Is There a Role for Empiric Gastroduodenal Artery Embolization in the Management of Patients with Active Upper GI Hemorrhage?

Purpose

To assess the relative efficacy of empiric gastroduodenal artery (GDA) embolization in reducing recurrent hemorrhage compared to image-guided targeted embolization.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected for consecutive patients who had catheter angiography for major upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from May 2008 to November 2010 (n = 40). The total number of cases were divided into two main groups according to angiographic findings: those that demonstrated a site of hemorrhage on catheter angiography (group 1, n = 13), and those where the site of hemorrhage was not identified on catheter angiography (group 2, n = 27). Group 2 was then further divided into patients who received empiric embolization (group 2a, n = 20) and those who had no embolization performed after angiography (group 2b, n = 7).

Results

The technical and clinical success rates for embolization in groups 1 and 2a were, respectively, 100 vs. 95 %, and 85 vs. 80 %. There was no statistical significance in the recurrent hemorrhage rate, reintervention rate, or 30 day mortality between targeted and empiric embolization groups. There were no complications attributed to embolization within this study cohort.

Conclusion

Cases of duodenal-related major upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage where no embolization is performed have poor outcome. Empiric embolization of the GDA in patients with major upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage refractory to endoscopic treatment appears to be a safe and effective treatment, with low reintervention rates and good clinical outcome comparable to patients where the site of hemorrhage is localized and embolized with computed tomographic angiography or catheter angiography and embolized.     

Short-Term Effects of Ankaferd Hemostat for Renal Artery Embolization: An Experimental Study

Purpose

Renal artery embolization (RAE) is a minimally invasive therapeutic technique that is utilized in a number of disorders. Ankaferd is a novel hemostatic agent with a new mechanism of action independent of clotting factors. We used Ankaferd for RAE in a sheep model.

Methods

Seven adult female sheep were included in the study. Selective renal arteriogram using 5-F diagnostic catheter was performed to make sure that each kidney was fed by a single renal artery and the animal had normal renal vasculature. Coaxial 2.7-F microcatheter was advanced to the distal main renal artery. Under fluoroscopic guidance, 2 mL of Ankaferd mixed with 2 mL of nonionic iodinated contrast agent was slowly injected. Fluoroscopy was used to observe the deceleration of flow and stagnation. Control renal angiograms were performed just after embolization. After the procedure, the animals were observed for 1 day and then sacrificed with intravenous sodium thiopental.

Results

The technical success was observed in seven of the seven animals.. After embolization procedure, none of the animals died or experienced a major systemic adverse event. On macroscopic examination of the embolized kidneys, thrombus at the level of main renal artery formed after Ankaferd embolization was more compact compared with the thrombi that was not Ankaferd-associated, which was observed elsewhere. Microscopically, majority of the renal tubular cells (80–90 %) were necrotic, and there was epithelial cell damage in a small portion of the cells (10–20 %).

Conclusions

RAE was safe and effective in the short-term with Ankaferd in studied animals. Further studies should be conducted to better delineate the embolizing potential of this novel hemostatic agent.     

Chemical Renal Denervation in the Rat

Introduction

The recent success of renal denervation in lowering blood pressure in drug-resistant hypertensive patients has stimulated interest in developing novel approaches to renal denervation including local drug/chemical delivery. The purpose of this study was to develop a rat model in which depletion of renal norepinephrine (NE) could be used to determine the efficacy of renal denervation after the delivery of a chemical to the periadventitial space of the renal artery.

Methods

Renal denervation was performed on a single renal artery of 90 rats (n = 6 rats/group). The first study determined the time course of renal denervation after surgical stripping of a renal artery plus the topical application of phenol in alcohol. The second study determined the efficacy of periadventitial delivery of hypertonic saline, guanethidine, and salicylic acid. The final study determined the dose–response relationship for paclitaxel. In all studies, renal NE content was determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results

Renal NE was depleted 3 and 7 days after surgical denervation. Renal NE was also depleted by periadventitial delivery of all agents tested (hypertonic saline, salicylic acid, guanethidine, and paclitaxel). A dose response was observed after the application of 150 μL of 10^?5 M through 10^?2 M paclitaxel.

