Volumetric evaluation of CT images of adrenal glands in primary aldosteronism.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether adrenal volumetry provides better agreement with adrenal vein sampling (AVS) than conventional CT for subtyping PA. Furthermore, we evaluated whether the size of this contralateral adrenal was a prognostic factor for clinical outcome after unilateral adrenalectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed volumes of both adrenal glands of the 180 CT-scans (88/180 with unilateral and 92/180 with bilateral disease) of the patients with PA included in the SPARTACUS trial of which 85 also had undergone an AVS. In addition, we examined CT-scans of 20 healthy individuals to compare adrenal volumes with published normal values. RESULTS: Adrenal volume was higher for the left than the right adrenal (mean and SD: 6.49 ± 2.77 ml versus 5.25 ± 1.87 ml for the right adrenal; p < 0.001). Concordance between volumetry and AVS in subtyping was 58.8%, versus 51.8% between conventional CT results and AVS (p = NS). The volumes of the contralateral adrenals in the patients with unilateral disease (right 4.78 ± 1.37 ml; left 6.00 ± 2.73 ml) were higher than those of healthy controls reported in the literature (right 3.62 ± 1.23 ml p < 0.001; left 4.84 ± 1.67 ml p = 0.02). In a multivariable analysis the contralateral volume was not associated with biochemical or clinical success, nor with the defined daily doses of antihypertensive agents at 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Volumetry of the adrenal glands is not superior to current assessment of adrenal size by CT for subtyping patients with PA. Furthermore, in patients with unilateral disease the size of the contralateral adrenal is enlarged but its size is not associated with outcome.

The merits of decision modelling in the earliest stages of the IDEAL framework: An innovative case in DIEP flap breast reconstructions.

BACKGROUND: The IDEAL framework aims at improving the evidence base of available surgical innovations. However, the development of such innovations and collection of evidence is costly. Surgical innovation can provide more value for money if innovations are evaluated at an early stage, where evaluations can inform the decision whether to stop or to further develop an innovation. We illustrate how decision modelling can be readily adopted at the earliest stages (0-1) of the IDEAL framework, using an innovation in bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction as an example. METHODS: We quantified expected costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of the current treatment and compared them with an innovation aimed at reducing complications and surgery time. The maximum effect of eliminating all complications (headroom analysis) was explored. Moreover, three scenarios with varying complications and surgery time reductions were modelled. Furthermore, the maximum price of the innovation was estimated in a threshold analysis according to its impact and societal willingness to pay. RESULTS: The headroom analysis showed that when all complications associated with the current treatment are prevented, up to €889 per patient is saved. Scenario analysis showed cost savings between €256 and €828 per patient. When surgery time is reduced by 15 min and complications by 50%, the innovation will remain cost-effective at €671 per patient. CONCLUSION: In a field struggling with cost containment, decision modelling can help to separate promising innovations from costly failures at an early stage. In this example, decision modelling showed that it seems worthwhile to further develop the innovation.

[Hypertension due to fibromuscular dysplasia: look for additional disease sites]. / Hypertensie door fibromusculaire dysplasie.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathy that can lead to arterial stenosis, occlusion, aneurysms, and dissection. FMD of the renal arteries can lead to renovascular hypertension. Percutaneous angioplasty of the renal arteries (PTRA) can lead to normalization of blood pressure in 45% of patients with renal artery stenosis caused by FMD, particularly in younger patients and patients with a short history of hypertension. A considerable number of the patients with renovascular FMD also have cervical FMD, which can lead to ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. In this article we discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options, illustrated by two cases of patients with renovascular and carotid FMD. Most of the recommendations are based on data from retrospective studies and expert opinion; prospective studies on the optimal diagnostic strategy and treatment are therefore, urgently required.

