Cost-effectiveness of selective internal radiation therapy with Y-90 resin microspheres for intermediate- and advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazil.

AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe condition with poor prognosis that places a significant burden on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a treatment available to patients with HCC which addresses some of the limitations of alternative treatment options. A cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken into the use of SIRT using Y-90 resin microspheres for the treatment of unresectable intermediate- and late-stage HCC in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A partitioned-survival model was developed, including a tunnel state for patients downstaged to receive treatments with curative intent. Sorafenib was the selected comparator, a common systemic treatment in Brazil and for which comparative evidence exists. Clinical data were extracted from published sources of pivotal trials, and effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and life-years (LYs). The analysis was conducted from the Brazilian private payer perspective and a lifetime horizon was implemented. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: LYs and QALYs were higher for SIRT with Y-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib (0.27 and 0.20 incremental LYs and QALYs, respectively) and costs were slightly higher for SIRT (R$15,864). The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was R$77,602 per QALY. The ICER was mostly influenced by parameters defining the sorafenib overall survival curve and SIRT had a 73% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of R$135,761 per QALY (3-times the per-capita gross domestic product in Brazil). Overall, sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results indicating that SIRT with Y-90 resin microspheres is cost-effective compared with sorafenib. LIMITATIONS: A rapidly evolving treatment landscape in Brazil and worldwide, and the lack of local data for some variables were the main limitations. CONCLUSIONS: SIRT with Y-90 resin microspheres is a cost-effective option compared with sorafenib in Brazil.

Diagnostic Yield of Computed Tomography-Guided Procedures for Spondylodiscitis.

PURPOSE: To identify the diagnostic yield and predictive factors for microbiological diagnosis in patients with spondylodiscitis through computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy or aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 102 patients with suspected spondylodiscitis who underwent CT-guided procedures in an 8-year period was conducted. Analyzed variables were demographic data, C-reactive protein, pre-biopsy MRI findings, prior antibiotic use, site of biopsy/aspiration, histopathological findings, culture results and radiation dose. RESULTS: The culture yield among all sites was 56%, 85.6% for paravertebral/discal fluid aspiration, 66.7% for disk-only biopsy, 52.9% for paravertebral soft tissue biopsy, and 39.6% for endplate bone-disk unit. Patients with paravertebral/disk collection on MRI had better yields when submitted to fluid aspiration instead of biopsy of other sites (78.9% vs. 36.6%; p = 0,006). Pyogenic etiology corresponded to 68.3% of cases and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common agent. Prior antibiotics exposure was associated with a lower yield (66.2% vs. 40.9%, p = 0,016). CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided procedures are safe and well-tolerated in patients with suspected spondylodiscitis, with good microbiologic yield particularly in the presence of paravertebral/discal abscess.

Long-term results of oversized balloon dilation for benign anastomotic biliary strictures: initial two-center experience.

Objective: To describe, assess the feasibility of, and quantify the long-term patency achieved with percutaneous transhepatic biliary dilation using the anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS) oversized balloon dilation technique as a single-step procedure for the treatment of benign anastomotic biliary strictures following hepatobiliary surgery. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, two-center study including 16 consecutive cases of symptomatic benign biliary-enteric strictures. After assessment of the diameter of the bile duct by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, the strictures were dilated with oversized balloons (40-50% larger than the bile duct diameter) and an external biliary-enteric drain was placed. After drain removal, clinical symptoms and laboratory test results were evaluated every three months, whereas follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 30 days out and follow-up computed tomography was performed at 6 and 12 months out. Results: The mean follow-up time was 31.8 ± 8.15 months. Kaplan-Meier-estimated 1-, 2-, and 3-year patency rates were 88.2%, 82.4%, and 82.4%, respectively. There was one major complication-a small dehiscence of the anastomosis-which extended the catheter dwell time. Minor complications occurred in two cases-one small perihepatic hematoma and one segmental thrombosis of the left portal branch-neither of which required further intervention. Conclusion: The single-step ABS oversized balloon dilation technique is a feasible treatment for benign anastomotic biliary-enteric strictures. The technique appears to be associated with high rates of long-term clinical success and patency.

