Localization of spleen and kidney organs from CT scans based on classification of slices in rotational views.

This article presents a novel multiple organ localization and tracking technique applied to spleen and kidney regions in computed tomography images. The proposed solution is based on a unique approach to classify regions in different spatial projections (e.g., side projection) using convolutional neural networks. Our procedure merges classification results from different projection resulting in a 3D segmentation. The proposed system is able to recognize the contour of the organ with an accuracy of 88-89% depending on the body organ. Research has shown that the use of a single method can be useful for the detection of different organs: kidney and spleen. Our solution can compete with U-Net based solutions in terms of hardware requirements, as it has significantly lower demands. Additionally, it gives better results in small data sets. Another advantage of our solution is a significantly lower training time on an equally sized data set and more capabilities to parallelize calculations. The proposed system enables visualization, localization and tracking of organs and is therefore a valuable tool in medical diagnostic problems.

Multifocal Sarcoma Mimicking Superficial Vein Thrombosis of the Leg: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Leiomyosarcoma is a common tumor found in soft tissue. In relation to the vascular system, leiomyosarcoma appears as the most common malignancy characterized by poor prognosis. Leiomyosarcomas of the leg large vessels often occur late, and their appearance can imitate vein thrombosis with symptoms such as soft tissue swelling or mild pain, and can be misdiagnosed. Peripheral vascular leiomyosarcomas are rare. Especially leiomyosarcomas of the great saphenous vein are uncommon. The tumors develop on the media basis and grow from endovascular to exovascular order. Distant metastasis can be identified and worsen prognosis. CASE REPORT We present a case of a 61-year-old female patient with varicose vein disease complicated by recurrent superficial vein thrombosis. After 2 months of conservative treatment, while waiting for admission to the department of surgery, she developed additional symptoms. Clinical examination on the day of admission revealed several tumors along and near the great saphenous vein on the left limb below the knee. The diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was confirmed after the surgery, involving excision of the saphenous vein, including tumors formed on its course. Preoperative clinical and ultrasound findings did not suggest malignancy. CONCLUSIONS Leiomyosarcoma of the great saphenous vein is an extraordinarily rare tumor originating from the middle layer of the vessel, mimicking unspecific symptoms and complicating and delaying diagnosis. In every case of vascular or perivascular lesions, a detailed examination and diagnosis it is required, and even unlikely clinical scenarios should be considered.

Coil Embolization of Post-Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Ascending Aorta.

BACKGROUND Traumatic rupture of the ascending aorta is a life-threatening injury, with a survival rate of around 15% to 20%. Treatment with open surgical repair is the criterion standard. However, open surgical repair is associated with high mortality and morbidity in patients with multiple traumas. There are no systematic data on traumatic thoracic rupture and aorta rupture in a cohort of patients who had undergone partial or total replacement of the thoracic aorta. We can only speculate about the mechanisms and consequences of such an injury. Therefore, even unorthodox endovascular techniques are a welcome advancement in this field and should be considered, providing they do not compromise patient safety. CASE REPORT A 61-year-old man presented with polytrauma after a fall from height. Since the patient had a history of a Bentall procedure, hypertension, coronary disease, and nicotinism, we quickly excluded open surgery as a treatment option. However, the patient's condition, additional injuries, and anatomical features prompted us to perform coil pseudoaneurysm, reducing his operative trauma and allowing for his faster recovery and early rehabilitation. The patient has remained under careful clinical supervision. The result of the patient's 1-year follow-up was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS In this case, the endovascular approach was an effective, if temporary, option to open or hybrid surgery. This demonstrates that minimally invasive surgery can be helpful in some patients and can also be helpful as a bridge therapy. A good rapport between the surgeon and the patient is crucial to understanding the advantages and disadvantages of such treatment.

Undersized Stentgraft Placement for Traumatic Descending Aorta Rupture, and What Is Next?

BACKGROUND Traumatic injury of the thoracic aorta is proving to be not only the most lethal of traumatic injuries, but also the most urgent reason for vascular intervention among all trauma patients. Endovascular aortic repair is used increasingly often to treat traumatic injuries. We report a case of endovascular treatment and its use as a delayed correction (two-stage treatment) for a traumatic aortic isthmus rupture. CASE REPORT A 20-year-old Asian male was admitted to our department after a car accident presenting symptoms of ischemic shock. Among multiple injuries, a traumatic descending aorta rupture was diagnosed. The patient was referred directly to the operating room for a thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The patient's other trauma-related injuries required additional interventions in the following days. Thirty days after the emergent TEVAR operation, the patient required reintervention due to a major type-I endoleak. Computed tomography angiography revealed a failed stentgraft deployment. We removed the mismatched endovascular equipment and deployed an appropriately sized stentgraft during a hybrid procedure, excluding the ruptured aortic wall altogether. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular treatment of both children and small-framed adults remains a challenge for operating teams. First, no dedicated equipment can be found on the market. Second, measuring and fitting endovascular equipment constitutes a sore point in treatment, so in emergency situations, only off-the-shelf tools are accessible. We assert that, in such cases, the primary procedure should be understood as a lifesaving intervention, awaiting a final and long-lasting solution.

