Duodenal perforation by an inferior vena cava filter in a polyarteritis nodosa sufferer

INTRODUCTION

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are currently used in the management of pulmonary embolism (PE) and lower limb venous thromboembolism (VTE). Despite their widespread use, associated complications including duodenal perforation have been reported.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We describe a unique case of duodenal perforation 2 years post IVC filter insertion in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa (steroid dependent) and thrombocytopenia secondary to chronic cyclophosphamide use.

DISCUSSION

IVC filters are commonly employed in the management of VTE. Associated complications have been reported including filter migration, fracture and adjacent organ perforation. There is growing consensus that temporary IVC filters should be retrieved as soon as possible with dedicated IVC filter registries to ensure patients are not lost to follow-up post insertion.

CONCLUSION

Duodenal perforation is a rare complication of IVC filter insertion. This case however illustrates the potentially catastrophic consequences of a relatively common endovascular procedure. Caution should be taken when considering the insertion of IVC filters in patients with longstanding vasculopathies who are on immunosuppressants.     

Liver transplantation in a patient with complex anomaly of the inferior vena cava

Background

After the introduction of noninvasive imaging exams, congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava (IVC) have become more commonly recognized. We report the first successful orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) performed in an asymptomatic adult with complex IVC anomaly: duplication of the infrarenal IVC, azygos continuation of the IVC, agenesia of the hepatic portion of the IVC and presence of several anomalous veins communicating the common iliac vein and the IVC of one side with the contralateral side.

Methods

This complex anomaly was diagnosed with a venous abdominal angio CT.

Results

At liver transplantation, the short suprahepatic portion of the IVC was identified and clamped. The right, middle, and left hepatic veins were sectioned and joined in a single, wide cuff, using venoplasty. This single orifice was anastomosed to the suprahepatic IVC of the new liver. No venovenous bypass was employed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. A post transplantation venous abdominal angio CT showed normal blood flow at the anastomosis of the hepatic veins of the receptor and the IVC of the new liver.

Conclusions

This report is important to alert liver transplant teams of the possibility of complex IVC in asymptomatic adult individuals. Identification of these anatomical anomalies is vital to reduce the risk of serious hemorrhage and other operative complications during OLT.     

Vascular Anomalies During Laparoscopic Renal Surgery: Incidence and Management of Left-Sided Inferior Vena Cava

Background:

Left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) is an unusual abnormality that may be clinically significant during renal surgery.

Methods:

We report the unique case of a patient with a centrally located left renal mass who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. During the hilar dissection, unusual vascular anatomy was encountered. The patient was noted to have a left-sided inferior vena cava with multiple renal veins and anomalous tributaries. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed without complication.

Discussion:

The embryology of a left-sided inferior vena cava is reviewed, and the safety and feasibility of a laparoscopic approach is discussed.     

Clinical results of deep venous valvular repair for chronic venous insufficiency*

Objective

To evaluate the results of venous valvular repair in the treatment of 16 cases of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Design

A retrospective analysis of 16 venous valve repair operations (15 patients) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Setting

A 650-bed university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Patients

Fifteen consecutive referred patients who had CVI had deep vein valve surgery. All cases were refractory to prolonged conservative care and removal of incompetent superficial and perforating veins. Investigation included ascending and descending venography, air plethysmography (APG) and colour flow duplex scanning (CFDS). All patients had class 4, 5 or 6 CVI and all demonstrated deep venous reflux from the groin to below the knee on descending venography.

Interventions

Superficial femoral vein valvuloplasty (12 operations) and venous valve transfer from the axillary vein to the above-knee popliteal vein (4 operations).

Main outcome measures

Healing of ulcers, relief of edema and improvement in symptoms were clinical criteria of success. An attempt was made to correlate preoperative and postoperative APG, CFDS and descending venography.

Results

Ninety-two percent of the valvuloplasty patients and 75% of the valve transfer patients were clinically improved. In this series no statistical association existed between preoperative and postoperative changes noted on APG.

Conclusion

This series suggests that deep vein valvular reconstruction for CVI refractory to conservative management and superficial surgery offers a good chance of clinical improvement.     

