Pre- and Post-Angioplasty Perfusion CT with Acetazolamide Challenge in Patients with Unilateral Cerebrovascular Stenotic Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Perfusion computed tomography (PCT) has the ability to measure quantitative value and produce maps of mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral blood volume (CBV). We assessed cerebral hemodynamics by using these parameters and acetazolamide (ACZ) challenge for pre- and post-procedural evaluation in patients with unilateral cerebrovascular stenotic disease. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent pre-procedural PCT with ACZ challenge, and 24 patients (80%) was conducted follow up PCT after angioplasty with same protocol. The mean MTT, CBF, and CBV were measured and compared in both middle cerebral arterial (MCA) territories before and after ACZ challenge. Hemispheric ratio and percent change after ACZ challenge were calculated before and after angioplasty. RESULTS: The mean stenosis rate was 76.6%. Significant increases in MTT (32.6%, p=0.000) and significant decreases in CBF (-14.2%, p=0.000) were found in stenotic side MCA territories. After ACZ challenge, there were significant changes in MTT (37.4%, p=0.000), CBF (-13.1%, p=0.000), and CBV (-10.5%, p=0.001) in pre-procedural perfusion study. However, no significant increases were found in MTT, or decreases in CBF and CBV in post-procedural study. There were no significant changes after ACZ challenge also. In addition, the degrees of these changes (before and after ACZ challenge) were highly correlated with the stenotic degrees in pre-procedural perfusion study. CONCLUSION: PCT with ACZ challenge appears to be a useful tool to assess the cerebral perfusion status especially in patients with unilateral symptomatic stenotic disease.

Bilateral superior cerebellar artery infarction after stent-angioplasty for internal carotid artery stenosis.

Spontaneous bilateral cerebellar infarction in the territory of the superior cerebellar arteries is extremely rare. Occasionally there have been reports of bilateral cerebellar infarction due to vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic occlusion or stenosis, whereas no report of bilateral cerebellar infarction due to complicated hemodynamic changes. In this report, we present a patient with bilateral cerebral infarctions related to stenoses of bilateral internal carotid arteries, in whom vertebrobasilar system was supplied by multiple collaterals from both posterior communicating arteries and right external carotid artery. We performed stent-angioplasty of bilateral internal cerebral arterial stenosis, and then acute infarction developed on bilateral superior cerebellar artery territories. The authors assumed that the infarction occurred due to hemodynamic change between internal carotid artery and external carotid artery after stent-angioplasty for stenosis of right internal carotid artery.

Comparison of Drug-eluting Coronary Stents, Bare Coronary Stents and Self-expanding Stents in Angioplasty of Middle Cerebral Artery Stenoses.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the results of treatment using stent-angioplasty for symptomatic middle cerebral arterial (MCA) stenosis and comparison of in-stent restenosis between drug-eluting stents (DES), bare metal coronary stents (BMS) and self-expanding stents (SES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan. 2007 to June. 2012, 34 patients (mean age ± standard deviation: 62.9 ± 13.6 years) with MCA stenosis were treated. Inclusion criteria were acute infarction or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and angiographically proven symptom related severe stenosis. Stents used for treatment were DES (n = 8), BMS (n = 13) and SES (n = 13). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission was 2.5 ± 3.1 and mean stenosis rate was 79.0 ± 8.2%. Assessment of clinical and angiographic results was performed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among 34 patients, periprocedural complications occurred in four cases (11.8%), however, only two cases (6.0%) were symptomatic. All patients were followed clinically (mean follow-up period; 40.7 ± 17.7 months) and 31 were followed angiographically (91.2%. 13.4 ± 8.5 months). There was no occurrence of repeat stroke in all patients; however, mild TIAs related to restenosis occurred in three of 34 patients (8.8%). The mean NIHSS after stent-angioplasty was 1.7 ± 2.9 and 0.8 ± 1.1 at discharge. The modified Rankin score (mRS) at discharge was 0.5 ± 0.9 and 0.3 ± 0.8 at the last clinical follow-up. In-stent restenosis over 50% occurred in five of 31 angiographically followed cases (16.1%), however, all of these events occurred only in patients who were treated with BMS or SES. Restenosis rate was 0.0% in the DES group and 20.8% in the other group (p = 0.562); it did not differ between BMS and SES (2/11 18.2%, 3/13 23.1%, p = 1.000). CONCLUSION: Stent-angioplasty appears to be effective for symptomatic MCA stenosis. As for restenosis, in our study, DES was presumed to be more effective than BMS and SES; meanwhile, the results did not differ between the BMS and SES groups.

Fluid collection in the right lateral portion of the superior aortic recess mimicking a right mediastinal mass: assessment with chest posterior anterior and MDCT.

