CT venography combined with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive treatment for recurrent varicose veins: a pilot paired-design clinical trial.

AIM: To compare 1-year outcomes of computed tomography venography (CTV) combined with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive treatment with ascending phlebography and ultrasound-guided treatment for recurrent varicose veins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with unilateral recurrent varicose veins were matched by gender, age, C classification, and degree of obesity, and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either CTV (CTV group) or ascending phlebography (control group) combined with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive treatment. Patients were followed up by clinical and ultrasound examination. Follow-up was scheduled at 1 week, and 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure was the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) at 12 months. Measures of secondary outcome included Chronic Insufficiency Venous International Questionnaire-20 (CIVIQ-20) score, recurrence of varicose vein or ulcer during 12 months, ulcer healing time, detection and location of treated veins. RESULTS: Eighty patients were enrolled. Median VCSS in the CTV group was lower than it in the control group (p=0.04) and the CIVIQ-20 score was higher than the control group (p=0.02). By 12 months, no symptomatically recurrent varicose veins or ulcers had occurred. The ulcer healing time in CTV group was shorter (p<0.01). A greater number of patients had treated veins detected using CTV than by ascending venography (p=0.01), especially among patients with recurrence reflux veins in the groin, perineum, and vulva (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: CTV combined with ultrasound may be more helpful than ascending phlebography combined with ultrasound to improve treatment efficacy for recurrent varices. These results should be verified by an future study with more patients and long-term follow-up.

Diagnostic Value of Lower Extremity Venous Duplication via Digital Subtraction Angiography Guided Venography.

INTRODUCTION: Lower limb venous anomalies, including duplicated veins, are common and have significant impacts on the outcomes and efficacy of venous surgery. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) guided venography, serving as the tertiary diagnostic option for venous disorders, offers valuable informations to clinical practitioners. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 195 patients with suspected venous disease, evaluating 259 limbs with venography imaging. Two experienced interventional vascularists evaluated the images to determine the incidence and characteristics of variances in the femoral, popliteal, great saphenous, and small saphenous veins. Moreover, blood samples were collected to assess the safety of the venography procedure by monitoring changes in renal function. RESULT: Duplication variations were found in the lower limb veins, with the highest prevalence in the femoral vein (11.28%, 22/195), followed by the great saphenous vein (4.1%, 8/195), and the popliteal vein (1.54%, 3/195). No severe contrast agent allergies or postoperative complications were reported. No statistically significant differences were found in creatinine and urea levels pre- and post-operation for patients without duplication variations, those with duplication of the great saphenous, femoral, or popliteal vein (P < .05). CONCLUSION: DSA-guided venography is effective in identifying venous variations in lower limb disease. DFV is the most common recurrent vein, while DPV is the least. Adequate preparation ensures safety, high spatial resolution, dynamic imaging, and low tissue interference.

Can cross-sectional imaging replace diagnostic venography in pelvic venous disorder (PeVD)?

OBJECTIVE: The primary etiology of pelvic venous disorder is multifactorial and challengeable in vascular surgery as it mandates multidisciplinary team cooperation for its evaluation and management. METHODS: All patients investigated for pelvic venous disorder in a high-volume, tertiary referral university hospital were identified and analyzed retrospectively during the period (March 2021 through September 2022). Demographic and medical data were scored. Agreement between the noninvasive modalities (computed tomographic venography [CTV] or magnetic resonance venography [MRV]) and diagnostic venography in detecting the refluxing pelvic veins was analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy are also measured. No patients' treatments were reported in this study as the treatment is scheduled in other sessions in some cases and is out of the scope of this article. All patients had a diagnostic venogram regardless of the axial imaging modality. The main goal was to compare cross-sectional imaging with diagnostic venography. RESULTS: The total number of patients was 120 with a mean age of 34.4 ± 7.1 years; 86.7% were multiparous. All patients presented chronic pelvic pain with vulvoperineal and/or atypical lower limb varicosities. Then patients were divided into two groups: those with CTV and those with MRV. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of CTV were 50%, 33%, and 47% for the detection of incompetent ovarian veins, 83%, 33%, and 53% for the detection of incompetent internal iliac veins, and 50%, 40%, and 47% for the detection of incompetent pelvic plexus veins, respectively, whereas time-resolved MRV achieved sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of 73%, 25%, and 60% for the detection of incompetent ovarian veins, 75%, 46%, and 53% for the detection of incompetent internal iliac veins, and 67%, 33% and 60% for detection of incompetent pelvic plexus veins, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The desire to avoid the drawbacks of diagnostic venography led to an increase in the use of noninvasive imaging modalities. Our results achieved acceptable sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy outcomes for cross-sectional imaging with the superiority of MRV over CTV in diagnosing PCS.

