Nonsurgical management of blunt splenic injury: use of CT criteria to select patients for splenic arteriography and potential endovascular therapy

PURPOSE: To determine if contrast material-enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT) can be used to select patients with blunt splenic injuries to undergo arteriographic embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 15-month period, 78 patients who were hemodynamically stable and required no immediate surgery underwent contrast-enhanced spiral CT followed by splenic arteriography. CT scans were assessed for splenic vascular contrast material extravasation or posttraumatic splenic vascular lesions. Medical records were reviewed for splenic arteriographic results and clinical outcome. RESULTS: There were 25 grade I, 12 grade II, 27 grade III, 12 grade IV, and two grade V splenic injuries. CT showed active contrast material extravasation in seven patients and splenic vascular lesions in 19 patients. At CT, splenic vascular contrast material extravasation was 100% (seven of seven patients) and a posttraumatic splenic vascular lesion was 83% (10 of 12 patients) sensitive on the basis of arteriographic or surgical outcome in predicting the need for transcatheter embolization or splenic surgery. Overall, CT had a sensitivity of 81% (17 of 21 patients), a specificity of 84% (48 of 57 patients), negative and positive predictive values of 92% (48 of 52 patients) and 65% (17 of 26 patients), respectively, and an accuracy of 83% (65 of 78 patients) in predicting the need for splenic injury treatment. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced spiral CT plays a valuable role in selecting hemodynamically stable patients with splenic vascular injury who may be treated with transcatheter therapy and potentially improves the success rate of nonsurgical management.     

Varicocele retrograde embolization with boiling contrast medium and gelatin sponges in adolescent subjects: a clinically effective therapeutic alternative

PurposeVaricoceles occur in approximately 15% of adolescent male subjects and may impair future fertility. The present study describes a varicocele treatment technique involving percutaneous retrograde embolization with boiling hot contrast medium and gelatin sponge pledgets.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review of medical records and imaging of all patients who underwent percutaneous retrograde varicocele embolization from 2005 to 2010 was performed. Pre- and postembolization symptoms, physical findings, and ultrasound findings were documented. Fifteen patients (16 embolizations) were identified, with an average age of 15.9 years (range, 12–18 y). Nine were referred because of persistent varicocele after surgical ligation. Three had grade 2 and nine had grade 3 varicoceles. Two had grade 1 varicoceles; one was painful and one was associated with poor semen quality. One varicocele was not clinically evident, but was associated with persistently decreased testicular size. Nine patients had pain or discomfort, and six had no discomfort. Clinical resolution was defined by a combination of symptom resolution and a lack of physical examination findings of varicocele or findings of treated varicocele.ResultsFifteen of the 16 embolizations (94%) were technically successful. Clinical resolution was documented in 14 of 15 patients (95%); one patient experienced a recurrence at 30 months, which was successfully reembolized. One patient experienced temporary paresthesia of the left thigh. There were no major postprocedural complications. Mean follow-up duration was 11 months.ConclusionsRetrograde embolization of varicoceles in adolescent subjects with the use of boiling hot contrast medium and gelatin sponges is a promising technique that appears effective.     

Intraperitoneal hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: treatment by hepatic artery embolization

Seventeen patients with intraperitoneal hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by emergency transcatheter arterial embolization. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was used to establish the histologic diagnosis in 11 patients with no history of hepatic malignancy. The other six patients had a pathologic confirmation of hepatic malignancy by open biopsy before admission. Pretreatment angiography showed extravasation of contrast material from the hepatic tumor in four patients (24%). In the other 13 patients, only hypervascular tumors were seen. Successful hemostasis was achieved in all patients. Fourteen patients survived after the embolization; the other three died immediately after embolization. Of the 14 patients, 11 died later (survival time ranged from 16 to 386 days). The remaining three patients are still alive at 3, 7, and 15 months, respectively, after the procedure. No serious complications related to embolization were encountered. Most patients had pain and fever. We conclude that emergency arterial embolization is an effective alternative to surgery for hepatic hemostasis in patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