Conclusion

We developed a rat model in which depletion of renal NE was used to determine the efficacy of renal denervation after perivascular renal artery drug/chemical delivery. We validated this model by demonstrating the efficacy of the neurotoxic agents hypertonic saline, salicylic acid, and guanethidine and increasing doses of paclitaxel.     

Coil embolization of intracranial saccular aneurysms using the Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS™) device

Introduction

The novel Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS?, LVIS and LVIS Jr.) device was recently introduced for stent-supported coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms. Periprocedural and midterm follow-up results for its use in stent-supported coil embolization of unruptured aneurysms are presented herein.

Methods

In this prospective multicenter study, clinical and radiologic outcomes were analyzed for 55 patients with saccular aneurysms undergoing LVIS-assisted coil embolization between October 2012 and February 2013. Magnetic resonance angiography or digital subtraction angiography was performed to evaluate midterm follow-up results.

Results

The standard LVIS device, deployed in 27 patients, was more often used in internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms (n?=?19), whereas the LVIS Jr. (a lower profile stent, n?=?28) was generally reserved for anterior communicating artery (n?=?14) and middle cerebral artery (n?=?8) aneurysms. With LVIS-assisted coil embolization, successful occlusion was achieved in 45 aneurysms (81.8 %). Although no instances of navigation failure or stent malposition occurred, segmentally incomplete stent expansion was seen in five patients where the higher profile LVIS was applied to ICA including carotid siphon. Procedural morbidity was low (2/55, 3.6 %), limited to symptomatic thromboembolism. In the imaging of lesions (54/55, 98.2 %) at 6-month follow-up, only a single instances of major recanalization (1.9 %) occurred. Follow-up angiography of 30 aneurysms (54.5 %) demonstrated in-stent stenosis in 26 (86.7 %), with no instances of stent migration. Only one patient suffered late delayed infarction (modified Rankin Scale 1).

Conclusion

The LVIS device performed acceptably in stent-assisted coil embolization of non-ruptured aneurysms due to easy navigation and precise placement, although segmentally incomplete stent expansion and delayed in-stent stenosis were issues.     

Endovascular coil embolization of middle cerebral artery aneurysms of the proximal (M1) segment

Introduction

Proximal middle cerebral artery (M1 segment) aneurysms have various configurations and are distinct from middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms. We present the clinical and radiological results of coil embolization of the M1 segment aneurysms.

Methods

From a prospective database, we retrieved the data for 59 consecutive patients harboring 60 M1 aneurysms that were treated with endovascular coil embolization from January 2006 to May 2012. We assessed the clinical outcomes of the patients and morphological outcomes of the aneurysms using the Raymond classification.

Results

The aneurysms were located on the superior wall of the M1 segment in 43 and on the inferior wall in 17. Superior-wall aneurysms were related to the frontal cortical artery and the lateral lenticulostriate perforator while inferior-wall aneurysms were to the temporal cortical artery. With coil embolization, complete aneurysmal occlusion or residual neck could be achieved in 52 aneurysms (86.7 %) and residual aneurysm in 8. The microcatheter protection technique was most commonly used for coil embolization (41.7 %) followed by single microcatheter (31.7 %), double microcatheter (23.3 %), and stent protection (3.3 %). There was no procedure-related morbidity or mortality. Follow-up angiography more than 6 months after embolization (n?=?46; mean 12.4 months) demonstrated stable occlusion in 40 (87.0 %), minor recanalization in 4 (8.7 %), and major recanalization in 2 (4.3 %). One patient experienced delayed cerebral infarction without permanent neurologic deficit.

Conclusion

Coil embolization in M1 aneurysms seems to be safe and efficacious, although it may require various technical strategies due to distinct anatomic configurations.     

Transarterial Embolization With Cyanoacrylate for Severe Arterioportal Shunt Complicated by Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cyanoacrylate glue embolization in the treatment of severe arterioportal shunt (APS) presenting with hepatofugal portal venous flow in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Materials and Methods

Between July 2000 and January 2010, 27 HCC patients with severe APS presenting with hepatofugal portal venous flow underwent transarterial angiography and treatment. Among them, four patients were excluded from the study. Twelve patients underwent transarterial chemoperfusion and embolization of APS with cyanoacrylate glue between January 2006 and January 2010 (Emb group), and the other 11 patients undergoing only transarterial chemoperfusion without embolization of APS between July 2000 and December 2005 served as a control group (non-Emb group). The change of APS, survival rates, and procedure related complications were analyzed.

