Transient, Image-Guided Gel-Dissection for Percutaneous Thermal Ablation.

Image-guided tumor ablative therapies are mainstay cancer treatment options but often require intra-procedural protective tissue displacement to reduce the risk of collateral damage to neighboring organs. Standard of care strategies, such as hydrodissection (fluidic injection), are limited by rapid diffusion of fluid and poor retention time, risking injury to adjacent organs, increasing cancer recurrence rates from incomplete tumor ablations, and limiting patient qualification. Herein, a "gel-dissection" technique is developed, leveraging injectable hydrogels for longer-lasting, shapeable, and transient tissue separation to empower clinicans with improved ablation operation windows and greater control. A rheological model is designed to understand and tune gel-dissection parameters. In swine models, gel-dissection achieves 24 times longer-lasting tissue separation dynamics compared to saline, with 40% less injected volume. Gel-dissection achieves anti-dependent dissection between free-floating organs in the peritoneal cavity and clinically significant thermal protection, with the potential to expand minimally invasive therapeutic techniques, especially across locoregional therapies including radiation, cryoablation, endoscopy, and surgery.

The Natural History of Splenic Artery Aneurysms: Factors That Predict Aneurysm Growth.

PURPOSE: To examine the natural history of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) at a single institution and assess the effect of patient factors and aneurysm characteristics on aneurysm growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included patients with SAAs who underwent serial imaging over 30 years (1990-2020). Data regarding patient demographics and aneurysm characteristics were collected. The variables contributing to aneurysm growth were assessed using nonparametric tests for continuous variables and chi-square test for categorical variables. Multivariable linear regression was performed using aneurysm growth rate as a continuous dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included in this study. The median maximum diameter of the SAAs was 15.8 mm (range, 4.0-50.0 mm). Growth over time was observed in 39% of the aneurysms, whereas the remaining 61% were stable in size. Of aneurysms that increased in size, the median aneurysm growth rate was 0.60 mm/y (range, 0.03-5.00 mm/y). Maximum aneurysm diameter of >2 cm and the presence of >50% mural thrombus were significant positive predictors for aneurysm growth (P = .020 and P = .022, respectively). Greater than 50% rim calcification was a significant negative predictor for aneurysm growth (P = .009) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A larger baseline SAA size, presence of mural thrombus, and lack of rim calcification are associated with increased aneurysm growth rate.

Use of Polyurethane-Covered Stents for Exclusion of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, technical success and short-term effectiveness of polyurethane-covered stent (PK Papyrus, BioTronik, Berlin) in the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) that are not amenable to embolotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this IRB-approved, retrospective study, data from patients who received polyurethane-covered stents for exclusion of PAVMs were analyzed. The study included 5 patients (all women) with a median age of 40 years (range 25-60). Patients presented with hypoxemia, TIAs, and/or epistaxis; 4 were confirmed to have HHT. All had multiple PAVMs diagnosed on chest CT and underwent embolization with other devices in addition to the polyurethane-covered stent. The indication for stent placement in all cases was a short and/or tortuous feeding artery. Safety was assessed by immediate or short-term complications, e.g., migration, stent thrombosis, and fracture. Technical success was defined as the ability to accurately place the stent at the intended location. Effectiveness was defined as successful exclusion of PAVM with no perfusion across the AVM. RESULTS: Technical success of stent placement was 100%. AVM exclusion rate was 80% after single stent deployment; in the case of incomplete exclusion, success was achieved using an overlapping stent to completely cover a second feeding artery. During the median follow-up period of 5 months (range 2-10), all stents remained patent, and AVMs were excluded without other complications. CONCLUSION: Exclusion of PAVMs with polyurethane-covered stents is technically feasible, safe, and shows short-term effectiveness for PAVMs with a short/tortuous feeding artery when traditional embolization techniques are not possible.

Modeling the development of cognitive reserve in children: A residual index approach.