Classification of traumatic injury to the dural venous sinus using CT venography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an underrecognized cause of morbidity in acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Radiologic diagnosis is challenging in the setting of concurrent extra-axial injury and a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. The prevalence of traumatic thrombosis versus compression is unknown. Treatment with anticoagulation is often determined by the appropriate classification of the type of traumatic venous injury. METHODS: We developed a two-part radiologic grading method for standardized assessment of traumatic CVST based on (1) the degree of flow limitation through the affected sinus and (2) the location of venous pathology (ie, external compression vs. intrinsic thrombosis) based on computed tomography venography. We applied this grading method to a retrospective cohort of TBI patients presenting to a Level 1 Trauma center. Chart review was performed to identify potential clinical correlates. A senior neuroradiologist graded the entire cohort and a random subsample was selected for blinded rating by two independent neuroradiologists. RESULTS: Seventy-six of 221 patients were identified for inclusion after excluding nontraumatic mechanisms. Seven unique grades were employed to characterize the full extent of venous injuries. The plurality of patients from the cohort (43/76 = 43.4%) suffered compressive injuries. Inter-rater reliability was moderate for the combined grade, kappa = 0.48, p<.05, and substantial for the flow limitation component, kappa = 0.69, p<.05. CONCLUSIONS: We introduce a standardized two-part classification system for traumatic venous sinus injury with moderate-substantial inter-rater reliability. Compressive injuries were more common than thrombotic injuries. Further prospective work is needed to validate the clinical significance of this classification system.

[Comparison of three dimensional CT venography and ascending phlebography based on propensity score matching in the evaluation of recurrent varicose veins].

Objective: To compare the efficacy of lower extremity three dimensional CT venography (CTV) and lower extremity ascending phlebography in evaluating recurrent varicose veins. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 235 patients with unilateral recurrent varicose veins who were treated at the Department of Vascular Surgery,Beijing Shijitan Hospital,Capital Medical University, between January 2015 and December 2020.There were 112 males and 123 females, with an age of (62.5±11.4)years (range:24 to 75 years).Patients were stratified into two groups based on preoperative imaging examination:the CTV group (utilizing lower extremity venous ultrasound+lower extremity CTV) and the control group (employing lower extremity venous ultrasound+lower extremity ascending phlebography).The two groups were matched in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching, resulting in 43 cases per group.Comparative analyses between the groups at the one-year postoperative follow-up were performed using independent sample t tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, χ2 tests, and linear regression analysis. Results: One year post-surgery,the CTV group exhibited a lower venous clinical severity score (VCSS) compared to the control group(M(IQR),3.0(4.3) vs.4.0(5.8),Z=-2.038,P=0.040).Additionally, the chronic venous insufficiency patients' quality of life questionnaire (CIVIQ-20) scores were significantly higher in the CTV group than in the control group (89.0(8.0) vs.82.5(17.0), Z=-2.627, P=0.010).Patients in the CTV group also experienced a shorter ulcer healing time compared to the control group (4.0(4.0) weeks vs.12.0(7.0) weeks, Z=-3.217,P<0.01).Both groups showed no clinically symptomatic recurrent varicose veins or ulcers.However, they exhibited ultrasound-detectable varicose vein recurrence, with no statistically significant difference (χ2=0.453,P=0.500).The number of diseased vessels requiring management based on ultrasound supplemented by CTV was 16, while the number supplemented by ascending phlebography was 7,with a statistically significant difference (χ2=4.800,P=0.030).Linear regression analysis demonstrated that clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathology clinical grading and the preoperative imaging examination method exerted independent influences on VCSS and CIVIQ-20 during the one-year postoperative assessment. Conclusions: CTV-assisted ultrasound enables a direct and comprehensive evaluation and localization of diseased veins in patients with recurrent varicose veins.The utilization of lower extremity vein ultrasound combined with CTV-guided management of lower extremity vessels in minimally invasive treatment significantly improves patient prognosis, surpassing the assessment provided by ascending phlebography.

