The arteries of the roof of the fourth ventricle

Summary This is an anatomical and radiological study based on an examination, in the lateral and 4 frontal projections, of the brainstem and cerebellum in 70 subjects.     

A case report of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty following failure of femoro-popliteal venous bypass graft

This brief case report illustrates the utility of angioplasty in lower-extremity limb salvage situations that often occur following failure of femoro-popliteal bypass grafting, as well as the use of angio-plasty in tibial vessels. It also demonstrates that angioplasty of multiple lesions can be successfully achieved at a single sitting.     

Direct measured systolic pressure gradients across the aorto-iliac segment in multiple-level-obstruction arteriosclerosis

Patients with severe ischemia due to multilevel obstructions in the leg arteries both above and below the groin were assessed preoperatively by intraarterial brachial and femoral artery pressure measurements. The systolic pressure drop along aortoiliac obstructions was compared to the angiographic findings. A consistent pressure gradient was found in the various types of arterial occlusions. In patients with occlusion of both the aorta and the iliac arteries, the systolic pressure drop was about 60% (range, 50–78%, SD 9%). The various types of iliac artery occlusions resulted in quite uniform systolic pressure drops of about 50% (range 35–68%, SD 9%). In contrast, the systolic pressure drop along different types of iliac stenoses showed a wide variation, ranging from a minimal drop to about 60%. The degree of stenosis on the angiogram was correlated significantly with the pressure drop. Due to large variations, however, this angiographic information was found to be useless in the individual patient. No difference in the pressure drop was found between cases in which rich and poor collateral networks were visualized. Presented at the Elsinore Symposium September 1978     

The arteries of the humeral head and their relevance in fracture treatment

Bone vascularisation has gained increased interest in relation to the blood supply of bone fragments during treatment of fractures. In the current study the pattern of vascular supply of the proximal humerus was studied in six cadavers by the corrosion technique. Furthermore, the effect of fractures on the vascular supply was also investigated. In all preparations the intraosseous arteries of the humeral head arose from the circumflex arteries, which surrounded the humerus and dispatched branches towards the proximal end. The main vessel was the branch of the anterior circumflex artery, penetrating the major tubercle in six of six cases. Due to the intraosseous arch shape of this vessel it is referred to as the arcuate artery. Besides other smaller vessels, there was also a vascular network arising from the posterior circumflex artery. Their branches penetrated medially at the cartilage bone interface in five of six preparations. The medial bone arteries appear to gain distinctive importance in humeral head fractures by their impact on the vascularisation of the fracture fragments. After disruption of the arterial supply from the arcuate artery, the vascularisation of the head fragments is most likely ensured by this group of vessels. Therefore, necessary repositioning manoeuvres during open reduction of the fracture should be conducted with care in order to preserve these arteries.     

Stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial wide-necked aneurysms

The endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms with coils poses significant technical challenges, particularly with respect to wide-necked aneurysms. We present the results of our initial experiences in using a stent for endovascular treatment of aneurysms, with an emphasis on potential applications, technical aspects, and associated complications. Twenty-three wide-necked aneurysms from 22 patients were treated during the 13-month study period. Seven patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Aneurysms were located at the internal carotid artery (n=14), the vertebral artery (n=3), the basilar artery (n=5), and the middle cerebral artery (n=1). A Neuroform stent² was used for stent-assisted procedures. Premedication with antithrombotic agents was available for unruptured cases. Postprocedural antithrombotic medication was prescribed for all patients. Nineteen aneurysms were primarily stented, followed by coil placement. For five of these aneurysms, stenting was performed subsequent to failure of an attempt to frame with an initial coil. Stenting for the remaining four aneurysms was performed as a rescue procedure to prevent the migration of previously placed coils. Complete occlusion was obtained in ten aneurysms, nearly complete occlusion (95% or more occluded) in 11 aneurysms, and partial occlusion (less than 95% occluded) in one aneurysm. In one aneurysm, we failed to navigate the microcatheter into the aneurysmal sac through the interstices of the stent. Stent thrombosis was noted during the procedure in one patient. Hemorrhagic complication on the 25th day after the procedure was noted in one patient. No procedure-related complications were observed during the procedure or during follow-up in the remaining 20 patients, including seven patients who did not receive antithrombotic agents prior to endovascular treatment owing to recent subarachnoid hemorrhage. To overcome the technical limitation in the coiling of wide-necked aneurysms, stent-assisted coil embolization may be a technically feasible and relatively safe method, even though longer periods of follow-up are required.     

Idiopathic renal arteriovenous fistula treated by transcatheter embolization

Renal arteriovenous fistulas (RAVFs) are unusual lesions with a variety of clinical manifestations. Traditionally, these lesions have been treated surgically. We report on an idiopathic, high-flow RAVF and an aneurysm treated successfully with the embolization technique. The endovascular management of RAVFs in carefully selected patients is a safe and effective therapeutic technique.     

