Radiation Exposure of Patients and Interventional Radiologists during Prostatic Artery Embolization: A Prospective Single-Operator Study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively analyze the radiation exposure of patients and interventional radiologists during prostatic artery embolization (PAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive PAE procedures performed with an Artis zee system in a single center by an interventional radiologist were prospectively monitored. The mean age, weight, and prostate volume of the patients were 65.7 year (range, 43-85 y), 71.4 kg (range, 54-88 kg), and 79 cm3 (range, 36-157 cm3), respectively. In addition to Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine radiation data, direct measures were also obtained. Radiochromic film was used to evaluate peak skin dose (PSD). The radiologist wore a protective apron and a thyroid collar, and a ceiling-suspended screen and a table curtain were used. To estimate the absorbed doses, nine pairs of dosimeters were attached to the operator's body. RESULTS: The average fluoroscopy time was 30.9 minutes (range, 15.5-48.3 min). The mean total dose-area product (DAP) was 450.7 Gy·cm2 (range, 248.3-791.73 Gy·cm2) per procedure. Digital subtraction angiography was responsible for 71.5% of the total DAP, followed by fluoroscopy and cone-beam computed tomography. The mean PSD was 2,420.3 mGy (range, 1,390-3,616 mGy). The average effective dose for the interventional radiologist was 17 µSv (range, 4-47 µSv); values for the eyes, hands, and feet were obtained, and were all greater on the left side. CONCLUSIONS: PAE may lead to high x-ray exposures to patients and interventional radiologists.

Experience on Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Stroke Treatment in a Brazilian University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is a developing country struggling to reduce its extreme social inequality, which is reflected on shortage of health-care infrastructure, mainly to the low-income class, which depends exclusively on the public health system. In Brazil, less than 1% of stroke patients have access to intravenous thrombolysis in a stroke unit, and constraints to the development of mechanical thrombectomy in the public health system increase the social burden of stroke. OBJECTIVE: Report the feasibility of mechanical thrombectomy as part of routine stroke care in a Brazilian public university hospital. METHODS: Prospective data were collected from all patients treated for acute ischemic stroke with mechanical thrombectomy from June 2011 to March 2016. Combined thrombectomy was performed in eligible patients for intravenous thrombolysis if they presented occlusion of large artery. For those patients ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis, primary thrombectomy was performed as long as there was no evidence of significant ischemia for anterior circulation stroke (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score >6) within a 6-hour time window, and also for those patients with wake-up stroke or posterior circulation stroke, regardless of the time of symptoms onset. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were evaluated, resulting in an overall successful recanalization rate of 76% and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate of 6.8%. At 3 months, 36% of the patients had modified Rankin Scale score less than or equal to 2. The overall mortality rate was 23%. CONCLUSION: Our study, the first ever large series of mechanical thrombectomy in Brazil, demonstrates acceptable efficacy and safety results, even under restricted conditions outside the ideal scenario of trial studies.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of paracoccidioidomycosis in the musculoskeletal system.

OBJECTIVE: To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in musculoskeletal paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). METHODS: Retrospective case series study after IRB approval. Two musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed in consensus the MRI findings of 11 patients with microbiologically and/or pathologically proven osteoarticular PCM. The MRI evaluation included discrimination of abnormalities in joints, bones and soft tissues. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 29 years (10-55 years), eight men and three women. Musculoskeletal involvement was the only or the primary presentation of the disease in seven patients (63%). Osteomyelitis was the most common presentation, with seven cases (63%). Primary arthritis was found in one patient (9%). Isolated extra-articular soft tissue PCM was found in three patients: myositis (2) and subcutaneous infection (1). All cases showed regions with signal intensity higher than or similar to the signal of muscle on T1-weighted images. Penumbra sign was present in five cases (45%). T2-weighted images showed reactive soft tissue oedema in eight cases (72%). Post-gadolinium images showed peripheral (8/9) or heterogeneous (1/9) enhancement. Synovial enhancement was present in all cases of joint involvement (6/6). Lipomatosis arborescens was documented in one case of chronic knee involvement. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case series describing MRI findings of musculoskeletal PCM. Musculoskeletal involvement was the primary presentation of the disease in most cases, and therefore, neoplasms were initially in the differential diagnosis. Osteomyelitis was the most common presentation, often with secondary involvement of joint and or soft tissue.

