Aneurysmal rupture of the pancreaticoduodenal artery successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization

We report a case of aneurysmal rupture of the pancreaticoduodenal artery successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization. A 61-year-old man with a history of hypertension underwent surgery at our hospital in November 1995 for local peritonitis caused by perforation of the sigmoid colon secondary to cancer. On the 9th postoperative day, he developed shock, with complaints of epigastric and back pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed an enhanced mass, thought to be a peripancreatic aneurysm. Emergency angiography demonstrated an aneurysm arising from the arcade of the anterior pancreaticoduodenal artery. After diagnostic angiography, transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. With steel coils, the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery and anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery were embolized near the origin of the aneurysm. Angiography 7 weeks later revealed no recanalization of the aneurysm and the absence of anomalous collateral vessels. The patient has been well for 19 months without re-bleeding or recurrence of sigmoid colon cancer. Transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective therapeutic approach for aneurysm of the pancreaticoduodenal artery and is the preferred initial treatment.     

Alpha-fetoprotein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial embolization

To assess the usefulness of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in monitoring treatment effects of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, a total of 31 sets of AFP levels after TAE in 21 HCC patients were analysed by linear regression between logarithmic AFP levels and days. Eleven sets of AFP data with poor linear declination were accompanied with poor TAE results except in one patient who had chronic hepatitis with acute exacerbations. Twenty sets of data with good linear declination in the first month after TAE indicated good TAE results. Seven of them showed no evidence of tumour recurrence nor elevated AFP levels within a follow-up of 6 months. The mean, standard deviation and range of half-lives of AFP in the non-recurrent group were 5.0, 1.6 and 2.9-7.2 days, respectively. The others experienced late tumour recurrence that was detected by rebound of AFP levels except one who had another non-AFP-secreting HCC. Thus, the results might be used as a reference in monitoring the treatment effects of TAE and the timing selection of repeated TAE.     

Pancreatic tissue damage by transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatoma

We analyzed the serial changes in serum pancreatic enzyme activities by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in 20 hepatoma patients with liver cirrhosis in an attempt to evaluate the incidence of the pancreatic tissue damage by TAE. Serum amylase activities increased in two (10%) cases, elastase 1 levels in six (30%) cases, and trypsin and pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) levels in each of five (25%) cases. Consequently, TAE resulted in the elevation of at least more than one serum pancreatic enzyme in eitht (40%) of 20 cases, although none had clinical symptoms related to pancreatitis When the adverse effect on the pancreatic tissue was compared among 6 cases of the superselective TAE and 14 cases of the nonsuperselective TAE, which were perfomed from the segmental and the nonsegmental hepatic arteries, respectively, the elevation of serum pancreatic enzymes was caused only by nonsuperselective TAE, not by superselective TAE. The volumes of Spongel and lipiodol used or the injected doses of the anticancer agent mitomycin C were not different between the two groups. These results indicate that TAE for the treatment of hepatoma frequently causes pancreatic tissue damage, and the position of the inserted catheter tip is very important to avoid the pancreatic tissue damage by TAE.     

Transcatheter arterial embolization for hemorrhage caused by injury of the hepatic artery

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to compare (i) the effects of transcatheter arterial embolization on initial hemostasis and the control of rebleeding in the treatment of hemorrhage due to hepatic artery injury; and (ii) the outcomes of embolization by different locations. METHODS: Subjects were 32 patients with suspected hepatic artery injury who were transferred to Chi-Mei Foundation Medical Center for hepatic angiography and embolization. The causes of arterial injury included liver trauma (n = 15) and iatrogenic injury (n = 17). The sites of embolization were classified into four groups: group 1 (n = 8) was classified as 'combined outlet, target and inlet control' with embolization of the vascular lesion (target) and hepatic artery distal (outlet) and proximal (inlet) to the vascular lesion simultaneously; group 2 (n = 11) as 'combined target and inlet control'; group 3 (n = 8) as 'combined outlet and inlet control'; group 4 (n = 5) as 'inlet control' only. RESULTS: Successful initial hemostasis was achieved in 30 of the 32 patients (93.8%), with two failures, both of which were caused by liver injury and occurred in subjects in group 4. Rebleeding was seen in three patients who had successful initial hemostasis: two of them in group 4 (66.7%) and one in group 1 (12.5%). All rebleedings were successfully managed by repeat embolization. Abscess formation was found in two group 1 patients, and both were successfully managed by percutaneous drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective method for hemostasis in hepatic artery hemorrhage for both patients with liver trauma and patients with iatrogenic injuries to the hepatic artery. Based on this experience, embolization of the vascular lesion and/or the arterial lumen distal to the vascular lesion combined with inlet control is recommended for preventing recurrent hemorrhage, but studies with larger sample sizes will be required to validate this conclusion.     

