Unusual Anatomical Variants of the Left Adrenal Vein via the Renal Capsular Vein Preventing Successful Adrenal Vein Sampling

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology -     

Comparison of the Central Adrenal Vein and the Common Trunk of the Left Adrenal Vein for Adrenal Venous Sampling

PurposeTo compare left adrenal venous sampling (AVS) in two locations: the central adrenal vein and the common trunk.Materials and MethodsA total of 22 patients (12 men and 10 women; mean age, 50 y; range, 26–65 y) who were suspected of having primary aldosteronism (PA) and underwent successful AVS with cortisol concentration measurement and/or venography between November 2010 and August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. In regard to the left adrenal vein, collections were done at two locations: at the common trunk below the confluence of the inferior phrenic vein and at the central adrenal vein, which was above the confluence. The effects of the inflow from the inferior phrenic vein on plasma aldosterone and cortisol levels were analyzed.ResultsEight patients had bilateral hypersecreting lesions and 13 had a unilateral lesion. One was diagnosed as having secondary hypertension other than PA. The median cortisol levels below and above the confluence were 129 μg/dL (range, 21–400 μg/dL) and 215 μg/dL (range, 21–690 μg/dL), respectively. The median aldosterone levels were 2,120 pg/mL (range, 164–42,700 pg/mL) and 4,275 pg/mL (range, 119–59,000 pg/mL), respectively. The median aldosterone/cortisol (A/C) ratios were 244 (range, 34–2,401) and 278 (range, 25–2,251), respectively. Cortisol and aldosterone levels were significantly higher above the confluence (P = .0050 and P = .0003, respectively), whereas the A/C ratio showed no significant difference (P = .12).ConclusionsAlthough higher levels of cortisol and aldosterone were obtained upstream, A/C ratio was not significantly different between the central adrenal vein and the common trunk.     

Right Adrenal Venography Findings correlated with C-arm CT for Selection During C-arm CT-assisted Adrenal Vein Sampling in Primary Aldosteronism

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate retrospectively the efficacy of C-arm CT to confirm right adrenal vein catheterization during adrenal vein sampling (AVS) and to correlate adrenal venography findings with C-arm CT and/or biochemical results for right adrenal vein selection.

Methods

Forty-two consecutive primary aldosteronism patients (M:F = 21:21; age: 29–70 years) underwent C-arm CT assisted sequential AVS. After catheterization of right adrenal vein, C-arm CT was performed to confirm catheter position. Catheter was repositioned when right adrenal gland was not opacified. Radiological images, medical records, and biochemical results were reviewed for technical/biochemical success rates and complications. Right adrenal venography findings of pinnate pattern, visualization of renal capsular vein, and retroperitoneal vein other than renal capsular vein were correlated with C-arm CT and/or biochemical results for right adrenal vein selection.

Results

Both the technical and biochemical success of AVS was achieved in 40 patients (95.2 %). C-arm CT failed due to catheter instability in one, and adrenal/vena cava cortisol gradient was <3 in one patient. Catheter was repositioned in four patients (9.5 %) according to C-arm CT findings. Right adrenal venography finding of renal capsular vein significantly correlated with C-arm CT and/or biochemical results (100 %) for right adrenal vein selection (p = 0.011, χ ² test), whereas pinnate pattern (p = 0.099) and other retroperitoneal veins (p = 0.347) did not. There was no procedure-related complication.

Conclusions

C-arm CT increases confidence of right adrenal vein catheterization during AVS. Visualization of renal capsular vein on adrenal venography suggests right adrenal vein catheterization and C-arm CT may not be required.     

Dual Left Adrenal Venous Drainage Detected during Adrenal Vein Sampling

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A New Spin on Adrenal Vein Sampling

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology -     

Anatomical Variations of the Left Adrenal Vein Encountered During Venous Sampling

