A comparative analysis of radiological and surgical placement of central venous catheters

Purpose To compare the differences in practice and outcome of all radiologically and surgically placed central venous catheters retrospectively over a 2-year period simultaneously, at a single institution. Methods A total of 253 Hickman catheters were inserted in 209 patients; 120 were placed radiologically in 102 patients and 133 were placed surgically in 107 patients. The indication was chemotherapy in 76% of radiological and in 47% of surgical cases; the remainder were for total parenteral nutrition and venous access. Results There were 6 (4.5%) primary surgical failures and a further 17 (13%) surgical cases requiring multiple placement attempts. Pneumothorax occurred once (0.8%) surgically and four times (3.3%) radiologically. There were no radiological primary misplacements but there were five (3.7%) surgical ones. Catheter or central vein thrombosis occurred in four (3.3%) radiological and five (3.7%) surgical cases. The rate of infection per 1000 catheter-days was 1.9 in radiologically placed catheters and 4.0 in surgically placed ones (p<0.001). Average catheter life-span was similar for the two placement methods (100±23 days). Conclusion Radiological placement is consistently more reliable than surgical placement. There are fewer placement complications and fewer catheter infections overall.     

Balloon occlusion versus wedged hepatic venography using carbon dioxide for portal vein opacification during TIPS

Balloon occlusion hepatic venography using carbon dioxide (CO2) is proposed as a safer yet simpler alternative to wedged catheter techniques that have caused hepatic lacerations during the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. The image quality of CO2 wedged catheter and balloon occlusion venograms was comparable in our small series, with no venographic-related complications occurring in the balloon occlusion group.     

Percutaneous Venous Thrombectomy Using the Arrow-Trerotola Percutaneous Thrombolytic Device (PTD) with Temporary Caval Filtration: In Vitro Investigations

Purpose To evaluate the size and quantity of downstream emboli after thrombectomy using the Arrow-Trerotola Percutaneous Thrombolytic Device (PTD) with or without temporary filtration for extensive iliofemoral and iliocaval thrombi in an in vitro flow model.Methods Iliocaval thrombi were simulated by clotted bovine blood in a flow model (semilucent silicone tubings, diameter 12–16 mm). Five experimental set-ups were performed 10 times each; thrombus particles and distribution were measured in the effluent. First, after retrograde insertion, mechanical thrombectomy was performed using the PTD alone. Then a modified self-expanding tulip-shaped temporary vena cava stent filter was inserted additionally at the beginning of each declotting procedure and removed immediately after the intervention without any manipulation within or at the filter itself. In a third step, the filter was filled with thrombus only. Here, two experiments were performed: Careful closure within the flow circuit without any additional fragmentation procedure and running the PTD within the filter lumen, respectively. In the final set-up, mechanical thrombectomy was performed within the thrombus-filled tubing as well as in the filter lumen. The latter was closed at the end of the procedure and both devices were removed from the flow circuit.Results Running the PTD in the flow circuit without filter protection led to a fragmentation of 67.9% (±7.14%) of the clot into particles 500 m; restoration of flow was established in all cases. Additional placement of the filter safely allowed maceration of 82.9% (±5.59%) of the thrombus. Controlled closure of the thrombus-filled filter within the flow circuit without additional mechanical treatment broke up 75.2% (±10.49%), while additional mechanical thrombectomy by running the PTD within the occluded filter led to dissolution of 90.4% (±3.99%) of the initial clot. In the final set-up, an overall fragmentation rate of 99.6% (±0.44%) was achieved.Conclusions The combined use of the Arrow-Trerotola PTD and a temporary vena cava stent filter proved to be effective for even large clot removal in this experimental set-up.     

Venous contrast extravasation during digital subtraction angiography

Six episodes of contrast extravasation occurred in 5 patients during intravenous digital subtraction angiography in a period of 9 months. The extravasations were into the mediastinum (3), pericardium (1), and right atrial wall (2). These occurred using a variety of catheters, all the same size (5.0 F—1.67 mm). Three were Katzen catheters, one had a pigtail configuration, and two were straight catheters. We believe that the extravasations are due to three main factors. The first is catheter-related, owing to the small size (5.0 F) creating recoil and marked jet stream effect due to the large volume and pressure that must be delivered through the side holes. The second factor is related to positioning of the catheter in the superior vena cava. Finally, the respiratory phase at the time of injection becomes crucial. Understanding of these factors may help to decrease this potentially serious complication.     