N-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization for control of acute arterial hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To report the initial clinical experience with the use of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for embolization of acute arterial hemorrhage from varied etiologies and at varied anatomic sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients who demonstrated active extravasation of contrast material and/or arterial abnormality underwent NBCA embolization. Sites of embolization included the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, liver, uterus, adrenal gland, extremity, and chest wall. Standard coil or particulate embolization had previously failed in 10 patients. NBCA was used as the initial embolic agent in the remaining six patients. After treatment, serial hematocrit levels, transfusion requirements, and clinical signs and symptoms were monitored for stabilization. Patients were evaluated for signs and symptoms of end-organ damage. RESULTS: NBCA embolization was successful in 12 of 16 patients (75%), who exhibited complete cessation of bleeding. In four patients (25%), NBCA embolization was of no benefit. Embolization failed in two of 16 patients (12.5%), who showed evidence of recurrent bleeding after use of NBCA. The remaining two patients (12.5%) died within 24 hours of the procedure. None of the 16 patients developed clinical signs of end-organ damage or iatrogenic ischemia attributable to NBCA. CONCLUSIONS: In this initial limited series, NBCA embolization was shown to be a feasible and effective method to control acute arterial hemorrhage. NBCA embolization was able to stop arterial bleeding even when previous coil or particulate embolization had failed.     

Transcatheter embolization: prevention of embolic reflux using balloon catheters.

Reflux of embolic material during therapeutic transcatheter embolization is a potential complication which can result in occlusion of distal vascular beds. The conditions under which reflux was demonstrated in laboratory animals include (1) low flow states, (2) overvigorous flushing, (3) selective contrast injections, and (4) placement of embolic material too proximally. Balloon occlusion of the orifice of the vessel undergoing embolization protects against reflux and allows more homogenous embolization. Because of experience gained in the laboratory, therapeutic transcatheter embolization is now performed in patients with balloon catheter protection. Preliminary clinical experience is described.     

Postpartum Hemorrhage Resulting from Pelvic Pseudoaneurysm: A Retrospective Analysis of 588 Consecutive Cases Treated by Arterial Embolization

Objective

This study was designed to determine the incidence of arterial pseudoaneurysm in patients presenting with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), to analyze the angiographic characteristics of pseudoaneurysms that cause PPH, and to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic arterial embolization for the treatment of this condition.

Study design

Eighteen women with pelvic arterial pseudoaneurysm were retrieved from a series of 588 consecutive patients with PPH treated by arterial embolization. Clinical files, angiographic examinations, and procedure details were reviewed.

Results

The incidence of pseudoaneurysm was 3.06 % (18/588; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.82–4.8 %). A total of 20 pseudoaneurysms were found; 15/20 (75 %) were located on the uterine arteries. Angiography revealed extravasation of contrast material from pseudoaneurysm indicating rupture in 9 of 18 (50 %) patients. Arterial embolization was performed using gelatin sponge alone in 12 of 18 (67 %) patients or in association with metallic coils in 5 of 18 (28 %) patients or n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate in 1 of 18 (6 %) patients. Arterial embolization allowed controlling the bleeding in all patients after one or two embolization sessions in 17 of 18 (94 %) and 1 of 18 patients (6 %) respectively, without complications, obviating the need for further surgery.

Conclusions

Pseudoaneurysm is rarely associated with PPH. Arterial embolization is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of PPH due to uterine or vaginal artery pseudoaneurysm. Our results suggest that gelatin sponge is effective for the treatment of ruptured pseudoaneurysms, although we agree that our series does not contain sufficient material to allow drawing definitive conclusions with respect to the most effective embolic material.     

Transcatheter therapeutic arterial embolization.

