Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts using the Wallstent prosthesis: A follow-up study

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in 45 patients with cirrhosis during a mean follow-up of 7 months. Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients treated by TIPS and who had been followed for at least 6 months after TIPS or until death, were included. Mean follow-up was 7.2±5.0 months. Shunt patency was assessed at 1 week and 1 month, then every 3 months after the procedure by Doppler US and angiography whenever needed. Results: Thirty-six patients had been stented for refractory bleeding from ruptured esophagogastric varices. Of these, 8 patients (22%) rebled, 7 of whom were treated by a second shunt. Nine patients were treated for refractory ascites. Three patients had recurrent ascites due to shunt obstruction. All were treated by a second shunt which occluded in 2 patients. As a whole, 14 (31.1%) patients developed shunt obstruction within a mean of 120±136 days, 4 of whom remained asymptomatic. Other complications were septicemia by Staphylococcus aureus in 1 patient, transient encephalopathy in 9 patients, and disseminated intravascular coagulation in 1 patient. Conclusion: TIPS appears to be a relatively safe and effective technique in treating complications of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. Shunt obstruction in 31% of our patients probably represents the most important limitation of this technique.     

国产镍钛合金支架在TIPSS中的应用：附28例报告

报告国产镍钛合金支架应用于２８例经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉分流术（ＴＩＰＳＳ）的结果，旨在评价其临床应用的可行性。２８例中男２４例，女４例，年龄３２－６８岁，均有中度以上食管胃底静脉曲张。所用支架由单根直径为０．２８ｍｍ的镍钛合金丝编织而成，呈网状构型，直径１０ｍｍ，长７ｃｍ；支架在６℃左右时柔软、易压缩，在接近体温时恢复原形状，采用推送式导入法。结果：支架导入的技术成率为１００％（２８／２８），每例患     

CT-guided core needle biopsy in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases with an automated biopsy gun

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of computed tomographic (CT)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases by using an automated biopsy gun with a cutting-type needle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to January 2006, CT-guided CNB was performed in 80 patients suspected of having pancreatic diseases in the absence of liver metastasis. Biopsies were performed with an 18-20-gauge cutting needle driven by a spring-loaded biopsy gun. Histologic reports and medical records of all patients were retrospectively reviewed. An institutional review board exemption was obtained to perform this retrospective study. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the biopsies well, with no serious complications. Three patients had mild abdominal pain after the procedure, and a limited abdominal CT scan did not reveal any marked abnormality. Two patients had an elevated serum amylase level, which returned to normal within 2 weeks. A definitive diagnosis and accurate histologic diagnosis were obtained for 69 patients, for a successful diagnosis rate of 86%. Surgical sampling was performed in 11 patients with neoplasms and nondiagnostic core-needle biopsies. Only 50% of patients with well-differentiated adenocarcinomas were definitely diagnosed with CT-guided CNB. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided CNB with an automated biopsy gun is a safe and effective method for obtaining tissue for the histologic evaluation of pancreatic diseases. However, CT-guided CNB requires further development for the accurate diagnosis of well-differentiated adenocarcinomas.     

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous splenic biopsy using an 18-G core biopsy needle: our experience with 52 cases

Objective:

The spleen is more commonly affected in multiorgan disease, but alternative sites are selected for biopsy owing to perceived haemorrhage risk. If these sites are inaccessible or, less commonly, the spleen is the only disease site, then splenic biopsy is considered, with most studies using a 20- to 22-G needle. The primary aim of biopsy is to exclude underlying malignancy or to obtain histological analysis in known malignancy, usually lymphoma, when reclassification is required for therapy. We present, to our knowledge, the largest series of 18-G ultrasound-guided splenic core needle biopsy assessing diagnostic and complication rates.

