Basic Arterial Anatomy and Interpretation of CT Angiography for Intra-Abdominal or Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Correlation with Conventional Angiographic Findings for Beginners

It is essential to identify the causative artery in case of active intra-abdominal or gastrointestinal bleeding. A thorough understanding of the basic arterial anatomy is required to identify the causative artery on contrast-enhanced CT angiography and conventional catheter angiography. If one is familiar with the basic arterial anatomy, obtaining access to the bleeding artery will be easier, despite the variations in the origin and course of the vessels. We describe the basic arterial anatomy that will help beginners in diagnostic radiology to identify the blood vessels that can cause active intra-abdominal or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Incidentally Found Absence of the Left Brachiocephalic Vein with Venous Return Through the Left Superior Intercostal Vein in an Adult Patient: Venography and CT Findings

A 63-year-old male patient was referred for venography of the thoracic venous system and multidetector computed tomography (CT) due to the unusual location of the left subclavian catheter tip. His venogram and CT images showed an absence of the left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV). Instead of through the LBCV, the usual venous circulation of neck and left upper limb was carried out by the engorged left superior intercostal vein (LSIV); this subsequently drained into the accessory hemiazygos vein and then the azygos vein that drains into the superior vena cava. Here, we report a rare case of an incidentally found absence of the LBCV with venous return through the LSIV in an adult patient, and we present a brief review of the relevant literature.

Clinical Findings and Interventional Treatment of Gastrointestinal Fistulae: Pictorial Essay

Gastrointestinal (GI) fistulae are defined as an abnormal communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin and/or the epithelial surface of an adjacent viscus. GI fistulae are the most feared complications caused by a variety of medical conditions including abdominal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, abscess, radiation, or trauma. The management of GI fistulae is complex and requires a detailed, stepwise approach to achieve successful closure. The ultimate goal of management is to re-establish the continuity of the GI tract, while limiting the morbidity and mortality. Interventional radiology can play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of GI fistulae. In this article, we review the clinical and radiologic features and interventional treatment of GI fistulae.

Funtional significance of the intermediate lesion in a single coronary artery assessed by fractional flow reserve

No abstract available.

Acute regional myocarditis with normal ventricular wall motion diagnosed by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging

No abstract available.

Percutaneous Placement of Self-Expandable Metallic Stents in Patients with Obstructive Jaundice Secondary to Metastatic Gastric Cancer after Gastrectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous placements of a biliary stent for obstructive jaundice secondary to metastatic gastric cancer after gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (mean age, 62.4 years; range, 27-86 years) who underwent percutaneous placements of a biliary stent for obstructive jaundice secondary to metastatic gastric cancer after gastrectomy were included. The technical success rate, clinical success rate, complication rate, stent patency, patient survival and factors associated with stent patency were being evaluated. RESULTS: The median interval between the gastrectomy and stent placement was 23.1 months (range, 3.9-94.6 months). The 50 patients received a total of 65 stents without any major procedure-related complications. Technical success was achieved in all patients. The mean total serum bilirubin level, which had been 7.19 mg/dL +/- 6.8 before stent insertion, decreased to 4.58 mg/dL +/- 5.4 during the first week of follow-up (p < 0.001). Clinical success was achieved in 42 patients (84%). Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage catheters were removed from 45 patients (90%). Infectious complications were noted in two patients (4%), and stent malfunction occurred in seven patients (14%). The median stent patency was 233 +/- 99 days, and the median patient survival was 179 +/- 83 days. Total serum bilirubin level after stenting was an independent factor for stent patency (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transhepatic placement of a biliary stent for obstructive jaundice secondary to metastatic gastric cancer after gastrectomy is a technically feasible and clinically effective palliative procedure.

Cerebral Infarction in a Young Female Patient With Renovascular Hypertension Caused by Fibromuscular Dysplasia

No abstract available.

Outcomes of Bypass Surgery Versus Endovascular Therapy for TASC II C and D Femoro-Popliteal Lesions in Patients with Chronic Limb Ischemia

