Safety of High-Dose 3% Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate for Sclerotherapy of Renal Cysts in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

This study assessed the safety profile of high-volume (>10 mL) 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) sclerotherapy for the treatment of renal cysts in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. A total of 211 sclerotherapy treatments were performed in 169 patients over a 5-year period, with a comparison of 2 patient cohorts based on the STS volumes used. The first cohort (n = 112) received a high volume (greater than 10 mL) of STS, and the second cohort (n = 57) received a low volume (less than 10 mL). The minor adverse event rate for the cohorts was 14.5% and 9.6%, respectively (P = .310), with postprocedure pain being the most common event. One major adverse event occurred, for which the patient required hospitalization for infection after low-volume STS treatment. Doses of STS higher than those currently recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for intravascular use allow large renal cysts to be treated safely in the setting of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Percutaneous Radiologic Gastrostomy Performed With and Without Gastropexy: Technical Success, Patient-Reported Outcomes and Safety.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare balloon-retention percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) tube insertion performed with and without gastropexy, primarily focusing on pain and patient-reported outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research ethics board approved a dual-arm, single-centre, randomized trial of 60 patients undergoing primary 14-French PRG tube insertion (NCT04107974). Patients were randomized to receive either PRG with gastropexy or without gastropexy. Data were collected for technical outcomes, patient-reported outcomes pre-procedure, post-procedure and at 1-month, as well as quality of life parameters at 1-month post-procedure (EQ5D-5L, Visual Analogue Scale and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Enteral Feeding questionnaires). Complications occurring up to 6-months post-procedure were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomized to the gastropexy group (n = 30) or non-gastropexy (n = 30) group. One non-gastropexy patient was withdrawn from the study due to failed insertion. PRG procedural time was significantly longer when using gastropexy (mean 11.4 ± 7.19 min) compared with non-gastropexy (mean 6.79 ± 4.63 min; p < 0.05). Pain scores did not differ between the two groups pre-procedure, post-procedure and at 1-month follow-up, nor did 1-month quality of life parameters. Six (20%) minor complications occurred in the gastropexy group and nine (31%) minor complications in the non-gastropexy group (p = 0.330). Two (6.9%) major complications occurred in the non-gastropexy group (p = 0.458). CONCLUSION: There is comparable patient tolerability when balloon-retention PRG insertion is performed with or without gastropexy sutures. This study also demonstrated a trend towards fewer complications when gastropexy is utilized. However, further larger trials are required to compare complications of the two approaches for PRG insertion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2, randomized trial.

Adverse Outcomes after Advanced EVAR in Patients with Sarcopaenia.

PURPOSE: To determine whether low total psoas muscle area (tPMA), as a surrogate for sarcopaenia, is a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing advanced EVAR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed for 257 patients who underwent advanced EVAR (fenestrated or branched technique) in a single tertiary centre from 1 January 2008 to 1 September 2019. The study cohort was divided into tertiles based on tPMA measurement performed independently by two observers from a peri-procedural CT scan at the level of mid-L3 vertebral body. The low tertile was considered sarcopaenic. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of tPMA with 30-day mortality and post-procedural complications. Univariable analysis and adjusted multivariable Cox regression were used to assess the association of tPMA with all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 257 patients comprised 193 males and 64 females with the mean age of 75.4 years (± 6.8) were included. Adjusted multivariable Cox regression revealed an 8% reduction in all-cause mortality for every 1 cm2 increase in tPMA, P < 0.05. TPMA was associated with 30-day mortality (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.96, P < 0.05) and spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.97, P < 0.05). For remaining post-procedural complications, tPMA was not a useful predictive tool. TPMA correlated negatively with hospital stay length (rs-0.26, P < 0.001). Patients with lower tPMA were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation center (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-0.98 , P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Measurement of tPMA can be a useful predictive tool for adverse outcomes after advanced EVAR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3, Retrospective cohort study.

A Single-Center Experience With Percutaneous Interventional Management of Refractory Chylous Ascites.

PURPOSE: Management of chylous ascites is poorly understood with no management guidelines. We retrospectively reviewed patients treated for chylous ascites at our institution to evaluate efficacy and safety of lipiodol lymphangiography and embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients underwent percutaneous interventional management of chylous ascites (average age 52.5 years, 3 female, 6 post-surgical, 1 pancreatitis) from 2012. All patients underwent lipiodol inguinal lymph node injection. Adjunctive glue embolization was performed if a leak was identified. Data were collected on the cause of chylous ascites, conservative management strategies, procedural details, and success. RESULTS: All patients had chylous ascites refractory to conservative management. Preprocedure lymphoscintigraphy identified a retroperitoneal leak in 6 patients. Seven patients underwent 12 lymphangiogram procedures; 8 were performed at our institution. Lymphangiography identified a leak in 5 patients (71%). Success was achieved in 2 patients (28%) treated at our institution after glue embolization following cannulation of the leaking lymphatic channels and 1 patient (14%) after lymphangiography alone for an overall success rate of 43% (3/7). Two patients (29%) were successfully treated after one procedure. Two patients (29%) unsuccessfully treated at our institution were referred to a specialized center in the United States. No 30 day post procedural complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, lymphangiography and embolization was a safe, relatively effective and minimally invasive method for treating medically refractory chylous ascites. Complex cases required referral to a specialized institution with resources unavailable at our tertiary care center.

