Catheter embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas in an infant

Summary An infant with pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas is described. Surgical ligation of the fistulas and limited resection of paraenchyma from the right lung was followed at 11 months of age, by successful steel coil embolization of residual fistulas.     

Bile duct injury repair: when? what? who?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a two-to-four times higher risk of bile duct injury (BDI) than open cholecystectomy. BDI can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. The first priority in BDI is to control peritoneal and biliary sepsis and to convert an acute BDI to a controlled external biliary fistula (EBF) — this can be achieved by endoscopic and/ or radiological intervention in most cases. This should be followed by assessment of the extent of injury — both biliary and vascular. Immediate management of BDI recognized during cholecystectomy depends on the type of injury, the condition of the patient, and the experience of the surgeon. For BDI recognized after cholecystectomy, early repair is not recommended, as the results are poor. The EBF may evolve into a benign biliary stricture (BBS), which should be electively repaired by a Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunostomy. The use of an endoscopic stent as definitive management of BDI is not recommended. Long-term follow-up is essential after the repair of a BBS, as recurrence can occur several years after repair. Recurrent BBS is best treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation. Excellent early and long-term results can be obtained in specialized units at tertiary care referral centers.     

Congenital esophageal atresia successfully treated by early ligation of a tracheoesophageal fistula and delayed repair of the esophagus in a premature infant: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a premature infant with esophageal atresia (EA) and a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) associated with cardiac anomalies who was successfully treated by an early ligation of the TEF following gastrostomy, and delayed repair of the esophagus. A 1212-g male was born prematurely at 31 gestational weeks, at which time he was diagnosed as having EA with TEF and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and atrial septal defect (ASD). A gastrostomy was initially performed but following extubation he gradually became tachypneic. A chest roentogenogram revealed atelectasis and ground-glass appearance, and reintubation was required. Ligation of the TEF was performed 53h after his birth. Following the improvement of his respiratory condition through ventilatory support and the intratracheal administration of pulmonary surfactant, he underwent repair of the esophagus on the 6th day of life. Postoperatively, he suffered from heart failure, but was treated with peritoneal dialysis and pharmacological closure of the PDA. Weaning the infant from the ventilator proved difficult, but it was finally achieved when he had reached a weight of 2268g at 3 months of age by enteral feeding. Our experience of this case demonstrates that early ligation of TEF should be performed for a premature infant with EA and TEF before respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has developed. If a gastrostomy is required to prevent gastric distention, it should be followed by simultaneous or immediate ligation of the TEF.     

Postlaminectomy arteriovenous fistula masked by stenosis of the inferior vena cava

Discovery of a postlumbosacral discectomy fistula between the right iliac artery and vein was obscured by an associated severe stricture of the infrarenal inferior vena cava in a 49-year-old man. During venous stenting for treatment of peripheral edema, the fistula was suspected because of faint pulsatile right iliac vein flow and increased O₂ saturation of the venous blood. The suspicion was confirmed on subsequent iliac arteriography. Surgical closure of the fistula with arterial interposition grafting was then performed. The patient improved substantially.     

Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of coronary artery fistulas using detachable balloons

Three pediatric patients underwent successful transcatheter coronary artery fistula occlusion using the Debrun system. This latex balloon system offers several advantages over other occlusion systems. First, the balloon delivery and release is controlled. Second, “test occlusions” can be performed that allow simultaneous balloon inflation, coronary cineangiography, and electrocardiographic monitoring. Third, because the balloons are flow-directed, they are easily positioned in properly chosen locations. Finally, the balloons can be constructed to suit the size of the fistula. In this study, two patients received only one balloon; in the other patient two balloons were placed in the same fistula. All fistulas drained into either the right atrium or ventricle and were successfully occluded. After a follow-up period of up to 3 years, no local or systemic reactions to the balloons were recognized. We conclude that detachable balloon occlusion of coronary artery fistulas is a safe, effective alternative to surgical ligation in selected pediatric patients.     

Diagnostic lessons learnt from a series of enterovesical fistulae

Objective An enterovesical fistula (EVF) is an uncommon condition requiring careful and sometimes extensive preoperative investigation. Our experience over a 10‐year period has been reviewed with emphasis on the diagnostic investigations performed. Patients and method Forty‐two patients (30 male) have been studied. Presenting symptoms, diagnostic investigations, and subsequent treatment have been reviewed. Results The site of the fistulae were; 37 colonic, 2 rectal, and 3 ileal. The commonest presenting symptoms were; pneumaturia 75%, faecaluria 63% and urinary tract infections 57%. The positivity rate of the investigations performed were; cystoscopy 89%, urine cytology 86%, barium enema 65%, computerized tomography (CT) scanning 55%, IVP 35%, and cystography 27.5%. The causes of the fistula were; diverticular disease 71%, carcinoma 20%, Crohn's disease 7%, and radiotherapy 2%. Conclusions We recommend cystoscopy and urine cytology for faecal material as the first‐line investigations in all patients with a suspected enterovesical fistulae. CT scanning and barium enema should not be first line investigations but may be performed subsequently to help determine the aetiology and planning of surgery.     

