Safety analysis of holmium-166 microsphere scout dose imaging during radioembolisation work-up: A cohort study

Objective

Radioembolisation is generally preceded by a scout dose of technetium-99m-macroaggregated albumin to estimate extrahepatic shunting of activity. Holmium-166 microspheres can be used as a scout dose (±250 MBq) and as a therapeutic dose. The general toxicity of a holmium-166 scout dose (¹⁶⁶Ho-SD) and safety concerns of an accidental extrahepatic deposition of ¹⁶⁶Ho-SD were investigated.

Methods

All patients who received a ¹⁶⁶Ho-SD in our institute were reviewed for general toxicity and extrahepatic depositions. The absorbed dose in extrahepatic tissue was calculated on SPECT/CT and correlated to clinical toxicities.

Results

In total, 82 patients were included. No relevant clinical toxicity occurred. Six patients had an extrahepatic deposition of ¹⁶⁶Ho-SD (median administered activity 270 MBq). The extrahepatic depositions (median activity 3.7 MBq) were located in the duodenum (3x), gastric fundus, falciform ligament and the lesser curvature of the stomach, and were deposited in a median volume of 15.3 ml, which resulted in an estimated median absorbed dose of 3.6 Gy (range 0.3–13.8 Gy). No adverse events related to the extrahepatic deposition of the ¹⁶⁶Ho-SD occurred after a median follow-up of 4 months (range 1–12 months).

Conclusion

These results support the safety of 250 MBq ¹⁶⁶Ho-SD in a clinical setting.

Key Points

? A holmium-166 scout dose is safe in a clinical setting. ? Holmium-166 scout dose is a safe alternative for ^99m Tc-MAA for radioembolisation work-up. ? Holmium-166 scout dose potentially has several benefits over ^99m Tc-MAA for radioembolisation work-up.

     

Long-Term Results from the MAJESTIC Trial of the Eluvia Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent for Femoropopliteal Treatment: 3-Year Follow-up

Purpose

To report the 3-year results of the MAJESTIC first-in-human study of the Eluvia Drug-Eluting Vascular Stent System for treating femoropopliteal artery lesions.

Methods

The prospective, single-arm, multicenter clinical trial enrolled 57 patients with symptomatic lower limb ischemia (Rutherford category 2, 3, or 4) and lesions in the superficial femoral artery or proximal popliteal artery. Mean lesion length was 70.8 ± 28.1 mm, and 46% of lesions were occluded. Efficacy measures at 2 years included primary patency, defined as duplex ultrasound peak systolic velocity ratio of ≤2.5 and the absence of target lesion revascularization (TLR) or bypass. Safety monitoring through 3 years included adverse events and TLR.

Results

Primary patency was estimated as 83.5% (Kaplan–Meier analysis) at 24 months, and 90.6% (48/53) of patients maintained an improvement in Rutherford class. At 36 months, the Kaplan–Meier estimate of freedom from TLR was 85.3%. No stent fractures were identified, and no major target limb amputations occurred.

Conclusion

MAJESTIC results demonstrated long-term treatment durability among patients whose femoropopliteal arteries were treated with the paclitaxel-eluting Eluvia stent.

Level of Evidence

Level 2b, cohort study

     

Intra-arterial therapy of neuroendocrine tumour liver metastases: comparing conventional TACE,drug-eluting beads TACE and yttrium-90 radioembolisation as treatment options using a propensity score analysis model

Objectives

To compare efficacy, survival outcome and prognostic factors of conventional transarterial chemoembolisation (cTACE), drug-eluting beads TACE (DEB-TACE) and yttrium-90 radioembolisation (Y90) for the treatment of liver metastases from gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumours (NELM).

Methods

This retrospective analysis included 192 patients (58.6 years mean age, 56% men) with NELM treated with cTACE (N?=?122), DEB-TACE (N?=?26) or Y90 (N?=?44) between 2000 and 2014. Radiologic response to therapy was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria using periprocedural MR imaging. Survival analysis included propensity score analysis (PSA), median overall survival (MOS), hepatic progression-free survival, Kaplan–Meier using log-rank test and the uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (MVA).

