Glue embolization of a bleeding lingual artery pseudoaneurysm related to tongue surgery.

Postoperative lingual artery pseudoaneurysm associated with hemorrhage is a rare entity mainly found after tonsillectomy or laryngectomy. In this report, a symptomatic, lingual artery pseudoaneurysm after repeated base of tongue surgery was identified on computed tomography and successfully managed with catheter-directed glue-embolization.

Injectable and Radiopaque Liquid Metal/Calcium Alginate Hydrogels for Endovascular Embolization and Tumor Embolotherapy.

Improved endovascular embolization can contribute to assistant treatment for patients. However, many traditional embolic materials, such as metal microcoils or liquid embolic agents, are associated with limitations of coil migration or recanalization. Herein, as the first trial, an injectable and radiopaque liquid metal/calcium alginate (LM/CA) hydrogel is introduced and fabricated as a candidate for endovascular embolization and tumor embolotherapy through developing LM droplets as radiopaque units into biocompatible calcium alginate cross-linked network. The adoption of LM droplets makes hydrogels radiopaque under X-ray and CT scan, which significantly facilitates the tracking of material location during surgical vascular operation. In addition, in vitro and in vivo experiments prove that such smart hydrogel could convert from liquid to solid rapidly via cross-linking, showing pretty flexible and controllable functions. Benefiting from these properties, the hydrogel can be performed in blood vessels through injection via syringes and then served as an embolic material for endovascular embolization procedures. In vivo experiments demonstrate that such hydrogels can occlude arteries and block blood flow until they ultimately lead to ischemic necrosis of tumors and partial healthy tissues. Overall, the present LM/CA hydrogels are promising to be developed as new generation embolic materials for future tumor embolotherapy.

Angiography and transcatheter arterial embolization for non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND AND GOALS: Acute non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding (NVGIB) is one of the most common medical emergencies, leading to significant morbidity and mortality without proper management. This study was to analyze the causes of NVGIB and to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for the treatment of NVGIB. STUDY: From November 2012 to October 2018, 158 patients with NVGIB underwent digital subtraction angiography, and TAE was performed for confirmed gastrointestinal bleeding. Patient characteristics, cause of bleeding, angiographic findings, technical and clinical success rates, complication rates, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Bleeding was confirmed in 71.5% (113/158) of performed angiographies, and 68 patients had visible contrast extravasation on angiography, with the other 45 patients having indirect signs of bleeding. Among the 113 patients with confirmed gastrointestinal bleeding, TAE was technically successful in 111 patients (98.2%). The mean procedure time required for TAE was 116 ± 44 min (ranging from 50 to 225 min). The primary total clinical success rate of TAE was 84.7% (94/111). The primary clinical success rates of TAE for vascular abnormality, neoplastic disease, and iatrogenic condition were 84.5% (49/58), 84.1% (37/44), and 88.9% (8/9), respectively. Intestinal necrosis and perforation were found in two patients after TAE. CONCLUSIONS: The causes of NVGIB are complex and the onset, location, risk, and clinical presentations are variable. NVGIB can be generally divided into three types: vascular abnormality, neoplastic disease, and iatrogenic condition. TAE is a safe, effective, and fast procedure in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Comparison of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) alone and combined with embolisation for the management of cardiofundal varices: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with and without adjunctive embolisation in managing cardiofundal varices bleeding. METHODS: The retrospective study comprised 82 patients (54 men; mean age 53.9 years; mean Model of End-stage Liver Disease score 9.3) with cardiofundal varices bleeding who underwent TIPS creation from 2011 to 2015. Variceal rebleeding, the outflow tracts of varices, overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and post-procedure varices patency were assessed. RESULTS: Gastrorenal shunt was present in 92.7% of patients (n = 76). Embolisation was performed in 67.1% of patients (n = 55). The 1- and 2-year variceal rebleeding rates in the TIPS combined with embolisation group were significantly lower than those in the TIPS alone group (3.8% and 13.4% vs 13.0% and 28.0%, respectively; p = 0.041). No significant differences between the two groups were found in the cardiofundal varices patency, overt HE or survival (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that TIPS combined with embolisation can reduce the risk of variceal rebleeding for patients with cardiofundal varices. KEY POINTS: • TIPS combined with embolisation reduces the risk of rebleeding in treating cardiofundal varices. • TIPS combined with embolisation could not completely occlude cardiofundal varices. • TIPS combined with embolisation could not prevent the development of hepatic encephalopathy.

