The Role of Divided Injections of a Sclerotic Agent over Two Days in Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Large Gastric Varices

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and usefulness of a two-tiered approach to balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) as a treatment for large gastric varices after portal hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 patients were studied who underwent B-RTO for gastric varices between October 2004 and October 2011 in our institution. The B-RTO procedure was performed from the right femoral vein and the B-RTO catheter was retained until the following morning. Distribution of sclerotic agents in the gastric varices on fluoroscopy was evaluated in all patients on days 1 and 2. When distribution of sclerotic agents in the gastric varices on day 1 had been none or very scanty even though the volume of the sclerotic agent infused was above the acceptable level, a second infusion was administered on day 2. When distribution was satisfactory, the B-RTO catheter was removed. RESULTS: In 8 (16%) patients, little or no sclerotic agent infused on day 1 was distributed in the gastric varices. However, on day 2, sclerotic agents were distributed in all gastric varices. Mean volume of ethanolamine oleate-iopamidol infused on day 1 was 24.6 mL and was 19.4 mL on day 2. Gastric varices were well obliterated with no recurrence. Complications caused by the sclerotic agent such as pulmonary edema or renal insufficiencies were not seen. CONCLUSION: When gastric varices are very large, a strategy involving thrombosis of only the drainage vein on the first day followed by infusing the sclerotic agent on the following day might be effective and feasible.

Percutaneous Transportal Sclerotherapy with N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate for Gastric Varices: Technique and Clinical Efficacy

OBJECTIVE: This study was deigned to evaluate the technique and clinical efficacy of the use of percutaneous transportal sclerotherapy with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for patients with gastric varices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients were treated by transportal sclerotherapy with the use of NBCA. For transportal sclerotherapy, portal vein catheterization was performed with a 6-Fr sheath by the transhepatic approach. A 5-Fr catheter was introduced into the afferent gastric vein and a microcatheter was advanced through the 5-Fr catheter into the varices. NBCA was injected through the microcatheter in the varices by use of the continuous single-column injection technique. After the procedure, postcontrast computed tomography (CT) was performed on the next day and then every six months. Gastroendoscopy was performed at one week, three months, and then every six months after the procedure. RESULTS: The technical success rate of the procedure was 88%. In six patients, gastric varices were successfully obliterated with 1-8 mL (mean, 5.4 mL) of a NBCA-Lipiodol mixture injected via a microcatheter. No complications related to the procedure were encountered. As seen on the follow-up endoscopy and CT imaging performed after six months, the presence of gastric varcies was not seen in any of the patients after treatment with the NBCA-Lipiodol mixture and the use of microcoils. Recurrence of gastric varices was not observed during the follow-up period. Worsening of esophageal varices occurred in four patients after transportal sclerotherapy. The serum albumin level increased, the ammonia level decreased and the prothrombin time increased at six months after the procedure (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transportal sclerotherapy with NBCA is useful to obliterate gastric varices if it is not possible to perform balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Renal VX-2 Carcinoma: Ethiodol-Ethanol Capillary Embolization Combined with Carboplatin

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to determine whether transcatheter Ethiodol-based capillary embolization in combination with carboplatin could improve the efficiency of a 1:1 Ethiodol-ethanol mixture (EEM) to ablate kidneys that been inoculated with VX-2 carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The right kidney in 34 New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with fresh VX-2 tumor fragments. One week later, the kidneys were subjected to transarterial treatment (4-5 rabbits/group): Saline infusion (Group 1); carboplatin infusion (5 or 10 mg, Groups 2A and 2B); carboplatin-Ethiodol (CE) alone (Group 3) and followed by main renal artery occlusion with ethanol (RAO) (Group 4); carboplatin-EEM (C-EEM) followed by RAO (Group 5); carboplatin infusion followed by EEM plus RAO (Group 6); and EEM followed by RAO (Group 7). The animals were followed for up to 3-weeks. The treated kidneys were evaluated angiographically and macroscopically. The kidneys that showed successful embolization macroscopically were entirely cut into serial sections, and these were examined microscopically. Histologically, the kidneys were evaluated on the basis of the residual tumor found in the serial sections. RESULTS: The results obtained with carboplatin infusion alone (Groups 2A and 2B) and CE without RAO (Group 3) were similar to those of the control animals (Group 1). Kidneys from Groups 4-7 demonstrated macroscopically successful embolization with histologically proven complete renal parenchyma infarction; however, some residual tumor was evident in all but one animal. CONCLUSION: None of the Ethiodol-based modalities combined with locoregional carboplatin were more efficacious for tumor ablation than EEM alone.

