A case report of sarcoma recurrence treated with a balloon-occluded combined approach (b-MWA + b-TAE).

Sarcomas present challenges in management due to their aggressive nature. Interventional radiology, utilizing ablation and embolization, offer promising alternatives for recurrent cases. In recent years, combined techniques (ablation + embolization) and the use of balloon-microcatheter have been introduced to enhance the necrotic effect in HCC treatment. This paper presents the case of a 47-year-old female with recurrent abdominal sarcoma treated with balloon-occluded microwave ablation (b-MWA) and balloon-occluded transarterial embolization (b-TAE). Post-treatment imaging revealed a significant reduction in lesion size and absence of pathological contrast enhancement. This study highlights the potential of balloon-catheter-assisted combined therapies (b-MWA + b-TAE) in managing sarcomas, expanding the applicability of interventional radiology for inoperable cases that are too large for ablative therapy alone or requiring multiple antennas. Further research is warranted to refine protocols and enhance patient outcomes in sarcoma management.

Optimizing the Angiography Protocol to Reduce Radiation Dose in Uterine Artery Embolization: The Impact of Digital Subtraction Angiographies on Radiation Exposure.

PURPOSE: The aim was to compare a protocol of uterine artery embolization (UAE) consisting in three digital subtraction angiographies (DSAs)-Group A, with a protocol based on a single DSA-Group B. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center prospective randomized study enrolling 20 women (mean age 41 years, range 22-55 years) with uterine fibroids treated with UAE, from January 2015 to February 2016. All UAEs were performed by two interventional radiologists using the same angiography machine. Protocol of Group A consisted in three DSA runs (non-selective pelvic view and selective uterine views before and after embolization). Protocol of Group B consisted in 1 DSA run: selective UA angiography before embolization. (Fluoroscopic roadmap was used for UA catheterization; fluoroscopy storage was used as control after embolization.) Each patient was randomized to receive Protocol A in one pelvic side and Protocol B on the other. RESULTS: All patients received bilateral UAE. Mean fluoroscopy time for UA catheterization was 11.3 ± 3.7 s. (Protocol A) and 9.93 ± 2.99 s. (Protocol B) (p = 0.19). Fluoroscopy dose for catheterization and embolization was not different between both protocols (p = 0.14). Identification of the UA origin score was similar in both protocols (median error = 0, p = 0.79). Mean dose area product (DAP) was 40859 mGy/cm2 (Protocol A) and 28839 mGy/cm2 (Protocol B) (p = 0.003). Mean effective dose (ED) decreased from Protocol A (14.6 mSv) to Protocol B (9.2 mSv; - 37%). Mean absorbed dose (AD) to ovaries and uterus, respectively, decreased of 53% and 55% from Protocol A to Protocol B. CONCLUSION: Reducing the number of DSA runs from 3 to 1 during UAE allows at least a 30% reduction on radiation exposure, without compromising technical outcomes.

Renal artery embolization for iatrogenic renal vascular injuries management: 5 years' experience.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of renal artery embolization (RAE) for iatrogenic renal vascular injuries (IRVI) management at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, in the last 5 years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all RAE procedures performed from January 2013 to December 2017. Patients-related (age, sex, vascular variants, hemoglobin and serum creatinine), IRVI-related (type and vascular level of IRVI, presence and extension of hematoma), management-related (temporal interval between diagnostic imaging and RAE) and procedure-related (embolic materials, technical success, clinical success and complications) parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: 28 RAE procedures performed on 28 patients (21 males; 7 females) were included. 19/28 patients had pseudoaneurysm, 7/28 active bleeding and 1/28 arteriovenous fistula; 4/28 patients had a combination of 2 IRVI.The extent of perirenal hematoma showed correlation with the cause of IRVI (p = 0.028).Technical success was achieved in all patients whereas clinical success in 25/28 (89.3%), with 3 patients requiring re-treatment. Minor complications were observed during 2/28 (7.1%) endovascular procedures. No major complications occurred. A longer procedural time was observed in patients with lower pre-procedural levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.016).No differences were found in mean serum creatinine (p = 0.23) before and immediately after treatment, while values of creatinine at 1 week from the procedure were significantly lower (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: RAE is safe and effective for the management of iatrogenic IRVI showing high technical and clinical success rate and low complication rate. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Low pre-procedural hemoglobin levels increase procedural duration time. Glue alone or in combination with other materials is as safe as coils.