Living donor liver transplantation with replacement of vena cava for Echinococcus alveolaris: A case report

INTRODUCTION

There is no medical treatment for alveolar echinococceal disease (AED) of liver till now. Curative surgical resection is optimal treatment but in most advanced cases curative resection can’t be done. Liver transplantation is accepted treatment option for advanced AED. AED in some case invade surrounding tissue especially inferior vena cava (IVC). Advanced AED with invasion to IVC can be treated with deceased liver transplantation. Although living donor liver transplantation is very difficult to perform in patients with advanced AED with resected IVC, it come into consideration, since there is very few cadaveric liver.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Here we present a case with advanced stage of AED of liver which cause portal hypertension and cholestasis. AED invaded surrounding tissue, right diaphragm, both lobes of liver and retrohepatic part of IVC. Invasion of IVC forced us to make resection of IVC and reconstruction with cryopreserved venous graft to reestablish blood flow. After that a living donor liver transplantation was done.

DISCUSSION

Curative surgery is the first-choice option in all operable patients with AED of liver. Advanced stage of AED like chronic jaundice, liver abscess, sepsis, repeated attacks of cholangitis, portal hypertension, and Budd-Chiari syndrome may be an indication for liver transplantation. In some advanced stage AED during transplantation replacement of retrohepatic part of IVC could be done with artificial vascular graft, cadaveric aortic and caval vein graft.

CONCLUSION

Although living donor liver transplantation with replacement of IVC is a very difficult operation, it should be considered in the management of advanced AED of liver with IVC invasion because of the rarity of deceased liver.     

Simple hepatic cyst causing inferior vena cava thrombus

INTRODUCTION

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is governed by Virchow''s triad of stasis of blood flow, endothelial damage and hypercoagulability. Causes may be secondary to malignancy, congenital anomalies or other infrequent events such as external compression. We present a case of external compression of the IVC leading to extensive thrombus burden secondary to a benign hepatic cyst.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 72 year old African American female presented to the emergency department with new onset shortness of breath, right lower extremity weakness and swelling. CT imaging demonstrated multiple hepatic cysts compressing the IVC, leading to extensive clot burden. Treatment with heparin drip was initiated without resolution of her symptoms. Transcatheter mechanical thrombectomy and tPA infusion was performed. After 24 h, swelling and weakness were nearly resolved. The patient was bridged to therapeutic low molecular weight heparin in preparation for surgery.

DISCUSSION

Management of IVC thrombosis has typically been with a heparin drip and transition to oral anticoagulants. Thrombolysis has been shown to promote complete clot lysis more often than compared to standard anticoagulant therapy. In addition, venous patency was better maintained.

CONCLUSION

We feel that the added benefit of short term effects of improved venous patency and long term benefits of less post thrombotic syndrome, catheter based tPA administration and mechanical thrombectomy for thrombus offers an adjuvant treatment in the setting of large clot burden refractory to standard treatment.     

Renal pelvis squamous cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava infiltration: Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Renal squamous cell carcinoma (RSCC) is a rare tumor that is usually diagnosed late as a locally advanced malignancy with adjacent structure involvement. Radical surgical resection with negative margins is the mainstay of treatment, as it is correlated with improved survival, while other modalities of treatment have been shown to have limited efficacy.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a case of a 56 year old gentleman with right RSCC with tumor encasing the inferior vena cava (IVC), treated successfully with surgical resection.

DISCUSSION

The surgical management of vascular involvement of similar tumors has not been discussed in-depth in the literature. Surgical resection of the IVC without reconstruction can be done successfully in the circumstance of good collateral circulation; otherwise IVC resection with reconstruction will be necessary.

CONCLUSION

Radical resection with clear margins of RSCC tumors with vascular involvement is feasible in selected circumstances.     

Precaution against postoperative venous complications after major hepatectomy using the pedicled omental transposition flap: Report of two cases

INTRODUCTION

Vascular complications following hepato-pancreatic biliary surgery can be devastating, and therefore precaution of them must be critical. We report two cases in which the pedicled omental transposition flap might be effective to avoid postoperative venous complications following major hepatectomy.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Case 1 is a 80-year-old male who required to perform re-laparotomy at postoperative day 1 following major hepatectomy due to acute portal venous thrombosis (PVT). In the second surgery, the main trunk of PV was occluded by thrombus resulted from its redundancy and kinking. PV was resected with an adequate length and reconstructed. The omental flap was placed between PV and inferior vena cava (IVC) to fill in the dead space, resulting in favorable intrahepatic portal blood flow. Case 2 is a 64-year-old male who underwent left trisectionectomy because of giant hepatocellular carcinoma located close to the trunk of right hepatic vein (RHV) and IVC. After removal of the specimens, the dead space developed between the RHV and IVC. In order to prevent outflow block caused by kinking of the RHV, the omental flap was placed between the RHV and IVC, and the right triangle ligament of the liver was fixed to the diaphragm. RHV patency was confirmed by postoperative imaging.