[A pregnant patient with spontaneous haemothorax: hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia in pregnancy]. / Een zwangere met een spontane hematothorax.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT - Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) in the Netherlands is 1:5000 but approximately 1:1300 in people from the Antilles. The disease is characterised by the development of telangiectasia and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that may result in serious morbidity and mortality. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 31-year-old primigravid patient consulted her general practitioner at 31 1/7 weeks gestational age with dyspnoea. She was referred for further diagnostics because of suspected pulmonary embolism. A CT scan showed haemothorax and a bleeding arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the left lung. Family history suggested the possibility of HHT. After multidisciplinary consideration, a primary caesarean section was performed, followed by embolisation of the AVM during the same surgical session. The patient had a gene mutation consistent with HHT type 2. CONCLUSION: Pregnant patients with HHT are at risk of serious morbidity, especially if they are not screened for AVMs. A multidisciplinary approach for such patients, with consideration of various scenarios, is highly recommended.

Displaying inguinal lymph nodes before transplantation in a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction using an innovative projection method.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphedema of the arm is a common postoperative complication as a result of breast cancer surgery. One of the surgical treatments comprises modification of a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction to facilitate additional lymph node transplantation from the inguinal area. Using computed tomography angiography (CTA), the distribution of these lymph nodes can be assessed. A virtual planning based on this CTA created for the DIEP flap is presented, with the inguinal lymph nodes included, followed by preoperatively projecting this information on the patient's abdomen. METHODS: A total of 10 patients underwent the standard imaging protocol: A preoperative CTA to assess the vascular anatomy of the lower abdomen. A three-dimensional (3D) model of the blood vessels was produced, and the inguinal lymph nodes in this reconstruction were included. Preoperative projection of the 3D model onto the patients' abdomen and inguinal area was performed, followed by tracing of this image. Intraoperatively found lymph nodes were identified by touch and compared with the markings on the skin. RESULTS: In all 10 patients, all lymph nodes located preoperatively were found intraoperatively within a 1-cm radius of the marking on the skin; and these were more easily located by two operating surgeons. CONCLUSION: Virtual planning of lymph node transplantations in a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction seems feasible and can be performed quickly. This additional visual support aids the surgeon in locating the lymph nodes in the inguinal area.

Preliminary results using a newly developed projection method to visualize vascular anatomy prior to DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: In a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, computed tomography angiography (CTA) is currently considered as the gold standard in preoperative imaging for this procedure. Unidirectional Doppler ultrasound (US) is frequently used; however, this method does not distinguish the main axial vessels from perforator arteries at the height of the fascia, it has a limited penetration depth, and it cannot assess the branching patterns of the deep inferior arteries. A new method and system were developed, which consisted of a video projector preoperatively displaying the location and intramuscular course of the artery perforators and subcutaneous branching on the patient's abdomen. METHOD: All patients (n=9) underwent a standard protocol: a preoperative CTA was performed and the DIEPs were localized using a unidirectional Doppler probe. In addition, a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the perforator locations based on CTA was projected on the abdomen of the patients. All projected perforator locations were assessed using a unidirectional Doppler probe. The intraoperative results were collected for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 88 locations were marked with the use of unidirectional Doppler and a total of 100 perforators were projected (p=0.38). In 98 out of 100 projected perforator locations, a Doppler signal was audible. The intraoperative results demonstrate that 19 out of 34 transplanted perforators were correctly identified with unidirectional Doppler (56.9%±31.4%), where the projection method properly revealed 29 locations (84.3%±25.8%) (p=0.030). CONCLUSION: The projection method is not only capable of providing more information and identifying more perforators used for transplantation than unidirectional Doppler probing but also more accurate in pointing out the corresponding perforator found intraoperatively.