Sciatic venous drainage demonstrated by varicography in patients with a patent deep venous system

Varicography, consisting of direct puncture and injection into a varicosity, is the diagnostic procedure of choice in the assessment of varicose veins of the lower limbs. It must be performed in cases of recurrent posterior varicose veins of the leg, after negative ascending phlebography, when looking for possible drainage by a sciatic venous pathway. A series of 7 patients with such sciatic venous drainage is presented. Although infrequent, sciatic venous pathways may explain recurrent varicose veins and alter therapy.     

Selective sclerotherapy of the internal spermatic vein in patients with varicoceles

Percutaneous occlusion therapy of insufficient internal spermatic veins was performed successfully as an outpatient procedure in 155 patients with varicoceles. The administration of the sclerosing agent (Varicocid) through a catheter selectively introduced into the spermatic vein caused therapeutic occlusion. Follow-up studies, both clinical and phlebographic, confirmed the effectiveness of the treatment.     

Use of a decision-analytic model to support the use of a new oral US contrast agent in patients with abdominal pain

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors performed this study to compare the cost and diagnostic abilities of ultrasound (US) performed with and without the use of an oral contrast material recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An interactive decision-analytic model was constructed to compare US performed with and without contrast material (SonoRx; Bracco Diagnostics) for the evaluation of patients with abdominal pain who were suspected of having pancreatic disease. The model considered all resources that might be used to evaluate a patient suspected of having pancreatic disease (eg, US, computed tomography [CT], endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and open biopsy). The literature and an expert panel were the clinical data sources. Cost estimates were based on Medicare and non-Medicare reimbursements. The primary cost-effectiveness measure was the cost to achieve a diagnosis. RESULTS: SonoRx-enhanced US was less expensive than unenhanced US ($714 vs $808, respectively, with Medicare costs; $1,612 vs $1,878, respectively, with non-Medicare costs) and as effective (0.785 vs 0.782, respectively). SonoRx-enhanced US was more cost-effective than unenhanced US ($909 vs $1,034, respectively, with Medicare costs; $2,052 vs $2,401, respectively, with non-Medicare costs). This relationship was maintained throughout extensive sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: SonoRx-enhanced US is more cost-effective than unenhanced US, primarily because it avoids the need for CT. CT may be avoided owing to the higher probability of obtaining optimal US scans with oral contrast material.     

Phase I clinical evaluation of a new iron oxide MR contrast agent

The safety and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging potential of BMS 180549, a new superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent, were evaluated in a phase I, open-label, placebo-controlled study involving 41 healthy subjects. No clinically significant postdose changes in physical examination findings, vital signs, or electrocardiogram results were reported for any of the subjects evaluated. No clinically significant changes in clinical laboratory values were noted by the investigators. Fourteen adverse events considered not serious and considered possibly or definitely related to the drug were reported, three of which required minor treatment. Relaxation time measurements in plasma samples showed a strong, dose-dependent, and persistent decrease in T1 and T2 values. Significant changes in MR signal intensity of the blood pool and wellperfused organs (liver and spleen) were noted on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Changes in signal intensity of cervical lymph nodes were also observed at the higher doses and late postdose imaging times.     

Entrapment of J-Tip guidewires by venatech and stainless-steel greenfield vena cava filters during central venous catheter placement: Percutaneous management in four patients

We present four patients in whom beside placement of a central venous catheter was complicated by entrapment of a J-tip guidewire by a previously placed vena cava (VC) filter. Two Venatech filters were fragmented and displaced into the superior VC or brachiocephalic vein during attempted withdrawal of the entrapped wire. Two stainless-steel Greenfield filters remained in place and intact. Fluoroscopically guided extraction of both wires entrapped by Greenfield filters was successfully performed in the angiography suite.     

MSCT肝脏增强扫描中的碘对比剂应用研究

目的:探讨MSCT肝脏增强扫描中碘对比剂浓度及注射速率对肝脏强化效果的影响。方法:90例受检者按对比剂碘浓度300mg/ml、350mg/ml、370mg/ml及注射速度3.0ml/s、4.0ml/s、5.0ml/s分成9组,各10例,保持每位检查者碘总量一致,即390mgI/kg体重。90例受检者均使用Siemens Somatom definition螺旋CT和Medrad Stellant双筒高压注射器行肝脏动态增强扫描。双盲式观察、分析肝脏峰值时间(Time to Peak)及强化峰值(Peak Contrast Enhance-ment)。结果:随着对比剂注射速度的增加肝脏各期峰值时间提前、强化峰值增高;对比剂碘浓度的增加肝脏强化各期峰值时间亦提前,但峰值变化不大,高浓度对比剂较低浓度肝脏强化峰值相近。结论:不同碘对比剂的浓度、注射速度对肝脏强化程度存在影响,低浓度对比剂、高速率注射、个性化给药可以得到满意的强化效果。     

Balloon Occlusion Versus Wedged Hepatic Venography Using Carbon Dioxide for Portal Vein Opacification During TIPS

Balloon occlusion hepatic venography using carbon dioxide (CO₂) is proposed as a safer yet simpler alternative to wedged catheter techniques that have caused hepatic lacerations during the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. The image quality of CO₂ wedged catheter and balloon occlusion venograms was comparable in our small series, with no venographic-related complications occurring in the balloon occlusion group.     

