Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: Results of a French national survey on current practices.

PURPOSE: To report current practices of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) by interventional radiologists (IR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through a French national survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic survey was sent by e-mail to 232 IRs performing TACE in 32 private or public centers. The survey included 66 items including indications for TACE, technical aspects of TACE, other locally available treatments for HCC, follow-up imaging and general aspects of interventional radiology practices. RESULTS: A total of 64 IRs (64/232; 27%) answered the survey. Each IR performed a mean of 49±45 (SD) TACE procedures per year. Marked variations in indications for TACE in HCC were observed. Six percent of IRs (4/64) treated only patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B HCC. Antibioprophylaxis was not used by 43/64 of IRs (67%). The number of HCC nodules was considered to select conventional TACE versus drug-eluting beadsTACE (DEB-TACE) by 17/49 IRs (35%) followed by patient performance status and Child-Pugh score by 6/49 IRs (12%). Seventy-three percent of IRs (45/62) treated nodules selectively in patients with unilobar disease with cTACE. Thirty-three percent of IRs (21/64) planned systematically a second TACE session. Doxorubicin was the most frequently used drug (52/64; 81%) and 15/64 IRs (23%) used gelatine sponge as the only embolic agent. For DEB-TACE, 100-300µm beads were used by 26/49 IRs (53%) and no additional embolization was performed by 19/48 IRs (39%). Monopolar radiofrequency technique was widely available (59/63; 94%) compared to selective internal radiation therapy (37/64; 58%). Magnetic resonance imaging was used for follow-up by 13/63 IRs (20%). CONCLUSION: Current practices of TACE for HCC varied widely among IRs suggesting a need for more standardized practices.

[Renal lymphangiectasia, a rare case of perirenal infiltration]. / La lymphangiectasie rénale, un cas rare d'infiltration périrénale.

Renal lymphangiectasia is a bilateral cystic infiltration of the perirenal and parapelvic space which is caused by the obstruction of the renal lymphatic tissue. To our knowledge only numbers have been reported in the literature. Renal lymphangiectasia usually asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed has absolutely no effect on the patient outcome. Radiological imaging is typical so that the diagnosis does not need to be confirmed by a cyst punction. The lack of knowledge concerning renal lymphangiectasia make it usually confused with another cause of polycystic renal infiltration, such as the polycystic kidney disease. We report herein a case of renal lymphangiectasia diagnosed incidentally by an abdominal ultrasonography.

[Role of arterial embolization in the management of postpartum hemorrhage]. / Place de l'embolisation artérielle en cas d'hémorragie du post-partum.

OBJECTIVES: To provide recommendations regarding the use of arterial embolization in the management of post partum hemorrhage. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the Pubmed, Medline and Embase databases and the Cochrane Library (study period 1979 to June 2014). RESULTS: Selective embolization of both uterine arteries without microcatheter is recommended (professional consensus). Embolization should be performed using gelatin sponge pledgets rather than gelatin sponge slurry or powder (grade C). Control of hemorrhage can be expected in 70 to 100% of cases after embolization (EL3). Control of hemorrhage is obtained in 85 to 100% of cases (EL3). Arterial embolization is recommended in case of uterine atony after failure of uterotonic drugs particularly after vaginal delivery, in case of cervical hemorrhage, vaginal thrombus of cervico-vaginal tear in case of failed surgical repair or if surgery is not feasible (grade C). Pseudoaneurysm of the uterine artery is a good indication for embolization. Major complications related to embolization are reported in 5% of cases (EL4). The presence of coagulation disorders is not a contraindication to embolization (professional consensus). Embolization remains feasible after failed arterial ligations (selective or proximal) or after hysterectomy even if technically more challenging (professional consensus). Embolization can be performed in case of post partum hemorrhage related to abnormal placentation (professional consensus). Prophylactic embolization with the placenta left in place is not routinely recommended (professional consensus). The systematic preoperative placement of arterial occlusion balloons is not recommended in the management of abnormal placentation (professional consensus). Secondary post partum hemorrhage is a good indication for arterial embolization (grade C). After embolization, fertility can be spared (EL3). The risk of recurrent post partum hemorrhage does not seem different after arterial ligations or arterial embolization (EL3).

Uterine artery embolization for severe symptomatic fibroids: effects on fertility and symptoms.