Results

In the Emb group, APS was improved in all of the 12 patients after initial glue embolization; long-term APS improvement with hepatopetal portal flow was achieved in 80 % (8 of 10) patients who underwent follow-up angiography. Survival rates in the Emb group were 67 % at 6 months, 33 % at 1 year, and 8 % at 2 years, whereas those in the non-Emb group were 0 % at 6 months (P < 0.05). Median survival time in the Emb group was 275 days, which was longer than that of 107 days in the non-Emb group (P = 0.001). There were no major complications in both groups.

Conclusion

The preliminary experience suggests that glue embolization may be an effective and safe therapy in the management of severe APS accompanied by HCC and also improve patient survival.     

Retrospective 12-Year Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Managing Bleeding Complications Following Hip Surgery

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for stopping bleeding following hip surgery.

Methods

We performed a 12-year retrospective analysis of 13 patients (M:F = 6:7, median age 72 years) who underwent angiography for bleeding following hip surgery. The types of surgery, latency time, angiographic findings, TAE details, procedure-related complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Technical success was defined as no further bleeding detected on angiography following embolization.

Results

Total hip replacement arthroplasty was the most common surgery performed for these patients (n = 10). Seven of the 13 study patients underwent angiography the same day as their surgery. Angiograms showed active (n = 11) or suspicious (n = 1) bleeding in 12 of the 13 patients. Gelatin sponge particles, coils, NBCA, PVA, and their combinations were used as the embolic material. For the one patient without obvious signs of bleeding, prophylactic TAE was done to achieve bleeding control. For the 11 patients with active bleeding, 10 underwent technically successful TAE, and 1 patient underwent surgery due to a large pseudoaneurysm located near the bifurcation of the common femoral artery. There were no major procedure-related complications or patient mortality. The 30-day mortality rate was 15 % (2/13), and both of these patients died of multiorgan failure.

Conclusions

Transcatheter angiography is useful for identifying bleeding arteries. TAE is safe and effective for managing bleeding after hip surgery.     

Time-of-flight angiography: a viable alternative to contrast-enhanced MR angiography and fat-suppressed T1w images for the diagnosis of cervical artery dissection?

Objectives

To compare the use of an unenhanced high-resolution time-of-flight MR angiography sequence (Hr-TOF MRA) with fat-suppressed axial/coronal T1-weighted images and contrast-enhanced angiography (standard MRI) for the diagnosis of cervical artery dissection (cDISS).

Methods

Twenty consecutive patients (9 women, 11 men, aged 24–66 years) with proven cDISS on standard MRI underwent Hr-TOF MRA at 3.0 T using dedicated surface coils. Sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), Cohen’s kappa (к) and accuracy of Hr-TOF MRA were calculated using the standard protocol as the gold standard. Image quality and diagnostic confidence were assessed on a four-point scale.

Results

Image quality was rated better for standard MRI (P?=?0.02), whereas diagnostic confidence did not differ significantly (P?=?0.27). There was good agreement between Hr-TOF images and the standard protocol for the presence/absence of cDISS, with к?=?0.95 for reader 1 and к?=?0.89 for reader 2 (P?<?0.001). This resulted in SE, SP, PPV, NPV and accuracy of 97 %, 98 %, 97 %, 98 % and 97 % for reader 1 and 93 %, 96 %, 93 %, 96 % and 95 % for reader 2.

Conclusions

Hr-TOF MRA can be used to diagnose cDISS with excellent agreement compared with the standard protocol. This might be useful in patients with renal insufficiency or if contrast-enhanced MR angiography is of insufficient image quality.

Key Points

? New magnetic resonance angiography sequences are increasingly used for vertebral artery assessment. ? A high-resolution time-of-flight sequence allows the diagnosis of cervical artery dissection. ? This technique allows the diagnosis without intravenous contrast medium. ? It could help in renal insufficiency or when contrast-enhanced MRA fails.     

