Long term impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation on hepatic morphology.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term morphologic changes occurring in the liver after TIPS creation with correlation with hepatic function to gain insight on the physiologic impact of TIPS on the liver. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent TIPS creation between 2005 and 2022 and had contrasted CT or MRI studies prior to and between 1 and 2 years post procedure. Strict exclusion criteria were applied to avoid confounding. Parenchymal volume and vessel measurements were assessed on the pre- and post-TIPS CT or MRI and MELD scores calculated. RESULTS: Of 580 patients undergoing TIPS creation, 65 patients (mean age, 55 years; 36 males) had pre-TIPS and post-TIPS imaging meeting inclusion criteria at median 16.5 months. After TIPS, the mean MELD score increased (12.9 to 15.4; p = 0.008) and total liver volume decreased (1730 to 1432 mL; p < 0.001). However, the magnitude of volume change did not correlate with MELD change. Neither portosystemic gradient nor TIPS laterality correlated with total or lobar hepatic volume changes or MELD changes. The main portal vein diameter increased (15.0 to 18.7 mm; p < 0.001). Thrombosis of the hepatic vein used for TIPS creation resulted in a mean increase in MELD of +4.1 compared to -2.1 in patients who had a patent and normal hepatic vein (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Given lack of correlation between portosystemic gradient, hepatic atrophy, hepatic function, and TIPS laterality, the alterations in portal flow dynamics after TIPS may not be impactful to hepatic function. However, hepatic vein patency after TIPS correlated with improved hepatic function.

Vortex-assisted resin y90 delivery via 175 cm Truselect microcatheter: case factors for high residual despite double-flush protocol.

PURPOSE: To report efficiency of resin y90 delivery using SIROS via 175 cm TruSelect microcatheter with double-flush protocol (40 ml dextrose total). METHODS: IRB-approved retrospective review of all patients undergoing SIROS injection of y90 Sir-Spheres via TruSelect from 2019 through 2022 at one quaternary-care academic institution, including medical records. RESULTS: Included were 48 infusions in 25 patients across 11 cancer histologies. Mean planned, delivered, and residual activities were 28 ± 17, 27 ± 17, 1.1 ± 0.56 mCi respectively (mean residual 4.9% ± 2.8%) across flex-dosing precalibrations including 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day SIROS (4/51, 16/51, and 28/51). Mean liver treatment volume was 483 ± 306 ml with target dose mean of 128 ± 26 Gy in non-segmentectomy cases; Radiation segmentectomy was performed in 15/48 (31%). Arterial stasis was documented in 9/48 (19%) of cases. Use of a 3-day precalibrated SIROS dose, use of activity <10 mCi, treatment of smaller liver volumes (<200 ml) and documentation of stasis were associated with higher residual activity ( P  = 0.025, P  = 0.0007, P  = 0.0177, and P  = 0.049, respectively) were associated with higher residuals. CONCLUSION: Combining the new technologies of SIROS and the Truselect microcatheter with a double-flush protocol yielded <10% residual in 94% of y90 infusions. Future studies may clarify if the predictors of high residual dose seen here may warrant microcatheter-specific considerations for dosimetry or dose preparation at the Radiopharmacy level.

Financial Impact of Imaging Examination Site of Service in the Medicare Population.