Results

MOS of the entire study population was 28.8 months. As for cTACE, DEB-TACE and Y90, MOS was 33.8 months, 21.7 months and 23.6 months, respectively. According to the MVA, cTACE demonstrated a significantly longer MOS as compared to DEB-TACE (p?<.01) or Y90 (p?=?.02). The 5-year survival rate after initial cTACE, DEB-TACE and Y90 was 28.2%, 10.3% and 18.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

Upon PSA, our study suggests significant survival benefits for patients treated with cTACE as compared to DEB-TACE and Y90. This data supports the therapeutic decision for cTACE as the primary intra-arterial therapy option in patients with unresectable NELM until proven otherwise.

Key Points

? cTACE achieved a significantly longer overall survival in patients with unresectable NELM. ? Patients treated with cTACE showed a prolonged hepatic progression-free survival. ? cTACE, DEB-TACE and Y90 radioembolisation demonstrated comparable safety and toxicity profiles. ? Age >70 years, extrahepatic metastases and tumour burden >50% were identified as negative predictors. ? Propensity score analysis suggests the superiority of cTACE over DEB-TACE and Y90.

     

Liver CT for vascular mapping during radioembolisation workup: comparison of an early and late arterial phase protocol

Objectives

To compare right gastric (RGA) and segment 4 artery (A4) origin detection rates during radioembolisation workup between early and late arterial phase liver CT protocols.

Methods

100 consecutive patients who underwent liver CT between May 2012–January 2015 with early or late arterial phase protocol (n?=?50 each, 10- vs. 20-s post-threshold delay) were included. RGA/A4 origin detection rates, assessed by two raters, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the hepatic artery relative to the portal vein were compared between the protocols.

Results

The first–second rater scored the RGA origin as visible in 58–65 % (specific proportion of agreement 82 %, κ?=?0.62); A4 origin in 96–89 % (94 %, κ?=?0.54). Thirty-six percent of RGA origins not detectable by DSA were identified on CT. Origin detection rates were not significantly different for early/late arterial phases. Mean CNR was higher in the early arterial phase protocol (1.7 vs. 1.2, p?<?0.001).

Conclusion

A 10-s delay arterial phase CT protocol does not significantly improve detection of small intra- and extrahepatic branches. RGA origin detection requires further optimization, whereas A4/MHA origin detection is adequate, with good inter-rater reproducibility. CT remains important for preprocedural planning, because it may reveal arterial anatomy not discernible on DSA.

Key Points

? An early arterial phase does not significantly improve RGA and A4/MHA origin detection. ? RGA origin detection (58–65 %) on CT is still suboptimal. ? 36 % of RGA origins undetectable on DSA can be identified on CT. ? A4/MHA origin detection (89–96 %) on CT is excellent. ? Inter-rater reproducibility is good for RGA and A4/MHA origin detection on CT.

     

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HFSRT) for who grade I anterior clinoid meningiomas (ACM)

Purpose

While microsurgical resection plays a central role in the management of ACMs, extensive surgery may be associated with substantial morbidity particularly for tumors in intimate association with critical structures. In this study, we evaluated the use of HFSRT in the management of ACM.

Materials and methods

A total of 22 patients with ACM were treated using HFSRT. Frameless image guided volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) was performed with a 6 MV linear accelerator (LINAC). The total dose was 25 Gy delivered in five fractions over five consecutive treatment days. Local control (LC) and progression free survival (PFS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0 was used in toxicity grading.

Results

Out of the total 22 patients, outcomes of 19 patients with at least 36 months of periodic follow-up were assessed. Median patient age was 40 years old (range 24–77 years old). Median follow-up time was 53 months (range 36–63 months). LC and PFS rates were 100 and 89.4 % at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Only two patients (10.5 %) experienced clinical deterioration during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

LINAC-based HFSRT offers high rates of LC and PFS for patients with ACMs.