Ovarian Protection by Selective Coil Embolization of a Uteroovarian Anastomosis before Uterine Fibroid Embolization: A Report of Two Cases

Premature menopause can be developed as a result of undesired nontarget ovary embolization during the performance of uterine fibroid embolization. The etiology of ovarian failure after uterine fibroid embolization is not yet clearly defined, but one of the leading possibilities is nontarget embolization of the ovaries. We report here on two cases in which superselective coil embolization of distal uterine artery collateral pathways to the ovary was performed during uterine fibroid embolization.

Ovarian Protection by Selective Coil Embolization of a Uteroovarian Anastomosis before Uterine Fibroid Embolization: A Report of Two Cases

Premature menopause can be developed as a result of undesired nontarget ovary embolization during the performance of uterine fibroid embolization. The etiology of ovarian failure after uterine fibroid embolization is not yet clearly defined, but one of the leading possibilities is nontarget embolization of the ovaries. We report here on two cases in which superselective coil embolization of distal uterine artery collateral pathways to the ovary was performed during uterine fibroid embolization.

Emergent endovascular embolization of iatrogenic renal vascular injuries / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the interventional techniques for emergent treatment of iatrogenic renal injuries.Methods Nine patients with iatrogenic renal vascular injuries were treated with superselective renal arterial embolization.The causes of renal injury included post-renal biopsy in 5 patients,endovascular interventional procedure-related in 2,post-renal surgery in 1,and post-percutaneous nephrostomy in 1 patient.The patients presented clinically with hemodynamical unstability with blood loss shock in 7 patienrs,severe flank pain in 7,and hematuria in 8 patients.Perirenal hematoma was confirmed in 8 patients by CT and ultrasonography.The embolization materials used were microcoils in 7 and standard stainless steel coils in 2 patients,associated with polyvinyl alcohol particles(PVA)in 5,and gelfoam panicles in 2 cases.Results Renal angiogram revealed intra-renal arteriovenous fistula in 6 cases,intrarenal pseudoaneurysm in 2 cases,and the contrast media extravasation in 1 patient.The technical success of the arterial embolization was achieved in all 9 cases within a single session.All angiographies documented complete obliteration of the abnormal vessels together with all major intrarenal arterial branches maintaining patent.Seven patients with hemodynamically compromise experienced immediate relief of their blood loss related symptoms,and another 7 with severe flank pain got relief progressively.Hematuria ceased in 8 patients within 2-14 days after the embolization and impairment of renal function occurred after the procedure in 5 cases,including transient aggrevation(n=3)and developed new renal dysfunction(n=2).Two of these patients required hemodialysis.Perirenal hematoma were gradually absorbed on ultrasonography during 2-4 months after the procedures.Follow-up time ranged from 6-78 months(mean,38 months),4 patients died of other primary diseases of renal and multi-organ failures.Five patients are still alive without further intervention,and suffering no more of rebleeding and deterioration of renal function.Conclusions Transcatheter selective renal arterial embolization is safe and effective in the treatment of iatrogenic renal vascular injuries,resulting in permanent cessation of bleeding.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:807-810)

Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Gastric Variceal Bleeding: Its Feasibility Compared with Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) in active gastric variceal bleeding, and to compare the findings with those of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with active gastric variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis were referred for radiological intervention. In 15 patients, contrast-enhanced CT scans demonstrated gastrorenal shunt, and the remaining six (Group 1) underwent TIPS. Seven of the 15 with gastrorenal shunt (Group 2) were also treated with TIPS, and the other eight (Group 3) underwent BRTO. All patients were followed up for 6 to 21 (mean, 14.4) months. For statistical inter-group comparison of immediate hemostasis, rebleeding and encephalopathy, Fisher's exact test was used. Changes in the Child-Pugh score before and after each procedure in each group were statistically analyzed by means of Wilcoxon's signed rank test. RESULTS: One patient in Group 1 died of sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and persistent bleeding three days after TIPS, while the remaining 20 survived the procedure with immediate hemostasis. Hepatic encephalopathy developed in four patients (one in Group 1, three in Group 2, and none in Group 3) ; one, in Group 2, died while in an hepatic coma 19 months after TIPS. Rebleeding occurred in one patient, also in Group 2. Except for transient fever in two Group-3 patients, no procedure-related complication occurred. In terms of immediate hemostasis, rebleeding and encephalopathy, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). In Group 3, the Child-Pugh score showed a significant decrease after the procedure (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: BRTO can effectively control active gastric variceal bleeding, and because of immediate hemostasis, the absence of rebleeding, and improved liver function, is a good alternative to TIPS in patients in whom such bleeding, accompanied by gastrorenal shunt, occurs.

Postpartum Bleeding: Efficacy of Endovascular Management

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of massive postpartum bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transcatheter arterial embolization was attempted in 25 patients with massive postpartum bleeding. After identification at bilateral internal iliac arteriography, the bleeding artery was embolized using gelfoam, polyvinyl alcohol particles or microcoils, and to prevent rebleeding through collateral pathways, the contralateral uterine artery or anterior division of the internal iliac artery was also embolized. Clinical success and complications were retrospectively assessed and documented. RESULTS: Active bleeding foci were detected in 13 patients (52%), and involved the unilateral (n=10) or bilateral (n=2) uterine artery and unilateral vaginal artery (n=1). Twelve (92%) of the 13 patients recovered completely following embolization, but one underwent hysterectomy due to persistent bleeding. The focus of bleeding was not detected in 12 patients (48%), but 11 (92%) of these also recovered following embolization of the bilateral uterine or internal iliac arteries. One patient, however, died due to sepsis. Two of the 12 patients underwent hysterectomy due to rebleeding on the 12th and 13th day, respectively, after embolization. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter arterial embolization is relatively safe and effective for the treatment massive postpartum bleeding.

Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Gastric Variceal Bleeding patient

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) in the treatment of gastric variceal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2001 and March 2002, ten patients with gastric variceal bleeding and gastrorenal shunt, underwent BRTO. Three of the ten also had hepatic encephalopathy. To evaluate the gastrorenal shunt and exclude portal vein thrombosis, all patients underwent pre-procedural CT scanning. An occlusion balloon catheter was inserted from the right internal jugular vein and on ballooning was wedged into the left adrenal vein. A sclerosing agent (5% ethanolamine oleate-lipiodol mixture) was injected until the varices were completely filled. In four patients, the collateral veins seen at balloon-occluded adrenal venography were embolized with coils prior to sclerotherapy. Post-procedural follow-up CT (n=3) or endoscopy (n=8) was performed 1-4 weeks later, and both before and after the procedure, hepatic function was also monitored. RESULTS: Treatment was successful in nine cases: the failure involed rupture of the occlusion balloon during inflation, and a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was performed. The cessation of bleeding was confirmed endoscopically or clinically; in three patients, follow-up CT showed complete obliteration of the varices. Hepatic function improved in eight patients, but three weeks after the procedure, one expired due to progressive infiltrative hepatoma. The clinical symptoms of the three patients with hepatic encephalopathy showed remarkable improvement. CONCLUSION: Although more extensive studies and long-term follow up are needed to overcome the limitations of our study, we believe that BRTO is a technically feasible and clinically effective treatment for gastric varices and hepatic encephalopathy.