Cone beam CT guidance provides superior accuracy for complex needle paths compared with CT guidance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of cone beam CT (CBCT) guidance and CT guidance in reaching small targets in relation to needle path complexity in a phantom. METHODS: CBCT guidance combines three-dimensional CBCT imaging with fluoroscopy overlay and needle planning software to provide real-time needle guidance. The accuracy of needle positioning, quantified as deviation from a target, was assessed for inplane, angulated and double angulated needle paths. Four interventional radiologists reached four targets along the three paths using CBCT and CT guidance. Accuracies were compared between CBCT and CT for each needle path and between the three approaches within both modalities. The effect of user experience in CBCT guidance was also assessed. RESULTS: Accuracies for CBCT were significantly better than CT for the double angulated needle path (2.2 vs 6.7 mm, p<0.001) for all radiologists. CBCT guidance showed no significant differences between the three approaches. For CT, deviations increased with increasing needle path complexity from 3.3 mm for the inplane placements to 4.4 mm (p=0.007) and 6.7 mm (p<0.001) for the angulated and double angulated CT-guided needle placements, respectively. For double angulated needle paths, experienced CBCT users showed consistently higher accuracies than trained users [1.8 mm (range 1.2-2.2) vs 3.3 mm (range 2.1-7.2) deviation from target, respectively; p=0.003]. CONCLUSION: In terms of accuracy, CBCT is the preferred modality, irrespective of the level of user experience, for more difficult guidance procedures requiring double angulated needle paths as in oncological interventions. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Accuracy of CBCT guidance has not been discussed before. CBCT guidance allows accurate needle placement irrespective of needle path complexity. For angulated and double-angulated needle paths, CBCT is more accurate than CT guidance.

An unexpected outcome of cervical near-hanging injury. A case report.

Cervical near-hanging injuries are most frequent in the young adult population. However, the literature gives little guidance regarding diagnostic evaluation of these patients, although it is well known that their initial clinical presentation has limited prognostic value. This case report presents a patient who actually survived a suicidal near-hanging attempt and was later able to walk and talk to his physician. He died the next day due to carotid dissection and cerebral ischemia. In this case report we emphasize the importance of thorough radiological investigation in the accurate assessment of these patients. Early imaging should be performed routinely after near-hanging injury, in order to establish the correct diagnosis and allow appropriate treatment to be started.

Validation of the Simulator for Testing and Rating Endovascular SkillS (STRESS)-machine in a setting of competence testing.

AIM: Endovascular skills are an integral part of modern-day vascular surgery. The STRESS machine has been developed to test these skills in vascular surgeons. This study aims to define an optimal pass/fail cutoff value for the STRESS test score. METHODS: The STRESS machine consists of a dry glass model of the abdominal aorta and its tributaries with various stenotic lesions, elongations, and tortuosities. A camera and computer software are used to simulate plain fluoroscopy-mode. The test subjects are given two assignments after which two reviewers use a combination of the ICEPS and MRS to produce the final total score; 43 subjects were tested. According to previous endovascular experience, subjects were classified into four groups: novice-low (no experience, less than 11 performed procedures, less than 50 assisted procedures), novice-high (11-25 performed procedures, more than 50 assisted procedures), intermediate (1-10 performed and >11-25 assisted procedures, 11-25 performed and >1-10 assisted procedures or 25-50 performed procedures) and advanced (more than 50 performed procedures). RESULTS: Test-score and noted experience showed a correlation of 0.794. All intermediate and advanced test subjects scored more than 50 points compared to 4 out of 15 novices. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that it is possible to determine an optimal cut-off value for competence testing with the STRESS machine.

Acute arterial occlusion after deployment of the Angio-Seal closure device: is it as uncommon as we think?

Angio-Seal is a frequently used vascular closure device after arterial catheterisation. Major complications are infrequently reported. We present four cases occurring within a 2-month period in our hospital with dislodgement of an Angio-Seal causing acute arterial occlusion, resulting in loss of limb in one case. Surgical intervention was necessary in all cases. Acute arterial occlusion after deployment of the Angio-Seal in patients with peripheral arterial disease might be less uncommon than the literature suggests.

Acute myocardial infarction complicating subarachnoid haemorrhage.

An acute myocardial infarction is a rare complication of a subarachnoid haemorrhage. The combination of these two conditions imposes important treatment dilemmas. We describe two patients with this combination of life-threatening conditions. Patient 1 was treated with emergency percutaneous coronary intervention followed by clipping of the anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Six months after discharge the patient's memory and orientation had almost completely recovered. Patient 2 was treated with aspirin until coiling of the aneurysm could be performed. After successful coiling low-molecular-weight heparin was added. One week later the patient died due to a free wall rupture. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:284-7.).

