Migration of Steel-Wire Coils into the Stomach After Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for a Bleeding Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: Report of a Case

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) represents the primary, and often definitive, mode of therapy for bleeding splanchnic artery pseudoaneurysms (PSA). Nevertheless, a number of complications associated with this procedure have been described. We report herein the case of a 59-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis who was referred to us with hematemesis and hemorrhagic shock. Computed tomography revealed a splenic artery PSA bleeding into a pancreatic pseudocyst, and TAE was performed using steel-wire coils, placed inside the aneurysmal cavity, which resulted in the immediate cessation of bleeding. However, several weeks later some of the coils were found to have dislodged through a gastropseudocystic fistula. Furthermore, an early gastric cancer was incidentally found proximal to the fistula. We finally performed open surgery to treat both disorders; primarily for the gastric cancer, but also for the pseudocyst and fistula, with the intermittent discharge of the steel-wire coils. To our knowledge, migration into the stomach of steel-wire coils after TAE has not been described before. It is generally believed that the embolization procedure should occlude normal portions of the artery both distal and proximal to the PSA with embolization materials. By occluding the PSA in this way, the subsequent migration of steel-wire coils into the pseudocyst and stomach might have been prevented in our patient. Received: July 31, 2000 / Accepted: November 20, 2000     

Haemobilia – a rare presentation of intrabiliary hydatid disease

Intrabiliary hydatid cysts have been known to cause complications. We report a rare case of calcified crumpled intrabiliary hydatid cyst causing massive haemobilia due to a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm, an unusual complication of intrabiliary hydatid cyst. The patient was successfully treated by stenting of the pseudoaneurysm with overlapping stents.     

Treatment of extracranial carotid artery pseudoaneurysms with stent grafts: case series.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Extracranial carotid artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare entity with a poorly defined natural history. Treatment has been limited to open surgical repair and limited experience with endovascular repair. We review our experience with the use of stent grafts to treat this disease entity. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the interventional databases of two university hospitals (Michigan State University and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) between 2004 and 2006 to identify patients with carotid pseudoaneurysms that were treated with stent grafts. A total of five patients were identified. RESULTS: Of the five patients treated, four presented with acute bleeding secondary to carcinomatous invasion of the carotid artery, while one presented with thromboembolic events. Four of the five were successfully occluded with stent grafts. The one patient in whom the bleeding could not be stopped with the stent graft expired due to cardiac arrest. There were no peri-procedural complications noted as a result of stent graft placement. CONCLUSIONS: Stent grafts can be utilized to treat pseudoaneurysms safely, but may not always stop active extravasation as an isolated therapy. Long-term data is required to determine the durability of the treatment.     

Non-invasive diagnosis of a pericardial cyst. Combined use of M-mode echocardiography and computed tomography

The case of a left-sided pericardial cyst (PC) in a 24 yearold asymptomatic patient is presented. Review of previous chestX-rays indicated that the PC had developed within five years.The PC could be clearly identified by M-mode echocardiography(E); the pattern, however, was similar to that of a pseudoaneurysmof the left ventricle, the latter being an important differentialdiagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) showed not only the positionand size of the PC but allowed, based on attenuation values,a clear differentiation between a pseudoaneurysm and a cysticstructure filled with an aqueous solution. The combined useof E and CT seems to represent a valuable non-invasive toolin the diagnosis of abnormal configurations of the left ventricle.     

Rapid Occurrence of Giant Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm after Mitral Valve Replacement

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms are an uncommon and frightening complication after mitral valve replacement. We report the case of a 54‐year old woman, having undergone a mitral valve replacement with uneventful postoperative course and normal echocardiographic predischarge control, who was readmitted to hospital, only 16 days later, for rapidly progressing dyspnea, and finally echocardiographically diagnosed to have a massive 8‐cm long pseudoaneurysm communicating with the left ventricle through a narrow communication. The patient was proposed for emergency surgery but unfortunately died preoperatively.     

超声诊断脾动脉假性动脉瘤1例

患者男,51岁,因“反复上腹部疼痛不适3年,加重15天”就诊。无高血压、胰腺炎及外伤史。查体:腹软,无压痛及反跳痛,腹部未扪及异常肿块。超声检查:左上腹脾门区探及大小约10.0 cm×9.6 cm的中等回声肿块,形态不规则,边界不清晰,回声不均质,内见范围约6.1 cm×6.0 cm的囊性回声,透声不清晰(图1A),超微血流成像(superb microvascular imaging,SMI)技术囊性回声内可探及漩涡状血流信号(图1B),PW测得动脉血流频谱,CDFI显示血流与脾侧脾动脉关系紧密(图1C)。超声诊断:左上腹脾门区脾动脉假性动脉瘤(splenic artery pseudoaneurysm,SAPA)。增强CT:脾胃间隙见一团状高低混杂密度影,增强动脉期低密度区轻度强化,静脉期明显强化。CT诊断:脾胃间隙混杂密度占位,考虑血肿伴活动性出血。DSA:脾动脉远端造影,可见造影剂外渗入囊腔(图1D),诊断为SAPA。该患者行脾动脉栓塞术,术后超声复查示瘤腔闭塞、动脉破口无血流信号。     

Treatment of a radial artery pseudoaneurysm with ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection in a patient with Behçet's syndrome

A 57‐year‐old man with Behçet's syndrome and recurrent deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs presented with a painful, pulsating mass on the volar aspect of the radial edge of his left wrist. One month before this visit, he had had venous blood drawn from the same site. Using color Doppler sonography, we diagnosed an iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the left radial artery, which was then treated with an ultrasound‐guided percutaneous injection of thrombin. A follow‐up examination 6 months after the treatment revealed complete resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to demonstrate the use of this technique for thrombosis of a pseudoaneurysm in a patient with Behçet's syndrome. We believe that the safety, efficiency, speed, and minimal invasiveness of this procedure make it feasible for use as a treatment for peripheral pseudoaneurysms in such patients. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 31:440–444, 2003