Safety and feasibility of single use cholecystoscopy for guiding laser or mechanical cholelithotripsy, and mechanical cholelithotomy.

PURPOSE Patients with acute calculus cholecystitis and contraindications to cholecystectomy receive cholecystostomy drainage catheters, many of which remain in place until end of life. This study aims to assess safety, feasibility, and early clinical outcomes of percutaneous cholecystoscopy using the LithoVue endoscope, laser/mechanical cholelithotripsy, and mechanical cholelithotomy for management of symptomatic cholelithiasis. METHODS This was a single-institute retrospective analysis of 17 patients with acute calculus cholecystitis who had contraindications to cholecystectomy, underwent cholecystostomy catheter placement between 2015 and 2017, and stone removal between 2017 and 2018. The LithoVue 7.7- 9.5 F endoscope was used in combination with laser/mechanical cholelithotripsy, mechanical retrograde, and balloon-assisted anterograde cholelithotomy to remove gallstones and common bile duct stones. Surgical contraindications ranged from cardiopulmonary disease to morbid obesity to neoplastic processes. Timing and number of interventions, as well as technical and clinical successes, were assessed. RESULTS The median time interval from cholecystostomy catheter placement to cholelithotripsy was 58 days, after an average of 2 tube exchange procedures. Technical and clinical success were achieved in all patients (stone-free gallbladder and cholecystostomy tube removal). On average, three sessions of cholecystoscopy and laser and mechanical cholelithotripsy were required for complete gallstone extraction. The mean interval time between the first cholelithotripsy session and removal of cholecystostomy was 71.8±60.8 days. There were neither major nor minor procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION Percutaneous cholecystoscopy using the LithoVue endoscope, in combination with laser/ mechanical cholelithotripsy and mechanical cholelithotomy, is feasible, safe, well-tolerated, and was able to remove the cholecystostomy tube in the patients with contraindication to cholecystectomy.

Selective Trans-Catheter Coil Embolization of Cystic Duct Stump in Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Leak.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous drainage is a first-line treatment for bilomas developed post-cholecystectomy in the setting of bile leak from the cystic duct stump. Percutaneous drainage is usually followed by surgical or endoscopic treatment to address the leak. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate outcome of selective coil embolization of the cystic duct stump via the percutaneously placed drainage catheters in patients with post-cholecystectomy bile leak. METHODS: Seven patients with persistent bile leak after laparoscopic cholecystectomy who underwent percutaneous catheter placement for biloma/abscess formation in the region of the gallbladder fossa were followed. These patients underwent selective trans-catheter cystic duct stump coil embolization from Feb 2013 to Feb 2019. Procedural management, complications, and success rates were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients underwent placement of a percutaneous catheter for drainage of biloma formation in the gallbladder fossa post-cholecystectomy. Selective coil embolization of the cystic duct was performed through the existing percutaneous tract on average 3.5 weeks after percutaneous catheter placement, resulting in resolution of the biloma. All bile leaks were immediately closed. None of the patients showed recurrent bile leak or further clinical symptoms. Coil migration to the common bile duct was diagnosed in a single case, after 2.5 years, with no bile leak reported. CONCLUSIONS: Selective trans-catheter coil embolization of the cystic stump is a feasible and safe procedure, which successfully seals leaking cystic duct stumps and can circumvent the need for repeat surgical or endoscopic intervention in selected patient populations.

Adrenal vein sampling with and without cosyntropin stimulation for detection of surgically remediable aldosteronism.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Bilateral adrenal vein sampling (AVS), the diagnostic standard for identifying surgically remediable aldosteronism (SRA), is commonly performed after cosyntropin stimulation (post-ACTHstim). The role of AVS without cosyntropin stimulation (pre-ACTHstim) has not been established. The selectivity index (SI), the adrenal vein (av) serum cortisol concentration divided by that in a peripheral vein, confirms av sampling. The minimally acceptable SI is controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine the role of pre-ACTHstim AVS and a predetermined SI. DESIGN: Using biochemical cure as the endpoint, we performed a retrospective head-to-head comparison of pre-ACTHstim AVS to post-ACTHstim AVS. The specificity of a predetermined minimum SI of 1.5 in pre-ACTHstim AVS was determined. PATIENTS: At a regional AVS referral centre, we analysed 32 patients who had undergone simultaneous bilateral AVS both pre- and post-ACTHstim and had returned for postadrenalectomy evaluation. MEASUREMENTS: Simultaneous bilateral AVS was performed with measurements of venous concentrations of aldosterone and cortisol. End points were postadrenalectomy plasma renin activity, serum aldosterone concentration, and number of antihypertensive medications. RESULTS: All 32 patients achieved a biochemical cure following adrenalectomy. The two AVS protocols were complementary. Notably, seven patients (22%; CI = 11-38) were found to have SRA by a lateralization index (LI) > 4 on the pre-ACTHstim AVS, but not on the post-ACTHstim AVS. SI pre-ACTHstim was divided into tertiles. Specificity was 100% in all. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous bilateral AVS performed both pre-ACTHstim and post-ACTHstim maximizes SRA identification. A SI of 1.5 pre-ACTHstim does not reduce specificity.

