Temperature monitoring and lesion volume estimation during double-applicator laser-induced thermotherapy in ex vivo swine pancreas: a preliminary study

Tissue temperature distribution plays a crucial role in the outcome of laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT), a technique employed for neoplasias removal. Since recent studies proposed LITT for pancreatic tumors treatment, assessment of temperature and of its effects around the laser applicator could be useful to define optimal laser settings. The aims of this work are temperature monitoring and measurement of ablated tissue volume in an ex vivo porcine pancreas undergoing double-applicator LITT. A three-dimensional numerical model is implemented to predict temperature rise and volumes of ablated tissue in treated pancreas. Experiments are performed to validate the model, with two modalities: (1) 12-fiber Bragg grating sensors are adopted to monitor the heating and cooling during LITT at several distances from the applicators tip, and (2) 1.5-T MR imaging is used to estimate the ablated volume. Experimental data agree with theoretical ones: at 2 mm from both applicators tips, the maximum temperature increase is approximately 60 °C downward from the tips, while it increases of about 40 °C and 30 °C, respectively, at the level and upward from the tips. This behavior occurs also at other distances, proving that the tissue downward from the tip is mostly heated. Furthermore, the estimated volume with MRI agrees with theoretical one (i.d., 0.91?±?0.09 vs. 0.95 cm³). The encouraging results indicate that the model could be a suitable tool to choose the optimal laser settings, in order to control the volume of ablated tissue.     

Patency of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery branches after flow diversion treatment. A meta-analysis

Background and purpose

Placement of flow-diverters across the ostia of major ICA branches carries a risk of arterial occlusion. We determined the rate of occlusion of the supraclinoid ICA branches and the related symptoms, following coverage with flow-diverters.

Moderately Hypofractionated Helical IMRT,FDG–PET/CT-guided,for Progressive Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in Patients With Intact Lungs

Introduction

The objective of this study was to present the outcomes of moderately hypofractionated helical intensity-modulated radiation therapy (HT) with/without simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) positive areas (gross tumor volume [GTV]-PET) for patients with progressive malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) after previous treatments.

Correction of hypospadias with a vertical preputial island flap: the Göteborg experience of 47 patients

We report the follow-up of 47 patients with penile hypospadias who were treated by the Scuderi procedure between 1988 and 1998 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Forty of the patients (85%) had had no previous operations, while the remaining seven had had meatotomy with chordectomy only, or an unsuccessful Dennis-Browne procedure. Hypospadias was distal in 35 (74%), mediopenile in 8 (17%), and proximal in 4 (9%); 21 (45%) showed signs of curvature. After a Scuderi urethroplasty one patient developed a fistula (2%) and 4 developed mild stenosis. The early success rate was therefore 42/47 (89%) and this later increased to 46/47 (98%) after non-surgical treatment of the stenoses. The results support the use of the Scuderi procedure for correction of primary and secondary penile hypospadias with a low complication rate.