Does the presence of systemic artery-pulmonary circulation shunt during bronchial arterial embolization increase the recurrence of noncancer-related hemoptysis? A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The presence of systemic artery-pulmonary circulation shunt (SPS) during the bronchial arterial embolization (BAE) procedure, has been inferred to be a potential risk factor for recurrence. The aim of this study is to reveal the impact of SPS on the recurrence of noncancer-related hemoptysis after BAE. METHODS: In this study, 134 patients with SPS (SPS-present group) and 192 patients without SPS (SPS-absent group) who underwent BAE for noncancer-related hemoptysis from January 2015 to December 2020 were compared. Four different Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to clarify the impact of SPSs on hemoptysis recurrence after BAE. RESULTS: During the median follow-up time of 39.8 months, recurrence occurred in 75 (23.0%) patients, including 51 (38.1%) in the SPS-present group and 24 (12.5%) in the SPS-absent group. The 1-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year hemoptysis-free survival rates in the SPS-present and SPS-absent groups were 91.8%, 79.7%, 70.6%, 62.3%, and 52.6% and 97.9%, 94.7%, 89.0%, 87.1%, and 82.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios of SPSs in the four models were 3.37 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 2.07-5.47, P < 0.001 in model 1], 1.96 (95% CI, 1.11-3.49, P = 0.021 in model 2), 2.29 (95% CI, 1.34-3.92, P = 0.002 in model 3), and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.44-3.97, P = 0.001 in model 4). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SPS during BAE increases the recurrence probability of noncancer-related hemoptysis after BAE.

Transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib versus transarterial chemoembolization combined with sorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A comparative retrospective study.

AIM: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors target transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor to inhibit tumor revascularization and to slow tumor progression. The present study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of TACE combined with lenvatinib (TACE-lenvatinib) and TACE combined with sorafenib (TACE-sorafenib) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The clinical data of patients diagnosed with unresectable HCC who received TACE-lenvatinib or TACE-sorafenib between January 2018 and April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were enrolled and classified into the TACE-lenvatinib group (n = 53) and the TACE-sorafenib group (n = 59). The objective response rates of patients in the TACE-lenvatinib and TACE-sorafenib groups were 54.7% and 44.1%, respectively (p = 0.260), and the disease control rates (DCRs) were 81.1% and 61.0% (p = 0.020). The median PFS time was significantly longer in the TACE-lenvatinib group than in the TACE-sorafenib group (10.7 vs. 6.0 months; p = 0.002). The median OS time between the TACE-lenvatinib and TACE-sorafenib groups also showed a significant difference (30.5 vs. 20.5 months, p = 0.018). All treatment-related AEs and grade 3/4 AEs were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared to TACE-sorafenib, TACE-lenvatinib was associated with better DCR, PFS and OS outcomes in patients with unresectable HCC. In subgroups of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer B stage or TACE-refractory patients, TACE-lenvatinib also showed a trend of superiority.

Prostatic Artery Embolization to Achieve Freedom from Catheterization in Patients with Acute Urinary Retention Caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To determine the ability of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) to achieve freedom from catheterization in patients with acute urinary retention (AUR) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center study was performed between June 2014 and March 2019 in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by BPH. PAE was performed in 154 eligible patients, of which 76 suffered from spontaneous AUR and had indwelling catheters placed and kept until the procedure, owing to clinical failure in the removal of the previous intermittent catheter. Each patient was followed for at least 12 months. The first trial without catheter was performed 3 days after PAE. Successful catheter removal within the first 30 days after PAE was considered a clinical success. The rate of patients free from catheterization, LUTS relief, prostate volume, and adverse events was recorded. RESULTS: Clinical success was achieved in 70 (92.1%) patients. The rates of freedom from catheterization were 90.3% (65/72), 83.3% (60/72), and 80.6% (58/72) at 3-, 6-, and 12-months follow-up, respectively. The median elapsed time from PAE to catheter removal was 10 days. However, 18 patients needed further interventions. Symptom scores revealed a continuous improvement in urinary symptoms. The mean prostate volume showed a statistically significant decrease at 3 and 12 months compared with its baseline value. No severe adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: PAE can achieve freedom from catheterization in patients with AUR caused by BPH.