Ultrashort-Segment Embolization of High-Flow Vessels Using a Coil Packing Technique in an Amplatzer Vascular Plug.

PURPOSE: To report an experimental study and clinical case using a coil packing technique that hastens occlusion of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug 1 (AVP1) in short-segment embolization of high-flow target vessels. TECHNIQUE: An experimental vascular stenosis model was made of 12-mm soft polyvinyl chloride tubing. Under continuous pulsatile flow, a 12-mm AVP1 was deployed in the 4-mm-diameter stenosis. Before detachment of the AVP1, a 2.2-F microcatheter was inserted into the AVP1 through its mesh via a 6-F delivery guiding sheath in parallel with the delivery wire. Hydrogel microcoils were deployed tightly in the AVP1 and the plug was detached. After the procedure, the pulsatile saline flow was nearly obliterated. In the first clinical case, a 64-year-old man with a thoracic aortic stent-graft and single vessel debranching for type B aortic dissection developed a residual type II endoleak via the left subclavian artery. This coil packing technique in an AVP1 was employed to successfully embolize the leak. CONCLUSION: Based on the experimental study and the first experience in vivo, tight coil packing of an AVP1 might be a robust technique for ultrashort-segment embolization.

Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations: Safety and Efficacy of Microvascular Plugs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of microvascular plugs for the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2014 to March 2017, 22 consecutive patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia underwent treatment of PAVMs using microvascular plugs. The number, location, and type (simple or complex) of PAVM and the diameter of the feeding artery were assessed at angiography. Safety was evaluated by successful detachment and absence of migration of the microvascular plug after deployment. Efficacy was assessed by technical success, defined as immediate stasis in the feeding artery above the microvascular plug at the time of angiography, and by the persistence rate at 1-year follow-up CT. RESULTS: Thirty-nine PAVMs (36 simple and three complex) were treated with 52 microvascular plugs in 22 consecutive patients. Thirty-three PAVMs were undergoing initial treatment and six were undergoing retreatment after previous embolotherapy. All microvascular plugs were successfully detached. No microvascular plug migration was observed. The mean (± SD) feeding artery diameter was 2.3 ± 0.7 mm. Technical success was achieved for 51 of 52 (98%) microvascular plug deployments. Follow-up CT, which was available for 20 of 22 (91%) patients, with a mean delay of 12.6 ± 3.1 months, showed two persistent PAVMs (persistence rate, 6%), one due to recanalization through the microvascular plug and the other due to reperfusion from an untreated adjacent pulmonary feeding artery. CONCLUSION: Microvascular plugs are safe and effective for treatment of PAVMs, with a low persistence rate (6%) 1 year after treatment.

Hypoxia and tumor angiogenesis in the era of hepatocellular carcinoma transarterial loco-regional treatments.

This review focuses upon interactions and potential therapeutic targets in the 'vicious cycle' between hypoxia and neoangiogenesis following treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with transarterial loco-regional therapies. Biomarkers correlated with angiogenesis have been studied by many authors as prognostic determinants following transarterial intrahepatic therapy. According to these results future therapies directed toward specific factors related to angiogenesis could play a significant role in preventing local tumor recurrence and remote metastasis.

Diagnosis and treatment of pericallosal artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Pericallosal artery aneurysms are not common clinically. The microsurgery and endovascular therapy are surgically challenging operations. The objective of the study is to summarize their clinical symptoms and optimal treatment strategies of pericallosal artery aneurysms. METHODS: Nine cases of pericallosal artery aneurysms detected by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were reviewed. The clinical manifestation, brain imaging characteristics, and optimal treatment methods were summarized. RESULTS: Patients with spontaneous aneurysm had good clinical outcomes after endovascular coiling or microsurgical clipping treatment. There were no any neurological function deficits in five patients. One patient suffered from permanent neurological function deficits. Patients with traumatic aneurysm pericallosal had relatively poor outcomes, including two patients showing disturbed consciousness and the paralysis of the lower limbs with slow recovery, and one patient was dead after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and interhemispheric fissure hematoma suggest spontaneously pericallosal aneurysm, while traumatic corpus callosum hematoma as well the accompanying embryo of intraventricular hemorrhage suggest traumatic pericallosal aneurysm. Endovascular embolization is the primary surgical treatment for pericallosal aneurysm, while patients with pericallosal aneurysm are not suitable for surgical treatment. Microsurgical clipping treatment may be a choice. However, both of these treatment strategies have high risk.

