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 management of pseudoaneurysms of the splenic artery: experience with six patients

The purpose of this paper was to describe our experience with the endovascular management of splenic artery pseudoaneurysms (SAPA). Seven patients with documented SAPA on CT and/or angiography were considered for endovascular treatment. The pseudoaneurysms were located in the main splenic artery (n = 4) or its branches (n = 3). In one patient in whom the pseudoaneurysm was located in a hilar branch, selective catheterization of splenic artery failed. Metallic coils (n = 1), gelfoam and hydrogel particles (n = 1), metallic coils and gelfoam (n = 2), metallic coil, gelfoam and acrylic glue (n = 2) were used as embolization material in the remaining six patients. These patients were followed for a mean period of 11.3 months. Transcatheter embolization was successful in five patients with no procedure-related complications. In one patient, embolization was incomplete and the patient underwent surgery, but died on the 10th postoperative day because of irreversible shock. Another patient, after successful embolization, underwent surgery for management of an associated pseudocyst. Endovascular treatment is a safe and effective method of management of SAPA.     

Treatment of iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms with percutaneous thrombin injection: experience in 54 patients

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical success of ultrasonography (US)-guided thrombin injection for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms and to identify criteria that may predispose to treatment failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms were treated with US-guided thrombin injection. Forty-five were classified as simple (single lobe) and nine, as complex (at least two lobes and a single neck to the native vessel). Pseudoaneurysm volume, classification, thrombin dose, anticoagulation therapy status, and sheath size were compared between failed and successful cases. Seven- to 10-day follow-up US and a minimum 4-month clinical follow-up were also performed to evaluate success. RESULTS: Fifty of 54 pseudoaneurysms were successfully treated with topical thrombin without complication and included all 45 simple and five of nine complex pseudoaneurysms. US follow-up in all 50 successful cases and clinical follow-up in 37 of these revealed no recurrence. Only a complex pseudoaneurysm classification was significantly associated with failure (P<.01). Among the complex pseudoaneurysms, successful cases involved two injections and a total thrombin dose of at least 1,500 units. In failed cases, pseudoaneurysms were treated with a single injection of 1,000 units, initially thrombosed, and recurred. CONCLUSION: Simple iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms, regardless of size or concomitant anticoagulation therapy, can be treated with a single injection of up to 1,000 units of topical thrombin and require no follow-up. Complex pseudoaneurysms will likely require a second injection (total thrombin dose of at least 1,500 units) and short-term clinical and US follow-up to ensure successful treatment.     

Endovascular therapy for abdominal pseudoaneurysms: analysis from technical and clinical aspects

PURPOSE: To clarify the factors of outcomes by endovascular therapy for abdominal pseudoaneurysm (PSA) from both technical and clinical aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with PSAs underwent embolization. Embolic methods were classified into two groups: proximal and distal embolization (PDE) and proximal embolization alone (PE). The patients were classified into four groups by shock index. Pre-embolization hemoglobin (Hb) level and decrease in Hb level were evaluated. Outcomes were classified into two groups: successful recovery and failure despite successful PSA embolization. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in success, recurrence, and complication rate, and outcomes between the two embolic methods. There was a statistically significant correlation between the grades of shock indices and outcomes (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the Hb levels and outcomes. CONCLUSION: Outcomes were not dependent on the embolic methods. Shock index reflecting clinical status may be a simple predictor of outcome. PSA should therefore be treated by optimal embolic methods as quickly as possible to avoid rupture.     

Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: 6 years of experience at a single centre

Purpose

We sought to assess the effectiveness of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (EVAR) through a retrospective review of 6 years’ experience at a single centre.

Materials and methods

From April 2005 to August 2011, 222 patients affected by abdominal aortic aneurysms underwent EVAR. We evaluated primary technical success, postprocedural mortality, intraprocedural and postprocedural complications with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) follow-up at 1, 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter.