OBJECTIVE: To model cognitive reserve (CR) longitudinally in a neurodiverse pediatric sample using a residual index approach, and to test the criterion and construct validity of this index. METHOD: Participants were N = 115 children aged 9.5-13 years at baseline (MAge = 10.48 years, SDAge = 0.61), and n = 43 (37.4%) met criteria for ADHD. The CR index represented variance in Matrix Reasoning scores from the WASI that was unexplained by MRI-based brain variables (bilateral hippocampal volumes, total gray matter volumes, and total white matter hypointensity volumes) or demographics (age and sex). RESULTS: At baseline, the CR index predicted math computation ability (estimate = 0.50, SE = 0.07, p < .001), and word reading ability (estimate = 0.26, SE = 0.10, p = .012). Longitudinally, change in CR over time was not associated with change in math computation ability (estimate = -0.02, SE = 0.03, p < .513), but did predict change in word reading ability (estimate = 0.10, SE = 0.03, p < .001). Change in CR was also found to moderate the relationship between change in word reading ability and white matter hypointensity volume (estimate = 0.10, SE = 0.05, p = .045). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for the criterion validity of this CR index is encouraging, but somewhat mixed, while construct validity was evidenced through interaction between CR, brain, and word reading ability. Future research would benefit from optimization of the CR index through careful selection of brain variables for a pediatric sample.

Assessing non-right-handedness and atypical cerebral lateralisation as predictors of paediatric mental health difficulties.

Research utilising handedness as a proxy for atypical language lateralisation has invoked the latter to explain increased mental health difficulties in left-/mixed-handed children. The current study investigated unique associations between handedness and language lateralisation, handedness and mental health, and language lateralisation and mental health, in children, to elucidate the role of cerebral lateralisation in paediatric mental health. Participants were N = 64 (34 females [52%]; MAge = 8.56 years; SDAge = 1.33; aged 6-12 years) typically developing children. Hand preference was assessed via a reaching task, language lateralisation was assessed using functional transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (fTCD) during an expressive language task, and mental health was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. As hypothesised, leftward hand preference predicted increased general mental health issues in children, with a strong relationship noted between leftward hand preference and the emotional symptoms subscale. Contrary to expectation, no relationship was found between direction of language lateralisation and general mental health issues, although exploratory analyses of subscales showed rightward lateralisation to predict conduct problems. Hand preference and direction of language lateralisation were also not significantly associated. The relatively weak relationship between manual and language laterality coupled with discrepancy regarding the predictive scope of each phenotype (i.e., hand preference predicts overall mental health, whereas language laterality predicts only conduct problems) suggests independent developmental pathways for these phenotypes. The role of manual laterality in paediatric mental health warrants further investigation utilising a neuroimaging method with higher spatial resolution.

Preventing inadvertent drain removal using a novel catheter securement device.

Percutaneous drains have provided a minimally invasive way to treat a wide range of disorders from abscess drainage to enteral feeding solutions to treating hydronephrosis. These drains suffer from a high rate of dislodgement of up to 30% resulting in emergency room visits, repeat hospitalizations, and catheter repositioning/replacement procedures, which incur significant morbidity and mortality. Using ex vivo and in vivo models, a force body diagram was utilized to determine the forces experienced by a drainage catheter during dislodgement events, and the individual components which contribute to drainage catheter securement were empirically collected. Prototypes of a skin level catheter securement and valved quick release system were then developed. The system was inspired by capstans used in boating for increasing friction of a line around a central spool and quick release mechanisms used in electronics such as the Apple MagSafe computer charger. The device was tested in a porcine suprapubic model, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the device to prevent drain dislodgement. The prototype demonstrated that the miniaturized versions of technologies used in boating and electronics industries were able to meet the needs of preventing dislodgement of patient drainage catheters.

The Use of Viatorr Stent at the Thoracic Outlet to Maintain Hemodialysis Access Function.

PURPOSE: Venous steno-occlusive disease at the thoracic outlet affects up to 30% of the hemodialysis population [1] causing arm swelling and hemodialysis access dysfunction. Balloon angioplasty in this region can be of limited utility given the rigid compressive effect of surrounding musculoskeletal (MSK) structures. Outcomes of using the Viatorr endoprosthesis (Gore Viatorr TIPS Endoprosthesis, Gore, Flagstaff AR, USA, Viatorr ®) within this region to salvage the HD access in patients who presented with dialysis access dysfunction is presented. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of our tertiary and quaternary care hospital system. Hemodialysis patients were included in the study if they were using an upper extremity arteriovenous fistula or graft for access, had a Viatorr stent placed in the central (subclavian and/or brachiocephalic) veins, and had follow up. RESULTS: A total of nine patients were identified to meet the inclusion criteria. Four interventions were due to refractory lesions of the subclavian or brachiocephalic veins, and the other five interventions were for hemodynamically significant lesions refractory to angioplasty alone, all resulting in access dysfunction. Primary patency ranged from 36-442 days (geometric mean 156.6 days, range 19-442 days). No stent fracture was identified on imaging at any point during follow-up of these patients out to a maximum of 2912 days (Average 837 days). CONCLUSIONS: The Viatorr stent graft used in the HD population for clinically significant lesions at the thoracic outlet (TO) showed no structural failures (fractures) in this cohort.