PURPOSE: The financial sustainability of the US healthcare system is a growing concern in an environment of declining reimbursement and rising costs. Variable Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) reimbursement and denial rates for specific imaging examinations exist across sites of service, adding complexity to financial planning for healthcare organizations. Understanding the financial implications of site of service in existing CMS reimbursement for imaging may be of strategic importance for organizations going forward. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were obtained for common cross-sectional imaging examinations using the 2022 CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Using reimbursement rates with historical volumes and denial rates, a simulation was created to estimate the overall reimbursement of paired hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) and free-standing office (FSO) sites. A baseline simulation was performed with random allocation of imaging examinations between sites of service, and an optimized simulation was performed to estimate the maximum financial impact of targeted allocation between sites. These simulations were performed for paired CT and MR scanners separately. RESULTS: For CT, the baseline simulation estimated annual average reimbursement for combined HOPD and FSO was $3.25M. Reimbursement increased to $3.51M after optimized reallocation of studies between sites of service, resulting in an expected gain of $260,162 for a set of paired HOPD and FSO scanners. For MR, the same approach resulted in baseline reimbursement of $2.51M, increasing to $2.60M upon reallocation between sites for an expected gain of $87,532. Assuming a stable cost of service delivery, this approach would result in improved margins of 8% for CT and 3.5% for MR. There were 28 CT and 19 MRI daily patient imaging appointments at each respective HOPD and FSO scanners, unchanged between baseline and optimized cases. Differences in reimbursement rates between sites were the dominant driver of increased margins at low denial rates, although denial rates became dominant at values greater than 50%. CONCLUSION: Given CMS payment and denial rate variability, optimally allocating imaging studies between sites of service may improve reimbursement for the same services delivered. Although financial incentives exist for site allocation, such decisions should require physician input to assess safety and appropriate level of care. This work contributes to an understanding of financial incentives of existing reimbursement policy and may guide future policy design towards high value care.

Tumor size and survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated with surgical resection or ablation.

OBJECTIVES: We performed a retrospective analysis within a national cancer registry on outcomes following resection or ablation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with clinical stage I-III iCCA diagnosed during 2010-2018, who underwent resection or ablation. Overall survival (OS) was compared with Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards methods. RESULTS: Of 2140 patients, 1877 (87.7%) underwent resection and 263 (12.3%) underwent ablation, with median tumor sizes of 5.5 and 3 cm, respectively. Overall, resection was associated with greater median OS (41.2 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 37.6-46.2) vs. 28 months (95% CI: 15.9-28.6) on univariable analysis (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference on multivariable analysis (p = 0.42); however, there was a significant interaction between tumor size and management. On subgroup analysis of patients with tumors <3 cm, there was no difference in OS between resection versus ablation. However, ablation was associated with increased mortality for tumors ≥3 cm. CONCLUSION: Although resection is associated with improved OS for tumors ≥3 cm, we observed no difference in survival between management strategies for tumors < 3 cm. Ablation may be an alternative therapeutic strategy for small iCCA, particularly in patients at risk for high surgical morbidity.

Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation Reduces Laboratory Markers of Acute Liver Injury.

PURPOSE: To compare the laboratory markers of acute liver injury after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation performed using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance with those using other techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study examined 293 TIPS procedures performed between 2014 and 2022 (160 men; mean age, 57.4 years; 71.7% with ascites, 158 with IVUS). Laboratory changes on postprocedural day (PPD) 1 were classified based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grades and were compared between IVUS and non-IVUS cases. RESULTS: IVUS cases had a lower baseline Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (12.5 vs 13.7, P = .016), higher pre- (16.8 vs 15.2, P = .009), and post-TIPS (6.6 vs 5.4 mm Hg, P < .001) pressure gradient, smaller stent diameter (9.2 vs 9.9 mm, P < .001), and fewer needle passes (2.4 vs 4.2, P < .001). IVUS predicted a lower PPD 1 CTCAE grade for aspartate transaminase (8.0% vs 22.2% grade ≥ 2, P = .010), alanine transaminase (ALT) (2.2% vs 7.1%, P = .017), and bilirubin (9.4% vs 26.2%, P < .001), findings confirmed using multivariable regression and propensity score analysis. IVUS predicted fewer adverse events (1.3% vs 8.1%, P = .008) and an increased likelihood of PPD 1 discharge (81% vs 59%, P = .004). IVUS was not associated with differences in PPD 30 MELD scores or 30-day survival; however, higher PPD 1 ALT (ß = 1.96, P = .008) and bilirubin levels (ß = 1.38, P = .004) predicted larger PPD 30 MELD score increase. Higher increases in ALT level predicted worse 30-day survival (hazard ratio, 1.93; P = .021). CONCLUSION: IVUS resulted in less laboratory evidence of acute liver injury immediately following TIPS creation.