Update on Embolization Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of the review is to summarize the latest applications for embolotherapy in the management of patients with HCC according to BCLC stage. RECENT FINDINGS: While traditionally reserved for patients with unresectable HCC and stage B disease, there is an important role for embolization therapies in earlier stage patients as an adjunct to ablation, bridging, or downstaging therapy, as a means to improve safety of resection, and potentially as an arterial ablative option in the case of radioembolization. Newer applications of radioembolization such as radiation segmentectomy have the potential to provide cure in localized unifocal disease, and transarterial chemoembolization-portal vein embolization and radiation lobectomy may provide a combination of treatment and future liver remnant hypertrophy for planned hepatic resection. There is also an increasing role for embolization in the treatment of stage C disease, and recent data suggest it can be used in combination with sorafenib with the potential for survival benefit over sorafenib alone, even in the case of portal vein tumor thrombus. Embolization therapies play an increasingly important role in patients with BCLC stage A-C hepatocellular carcinoma. While different therapies may be offered on a patient-specific basis, there are limited prospective RCT data to support superiority of one technique over another.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Post Embolotherapy: Imaging Appearances and Pitfalls on Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Embolotherapies used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) include bland embolization, conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using ethiodol as a carrier, TACE with drug-eluting beads and super absorbent polymer microspheres (DEB-TACE), and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). Successfully treated HCC lesions undergo coagulation necrosis, and appear as nonenhancing hypoattenuating or hypointense lesions in the embolized region on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance. Residual or recurrent tumours demonstrate arterial enhancement with portal venous phase wash-out of contrast, features characteristic of HCC, in and/or around the embolized area. Certain imaging features that result from the procedure itself may limit assessment of response. In conventional TACE, the high-attenuating retained ethiodized oil may obscure arterially-enhancing tumours and limit detection of residual tumours; thus a noncontrast CT on follow-up imaging is important post-cTACE. Hyperenhancement within or around the treated zone can be seen after cTACE, DEB-TACE, or SIRT due to physiologic inflammatory response and may mimic residual tumour. Recognition of these pitfalls is important in the evaluation embolotherapy response.

Parasagittal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Treated With Embozene Microspheres.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of Embozene microspheres as an alternative treatment for intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF). CASE REPORT: The DAVF was located close to the vertex and mainly fed by the left medial meningeal artery (MMA). Embolization was performed using Embozene microspheres due to stenosis in the posterior branch of the left MMA and a conglomerate of tortuous courses in the anterior branch. Complete occlusion was achieved without complication. Neurological symptoms improved, and the patient remained asymptomatic during 1-year follow-up. Angiography at 1 year did not reveal any revascularization. CONCLUSION: Use of microspheres may be a safe and effective alternative treatment, particularly in patients with impeded access to the DAVF.

Endovascular embolization of a muscular symptomatic arteriovenous malformation with Glubran 2 acrylic glue.

OBJECTIVE: Few cases of muscle arteriovenous malformations have been reported in literature to date. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 32-year-old man presenting a muscle arteriovenous malformation involving the vastus lateralis muscle with recurrent episodes of pain. The patient was treated by transcatheter embolization with Glubran 2 acrylic glue. There were no periprocedural or subsequent clinical complications, the glue resulted in successful selective occlusion and the patient showed resolution of symptoms at the six-months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy has been shown to be beneficial in patients with high surgical risks and is the treatment of choice for arteriovenous malformation lesions that extend beyond the deep fascia and involve muscle, tendon, and bone. Glubran 2 constitutes a useful tool to attempt embolization of the muscle arteriovenous malformation nidus, with easier handling and promising results.

A novel gas embolotherapy using microbubbles electrocoalescence for cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Embolotherapy has been increasingly used to disrupt tumor growth. Despite its success in the occlusion of microvessels, it has drawbacks such as limited access to the target location, limited control of the blocker size, and inattention to the tumor characteristics, especially high interstitial fluid pressure. The present work introduces a novel numerical method of gas embolotherapy for cancer treatment through tumor vessel occlusion. METHODS: The gas microbubbles are generated from Levovist bolus injection into the tumor microvessel. The microbubble movement in the blood flow is innovatively controlled by an electric field applied to the tumor-feeding vessel. The interaction between the Levovist microbubbles and the electric field is resolved by developing a fully coupled model using the phase-field model, Carreau model for non-Newtonian blood, Navier-Stokes equations and Maxwell stress tensor. Additionally, the critical effect of high interstitial fluid pressure as a characteristic of solid tumors is included. RESULTS: The findings of this study indicate that the rates of microbubble deformation and displacement increase with the applied potential intensity to the microvessel wall. Accordingly, the required time for a microbubble to join the upper microvessel wall reduces from 1.97ms to 22 µs with an increase of the electric potential from 3.5V to 12.5V. Additionally, an electric potential of 12.5V causes the microbubbles coalescence and formation of a gas column against the bloodstream. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically, our novel embolization procedure can be considered a non-invasive targeted therapy, and under a controlled electric field, the blocker size can be precisely controlled. Also, the proposed method has the potential to be used as a gradual treatment in advanced cancers as tumors develop resistance and relapse.