Assessing endovascular skills using the Simulator for Testing and Rating Endovascular Skills (STRESS) machine.

OBJECTIVES: Endovascular techniques are an integral part of modern-day vascular surgery practice and training. Nevertheless, validated in vitro assessment tools for these skills are scarce. This study describes the development and pilot testing of the Simulator for Testing and Rating Endovascular Skills (STRESS machine). DESIGN: The design was kept straightforward and compact, without the need for contrast or fluoroscopy. A specific technical skill score was designed analogous to the Imperial College Evaluation of Procedural Skill (ICEPS), an assessment score for open surgical skill. This score was combined with an already validated global rating assessment to form the total score (TS). METHODS: A pilot study was carried out on 18 candidates of varying levels of expertise: novice, intermediate and expert, who were assessed by two independent observers to test inter-observer reliability. RESULTS: Inter-observer reliability was excellent, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the TS was 0.94 (95% confidence interval: 0.84-0.97). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference between the novice and expert groups (p<0.001), between the novice and intermediate groups (p<0.01) and between the intermediate and expert groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The STRESS machine, in combination with the specific technical skill score and global rating assessment, provides a reliable method of discriminating between the novice, intermediate and expert candidates with excellent inter-observer variability.

Evaluation of a new balloon catheter for difficult calcified lesions in infrainguinal arterial disease: outcome of a multicenter registry.

The purpose of this study was to assess the technical performance and immediate procedure outcome of a new balloon catheter in the treatment of calcified lesions in infrainguinal arterial disease. Seventy-five patients with infrainguinal arterial disease were prospectively entered into the registry. The catheter (ReeKross Clearstream, Ireland) is a 5- to 6-Fr balloon catheter with a rigid shaft intended for enhanced pushability. Only technical procedural outcome was recorded. Treated calcified lesions (range: 5-30 cm), assessed angiographically, were located in the superficial femoral, popliteal, and crural arteries. In 67 patients the lesion was an occlusion. Guidewire passage occurred subintimally in 68 patients. In 24 patients a standard balloon catheter was chosen as first treatment catheter: 5 failed to cross the lesion, 8 balloons ruptured, and in 11 patients there was an inadequate dilatation result. In only one of the five patients did subsequent use of the ReeKross catheter also fail in lesion crossing. The ReeKross was successful as secondary catheter in the other 23 cases. In 50 patients the ReeKross was used as primary catheter. In total the ReeKross crossed the lesions in 74 patients. After passage and dilatation with this catheter in 73 patients (1 failed true-lumen reentry), 19 had >30% residual lesions, of which 11 were not treated and 8 were successfully stented. No ReeKross balloons ruptured. We conclude that in the treatment of difficult calcified lesions in arterial stenotic or occlusive disease, the choice of a high-pushability angioplasty catheter, with more calcification-resistant balloon characteristics, like the ReeKross, warrants consideration.

Measurement of leg blood pressure: the most straightforward way to the diagnosis.

Two adult patients with presumed primary hypertension are presented. In the first patient the diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta was straightforward while in the second patient there was a substantial delay in reaching the correct diagnosis. A 32-year-old patient was analysed for hypertension in the outpatient clinic. At physical examination a systolic cardiac murmur was present and leg blood pressure was not measurable. Magnetic resonance imaging angiography showed a severe coarctation of the thoracic aorta with extensive distended collateral blood vessels. A second patient was a 31-year-old man referred with longstanding hypertension and an unsatisfactory blood pressure response to treatment. Previously, a diagnosis of primary hypertension was made. Renal computed tomography angiography excluded renal artery stenosis as a cause of hypertension but disclosed many distended collateral blood vessels in the musculus rectus abdominis and in the upper abdominal area. Leg blood pressure was measured and further analysis revealed a coarctation of the aorta. Both patients illustrate and emphasise the importance of leg blood pressure measurement at a first analysis of adult hypertensive patients and should always be performed when hypertension is accompanied by murmurs or weak femoral pulsations.