Evaluation of Venous Structures that Are Involved in Transsylvian Approach Using 3D Rotational Venography.

In the transsylvian (TS) approach, as characterized by clipping surgery, the presurgical visualization of the superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) can help change the surgical approach to ensure safe microsurgery. Nevertheless, identifying preoperatively the venous structures that are involved in this approach is difficult. In this study, we investigated the venous structures that are involved in the TS approach using three-dimensional (3D) rotational venography (3D-RV) and evaluated the effectiveness of this method for presurgical simulation. Patients who underwent 3D-RV between August 2018 and June 2020 were involved in this retrospective study. The 3D-RV and partial maximum intensity projection images with a thickness of 5 mm were computationally reconstructed. The venous structures were subdivided into the following three portions according to the anatomic location: superficial, intermediate, and basal portions. In the superficial portion, predominant frontosylvian veins were observed on 31 (41%) sides, predominant temporosylvian veins on seven (9%) sides, and equivalent fronto- and temporosylvian veins on 28 (37%) sides. The veins in the intermediate (deep middle cerebral and uncal veins) and basal portions (frontobasal bridging veins) emptied into the SMCV on 57 (75%) and 34 (45%) sides, respectively. The 3D-RV images were highly representative of the venous structures observed during microsurgery. In this study, 3D-RV was utilized to capture the details of the venous structures from the superficial to the deep portions. Presurgical simulation of the venous structures that are involved in the TS approach using 3D-RV may increase the safety of microsurgical approaches.

Utility of Carbon Dioxide Venography and Intraprocedural CT for Adrenal Venous Sampling in Patients with an Allergy to Iodinated Contrast Media.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance of carbon dioxide (CO2) and intraprocedural unenhanced computed tomography (CT) for adrenal venous sampling (AVS) (CO2-intraprocedural unenhanced CT-AVS) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and a history of iodine contrast medium allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CO2-intraprocedural unenhanced CT-AVS was performed in 18 patients with iodine contrast media allergies at the authors' hospital between December 2015 and January 2021. CT and noncontrast magnetic resonance angiography were used to evaluate the preoperative adrenal vein anatomy. CO2 venography was performed to confirm adrenal vein catheterization. Additionally, intraprocedural unenhanced CT was also performed to confirm catheter position in the right adrenal gland. RESULTS: In all cases in which CO2-intraprocedural unenhanced CT-AVS was performed, the right and left adrenal veins were catheterized appropriately, leading to a localized diagnosis. Catheterization of the left adrenal vein was confirmed using CO2 venography in all cases. In 7 of the 18 cases, CO2 venography demonstrated selection of the right adrenal vein. In 15 of 18 cases, intraprocedural unenhanced CT demonstrated selection of the right adrenal vein. CONCLUSIONS: CO2-intraprocedural unenhanced CT-AVS demonstrated the same diagnostic ability for PA localization as conventional AVS with iodine contrast media. The proposed method is clinically feasible for AVS, in which iodine contrast media use is restricted.

Efficacy of modified time of flight magnetic resonance venography in diagnosis of iliac vein compression syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the diagnostic efficacy of modified time of flight magnetic resonance venography (mTOF-MRV) for iliac vein compression syndrome diagnosis by optimizing the scanning parameters and improving image quality. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 69 patients who underwent routine time of flight magnetic resonance venography (TOF-MRV) and 85 patients who received mTOF-MRV. Assessment of image quality of the two methods was performed by two radiologists using a four-point method. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of TOF-MRV and mTOF-MRV in the diagnosis of significant iliac vein compression (stenosis >50%) were analyzed by calculating the iliac vein stenosis rates of the two methods and using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the gold standard. RESULTS: Inter-observer assessment of objective data measurement revealed excellent agreement {ICC [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.972 (0.953 to 0.983) for TOF-MRV and 0.979 (0.965 to 0.988) for m-TOF MRV, 0.976 (0.960 to 0.986) for DSA}. The mean error of stenosis rate of mTOF-MRV was markedly smaller than that of TOF-MRV (p < 0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of TOF-MRV in the diagnosis of significant stenosis were 100%, 95%, 67% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of mTOF-MRV were 100%. The mean image score for the mTOF-MRV was 3.63 ± 0.59, which was significantly higher compared with that of TOF-MRV (2.19 ± 0.42). CONCLUSION: mTOF-MRV has better image quality and can accurately diagnose venous stenosis. Therefore, it can be used for the detection of iliac vein compression syndrome and further assessment after endovascular interventions.

