Fluoroscopically guided placement of a covered self-expandable metallic stent for malignant antroduodenal obstructions: preliminary results in 18 patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the technical feasibility and the clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided placement of covered self-expandable metallic stents in the treatment of malignant antroduodenal obstructions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: With fluoroscopic guidance, covered self-expandable metallic stents were placed in 18 consecutive patients with inoperable malignant antroduodenal obstructions. All patients were treated for severe nausea and recurrent vomiting. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in all patients with or without gastrostomy (n = 2) and balloon dilatation (n = 3). After stent placement, symptoms improved in all but one patient, who had another stenosis in the proximal jejunum. During the follow-up of 2-73 weeks (mean, 12 weeks), stent migration occurred in three patients (16.7%) from 1 to 41 days after the procedure. These patients were treated successfully by means of placing a second covered metallic stent. Two patients, who were followed up for longer than 30 weeks, showed a recurrence of strictures because of mechanical failure of the stents; one of the patients was treated with coaxial placement of a second covered metallic stent, which had a positive clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopically guided placement of covered self-expandable metallic stents is technically feasible and effective for the palliative treatment of inoperable malignant antroduodenal obstructions. The rate of stent migration in our study was lower than those in previous reports.     

X-ray checks of NG tube position: a case for guided tube placement

Objectives:Checking nasogastric (NG) tube position by X-ray is too late to prevent 1.5% of blind tube placements entering the lung and results in delays to feeding and drugs. We audit the safety of the tube position and delay incurred by X-ray.Methods:From Radiology reports, we determined whether tube position was safe for feeding, factors associated with an X-ray request and the time delay from X-ray request to that report. For tubes misplaced into the lung, the distance from the carina to tube tip was measured and compared with that from published records of guided tube placement.Results:From 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, 1934 X-rays were done to check NG tube position in 891 patients. Gastric placement was confirmed in 85% but, because of tube proximity to the oesophagus, only 73% were deemed safe to feed. The 2.2% of tubes reported to be in the lung were a median of 18 cm beyond the carina compared to 12 cm and 0 cm for electromagnetic and direct vision methods of guided placement. X-ray checks delayed feed and drug treatment by >2 h in 51% of placements and 33% of patients required >3 X-rays during their enteral episode.Conclusion:X-ray checks are common and detect a high percentage of unsafe tube placements, leading to repeated X-ray and delayed delivery of drugs and nutrition. Interpretation can be difficult even when following standard national criteria and post-placement X-ray cannot prevent deep lung placement. Guided or combined methods of confirming tube placement should be investigated.Advances in knowledge:Reports included 27.5% of placements as unsafe, 2.2% in the lung at a median depth of 18 cm beyond the carina and too late to prevent 7 pneumothoraces. X-rays were repeated >3 times in 33% of patients over their enteral course and we are associated with clinically significant delays to drug treatment (and nutrition) in 51%; combined methods of tube confirmation or guided placement may be safer and more efficient.     

Fluoroscopically guided transcervical fallopian tube recanalization of post-sterilization reversal mid-tubal obstructions

Purpose: To assess the technical success and early outcome of fluoroscopically guided transcervical fallopian tube recanalization (FTR) in mid-tubal occlusion following sterilization reversal surgery. Methods: From July 1995 to January 1998, patients with greater than 12 months secondary infertility underwent hysterosalpingography (HSG). FTR was performed in proximal or mid-tubal occlusion. Cases of FTR in mid-tubal occlusion were included in this study. Technical success (defined as complete tubal patency) using a standard guidewire and hydrophilic glidewire, the number of patients with at least one patent tube, and the intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy rates were determined. Results: Twenty-six infertile patients with previous sterilization reversal underwent HSG. Eight of 26 (31%) patients (mean age 32 years, range 23–37 years), had attempted FTR for mid-tubal occlusion at the site of surgical anastomosis. Fourteen tubes were attempted as there were two previous salpingectomies. Technical success was achieved in eight of 14 (57%) tubes attempted, resulting in five of eight (62%) patients having at least one patent tube. At follow-up (mean 18 months, range 12–28 months) in these five patients there was one intrauterine pregnancy. There were no ectopic pregnancies. Conclusions: FTR in mid-tubal obstruction in infertile patients following sterilization reversal surgery is technically feasible and may result in intrauterine pregnancy. In this small group there was a lower technical success rate and lower pregnancy rate than in unselected proximal tubal occlusion.     

Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation of anastomotic strictures after total gastrectomy: long-term results

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical effectiveness and long-term results of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation of anastomotic strictures after total gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation is effective and safe and has encouraging long-term results in the management of benign anastomotic strictures after total gastrectomy.     

Fluoroscopically guided nose tube drainage of mediastinal abscesses in post-operative gastro-oesophageal anastomotic leakage

Objective

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the technical success rates and clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided nose tube drainage of mediastinal abscesses and a nasojejunum feeding tube in post-operative gastro-oesophageal anastomotic leakage (GEAL).

Methods

From January 2006 to June 2011, 18 cases of post-operative GEAL with mediastinal abscesses after oesophagectomy with intrathoracic oesophagogastric anastomotic procedures for oesophageal and cardiac carcinoma were treated by insertion of a nose drainage tube and nasojejunum feeding tube under fluoroscopic guidance. We evaluated the feasibility of two-tube insertion to facilitate leakage site closure and complete resolution of the abscess, and the patients’ nutritional benefit was also evaluated by checking the serum albumin level between pre- and post-enteral feeding via the feeding tube.

Results

The two tubes were placed successfully under fluoroscopic guidance in 18 patients (100%). The procedure time for two-tube insertion ranged from 20 to 40 min (mean 30 min). 17 patients (94%) achieved leakage site closure after two-tube insertion and had a good tolerance of two tubes in the nasal cavity. The serum albumin level was significant, increased from pre-enteral feeding (2.49±0.42 g dl⁻¹) to the post-enteral feeding (3.58±0.47 g dl⁻¹) via the feeding tube (p<0.001). The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 49 months (mean 19 months).

Conclusion

The insertion of nose tube drainage and a nasojejunum feeding tube under fluoroscopic guidance is safe, and it provides effective relief from mediastinal abscesses in GEAL after oesophagectomy. Moreover, our findings indicate that two-tube insertion may be used as a selective procedure to treat mediastinal abscesses in post-operative GEAL.

Advances in knowledge

Directive drainage of mediastinal abscesses in post-operative GEAL may be an effective treatment.Mediastinal leakage occurs in about 7% of distal oesophageal resections and is associated with a mortality rate of up to 60% [1,2]. Although the amounts of post-operative anastomotic leakage can be rather slight, the leakage is a major source of mortality and morbidity [3]. The leading causes of death in patients with mediastinal abscesses are infection and nutritional deficiency [4,5]. Mediastinal abscesses form a potentially devastating condition in gastro-oesophageal anastomotic leakage (GEAL). Historically, intravenous antibiotics combined with surgical debridement have been the mainstay of therapy [6]. Rethoracotomy extended procedure, however, carries considerable risks for a critically ill patient [5]. Han et al [7] treated patients with mediastinal abscess with stent placement and nasal–oesophagal drainage, while percutaneous drainage was applied under the guidance of CT [8,9] or endoscopy [10,11]. Drainage may be a promising treatment for mediastinal abscess in GEAL. In this study, we determined the feasibility and effectiveness of using two-tube insertion under fluoroscopic guidance in the treatment of mediastinal abscess in GEAL. The effect of treatment was evaluated by time interval of the leaks’ closure and the effect on nutritional status was evaluated by serum albumin level.     

