Percutaneous implantation of a catheter with subcutaneous reservoir for intraarterial regional chemotherapy: Technique and preliminary results

Purpose: We present the technique and the preliminary results of percutaneous implantation of intraarterial catheters connected to a subcutaneous infusion reservoir for prolonged regional chemotherapy of hepatic and extrahepatic tumors. Methods: Two hundred patients with primary or secondary hepatic neoplasms, pelvic, pancreatic, renal, lingual, and breast cancer underwent the procedure. The access was the left axillary artery (188 patients) and the femoral artery (12 patients). The catheter tip was placed in the hepatic (170 patients), hypogastric (18), splenic (4), internal thoracic (2), gastroduodenal (3), renal (2) or the external carotid artery (1). The catheter was connected to a subcutaneous reservoir and filled with heparin; chemotherapeutic infusion was subsequently started. Results: One hundred percent immediate technical success was obtained. Forty-three of 200 (21.5%) patients had a complication: 29 patients had a catheter dislodgment, nine had arterial thrombosis, three had a pseudoaneurysm of the left axillary artery and two had a port pocket hematoma. Most complications (37/43, 86%) were treated percutaneously without interruption of chemotherapy. In only six cases (3% of the total population) was chemotherapy discontinued due to the complication itself. The mean duration of catheter patency was 7.2 months. Conclusion: Percutaneous placement of an intraarterial catheter is feasible and causes less discomfort to the patient than the surgical approach. The technique has an acceptable complication rate (21.5%), similar to that for surgical implantation (17.8%), with the advantage that in most cases the complications can be resolved percutaneously. This technique represents an alternative to surgical implantation in the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer and opens new therapeutic possibilities for the local prolonged treatment of other kinds of tumor, though its clinical efficacy must be assessed in selected trials.     

Interventional radiological procedures in impaired function of surgically implanted catheter-port systems

Purpose: System-related complications in surgically implanted catheter-port systems (CPS) for intraarterial (i.a.) chemotherapy are well known. In most cases of complications, the treatment must be interrupted and the catheter-port system must be repaired surgically. We describe microinvasive interventional radiological procedures to correct some dysfunctions of CPS. Methods: Five patients with repetitive dysfunction of CPS were treated with interventional techniques. Two patients presented with perfusion impairment, one patient had a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery, and two patients presented with catheter displacement. Radiological interventions included mechanical recanalization with a guidewire, vascular stenting, and correction of catheter dislocation with a goose-neck snare. Results: In all cases, correct function of the CPS was restored. No intervention-related complications occurred and surgery was avoided. Chemotherapy could be continued for a period of 4–10 months. Conclusion: For some system-related complications, minimally invasive radiological interventions can be used to restore the function of CPS for i.a. chemotherapy.     

Vascular access system for continuous arterial infusion of a protease inhibitor in acute necrotizing pancreatitis

We used a vascular access system (VAS) for continuous arterial infusion (CAI) of a protease inhibitor in two patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The infusion catheter was placed into the dorsal pancreatic artery in the first patient and into the gastroduodenal artery in the second, via a femoral artery approach. An implantable port was then connected to the catheter and was secured in a subcutaneous pocket prepared in the right lower abdomen. No complications related to the VAS were encountered. This system provided safe and uncontaminated vascular access for successful CAI for acute pancreatitis.     

Subtraction CT with low-flow-rate arterial contrast injection to estimate drug distribution during balloon-occluded arterial chemotherapy infusion for bladder cancer

Purpose: To simulate drug distribution during balloon-occluded arterial chemotherapy infusion (BOAI) for urinary bladder cancer using subtraction computed tomography (CT) with low-flow-rate arterial contrast injection (S-CTLA). Methods: Ten patients with bladder cancer underwent S-CTLA, and the distribution of contrast agent during BOAI into both internal iliac arteries simultaneously was evaluated in nine pairs of internal iliac arteries and one single artery. For S-CTLA, spiral CT data were acquired before and after 0.2 ml/sec intraarterial injection of contrast material. The enhancement of the urinary bladder wall, the gluteal muscles, and the pelvic bones was categorized using a 4-grade scale. The grades were compared in each of the three pelvic components and differences were tested for significance using the Wilcoxon test for paired groups. Results: S-CTLA revealed the distribution of the contrast agent clearly. Gluteal muscles grades were significantly higher than those of the other two assessed components. Conclusion: BOAI does not improve the concentration of contrast agent to the bladder wall over neighboring structures, suggesting that the balloon occlusion technique does not achieve its desired goal for chemotherapy targeting.     