Methods:

All ultrasound-guided splenic biopsy cases from May 1990 to May 2015 were identified on the radiology information system. Histological diagnosis and complications were identified from laboratory reports, case notes and discharge summaries to assess diagnostic positive and complication rates. Haemorrhages requiring transfusion, embolization or splenectomy, pneumothorax, other significant intra-abdominal injury or death are classified as major complications, whilst conservative haemorrhage management is considered a minor complication.

Results:

A total of 52 splenic biopsies were performed in 47 patients. A positive diagnostic yield for all biopsies was 90.4%. The major and minor complication rates were 0% and 1.9% (1/52), respectively.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided 18-G splenic biopsy is a safe and accurate procedure with no added risk of complications when compared with smaller needles or biopsy of other abdominal organs.

Advances in knowledge:

This is the largest case series of ultrasound-guided splenic biopsy with an 18-G needle, and our experience confirms a high diagnostic yield and a complication rate which compares favourably with the biopsy of other abdominal organs.     

Transjugular liver biopsy: A review of 77 biopsies using a spring-propelled cutting needle (biopsy gun)

Seventy-seven transjugular liver biopsies were performed with a coaxial, spring-loaded, 18-gauge cutting needle, the Biopty gun (Bard Biopsy System, Covington, GA, USA) on consecutive patients between July 1993 and February 1995. Fifty men and 27 women were included in the study; the mean age was 45 years (range 15–69 years). The average number of punctures per patient was 5.2, with a range of 2–9, yielding an average of 4.8 samples per patient (range 1–7). The length of the samples varied from 10 to 22 mm with a constant diameter of 1 mm. The mean time required to complete the procedure was 48 min (43–52 min). Histological diagnoses were obtained in 74 of 77 patients (96%), with non-diagnostic specimens attributed to excessive fragmentation (3 cases). Complications occurred in 10 patients (puncture site hematoma, carotid artery puncture, abdominal pain, vasovagal reaction, hepatic capsule perforation, and hemobilia). The latter two complications were self-limited. In our experience this transjugular hepatic biopsy method is promising for performing biopsies in patients with chronic liver disease, due to its high success rate and low morbidity rate.     

低剂量技术降低CT引导下经皮肺切割活检吸收剂量的临床研究

目的 探讨临床应用低剂量技术降低CT引导下经皮肺穿刺自动切割活检(ACNB)辐射剂量的可行性。方法 412例ACNB中146例(A组)采用传统方法引导,266例(B组)采用低剂量技术引导,按图像颗粒均匀性、解剖结构细节、界面清晰度和有无伪影等评定图像质量,比较2组穿刺活检准确率、操作时间及辐射剂量,并探讨CT引导中降低辐射剂量的方法。结果 B组图像解剖结构细节分辨率降低,但不影响穿刺成功率。A、B组穿刺准确率分别为95.9%、95.1%,操作时间为(16±2.2)、(15.9±2.0)min,组间差异均无统计学意义。A、B组有效剂量为(1.74±0.7)及(0.59±0.14)mSv,B组有效剂量降低66%,差异有统计学意义(t=19.3415,P(0.05)。结论 CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检是诊断和鉴别肺部病变的重要方法,低剂量扫描、缩小扫描范围及减少扫描次数能显著降低受检者X线辐射剂量,但不影响诊断效果。     

Lung biopsy with a 12-gauge cutting needle is possible using an insertion sheath in animal models