     

Palliative radiotherapy for Japanese patients with malignant melanoma: a single-institution experience

Purpose

This study aimed to clarify the significance of palliative radiotherapy for Japanese patients with malignant melanoma based on the experience of our institution.

Materials and methods

Twenty-nine patients with malignant melanoma who underwent palliative radiotherapy at our facility were included in the investigation. Median radiation dose was 30 Gy (4–30).

Results

Median follow-up time was 4.2 months (range 2.7–40.5 months). Twenty-two patient (75.9 %) died during the follow-up. The response rate of overall symptoms to radiotherapy was 63.0 %. The rate of completely resolved hemorrhage was relatively high (81.8 %). The median time of freedom from progression in completely resolved symptoms was 3.1 months (range 0.2–27.8 months). Radiation dose <30 Gy and poor performance status tended to be associated with poor symptomatic relief in treatment site (p = .080 and p = .068, respectively). There were very few severe toxic events.

Conclusion

Two thirds of symptoms were safely alleviated by palliative radiotherapy for Japanese patients with malignant melanoma. The therapeutic effect was retained for a substantial duration. Further domestic studies are warranted.

     

Nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer

Purpose

The role of radiotherapy (RT) for nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer is still a matter of debate since randomized control trials have shown inconsistent results. The current retrospective single-institution study includes both resected and unresected patients with nonmetastasized pancreatic cancer. The aim is to analyze overall survival (OS) after irradiation combined with induction chemotherapy.

Patients and methods

Of the 73 patients with nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer eligible for the present analysis, 42 (58%) patients had adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), while 31 (42%) received CRT as primary treatment. In all, 65 (89%) had chemotherapy at any time before, during, or after RT, and 39 (53%) received concomitant CRT. The median total dose was 50?Gy (range 12–77?Gy), while 61 (84%) patients received >40?Gy.

Results

With a median follow-up of 22 months (range 1.2–179.8 months), 14 (19%) are still alive and 59 (81%) of the patients have died, whereby 51 (70%) were cancer-related deaths. Median OS and the 2?year survival rate were 22.9 months (1.2–179.8 months) and 44%, respectively. In addition, 61 (84%) patients treated with >40?Gy had a survival advantage (median OS 23.7 vs. 17.3 months, p?=?0.026), as had patients with 4 months minimum of systemic treatment (median OS 27.5 vs. 14.3 months, p?=?0.0004).

Conclusion

CRT with total doses >40?Gy after induction chemotherapy leads to improved OS in patients with nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer.

     

How much primary tumor metabolic volume reduction is required to improve outcome in stage III NSCLC after chemoradiotherapy? A single-centre experience

Purpose

We analysed a correlation between pre- to post-treatment primary tumour metabolic volume (PT-MV) reduction on 18F-FDG-PET/CT and survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods

Sixty consecutive patients with NSCLC stage IIIA-B (UICC 7th edition), treated with chemoradiotherapy, who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT at the same institution before and 6 weeks after treatment, were analysed. Different metabolic response values were investigated on their correlation with survival parameters: complete response (100% PT-MV reduction); major response (80–99% PT-MV reduction); moderate response (50–79% PT-MV reduction); minor response (1–49% PT-MV reduction) and non-response (no change or increase in uptake).

Results

From 60 patients, 52 (87%) had repeat PET/CT scans 6 weeks after completion of CRT. Complete metabolic response (CR) was reached in ten (17%), whereas major and moderate metabolic responses occurred in 16 (27%) and 15 (25%) patients, respectively. Four patients (7%) had minor metabolic response. Non-response was documented in seven patients (12%). Median overall survival (MS) for the entire cohort was 17 months (95% CI: 11.9–22.1 months). MS according to the different metabolic response values was as follows: 34 months (95% CI: 0–84.1); 22 months (95% CI: 14.2–29.8); 12 months (95% CI: 0.4–23.6); 11 months (95% CI: 0.2–21.8) and 17 months in patients with complete, major, moderate, minor and non-response (95% CI: 6.7–27.3), respectively (p?=?0.008).On multivariate analysis, significant predictors of survival included ECOG performance status (p?=?0.035, HR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25–0.95) as well as complete and major metabolic response as a continuous variable with PT-MV reduction of at least 80% (p?=?0.021, HR 0.36, 95% CI: 0.15–0.86). Moderate metabolic response did not correlate with improved outcome (p?=?0.522).