CT perfusion technique for assessment of early kidney allograft dysfunction: preliminary results

Objectives

To assess the benefit of quantitative computed tomography (CT) perfusion for differentiating acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and acute rejection (AR) in kidney allografts.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with acute kidney allograft dysfunction caused by either AR (n?=?6) or ATN (n?=?16) were retrospectively included in the study. All patients initially underwent a multiphase CT angiography (CTA) protocol (12 phases, one phase every 3.5 s) covering the whole graft to exclude acute postoperative complications. Multiphase CT dataset and dedicated software were used to calculate renal blood flow. Renal biopsy or clinical course of disease served as the standard of reference. Mean effective radiation dose and mean amount of contrast media were calculated.

Results

Renal blood flow values were significantly lower (P?=?0.001) in allografts undergoing AR (48.3?±?21 ml/100 ml/min) compared with those with ATN (77.5?±?21 ml/100 ml/min). No significant difference (P?=?0.71) was observed regarding creatinine level with 5.65?±?3.1 mg/dl in AR and 5.3?±?1.9 mg/dl in ATN. The mean effective radiation dose of the CT perfusion protocol was 13.6?±?5.2 mSv; the mean amount of contrast media applied was 34.5?±?5.1 ml. All examinations were performed without complications.

Conclusion

CT perfusion of kidney allografts may help to differentiate between ATN and rejection.

Key points

? Quantitative CT perfusion of renal transplants is feasible. ? CT perfusion could help to non-invasively differentiate AR from ATN. ? CT perfusion might make some renal biopsies unnecessary.     

Endovascular Management of Iatrogenic Native Renal Arterial Pseudoaneurysms

Purpose

Our purpose was to evaluate iatrogenic renal pseudoaneurysms, endovascular treatment, and outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study (2003–2011) reported the technical and clinical outcomes of endovascular therapy for renal pseudoaneurysms in eight patients (mean age, 46 (range 24–68) years). Renal parenchymal loss evaluation was based on digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography.

Results

We identified eight iatrogenic renal pseudoaneurysm patients with symptoms of hematuria, pain, and hematoma after renal biopsy (n?=?3), surgery (n?=?3), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n?=?1), and endoscopic shock-wave lithotripsy (n?=?1). In six patients, the pseudoaneurysms were small-sized (<20?mm) and peripherally located and were treated solely with coil embolization (n?=?5). In one patient, coil embolization was preceded by embolization with 500–700 micron embospheres to control active bleeding. The remaining two patients had large-sized (≥50?mm), centrally located renal pseudoaneurysms treated with thrombin?±?coils. Technical success with immediate bleeding cessation was achieved in all patients. There were no procedure-related deaths or complications (mean follow-up, 23.5 (range, 1–67) months).

Conclusions

Treatment of renal pseudoaneurysms using endovascular approach is a relatively safe and viable option regardless of location (central or peripheral) and size of the lesions with minimal renal parenchymal sacrifice.     

Heritability, determinants and reference values of renal length: a family-based population study

Objectives

In this population-based study, reference values were generated for renal length, and the heritability and factors associated with kidney length were assessed.

Methods

Anthropometric parameters and renal ultrasound measurements were assessed in randomly selected nuclear families of European ancestry (Switzerland). The adjusted narrow sense heritability of kidney size parameters was estimated by maximum likelihood assuming multivariate normality after power transformation. Gender-specific reference centiles were generated for renal length according to body height in the subset of non-diabetic non-obese participants with normal renal function.

Results

We included 374 men and 419 women (mean ± SD, age 47?±?18 and 48?±?17 years, BMI 26.2?±?4 and 24.5?±?5 kg/m², respectively) from 205 families. Renal length was 11.4?±?0.8 cm in men and 10.7?±?0.8 cm in women; there was no difference between right and left renal length. Body height, weight and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were positively associated with renal length, kidney function negatively, age quadratically, whereas gender and hypertension were not. The adjusted heritability estimates of renal length and volume were 47.3?±?8.5 % and 45.5?±?8.8 %, respectively (P?<?0.001).

Conclusion

The significant heritability of renal length and volume highlights the familial aggregation of this trait, independently of age and body size. Population-based references for renal length provide a useful guide for clinicians.

Key Points

? Renal length and volume are heritable traits, independent of age and size. ? Based on a European population, gender-specific reference values/percentiles are provided for renal length. ? Renal length correlates positively with body length and weight. ? There was no difference between right and left renal lengths in this study. ? This negates general teaching that the left kidney is larger and longer.     