DISCUSSION

The omental flap is a simple procedure and useful to fill the dead space developed in the area surrounding major vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

We experienced two cases in which vascular complications might be avoided by filling the dead space surrounding major vessels using the omental flap.     

Tracheal varices caused by mediastinal compression of a large intrathoracic goiter: report of a case

Introduction

Tracheal varices are a rare condition but they can be an important source of massive or recurrent haemoptysis. Usually they are related to increased pressure in the pulmonary veins. Mediastinal goiter is often associated to compressive effects on the surrounding structures, including mediastinal vessels with potential superior vena cava syndrome.

Case report

We describe a case, not previously reported in literature, of mediastinal goiter with hemoptysis as first clinical manifestation. Bleeding was attributed to a superior vena cava syndrome associated to a tracheal fragile mucosa with an easily bleeding intramural nodule which was diagnosed as tracheal varices after total thyroidectomy. The nodule in fact disappeared together with the venous hypertensive signs after venous decompression of the mediastinum.

Conclusions

Compressive symptoms including tracheal varices, related to mediastinal goiter, can be treated surgically by total thyroidectomy via cervicotomy and when required with associated median sternotomy.     

Canadian experience with percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair: short-term outcomes

Background

To decrease the morbidity associated with cut-downs during endovascular aneurysm repair, some authors have suggested the totally percutaneous endovascular repair (PEVAR). The goal of this report is to evaluate and describe our centre’s experience with the total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (PEVAR) for aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 15 consecutive patients with AAA, including 1 with right common iliac artery aneurysm.

Results

There were 12 men and 3 women with a mean age of 74 (standard deviation [SD] 2) years who underwent PEVAR with a Perclose ProGlide suture-mediated closure system between July 2007 and July 2008. All surgeries were elective. Forty percent of patients had a history of smoking, 73% were hypertensive, 33% were diabetic, 20% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 40% had coronary artery disease. Fourteen patients had bilateral deployment for bifurcated devices (7 bifurcated Gore Excluder, 7 bifurcated Cook Zenith grafts), and 1 patient had unilateral deployment for a Cook Zenith device. The outer diameter of the sheaths used for puncture sites was on average 18.1-Fr (SD 0.6), with main bodies being 21.1-Fr (SD 0.3) and contralateral sides 15-Fr (SD 0.3). Procedural success was 93%, with 1 patient requiring a femoral artery cut-down because of failure of the Perclose device to deploy in the groin. Another patient had persistent venous bleeding in 1 puncture site that stopped with skin suturing. Endovascular aneurysm repair was 100% with no conversion to open surgery and no type-I endoleaks. The mean length of stay in hospital was 2.2 (SD 0.4) days. There were no long-term groin complications at 6 (SD 1) months’ follow-up.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first Canadian report of experience with PEVAR using the Perclose device. The technique is safe, reliable and allows discharge of patients soon after surgery.     

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens: rare complication of vena cava filter placement in man with paraplegia

Objective:

To describe a complication of placement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter in a man with paraplegia.

Design:

Case report.

Participants/Methods:

A 48-year-old man with T11 paraplegia secondary to an L1 burst fracture underwent thoracic spinal fusion. The postoperative course was complicated by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the right common femoral vein, which was treated with warfarin.

Results:

During rehabilitation, the hematocrit declined, and fluctuance was noted along the surgical site. Computed tomographic scan suggested a hematoma in the paraspinal and latissimus dorsi muscles. Warfarin was discontinued, and an IVC filter was placed. He subsequently developed severe leg pain, followed by hypotension, acute renal failure, and compartment syndrome in bilateral lower extremities requiring fasciotomies. Ultrasound and computed tomographic angiogram showed extensive bilateral lower extremity DVTs and pulmonary emboli. The diagnosis of cerulea dolens was made. Mechanical and pharmacological thrombectomy was aborted secondary to bleeding complications and hypotension. The patient died shortly after care was withdrawn at the family''s request. The autopsy revealed multiple thrombi in IVC, bilateral pelvic and femoral veins, and left pulmonary artery embolus, consistent with phlegmasia cerulea dolens.