Conclusions

In this homogeneous locally-advanced NSCLC single-centre patient cohort, a PT-MV reduction of at least 80% (complete and major metabolic response) following CRT was necessary to significantly improve patient outcome.

     

Long-term outcomes in patients younger than 60 years of age treated with brachytherapy for prostate cancer

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to report the outcomes and late toxicities in patients younger than 60 years of age with long-term follow-up treated with low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer.

Methods

Between January 2000 and December 2009, 270 consecutive patients were treated with favourable localized prostate cancer; the median follow-up was 111 months (range 21–206). All patients received one implant of LDR brachytherapy. Toxicity was reported according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events, Version 4.0 (CTAE v4.02) by the National Cancer Institute.

Results

The overall survival according to Kaplan–Meier estimates was 99 (±1%) at 17 years. The 17-year rate for failure in tumour-free survival (TFS) was 97% (±1%), whereas for biochemical control it was 95% (±1%) at 17 years, 97% (±1%) of patients being free of local recurrence. No intraoperative or perioperative complications occurred. Acute genitourinary (GU) grade II toxicity was 4% at 12 months. No other chronic toxicity was observed after treatment. At 6 months, 94% of patients reported no change in bowel function.

Conclusions

LDR brachytherapy provides patients younger than 60 years of age with low and intermediate-risk prostate cancer excellent outcomes and has a low risk of significant long-term GU or gastrointestinal morbidity.

     

Hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy for lung malignancies by means of helical tomotherapy: report of feasibility by a single-center experience

Background

Several experiences in the literature report SBRT as an effective treatment option for medically inoperable early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and oligometastatic disease. The optimal fractionation schedules and total dose remain controversial. In this study, we evaluated the safety in terms of toxicity and efficacy of using of 8–10 fractions schedules with Helical Tomotherapy (HT) for primary and metastatic lung lesions.

Methods

Between March 2014 and May 2016, a total of 39 patients (median age 72 years, range 26–91) were treated with HT-SBRT for malignant lung lesions: 22 patients with early stage NSCLC, 17 with oligometastases. Patients received 8–10 fractions with lower daily dose for central and ultracentral lesions. Treatment-related toxicity was evaluated using CTCAE v 4.0 scale. Local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and toxicity rates were prospectively collected.

Results

Median duration of RT was 15 days (range 10–26 days) and no interruption occurred. With a median follow-up of 13 months (range 3–29), we reported one G2 pneumonitis (2.6%) and one G2 chest pain (2.6%); no ≥ G2 esophagitis was registered. Actuarial local control rate was 95.5% both at 12 and 24 months for early stage NSCLC and 92.9% both at 12 and 24 months for metastatic patients. OS rate was 94.4 and 92.3% at 1 year, and 94.4 and 83.9% at 2 years in primary and metastatic group, respectively.

Conclusions

The use of 8–10 fractions schedule HT-SBRT for lung malignancies results in high LC and OS rates with minimal toxicities reported.

     

CTA/V detection of bilateral sigmoid sinus dehiscence and suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension in unilateral pulsatile tinnitus

Purpose

This aimed to evaluate the prevalence and extent of bilateral sigmoid sinus dehiscence (SSD) and to explore the presence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in patients with unilateral pulsatile tinnitus (PT) with CTA/V.