[Determining aldosterone in the adrenal veins in order to establish uni- or bilateral aldosterone production in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism]. / Aldosteronbepaling in bijniervenen voor het vaststellen van enkel- of dubbelzijdige aldosteronoverproductie bij patiënten met primair hyperaldosteronisme.

In 3 patients, men aged 60, 55 and 60, respectively, with hypertension due to primary hyperaldosteronism, the aldosterone level in the adrenal veins was determined for the purpose of further diagnosis. In two patients, unilateral adrenal enlargement on the CT-scan was accompanied by overproduction ofaldosterone, in one case in a non-enlarged adrenal gland and in the other case in both adrenals. The first patient underwent adrenalectomy of the non-enlarged adrenal gland, while in the second patient surgery was decided against. The third patient had bilateral adrenal gland enlargement on the CT-scan with a surgically treatable, unilateral overproduction ofaldosterone. Now that determination ofthe aldosterone:renin ratio in plasma as a screening method in selected patients with hypertension is being used more often, primary hyperaldosteronism turns out to be more common than was previously thought. For differentiation between unilateral and bilateral overproduction of aldosterone, imaging of the adrenals, for example with CT, is insufficiently accurate. Aldosterone determination in the adrenal veins can distinguish between unilateral and bilateral overproduction of aldosterone with great accuracy, which has important therapeutic consequences.

Subintimal angioplasty of supra- and infrageniculate arteries.

We retrospectively reviewed our experience with subintimal angioplasty for chronic limb ischemia. Hospital records and films of all subintimal angioplasty procedures performed between October 2002 and December 2004 were reviewed and analyzed for demographic data, clinical data, and comorbid condition status. Thirty-nine subintimal angioplasties were performed in 37 patients (65% male, 35% female), with a median age of 73 years. Median follow-up was 9 months. The 30-day mortality rate was 8%. All-cause mortality was 33% after 24 months. In 23 cases (59%), a subintimal angioplasty of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) alone was performed. Both the SFA and popliteal/crural vessels were used in nine limbs (23%), the popliteal artery alone in three limbs (8%), and the crural arteries alone in four limbs (10%). Initial technical and clinical success rates were 67% and 49%, respectively. The complication rate was 28%. Twenty-four additional surgical interventions were performed after the initial angioplasty procedure, of which 12 were major amputations. Amputation-free survival (limb-salvage rate) was 69% at 12 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 52-85%], and overall survival was 69% (95% CI 52-85%) at 12 months. In patients with critical limb ischemia, subintimal angioplasty is feasible and in most cases technically successful. In these high-risk patients, often with combined cardiac, pulmonary, and diabetic risk and considered unfit for bypass surgery, subintimal angioplasty offers a safe and effective alternative.

Local and systemic thrombolytic therapy for acute deep venous thrombosis.

This article presents a review of the treatment of lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with systemic and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT). Standard treatment including anticoagulation therapy and compression stockings may not be entirely adequate, because a significant proportion of patients eventually develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Thrombolytic agents might offer a potential advantage because they cause faster and more complete clot resolution, which may reduce or prevent residual vein stenosis and valve damage. Thrombolytic therapy results in greater lysis, but also in higher complication rates than does anticoagulation alone. Major bleeding occurs in 11% of patients treated with thrombolytic therapy. The incidence of PTS tends to be lower in patients treated with thrombolytics. However, several methodological flaws limit the conclusions with respect to reduction in PTS. No adequate randomised controlled trials have been performed comparing CDT or PMT with conventional therapy. Given the current data, thrombolytic treatment, CDT or PMT should not be applied except in extraordinary cases. First, the long-term effectiveness in terms of reducing PTS, although possible, remains uncertain. Second, the risks of thrombolytic therapy and PMT are higher. Third, current conventional therapy is relatively inexpensive, convenient and safe.