Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation with temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery for the treatment of central renal tumors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the technical feasibility and outcomes of percutaneous image-guided cryoablation with temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery for the treatment of central renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with central renal tumors treated with cryoablation and temporary renal artery occlusion from January 2017 to October 2021 were retrospectively included. Patient demographics, tumor's characteristics, procedural data, technical success, primary and secondary clinical efficacy, complications (according to Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe [CIRSE] classification) and follow-up were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients (8 men, 6 women; mean age 72.4 years ± 21.4 [SD] years; age range: 42-93 years) with 14 central renal tumors (median size, 32 mm; IQR: 23.5, 39.5 mm; range: 13-50 mm) were treated with percutaneous image-guided cryoablation and temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery. Technical success was 13/14 (93%), with 1/14 (7%) failure of vascular access. A median of 4 cryoprobes (IQR: 3, 4.75) were inserted and protective hydrodissection was performed in 11/14 (79%) patients. Median time to perform cryoprobes insertion, hydrodissection and vascular access was 26.5 min (IQR: 18, 35 min), 10 min (IQR: 10, 17 min) and 30 min (IQR: 20, 45 min) respectively. Median duration of the whole intervention was 150 min (IQR: 129, 180 min; range: 100-270 min). Median hospital stay was 2.5 days (IQR: 2, 4 days; range: 2-14 days). Major complications occurred in 3/14 (21%) patients. Primary efficacy rate was 93% (13/14 patients). Median oncological follow-up was 25 months (IQR: 11, 33 months; range: 6-39 months). One patient experienced renal tumor recurrence at 14-months of follow-up, which was successfully treated with repeat cryoablation. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of renal tumors with temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery is technically feasible, with a high technical success rate and paths the way for percutaneous treatment of central renal tumors.

Safety and technical efficacy of pre-operative embolization of head and neck paragangliomas: A 10-year mono-centric experience and systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and technical success of pre-operative embolization (POE) of head and neck paragangliomas (HNP) in a single-center cohort over a 10-year period, and to benchmark our results with those derived from a systematic analysis of the available literature. METHODS: All consecutive HNP embolized between November 2010 and April 2020 were included and reviewed. In total, there were 27 HNP in 27 patients [8 (30%) males; 19 (70%) females; mean age 53 ± 16 years; range 30-86]. Embolization technique, total procedure time, dose area product (DAP), complications, rate of HNP devascularization, and technical success (i.e. ≥80% devascularization of the HNP) were recorded and analyzed. A systematic analysis on the safety and technical success of POE was then conducted according to the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Twenty-one (21/27; 78%) HNP were treated with an endovascular approach and 6/27 (22%) with a percutaneous or combined (endovascular/percutaneous) technique. Mean total procedure time and DAP were 108 ± 48 min (range 45-235) and 92.5 ± 61.3 Gy·cm2 (range 19.9-276.0), respectively. Two (2/27; 7%) complications (one minor, one major) were observed. Mean HNP devascularization was 88 ± 15% (range 23-100) with technical success achieved in 24/27 (89%) HNP. Literature analysis revealed a pooled rate of complication and technical success of 3.8% (95% CI: 0.5-8.8%) and 79.0% (95% CI: 63.6-91.6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: POE of HNP is safe and results in extensive devascularization in the majority of treated tumors.

Interventional Radiology Outpatient Clinics (IROC): Clinical Impact and Patient Satisfaction.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze our interventional radiology outpatient clinics (IROC) for referral patterns, impact on interventional practice, and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consultations performed between 2011 and 2019 were extracted. The two consecutive years with the highest number of consultations (n2018 = 1426; n2019 = 1595) were compared for unattended consultations (i.e., scheduled consultations with patients not showing-up); initial/follow-up consultations; hospital clinician/general practitioner referrals; initial consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions; procedural conversion rate (PCR; i.e., No. initial consultations resulting in interventions over the total number of initial consultations performed for the same clinical indication). A survey was conducted in 159 patients to determine their satisfaction. RESULTS: Consultations increased from 2011 to 2019 by 130%. In 2018-2019, the number of unattended consultations was stable (7.0% vs 6.6%; P = .68). The referrals were for back pain (42.2%), interventional oncology (40.5%), and arteriovenous malformations (9.0%). For back pain, in 2019, there were fewer consultations with radiologists not recommending interventions and increased PCR compared to 2018 (11.9% vs. 17.7%; 88.1% vs. 82.3%; respectively; P = .01). For interventional oncology, follow-up consultations and general practitioner referrals increased in 2019 compared to 2018 (43.0% vs 35.3%; P = .01; 24.4% vs. 12.7%; P < .01; respectively). No other changes were noted. Cumulative 2018-2019 PCR was ≥ 85.4%. 99.2% responders highly appreciated their IROC experience. Quality of secretarial and medical services were the main aspects evaluated to rate the experience with IROC. CONCLUSION: IROC results in high PCR. Recent changes in referral/impact on IR practice were noted with patients referred for back pain and interventional oncology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: Level 4, Case Series.