Prostatic Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Recurrent Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent a previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 15 of 19 patients who underwent PAE for recurrent LUTS after TURP between February 2014 and April 2019. The technical and clinical success rates and complications related to the procedure were recorded. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and prostatic volume (PV) were evaluated at baseline and 3- and 12-mo follow-up. RESULTS: The intervals from TURP to recurrent symptoms and from TURP to PAE were 4.3 y ± 3.2 and 5.6 y ± 3.8, respectively. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The clinical success rate for LUTS relief at 12 mo was 93.3% (14 of 15). IPSS significantly reduced from 22.5 ± 4.1 at baseline to 9.9 ± 4.9 at 12-mo follow-up, and QoL score improved from 4.7 ± 1.0 to 2.1 ± 1.1 (P < .05 for both). There was a significant mean reduction of 26.6% in PV at 12 mo, improving from 100.7 cm3 ± 38.5 to 73.9 cm3 ± 29.4 (P < .05). No severe complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: PAE may be a safe and effective treatment option for the management of recurrent LUTS secondary to BPH in patients who have previously undergone TURP.

Skeletal-muscle index predicts survival after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice due to perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is emerging as a prognostic factor in patients with malignant diseases. The prognostication of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) with obstructive jaundice was complex, because these patients suffered compete mortality events beyond cancer itself. Our study was to investigate the association between low skeletal-muscle index and overall survival (OS) after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for obstructive jaundice due to PHC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective survival analysis of patients undergoing PTBD for PHC-related obstructive jaundice between January 2016 and March 2019. Using computed tomography, we measured skeletal-muscle mass at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) to obtain a skeletal-muscle index (SMI). Then, we compared OS between low- and high-SMI groups. Furthermore, factors that could potentially affect OS were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients (56 males; mean age 66 ± 12 years) were analyzed. Median OS after PTBD was 150 days. OS was shorter in patients with low SMI than in those with high SMI (median OS, 120 vs. 270 days; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that low SMI (hazard ratio [HR] 3.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-5.60; P < 0.001), intrahepatic metastasis (HR 2.98; 95% CI 1.89-4.69; P < 0.001) and elevated carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level (HR 1.00; 95% CI 1.00-1.00; P = 0.04) were significantly associated with OS. CONCLUSION: Low SMI was a predictor of dismal OS after PTBD for patients with PHC-related obstructive jaundice.

Angiographic Findings Relevant to Prostatic Artery Embolization in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

The 2014-2018 angiograms of 58 patients with prostate cancer were retrospectively analyzed to illustrate angiographic findings during prostatic artery embolization. Arteriovenous fistulae were observed in 6 patients (6/58, 10.3%), with no difference between patients with or without prior iodine-125 seeds implantation (5/48, 10.4% vs 1/10, 10.0%; P > .05); tumor staining was not detected. The origins of the prostatic arteries included the internal pudendal artery (n = 45, 32.4%), the superior vesical artery (n = 38, 27.3%), the obturator artery (n = 28, 20.1%), the gluteal-pudendal trunk (n = 21, 15.1%), the inferior gluteal artery (n = 3, 2.2%), the accessory pudendal artery (n = 3, 2.2%), and the superior gluteal artery (n = 1, 0.7%).

Arteries of the falciform ligament on C-arm CT hepatic arteriography: The hepatic falciform artery and the Sappey's superior artery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To investigate the prevalence, anatomy and distribution of the hepatic falciform artery (HFA) and Sappey's superior artery (SSA) using C-arm CT hepatic arteriography (C-arm CTHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2012, 220 patients who underwent C-arm CTHA during initial transarterial treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma were included in this retrospective study. The HFAs and SSAs prevalence and origin were evaluated using axial images of C-arm CTHA. A 5-point scale for HFAs and a 4-point scale for SSAs were used to designate the radiologically conspicuous arteries. RESULTS: The prevalences of the total HFAs and SSAs were 95 % (n=209) and 22 % (n=49), while those of radiologically conspicuous HFAs and SSAs were 62 % (n=137) and 10 % (n=22), respectively. Thirty HFAs (22 % of radiologically conspicuous HFAs and 14 % of the total study population) were distributed in the subcutaneous layer of the anterior abdominal wall, while the majority of SSAs ran through the superior part of the falciform ligament in the left-anterior direction and anastomosed with left inferior phrenic artery. CONCLUSION: Our study using C-arm CTHA revealed that the prevalence of the HFA is higher than the existing knowledge and proved the existence of the SSA radiologically for the first time. KEY POINTS: • Prevalence of hepatic falciform artery is 95 %, higher than previously known. • 22 % of conspicious hepatic falciform arteries distributed in subcutaneous tissue around umbilicus. • The existence of Sappey's superior artery was proved with a radiological method.