JOURNAL CLUB: Benefit of Epinephrine Autoinjector for Treatment of Contrast Reactions: Comparison of Errors, Administration Times, and Provider Preferences.

OBJECTIVE: Given the rarity of contrast reactions in practice, most radiologists have little to no experience in their management, and errors are common. The purpose of this study was to compare treatment of a moderate-severity reaction with intramuscular epinephrine by either the traditional manual method of drawing up and delivering epinephrine with a needle and syringe or the use of an epinephrine autoinjector. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All diagnostic radiologists at the study institution were requested to participate in an annual contrast reaction simulation program, which consisted of three simulation scenarios in a high-fidelity simulation laboratory. During the moderate-severity simulation scenario, the time to administer intramuscular epinephrine and any errors in administration were recorded. Groups were randomized to use an autoinjector device or manual delivery. All participants completed a survey assessing the experience with epinephrine and their comfort in treating contrast reactions using a traditional manual approach versus an epinephrine autoinjector. RESULTS: Among 189 participants in the contrast reaction simulation program, 76 participated in a moderate-severity reaction simulation two to five at a time in 25 sessions. Mean total time to administration was significantly longer for manual (108.8 seconds) than for autoinjector (38.7 seconds) delivery (p < 0.001). There were 11 errors in the manual group and one error in the autoinjector group (p = 0.005). Ninety-four percent of participants reported feeling very comfortable or comfortable with the autoinjector as opposed to 60% for manual delivery (p < 0.001). Overall, 96% of participants thought the autoinjector was easier to use. CONCLUSION: Use of an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of contrast reactions was associated with a significantly greater degree of provider comfort, shorter time to administration, and fewer errors.

Image-Guided Transvesicular Drainage of Pelvic Fluid Collections: A Safe and Effective Alternative Approach.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transvesicular drainage of pathologic pelvic fluid collections, a series of 15 patients who underwent 16 transvesicular drainage catheter placements was retrospectively reviewed. All patients had collections suspicious for infection that were posterior to the bladder or superior to the bladder behind loops of bowel, and were otherwise inaccessible. All 15 collections were percutaneously accessed via the bladder with standard drainage catheters. All collections resolved completely with no complications. Percutaneous transvesicular drainage was a safe and effective technique in this series, and can be considered when no direct percutaneous access routes are available.

Arteriovenous Fistulas and Their Characteristic Sites of Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: In the United States, more than 250,000 patients with end-stage renal disease are dialyzed through arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). The three most common AVFs are the radiocephalic fistula, the brachiocephalic fistula, and the brachial artery-to-transposed basilic vein fistula. Although many potential access site stenoses can and do occur within any given fistula, each fistula has a characteristic site of stenosis. This article will discuss the characteristic site of stenosis for each type of fistula including the effects of stenosis at that site on fistula function, and their treatment. CONCLUSION: The characteristic sites of stenosis in AVFs used for dialysis share in common significant angulation, which likely causes stenosis by leading to turbulent flow and intimal injury. While balloon dilation is considered first-line therapy, further interventions such as stent placement or surgical revision are sometimes needed to treat these recalcitrant areas of stenosis.

Clinical outcome of the Tal Palindrome chronic hemodialysis catheter: single institution experience.

