Transcatheter arterial embolization of acute gastrointestinal tumor hemorrhage with Onyx.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular embolization has been used to control gastrointestinal tumor bleeding. Lots of embolic agents have been applied in embolization, but liquid embolic materials such as Onyx have been rarely used because of concerns about severe ischemic complications. AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with Onyx for acute gastrointestinal tumor hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2011 and July 2013, nine patients were diagnosed as acute gastrointestinal tumor hemorrhage by clinical feature and imaging examination. The angiographic findings were extravasation of contrast media in the five patients. The site of hemorrhage included upper gastrointestinal bleeding in seven cases and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in two cases. TAE was performed using Onyx in all the patients, and the blood pressure and heart rate were monitored, the angiographic and clinical success rate, recurrent bleeding rate, procedure related complications and clinical outcomes were evaluated after therapy. The clinical parameters and embolization data were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: All the patients (100%) who underwent TAE with Onyx achieved complete hemostasis without rebleeding and the patients were discharged after clinical improvement without a second surgery. No one of the patients expired during the hospital course. All the patients were discharged after clinical improvement without a second surgery. Postembolization bowel ischemia or necrosis was not observed in any of the patients who received TAE with Onyx. CONCLUSIONS: TAE with Onyx is a highly effective and safe treatment modality for acute gastrointestinal tumor hemorrhage, even with pre‑existing coagulopathy.

Arterial embolization of massive hepatocellular carcinoma with lipiodol and gelatin sponge.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used to treat unresectable massive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lots of embolic agents have been applied in embolization because of it can decrease patient discomfort and side‑effects. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of TACE with lipiodol and gelatin sponge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 109 patients with massive HCC (the size of tumor >10 cm and unresectable) from January 2011 to August 2014 in our institution was divided into group A and group B based on the different embolitic agents. Before and about 1‑month after each case of TACE, clinical and biological data such as tumor size, child‑pugh stage, serum Alpha‑fetoprotein (AFP), complications, were recorded at the same time. RESULTS: In group A, the diameter of the tumor reduced from 12.57 ± 1.26 cm to 9.04 ± 0.89 cm. No patient was complete response (CR), partial response (PR) 36, stable disease (SD) 7 and PD 6; in group B, the diameter of tumor decreased from 12.08 ± 1.42 cm to 8.43 ± 1.05 cm, CR 0, but PR 27, SD 18 and PD 15. RR in group A was significantly higher than in group B (P < 0.05).The change of child‑pugh stage and AFP pre‑ and post‑operative in group A can be found significantly better than in group B. CONCLUSIONS: TACE with lipiodol and gelatin sponge is a highly effective for massive HCC.

Predictors of Parent-Child Communication among a Nationally Representative Sample in Nigeria

This study explores what constructs are associated with parent-adolescent communication about AIDS/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual relationships in Nigeria. The analyses use data from the 2007 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey on 2593 men and women who had at least one child over the age of 12 years. The respondents were classified as low; medium; or high communicators. Low communicators were parents who did not talk to their child about either AIDS/STIs or sexual relationships. Medium communicators were parents who discussed only one topic with at least one child. High communicators were parents who discussed both topics with at least one child. Logistic regression was used to compare high communicators with low/medium communicators. There are commonalities and differences among men andwomen in the factors associated with parent-adolescent communication. Age; religion; and knowing where to obtain information about HIV/AIDS were associated with the extent of communication; regardless of the parent's gender. Perceived social support was an important correlate for fathers; while knowledge of female STI symptoms showed a significant association only for mothers. Programmatic and communication implications of the findings include addressing men and women differently; developing strategies to specifically reach younger parents and Muslims; and increasing general awareness of HIV/AIDS information resources. Further research is needed to understand the context; content; and timing of parent-adolescent conversations about AIDS/STIs and sexual relationships and how these factors affect the sexual behaviors of adolescents