Comparison of three embolic materials at partial splenic artery embolization for hypersplenism: clinical, laboratory, and radiological outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare effectiveness of three widely used embolic agents in partial splenic embolization (PSE) by analyzing their clinical, laboratory, and radiological outcomes within one year of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined 179 patients who underwent PSE to manage hypersplenism secondary to cirrhosis. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to embolic agent used. Group 1 (gelatin sponge) included 65 patients, group 2 (embospheres) included 58 patients, and group 3 (PVA) included 56 patients. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100% in all groups. Pain as a major complication was lower in the gelatin sponge group (20%) compared to the embosphere group (31%) and PVA group (32.3%). Major complications other than pain were found in 20.1%; 24.6% in gelatin sponge group, 15.5% in embosphere group and 19.6% in PVA group (p = 0.045). WBCs and platelet counts showed a significant increase after PSE in all groups. Entire splenic volume as measured by computed tomography after PSE showed no significant difference among the 3 groups; however, the volume of infarcted spleen was significantly lower in the gelatin sponge group compared to other two groups (p = 0.001). The splenic span was significantly reduced one-year post-procedure in three groups (p = 0.006), and it was significantly less in embosphere and PVA groups compared to gelatin sponge group (p < 0.05). Recurrent bleeding was higher in gelatin sponge group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Permanent embolic materials achieved better laboratory and radiological outcomes than gelatin sponge particles in PSE of cirrhotic hypersplenism patients. However, permanent particles were associated with greater abdominal pain.

Isolated hemorrhagic arterialized DVAs: revisiting symptomatic DVAs.

We aim to present here a small case series of symptomatic isolated hemorrhagic arterialized developmental venous anomalies (sDVAs) with a larger goal of revisiting the classification based on patho-mechanisms plus emphasizing angiographic features coupled with CT and MRI. Typically, DVA is an incidental and silent abnormality on neuroimaging. Understanding its morphology in terms of arterialization and relationship with other entities is crucial for management. One adult and two pediatric cases presented with acute or sub-acute hemorrhage in the cerebellum or thalamus. Morphologic characterization on cross-sectional imaging and catheter angiography confirmed the integrated diagnosis of "symptomatic isolated hemorrhagic arterialized DVAs with deeper or superficial venous drainage". Conservative management was adopted in all cases. We emphasize the following classification and approach for symptomatic DVAs: (1) congestive isolated arterialized sDVAs, (2) congestive isolated resistive sDVAs, (3) coexisting sDVAs (with AVM or cavernous malformation), (4) compressive sDVAs (compressive effects), and (5) idiopathic DVAs. Like our three cases, ganglionic and infratentorial DVAs have higher propensity of hemorrhage, compressive effects, and usually harbor deeper venous drainage. Typical "caput medusae" as dominant collector vein on cross-sectional imaging is crucial to complement and even confirm the diagnosis of DVA before catheter angiography in sDVAs. Capillary stain or early opacification of DVAs is a marker of arteriovenous shunting in arterialized sDVAs. Recognition of this entity is crucial as treatment is usually conservative.

Adrenal vein sampling in primary aldosteronism: concordance of simultaneous vs sequential sampling.

OBJECTIVE: Many investigators believe that basal adrenal venous sampling (AVS) should be done simultaneously, whereas others opt for sequential AVS for simplicity and reduced cost. This study aimed to evaluate the concordance of sequential and simultaneous AVS methods. DESIGN AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 2015, bilateral simultaneous sets of basal AVS were obtained twice within 5 min, in 188 consecutive patients (59 women and 129 men; mean age: 53.4 years). Selectivity was defined by adrenal-to-peripheral cortisol ratio ≥2, and lateralization was defined as an adrenal aldosterone-to-cortisol ratio ≥2, the contralateral side. Sequential AVS was simulated using right sampling at -5 min (t = -5) and left sampling at 0 min (t = 0). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean selectivity ratio (P = 0.12 and P = 0.42 for the right and left sides respectively) and in mean lateralization ratio (P = 0.93) between t = -5 and t = 0. Kappa for selectivity between 2 simultaneous AVS was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.60-0.82), whereas it was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.76-0.92) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.77-0.93) between sequential and simultaneous AVS at respectively -5 min and at 0 min. Kappa for lateralization between 2 simultaneous AVS was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.75-0.93), whereas it was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78-0.94) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71-0.90) between sequential AVS and simultaneous AVS at respectively -5 min at 0 min. CONCLUSIONS: Concordance between simultaneous and sequential AVS was not different than that between 2 repeated simultaneous AVS in the same patient. Therefore, a better diagnostic performance is not a good argument to select the AVS method.

Arteriovenous Fistula Embolization in Suspected Parauterine Choriocarcinoma.

This is a case of choriocarcinoma that did not regress after chemotherapy treatment. A 30-year-old female patient (gravida 2, para 2), presented to our ER with stroke and persistent mild pelvic pain 2 months after a Caesarean section. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an ischemic left hemicerebellar region and a hypervascular mass in the pelvic region. This mass was not present on routine fetal ultrasound during pregnancy. The lesion was treated by chemotherapy after closure of a foramen ovale and insertion of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. After that, 2 courses of EMACO (Etoposide, Methotrexate, Actinomycin D, Cyclophosphamide, and Vincristine) chemotherapy regimen were given. Posttreatment CT showed the hypervascular mass without any changes. Arteriography showed the arteriovenous fistulae that were embolized successfully with plugs, coils, and glue. Embolization was considered due to the risk of acute hemorrhagic life-threatening complications. Eight chemotherapy courses were added after embolization. Treatment by endovascular approach and reduction of the hypervascular mass can be a valuable adjunct to chemotherapy treatment of choriocarcinoma.