Objetivo: Descrever o procedimento, avaliar a viabilidade e perviedade em longo prazo da dilatação biliar trans-hepática percutânea usando a técnica de dilatação por balão superdimensionado para o tratamento em uma única etapa de estenose biliar anastomótica benigna após cirurgia hepatobiliar. Materiais e Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo de dois centros incluiu 16 casos consecutivos de estenoses bilioentéricas benignas sintomáticas. A dilatação das estenoses com superdimensionamento do balão de 40-50% foi realizada após avaliação pré-procedimento do diâmetro do ducto biliar por tomografia computadorizada ou ressonância magnética e um dreno externo foi colocado. Os sintomas clínicos e exames laboratoriais foram avaliados a cada três meses após a remoção do dreno, enquanto o acompanhamento radiológico foi realizado com ressonância magnética em 30 dias e tomografia computadorizada em 6 e 12 meses. Resultados: O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 31,8 ± 8,15 meses. As estimativas de perviedade em um, dois e três anos foram 88,2%, 82,4% e 82,4%; respectivamente. Houve uma complicação importante, com pequena deiscência da anastomose biliodigestiva, que exigiu prolongamento do tempo de permanência do dreno externo. Complicações menores ocorreram em dois casos, um pequeno hematoma peri-hepático e uma trombose segmentar do ramo portal esquerdo e nenhum deles necessitou de intervenção adicional. Conclusão: A técnica de dilatação com balão superdimensionado para o tratamento de estenoses biliares anastomóticas benignas foi viável para o tratamento de estenoses anastomóticas bilioentéricas benignas. A técnica parece estar associada a altas taxas de perviedade e de sucesso clínico no longo prazo.

Chemotherapy taste and bronchospasm: a consequence of a fistula between the superior vena cava and the right main bronchi.

A 56-year-old female patient with upper lobe neoplasia of the right lung and superior vena cava syndrome. The patient complained about the taste of the medications during the chemotherapy sessions. Interventional radiology diagnosed cava-bronchial fistula when it injected contrast into the inferior and superior vena cava.

Endovascular management of giant common iliac artery pseudoaneurysm after complications in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic transplantation is a definitive treatment for selected patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. It is a technically challenging surgery, and vascular complications are the most common cause of pancreatic graft failure. Although rare, pancreas transplants present higher rates of pseudoaneurysms at the vascular anastomosis than other visceral transplants. We present a case of a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant complicated with graft failure and common iliac artery pseudoaneurysm that was successfully treated through endovascular techniques. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old White woman presented with abdominal pain and a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease, and two previous pancreas transplantation failures. The first was a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation performed 7 months prior that was complicated by pancreas graft thrombosis within 1 month and required graft resection. Five months later, she underwent a second pancreas transplantation with another pancreatic graft thrombosis requiring graft resection. Abdominal angiotomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the right common iliac artery at the point of the previous graft anastomosis. The patient was successfully treated endovascularly with a covered stent in the common iliac artery. CONCLUSION: Stent graft implantation for the treatment of common iliac artery pseudoaneurysm as a complication of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation is a safe and feasible procedure.

Percutaneous transhepatic placement of plastic biliary stents: technical description and preliminary results.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel technique of percutaneous transhepatic (PTH) placement of a plastic biliary stent (PBS), report the feasibility and safety of the technique, and present the preliminary results of a pilot study that included 32 patients with symptomatic obstructive jaundice (SOJ) treated with the technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single-arm, single-center, pilot study of a cohort of patients with the diagnosis of benign or malignant obstructive jaundice that underwent PTH placement of a PBS to relieve the obstruction. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included, 16 men and 16 women (age range, 35-88 years). There were 26 malignant and six benign lesions. Cholangiocarcinoma was the most common tumor (n=13, 40.6%), followed by pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n=6, 18.75%) and metastasis (n=5, 15.6%). A total of 35 PBSs were placed in 32 procedures. The bile duct was accessed and drained to the right side in 18 cases, to the left side in 14 cases, and bilaterally in three cases. Technical success was achieved in 100% and clinical success in 93.7% of cases. Using a modified Bismuth-Cortelle classification system, type I was observed in nine patients, type II in nine patients, type III in six patients, and type IV in eight patients. The mean follow-up was 426.1 days for the total sample, and 349.4 days for patients with malignancy. Two complications were observed: transient hemobilia and cholangitis. CONCLUSION: PTH placement of a PBS in patients with SOJ is feasible, safe, and effective.

Long-term outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma that underwent chemoembolization for bridging or downstaging.