Fluoroscopically guided retrograde replacement of ureteral stents

PURPOSE: We assessed the feasibility of fluoroscopically guided transurethral replacement of ureteral stents as an alternative to cystoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the last year, we replaced 27 double-J ureteral stents in 20 patients (10 men and 10 women; mean age 67.7 years, range 43-83); 15/20 patients had a native kidney, 3/20 had a transplanted kidney and 2/20 had a ureteroileal conduit. The procedures were performed in the angiography suite with the patient under sedation. All stents were grasped with a gooseneck snare under fluoroscopic control, and the distal end was withdrawn just outside the urethra; then a wire was advanced through the stent lumen and positioned in the renal pelvis. The stent was then removed and replaced with a new double-J stent. RESULTS: The procedures were successful in 26/27 cases. We observed 7 cases of mild haematuria that resolved spontaneously. During follow-up (1-16 months, mean 6.7), stent obstruction occurred in 4 cases, requiring an additional retrograde replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral fluoroscopically guided retrograde replacement of dysfunctioning ureteral stents is an effective and safe alternative to cystoscopy.     

Fluoroscopically guided pyeloureteral interventions by using a perurethral transvesical approach

Using a perurethral transvesical approach, we attempted a total of 180 varied pyeloureteral uroradiologic interventional procedures during a 20-month period; 168 were successfully accomplished (93% success rate). We used standard interventional equipment, fluoroscopy, and (for access to the upper urinary tract) ureteral catheters that had been partially or completely inserted at cystoscopy by urologists. The successful procedures included insertion of double-pigtail ureteral stents (42 procedures), insertion of single-pigtail ureteral stents (47), advancement of arrested or incompletely inserted retrograde ureteral catheters (42), urothelial biopsy (30), balloon dilatation of ureteral strictures (three), retrograde cannulation of ureteropelvic junction obstructions that could not be negotiated in a percutaneous antegrade fashion (three), and ureteral stone extraction (one). The method was unsuccessful in 12 patients. Failures were due to caudal migration of a ureteral catheter into the bladder in eight patients and to an inability to advance a guidewire beyond an area of ureteral obstruction or perforation in four. Although most commonly used as an adjunct to extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy of renal and proximal ureteral calculi, the perurethral approach was extremely valuable for a wide variety of other indications. Significant complications, encountered in 5% of the procedures, included urosepsis (two), ureteral perforations (five), and cannulation of a false ureteral lumen (two). These problems resolved without sequelae with conservative management. The perurethral transvesical approach represents a relatively simple, safe, and expeditious interventional uroradiologic method. It frequently obviated other more invasive interventions such as percutaneous nephrostomy, ureteroscopy, or surgery.     

Ultrasonically guided biopsy of intra-abdominal changes. Report of the results of a 5-year study

Ultrasound guided biopsies of intraabdominal changes have been performed in 215 patients within a five-year period. The most frequent pathologic changes were liver neoplasms--liver metastases in 51 patients, angiomas in 16 and primary carcinomas in 17. The most frequent extrahepatic pathologic changes were pancreatic diseases in 22 patients and colonic carcinomas in 17 patients. This method of biopsy enables most rapid and reliable diagnosis and it is also simple and safe.     

Fluoroscopically guided percutaneous gastrostomy: is gastric fixation necessary?

In this animal study the authors evaluated the safety of inserting gastrostomy catheters percutaneously without the aid of gastric fixation. In a laboratory model (excised dog stomachs) there was not leakage around gastrostomy tubes of different sizes (nos. 8 to 18 French), despite maximum gastric distension and intragastric pressures of up to 100 mm Hg. When the tubes were removed, the risk of leakage from the gastrostomy increased in proportion to the size of the gastric defect. Percutaneous gastrostomy catheters (no. 14 French) were then placed in five live dogs without gastric fixation and were immediately withdrawn. All animals remained well. Autopsies performed 7 days later showed no evidence of leakage. The authors conclude that there is no leakage around correctly placed gastrostomy tubes. Although gastric defects larger than no. 10 French leak easily in vitro, a defect of no. 14 French is well tolerated in vivo. The authors suggest that percutaneous gastrostomy may be performed safely without gastric fixation devices in patients as long as the size of the initial cathether used is no. 14 French or smaller.