Recovery of oculomotor nerve palsy after endovascular treatment of ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm.

PURPOSE: Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) may result from Posterior communicating artery (Pcom) aneurysms. Endovascular treatment of ruptured Pcom aneurysms generally is a safe procedure, but the effect of this therapy on ONP is incompletely elucidated. This retrospective study evaluates outcomes of ONP after endovascular treatment for ruptured Pcom aneurysm and with the intention to clarify predictors of recovery. METHODS: From May 2010 to October 2015, 210 patients with Pcom aneurysms underwent endovascular treatment at our institution. Among them, 34 patients with ruptured aneurysms and either complete or incomplete ONP were identified. The outcomes and predictors of ONP recovery were analyzed. RESULTS: At the last available clinical follow-up, ONP resolution was complete in 21 (61.8%) patients and incomplete in 8 (23.5%) patients. The mean resolution time after embolization was 24.5 days. Five patients showed no signs of ONP recovery. In no case was an initial incomplete ONP observed to worsen. There was a statistically insignificant trend toward complete recovery among patients with initial incomplete ONP (OR = 4.17; 95% CI, 0.75-23.18; P = 0.103). CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment appears to be an effective treatment modality for ruptured Pcom aneurysm and related ONP. The initial incomplete ONP might encourage complete ONP recovery after endovascular treatment.

Sectional Localization of a Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Right Hepatic Lobe by Computed Tomography: Comparison between the Conventional and Portal Vein Tracing Methods.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of the conventional and portal vein tracing methods in the right hepatic lobe in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions in the right hepatic lobe who underwent multiphasic MDCT and C-arm CT hepatic arteriography (C-arm CTHA) for chemoembolization. The accuracies of the conventional and portal vein tracing methods were evaluated using C-arm CTHA as the gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients with 205 HCC nodules were included. The C-arm CTHA could identify all the tumour-feeding arteries and consequently demonstrated that 120 lesions were located in the anterior section, 78 in the posterior section, and 7 in the border zone. The accuracy rates of conventional vs. portal vein tracing methods were 71.7 % vs. 98.3 % for the anterior section lesions, 67.9 % vs. 96.2 % for the posterior section, and 28.6 % vs. 57.1 % for the border zone. The portal vein tracing method was more accurate than the conventional method (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The portal vein tracing method should be used for sectional localization of HCCs in the right lobe, because it predicts the location more accurately than the conventional method. KEY POINTS: • Portal tracing method is more accurate than conventional method for tumour localization. • The conventional method is especially inaccurate in right anteroinferior or posterosuperior quadrants. • Scissurae between right anterior and posterior section may not be vertical but tilted.

Arterioportal shunts in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated using ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge: therapeutic effects and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization with ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge (ESG) for the treatment of arterioportal shunts (APSs) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 61 patients with unresectable HCC was included in this study, conducted from June 2008 to November 2011. These patients, who were treated with APSs, had received transarterial therapy. They underwent transarterial embolization of the shunt with ESG followed by transarterial chemoembolization if available. Changes in APSs, tumor response (per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), postembolization events, patient survival, and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 13 months (range, 3-34 mo). The immediate APS improvement rate was 97% (59 of 61), and the APS improvement rate at first-time follow-up was 54% (33 of 61). Tumor response at 2 months after first embolization was as follows: complete response in two patients (3.3%), partial response in 24 patients (39.3%), stable disease in 24 patients (39.3%), and progressive disease in 11 patients (18.1%). Survival rates were 79% at 6 months, 50% at 1 year, and 12% at 2 years; the median survival time was 382 days. Maximal tumor size and APS improvement at first-time follow-up were demonstrated to be independent prognostic factors (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial embolization with ESG may be safe and effective for the treatment of APSs in patients with unresectable HCC. Small maximal tumor size (< 5 cm) and an improvement in APSs favored overall survival.

