Deconstructive vs. reconstructive endovascular treatment paradigms in acute carotid blowout.

BACKGROUND: Carotid Blowout (CBO), a neuro-oncological emergency characterized by the rupture of the carotid artery, has been predominantly reported in patients with head and neck cancer who have undergone radiation therapy. In this study, our objective is to share our experience with deconstructive and reconstructive endovascular treatments for CBO. METHODS: This study includes 17 patients who experienced intractable acute CBO, presenting with ear, oral, or nasal bleeding, between 2003 and 2022. We employed deconstructive embolization using vascular plugs, expanding hydrogel coils, glue, and balloons. If vascular anatomy and pathology permitted, we opted for reconstructive treatment using a covered stent. All patients underwent clini-cal follow-up visits, and we used the modified Rankin Scale to evaluate the clinical success of the procedures. We compared outcomes in terms of complications between the deconstructive and reconstructive treatment methods using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The patient cohort had an age range of 20-64 years (mean 50.9), including three females (18%) and 14 males (82%). We conducted 15 endovascular procedures on 14 patients during 19 angiography sessions. All 15 treatments achieved immediate hemo-stasis, resulting in complete technical success (p=1.0). Six patients (35%) underwent reconstructive treatments with covered stents in the internal carotid artery, while nine patients (65%) underwent deconstructive embolization in either the external or internal carotid artery. We found no significant association between the treatment paradigms (deconstructive vs. reconstructive) and the development of complications using a Chi-square test of independence X² (2, n=15)=0.07, p=0.79. CONCLUSION: Recent advancements in endovascular treatments have shown promising results in managing life-threatening acute CBO cases. Our study found no significant difference in outcomes between deconstructive and reconstructive endovascular paradigms in such patients. However, it is important to note that the available data, including ours, is heterogeneous and scarce, necessitating higher levels of evidence to draw more definitive conclusions.

Compliance of Interventional Radiologists With Interventional Oncology Accreditation Standards.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate interventional radiologists' compliance with patient care and the quality management process of cancer patients using a national survey. METHODS: An electronic survey was designed with questions derived from the core criteria of the International Accreditation System for Interventional Oncology (IASIOS), with the approval of the IASIOS council. Among the interventional radiologists contacted by e-mail through the national association, 34 responded to the questionnaire. The agreement of the participants with the core requirements was evaluated in five questions consisting of 34 articles using the 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Regarding the years of experience in interventional radiology (IR), the mean scale for the less than five-year group was 118.4, while that for the group with more than 15 years was 145.17 (p = 0.030). The mean scale of the five- to 15-year-old group was 121.75, versus that of more than 15 years, which was 145.17 (p = 0.028). Thus, significant differences arose between 15 years and five to 15 years versus >15 years groups; later groups were more likely to comply. There was also a statistical difference between the groups formed according to the ratio of oncological interventions (<25% vs. 25%-50%) in the daily workload (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Increased experience in IR and more relay on oncological interventions appear to augment compliance with the IASIOS criteria. We believe that interventional radiologists who have distinct territorial praxis could benefit from such a framework with improved self-awareness.

Thoracic Duct Embolization for Postoperative Lymphatic Fistula.

Lymphatic fistula as a rare entity particularly emerges after head and neck cancer surgery. It may lead to delayed wound healing, electrolyte loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and immune suppression. Therefore, rapid diagnosis and treatment are of the utmost importance. We aimed to present a lymphatic fistula case who was treated successfully by lymphangiography with percutaneous embolization of the thoracic duct. We believe that minimally invasive techniques could be an alternative to the conservative approach as the first-line choice.

Isolated Unilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy Caused by Internal Carotid Artery Loop.

Isolated unilateral hypoglossal nerve (HN) palsy caused by vascular compression is a rare condition. We report a case of a 42-year-old male, presenting with tongue paresis and unilateral atrophy of the tongue due to an internal carotid artery (ICA) loop. The compression of HN by ICA loop and concomitant wall irregularities of the loop segment were observed in magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The patient was managed with antithrombotic without the need of any further intervention. To our best knowledge, this is the first reported case of isolated compressive neuropathy of the HN caused by loop of the ICA. Here, the clinical presentation, etiology, and management of isolated HN palsy caused by vascular lesions are discussed along with the relevant literature.

Imaging Findings in Papillary Breast Lesions: An Analysis of Ductal Findings on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the imaging features of dilated ducts or ductal extension/relation of masses detected by ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to correlate the results obtained through these 2 different imaging methods. Furthermore, the ability of the ductal relation pattern in differentiating benign and malignant lesions was explored. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Magnetic resonance imaging and US findings of 56 patients who had a pathologic diagnosis of papillary lesion were examined. Ductal findings were classified into four types for both imaging methods: intraductal form, extraductal form, mixed form, and no ductal relation. The correlation between MRI and US was then analyzed with respect to ductal findings. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the value of ductal patterns determined by these 2 imaging methods in the differentiation of benign and malignant papillary lesions. RESULTS: A total of 56 cases with papillomatosis (n = 11), papillomas (n = 29), and papillary breast carcinomas (n = 16) were included. There was a statistically significant correlation between all ductal patterns on US and the corresponding ductal signs on MRI. Palpable masses were statistically more common in patients with papillary breast carcinoma compared with other groups (P < 0.01). Segmental contrast enhancement occurred at a significantly higher rate in papillary breast carcinoma and papillomatosis patients, as compared with papilloma patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Actual resolution of MRI is close to that of US in terms of the ability to demonstrate the ductal relation of masses. Segmental contrast enhancement on MRI and nonmass-like heterogeneous hypoechoic area or mass with multiple ductal extensions on US can be used in discriminating benign versus malignant papillary lesions. The absence of ductal sign in MRI indicates benignity.

The New Double-Layer Micromesh Stent (Roadsaver®): Use in Endovascular Treatment of Supraaortic and Visceral Artery Aneurysms and Pseudoaneurysms.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to present our preliminary experience with the Roadsaver® double-layer micromesh (DLM) stent in the endovascular treatment of supra-aortic and visceral aneurysms and to utilize the flow-diverting effect of this new design in the treatment of these aneurysms. METHODS: DLM stent (Roadsaver®, Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) was used in five patients (median age 61.8 years; three men) for treating arterial aneurysms (one common carotid artery, one vertebral artery V1 segment, one superior mesenteric artery, and two renal artery aneurysms). RESULTS: All stents were successfully deployed. Follow-up imaging with conventional catheter angiography or computed tomography showed successful treatment of all aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: The new DLM stent appears to be promising for the treatment of supra-aortic and visceral aneurysms.