Percutaneous hydrodissection for thermoprotection during cryoablation of periureteric and pyeloureteric junction renal cell carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of renal tumors located within 10 mm of the pyeloureteric junction (PUJ) and/or ureter, with hydrodissection as a stand-alone thermoprotective technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who were offered combined hydrodissection and cryoablation of the PUJ/ureter to treat stage-1 renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding patients, lesions, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Twenty tumors in 20 patients (13 males:7 females) with a mean age of 74.4 ± 7.5 were included. Mean tumor size was 27.6 ± 6.4 mm. Nearby vulnerable structure(s) were identified as the ureter in 5/20 cases, the PUJ in 8/20 cases and both the PUJ and the ureter in the remaining 7/20 cases (35%) cases. Mean minimal distance between the tumor and the vulnerable organ(s) was 4.8 ± 2.6 mm (range 0-10). A mean of 1.7 ± 0.6 spinal needles were used per intervention with a mean time to complete hydrodissection of 18.6 ± 13.4 min. Primary and secondary technical efficacy rates were 90% and 95%, respectively. Mean follow-up was 23.1 ± 9.2 months. There were no immediate or delayed complications, in particular no urothelial strictures. Two tumor recurrences occurred during follow-up, with a time to disease progression of 13 and 31 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: hydrodissection of the PUJ/ureter to prevent thermal injury during cryoablation is an effective technique and does not seem to compromise the efficacy of ablation at short or mid-term follow-up.

Spinal Tumor Ablation: Indications, Techniques, and Clinical Management.

Percutaneous thermal ablation has proven to be safe and effective in the management of patients with spinal tumors. Such treatment is currently proposed following the decision of a multidisciplinary tumor board to patients with small painful benign tumors such as osteoid osteoma or osteoblastoma, as well as carefully selected patients presenting with spinal metastases. In both scenarios, in order to provide a clinically effective procedure, ablation is often tailored to the specific patients' clinical needs and features of the target tumor. In this review, we present the most common clinical contexts in which spine ablation may be proposed. We scrutinize technical aspects and challenges that may be encountered during the procedure, as well as offering insight on follow-up and expected outcomes.

Percutaneous MR-Guided Cryoablation of Low-Flow Vascular Malformation: Technical Feasibility, Safety and Clinical Efficacy.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess the technical feasibility, safety and clinical efficacy of percutaneous MR-guided cryoablation of low-flow vascular malformations (LFVM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2013 and May 2019, 9 consecutive patients (5 male; 4 female; mean age 39.4 ± 15.3 years, range 15-68) underwent MR-guided cryoablation of LFVM. Patients were treated due to pain in all cases. Procedural data, complications and clinical results were analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success defined as complete coverage of the LFVM by the iceball without involvement of nearby non-target thermal-sensitive structures was achieved in 9/9 (100%) cases. Mean procedure time was 122 ± 20 min (range 90-150); 2-6 cryoprobes (mean 3.7 ± 1.2) and 2-4 freezing cycles (mean freezing time 19.8 ± 11.8 min; range 4-40) were applied. No complications were noted. Mean time from the first treatment to the last follow-up was 548 days (range 30-1776). Persistent/recurring pain was noted in 3/9 cases (33%) 30, 133 and 639 days after cryoablation, respectively, and was related in all cases to MR-confirmed local residual/recurring disease. A second cryoablation treatment was performed in these 3 cases with complete pain control at the last available follow-up (153, 25, 91 days, respectively). In the whole population, at mean 161 days (range 25-413) after the last treatment, on the numerical pain rate scale, pain significantly dropped from mean 6.4 ± 2.1 (range 3-9/10) before CA to mean 0.3 ± 0.9 (range 0-3/10) after (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous MR-guided cryoablation is technically feasible, safe and effective for the treatment of symptomatic LFVM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3b, retrospective cohort study.

