Local recurrence following a complete radiologic response in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: comparison of transarterial chemoembolisation and transarterial radioembolisation.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the rates of local recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who undergo selective transarterial radioembolisation (TARE) or transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and achieve a complete response (CR) radiologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing treatment with TARE or TACE at a single academic institution were reviewed retrospectively. Those who had been treated previously, presented with multifocal disease, had non-selective TARE or TACE, or did not achieve a complete response (CR) radiologically were excluded. RESULTS: In total 110 patients were included (TACE n=60 [54.5%]; TARE n=50 [45.5%]). TARE patients were older (66.4 ± 9.4 versus 61.2 ± 5.6 years, p<0.001) and had larger tumours (4.4 ± 2.2 versus 3 ± 1.4 cm, p=0.002). TACE patients were significantly more likely to suffer a local recurrence (31/60, 51.7% versus 9/50, 18%, p<0.001) and had a significantly shorter time to recurrence (median 8.3 {interquartile range [IQR]}: 12 versus median 17.9 [IQR: 23.5] months, p=0.001). A local time to progression (TTP) Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrated TACE patients had a significantly shorter local TTP (hazard ratio [HR]: 7.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.64-14.24; p<0.001) and treatment modality (TACE or TARE; HR: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.005-0.5; p=0.01) was found to be associated with local recurrences on multivariate Cox proportional HR analysis. When overall TTP was evaluated, again TACE patients were found to have a significantly shorter TTP (HR: 2.13 [1.28-3.53], p=0.004). CONCLUSION: In HCC patients undergoing selective treatment who achieve a CR radiologically, those treated with TARE may be less likely to suffer recurrence, either local or general, than those treated with TACE.

Evaluation of the frequency and factors predictive of hernia incarceration following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement.

AIM: To examine the frequency and predictive factors for bowel incarceration following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) placement to treat refractory cirrhosis-induced ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with known hernias at the time of TIPS placement were identified. Their electronic medical records were reviewed and pertinent pre-procedural, procedural, and outcome variables were recorded. Patients were divided between those that suffered incarceration (study group) and a control group of those with a hernia who did not suffer incarceration. RESULTS: Twelve of the 99 patients (12.1%) suffered hernia incarceration, of which seven (7.1%) suffered incarceration in the first 90 days. One patient who suffered incarceration ultimately died from complications of the incarceration. When comparing all patients who suffered incarceration to controls, incarceration patients were found to have significantly higher albumin levels (mean 3.13 versus 2.73, p=0.02). When just considering those who had incarcerations in the first 90 days to controls, incarceration patients were less likely to have improvement in their ascites (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Incarcerated hernias occur frequently after TIPS placement and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Clinicians should be aware of this complication and counsel patients on presenting symptoms prior to placement.

Predicting post-transarterial chemoembolization outcomes: A comparison of direct and total bilirubin serums levels.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review the ability of direct bilirubin serum level to predict mortality and complications in patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compare it to the predictive value of the currently utilized total bilirubin serum level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 219 patients who underwent TACE for 353 hepatocelluar carcinomas (HCC) at a single institution were included. There were 165 men and 54 women, with a mean age of 61.4±7.6 (SD) [range: 27-86 years]. The patients' electronic medical records were evaluated and they were divided into cohorts based on total bilirubin (<2, 2-3, and >3mg/dL) as well as direct bilirubin (<1 and 1-2mg/dL). RESULTS: Direct bilirubin serum level was significantly greater in the cohort of patients who did not survive as compared to those who survived 6 months ([0.58±0.46 (SD) mg/dL; range: <0.1-1.8mg/dL] vs. [0.40±0.31 (SD) mg/dL; range: <0.1-1.6mg/dL], respectively) (P=0.04) and 12 months ([0.49±0.38 (SD) mg/dL; range: <0.1-1.8mg/dL] vs. [0.38±0.32 (SD) mg/dL; range: <0.1-1.6mg/dL], respectively) (P=0.03). While total bilirubin serum level was not significantly different in those who did not and did survive 6 months ([1.54±0.99 (SD) mg/dL; range: 0.3-3.9mg/dL] vs. [1.27±0.70 (SD) mg/dL; range: 0.3-3.75mg/dL], respectively) (P=0.16), it was significantly different when evaluating 12 months survival ([1.46±0.87 (SD)mg/dL; range: 0.3-3.9mg/dL] vs. [1.22±0.65 (SD) mg/dL; range: 0.3-3.9mg/dL]) (P=0.03). Akaike information criterion (AIC) analysis revealed that direct bilirubin level more accurately predicted overall survival (AIC=941.19 vs. 1000.51) and complications (AIC=352.22 vs. 357.42) than total bilirubin serum levels. CONCLUSION: Direct bilirubin serum level appears to outperform total bilirubin concentration for predicting complications and overall survival in patients undergoing TACE. Patients with relatively maintained direct bilirubin levels should be considered for TACE, particularly in the setting of bridging to transplant.