Methods

Sixty PT patients (52 females; 40.4 ±?11.6 years [20–72]) who underwent CTA/V and 30 non-PT patients (27 females; 38.4 ±?14.7 years [12–62]) were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome measure was the radiographic presence of SSD. The index of transverse sinus stenosis (ITSS) was obtained by multiplying the stenosis scale values for each transverse sinus, and once was ≥?4, the presence of IIH was suspected.

Results

The prevalence and extent of SSD on symptomatic side (78%; maximum transverse diameter, MTD 0.49?±?0.23; maximum vertical diameter, MVD 0.50?±?0.26 cm) were significantly higher and larger than those on asymptomatic side (50%, P?<?0.001; MTD 0.35?±?0.18, P?= 0.006; MVD 0.30?±?0.15 cm, P?<?0.001) in the study group and those (20%, P?<?0.001; MTD 0.36?±?0.18, P?= 0.073; MVD 0.30?±?0.22 cm, P?<?0.048) in the control group. The presence of SSD showed significant correlation with both PT (logistic regression analysis, OR 4.167 [1.450–11.97]; P?=?0.008) and suspected IIH (OR 16.25 [1.893–139.5]; P?=?0.011).

Conclusion

In PT patients, SSD has a significant correlation with PT and a potential correlation with IIH.

     

Short-term effects of partial meniscectomy on the clinical results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the short-term effects of partial meniscectomy on the clinical results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.

Methods

Clinical outcomes of 19 patients who had partial medial meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during the same surgery (Group 1) were compared with the outcomes of 25 patients who had also reconstruction but did not have any meniscal lesion (Group 2). Median follow-up time was 29 months (range 12–67 months) in Group 1 and 27 months (range 12–70 months) in Group 2. Feeling of apprehension in sports activities, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, KT-2000 Arthrometer^® measurements and post-operative time to return to sports activity were the criteria for data analysis.

Results

Eight patients (42 %) in Group 1 and 5 patients (20 %) in Group 2 stated feeling of apprehension in sports activities. IKDC score improved to A in 11 patients (58 %) from Group 1, and 18 patients (72 %) from Group 2. Mean anterior translation according to KT-2000 arthrometer measurements was 5.2 ± 1.3 mm in Group 1, and 4.6 ± 1.3 mm in Group 2. Post-operative time to return to sports activity was 8.5 ± 3.0 months in Group 1, and 6.5 ± 2.2 months in Group 2.

Conclusion

Partial meniscectomy for irreparable medial meniscal tears, applied during the same surgery with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, negatively affects the clinical outcomes in the short-term follow-up. This study may be a reference for long-term clinical trials and also future investigations of new methods in the treatment of similar cases.

Level of evidence

IV.

     

Microwave Ablation in Combination with Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose

To verify whether microwave ablation (MWA) used as a local control treatment had an improved outcome regarding advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when combined with chemotherapy.

Methods

Thirty-nine patients with histologically verified advanced NSCLC and at least one measurable site other than the ablative sites were enrolled. Primary tumors underwent MWA followed by platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. Modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST) and RECIST were used to evaluate therapeutic response. Complications were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (version 3.0).

Results

MWA was administered to 39 tumors in 39 patients. The mean and median diameters of the primary tumor were 3.84 cm and 3.30 cm, respectively, with a range of 1.00–9.00 cm. Thirty-three (84.6 %) patients achieved a partial response. No correlation was found between MWA efficacy and clinicopathologic characteristics. For chemotherapy, 11 patients (28.2 %) achieved a partial response, 18 (46.2 %) showed stable disease, and 10 (25.6 %) had progressive disease. The overall objective response rate and disease control rate were 28.2 and 74.4 %, respectively. The median progression-free survival time was 8.7 months (95 % CI 5.5–11.9). The median overall survival time was 21.3 months (95 % CI 17.0–25.4). Complications were observed in 22 (56.4 %) patients, and grade 3 adverse events were observed in 3 (7.9 %) patients.

Conclusions

Patients with advanced NSCLC could benefit from MWA in combination with chemotherapy. Complications associated with MWA were common but tolerable.