Association between reperfusion and shrinkage percentage of the aneurysmal sac after embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation: evaluation based on contrast-enhanced thin-section CT images

Purpose

To investigate an association between reperfusion and the percentage of shrinkage of the aneurysmal sac after embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) and to determine the cutoff value of the shrinkage percentage for indicating reperfusion.

Materials and methods

Twenty-two PAVMs with completely embolized feeding arteries with coils were examined. The percentage of sac shrinkage and the presence of reperfusion were evaluated on computed tomography before and 1, 3, and 12 months after embolization. The percentages of sac shrinkage were compared between the occlusion and reperfusion groups. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine the diagnostic efficiency of reperfusion of PAVM by using shrinkage percentages.

Results

Reperfusion was seen in 14, 13, and 11 lesions at 1, 3, and 12 months, respectively. The mean percentage of sac shrinkage was significantly different between the two groups at 3 and 12 months. The area under the ROC curve was 0.991 at 3 months and 0.934 at 12 months. All 9 lesions with <60 % sac shrinkage at 12 months showed reperfusion.

Conclusion

The percentage of sac shrinkage was closely associated with reperfusion after embolization of PAVMs at 3 and 12 months. A shrinkage percentage of <60 % at 12 months indicated reperfusion.     

A Pilot Study of Uterine Artery Embolization with Tris-Acryl Gelatin Microspheres in Guinea Pigs

Objective

This study was designed to establish guinea pigs as an animal model for uterine artery embolization (UAE) with tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM).

Methods

Twenty-five female adult guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups, including a uterine artery casting mould group (n = 10) and a UAE group (n = 15). Pelvic angiography and vascular casting mould were performed in the first group. The anatomical characters of the pelvic cavity in guinea pigs were described. In the second group, the technical feasibility of performing UAE with TAGM in guinea pigs was investigated. The histopathological slides of the uterus of guinea pigs after UAE were examined to inspect the outcomes of UAE.

Results

The uterine artery springs from the internal iliac artery, ascends tortuously along the cervix, and gives off vertically 8–10 branches to the cervix uteri and uterine horns. The diameters of the trunk of the uterine artery and its first branch were 0.32 ± 0.027 mm and 0.14 ± 0.01 mm, respectively. For UAE animals, the dosages of 40–120 and 100–300 μm TAGM were 0.033 ± 0.003 ml and 0.015 ± 0.002 ml, respectively. On histopathological slides, embosphere particles were found in the first branches of the uterine artery, the subserous arteries, and the intramural arteries. Inflammatory reactions in the uterus were common in guinea pigs after UAE. Local or dispersed areas of necrosis in uterus also were observed in a few guinea pigs.

Conclusions

Guinea pigs are an appropriate and feasible model for UAE with TAGM.     

Transcatheter embolisation of iatrogenic renal vascular injuries

Purpose

The aim of our study was to review our experience and long-term follow-up in the treatment of iatrogenic renal vascular injuries using transcatheter embolisation.

Materials and methods

Our retrospective analysis of cases collected in two interventional centres consists of a total of 21 patients who underwent renal arterial embolisation (RAE) for iatrogenic arterial kidney bleeding. Biopsy (n = 4), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n = 4), nephron-sparing surgery (n = 4), guidewire-induced arterial perforation during coronary angiography or renal stenting (n = 3), percutaneous nephrostomy (n = 3), renal endopyelotomy/pyeloplasty (n = 2) and surgical nephrectomy were the iatrogenic causes. Seven patients presented with haemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion (33.3 %), the remaining were haemodynamically stable (66.7 %). Diagnostic renal angiography revealed 9 actively bleeding vessels, 6 pseudoaneurysms, 4 arteriovenous fistulas and 1 arterio-calyceal fistula. In one patient selective renal arteriography was negative probably because the bleeding observed at CT angiography was self-limited. Twenty-one embolisation procedures were performed in 20 patients; one patient required a second embolisation 3 h after the first one. Embolisation was performed with microcoils, polyvinyl alcohol particles, embospheres, spongostan emulsion and vascular plug.

Results

The technical success rate was 100 %. The overall clinical success rate was 95 %. Apart from a patient who died due to disseminated intravascular coagulation, no major complications requiring intensive care treatment were encountered during or after the procedures. No patient required emergency surgery or subsequent surgical treatment. No statistically significant differences in eGFR or renal function stage appeared after RAE.