Transcatheter therapeutic arterial embolization was employed in 11 patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage and 8 patients with bleeding from other sites. Hemorrhage was stopped successfully in all of the patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and 6 of the 7 patients with active bleeding from other sites. There were no significant complications or sequelae, although ischemia msy cause problems in such patients. Embolization is of considerable value when pharmacological therapy fails or is not appropriate due to the site of bleeding. In some cases it may represent the definitive treatment, as in pelvic trauma or renal hemorrhage; in others, embolization may serve to halt bleeding long enough to permit surgery. Therapeutic embolization should be considered whenever active extravasation of contrast material is demonstrated.     

Endovascular therapy of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: Utility of 16-detector-row computed tomography pulmonary angiography as a pre-embolization survey

The utility of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for coil embolization therapy of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) was considered. Three consecutive patients (group A) with PAVMs underwent CTPA and coil embolization. The CTPA was performed using a 16-detector-row computed tomography scanner. After careful selection of pulmonary vessel trees, each feeding artery, nidus, and drainage vein was colored using different codes. By using the colored images, a 5-French catheter was shaped to fit to each feeding artery, the best fluoroscopic angle to select each feeding artery was chosen, and interlocking detachable coils (IDCs) were used in embolization. The procedure time and contrast material dose of group A were compared with those of the previous 3 patients (group B) who were treated by the conventional method. All PAVMs of both groups were completely embolized without coil migration. The average procedure time per lesion was 48.4 minutes for group A and 124.0 minutes for group B (P < 0.05). The average contrast material dose per lesion was 37.5 mL in group A and 76.0 mL in group B (P < 0.05). Using CTPA and IDCs, procedure time and contrast material dose were statistically significantly reduced. This combination therapy is useful in treating PAVMs less invasively.     

Embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations with silk: histopathologic changes and hemorrhagic complications.

PURPOSETo evaluate the safety of silk as an embolic agent for preoperative embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) by assessing the histopathologic changes and hemorrhagic complications associated with its use.METHODSHistopathologic specimens, medical records, and radiologic records of 73 patients with AVMs embolized with silk (alone or in combination with other agents) were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-eight histologic specimens obtained at surgery were analyzed for inflammatory responses and compared with the time interval between embolization and surgery. Postembolization angiograms were assessed for vasculitis and CT scans were reviewed for evidence of hemorrhage after embolization.RESULTSThere was no angiographic evidence of vasculitis. Histologic evidence of vasculitis was absent or mild in 92% of cases and histologic evidence of perivascular inflammation was absent or mild in 73% of cases. The frequency of histologic changes associated with vasculitis, perivascular inflammation, and vessel necrosis varied with the time interval between embolization and AVM resection. Intracranial hemorrhage, as a direct complication of silk use, occurred in one patient. Another patient had subarachnoid hemorrhage 24 hours after embolization, caused by rupture of a posteroinferior cerebellar artery aneurysm. Intraventricular high-density material appeared on routine postembolization CT scans in two other patients who had intraventricular AVM extension. This high-density material was thought to be contrast extravasation from intrinsically leaky AVM nidus vessels and not frank hemorrhage.CONCLUSIONEmbolization of AVMs with silk does not result in marked inflammation or increased hemorrhagic complications as compared with other agents.     

Transarterial Embolization of Symptomatic Focal Nodular Hyperplasia

PurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness of small size trisacryl gelatin microsphere embolization as a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with symptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH).Materials and MethodsA retrospective review was performed of experience with transarterial bland embolization of FNH during the period 2006–2011 in 12 patients (10 women and 2 men; age range, 18–61 y) with a total of 17 lesions presenting with symptoms of pain. FNH was pathologically proven in 11 lesions from 10 patients; the remaining lesions exhibited the classic imaging appearance for FNH. All patients underwent superselective embolization with 100–300 μm trisacryl gelatin microspheres. Lesion size and contrast enhancement before and after treatment were compared to determine success of the procedure. Clinical response was determined by review of the electronic medical record.ResultsAfter embolization, seven patients showed complete resolution and five patients showed partial resolution of symptoms. Compared with imaging performed before the procedure, mean decrease in lesion size after embolization was 61% (range, 26%–90%) on cross-sectional imaging obtained 4–10 weeks after embolization and 87% (range, 54%–98%) on subsequent imaging. Diminished contrast enhancement was universally noted, with 5 of 17 lesions showing complete lack of residual enhancement.ConclusionsTransarterial bland embolization of FNH with trisacryl gelatin microspheres in symptomatic patients is a suitable treatment alternative to surgical resection.     

