The role of surgery in the management of unusual complications of transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is accepted to be an effective treatment in both resectable and nonresectable hepatoma, which is very prevalent in Taiwan. Two hundred and twenty-five embolizations of TAE were performed in 137 patients in a 3-year period. Postembolization syndrome developed in the majority of patients. We analyzed these patients to study the nature and incidence of unusual complications and the surgical role in their managment. In our series, unusual complications, which were rarely reported in the literature, included 13 cases (5.8%) of gastroduodenal bleeding, 2 cases (0.9%) of duodenal perforation, 9 cases (4.0%) of acute pancreatitis with 1 case of gangrenous change, 24 cases (10.7%) of gallbladder infarction with 1 case of perforation, 4 cases (1.8%) of delayed formation of gallstones, 3 cases (1.3%) of hyperuricemia, and 2 cases (0.9%) of hepatoma rupture. Ischemic necrosis of the organs may be attributed to the inadvertent blockade of the gastroduodenal artery, gastric artery, cystic artery, and important collaterals. Inadequate superselectivity, the size of the tumor, regurgitation of embolus, anatomical variations, injury of vessel intima, or pseudoaneurysm formation resulting from previous embolization attempts made the avoidance of complications difficult with this technique. Most of the unusual complications could be managed by conservative treatment, but urgent operation was indicated in the cases of organ perforation. Elective operation was also needed for the delayed formation of gallstones with prominent symptoms. Awareness of the occurrence of these untoward sequelae makes us more careful in the evaluation and long-term follow-up of patients following TAE. Surgical intervention plays a selective but important role in the management of these unusual complications.

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Resumen La embolización arterial por cateterismo (EAC) es aceptada como tratamiento efectivo tanto en los hepatomas resecables como en los no resecables, tumores de alta incidencia en Taiwan. Doscientos veinticinco embolizaciones por EAC fueron realizadas en 137 pacientes en un período de 3 años; el síndrome de postembolización se desarrolló en la mayoría de los pacientes. Hemos analizado estos pacientes para estudiar la naturaleza y la incidencia de las complicaciones poco usuales y el papel de la cirugía en su manejo. Las complicaciones poco usuales observadas en nuestra serie, las cuales son raramente informadas en la literatura, incluyen 13 casos (5.8%) de hemorragia gastroduodenal, 2 casos (0.9%) de perforación duodenal, 9 casos (4.0%) de pancreatitis aguda con 1 caso de necrosis gangrenosa, 24 casos (10.7%) de infarto de la vesícula biliar con 1 caso de perforación, 4 casos (1.8%) de formación tardía de cálculos, 3 casos (1.3%) de hiperuricemia, y 2 casos (0.9%) de ruptura del hepatoma. La necrosis isquémica de los órganos puede ser atribuida a la oclusión inadvertida de la arteria gastroduodenal, la arteria gástrica, la arteria cística, y colaterales importantes. Superselectividad inadecuada, tamaño del tumor, regurgitación del émbolo, variaciones anatómicas, lesión de la íntima de la pared vascular, o formación de pseudoaneurismas como consecuencia de intentos previos de embolización hicieron difícil evitar las complicaciones con esta técnica. La mayoría de estas complicaciones poco usuales pudieron ser manejadas con tratamiento conservador, pero la operación de urgencia fue necesaria en casos de perforación de un órgano. La operación electiva también fue necesaria en los casos con formación tardía de cálculos biliares y síntomas prominentes. La toma de conciencia sobre la posibilidad de este tipo de secuelas nos ha hecho aún más cuidadosos en la evaluación y el seguimiento a largo plazo de los pacientes sometidos a EAC. La intervención quirúrgica juega un papel selectivo pero importante en el manejo de estas complicaciones poco usuales.