Identification and quantitative evaluation of symptomatic cerebral venous thrombosis using 3D variable flip angle turbo spin echo.

PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility of MR 3D T1w Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts by using different flip angle Evolutions (SPACE) sequence imaging in symptomatic CVT diagnose, extracting the imaging features with quantitative analysis. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with suspected CVT with neurological symptoms were retrospectively included in this study. Of them, 35 patients were enrolled in the comparation of diagnostic accuracy between the contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance venograms (CE-MRV) and 3D T1w SPACE imaging. Forty-five patients with 101 involved segments were identified for the quantitative analysis. All MR images were acquired on a 3.0 T MR scanner. The reference standard used in this study was a comprehensive combination of the imaging techniques and clinical information. CVT patients were grouped as acute (≤48 h), subacute (>48 h and ≤30d), and chronic (>30d) clinical phase. CVT segments were grouped based on pre-contrast T1WI, as type A: hypo intense signal; B: heterogeneously hyper intense signal; C: iso intense signal. The feasibility of 3D T1w SPACE imaging for diagnosing CVT was explored. Diagnostic accuracy of T1w SPACE imaging was analyzed and compared with the CE-MRV. The signal intensity of pre-contrast images (SpreCE), signal intensity of post-contrast images (SpostCE), and contrast enhancement (CE) rate, CE rate relative to that of pituitary gland (PG), white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), and normal vein vessel wall (nVVW) were compared based on both patients and segments. The CE rate grade of CVT segments of different imaging types was compared. RESULTS: The MR 3D T1w SPACE imaging achieved a higher sensitivity and specificity (100%/94.1% and 100%/100% based on patients/segments separately) than that of the CE-MRV (73.9%/56.9% and 83.3%/98.9% based on patients/segments separately). No statistical correlation was found between the imaging types of CVT segments and onset time of clinical symptoms (χ2 = 6.649, P = 0.171). Quantitative analysis showed that the CE rate relative to PG and that to WM were higher in the chronic CVT patients than that in the other two groups (H = 10.330 and P = 0.006, H = 9.898 and P = 0.007, separately). CE rate relative to GM in the chronic group was higher than that in the subacute group (H = 7.143 and P = 0.028). All of the quantitative parameters were statistically different across CVT segments of three imaging types (all P≤0.001). CONCLUSION: MR 3D T1w SPACE imaging has the advantage to accurately diagnose CVT of different clinical stages, and identify the involved thrombus segments.

Utility of right adrenal signature veins in venous sampling for primary aldosteronism.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the appropriate signature veins for the right adrenal gland using a 3D model fused with adrenal venography images and to verify their accuracy through the selectivity index (SI) >2. METHODS: We analyzed the right adrenal venography images of 41 patients who underwent adrenal venous sampling (AVS). These images were merged with a 3D structure of the adrenal gland to identify the signature veins of the right adrenal gland. We then used the signature veins observed during adrenal venography to determine the optimal position of the catheter tip during AVS for 53 other patients. Finally, we verified the accuracy of this method according to the SI. RESULTS: We successfully fused the 3D models of 41 cases with adrenal venography images. We identified the trunk branch type as the major venous morphology in the right anterior oblique at degrees of 30 (38 cases, 92.7%). In addition, the central vein, brush vein, uvula vein, and capsular vein were identified as signature veins for the right AVS. The accuracy of AVS was 100% in the other 53 patients, as verified by an SI >2. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified the right adrenal signature veins, including the previously overlooked uvula vein, which can be used to determine the position of the catheter tip and improve the success rate of AVS.

