Thrombus resolution and hemodynamic recovery using ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis in acute pulmonary embolism.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the safety profile and clinical success of ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) with a standard lytic infusion protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed at a single center treating patients with acute PE between October 2009 and April 2012. On diagnosis of submassive or massive PE by pulmonary computed tomography angiography or ventilation/perfusion scan, all patients received anticoagulation and treatment using the EkoSonic endovascular system (EKOS Corporation, Bothell, Washington). The ultrasound-accelerated thrombolytic infusion catheters were placed into the affected pulmonary arteries to facilitate administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator at 0.5-1.0mg/h/catheter. RESULTS: Treatment of 60 patients (35 men, 25 women; age 61 y±16; 53 bilateral PE; 48 submassive PE) resulted in complete thrombus clearance (≥90%) in 57% and near-complete (50%-90%) clearance in 41% of patients after infusion of 35.1 mg±11.1 of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator over 19.6 hours±6.0. Measurements before and after treatment showed a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure (47 mm Hg±15 to 38 mm Hg±12 [systolic], P<.001) and Miller score (25±3 to 17±6, P<.001). There were 57 patients who survived to discharge. All three patients who died in the hospital presented with massive PE. On 90-day follow-up, 56 patients (93%) were alive. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis in patients with acute PE with a large thrombus burden.

Yttrium-90 radioembolization for liver malignancies: prognostic factors associated with survival.

PURPOSE: To identify key prognostic clinical and imaging variables in patients undergoing yttrium-90 radioembolization ((90)Y) for liver malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with liver malignancies that progressed despite standard-of-care therapy were treated with (90)Y from 2002 to 2006. Baseline functional status, laboratory values, and diagnostic imaging were assessed before therapy. Imaging follow-up was performed 1 month after treatment and subsequently at 3-month intervals. Patients were followed for survival from the time of their first (90)Y treatment. RESULTS: Patients with follow-up imaging after radioembolization (N = 130) were included in this analysis. Primary malignancies included colon, neuroendocrine, and others. The following clinical variables had a significant effect on survival on multivariate analysis: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) greater than 0 (hazard ratio [HR], 7.98; 95% CI, 3.98-16), hepatic tumor burden of 51%-75% (HR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.01-6.02), bilirubin level greater than 1.3 mg/dL (HR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.27-5.34), hepatic metastases from breast cancer (HR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.13-5.61), response on imaging based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24-0.94), and lymphocyte depression (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31-0.96). Among patients with colorectal cancer metastases to the liver, the HR for survival on univariate analysis for responders compared with nonresponders (per WHO criteria) was 0.26 (95% CI, 0.10-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer-related symptoms (ie, ECOG PS > 0), hepatic tumor burden greater than 50%, increased bilirubin levels, and hepatic metastases from breast cancer were found to be negative prognostic factors. Tumor response to therapy and lymphocyte depression were associated with favorable prognosis. Additionally, WHO response was identified to be a favorable prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer metastases. These findings may be useful when counseling patients regarding prognosis of their hepatic disease.

Development of renal scars on CT after abdominal trauma: does grade of injury matter?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine whether there is an association between the grade of a traumatic renal injury and the subsequent development of renal parenchymal scars on CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study encompassing all acute trauma patients admitted to our institution over a 42-month period found to have renal parenchyma injuries on initial MDCT and also to have undergone a follow-up CT performed at least 1 month after trauma. We identified 54 patients who sustained blunt (n = 44) or penetrating (n = 10) abdominal trauma. The renal injuries were graded by two radiologists according to the Organ Injury Scaling Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), grades I through V. Follow-up CT was reviewed for the presence of parenchymal distortion, scarring, or perfusion defects. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients, 12 had grade I injury, eight had grade II injury, 22 had grade III injury, 10 had grade IV injury, and two had grade V injury. Grades I and II traumatic renal injuries were undetectable on follow-up CT. Grade III injuries resulted in the development of renal scars in 14 of 22 (64%) patients. Scarring resulted in all patients with grades IV and V injuries. CONCLUSION: Grades I and II renal injuries heal completely, whereas higher grades of renal trauma result in permanent parenchymal scarring. Hence, incidentally discovered renal scars in patients with a history of minor renal trauma should be attributed tentatively to other causes that may or may not require additional investigation.

Radiologic and pathologic characteristics of benign and malignant lesions of the mandible.

Mandibular lesions develop from both odontogenic and nonodontogenic origins and have varying degrees of destructive potential. Common benign cystic lesions include periapical (radicular) cysts, follicular (dentigerous) cysts, and odontogenic keratocysts. Benign solid tumors represent a broad spectrum of lesions such as ameloblastomas, odontomas, ossifying fibromas, and periapical cemental dysplasia. Malignant tumors that often involve the mandible include squamous cell carcinomas, osteosarcomas, and metastatic tumors. In addition, vascular lesions such as hemangiomas and arteriovenous malformations may develop, further expanding the differential diagnosis. Because mandibular lesions have a wide range of pathologic features but similar imaging appearances, familiarity with embryologic characteristics and secondary findings is crucial. Patient age at manifestation, prevalence, location within the mandible, cystic or solid appearance, border contour, and effect of the lesion on adjacent structures are all considerations in making the diagnosis. Despite this information, however, many lesions are impossible to differentiate without biopsy. In such cases, defining the degree of malignant potential is very helpful. Although imaging will not always provide a specific diagnosis, it should help narrow the differential diagnosis, thereby helping to guide patient treatment.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the buccal space.

Solitary fibrous tumors are submesothelial mesenchymal fibroblastic tumors that typically occur in relation to parietal or visceral pleura. However, the tumor also occurs in extrapleural sites, including the peritoneum, mediastinum, orbit, and oral cavity. With the advent of immunohistochemical testing, certain tumors may be more readily identifiable; however, the diagnosis often must be reached by histomorphology and imaging studies alone. We describe a case of a solitary fibrous tumor of the buccal space, including clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, gross pathology, and histopathologic description.