The management of arteriovenous malformations in children

Between January 1941 and June 1989, 46 children below the age of 18 with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) were managed. There were 7 patients with AVM diagnosed before the age of 2; 10 patients were diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 10; and 29 patients were diagnosed between 11 and 18. There were equal numbers of male and female patients. Twenty-five of the AVMs were large (>5 cm longest diameter). All 7 AVMs diagnosed before the age of 2 were large. The usual clinical presentation was congestive heart failure, bruit and an enlarging head. Three patients underwent excision with 2 deaths and 1 excellent result. In 11 patients (aged 3–18) with AVM without history of hemorrhage, 3 had excision with 2 excellent and 1 fair result. Four remained stable. Four developed progressive deficits or hemorrhage. In 10 patients (aged 3–18) with AVM and hemorrhage who were treated medically, 7 (70%) had an episode of re-hemorrhage. Three patients had excision of AVM after re-hemorrhage, but before the age of 18 with an excellent result. Eighteen patients (aged 3–18) with AVM and a single episode of hemorrhage underwent excision with 17 excellent or good results and 1 fair result. The overall mortality was 7%. Eighty-five percent of the children with excision of AVM had an excellent or good result. The best treatment for AVM in children is surgical excision.Presented at the XVII Annual Meeting of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, Bombay 1989     

脑动静脉畸形供血动脉远端动脉瘤破裂栓塞治疗

目的 探讨脑动静脉畸形相关的供血动脉远端破裂动脉瘤的特点与血管内治疗方法.方法 11例以自发性蛛网膜下腔出血发病的患者均接受数字减影血管造影,并被证实出血来源于脑动静脉畸形供血动脉远端破裂动脉瘤.根据动脉瘤的形态和供血动脉特点,选择以弹簧圈闭塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉,或以高浓度生物胶栓塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉.结果 11例栓塞后的动脉瘤均消失,未发生再出血,以弹簧圈栓塞的7例术后未发生新的神经系统症状;以生物胶栓塞的4例有2例术后发生栓塞部位的脑梗死.结论 脑动静脉畸形供血动脉远端动脉瘤破裂后血管内栓塞治疗可取得较好的效果,首选以弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤和载瘤动脉,也可用高浓度生物胶栓塞,动静脉畸形可择期再处理.     

Evaluation of an aortic stent graft for use in surgery on esophageal cancer involving the thoracic aorta

Objective: The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether aortic stent grafting can be applied to the treatment of an esophageal cancer involving the thoracic aorta. Methods: The canine thoracic aorta was partially resected without aorta being clamped after emplacement of an endovascular stent graft. Study I; The aortic whole layer of 1 cm in length and 1/4 of the circumference was resected and was covered by a free fascia patch of the abdominal rectal muscle immediately after stent graft placement. Study II; The aortic adventitia and the outer half of the media of the same size was resected on day 3, 7,14, 21, and on day 28, after the stent graft placement. The resected portion was covered by the free fascia patch in half experimental dogs, and was uncovered in the others. Study III; The aortic adventitia and the outer half of the media of 1 cm in length and 1/2 of the circumference was resected and was uncovered on day 7 after stent graft placement. Histological examinations were performed on day 28 and at one year after aortic resection. Results: The aortic wall could be resected in all cases with no complication, except in resection of 1/2 the circumference where the aorta had become narrow. There was no difference in healing of the resected portion of the aorta between with and without fascia covering. Conclusion: An aortic endovascular stent graft could be applied to surgery for an esophageal cancer involving the aorta.     

硬脊膜动静脉瘘(附1例临床分析)

目的探讨硬脊膜动静脉瘘(SDAVF)的病因、发病机制、临床表现、诊断及治疗。方法回顾性分析了1例患者的相关临床资料。结果本例患者以双下肢渐进性麻木、无力1年余,加重伴大小便障碍9个月为主要临床表现,脊髓MRI显示T9~L1髓内以长T2长T1为主之异常信号,超选择DSA造影可见位于入LT12椎管处一硬脊膜动静脉之瘘口,成功地进行了经单侧椎板开窗夹闭瘘口术。结论SDAVF为一具有直接的动静脉交通性病变,常伴有小型畸形团,多发生于中年男性,误诊率高,主要表现为渐进性的肢体麻木、无力及大小便障碍,MRI有助于诊断,但仍须DSA确诊。阻断连接瘘口与冠状静脉丛的引流静脉是治疗SDAVF的有效方法,显微外科手术效果可靠、复发率低,尽早地确诊和治疗是取得良好疗效的根本前提。