Bronchial artery pseudoaneurysm with symptomatic mediastinal hematoma

PurposeTo discuss the rare finding of bronchial artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms as well as describing available endovascular treatment options.Case reportA 61-year-old male presented to the emergency department and was found to have a paraesophageal hematoma and 1cm bronchial artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient was taken for successful endovascular exclusion by embolization.ConclusionBronchial artery pseudoaneurysms are rare but have a chance of rupture. Percutaneous embolization is a reasonable treatment option for these patients.     

Giant serpentine aneurysms: radiographic features and endovascular treatment.

PURPOSETo describe the characteristic CT, MR, and angiographic features of giant serpentine aneurysms and discuss their endovascular treatment.METHODSThirteen patients with giant serpentine aneurysms were studied at our institution in the last 3 years. They all underwent CT and MR studies as well as cerebral angiography. More recently, some of the patients were studied with MR angiography. Seven patients had endovascular occlusion of the giant serpentine aneurysms, 3 with N-butyl cyanoacrylate, 2 with Guglielmi detachable coils, and 2 with detachable balloons.RESULTSGiant serpentine aneurysms mimic cerebral neoplasms on CT and MR studies; they are often associated with mass effect and adjacent edema, and they enhance with contrast medium. The cerebral angiogram shows a residual irregular lumen of the partially clotted aneurysm, which continues into normal branches supplying the distal arterial territory. Six patients were treated successfully with an endovascular approach consisting of complete and permanent occlusion of the parent artery.CONCLUSIONGiant serpentine aneurysms from a subgroup of large intracranial aneurysms that have specific CT, MR, and angiographic features, which should be recognized before their treatment. The endovascular treatment of the aneurysm consists of permanent occlusion of the parent artery.     

Endovascular treatment of pseudoaneurysms with electrolytically detachable coils.

PURPOSEWe describe the clinical presentation, angiographic findings, and clinical outcome in a group of patients with pseudoaneurysms treated by a new endovascular technique using Guglielmi electrolytically detachable platinum coils (GDCs).METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the angiographic and clinical findings in a series of 11 patients with pseudoaneurysms occurring in a variety of locations: seven in the cavernous carotid artery, one in the petrous carotid artery, two in the anterior cerebral artery, and one in the cervical vertebral artery.RESULTSAll aneurysms were cured with GDC embolization. The only complication was a branch occlusion, which resolved with heparinization and produced no clinical sequelae.CONCLUSIONPseudoaneurysms can be safely and effectively treated by embolization with GDCs. Consideration needs to be given to the anatomic location of the pseudoaneurysm and the acuity of onset. Treatment efficacy may by improved if there are bony confines around the aneurysm or if therapy takes place in the subacute period, when the wall of the pseudoaneurysm has matured and stabilized.     

Endovascular Treatment of Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm Presenting as Intractable Epistaxis

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy of individual endovascular management for the treatment of different traumatic pseudoaneurysms presenting as intractable epistaxis.

Materials and Methods

For 14 consecutive patients with traumatic pseudoaneurysm presenting as refractory epistaxes, 15 endovascular procedures were performed. Digital subtraction angiography revealed that the pseudoaneurysms originated from the internal maxillary artery in eight patients; and all were treated with occlusion of the feeding artery. In six cases, they originated from the internal carotid artery (ICA); out of which, two were managed with detachable balloons, two with covered stents, one by means of cavity embolization, and the remaining one with parent artery occlusion. All of these cases were followed up clinically from six to 18 months, with a mean follow up time of ten months; moreover, three cases were also followed with angiography.

Results

Complete cessation of bleeding was achieved in all the 15 instances (100%) immediately after the endovascular therapies. Of the six patients who suffered from ICA pseudoaneurysms, one presented with a permanent stroke and one had an episode of rebleeding requiring intervention.