Value of Micronester coils in port-catheter implantation for continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with fixed catheter tip method

To retrospectively evaluate the use of Micronester coils in port-catheter implantation with the fixed catheter tip method in comparison with other previously used coils. The cohort of this study was 143 consecutive patients with unresectable advanced liver cancer for whom a port-catheter system was percutaneously implanted. In the most recent 32 patients, Micronester coils were used for catheter tip fixation. Details of embolic agents for fixation, persistent blood flow beyond the distal end of the indwelling catheter, and complications were compared between cases without and with Micronester coils. In all, percutaneous port-catheter placement was successful. Mean number of coils used for fixation was 4.2 without Micronester coils vs. 2.5 with Micronester coils. N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA)-Lipiodol was additionally used for catheter tip fixation in 85.6% of 111 procedures without Micronester coils and in 50% of 32 using Micronester coils. The gastroduodenal artery beyond the distal end was not detected at the final examination after any procedure. Catheter dislocation occurred in five and hepatic arterial obstruction or severe stenosis in eight. The number of coils used and necessity of NBCA-Lipiodol could be decreased with usage of Micronester coils without decreasing fixation ability compared to other coils.     

First Clinical Experience with a High-Capacity Implantable Infusion Pump for Continuous Intravenous Chemotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of a new high-capacity pump for systemic venous chemotherapy and to verify the quality of implantation by interventional radiology staff. Methods: A total of 47 infusion pumps with a 60-ml reservoir and variable flow rates (2, 6, 8, or 12 ml/24 hr) were implanted by radiologists in 46 patients with solid tumor metastases requiring treatment with a single, continuously infused cytostatic agent. The reservoir was refilled transcutaneously, usually once weekly. The flow accuracy of the pump was assessed from actual drug delivery recorded on 34 patients over a minimum observation period of 180 days. Results: No early complications occurred in any of the 47 implants in 46 patients. A total of 12 (25.53%) complications occurred between 3 and 24 months after implantation. Seven (14.90%) of these were due to the external design of the pump, while five (10.63%) were related to the central venous catheter. In the 34 patients available for pump evaluation (follow-up of at least 180 days), the system was used for a total of 14,191 days (range 180–911 days, mean 417.38 days), giving an overall complication rate of 0.84 per 1000 days of operation. The mean flow rate accuracy was 90.26%. Conclusion: The new implantable pump showed good flow rate accuracy and reliable operation. The pump-related complications were related to its external design and have now been corrected by appropriate modifications. From a radiologic and surgical viewpoint, the venous implantation procedure is identical to that of conventional vascular access devices and can be performed by radiologists familiar with these techniques. The current limitations lie in the high cost of the pump and, for certain drugs, the short time between refills.     

Stages III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth: Three-year experience with superselective intraarterial chemotherapy using cisplatin prior to definitive treatment

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the 3-year experience with superselective intraarterial chemotherapy prior to definitive treatment for stages III and IV squamous cell carcinomas of the mouth. Methods: Twenty-two patients prospectively received superselective intraarterial chemotherapy using relatively low-dose cisplatin via a transfemoral approach. The locations of the tumors were the tongue (n= 12), gingiva (n= 5), buccal mucosa (n= 2), hard palate (n= 1), floor of the mouth (n= 1), and lip (n= 1). After intraarterial chemotherapy, 21 patients underwent surgery (n= 14), radiation therapy (n= 6), or both (n= 1). The survival rate of 25 patients who underwent surgery with/without radiation therapy until 1992 at Kumamoto University Hospital was also evaluated as a historical control. The survival curve was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and the statistical difference between survival curves was determined with the generalized Wilcoxon test. Results: The overall response rate was 95% [complete response (tumor completely resolved), 24%; partial response (tumor reduction ≥50%), 71%]. Fifty-two intraarterial infusions were performed without any catheter-related complications. Mild and transient local toxicity such as edema or mucositis of the infused area was relatively common. One patient died of renal failure from cisplatin. After a median follow-up of 20 months (range 2–41 months), the estimated 3-year survival rate for patients who underwent intraarterial chemotherapy plus surgery was 91%. The survival of the patients who underwent intraarterial chemotherapy plus surgery tended to be longer than that of the historical control. Conclusions: Early tumor reduction without delay of subsequent treatments can be obtained by intraarterial chemotherapy while minimizing complications and possibly improving survival. Further investigations of long-term survival with larger series need to be performed.     