Embolisation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations using high-frequency jet ventilation: benefits of minimising respiratory motion.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate patient radiation dose and procedural duration recorded during pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) embolisation performed using high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) as compared with conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) METHODS: Patients undergoing PAVM embolisation with HFJV assistance after April 2017 were retrospectively identified as group A, and those treated with IPPV before April 2017 as group B. Primary outcomes were patient radiation dose and procedural duration between groups A and B. Secondary outcomes were difference in diaphragmatic excursion between groups A and B, in group A with/without HFJ assistance, technical/clinical success, and complications. RESULTS: Twelve PAVMs were embolised in 5 patients from group A, and 15 PAVMs in 10 patients from group B. Mean patient radiation was significantly lower in group A than in group B (54,307 ± 33,823 mGy cm2 [mean ± standard deviation] versus 100,704 ± 43,930 mGy cm2; p = 0.022). Procedural duration was 33.4 ± 16.1 min in group A versus 57.4 ± 14.9 min in group B (p = 0.062). Diaphragmatic excursion was significantly lower in group A (1.3 ± 0.4 mm) than in group B (19.7 ± 5.2 mm; p < 0.001) and lower with near statistical significance in group A with HFJV than without HFJV (1.3 ± 0.4 mm versus 10.9 ± 3.1 mm; p = 0.062). Technical and clinical success was 100% in both groups, without relevant complications. CONCLUSION: HFJV-assisted PAVM embolisation is a safe, feasible technique resulting in reduced patient radiation doses and procedural time.

Percutaneous consolidation of bone metastases: strategies and techniques.

Patients with cancer can present with bone metastases (BM), which are frequently complicated by different types of fractures necessitating prompt management to avoid serious impairment in terms of quality of life and survival.Percutaneous image-guided bone consolidation has rapidly emerged as an alternative to surgical fixation and is mainly reserved for patients who are deemed unfit for surgical management. Two percutaneous techniques, osteoplasty and osteosynthesis, are available and are selected based on the biomechanics of the target bones as well as the fracture types.The aim of this narrative review is to present the different types of BM-related fractures and the interventional strategies and techniques underpinning their minimally invasive percutaneous fixation.

Percutaneous management of bone metastases: state of the art, interventional strategies and joint position statement of the Italian College of MSK Radiology (ICoMSKR) and the Italian College of Interventional Radiology (ICIR).

Interventional radiology provides local management of bone metastases (BM) with a palliative intent in most cases, or with a curative intent in selected patients. Its role has rapidly expanded in the last decade, offering new treatment solutions often in combination with surgery, radiation therapy and medical treatments. The aim of the present paper is to increase awareness, acceptance and adoption of interventional radiology procedures for the treatment of BM; and to present the joint position of the Italian College of Musculoskeletal Radiology and the Italian College of Interventional Radiology.

Hydrodissection of the Retrohepatic Space: A Technique to Physically Separate a Liver Tumour from the Inferior Vena Cava and the Ostia of the Hepatic Veins.

OBJECTIVE: To report a technique of percutaneous retrohepatic hydrodissection, highlighting its potential to physically separate liver tumours from the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the ostia of the hepatic veins (HV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2017 and April 2018, hydrodissection of the retrohepatic IVC was performed in 5 patients (5 females; mean age 64.5 years) undergoing percutaneous ablation of 5 liver metastases (mean size: 3.6 cm) located adjacent to the IVC. Number of hydrodissection needles, volume of hydrodissection, separation of tumour/liver parenchyma from IVC/HV post-hydrodissection; technical success of ablation; and complications were tabulated. RESULTS: Two to three 22G spinal needles were required per case for adequate dissection. Mean volume to obtain sufficient hydrodissection was 410 ml on average. Physical separation of the IVC and tumour/hepatic parenchyma was successful in all cases, by 9 mm on average (range 5-12 mm). It also leaded to physical separation of the ostia of the right and middle HV in all cases. There was no early or delayed complication, notably no venous thrombosis in the post-operative period. All lesions but one were completely ablated after one session at 3-month follow-up. The patient with residual tumour was successfully retreated. CONCLUSION: Retrohepatic hydrodissection is a feasible technique to separate a tumour from the IVC and/or ostia of the HV. This could potentially limit the heat-sink effect/reduce the risk of thrombosis. Larger follow-up studies are required to assess efficacy on a long-term basis.