Curative embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with Onyx in 101 patients

INTRODUCTION: Onyx has emerged in the recent years as a new embolic material. We present our experience with Onyx in the curative embolization of brain cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the files of all patients that we had treated with Onyx embolic material for a brain AVM during the last 4 years. We identified 101 patients who underwent a total of 219 sessions of embolization. RESULTS: The treatment has been concluded in 52 patients; in this group, total occlusion was obtained in 28 (53.9%) patients and near-total occlusion was obtained in 18 (34.6%). The respective figures based on the 101 patients of the study cohort are 28/101 (27.7%) and 18/101 (17.8%). More embolization sessions are to be carried out on the remaining 49 patients. There were three deaths, and eight patients had permanent neurological deficits with a resulting morbidity of 8% and mortality of 3%. CONCLUSION: High rates of total or near-total occlusion of brain AVMs can be achieved with multiple sessions of Onyx embolization with acceptable morbidity and mortality.     

Saphenous Venous Ablation with Hot Contrast in a Canine Model

Purpose To determine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of thermal ablation of the saphenous vein with hot contrast medium. Methods Twelve saphenous veins of 6 dogs were percutaneously ablated with hot contrast medium. In all animals, ablation was performed in the vein of one leg, followed by ablation in the contralateral side 1 month later. An occlusion balloon catheter was placed in the infragenicular segment of the saphenous vein via a jugular access to prevent unwanted thermal effects on the non-target segment of the saphenous vein. After inflation of the balloon, 10 ml of hot contrast medium was injected under fluoroscopic control through a sheath placed in the saphenous vein above the ankle. A second 10 ml injection of hot contrast medium was made after 5 min in each vessel. Venographic follow-up of the ablated veins was performed at 1 month (n = 12) and 2 months (n = 6). Results Follow-up venograms showed that all ablated venous segments were occluded at 1 month. In 6 veins which were followed up to 2 months, 4 (66%) remained occluded, 1 (16%) was partially patent, and the remaining vein (16%) was completely patent. In these latter 2 cases, an inadequate amount of hot contrast was delivered to the lumen due to a closed balloon catheter downstream which did not allow contrast to displace blood within the vessel. Discussion Hot contrast medium thermal ablation of the saphenous vein appears feasible, safe, and effective in the canine model, provided an adequate amount of embolization agent is used.     

Spermatic vein occlusion with hot contrast material: angiographic results.

Spermatic vein occlusion by means of selective injection of boiling contrast material into the spermatic vein was attempted in 175 men with symptomatic varicoceles or infertility. Seventy-six patients (43%) returned for follow-up venography. Of 115 veins injected, 96 (83%) were totally occluded on the follow-up venogram obtained at 6 weeks to 2 years after injection. In the latter portion of the study, the technique was changed slightly, with injection of larger volumes of hot contrast material, resulting in a 91% occlusion rate. Each vein that was found patent on the follow-up venogram (19 of 115 [16%]) was assessed radiographically, and results were categorized as grade 1, a complete failure in which there was no change from the presclerotherapy appearance (nine of 19 [47%]); grade 2, a failure in which the treated vein was smaller but patent (five of 19 [26%]); or grade 3, a failure in which the treated vein was occluded with newly developed collateral vessels (five of 19 [26%]). The pretreatment size of the spermatic vein and the quantity of hot contrast material injected were both statistically significant factors in the treatment outcome.     