Results

The procedures were elective in 75.7% and urgent due to symptomatic or ruptured aneurysm in 24.3%. Technical success was 98.6%; three patients (1.4%) required conversion to open surgery. Postoperative mortality rate was 24% for urgent and 2.3% for elective procedures. During a mean follow-up period of 29.6 months, no cases of stent-graft migration were observed; the overall incidence of endoleaks was 27% (60/222) and comprised four type I (1.8%) and one type III (0.45%), all treated by stent-graft extension, and 55 type 2 (24.8%), eight of which (14.5%) were treated by percutaneous injection of thrombin. In 10/222 cases (4.5%), thrombotic occlusion of the iliac extension was detected, which was successfully treated by transcatheter intra-arterial thrombolysis. One patient developed stent-graft infection requiring surgical explantation. Average hospital stay was 4 days, and average time in intensive care was 2 days.

Conclusions

Consistent with the literature data, our study confirms the safety and long-term efficacy of EVAR for treating AAA.     

Sonographically guided compression repair of pseudoaneurysms: further experience from a single institution

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to perform a comprehensive review of our experience with compression of postcatheterization groin pseudoaneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty-one patients underwent 306 sonographically guided compression procedures on 297 groin pseudoaneurysms after femoral artery catheterization. The medical records, cardiac catheterization reports, and sonographic images were reviewed to determine patient demographics, type of catheterization procedure performed, sheath size, access site, interval from sheath removal to compression, anticoagulation status, pseudoaneurysm dimensions, complications, and follow-up information. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square and Kendall tau tests. RESULTS: The success rate for the initial compression attempt was 72.1%. Of the 83 failed compression attempts, 12 patients underwent a second attempt, of which seven attempts were successful. Therefore, counting both first and second attempts, the success rate was 74.4%. A strong negative correlation existed between anticoagulation status and success, with a 70% failure rate in patients with anticoagulated blood. Smaller pseudoaneurysm size was strongly correlated with success. Of the 83 failed cases, 49 ultimately underwent surgical repair. Eleven complications (3.6%) occurred, including three patients with rupture during compression. No deaths occurred as a result of compression repair. CONCLUSION: We conclude that sonographically guided pseudoaneurysm compression repair is an effective alternative to surgical repair, though nearly one third of compression attempts will fail and most of those patients will ultimately require surgery. The procedure is less effective when the patient's blood is anticoagulated and when the pseudoaneurysm is large. The procedure carries an overall complication rate of 3.6% and a risk for rupture of 1%.     

MR imaging of bladder endometriosis and its relationship with the anterior uterine wall: experience in a tertiary referral centre

Objective

Both the intraperitoneal seeding and the uterine-vesical extension theory have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of bladder endometriosis. The aim of this study was to describe MR imaging findings of bladder endometriosis and involvement of the anterior uterine wall in a tertiary referral centre for endometriosis in a effort to improve diagnosis and help clarify the pathogenesis.

Methods

In a single-centre, retrospective study (2004–2009), 463 consecutive patients analysed for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) were studied independently by two experienced readers for the presence of bladder endometriosis. MR studies revealing bladder endometriosis were then analysed in consensus for: location, size, signal intensity characteristics, uterine involvement, continuity with adenomyosis and presence of cysts. There was histopathologic correlation in 9 patients who had undergone partial bladder resection.

Results

Bladder endometriosis was diagnosed in 32 patients on MR imaging (k = 0.85). Most lesions showed heterogeneous isointensity compared to that of muscle on T2-weighed imaging, containing foci of high signal intensity, suggesting cystic ectopic endometrial glands. On T1-weighted imaging lesions showed heterogeneous isointensity with foci or small cysts, demonstrating high signal intensity, indicating hemorrhage, was observed. Uterine involvement was found in 94% of the lesions, with either “continuous” or “hourglass” configurations. Presence of contiguous adenomyosis was found in only 4 lesions.

Conclusions

With MR imaging, uterine involvement in bladder endometriosis is frequently found and in most cases located subserosally, suggesting extensive DIE, favouring the intraperitoneal seeding theory.     

High positive predictive value of CT colonography in a referral centre

Aim

To assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of CTC in the clinical routine of a dedicated referral centre.

Material and methods

All consecutive patients referred for CTC between May 2009 and May 2010 were considered for inclusion in this study. All the patients who, following the diagnosis of a > 6 mm polyp or mass at CTC, underwent a post-CTC colonoscopy within eight weeks from diagnosis were included. Per patient PPV for lesions, adenomas and advanced neoplasia was calculated. Chi-square test was used for statistical comparison, and a p value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

516 patients were included in the study. Of them, 76 (14%) patients had at least one lesion ≥6 mm on CTC. Overall, 59 (11%) patients were diagnosed at CTC with at least one polyp, 12 (2%) with a flat lesions, and 5 (1%) with a mass. Per-patient PPVs for any lesion >6 mm, neoplasia, and advanced neoplasia were 96% (95% CI: 92–100%), 68.4% (95% CI: 58–79%), and 30% (95% CI: 20–41%), respectively. PPV for neoplasia and advanced neoplasia was substantially higher for >10 mm lesions.