Long-term results after sclerotherapy of the spermatic vein in patients with varicocele

Ninety-seven patients received transfemoral sclerotherapy of the spermatic vein for varicocele. After observation for 2 to 5 years, follow-up was available in 69 patients (71.2%), in 11 of whom the procedure failed (16.0%). Complications during angiography (N=12, 12.4%) or sclerotherapy (N=31, 32.0%) did not require hospital treatment. At least one parameter of the spermiogram was improved in 25 of 32 patients (78.1%). Forty-four of 69 patients (63.8%) treated because of a childless marriage, and whose wives were not known to be intertile, had a pregnancy rate of 47.7%. Thi method may be considered equal to surgical procedures in achieving venous occlusion; furthermore it is simple and can be used on an outpatient basis without anesthesia.     

Evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma using SonoVue,a second generation ultrasound contrast agent: correlation with cellular differentiation

The appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the vascular phase is described and evaluated as to whether the enhancement pattern correlates with the degree of cellular differentiation. One hundred four HCCs were prospectively evaluated with CEUS using coherent-contrast imaging (CCI) and SonoVue with a low mechanical index (<0.2). The enhancement of HCCs in the vascular phase was analyzed according to the degree of pathological differentiation obtained by fine-needle biopsy. In the arterial phase, all HCCs except for four well differentiated ones (96.2%) showed enhancement (P<0.05). Histological differentiation of hypoechoic lesions in the early portal phase (7 HCCs; 16%) significantly differed from hyperechoic (1 HCC; 1%) or isoechoic lesions (87 HCCs; 83.6%) (P<0.05), with a significant probability of a worse differentiation in hypoechoic lesions. Histological differentiation of isoechoic lesions in the late phase (30 HCCs; 28.8%) significantly differed from hypoechoic lesions (74 HCCs; 71.2%) (P<0.05), with a significant probability of a better differentiation in isoechoic lesions. CEUS using CCI and SonoVue revealed enhancement in the arterial phase in >95% of HCCs, with a few well-differentiated cases not being diagnosed due to the absence of enhancement. Echogenicity in the portal and late phases correlated with cellular differentiation.     

Characterization of a gadolinium-labeled cholesterol derivative as an organ-specific contrast agent for adrenal MR imaging

The purpose of the study was to determine if derivatization of cholesterol with a paramagnetic label could result in an organ-specific contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal glands. Gadolinium-DO3A-labeled cholesterol was synthesized and the relaxivities in water and blood plasma determined at 0.47 T and 40°C. Organ distribution was measured at 2 (n = 2) and 24 (n = 2) hours after intravenous injection of a 50 μmol/kg dose of Gd-DO3A-cholesterol in rats weighing 220–240 g. T1-weighted spin-echo images were acquired at 2 T before and after injection of 50 μmol/kg Gd-DO3A-cholesterol (n = 2) and Gd-DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)-albumin (n = 2). More than 99% of the Gd-DO3A-cholesterol was found to be protein bound in bovine serum. High T1 and T2 relaxivities were found in water and plasma. High tissue concentrations of Gd-DO3A-cholesterol were found only in adrenal glands and liver. At 24 hours, adrenal gadolinium concentrations were about 10 times higher than in blood. At 2 hours after injection of Gd-DO3A-cholesterol. enhancement was 162% in adrenal glands and 146% in liver. With Gd-DTPA-albumin, enhancement values were 57% and 56%. respectively.     

Iopamidol,a new nonionic contrast medium in peripheral angiography

Iopamidol (B 15,000), a new nonionic contrast medium, was compared to diatrizoate (Urografin 60%) in a controlled clinical trial using aortofemoral runoff angiography in a consecutive series of 50 severely arteriosclerotic patients. Iopamidol was found to be superior to the conventionally used contrast medium, as it significantly reduced the pain and discomfort following injection. Only slight to moderate alterations of aortic blood pressure and pulse rate were observed following the injection of both media. The hemodynamic influence of iopamidol, however, was significantly less pronounced than that of diatrizoate.     