Embolization of Large Internal Iliac Artery Pseudoaneurysm through a Retrograde Trans-Superior Gluteal Arterial Access.

The presence of osteal stenosis/occlusion or osteal exclusion by prior interventions poses a challenge to selective catheterization of the internal iliac artery. We describe a case where a retrograde access through the superior gluteal artery (SGA) was used to successfully treat an internal iliac artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA) in a patient when an antegrade catheterization was not feasible due to internal iliac osteal exclusion by an endograft.

Stent Diameter, Not Cephalic Arch Anatomy, Predicts Stent Graft Patency in Cephalic Arch Stenosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between anatomic factors and primary patency of brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) after stent graft (SG) placement for cephalic arch stenosis (CAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed all cephalic arch SGs placed in brachiocephalic AVFs in a tertiary academic medical center between 2014 and 2017. Sixty-three patients were included in the study. The mean patient age at the time of SG placement was 62.6 years ± 19, and the mean patient follow-up was 1,994 days ± 353. A cohort of patients (n = 31) who underwent brachiocephalic fistulograms for CAS but only received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was the control group. Patient demographic characteristics, AVF anatomy, SG type, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. The duration of primary cephalic arch patency after SG placement was compared with that after previous PTA. RESULTS: The median AVF age at the time of data retrieval was 345 days. The primary patency of CAS after SG placement at 6 months, 12 months, and 3 years was 64%, 49.9%, and 23.5%, respectively. Primary cephalic arch patency was significantly associated with the SG diameter (P = .007) but not with cephalic vein-axillary vein junction anatomy, size of feeding artery, or SG length (P > .05). The primary patency of CAS in patients treated with PTA only (n = 31) at 6 months, 12 months, and 3 years was 61%, 35%, and 0%, respectively, which was significantly lower than that in patients treated with SG placement (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the primary patency of CAS after SG placement was significantly higher than that of PTA-only treatment. Moreover, primary cephalic arch patency after SG placement was significantly associated with the SG diameter.

Arterial diameter following arteriovenous fistula creation predicts aneurysm progression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between arteriovenous fistula (AVF) arterial diameter (AD) and AVF aneurysm development and progression. METHODS: This study identified all patients who underwent fistulograms which demonstrated AVF aneurysms meeting criteria and requiring surgical intervention between 01/01/2014 and 7/30/2016. Patient demographics were collected and AVF dimensions were measured on fistulograms. A control group with nonaneurysmal AVFs who had undergone serial fistulograms between 2013 and 2016 were identified and identical datasets collected. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA 14.0 using student's t-test, Chi square tests and linear regression. RESULTS: 45 eligible patients were identified in the AVF aneurysm study group and 24 in the control group, with the mean age of AVF creation being older in the control group (61.8 vs 53 years, p = 0.03). The mean interval between AVF creation and first fistulogram in the study group was 1464 ± 282 days, compared to an interval of 263 ± 101 days in the control group (p = 0.003). The AD on the first fistulogram in those study group patients with aneurysms evident on first fistulogram was greater than in the control group (6.5±1.8 mm vs 5.0 ± 1.8 mm, p = 0.003). The AD on first fistulogram of the study group predicted maximum aneurysm diameter on last fistulogram (r = 0.6, p = 0.03) as well as the interval between first fistulogram and surgical revision (r = -0.33, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: AVF aneurysms are a later complication in access natural history and AD may help to predict their progression.

Thermal Ablation, Embolization, and Selective Internal Radiation Therapy Combined with Checkpoint Inhibitor Cancer Immunotherapy: Safety Analysis.

