Outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene covered stents in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)- covered stents for the creation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in cir- rhotic patients with portal hypertension complicated by variceal bleeding and volume-overload. METHODS This retrospective study included 360 patients who had TIPS created between January 2004 and December 2017 using 12 mm diameter PTFE-covered stents. Demographic data, model for end- stage liver disease (MELD) score, etiology of cirrhosis, and Charlson comorbidity index were recorded. Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), variceal re-bleeding, improvement in vol- ume-overload, TIPS revisions and the need for intervention, and overall survival were assessed. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 56.8 ± 9.9 years, and the technical success rate was 99.4%. The rates of improvement of volume-overload post-TIPS were 59.5%, 69.8%, and 81.7% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. About 93.3% of patients were free from paracentesis or thoracentesis at 12 months. The rates of re-bleeding post-TIPS were 4%, 12%, and 12.9% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The rate of TIPS revision at 12 months was 6.5%. Percentage of patients with any symptoms of HE were 34.4%, 42.9%, and 49.5% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. All HE were appropriately medically managed and no patients required a TIPS reduction. CONCLUSION TIPS placement using 12 mm PTFE-covered stents is efficacious in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension complicated by variceal bleeding or refractory volume-overload, with an accept- able safety profile.

Survival and Toxicities after 90Y Transarterial Radioembolization of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in the RESIN Registry.

Background Patients with unresectable, chemorefractory hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer have considerable mortality. The role of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium 90 (90Y) microspheres is not defined because most reports are from a single center with limited patient numbers. Purpose To report outcomes in participants with colorectal cancer metastases treated with resin 90Y microspheres from a prospective multicenter observational registry. Materials and Methods This study treated enrolled adult participants with TARE using resin microspheres for liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer at 42 centers, with enrollment from July 2015 through August 2020. TARE was used as the first-, second-, or third-line therapy or beyond. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity outcomes were assessed by line of therapy by using Kaplan-Meier analysis for OS and PFS and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5, for toxicities. Results A total of 498 participants (median age, 60 years [IQR, 52-69 years]; 298 men [60%]) were treated. TARE was used in first-line therapy in 74 of 442 participants (17%), second-line therapy in 180 participants (41%), and third-line therapy or beyond in 188 participants (43%). The median OS of the entire cohort was 15.0 months (95% CI: 13.3, 16.9). The median OS by line of therapy was 13.9 months for first-line therapy, 17.4 months for second-line therapy, and 12.5 months for third-line therapy (χ2 = 9.7; P = .002). Whole-group PFS was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.4, 9.5). The median PFS by line of therapy was 7.9 months for first-line therapy, 10.0 months for second-line therapy, and 5.9 months for third-line therapy (χ2 = 8.3; P = .004). TARE-attributable grade 3 or 4 hepatic toxicities were 8.4% for bilirubin (29 of 347 participants) and 3.7% for albumin (13 of 347). Grade 3 and higher toxicities were greater with third-line therapy for bilirubin (P = .01) and albumin (P = .008). Conclusion Median overall survival (OS) after transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium 90 microspheres for liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer was 15.0 months. The longest OS was achieved when TARE was part of second-line therapy. Grade 3 or greater hepatic function toxicity rates were less than 10%. Clinical trial registration no. NCT02685631 Published under a CC BY 4.0 license. Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Liddell in this issue.

Complications of Percutaneous Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter.

A functional peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is the cornerstone for the success of renal replacement therapy. This success is largely dependent on adhering to best practices during catheter insertion, which starts with a comprehensive preoperative evaluation that helps in determining the catheter configuration type and both entry and exit sites. Additionally, following the best practice guidelines during PD catheter insertion minimizes undesirable complications and provides a durable functional access for dialysis. However, adverse complications are still encountered despite abiding with these clinical guidelines. These complications are categorized into mechanical and infectious groups. The description and management of these adverse events are discussed in detail in this article with particular attention to the technical pitfalls that can occur during catheter insertion. Avoiding these pitfalls can minimize PD catheter complications and potentially improve clinical outcomes.