Conclusions:

Inferior vena cava filters may prevent pulmonary embolism but do not affect the underlying thrombotic process. An IVC filter should be recognized as a possible thrombogenic nidus in patients with spinal cord injury who have known DVT.     

Superior vena cava syndrome due to a leiomyosarcoma of the anterior mediastinum: A case report and literature overview

INTRODUCTION

Leiomyosarcomas are an infrequent cause of malignant superior vena cava syndrome (VCS).

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 51-year old male patient was admitted for a three-day history of dyspnoea, dysphagia and erythema of the head and neck. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion arising on the anterior mediastinum, which was in close proximity with a thrombus in the superior vena cava. Surgical excision was performed, including open resection of the primary tumour and an atrio-innominate vein bypass with 8-mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Histology confirmed a leiomyosarcoma and postoperative radiotherapy sessions were performed. Due to evidence of enlargement of the thrombus, a second intervention was undertaken. In this procedure, a remainder of the primary tumour was resected and the superior vena cava reconstructed with an autologous pericardium patch. The patient recovered satisfactorily and was discharged on the seventh postoperative day, with no evidence for relapse after 10 months of follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Leiomyosarcomas comprise less than 2% of the tumours of the mediastinum and are a rare cause of paraneoplastic VCS. Male patients in their sixties are most commonly affected. Relapses seem to be common, and thus a careful follow-up is often recommended.

CONCLUSION

In spite of the limited data on the management of thoracic leiomyosarcomas, surgery is currently considered the mainstay of treatment.     

The Use of Autologous Peritoneum for Complete Caval Replacement Following Resection of Major Intra-abdominal Malignancies

Objective

Assessment of a simple layer peritoneal tube used as an autogenous inferior vena cava replacement.

Background

Extensive en-bloc multivisceral resection including major vessels is effective in selected abdominal malignancies, but the need for vascular reconstruction represents a surgical challenge. We describe the use of autologous peritoneum for caval replacement.

Methods

Autogenous parietal peritoneum without fascial backing was harvested and tubularized to replace the inferior vena cava (IVC) in four patients with complex abdominal tumors. Surgical morbidity was evaluated using the Clavien–Dindo classification, and graft patency was systematically evaluated with ultrasound.

Results

All four patients had multiorgan resections for malignancies involving the retro-hepatic IVC, and they all required the replacement of infrarenal and suprarenal IVC segments. Additionally, all four required a right nephrectomy, two had a combined major hepatectomy, and one patient needed a veno-venous bypass. All had an R0 resection. A clinical follow-up took place between 5 and 11 months after surgery for each patient. Four-month graft patency was confirmed by ultra-sound and TDM with no sign of disease recurrence.

Conclusions

Autologous peritoneum without fascial backing is a good and safe option for circumferential replacement of IVC after extensive en-bloc tumor resection with IVC involvement.

     

Primary aldosteronism: making sense of partial data sets from failed adrenal venous sampling-suppression of adrenal aldosterone production can be used in clinical decision making

Background

It has been suggested that accurate clinical decisions may be made in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) in the setting of failed cannulation of an adrenal vein, thereby utilizing only data from either right or left adrenal venous sampling (AVS) alone.

Small-bowel resection for metastatic melanoma

Objective

To determine whether complete resection of small-bowel metastases from melanoma improves patient survival.

Design

A computer-aided chart review.

Setting

Hospitals associated with McGill University.

Patients

Twenty patients (17 men, 3 women), identified from 1524 patients with melanoma, who underwent surgery to the small bowel for metastases. Patient age and clinical presentation, tumour site and stage were recorded.

Intervention

Exploratory laparotomy with complete or partial resection of involved small bowel.

Main Outcome Measures

Operative morbidity, mortality and length of survival related to the extent of small-bowel resection.

