Successful Embolization of Hemorrhagic Hepatic Hydatid Cyst Followed by Surgical Resection: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature.

Hepatic hydatid cysts (HHCs) are common in endemic areas. Mostly they are asymptomatic, but some cause serious complications. We report 2 cases of HHC complicated arterial bleeding. Owing to signs of active bleeding, the patients were treated with selective embolization of the hepatic artery to stop the bleeding and stabilize the patients' condition. Subsequently, partial hepatectomy of the involved liver lobe was performed in an elective setting and without postoperative complications. We recommend bridging therapy by selective angiography and embolization for hemorrhagic hepatic hydatid cyst before definitive surgical treatment.

Hepatic intra-arterial therapies in metastatic neuroendocrine tumors: lessons from clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Liver metastases are common in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), having a negative impact on disease prognosis. The options for selective therapy in patients with unresectable multiple liver metastases are limited to TACE (transarterial chemoembolization), TAE (transarterial embolization), or SIRT (selective internal radiation therapy). AIM: To explore the clinical outcome, survival and safety of these therapies in NETs patients. METHODS: Retrospective case series of consecutive patients (mean age 56.6 years, 59% male) treated at two tertiary university medical centers from 2005 to 2015. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients with G1, G2, and low G3 NETs with liver metastases were investigated (pancreatic NET (pNET), 24; small bowel, 16; unknown origin (UKO), 9; rectal, 3; lung, 3; and gastric, 2). Fifty-three patients underwent TACE, three patients underwent TAE, and one patient underwent SIRT. Clinical improvement and tumor response were observed in 54/57 patients (95%), together with marked decreased in tumor markers. The median time to tumor progression following the first treatment was 14 ± 16 months. The median overall survival was 22 ± 18 months, more pronounced in the pNET, followed by small bowel and UKO subgroups. There was a trend for a better survival in patients with disease limited to the liver and in whom the primary tumor was resected. CONCLUSION: Hepatic intra-arterial therapies are well tolerated in the majority of patients with NETs and liver metastases and associated with both clinical improvement and tumor stabilization for prolonged periods. These therapies should be always considered, irrespective of the presence of extrahepatic metastasis.

Regional intra-arterial steroid treatment in 120 patients with steroid-resistant or -dependent GvHD.

GvHD results in death in the majority of steroid-resistant patients. This report assesses the safety and efficacy of two regional intra-arterial steroid (IAS) treatment protocols in the largest published cohort of patients with resistant/dependent hepatic and/or gastrointestinal GvHD, as well as identification of predictors of response to IAS and survival. One hundred and twenty patients with hepatic, gastrointestinal GvHD or both were given IAS. Gastrointestinal initial response (IR) and complete response (CR) were documented in 67.9% and 47.6%, respectively, whereas hepatic IR/CR in 54.9% and 33.3%, respectively. The predictors of gastrointestinal CR were lower peak GvHD and steroid-dependent (SD) GvHD. The predictors for hepatic CR were male patient, reduced intensity conditioning and SD GvHD. Twenty-six of the 120 patients (21.6%) are currently alive (median follow-up for the survivors 91.5 months). The 12 months' overall survival is 30% with no treatment-associated deaths. Predictors of 12 months' survival were as follows: first transplant, age<20 years, non-TBI regimen and GvHD CR. Shorter time to gastrointestinal IR but not time to hepatic IR was associated with improved 12 months' survival. IAS appears to be safe and effective. Gastrointestinal treatment is more effective than hepatic treatment. In our study, we conclude our current recommendations for IAS treatment.

The role of hepatic trans-arterial chemoembolization in metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma: a specialist center experience and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Liver metastases are relatively common in patients with metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), carrying a negative impact on disease prognosis. The options for selective therapy of liver metastases in MTC patients are limited to catheter-guided procedures such as trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Data regarding the effectiveness and safety of this procedure in MTC are limited. AIM: To explore the clinical outcome, survival and safety profile of TACE for liver metastases in a group of MTC patients. METHODS: Retrospective case series of patients treated at a single tertiary University Medical Center from 2005 to 2015. RESULTS: Seven consecutive patients (mean age 64.5 ± 10.9 years, 5 females) with histologically confirmed MTC with liver metastases were included. Metastatic involvement of the liver was less than 50% of the liver volume in all patients. The median size of the largest liver lesion was 40 ± 6.9 mm. The patients underwent in total 20 sessions of TACE. Clinical improvement as well as tumor response (PR) were observed in all patients. The median time to tumor progression was 38 months (range 8-126). Three patients were still alive at the end of the follow-up period (a median overall survival rate of 57 ± 44 months). CONCLUSION: TACE in MTC patients with hepatic metastases is usually well tolerated and induces both clinical improvement and tumor response for prolonged periods of time in the majority of patients. This therapeutic option should always be considered, irrespective of the presence of extrahepatic metastasis.