Conclusion

In dedicated centers, CTC appears to be a highly specific procedure, characterized by a very low rate of false-positive results for >6 mm lesions.     

Evaluation of the sensitivity of scout radiographs on unenhanced helical CT in identifying ureteric calculi: a large UK tertiary referral centre experience

Objective

Unenhanced helical CT for kidney, ureter and bladder (CT KUB) has become the standard investigation for renal colic. This study aims to determine the sensitivity of scout radiographs in detecting ureteric calculi using CT KUB as a standard reference.

Methods

A retrospective review of consecutive patients who presented with acute flank pain and were investigated using CT KUB. 201 patients with positive ureteric calculi were included. Two radiologists independently reviewed the scout radiographs with access to CT KUB images. Each observer recorded the presence or absence of calculi, location, size and mean Hounsfield units of each calculus.

Results

203 ureteric calculi were analysed from 201 patients. The overall sensitivity of scout radiographs for Observer A was 42.3% and for Observer B 52.2%, with an interobserver reliability κ-value of 0.78. The significance of mean Hounsfield units and size between two groups of patients with visible stones and those not visible were tested; the p-value for both variables was <0.0001, which is statistically significant. The study found that calculi in the upper ureter and larger than 4 mm are more likely to be seen on the scout radiograph.

Conclusions

Usage of CT scout radiography should be encouraged and reported routinely in conjunction with CT KUB as a baseline for treatment follow-up.Unenhanced helical CT for kidney, ureter and bladder (CT KUB) has become the standard investigation for renal colic [1,2]. Its superior sensitivity and specificity has led to the demise in popularity of intravenous urogram (IVU) [3-5], although there remain some concerns about radiation dose [6]. At our institution, CT KUB has been the first-line investigation for patients suspected of having acute renal colic since 2006 [7]. Serial plain abdominal radiographs (KUB) however remain useful baseline and follow-up investigations to track the passage of stones unless the calculi are radiographically occult, in which case CT KUB or ultrasound will then be the investigations of choice.Digital CT scout radiographs are produced routinely to assist in positioning patients before axial images are acquired. They are taken from the level of the xiphoid sternum to the level of the pubic symphysis. The scout view is often overlooked and deemed not to be of diagnostic quality. However it has been proposed that careful study of the scout radiograph may identify the calculus and negate the need for a baseline plain abdominal KUB radiograph [8].In our institution, only a small number of patients who had ureteric calculi diagnosed on CT KUB had baseline plain radiographs at the same clinical presentation; the timing of the baseline plain KUB radiographs taken differs depending on varying urologists'' clinical practices. This has posed a real clinical dilemma as the absence of calculi on follow-up plain KUB taken several days after the initial presentation could be due either to the successful passage of calculi or to a radiographically occult stone. As a consequence, repeat CT KUB is occasionally performed in order to clarify the position of the calculi. We postulate that, if scout radiographs have sufficient sensitivity to detect calculi, they can be reported in conjunction with all the CT KUB examinations and patients will have a clear follow-up pathway with either plain KUB or ultrasound at the time of presentation.Although there are several recently published series that evaluate the sensitivity of scout radiographs, the number of patients used was relatively small [8-11]. The primary aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of CT KUB scout radiographs in detecting ureteric calculi using CT KUB as a standard reference and comparing this against the recently published series. Factors that may affect the sensitivity of detection on scout radiographs will be evaluated. The secondary end point was to assess the sensitivity of plain radiographs in detecting ureteric calculi compared with scout radiographs using CT KUB as the gold standard. The potential saving on the cost of plain radiographs and radiation dose will be discussed.     

