Efficacy and safety of particle embolization in bronchial arteries of hemoptysis patients with shunts.

AIM: This study assesses the safety and efficacy of particle embolization during bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in patients with shunts between bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries and the pulmonary artery. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center study, we analyzed 312 BAE procedures performed from June 2020 to April 2023. The patient cohort had shunts between bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries and the pulmonary artery. We meticulously collected and examined comprehensive data, including clinical characteristics, computed tomography (CT) imaging, and embolization procedural details. RESULTS: Vascular shunts were identified in 49 patients. The etiologies of hemoptysis included post-TB sequelae (42.8%), bronchiectasis (26.5%), active TB (12.2%), aspergilloma (8.1%), bacterial pneumonia (4.1%), lung cancer (4.1%), and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (2%). The technical success rate of the procedures was 98%, with 149 out of 152 identified vessels successfully embolized. All patients experienced cessation or significant reduction of hemoptysis within 24 hours following the procedure. The clinical success rates were 97.9% at one month, 93.9% at six months, and 89.8% at one year. No shunt-related complications were detected. CONCLUSION: BAE with particle embolization is a safe and effective treatment for hemoptysis, particularly in cases with complex shunts between bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries and the pulmonary artery.

Primary angiosarcoma of the breast: Diagnosis with computer-assisted MRI-guided radio-guided occult lesion localization (ROLL) technique.

Primary angiosarcoma of the breast is a rare type of breast cancer that represents approximately 0.04% of all primary breast tumors. We report herein a case of primary breast angiosarcoma that was only visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. The patient presented with a palpable right breast lump that was not visible either on ultrasonography and mammography. MRI showed a lesion of the right breast that presented washout kinetics. MRI-guided biopsy allowed histopathological examination of the tumor that was further confirmed as primary angiosarcoma. Subsequently, MRI guided ROLL (radio-guided occult lesion localization) technique was used for localizing the lesion prior to surgery.