Biodegradable Polydioxanone Microspheres for Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: Proof of Principle

PurposeTo evaluate feasibility, embolization success, biodegradability, reperfusion, and biocompatibility of biodegradable microspheres (MS) made from polydioxanone (PDO) for transcatheter arterial embolization.Materials and MethodsUnilateral selective renal embolization of a segmental artery was performed in 16 New Zealand White rabbits with PDO-MS (100–150 μm and 90–315 μm). Animals were randomly assigned to different observation periods and underwent control digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MR imaging immediately (n = 3), 1 week (n = 2), 4 weeks (n = 2), 8 weeks (n = 2), 12 weeks (n = 5), and 16 weeks (n = 2) after embolization. Kidneys were harvested for macroscopic and histologic analysis of embolization success, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.ResultsEmbolization was technically successful in 15 of 16 animals. One animal died of anesthesia-related circulatory failure. The 100–150 μm MS were injected easily through 3-F catheters; the 90–315 μm MS tended to clog with intermittent catheter obstruction. DSA and MR imaging showed successful target embolization in 13 of 15 animals. In 2 animals, the entire kidney was affected owing to catheter clogging, including a reflux of MS while flushing. Control DSA and MR imaging showed increasing vascular reperfusion with time. Macroscopic and histologic analysis revealed necrosis/infarction in areas in which embolization was achieved. MS were extensively degraded after 16 weeks, and overall inflammatory reaction was mild.ConclusionsBiodegradable PDO-MS induced effective embolization of target vessels while demonstrating good biocompatibility. MS increasingly dissolved at 16 weeks, partial reperfusion started at week 1, and complete reperfusion started at week 8, thus offering possible advantages as a temporary embolic agent.     

Inline Balloon Occlusion–Assisted Delivery of Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer for Peripheral Arterial Applications: A Multicenter Case Series

PurposeTo assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of balloon-assisted delivery of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) for a range of peripheral arterial applications.Materials and MethodsSix academic medical centers entered retrospective data on 46 consecutive patients (27 men, 19 women; ages, 11–94 y; mean age, 50.3 y) who underwent 60 balloon-assisted EVOH procedures. The cohort was restricted to procedures involving peripheral, nonneural arteries 1–5.5 mm in diameter. Clinical indications included a wide range of vascular pathologic conditions (most commonly arteriovenous malformations [n = 20], renal angiomyolipomas [n = 8], and acute hemorrhage [n = 9]) and targeted visceral and musculoskeletal peripheral arteries. Data collected included sex, age, clinical indication, arterial pathology, arteries embolized, type of occlusion balloon microcatheter, type and concentration of EVOH agent, effectiveness as an embolic backstop, vessels protected, adequacy of EVOH cast penetration, catheter extraction, nontarget embolization, and complications.ResultsBalloon occlusion prevented EVOH reflux in 59 of 60 procedures (98.3%). Nontarget EVOH embolization occurred in 2 procedures (3.3%). Adequate EVOH cast penetration and complete filling of the target pathologic structure were seen in 57 of 60 procedures (95%). Balloon deflation and uneventful extraction occurred in all procedures; small EVOH fragments detached into target arteries in 2 cases. One major (1.7%) and 2 minor (3.3%) complications occurred.ConclusionsBalloon-assisted EVOH embolization of peripheral arteries is feasible, safe, effective, and versatile. The primary advantage of balloon-assisted EVOH embolization is the ability to apply more injection pressure to advance the EVOH cast assertively into the pathologic structure(s).     

Prostatic Artery Embolization—Anatomic Predictors of Technical Outcomes

PurposeTo determine if cone-beam CT and digital subtraction angiography analysis of pelvic arterial anatomy has predictive value for radiation exposure and technical success of prostatic artery embolization (PAE).Materials and MethodsThis prospective, nonrandomized, single-center study included 104 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cone-beam CT was performed in 160/208 (76.9%) hemipelves to determine prostatic artery (PA) origin. Classification of pelvic arterial tortuosity was possible in 73/104 (70.2%) patients. Learning curves of 2 interventionalists who performed 86.5% of PAEs were analyzed.ResultsTortuosity of pelvic arteries was classified as mild in 25 (34.2%) patients median age 64 years, moderate in 40 (54.8%) patients median age 69 years, and severe in 8 (11.0%) patients median age 70 years (mild vs moderate, P = .002; mild vs severe, P = .019); median fluoroscopy times were 24, 36, and 46 minutes (P = .008, P = .023); median contrast volumes were 105, 122.5, and 142 mL (P = .029, P = .064); and bilateral PAE rates were 84.0%, 77.5%, and 62.5% (P = .437), respectively. PA origin from superior vesical artery was most frequent (27.5%) and showed higher dose area product (median 402.4 vs 218 Gy ∙ cm², P = .033) and fluoroscopy time (median 42.5 vs 27 min, P = .01) compared with PA origin from obturator artery, which was least frequent. Interventionalist experience revealed significant impact on procedure times (median 159 vs 130 min, P = .006).ConclusionsTortuosity of pelvic arteries was more frequent in older patients and predicted worse technical outcomes of PAE. PA origin from obturator artery was associated with lower dose area product and fluoroscopy time, especially compared with PA origin from superior vesical artery. Interventionalist experience showed significant influence on technical outcome.     