PURPOSE: We wanted to define the appropriate treatment modalities for Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II C and D femoro-popliteal lesions. So we compared the primary patency rate and several clinical factors between percutaneous balloon angioplasty with or without stenting (PTA/S) and bypass surgery (BP). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent BP or PTA/S for TASC II C (BP-C, PTA/S-C) and D (BP-D, PTA/S-D) femoro-popliteal lesions from March 2001 to May 2009. We analyzed the primary and secondary patency rates, and the major limb salvage rates. RESULTS: Eighty two limbs in 74 patients (mean age: 68.7+/-10.2 years, males: 82.9%) were treated (PTA/S-C: 18, PTA/S-D 19: BP-C 12, BP-D 33). The mean follow-up duration was 30.0+/-19.0 months. The twenty four month primary patency rates was 82.4% for PTA/S-C and 73.3% for BP-C (P=0.876), and 45.3% for PTA/S-D and 66.6% for BP-D (P=0.034). The twenty four month secondary patency rates were 88.2% for PTA/S-C and 73.3% for BP-C (P=0.669), and 54.7% for PTA/S-D and 73.3% for BP-D (P=0.077). The twenty four month major limb salvage rates were 100.0% for PTA/S-C and 75.0% for BP-C (P=0.030) but there were no statistical differences between the TASC II D groups (P=0.377). CONCLUSION: Bypass surgery is a preferred initial therapeutic option for TASC II D femoro-popliteal lesions. However, several clinical factors must be carefully considered when selecting the primary treatment modality for TASC II C lesions.

Assessing Primary Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy for the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (AT) for the initial endovascular management of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to analyze the success rate and complications according to the symptom duration. METHODS: Forty patients who were diagnosed with DVT from June 2004 to January 2009 were retrospectively examined. The patients were divided into 3 groups; group I, those with symptoms lasting 28 days. All of the patients were initially treated with percutaneous AT using the Pullback technique. The incomplete elimination of large and hard thrombus was managed with overnight catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and additional AT. Successful recanalization was defined as successful restoration of antegrade flow in the treated veins with elimination of any underlying obstructive lesion. RESULTS: Initial successful recanalization with only AT was achieved in 24 (60%) patients. CDT was required in 16 (40%) patients who had remaining thrombus. Final successful recanalization was achieved in 37 (92.5%) patients. There were no significant differences in the final recanalization rate, the mean number of ATs and the duration of the procedure among groups I, II and III. There was one case (group I) of procedure-related complication, which was the occurrence of a retroperitoneal hematoma after overnight CDT. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous AT may be an initial therapeutic option for DVT, and it minimizes the risk of hemorrhagic complications. It is an effective treatment method for subacute and chronic DVT, as well as acute DVT.

The Incidence of Giacomini Vein and Its Association with Lower Extremity venous Insufficiency: An Ultrasonographic Study

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the incidence of Giacomini vein and its association with lower extremity venous insufficiency by performing US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2006 to July 2007, 173 patients (58 males and 115 females, mean age: 52.7 years, age range: 22-72 years) who had been diagnosed with unilateral/bilateral varicose veins or telangiectasias were evaluated with duplex Doppler ultrasonography. The presence of Giacomini vein, superficial/deep vein reflux, the anatomical sites of the venous reflux and the abnormal perforating veins was investigated in 346 legs. RESULTS: Giacomini veins were found in 33 limbs (9.5%) of 21 patients (12.1%). Bilateral Giacomini veins were found in 12 patients. Of the 33 limbs that had Giacomini veins, 20 limbs had great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux and 4 limbs had small saphenous vein (SSV) reflux. The patients with Giacomini veins were classified into two groups according to the presence of Giacomini vein. There was no significant difference of the GSV reflux (p = 0.155), the SSV reflux (p = 0.760) and the mean velocity of the GSV reflux or the SSV reflux (p = 0.685, p = 0.431, respectively) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that Giacomini vein is not associated with either GSV or SSV reflux, and this is contrary to conventional belief.

Interventional Management of Gastrointestinal Fistulas

Gastrointestinal (GI) fistulas are frequently very serious complications that are associated with high morbidity and mortality. GI fistulas can cause a wide array of pathophysiological effects by allowing abnormal diversion of the GI contents, including digestive fluid, water, electrolytes, and nutrients, from either one intestine to another or from the intestine to the skin. As an alternative to surgery, recent technical advances in interventional radiology and percutaneous techniques have been shown as advantageous to lower the morbidity and mortality rate, and allow for superior accessibility to the fistulous tracts via the use of fistulography. In addition, new interventional management techniques continue to emerge. We describe the clinical and imaging features of GI fistulas and outline the interventional management of GI fistulas.

Primary Stent Placement for Chronic Spontaneous Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Dissection: A Case Report

Spontaneous infrarenal abdominal aortic dissection (SIAAD) is a rare entity with various clinical presentations. We recently encountered the even rarer condition of a female patient suffering from chronic SIAAD with multiple intimal flaps and prominent lumbar artery collaterals; this all caused stenotic changes of the infrarenal abdominal aorta and produced progressive lower extremity pain and claudication in both her legs. This patient's condition was successfully managed by primary stent placement followed by balloon angioplasty.