CASE REPORT: Steatonecrosis in the upper abdomen following transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

A 66-year-old female with liver cirrhosis was treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for a small hepatocellular carcinoma. She developed steatonecrosis with tenderness which occurred in the upper abdomen after TAE. The hepatic falciform artery from the middle hepatic artery was detected by arteriography. Necrosis in the upper abdomen was considered to be due to ischaemic changes caused by micromaterials for embolization of this artery, injuries of hepatic arterial endothelia slowly caused by carcinostatics, and chemotoxicity. It was considered that such complication as observed in this patient should be taken into consideration when performing TAE.     

Prognosis following transcatheter arterial embolization for 121 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with or without a history of treatment

AIM: To retrospectively evaluate the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without a history of therapy for HCC following transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-one patients with HCC treated with TAE from 1992 to 2004 in our hospital were enrolled in this study. Eighty-four patients had a history of treatment for HCC, while 37 did not. At the time of entry, patients with extra-hepatic metastasis, portal vein tumor thrombosis, or Child-Pugh class C were excluded. TAE was repeated when recurrence of HCC was diagnosed by elevated tumor markers, or ultrasonography or dynamic computed tomography findings. RESULTS: Tumor size was larger and the number of tumors was fewer in patients without past treatment (P<0.01). However, there were no differences in tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage or survival rate between the 2 groups. A bilobular tumor and high level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (>100 ng/mL) were factors related to a poor prognosis in patients with a history of HCC. CONCLUSION: The prognosis following TAE is similar between HCC patients with and without past treatment. Early diagnosis of HCC or recurrent HCC and obtaining good local control against HCC before entry to a repeated TAE course can improve prognosis.     

Successful transcatheter arterial embolization of an inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with celiac axis stenosis

A case of inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPDA) aneurysm associated with celiac axis stenosis was successfully treated using only transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). A 57-year-old woman was urgently referred to our hospital with sudden abdominal pain; computed tomography revealed retroperitoneal hematoma due to bleeding from an aneurysm around the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Selective angiography into the SMA showed an aneurysm derived from the IPDA posterior branch; the IPDA anterior branch was intact and contrast medium flowed into the common hepatic artery territory through the pancreatic arcade because of celiac axis stenosis. We subsequently performed TAE on the lesion. Arteriography after TAE showed that the aneurysm had disappeared and that the IPDA anterior branch was intact. She had no aneurysm recurrence for about two years after the treatment. We believe that TAE is effective even for a PDA aneurysm with celiac axis stenosis or occlusion. However, it is important to perform embolization precisely and over a long period.     

Two cases of hemosuccus pancreaticus in which hemostasis was achieved by transcatheter arterial embolization

Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. We report two cases of hemosuccus pancreaticus in which hemostasis was achieved by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). The first patient was a 47-year-old man with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. He presented with upper abdominal pain and hematemesis. Upper GI endoscopy failed to detect the source of bleeding, but computed tomography (CT) showed a hypervascular area about 3?cm in diameter in a pseudocyst at the pancreatic tail. Angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the caudal pancreatic artery. Hematemesis was considered to be due to rupture of the pseudoaneurysm. TAE of the splenic artery was performed selectively, and this successfully stopped the bleeding. The second patient was a 52-year-old man with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. He presented with hematemesis. Upper GI endoscopy detected bleeding from the papilla of Vater. CT showed hemorrhage in a pseudocyst at the pancreatic body. Angiography revealed angiogenesis around the pseudocyst. Hematemesis was considered to result from rupture of the pseudoaneurysm. TAE of the dorsal pancreatic artery and posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery was performed and hemostasis was achieved. We conclude that TAE is a minimally invasive and highly effective treatment for hemosuccus pancreaticus.     