Clinical and ultrasound features of segmental testicular infarction: Six-year experience from a single centre

The purpose was to analyse the aetiology and ultrasound appearances of segmental testicular infarction. Patients with focal testicular lesions underwent colour Doppler high frequency ultrasound. Segmental testicular infarction was defined as any focal area of altered reflectivity, with or without focal enlargement with absent or diminished colour Doppler flow, proven on histology or on follow-up exclusion of lesion progression. Patients were reviewed to document lesion shape, position, border definition, reflectivity and vascularity and correlated to presenting clinical symptoms and signs. Over a 6-year period 24 patients were defined as having segmental testicular infarction; median age was 37 years (range 16–82 years). All presented with a sudden onset of testicular pain. Of the patients, 14/24 (58.3%) had scrotal inflammatory disease, 5/24 (20.8%) had evidence of spermatic cord torsion, and three patients were termed idiopathic; 12/24 (50.0%) were of low reflectivity, 11/24 (45.8%) of mixed reflectivity, one of high reflectivity, 11/24 (45.8%) were wedge shaped, and 13/24 (54.2%) were round shaped. Of the patients, 8/24 (33.3%) demonstrated a mass effect, all with round-shaped lesions and with underlying epididymo-orchitis in seven. Absent colour Doppler flow was demonstrated in 20/24 (83.3%). Histology confirmed infarction in 8/24 (33.3%), and 12/24 (50.0%) had follow-up examinations without progression of the lesions. Segmental testicular infarction has characteristic ultrasound features, not always wedge-shaped, with reduced or absent vascularity of key importance. Awareness of the ultrasound features will allow for conservative management and avoid unnecessary orchidectomy.     

Staphylococcal toxins in sudden unexpected death in infancy: experience from a single specialist centre

Around two thirds of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) remain unexplained following post-mortem examination. It has been postulated that a subset of unexplained SUDI may be caused by toxigenic Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of toxigenic S aureus strains in unexplained and explained SUDI (those in whom a cause of death is determined at autopsy). A retrospective review was performed of 546 SUDI autopsies as part of a larger review of >1,500 pediatric autopsies over a 10-year period, 1996–2005 inclusive. SUDI was defined as the sudden and unexpected death of an infant aged 7–365 days, and categorized into unexplained, explained with histological evidence of infection (bacterial infection group) or explained due to non-infective causes. Toxin gene profiling was carried out by PCR in cases in whom S aureus was isolated as part of clinical investigation. Of the 507 SUDI included in this analysis, bacteriological investigations were performed in 470, and S aureus was isolated on post-mortem culture from at least one site in 173 (37%). There were significantly more cases with S aureus isolated in unexplained SUDI (40%) compared to non-infective SUDI (21%; difference 19.0%, 95% CI 5.4% to 29.3%, P = 0.006). 46% of all cases with S aureus isolated underwent routine testing for a panel of staphylococcal toxin genes (including SEA to SEE, SEG to SEJ, TSST-1, and exfoliative toxins A and B). There were more cases with at least one toxigenic strain of S aureus in the unexplained SUDI (81%) and bacterial infection groups (77%) than in the non-infection group (63%), but these differences were not statistically significant (Fisher exact test, P = 0.44). Toxin gene-carrying S aureus is commonly detected at autopsy in SUDI, accounting for 78% of S aureus isolates submitted for toxin gene profiling in this series. There is a significantly higher prevalence of S aureus in unexplained SUDI compared to non-infective SUDI, but no significant difference in the proportion with toxigenic S aureus strains isolated between the groups. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that a subset of otherwise unexplained SUDI may be related to the presence of S aureus colonization/infection, but do not indicate routine testing for toxin-associated genotypes.     

覆膜支架治疗12例假性动脉瘤的体会

目的评估覆膜支架治疗假性动脉瘤的疗效。方法 2008年3月至2011年6月收治假性动脉瘤患者86例,其中12例采用覆膜支架腔内治疗。发病部位在胸主动脉4例,腹主动脉3例(1例肾上型,2例肾下型),颈总动脉3例,颈内动脉1例,右锁骨下动脉1例。术后对12例患者的疗效进行观察,并随访5～43个月。结果支架释放技术成功率为100%,所有12例假性动脉瘤植入覆膜支架后被立即隔绝,无内漏,载瘤动脉远端血流通畅。除1例失访外,其余11例平均随访23.5个月。1例合并白塞病患者术后4个月因腹主动脉破裂大出血死亡,其余10例随访结果良好,支架无狭窄、无移位、无内漏等相关并发症。结论应用覆膜支架治疗假性动脉瘤近期疗效良好,但远期疗效还需进一步观察。     