CT-guided biopsy with cutting-edge needle for the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma: experience of 267 biopsies.

AIM: We performed a retrospective study of 267 core needle aspiration biopsies in order to estimate the accuracy of CT-guided aspiration core needle biopsies for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of malignant lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 1999, 267 CT-guided core needle biopsies were performed in 241 patients with either primary or recurrent malignant lymphoma. Patients age ranged from 4--88 years. One hundred and sixty-six (62.2%) nodal and 101 (37.8%) extranodal aspiration biopsies were performed using either 18G or 20G Turner needles. Statistical method used was Chi-square analysis. RESULTS: An accurate histological diagnosis was made in 199 (82.5%) patients, the remaining 42 (17.4%) patients had non-diagnostic CT biopsies. Thirty-seven of them were diagnosed by a surgical biopsy, four by bone marrow biopsy and in one patient by paracentesis. One hundred and seventy-nine patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and 62 had Hodgkin's disease (HD); 23 (9.54%) patients underwent repeated CT biopsy which was diagnostic in 17 (73.9%) and non-diagnostic in six (26%). CONCLUSION: CT-guided aspiration core biopsies were sufficient to establish a diagnosis in lymphoproliferative disorders in 82.5% of cases. In the light of this experience we suggest that imaging-guided core needle biopsy be used as the first step in the work up of many patients with lymphoma.

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for the treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysm occurring after catheterization of the femoral artery is associated with significant morbidity. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection has recently emerged as a potential first-line therapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of this treatment in eight patients with iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. METHODS: After attempted treatment with external compression had failed, eight patients with iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm were treated with thrombin injection. Treatment performed between 2 and 9 days following arterial puncture. The study group comprised seven males and one female ranging in age from 23 to 89 years (median 70). Seven had undergone cardiac catheterization with or without intervention, and five were receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs. Arterial pseudoaneurysm resulted from femoral vein catheterization in one patient. Using a sterile technique and real-time Doppler ultrasound guidance, a dilute solution of bovine thrombin (average dose 250 units, range 100-600), was slowly injected directly into the pseudoaneurysm until cessation of flow was seen. Patients were allowed to walk within 2 hours of the procedure and were followed up clinically and by color Doppler ultrasound during the admission. RESULTS: Cardiac catheterization had been inadvertently performed via the superficial or profunda femoris arteries in four of the eight patients. Thrombin injection was initially successful in all eight patients without complication. Thrombosis occurred immediately in every case. Early recanalization of pseudoaneurysm occurred in one patient despite repeat thrombin injection and attempted ultrasound-guided compression. He eventually required surgical repair. The final success rate was 87.5% (7/8). CONCLUSION: Faulty puncture technique is an important risk factor for the development of post-catheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection is a safe, rapid, well-tolerated, inexpensive and successful therapy. If initial external compression with a sandbag fails to result in thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm then thrombin injection should be considered as first-line therapy. If unsuccessful, it does not preclude the use of alternative treatment modalities. Further study is necessary to assess the long-term effects of thrombin injection.