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Résumé L'embolisation par cathétérisme artériel occupe à Taiwan une place fiable dans le traitement de l'hépatome opérable ou de l'hépatome inopérable. Au cours d'une période de 3 ans 225 embolisations intra-artérielle ont été pratiquées chez 137 malades. Dans la majorité des cas l'embolisation a entrainé des phénomènes secondaires anormaux. Les auteurs font état de complications inhabituelles qui ont été rarement relatées dans la littérature: 13 cas (5.8%) d'hémorragie gastro-duodénale, 2 cas (0.9%) de perforation duodénale, 9 cas (4.0%) de pancréatite aigue dont une avec altérations gangréneuses, 24 cas (10.7%) d'infarcissement de la vésicule dont un avec perforation, 4 cas (1.8%) de formation retardée de calculs vésiculaires, 3 cas (1.3%) d'hyperuricémie, 2 cas (0.9%) de rupture de l'hématome. La nécrose ischémique des organes peut être attribuée à l'obstruction imprévue de l'artère gastro-duodénale, de l'artère gastrique, de l'artère cystique, et d'importantes collatérales. De multiples facteurs peuvent être invoqués pour expliquer les complications indésirables de l'embolisation: cathétérisme hypersélectif inadéquat, volume de la tumeur, régurgitation de l'embolus, blessure de l'intima artérielle, formation pseudoanévrysmale résultant de tentatives antérieures de cathétérisme artériel. La majorité d'entre elles peuvent être traitées médicalement mais l'intervention d'urgence s'impose quand une perforation viscérale est en cause. Il convient également de procéder à la cholécystectomie lorsque la lithiase vésiculaire entraîne des troubles importants. Connaître l'existence possible de ces accidents fâcheux doit rendre circonspect dans l'évaluation exacte de la valeur et le suivi à long terme de l'embolisation. De toute façon l'intervention chirurgicale est indispensable pour traiter certaines complications de l'embolisation.

     

EVALUATION OF INDOCYANINE GREEN RETENTION AND AMINOPYRINE BREATH TESTS IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT BILIARY OBSTRUCTION

Impaired hepatic function is a major contributory factor to the high incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Dynamic hepatic function tests such as indocyanine green (ICG) retention and aminopyrine breath tests were evaluated in such patients to define whether they were clinically useful for prediction of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Forty-four patients with malignant biliary obstruction undergoing surgery for relief of obstructive jaundice were recruited into the study. Indocyanine green retention and aminopyrine breath tests were carried out in all patients pre-operatively and repeated in 36 patients postoperatively. The ICG retention was abnormal in all patients before surgery and there was significant improvement 2 weeks after surgery (32.8 ± 2.5%vs 18.3 ± 2.8%, P= 0.001). The change in ICG retention levels correlated with the serum bilirubin levels but the pre-operative ICG retention value could not predict postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aminopyrine breath test was abnormal in all but one patient. It correlated with pre-operative prothrombin time of the patients before surgery but it did not improve significantly after surgery and was not predictive of postoperative outcome. It is concluded that both ICG retention and aminopyrine breath tests have limited clinical value in the pre-operative evaluation of patients with malignant biliary obstruction.     

Immunology: High fecundity rates following in- vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in antiphospholipid antibody seropositive women treated with heparin and aspirin

This study was undertaken to explore whether intervention withheparin and aspirin (H/A) in selected patients undergoing in-vitrofertilization (TVF) and embryo transfer could improve fecundityrates. Specifically, it explored the possibility that womendiagnosed with organic pelvic disease who demonstrated antiphospholipidantibodies (APA) could benefit from H/A administration in asimilar manner to that used in patients with recurrent pregnancyloss. We used an enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay forsix different phospholipids to identify patients who expressedAPA before they underwent IVF/embryo transfer. This study wasconfined to the first IVF/embryo transfer cycle that followedassessment of APA status and accordingly, the number of IVF/embryotransfer cycles corresponds with the number of patients treated.APA seropositive patients were treated with aspirin, 81 mg orallyq.d., and heparin 5000 IU s.c. b.i.d., beginning on day 1 ofcontrolled ovarian stimulation. The endpoint for success wasa live birth or an ultrasound confirming fetal cardiac activity(a viable pregnancy). The prevalence of APA in patients diagnosedwith organic pelvic disease (53%) was much higher than in thosewithout female pathology (14%). The administration of H/A toAPA seropositive patients significantly (P < 0.05) improvedthe viable pregnancy rate (49%) compared to the untreated APAseropositive group (16%). The viable pregnancy rate for APAseropositive women treated with H/A was also significantly (P< 0.001) higher than for untreated APA seronegative patients(27%). We conclude that all women undergoing IVF/embryo transfershould be tested for APA prior to initiating ovarian stimulation,and those with APA seropositivity should be treated with H/A.     