AL amyloidosis with spontaneous hepatic rupture: successful treatment by transcatheter hepatic artery embolization

A 42-year-old male patient with primary AL amyloidosis experienced spontaneous hepatic rupture, producing diffuse widespread intrahepatic hemorrhage. Transcatheter hepatic artery embolization saved his life. Hepatic rupture infrequently develops in patients with systemic amyloidosis, but survival after this complication is rare because surgical treatments seldom succeed. Non-invasive emergent transcatheter embolization should be considered for hepatic rupture caused by massive deposits of amyloid.     

Mediation of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization induced gastric slow-wave dysrhythmia by endogenous prostaglandin

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In recent years, gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) have been observed. Enhanced endogenous prostaglandin may be a possible mechanism for the myoelectrical changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by TACE may be mediated by ketoprofen, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) admitted for TACE were enrolled. A follow-up TACE was scheduled to take place 2 months later. During the next admission for TACE, 50 mg of ketoprofen was given intramuscularly 12 h for 3 days, beginning 48 h before TACE, as premedication. Cutaneous electrogastrography (EGG) was performed before and within 24 h after TACE. RESULTS: The results showed that the change in the fasting EGG parameters after TACE without premedication was not statistically significant. However, the postprandial EGG parameters, including the dominant frequency (DF); the percentages of DF in the normal, bradygastric and tachygastric range; along with the dominant frequency instability coefficient, deteriorated significantly after the procedure (P < 0.01). After the follow-up TACE with ketoprofen premedication, neither the fasting nor postprandial EGG parameters in the control group changed significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by TACE may be mediated by ketoprofen, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, in HCC patients. However, the improvement in the gastric myoelectrical activity does not eliminate the degree of nausea/vomiting after TACE.     

Angioechographic evaluation of tumor thrombi and the effect of transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Background: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is considered to be relatively ineffective in the treatment of portal and/or hepatic vein tumor thrombi associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, we have seen patients with a positively enhanced tumor thrombus on angioechography where necrosis has occurred after TAE. In this study, we compared the angioechographic enhancement of tumor thrombi with the effect of TAE to assess the use of this method in predicting the efficacy of TAE, and in predicting survival. Methods: Angioechography, using a small amount of CO₂ gas injected into the hepatic artery, was performed before TAE in 41 HCC patients with tumor thrombi of the portal vein (PVTT; n= 35) or hepatic vein (HVTT; n= 6). The relationship between the enhancement of the thrombi and the efficacy of TAE was investigated by follow-up ultrasonography. Results: All 13 PVTT that decreased in size had shown positive enhancement (PE) before treatment (P < 0.001), while 6 of the 7 cases (86%) in which the lesions increased in size had shown negative enhancement (NE). The survival of patients with PE was significantly longer than that of patients with NE (P < 0.005). Multivariate analysis identified two clinical variables associated with survival, angioechographic findings of PVTT, and age. There were no correlations between enhancement and HVTT. Conclusions: Determination of enhancement of PVTT on angioechography was useful in predicting the efficacy of TAE treatment of HCC and the survival time. Angioechography may be valuable in treatment decisions for HCC patients with PVTT, especially as a guide to the effectiveness of TAE. Received: March 1, 2001 / Accepted: November 2, 2001     

CASE REPORT: Haemothorax due to hepatocellular carcinoma rupture successfully controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions in the liver and lung. On the seventh hospital day, a chest radiograph showed a marked increase in right pleural effusion. A thoracentesis revealed a haemothorax. Despite repeated pleural taps and blood transfusions, the patient's clinical status worsened and he developed severe dyspnoea. An inferior phrenic arteriography on the 19th hospital day showed a tumour growing over the diaphragm into the right thoracic cavity, suggesting a tumour rupture. A transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the inferior phrenic artery successfully controlled the bleeding and improved the haemothorax. There was no rebleeding; however, the patient died of advanced HCC 3 months later. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a haemothorax secondary to a ruptured HCC that was treated successfully with TAE.     

Efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization for first-line treatment of colonic diverticular bleeding with extravasation on contrast-enhanced computed tomography

Colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) is the most frequent cause of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for CDB as first-line treatment with extravasation on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), compared with endoscopic hemostasis. Three Japanese institutions participated in this retrospective cohort study. Data from consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of CDB with extravasation on CECT were reviewed. One hospital performed TAE and the others conducted urgent colonoscopy (CS) as the first-line treatment for CDB with extravasation on CECT. The primary outcome was rebleeding rate within 30 days after first-line treatment. In total, 165 CDB cases with extravasation on CECT (TAE group, n = 39; CS group, n = 126) were analyzed in this study. The rebleeding rate within 30 days was significantly lower in the TAE group (7.69%) than in the CS group (23.02%; P = .038). The bleeding point detection rate was significantly higher in the TAE group (89.74%, 35/39) than in the CS group (37.30%, 47/126; P < .0001). Even in those cases in which a bleeding point was detected, the rebleeding rate was significantly lower in the TAE group (0%) than in the endoscopic hemostasis-success group (23.91%; P = .005). No severe complications of Grade 3 or more were seen with TAE. We showed that TAE is an effective, safe hemostatic method, and a useful alternative to endoscopic hemostasis for first-line treatment of CDB.     

Combined treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with partial splenic embolization and transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization

AIM: To prospectively evaluate the effi cacy and safety of partial splenic embolization (PSE) combined with transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Fifty patients suffering from primary HCC associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group A receiving PSE combined with TACE (n = 26) and group B receiving TACE alone (n = 24). Follow-up examinations included calculation of peripheral blood cells (leukcytes, platelets and red blood cells) and treatment-associated complications. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, there was no signifi cant difference in sex, age, Child-Pugh grade, tumor diameter, mass pathology type and peripheral blood cell counts between the 2 groups. After treatment, leukocyte and platelet counts were significantly higher in group A during the 3-mo follow-up period (P < 0.05), but lower in group B (P < 0.05). Severe complications occurred in 3 patients (11.5%) of group A and in 19 patients (79.2%) of group B (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in symptoms of post-embolization syndrome, including abdominal pain, fever, mild nausea and vomiting between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PSE combined with TACE is more effective and safe than TACE alone for patients with HCC associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis.     

Outcomes of transcatheter embolization in the treatment of coronary artery fistulas.

Thirteen children (seven male) with coronary artery fistula underwent percutaneous transcatheter occlusion. The age range was 8 months to 14 years (mean, 6.3 years). The fistulas had their origins from the right coronary artery (six), from the left anterior descending coronary artery (three), and from the left circumflex coronary artery (four). Drainage was to the right ventricle (seven), the right atrium (three), and one each to the pulmonary artery, left atrium, and superior caval vein. The fistulas were closed with coils in 10 patients, a Rashkind double-umbrella device in 1 patient, and an Amplatzer Duct Occluder in 2 patients. Complete occlusion was achieved in 9 of 13 patients. Complications consisted of migration of coils in four and transient arrhythmias or changes in the resting electrocardiogram in four patients. Follow-up studies 1 to 31 months (mean, 14.6 months) after occlusion noted only four patients with trivial (clinically insignificant) residual shunts. Owing to various coronary fistula morphologies, transcatheter occlusion requires availability of different embolization techniques. Short-term follow-up supports persistent clinical efficacy and transcatheter closure techniques as the initial form of therapy.