Complete obliteration of intracranial arteriovenous malformation with endovascular cyanoacrylate embolization: initial success and rate of permanent cure

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment with cyanoacrylate embolization is an option when complete obliteration of the nidus of an intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is the goal. Our purpose was to evaluate the rates of initial success and permanent cure of such treatment in a Chinese population. METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with an intracranial AVM underwent endovascular embolization with cyanoacrylate between June 1995 and May 1997. Twenty-six patients had cerebral AVMs and one had a cerebellar AVM. Curative embolization was attempted in 10 patients in whom 1) the nidus was not larger than 3 cm, 2) the number of feeders did not exceed three, and 3) the nidus was accessible with the tip of the catheter. We used a flow-directed microcatheter and a 20-25% mixture of cyanoacrylate in contrast medium. Long-term outcomes were observed angiographically and clinically. RESULTS: Complete embolization was achieved in six patients. No procedure-related complications occurred during attempted curative embolization. Follow-up angiography performed at 17-32 months showed complete obliteration of the AVM nidus in the six patients after initial embolization. These patients remained asymptomatic 5-7 years after treatment. The rate of permanent cure of the initially complete embolization was 100% (six of six). The success rate of endovascular cure for patients treated with curative intent was 60% (six of 10). The overall cure rate was 22% (six of 27). CONCLUSION: The overall initial cure rate of intracranial AVM with cyanoacrylate embolization was 22%. Initial angiographic evidence of complete embolization indicated permanent cure in these patients.     

Severe postpartum haemorrhage from ruptured pseudoaneurysm: successful treatment with transcatheter arterial embolization

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the role of transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of severe postpartum haemorrhage due to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm and to analyse the clinical symptoms that may suggest a pseudoaneurysm as a cause of postpartum haemorrhage. A retrospective search of our database disclosed seven women with severe postpartum haemorrhage in whom angiography revealed the presence of a uterine or vaginal artery pseudoaneurysm and who were treated using transcatheter arterial embolization. Clinical files were reviewed for possible clinical findings that could suggest pseudoaneurysm as a cause of bleeding. Angiography revealed extravasation of contrast material in five out of seven patients. Transcatheter arterial embolization allowed to control the bleeding in all patients and subsequently achieve vaginal suture in four patients with vaginal laceration. No complications related to transcatheter arterial embolization were noted. Only two patients had uterine atony, and inefficiency of sulprostone was observed in all patients. Transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective and secure technique for the treatment of severe postpartum haemorrhage due to uterine or vaginal artery pseudoaneurysm. Ineffectiveness of suprostone and absence of uterine atony should raise the possibility of a ruptured pseudoaneurysm.     

Bronchial arteriography and transcatheter embolization in the management of hemoptysis

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing the effect of bronchial artery embolization in treating massive hemoptysis and the value of bronchial arteriography in the evaluation of patients with hemoptysis.Methods Thirty-five patients with acute hemoptysis were evaluated by means of bronchial arteriography and treated with transcatheter embolization. Specific causes for bleeding were bronchiectasis (17), lung cancer (9), tuberculosis (4), tetralogy of Fallot (1), and idiopathic hemoptysis (4). The materials used for embolization were gelatin sponge in 33 patients, dextran microspheres in 2, and stainless coils in 1.Results The angiographic signs of hemorrhage encountered were extravasation of contrast media (14.2%), hypervascularization (94.5%), bronchopulmonary shunts (34.2%), and bronchial artery aneurysms (14.2%). Immediate control of bleeding occurred in 32 (91.4%) of 35 patients after embolization. The rate of recurrent hemoptysis was 20.0% after 2 weeks of the procedure, but the hemorrhage was less severe than before treatment.Conclusion The data suggest that bronchial artery embolization is an effective method for managing patients with hemoptysis. Minor bleeding recurrences appear to be relatively frequent.     