Endovascular embolization for managing a massive shoulder arteriovenous malformation.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital high flow pathologic linkages between arteries and veins of different sizes that may occur in any part of the body. The clinical presentation is largely dependent on the size and location of AVMs and can range from an asymptomatic birthmark to congestive heart failure in extreme cases. In this report, we describe a 20-year-old male who presented with a large AVM of the right shoulder that resulted in significant cosmetic and physical impairment and treated with several sessions of endovascular embolization with good clinical outcomes. This case highlights the complexity of diagnosing and managing these AVMs. Most of these anomalies require a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates both trans-catheter and surgical interventions with trans-arterial lesion embolization being the cornerstone of the treatment.

Percutaneous Cryoablation of Stage T1b Renal Cell Carcinoma: Safety, Technical Results, and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: The use of percutaneous cryoablation for T1b (4.1-7.0 cm) renal cell carcinoma, has not yet been widely adopted. The purpose of this study was to describe our experience in the cryoablation of stage T1b tumors with an emphasis on safety, technical results, and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of hospital records identified 37 patients who underwent cryoablation for T1b lesions from 2008 to 2018. Patient demographics, comorbidities, tumor characteristics, technical parameters, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Recurrence-free, overall, and cancer-specific survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (22 males, 15 females; mean age 66.5 ± 11.3) with 37 T1b tumors (mean diameter 47.3 ± 6.3 mm) were included. A median of 3 probes were used (range: 1-7). Angio-embolization was used in 3/37 (8.1%) and 2/37 patients (5.4%) required hydrodissection. The mean number of total cryoablation procedures for each patient was 1.5 (median 1; range: 1-4). Technical success was achieved in 88.2% of patients. Recurrence-free survival was 96.5%, 86.1%, and 62.6% at 1, 2, and 3 years respectively. Cancer-specific survival was 100% at 1, 2, and 3 years respectively. Overall survival was 96.7%, 91.8%, and 77.6% at 1, 2, and 3 years respectively. Complications classified as CIRSE grade 2 or higher occurred in 6/37 (16.2%) patients. CONCLUSION: T1b cryoablation is associated with high rates of technical success, excellent cancer-specific survival, and an acceptable safety profile. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, Case Series.

Erratum: Outcomes of fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided placement versus laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfx132.].

Novel treatment of a totally occluded venous outflow tract of an arteriovenous graft.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional guidewire techniques are not always sufficient to restore arteriovenous graft patency in patients with challenging vascular scenarios. We discuss a novel approach to the treatment of chronic total occlusion of the venous outflow tract to enable successful arteriovenous graft thrombectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old female with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis and recurrent arteriovenous graft thromboses presented with a clotted thigh graft. An existing ipsilateral common femoral vein stent was found to be chronically occluded, causing persistent venous outflow obstruction and rendering an initial attempt at thrombectomy unsuccessful due to wire buckling and the inability to navigate through the stent chronic total occlusion. RESULTS: After establishing femoral vein access, a vibrational recanalization device was used to cross the occluded stent. The device was then removed, permitting routine angioplasty. Post-angioplasty angiogram revealed persistent intra-stent stenosis, so a covered stent was deployed with good angiographic results. Routine pharmaco-mechanical thrombectomy of the arteriovenous graft was then performed. Two additional stents were placed due to stenotic recoil in the venous limb of the graft. Angioplasty was also performed at the arteriovenous graft arterial anastomosis. Repeat imaging demonstrated marked improvement in the graft blood flow. DISCUSSION: Total occlusion of the venous outflow tract prevents adequate blood flow through an arteriovenous graft and undermines successful thrombectomy. We describe the use of the Crosser vibrational recanalization device for the safe and effective treatment of a chronic total occlusion of the venous outflow tract, thus extending the life of the patient's vascular access for hemodialysis.