A rare case of replaced right hepatic artery with direct aortic origin described angiographically during trans-arterial radioembolization.

Normal hepatic arterial anatomy consists of the right hepatic artery and left hepatic artery branching from the common hepatic artery. Despite this being the most common configuration, many variations have been described. Here, we present a rare variant of hepatic arterial anatomy- a replaced right hepatic artery with direct aortic origin. Additionally, the patient was found to have a dorsal pancreatic artery originating from the replaced right hepatic artery This was angiographically identified during mapping for transarterial radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. The unique anatomy in this case and the effect it had on transarterial radioembolization planning described herein demonstrates the necessity of understanding variant hepatic arterial anatomy in endovascular hepatic interventions.

Liquid crystalline composite hydrogels with large pH-triggered anisotropic swelling for embolotherapy.

Inspired by the anisotropic structure of biological tissues, anisotropic hydrogels have been developed using various nanofillers, however, it remains a big challenge to synthesize hydrogels with large swelling anisotropy. Herein a single molecule filler, α-helical polypeptide, instead of nanoscale fillers, was used to synthesize anisotropic hydrogels. First nematic liquid crystal of poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate) (PBLG) was prepared by shearing and stabilized by embedding in a crosslinked polymer matrix. The resulting PBLG composite gels were then converted to poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA) composite gels by debenzylation. The rigid rod-like structure of α-helical PBLG chains makes them easy to be orientated. The pH-sensitivity of PLGA makes the resulting composite gels pH-sensitive without the need to couple with a stimuli-responsive hydrogel matrix. In response to pH change PLGA composite gels swell anisotropically with a much larger swelling degree in the radial direction than in the axial direction. The swelling anisotropy (3.43) is much higher than most anisotropic hydrogels, particularly the stimuli-responsive ones reported previously. The composite gel also exhibits anisotropic mechanical properties with a larger Young's modulus in the axial direction than that in the radial direction. Preliminary test demonstrated that the composite gels have potential in embolotherapy thanks to its large pH-triggered anisotropic swelling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Anisotropic hydrogels have important biomedical applications. Introduction of oriented nanofillers has been demonstrated a popular and versatile method for their synthesis, however, it remains a big challenge to achieve large swelling anisotropy. Herein a single molecule filler, α-helical polypeptide, instead of nanoscale fillers, was used to synthesize anisotropic hydrogels. This filler can be easily oriented by shearing. More importantly, as single molecule filler, it can constrain the swelling of hydrogel matrix more effectively. Using this filler, a pH-sensitive hydrogel with large swelling anisotropy (3.43) was successfully synthesized. Thanks to its large pH-triggered anisotropic swelling the hydrogel was successfully used as embolic agent to occlude vessels.

Unveiling the complexity: coexistence of rheumatic heart disease and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation-a unique case report.

Background: The coexistence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare clinical scenario that poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This case report explores the clinical presentation, diagnostic journey, and multidisciplinary management of a patient presenting with both conditions. Case summary: A 47-year-old female with a history of RHD presented with symptoms of dyspnoea on exertion and cyanosis, suggestive of both cardiac involvement and pulmonary involvement. Subsequent investigations involving imaging, echocardiography, and invasive pulmonary angiography revealed the coexistence of RHD and multiple PAVM in the patient's left lower lobe of the lung. The patient underwent a tailored treatment plan, initially involving percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty for RHD, followed by a staged procedure of transcatheter PAVM closure with Amplatzer™ Vascular Plug II performed 1 month later. Her saturation normalized following the intervention. The patient's progress was monitored closely, with adjustments made to the treatment plan based on evolving clinical scenarios. The patient remained well in short-term follow-up. Discussion: This case highlights the complexity of managing patients having two diverse conditions RHD and PAVM coexisting together, thus emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The unique intersection of cardiac and pulmonary pathologies necessitates careful consideration of diagnostic nuances and tailored treatment strategies. Lessons learned from this case offer valuable insights for clinicians encountering similar scenarios and underscore the significance of individualized, patient-centred care in optimizing outcomes for those with dual pathologies.