Immediate CT findings following embolization of cerebral aneurysms: suggestion of blood–brain barrier or vascular permeability change

Introduction Although endovascular techniques are widely used for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, the immediate postprocedural brain CT findings have not been reported. Therefore, in the present study we assessed the immediate postprocedural brain CT findings following the uneventful coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Methods Included in the study were 59 patients with 61 cerebral aneurysms after uncomplicated coil embolization. Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage was present with 32 of the 61 aneurysms. All patients underwent a brain CT scan just before and within 2 h after the endovascular treatment. If the postprocedural CT scan revealed any new findings, a follow-up CT scan and/or MRI were performed within 24 h. The variables related to the abnormal CT findings were also evaluated. Results Among the 61 immediate brain CT scans, 26 (43%) showed abnormal findings, including cortical contrast enhancement (n=21, 34%), subarachnoid contrast enhancement (n=8, 13%), intraventricular contrast enhancement (n=5, 8%), and striatal contrast enhancement (n=2, 3%). Single or mixed CT findings were also seen. None of the 61 aneurysms was associated with new neurological symptoms after endovascular treatment, and all patients made an uneventful recovery. Abnormal findings were more likely to be found with lower body weight and with increased corrected amounts of contrast material and heparin (P<0.05). Conclusion After uneventful endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms, the immediate brain CT findings can reveal various patterns of abnormal contrast enhancement. Recognizing the immediate brain CT findings is important, as they can mimic various diseases.     

Transcatheter arterial embolization in gastric cancer patients with acute bleeding

The safety and clinical effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization for bleeding associated with unresectable gastric cancer was evaluated. Twenty-three patients with bleeding from unresectable gastric cancer underwent transcatheter arterial embolization. Of the 23 patients, eight showed signs of active bleeding, such as contrast extravasation or pseudoaneurysm, seven showed only tumor staining, and the remaining eight patients showed negative angiographic findings. All embolization procedures were successful without procedure-related complications. In all eight active bleeding patients, immediate hemostasis was achieved. The overall clinical success rate was 52% (12/23). Recurrent bleeding within 1 month occurred in one (8%) in 12 patients with initial clinical success. One patient showed partial splenic infarction after embolization of the splenic artery for active bleeding from the short gastric artery. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 43% (10/23). The median overall survival period was 38 days. In patients with bleeding from unresectable gastric cancer, transcatheter arterial embolization was found to be safe and effective for achieving immediate hemostasis for active bleeding. Although the clinical success rate was not high, the recurrent bleeding rate was low at 1 month post procedure.     

Therapeutically infarcted tumors: ct findings

The CT findings in 14 patients who underwent hepatic or renal embolizations are presented. In 11 patients who had postinfarction CT studies, linear, branching air collections were noted within the embolized tumor. In two patients the amount of air increased on later CT studies. This configuration of air suggested an abscess, but in no case was an abscess encountered. This air was located distal to the high density embolization material in four cases. In four cases the infarcted organ appeared denser due to "trapped contrast." The seven embolized livers did not change in size on follow-up examinations, while three renal tumors demonstrated variable size changes after embolization.     

微创经皮肾镜取石术后肾出血的造影诊断和介入治疗

目的探讨微创经皮肾镜取石术后肾出血的造影表现及介入治疗方法。方法对42例微创经皮肾镜取石术后肾出血患者行肾动脉造影和超选择性动脉栓塞,术前、术后检查肾功。结果术前造影表现为单纯假性动脉瘤19例,假性动脉瘤伴动静脉瘘15例,造影剂外溢4例,阴性4例。24例钢圈栓塞,13例明胶海绵颗粒加钢圈栓塞,1例PVA栓塞,4例用明胶海绵栓塞,栓塞成功率100%。明胶海绵栓塞后复发1例。术前、术后检查肾功无明显变化。结论肾动脉造影及超选择动脉栓塞对诊断和治疗微创经皮肾镜取石术后肾出血效果优良,对内科治疗无效、造影阴性病例,按穿刺部位超选择诊断性动脉栓塞,可起到止血作用。