No Intense 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Positron Emission Tomography of a Metastatic Orbital Tumor From Breast Carcinoma.

A 47-year-old woman with a history of invasive ductal carcinoma in the right breast reported decreased vision in the OD for the past 3 months. Her best corrected visual acuity was 0.1 OD and 1.0 OS. T1-weighted MRI revealed enlargement of the right lateral rectus muscle with a faint tumor outline and no contrast enhancement in the lesion. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography did not demonstrate intense uptake at the lesion. Because the patient demonstrated optic neuropathy due to compression by the enlarged muscle, balanced orbital decompression (of the deep lateral and medial orbital walls) was performed simultaneously with a tumor biopsy. Visual acuity of the OD was dramatically improved to 1.0. The histopathological examination demonstrated similar findings to her breast carcinoma. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography does not always show a positive result for an orbital tumor that has metastasized from the breast.

Comparison of bony nasolacrimal canal narrowing with or without primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction in a Japanese population.

PURPOSE: To compare the minimum diameter of the nasolacrimal canal and its location between patients with or without primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in a Japanese population. METHODS: One hundred one patients with unilateral primary acquired NLDO (Group A, 101 affected sides; Group B, 101 unaffected sides) and 50 non-NLDO patients (Group C, 100 sides) were included. Anteroposterior and transverse diameters were measured at the canal entrance and the shortest point using contiguous 1-mm axial computed tomographic images. Canal shapes were classified into 2 types: the "funnel" type (a canal with both minimum diameters at the canal entrance) and the "hourglass" type (a canal with at least one minimum diameter in the canal). The distance from the entrance to the part with the shortest diameter was measured on sides with the hourglass type. RESULTS: The funnel type was found more frequently in Groups A and B than in Group C (p<0.050), although a difference was not found between Groups A and B (p=0.778). The distance of the transverse diameter was significantly shorter in Groups A and B than Group C (p<0.050), although no significant difference was found in this distance between Groups A and B (p=1.000). There were no significant differences between the groups for each value except for the above mentioned (p>0.050). CONCLUSIONS: Primary acquired NLDO patients exhibited the funnel type more frequently or there was a shorter distance from the entrance to the part with the shortest diameter than non-NLDO patients, which may enhance the risk of primary acquired NLDO.

Successful treatment of endoscopically unmanageable rectal varices by balloon-occluded antegrade transvenous sclerotherapy followed by microcoil embolization.

The present report describes two cases of endoscopically unmanageable rectal varices that were treated by balloon-occluded antegrade transvenous sclerotherapy (BATS) followed by microcoil embolization. Follow-up endoscopy confirmed eradication of the rectal varices. Balloon-occluded rectal venography showed stasis of contrast material and sclerosing agent for 30 minutes in both cases of rectal varices, which indicated that the inflow vessel was a single dilated superior rectal vein without other minor inflow vessels. BATS appears to be a feasible therapeutic option for the treatment of rectal varices of this hemodynamic type.

Clinical evaluation of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with 2-day-soluble gelatin sponge particles for hepatocellular carcinoma-comparison with insoluble gelatin sponge particles.

PURPOSE: To compare therapeutic effect, adverse events, and embolized hepatic artery impairment in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization between Lipiodol plus insoluble gelatin sponge particles (Gelpart) and Lipiodol plus 2-day-soluble gelatin sponge particles (2DS-GSPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were assigned to the 2DS-GSP group or the Gelpart group. Radiographic response at 3 months per modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors was evaluated as the primary endpoint; secondary endpoints were safety (per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0) within 3 months and hepatic branch artery impairment at the time of repeat chemoembolization (grade 0, no damage; grade I, mild vessel wall irregularity; grade II, overt stenosis; grade III, occlusion of more peripheral branch artery than subsegmental artery; grade IV, occlusion of subsegmental artery). Grade II, III, or IV indicated significant hepatic artery impairment. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with 143 nodules were randomized to the 2DS-GSP group and 36 patients with 137 nodules were randomized to the Gelpart group. No significant differences in patient background existed between groups. Target lesion response and overall tumor response in the 2DS-GSP and Gelpart groups were 77.7% versus 76.9% and 78.3% versus 77.8%, respectively, with no significant differences. No significant difference in adverse events existed between groups. Hepatic artery impairment was observed in 5% of patients in the 2DS-GSP group (n = 32) and in 16% in the Gelpart group (n = 33; P< .001). CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with 2DS-GSPs resulted in the same therapeutic and adverse effects as chemoembolization with Gelpart while causing significantly less hepatic artery impairment.

Percutaneous transportal outflow-vessel-occluded sclerotherapy for gastric varices unmanageable by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

In this report we introduce percutaneous transportal outflow-vessel-occluded sclerotherapy (PTOS) for gastric varices unmanageable by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) in two cases and evaluate its safety and efficacy. The PTOS is a technique which could obstruct gastric varices subsequent to the occlusion of the outflow route, being based on the rationale of BRTO. In the PTOS procedure, coil embolization of the outflow vessel is first conducted through a microcatheter advanced beyond the gastric varices via the percutaneous transhepatic approach; sclerosing agent (5% ethanolamine oleate) is then injected into the gastric varices after confirmation of static blood flow in the varices. Two patients underwent initial BRTO that eventually failed because of the presence of numerous fine and abruptly angled outflow vessels (case 1), and the presence of a tortuous and elongated outflow vessel accompanied by numerous small collateral outflows that could not be occluded (case 2). Cases 1 and 2 received PTOS using 5% ethanolamine oleate (15 mL and 10 mL, respectively). Portal venous pressure following PTOS showed an increase from 29 to 34 mmHg in case 1 and remained at 24 mmHg in case 2. No major complication was encountered in either patient. One-year follow-up gastroendoscopy showed no recurrence of gastric varices in either patient. Although PTOS is slightly more invasive than BRTO, PTOS can be used as an alternative catheter treatment procedure for gastric varices that are unmanageable by BRTO.

Basic study of a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate, ethanol, and lipiodol as a new embolic material.

PURPOSE: To clarify the configuration change of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) polymerization with increasing proportion of ethanol, the properties of a mixture of NBCA with lipiodol plus ethanol (NLE), and the feasibility of use of NLE for aneurysm packing in a swine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The polymerization configuration of NLE was explored using ratios of 1-4 parts NBCA and 1-3 parts ethanol per 1 part of lipiodol; a 1:1 ratio of NBCA to lipiodol (NLE110) was used as a control. The distance that NLE migrated into saline flowing in a tube was measured. A carotid artery aneurysm was created in each of 18 swine. Aneurysmal packing with three configurations--NLE110, NLE at a ratio of 1:1:2 (NLE112), and NLE at a ratio of 1:1:3 (NLE113)--was attempted in six swine for each configuration. RESULTS: Regardless of NBCA composition, medium-sized droplets, a single large droplet, and a noodle-shaped extrusion were observed in NLE with lipiodol versus ethanol ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. NLE110 migrated as viscous fluid to 190 cm from the injection site, whereas NLE112 migrated for 81 cm ± 11 and NLE113 migrated for 74 cm ± 9. Instant outflow of NLE110 from the six aneurysms caused occlusion of the parent artery, with adhesion to the microcatheter. Packing was achieved with minimal adhesion for all six of the aneurysms packed with NLE112 or with NLE113. CONCLUSIONS: With high ratios of ethanol, the NLE polymerization configuration acquired solid-like properties with potent occlusive ability and negligible adhesion to the microcatheter, suggesting its feasibility for packing of aneurysms.

Differentiation of pancreatic serous cystadenoma from endocrine tumor and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm based on washout pattern on multiphase CT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the washout (WO) pattern of serous cystadenomas (SCAs) compared with endocrine tumors (ETs) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). METHODS: Patients with serous cystadenoma (n = 12), ET (n = 29), and IPMN (n = 35) underwent 4-phase computed tomography CT. Tumors were categorized as hyperdense or hypodense. Computed tomographic values measured were unenhanced attenuation (AU), pancreatic attenuation (A12, 12 seconds), portal attenuation (A35), and equilibrium (A158). Computed tomographic parameters calculated were wash-in (WI) = A12 - AU; WO = A12 - A35; and washout ratio (WOR) = WO/WI × 100/22. RESULTS: Hyperdense SCAs had significantly higher WOR than did hyperdense ETs (P = 0.001). Among the 3 hypodense tumors, SCAs had the significantly highest WOR (P < 0.05/3). Relative to the pancreas, the WOR of SCAs were equivalent, whereas the WOR of ETs and IPMNs were significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperdense SCAs had significantly higher WOR than did hyperdense ETs, and hypodense SCAs had the significantly highest WOR among the three.

Pathologic evaluation of damage to bronchial artery, bronchial wall, and pulmonary parenchyma after bronchial artery embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate for massive hemoptysis.

Histologic evidence of safety after bronchial arterial embolization (BAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) should be assured. The present report describes a 78-year-old man with massive hemoptysis from lung cancer who underwent surgical lobectomy 23 days after hemostasis had been achieved via BAE with NBCA. Pathologic examination revealed that NBCA filled the lumen of bronchial branch arteries 143-1,094 µm in diameter from the lobar bronchus to subsegmental bronchus but was not seen in the lumen of the pulmonary artery or pulmonary vein. NBCA induced occlusion of bronchial branch arteries but no necrosis of the bronchial wall or pulmonary parenchyma.

Balloon occlusion retrograde transvenous obliteration for inferior mesenteric vein-systemic shunt.

Two cases of portosystemic encephalopathy caused by an inferior mesenteric vein (IMV)-internal iliac vein shunt and an IMV-renal vein shunt are presented. IMV and systemic varicosity consisted of a first functional segment, a stagnant segment, and a second functional segment. Both patients underwent balloon occlusion retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO), using a microcatheter, to occlude the stagnant segment selectively. Although transient portal vein thrombosis was observed in case 1 and aggravation of esophageal varices was observed in case 2, these complications were tolerable. Following BRTO, the portosystemic encephalopathy in both cases resolved, and serum ammonia levels, although elevated, remained within the normal range.

MicroRNA, hsa-miR-200c, is an independent prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer and its upregulation inhibits pancreatic cancer invasion but increases cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the microRNA-200 family was reported to affect cancer biology by regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Especially, the expression of miR-200c has been shown to be associated with upregulating the expression of E-cadherin, a gene known to be involved in pancreatic cancer behavior. However, the significance of miR-200c in pancreatic cancer is unknown. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the relationship between E-cadherin and miR-200c expression in a panel of 14 pancreatic cancer cell lines and in macro-dissected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples obtained from 99 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer. We also investigated the effects of miR-200c on the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. RESULTS: We found that patients with high levels of miR-200c expression had significantly better survival rates than those with low levels of miR-200c expression. We also found a remarkably strong correlation between the levels of miR-200c and E-cadherin expression. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that miR-200c may play a role in the pancreatic cancer biology and may be a novel marker for the prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

Percutaneous osteoplasty with a bone marrow nail for fractures of long bones: experimental study.

PURPOSE: To develop percutaneous osteoplasty with the use of a bone marrow nail for fixation of long-bone fractures, and to evaluate its feasibility and safety in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six long bones in three healthy swine were used in the in vivo study. Acrylic cement was injected through an 11-gauge bone biopsy needle and a catheter into a covered metallic stent placed within the long bone, creating a bone marrow nail. In the in vitro study, we determined the bending, tug, and compression strengths of the acrylic cement nails 9 cm long and 8 mm in diameter (N = 10). The bending strength of the artificially fractured bones (N = 6) restored with the bone marrow nail and cement augmentation was then compared with that of normal long bones (N = 6). RESULTS: Percutaneous osteoplasty with a bone marrow nail was successfully achieved within 1 hour for all swine. After osteoplasty, all swine regained the ability to run until they were euthanized. Blood tests and pathologic findings showed no adverse effects. The mean bending, tug, and compression strengths of the nail were 91.4 N/mm(2) (range, 75.0-114.1 N/mm(2)), 20.9 N/mm(2) (range, 6.6-30.4 N/mm(2)), and 103.0 N/mm(2) (range, 96.3-110.0 N/mm(2)), respectively. The bending strength ratio of artificially fractured bones restored with bone marrow nail and cement augmentation to normal long bone was 0.32. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous osteoplasty with use of a bone marrow nail and cement augmentation appears to have potential in treating fractures of non-weight-bearing long bones.

Effectiveness of hepatic arterial embolization on radiofrequency ablation volume in a swine model: relationship to portal venous flow and liver parenchymal pressure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) on radiofrequency (RF) ablation volume and compare portal vein (PV) flow and liver parenchymal pressure before and after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight healthy female swine were divided into four groups to be treated with RF ablation alone (RF-only group), RF ablation after TAE with gelatin sponge particles (GSPs; RF/TAE group), RF ablation after TAE with Lipiodol plus GSPs (RF/TAE/Lipiodol group), and PV embolization (PVE) with GSPs after TAE with Lipiodol plus GSPs (RF/TAE/Lipiodol/PVE group). Five ablations were created in each swine, with 10 ablations per group. A 2-cm expandable LeVeen needle electrode was used for RF ablation. RESULTS: The greatest ablation volume (18,410.1 mm(3) +/- 3,986.4) was observed in the RF/TAE/Lipiodol/PVE group. Of the RF-only, RF/TAE, and RF/TAE/Lipiodol groups, the RF/TAE/Lipiodol group (14,835.5 mm(3) +/- 2,743.2) had a significantly larger ablation volume than the RF-only (8,002.6 mm(3) +/- 2,788.3) and RF/TAE groups (10,398.5 mm(3) +/- 2965.8; P < .05/3). PV pressures increased significantly after TAE (P < .01) compared with the pressure before TAE in the RF/TAE/Lipiodol and RF/TAE/Lipiodol/PVE groups, but not in the RF/TAE group. A marked increase in liver parenchymal pressure was seen during RF ablation; however, there were no significant differences among groups. Accumulation of Lipiodol was noted in the sinusoids in the RF/TAE/Lipiodol and RF/TAE/Lipiodol/PVE groups. CONCLUSIONS: TAE with blockade of PV flow before RF ablation was associated with greater ablation volumes. Liver parenchymal pressure showed no correlation with increased ablation volume.

Balloon-assisted packing of wide-neck aneurysms with a mixture of n-butyl cyanoacrylate, Lipiodol, and ethanol: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of balloon-assisted packing with a mixture of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA), Lipiodol, and ethanol for wide-neck aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 10 carotid aneurysms with wide necks created in a swine model, 3 aneurysms (long and short diameters 10.9 × 9.8 mm; neck width 8.3 ± 1.2 mm (mean ± SD)) and 7 aneurysms (11.2 × 9.5 mm; neck width 8.3 ± 1.4 mm) were packed with a mixture of NBCA, Lipiodol, and ethanol in the ratios 1:1:0 (NL11) and 1:1:2 (NLE112), respectively. A microcatheter was advanced into the aneurysm and a balloon catheter was inflated at the aneurysm neck. Ten minutes after injection, the balloon catheter was deflated and its removal was attempted. RESULTS: For all three aneurysms in the NL11 group, the balloon catheter and the microcatheter adhered strongly to the vessel and could not be adjusted. For all seven aneurysms in the NLE112 group, both the balloon catheter and the microcatheter could be easily removed, which enabled successful full packing of the aneurysm by re-advancing the microcatheter and re-injecting NLE112 after re-inflation of the balloon catheter. CONCLUSION: Although at a preliminary stage, balloon-assisted NLE injection is feasible for packing a wide-neck aneurysm.

Prostate-supplying arteriogram created by multidetector-row CT during pelvic arteriography: contribution to the treatment strategy of prostatic artery embolization for prostatic hyperplasia.

We describe an 85-year-old man suffering lower urinary tract symptoms, who underwent prostatic artery embolization (PAE) based on a prostate-supplying arteriogram created with multidetector-row computed tomography during pelvic arteriography. This arteriogram was synthesized from a background bone volume-rendered (VR) image, an aorta-pelvic artery VR image, and a prostate-supplying artery VR image. Because the bone background VR image is combined with the aorta-pelvic artery VR image, the prostate-supplying arteriogram can simultaneously show the pelvic branch arteries present on the ventral side, inside, and the dorsal side of the pelvic bone. It showed that the left prostatic artery supplied the urethra at the outlet of the urinary bladder. PAE of the left prostatic artery was performed with catheter navigation based on the prostate-supplying arteriogram. There was marked relief of the lower urinary tract symptoms at the 12-month follow-up.

Volume-rendered hemorrhage-responsible arteriogram created by 64 multidetector-row CT during aortography: utility for catheterization in transcatheter arterial embolization for acute arterial bleeding.

Aortography for detecting hemorrhage is limited when determining the catheter treatment strategy because the artery responsible for hemorrhage commonly overlaps organs and non-responsible arteries. Selective catheterization of untargeted arteries would result in repeated arteriography, large volumes of contrast medium, and extended time. A volume-rendered hemorrhage-responsible arteriogram created with 64 multidetector-row CT (64MDCT) during aortography (MDCTAo) can be used both for hemorrhage mapping and catheter navigation. The MDCTAo depicted hemorrhage in 61 of 71 cases of suspected acute arterial bleeding treated at our institute in the last 3 years. Complete hemostasis by embolization was achieved in all cases. The hemorrhage-responsible arteriogram was used for navigation during catheterization, thus assisting successful embolization. Hemorrhage was not visualized in the remaining 10 patients, of whom 6 had a pseudoaneurysm in a visceral artery; 1 with urinary bladder bleeding and 1 with chest wall hemorrhage had gaze tamponade; and 1 with urinary bladder hemorrhage and 1 with uterine hemorrhage had spastic arteries. Six patients with pseudoaneurysm underwent preventive embolization and the other 4 patients were managed by watchful observation. MDCTAo has the advantage of depicting the arteries responsible for hemoptysis, whether from the bronchial arteries or other systemic arteries, in a single scan. MDCTAo is particularly useful for identifying the source of acute arterial bleeding in the pancreatic arcade area, which is supplied by both the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. In a case of pelvic hemorrhage, MDCTAo identified the responsible artery from among numerous overlapping visceral arteries that branched from the internal iliac arteries. In conclusion, a hemorrhage-responsible arteriogram created by 64MDCT immediately before catheterization is useful for deciding the catheter treatment strategy for acute arterial bleeding.

Changes in inflammatory, coagulopathic, and fibrinolytic responses after endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm: relationship between fibrinogen degradation product levels and endoleaks.

PURPOSE: To compare the inflammatory, coagulopathic, and fibrinolytic responses after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm between two stent grafts. Fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) levels were compared between patients with or without an endoleak. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EVAR was performed in 88 patients using an Excluder (37 patients) or a Zenith (51 patients). White blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, platelet count, and FDP levels were measured before and after EVAR. RESULTS: WBC and CRP increased and the platelet count decreased significantly on days 1 and 3 after EVAR in the Zenith group compared with the Excluder group. The change in FDP from baseline to 7 days after EVAR was -1.99 ± 7.46 vs. 8.59 ± 9.38 µg/mL in patients with (n = 24) vs. without (n = 64) an endoleak (p < 0.001). A change in FDP of 3.1 µg/mL was the optimal cutoff point for predicting the presence of an endoleak (accuracy 0.762; sensitivity 0.875; specificity 0.717). CONCLUSION: Inflammatory, coagulopathic, and fibrinolytic responses were greater in the Zenith group than in the Excluder group. A change in FDP of ≤3.1 µg/mL was predictive of an endoleak after EVAR.

Arterial supply to the bleeding diverticulum in the ascending duodenum treated by transcatheter arterial embolization- a duodenal artery branched from the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery.

We present a case of endoscopically unmanageable hemorrhagic diverticulum in the ascending duodenum. The ventral and dorsal walls of the ascending duodenum were supplied from the first jejunal artery (1JA) and inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPDA), respectively. The hemorrhage mainly occurred from IPDA. The abruptly branching of IPDA from superior mesenteric artery enabled successful catheterization of the IPDA with an angled microcatheter. Hemostasis was obtained by embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Gastroendoscopy depicted a duodenal hemi-circumferential ulcer. No symptoms related to hemorrhage were found at the last follow-up at 12 months.

Acute appendicitis with intestinal malrotation: the usefulness of coronal computed tomography.

We herein present a rare case of acute appendicitis with intestinal malrotation. Coronal images of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed the small intestine on the right side and the large intestine on the left side, thus indicating intestinal malrotation (non-rotation type). In addition, an enhanced, tubular, fluid-filled structure was detected attached to the cecum, which was located superior to the urinary bladder, suggesting acute appendicitis. The present study shows that coronal CT images provide important information for the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in patients with intestinal malrotation.