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The volume of lung tumor core biopsy specimens has been restricted because of concerns for complications such as bleeding and air leakage. In this animal experiment, we investigated the possibility of larger bore biopsies through the peripheral lung parenchyma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lung biopsy was done in male domestic pigs (n= 4) under thoracotomy. A single biopsy using a 12-gauge cutting biopsy needle was done with sheath (sheath group, eight biopsies) or without sheath (nonsheath group, eight biopsies). After biopsy, bleeding time, bleeding amount, and positive airway pressure causing air leakage from the insertion site was compared between groups (Mann-Whitney U test). To observe long-term effects in closed-chest animals, percutaneous lung biopsy with the use of a sheath was carried out percutaneously in male beagles (n = 9). The animals were observed for 3 weeks. RESULTS: In the pigs (sheath group) after biopsy, bleeding flowed through the sheath and formed a sheath-molded fibrin plug that secured the insertion site. Bleeding time and amount decreased significantly in the sheath group compared with the nonsheath group (115 +/- 108 versus 295 +/- 150 seconds, P = .018, and 37 +/- 41 versus 98 +/- 72 grams, P= .027, respectively). Air leakage pressure was significantly higher in the sheath group compared with the nonsheath group (37 +/- 6 versus 18 +/- 5 cmH2O, P = .001). In the beagles, no complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, or airway bleeding was apparent. CONCLUSION: Although we have not evaluated lung tumor biopsy per se, lung tumor biopsy with a 12-gauge cutting needle may be possible with a use of a sheath.     

Ultrasound-guided non-targeted liver core biopsy: comparison of the efficacy of two different core needle biopsy systems using an ex-vivo animal model and retrospective review of clinical experience

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of two 18-gauge core needle biopsy systems, the Achieve® (Merit Medical) and the Marquee® (BD Bard), using an ex-vivo animal liver model and retrospective review of clinical experience.Methods: Sixty ex-vivo liver biopsy samples were obtained using the Achieve® (n = 30) and the Marquee® (n = 30) needles. In addition, 20 liver biopsy samples from 20 patients obtained using the Achieve® (n = 10) and Marquee® (n = 10) were compared retrospectively. One pathologist, blinded to needle type, recorded total core length and the number of complete portal triads. Ex vivo measurements were compared using mixed effects linear, logistic, and ordinal regression. In vivo measurements were compared using Student's t-test.Results: For the Achieve® and Marquee® needles, the mean(SD) total core length (mm) of ex vivo samples was 11.0(3.3) and 12.6(3.4), respectively (P = 0.069) and the adequacy rate was 23.3% and 50%, respectively (P = 0.04). Mean number of portal triads of ex vivo samples was 7.2(2.9) and 8.6(3.8), respectively (P = 0.13), and the adequacy rate was 73.3% and 83.3%, respectively (P = 0.32). For in vivo samples, the Achieve® and Marquee® needles demonstrates mean(SD) total core length (mm) of 24.6(7.1) and 32.0(4.6), respectively (P = 0.01), adequacy rate (P = 0.06). Mean number of portal triads was 14.9(4.8) and 19.6(4.1), respectively (P = 0.03), adequacy rate (P = 0.47).Conclusions: Slightly longer core biopsies were obtained with the Marquee® needle compared with the Achieve® needle. Early clinical experience demonstrates no significant difference in sample adequacy rates. Both needle types can be expected to provide adequate samples for pathologic assessment of liver tissue.     

Pseudoaneurysm after an ultrasound-guided breast core needle biopsy in a lactating woman

This is a case report of a lactating woman in her twenties diagnosed with a breast pseudoaneurysm following a 14-gauge ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy detected by a Color Doppler exam, and treated with surgery. Further discussion concerning the patient’s symptoms, useful imaging modalities, and treatment options are included. Knowledge on this complication is crucial for the correct diagnosis and best management and treatment.     

Invited. MRI of laser-induced interstitial thermal injury in an in vivo animal liver model with histologic correlation

Laser-induced interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a preferred method of minimally invasive therapy. MRI is a noninvasive method by which to monitor the thermal effects of LITT. To properly control such effects, changes in MRI parameters during and after LITT should be correlated with changes in the tissue. T1-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) MRI (1 image/10 seconds) at 1.5 T monitored LITT in vivo in rabbit liver (n = 6) using an interstitial bare delivery fiber (600-μm diameter; 3.0 W; 1,064 nm; 150 seconds). During laser irradiation, MRI signal intensity decreased around the fiber tip; after irradiation, this hypointensity proved reversible and permanent lesions were evident. The lesions had hyperintense margins that were brighter than surrounding normal tissue (P < .001); the tissue in these bright regions was mapped to tissue necrosis characterized by the presence of thermally damaged ghost red blood cells amid generally normal hepatocytes. T1-FSE identified the spatial extent of the LITT lesions.     