Pseudoaneurysm after Pancreatoduodenectomy: Diagnosis and Embolization on Angiography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of angiography in the diagnosis and treatment of pseudoaneurysm manifesting arterial hemorrhage as a significant complication following pancreatoduodenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 51 months, of a total of 298 patients who had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy, 19 patients (6.4%) developed clinically significant hemorrhage and nine patients proved to have a pseudoaneurysm on angiography. These nine patients (3.0%) were managed by transcatheter arterial embolization. We analyzed clinical feature, angiographic findings and hemostatic effect of embolization retrospectively. RESULTS: In nine patients (3.0%), pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed on angiography (common hepatic artery in four, gastroduodenal artery in three, proper hepatic artery in one, and left gastroepoploic artery in one patient). The size ranged from 0.3 cm to 6.5 cm (mean 1.9 cm). And extravasation was noted in five patients (55.6%). The remained ten patients showed no evidence of bleeding on angiography. Those who manifested as early bleeding (within two weeks) or delayed bleeding (later than two weeks) were five and four patients respectively. Before the onset of major bleeding, among the nine pseudoaneurysm patients, seven patients (77.8%) had experienced percutaneous drainage due to intra-abdominal fluid collection with or without abscess resulting from anastomotic leak, and all nine patients had had preliminary minor bleeding. The angiogram demonstrated an exact site of bleeding as a pseudoaneurysm followed by transcatheter arterial embolization (microcoil in eight patients, gelfoam in one) and achieved complete hemostasis yielding a success rate of 100%. Overall, no patients experienced complications related directly to the transcatheter arterial embolization technique. During the follow-up period (72-1,336days, mean 640), no recurrence of bleeding was noted. CONCLUSION: Although pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication, it is important as a cause of hemorrhage after pancreatoduodenectomy. Angiography followed by transcatheter arterial embolization allows early diagnosis and hemostasis of pseudoaneurysm and minimizes the need for high-risk emergency surgery.

A New Liquid Embolic Agent(Embol) for Transcatheter Renal Artery Embolization: An Experimental Study in Rabbit

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new liquid embolic agent in renal arterial embolization in the rabbit, and its clinical applicability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new embolic agent, Embol, was obtained by partial hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate and dissolved in a mixture of 45% ethanol and 55% non-ionic contrast medium. Its radioopacity was therefore good. An average of 0.8 cc(0.5-0.9 cc) of Embol was used to embolize the renal artery of one kidney in 15 rabbits. The immediate effect of this was examined angiographically 5 minutes after the procedure. To permit histologic examination, five rabbits in each group were sacrificed 3 days (I), 2 weeks (II), and 4 weeks (III) after embolization: prior to embolization and prior to sacrifice, one rabbit in each group underwent renal scanning, and prior to sacrifice all underwent follow-up angiography. In three rabbits, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium(Na), and potassium(K) levels were measured before and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after embolization. RESULTS: Embol was easy to use and its radiopacity was good. Five minutes after embolization, angiography showed that total occlusion of the main renal or interlobar artery had been achieved in all rabbits. Serum BUN, creatinine, Na and K levels were within normal limits. Follow-up angiogram obtained in each group showed persistent occlusion of the renal artery in all but one rabbit in group I and one in group III. Renal scans revealed no evidence of radionuclide uptake in embolized kidneys, which were slightly enlarged in group I but became gradually smaller in groups II and III. In all animals, histologic examination showed diffuse coagulation necrosis of the embolized kidneys and in group III the cortex of these was extensively calcified. In group I the renal artery showed an apparently fresh occluding thrombosis, and in groups II and III a completely organized thrombosis was present. In group III this was calcified. CONCLUSION: Because of its good radioopacity, Embol is easy to controa, and is effective for renal artery embolization. As a permanent embolic agent, it appears suitable for clinical applications.