Transarterial Embolization of Geniculate Arteries Reduces Pain and Improves Physical Function in Knee Osteoarthritis-A Prospective Cohort Study.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects millions worldwide, leading to pain and reduced quality of life. Conventional treatments often fail to provide adequate relief, necessitating new therapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of genicular artery embolization (GAE) using permanent microspheres in patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA. In this prospective, single-center study, 17 participants underwent GAE. KOOS (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), WOMAC (The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index), and IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) scores, along with physical performance tests, medication use, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, were assessed at baseline and at multiple follow-up points over six months. The primary endpoint, VAS at six months, showed significant improvement (median reduction from 66 mm to 40 mm, p = 0.0004). All pain and function scores, as well as physical performance tests, improved significantly. No clinically relevant changes in medication use or DEXA parameters were observed after six months. Only minor, self-limiting adverse events occurred. This study indicates that GAE is a promising minimally invasive treatment for knee OA, providing significant pain relief and functional improvement. However, further long-term, randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish optimal patient selection criteria.

Graded transthoracic contrast echocardiography after pulmonary arteriovenous malformation embolization: can chest CT be avoided in patients with a low grade shunt?

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are direct connections between the pulmonary artery and vein, creating right-to-left shunting (RLS). Embolization is indicated to prevent complications. Guidelines recommend follow-up chest CTs to confirm persistent occlusion and embolization of all treatable PAVMs. Graded transthoracic contrast echocardiography (TTCE) after PAVM embolization may offer a reliable alternative in a subgroup of patients while preventing radiation exposure. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can TTCE predict the need for additional embolotherapy in the post-embolization population as accurately as it does in treatment-naïve population? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Since 2018, follow-up after PAVM embolization at the study institution includes both TTCE and chest-CT after 6-12 months and every 3-5 years thereafter. Patients who underwent at least one follow-up TTCE and chest-CT were included. The indication for additional embolotherapy was discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting. The primary outcome was the indication for additional embolotherapy in each RLS-grade. Additionally, the association between the RLS-grade and indication for additional embolotherapy was investigated. RESULTS: 339 patients with 412 embolization procedures were included, median time to follow-up TTCE was 7.5 months. A RLS was present in 399 post-embolization TTCEs (97%): RLS grade 1 in 93 patients (23%), grade 2 in 149 patients (36%) and grade 3 in 157 patients (38%). In patients with a RLS grade 0-1, no treatable PAVMs were found on CT. In patients with RLS grade 2-3, 22 (15%) and 72 (46%) underwent additional embolizations. INTERPRETATION: This study shows chest CT might be forgone in patients with an RLS grade 0-1 after PAVM embolization.

Increased quality of life among hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with radioembolization, compared with chemoembolization.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of any palliative treatment. However, few data are available from studies comparing how embolotherapy affects QoL for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We performed a health-related QoL study in patients with HCC treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or (90)Y radioembolization. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of patients undergoing (90)Y radioembolization (n = 29) or TACE (n = 27) for HCC. We assessed patients before treatment and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) survey. We compared differences in health-related QoL between the treatment groups using linear regression repeated-measures analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, the groups had comparable baseline Child-Pugh class and performance statuses, although patients undergoing TACE had lower tumor burdens (P = .018) and less-advanced disease, based on United Network for Organ Sharing and Barcelona stage (P = .03 and P = .02, respectively), permitting injections at segmental arteries (P < .0001). There were no significant differences between groups in overall FACT-Hep health-related QoL scores (P = .055, effect size [ES], .54), owing to a limited sample size. Despite the more advanced disease of patients who received (90)Y radioembolization, they had a significantly better QoL, based on social well being (P = .019; ES, .65), functional well-being (P = .031; ES, .60), and embolotherapy-specific scores (P = .018; ES, .67). They also had a trend toward better overall QoL (P = .055; ES, .54) and higher Trial Outcome Index (P = .05; ES, .56) and FACT-Hep scores (P = .071; ES, .52). CONCLUSIONS: In a prospective study, although (90)Y radioembolization was used to treat patients with more advanced disease, those who received this treatment had significant increases in several features of QoL, whereas patients who received TACE had decreases in QoL scores. However, because of the limited sample size, there was no significant difference in overall FACT-Hep health-related QoL scores. The increase was greatest in the embolotherapy-specific score. ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00739167.