Comparing Survival After Resection, Ablation, and Radiation in Small Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is the cornerstone of curative-intent treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). However, in patients unable to be resected, data comparing efficacy of alternatives including thermal ablation and radiation therapy (RT) remain limited. Herein, we compared survival between resection and other liver-directed therapies for small ICC within a national cancer registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with clinical stage I-III ICC < 3 cm diagnosed 2010-2018 who underwent resection, ablation, or RT were identified in the National Cancer Database. Overall survival (OS) was compared using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards methods. RESULTS: Of 545 patients, 297 (54.5%) underwent resection, 114 (20.9%) ablation, and 134 (24.6%) RT. Median OS was similar between resection and ablation [50.5 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) 37.5-73.9; 39.5 months, 95% CI 28.7-58.4, p = 0.14], both exceeding that of RT (20.9 months, 95% CI 14.1-28.3). RT patients had high rates of stage III disease (10.4% RT vs. 1.8% ablation vs. 11.8% resection, p < 0.001), but the lowest rates of chemotherapy utilization (9.0% RT vs. 15.8% ablation vs. 38.7% resection, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, resection and ablation were associated with reduced mortality compared with RT [hazard ratio (HR) 0.44, 95% CI 0.33-0.58 and HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38-0.75, p < 0.001, respectively]. CONCLUSION: Resection and ablation were associated with improved survival in patients with ICC < 3 cm compared with RT. Acknowledging confounders, anatomic constraints of ablation, limitations of available data, and need for prospective study, these results favor ablation in small ICC where resection is not feasible.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures: 2022 Update.

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) can have a variety of etiologies, including trauma, osteoporosis, or neoplastic infiltration. Osteoporosis related fractures are the most common cause of VCFs and have a high prevalence among all postmenopausal women with increasing incidence in similarly aged men. Trauma is the most common etiology in those >50 years of age. However, many cancers, such as breast, prostate, thyroid, and lung, have a propensity to metastasize to bone, which can lead to malignant VCFs. Indeed, the spine is third most common site of metastases after lung and liver. In addition, primary tumors of bone and lymphoproliferative diseases such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma can be the cause of malignant VCFs. Although patient clinical history could help raising suspicion for a particular disorder, the characterization of VCFs is usually referred to diagnostic imaging. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection: Treatment Planning and Follow-Up.

As the incidence of thoracoabdominal aortic pathology (aneurysm and dissection) rises and the complexity of endovascular and surgical treatment options increases, imaging follow-up of patients remains crucial. Patients with thoracoabdominal aortic pathology without intervention should be monitored carefully for changes in aortic size or morphology that could portend rupture or other complication. Patients who are post endovascular or open surgical aortic repair should undergo follow-up imaging to evaluate for complications, endoleak, or recurrent pathology. Considering the quality of diagnostic data, CT angiography and MR angiography are the preferred imaging modalities for follow-up of thoracoabdominal aortic pathology for most patients. The extent of thoracoabdominal aortic pathology and its potential complications involve multiple regions of the body requiring imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis in most patients. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Updates on LI-RADS Treatment Response Criteria for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Focusing on MRI.