Three-Dimensional Volumetric Renal Reconstruction Based on Geometrical Coefficients.

The article presents an innovative method of 3D computer tomography (CT) image reconstruction of kidney. Diagnosis based on CT scanning allows to obtain projections of multi-dimensional object, made from different directions in order to create cross-sectional (2D) slices. Standard techniques for identifying kidneys in CT images analyze each 2D slice separately. It causes different reconstruction accuracy for the same object at its different heights. This is the main problem of a machine-learning systems. Reconstruction error of end-slices of the kidney model is often greater than the error of the kidney's middle part. The main idea of the technique presented in this paper is to analyze the largest coherent 3D spatial-areas. This technique allows to increase the accuracy of kidney detection as well as to decrease the FP (false positive) error. An additional advantage of the developed algorithm is the possibility of obtaining a precise model representing the 3D view of an entire kidney.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Catheter Insertion Using a Novel Left External Iliac Artery Approach in A Case of Chronic Heart Failure Due to Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND The use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with advanced heart failure can provide interim mechanical support as a bridge to further treatment, including cardiac transplantation. The femoral artery, axillary artery, and subclavian artery are the main approaches to IABP catheter placement. A case is reported of the use of a left external iliac artery approach to IABP catheter placement using a subcutaneous channel in a patient with chronic heart failure. CASE REPORT A 67-year-old woman presented with a history of heart failure. She had New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class IV symptoms. The patient had a history of chronic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 25%, severe mitral regurgitation, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and hypothyroidism. Immediate pharmacological treatment began, and an IABP catheter was initially inserted using femoral artery access. During 115 days of hospital treatment, several unsuccessful attempts were made to remove the IABP catheter. Due to prolonged patient immobility, the IABP catheter access was changed from the femoral artery to the external iliac artery. A prosthetic Dacron graft and a subcutaneous channel were used. Optimal pharmacotherapy commenced, and the patient underwent rehabilitation and mobilization with significant improvement in cardiac function. At 195 days after changing the IABP catheter access, the patient underwent successful heart transplantation. CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrated that in a patient with chronic heart failure requiring long-term femoral IABP catheter placement, an external iliac artery approach using a subcutaneous channel provided a bridge to cardiac transplantation.

Absence of inferior vena cava in 14-year old boy associated with deep venous thrombosis and positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae serum antibodies--a case report.

BACKGROUND: Absence of the inferior vena cava is a rare vascular anomaly, which usually remains asymptomatic in childhood. It is recognized as the risk factor for deep venous thrombosis, since the collateral circulation does not provide adequate drainage of the lower limbs. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children and adolescents. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection might be associated with deep venous thrombosis but its pathophysiology remains unknown. According to previous reports, deep venous thrombosis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is associated with positive serum anticardiolipin antibodies. To our knowledge, we describe the first case of deep venous thrombosis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae serum antibodies indicating early stage of infection with negative anticardiolipin serum antibodies in adolescent with absence of inferior vena cava. CASE PRESENTATION: 14-year old boy was admitted to the pediatric unit few days after the appendectomy complaining with pain of the left hip that caused him unable to walk. The pain was accompanied with subfebrile temperature. After clinical examination and additional tests, the boy was diagnosed with a deep venous thrombosis. Computed tomography revealed absence of the vena cava inferior distally to the hepatic veins and varices of the collateral circulation in the pelvis. Anticardiolipin IgM and IgG antibodies and antinuclear antibodies were not detected. Additionally, the Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies in classes IgM, IgA and IgG were detected in serum as another risk factor of thrombosis. After the initial treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin in combination with clarithromycin the clinical condition of the patient improved. The patient became a candidate for life-long anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this case Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies were associated with deep venous thrombosis in child with congenital absence of inferior vena cava. Uncommonly for deep venous thrombosis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, anticardiolipin antibodies were not detected in serum. It is important to remember in clinical practice that Mycoplasma pneumoniae affects coagulability and may trigger thrombosis, especially in the presence of other risk factors. The pathophysiology of this process remains unknown.

