Hepatic Abscess: A Rare Presentation of Sump Syndrome After Choledochojejunostomy.

Sump syndrome is a rare complication of choledochoenterotomy. Patients with sump syndrome often have abdominal pain, recurrent cholangitis, pancreatitis, malabsorption, fever, an abnormal liver function test, and, rarely, hepatic abscess. Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy or hepaticojejunostomy has been advocated to prevent sump syndrome. We report an 80-year-old man who presented with a hepatic abscess secondary to sump syndrome 26 years after a Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy for recurrent cholangitis. Sump syndrome should be considered for patients who underwent biliary diversion surgery, regardless of the type of procedure or time from surgery.

Ultrasonography and clinical findings in children with epididymitis, with and without associated lower urinary tract abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Epididymitis is most commonly idiopathic but can also be associated with urinary tract abnormalities (UTAs). The distinctive clinical and imaging findings of children with epididymitis and underlying UTAs are not known. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and imaging findings in children with epididymitis and the association with UTAs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included all children evaluated for epididymitis confirmed by scrotal US in a 6-year period. The clinical and imaging findings and disease recurrence were compared between children with and without UTAs. RESULTS: A total of 47 boys (mean/SD 9.61/4.40 years, range 0.1 to 17.1 years) met the entry criteria, of whom 17 had UTAs. The most common UTAs were hypospadias, neurogenic bladder, and functional bladder abnormality (six each). Age at presentation and likelihood of testicular swelling or hydrocele was not different between children with and without UTAs. Marked epididymal swelling was more common in children with UTAs (9/17, 53%) than in those without UTAs (5/30, 17%; P=0.02), as was recurrent epididymitis (with UTAs, 9/17, 53%; without UTAs, 5/30, 17%; P=0.02). Chronic epididymitis (five children), presentation with scrotal mass (four), and epididymal abscess (two) occurred only in children with UTAs. CONCLUSION: Children with epididymitis who have UTAs are more likely to present with marked epididymal swelling, develop recurrent disease, and have a more protracted course.

Computational simulation of the predicted dosimetric impact of adjuvant yttrium-90 PET/CT-guided percutaneous ablation following radioembolization.

BACKGROUND: 90Y PET/CT post-radioembolization imaging has demonstrated that the distribution of 90Y in a tumor can be non-uniform. Using computational modeling, we predicted the dosimetric impact of post-treatment 90Y PET/CT-guided percutaneous ablation of the portions of a tumor receiving the lowest absorbed dose. A cohort of fourteen patients with non-resectable liver cancer previously treated using 90Y radioembolization were included in this retrospective study. Each patient exhibited potentially under-treated areas of tumor following treatment based on quantitative 90Y PET/CT. 90Y PET/CT was used to guide electrode placement for simulated adjuvant radiofrequency ablation in areas of tumor receiving the lowest dose. The finite element method was used to solve Penne's bioheat transport equation, coupled with the Arrhenius thermal cell-death model to determine 3D thermal ablation zones. Tumor and unablated tumor absorbed-dose metrics (average dose, D50, D70, D90, V100) following ablation were compared, where D70 is the minimum dose to 70% of tumor and V100 is the fractional tumor volume receiving more than 100 Gy. RESULTS: Compared to radioembolization alone, 90Y radioembolization with adjuvant ablation was associated with predicted increases in all tumor dose metrics evaluated. The mean average absorbed dose increased by 11.2 ± 6.9 Gy. Increases in D50, D70, and D90 were 11.0 ± 6.9 Gy, 13.3 ± 10.9 Gy, and 11.8 ± 10.8 Gy, respectively. The mean increase in V100 was 7.2 ± 4.2%. All changes were statistically significant (P < 0.01). A negative correlation between pre-ablation tumor volume and D50, average dose, and V100 was identified (ρ < - 0.5, P < 0.05) suggesting that adjuvant radiofrequency ablation may be less beneficial to patients with large tumor burdens. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that adjuvant 90Y PET/CT-guided radiofrequency ablation may improve tumor absorbed-dose metrics. These data may justify a prospective clinical trial to further evaluate this hybrid approach.

90Y Radioembolization of Colorectal Hepatic Metastases Using Glass Microspheres: Safety and Survival Outcomes from a 531-Patient Multicenter Study.

UNLABELLED: Hepatic metastases of colorectal carcinoma are a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Most colorectal liver metastases become refractory to chemotherapy and biologic agents, at which point the median overall survival declines to 4-5 mo. Radioembolization with (90)Y has been used in the salvage setting with favorable outcomes. This study reports the survival and safety outcomes of 531 patients treated with glass-based (90)Y microspheres at 8 institutions, making it the largest (90)Y study for patients with colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: Data were retrospectively compiled from 8 institutions for all (90)Y glass microsphere treatments for colorectal liver metastases. Exposure to chemotherapeutic or biologic agents, prior liver therapies, biochemical parameters before and after treatment, radiation dosimetry, and complications were recorded. Uni- and multivariate analyses for predictors of survival were performed. Survival outcomes and clinical or biochemical adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 531 patients received (90)Y radioembolization for colorectal liver metastases. The most common clinical adverse events were fatigue (55%), abdominal pain (34%), and nausea (19%). Grade 3 or 4 hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 13% of patients at any time. The median overall survival from the first (90)Y treatment was 10.6 mo (95% confidence interval, 8.8-12.4). Performance status, no more than 25% tumor burden, no extrahepatic metastases, albumin greater than 3 g/dL, and receipt of no more than 2 chemotherapeutic agents independently predicted better survival outcomes. CONCLUSION: This multiinstitutional review of a large cohort of patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with (90)Y radioembolization using glass microspheres has demonstrated promising survival outcomes with low toxicity and low side effects. The outcomes were reproducible and consistent with prior reports of radioembolization.

A novel approach using liquid embolic agent for the treatment of pancreatic-cutaneous fistulas: Report of a case.

Pancreatic fistula formation remains one of the most dreadful complications after pancreaticoduodenectomies, resulting in extended hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, along with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. Little is mentioned in the literature about the use of percutaneous techniques to resolve this complication when conservative treatments fail. Thus, we developed a novel technique for treating pancreatic-cutaneous fistulas that develop post-pancreaticoduodenectomy. This work describes a novel approach of using a liquid embolic agent to treat a high-output pancreatic-cutaneous fistula after a Whipple procedure, which to the best of our knowledge after extensive literature searches, has not been performed before.

Traumatic axillary artery pseudoaneurysm treated with intravascular balloon occlusion and percutaneous thrombin injection.

Axillary artery pseudoaneurysms are relatively rare, with few reported cases found in the literature. Furthermore, treatment with percutaneous thrombin injection has not yet been reported. We report the case of a 59-year-old man with a large (10 cm) post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the left axillary artery found five weeks after a motorcycle crash. The patient sustained multiple injuries, including fractures of the left scapula and clavicle. Edema was observed at the time of diagnosis. Arteriography with successful ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection was undertaken. The patient experienced no complications after the procedure.

Complications arising from splenic artery embolization: a review of an 11-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Splenic artery embolization (SAE) is a staple adjunct in the management of blunt splenic trauma. We examined complications of SAE over an 11-year period. METHODS: Patients who underwent SAE were identified. Demographic data and the location of the SAE-proximal, distal, or combined-were noted. Major and minor complications were identified. RESULTS: Of 1,383 patients with blunt splenic trauma, 298 (21.5%) underwent operative management, and 1,085 (78.5%) underwent nonoperative management (NOM). SAE was performed in 8.1% of the NOM group. Major complications which occurred in 14% of patients, included splenic abscesses, infarction, cysts, and contrast-induced renal insufficiency. Three-fourths of patients with major complications underwent distal embolization. There were more complications in patients who underwent distal embolization (24% distal vs 6% proximal alone; P = .02). Minor complications, which occurred in 34% of patients, included left-sided pleural effusions, coil migration, and fever. CONCLUSIONS: SAE is a useful tool for managing splenic injuries. Major and minor complications can occur. Distal embolization is associated with more major complications.