PURPOSE: To report the authors' clinical experience with the Tal Palindrome chronic dialysis catheter with a symmetric tip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 39-month period, 126 Palindrome catheters were placed consecutively in 85 patients. Follow-up was available for 115 catheters. Insertion complications, patency, catheter-related bacteremia, exit site infections, and reasons for catheter removal were recorded. The patient's initial cause of end-stage renal disease, underlying diseases, and site of access were recorded as well. RESULTS: Patient ranged in age from 35 to 91 years (median, 69 years). Fifty percent of patients had diabetes. One hundred twenty-six Palindrome catheters were placed for a total of 12,046 catheter-days. The technical success rate of catheter placement was 100%. The average catheter indwell time was 105 days (range, 1-673 days). Catheters were inserted via the right (n = 107) or left (n = 19) jugular vein in all patients without insertional complication. Catheter-related infections occurred in 16 of the 115 catheters (13.9%) during the study period and culture-proved bacteremia occurred in four (3.5%). Seven exit site infections were recorded, and 10 catheters (8.7%) developed fibrin sheaths that necessitated catheter exchanges. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical experience with the Tal Palindrome hemodialysis catheter demonstrated safe and reliable use with low infection rates.

Carotid angioplasty for the management of extracranial carotid occlusive disease.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has become established as the preferred approach to the management of critical carotid stenosis. Carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) has recently arisen as an alternative in the treatment of carotid occlusive disease. This report describes our experience with carotid angioplasty applied to an unselected patient population suffering from high-grade carotid occlusive disease. METHODS: All patients suffering from carotid stenosis (> 50% symptomatic or > 80% asymptomatic) were offered CAS or CEA. The first 39 patients who underwent attempted CAS over this last year are reported here. CAS was performed with the SMART PRECISE or ACCULINK stents. All procedures were performed with cerebral protection. RESULTS: The planned procedure success rate was 97% and the major adverse event (MAE) rate was 2.6% in 38 patients who underwent successful CAS. This included a minor stroke and a subendocardial myocardial infarction in the same individual. Both events were attributed to sustained postprocedural hypotension probably induced by increased carotid sinus activity. CONCLUSION: CAS can be accomplished with a MAE rate comparable to CEA and will likely become the dominant alternative to CEA for the management of carotid stenosis. In the setting of equivalent morbidity, it appears likely that a nonsurgical option will be preferred by patients.

Carotid artery angioplasty with stenting and postprocedure hypotension.

INTRODUCTION: Although carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has become established as the preferred approach to the management of critical carotid stenosis, carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) has arisen as a competitive modality. We report here a nonindustry-supported experience using CAS in a nonselected patient population suffering from critical carotid stenosis. METHODS: All patients suffering from carotid stenosis (>50% symptomatic or >80% asymptomatic) were offered CAS or CEA. The first 36 patients who underwent attempted CAS over this last year are reported here. CAS was performed with the SMART PRECISE (Cordis, Inc, Miami Lakes, FL) or ACCULINK (Guidant, Inc, St Paul, MN) stents. All procedures were performed with cerebral protection. RESULTS: The planned procedure success rate was 97%, and the major adverse event (MAE) rate was 3.0% in 35 patients who underwent successful CAS. This included a minor stroke and a subendocardial myocardial infarction in the same individual. Both events were attributed to sustained postprocedure hypotension. The most frequent intraprocedure complications observed were bradycardia and hypotension. Persistent postprocedure hypotension requiring vasopressor support complicated 23% of cases. The average duration of vasopressor support in this group was 21 hours. CONCLUSION: CAS can be accomplished with an MAE comparable to CEA and will likely become the dominant alternative to CEA for the management of carotid stenosis. Management of periprocedural cardiovascular instability represents one of the most important elements in the safe conduct of CAS.

Unilateral adrenal hyperplasia causing primary aldosteronism: limitations of I-131 norcholesterol scanning.

Primary aldosteronism is a disorder that is commonly considered in patients referred to the hypertension clinic. The ease of measuring the random aldosterone-to-renin ratio in conjunction with an elevated serum aldosterone level has led to an increased screening for this disorder. Typically, patients undergo a confirmatory test after a positive screening test. However, once primary aldosteronism is confirmed, subtype delineation is critical to decide on the optimal treatment. We report a patient with resistant hypertension and primary aldosteronism with a normal computed tomographic scan of the adrenal glands, a left-sided uptake on adrenal scintigraphy, and a right-sided lateralization of aldosterone after adrenal vein sampling. A repeat adrenal vein sampling confirmed the aldosterone lateralization to the right adrenal gland, which was then removed laparoscopically. The patient had a good clinical and biochemical response, and unilateral adrenal hyperplasia was discovered at histology. Excessive reliance on adrenal scintigraphy without adrenal vein sampling may lead to serious errors in patient management.