Transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads is effective for the maintenance of the Milan-in status in patients with a small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard of care for the treatment of patients with an intermediate (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] B) hepatocellular carcinoma and to bridge patients with an early cancer to liver transplantation (LT). We explored the efficacy of TACE with drug-eluting beads (DEB) in BCLC A patients. Included are all BCLC A patients unsuitable for resection or locoregional ablation who underwent a DEB TACE between 2006 and 2012. Treatment was carried out "a la demande" until complete tumor devascularization or progression beyond Milan criteria. In patients with a complete response (CR), a contrast computed tomography (CT) scan was repeated at 3-month intervals during the first 2 years and then every 6 months alternating with abdominal ultrasound in the subsequent 3 years. Fifty-five patients had 79 tumor nodules ranging 7 to 50 mm; 32 (58%) achieved a CR that was maintained up to 4 and 7 months in 21 (38%) and 17 (31%) patients, respectively. The 24- and 36-month tumor-free survivals were 21% and 9%, respectively. The overall cumulative progression beyond Milan criteria at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months was 2%, 5%, 30%, and 54%. LT eligibility was maintained for a median of 19 months (range, 2-63 months). CR to first TACE was the strongest independent predictor of Milan-in maintenance. In conclusion, DEB TACE may effectively bridge patients with an early cancer to LT, and a CR to the first procedure may guide patient prioritization during the waiting list.

Prophylactic intraoperative uterine artery embolization for the management of major placenta previa.

PURPOSE: Placenta previa is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, associated to a high risk of peripartum hemorrhage and hysterectomy. We aimed to verify if prophylactic intraoperative uterine artery embolization in patients with placenta previa and at least one additional risk of bleeding (major placenta previa), can reduce hemorrhage, need for blood transfusions, peripartum hysterectomy and maternal morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 76 patients with major placenta previa; a specific multidisciplinary protocol was designed for management, including ultrasound evaluation, hospitalization at 34 weeks, antenatal corticosteroids and scheduled cesarean section at 35-36 weeks. 44 patients (control group or CTR) were treated with elective cesarean section, 32 patients (embolized group or EMB) underwent selective catheterization of bilateral uterine arteries before cesarean section and subsequent uterine embolization. In both cases cesarean section was performed by a senior surgeon. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in term of intraoperative blood loss (CTR: 1431 ml; EMB: 693 ml); despite an high percentage of CTR patients had a bleeding greater than 1000 ml (56%), the need for blood transfusion was not significantly different between the two groups. Time of surgery was higher in the EMB group, considering that embolization procedure required approximatively 30 min. Three patients from the CTR group needed hysterectomy and ICU admission, compared to none in the EMB group. Duration of hospitalization and neonatal outcome were similar. Uterine embolization was not related to any short or long-term complications; return to normal menses and preservation of fertility were confirmed at follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are promising, although we believe that a major contribution is referable to the multidisciplinary approach rather than the procedure itself. Nevertheless, we demonstrated the feasibility and safety of preventive uterine embolization in patients with placenta previa; in order to establish its prophylactic role in the prevention of peripartum hemorrhage, randomized trial should be carried out, on a larger population.

Spontaneous Upper Urinary Tract Rupture Caused by Ureteric Stones: Clinical Characteristics and Validation of a Radiological Classification System.

BACKGROUND: This study seeks to validate a radiological classification system of spontaneous upper urinary tract rupture (sUUTR) and to analyse its relationship with clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics of sUUTR. METHODS: We analysed data from 66 patients with a computerised tomography (CT)-proven sUUTR treated with ureteral or nephrostomy catheter positioning. Comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). All CT scans were reviewed by two experienced radiologists and one urologist, who classified sUUTR in (a) local spread, (b) free fluid and (c) urinoma. Interobserver agreement for radiological score was evaluated with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's Kappa analyses. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models verified the association between clinical variables and sUUTR severity. RESULTS: The interobserver agreement for sUUTR classification was high among radiologists and between the radiologists and the urologist (all Kappa > 0.7), with an overall high interrater reliability (ICC 0.82). Local spread, free fluid and urinoma were found in 24 (36.4%), 39 (59.1%) and 3 (4.5%) cases, respectively. Patients with free fluid/urinoma had higher rate of CCI ≥ 1 than those with local spread (40.5% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.04). Intraoperative absence of urine extravasation was more frequently found in patients with local spread than those with free fluid/urinoma (66.7% vs. 28.6%, p < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that local spread (OR 4.5, p < 0.01) was associated with absence of contrast medium extravasation during pyelography, after accounting for stone size, fever and CCI. CONCLUSIONS: The analysed sUUTR classification score had good inter/intra-reader reliability among radiologists and urologists. Absence of urine extravasation was five times more frequent in patients with local spread, making conservative treatment feasible in these cases.

Transarterial chemoembolization with epirubicin-eluting beads versus transarterial embolization before liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively compare radiologic tumor response and degree of necrosis in explanted livers after chemoembolization with epirubicin-loaded DC Bead versus bland embolization in patients on a transplant waiting list. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2003 to 2007, 49 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent transplantation at a single center. Sixteen patients were treated with bland embolization (n = 8) with 100-300-microm Embosphere particles or chemoembolization with epirubicin-loaded 100-300-microm DC Bead particles (n = 8) every other month until complete tumor devascularization. Computed tomography was performed every 3 months until recurrence. Explanted livers were analyzed to evaluate the degree of necrosis in the nodules. After orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), patients were followed up for survival and disease status. RESULTS: The groups were comparable for baseline characteristics. Most patients had Child-Pugh class A disease. Solitary HCC was found in 75% of patients. Mean target lesion size was 32 mm +/- 15.4. Chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads achieved complete necrosis in 77% of lesions whereas bland embolization achieved complete necrosis in 27.2% of lesions. There was a significant difference between bland embolization and chemoembolization with DC Bead with regard to histologic necrosis (P = .043). No significant treatment-related complications were observed for either group. Fifteen patients are alive with no tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads before OLT achieved higher rates of complete histologic response than bland embolization, with no serious adverse events observed. Because of the retrospective data analyses and small sample size, further studies are warranted to confirm these promising results.

Drug delivery embolization systems: a physician's perspective.

INTRODUCTION: The number of patients suffering from primary and secondary liver tumoral diseases is on the increase worldwide. The development of new technologies and drugs requires an increasingly multidisciplinary approach in the management of these diseases. Therapies should be based on scientifically supported guidelines and at the same time should be designed to suit the individual patient. In this decision-making process, an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of every treatment is very important. The efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in improving survival and its role in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been demonstrated in several clinical trials. The introduction of drug-eluting beads seems to have overcome some of the limitations of conventional TACE. AREAS COVERED: This review provides an overview of the spread of primary and secondary liver cancers, then it explains the basis for the use of conventional TACE and its potential benefits and, finally, outlines its clinical application and possible future uses. EXPERT OPINION: The management of the treatment of focal liver lesions is a difficult process, which must involve various specialists such as the interventional radiologist. The use of drug-eluting microspheres seems to improve the results of TACE both in HCC and in colorectal liver metastases.