The majority of the venography types observed in patients in the right anterior oblique at 30 degrees during adrenal venography were trunk branch types, while irregular or hollow triangle types were infrequent.The signature veins identified during right adrenal venous sampling were the central vein, brush vein, uvula vein, and capsular vein.The right adrenal signature veins, particularly the uvula vein, which has not been given much attention in the past, can serve as a reference to verify the position of the catheter tip and enhance the success rate of adrenal venous sampling.

Body and Extremity MR Venography: Technique, Clinical Applications, and Advances.

Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) represents a distinct imaging approach that may be used to evaluate a wide spectrum of venous pathology. Despite duplex ultrasound and computed tomography venography representing the dominant imaging modalities in investigating suspected venous disease, MRV is increasingly used due to its lack of ionizing radiation, unique ability to be performed without administration of intravenous contrast, and recent technical improvements resulting in improved sensitivity, image quality, and faster acquisition times. In this review, the authors discuss commonly used body and extremity MRV techniques, different clinical applications, and future directions.

The utility of computed tomography venography in the routine evaluation of patients who present to a lymphedema center with lower extremity edema.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography venography (CTV) is not routinely used to screen patients presenting with a presumed lower extremity lymphedema diagnosis for left iliac vein obstruction (IVO) or May-Thurner syndrome (MTS). The objective of this study is to determine the utility of routine CTV screening for these patients by evaluating the proportion presenting with clinically significant CTV-identified left IVO. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 121 patients who had presented to our lymphedema center with lower extremity edema between November 2020 and May 2022. Information regarding demographics, comorbidities, lymphedema characteristics, and imaging reports was collected. Cases of IVO present on CTV were reviewed by a multidisciplinary team to determine the clinical significance of the CTV findings. RESULTS: Of the patients with complete imaging studies, 49% (n = 25) had abnormal lymphoscintigraphy findings, 45% (n = 46) had reflux on ultrasound, and 11.4% (n = 9) had IVO on CTV. Seven patients (6%) had CTV findings of IVO and edema of either the isolated left (n = 4) or bilateral (n = 3) lower extremities. Cases of IVO on CTV were determined by the multidisciplinary team to be the predominant cause of lower extremity edema for three of these seven cases (43%; or 2.5% of all 121 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Six percent of patients presenting to a lymphedema center with lower extremity edema had left-sided IVO on CTV suggestive of MTS. However, the cases of IVO were determined to be clinically significant <50% of the time or for 2.5% of all patients. CTV should be reserved for patients with isolated left-sided or bilateral lower extremity edema with a greater left-sided component and a history of findings that raise clinical suspicion for MTS.

Clinical application of three-dimensional T1-weighted BrainVIEW in magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral venous thrombosis: a case report and literature review.

To date, there is no clinical scoring system or laboratory indicator that can rule out cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) or provide diagnostic proof for evaluating post-treatment thrombosis recanalization during follow-up. We therefore explored an imaging method for quantitative assessment of CVT and assessed thrombotic changes during follow-up. A patient presented with severe posterior occipital distension extending to the top of the forehead and an elevated plasma D-dimer (DD2) level. Computed tomography and pre-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed only a small amount of cerebral hemorrhage. Three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted (T1W) BrainVIEW pre-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance scanning showed subacute thrombosis in the venous sinus, and the post-contrast-enhanced scan combined with volume rendering reconstruction showed cerebral thrombosis of the venous sinus and allowed for measurement of the thrombus volume. On days 30 and 60 of post-treatment follow-up, post-contrast-enhanced scans showed progressive reduction of the thrombus volume as well as recanalization and fibrotic flow voids in the chronic thrombosis. 3D T1W BrainVIEW was helpful to observe the size of the thrombi and the situation of venous sinus recanalization during the follow-up after clinical treatment of CVT. This technique can reflect the imaging manifestations of CVT throughout the whole process to guide clinical treatment decisions.

Respiratory-Triggered Flow-Independent Noncontrast Non-ECG-Gated MRV (REACT) Versus CE-MRV for Central Venous Evaluation in Children and Young Adults: A Six-Reader Study.

