Outcome of the Z-expandable metallic stent for Budd-Chiari syndrome and segmental obstruction of the inferior vena cava.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of segmental obstruction of the inferior vena cava (SOIVC) with Z-expandable metallic stents (Z-EMS) is controversial and data on long-term follow-up are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the use of a Z-EMS for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) patients with SOIVC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2004 and December 2014, 37 consecutive BCS patients with SOIVC were referred for Z-EMS treatment and subsequently underwent follow-up in our department. Data were collected retrospectively and follow-up observations were made 1, 2, 2-5, and 5-10 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty and Z-EMS placement were technically successful in all patients. Major procedure-related complications occurred in four of 37 patients (10.81%). Follow-up for 61.89±41.45 months in 37 patients indicated portal hypertension in one patient 4 months after stent placement and symptoms were resolved by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunting. Hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in four patients and five patients died during follow-up. Reocclusion of the inferior vena cava occurred in four patients (10.81%, 4/41) and all reocclusions were managed by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty. Cumulative 1-, 2-, 2-5-, and 5-10-year primary patency rates were 94.60% (35/37), 93.33% (28/30), 88.89% (24/27), and 85.0% (17/20), respectively. Cumulative 1-, 2-, 2-5-, and 5-10-year secondary patency rates were 100% at all time-points. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that Z-EMS implantation is an efficacious, safe, and curative approach for BCS with SOIVC because satisfactory long-term outcomes were achieved. Long-term follow-up is required to ascertain stent patency and hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence.

Long-term safety and outcome of percutaneous transhepatic venous balloon angioplasty for Budd-Chiari syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The restenosis following percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTBA) is high for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) patients with hepatic venous obstruction (HVO). We aim to evaluate the safety and long-term outcome of PTBA with a large balloon catheter in a large series of patients with HVO. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2013, 93 consecutive BCS patients with HVO were referred for PTBA and subsequently underwent color Doppler ultrasonography or angiography follow-up. Data were retrospectively collected, and follow-up observations were performed at 1-, 2-, 2- to 5-, and 5- to 8-years postoperatively. RESULTS: Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty was technically successful in all patients. Ninety-one patients (97.85%) were treated with PTBA and two with PTBA and stent. Major procedure-related complications occurred in six of the 93 patients (6.45%). The cumulative 1-, 2-, 2- to 5-, and 5- to 8-year primary patency rates were 97.5%, 92.9%, 90%, and 86.5%, respectively. Cumulative 1-, 2-, 2- to 5-, and 5- to 8-year secondary patency rates were 100%, 100%, 98.6%, and 97.3%, respectively. Mean and median primary patency rates were 51.50 ± 3.01 months and 55.0 ± 3.63 months, respectively. Cumulative 1-, 2-, 2- to 5-, and 5- to 8-year survival rates were 98.75%, 98.6%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Mean and median survival times were 53.10 ± 3.04 months and 55.0 ± 3.64 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty with a large balloon is a safe and effective treatment that could provide excellent rates of long-term patency and survival for the majority of Chinese patients with BCS and HVO.

Clinical applications of the C-arm cone-beam CT-based 3D needle guidance system in performing percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions.

PURPOSE: This study explored the value of flat detector C-arm CT-guidance system in performing percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) for lung lesions in clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 110 patients with solid lung lesions were enrolled to undergo PTNB procedures. The mean diameter of lesions was 4.63 cm (range, 0.6-15cm). The needle path was carefully planned and calculated on the C-arm CT system, which acquired three-dimensional CT-like cross-sectional images. The PTNB procedures were performed under needle guidance with fluoroscopic feedbacks. RESULTS: Histopathologic tissue was successfully obtained from 108 patients with a puncture success rate of 98.2% (108/110). The diagnostic accuracy rate was found to be 96.3% (104/108). There was only one case of pneumothorax (0.9%) requiring therapy. The rates of mild pneumothorax and hemoptysis were low (12.0% and 6.5%, respectively). In addition, procedural time could be limited with this technique, which helped to reduce X-ray exposure. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that C-arm CT-based needle guidance enables reliable and efficient needle positioning and progression by providing real-time intraoperative guidance.

Portal, mesenteric, and splenic vein thromboses after endovascular embolization for gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a splenic arteriovenous fistula.

We present an unusual case of portal, mesenteric, and splenic vein thromboses after endovascular embolization for gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a splenic arteriovenous fistula. The thromboses were successfully treated with anticoagulation therapy. The patient was a 37-year-old woman who presented with portal hypertension manifested by gastrointestinal bleeding with no evidence of liver disease. Splenic arteriography confirmed the presence of a high-flow arteriovenous fistulous communication from the splenic artery directly into the splenic vein. The arteriovenous fistula was successfully treated with percutaneous transarterial embolization by embolization coils and the patient achieved effective hemostasis. Low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin were administrated to prevent thrombosis in the portal venous system after the procedure. Although anticoagulants were immediately administered, thromboses of the portal, mesenteric, and splenic veins were diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography after 10 days. Complete recanalization of the portal venous system confirmed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography was achieved by administering warfarin orally for 3 months.

Microwave ablation treatment of liver cancer with a 2,450-MHz cooled-shaft antenna: pilot study on safety and efficacy.

To evaluate efficacy of microwave ablation in a primary clinical study, sixty patients (44 men, 16 women; mean age 53 years) with 96, 1-8 cm (mean 3.20 ± 0.17 cm) liver cancers were treated with 2,450-MHz internally cooled-shaft antenna. Complete ablation (CA) and local tumor progression (LTP) rates as well as complications were determined. CA rates in small (<3.0 cm), intermediate (3.1-5.0 cm) and large (5.1-8.0 cm) liver cancers were 96.4% (54/56), 92.3% (24/26) and 78.6% (11/14), respectively. During a mean follow-up period of 17.17 ∓ 6.52 months, LTP occurred in five (5.21%) treated cases. There was no significant difference in the CA and LTP rates between the HCC and liver metastasis patient subgroups (P<0.05). Microwave ablation provides a reliable, efficient, and safe technique to perform hepatic tumor ablation.