Conclusion

In patients presenting with a history of craniocerebral trauma, traumatic pseudoaneurysm must be considered as a differential diagnosis. Individual endovascular treatment is a relatively safe, plausible, and reliable means of managing traumatic pseudoaneurysms.     

Bare Stent Implantation in Iatrogenic Dissecting Pseudoaneurysm of the Superior Mesenteric Artery

Iatrogenic arterial dissection leading to the development of dissecting pseudoaneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a rare complication of angiography. Surgical and endovascular treatment options exist for this important condition. We report a case of bare stent implantation in dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the SMA that developed after angiography in a patient with acute mesenteric ischemia. Although it is rarely published, iatrogenic arterial dissection causing pseudoaneurysm can occur after diagnostic and interventional angiography. Bare stent implantation in dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the SMA could be an advantageous endovascular treatment option in selected cases due its to potential preservation of important side branches of the SMA.     

Endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms: our experience

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyse our 8 years of experience with endovascular treatment of visceral aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.

Materials and methods

From January 2002 to September 2009, we used an endovascular approach to treat 30 patients (22 men, eight women) affected by aneurysm (n=18) or pseudoaneurysm (n=13) of the splenic (n=11), hepatic (n=6), renal (n=5), pancreaticoduodenal (n=3), left gastric (n=2), gastroduodenal (n=1), rectal (n=1) or middle colic (n=1) arteries and the coeliac axis (n=1). Of these, 26/31 were treated with metal coils, 3/31 with Cardiatis multilayer stent, 1/31 with a coated stent and 1/31 with coils and Amplatzer plug. Procedures were performed electively in 10/30 cases and during haemorrhage in 20/30 cases. Follow-up was performed clinically (cessation of bleeding) and at 1, 6 and 12 months by colour-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and computed tomography (CT) angiography.

Results

In 31/31 aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms we obtained immediate exclusion. In four patients with aneurysm and in four with pseudoaneurysm, parenchymal ischaemia occurred; one was treated with surgical splenectomy. One patient with pseudoaneurysm of the coeliac axis died 10 days later because of new bleeding. During follow-up, all aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms remained excluded.

Conclusions

Percutaneous treatment is effective and safe, with a small number of complications, especially when compared with traditional surgery.     

Endovascular treatment of visceral aneurysms associated with pancreatitis and a suggested classification with therapeutic implications

PURPOSE: To describe a 10-year experience of endovascular and percutaneous treatment of aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis, and to analyze this experience and propose a classification based on computed tomography (CT) and angiographic findings that has therapeutic implications. This may reduce the rate of recurrent bleeding after surgery or endovascular treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms associated with acute pancreatitis were treated by endovascular or percutaneous methods. All underwent CT and angiography. The early development of a simple classification based on the CT and angiographic findings was used to guide treatment decisions. In accordance with this classification, 19 patients were treated by primary coil embolization and four were treated by primary percutaneous thrombin injection. RESULTS: Among the 19 patients treated by primary coil embolization, there were two early recurrences of the pseudoaneurysm. All four patients treated by percutaneous thrombin injection exhibited late recurrences and were successfully treated by percutaneous thrombin injections. Twenty-one patients (91.3%) were alive at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular and percutaneous treatment of aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis is safe and effective and is associated with good outcomes, but careful follow-up is necessary. The decision of which treatment option is most appropriate can be made in accordance with a classification based on CT and angiographic appearance.     

Cerebral aneurysms: evaluation with three-dimensional CT angiography.