As the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and subsequent treatments with liver-directed therapies rise, the complexity of assessing lesion response has also increased. The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (LI-RADS) treatment response algorithm (LI-RADS TRA) was created to standardize the assessment of response after locoregional therapy (LRT) on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. Originally created based on expert opinion, these guidelines are currently undergoing revision based on emerging evidence. While many studies support the use of LR-TRA for evaluation of HCC response after thermal ablation and intra-arterial embolic therapy, data suggest a need for refinements to improve assessment after radiation therapy. In this manuscript, we review expected MR imaging findings after different forms of LRT, clarify how to apply the current LI-RADS TRA by type of LRT, explore emerging literature on LI-RADS TRA, and highlight future updates to the algorithm. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Transvenous Biopsy of Retroperitoneal Lymph Nodes: Diagnostic Accuracy and Safety Compared with CT-Guided Percutaneous Biopsy.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy and adverse event rates of intravascular ultrasound (US)-guided transvenous biopsy (TVB) versus those of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) for retroperitoneal (RP) lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution, retrospective study, 32 intravascular US-guided TVB procedures and a sample of 34 CT-guided PNB procedures for RP lymph nodes where targets were deemed amenable to intravascular US-guided TVB were analyzed. Procedural metrics, including diagnostic accuracy, defined as diagnostic of malignancy or a clinically verifiable benign result, and adverse event rates were compared. RESULTS: The targets of intravascular US-guided TVB were primarily aortocaval (47%, 15/32) or precaval (34%, 11/32), whereas those of CT-guided PNB were primarily right pericaval (44%, 15/34) or retrocaval (44%, 15/34) (P < .001). The targets of intravascular US-guided TVB averaged 2.4 cm in the long axis (range, 1.3-3.7 cm) compared with 2.9 cm (range, 1.4-5.7 cm) for those of CT-guided PNB (P = .02). There was no difference in the average number of needle passes (3.8 for intravascular US-guided TVB vs 3.9 for CT-guided PNB; P = .68). The diagnostic accuracy was 94% (30/32) and the adverse event rate was 3.1% (1/32) for intravascular US-guided TVB, similar to those of CT-guided PNB (accuracy, 91% [31/34]; adverse event rate, 2.9% [1/34]). CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular US-guided TVB had a diagnostic accuracy and adverse event rate similar to CT-guided PNB for RP lymph nodes, indicating that intravascular US-guided TVB may be as safe and effective as conventional biopsy approaches for appropriately selected targets.

Clinical Predictors of a Positive Ct Angiogram Study Used for the Evaluation of Acute Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the leading causes of emergency department visits and hospital admissions. CT angiography (CTA) has had an expanding role in the evaluation of acute GI bleeding because it is rapidly performed, widely available, reasonably sensitive and provides precise localization when positive. We attempted to identify patient and clinical characteristics that predict CTA results in order to help guide the utilization of this modality in patients with acute GI bleeding. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed all CTAs performed for the evaluation of GI bleeding in the Duke University healthcare system between October 2019 and March 2020. We captured patient characteristics including age, sex, vital signs, hemoglobin, platelets, PT/INR, and anticoagulation status. Study indications were grouped by suspected source of bleeding: upper GI bleeding (hematemesis or coffee-ground emesis) vs small bowel bleeding (melena or "dark stools") vs lower GI bleeding (hematochezia or bright red blood per rectum (BRBPR)). Chi-square, Wilcoxon, t test, and multivariate logistic regression were used to describe and assess the relationship between patient characteristics and study outcomes (Table 1). Table 1 Univariate analysis of patient characteristics by CT angiography outcome Patient Characteristics by Positive CT for GI Bleed No (N = 274) Yes (N = 43) Total (N = 317) p value Gender 0.451  Female 138 (50.4%) 19 (44.2%) 157 (49.5%)  Male 136 (49.6%) 24 (55.8%) 160 (50.5%) Age, median (Q1,Q3) 65 (51,75) 70 (62,80) 66 (52, 76) < 0.012 Heart rate, median (Q1,Q3) 86 (74,100) 89 (72,98) 86 (74, 99) 0.782 MAP, mean (SD) 87.32 (15.52) 81.72 (16.53) 86.56 0.033 Shock index, median (Q1,Q3) 0.70 (0.58, 0.85) 0.78 (0.55, 1.00) 0.71 (0.58, 0.85) 0.352 Hemoglobin 0.332  N 273 43 316  Median (Q1, Q3) 8.50 (6.90, 11.00) 7.70 (6.50, 11.30) 8.45 (6.90, 11.00) Baseline hemoglobin 0.202  N 258 39 297  Median (Q1, Q3) 11.20 (9.40, 13.00) 12.00 (9.40, 14.00) 11.20 (9.40, 13.00) Hemoglobin drop from baseline 0.062  N 258 39 297  Median (Q1, Q3) 2.10 (0.60, 3.70) 2.70 (1.20, 4.80) 2.20 (0.70, 3.80) Platelets, median (Q1, Q3) 219.5 (141, 301) 183 (139, 246) 217 (139, 282) 0.102 INR 0.272  N 263 42 305  Median (Q1, Q3) 1.10 (1.00, 1.30) 1.20 (1.00, 1.30) 1.10 (1.00, 1.30) Anticoagulation 0.131  No 155 (56.6%) 19 (44.2%) 174 (54.9%)  Yes 119 (43.4%) 24 (55.8%) 143 (45.1%) Upper GI bleeding 0.401  No 251 (91.6%) 41 (95.3%) 292 (92.1%)  Yes 23 (8.4%) 2 (4.7%) 25 (7.9%) Small Bowel bleeding 0.761  No 216 (78.8%) 33 (76.7%) 249 (78.5%)  Yes 58 (21.2%) 10 (23.3%) 68 (21.5%) Lower GI bleeding 0.091  No 134 (48.9%) 15 (34.9%) 149 (47.0%)  Yes 140 (51.1%) 28 (65.1%) 168 (53.0%) 1Chi-Square 2Wilcoxon 3Equal Variance T-Test RESULTS: A total of 317 patients underwent CTA between October 2019 and March 2020. Forty-three patients (13.6%) had a CTA positive for active bleeding. Multivariable logistic regression showed that after controlling for age, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and indication, only a hemoglobin drop from baseline was significantly associated with a positive CTA. For each 1 g / dL drop in hemoglobin from the patient's baseline, the odds of a positive CT increased by 1.17 (OR 1.17 95% CI 1.00 - 1.36, p = 0.04). Age (OR 1.02 95% CI 0.99 - 1.04, p = 0.06) and hematochezia / BRBPR (OR 2.09 95% CI 0.94-4.64, p = 0.07) approached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who present to the hospital with GI bleeding, CTA can be a helpful triage tool that is most helpful in older patients with suspected lower GI bleeding with a drop in hemoglobin from baseline. Other clinical factors including MAP and the use of anticoagulants were not predictive of a positive CTA.

Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Access Cosmesis Scale (AVACS): A new measure for vascular access.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a cosmesis scale to evaluate the cosmetic appearance of hemodialysis (HD) arteriovenous (AV) accesses from the perspective of the patient and clinician, which could be incorporated into clinical trials. STUDY DESIGN: Using a modified Delphi process, two AV access cosmesis scale (AVACS) components were developed in a four-round Delphi panel consisting of two surveys and two consensus meetings with two rounds of patient consultation. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The Delphi panel consisted of 15 voting members including five interventional or general nephrologists, five vascular surgeons, three interventional radiologists, and two vascular access nurse coordinators. Four patients experienced with vascular access were involved in patient question development. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: For a component to be included in the AVACS, it had to meet the prespecified panel consensus agreement of ⩾70%. RESULTS: The clinician component of the AVACS includes nine questions on the following AV access features: scarring, skin discoloration, aneurysm/pseudoaneurysms and megafistula appearance. The patient component includes six questions about future vascular access decisions, interference with work or leisure activities, clothing choices, self-consciousness or attractiveness, emotional impact, and overall appearance. LIMITATIONS: Delphi panel methods are subjective by design, but with expert clinical opinion are used to develop classification systems and outcome measures. The developed scale requires further validation testing but is available for clinical trial use. CONCLUSIONS: While safety and efficacy are the primary concerns when evaluating AV access for HD, cosmesis is an important component of the ESKD patient experience. The AVACS has been designed to assess this important domain; it can be used to facilitate patient care and education about vascular access choice and maintenance. AVACS can also be used to inform future research on developing new techniques for AV access creation and maintenance, particularly as relates to AV access cosmesis.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Management of Liver Cancer: 2022 Update.

The treatment and management of hepatic malignancies can be complex because it encompasses a variety of primary and metastatic malignancies and an assortment of local and systemic treatment options. When to use each of these treatments is critical to ensure the most appropriate care for patients. Interventional radiologists have a key role to play in the delivery of a variety of liver directed treatments including percutaneous ablation, transarterial embolization with bland embolic particles alone, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with injection of a chemotherapeutic emulsion, and transarterial radioembolization (TARE). Based on 9 clinical variants, the appropriateness of each treatment is described in this document. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.