PURPOSE: To describe interventional oncology therapies combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy targeting the programmed death 1 pathway in patients with different neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent tumor-directed thermal ablation, embolization, or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) between January 1, 2011, and May 1, 2019, and received anti-programmed death 1/PD-L1 agents ≤ 90 days before or ≤ 30 days after the interventional procedure. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and procedural complications ≤ 90 days after the procedure were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The study included 65 eligible patients (49% female; age 63 years ± 11.1). The most common tumors were metastatic melanoma (n = 28) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (n = 12). Patients underwent 78 procedures (12 patients underwent > 1 procedure), most frequently SIRT (35.9%) and cryoablation (28.2%). The most common target organs were liver (46.2%), bone (24.4%), and lung (9.0%). Most patients received ICI monotherapy with pembrolizumab (n = 30), nivolumab (n = 22), and atezolizumab (n = 6); 7 patients received ipilimumab and nivolumab. RESULTS: Seven (10.8%) patients experienced an irAE (71.4% grade 1-2), mostly affecting the skin. Median time to irAE was 33 days (interquartile range, 19-38 days). Five irAEs occurred in patients with melanoma, and no irAEs occurred in patients with NSCLC. Management required corticosteroids (n = 3) and immunotherapy discontinuation (n = 1); all irAEs resolved to grade ≤ 1. There were 4 intraprocedural and 32 postprocedural complications (77.8% grade < 3). No grade 5 irAEs and/or procedural complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: No unmanageable or unanticipated toxicities occurred within 90 days after interventional oncology therapies combined with ICIs.

Novel Application of Erector Spinae Plane Block to Interspinous Spacer Placement.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a fascial plane block that targets the dorsal and ventral branches of the primary dorsal root ganglion. We report a case of a 76-year-old woman who presented for percutaneous posterior interspinous decompression spacer at the L3-L4 level in the setting of neurogenic claudication from severe spinal stenosis. We describe the novel performance of bilateral ESPBs under ultrasound guidance for postprocedural analgesia. Throughout the recovery period, the patient experienced sustained pain relief. ESPB may be a useful adjunct for periprocedural analgesia and recovery in patients undergoing interspinous spacer placements.

Novel techniques for management of portal system hemorrhage in acute pancreatitis.

Current management of infected pancreatic necrosis is focused on a minimally invasive step-up approach. The step-up approach consists of initial percutaneous or endoscopic drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis, followed, if necessary, by minimally invasive surgical or endoscopic debridement. While there is reduced morbidity and mortality, vascular complications can be life-threatening. Reported vascular complications have been limited to arterial bleeding. Venous bleeding has not been previously reported. We present two cases of portal venous bleeding in patients who underwent treatment for infected pancreatic necrosis with a step-up approach. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and initial management. Moreover, we present two different techniques that can be used to successfully manage venous bleeding in patients who have percutaneous drains in place as part of a step-up approach. These techniques involve tamponading the cavity or drain tract with topical hemostatics and direct embolization of the bleeding vein. These experiences can serve as a guide for managing portal venous bleeding in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis.

Evaluation of model performance to predict survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The MELD score was developed to predict survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. Given changes in practice patterns and development of new prognostic tools in cirrhosis, we aimed to evaluate common models to predict mortality after TIPS placement. METHODS: Analysis of consecutive patients who underwent TIPS placement for ascites or bleeding. Performance to predict 90-day mortality was assessed by C statistic for six models (MELD, MELD-Na, CLIF-C ACLF, Child-Pugh, Platelet-Albumin-Bilirubin, and Emory score). Added predictive value to MELD score was assessed for univariate predictors of 90-day mortality. Stratified analysis by TIPS indication, emergent placement status, and TIPS stent type was performed. RESULTS: 413 patients were analyzed (248 with variceal bleeding, 165 with refractory ascites). 90-day mortality was 27% (113/413). Mean MELD score was 15 ± 7.9. MELD score best predicted mortality for all patients (c = 0.779), for variceal bleeding (c = 0.844), and for emergent TIPS (c = 0.817). CLIF-C ACLF score best predicted mortality for refractory ascites (c = 0.707). Addition of sodium to the MELD score did not improve predictive value across multiple strata. Addition of hemoglobin improved MELD score's predictive value in variceal bleeding. Addition of age improved MELD score's predictive value in refractory ascites. CONCLUSIONS: MELD score best predicted 90-day mortality. Addition of sodium to the MELD score did not improve its performance, though mortality prediction was improved using Age-MELD for ascites and Hemoglobin-MELD for bleeding. An individualized risk stratification approach may be best when considering candidates for TIPS placement.

Republished: Parapedicular vertebral augmentation with polymethylmetacrylate for pedicle screw loosening.