Computerized System for Quantitative Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaques in the Femoral and Iliac Arteries Visualized by Multislice Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The investigation is aimed at the development of a semiautomatic method of examining the femoral and iliac arteries, and quantifying atherosclerotic plaques visible in the multislice computed tomography images. METHODS: We have utilized the advanced morphology and segmentation methods for processing of a series of the images. In particular, a novel sorted pixel intensity approach to segment the artery into the lumen/plaque regions has been used, and effectively combined with the Gaussian mixture modeling to increase the accuracy of the segmentation. RESULTS: Our numerical results are compared with those obtained manually by two experts. Statistics relevant to the progression of atherosclerosis have also been suggested. Results of the semiautomatic tracking of the femoral and iliac arteries and of the quantitative evaluation of atherosclerotic alterations therein have been shown to correspond well with the expert's results. CONCLUSION: The developed system is likely to be valuable tool for supporting the quantitative evaluation of atherosclerotic changes in arteries. SIGNIFICANCE: In its present form the system can be used for planning surgical treatment and/or predicting the course of the atherosclerotic alterations.

Lymphatic complications after vascular interventions.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphorrhea due to classical and mini-invasive surgical interventions on femoral and popliteal arteries is a serious hindrance to patient treatment. Depending on the experience of a particular center, the incidence and frequency of this type of complication may constitute a serious clinical problem. While the level of lymphorrhea intensity and its duration result in certain foreseeable consequences, their treatment can be a time-consuming and multistep procedure. AIM: To compare different types of vascular interventions with lymphorrhea occurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of lymphatic complications based on the material collected between 2005 and 2012 at the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery of the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw and in the Department of Interventional Cardiology and Angiology of the Institute of Cardiology in Anin, Warsaw, in 2009-2012. RESULTS: Maintaining due thoroughness when dissecting tissues and treating the cutting line in this area with ligatures and tissue puncture are the most reliable methods of minimizing the risk of lymphatic leakage after surgical procedures performed in a classical way. The lymphatic complication under analysis is far less likely to occur when procedures are performed as planned and an endovascular technique is used - statistical significance p < 0.05. Minimally invasive and fully percutaneous procedures performed via needle puncture, including the use of the fascial closure technique to close the femoral artery, eliminate the likelihood of the occurrence of this vascular complication - statistical significance was found with p value less than 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that in every case by minimizing the vascular approach we protected the patient against lymphatic complications.

New surgical modification of fascial closure following endovascular aortic pathology repair.

INTRODUCTION: There are clear benefits of percutaneous versus open femoral access for endovascular aortic pathology repair. All closing devices commercially available are expensive. Surgical closure of the femoral artery risks potential prolonged wound healing and as a consequence longer hospital stay. Fascial closure is a technique that remains an interesting option. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the surgical modification of hemostasis control after endovascular repair of aortic pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred sixteen common femoral arteries in a group of 58 patients underwent a minimally invasive procedure. Patients suffering from abdominal, thoracic aorta aneurysms, acute thoracic aorta type B dissections and traumatic aortic injury were treated. RESULTS: A 1-year period of experience in fascial closure of 116 common femoral arteries was presented in the group of 58 patients undergoing endovascular interventions. Five intraoperative complications were observed and one late. Three primary failures were due to hemorrhage in three arteries, one required open repair and two additional compression after the procedure. Two cases of limb ischemia required surgical correction of artery closure. One limb ischemia was detected 4 weeks later, and was treated conservatively. At 1 year, 92 fascial closures (80%) were in the follow-up and 24 (20%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This new modification of fascial closure is a safe and cheap method of arterial closure following endovascular repair of selected aortic pathologies. The usage of two suture lines makes this procedure easy and quick. Fascial closure technique is comparable to other techniques in terms of success and complication rates.

Morphological evaluation of the iliac and femoral arteries; possibilities and perspectives.

UNLABELLED: The study presented an approach to the morphometric image of atherosclerotic lesions of the final segment of the abdominal aorta, femoral and iliac arteries, considering possible endovascular intervention. The evaluation of these arteries is very important, because they are often used as a point of access for endovascular procedures performed on the peripheral arteries, or within the thoracic and abdominal aorta and its branches, as well as coronary arteries. The aim of the study was to determine morphometric measurements describing the atherosclerotic lesions, including the methodology of their surgical interpretation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group comprised 128 tomograms of patients qualified for surgery. An algorithm based on the mathematical morphology was designed to track the vessels, starting from the division of the common femoral artery, and ending at the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. We proposed a set of numerical measurements of the observed arterial changes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We analysed 128 tomograms with a 94.5% efficiency, and with the assessment accuracy of the degree of lumen reduction (MAE--1.5%). We observed much higher measurement values of local tortuosity of the atherosclerotic arteries (0.3-1 radians), as compared to their anatomical course in a healthy subject (0-0.2 radians). The presented method can be a very accurate and useful tool in the numerical analysis of the lumen distribution of the arteries and atherosclerosis, dedicated to surgeons elaborating management strategies.