PurposeTo identify anatomical variations in the left adrenal vein (LAV) and to evaluate the role of preprocedural contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) planning.MethodsThe length of the left adrenal central vein (LACV), the vessel that receives blood from all tributaries of the left adrenal gland, was measured using venograms of patients who had undergone adrenal venous sampling (AVS) for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism between October 2017 and December 2019. The anatomical variants of the LAV were described and classified. Contrast-enhanced CT was used to evaluate the detection rate of the following: (a) confluence of the left inferior phrenic vein and the LAV and (b) the last tributary flowing into the LAV.ResultsIn total, 311 patients (143 men, 168 women; mean age: 49.3 years ± 11.0) were enrolled. Of them, 9 (2.9%) patients had anatomical variants lacking a LACV. In patients with a LACV (n = 302), the venographic LACV length was 9.0 mm ± 3.9 (<1 mm in 9 patients). The detection rate of the confluence of the left inferior phrenic vein and LAV, as determined using contrast-enhanced CT, was high (96.2%), whereas that of the last tributary flowing into the LAV was low (0.8%). In 4 of 18 patients with short or absent LACV, the variant was visualized using contrast-enhanced CT.ConclusionsIn some patients, the LACV is absent or short, which is an anatomical variation. Understanding venographic anatomical variations can help avoid misleading results resulting from a suboptimal sampling site in AVS. For some subtypes, contrast-enhanced CT may also help in planning the AVS procedure.     

三维CTAP对右肝静脉与右门静脉关系的研究

目的观察右门静脉第3级分支与右肝静脉的前后关系,阐明右肝静脉是否与右纵裂相一致,能够作为右前段和右后段的分界标志。方法观察连续100例门静脉显示良好无严重肝硬化的螺旋CT动脉性门静脉造影(CTAP)影像并行三维重建,对清楚显示右门静脉与右肝静脉关系的69例,对照观察三维CTAP和轴位CTAP影像。结果右门静脉第3级分支与右肝静脉关系的分析表明,在S8与S7之间近右膈顶的部分,右纵裂多数(54/64,84%)位于右肝静脉之背侧;在S5与S6之间,右纵裂经常(46/69,67%,约2/3)位于右肝静脉的腹侧。结论右肝静脉不是可靠的分界右前段和右后段的标志。门静脉的第3级分支是确定肝段的关键标志,提示应以门静脉第3分支P5～P8确定相应的肝段S5～S8,避免以右肝静脉为标志对肝段或肝肿瘤的错误定位。     

Dual Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration of Gastric Varix Draining into the Left Adrenal Vein and Left Inferior Phrenic Vein

A 66-year-old woman with a gastric varix, draining into a dilated left adrenal vein and a left inferior phrenic vein, was treated with dual balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO). Under balloon occlusion of the left adrenal vein and the left inferior phrenic vein, retrograde injection of a sclerosant (5% ethanolamine oleate) into the gastric varix was performed. Two weeks later, disappearance of flow in the gastric varix was confirmed on endoscopic ultrasound examination.     

Failure Mode Analysis in Adrenal Vein Sampling: A Single-Center Experience

PurposeTo analyze failure modes in a high-volume adrenal vein sampling (AVS) practice in an effort to identify preventable causes of nondiagnostic sampling.Materials and MethodsA retrospective database was constructed containing 343 AVS procedures performed over a 10-year period. Each nondiagnostic AVS procedure was reviewed for failure mode and correlated with results of any repeat AVS. Data collected included selectivity index, lateralization index, adrenalectomy outcomes if performed, and details of AVS procedure. All AVS procedures were performed after cosyntropin stimulation, using sequential technique.ResultsAVS was nondiagnostic in 12 of 343 (3.5%) primary procedures and 2 secondary procedures. Failure was right-sided in 8 (57%) procedures, left-sided in 4 (29%) procedures, bilateral in 1 procedure, and neither in 1 procedure (laboratory error). Failure modes included diluted sample from correctly identified vein (n = 7 [50%]; 3 right and 4 left), vessel misidentified as adrenal vein (n = 3 [21%]; all right), failure to locate an adrenal vein (n = 2 [14%]; both right), cosyntropin stimulation failure (n = 1 [7%]; diagnostic by nonstimulated criteria), and laboratory error (n = 1 [7%]; specimen loss). A second AVS procedure was diagnostic in three of five cases (60%), and a third AVS procedure was diagnostic in one of one case (100%). Among the eight patients in whom AVS ultimately was not diagnostic, four underwent adrenalectomy based on diluted AVS samples, and one underwent adrenalectomy based on imaging; all five experienced improvement in aldosteronism.ConclusionsA substantial percentage of AVS failures occur on the left, all related to dilution. Even when technically nondiagnostic per strict criteria, some “failed” AVS procedures may be sufficient to guide therapy. Repeat AVS has a good yield.     

Retrieval of a Greenfield IVC Filter Displaced to the Right Brachiocephalic Vein

During insertion of a central venous sheath an inferior vena cava stainless steel Greenfield filter was dislodged to the right brachiocephalic vein without a free end. Successful retrieval was achieved by using a combination of a guidewire and a snare. Percutaneous retrieval of this vena cava filter is feasible with minimal risk using this method.     