BACKGROUND: Prospective study of 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that underwent liver transplant (LT) after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for downstaging versus bridging. Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated, eligibility for LT, time on the waiting list and radiological response were compared. After TACE, only patients within Milan Criteria (MC) were transplanted. More patients underwent LT in bridging group. Five-year post-transplant overall survival, recurrence-free survival has no difference between the groups. Complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group. Patients in DS group can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability, at five years, just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE. AIM: To determine long-term outcomes of patients with HCC that underwent LT after DEB-TACE for downstaging vs bridging. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 200 patients included from April 2011 through June 2014. Bridging group included patients within MC. Downstaging group (out of MC) was divided in 5 subgroups (G1 to G5). Total tumor diameter was ≤ 8 cm for G1, 2, 3, 4 (n = 42) and was > 8 cm for G5 (n = 22). Downstaging (n = 64) and bridging (n = 136) populations were not significantly different. Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Additionally, eligibility for LT, time on the waiting list until LT and radiological response were compared. RESULTS: After TACE, only patients within MC were transplanted. More patients underwent LT in bridging group 65.9% (P = 0.001). Downstaging population presented: higher number of nodules 2.81 (P = 0.001); larger total tumor diameter 8.09 (P = 0.001); multifocal HCC 78% (P = 0.001); more post-transplantation recurrence 25% (P = 0.02). Patients with maximal tumor diameter up to 7.05 cm were more likely to receive LT (P = 0.005). Median time on the waiting list was significantly longer in downstaging group 10.6 mo (P = 0.028). Five-year post-transplant overall survival was 73.5% in downstaging and 72.3% bridging groups (P = 0.31), and recurrence-free survival was 62.1% in downstaging and 74.8% bridging groups (P = 0.93). Radiological response: complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Tumors initially exceeding the MC down-staged after DEB-TACE, can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability, at five years, just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.

Evaluation of Morphological and Clinical Factors Related to Failure of Percutaneous Treatment with Thrombin Injection of Femoral Pseudoaneurysms from Cardiac Catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) has become the method of choice in the treatment of pseudoaneurysm caused by endovascular procedures because it is minimally invasive, costs less, and effective, with short hospitalization time. The objective was identify the morphological aspects of femoral pseudoaneurysms and clinical aspects of patients that may lead to the failure of UGTI in femoral pseudoaneurysms after cardiac catheterization. POPULATION AND METHOD: From December 2012 to December 2016, 60 patients with pseudoaneurysms caused by cardiac catheterization were referred to the interventional radiology unit to be treated with UGTI. Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed for comorbidities, use of antiplatelet agents, anticoagulation, indication of cardiac catheterization, and so forth. Morphological aspects of the pseudoaneurysms such as volume, diameter (anteroposterior, laterolateral, and longitudinal), length, and diameter of the neck were analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success of UGTI was achieved in 100%. No clinical aspects of the patients were statistically significant for UGTI failure in occlusion of the pseudoaneurysms. For morphological aspects of pseudoaneurysm: anteroposterior (P = 0.029), longitudinal (P = 0.020), and neck diameters (P = 0.004) were statistically significant for UGTI failure. Logistic regression analysis for longitudinal diameter showed that for each centimeter, there was a 2.66 chance of failure of pseudoaneurysm thrombosis in a single thrombin injection session (95% confidence interval: 1.33-5.30). For longitudinal and neck diameters greater than 1.8 cm and 0.55 cm, respectively, there is a greater probability of needing more than one UGTI session for complete thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Among variables, the longitudinal dimension was more significant, and in a larger diameter, the treatment with thrombin injection presented greater complexity.

Role of Lock Therapy for Long-Term Catheter-Related Infections by Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

The management of long-term central venous catheter (LTCVC) infections by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in cancer patient is a challenge. The objectives of this study were to analyze outcomes in cancer patients with LTCVC-associated infection, identify risks for unfavorable outcomes, and determine the impact of MDR bacteria and antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) in managing such infections. We evaluated all LTCVC-associated infections treated between January 2009 and December 2016. Infections were reported in accordance with international guidelines for catheter-related infections. The outcome measures were 30-day mortality and treatment failure. We analyzed risk factors by Cox forward-stepwise regression. We identified 296 LTCVC-associated infections; 212 (71.6%) were classified as bloodstream infections (BSIs). The most common agent was Staphylococcus aureus Forty-six (21.7%) infections were due to MDR Gram-negative bacteria. ALT was used in 62 (29.2%) patients, with a 75.9% success rate. Risk factors identified for failure of the initial treatment were having a high sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at diagnosis of infection and being in palliative care; introduction of ALT at the start of treatment was identified as a protective factor. Risk factors identified for 30-day mortality after LTCVC-associated infection were a high SOFA score at diagnosis, infection with MDR bacteria, and palliative care; introduction of ALT at the start of treatment, hematological malignancies, and adherence to an institutional protocol for the management of LTCVC-associated infection were identified as protective factors. Despite the high incidence of infection with MDR bacteria, ALT improves the outcome of LTCVC-associated infection in cancer patients.