Value of chest CT scans in routine ovarian carcinoma follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to examine the role of chest CT scans in routine follow-up of patients who had been treated for ovarian carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiologic follow-up of 127 women with metatastic ovarian carcinoma who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy between 1985 and 1996 was reviewed. In reviewing each patient's medical record, we determined whether a chest CT scan had been obtained, and if so, how many had been obtained during the patient's follow-up period. For patients with a chest CT scan, an analysis of the presence of disease in the thorax and its relation to disease in the abdomen and pelvis, as revealed on CT images, was performed. RESULTS: Of the patients whose cases were examined, 82 (65%) had had at least one chest CT scan obtained, with more than 50% having had three or more scans. Thirty-two (39%) patients had no radiologic evidence of disease. Twenty-eight (34%) showed disease in the abdomen or pelvis but no disease in the chest. Eighteen (22%) had both chest and abdominal or pelvic CT scans that indicated disease. In all of these patients, abdominal or pelvic disease had appeared on scans before spreading to the chest. Four (5%) of the patients had isolated chest disease. The rate of lung metastases from ovarian carcinoma in our series was 6%. In all of these patients, pulmonary metastases were preceded either by abdominal or pelvic disease or by a rise in tumor markers. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary metastases in ovarian carcinoma are rare and usually preceded by recurrence of carcinoma in the abdomen or pelvis. We suggest that chest CT scanning could be eliminated in the routine follow-up of patients who have been treated for ovarian carcinoma; yet it should be performed for those patients with elevated serum tumor markers but without evidence of abdominal or pelvic disease.

Talc pleurodesis through small-bore percutaneous tubes.

Pleurodesis using talc as the sclerosing agent is an effective procedure for preventing reaccumulation of malignant pleural effusions. Because of its thickness, the talc slurry is usually instilled through large bore (20-28 Fr), surgically placed thorocostomy tubes. However, these tubes often cause considerable patient discomfort. Herein we report a series of eight patients in whom the talc slurry was inserted through 10 and 12 Fr percutaneous chest tubes. Six of the eight patients (75%) had a successful pleurodesis without a reaccumulation of fluid. We conclude that this is an acceptable method for treating patients with malignant pleural effusions.

Transcatheter embolization for the treatment of misperfusion after hepatic artery chemoinfusion pump implantation.

BACKGROUND: The use of surgically implanted chemoinfusion pumps for the treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma can be complicated by intra- or extrahepatic misperfusion. This may result in suboptimal tumor exposure to the chemotherapeutic agent and injury to other gastrointestinal organs. Misperfusion can be managed by selective arterial transcatheter embolization. METHODS: Between 1989 and 1996, 16 patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma and with hepatic artery chemoinfusion pump misperfusion were treated using transcatheter coil embolization. Six female and 10 male patients (age range, 34-84 years; median, 51.5 years) were identified by retrospective review of the records of the Department of Interventional Radiology. After pump placement, abnormal liver perfusion scan or methylene blue endoscopy study results prompted angiography with coil embolization. After embolization, the imaging studies were repeated and patients were monitored in the Oncology Clinic. RESULTS: Eight patients exhibited intrahepatic misperfusion (group 1) and eight extrahepatic misperfusion (group 2). Coil embolization was immediately successful in 100% of patients in group 1, with restoration of normal hepatic perfusion, and in 75% in group 2. There were no immediate procedure-related complications. Follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 23 months (median, 13.5 months). Embolization was unsuccessful for two patients (in group 2), who tolerated a modified chemotherapeutic regimen, with follow-up periods of 18.5 and 22 months. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter coil embolization is the therapy of choice for the management of hepatic artery chemoinfusion pump misperfusion. It is rapid, effective, and well tolerated by patients and obviates the need for additional surgical intervention.

Prevention of intestinal adhesions after laparotomy in a rat model--a randomized prospective study.

We prospectively studied the effect of a foam composite containing glycerin, propylene glycol, polyol, stearine, stearate and silicone oil, which is known to form a temporary barrier layer when applied to epithelial surface, on adhesion prevention in rats. The small intestine abrasion model was used for creation of adhesions. Sixty male Sabra rats of a mean weight of 295 +/- 23 g were randomly assigned into four groups: group 1 (n = 20) underwent laparotomy and abrasion; group 2 (n = 20) underwent laparotomy, abrasion and intraperitoneal instillation of the foam composite; group 3 (n = 10) underwent laparotomy with abrasion and a second laparotomy with adhesiolysis 2 weeks later; and group 4 (n = 10), was treated in the same way as group 3 but during the second laparotomy the foam composite was instilled intraperitoneally. All animals were relaparotomized 2 weeks (groups 1 and 2) and 4 weeks (groups 3 and 4) after the initial laparotomy for adhesion scoring performed by a blinded independent investigator using the standard 0-3 adhesion grading score. Representative specimens of small intestine and liver from animals in groups 2 and 4 were analyzed. A significantly lower mean adhesion score was noted in group 2 (1.15 +/- 0.3) compared with that of group 1 (2.65 +/- 0.1) or group 3 (2.60 +/- 0.1) (P < 0.01). Group 4 had a significantly lower score (1.4 +/- 0.3) than group 3 or group 1 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean adhesion score between groups 1 and 3. Histological examination revealed no evidence of residual foam composite or adverse reaction to its use in the intestine and liver. The foam composite tested may reduce the severity of intestinal adhesions after laparotomy and may also reduce the severity of recurrent adhesions after adhesiolysis. Intraperitoneal use of this composite is safe in rats. The exact mechanism of action is unclear but may be related to the formation of a temporary microlayer that coats the injured surface of the intestine and facilitates healing without adhesion formation. Further investigation is needed to evaluate its full potential.