PURPOSETo evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional CT angiography (CTA), in which contrast material is used to create reformations of dynamic scans, in the diagnosis and the preoperative evaluation of cerebral aneurysms.METHODSWe used 3-D CTA to examine 65 patients with suspected or angiographically verified cerebral aneurysms. A blind study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 3-D CTA for cerebral aneurysms with the use of conventional angiography as the reference standard.RESULTSIn 50 patients, conventional angiography revealed 73 cerebral aneurysms ranging from 2 to 32 mm in maximum diameter. Three of the 73 cerebral aneurysms were located outside the imaging volume of 3-D CTA. The sensitivities of the two neuroradiologists for the remaining 70 aneurysms were 67% and 70%, respectively. Although 3-D CTA depicted cerebral aneurysms 5 mm or larger with good accuracy, it was less useful for the detection of smaller aneurysms. For the evaluation of giant aneurysms, this technique elucidated the relationships among the aneurysm, surrounding arteries, and neighboring bone structure.CONCLUSIONThree-dimensional CTA is useful for the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms with diameters of 5 mm or more. This technique is especially useful in the preoperative evaluation of giant aneurysms.     

Postoperative evaluation of composite aortic grafts: comparison of angiography and CT

Postoperative angiography and computerised tomography were performed in 10 patients 8 to 57 months after surgical repair (nine composite, one distal graft) of aneurysms of the thoracic aorta (six dissecting, four true aneurysms). Angiography and angio-CT showed chronic dissection of the distal aorta in five of six patients with dissecting aneurysms and detected a pseudoaneurysm originating from the distal suture line in another patient. CT may serve as an initial procedure for postoperative examinations after surgery of aortic aneurysms to demonstrate the state of the false lumen and the formation of pseudoaneurysms. The coronary arteries and aortic valve function have to be evaluated by angiography.     

Endovascular treatment of bacterial intracranial aneurysms

We report three patients with bacterial intracranial aneurysms treated by the endovascular approach: two presented with sudden severe neurological deficits after a diagnosis of endocarditis; the other had suspected vasculitis. CT showed an intracerebral haematoma in all cases: angiography revealed bacterial aneurysms of distal branches of the middle cerebral artery in two cases and posterior cerebral artery in one. Because of the patients' condition and the location of the aneurysms, endovascular treatment was considered the fastest and safest treatment. Hyperselective catheterisation of the parent branch, close to the aneurysm, was performed with a microcatheter. A small amount of glue was injected to occlude both the aneurysm and a short segment of the diseased vessel. Follow-up angiography revealed occlusion of the aneurysm in all cases. One patient recovered completely; one recovered over some months, with neurological deficit due to the haematoma. The third patient suddenly worsened and died 9 days after treatment for a contralateral haematoma, due to rupture of a new bacterial aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery. Endovascular occlusion of the aneurysm and parent vessel may be an alternative to surgery in selected, severe cases of deep or distal bacterial intracranial aneurysms.     

Varied appearance of cardiac pseudoaneurysms on blood pool images

Three cases of cardiac pseudoaneurysms were presented, with findings at the time of gated blood pool imaging. In only one of three was there the finding of a small neck connecting the ventricular cavity with the pseudoaneurysm. In the other two patients, there was a considerably larger communication. The size of the pseudoaneurysm itself was also of little diagnostic assistance. In one case it was small, while in a second patient it was larger in size. The third case revealed a pseudoaneurysm of enormous size (larger than the ventricular cavity). Gated blood pool imaging apparently can be called upon to demonstrate the presence of an abnormality. It may not be able to definitely establish the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm, but should suggest the use of cardiac angiography to distinguish these life threatening lesions from true aneurysms.     

创伤性颅内假性动脉瘤的血管内治疗

创伤性颅内假性动脉瘤发生率约占颅内动脉瘤的1%.由创伤导致颅内血管破裂,出血的血肿机化成瘤壁,从而形成与血管相通的动脉瘤.假性动脉瘤因为不具有完整的血管壁结构,容易破裂出血,因而在临床的治疗上与真性颅内动脉瘤有一定区别,无论是开颅手术还是介入栓塞治疗均伴有较高的风险.本文通过总结目前治疗动脉瘤的方法,结合假性动脉瘤的特...     