Intraperitoneal Hemorrhage Due to Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Comparisons of Tranarterial Oily Chemoembolization and Simple Embolization with Gelfoam

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of transarterial oily chemoembolization (TOCE) and transar-terial embolization (TAE) with Gelfoam in cases of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to describe the most important prognostic factors involved in emergency embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients with spontaneously ruptured HCC underwent emergency TOCE (n = 22) or TGE (n = 20). In the TOCE group, Lipiodol (3 -10 cc), Adriamycin (20 -50 mg), and Mitomycin (2 -10 mg) were used, and these were followed by blockade of the hepatic arterial flow with gelatin sponge particles. In the TAE group, patients underwent only Gelfoam embolization. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, survival time from the time of embolization was estimated, and to analyze prognostic factors, Cox 's proportional hazard regression model was used. RESULTS: Successful hemostasis was achieved in 41 patients (97.6%). Mean survival time was 201 and 246 days in the TOCE and TAE group, respectively, but the difference was not tatistically significant (p > 0.05). Five of the TOCE group (22.7%) and three of the TAE group (15.0%) died of hepatic failure. Analysis of the prognostic factors showed that portal vein involvement by the tumor was the most important factor influencing survival. CONCLUSION: Although TOCE and TAE effectively controlled hemorrhaging from a ruptured HCC, the procedures involve a high risk of hepatic failure. Their goal should, therefore, be solely to achieve hemostasis, and thus decrease parenchymal injury.

Superselective Embolization with Microcoil in Acute Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of superselective arterial embolization using the microcoil in acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 11 of 42 patients who had undergone diagnostic angiography and tran-scatheter arterial embolization due to acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage and subsequently underwent superselective arterial embolization using the microcoil. Nine were males and two were females, and their age ranged from 33 to 70 (mean, 51) years. The etiologies were bleeding ulcer (n=5), pseudoaneurysm from pancreatitis (n=3), and postoperative bleeding (n=3). The symptoms were melena, hematemesis, and hematochezia, and the critical signs were decreased hemoglobin and worsening of vital signs. All patients underwent superselective embolization using the microcatheter and microcoil. RESULTS: Bleeding occurred in the gastroduodenal artery (n=5), inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (n=2), left gastric artery (n=2), right hepatic artery (n=1), and ileal branch of the superior mesenteric artery (n=1). All cases were treated succesfully, without complications. In one case in which there was bleeding in the right he-patic artery, reembolization with a microcoil was needed because of persistent melena. During follow up, three patients died from complications arising underlying diseases, namely disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, chronic renal failure, and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Procedural complications, such as ischemia or infarction were not noted. CONCLUSION: Superselective arterial embolization using the microcoil is a safe and effective method for the treatment of acute gastrointestinal bleeding, and does not lead to complications.

Renal Artery Embolization Using a New Liquid Embolic Material Obtained by Partial Hydrolysis of Polyvinyl Acetate (Embol):Initial Experience in Six Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a new liquid embolic materi-al,Embol, in embolization of the renal artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Embol is a new embolic material obtained by partial hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate mixed in absolute ethanol and Iopromide 370 and manufactured by Schering Korea, Kyonggido, Korea. Six patients who underwent embolization of the renal artery using Embol were evaluated. Four were male and two were female and their ages ranged from 11 to 70 (mean, 53) years. Clinical and radiologic diagnoses referred for renal artery embolization were renal cell carcinoma (n = 3), renal angiomyolipoma (n = 2) and pseudoaneurysm of the renal artery (n = 1). After selective renal angiography, Embol was injected through various catheters, either with or without a balloon occlusion catheter. Changes in symptoms and blood chemistry which may have been related to renal artery embolization with Embol were analyzed. RESULTS: The six patients showed immediate total occlusion of their renal vas-cular lesions. One of the three in whom renal cell carcinoma was embolized with Embol underwent radical nephrectomy, and the specimen thus obtained revealed 40% tumor necrosis. In the two patients with angiomyolipomas, the tumors decreased in size and abdominal pain subsided. Bleeding from pseudoaneurysm of the renal artery was successfully controlled. Four patients showed symptoms of post-embolization syndrome, and one of these also showed increased levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. One patient experienced transient hyperten-sion. CONCLUSION: Embol is easy to use, its radiopacity is adequate and it is a safe and effective embolic material which provides immediate and total occlusion of renal vascular lesions.