STUDY QUESTION: Does uterine artery embolization (UAE) permit fertility in childbearing women who have extensive symptomatic fibroids and are not eligible for surgery? SUMMARY ANSWER: Although UAE was effective in improving bleeding, bulking and pain symptoms, and in sparing the ovarian reserve, no woman in this study delivered successfully after UAE. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Although pregnancies have been reported after UAE, the actual fertility rate after this treatment remains uncertain. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This prospective cohort study included 66 women who desired a future pregnancy and were treated with UAE for symptomatic fibroids. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: This cohort of consecutive patients had extensive symptomatic fibroids but were not eligible for abdominal myomectomy because of fibroid recurrence despite previous surgery, because of current risks of surgery, or because of patient refusal. The patients were enrolled in a tertiary referral center for fibroid treatment. All patients had a pre-operative ovarian function assessment and underwent bilateral superselective embolization of both uterine arteries using 500-1200 µm Tris acryl microspheres. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Fibroid symptoms including menorrhagia (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02-0.27), metrorrhagia (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.39), pain (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.03-0.22) and bulk syndrome (OR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01-0.07) were significantly improved after UAE. According to magnetic resonance imaging, the dominant fibroid volume decreased by 31.8% (95% CI 12.2-51.3%). Ovarian reserve demonstrated no change after embolization. Thereafter the women were prospectively followed, and 31 of them (aged 37.3 ± 3.5 years) were actively trying to conceive. In spite of 33.4 ± 14.5 months of attempts, only 1 in 31 women became pregnant and she finally miscarried (monthly fecundability rate 0.1% 95% CI 0-0.3%). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The high rate of associated infertility factors in our population, and the high frequency of previous surgery, could in part explain these poor reproductive outcomes; however, they should not account for the total absence of ongoing pregnancy. Embolization might have had a negative impact on fertility in our population, which may not be related to ovarian function. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The low reproductive outcomes reported in the present study suggest that UAE should not be performed routinely in young women of childbearing age with extensive fibroids. Although this finding was established in a population for whom abdominal myomectomy was declined, a possible adverse effect of UAE on fertility potential should be considered for woman of childbearing age scheduled for embolization. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No particular funding was obtained for this study and the authors have no conflict of interest.

Imaging in infections of the left iliac fossa.

The main organs in the left iliac fossa are the descending colon, sigmoid colon and, in women, internal reproductive organs. An infection of the left iliac fossa must lead the clinician firstly to suspect diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon in older patients and salpingitis in women of childbearing age. Other less common aetiologies are possible (inflammatory or infectious colitis, epiploic appendagitis, abscess of the psoas, pyelonephritis, renal abscess, etc.). Sonography as a first-line investigation may lead to diagnosis (especially in gynaecological disease), but a CT scan with intravenous injection of an iodine-containing contrast medium will allow for a full assessment of disease spread, and complications of sigmoid colitis or its differential diagnoses (abscess, fistula, perforation) to be investigated. It can also be used to guide percutaneous drainage or fine-needle aspiration for microbiology investigations.

[Role of embolization in the management of uterine fibroids]. / Place de l'embolisation dans le traitement des fibromes.