脊椎转移瘤增强减影MR成像

目的评估增强减影在脊椎转移瘤MR I中的应用价值。方法50例脊椎转移瘤病人进行MR I增强扫描,对比剂采用Gd-DTPA(0.1 mmol/kg),然后用T1W I增强后的图像与增强前的图像进行减影。通过对比噪声比(CNR)、信噪比(SNR)以及肿瘤边界清晰程度的比较,对MR I减影与否进行评估。结果MR I对比增强减影图像比传统的T1W I增强图像显示更清晰、更直观。所有脊椎转移瘤图像MR I减影的CNR和SNR比常规T1W I增强图像的CNR和SNR高。MR I减影CNR为155.05±24.73(x±SD),常规T1W I增强图像的CNR为11.11±14.26(t=35.65,Ρ<0.001)。MR I减影SNR为192.82±32.89(x±SD),常规T1W I增强图像的SNR为46.03±28.22(t=23.95,Ρ<0.001))。MR I对比增强减影图像比传统的T1W I增强图像能更好地显示脊椎转移瘤的边界和侵犯情况(2χ=29.34,Ρ<0.005)。结论MR I增强减影为探查和评估脊椎转移瘤提供了一个新的诊断方法。     

数字减影血管造影与介入治疗在胃肠道动脉性出血中的应用价值

目的 探讨数字减影血管造影(DSA)诊断与介入治疗在胃肠道动脉性出血中的应用价值.方法 回顾性总结78例消化道动脉性出血患者的DSA表现和动脉栓塞、药物灌注的治疗经验.结果 本组患者十二指肠溃疡15例,胃溃疡5例,胃癌2例,Dieulafoy病1例,血管畸形和发育不良9例,胃肠术后吻合口出血8例,肝胆疾患术后肝动脉破裂出血10例,Crohn病5例、肠道憩室出血6例、小肠炎或溃疡6例,小肠息肉3例,小肠中度恶性间质瘤1例,小肠高分化平滑肌肉瘤2例,直结肠癌5例.74%(58/78)的患者DSA造影阳性,造影剂外溢直接征象者33%(26/78),术后吻合口出血直接征象者83%(15/18).介入治疗的病例中动脉药物灌注15例,技术成功率60%(9/15),临床成功率40%(6/15);栓塞36例,技术成功率86%(31/36),临床成功率72%(26/36);介人治疗后再出血率16%(8/51),其中1例栓塞后再呕血经胃镜治疗无效死亡.DSA造影和介入治疗后手术者27例,造影与术后病理诊断的符合率为78%(21/27).随访时间2个月至3年,未发生胃肠道缺血坏死等并发症.结论 DSA对消化道动脉性出血的定位、定性有着重要价值,选择性动脉栓塞及药物灌注止血安全有效,有助于择期手术和并发症处理.     

Screening Mouse Genes Related to Blastocyst Implantation by Using PCR Subtraction

Objective To identify genes that may be related to embryo implantation Materials & Methods The PCR subtraction technique was applied at implantation and inter-plantation sites on day 4. 5 of pregnancy in mice. Two novel Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs ), EST8 and EST81 were identified; their expression in tissues was analyzed by Northern blotting, and their full-length cDNAs were synthesized by PCR.Results We found that these two novel ESTs (EST8and EST81) were noticeably expressed in implantation site in the mouse on day 4. 5 of pregnancy. EST8 was expressed at high level in livers and implantation sites of the mice, while at low level in ovaries and inter-plantation sites. EST81 was predominantly expressed in implantation site and ovary, and at low level in all other tissues. Their complete cDNAs, 1 665bp and 1 264 bp respectively, were synthesized by using PCR.Conclusion The two full-length cDNAs were responsible for embryo implantation,and their functions need to be further studied.     

采用DSA设备评价吞咽功能的初步探讨

目的:探讨运用DSA设备作吞咽功能检查的价值。材料和方法:用DSA设备对正常组24例,咽异感症患者32例,做上至颅底、下达第七颈椎平面的正侧位动态采集,了解吞咽状况,并行咽传输时间测定,进行对照研究。结果:正常对照组咽传输时间为1.441±0.302s,咽异感症患者咽传输时间为1.367±0.409s,两组结果相比统计学上无显著差异,但后者较易发生咽部钡剂滞留等改变。结论:DSA机由于采集速度快,不但在心血管检查及介入治疗方面有重要意义,而且在非血管性脏器的动力学检查中也起着一定的作用。由于能完整记录钡剂通过咽部的全过程,故此方法是吞咽功能检查的良好方法之一。     

Kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols

Two samples of kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols were examined in two time points in one academic year. About 85% of Chinese five year olds (mean = 5 years 10 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 30 or larger. At the end of the kindergarten year, 94% of Chinese six year olds (mean = 6 years 4 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 100 or larger. Some Chinese six year olds had problems in representing written addition and subtraction tasks. Children's ability to represent written number symbols, ability to represent written addition and subtraction formula and their performance on written addition and subtraction were closely related. The performance of children in a university-affiliated childcare center was better than that of the center serving working-class families in Time 1, but the performance reversed at the end of the kindergarten year.