An analysis of potential predictors of tunneled hemodialysis catheter infection or dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of various clinical factors to predict infection or dysfunction of tunneled hemodialysis catheters. METHODS: A retrospective review of all adult patients who had a tunneled hemodialysis catheter placed between 2012 and 2016 was performed. Tunneled hemodialysis catheters were considered infected based on clinical suspicion or culture-positive bacteremia. Dysfunction was defined as all other non-infectious causes for line failure. Time-to-removal or exchange was recorded. Clinical parameters analyzed as potential predictors of tunneled hemodialysis catheter infection or dysfunction, included the following: age, sex, site of placement, inpatient versus outpatient status at time of placement, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, white blood cell count, international normalized ratio, and partial thromboplastin time. RESULTS: A total of 177 patients (95: female, 82: male; 71.7%: African American; mean age: 54.9 years) qualified for inclusion. The internal jugular vein was the site of placement in 97.1% of patients with 79.7% of lines being placed on the right side. One patient (0.5%) had minor bleeding after catheter insertion but no other complications were recorded. A total of 17 patients (9.6%) had lines removed or exchanged due to infection at a median of 86 (range: 13-626) days, while 68 patients (38.4%) had lines removed or exchanged due to dysfunction at a median of 42 (range: 1-531) days. A total of 92 patients (51.9%) had lines removed due to completion of therapy at a median of 68 (range: 7-433) days. Dysfunctional lines had a shorter time-to-removal than successful lines (p = 0.007). No difference was seen in time-to-removal between infected lines and successful lines (p = 0.16). Multivariate analysis showed that female sex (p = 0.003) and left-sided line placement (p = 0.007) were independent predictors of line dysfunction. No evaluated factors were predictive of tunneled hemodialysis catheter infection. CONCLUSION: Female sex and left-sided line placement were independent predictors of tunneled hemodialysis catheter dysfunction, but none of the evaluated parameters predicted tunneled hemodialysis catheter infection.

Outcomes of fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided placement versus laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters.

BACKGROUND: Several peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) placement techniques have been described. The objective of this study was to compare the fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance technique with the laparoscopic technique. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 260 patients who had their first PDC placed between January 2005 and June 2016. We compared the outcomes of the fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided catheter placement technique (radiologic group, n = 50) with the laparoscopic catheter placement technique (laparoscopic group, n = 190). The primary endpoint was complication-free catheter survival at 365 days. Secondary endpoints were complication-free catheter survival at 90 days, overall catheter survival at 90 and 365 days, median days to first complication and median days to catheter removal. RESULTS: In the radiologic group, the complication-free catheter survival at 90 and 365 days was 64% and 48%, respectively, while in the laparoscopic group it was 71% (P = 0.374) and 53% (P = 0.494), respectively. Catheter malfunction was significantly higher in the laparoscopic group (30%) compared with the radiologic group (16%, P = 0.048). The overall catheter survival at 90 and 365 days was 76% and 52%, respectively, in the radiologic group, while in the laparoscopic group it was 88% (P = 0.0514) an 48% (P = 0.652), respectively. There was no significant difference in the median days to first complication and the median days to catheter removal between the two groups (P = 0.71). CONCLUSION: The technique of fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided PDC placement is a clinically effective and safe alternative to laparoscopic catheter placement with similar survival and complication rates.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Diagnosis, Treatment Algorithms, and Imaging Appearance after Transarterial Chemoembolization.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related death, with incidence increasing worldwide. Unfortunately, the overall prognosis for patients with HCC is poor and many patients present with advanced stages of disease that preclude curative therapies. Diagnostic and interventional radiologists play a key role in the management of patients with HCC. Diagnostic radiologists can use contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound to diagnose and stage HCC, without the need for pathologic confirmation, by following established criteria. Once staged, the interventional radiologist can treat the appropriate patients with percutaneous ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, or radioembolization. Follow-up imaging after these liver-directed therapies for HCC can be characterized according to various radiologic response criteria; although, enhancement-based criteria, such as European Association for the Study of the Liver and modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, are more reflective of treatment effect in HCC. Newer imaging technologies like volumetric analysis, dual-energy CT, cone beam CT and perfusion CT may provide additional benefits for patients with HCC.

