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Purpose@#Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) delivers cytotoxic drugs intra-arterially and induces ischemic necrosis by arterial embolization. Embolization is achieved using a variety of agents that differ widely in particle size and range, deformation, and in vivo arterial distribution. The clinical significance of these differences has not been thoroughly characterized. The present study is to compare the efficacy of Embosphere and Embozene microspheres in TACE therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective study includes 108 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who received TACE/doxorubicin with Embozene (70 patients) or Embosphere (38 patients) at a single medical center. Patient outcomes, including liver function, tumor size, tumor response, and complications after treatment, were analyzed. The change in total target lesion size and tumor response was evaluated according to embolization agent and clinical characteristics. @*Results@#The postoperative glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (mean, 194.5 vs. 147.5; p=0.032) and bilirubin (mean, 1.11 mg/dL vs. 0.73 mg/dL; p=0.016) were higher among patients treated with Embozene, the decrease in the number (55.86±25.55% vs. 41.81±38.51%, p=0.027) and size (56.37±25.91 mm vs. 43.44±37.89 mm, p=0.001) of liver tumors relative to baseline was greater in these patients than in those treated with Embosphere. These greater antitumor effects were achieved using lower doses of doxorubicin than for treatment with Embozene. Minor complications were more common among patients treated with Embosphere than with Embozene. @*Conclusion@#These results suggest that Embozene is more efficacious than Embosphere for HCC treatment using TACE/doxorubicin.
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Objective: To compare the baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with intracranial arterial occlusion caused by embolic stroke of undetermined source and cardiogenic stroke. Methods: Retrospective analysis was made on ESUS and CS patients in registration databases who received thrombectomy in two stroke centers, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Lishui Central Hospital, Zhejiang University from November 2012 to April 2019. T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the measurement data, χ2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the counting data, and the independent prognostic risk factors were analyzed by Logistic regression. Results: In all, 117 participants were eventually enrolled, including 30 (25.6%) with ESUS and 87 (74.4%) with CS. Compared with the CS group, the ESUS group was significantly younger (mean ages, 64 years vs 75 years, P=0.003) with lower median baseline NIHSS scores (12 vs. 15, P=0.020), lower median NIHSS scores at 24 h (10 vs 12, P=0.033) and lower median MRS scores at 90 days (2 vs 4, P=0.015). The rates of successful recanalization were similar. Logistic regression analysis showed hypertension (OR=0.264, 95%CI 0.099-0.704, P=0.008) and baseline NIHSS scores (OR=0.758, 95%CI 0.673-0.853, P=0.000) were independent risk factors affecting prognoses. Conclusion: Compared with CS, ESUS patients are relatively younger and have milder neurological dysfunction at onset and better prognoses; however, both groups have high mortality rates. The successful recanalization rates for mechanical thrombectomy are similar. The baseline NIHSS score and hypertension are independent prognostic risk factors.
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OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using gelatin sponges or microspheres plus lipiodol-doxorubicin vs. doxorubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads (DEB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients with HCC received TACE from November 2010 to November 2011 were enrolled in this study, including 64 (40.5%) received TACE with lipiodol-doxorubicin and gelatin sponges (group A), 41 (25.9%) received TACE with lipiodol-doxorubicin and microspheres (group B), and 53 (33.5%) received TACE with doxorubicin-loaded DEB (group C). Tumor response and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant difference was found at baseline among the three groups. The doxorubicin dosage in group C was significantly (p < 0.001) higher compared to the dose used in groups A or B (median, 50 mg vs. 31 mg or 25 mg). Significantly (p < 0.001) more patients in group C achieved complete response compared to those in groups A or B (32.1% vs. 6.3% or 2.4%). Significantly (p < 0.001) less patients in group C had progressive disease compared to those in groups A or B (34.0% vs. 57.8% or 68.3%). Minor AEs were more common in groups A and B compared to group C, with rates of 54.7%, 34.1%, and 5.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with HCC, TACE with DEB offers better safety and efficacy profiles compared to either TACE with gelatin sponges or TACE with microspheres.