Benzo(a)pyrene inhibits epidermal growth factor binding and receptor autophosphorylation in human placental cell cultures

Studies investigated the effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) treatment on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor binding and kinase activity in human placental cell cultures. Specific binding of 125I-EGF to cells from early gestation placentae was significantly decreased by 37 and 60% following exposure to 1 and 10 microM BP, respectively, for 24 hr. In contrast, cells cultured from term placentae showed no inhibitory effect of either concentration of BP. Specific binding of 125I-labeled insulin and insulin-like growth factors-I and -II to early gestation cells was decreased only 15-18% at 10 microM BP, which indicates that loss of membrane receptors appears to be selective for EGF. Scatchard analysis of early gestation cells revealed that BP was associated with a dose-dependent loss in the number of high affinity EGF binding sites. Evidence from cross-linking and autophosphorylation experiments confirmed that the Mr 170,000 binding protein was decreased in a dose-dependent manner following BP treatment. In comparison, term placental cells exhibit a 26% loss of EGF receptor autophosphorylation without alteration in binding following exposure to 10 microM BP. Thus, early gestation cells exhibit a BP-related down-regulation of EGF receptors, whereas term placental cells show receptor desensitization. No adverse effect of BP treatment was observed on the incorporation of [35S] methionine into proteins secreted by early gestation cells. Further experiments compared the effects of BP with the related poly-cyclic compounds beta-naphthoflavone, alpha-naphthoflavone, and 3-methylcholanthrene. In early gestation cells, EGF binding and receptor autophosphorylation were measurably decreased at 10 microM concentrations of these polycyclic compounds, but to a lesser extent than observed with BP. In term placental cells, however, EGF binding was unchanged or increased, whereas receptor autophosphorylation was decreased 10-26%. Thus, exposure of term placental cells to these polycyclic compounds leads to a dissociation between EGF binding and receptor protein kinase activity. Finally, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was induced 20- to 200-fold in early placental cells exposed to BP, beta-naphthoflavone, and 3-methylcholanthrene. In summary, the direct effects of BP and related compounds observed on placental EGF receptors may indicate altered function of EGF in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation in the human placenta.     

Identifying potential indicators of the quality of end-of-life cancer care from administrative data.

PURPOSE: To explore potential indicators of the quality of end-of-life services for cancer patients that could be monitored using existing administrative data. METHODS: Quality indicators were identified and assessed by literature review for proposed indicators, focus groups with cancer patients and family members to assess candidate indicators and generate new ideas, and an expert panel ranking the meaningfulness and importance of each potential indicator using a modified Delphi approach. RESULTS: There were three major concepts of poor quality of end-of-life cancer care that could be examined using currently-available administrative data (such as Medicare claims): institution of new anticancer therapies or continuation of ongoing treatments very near death; a high number of emergency room visits, inpatient hospital admissions, or intensive care unit days near the end of life; and a high proportion of patients never enrolled in hospice, only admitted in the last few days of life, or dying in an acute-care setting. Concepts such as access to psychosocial and other multidisciplinary services and pain and symptom control are important and may eventually be feasible, but they cannot currently be applied in most data systems. Indicators based on limiting the use of treatments with low probability of benefit or indicators based on economic efficiency were not acceptable to patients, family members, or physicians. CONCLUSION: Several promising claims-based quality indicators were identified that, if found to be valid and reliable within data systems, could be useful in identifying health-care systems in need of improving end-of-life services.     