BACKGROUND. Contrast-enhanced MRI is commonly used to evaluate thoracic central venous patency in children and young adults. A flow-independent noncontrast non-ECG-gated 3D MRA-MR venography (MRV) technique described in 2019 as "relaxation-enhanced angiography without contrast and triggering (REACT)" may facilitate such evaluation. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to compare image quality, diagnostic confidence, and interreader agreement between respiratory-triggered REACT and 3D Dixon-based contrast-enhanced MRV (CE-MRV) for evaluating thoracic central venous patency in children and young adults. METHODS. This retrospective study included 42 consecutive children and young adults who underwent MRI of the neck and chest to evaluate central venous patency between August 2019 and January 2021 (median age, 5.2 years; IQR, 1.4-15.1 years; 22 female patients and 20 male patients). Examinations included respiratory-triggered REACT and navigator-gated CE-MRV sequences based on the institution's standard-of-care protocol. Six pediatric radiologists from four different institutions independently reviewed REACT and CE-MRV sequences; they assessed overall image quality (scale, 1-5; 5 = excellent), diagnostic confidence (scale, 1-5; 5 = extremely confident), and presence of clinically relevant artifact(s). Readers classified seven major central vessels as normal or abnormal (e.g., narrowing, thrombosis, or occlusion). Analysis used Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar tests and Fleiss kappa coefficients. RESULTS. The distribution of overall image quality scores was higher (p = .02) for REACT than for CE-MRV for one reader (both sequences: median score, 5). Image quality scores were not significantly different between the sequences for the remaining five readers (all p > .05). Diagnostic confidence scores and frequency of clinically relevant artifact(s) were not significantly different between sequences for any reader (all p > .05). Interreader agreement for vessel classification as normal or abnormal was similar between sequences for all seven vessels (REACT: κ = 0.37-0.81; CE-MRV: κ = 0.34-0.81). Pooling readers and vessels, 65.4% of vessels were normal by both sequences; 18.7%, abnormal by both sequences; 9.8%, abnormal by REACT only; and 6.1%, abnormal by CE-MRV only. CONCLUSION. Respiratory-triggered REACT, in comparison with CE-MRV, showed no significant difference in image quality (aside from for one of six readers), diagnostic confidence, or frequency of artifact(s), with similar interreader agreement for vessel classification as normal or abnormal. CLINICAL IMPACT. High-resolution 3D MRV performed without IV contrast material can be used to assess central venous patency in children and young adults.

Endovascular Strategy for Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis Secondary to Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Lower Extremities: Early Experience From Two Centres.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and technical aspects of endovascular treatments for inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis secondary to deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients from two centres who received endovascular treatment for IVC thrombosis from January 2015 to December 2020. Under the protection of the IVC filter, all lesions were treated with manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) followed by catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). Technical aspects, complications, IVC patency, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) score and Villalta score were recorded during the follow-up observation. RESULTS: Endovascular procedures including MAT and CDT were performed successfully in 36 patients (97.3%). The average duration of the endovascular procedure was 71 minutes (range: 35-152 min). To protect against fatal pulmonary artery embolism, 33 filters (91.7%) were deployed in the inferior renal IVC, while three patients (8.3%) received filter implantation in the retrohepatic IVC. No severe complications occurred during the procedure. In the follow-up observations, the cumulative primary and secondary patency rates in IVC were 95% and 100%, respectively. The patency rates for the iliac vein were as follows: a primary patency rate of 77% and a secondary patency rate of 85%. The average VCSS score was 5.9 ± 2.6, and the Villalta score was 3.9 ± 2.2. The rate of post thrombotic syndrome is 22% in our study as assessed by the villalta score (Villalta score>4). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment for IVC thrombosis secondary to DVT of the lower extremities is feasible, safe, and effective. This strategy alleviates venous insufficiency and results in a high patency rate in IVC.