Chemoembolization of recurrent hepatoma after curative resection: prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: The long-term prognosis after hepatic resection for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been disappointing because of the high recurrence rates in the remnant liver, which constitutes the major cause of death. The purpose of this study was to identify the prognostic factors for overall survival after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in recurrent HCC after the initial curative surgical resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2003 through October 2012, 362 patients who developed recurrent HCC after initial surgical resection and underwent TACE as the first-line therapy were retrospectively studied at a single institution in our hospital. Patients who met our inclusion criteria were followed until December 2012. Prognostic factors for overall survival were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 287 patients were enrolled. The median overall survival period was 747 days. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates after TACE were 72.9%, 51.8%, and 31.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that the number of resected HCCs (≥ 2, p < 0.001), the number (≥ 2, p < 0.001) and size (> 5 cm, p = 0.022) of the recurrent HCCs, and the number of TACE sessions (≤ 3, p < 0.001) are independent risk factors for poor survival after TACE for recurrent HCC after HCC resection. CONCLUSION: TACE appears to be an effective treatment of patients who experienced a recurrence after curative HCC resection. An initial solitary HCC, a solitary recurrence, and recurrent tumor mass 5 cm or smaller are statistically significant independent prognostic factors for survival.

Minimally invasive salvage therapy for transplanted renal allografts.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventional therapy for complications of transplanted renal allografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and March 2014, 14 patients underwent interventional therapy for complications of renal allografts. Complications included transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS), TRAS combined with pseudoaneurysms, transplant renal venous kinking and ureteral obstruction (UO). Serum creatinine (S.Cr) levels were evaluated before and after procedure. The characteristics and procedure outcomes of these patients with vascular and nonvascular complications were also analyzed. RESULTS: All primary procedures were successfully performed, which included percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for TRAS (n = 4), stenting and coil embolization for TRAS combined with pseudoaneurysms (n = 1), stenting for renal vein kinking (n = 2), and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) for UO (n = 7) and secondary antegrade stent placement in six UO patients after 1 week of PCN. No major procedure related complications occurred. S.Cr level subsequently improved from 6.0 ± 3.6 to 2.6 ± 2.1 mg/dL (p < 0.001), as well as patients' clinical features within 1 week after procedure. In our study, the onset time of vascular complications was earlier (<6 months) than nonvascular complications with significant difference (p < 0.001). During follow-up, the patient with TRAS and pseudoaneurysms suffered acute rejection 1 month after treatment and received transplant renal artery embolization. One patient with TRAS showed restenosis 4 months after procedure, and was retreated successfully with stenting. Thirteen cases reserved their transplanted renal allografts. CONCLUSION: Interventional therapy could be prior considered for transplanted renal allograft complications as its effectiveness and minimal invasiveness in saving the transplanted renal grafts.