Emergent right coronary artery thrombectomy with a jet aspiration thrombectomy catheter

A saline-jet aspiration thrombectomy (JAT) catheter was used in a patient with acute myocardial infarction. A right coronary arteriogram showed complete thrombotic occlusion at the proximal segment. With this catheter the thrombus was removed without complications in 5 sec. The patient underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and placement of a Palmaz-Schatz stent after successful thrombectomy. Thrombectomy with a JAT catheter was very useful in this patient.     

Movement of the side hole occurring in a port-catheter system percutaneously implanted for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

The authors report a case in which catheter-related difficulties occurred with a port-catheter system implanted to perform repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinomas. The port-catheter system had been percutaneously implanted with the catheter tip fixation method, and a side hole had been created in the indwelling catheter for placement in the common hepatic artery. Four months after port-catheter placement, however, the indwelling catheter became bent at the location of the side hole in the proper hepatic artery. Subsequently, the side hole moved into the left hepatic artery, resulting in a lack of distribution of chemotherapeutic agents to the tumours in the segments of the liver supplied by the right hepatic artery. This situation was easily corrected with a simple interventional radiological method so that hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy could be resumed with sufficient distribution over the entire liver. To our knowledge, such a problem involving a port-catheter system implanted with the catheter tip fixation method and its management thereafter has not been reported in the published literature.     

Low infusion rate digital subtraction angiography to predict regional perfusion in hepatic arterial chemotherapy

Digital substraction angiography (DSA) with a low injection rate of contrast (0.5 ml/sec) was studied as a means of predicting the regional perfusion of percutaneously placed catheters for hepatic arterial chemotherapy. In 64 hepatic artery catheter placements, conventional injection rate angiography (3–5 ml/sec) and low infusion rate DSA exams were compared to conventional radionuclide perfusion studies performed with Tc-99m-MAA. In 58 of 64 cases (90.6%) the conventional arteriogram correctly predicted the extent of hepatic perfusion, whereas in 63 of 64 cases (98%), the low flow DSA exam correctly predicted hepatic perfusion. The conventional arteriogram correctly predicted the extent of extrahepatic perfusion in 32 cases (50%), with a sensitivity of 100%, but a specificity of only 39.6%. The DSA exam was correct in defining the presence or absence of extrahepatic perfusion in 57 of 64 cases for a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 91%. Despite the quantitative difference between the low infusion rate DSA study and the chemotherapy infusion (10 ml/hr), it is a useful tool to assist in the correct positioning of temporary catheters for hepatic arterial chemotherapy.     

Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy with lipioclol-CDDP suspension for hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate the usefulness of lipiodol-CDDP suspension (LCS) chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: CDDP (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) powder was prepared by removing the water and NaCl from aqueous CDDP. Two quantities of prepared CDDP powder, 10 mg and 20 mg, were mixed with 1 ml each of iopamidol 300 mgI/ml (IP300) and lipiodol (LPD) using a high pressure pumping method, thus producing LCS. Thirty-two patients with HCC, who had good renal function [creatinine clearance (Ccr) 50 ml/min or more], received additional intraarterial infusion chemotherapy with LCS or LCS alone. Results: The most frequently observed CDDP powder sizes were 5.95–10.90 μm (average: 11.59 μm). The LCS obtained demonstrated a suspension of 2–12 μm (average 3.69 μm) immediately after mixing, and no significant changes were observed in LCS particle sizes 3 hr after mixing. Moreover, the sustained release with LCS was observed for up to 3 hr. Meanwhile, the peripheral free platinum concentration between intraarterial infusion chemotherapy with LCS and intraarterial infusion with the aqueous solution of CDDP, with respect to variance residence time (VRT), showed a significant difference, with a p value of 0.0382. The survival rate was 89.84% at 1 year, 73.78% at 2 years, and 68.51% at 3 years. Furthermore, the platinum concentration in the tumor was 25–95 times the concentration in the surrounding liver parenchyma. Conclusion: Good clinical results can be expected by applying LCS to HCC.     