Uterine artery embolization using non spherical PVA particles or calibrated trisacryl microspheres above 500 µm is effective to treat menorrhagia, bulk-related symptoms and pelvic pain in more than 90% of cases in the short-term. In the long-term, embolization is effective in 75% of cases at 5-7 years. At 6 months, uterine volume reduction and dominant fibroid volume reduction varies between 30-60% and 50-80% respectively. During hospital stay, the complication rate is 3%. Secondary hysterectomy for complication is less than 2% at 3 months. Definitive amenorrhea is reported in less than 5% of cases in women of less than 45 years of age. No significant impact of embolization on hormonal function has been reported in women less than 45 years with normal baseline function. Secondary hysterectomy for clinical failure or recurrence is reported in 14-28% of cases at 5 years. Non-spherical PVA particles are associated with more microcatheter occlusion than trisacryl microspheres. No difference between PVA particles and trisacryl microspheres was found in terms of post-embolization pain or analgesic doses. PVA microspheres (Contour SE et Bead Block) are associated with lower clinical success and lower fibroid devascularization using MRI than trisacryl microspheres. No difference between PVA particles and trisacryl microspheres was found in terms of clinical efficacy, uterine volume reduction and complication rate. Randomized studies comparing embolization to hysterectomy demonstrate that reinterventions are more frequently performed after embolization. Secondary hysterectomy is performed in 13 to 24% of cases at 2 years and in up to 28% of cases at 5 years. Hospital stay, duration of recovery and time off work are shorter after embolization compared to hysterectomy. Embolization is cheaper than hysterectomy at 12 and 24 months even taking into consideration the additional costs of imaging and reinterventions. Randomized studies comparing embolization to myomectomy demonstrate that in the short- and mid-term there is no difference in terms of control of menorrhagia and bulk-related symptoms. Uterine volume reduction and quality of life were not different at 6 months. Periprocedural and 30-day complication rates are not different. At 6 months, the rate of complications is higher after myomectomy. Reinterventions are more frequent after embolization compared to myomectomy. Hospital stay, duration of recovery and time off work are shorter after embolization compared to myomectomy. Embolization should be considered with caution in pregnancy-seeking women since there is still a lack of good quality data available in the specific group of patients. FSH level is more frequently elevated after embolization compared to myomectomy. Pregnancy rate and term pregnancy rate are higher after myomectomy compared to embolization. Spontaneous abortion is more frequent after embolization than after myomectomy. There is no difference between embolization and myomectomy for the rates of pre-term delivery, cesarean section, post-partum hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia or intra-uterine growth retardation. Embolization performed before myomectomy (preoperative or combined procedures) can be discussed for an individual patient but there is not enough data to support its routine use.

Infrared microspectroscopy analysis of ibuprofen release from drug eluting beads in uterine tissue.

Ibuprofen loaded embolization beads (IBU-BB) have been developed to reduce inflammation and pain following uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The present work has investigated the elution properties of IBU-BB in situ after embolization with Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy (FTIRMS). Twelve sheep underwent uterine artery embolization with IBU-BB (485 mM) or control unloaded beads. IBU concentration was determined inside the beads and in the tissue surrounding the beads using FTIRMS of uterine tissue sections sampled 24 h or 1 week after embolization. After 24 h, IBU concentration inside the bead was only 18.6 mM out of the 485 mM initially loaded (p < 0.0001, univariate sign test). The concentration in the tissue around the beads was 8 mM, which is well above the in vitro therapeutic levels (6 microM). After one week the concentration of IBU had decreased to 4.9 mM in the beads (p = 0.0502, Mann Whitney) and no IBU was detected in the surrounding tissue. This work has demonstrated that IBU-BB can provide a sustained release of the anti-inflammatory drug over at least one week. The in vivo elution properties of IBU-BB may be suitable to alleviate pain and inflammation after embolization.

[Current indications for uterine artery embolization to treat postpartum hemorrhage]. / Place actuelle de l'embolisation artérielle dans la prise en charge des hémorragies graves du post-partum immédiat.

Uterine artery embolization is an interventional radiology technique successfully used for more than 30 years in the management of gynecological or obstetrical hemorrhage. Precise indications for uterine artery embolization to treat postpartum hemorrhage have been recently published. Uterine artery embolization is indicated in case of uterine atony despite medical treatment particularly after vaginal delivery, in case of vaginal thrombus or cervical tear after failed surgical repair. Embolization can also be discussed in case of persistent hemorrhage after arterial ligation or hysterectomy. Finally, arterial embolization can be attempted in case of placenta accreta to avoid hysterectomy. In all situations, pluridisciplinary management of patients with involvement of interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists and obstetricians is mandatory. Early transportation of patients for embolization should be discussed taking into consideration time of onset of hemorrhage, expected transfer time and treatment options available on site. For validated indications, success rates of arterial embolization as high as 80% can be expected in experienced hands.

Liver metastasis of a mucinous colonic carcinoma mimicking a haemangioma in T2-weighted sequences.

We report the case of a patient with a single liver metastasis of a mucinous colonic carcinoma that mimics a haemangioma in T2-weighted sequences. Although a very high T2 signal in non-cystic lesions is highly specific for the diagnostic of haemangioma, the use of gadolinium-enhancement MRI is recommended. In patients with a history of neoplasia, the diagnosis of benign liver nodules should be made with caution.