     

Early patellar dislocation can lead to tibial tubercle lateralization in rabbits

Purpose

To investigate the effects of early patellar dislocation on the tibial tubercle location.

Methods

Sixty knees from 30 healthy 1-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups of 30 knees each. Group A (control group) comprised the left knees, which underwent no surgical procedures. Group B comprised the right knees, which underwent patellar dislocation surgery. Computed tomography (flexion 0°) was performed preoperatively and 6 months post-operatively. Measurements included the tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance (TT–TG) and tibial tubercle lateralization.

Results

No significant difference in the TT–TG or tibial tubercle lateralization was found between the two groups preoperatively. Six months post-operatively, however, the mean TT–TG in Group A (no patellar dislocation) and Group B (patellar dislocation) was 1.0 ± 0.4 and 3.0 ± 0.7 mm, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean tibial tubercle lateralization also showed a significant difference between Groups A and B at 6 months post-operatively (0.5 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.0, respectively; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Early patellar dislocation can lead to tibial tubercle lateralization and an increased TT–TG. Clinically, early intervention for adolescent patients with patellar dislocation will be important.

Level of evidence

Prospective comparative study, Level II.

     

T1 mapping using saturation recovery single-shot acquisition at 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: comparison to late gadolinium enhancement

Purpose

We evaluated the T1 values of segments and slices and the reproducibility in healthy controls, using saturation recovery single-shot acquisition (SASHA) at 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, we examined the difference in T1 values between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and healthy controls, and compared those with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Materials and methods

Twenty-one HCM patients and 10 healthy controls underwent T1 mapping before and after contrast administration. T1 values were measured in 12 segments.

Results

Native T1 values were significantly longer in HCM than in healthy controls [1373 ms (1312–1452 ms) vs. 1279 ms (1229–1326 ms); p < 0.0001]. Even in HCM segments without LGE, native T1 values were significantly longer than in healthy control segments [1366 ms (1300–1439 ms) vs. 1279 ms (1229–1326 ms); p < 0.0001]. Using a cutoff value of 1327 ms for septal native T1 values, we differentiated between HCM and healthy controls with 95% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 94% accuracy, and an area under the curve of 0.95.

Conclusions

Native T1 values using a SASHA at 3T could differentiate HCM from healthy controls. Moreover, native T1 values have the potential to detect abnormal myocardium that cannot be identified adequately by LGE in HCM.

     

Treatment Outcome Following Transarterial Chemoembolization in Advanced Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Purpose

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used to treat unresectable bone and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and as a pre-surgical adjuvant treatment. However, its efficiency for advanced STS is undetermined. This study evaluated TACE’s efficiency in treating advanced STS and prognostic factors for patient survival.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 39 patients with unresectable STS who underwent TACE as an alternative treatment during 2010–2014, with overall survival (OS) as the primary end point. Cancer pain was evaluated by visual analogue scores (VAS) before and after TACE procedures. Factors that affect survival were evaluated by multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazard model).

Results

Mean OS after TACE was 23.7 ± 2.1 months, with 1-year OS 71.5 %, 2-year OS 45.8 %, and 3-year OS 32.5 %. Lesion number and tumor stage were key predictors of survival. TACE was found to decrease cancer pain VAS and increase relapse interval. Size of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particle diameter (P = 0.03) and imaging response (P = 0.044) were also found to affect relapse interval.

Conclusion

TACE was an effective treatment for advanced STS, with a 32.5 % 3-year OS rate, and led to lower cancer pain VAS and longer relapse intervals than chemoinfusion only. Smaller PVA particles are preferable during the TACE procedure.

     

Usefulness of paclitaxel-releasing high-pressure balloon associated with cutting balloon angioplasty for treatment of outflow stenoses of failing hemodialysis arteriovenous shunts

Aim

To evaluate the technical and clinical success, primary patency (PP) and complications of angioplasty performed with paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCBs) associated with cutting balloon and for the treatment of the outflow stenoses of failing hemodialysis arteriovenous shunt.