Unusual spontaneous hepatic vein to paraumbilical vein shunt in a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome and cirrhosis: a case report.

A very unusual portosystemic shunt was identified using color flow Doppler sonography in an adult male with Budd-Chiari syndrome and cirrhosis secondary to a hypercoagulability state. Hepatofugal blood flow was demonstrated between the middle hepatic vein and a recanalized paraumbilical vein, resulting clinically in prominent periumbilical veins. The clinical and radiological features are described.

Fracture of the occipital condyles and associated craniocervical ligament injury: incidence, CT imaging and implications.

Thin section contiguous axial computer tomography (CT) was used to demonstrate fractures of the occipital condyle and craniocervical ligament injury. During a 12-month period, 55 consecutive patients who had sustained high energy blunt trauma to the head or upper cervical region were examined (38 male and 17 female, age range 3-80 years, median 24 years). If occipital condyle fracture was suspected clinically, CT was performed from C2 to the foramen magnum with two dimensional sagittal, coronal, and curvilinear reconstructions and employing bone and soft tissue windows. Occipital condyle fractures were classified according to Anderson and Montesano types 1, 2 or 3. Injury to the internal craniocervical ligaments was described. Nine of 55 patients had occipital condyle fractures (16.4%). Injury of the alar ligaments was demonstrated in four and tectorial membrane injury in two patients. Three of the nine patients had associated fractures of cervical vertebrae. Five of nine patients had a normal Glasgow coma scale on admission (55%) and in two patients the occupital condyle fracture was the only significant injury. Plain cervical radiographs were non-diagnostic. Two patients had significant pain and limited motion of the craniocervicum several months following injury. In conclusion, CT should be performed where there is a high clinical suspicion of occipital condyle fracture, that is based mainly on the mechanism of injury.

Pancreaticogastrostomy after pancreatoduodenectomy. A retrospective study of 28 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To attempt to reduce the frequency and severity of postoperative anastomotic leakage from pancreaticojejunostomy in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral center, department of general surgery, in the 31-month period between April 1, 1993, and November 30, 1995. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Twenty-eight patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy. Indications for surgery included carcinoma of the pancreas (n = 14), carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (n = 8), distal cholangiocarcinoma (n = 3), duodenal carcinoma (n = 1), an islet cell tumor (n = 1), and cystadenoma of the pancreas (n = 1). The median patient age was 62 years (range, 34-76 years). The median duration of surgery was 6.75 hours (range, 4-12 hours). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An anastomotic leak was defined as a recovery of more than 50 mL/d of amylase-rich fluid from the drains (> 3 times the normal plasma levels) on or after the seventh postoperative day. RESULTS: An anastomotic leak that lasted between 7 and 14 days developed in 4 patients (14.3%). A pancreatic leak led to no major morbidity. In all cases, leakage was treated by temporary restriction of oral intake and nasogastric drainage. An intra-abdominal collection did not develop in any of these 4 patients. No patient required another surgical procedure for a pancreatic fistula or abdominal collection. One patient (3.6%) died postoperatively. The median duration of the postoperative hospital stay was 20 days (range, 12-43 days), and all patients were discharged from the hospital after restoration of normal oral feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticogastrostomy is a safe method for reconstruction of the pancreatic remnant after pancreatoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors. It results in an acceptable incidence of anastomotic leakage that is easily controlled by conservative measures.

[CT-guided core needle biopsy of abdominal, pelvic and retroperitoneal masses].

