Segmental Arterial Mediolysis: Abdominal Imaging of and Disease Course in 111 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify the imaging characteristics of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) at presentation and establish the longitudinal course of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with SAM at a single institution from 2000 through 2015. Diagnosis was based on published guidelines with multidisciplinary consensus. Imaging studies obtained at initial evaluation were reviewed to evaluate imaging findings and vascular territory distribution. All subsequent follow-up imaging studies were reviewed to assess for progression, stability, or regression. RESULTS: We identified 111 patients (79 men and 32 women; median age, 51 years) who met the diagnostic criteria for SAM. Abdominal pain was the most common presentation (74%), followed by flank pain (21%). SAM most commonly affected the renal arteries (47%), superior mesenteric artery (46%), celiac trunk (46%), hepatic artery (23%), iliac arteries (18%), and splenic artery (14%). The most common imaging findings were dissection (86%), aneurysm (57%), beading or webs (28%), occlusion (19%), and a rind or wall thickening (15%). The 247 available follow-up imaging studies for 97 patients (median follow-up, 12 months) showed progression in 19 patients (20%), with either stability or regression observed in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION: SAM most commonly affects the renal arteries, superior mesenteric artery, and celiac artery. Dissections and aneurysms are the most common imaging findings. Follow-up imaging studies show stability or regression in most patients.

Percutaneous and minimally invasive approaches to mitral valve repair for severe mitral regurgitation-new devices and emerging outcomes.

Mitral valve disease is common in the United States and around the world, and if left untreated, increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Mitral valve repair is technically more demanding than mitral valve replacement. Mitral valve repair should be considered the first line of treatment for mitral regurgitation in younger patients, mitral valve prolapse, annular dilatation, and with structural damage to the valve. Several minimally invasive percutaneous treatment options for mitral valve repair are available that are not restricted to conventional surgical approaches, and may be better received by patients. A useful classification system of these approaches proposed by Chiam and Ruiz is based on anatomic targets and device action upon the leaflets, annulus, chordae, and left ventricle. Future directions of minimally invasive techniques will include improving the safety profile through patient selection and risk stratification, improvement of current imaging and techniques, and multidisciplinary education.

Successful large-volume cerebrospinal fluid aspiration for an accidental overdose of intrathecal cytarabine.

Intrathecal therapy with cytarabine is widely used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia. We report the first case of accidental intrathecal cytarabine overdose in an adult patient. Overdose of intrathecal chemotherapy has been reported to cause severe neurological damage including seizures, coma and death. Methotrexate levels can help guide intrathecal dosing of methotrexate, but no such test is commercially available for cytarabine. There are no standardized treatment recommendations for the management of this medical emergency. Intrathecal methotrexate overdose has been variously treated with cerebrospinal fluid drainage or exchange. Ventriculo-lumbar perfusion, steroids and leucovorin have also been used. It seems crucial to quickly remove as much drug as possible from the cerebrospinal fluid. Our patient was successfully treated with large-volume cerebrospinal fluid aspiration through an Ommaya reservoir. She did not suffer any significant immediate or late complications at 4 months of follow-up.