Adjunctive Thermoprotection During Percutaneous Thermal Ablation Procedures: Review of Current Techniques.

Although rare, unintended thermal injury to organs surrounding the ablation zone can lead to severe complications. Over the past 15 years, different protective methods have been developed to limit risk of complications, and expand indications to include more challenging lesions in various locations including liver, kidney, lung and bone. The most frequently used techniques include hydrodissection, carbodissection, balloon interposition and probe torqueing. In most cases, tumours can be physically separated from sensitive structures, reducing risk of thermal injury. Endoluminal cooling/warming is an alternative option for complex ablations close to the ureter or major bile ducts. Different techniques may be combined to achieve successful protection in locations with complex anatomy. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of available protective measures and discuss respective advantages/drawbacks.

Current role of interventional radiology in the management of visceral and bone metastases from thyroid cancer.

The metastatic disease from thyroid cancer represents a complex clinical scenario, which mandates a case-based multi-disciplinary approach in tertiary referral centers. Direct localised treatments such as minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures can play a vital role in providing a timely palliative or curative treatment in accordance with the patients' clinical status. In this narrative review, we present the current status of interventional radiology treatments for the management of thyroid cancer distant metastases.

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations Embolized Using a Micro Vascular Plug System: Technical Note on a Preliminary Experience.

AIM: To report our preliminary experience using a Micro Vascular Plug (MVP) deployed through a 2.8Fr micro-catheter for the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in a cohort of patients affected by Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four consecutive female patients (mean age 38.0 years; range 25-55 years) with PAVMs diagnosed on echocardiogram/bubble test and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) underwent MVP embolization. One patient was symptomatic with recent transient ischaemic attack. Follow-up was undertaken at 1-month post-procedure with CECT to assess PAVMs permeability and MVP positioning and at 1-, 6-, and 12-month post-procedure, with echocardiography/bubble test and standard neurological history, to confirm absence of right-to-left shunts and recurrent symptoms. RESULTS: Eight PAVMs were treated in 4 patients over 5 interventional sessions (mean 1.6 PAVMs per session). All PAVMs were simple, with mean feeding artery diameter of 4.25 mm. Eight 6.5 mm MVPs were deployed in total (one per lesion). Technical success was 100%. Mean procedural time and patient dose per session were 70 min (range 40-70 min) and 53418 mGy.cm2 (range 6113-101628 mGy.cm2), respectively. No signs of reperfusion neither of MPV migration were noted at 1-month CECT follow-up. At early follow-up (mean 3.75 months; range 1-12 months), clinical success was 100% with no evidence of recurrent right-to-left shunt, and no neurological symptoms. No immediate or late complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: MVP embolization of PAVMs appears technically feasible, safe, and effective at early follow-up. Further prospective studies are required to confirm long-term safety and efficacy of this promising technique.

Bioimpedance analysis of body composition in an international twin cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple twin studies have demonstrated the heritability of anthropometric and metabolic traits. However, assessment of body composition parameters by bioimpedance analysis (BIA) has not been routinely performed in this setting. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Study subjects were recruited and assessed at twin festivals or at major university hospitals in Italy, Hungary, and the United States to estimate the influence of genetic and environmental components on body composition parameters in a large, wide age range, international twin cohort by using bioelectrical impedance analysis. SUBJECTS: 380 adult twin pairs (230 monozygotic and 150 dizygotic pairs; male:female ratio, 68:32; age years 49.1 ± 15.4; mean ± standard deviation; age range 18-82) were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Heritability was calculated for weight (82%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 78-85), waist and hip circumferences (74%; 95%CI: 68-79), body fat percentage (74%; 95%CI: 69-79), fat-free mass (74%; 95%CI: 69-79) and body mass index (79%; 95%CI: 74-83). The completely environmental model showed no impact of shared environmental effects on the variance, while unshared environmental effects were estimated as between 18% and 26%. CONCLUSIONS: BIA findings provide additional evidence to the heritability of anthropometric attributes related to obesity and indicate the practical value of this simple method in supporting efforts to prevent obesity-related adverse health events.