Coil embolization of intradural pseudoaneurysms caused by arterial injury during surgery: report of two cases

Intradural pseudoaneurysms arose in two patients as a result of arterial injury incurred during surgery. In the first patient, the pseudoaneurysm developed in the middle cerebral artery, at the site of vessel perforation during aneurysmal surgery. In the second patient, the pseudoaneurysm developed in the anterior communicating artery after removal of a tuberculum sellae meningioma. These aneurysms had small ostia and were successfully embolized with electrolytically detachable coils. The clinical features and the treatment of intracranial pseudoaneurysms are discussed.     

Endovascular therapy for the carotid blowout syndrome in head and neck surgical patients: diagnostic and managerial considerations.

PURPOSETo review our institution''s recent experience with patients with carotid blowout syndrome who were referred for emergency diagnostic angiography and endovascular therapy.METHODSEighteen consecutive patients who had had surgery for cancer of the head and neck and in whom carotid blowout syndrome had occurred were referred to our service in accordance with a standardized protocol.RESULTSTwenty-three angiographic pathoetiologic conditions were diagnosed in the 18 patients; the majority of these were pseudoaneurysms involving various segments of the carotid system. Multiple lesions were detected in five patients. Most patients were treated by means of permanent balloon occlusion; in 8 patients with either multiple lesions or impending rupture requiring flap reconstruction, a composite permanent balloon occlusion of the affected carotid system was performed. Hyperacute hemorrhages were arrested in all cases. Hemorrhages reoccurred in 2 cases, and in 2 patients who had permanent balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery, transient ischemic attacks occurred, which appeared to be related to temporary collateral reserve failure. No permanent neurologic complications ensued.CONCLUSIONOur recent experience with carotid blowout syndrome suggests that this clinical diagnosis represents a heterogeneous group of angiographic pathoetiologies that the physician should evaluate carefully before proceeding with endovascular therapy. Specific endovascular approaches depend on the pathoetiologic mechanism of active or impending hemorrhage and the urgency with which intervention is required.     

Left ventricular aneurysm formation: an iatrogenic cause for the third mogul

Two cases of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm formation developing post-operatively after mitral valve replacement are reported. The chest radiographs showed an abnormal protuberance on the left heart border at the site of the "third mogul". The definitive diagnosis of this protuberance, resulting from the development of a left ventricular aneurysm, was made on angiography in each case. This site is unusual for left ventricular aneurysm formation, with the exception of the annular subvalvular aneurysm described in the negro population. Relevant aetiological factors in the development of these post-operative left ventricular pseudoaneurysms are considered. Since pseudoaneurysms are more prone to rupture than true aneurysms, it is concluded that early diagnosis of development of these left ventricular pseudoaneurysms should be made.     

Percutaneous treatment of pseudoaneurysms using fibrin adhesive

This study was performed to assess the safety and efficacy of treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms with fibrin adhesive. 28 patients with iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms were treated. The first 20 patients had either at least one previously unsuccessful treatment of ultrasound guided compression repair (UGCR), a contraindication to UGCR or could not tolerate the procedure. Diagnosis was confirmed on ultrasound and angiography and a balloon inflated across the neck of the pseudoaneurysm. Fibrin adhesive was injected under ultrasound control directly into the pseudoaneurysm sac. The balloon was deflated after 15 min and check ultrasound and angiography performed, with a further ultrasound at 24 h. The subsequent eight patients underwent embolisation as the first line treatment without use of a protective balloon. 16 of the first 20 patients (80%) and all of the subsequent 8 patients had successful embolisation of the pseudoaneurysm after a single treatment. Two pseudoaneurysms failed to thrombose despite two treatments in one case and three treatments in the other, and both required surgery. The only significant complication was the development of local cellulitis in one patient. In conclusion, embolisation of iatrogenic aneurysms with fibrin adhesive is a safe and effective treatment. It should be considered as an alternative to surgery and UGCR.     