Material and methods

From September 2014 to September 2015, 50 patients with 66 stenoses were registered. Vascular accesses were autogenous (n = 20) and prosthetic (n = 30). Stenosis were documented during follow-up with routine echo-color Doppler, clinical evaluation and in the remaining incidentally during fistulography. Angioplasty was performed with cutting balloon and afterward with PCB. The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range 6–15 months). Technical success, clinical success, primary patency and complications were registered.

Results

Technical success was 100 %. Clinical success was 94.7 %. Primary patency rate was 87.7 %; in five patients, a significant re-stenosis (≥50 %) was registered. A residual asymptomatic stenosis (<30 %) was registered in four cases (7 %). No major complications were registered.

Conclusions

A short-term patency benefit may be obtained including PCB in angioplasty treatment of failing hemodialysis arteriovenous shunts.

     

Open surgical treatment for chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: faster recovery with the soleus fibres transfer technique

Purpose

The study aimed to compare two methods of open surgical treatment for midportion Achilles tendinopathy in sportsmen. A novel technique consisting in transferring some soleus fibres into the degenerated tendon to improve its vascularization and longitudinal tenotomies are evaluated and compared.

Methods

From 2006 to 2011, fifty-two competitive and noncompetitive athletes affected by midportion Achilles tendinopathy were surgically treated and prospectively evaluated at 6 months and at a final 4-year mean follow-up. Twenty patients had longitudinal tenotomies, and thirty-two had soleus fibres transfer. Clinical outcome was evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score. Time to return to walk and to run and tendon thickening were also recorded.

Results

Patients in the soleus transfer group had a higher increase in AOFAS and VISA-A score at 6 months and at the mean 4-year final follow-up (by 5.4 points, 95 % CI 2.9–7.9, p < 0.001 and by 5.7 points, 95 % CI 2.5–8.9, p = 0.001, for AOFAS and VISA, respectively). They also needed less time to return to run: 98.9 ± 17.4 days compared to 122.2 ± 26.3 days for the longitudinal tenotomies group (p = 0.0019). The soleus transfer group had a greater prevalence of tendon thickening (59.4 % compared to 30.0 % in the longitudinal tenotomies group, p = 0.037).

Conclusions

Open surgery for midportion Achilles tendinopathy is safe and effective in medium term. Despite similar outcomes in postoperative functional scores, soleus transfer allows a faster recovery but has a higher incidence of tendon thickening. These results should suggest the use of the soleus graft technique in high-level athletes.

Level of evidence

Prospective comparative study, Level II.

     

Clinical utility of radiofrequency ablation following transarterial injection of miriplatin-iodized oil suspension in small hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose

To retrospectively evaluate the clinical utility of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) following transarterial injection of miriplatin-iodized oil suspension (MPT–RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Materials and methods

We evaluated clinical outcomes of MPT–RFA for three or fewer hepatocellular carcinomas. Twenty-one patients with 30 tumors (maximum diameter: mean 1.4 ± 0.4 cm, range 0.7–2.2 cm) received MPT–RFA.

Results

Nineteen patients (90.5 %, 19/21) achieved complete ablation at the first RFA session. Two patients (9.5 %, 2/21) required a second RFA session but achieved complete ablation. Primary and secondary technical success rates were 90.5 and 100 %. There were no deaths related to the procedures performed. Grade 3 or 4 increases in the serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and bilirubin levels were found in six patients (38.1 %, 8/21). There were no liver infarctions. During the median follow-up period of 24.1 months (mean ± SD 24.7 ± 6.9 months, range 13.8–38.9 months), the local tumor progression rate and overall survival rate at 2 years was 5.0 % (95 % confidence interval 0.3–20.6 %) and 86.7 % (95 % confidence interval 56.3–96.5 %), respectively. The mean hospital stay was 8.4 ± 3.1 days (range 5–18 days).

Conclusion

MPT–RFA is a safe therapeutic option that initially provides therapeutic results.