Genetic and environmental effects on carotid flow velocities: an international twin study.

INTRODUCTION: Altered carotid blood flow velocities (CFV) have a complex background but the underlying genetic contribution is still unclear. We sought to evaluate the influence of genetics, shared and unshared environmental components on individual differences of CFV. METHODS: 193 healthy twin pairs, 126 monozygotic (MZ) and 67 dizygotic (DZ) (mean age 53 ± 14 years) recruited in Italy, in the United States and in Hungary underwent bilateral color-coded Doppler flow assessment of the common carotid artery (CCA) and of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in order to assess the peak systolic (PSV) and end diastolic (EDV) velocities. Means of bilateral CFV values were used in the analysis. RESULTS: Age- and country-adjusted intra-class correlations were higher in monozygotic than in dizygotic pairs for mean PSV of the ICA indicating a heritability of 63%. Unique environmental factors contributed to 37% of ICA PSV. With regards to the mean PSV and EDV of the CCA, and EDV of the ICA, heritability analysis indicated no discernible role for genetic components, while the contributions of shared and unshared environmental factors ranged between 56% and 63%, and between 37% and 44% adjusted for age and country, respectively. Mean ICA/CCA ratio was driven by unique environmental factors (82%) with modest heritability (18%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the heritability of ICA PSV and ICA/CCA ratio is moderate, while the findings do not support heritability of other investigated CFV values. Environmental effects account for a moderate to major portion of the variance. These findings support the value of early ultrasound screening as well as the prevention of modifiable environmental factors in case of altered carotid flow velocities.

Endovascular treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with drug eluting microparticles (DC-Beads): CT evaluation of response to the treatment.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Our aim was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of drug-eluting beads-transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), evaluating the response to the treatment after 1, 6, 12, and 24 months with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) comparing European Association for the study of the Liver (EASL) and modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 154 patients with uni- or multifocal HCC who underwent a DEB-TACE. A total of 278 HCC nodules were treated. CT follow-up was performed at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after the procedure according to the EASL and RECIST criteria evaluating overall target and target nodule response. We also analyzed the shrinking of nodules in relation to response to treatment. RESULTS: A total of 278 nodules of HCC underwent TACE by using DC-Beads: At 24, months complete response was similar for EASL and RECIST criteria (112 vs. 121 nodules) with optimal accordance between methods and readers with k = 0.9. Partial Response resulted significantly different among the two methods within the first month, otherwise was similar after 24-month follow-up. Similar results in both methods were found for nodules classified as Stable Disease (P > 0.05). Progressive Disease results were similar in both the groups according to both the classification criteria without any significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that EASL and mRECIST criteria are both effective methods for patient follow-up, however with some technical differences.

Association of body mass index with arterial stiffness and blood pressure components: a twin study.

RATIONALE: Obesity, blood pressure and arterial stiffness are heritable traits interconnected to each other but their possible common genetic and environmental etiologies are unknown. METHODS: We studied 228 monozygotic and 150 dizygotic twin pairs aged 18-82 years from Italy, Hungary and the United States, of which 45 monozygotic and 38 dizygotic pairs were discordant for body mass index (BMI; intrapair difference (Δ) in BMI ≥ 3 kg/m(2)). Blood pressure components and arterial stiffness were measured by TensioMed Arteriograph. RESULTS: Hypertension was more prevalent among obese than non-obese individuals (55% vs. 29%, p < 0.001). Age-, sex- and country-adjusted heritability estimates were high for hemodynamic measures (45%-58%) and BMI (78%). According to bivariate Cholesky decomposition, phenotypic correlations between BMI and blood pressure components (r = -0.15 to 0.24, p < 0.05) were largely explained by additive genetic factors (65%-77%) with the remaining explained by the unique environment. When controlling for genetic factors within all monozygotic pairs, ΔBMI was significantly correlated with Δbrachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Δmean arterial pressure, and Δaortic SBP (r = 0.15-0.17, p < 0.05). For the same measures, heavier co-twins of BMI-discordant monozygotic pairs had significantly higher values than their leaner counterparts (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Blood pressure components are moderately correlated with BMI, largely because of shared genetic factors. However, for the association of BMI with brachial SBP and DBP, aortic SBP and mean arterial pressure, acquired, modifiable factors were also found to be important.