Embolization in pelvic venous disorders using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx®) and Aetoxysclerol: a prospective evaluation of safety and long-term efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of embolization using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx®) and Aetoxysclerol for treatment of pelvic venous disorders (PeVD). METHODS: This prospective study was approved by the institutional ethics review board. Ten clinical parameters were retained for evaluation of PeVD (pelvic pain, dyspareunia, post-coital pain, menstruation pain, lower limbs pain, difficulty walking, aesthetic discomfort, impact on daily working life, psychological impact and impact on daily life), measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) between 0 and 10, and a global score out of 100 was noted before embolization, after 3 months during the imaging follow-up, and at the end of follow-up by phone call. The main criterion was clinical efficacy of embolization defined by an impairment score < 40/100 and a 50% decrease in overall score. Complications were recorded. Visualization of Onyx® on MRI 3 months after embolization was noted. RESULTS: Between July 2017 and May 2019, 73 consecutive women (mean age ± SD [range]: 41 ± 11 years [25-77]) treated by embolization with Onyx® and Aetoxysclerol were included. The median follow-up was 28 months [Q1-Q3: 24.0-29.2] (range: 18.1-34.5). The median initial VAS impairment score was 39/100 [29.75-48.50] (12-58). Clinical efficacy was obtained for 70 patients (70/73, 95.9%), and the median VAS impairment score at the end of follow-up was significantly lower at 3 [0.00-7.25] (0-73) (p < 0.0001). Four minor complications occurred. Onyx® was visualized on DIXON sequence of MRI for all patients. CONCLUSION: Embolization using Onyx® and Aetoxysclerol for PeVD is safe and effective. KEY POINTS: • Embolization using Onyx® and Aetoxysclerol for pelvic venous disorders is safe and effective. • Imaging follow-up is facilitated by visualization of Onyx® on MRI DIXON sequences.

[Comprehensive review of 3D printing use in medicine: Comparison with practical applications in urology]. / Revue compréhensive de l'apport de l'impression 3D en médecine : mise en perspective des différentes applications en urologie.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past few years, 3D printing has evolved rapidly. This has resulted in an increasing number of scientific publications reporting on the medical use of 3D printing. These applications can range from patient information, preoperative planning, education, or 3D printing of patient-specific surgical implants. The objective of this review was to give an overview of the different applications in urology and other disciplines based on a selection of publications. METHODS: In the current narrative review the Medline database was searched to identify all the related reports discussing the use of 3D printing in the medical field and more specifically in Urology. 3D printing applications were categorized so they could be searched more thoroughly within the Medline database. RESULTS: Three-dimensional printing can help improve pre-operative patient information, anatomy and medical trainee education. The 3D printed models may assist the surgeon in preoperative planning or become patient-specific surgical simulation models. In urology, kidney cancer surgery is the most concerned by 3D printing-related publications, for preoperative planning, but also for surgical simulation and surgical training. CONCLUSION: 3D printing has already proven useful in many medical applications, including urology, for patient information, education, pre-operative planning and surgical simulation. All areas of urology are involved and represented in the literature. Larger randomized controlled studies will certainly allow 3D printing to benefit patients in routine clinical practice.

MRI associated factors of clinical efficacy of embolization in patients with pelvic venous insufficiency.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify anatomical findings at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) associated with successful percutaneous embolization in women with pelvic venous insufficiency (PVI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2018, 168 consecutive women (mean age, 39±9 [SD] years; range: 21-69 years) who underwent percutaneous embolization for PVI confirmed by MRI and phlebography were included. Clinical efficacy of embolization was evaluated by patients' opinion or visual analogue scale. Associated factors of success of embolization were searched by comparing MRI findings in women with successful embolization with those in women with failed embolization using univariate analyses. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 36±29 (SD) months (range: 12-138 months). Clinical efficacy of embolization was obtained in 126/168 women (75%), complete symptom improvement in 33/168 women (20%) and significant partial improvement in 92/168 women (55%). No symptom improvement and symptoms exacerbation were observed in 17/168 (10%) and 2/168 (1%) women, respectively. At univariate analysis, right ovarian vein diameter≤7mm and vulvar varicosities were associated with successful embolization (P=0.04 and P=0.01, respectively) and left ovarian vein diameter≤7mm was associated with a complete improvement of symptoms (P=0.03). At multivariate analysis, a small right ovarian vein diameter was the single MRI variable associated with clinical efficacy of embolization (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Small ovarian vein diameters on MRI are associated with best clinical efficacy of percutaneous embolization in PVI. Right ovarian vein diameter>7mm should warrant further phlebography to exclude venous insufficiency.