CO2与含碘液性造影剂行肝静脉楔入法造影显示门静脉的能力

目的回顾性分析应用二氧化碳气体（ＣＯ２）和含碘液性造影剂（ＩＣ）行肝静脉楔入法造影，探讨两种不同方法显示门静脉的能力。方法在４３例行经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术（ＴＩＰＳ）治疗的患者中，门静脉穿刺前行肝静脉楔入法造影，２３例应用ＣＯ２，２０例用ＩＣ。４２例门静脉穿刺后应用ＩＣ行直接法门静脉造影。分析应用两种造影剂行肝静脉楔入法造影显示门静脉的结果，并同直接法造影加以比较。结果在肝静脉楔入法造影中，应用ＣＯ２门静脉显示优良者为９１％（２１／２３），应用ＩＣ，则仅为１０％（２／２０）。ＣＯ２楔入法同直接法相比，结果基本一致以上者为８７％（２０／２３），而ＩＣ为１０％（２／２０）。３例ＴＩＰＳ失败者，２例行ＣＯ２楔入法造影显示了门静脉结构异常，１例未行ＣＯ２楔入法造影。结论应用ＣＯ２行肝静脉楔入法造影，可更容易和准确地显示门静脉的解剖结构。     

Use of carbon dioxide as negative contrast agent for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

AIM: To evaluate the effects of using CO2 as negative contrast agent in decreasing the overlapping on the pancreaticobiliary system from intestinal fluids.METHODS:We evaluated the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP) images in 117 patients divided into two groups(group 1,without taking gas producing crystals to produce CO2,n=64;group 2,with CO2,n=53)in a 1.5T unit using MRCP sequence.Anatomic locations of intestinal fluids distribution,overlapping with common bile duct(CBD)and pancreatic duct(PD),were evaluated.RESULTS:In the group with CO2,the decrease in distribution of intestinal fluids was significant in the gastric antrum(P=0.001)and duodenal bulb(P<0.001),but not in the gastric fundus and body and in the second portion of the duodenum(P=1.000,P=0.171,and P=0.584 respectively).In the group with CO2,the decrease in overlapping with CBD was significant(P< 0.001),but the decrease in overlapping with PD was not (P=0.106).CONCLUSION:MRCP with carbon dioxide as negative contrast agent would decrease intestinal fluids in the gastric antrum and duodenal bulb,thereby decreasing overlapping with the CBD.     

Computed Tomography-Guided Central Venous Catheter Placement in a Patient with Superior Vena Cava and Inferior Vena Cava Occlusion

An 18-year-old man with a gastrointestinal hypomotility syndrome required lifelong parenteral nutrition. Both the superior and inferior vena cava were occluded. Computed tomography guidance was used to place a long-term central venous catheter via a large tributary to the azygos vein.     

Evaluation of simethicone-coated cellulose as a negative oral contrast agent for abdominal CT

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Because of the increased clinical use of computed tomography (CT) for imaging the abdominal vasculature and urinary tract, there is a need for negative contrast agents. The authors undertook this study to assess the suitability of simethicone-coated cellulose (SCC), which is approved for use as an oral contrast agent in sonography, for use as a negative oral contrast agent in abdominal CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 40 adult patients scheduled to undergo abdominal CT for the evaluation of hematuria. Prior to scanning, 20 subjects received 800 mL of SCC and 20 received 800 mL of water as an oral contrast agent. Imaging was performed with a multi-detector row helical scanner in two phases, according to the abdominal CT protocol used for hematuria evaluation at the authors' institution. The first, "early" phase began an average of 15 minutes after the ingestion of contrast material; the second, "late" phase began an average of 45 minutes after the ingestion of contrast material. Blinded analysis was performed by three abdominal radiologists separately, using a three-point scale (0 = poor, 1 = acceptable, 2 = excellent) to assess the effectiveness of SCC for marking the proximal, middle, and distal small bowel. Average scores for enhancement with SCC and with water were obtained and compared. Statistical analysis was performed with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: SCC was assigned higher mean scores than water for enhancement in each segment of the bowel, both on early-phase images (0.8-1.35 for SCC vs 0.6-1.1 for water) and on late-phase images (1.1-1.4 vs 0.81-0.96). Bowel marking with SCC, particularly in the jejunum and ileum, also was rated better than that with water in a high percentage of patients. The differences between the scores for water and for SCC, however, were not statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSION: SCC is effective as a negative oral contrast agent for small bowel marking at CT.