Endovascular Exclusion of Visceral Artery Aneurysms with Stent-Grafts: Technique and Long-Term Follow-up

This paper describes four cases of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) successfully treated with endovascular stent-grafts and discusses the endovascular approach to VAAs and the long-term results. Four balloon expandable stent-grafts were used to treat three splenic artery aneurysms and one bleeding common hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. The percutaneous access site and the materials were chosen on the basis of CT angiography findings. In all cases the aneurysms were successfully excluded. In one case a splenic infarction occurred, with nonrelevant clinical findings. At 16- to 24-month follow-up three patients had patent stents and complete exclusion and shrinkage of the aneurysms. One patient died due to pancreatitis and sepsis, 16 days after successful stenting and exclusion of a bleeding pseudoaneurysm. We conclude that endovascular treatment using covered stent-grafts is a valid therapeutic option for VAAs. Multislice CT preoperative study helps in planning stent-graft positioning.     

创伤性假性动脉瘤的介入治疗及临床观察

目的探讨创伤性假性动脉瘤介入治疗的方法及疗效。方法对18例假性动脉瘤患者(肝动脉瘤2例,肾动脉瘤4例,脾动脉瘤1例,胸主动脉2例,周围血管9例),采用不同方法治疗。6例置入带膜支架,10例采用明胶海绵栓塞或弹簧圈栓塞,1例采用部分动脉瘤内填塞加供血动脉栓塞治疗,1例股动脉穿孔型假瘤采用压迫法。结果技术成功率100%。17例动脉瘤闭塞,症状体征消失;1例胸主动脉假瘤出现内瘘;未出现其他并发症。结论介入方法治疗假性动脉瘤安全有效。     

首发为眼部症状的脑动脉瘤临床分析

目的探讨首发为眼部症状的脑动脉瘤临床诊断和处理时机,提高临床诊治水平。方法收集2003—2008年我院收治首发为动眼神经麻痹症状的脑动脉瘤患者42例,分别行头颅CT、磁共振、全脑血管造影检查,确诊后给予开颅动脉瘤颈夹闭术和DSA血管内介入微弹簧圈动脉瘤栓塞术治疗。结果26例动眼神经不全麻痹患者术后完全恢复达84.6%,14例动眼神经全麻痹患者术后完全恢复达35.7%,部分恢复达64.3%。2例瞳孔中度散大患者,术后完全恢复。结论首发症状为动眼神经麻痹者,应考虑到脑动脉瘤的可能性。及时发现并给予相应治疗,是挽救患者生命,促进动眼神经恢复的关键措施。     

Minimally Invasive Therapy of Pseudoaneurysms of the Trunk: Application of Thrombin

Thrombin injection has been proven to be successful in postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms. However, there are only a few reports on the treatment of pseudoaneurysms of the trunk. We report our first experiences using a percutaneous as well as an endovascular access. Eight iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms of the trunk (aorta, n = 4; pulmonary artery, n = 1; gastroduodenal artery, n = 1; left gastric artery, n = 1, renal artery, n = 1) were treated either percutaneously using CT guidance (n = 3) or via an endovascular access (n = 5). Noninvasive control angiograms were performed at day 1 and weeks 1 and 3 by either CT or MR angiography. The total volume of the pseudoaneurysms was 31.2 ± 23.1 ml on average, with a mean volume of the perfused aneurysmal lumen of 12.9 ± 7.2 ml. The maximum diameter was 4.1 ± 1.39 cm on average. In each case, the aneurysmal neck was not wider than 2 mm. One pseudoaneurysm occluded spontaneously following selective catheterization. The remaining pseudoaneurysms were successfully treated by injection of 765 ± 438.1 IU thrombin. In one individual, a nontarget embolization occurred, as well as an intervention-associated rupture of a pseudoaneurysm. High-grade stenoses of the donor artery were found in a different case. Only once was the endoluminal access converted to a percutaneous one. Thrombin injection might be a future first-line treatment of vascular lesions such as pseudoaneurysms of the trunk. In our experience both percutanous and endoluminal access are technically feasible and safe. However, further experiences are mandatory, especially concerning the question of dosage and long-term results.