Magnetic nanoparticle labeling of mesenchymal stem cells without transfection agent: cellular behavior and capability of detection with clinical 1.5 T magnetic resonance at the single cell level.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of labeling human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) by ionic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) without a transfection agent and verifying its capability to be detected with clinical 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) at the single-cell level. Human hMSCs were incubated for 24 h with an ionic SPIO, Ferucarbotran. The labeling efficiency of hMSCs was determined by iron content measurement spectrophotometrically, and the influence of labeling on cell behavior was ascertained by examination of cell viability using the trypan blue exclusion method, cell proliferation analysis using MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) change, differentiation capacity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production measured by dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescent probe. Labeled hMSCs were scanned under 1.5 T MRI with three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) T(2)-weighted gradient echo (GRE) pulse sequences. Human hMSC labeling without transfection agent was efficient. The iron content in hMSCs was 23.4 pg Fe/cell. No significant change was found in viability, proliferation, MMP change, ROS production, or differentiation capacity. About 45.2% of the hMSCs could be detected using 1.5 T MRI at the single cell level with 3D GRE and four repetitions.     

发育性偏颌畸形的整形外科矫治

目的探讨发育性偏颌畸形的外科矫治方法。方法通过对21例发育性偏颌畸形患者的畸形部位与程度，分别采用LefortⅠ型截骨、下颌升支矢状劈开、颏部水平截骨、下颌骨外板截除、下颌骨外板移植等项整形手术治疗，并就该类患者颌面结构特征、手术方式的选择及疗效进行了回顾性分析。结果自1997年7月至2003年10月共治疗发育性下颌偏斜畸形21例，根据不同的类型采用相应的手术方法，获得了满意面部形态和殆功能。结论发育性偏颌畸形，根据不同类型运用相应的措施，通过恢复面部骨性轮廓支架和殆关系，配合术前术后的正畸治疗，可获得满意的临床效果。     

Post-injury regeneration in rat sciatic nerve facilitated by neurotrophic factors secreted by amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells.

Amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to secrete neurotrophic factors that are able to promote neuron survival in vitro. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of neurotrophic factors secreted by rat amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells on regeneration of sciatic nerve after crush injury. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were used. The left sciatic nerve was crushed with a vessel clamp. Rat amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells embedded in fibrin glue were delivered to the injured nerve. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunocytochemistry were used to detect neurotrophic factors secreted by the amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells. Nerve regeneration was assessed by motor function, electrophysiology, histology, and immunocytochemistry studies. Positive CD29/44, and negative CD11b/45, as well as high levels of expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) were demonstrated in amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells. Motor function recovery, the compound muscle action potential, and nerve conduction latency showed significant improvement in rats treated with amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells. ELISA measurement in retrieved nerves displayed statistically significant elevation of CNTF and NT-3. The immunocytochemical studies demonstrated positive staining for NT-3 and CNTF in transplanted cells. The histology and immunocytochemistry studies revealed less fibrosis and a high level of expression of S-100 and glial fibrillary acid protein at the crush site. Rat amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells may facilitate regeneration in the sciatic nerve after crush injury. The increased nerve regeneration found in this study may be due to the neurotrophic factors secreted by amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells.     

Clinicopathological Feature and Surgical Outcome of Choledochal Cyst in Different Age Groups: The Implication of Surgical Timing

Background/aims  Surgical resection of choledochal cysts (CC) has become standard treatment. However, surgery is not universally recommended in early infancy and/or asymptomatic patients. In order to investigate the optimal timing of CC excision, we analyzed clinicopathological data and surgical results from different age groups. Material and methods  This retrospective review included 107 patients (77 females, 30 males) who underwent CC resection at the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 1988 and December 2005. Patient demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected and analyzed. Results  The patients were divided into three groups according to age at the time of surgery: <1 year old (group I, n = 26), 1−16 years old (group II, n = 48), and >16 years old (group III, n = 33). About two thirds of the patients in group I had jaundice, while abdominal pain related to inflammation was the commonest symptom in groups II and III. Group I suffered significantly fewer surgical complications and less severe liver fibrosis than groups II or III. Conclusion  CC surgery in infancy and in asymptomatic patients is safe and may prevent the complications of this condition. The results support a recommendation for early excision.