Percutaneous embolization of cystic duct stump leak following failed endoscopic management.

A case of a 79-year-old man, status post laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a drainage catheter placed at the gallbladder fossa is presented. The case was complicated postoperatively by abdominal pain and bilious discharge from the drainage catheter. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography demonstrated leakage through the cystic duct stump into the gallbladder fossa. Placement of a covered metal stent endoscopically failed to seal the leak. We performed percutaneous embolization of the cystic duct stump using a combination of coils and gelatin sponge through the drainage catheter in the gallbladder fossa. To our knowledge, this technique has not been previously described in the literature.

A SEER Database Analysis of the Survival Advantage of Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Underutilized Therapy.

PURPOSE: To measure transarterial chemoembolization utilization and survival benefit among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study identified 37,832 patients with HCC diagnosed between 1991 and 2011. Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Propensity-score matching was used to address an imbalance of covariates. RESULTS: More than 75% of patients with HCC did not receive any HCC-directed treatment. Transarterial chemoembolization was the most common initial therapy (15.9%). Factors associated with the use of chemoembolization included younger age, more HCC risk factors, more comorbidities, higher socioeconomic status, intrahepatic tumor, unifocal tumor, vascular invasion, and smaller tumor size (all P < .001). Median survival was improved in patients treated with chemoembolization compared with those not treated with chemoembolization (20.1 vs 4.3 mo; P < .0001). Similar findings were demonstrated in propensity-scoring analysis (14.5 vs 4.2 mo; P < .0001) and immortal time bias sensitivity analysis (9.5 vs 3.6 mo; P < .0001). There was a significantly improved survival hazard ratio (HR) in patients treated with chemoembolization (HR, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HCC treated with transarterial chemoembolization experienced a significant survival advantage compared with those not treated with transarterial chemoembolization. More than 75% of SEER/Medicare patients diagnosed with HCC received no identifiable oncologic treatment. There is a significant public health need to increase awareness of efficacious HCC treatments such as transarterial chemoembolization.

Best practices consensus protocol for peritoneal dialysis catheter placement by interventional radiologists.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters can be placed by interventional radiologists, an approach that might offer scheduling efficiencies, cost-effectiveness, and a minimally invasive procedure. In the United States, changes in the dialysis reimbursement structure by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are expected to result in the increased use of PD, a less costly dialysis modality that offers patients the opportunity to receive dialysis in the home setting and to have more independence for travel and work schedules, and that preserves vascular access for future dialysis options. Placement of PD catheters by interventional radiologists might therefore be increasingly requested by nephrology practices, given that recent publications have demonstrated the favorable impact on PD practices of an interventional radiology PD placement capability. Earlier reports of interventional radiology PD catheter placement came from single-center practices with smaller reported experiences. The need for a larger consensus document that attempts to establish best demonstrated practices for radiologists is evident. The radiologists submitting this consensus document represent a combined experience of more than 1000 PD catheter placements. The authors submit these consensus-proposed best demonstrated practices for placement of PD catheters by interventional radiologists under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. This technique might allow for expeditious placement of permanent PD catheters in late-referred patients with end-stage renal disease, thus facilitating urgent-start PD and avoiding the need for temporary vascular access catheters.