Conclusions

Percutaneous treatment can be proposed as a first-line treatment in iatrogenic renal arterial injuries, resulting in a safe and effective procedure.     

Selective transarterial embolization with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for the treatment of arterial hemorrhage after third molar extraction

Introduction

Comprehensive reports concerning selective embolization for arterial bleeding from third molar removal have not been published. We analyzed cases of arterial bleeding from third molar extraction that required transarterial embolization, and we demonstrate representative cases.

Methods

Five consecutive patients (three men and two women, aged 24 to 37 years) who underwent transarterial embolization at our institution were included in this study. Four of them showed postoperative bleeding after lower third molar removal, and one suffered bleeding after upper third molar extraction. The period of time from extraction to embolization varied from 5 h to 5 weeks.

Results

Angiography revealed pseudoaneurysms at the inferior alveolar artery in four cases and at the superior alveolar artery in one case. The pseudoaneurysms were selectively embolized using 25–33 % n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA)–lipiodol. All of the cases showed good results angiographically and clinically. Transit hypoesthesia at the region of the mental nerve was observed in one patient.

Conclusion

Selective transarterial embolization is an effective technique for arterial bleeding from third molar removal when it is difficult to obtain hemostasis by dental procedures. Injection of NBCA can be useful when the alveolar artery is too small to embolize with coils.     

Multiple Renal Artery Pseudoaneurysms in Patients Undergoing Renal Artery Embolization Following Partial Nephrectomy: Correlation with RENAL Nephrometry Scores

Purpose

To describe the incidence of multiple renal artery pseudoaneurysms (PSA) in patients referred for renal artery embolization following partial nephrectomy and to study its relationship to RENAL nephrometry scores.

Materials and Methods

The medical records of 25 patients referred for renal artery embolization after partial nephrectomy were retrospectively reviewed for the following parameters: size and number of tumors, RENAL nephrometry scores, angiographic abnormalities, technical and clinical outcomes, and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) after embolization.

Results

Twenty-four patients had primary renal tumors, while 1 patient had a pancreatic tumor invading the kidney. Multiple tumors were resected in 4 patients. Most patients (92 %) were symptomatic, presenting with gross hematuria, flank pain, or both. Angiography revealed PSA with (n = 5) or without (n = 20) AV fistulae. Sixteen patients (64 %) had multiple PSA involving multiple renal vessels. Higher RENAL nephrometry scores were associated with an increasing likelihood of multiple PSA. Multiple vessels were embolized in 14 patients (56 %). Clinical success was achieved after one (n = 22) or two (n = 3) embolization sessions in all patients. Post-embolization eGFR values at different time points after embolization were not significantly different from the post-operative eGFR.

Conclusion

A majority of patients requiring renal artery embolization following partial nephrectomy have multiple pseudoaneurysms, often requiring selective embolization of multiple vessels. Higher RENAL nephrometry score is associated with an increasing likelihood of multiple pseudoaneurysms. We found transarterial embolization to be a safe and effective treatment option with no long-term adverse effect on renal function in all but one patient with a solitary kidney.

     

Characteristics of vascular supply to uterine leiomyoma: an analysis of digital subtraction angiography imaging in 518 cases

Objectives

To investigate the characteristics of the vascular supply to uterine leiomyomas based on digital subtraction angiography.

Methods

The feeding artery, vascularity of uterine leiomyoma and visualisation of the ovarian vessel network were studied in 518 patients undergoing uterine artery embolisation (UAE). Mean patient age was 38.97?±?6.09 years (range, 22–54 years). The types of vascular supply were analysed by the vascular supply to the leimyoma and grades of vascularity by the degree of enhancement of the leimyoma compared with the myometrium.

Results

The blood supply of leiomyomas could not be classified in 3.28 % of patients. Blood was supplied solely by the uterine artery in 88.61 % of leiomyomas, 8.11 % of leiomyomas were partially fed by an ovarian artery, and 0.39 % by it exclusively. Leiomyoma blood supply was classified as unilateral predominant, bilateral balanced, single unilateral uterine artery and single ovarian artery in 36.48, 49.23, 10.62 and 0.39 % of cases respectively. Leiomyoma vascularity was classified as extremely hypervascular (8.69 %), hypervascular (46.14 %), isovascular (33.39 %) and hypovascular (11.78 %).

