A Canine Model for Lymphangiography and Thoracic Duct Access

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical feasibility of intranodal lymphangiography and thoracic duct (TD) access in a canine model.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five male mongrel dogs were studied. The dog was placed in the supine position, and the most prominent lymph node in the groin was accessed using a 26-gauge spinal needle under ultrasonography (US) guidance. If the cisterna chyli (CC) was not opacified by bilateral lymphangiography, the medial iliac lymph nodes were directly punctured and Lipiodol was injected. After opacification, the CC was directly punctured with a 22-gauge needle. A 0.018-in microguidewire was advanced through the CC and TD. A 4-Fr introducer and dilator were then advanced over the wire. The microguidewire was changed to a 0.035-in guidewire, and this was advanced into the left subclavian vein through the terminal valve of the TD. Retrograde TD access was performed using a snare kit.RESULTS: US-guided lymphangiography (including intranodal injection of Lipiodol [Guerbet]) was successful in all five dogs. However, in three of the five dogs (60%), the medial iliac lymph nodes were not fully opacified due to overt Lipiodol extravasation at the initial injection site. In these dogs, contralateral superficial inguinal intranodal injection was performed. However, two of these three dogs subsequently underwent direct medial iliac lymph node puncture under fluoroscopy guidance to deliver additional Lipiodol into the lymphatic system. Transabdominal CC puncture and cannulation with a 4-Fr introducer was successful in all five dogs. Transvenous retrograde catheterization of the TD (performed using a snare kit) was also successful in all five dogs.CONCLUSION: A canine model may be appropriate for intranodal lymphangiography and TD access. Most lymphatic intervention techniques can be performed in a canine using the same instruments that are employed in a clinical setting.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation for portal hypertension in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation for the management of portal hypertension in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A literature search of the MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase databases was conducted. All articles reporting the outcomes of TIPS creation for variceal bleeding and refractory ascites and hepatic hydrothorax in patients with HCC were included. Exclusion criteria were non-English language, sample size < 5, data not extractable, and data reported in another article. RESULTS: A total of 280 patients (mean age, 48–58; male gender, 66%) from five articles were included. TIPS creation was performed for variceal bleeding in 79% and refractory ascites and/or hepatic hydrothorax in 26% of patients. Technical and clinical success was achieved in 99% and 64% of patients, respectively. Clinical failure occurred in 36% of patients due to rebleeding or recurrent bleeding (n = 77) or no resolution or improvement of refractory ascites and hepatic hydrothorax (n = 24). One percent of patient had major complications, including accelerated liver failure (n = 1) and multi-organ failure resulting from hemorrhagic shock (n = 1), all of which resulted in early (i.e., within 30 days) death. Hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 40% of patients after TIPS creation. Lung metastasis was found 1% of patient 5 months (n = 1) and 72 months (n = 1) after TIPS creation. CONCLUSION: TIPS creation seems to be safe and effective for the management of portal hypertension in patients with HCC.

Self-expandable metal stent placement for recurrent cancer in a surgically-altered stomach

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies and most frequent causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Radical surgical resection accomplished by total or distal gastrectomy represents the mainstay of curative treatment for gastric cancer; however, recurrent cancer still occurs in a significant amount of cases. Patients with recurrent cancer are generally incurable and often experience debilitating symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, dehydration, and malnutrition, because of malignant gastric-outlet, duodenal, and jejunal obstructions. Consequently, such patients experience progressive deterioration of quality of life. If bypass surgery has not already been performed, it is not usually appropriated in the context of recurrent cancer and is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic or fluoroscopic self-expandable metal stent placement represents an effective and safe method for palliative treatment of recurrent cancer in patients with the surgically-altered stomach. Therefore, it should be considered as the first-line option. Importantly, accurate knowledge of the surgically-altered anatomy and stricture location are critical to achieve successful treatment outcomes.

Self-Expandable Metallic Stent Placement for the Palliation of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal stents have been used to palliate patients with dysphagia caused by esophageal cancer. Early rigid plastic prostheses have been associated with a high risk of complications. However, with the development of self-expanding stents, it has developed into a widely accepted method for treating malignant esophageal strictures and esophagorespiratory fistulas (ERFs). The present review covers various aspects of self-expanding metallic stent placement for palliating esophageal cancer, including its types, placement procedures, indications, contraindications, complications, and some of innovations that will become available in the future.

Development of gastroduodenal self-expandable metallic stents: 30 years of trial and error

In 1991, the author (H.Y.S.) reported the first case of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement in a patient with recurrent cancer after gastrojejunostomy. Since then SEMS placement has developed into a well-established method for the palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction. This year marks the 30th year the author has been implicated in the development of gastrointestinal SEMSs. Thus far, the author has developed successively a total of six generations of gastroduodenal SEMSs through trial and error over the years. In the present article, the author reviews his personal experience in developing gastroduodenal stents.

Parallel Shunt for the Treatment of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety, efficacy and long-term patency of parallel shunts (PS) in the management of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2007 and October 2010, 18 patients (13 men and 5 women) who underwent TIPS revision with the creation of PS were evaluated retrospectively. In the first 10 patients, a 10-mm-diameter Wallgraft endoprosthesis was deployed; in the latter 8 patients, an 8-mm-diameter Fluency endoprosthesis was deployed. RESULTS: The creation of PS was technically successful in all patients. The mean +/- standard deviation portosystemic pressure gradient before and after the procedure was 25.5 +/- 7.3 mm Hg (range, 16-37 mm Hg) and 10.9 +/- 2.3 mm Hg (range, 7-16 mm Hg), respectively. The duration of follow-up was 16.7 +/- 10.8 months (range, 6-42 months). The primary shunt patency rates at 12 months after the creation of PS was 70% with Wallgraft endoprostheses and 87.5% with Fluency endoprostheses. CONCLUSION: TIPS revision with the creation of PS is a safe, effective and durable method for treating shunt dysfunction.