Endovascular management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains a frequent presentation in the emergency department. There are several causes of UGIB, which can be generally classified into variceal and nonvariceal bleeding. Although most cases of nonvariceal UGIB spontaneously resolve or respond to medical management and/or endoscopic treatment, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) remains an important available tool in the emergency evaluation and management of nonvariceal UGIB. In this article, we will discuss the current strategies for rendering a specific diagnosis of nonvariceal UGIB, and we will focus on the various TAE techniques for its management. We will also provide an algorithm for the diagnostic work-up of these patients. The majority of patients with nonvariceal UGIB that is refractory to endoscopic treatment is successfully treated with minimally invasive TAE and can avoid undergoing surgery.

Guide wire entrapment in a vena cava filter: techniques for dislodgement.

Entrapment of a central venous catheter (CVC) guide wire in an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is a rare, but reported complication during CVC placement. With the increasing use of IVC filters, this number will most likely continue to grow. The consequences of this complication can be serious, as continued traction upon the guide wire may result in filter dislodgement and migration, filter fracture, or injury to the IVC. In this article, we review the various preferred techniques reported in the literature for removal of the entrapped guide wire in particular situations, along with their indications, advantages, and disadvantages. We present simple useful recommendations to prevent this complication.

Unusual appearance and presentation of supratentorial subependymoma in an adult patient.

We report a case of a large, heterogeneously enhancing, pathologically proven, supratentorial subependymoma in a 31-year-old male patient presenting with headache, nausea and vomiting as well as gait disturbances. Although most supratentorial subependymomas have distinctive MR features, our case demonstrated imaging findings that made it indistinguishable from other more aggressive malignant supratentorial intraventricular lesions. It is of paramount importance to consider supratentorial subependymomas in the differential diagnosis of supratentorial lesions, even if their radiological features were atypical.

Embolization of bleeding duodenal ulcer using Amplatzer vascular plug II and hydrogel coils: case report.

PURPOSE: To present a case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) that was treated with percutaneous endovascular embolization using Amplatzer vascular plug and hydrogel coils after failed endoscopic treatment. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old male was referred for endovascular treatment of massive recurrent UGIB from a duodenal ulcer. Attempts at endoscopic treatment were unsuccessful. Based on our knowledge of the site of the bleeder in the duodenum from prior endoscopy, we decided to empirically embolize the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and the right gastroepiploic artery using a combination of coils (Azur peripheral hydrocoil; Terumo Medical Corporation, Somerset, New Jersey) and Amplatzer vascular plug II (AVP II; AGA Medical, Plymouth, Minnesota). CONCLUSION: We present this case of UGIB where effective, rapid, precise, and controlled embolization of the GDA was achieved using AVP II device in combination with coils. To our knowledge, the use of AVP II in embolization of GDA for treatment of emergent UGIB has not been described in the literature.

Pneumocele of the frontal sinus producing orbital roof defect: case report and review of literature.

Type III frontal recess air cell as a cause of frontal sinus pneumocele has not been previously reported in literature. A 31-year-old woman with chronic history of sinusitis presented with pressure in the left eye on blowing the nose. Computed tomography examination of the orbits and paranasal sinuses with coronal and sagittal reformatted images showed abnormal collection of gas in the soft tissues at the superior aspect of the left orbit contiguous with the overlying left frontal sinus through a large defect in the orbital roof and a type III frontal recess air cell narrowing the left frontal recess.

Fluoroscopic and sonographic guidance to place peritoneal catheters: how we do it.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to detail a percutaneous approach to placing peritoneal catheters using sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Fluoroscopic-assisted placement of these catheters has been previously described in the literature. We emphasize the use of additional sonographic guidance, including color Doppler sonography, to determine the safest puncture site and to guide the initial needle puncture to avoid bowel perforation and injury to the epigastric artery. CONCLUSION: Imaging-guided-that is, sonography plus fluoroscopy-percutaneous placement of peritoneal catheters is a safe, minimally invasive, and effective alternative to blind or open surgical placement. The use of sonographic guidance together with fluoroscopic assistance makes placement of peritoneal catheters a safer and effective alternative to blind or open surgical placement.