[Heart failure as an independent prognostic factor for endovascular method of abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment]. / Niewydolnosc serca jako niezalezny czynnik prognostyczny w leczeniu tetniaka aorty brzusznej sposobem wewnatrznaczyniowym.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been accepted as an alternative to traditional open surgery in selected patients. Now it is a widely accepted standard. In case of contraindications for open repair, after accomplishing including criteria for EVAR, the patient can be treated by this method. Despite the minimally invasiveness of this treatment, several complications may occur during or after EVAR. Complications arise from the limitations of the method and improper patient selection. We report a case of patient with heart failure and complications after EVAR.

[The case of an acute thoracic aorta dissection in the patient with Marphan syndrome]. / Przypadek ostrego rozwarstwienia aorty u chorego z zespolem Marfana.

Acute thoracic aorta dissection is one the most dangerous pathology of aorta. If left untreated, is associated with high mortality. Early diagnosis and proper treatment improves outcomes. Miniinvasive procedures give the opportunity to plan the hybrid approach. In this way, all the advantages and opportunities of chosen methods can be used, minimising their complications. Multidisciplinary cooperation during the whole process of treatment, including out-patient care is crutial. Doing so creates the optimal conditions for the treatment by reducing operative trauma and improving the quality of life.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using transfemoral/transsubclavian or transapical approach: 30-day follow-up of the initial 30 patients.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a new method for the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS). AIM: To evaluate early results of TAVI using transfemoral/transsubclavian approach (TFA/TSA) or transapical approach (TAA) in patients with severe AS and high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. METHODS: Between January 2009 and May 2010, 30 high-risk patients underwent TAVI. The primary treatment option was TFA, and TAA was used if contraindications to TFA were present; one patient underwent the procedure using TSA. Reasons for selecting TAA were as follows: small diameter (<7 mm) and/or severe calcification of the iliofemoral arteries, peripheral atherosclerosis, "porcelain" aorta and a horizontal course of the ascending aorta. Edwards-Sapien or CoreValve devices were used in all cases, and procedures were performed without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 82.46 ± 5.79 years, mean NYHA class was 3.23 ± 0.41, and predicted mean surgical mortality using logistic Euroscore was 29.18 ± 16.9% (22.72 ± 12.07% in the TFA/TSA group vs 34.6 ± 15.4% in the TAA group; p = 0.031). Eleven patients were treated using TAA. The valve was implanted successfully in 96% of patients. Inhospital mortality was 3.3%. Mean 30-day mortality was 6.6% in the entire cohort, 0% in the TFA/TSA group and 18% in the TAA group. There were no cases of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI), cardiogenic shock, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, or need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. One patient died suddenly three weeks after the procedure; except for this case, there were no major adverse cardiovascular events (MACCE: MI, cerebrovascular accident, re-do procedure) at 30-day follow-up. The TAVI was associated with a significant reduction in the mean maximal aortic gradient in both groups (from 99.6 ± 22.07 mm Hg to 21.83 ± 9.38 mm Hg post-procedure and to 23.25 ± 9.22 mm Hg at 30-day follow up), with no cases of severe aortic valve regurgitation. The NYHA class at 30 days improved from 3.23 ± 0.41 to 1.72 ± 0.52 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate lower 30-day complication rate and mortality in the TFA/TSA group. The availability of several techniques of valve implantation in the group of non-surgical patients with severe AS potentially broadens the patient population with indications for this treatment.

Peritoneal dialysis as a therapeutic approach in congestive heart failure resistant to pharmacological treatment: case report.

This report describes the use of continuous peritoneal dialysis (PD) as an alternative to hemodialysis (HD) in a patient with type 2 cardiorenal syndrome in the course of congestive heart failure resistant to standard pharmacological treatment. A 39-year-old man presented with a 24-year history of progressive heart failure. Ineligibility for heart transplant and previous inefficient treatment with different modifications of HD reduced his treatment options to PD. After 7 months of continuous PD (1 overnight exchange with icodextrin and 2 daily standard continuous ambulatory PD exchanges) his overall condition significantly improved compared with his status while on HD. An increase from NYHA class IV to class II, increase in left ventricular ejection fraction from 50% to 55%, decrease in right ventricular systolic pressure from 73 to 53 mmHg, and improvement in the quality of life enabled him to resume his daily activities.

[Abdominal angina syndrome--case report]. / Zespól anginy brzusznej--opis przypadku.

Bowel atherosclerotic ischemia is one of the type of clinical presentation of this general inflammatory arterial disease. In this article was depicted a case of 58-year-old female with clinical presentation of chronic bowel ischemia, e.g., chronic stomach pain, defecation disturbance and cachexia. Diagnostic process, difficulties during diagnostic and therapy were presented. The patient was referred to the surgery The diagnostic process and surgical treatment performed in our hospital were compared with actual recommendations of specialists and standards.