Rapid chondrolysis after an intra-articular leak of bone cement in treatment of a benign acetabular subchondral cyst: an unusual complication of percutaneous injection of acrylic cement

Percutaneous injection of methylmethacrylate is now increasingly employed to treat bone lesions, both malignant and benign. However, the risks of this procedure are still to be fully established. In this report, we describe a case of rapid chondrolysis appearing after the intra-articular leakage of cement during injection of an acetabular subchondral cyst, resulting in hip replacement. Although the mechanism of such chondrolysis is unknown, this event suggests a chondrolytic effect of the acrylic cement. Thus, it is essential to systematically search for the presence of an intra-articular passage before injecting bone cement into a peri-articular cyst. This unusual complication highlights the need for rigorous evaluation of the benefits and risks of percutaneous injection of acrylic cement in the treatment of benign lesions, especially close to an articulation. Received: 30 September 1999 Revision requested: 1 December 1999 Revision received: 27 December 1999 Accepted: 27 December 1999     

Transjugular biopsy of an atypical focal nodular hyperplasia in a patient with acute liver failure clinical presentation

The following is a report on one case of successful biopsy of a hepatic focal lesion incidentally found in an emergency computed tomography scan performed in a patient with acute liver failure clinical presentation. The presence of peri-hepatic ascites and severe coagulopathy contraindicated the percutaneous biopsy. The transjugular approach was used to perform a random liver biopsy to assess the amount of hepatic necrosis and to perform the focal lesion biopsy orienting the needle with sonography guidance. The specimen acquired was satisfactory to exclude the presence of malignant cells in the lesion; the diagnosis of atypical focal nodular hyperplasia was performed. The patient underwent successful liver transplantation the day after.     

25 946例行肝穿刺检查肝病病例的临床病理、流行病学及转归的研究

目的 研究1980年1月-2008年6月中国大陆肝脏疾病患者的主要疾病构成谱,临床病理学及流行病学特点,以及部分肝病患者的转归.方法 采用回顾性分析与病理学和血清学实验室再检测相结合的方法 ,对1980年1月-2008年6月主要来自中国大陆31个省市的25 946例行肝穿刺(简称肝穿)的肝病患者(含1 448例罹患肝病的军人)进行临床、病理、实验室分析研究,并对其中的1 322例慢性乙型病毒性肝炎患者进行了为期0.5～18年动态肝穿(2～8次肝穿)随访,观察慢性乙型肝炎的转归状况.结果 本组研究病例中男女比为3:1,年龄范围41d～91岁(32.35±14.4岁),肝病分布以18～37岁为高峰,其中冀、豫、京、鲁、晋为前5位肝病病例来源地.本组病例诊断肝脏疾病谱涵盖100余种,其中感染与非感染性肝病组分别占73.05%和26.95%.该两大类肝病于2000年后均呈总体上升趋势,其中非感染性肝病升幅更为显著.本组的随访资料显示,慢性乙型肝炎是肝衰竭、肝硬化和肝癌的首位相关性肝病,丙型肝炎为肝硬化、肝癌的次位相关性肝病;0.26%的甲型肝炎和0.51%的戊型肝炎病理上存在慢性化病变;1 322例慢性乙型肝炎随访患者中,转归为肝硬化、肝癌的比例分别为15.36%(203例)和1.06%(14例),演变间隔时间分别为46.375±16.93个月和60.29±39.15个月,肝纤维化上升1个S期以上的比例占14.22%(188例),纤维化进展间隔时间为22.20±20.65个月,而肝纤维化程度下降1个S期以上和稳定病例分别占33.36%(441例)和36.01%(476例).结论 本研究基本明确了近28年间中国大陆居民的肝病疾病谱及发病状况,其中不乏疑难或少见病例.本研究阐述了中国大陆主要肝病的一般临床流行病学特点,并从临床病理角度进一步明确了中国慢性乙型肝炎的转归及演变时间.     