Double-Balloon Catheter for Isolated Liver Perfusion: An Experimental Study

Purpose: Further development of a previously described interventional method for isolated liver perfusion (ILP) with a new double-lumen balloon catheter, and evaluation of the side-effects of such isolation. Methods: In six pigs a double-balloon occlusion catheter was placed via the transjugular approach with its tip in the portal vein. One of the balloons was positioned in the inferior vena cava (IVC), cranial to the origin of the hepatic veins and the other balloon in the portal vein. By the transfemoral approach, a single-balloon occlusion catheter was placed in the IVC caudal to the origin of the hepatic veins. A third catheter was placed by the transfemoral route with the occlusion balloon in the proper hepatic artery. After inflation of all balloons ⁹⁹Tc^m-labelled human serum albumin was recirculated through the liver. The isolation was evaluated by repeated measurement of radioactivity levels in peripheral blood. Laboratory tests of liver and pancreas function, and hemoglobin, were taken before, at the end of, and 3 days after the procedure. Blood gases were tested at the beginning and end of the procedure. Results: One pig died during the procedure due to technical failure and was excluded from the study. In the other pigs leakage from the isolated liver to the systemic circulation increased slowly, up to 9.7% (mean) during 30 min of recirculation of the perfusate through the liver. Laboratory tests were normal in all pigs except insignificant acidosis directly after the procedure and the slight elevation of s-ALAT after 3 days. Conclusions: Only minor leakage from the liver to the systemic circulation was noted during ILP performed with a new, double-balloon catheter. There were no serious side effects.     

Preoperative Embolization of Cervical Spine Tumors

Purpose: To assess the technical success rate, complications, and effect on intraoperative blood loss of preoperative transarterial embolization of cervical spine tumors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 38 patients with tumors of the cervical spine; 69 vertebrae were affected. Polyvinyl alcohol particles, coils, gelfoam particles, either alone or in combination, were used for preoperative tumor embolization. After embolization a total of 57 corporectomies with titanium basket implantation were performed. Results: In 36 of 38 patients, complete (n= 27) or partial (n= 9) embolization was achieved. In 23 patients one vertebral artery was completely occluded by coil placement, and in one patient the ipsilateral internal and external carotid arteries were occluded in addition. No neurological complications could be directly related to the embolization, but two postoperative brain stem infarctions occurred. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 2.4 L. Conclusion: Transarterial embolization of cervical spine tumors is a safe and effective procedure to facilitate extensive surgery. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Effect of preoperative radiological treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation: A retrospective study

Purpose: To assess the results of radiological treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) performed before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods: Sixty-two transplanted patients with a total of 89 HCC nodules were studied; 50 lesions in 38 patients had been treated prior to OLT with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE; n= 29), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI; n= 10), or combined therapy (TACE + PEI; n= 11). The induced necrosis was pathologically evaluated. The recurrence rate after OLT in the treated group of patients (n= 38) was compared with that in the non-treated group (n= 24). Results: After TACE, necrosis was complete in 7 of 29 lesions (24.1%), partial in 11 of 29 (37.9%), and absent in 11 of 29 (37.9%). After PEI, necrosis was complete in 8 of 10 lesions (80%), and partial in 2 of 10 (20%). Using combined therapy, necrosis was complete in 11 of 11 lesions (100%). Four of 24 untreated and 4 of 38 treated patients did not survive OLT from causes not related to the HCC; 3 of 20 non-treated patients (15%) and 4 of 34 treated patients (11.8%) had post-OLT recurrence (these last four patients had undergone only TACE and did not have tumor necrosis at pathological examination). Conclusion: TACE of HCC prior to OLT had no influence on the recurrence rate. PEI and combined therapy (TACE + PEI) may be recommended in patients awaiting OLT.     

Angiographic assessment of the right hepatic artery for encasement by hilar cholangiocarcinoma: Comparison between antero-posterior and right anterior oblique projections

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of right anterior oblique (RAO) arteriography for evaluating encasement of the right hepatic artery (RHA) by hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: Celiac arteriography was performed in both the antero-posterior (AP) and RAO projection in ten patients with cholangiocarcinoma. The lengths of the arteries between the bifurcation of the anterior and posterior branch of the liver and the following points were measured: (a) the bifurcation of the left and right hepatic artery (AP-LR), (b) the bifurcation of the proper hepatic artery and the gastroduodenal artery (AP-PG). Additionally, image quality in investigating the invasion of the RHA was evaluated. Results: On the AP images, the average lengths of AP-LR and AP-PG were 24.5 ± 5.1 mm and 30.0 ± 4.9 mm, respectively. On RAO images, the lengths were 28.2 ± 4.6 mm and 32.7 ± 4.8 mm, respectively. Every length was different between the two projections (p < 0.01). In 6 of 10 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, images in RAO projections were superior to AP images for evaluation of encasement. Conclusion: We conclude that angiography obtained in the RAO projection yields images that are superior to those obtained in the conventional AP projection for assessment of RHA encasement.     