Measurement of the Accuracy of 3D-Printed Medical Models to Be Used for Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE. Three-dimensional printing is being used for surgical assistance, particularly for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). The objective of this study was to assess the anatomic accuracy of the 3D model used for 3D model-guided RAPN. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. The study included patients who underwent RAPN aided by 3D printing and anonymized CT. The model, based on preoperative CT with specialized software and a 3D printer, included vascular, urinary, parenchymal, and tumoral elements. It was then scanned. The major axis of the kidney and tumor and the volume of the tumor were measured blindly on the preoperative CT scan and the CT scan of the 3D model. Three comparative measurements between arterial branches were performed for each patient. The correlation of the arterial distribution between the scanner and the 3D model was evaluated on a Likert scale. RESULTS. A total of 16 patients were included between December 2017 and March 2018. The median tumor size was 4.7 cm (interquartile range [IQR], 3.9-6.5 cm). Between the initial CT scan and the 3D printed kidney, the major renal axis varied a median of 1.8% (IQR, 0.8-4.23%), major tumor axis varied 2.35% (IQR, 0.45-8.6%), and the tumor volume varied 14.7% (IQR, 11.5-25.2%). The median arterial interbranch measurement (three measurements performed on each kidney) was 1.8% (IQR, 1-3.25%). Fourteen of 16 (87.5%) 3D printed models had a score of 4 or higher by two readers and were considered valid. CONCLUSION. Three-dimensional printed models are accurate with respect to anatomic reality. The reliability of surgical assistance with 3D printed models must be evaluated.

Proximal embolization of splenic artery in acute trauma: Comparison between Penumbra occlusion device versus coils or Amplatzer vascular plug.

PURPOSE: To compare intervention duration and fluoroscopy time for proximal embolization of splenic arteries in acute trauma using the Penumbra occlusion device (POD®), coils or Amplatzer™ vascular plug (AVP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients with splenic injury without vascular injury who were treated by proximal splenic artery embolization using POD® (n=12), coils (n=9) or AVP (n=8) were retrospectively included. There were 25 men and 4 women with a median age of 34 years (range: 10-69 years). To overcome bias in treatment choice, a propensity score was used using inverse probability weighting. Intervention duration and fluoroscopy time, treatment success and complications were compared. RESULTS: The median intervention duration was significantly shorter using POD® (30min) or AVP (47min) than using coils (60min) (P=0.0001 and 0.004, respectively). The median fluoroscopy time was significantly lower using POD® (11.5min) than using coils (23.6min) (P=0.0076) or AVP (16.5min) (P=0.049). The primary efficacy rate was 100% with POD® and AVP and 89% with coils (P=0.586). Six complications occurred with a mean follow-up of 12 months for POD®, 32 months for coils and 40 months for AVP, consisting in 2 abscesses treated by anti-biotherapy with POD®, one abscess with AVP, 2 material migrations with coils and 1 coil dismantled without consequence. CONCLUSION: POD® and AVP allow proximal embolization of splenic artery in acute trauma with shorter intervention duration by comparison with conventional metallic coils with similar technical success. POD® allows a shorter fluoroscopy time than coils or AVP.

Proximal Occlusion of Medium-Sized Vessels with the Penumbra Occlusion Device: A Study of Safety and Efficacy.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of hybrid proximal coiling of various medium-sized vessels (4 to 8 mm) using the Penumbra Occlusion Device (POD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2014 to February 2016, 37 proximal embolizations were performed with PODs in 36 patients (mean age: 50.8, range: 10-86; 29 male, 7 female). Vessel occlusions were achieved under fluoroscopic guidance using a 2.7 French microcatheter. Among the 36 vessels targeted, 16 were splenic arteries, 11 renal arteries, 4 mesenteric arteries, 3 arteriovenous fistulae, 1 iliac artery, and 1 gonadal vein. Intermittent follow-up angiography was performed to assess the flow for final occlusion. Outcomes and complications were assessed by clinical and/or imaging follow-up. RESULTS: To produce proximal occlusion of the intended vessels, the POD was used alone in 19 embolizations (51.4 %). In 12 procedures (32.4 %), POD was used as a coil constrainer to secure the coil construct. In 6 procedures (16.2 %), additional embolic devices were used to achieve vessel occlusion after initial POD deployment. After a mean follow-up of 3.2 months, no POD migration was observed but two complications occurred (5.4 %): one post embolic syndrome and one extensive infarction with splenic abscess. CONCLUSION: The POD system allows safe and effective proximal embolization of medium-sized vessels in a variety of clinical settings.