Metastatic carcinoma from unknown primary site: the experience of a large oncology centre

The case records of patients presenting with metastases from an unknown primary cancer (MUP) have been reviewed. Important prognostic variables were performance status and the presence of disease in more than one system. Patients of poor performance status and disease in multiple organs had a median survival of one month and 87% were dead within three months. Those patients of good performance status and disease apparent in only one organ had a median survival of seven months. Patients with carcinoma confined to lymph nodes in the high cervical region who received treatment with radiotherapy had 3- and 5-year survival rates of 26% and 17% respectively.     

Endovascular internal carotid artery trapping for ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms: long-term results from a single centre

Introduction

Endovascular internal carotid artery (ICA) trapping was performed to treat ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedural risks and long-term follow-up results.

Methods

The records of 11 consecutive patients with BBAs who underwent endovascular ICA trapping between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores.

Results

Endovascular ICA trapping was performed in 11 patients as either the primary treatment (7 patients) or the secondary treatment (4 patients) after the patient underwent other treatments. Three patients underwent superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass when balloon test occlusion (BTO) revealed inadequate collateral circulation. In the primary ICA trapping group (seven patients), six patients had good outcomes (mRS 0 in five, mRS 1 in one), and one patient had a poor outcome (mRS 6: dead). In the secondary ICA trapping group (four patients), two patients had good outcomes (mRS 0), and two patients had poor outcomes (mRS 4, 5). All ten of the surviving patients were clinically stable during the follow-up period (mean 39 months). A radiological follow-up of nine patients (mean 22 months) demonstrated stable occlusion, with the exception of one reopening of the ICA because of coil migration. Perfusion studies of nine patients (mean: 23 months) demonstrated no perfusion decrease.

Conclusion

Endovascular ICA trapping is an effective and durable treatment for BBAs.     

Post-radiofrequency ablation syndrome after percutaneous radiofrequency of abdominal tumours: one centre experience and review of published works

The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively post-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) syndrome and to determine its effect on the quality of life in the 15 days after percutaneous RFA treatment. We carried out an internal review board-approved prospective study of the delayed symptoms that occurred after 71 consecutive RFA sessions in 53 patients (12 women and 41 men; age range 45-83 years; mean age 71.6 years) with 45 primary liver tumours, 34 liver metastases, 3 renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 2 residual lesions from RCC after nephrectomy and 1 pancreatic metastases from RCC. Postablation symptoms occurred in 17 of 53 (32%) patients. Six of 17 patients developed low-grade fever (from 37.5 to 38.5 degrees C). Other symptoms included delayed pain (9/17), nausea (7/17), vomiting (3/17), malaise (3/17) and myalgia (1). Postablation syndrome is a common phenomenon after RFA of solid abdominal tumours. Not only in our study but also in the previous ones the occurrence is observed in approximately one-third patients. Patients should be informed that these symptoms are self-limiting after RFA and most patients should be able to resume near-complete preprocedural levels of activity within 10 days after the procedure.     

Our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral pseudoaneurysms

ObjectiveTo present our experience in the diagnosis and intravascular treatment of cerebral pseudoaneurysms.Material and methodsWe present 11 pseudoaneurysms (2 traumatic, 2 mycotic, 3 iatrogenic, and 4 with other causes). We analyze the methods and diagnostic criteria, radiological and clinical outcome, the criteria used in making decisions about treatment, the method of treatment, and the complications.ResultsDigital subtraction angiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of cerebral pseudoaneurysms; the diagnostic criteria in the literature include: aneurysms with early morphological changes and distal aneurysms or proximal aneurysms associated with another distal one, in the context of the right symptoms and signs. In the nine patients treated with endovascular techniques, the treatment objective was achieved and rebleeding did not occur.ConclusionsIn cases with clinical suspicion of a pseudoaneurysm, the patient should undergo angiography. This is especially important in patients with inexplicable cerebral hemorrhage and in those with septicemia. CT angiography and MR angiography have good diagnostic accuracy and can replace conventional angiography. However, the treatment of choice is endovascular and treatment should not be delayed unless access to the pseudoaneurysm is impeded, usually due to severe cerebral vasospasm.