Early versus late carotid artery stenting for symptomatic carotid stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: Early carotid revascularization (≤ 14 days) is recommended for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA); however, safety data on early CAS is controversial. The study aims to compare early versus late CAS, when CAS is performed as a first intention revascularization strategy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all symptomatic patients admitted to our stroke unit who underwent CAS was conducted. Patients were divided between two groups: patients who had undergone CAS within 14 days after symptoms and those who had undergone CAS later. Primary endpoints were ipsilateral ischemic stroke or ipsilateral parenchymal hemorrhage (iPH) at 30 days. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at the 30-day and at the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven consecutive patients were evaluated. Primary endpoints obtained in the early and late CAS groups were, respectively, ipsilateral stroke (2.0% vs. 2.6%, P = 1.00) and iPH (2.0% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.40). The rates of MACCE between the early and the late CAS groups were, respectively, (7.8% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.21) at the 30-day follow-up, and (12.2% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.77) at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CAS seems to be safe when used as first intention revascularization treatment within 2 weeks of symptoms, if infarcted area is less than one third of the middle cerebral artery territory. Our results need to be confirmed by larger studies.

Increased vertebral morphometric fracture in patients with postsurgical hypoparathyroidism despite normal bone mineral density.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism behind parathyroid hormone (PTH) activation of bone remodeling is intimately dependent on the time of exposure of bone cells to hormone levels. Sustained high PTH levels trigger catabolism, while transitory elevations induce anabolism. The effects of hypoparathyroidism (PhPT) on bone are unknown. The objective was to study the impact of PhPT on bone mineral density (BMD), on the frequency of subclinical vertebral fracture and on mandible morphometry. METHODS: The study comprised thirty-three postmenopausal women, 17 controls (CG) and 16 with PhPT (PhPTG) matched for age, weight and height. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine, total hip and 1/3 radius, radiographic evaluation of vertebral morphometry, panoramic radiography of the mandible, and biochemical evaluation of mineral metabolism and bone remodeling were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in lumbar spine or total hip BMD between groups. There was marked heterogeneity of lumbar spine BMD in PhPTG (high = 4, normal = 9, osteopenia = 1, and osteoporosis = 2 patients). BMD was decreased in the 1/3 radius in PhPTG P < 0.005). The PhPTG group exhibited an increased frequency of morphometric vertebral fractures and decreased mandible cortical thickness. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that vertebral fragility occurs in PhPT despite normal or even high BMD. The current results encourage further studies to evaluate the use of panoramic radiography in the identification of osteometabolic disorders, such as PhPT and the development of a more physiological treatment for PhPT.

Thrombectomy for Anterior Circulation Stroke in a Witnessed Late Time Window Versus Early Time Window.

Introduction: Thrombectomy is the standard treatment for anterior circulation stroke due to large vessel occlusions in a late time window (6 to 24 hours) for patients selected based on perfusion imaging. Most patients treated in late time window studies presented as unwitnessed or wake-up strokes. Whether patients presenting with unwitnessed stroke have an actual time window greater than 6 hours is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of thrombectomy in the treatment of patients presenting with anterior circulation large vessel stroke in an actual late time window of more than 6 hours. Methods: This single-center registry of thrombectomy in the treatment of stroke caused by anterior circulation large vessel occlusions (LVOs) included 430 patients treated between 2011 and 2019. Patients were divided into 2 groups: an early time window (≤ 6 hours) group and a late time window group (> 6 hours). Results: Outcomes of the early and the late time window groups, respectively, were recanalization of 86.8% vs 82.7% (P = .29), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage of 8.2% vs 5.7% (P = .40), good clinical outcome of 45.4% vs 41.3% (P = .46), and mortality of 20.2% vs 25% (P = .30) at 3 months. Conclusions: Thrombectomy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusions after 6 hours of symptoms onset seems to be as safe and effective as the standard thrombectomy within 6 hours from symptoms onset, even without perfusion analysis. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.