Clinical utility of one month imaging following selective internal radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: The goal of this retrospective review was to determine the clinical relevance of one-month post-treatment imaging in the selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) patient population by reporting the incidence of change in clinical management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and January 2016, 85 patients underwent 109 SIRT treatments for either primary or secondary hepatic malignancies. There were 59 men and 26 women with a mean age of 62.4 years (range: 39-89 years). Patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed for procedural, historical, laboratory and imaging information. The imaging study was considered to have changed patients' clinical management if it resulted in the addition of a new procedure, canceling of a planned procedure or change in systemic therapy. RESULTS: The one-month post-treatment imaging findings led to management changes in 10 of 109 (9.2%) of treatments. When evaluated by cancer type, 2/61 (3.3%) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatments had management changed while 8/48 (16.7%) non-HCC treatments underwent management change (P=0.03). This difference was also significant at multivariate analysis (P=0.03; odds ratio: 0.17 [0.03-082]). CONCLUSION: Management is rarely changed by one-month post-SIRT imaging in patients with HCC and thus is likely unwarranted. Conversely, in non-HCC patients, one month post-SIRT imaging led to a significant percentage of clinical management changes suggesting that one month imaging in this setting is likely warranted.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement: A comparison of outcomes between patients with hepatic hydrothorax and patients with refractory ascites.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes in patients who had transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) placed for hepatic hydrothorax with those who had it placed for refractory ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-seven patients who underwent TIPS placement for refractory fluid accumulation were included. There were 97 men and 50 women with a mean age of 56.1±9.7 (SD) years (range: 25-81 years). Of those, 32 patients (32/147; 21.8%) had refractory hepatic hydrothorax and 115 (115/147; 78.2%) had refractory ascites. Electronic medical records were reviewed for all patients to determine demographic, procedural related, and outcomes data. Both traditional analysis and a propensity score matching analysis were performed, to account for differences in baseline laboratory values, etiology of cirrhosis, age, and average number of paracenteses/thoracenteses per week. Survival analysis was also performed to compare post-TIPS survival by indication. RESULTS: Differences in response rates, in terms of fluid accumulation reductions, at 1, 3, and 6 months were not significant (P=0.19, P=0.33, and P=0.28, respectively). A successful propensity score matching was made between 24 hepatic hydrothorax and 46 ascites patients. After propensity score matching the response rates at 1, 3, and 6 months remained non-significant (P=0.3, P=0.71, and P=0.78 respectively). No differences in mean overall survival were found between hepatic hydrothorax patients (672 days) and ascites patients (1224 days) (P=0.15). CONCLUSION: The clinically relevant outcomes of improvement in fluid accumulation and overall survival do not appear to be significantly different in patients who have TIPS placed for refractory hepatic hydrothorax or and those who have TIPS placed for ascites.

Percutaneous gastric tube placement: Comparison of trans-abdominal and trans-oral approach in patients with chronic ascites.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the trans-abdominal (TA) and trans-oral (TO) approaches for fluoroscopic-guided gastrostomy tube placement in patients with chronic ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 10-year review of clinical imaging and medical records at a single institution identified 29 patients with chronic recurrent ascites who underwent gastrostomy (GT) or gastro-jejunostomy tube (GJT) placement. In 22 patients (18 women, 4 men) aged from 22 to 76 years of age (mean age, 57.7±13.1 years), a GT or GJT was placed with the TO approach, and in 7 (7 women) from 31 to 86 years of age (mean age, 63±16.8 years) with the TA approach. RESULTS: Technical success was 100% in both groups with one (1/22; 5%) immediate complication in the TO group. Fluoroscopy time was significantly greater in the TO group (P=0.002). Leakage of ascites was significantly more frequent in the TA group (P=0.04). There was no significant difference in bleeding or inflammation (P=0.14 and P=0.43, respectively). The cumulative tract related complication rate was significantly greater in the TA group (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy times and the overall incidence of tract-related complications, in particular leakage of ascites from the stoma, are more frequent in patients in chronic ascites who underwent TA gastrostomy tube placement compared to those who underwent TO placement.