Efficacy of a Paclitaxel-Eluting Nitinol Stent on the Inhibition of Pseudointimal Hyperplasia in a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt: An Experimental Study in a Swine Model

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a paclitaxel-eluting nitinol stent on the inhibition of pseudointimal hyperplasia in a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve pigs were used in this study. Two types of 10-mm diameter and 60-mm long nitinol stents were made for a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt by coating them with a polyurethane solution, with and without paclitaxel. Each transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was created successfully in the 12 swine with 7 paclitaxel-eluting stents and 5 polyurethane stents. Five swine in each group were followed-up for 14 days due to the death of 2 swine given the paclitaxel-eluting stents. The proliferation of the pseudointima was evaluated on both follow-up portograms and histopathology examinations. The mean maximum pseudointimal hyperplasia is expressed as the percentage of the stent radius. RESULTS: On the portograms, all the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts using the paclitaxel-eluting stents maintained patency despite there being a complete occlusion of the polyurethane stents in all the animals. The histopathology analysis revealed the mean maximum pseudointimal hyperplasia to be 25% and 76% in the paclitaxel-eluting and control stents, respectively. CONCLUSION: A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with a paclitaxel-eluting nitinol stent appears to significantly inhibit the formation of pseudointimal hyperplasia.

Early Results of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

PURPOSE: We report early experiences on endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHOD: We reviewed the results of 15 patients underwent EVAR between 2003 and 2007 in the Kyung Hee University Medical Center, retrospectively. RESULT: Mean age of patients was 71.2 years (range, 51~85 years). 14 patients (93.3%) had comorbidities. All of AAAs were infrarenal types. The mean size of AAA was 58.5 mm (38~91 mm), and the mean length, diameter, and angle of neck was 26.4 mm, 19.9 mm, and 37.7degrees, respectively. Ten patients were accompanied with iliac aneurysm. 14 were bifurcated grafts and 1 was straight tubular graft. Mean procedure time was 100.6 minutes. Mean length of hospitalization was 6.5 days (2~10 days). There was no need of transfusion or use of an intensive care unit. Fever of unknown origin occurred in 7 cases but resolved spontaneously. Device deployment was successful in 100% (primary 9 cases, assisted-primary 6 cases). There were seven endoleaks during interventions. One patient with secondary type II endoleak and suprarenal enlargement of AAA sac died from aortoenteric fistula. In one patient with perigraft abscess after EVAR, surgical drainage was performed. Decrease of AAA diameter > or =5 mm in two patients, newly developed suprarenal aortic aneurysm in one patient were detected on CT scan during mean follow-up of 11.4 months (2-29 months) and remained unchanged in other twelve cases. CONCLUSION: These early results suggest that EVAR offers considerable benefits for appropriate patients, but is thought to need more experiences and long-term outcomes.

Intermediate Results of Infrainguinal Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is being increasingly used as a primary treatment for critical limb ischemia (CLI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of performing PTA for the superficial femoral arteries (SFA) for treating CLI or claudication. METHOD: From April 2003 to February 2007, PTA of the SFA was performed on 44 limbs in 39 patients. The mean follow-up was 10.1 months. RESULT: The demographic features included a mean age of 67.6 years; the patients were 89.7% males, and CLI was present in 56.8% of the subjects. The lesions were classified according to the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) as A (6.8%), B (40.9%), C (31.8%) and D (20.5%). PTA was confined to the SFA in 29 limbs (65.9%), and 15 patients (34.1%) underwent concurrent interventions in other anatomic locations. The SFA interventions included angioplasty only in 9 limbs (20.5%) and at least one stent in 35 limbs (79.5%). Clinical success was obtained in 33 limbs (75.0%) and limb salvage for CLI was achieved in 80% limbs (20/25 limbs). The complications included two access site hematomas and six intimal dissections. Interval conversion to bypass surgery was done in 5 limbs and major amputation was performed in 4 limbs. One patient died perioperatively after bypass surgery. The primary patency rates were 83.0% at 3 months, 78.9% at 6months and 72.3% at 12 months. The variables associated with the inferior primary patency rate by univariate analysis included CLI, the type of lesions (TASC A/B vs C/D), and the length of the treated lesions (P=0.01, P=0.008 and P=0.007, respectively). The modified runoff scoring system was predictive of PTA failure (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: PTA of the SFA for treating CLI or claudication is feasible and safe, and it provides acceptable clinical results. It would be appropriate to use PTA as the initial treatment option for chronic superficial femoral occlusive disease.