Causes of Arterial Bleeding After Living Donor Liver Transplantation and the Results of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization

Objective

To analyze the causes of arterial bleeding after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).

Materials and Methods

Forty-two sessions of conventional arteriography were performed in 32 of the 195 patients who underwent LDLT during the past 2 years. This was done in search of bleeding foci of arterial origin. TAE was performed with microcoils or gelatin sponge particles. The causes of arterial bleeding, the technical and clinical success rates of TAE and the complications were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Forty-two bleeding foci of arterial origin were identified on 30 sessions of arteriography in 21 patients. The most common cause of bleeding was percutaneous procedures in 40% of the patients (17 of the 42 bleeding foci) followed by surgical procedures in 36% (15/42). The overall technical and clinical success rates of TAE were 21 (70%) and 20 (67%) of the 30 sessions, respectively. The overall technical success rate of TAE for the treatment of bleeding from the hepatic resection margin, hepatic artery anastomotic site and hepaticojejunostomy was only 18% (2/11), whereas for the treatment of bleeding in the other locations the technical and clinical success rates of TAE were 100% and 95%, respectively. No procedure-related major complications occurred.

Conclusion

In the case of arterial bleeding after LDLT, percutaneous procedure-related hemorrhages were as common as surgery-related hemorrhages. There were technical difficulties in using TAE for the treatment of hepatic arterial bleeding. However, in the other locations, TAE seems to be safe and effective for the control of arterial bleeding in LDLT recipients.     

Visualization of the internal mammary artery via the hepatic falciform artery in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma

The hepatic falciform artery is a small vessel that arises as a terminal branch of the middle or left hepatic artery. Its anatomy and clinical importance have been described in several recent reports. During dissection of a cadaver, this artery is generally found connected with the ensiform branch of the internal mammary artery. However, to our knowledge, anastomosis has not previously been described radiologically.     

The nutrient artery canal of the femur: a radiological study in patients with primary total hip replacement

Objective Plain antero-posterior and lateral radiographs of the femur often show radiolucent lines, which may reflect the canal of a nutrient artery. In patients who have undergone total hip replacement these radiolucent lines must be differentiated from fractures caused by bursting of the shaft during the procedure.Design and patients In a retrospective radiological study 129 extremities of 95 patients with cementless primary hip prostheses were examined for radiolucent lines. Pre- and postoperative antero-posterior and lateral radiographs were analyzed.Results In 34 of 129 extremities (26.4%) radiolucent lines compatible with a nutrient artery canal were detected, 14 of which (10.9% overall) were seen on lateral radiographs. In 11 of 129 extremities (8.5%) a nutrient artery canal was detected only on the antero-posterior views, while in 9 of 129 extremities (7.0%) it was well defined in both projections. One patient (0.8%) presented with a fracture postoperatively, which was radiologically distinct from a nutrient artery canal. The distance between the tip of the greater trochanter and the proximal end of the nutrient artery canal was 170±25 mm; the canal length was 27±9 mm.Conclusion Nutrient artery canals are often seen radiologically on pre- and postoperative radiographs down to the mid-shaft level and should be routinely recorded.     

获得性动-静脉瘘的介入微创治疗

目的 评价用介入微创技术治疗获得性动一静脉瘘(AVF)的安全性和疗效。方法 对10例不适宜传统外科治疗的AVF患者进行介入治疗,包括肾动-静脉瘘4例、髂动-静脉瘘3例、锁骨下动-静脉瘘3例。致病原因为穿通性损伤5例、医源性损伤3例、恶性肿瘤和小肠Crohn病各1例。就诊时临床表现有肢体肿胀-静脉显露6例、局部血管杂音10例、心脏负荷增加10例、右心功能衰竭2例、血尿4例。3例用经导管超选择性栓塞,7例用被覆膜支架置人封闭瘘口。结果 10例患者均治疗成功,治疗结束时复查血管造影显示瘘口被封闭。轻微并发症3例,无严重并发症。术后患者局部肿胀、静脉充血、心脏负荷过度等症状迅速改善,血管杂音消失;肾脏AVF患者,术后肾功能测定属于正常,其中2例肾动脉被覆膜支架置入患者同位素肾扫描显示患侧肾脏形态-功能正常。术后随访6个月至6年。3例患者分别于术后6、9、14个月死于与AVF无关的疾病;2例于术后3周、2个月因AVF复发,在原支架区再次置入一个被覆膜支架后残留瘘口闭塞;2例于术后6、8个月复查造影显示支架区存在轻度狭窄。7例患者仍然生存,未再针对AVF进行外科或介人治疗。结论 介入微创技术,包括超选择性栓塞和被覆膜支架置入术,是治疗获得性、复杂型AVF安全有效的方法。