Endovascular Treatment of 20 Acutely Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms with Detachable Coils

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preliminary results of endovascular coil treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1995 and December 1997, 18 patients with 20 ruptured aneurysms weretreated. They were classified as Hunt and Hess grade I (n=3), grade II (n=1), grade III (n=3), grade IV (n=10) orgrade V (n=1). Endovascular treatment was performed at mean 5.2 (range, 1-18) days. The first aneurysm was treatedwith mechanical detachable spirals (MDS) and the others with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC). Aneurysm size wascategorized as small (n=17) or large (n=3). Ten aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation, and ten in theposterior circulation. Using the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), clinical outcome was evaluated 5 to 27 months aftertreatment in 11 patients. Three patients had already died. RESULTS: In 14 of the 18 patients (16 of 20 aneurysms: 80%), treatment was successful. Four aneurysms failed due to unsuccessful catheter placement (n=2), smallaneurysm (n=1) or occlusion of the parent vessel (n=1). Total occlusion was observed in 13 aneurysms; 95-99%, orsubtotal occlusion, in two, and less than 95%, or incomplete occlusion, in one. Technical complications includedpassing of wire (n=1) and unintentional parent artery occlusion (n=1). There was a 7.1%(1/14) morbidity rate, butno mortality related to the technique. Six patients with Hunt and Hess grade I-III had good clinical outcome (3with GOS 1, and 2 with GOS 2). Four of the nine patients who were grade IV-V showed clinical improvement (GOS 3);two patients were clinically unchanged (GOS 4), and three died from the severity of primary hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Endovascular coil treatment is a reasonable alternative for patients who are not candidates forconventional surgical treatment or in whom such treatment has failed.

Endovascular Treatment of Direct Carotid Cavernous Fistulas Using Detachable Balloon(s) and Coils

PURPOSE: To evaluate the merits of this technique and to provide a standard for comparison with futuretreatment alternatives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 52 patients withdirect CCF treated at the Yonsei Medical Center between 1983 and 1997 by transarterial or transvenous embolizationusing detachable balloon(s) and/or coils. RESULTS: Among the 52 cases, 51 were traumatic in origin, while onlyone was the result of a ruptured aneurysm. The three most common presentations were chemosis, bruit, andpulsatile proptosis. Forty-five patients were successfully treated with detachable balloon(s) and/or coils andinternal carotid blood flow was preserved in 35. When coils were used (1993-7), the ICA preservation rate washigher than when they were not used (1983-92). To confirm statistical significance, however, more studies areneeded. Four patients who initially presented with incomplete occlusion showed spontaneous occlusion on follow upangiography. In two patients, surgical ligation was performed because embolization failed and there was incompleteocclusion of the fistula. We experienced complications such as transient 3rd and 6th cranial nerve palsy,migration of deflated balloons and coils to the lung, and loss of vision. CONCLUSION: Transarterial andtransvenous embolization with detachable balloon(s) and/or coils provides a high rate of fistula obliteration withlow morbidity. In particular, the use of coils led to an increased rate of ICA preservation, thus and isconsidered as a good treatment modality for CCF obliteration.

Prognostic Factors in Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolizationc of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Analysis of Morethan 3 Year Survivors

PURPOSE: To determine which prognostic factors contribute to long-term survival after transcatheter arterialchemoembolization(TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 100 patients who expired withinone year and 84 who survived or have survived for more than 3 years after TACE, prognostic factors wereretrospectively evaluated. TACE was accomplished by hepatic arterial infusion of a suspension of Lipiodol andanticancer drugs(Mitomycin-C and Adriamycin), either alone or followed by gelfoam embolization. Fisher 's exacttest of probability was used to determine which prognostic factors were statistically significant. RESULTS:Statistically significant prognostic factors were as follows: Child classification(p0.05). CONCLUSION: The prognosisof patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by TACE was affected favorably by good liver function(Childclassification A), low alphafetoprotein value, nodular or massive-type tumor, patent main and first-order portalvein, and hypervascular tumor.