Risk factors for infectious and noninfectious complications of totally implantable venous catheters in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for complications of totally implantable catheters in a referral cancer center. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of all consecutive cancer patients undergoing port placement, with a primary outcome of interest of major complication and subanalysis of the types of complications. RESULTS: We studied 1255 nonvalved implanted port catheters inserted in 1230 patients, for a combined total of 469,882 catheter-days of use. Venous puncture was ultrasound (US)-guided in 1049 cases (84%). Inadvertent arterial puncture occurred in 14 cases (1.1%) and was more frequent in procedures not guided by US (P = .045). Among the outpatients, 90 (9%) developed infection, and 75 (29%) of the hospitalized patients (P < .001) developed infections. Infection was diagnosed in 131 catheters (13%) implanted through the internal jugular vein (IJV), 23 catheters (14%) implanted in the subclavian vein (SCV), 1 catheter (5%) implanted in the external jugular vein, and 10 catheters (31%) implanted in the femoral vein (P = .044). In the multivariate analysis, only the hospitalization regimen maintained statistical significance, with hospitalization presenting as a risk factor for infection (P < .001). Regarding the introduction site, ambulatory patients in whom the femoral vein was the site of access had more infections than the others (28.6% vs 9.4% of the IJV, 4.8% of the SCV, and 4.8% of the external jugular vein; P = .019), which did not occur among the hospitalized patients (33.3% vs 26.5% of IJV and 39.5% of the SCV; P = .218). CONCLUSIONS: Not using US is a risk factor for iatrogenic arterial puncture. Port implantation in hospitalized patients and the use of femoral access are risk factors for infection.

Retrograde Proximal Anterior Tibial Artery Access for Treating Femoropopliteal Segment Occlusion: A Novel Approach.

Some challenges have been detected when there are long and complex lesions of femoropopliteal arterial occlusive disease, even with descriptions of the retrograde pedal approaches. The aim of this article is to describe the retrograde proximal anterior tibial artery access for treatment of femoropopliteal segment occlusion when antegrade recanalization failed (retrograde recanalization and rearranging the system into an antegrade position). Technical and clinical success was achieved in 100% of 4 cases, with an improvement of at least 2 Rutherford classes. Minor complication, small hematoma in an anterior compartment of the limb, occurred in 1 patient. No sign of compartmental syndrome was observed.

Percutaneous Treatment of Intrahepatic Biliary Leak: A Modified Occlusion Balloon Technique.

PURPOSE: To report a novel modified occlusion balloon technique to treat biliary leaks. METHODS: A 22-year-old female patient underwent liver transplantation with biliary-enteric anastomosis. She developed thrombosis of the common hepatic artery and extensive ischemia in the left hepatic lobe. Resection of segments II and III was performed and a biliary-cutaneous leak originating at the resection plane was identified in the early postoperative period. Initial treatment with percutaneous transhepatic drainage was unsuccessful. Therefore, an angioplasty balloon was coaxially inserted within the biliary drain and positioned close to the leak. RESULTS: The fistula output abruptly decreased after the procedure and stopped on the 7th day. At the 3-week follow-up, cholangiography revealed complete resolution of the leakage. CONCLUSION: This novel modified occlusion balloon technique was effective and safe. However, greater experience and more cases are necessary to validate the technique.

Variation of mechanical properties and quantitative proteomics of VSMC along the arterial tree.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are thought to assume a quiescent and homogeneous mechanical behavior after arterial tree development phase. However, VSMCs are known to be molecularly heterogeneous in other aspects and their mechanics may play a role in pathological situations. Our aim was to evaluate VSMCs from different arterial beds in terms of mechanics and proteomics, as well as investigate factors that may influence this phenotype. VSMCs obtained from seven arteries were studied using optical magnetic twisting cytometry (both in static state and after stretching) and shotgun proteomics. VSMC mechanical data were correlated with anatomical parameters and ultrastructural images of their vessels of origin. Femoral, renal, abdominal aorta, carotid, mammary, and thoracic aorta exhibited descending order of stiffness (G, P < 0.001). VSMC mechanical data correlated with the vessel percentage of elastin and amount of surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM), which decreased with the distance from the heart. After 48 h of stretching simulating regional blood flow of elastic arteries, VSMCs exhibited a reduction in basal rigidity. VSMCs from the thoracic aorta expressed a significantly higher amount of proteins related to cytoskeleton structure and organization vs. VSMCs from the femoral artery. VSMCs are heterogeneous in terms of mechanical properties and expression/organization of cytoskeleton proteins along the arterial tree. The mechanical phenotype correlates with the composition of ECM and can be modulated by cyclic stretching imposed on VSMCs by blood flow circumferential stress.