CT-guided core needle biopsy of abdominal, pelvic and retroperitoneal masses is accurate and safe and can be performed on an outpatient basis. Between 1987 and 1995, 809 patients (age range 1-87 years) underwent 851 biopsies (minimal lesion diameter 1 cm). Cutting needles were always used, facilitating both cytological and histological diagnosis while minimizing risk of complications. A positive result (malignant, inflammatory or infectious) was obtained in 69% of the 809 and a negative result (normal tissue) in 17.4%, while in 13.6%, material for diagnosis was insufficient. Biopsy was repeated in 42 of them in whom radiological or clinical suspicion of malignancy was high. In 24 (60%) a positive result was obtained after the second biopsy. Significant complications occurred in 7 (0.8%). 1 hemo-rrhaged following liver biopsy and required blood transfusion. Pancreatitis occurred in 6 (2.6%) following pancreatic biopsy. An intraabdominal fluid collection in 1 necessitated percutaneous drainage. There was no mortality following the procedure and no documented case of needle-tract seeding of tumor. All outpatients were discharged within 3 hours of completion of the biopsy, without ill effects.

Occipital condyle fracture and ligament injury: imaging by CT.

The true incidence of fracture of the occipital condyles is unknown. It may be associated with instability at the craniocervical joint. CT is the modality of choice for the demonstration of these fractures, but its use for imaging of the associated ligament injury has not been reported. In order to demonstrate normal anatomy, occipital condyle fracture and ligament injury, and to estimate the incidence of this lesion, 21 children and young adults with high-energy blunt craniocervical injury were examined prospectively. Thin-slice, axial, contiguous, CT was performed from the base of C2 to above the foramen magnum. Bone and soft tissue windows and coronal, sagittal, and curvilinear 2D reconstructions were performed. Five occipital condyle fractures were identified in four patients (19 %), with demonstration of alar ligament injury in two cases and local hematoma in one. In four, artifacts or rotation precluded assessment of ligaments. In all remaining cases normal bone and ligament anatomy was demonstrated. Fracture of the occipital condyles following craniocervical injury is not uncommon in children and young adults. Normal bone and ligament anatomy and pathology can be safely and clearly demonstrated in seriously injured patients and others using this CT technique. Increased awareness of this entity and a low threshold for performing CT should avoid the potentially serious consequences of a missed diagnosis.

Blunt injury of the small intestine and mesentery--the trauma surgeon's Achilles heel?

Eighteen patients with small intestine or mesenteric injury following blunt abdominal trauma were operated over a 34-month period. Early diagnosis and surgery, less than 6 hours after admission, was achieved in 10 patients (56%), seven of whom had haemorrhagic shock and had positive diagnostic peritoneal lavage or ultrasonography on admission. Three haemodynamically stable patients had a diagnostic abdominal computed tomography. Diagnosis was delayed in eight patients (44%) resulting in a gap between admission and surgery that varied from 20 hours to 46 days. The delay was related to lack of suspicion of injuries in haemodynamically stable patients despite a seat-belt sign, or false negative abdominal computed tomography. Diagnosis was delayed in six of seven patients (86%) where the only injury on admission was an isolated intestinal or mesenteric injury. In 11 patients there were associated abdominal or other system injuries. Late diagnosis was associated with an increased morbidity and longer hospital stay, relating to intestinal and mesenteric injury. In conclusion, a seat belt sign is highly suspicious of intestinal or mesenteric injury. Computed tomography was unreliable in diagnosing blunt intestinal and mesenteric injuries, and if equivocal, should be followed by diagnostic peritoneal lavage if nonoperative management is selected. Delayed diagnosis is often related to isolation of intestinal and mesenteric injury and results in increased morbidity and hospital stay. Every attempt should be made to reach a diagnosis within six hours of admission to the trauma unit. A management algorithm is proposed.

Accidental embolization of an intravenous cannula in the upper limb: retrieval following computed tomography localization.

Embolization of small foreign body particles from peripheral veins to the heart or lungs is an uncommon occurrence and, once released into the circulation, localization and retrieval may be difficult. We present a case of accidental separation and embolization of a 28 mm long distal portion of a polytetrafluoroethylene intravenous cannula that was sited in a superficial right wrist vein. The fragment travelled as far as the antecubital fossa prior to the application of a tourniquet. It was then accurately located in the cephalic vein using contiguous axial computed tomography with reconstructions, and was easily retrieved under local anaesthesia. A management approach to this uncommon but potentially serious problem is suggested.