Treatment of Adenocarcinoma of the Liver with Mitomycin, Hyaluronidase, and Ethanol: An Experimental Study in the Rat

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intratumorally injected ethanol, mitomycin, mitomycin with hyaluronidase, and hyaluronidase on tumor growth in an experimental model. Methods: A suspension of 1 × 10⁶ cells of chemically induced adenocarcinoma was implanted into the liver of 52 rats. Seven days later the rats were divided into groups according to treatment and injected via a midline laparotomy with ethanol, mitomycin, mitomycin with hyaluronidase, or hyaluronidase. A control group was treated with saline. The rats were killed 7 days after treatment. The tumor growth ratio was calculated, and the results compared for the different groups. Wilcoxon's rank sum test was used for statistical evaluation. Results: The tumor growth ratio was significantly reduced after injection of mitomycin (p < 0.01) but not after ethanol. Hyaluronidase alone did not reduce the tumor growth ratio and had no synergetic effect with mitomycin. Conclusion: In an animal model intratumoral treatment of adenocarcinoma of the liver with mitomycin was significantly more efficient than similar treatment with saline or ethanol. Received: 0/00/00/Accepted: 0/00/00     

Withdrawal of port-catheter system for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy implanted with fixed catheter tip method

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a method to withdraw port-catheter systems implanted by the fixed catheter tip method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review was conducted of 14 cases of unresectable advanced liver cancer in which it was necessary to attempt 15 withdrawals of percutaneously placed implantable port-catheter systems. Reasons for withdrawal, withdrawal success, complications, and subsequent treatment of patient were evaluated. RESULTS: In 14 of the 15 procedures (93.3%), the port-catheter system was successfully retrieved. Because continuation of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was necessary in 10 procedures, a second implantation was performed after withdrawal of the initial catheter. Only one complication occurred, in which the indwelling catheter was broken in the aorta during withdrawal. CONCLUSION: When retrieval of a port-catheter system implanted with the fixed catheter tip method is necessary, withdrawal can be accomplished safely with high frequency.     

Complications following balloon-occluded arterial infusion chemotherapy for pelvic malignancies

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and causes of complications associated with balloon-occluded arterial infusion chemotherapy (BOAI) for pelvic malignancies. Methods: In 34 courses of BOAI in 22 patients with pelvic malignancies, we analyzed the incidence of complications as well as the effect of the dose of the anticancer drugs, the infusion site, and the number of BOAI administrations on these complications. Complications were divided into two categories: cystitis-like symptoms and neurological complications such as pain, numbness, and paresthesia of the lower extremities and the hip. Results: Eleven patients (50%) suffered from complications, seven (31.8%) from neurological complications and four (18.2%) from cystitis-like symptoms. The complications appeared in 14 courses (42.4%) of BOAI, neurological complications in 10 (30.3%) and cystitis-like symptoms in four (12.1%). A high dose of anti-cancer drugs and infusion from the anterior division tended to induce neurological complications more frequently; however, the cystitis-like symptoms were not related to any factors. Conclusion: Our results indicate that a smaller dose of anti-cancer drugs should be infused from the bilateral internal iliac arteries for safer pelvic BOAI.     

Percutaneous Retrieval of a Central Venous Catheter Sutured to the Wall of the Right Atrium

A transjugular central venous catheter was inadvertently sutured to the wall of the right atrium in a 63-year-old female during coronary bypass surgery. Using two nitinol Goose Neck snares via a transfemoral and a transjugular approach the catheter was severed into two pieces and retrieved percutaneously.     

Spasms of the hepatic artery following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and tolazoline administration in a liver transplant patient

Vascular complications after liver transplantation include occlusion or stenosis near the sites of anastomosis in the hepatic artery, portal vein, and vena cava. Balloon angioplasty of these stenoses carries little risk and is a useful procedure for the treatment of these problems. Here we describe the case of a liver transplant patient who underwent balloon angioplasty for stenosis of the hepatic artery and who developed spasms of the hepatic artery which were aggravated following intraarterial administration of Tolazoline. Received: 0/00/000 Accepted: 0/00/00