MR monitoring of MR-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation of normal liver in an animal model

The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of MRI to accurately detect radiofrequency (RF) thermoablative lesions created under MR guidance. In vivo RF lesions were created in the livers of six New Zealand White rabbits using a 2-mm-diameter titanium alloy RF electrode with a 20-mm exposed tip and a 50-W RF generator. This was performed using a 0.2T clinical C-arm MR imager for guidance and monitoring. Each animal was sacrificed and gross evaluation was performed. Histologic correlation was performed on the first two animals. The MR-compatible RF electrode was easily identified on rapid gradient-echo images used to guide electrode placement. A single lesion was created in each rabbit liver. Lesions ranged from approximately 10 to 17 mm in diameter (mean, 13.5 mm). T2-weighted and short T1 inversion recovery (STIR) images demonstrated lesions ranging in diameter from 12 to 18 mm (mean, 14.6 mm). Lesion dimensions determined from images closely correlated with those determined at gross examination with the discrepancy never exceeding 2 mm, for an r² value of .87. MRI performed at the time of MR-guided RF ablation accurately demonstrated created lesions. This modality may provide a new option for the treatment of local and regional neoplastic disease.     

Transjugular liver biopsy: prospective evaluation of the angle formed between the hepatic veins and the vena cava main axis and modification of a semi-automated biopsy device in cases of an unfavorable angle

In cases of transjugular liver biopsies, the venous angle formed between the chosen hepatic vein and the vena cava main axis in a frontal plane can be large, leading to technical difficulties. In a prospective study including 139 consecutive patients who underwent transjugular liver biopsy using the Quick-Core biopsy set, the mean venous angle was equal to 49.6°. For 21.1% of the patients, two attempts at hepatic venous catheterization failed because the venous angle was too large, with a mean of 69.7°. In all of these patients, manual reshaping of the distal curvature of the stiffening metallic cannula, by forming a new mean angle equal to 48°, allowed successful completion of the procedure in less than 10 min.     

Multi-organ perfusion CT in the abdomen using a 320-detector row CT scanner: preliminary results of perfusion changes in the liver, spleen, and pancreas of cirrhotic patients

Purpose

To utilize 320-detector row CT in perfusion CT of multiple abdominal organs and to compare the tissue perfusion between patients with and without liver cirrhosis.

Materials and methods

This study included 21 patients with cirrhosis and 20 without cirrhosis. The 320-detector row CT scanner enabled multi-organ perfusion CT without requiring the scanner table to be moved. Perfusion was calculated using the maximum slope model for the aorta, the portal vein, the right and left lobes of the liver, the head and body of the pancreas, the spleen, and the corpus and antrum of the stomach. Perfusion in each organ of patients with and without cirrhosis was compared.

Results

Portal venous perfusion of the right and left lobes of the liver in patients with cirrhosis (117 and 100 mL min⁻¹ 100 mL⁻¹, respectively) was significantly less than that in patients without cirrhosis (213 and 174 mL min⁻¹ 100 mL⁻¹, respectively; p = 0.0081 and 0.0294, respectively). Arterial perfusion of the spleen (111 mL min⁻¹ 100 mL⁻¹) and the body of the pancreas (112 mL min⁻¹ 100 mL⁻¹) in patients with cirrhosis was also significantly decreased compared with that in patients without cirrhosis (spleen, 162 mL min⁻¹ 100 mL⁻¹, p = 0.0020; body of pancreas, 133 mL min⁻¹ 100 mL⁻¹, p = 0.0405).

Conclusion

The results of the perfusion CT suggest that arterial perfusion of the spleen and the body of the pancreas, as well as portal perfusion of the liver, in cirrhotic patients was decreased compared with that in non-cirrhotic patients.