Review: indications for interventional radiology in the management of patients with spinal cord injuries.

OBJECTIVES: To outline a range of minimally invasive image-guided procedures that benefit spinal cord-injured patients and may expedite clinical care. STUDY DESIGN: Pictorial review. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Image-guided procedures have made a significant impact in medical management in many specialties. These techniques continue to evolve rapidly and afford opportunities to reduce patient morbidity and in-patient length of stay.

The role of interventional radiology in obstetric and gynaecology practice.

Interventional radiology is continuing to reshape current practice in many specialties of clinical care. It is a relatively new and innovative branch of medicine in which physicians treat diseases non-operatively through small catheters guided to the target by fluoroscopic and other imaging modalities. The aim is to provide image-guided, minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgical and medical procedures in suitable cohorts of patients. Procedures which previously required major surgery can now be performed by interventional radiologists, sometimes on an outpatient basis, with little patient discomfort. In this review, we highlight the importance of interventional radiology in treating a comprehensive range of obstetric and gynaecological pathologies.

Superior vena caval stenting for SVC obstruction: current status.

Symptomatic obstruction of the superior vena cava is a debilitating and potentially life-threatening condition. Conventional surgery and radiation therapy have a historical role in the management of patients with malignant superior vena cava obstruction. Interventional radiologists can relieve these symptoms rapidly and safely in the vast majority of patients. The technical and clinical success rates are high and compare very favorably with currently available medical and surgical treatments. Although recurrent obstruction may occur, most patients can be treated by re-intervention.

Chronic pelvic pain due to pelvic congestion syndrome: the role of diagnostic and interventional radiology.

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common cause of gynecologic referral. Pelvic congestion syndrome, which is said to occurs due to ovarian vein incompetence, is a recognized cause of CPP. The aim of this paper is to briefly describe the clinical manifestations, and to review the role of diagnostic and interventional radiology in the management of this probably under-diagnosed condition.

Diagnostic imaging of and radiologic intervention for bovine ureter grafts used as a novel conduit for hemodialysis fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study were to review the appearances on diagnostic imaging and amenability to imaging-guided intervention of a novel bovine ureter graft (Syner-Graft 100 [SG 100]) for use as a conduit for hemodialysis fistulas. CONCLUSION: The SG 100 shows initial promise as a conduit for hemodialysis fistulas in patients with difficult vascular access. The SG 100 has characteristic appearances on diagnostic imaging and is prone to similar pathologic processes that affect autogenous venous and synthetic grafts. These grafts are readily amenable to imaging-guided percutaneous intervention, which plays a major role in prolonging graft function.

Central venous access.

Central venous access plays an important role in the management of an ever-increasing population of patients ranging from those that are critically ill to patients with difficult clinical access. Interventional radiologists are key in delivering this service and should be familiar with the wide range of techniques and catheters now available to them. A comprehensive description of these catheters with regard to indications, technical aspects of catheterization, success rates, and associated early and late complications, as well as a review of various published guidelines on central venous catheter insertion are given in this article.

MDCT appearance of gastrointestinal stromal tumors after therapy with imatinib mesylate.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the MDCT appearance of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) after treatment with imatinib mesylate. CONCLUSION: Cystic changes within primary and metastatic GISTs seen on MDCT in patients after imatinib mesylate therapy are evidence of disease response. Calcification may also occur in lesions that respond to therapy.