Vertebral arteria lusoria: a life-threatening condition for oesophageal surgery.

A rare anatomic variant of the right vertebral artery is reported as an incidental finding in a 78-year-old female patient. The vessel originated from the aortic arch distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery and presented an unusual retroesophageal course, thus was named "vertebral arteria lusoria". As multi-detector row computed tomography examination is now widely used, this anatomical variant should be considered in any patient undergoing esophageal surgery. Misdiagnosis of such an aberrant vertebral artery may cause life-threatening issues.

[Preoperative breast imaging review: Interests and limits of specialized validation in oncology]. / Relecture préopératoire en sénologie : intérêts et limites d'une validation spécialisée en oncologie.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of systematic radiological review by breast specialist radiologist of malignant breast lesion imaging on the therapeutic management of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data collection was performed for patients with histopathologically proved breast cancer or suspicious breast lesion on imaging realized out of our institution. Patients underwent systematic mammary and axillary ultrasound, imaging review and if necessary complementary mammographic images. We analyzed the number of additional breast biopsies and axillary lymph node fine needle aspiration (FNA) with their histopathological results. We assessed their impact by comparing the final surgical treatment to the one planned before review. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventeen patients were included, with a total of 230 BIRADS 0, 4, 5 or 6 breast lesions. Seventy-six additional breast core biopsies were realized, leading to diagnose 43 additional BIRADS 6 lesions (24 infiltrative carcinomas, 9 DCIS and 10 atypical lesions) in 30 patients (13.82%). Thirty-five additional lymph node FNA were realized with 12 metastatic nodes and 3 false negative samples. Imaging review lead to change surgical treatment in 59 patients (27.19%, P<0.01) with modification in breast surgery in 37 patients, axillary surgery in 8 patients and both sites surgery in 12 patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows an impact of systematic radiological review by breast specialist radiologist in therapeutic management of patients treated for malignant breast lesion.

Qualitative ultrasound elastography assessment of benign thyroid nodules: Patterns and intra-observer acquisition variability.

PURPOSE: To report and evaluate qualitative elastography patterns by using gray-scale and Doppler ultrasound (US) in patients presenting with benign thyroid nodules and to evaluate the reproducibility of US elastography examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and all patients provided informed consent. Over a 3-month time period, all consecutive adult patients were referred to our institution to undergo a thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) procedure. Patients presenting with benign cytology according to the Bethesda 2008 classification were prospectively enrolled in the study. Each thyroid nodule was assessed by using gray-scale, Doppler US, and elastography acquisitions by a single operator (A. L.). Multiple elastography acquisitions per thyroid nodule were performed and elastography scorings of the nodules were compared with each other. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (16 women and 3 men, mean age 58 years) with 22 thyroid nodules were included in the present study. Elastographic patterns 1, 2, and 3 were reported (23% nodules showed pattern 3). The elastography pattern showed a strong variability in 13 nodules (59%). The elastography acquisition result variability involved the "malignant" pattern 3 in 36% of cases. CONCLUSION: Almost one-third of benign thyroid nodules displayed pattern 3 on qualitative US elastography. The intra-observer variability of the benign thyroid elastography scoring is wide, thus limiting the thyroid nodule US examination accuracy. In FNAB-proven benign thyroid nodules, elastography pattern 3 is frequent and cannot be used as a strong indicator of thyroid malignancy.

External jugular vein cross-over as a new technique for percutaneous central venous port access in case of left central venous occlusion.

PURPOSE: To report the cross-over venous catheter technique in case of left-sided central venous (internal jugular, subclavian and innominate veins) occlusion and right-sided central vein patency. METHODS: A 60-year-old right breast cancer patient presented with a local recurrence requiring chemotherapy. He presented with a left-sided catheter-related central venous occlusion and radiodermatitis of the right chest and neck. The nonsymptomatic side of insertion was defined as the patient's left side. Successful percutaneous left-to-right external jugular vein (EJV) cross-over access tips and tricks are reported. They include performing (a) the EJV access at the lower neck, (b) the 0.032 hydrophilic guidewire (GW) catheterization of the venous curves, (c) the GW anchor technique into the inferior vena cava, (d) the GW + Glidecath catheter stiffening technique and (e) the over-the-stiff wire implantable catheter push. RESULTS: The cross-over technique was successful by using real-time ultrasonography/X-ray monitoring and interventional radiology tools (hydrophilic 0.032 in. and stiff 0.0035 in. GW and "J-shaped" Glidecath catheter) and the five-step technique. CONCLUSIONS: In case of left innominate vein occlusion and necessity of left neck venous access, percutaneous EJV access should be attempted under real-time ultrasound/X-ray monitoring when other standard (subclavian venous port and internal jugular vein) routes are no longer available.

Autologous fat grafting and breast cancer recurrences: retrospective analysis of a series of 100 procedures in 64 patients.

Autologous fat transfer (AFT) enhances the cosmetic results of breast reconstruction and corrects breast conserving operation sequelae. The question of its oncological safety remains, as in-vitro experiences have shown that adipocytes can stimulate cancer cell proliferation. This study analysed the records of patients who had AFT after breast cancer from 2004-2009. The primary end-point was cancer recurrence. The secondary end-points were AFT complications and post-AFT mammogram modifications. Sixty-four patients (100 AFT) were included. The mean follow-up for AFT was 46.44 months (SD = 21.4). Two breast cancer recurrences were recorded (3.1%). Among 55 mammograms analysed, only one patient presented radiological abnormalities. One complication of AFT (donor-site infection) was recorded. This series is in favour of the oncological safety of AFT after breast cancer. An accurate evaluation of the recurrence risk, before performing AFT, is an essential prerequisite and must lead one to postpone or avoid this procedure in high-risk patients.

Second conservative treatment for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence using high-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy: preliminary clinical results and evaluation of patient satisfaction.

PURPOSE: To assess early clinical results and evaluate patient satisfaction in case of second conservative treatment (2nd CT) combining lumpectomy plus high-dose rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy for patients (pts) presenting with ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence (IBCR). METHODS AND MATERIALS: From June 2005 to July 2009, 42 pts presenting with an IBCR underwent a second lumpectomy with intraoperative implantation of plastic tubes in the tumor bed. After performing the dose distribution analysis on the postimplant CT scan, a total dose of 34 Gy in 10 fractions over 5 consecutive days was delivered. Toxicity evaluation was based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 criteria. Applying a visual analogic scale (VAS) analysis, patient satisfaction regarding cosmetic result and 2nd CT possibility was performed after the end of brachytherapy. RESULTS: Median followup was 21 months (range, 6-50 months) and median age at the time of local recurrence was 65 years (range, 30-85 years). Median delay between primary and recurrence was 11 years (range, 1-35 years). Median recurrence tumor size was 12 mm (range, 2-30 mm). Median number of plastic tubes and planes were nine (range, 5-12) and two (range, 1-3), respectively. Median clinical target volume was 68 cc (range, 31.2-146 cc). Second local control rate was 97%. Twenty-two pts (60%) developed complications. Cutaneous and subcutaneous fibrosis was the most frequent side effect. Median VAS satisfaction score regarding cosmetic result was 7 of 10 (range, 4-9), whereas median VAS satisfaction score for 2nd CT was 10 of 10 (range, 8-10). CONCLUSION: A 2nd CT for IBCR using high-dose rate brachytherapy seems feasible with encouraging results in terms of second local control with an acceptable toxicity. Patient satisfaction regarding the possibility of second breast preservation should be considered.