Treatment of peristomal hemorrhage: A review of outcomes and comparison of two minimally invasive techniques.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review and compare outcomes between percutaneous sclerotherapy and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) treatments in patients with peristomal variceal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients who underwent sclerotherapy (n = 3 patients), TIPS placement (n = 5 patients) or both (n= 2 patients) for peristomal variceal bleeding were retrospectively reviewed. There were 6 women and 4 men, with a mean age of 62.6 years (range: 44-84 years). Data pertaining to the technical aspects of the procedure, demographics, and information regarding the underlying cause of ostomy and portal hypertension were collected. Treatment was considered a primary success if no further hemorrhage occurred. RESULTS: No differences in primary success were found between TIPS cohort (100%) and sclerotherapy cohort (40%) (P=0.4). Sclerotherapy patients had a poorer nutritional status (mean albumin serum level of 2.04g/dL in the sclerotherapy group and 2.95g/dL in theTIPS group; P=0.04) and worse liver function (mean total bilirubin serum level of 4.9mg/dL in the sclerotherapy group and 1.6mg/dL in the TIPS group; P=0.07). CONCLUSION: While further investigation is needed, TIPS may be more effective than sclerotherapy in treating peristomal variceal bleeding. However, sclerotherapy may serve as an effective bridging mechanism in critically ill patients.

Imaging after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm is a less invasive alternative to open surgery. With the recognition of this new treatment, however, many complications, some of them life-threatening, have been reported. Short-term and mid-term results have shown that this technology is advancing and needs close follow-up. Imaging plays a major role in the evaluation of the aorta after endolumenal repair. This article reviews the roles of different imaging techniques.

[Embolization of uterine fibroids]. / Embolisation des fibromyomes utérins.

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic leiomyomas is a new attractive treatment in patients who don't desire pregnancy and for which conventional therapy has failed. Uterine fibroid embolization can also be considered for patients who desire pregnancy when myomectomy is technically difficult or impossible and in case of recurrence after myomectomy. 90% improvements are commonly reported in abnormal bleeding, pelvic pains, and in bulk-related symptoms. Although numerous pregnancies have been reported after UAE, the fertility rate after UAE remains to be compared to myomectomy. Absolute contra-indications are pregnancy, endometrial carcinoma, gynaecologic infections, adnexal masses, and rapid growth of uterine leiomyomas (considered as a significant sign of sarcoma). Besides procedure related risks of angiography some specific complications are reported: deep pelvic vein thrombosis with exceptional pulmonary embolus, vaginal discharges with sometime transcervical expulsion of fibroid (5%), transient or permanent amenorrhea (4-5%) and extensive necrosis (1-2%) with possible perforation and infection. A hysterectomy is needed to manage this complication in 0.9 to 0.3% of case. The mortality rate of embolisation is evaluated to 1/3.000 against 6/10.000 for the hysterectomy. UAE is proposed as a less invasive alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy for the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomas. This technique allows reducing the hospital stay, the convalescence period, the morbidity and the mortality rate compared to conventional surgical treatment.

[Uterine fibroids embolization: a review]. / Embolisation des fibromyomes utérins: mise au point.

Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic leiomyomas is a new attractive treatment in patients who do not desire pregnancy and for whom conventional therapy has failed. Uterine fibroid embolization can also be considered for patients who desire pregnancy when myomectomy is technically difficult or/and in case of recurrence after myomectomy. 90% improvements are commonly reported in abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, and in bulk-related symptoms. This technique allows reduction of the hospital stay, the convalescence period, the morbidity and the mortality rate compared to conventional surgical treatment.

[The medical imaging and radiology department]. / Le Service d'Imagerie Médicale et de Radiologie Interventionnelle.

Technological developments arising from research have affected the whole wide spectrum of medical endeavor and have made a very significant impact on clinical practice and especially on imaging sciences. Ultrasonography brought spectacular advances, but CT and MRI became important landmark techniques. A further important development, which greatly increased the involvement of radiologists in direct patient management, was the growth of interventional and therapeutic techniques, called interventional radiology. Some statistics: approximately 155,000 patients per year including 19,000 CT Scans, 10,000 MRI exams, 21,000 ultrasound examinations and 1,000 therapeutic procedures. Some research activities: CT quantification of pulmonary emphysema, respiratory mechanics, MR and CT angiography, antenatal diagnosis of congenital and genetic diseases of the fetus, quantification of portal haemodynamics, MR imaging of bile and pancreatic ducts, morphologic and functional imaging of the brain, radiology of bone trauma, MR characterization in hepatic lesions.

Imaging of complications after endoluminal treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm is becoming a valuable alternative to open surgery in selected patients. With the recognition of this new treatment, however, many complications, some of them life-threatening, are reported. Imaging plays a major role in the detection of these complications. This article reviews the role of imaging techniques in the detection of these complications.