Totally implantable venous catheters: insertion via internal jugular vein with pocket implantation in the arm is an alternative for diseased thoracic walls.

PURPOSE: Insertion of totally implantable catheters via deep vessels that drain into the superior vena cava results in a lower incidence of venous thrombosis and infection as compared to catheters inserted into femoral and arm veins. Superior vena cava obstruction and inadequacy of the thoracic wall are conditions that prevent reservoir implantation in the chest wall. In this article, we describe a technical innovation that enables the pocket to be fixed in the arm while still allowing access to be achieved via the internal jugular vein. METHOD: The procedure reported maintains the use of the internal jugular vein for access even when the patient's chest is not suited for reservoir implantation, which is localized in the arm. RESULTS: The procedure was successful and no complications occurred. The position of the catheter tip did not alter with arm movement. CONCLUSION: The implantation of a port reservoir in the arm following venous access via the internal jugular vein is both safe and convenient.

Vascular smooth muscle cells exhibit a progressive loss of rigidity with serial culture passaging.

One drawback of in vitro cell culturing is the dedifferentiation process that cells experience. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) also change molecularly and morphologically with long term culture. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if culture passages interfere in vascular SMC mechanical behavior. SMC were obtained from five different porcine arterial beds. Optical magnetic twisting cytometry (OMTC) was used to characterize mechanically vascular SMC from different cultures in distinct passages and confocal microscopy/western blotting, to evaluate cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix proteins. We found that vascular SMC rigidity or viscoelastic complex modulus (G) decreases with progression of passages. A statistically significant negative correlation between G and passage was found in four of our five cultures studied. Phalloidin-stained SMC from higher passages exhibited lower mean signal intensity per cell (confocal microscopy) and quantitative western blotting analysis showed a decrease in collagen I content throughout passages. We concluded that vascular SMC progressively lose their stiffness with serial culture passaging. Thus, limiting the number of passages is essential for any experiment measuring viscoelastic properties of SMC in culture.

Perioperative temporary occlusion of the internal iliac arteries as prophylaxis in cesarean section at risk of hemorrhage in placenta accreta.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the preliminary results of prophylactic temporary balloon occlusion of the internal iliac arteries for bleeding control in patients with placenta accreta during cesarean hysterectomy. METHODS: From May 2006 to March 2010, 21 patients diagnosed with placenta accreta using ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging were submitted to prophylactic balloon occlusion before hysterectomy. Fluoroscopy, balloon occlusion time, surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion volume, and procedure complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 30.5 years with a mean of 3.6 previous gestations. Imaging studies revealed that all patients had placenta accreta and all were submitted to cesarean hysterectomy. One hysterectomy was due to previous diagnosis of fetal death and another due to cesarean with uterine curettage. Mean fluoroscopy time was 7.5 min, balloon occlusion time was 164 min, and surgery duration was 260 min. Estimated blood loss was 1,671.5 ml with mean reposition fluids of 3,538 ml of crystalloids, 309.5 ml of colloids, and 1.24 ml of packed red blood cells. Two patients were submitted to thromboembolectomy due to prolonged surgical time. There was no maternal or fetal mortality related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that prophylactic balloon occlusion of internal iliac artery is a safe method and appears to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients diagnosed with placenta accreta who undergo cesarean hysterectomy. Antenatal imaging diagnosis of placenta accreta enables preoperative planning.

Infusion of recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator through the superior mesenteric artery in the treatment of acute mesenteric venous thrombosis.

Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is an uncommon condition that is usually treated with systemic anticoagulation. Catheter-directed thrombolysis through the superior mesenteric artery may be a viable adjunct to treat this morbid condition. In the present article, we have described a case of superior mesenteric venous thrombosis treated with catheter-directed infusion of tissue plasminogen activator through the superior mesenteric artery.