Initial Canadian Experience of Prostate Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Midterm Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the midterm outcomes and safety of prostate artery embolization (PAE) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A single-center, retrospective review of PAE performed for BPH was performed. Validated International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) index, and International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaires were completed at baseline and at least 12 months post-procedure. Prostate imaging was performed preprocedure as well as 3 months and 12 months post-procedure to assess prostate volume (PV). Uroflowmetry was also performed at baseline and 12 months post-procedure to assess urine flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual (PVR) volume. Adverse events were graded according to Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) guidelines. RESULTS: Eighty male patients underwent the PAE procedure (mean age 69 years). Prostate volume decreased significantly from a mean volume 156 to 107 mL after 12 months post-procedure, commensurate with a mean reduction of 27.5% (P < .05). Significant improvements were seen in IPSS (21.8 vs 10.5) and QoL (4.5 vs 2.0) from baseline to 12 months post-procedure (P < .05). There was no significant change in IIEF-5 score. There was a significant reduction in PVR (202 vs 105 mL) and improvement in Qmax (5.9 vs 10.0 mL/s) between baseline and 12 months post-procedure (P < .05). No major complications occurred; 4 minor complications occurred (SIR grade A or B). CONCLUSION: Prostate artery embolization achieved a clinically and statistically significant prostate volume reduction, symptom and QoL improvement, and enhanced uroflowmetry parameters in patients with BPH.

Vascular Reconstruction of a Brachial Artery Aneurysm Proximally to an Arteriovenous Malformation.

Brachial artery aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are limb-threatening vascular anomalies. This patient presented with a bilobed brachial artery aneurysm in the antecubital fossa proximally to an AVM arising from the dorsal interosseous and ulnar arteries that had been treated with endovascular embolization, leaving the hand solely supplied by the radial artery. The aneurysm continued to increase in size and imaging revealed concomitant thrombus. A femoral vein interposition graft was used to repair the aneurysm, and postoperatively, the patient retained full left arm function.

Diagnosis and management of right external iliac vein "sandwich": A rare cause of iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis.

Several anatomic abnormalities predispose patients to iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis, the most common of which is compression of the left iliac vein between the right common iliac artery and lumbar vertebrae, or May-Thurner syndrome. Other areas of venous compression can occur but are rare. This case report describes the presentation, diagnosis, and management of a patient with compression of the right iliac vein "sandwiched" between the right internal and external iliac arteries. After treatment, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms.

Extended-arch repair for acute type-A aortic dissection: perioperative and mid-term results.

OBJECTIVES: Extended-arch techniques offer the potential to comprehensively treat acute type-A aortic dissection (ATAAD), but add surgical complexity compared to the standard hemiarch technique. This study describes both perioperative and mid-term outcomes following the introduction of an extended-arch technique for ATAAD. METHODS: Ours is a retrospective single-centre observational study of 95 consecutive patients with ATAAD from 2011 to 2016. The decision to perform extended-arch or hemiarch repair was individualized based on clinical and radiological features. Extended-arch repair was defined as replacement of the ascending aorta and arch with reimplantation of head vessels with or without distal endovascular extension. Clinical follow-up was 100% complete. Cross-sectional double-oblique measurements were performed for aortic remodelling analysis. RESULTS: Extended-arch (n = 28) and hemiarch (n = 67) repair resulted in a in-hospital mortality of 10% (n = 3) and 10%, (n = 7), and permanent neurological deficit rate of 7% and 12%, respectively. At a mean imaging follow-up duration of 2.7 ± 1.5 years, false lumen thrombosis was achieved in 57% and 9% of patients undergoing extended-arch and hemiarch repair, respectively. Rate of growth in the proximal descending aorta was 0.7 ± 2.3 mm/year in the extended-arch group vs 2.7 ± 3.9 mm/year in the hemiarch group. At a mean clinical follow-up time of 3.0 ± 1.6 years, open surgical aortic reoperation was 0% in the extended-arch group and 22% in the hemiarch group. CONCLUSIONS: Extended-arch repair of ATAAD can be introduced in the acute setting without increase in perioperative mortality or morbidity. At mid-term follow-up, extended-arch for ATAAD improves aortic remodelling and reduces the need for open surgical reoperation.

Molecular basis of Pirh2-mediated p53 ubiquitylation.

Pirh2 (p53-induced RING-H2 domain protein; also known as Rchy1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in a negative-feedback loop with p53. Using NMR spectroscopy, we show that Pirh2 is a unique cysteine-rich protein comprising three modular domains. The protein binds nine zinc ions using a variety of zinc coordination schemes, including a RING domain and a left-handed beta-spiral in which three zinc ions align three consecutive small beta-sheets in an interleaved fashion. We show that Pirh2-p53 interaction is dependent on the C-terminal zinc binding module of Pirh2, which binds to the tetramerization domain of p53. As a result, Pirh2 preferentially ubiquitylates the tetrameric form of p53 in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that Pirh2 regulates protein turnover of the transcriptionally active form of p53.