The 6-F nitinol TrapEase inferior vena cava filter: results of a prospective multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: The authors report the first results of a new 6-F symmetrically designed permanent nitinol inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, the Cordis TrapEase, evaluated in a multicenter prospective study with 6-months of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 65 patients (29 men, 36 women) who ranged in age from 37 to 96 years (mean age, 68 years) and who were at high risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) were enrolled in 12 centers in Europe and Canada. The study was approved by the institutional review boards at all centers. Study objectives were to evaluate filter effectiveness, filter stability, and caval occlusion. Indications for filter placement were deep vein thrombosis with recurrent thromboembolism and/or free-floating thrombus with contraindication to anticoagulation in 37 patients, and complications in achieving adequate anticoagulation in 28 patients. Follow-up included clinical examination, plain film, Doppler ultrasound, CT scan, and nuclear medicine. RESULTS: The analysis of the data revealed a technical success of 95.4% (three filter-system related implantations not at the intended site, no events of filter tilting) and a clinical success of 100% at 6 months (no cases of symptomatic PE), the study primary endpoint. There were no cases (0%) of filter migration, insertion site thrombosis, filter fracture, or vessel wall perforation. During the study period, there were two cases of filter thrombosis: one case of early symptomatic thrombosis that was successfully treated in the hospital, and one case of nonsymptomatic filter thrombosis detected at 1-month follow-up, with spontaneous recanalization at 3 months. In the latter patient, some residual thrombus was still detected at 6 months. Of the study population of 65 patients, there were 23 deaths. These deaths were not related to the device or the implantation procedure but to the underlying disease process. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the new nitinol permanent IVC filter to be a safe and an effective device, with a low overall complication rate, for use in patients with thromboembolic disease at high risk of PE.

Tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta: successful treatment by surgical excision and primary repair.

Tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the aorta is a rare disease with a high mortality rate. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman who had a tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. The patient underwent successful excision and primary repair of the lesion while under hypothermic circulatory arrest and partial femoral bypass. To the best of our knowledge, this is the youngest patient to be successfully treated with surgery for a tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease are reviewed, and the need to include tuberculous pseudoaneurysm in the differential diagnosis of chest lesions is emphasized.

[Magnetic resonance angiography of the renal arteries]. / Angiographie par résonance magnétique des artères rénales.

Initially, the clinical use of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the abdomen has been restricted because of motion and flow related artifacts. The advent of high performance gradient systems made possible the development of 3D gadolinium-enhanced MRA techniques and expanded the clinical applications of MRA into the abdominal area, particularly for the investigation of renal arteries. This technique is safe, because the administered contrast agent (gadolinium) is free of clinically detectable nephrotoxicity and has a low incidence of allergic reactions. Moreover, contrast MRA also eliminates the risks of ionizing radiation which allows repeating the examination without the accumulation of radiation exposure. The main disadvantages of the technique are its low availability and the fact that the use of contrast agents for this procedure is still not reimbursed by the social security. Many studies demonstrated that contrast MRA allows for the reliable assessment of renal artery morphology and pathologic states. Furthermore, within a single MR examination a comprehensive approach including renal artery morphology, hemodynamic significance of any stenosis and kidney perfusion is available. In this paper, we provide a review of the literature concerning the clinical performance of contrast MRA for the renal arteries and suggest its rationale for the investigation of patients suspected of renovascular disease in our specific environment.

[Periventricular leukomalacia in premature infants: prognostic role of ultrasonography and MRI]. / Leucomalacie périventriculaire du prématuré: rôle pronostique de l'échographie et de l'IRM.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of cranial US and MRI to establish the neurological prognosis of premature infants with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Follow-up results of cranial US and early MRI evaluation (before 25 weeks*) of 28 premature infants were retrospectively reviewed and compared to the neurological outcome at 18 months* (*corrected age). RESULTS: Follow-up by cranial US was more sensitive (8/28) than early MRI to detect cystic PVL lesions because of the transient nature of these cysts. This has prognostic implications since all patients (8/8) with cystic PVL lesions had neurological sequelae. MRI was useful, as a complement to cranial US, for the evaluation of non-cystic PVL lesions. Indeed, patients with evidence of hemorrhage or paucity of white matter at MRI had a higher risk of neurological sequelae (9/11) than infants with echogenic periventricular white matter at US without evidence of white matter abnormality at MRI (p < 0.013). CONCLUSION: MRI was useful, as a complement to cranial US, to evaluate the prognosis of infants with non-cystic PVL lesions.