Combined Conduit Score in Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Venography in Patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension : Neuro-interventionalists' vs. Radiologists' Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Based on increased understanding of the idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) pathophysiology, venous sinus stenting (VSS) has emerged as an effective treatment for patients with transverse sinus stenosis (TSS). The presence of a reliable TSS screening tool is warranted. The combined conduit score (CCS) is the most widely used score for evaluation of the cerebral sinovenous stenosis in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance venography (CE-MRV). PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the interobserver agreement between neuro-interventionalists and radiologists with respect to the CCS in evaluation of transverse sinus stenosis in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension using CE-MRV. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 26 consecutive patients diagnosed with IIH and underwent CE-MRV. The 2 neuro-interventionalists and 2 radiologists separately evaluated the cerebral venous sinuses using the CCS. RESULTS: The mean CCS was significantly different between the neuro-interventionalists and radiologists (p < 0.001), higher for the radiologists. The inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.954, 95% CI: 0.898-0.979) between the 2 neuro-interventionalists, good between the 2 radiologists (ICC = 0.805, 95% CI: 0.418-0.921), but was not acceptable between the neuro-interventionalists and the radiologists (ICC 0.47 95% CI:-2.2-0.782). CONCLUSION: Despite the excellent agreement between the neuro-interventionists and the good agreement between the radiologists, there was no agreement between the neuro-interventionists and the radiologists. Our finding suggests that there is a gap between the 2 specialties but does not favor any of them. Factors related to the observers, the venous sinus system, the MRV or the CCS score may have resulted in this discrepancy. Automatic or semi-automatic feature extractions to produce quantifiable biomarkers for IIH are warranted. The clinical decisions should not depend only on strongly observer-dependent scores with training and/or experience-dependent influences.

A Retrospective Analysis of Venographic Images of a Central Venous Port without Blood Return and Its Usable Period.

Objective In routine practice, central venous ports without blood return (CVPWBRs) are common. However, very few studies have reported on the viable period of CVPWBR use. We therefore investigated this period by retrospectively analyzing the venographic images of CVPWBRs. Methods We examined patients' venography through the CVPs at the point when they became CVPWBRs for the first time and analyzed the reasons for becoming CVPWBRs. For patients with minor complications of CVPs or normal venographic findings, we used the Kaplan-Meier method to evaluate the period for which such CVPWBRs could be used. Patients Eighty-four patients with malignancy whose CVPs became CVPWBRs for the first time between July 31, 2015, and March 12, 2020, were included. Results Nine (10.7%) patients had major complications that made the CVPs unusable. Thirty-three (39.3%) patients had minor complications, and the remaining 42 (50.0%) had normal venographic findings. For the 75 patients with minor complications or normal venographic findings who continued to use their CVPWBRs, the Kaplan-Meier method estimated that 25% of complications that might make it unusable would occur within 1,273 days. Conclusion There are two learning points in our study. First, venography is needed when the CVP becomes a CVPWBR for the first time due to the high risk, and second, CVPWBRs can be used for a relatively long period in patients without major complications. It is necessary to develop an appropriate follow-up management method for CVPWBRs in prospective studies.

Suprapubic Varicose Veins Idiopathic: A Rare Presentation of Perineal Pelvic Retrograde Flow.

Background: Varicose pubic collateral veins are a rare phenomenon secondary to obstruction of the common femoral vein, left external iliac, or common iliac vein. This article aims to describe the clinical case of a 75-year-old female patient who presented with varicose collateral suprapubic veins.Case report: A 75-year-old female patient from a rural area in Colombia presented to the emergency department complaining of a 4-day history of edema, erythema, and pain in the suprapubic region. The patient presented with large varicose veins in the suprapubic region with erythema, warmth, and pain on palpation. A computer tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed suprapubic varicose veins and contrasted in venous phase ruled out iliac vein obstruction. To rule out paraneoplastic syndrome, tumor markers, a transvaginal ultrasound, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and rectosigmoidoscopy were obtained and found to be negative. Anticoagulation with warfarin 5 mg daily and bridge therapy with enoxaparin was initiated.Conclusion: We presented the case of a patient with varicose collateral suprapubic veins of unknown origin, who received anticoagulation with warfarin and analgesic management with subsequent resolution of symptoms.

Retrograde carbon dioxide coronary sinus venography.

It is potentially harmful to perform coronary sinus (CS) angiography in patients with severe contrast allergy or severe renal dysfunction due to the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). However, angiography is a well-established method to guide LV-lead position during cardiac resynchronization therapy-implantation. These two case reports describe the first successful applications of carbon dioxide CS angiography in patients requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy.