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.

Dual microcatheter retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices: coil embolization as a substitute for balloon occlusion.

Dual microcatheter retrograde transvenous obliteration (DMRTO) of gastric varices enables dual microcatheters to be advanced to the gastric varices themselves or to a site adjacent to the varices. The sclerosing agent is infused through the first microcatheter following coil embolization of the outflow vessels through the second microcatheter, which is placed several centimeters back from the varices. We present two cases of gastric varices in whom balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration failed, because of angulated gastrosubphrenic shunt in case 1 and a tortuous and elongated gastrorenal shunt in case 2. DMRTO successfully achieved eradication of the gastric varices in both cases.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric varices via the intercostal vein.

Gastric varices are usually associated with a gastro-renal (G-R) shunt. However, the gastric varices described in this case report were not associated with a G-R shunt. The inflow vessel was the posterior gastric vein and the outflow vessels were the narrow inferior phrenic vein and the dilated cardio-phrenic vein. First, percutaneous transhepatic obliteration of the posterior gastric vein was performed, but the gastric varices remained patent. Then, micro-balloon catheterization of the subphrenic vein was carried out via the jugular vein, pericardial vein and cardio-phrenic vein, however, micro-balloon-occluded inferior phrenic venography followed by micro-coil embolization of the cardio-phrenic vein revealed no delineation of gastric varices resulting in no further treatment. Thereafter, as a gastro-subphrenic-intercostal vein shunt developed, a micro-balloon catheter was advanced to the gastric varices via the intercostal vein and balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) was performed resulting in the eradication of gastric varices. BRTO for gastric varices via the intercostal vein has not previously been documented.

Interlocking detachable coil embolization by technique of dumbbell-shaped framing and filling and bridge formation under balloon dilatation for huge conglomerate pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.

A 60-year-old woman presented with a conglomerate pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) size 8.2 × 7.2 cm on chest X-ray. Feeding arteries were A(a)(7) and A(b)(7) , A(8), and A(10). The diameter and length of the A(b)(7) neck were 15.5 and 16 mm, respectively. After percutaneous transcatheter embolization of A(8) and A(10), PTE of A(a)(7) and A(b)(7) was conducted under balloon occlusion with interlocking detachable coils using a technique of dumbbell-shaped framing and filling, making a bridge from A(b)(7) to the trunk of A(9) and A(10)across A(7). Follow-up computed tomography 10 months after treatment showed marked shrinkage of the PAVM.

Fibroadenoma of the axillary accessory breast: diagnostic value of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging.

Accessory breast is synonymous with polymastia or supernumerary breast tissue. An accessory breast without a nipple or areola is rare. We report a case of fibroadenoma of an accessory breast with no nipple or areola in a 41-year-old woman who presented with a right axillary mass associated with five small nodules in the normally situated breast. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the accessory breast surrounding the tumor. We ignored the presence of the component surrounding the mass and made a preoperative diagnosis of an axillary mass of possible metastases from multiple breast cancers or breast cancer of unknown origin associated with multiple breast fibroadenomas. From a retrospective view, based on the histological results, MRI and dynamic MRI demonstrated a tiny component of breast-like tissue surrounding the axillary mass and an enhancement pattern typical of fibroadenoma for the axillary mass. For the later diagnosis of the axillary mass, the interpretation of whether the component of breast tissue surrounding the axillary mass was present is crucial. If the component exists, a tumor that originated from the accessory breast should be foremost in the differential diagnosis. Dynamic MRI appears to contribute to the diagnosis of fibroadenoma of an accessory breast before biopsy or surgical resection.