MDCT Findings of Right Circumaortic Renal Vein with Ectopic Kidney

Anomalies of renal vasculature combined with ectopic kidneys were found on a multi-detector CT scan. Knowledge of renal vascular variation is very important for surgical exploration, radiologic intervention and staging for urologic cancer. We present an extremely rare case of a right circumaortic renal vein combined with a right ectopic kidney. The right kidney was located at the level between the third and fifth lumbar vertebra. The right circumaortic renal vein crossed the aorta and returned to the inferior vena cava behind the aorta.     

肝右后下静脉的CT影像解剖学研究及其临床意义

目的:描述肝右后下静脉(IRHV)CT表现,探讨其临床意义.材料和方法:对112例正常成人上腹部进行多层螺旋CT增强扫描获得原始数据,用容积再现法(VR),最大密度投影法(MIP),多平面重建(MPR)对肝右静脉(RHV)和IRHV进行图像后处理,观察并测量:RHV管径、IRHV管径、发生率、及其走行,IRHV与RHV的距离,IRHV与下腔静脉的夹角.结果:IRHV在第三肝门水平注入下腔静脉,112例正常成人中观察到32例有IRHV,其显示率为28.6%.IRHV距RHV的最小距离3.3cm,最大距离为6.7cm,平均值为4.9±1.1cm.IRHV与下腔静脉的夹角呈锐角者9.4%(3/32),直角或近似直角者90.6%(29/32).IRHV管径与RHV管径存在"此消彼长"的关系.IRHV主要引流肝脏Ⅵ段及邻近肝组织的静脉血.结论:MSCT可以清晰地显示IRHV,可评价IRHV的解剖学特征,正确认识IRHV对肝脏疾病的诊断和治疗有重要的临床意义.     

肝右后下静脉3.0T磁共振VIBE序列影像解剖学研究

目的 评价磁共振三维容积式内插值法屏气检查(VIBE)序列对肝右后下静脉(IRHV)解剖特征的显示能力.方法 对85例受检者肝静脉行MRI增强扫描获得原始图像,用多平面重组和最大密度投影进行重组,观察IRHV影像学特征.结果 85例受检者的图像中有50例出现IRHV,显示率为58.8％.所显示的IRHV为1～5条,平均(1.62 ±0.88)条.直径为0.22 ～ 0.95cm,平均(0.41±0.18)cm.IRHV与肝右静脉(RHV)距离为2.10～7.50 cm,平均(4.23±1.31)cm.IRHV与下腔静脉夹角41°～107°,平均(74.6±12.7)°.IRHV管径与RHV管径呈负相关(r=-0.778,P=0.000).结论 MRI增强扫描可以评价IRHV的解剖学特征.     

Intrahepatic Left to Right Portoportal Venous Collateral Vascular Formation in Patients Undergoing Right Portal Vein Ligation

Purpose

We investigated intrahepatic vascular changes in patients undergoing right portal vein ligation (PVL) or portal vein embolization (PVE) in conjunction with the ensuing hypertrophic response and function of the left liver lobe.

Methods

Between December 2008 and October 2011, 7 patients underwent right PVL and 14 patients PVE. Computed tomographic (CT) volumetry to assess future remnant liver (FRL) and functional hepatobiliary scintigraphy were performed in all patients before and 3 weeks after portal vein occlusion. In 18 patients an intraoperative portography was performed to assess perfusion through the occluded portal branches.

Results

In all patients after initially successful PVL, reperfused portal veins were observed on CT scan 3 weeks after portal occlusion. This was confirmed in all cases during intraoperative portography. Intrahepatic portoportal collaterals were identified in all patients in the PVL group and in one patient in the PVE group. In all other PVE patients, complete occlusion of the embolized portal branches was observed on CT scan and on intraoperative portography. The median increase of FRL volume after PVE was 41.6 % (range 10–305 %), and after PVL was only 8.1 % (range 0–102 %) (p = 0.179). There were no differences in FRL function between both groups.

Conclusion

Preoperative PVE and PVL are both methods to induce hypertrophy of the FRL in anticipation of major liver resection. Compared to PVE, PVL seems less efficient in inducing hypertrophy of the nonoccluded left lobe. This could be caused by the formation of intrahepatic portoportal neocollateral vessels, through which the ligated portal branches are reperfused within 3 weeks.