Uterine Arterial Embolization for Uterine Leiomyoma: Efficacy and Clinical Outcome

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and clinical outcome of uterine arterial embolization as a new approach to the management of uterine leiomyomas MATERIALS AND METHODS: Uterine arterial embolization was performed in 21 patients aged 26-62(mean, 42) years. Twenty of these had menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and mass-related symptoms (low abdorminal discomfort, backache, urinary frequency, etc.) and one was diagnesed incidentally. Bilateral uterine arteries were selected individually and polyvinyl alcohol and/or gelfoam was used as an embolic material. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were followed up after embolization. Seventeen (89.5 %) reported satisfactory myoma volume. In 17 patients (89.5 %), the menstrual cycle returned to normal. All patients experienced pain after the procedure and other complications were vaginal bleeding (26.3%) and fever (23.8%). CONCLUSION: Uterine arterial embolization represents a new approach to the management of uterine leiomyoma-related symptoms. Further investigations and long-term follow-up are, however, equired.

Bronchial Arterial Embolization for Hemoptysis: Analysis of Outcome in Various Underlying Causes

PURPOSE: To clarify the short-term effect and long-term results of bronchial arterial embolization forhemoptysis in three groups with tuberculosis, idiopathic bronchiectasis and lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study invo l ved 54 patients who underwent arterial embolization for the control of hemoptysis. Among 54, thecauses of hemorrhage were; pulmonary tuberculosis(n=32), idiopathic bronchiectasis (n=15), and lung cancer(n=7).In all patients, em-bolization was performed using Gelfoam particles and three underwent additional coilemboliza-tion. After the procedure, patients were followed up for between 1 and 95 (mean, 36.7) months. Short-termresults were assessed on the basis of careful observation of patients for 1 month after ar-terial embolization andwere classified as either; successful, indicating complete cessation of he-moptysis for 1 month, or failed,indicating continuing hemoptysis or recurrence within 1 month. Long-term results were evaluated in patients inwhom the procedure was successful in the short term and who could be followed up for at least 6 months. Patientsshowed either complete remis-sion(CR), indicating complete cessation of bleeding during the observation period;partial remis-sion(PR), indicating complete cessation of hemoptysis with recurrent bloody sputum during theobservation period; or recurrence, indicating recurrent hemoptysis, and were grouped accordingly. RESULTS: Noserious procedure related complications occurred except for mild chest pain or fever, of which showed spontaneousrelief within a few day s. The overall short-term success rate was 7 9 .6 %(43/54); individual rates were 84.4%for pulmonary tuberculosis (27/32), 80% for idiopathic bronchiectasis (10/15), and 57.1 % for lung cancer (4/7).Long-term follow-up showed that complete remission was achieved in 24 of 43 cases (55.8 %).The respectivelong-term remission and recur-rence rates were 75 % and 25 % for bronchiectasis, 70.4 % and 29.6 % for pulmonarytuberculosis. While four lung cancer patients whose initial outcome was successful showed no recurrence ofhe-moptysis, three died within 3 months of embolization. CONCLUSION: Embolization of bronchial arteries using aGelfoam sponge is effective as initial treat-ment for moderate or severe hemoptysis caused by benign disease.During long-term follow up, high remission rates were achieved in pulmonary tuberculosis and idiopathicbronchiectasis pa-tients, while the shortest bleeding control was in cases involving lung malignancy.

Therapeutic Effectiveness of the Superselective Arterial Gelfoam Embolization in Post-traumatic ArterialPriapism

PURPOSE: We retrospectively evaluated superselective embolization with Gelfoam for the management ofpost-traumatic arterial priapism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six male patients with post-traumatic priapism underwentpudendal angiography and embolization. We evaluated the time and incidence of detumescence after embolization andcompared normal erectile function and its duration with the results of other reports. In all patients, colorDoppler sonography was performed pre- and post-angiographically. RESULTS: On pudendal arteriography,intracavernosal arteriovenous fistulas were observed in all patients, and pseudoaneurysm of the cavernosal artery(or common penile artery) in three. Detumescence and normal erec-tile function were achieved in all patients aftersuperselective embolization. Using color Doppler sonography, the location of the lesion causing priapism wasfound, in four patients, to be the proximal or middle one-third of the cavernosal artery. CONCLUSION: Pudendalangiography with superselective embolization with Gelfoam is a safe and effective method for the correction ofpost-traumatic arterial priapism.