The use of dual-lumen balloon for embolization of peripheral arteriovenous malformations.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the embolization of peripheral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with non-adhesive liquid agents (NALA) injected by dual-lumen balloons (DLB). METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study between January 2017 and June 2019, including patients with peripheral AVM embolized with NALA by DLB. Fourteen patients were included. The AVM classification, technical and clinical success were evaluated, as were nidus size, liquid agent used, volume and time of injection in DLB, complications, follow-up and need of surgical intervention. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 37±22.5 years (range, 6-82 years). The mean nidus size was 5.2±2.4 cm (range, 3.0-12.0 cm). By Schobinger classification, 11 AVMs were classified in stage 3 and 3 AVMs were classified in stage 2. By Cho's classification, 2 AVMs were in stage II, 4 AVMs were in stage I, 4 AVMs were in stage IIIa and 4 AVMs were in stage IIIb. Onyx was used in 11 patients (78.6%), while Squid, PHIL, and both Onyx and Squid were used in one patient each (7.1%). Seven patients (50%) required one session of embolization, 4 patients (28.6%) required two, 2 patients (14.3%) required three and 1 patient (7.1%) required four sessions. Complete nidus exclusion was achieved in 11 patients (78.6%), optimal clinical response in 12 patients (85.7%). Four patients (28.6%) exhibited minor complications, all controlled. No major complications were seen. Four patients underwent surgical intervention (28.6%). CONCLUSION: The embolization of peripheral AVM with NALA in DLB appears to be safe and feasible, achieving high rates of technical and clinical success.

Performance evolution over 645 acute stroke thrombectomies in a public Brazilian healthcare institution.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the impact of the thrombectomy learning curve on clinical outcomes is essential for developing healthcare system protocols. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of thrombectomy case volume on procedural and clinical outcomes in a Brazilian registry. METHODS: A total of 645 patients with acute ischemic stroke treated by thrombectomy were included in the analysis. Patients were divided into two groups regarding the period of treatment: the early period group and the late period group. RESULTS: In the adjusted analysis, treatment in the late period was an independent predictor of recanalization (odds ratio 1.91, 95% CI 1.28-2.86) and excellent neurologic outcomes at three months (odds ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.04-3.01). Treatment in the late period had no significant association with mortality (odds ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.55-1.41). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in thrombectomy case volume for the treatment of AIS over time was an independent predictor of recanalization and excellent neurologic outcome.

Carotid artery stenting in the context of endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

UNLABELLED: Mechanical thrombectomy as an adjunctive to intravenous thrombolysis is now the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusions. However, the best management of acute carotid tandem occlusions (CTO) remains controversial. METHOD: Twenty patients underwent endovascular treatment of acute CTO. The primary endpoint was the composite rate of complete or partial recanalization without a symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Secondary endpoints were recanalization times, procedure times, and clinical outcomes at three months. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was reached in 17 (85%) patients. Recanalization rate was reached in 90% of patients (19/20) and sICH rate was 5% (1/20). At the 3-month follow-up we obtained a mRS ≤ 2 rate of 35% (7/20) and a mortality rate of 20% (4/20). CONCLUSION: Carotid angioplasty stenting and endovascular treatment of AIS due to CTO appears effective with an acceptable rate of sICH.

Carotid artery stenting in the context of endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke / Angioplastia com stent de carótida no contexto do tratamento endovascular do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo

ABSTRACT Mechanical thrombectomy as an adjunctive to intravenous thrombolysis is now the standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusions. However, the best management of acute carotid tandem occlusions (CTO) remains controversial. Method Twenty patients underwent endovascular treatment of acute CTO. The primary endpoint was the composite rate of complete or partial recanalization without a symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Secondary endpoints were recanalization times, procedure times, and clinical outcomes at three months. Results The primary endpoint was reached in 17 (85%) patients. Recanalization rate was reached in 90% of patients (19/20) and sICH rate was 5% (1/20). At the 3-month follow-up we obtained a mRS ≤ 2 rate of 35% (7/20) and a mortality rate of 20% (4/20). Conclusion Carotid angioplasty stenting and endovascular treatment of AIS due to CTO appears effective with an acceptable rate of sICH.

RESUMO Trombectomia mecânica com stentrievers associada a trombólise endovenosa com rTPA é o tratamento padrão-ouro do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo (AVCi) devido à oclusões de grandes vasos. No entanto, a melhor estratégia terapêutica para oclusões carotídeas combinadas ainda permanece controversa. Método Vinte paciente receberam tratamento endovascular. O desfecho primário foi a taxa de recanalização completa sem sangramento intracraniano sintomático. Os desfechos secundários foram os tempos de recanalização, duração dos procedimentos e desfechos clínicos em 3 meses. Resultados O desfecho primário foi alcançado em 17 (85%) pacientes. A taxa de recanalização foi de 90% (19/20) e a taxa de HIS foi de 5% (1/20). Em três meses, foi obtido bom desfecho neurológico em 35% (7/20) dos pacientes e a mortalidade foi de 20% (4/20). Conclusão A angioplastia com stent de carotída associada ao tratamento endovascular para oclusões combinadas agudas de carótida parece ser efetiva sem um aumento de HIS.