Primary and metastatic tumors of the liver can be treated successfully with transcatheter chemoembolization (TACE) during selective arterial catheterism. Arteritis is a possible referred side effect which can lead to tortuosity of the arteries, stenosis and occlusion of vessels. In our hospitals 117 consecutive patients were treated with TACE from January 1990 to December 1992; 61 patients were affected by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 56 were affected by metastases from colorectal carcinoma. Each patient received from 1 to 4 treatments at monthly intervals using epirubicin/Lipiodol ultrafluid (E/LUF) or a mixture of epirubicin and mitomicin C (MC)/LUF and followed by gelatine sponge injection in the hepatic artery. Selective angiography performed 30-62 days after the first chemoembolization showed artery stenosis in 7 patients and thrombosis in 2 cases related to toxic arteritis due to chemoembolization. Reports about arteritis during TACE treatments are discussed.
Arteritis/chemically induced , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Hepatic Artery , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Aged , Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage , Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/adverse effects , Arteritis/diagnostic imaging , Epirubicin/administration & dosage , Epirubicin/adverse effects , Female , Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable , Hepatic Artery/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Injections, Intra-Arterial/adverse effects , Iodized Oil/administration & dosage , Iodized Oil/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Mitomycin/administration & dosage , Radiography
One-hundred and fifty-five patients with recent trauma were submitted to arthrography of the ankle joint in order to evaluate the actual diagnostic value of the methodology. Arthrography clearly demonstrated the single ligaments (anterior talo-fibular, calcaneal-fibular, posterior talo-fibular, and deltoid) and the capsular damage or rupture. The technical factors affecting the quality of the examinations are discussed. Arthrographic accuracy was 94.2%, with 92.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Arthrography of the ankle joint proved to be a quick and low-cost method providing good diagnostic results and no complications, thus allowing better preoperative planning in capsular and ligament injuries.
Ankle Injuries , Arthrography , Ligaments, Articular/injuries , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Ankle Joint/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Ligaments, Articular/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged
Eight patients affected by neuroblastoma were treated with 18 courses of 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). They all had been judged as "nonresponders" to conventional treatments. Six had stage IV disease: of these, five, with massive marrow involvement, had poor results, mainly because of marrow depression; one, whose marrow had been previously purged by chemotherapy, showed a decrease in blood cell counts but not to critical levels, thus allowing repeated treatments and some improvement. Two other cases had stage III disease, without marrow involvement. Both could receive repeated treatments without adverse effects on marrow and circulating blood cells; both could have surgical procedures when a significant neoplastic mass reduction had been induced by MIBG treatments. Almost all patients experienced reduction or disappearing of pain. Treatments were well tolerated.
Abdominal Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Iodobenzenes/therapeutic use , Neuroblastoma/radiotherapy , 3-Iodobenzylguanidine , Adolescent , Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Lymphatic Metastasis
Embolization of very vascular intracranial meningiomas prior to operation will reduce the loss of blood during the operation. The indications and the technique of preoperative embolization are discussed and 20 cases are presented.
Embolization, Therapeutic , Meningeal Neoplasms/therapy , Meningioma/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Carotid Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Meningeal Neoplasms/surgery , Meningioma/surgery , Middle Aged , Preoperative Care/methods , Radiography
Transcatheter embolization for uncontrollable haemorrhage from pelvic organs was performed in 27 patients (12 women, 15 men) as an aid or alternative to surgery. The advantages and peculiarities of different embolic materials employed, and methods for managing intractable haemorrhage are discussed.
Embolization, Therapeutic , Hemorrhage/therapy , Iliac Artery , Pelvis , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
20 cases of chronic alcoholism with neurologic syndromes were studied by means of both isotopic cisternography and brain CT scan. In 11 cases (55%) there was total reversal of CSF circulation and in a further 4 cases there was a mixed cisternographic pattern. Brain CT scan showed either cortical or subcortical atrophy or both. The magnitude of these findings seems peculiar to chronic alcoholism. Reduction of atrophy in serial CT scan is possible.
Alcoholism/diagnosis , Brain/pathology , Adult , Alcohol Amnestic Disorder/diagnosis , Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium/diagnosis , Atrophy , Brain/drug effects , Cerebral Cortex/physiology , Cerebral Ventricles/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radionuclide Imaging , Serum Albumin, Radio-Iodinated , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