A 71-year-old man who had a L1/S1 posterior fusion revision surgery complained of increasing back pain 5 weeks after the open surgical procedure. The pain was initially estimated at 9/10 on the visual analog scale (VAS) and thought to be related to a right-sided L2 screw loosening. A right parapedicular vertebroplasty was performed and polymethylmethacrylate cement was instilled around the right pedicle screw, filling the anterior two-thirds of the vertebral body. On postvertebroplasty day 1, the patient had significant improvement in his low back pain. The pain further decreased at 1 and 3 months after the intervention (2/10 on the VAS). Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, accessible, effective, and long lasting treatment for compression fractures. We believe that this technique could also be indicated to treat pain related to low grade screw loosening in properly selected patients.

Endobronchial forceps-assisted complex retrieval of inferior vena cava filters.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of endobronchial forceps-assisted retrieval of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters when standard retrieval techniques fail. METHODS: An Institutional Review Board-approved single-center retrospective review during a 6-year period identified 60 consecutive patients (23 men and 37 women; mean age, 49.3 years; range, 19-77 years) in whom rigid endobronchial forceps were required for IVC filter retrieval after standard techniques failed. Factors affecting retrieval success, including an embedded or tilted filter, overall dwell time, filter fracture, and caval penetration, were recorded, as were success rates, procedural details, and complications. RESULTS: Mean dwell time between filter placement and removal was 565 days (range, 15-7366 days). Various IVC filters were encountered: 33 Option (Argon Medical, Frisco, Tex), 8 Celect (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind), 9 Günther Tulip (Cook Medical), 4 G2 and 3 Eclipse (Bard, Murray Hill, NJ), 2 OptEase (Cordis, Bridgewater, NJ), and 1 Simon Nitinol (Bard). Imaging before retrieval showed grade 1 (3/60), grade 2 (44/60), and grade 3 (13/60) filter interaction with IVC wall. The degree of secondary tilt as assessed on images acquired before attempted retrieval was <10 degrees (n = 22; 36.7%), 10 to 20 degrees (n = 26; 43.3%), and >20 degrees (n = 12; 20%), with an average tilt of 13.8 degrees (range, 0-48.9 degrees). Of the 60 filters, 58 were retrieved successfully (96.7%). Two of these required a second attempt (one because of migration into the right atrium and the other because of extreme discomfort of the patient requiring subsequent general anesthesia). Five of 60 procedures were forceps-assisted loop snare retrievals in which the forceps were used to dissect the embedded hook free from surrounding hyperplastic caval venous endothelium. Mean fluoroscopy retrieval time was 33.2 minutes (range, 10-76.9 minutes). Intraprocedural inconsequential filter fracture was observed in 10 patients. There were four complications: one retroperitoneal hemorrhage, one IVC dissection flap, and two filter fractures with subsequent migration of filter components to the right side of the heart and to the right pulmonary artery. The first two complications required hospital admission and conservative management; in the last two, the fractured and migrated filter limbs were retrieved successfully using a snare device. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid endobronchial forceps can be safely and reliably used to remove embedded, fractured, or tilted retrievable IVC filters from patients in whom standard retrieval techniques are unsuccessful. There is a high success rate and minimal complications. We propose that the degree of filter tilt, caval penetration, and filter fracture are predictive of the need for the use of forceps as a first-line retrieval technique.

Combined Effects of Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolization around Immunotherapy for Hepatic Metastases from Uveal Melanoma: A Preliminary Retrospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 (90Y) transarterial radioembolization (TARE) around immunotherapy in patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma (UM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2013 to December 2017, 11 patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from UM were treated with TARE around immunotherapy. Two patients received TARE as a first-line treatment followed by immunotherapy. Nine patients received immunotherapy before TARE, and 6 of these patients received additional immunotherapy after TARE. Retrospective review of the clinical data was performed to assess hepatic progression-free survival (hPFS), overall survival (OS), treatment response, and toxicities. The median follow-up period from TARE was 10.5 months (range 1-35.5 months). RESULTS: The median OS from diagnosis of hepatic metastases was 35.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.0-55.0 months). The median hPFS and OS from the start of TARE were 15.0 months (95% CI 5.9-24.1 months) and 17.0 months (95% CI 1.8-32.2 months), respectively. Complete response was observed in 1 patient (9.1%), partial response in 2 (18.2%), stable disease in 4 (36.4%), and progressive disease in 4 (36.4%). Ten patients had grade 1 or 2 clinical toxicities, and 1 had grade 3 with a peptic ulcer. Six patients had grade 1 or 2 biochemical toxicities and 1 had grade 3, which was related to tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that TARE around immunotherapy is safe and effective. The combined treatment may improve hPFS and OS in patients with hepatic metastases from UM.