Intermediate Results of Infrainguinal Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is being increasingly used as a primary treatment for critical limb ischemia (CLI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of performing PTA for the superficial femoral arteries (SFA) for treating CLI or claudication. METHOD: From April 2003 to February 2007, PTA of the SFA was performed on 44 limbs in 39 patients. The mean follow-up was 10.1 months. RESULT: The demographic features included a mean age of 67.6 years; the patients were 89.7% males, and CLI was present in 56.8% of the subjects. The lesions were classified according to the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) as A (6.8%), B (40.9%), C (31.8%) and D (20.5%). PTA was confined to the SFA in 29 limbs (65.9%), and 15 patients (34.1%) underwent concurrent interventions in other anatomic locations. The SFA interventions included angioplasty only in 9 limbs (20.5%) and at least one stent in 35 limbs (79.5%). Clinical success was obtained in 33 limbs (75.0%) and limb salvage for CLI was achieved in 80% limbs (20/25 limbs). The complications included two access site hematomas and six intimal dissections. Interval conversion to bypass surgery was done in 5 limbs and major amputation was performed in 4 limbs. One patient died perioperatively after bypass surgery. The primary patency rates were 83.0% at 3 months, 78.9% at 6months and 72.3% at 12 months. The variables associated with the inferior primary patency rate by univariate analysis included CLI, the type of lesions (TASC A/B vs C/D), and the length of the treated lesions (P=0.01, P=0.008 and P=0.007, respectively). The modified runoff scoring system was predictive of PTA failure (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: PTA of the SFA for treating CLI or claudication is feasible and safe, and it provides acceptable clinical results. It would be appropriate to use PTA as the initial treatment option for chronic superficial femoral occlusive disease.

The Feasibility of CT-Guided Percutaneous Ethanol Injection Therapy for Hepatic Tumors

PURPOSE: To describe the technical features of CT-guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for hepatic tumors that are undetectable or inaccessible under ultrasound guidance, to analyze its short-term therapeutic results, and to discuss its feasibility and limitations with a review of the related literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 22-month period, 17 patients with 28 hepatic tumors (27 hepatocellular carcinomas and one metastasis) underwent 38 sessions of CT-guided PEIT. Follow-up CT scanning was also performed. All tumors were undetectable or inaccessible under ultrasound guidance. The quantity of ethanol injected depended on their maximum diameter, which was 0.9 -5.1 (mean, 2.2) cm. To determine the puncture site and direction of the needle, the graduated grid system was used. A 21 or 22-G PEIT needle was introduced into the tumor stepwise, with intermittent CT monitoring, and if the CT images obtained immediately after initial injection demonstrated incomplete perfusion, an additional dose of ethanol was administered. During the follow-up period of 28 -619 (mean, 261) days, three-phase spiral CT scans were obtained. We focused on whether or not a viable portion of ablated tumor was present, and if so, the interval during which the extent of viable portion had changed, as well as the CT findings which suggested a predisposition to incomplete ablation. RESULTS: PEIT was successfully performed in all patients. During each session, 3 -30 (mean, 12.1) mL of ethanol was injected for 35 -115 (mean, 85) mins, with 1 -7 (mean, 3.7) trials to determine the puncture site and needle direction. The follow-up CT results showed that 20 tumors (71.4%) contained no viable portion, that this portion had decreased in four (14.3%), and was unchanged or had increased in four (14.3%). In the eight tumors for which multiple sessions were required, follow-up CT showed that the viable portion was absent or had decreased in size in all except one. In five of the patients with a tumor containing a viable portion at follow- up CT, the procedure was incomplete because of unendurable pain (n = 2) or noncooperation (n = 3). A CT finding which suggested a predisposition to incomplete ablation was a poor margin (n = 3). Complications included severe pain (n = 6) and scanty peritoneal hemorrhage (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Despite several limitations of our study, the therapeutic results of CT-guided PEIT appeared to be similar to or slightly worse than those of well-established ultrasound-guided PEIT with the former procedure, however, intermittent CT monitoring indicates whether perfusion is complete, and for this reason, CT-guided PEIT is believed to be an effective treatment modality when a hepatic tumor is undetectable or inaccessible under ultrasound guidance.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Two Case Reports

Primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic cholestatic liver disease, is uncommon and is characterized byinflammation and fibrosis of the bile ducts. It frequently occurs in association with ulcerative colitis. Wedescribe two cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with ulcerative colitis.