Selective internal radiation therapy for liver malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a non-ablative technique for the treatment of liver primaries and metastases, with the intention of reducing tumour bulk. This study aimed to determine optimal patient selection, and elucidate its role as a downsizing modality. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively on patients who underwent SIRT between 2011 and 2014. The procedure was performed percutaneously by an expert radiologist. Response was analysed in two categories, based on radiological (CT/MRI according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours (RECIST)) and biological (α-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, chromogranin A) parameters. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included. Liver metastases from colorectal cancer (22 patients) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (9) were the most common pathologies. Radiological response data were collected from 31 patients. A reduction in sum of diameters (SOD) was observed in patients with HCC (median -24.1 (95 per cent c.i. -43.4 to -3.8) per cent) and neuroendocrine tumours (-30.0 (-45.6 to -7.7) per cent), whereas a slight increase in SOD was seen in patients with colorectal cancer (4.9 (-10.6 to 55.3) per cent). Biological response was assessed in 17 patients, with a reduction in 12, a mixed response in two and no improvement in three. Six- and 12-month overall survival rates were 71 and 41 per cent respectively. There was no difference in overall survival between the RECIST response groups (median survival 375, 290 and 214 days for patients with a partial response, stable disease and progressive disease respectively; P = 0.130), or according to primary pathology (P = 0.063). Seven patients underwent liver resection with variable responses after SIRT. CONCLUSION: SIRT may be used to downsize tumours and may be used as a bridge to surgery in patients with tumours deemed borderline for resection.

Angioplasty via retrograde popliteal approach in a stenosed persistent sciatic artery.

Persistent sciatic arteries are a rare developmental anomaly prone to aneurysm formation and atherosclerotic disease. We present a case of a patient with bilateral persistent sciatic arteries presenting with unilateral claudication due to a symptomatic stenosis. The stenosis (just above knee) was treated with angioplasty via popliteal puncture. The puncture was complicated by pseudoaneurysm formation. Persistent sciatic arteries can cause diagnostic difficulties as Duplex ultrasound can give the impression of an occluded superficial femoral artery. Angiographic techniques are the mainstay of diagnosis and we demonstrate both conventional and CT angiographic appearances.

Systematic review of irreversible electroporation in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel procedure to combat pancreatic cancer, whereby high voltage pulses are delivered, resulting in cell death. This represents an ideal alternative to other thermal treatment modalities, as there is no overriding heat effect, therefore reducing the risk of injury to vessels and ducts. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched to January 2014. Primary outcome measures were survival and associated morbidity. 41 articles were initially identified; of these 4 studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding 74 patients in total. RESULTS: 94.5% of patients had locally advanced tumours, the remainder had metastatic disease. Treated tumour size ranged from 1 to 7 cm. IRE approach included open (70.3%), laparoscopic (2.7%) and percutaneous (27%; ultrasound-guided 30%, CT-guided 70%) Morbidity ranged from 0 to 33%; due to the high number of simultaneous procedures performed (resection/bypass) it was difficult to ascertain IRE-related complications. However no significant bleeding occurred when IRE-alone was performed. Survival statistics suggest a prognostic benefit. Reported survival included: 6 month survival of 40% (n = 5) and 70% (n = 14); PFS and OS 14 and 20 months respectively (n = 54). Results of most interest showed a significant survival benefit in matched IRE vs non-IRE groups (PFS 14 vs 6 mths; p = 0.01, OS 20 vs 11 mths; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Initial evidence suggests IRE incurs a prognostic benefit with minimal morbidity. More high quality research is required to determine the role IRE may play in the multi-modal management of pancreatic cancers.

ImaGiNe Seldinger: first simulator for Seldinger technique and angiography training.

In vascular interventional radiology, procedures generally start with the Seldinger technique to access the vasculature, using a needle through which a guidewire is inserted, followed by navigation of catheters within the vessels. Visual and tactile skills are learnt in a patient apprenticeship which is expensive and risky for patients. We propose a training alternative through a new virtual simulator supporting the Seldinger technique: ImaGiNe (imaging guided interventional needle) Seldinger. It is composed of two workstations: (1) a simulated pulse is palpated, in an immersive environment, to guide needle puncture and (2) two haptic devices provide a novel interface where a needle can direct a guidewire and catheter within the vessel lumen, using virtual fluoroscopy. Different complexities are provided by 28 real patient datasets. The feel of the simulation is enhanced by replicating, with the haptics, real force and flexibility measurements. A preliminary validation study has demonstrated training effectiveness for skills transfer.

Does sialography require antibiotic prophylaxis?

The objective of this study was to identify if bacteraemias occur during sialography, which could predispose to endocarditis in susceptible patients. Patients requiring sialography who gave informed consent were included in the trial. Patients taking antibiotics, or who were predisposed to infective endocarditis, were excluded. Sialography was performed using a standard hand injection technique with a water-soluble non-ionic contrast agent (Niopam, Bracco, UK). An indwelling cannula was inserted into the forearm prior to the procedure and then three blood samples of at least 10 ml were taken: sample one before sialography; sample two was taken as a continuous withdrawal during the sialographic procedure; and sample three over a further 10 min period after sialography. The blood samples were cultured for bacteria using the BacT/ALERT system (BioMerieux, UK). 32 patients were included in the study. No samples showed evidence of bacteraemia. Three patients had bacterial contamination from skin commensals. Using the rule of three, we have shown a 95% confidence interval of 3/32 = 0.09. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that sialography is not associated with bacteraemia.

Nodules of fibrocollagenous scar tissue induced by subcutaneous insulin injections: a cause of poor diabetic control.

A 46 year old man with longstanding type 1 diabetes developed major weight loss and marked deterioration in diabetic control. He had been persistently injecting insulin into areas of abdominal lipohypertrophy within which hard collagenised fibrous tissue nodules had developed. Injecting insulin at different sites dramatically improved blood glucose control. Fibrocollagenous nodules induced by insulin injections have not been previously described. Examination of a further 73 type 1 patients revealed lipohypertrophy in 44% and hard subcutaneous nodules on two.