Conclusions

Uterine leiomyomas supplied by both uterine arteries and with rich blood flow were seen in approximately 50 % of patients. However, close attention also should be given to the collateral circulation during UAE.

Key Points

? The vascularity of uterine leiomyomata was studied by digital subtraction angiography. ? Most uterine leiomyomtas have a bilateral uterine artery blood supply. ? Attention should be given to collateral circulation during embolisation procedures.     

Preoperative Direct Puncture Embolization of Advanced Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma in Combination with Transarterial Embolization: An Analysis of 22 Consecutive Patients

Objective

This study was designed to evaluate the clinical application of preoperative auxiliary embolization for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) by direct puncture embolization (DPE) of the tumor in combination with transarterial embolization (TAE).

Methods

The study included 22 patients. An 18-gauge needle was used to puncture directly into the tumor, and 20–25 % N-butyl cyanoacrylate was injected under the guidance of fluoroscopy after confirming the placement of the needle into the JNA and no leaking into the surrounding tissue. Tumors were obstructed later via TAE.

Results

The supplying arteries of JNA were from branches of the internal carotid and external carotid arteries. Control angiography showed the obliteration of contrast stain in the entire tumor mass and the distal supplying arteries disappeared after DPE in combination with TAE. Surgical resection was performed within 4 days after embolization and none of the patients required blood transfusion.

Conclusions

The use of DPE in combination with TAE was a safe, feasible, and efficacious method. It can devascularize effectively the JNAs and reduce intraoperative bleeding when JNAs are extirpated.     

Computed tomography angiography of lower extremities in the emergency room for evaluation of patients with gunshot wounds

Objective

To assess the role of CT angiography in the evaluation of patients with lower extremity gunshot wounds in the emergency room.

Materials and methods

Eighty patients (73 male, 7 female, mean age 26 years) underwent CT angiography for the evaluation of lower extremity gunshot injuries. Imaging was conducted on the basis of standardized protocols utilizing 16-slice and 64-slice multidetector systems and images were qualitatively graded and assessed for various forms of arterial injury.

Results

CT angiography findings indicative of arterial injury were observed in 24 patients (30 %) and a total of 43 arterial injuries were noted; the most common form was focal narrowing/spasm (n?=?16, 37.2 %); the most common artery involved was the superficial femoral artery (n?=?12, 50 %). In qualitative assessment of images based on a 4-point grading system, both readers considered CT angiography diagnostically excellent (grade 4) in most cases. Surgical findings were consistent with CT angiography and follow-up of patients’ medical records showed no arterial injuries in patients with normal findings on initial imaging.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that CT angiography is an effective imaging modality for evaluation of lower extremity gunshot wounds and could help limit more invasive procedures such as catheter angiography to a select group of patients.

Key Points

? CT angiography efficiently evaluates lower extremity gunshot wounds. ? CT angiography provides image quality sufficiently reliable for assessment of gunshot injuries. ? CT angiography could help limit invasive procedures to select patients.     

The Origin of the Cystic Artery Supplying Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Digital Subtraction Angiography in 311 Patients

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of origin of the cystic artery using selective angiography images obtained during chemoembolization.

Methods

Between March 2007 and January 2012, 326 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma supplied by the cystic artery were treated by chemoembolization through the cystic artery. Fifteen patients were excluded due to the difficulty in determining the origin of their cystic arteries. Thus, a total of 311 patients were included in this study. Digital subtraction angiography images were reviewed retrospectively by consensus.

Results

A total of 112 (36 %) patients had a total of 121 variant hepatic arteries. Double cystic arteries were present in 46 (14.8 %) patients, and total 357 cystic arteries were observed. The origin sites of the cystic artery were the following: the right hepatic artery (n = 248), the anterior sectional artery (n = 44), the segment IV artery (n = 21), the posterior sectional artery (n = 10), the left hepatic artery (n = 8), the proper hepatic artery (n = 8), the gastroduodenal artery (n = 4), and others (n = 14). In total, 103 (33 %) patients had at least one cystic artery arising from arteries other than the right hepatic artery. In patients with right hepatic artery variations, the cystic artery more frequently originated from arteries other than the right hepatic artery (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The most and second most common origins of the cystic artery are the right hepatic artery and the anterior sectional artery. In addition, the origin site of the cystic arteries is influenced by variations of hepatic arteries.