Results

Eleven patients had complete resection, 8 patients had partial resection and 1 patient had a palliative bypass only. Long-term survival (ranging from 2 to 10 years) was 36% in those who had complete resection and 0% in those who had partial resection; operative morbidity and mortality were 20% and 15% respectively.

Conclusion

Complete resection of small-bowel metastases in patients with metastatic melanoma can result in long-term survival.     

Risk factors for venous thromboembolism in critically ill nontrauma surgical patients who cannot receive chemical prophylaxis

Background

We sought to identify independent predictors of venous thromboembolism in critically ill general surgery patients who cannot receive chemical prophylaxis in order to identify those who may benefit from aggressive screening and/or prophylactic inferior vena cava filter placement.

Methods

Nontrauma patients in the surgical intensive care unit were prospectively followed for 2 years. Patients who had contraindications to prophylactic anticoagulation and received routine screening duplex examinations were included. Data regarding lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (PE) rates, past medical history (PMH), surgeries, and transfusions were collected. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis or PE (venous thromboembolism) with a P < .05.

Results

Data were complete for 204 patients. Twenty (9.8%) patients developed venous thromboembolism. Independent predictors of venous thromboembolism included postoperative blood product requirements (odds ratio = 1.04 per unit), a PMH of PE (OR = 10.1), and a PMH of renal insufficiency (odds ratio = 5.1).

Conclusions

Aggressive screening and/or prophylactic inferior vena cava filter may be considered when prophylactic anticoagulation is prohibited in patients with increased postoperative transfusion requirements or a PMH of either PE or renal insufficiency.     

Endovascular repair of the aortic arch in pigs by improved double-branched stent grafts

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of total endovascular repair of the aortic arch in pigs using improved integrated double-branched stent grafts.

Methods

Improved self-expandable stent grafts with a main body and two integrated branches were prepared for the repair of the aortic arch in six pigs. The feasibility of using these stent grafts was evaluated with arteriography, computed tomography (CT), computed tomography angiography (CTA) and autopsy three months following the procedure.

Results

The double-branched stent grafts were placed successfully in the aortic arch in all six pigs. All pigs survived for at least three months and their biological behaviour was normal. Arteriography, CTA and animal necropsy revealed good fixation in all cases. Aortic valve function and coronary ostia remained intact, and CT of the head did not detect any lesion of cerebral infarction.

Conclusions

Endovascular repair of the aortic arch with an integrated double-branched stent graft is safe and feasible in animal studies.     

Living-Donor Liver Transplantation for Budd-Chiari Syndrome: Case Series

Background

Venous reconstruction in living-donor liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) has challenges because the grafts from living donors lack vena cava, and hepatic venous anastomosis must be performed on an already-thrombosed and/or stenosed inferior vena cava. Several techniques are described to overcome this problem, and we represent our experience with 22 patients.

A case of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the duodenum

Background

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the duodenum is rare and a distinct clinical entity.

Case report

A 55-year-old man presented with a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting and decreased body weight over the past 2 months. Abdominal exam showed an epigastric mass of 10 cm. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy documented a tumor in the third part of duodenum. The histopathological examination of biopsy has concluded a MFH. Abdominal CT revealed a large and heterogeneous mass of 10 cm in the third part of the duodenum. The intervention was conducted by way of a bi-subcostal laparotomy. Exploration of the tumor revealed involvement of the third part of duodenum. This lesion adhered and invaded the inferior vena cava. A palliative procedure using a gastro-entero-anastomosis was carried out with uneventful postoperative course. Neither adjuvant chemotherapy nor radiotherapy were conducted. The patient died four months following his operation.

Conclusion

The biological behavior of malignat fibrous histiocytomas is extremely aggressive and mainly conditioned by size and histological grading. The treatment of choice, whenever possible, is based on early and complete surgical excision of the tumor.     

Liver transplantation in a patient with developmental interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos substitution

Infrahepatic interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with azygos or hemiazygos substitution has been reported frequently in children with biliary atresia where this venous abnormality is associated with other venous abnormalities such as preduodenal portal vein or congenital heart disease. It is important to recognize this anomaly pretransplant because the hepatic vein may drain directly into the right atrium rather than into the suprahepatic vena cava. We describe herein the first report of an orthotopic deceased donor liver transplant in an adult patient with an interrupted IVC and azygos continuation. We also review the embryological development of the IVC and the vascular anomalies that can occur.