively (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, massive hemoptysis (P = .012) and cavitary lung mass (P = .019) were predictive factors for shortened hemoptysis-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: BAE is a safe and effective approach to control hemoptysis, although the prognosis in primary lung cancer patients presenting with hemoptysis is generally poor. Massive hemoptysis and cavitary lung mass are significant predictors of shortened hemoptysis-free survival.

Postpartum haemorrhage due to genital tract injury after vaginal delivery: safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolisation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) managing postpartum haemorrhage associated with genital tract injury (PPH-GTI) and to determine the factors associated with clinical outcomes. METHODS: From 2002 to 2017, a retrospective analysis was performed in 60 patients (mean 31.5 years) undergoing TAE for PPH-GTI. Information regarding clinical data, angiography and embolisation details, and clinical outcomes was obtained. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the factors related to clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success was achieved in 98% and 88%, respectively. Bleeding foci were observed on angiography in 56 patients (93%). The major bleeding artery was the vaginal artery (32%, 24/74), followed by the uterine artery (cervicovaginal branch) (n = 18), internal pudendal artery (n = 13), cervical artery (n = 9), inferior mesenteric artery (n = 4) and external pudendal artery (n = 3). Embolic agents were gelatin sponge particles (n = 23), gelatin sponge with permanent embolic agents (microcoils, n-butyl cyanoacrylate) (n = 34) and permanent embolic agents only (n = 3). In seven patients, bleeding control failed and was managed by repeat TAE (n = 5) or surgery (n = 2) and with eventual bleeding control in all of these patients. Univariate analysis showed that paravaginal haematoma, massive transfusion and long hospital stay were related to clinical failure. During the mean follow-up period of 33.1 months, regular menstruation resumed in 95.2% (40/42) and 14 of them became pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: TAE is safe and effective for treating PPH-GTI. Massive transfusion, paravaginal haematoma and long hospital stay were related to the failure of bleeding control. KEY POINTS: • PPH-GTI had a high detection rate of active bleeding foci on angiography. • Besides vaginal artery, inferior mesenteric and external pudendal arteries were notable bleeding foci. • Permanent embolic agents were used more than only gelatin sponge particles. • Paravaginal haematoma and massive transfusion were related to clinical failure. • TAE for PPH-GTI was safe and effective with preservation of menstrual cycles.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for intractable, nontraumatic bladder hemorrhage in cancer patients: a single-center experience and systematic review.

PURPOSE: To explore the effect of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in controlling intractable, nontraumatic bladder hemorrhage in cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review (PubMed and EMBASE), followed by a retrospective analysis of all cancer patients with intractable hematuria from bladder treated by TAE at our tertiary referral center. RESULTS: At our institution, 27 consecutive cancer patients who underwent TAE for refractory hematuria from bladder were identified. The systematic review included 13 studies published between 1981 and 2019. In our local cohort, 27 patients were treated with 100% technical success, clinical success in 88.9%, no major complications, and rebleeding rate within the first month of 7.4%. In the systematic review cohort of 201 patients, there was technical success in 99.0%, clinical success in 80.9%, major complications in 5.5%, and a rebleeding rate within the first month of 4.5%. Bilateral embolization was performed in 81.1%, and embolization levels were mostly anterior division of internal iliac artery (73.7%) and vesical artery (23.2%). CONCLUSION: TAE is effective and safe to control intractable hematuria from bladder origin in cancer patients after failure of conservative management, providing effective temporary hemostasis. For bladder hemorrhage unsuitable for surgery, TAE should be considered at an early stage. A literature review, followed by retrospective analysis of all patients with intractable hematuria from bladder treated by transcatheter arterial embolization at our tertiary referral center. Transcatheter arterial embolization is effective and safe to control intractable hematuria from bladder. The major complication rate and rebleeding within the first month are acceptable.

The usefulness of the sum of relative enhancement ratio in making a differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma from cirrhosis-related nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of the sum of relative enhancement ratio (sRER) in making a differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from benign cirrhosis-related nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen benign cirrhosis-related nodules and 18 HCCs were evaluated. Three radiologists independently reviewed computed tomography images using visual assessment and sRER. sRER was estimated by adding region-of-interest measurement in the arterial phase and the delayed phase. Diagnostic performance and accuracy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean values of sRER were significantly higher in HCCs than in benign cirrhosis-related nodules. CONCLUSION: The sRER method improved diagnostic accuracy of differentiating HCCs from benign cirrhosis-related nodules.