Digital Variance Angiography in Selective Lower Limb Interventions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential benefits of digital variance angiography (DVA) in selective lower limb angiography and to compare the performance of 2 DVA algorithms (conventional DVA1 and the recently developed DVA2) to that of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2019 to May 2020, 112 iodinated contrast media (ICM) and 40 carbon dioxide (CO2) angiograms were collected from 15 and 13 peripheral artery disease patients, respectively. The DVA files were retrospectively generated from the same unsubtracted source file as DSA. The objectively calculated contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the subjective visual image quality of DSA, DVA1, and DVA2 images were statistically compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The images were evaluated by 6 radiologists (R.P.T., S.V., A.M.K., S.S.A., O.E., and J.S.) from 2 centers using a 5-grade Likert scale. RESULTS: Both DVA algorithms produced similar increase (at least 2-fold) in CNR values (P < .001) and significantly higher image quality scores than DSA, independent of the contrast agent used. The overall scores with ICM were 3.61 ± 0.05 for DSA, 4.30 ± 0.04 for DVA1, and 4.33 ± 0.04 for DVA2 (each P < .001 vs DSA). The scores for CO2 were 3.10 ± 0.14 for DSA, 3.63 ± 0.13 for DVA1 (P < .001 vs DSA), and 3.38 ± 0.13 for DVA2 (P < .05 vs DSA). CONCLUSIONS: DVA provides higher CNR and significantly better image quality in selective lower limb interventions irrespective of the contrast agent used. Between DVA algorithms, DVA1 is preferred because of its identical or better image quality than DVA2. DVA can potentially help the interventional decision process and its quality reserve might allow dose management (radiation/ICM reduction) in the future.

Are X-ray Safety Glasses Alone Enough for Adequate Ocular Protection in Complex Radiological Interventions?

ABSTRACT: The maximum annual radiation ocular dose limit for medical staff has been reduced to 20 mSv in the current European directive 2013/59/Euratom. This multi-centric study aims at reporting the protected and unprotected eye lens doses in different fluoroscopically guided interventions and to evaluate any other factors that could influence the ocular dose. From July 2018 to July 2019, ocular radiation doses of six interventionists of four departments during complex interventions were recorded with a thermoluminescent dosimeter in front of and behind radiation protection glasses to measure the protected and unprotected doses. The position of personnel, intervention type, fluoroscopy time, total body dose and use of pre-installed protection devices like lead acrylic shields were also systematically recorded. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the doses at 2 y and 5 y. The annual unprotected/protected ocular doses of six interventionists were 67/21, 32.7/3.3, 27.4/5.1, 7/0, 21.8/2.2, and 0/0 mSv, respectively. The unprotected dose crossed the 20-mSv annual limits for four interventionists and protected dose for one less experienced interventionist. The estimated 5-y protected ocular dose of this interventionist was 101.318 mSv (95%CI 96.066-106.57), also crossing the 5-y limit. The use of a lead acrylic shield was observed to have a significant effect in reducing ocular doses. The annual unprotected and protected ocular doses for interventionists dealing with complex interventions could cross the present permitted yearly limit. The measurement of significant protected ocular dose behind the radiation protection glasses emphasizes the additional indispensable role of pre-installed radiation protection devices and training in reducing radiation doses for complex procedures.

Urgent Endovascular Treatment for Non-traumatic Descending Thoracic Aortic Rupture.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular repair of non-traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to August 2017, 22 consecutive patients (16 men, mean age 73.7 years, range 63-92 years) with non-traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta were treated endovascularly. Thirty-day mortality as well as procedure-related morbidity including stroke, renal, pulmonary and spinal complications were retrospectively assessed. Median follow-up was 29 months (range 6-65 months). RESULTS: Nine patients had type B dissections, and 13 had atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms. The technical success was 100%; 86.3% of patients (19/22) were treated percutaneously. Thirteen patients (59%) received a single endograft, 8 (36%) received 2 endografts, and 1 received 3 endografts. The endograft diameters ranged between 28 and 46 mm. Two dissection patients received additional distal bare metal true lumen stents. Eleven patients required additional drainage of thoracic hematoma. Three primary percutaneous sites (15.7%) required surgical revision. No spinal cord ischemic or renal complications were observed. Stroke was observed in 2 patients (9%), both with full coverage of left subclavian artery origin. Four patients (18%) required tracheostomy with prolonged respiratory support (range 10-15 days). The median intensive care unit stay was 5 days (range 1-27 days). The 30-day mortality was 18.1% (4/22). CONCLUSION: Endoluminal repair of non-traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta can be performed percutaneously. It showed a 30-day mortality of 18.1%, and no spinal cord injury or renal complications were observed in surviving patients at follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, case series.

Prolonged Epidural Infusion Improves Functional Outcomes Following Knee Arthroscopy in Patients with Arthrofibrosis after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Evaluation.

A total of 20 consecutive patients with knee stiffness post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) underwent arthroscopic lysis of adhesions and manipulation plus indwelling epidural were evaluated retrospectively. Epidural catheters were placed preoperatively for an intended 6 weeks of postoperative analgesia to facilitate intensive physical therapy. The mean loss of knee extension immediately before incision was 13.5 ± 9.1 degrees (range, 0-35 degrees) and flexion was 77.65 ± 19.2 degrees (range, 45-125 degrees). At the 6-week and final (mean, 0.47 years) follow-up, the loss of extension was 1.5 ± 5.1 degrees (range, -10 to +7 degrees) and 5.4 ± 4.7 degrees (range, 0-15 degrees), respectively, and flexion was 99.7 ± 12.3 degrees (range, 75-120 degrees) and 98.5 ± 16.1 degrees (range, 75-130 degrees), respectively. Of the 20 patients, 2 missed their 6-week clinic visit. Improvements in motion immediately preoperative to 6-week and final follow-up were each significant (p < 0.01). At examination 6 weeks postoperatively, 94.4% of patients met the definition for clinical motion success and 70% maintained success at final follow-up. Visual analog scale improved significantly from 5.4 to 2.0 (p < 0.01) at 6 weeks postoperative in the 12 patients with this data recorded. On the basis of this data, use of tunneled epidurals with arthroscopic lysis of adhesions for arthrofibrosis after TKA is correlated with a high likelihood of functional success postoperatively as measured by range of motion improvement.

Spinal cord stimulator placement in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis: a novel approach with dual benefits.

Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment modality used to treat various chronic pain conditions, including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). We present a case in which spinal cord stimulation was used for the treatment of lower extremity CRPS in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Preoperative imaging demonstrated fusion of the lumbothoracic spine with obliteration of the interlaminar spaces. The sacral hiatus remained open and was used to access the epidural space, facilitating the placement of 2 thoracic epidural electrodes. The resulting stimulation controlled not only the patient's lower extremity CRPS pain but also alleviated his chronic axial pain secondary to ankylosing spondylitis.