Efficacy and Safety of TACE Combined with a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for the Treatment of TACE-Refractory Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: Combining angiogenesis inhibitors may enhance therapeutic efficacy synergistically after TACE refractoriness. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TACE-TKI) with TKI only for patients with TACE-refractory hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: From January 2019 to March 2022, 101 HCC patients confirmed with TACE-refractory were retrospectively reviewed in the study. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), tumor response, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated between groups. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients undergoing TACE-TKI, while 32 patients receiving TKI alone were included. The objective response rate (ORR) was higher in the TACE-TKI group compared with the TKI group (55.8% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.006). The median PFS in the TACE-TKI group was significantly longer than that in the TKI group (7.6 months vs. 4.9 months, P = 0.018). The median OS was non reach to statistical longer than that in the TKI alone group (19.5 months vs. 17.7 months, P = 0.055). Subgroup analysis showed that TACE-TKI treatment resulted in a significantly longer median PFS and OS for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B patients (PFS 11.8 months vs. 5.1 months, P = 0.017; OS 30.3 months vs. 19.4 months, P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: For patients with TACE-refractory HCC, TACE-TKI appeared to be superior to TKI monotherapy with regard to tumor control and PFS. Furthermore, for the BCLC stage B subgroup, TACE-TKI therapy was superior to TKI monotherapy in both OS and PFS.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Plus Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Versus Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Plus Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma with First- or Lower-Order Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) plus immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (TACE-TKI-ICI) versus TKIs plus ICIs (TKI-ICI) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with first- or lower-order portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in HCC patients with first- or lower-order PVTT receiving TKIs (Lenvatinib or sorafenib) plus ICIs (camrelizumab, sintilimab, or atezolizumab) with or without TACE from four institutions between January 2019 and January 2022. Propensity score-based method was performed to minimize bias by confounding factors. Tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After inverse probability of treatment weighting, two balanced pseudopopulations were created: 106 patients in the TACE-TKI-ICI group and 109 patients in the TKI-ICI group. The objective response rate was higher in the TACE-TKI-ICI group (50.9% vs. 28.4%, P < 0.001). The median PFS and OS were significantly longer in the TACE-TKI-ICI group than in the TKI-ICI group (PFS: 9.1 vs. 5.0 months, P = 0.005; OS: 19.1 vs. 12.7 months, P = 0.002). In Cox regression, TACE-TKI-ICI treatment was an independent predictor of favorable OS. Treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs were comparable between the two groups (22.6% vs. 17.9%, P = 0.437). CONCLUSION: TACE-TKI-ICI therapy contributed to better tumor control, PFS and OS than TKI-ICI therapy in unresectable HCC patients with first- or lower-order PVTT.

Safety and Efficacy of the Double Microcatheter Technique for Splenic Artery Aneurysms: A Single-center Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the double microcatheter technique in the treatment of saccular splenic artery aneurysms. METHODS: From November 2013 to October 2020, 56 patients with saccular splenic artery aneurysms underwent endovascular treatment with the double microcatheter technique at our institution. Technical success was defined as embolization of the aneurysmal cavity with no obstruction of the parent artery. Clinical success was defined as no deaths due to splenic artery aneurysms, and no reintervention, recrudescence or organ dysfunction at 1, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. No major complications related to angiography or embolization were observed. Minor complications included fever, pain, and nausea, and 13 patients developed minor complications. At 1 month, the rate of clinical success was 96.4%. At 6 and 12 months, the clinical success rate was 92.9%. There were no aneurysmal recurrences or necessities of reintervention. CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization with the double microcatheter technique is a safe and effective modality for treating saccular splenic artery aneurysms and offers a reasonable choice for patients who want to retain their original hemodynamics.

Comparison of Bronchial Artery Embolisation Versus Conservative Treatment for Bronchiectasis-Related Nonmassive Haemoptysis: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness between bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) and conservative treatment for bronchiectasis-related nonmassive haemoptysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2020, consecutive bronchiectasis-related nonmassive haemoptysis patients who underwent either BAE (n = 98) or conservative treatment (n = 118) were included. Treatment-related complications, length of hospital stays, clinical success rate, patient satisfaction, and recurrence-free survival rates were compared between groups. Prognostic factors related to recurrence were also analysed. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 44.8 months (range, 2.4-83.6 months), 34 and 66 patients in the BAE and conservative treatment groups suffered relapse. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year haemoptysis-free survival rates in the BAE and conservative treatment groups were 79.2%, 68.1%, 62.8%, and 57.6% and 64.0%, 52.8%, 44.1%, and 37.0%, respectively (P = 0.007). The minor complication rate after BAE was higher than that after conservative treatment (23/98 vs. 12/118, P = 0.008). BAE was associated with shorter hospital stays (5.0 vs. 7.0 days, P = 0.042) and higher patient satisfaction (88.8% vs. 74.6%, P = 0.008) than those for conservative treatment and with comparable clinical success rates (95.9% vs. 91.5%, P = 0.192). Treatment type, haemoptysis duration, and bronchiectasis severity were independently significant predictors of recurrence for these patients. CONCLUSIONS: BAE could be another option for bronchiectasis-related nonmassive haemoptysis patients. In the patients with longer duration and more severe bronchiectasis, BAE still appeared to have better long-term haemoptysis control than conservative therapy.