[Embolization of localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in adults]. / Embolisation des malformations artérioveineuses pulmonaires localisées de l'adulte.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience using embolization in managing localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in adults. MATERIAL: and methods. All patients presenting with localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations treated with embolization were included in the study. Clinical presentation (respiratory symptoms and previous history of paradoxical embolism) and the characteristics of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (single or multiple, location, diameter of the afferent artery and simple or complex angioarchitecture) before embolization were analyzed. The details of the procedure, including the number of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations embolized, the number of coils used, and the type of intraoperative complications were recorded. Postembolization clinical and imaging follow-up were described. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (26 women, 16 men; mean age, 45 years), including 36 with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia were treated with embolization. Twenty-two patients (53%) were dyspneic and 12 (29%) had a previous history of paradoxical embolism prior to embolization. Forty-seven procedures were carried out on a total of 99 pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (mean, 2.3 per patient), using 530 coils (12.6 per patient). The pulmonary arteriovenous malformations were located in the lower lobes in 60% of cases and a simple architecture was reported in 81% of cases. The average diameter of the afferent artery was 6mm. No preoperative complications were reported. After embolization, two patients (5%) presented with a paradoxical embolism and five patients out of 22 (23%) remained dyspneic. The rate of complete occlusion of treated arteriovenous malformations was 92% using computer tomography. CONCLUSION: Embolization is a highly effective and safe technique for treating pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Improvement in dyspnea and prevention of paradoxical embolism can be expected. A high technical success rate can be obtained by experienced interventional radiologists.

Release of ibuprofen from beads for embolization: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Ibuprofen (IBU) loaded polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel beads (IBU-BB) were designed to alleviate side effects such as inflammation and pain following uterine artery embolization for the treatment of leiomyomata. The present in vitro and in vivo study examines whether IBU-BB provide a sustained-release of the drug. In vitro release studies of IBU from IBU-BB (10, 50, 100 mg/mL), IBU solution (PEDEA) and IBU powder were compared using the T apparatus and the beaker method. The pharmacokinetic profile of IBU release was examined in vivo, following sheep uterine artery embolization with 100 mg/mL IBU-BB or after intra-arterial injection of IBU solution. IBU-BB can deliver high concentrations of the drug over time. The in vitro release from IBU-BB was markedly slower compared to IBU solution. Increasing the concentration of loaded IBU from 10 to 100 mg/mL decreased the rate of release. IBU release from the T apparatus was slower than the release in the beaker. In vivo, the release of the drug was progressive, without the early peak observed with IBU solution. A high level of correlation was obtained between in vivo and in vitro (T apparatus) results. Theoretically, IBU-BB could sustainably release high concentrations of IBU at the site of the uterine fibroids, which makes it a promising approach for the control of post-embolization pain.

[Management of life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: indications and technique of arterial embolization]. / Prise en charge des hémorragies graves du post-partum: indications et techniques de l'embolisation artérielle.

Pluridisciplinary management of women with postpartum hemorrhage is mandatory in order to precisely assess initial seriousness, to maintain hemodynamic parameters and to confirm the cause of bleeding. Embolization should be offered only after exploration of the uterine cavity, inspection of the vagina, cervix and perineum and failure of uterotonic drugs. Embolization should be carried out in an angiography suite under constant monitoring of the patient by the anesthesiologist. Indications to perform arterial embolization include uterine atony particularly following a vaginal delivery, cervico-uterine hemorrhage, cervicovaginal lacerations (previously repaired or if surgical repair has failed) and vaginal thrombus, particularly in case of associated coagulopathy. Arterial embolization is effective in about 85% of cases. Placenta acccreta can also be successfully managed with arterial embolization as an alternative to hysterectomy. Unilateral femoral approach allows selective study of both internal iliac arteries and branches. Selective embolization of both uterine arteries should be ideally performed. In case of spasm or difficult catheterization, embolization of the anterior division of both internal iliac arteries should be considered. In case of bleeding from the cervico-vaginal region, selective evaluation and embolization of cervicovaginal branches should be performed. In case of failure or recurrence of bleeding, ovarian and round ligament arteries should be evaluated. In most cases, resorbable gelatin sponge pledgets should be used to perform embolization. The use of microcatheters and non resorbable embolization agents should be considered by trained interventional radiologists in case of placenta accreta or vascular lesions. After embolization, the patient should be transferred to the intensive care unit for further observation in order to offer emergent surgical procedure or another session of embolization in case of recurrence of bleeding.