Safety and Efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolization and Immune Checkpoint Inhibition with Camrelizumab for Treatment of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: The clinical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who receive transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and immunotherapy are not well characterized. The present study evaluates the safety and efficacy of TACE in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment for unresectable HCC. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 34 HCC patients who received TACE and treatment with the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), Camrelizumab, between July 2019 and May 2021, was performed. This included 21 patients who developed progressive disease and eight who remained stable after several sessions of TACE, along with five patients who were initially diagnosed with advanced HCC. Adverse events (AEs), objective response rate (ORR) according to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Results: The median follow-up from ICI initiation was 10.6 months (range: 2.4-25.0 months). Grade I/II and grade III/IV AEs from ICI treatment occurred in 20 (58.8%) and 2 patients (5.9%), respectively. Two to three months after ICI therapy, the ORR was 35.3% (12/34) and the median PFS and OS was 6.1 months (range: 1.1-19.3 months) and 13.3 months (range: 2.4-25.0 months), respectively. Conclusion: TACE in combination with ICI could be a promising treatment approach for unresectable HCC patients.

Metallic stent placement versus catheter drainage for malignant bilioenteric anastomotic stricture.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare self-expandable metallic stent placement with catheter drainage for malignant bilioenteric anastomotic stricture in terms of efficacy and safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 54 patients with malignant bilioenteric anastomotic stricture treated from March 2016 to February 2021. Twenty-seven patients underwent insertion of self-expandable metallic stent (Stent group); the remaining twenty-seven patients underwent internal-external catheter drainage (Catheter group). Technical success was defined as successful placement of stent or drainage catheter in the appropriate position; clinical success was defined as a 20% reduction in serum bilirubin within 1 week after the procedure, compared with baseline. Complications, duration to stent/catheter malfunction, and overall survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups. In the Stent group, 21 patients received one stent and the other 6 patients required two stents. Clinical success rates were similar between the groups [Stent group, 92.6% (25/27); Catheter group, 88.9% (24/27)]. There were no major complications. The median duration to stent/catheter malfunction was significantly longer in the Stent group (130 days) than in the Catheter group (82 days; P = 0.010). The median overall survival was also significantly longer in the Stent group (187 days) than in the Catheter group (118 days; P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Self-expandable metallic stent placement might be better than internal-external catheter drainage for malignant bilioenteric anastomotic stricture in terms of the duration before stent/catheter malfunction and patient survival.

Long-Term Efficacy and Recurrence Prediction of Prostatic Artery Embolization for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To explore the efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) during long-term follow-up and analyze predictors related to LUTS recurrence. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study involving 125 BPH patients with LUTS who underwent PAE from February 2014 to February 2020. The median follow-up was 36 months. Clinical success was defined as reductions in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) score and no need for any other treatment for LUTS; otherwise, it was regarded as a clinical failure. Recurrence was defined as a clinical failure that occurred after an initial success. Cumulative clinical success rates, recurrence rates and re-intervention rates were evaluated. Friedman test was performed to compare differences in IPSS, QoL and prostatic volume (PV) among baseline and follow-up times. Predictors for LUTS recurrence were analyzed with the univariate and multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: Technical success (bilateral PAE) rate was 92.8% (116/125). Significant differences in IPSS, QoL and PV were observed between baseline and follow-up time points (P < 0.001). The cumulative clinical success rates at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years were 82.4%, 65.5%, 52.4% and 37.4%. The cumulative recurrence rates and re-intervention rates at 1, 2 and 5 years were 6.8%, 12.7%, 60.4% and 5.9%, 10.2%, 50.8%, respectively. Unilateral PAE was an significant predictor of recurrence (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PAE is an effective treatment option for LUTS. Unilateral PAE is a significant independent predictor of LUTS recurrence.