OBJECTIVE: We observed patients in whom the fluid collection in the right lateral portion of the superior aortic recess on computed tomography (CT) scans mimicked a right anterior mediastinal mass on chest PA radiographs. The purpose of this study was to assess chest PA and CT features of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All chest PA radiographs and CT scans in 9 patients were reviewed by two radiologists on a consensus basis; for the presence of pleural effusion, pulmonary edema and heart size on chest PA radiographs. For the portion of the fluid collection in the superior aortic recess (SAR), a connection between the right lateral portion of the SAR (rSAR) and posterior portion of the SAR (pSAR) on CT scans, and the distance between the right lateral margin of the rSAR and the right lateral margin of the superior vena cava. RESULTS: Fluid collection in the rSAR on CT scans caused a right anterior mediastinal mass or a bulging contour on chest PA radiographs in all women patients. All patients showed cardiomegaly, five patients had pleural effusion, and two patients had mild pulmonary edema. Further, eight patients showed a connection between the rSAR and the pSAR. CONCLUSION: The characteristic features of these patients are the right anterior mediastinal mass-like opacity due to fluid collection in the rSAR, are bulging contour with a smooth margin and cardiomegaly regardless of pulmonary edema on the chest PA radiographs, and fluid connection between the rSAR and the pSAR on CT scans.

A venotomy and manual propulsion technique to treat native arteriovenous fistulas occluded by thrombi.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a venotomy and manual propulsion technique that is performed to treat failed native arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with chronic organized thrombi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, we retrospectively reviewed a total of 69 venotomy and manual propulsion procedures performed from October 2005 to July 2009 in 56 patients for the treatment of native AVFs occluded by chronic thrombi. Inflow, anastomotic, and outflow veins were occluded using balloon catheters. Venotomy was made in the thrombi-bearing vein, and thrombi were propelled toward the venotomy site in a "milking" manner and were removed. After repair of the venotomy using simple interrupted sutures, the occlusion balloons were deflated. Angioplasty of the underlying stenosis was performed. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 95.7% of the procedures and clinical success was achieved in 91.3%. The follow-up duration was 1-50 months (mean, 16.7 months), with 3-, 6-, and 12-month primary patency rates of 92.5%, 80.8%, and 58.1%, respectively, and secondary patency rates of 98.1%, 96.2%, and 91.7%. The complication rate was 7.24%, with two major and three minor complications. CONCLUSION: The venotomy and manual propulsion technique is effective and safe for the removal of chronic and organized thrombi from occluded native AVFs.

de Quervain disease: US identification of anatomic variations in the first extensor compartment with an emphasis on subcompartmentalization.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the usefulness of ultrasonography (US) in the detection of anatomic variations in the first extensor compartment of the wrist in patients with de Quervain disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this study protocol and waived the informed consent requirement. Fifteen wrists in 13 women (age range, 41-62 years) in whom de Quervain disease was clinically diagnosed and who underwent surgery for intractable pain were included. A musculoskeletal radiologist performed US before surgery. The absence or presence and extent of subcompartmentalization within the first extensor compartment and the number of abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendon slips were evaluated and recorded. Preoperative US findings were compared with surgical records and photographs. RESULTS: Subcompartmentalization within the first extensor compartment was observed during surgery in 11 of the 15 wrists (73%), including four (27%) that had subcompartmentalization only in the distal portion of this compartment. US was used to identify all 11 wrists showing subcompartmentalization within this compartment (sensitivity, 100%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 74%, 100%), as well as three of the four wrists with distal incomplete subcompartmentalization. There was one wrist with false-positive distal incomplete subcompartmentalization. US had a positive predictive value in the detection of subcompartmentalization of 73% (95% CI: 47%, 91%). The number of tendon slips in this compartment detected with US was identical to that identified at surgery with one exception. CONCLUSION: US can be used to depict various types of anatomic variations in the first extensor compartment in patients with de Quervain disease.

Deep vein thrombosis associated with may-thurner syndrome in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient -a case report-.

There have been a few reports on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery, referred to as May-Thurner syndrome (MTS). However, there have been no reports on DVT associated with MTS in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients exhibiting similar clinical features to paraplegic spinal cord injury patients. We hereby report a case of DVT associated with MTS in an ALS patient, who was treated successfully.

Chemical ablation of the gallbladder with acetic acid.

PURPOSE: Chemical ablation of the gallbladder may be a useful alternative to surgery for inoperable disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of chemical ablation of the gallbladder with acetic acid in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five beagle dogs underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy. Percutaneous occlusion of the cystic duct was performed with use of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and coils. After confirmation of occlusion of the cystic duct, sclerotherapy of the gallbladder was performed with 4-7 mL of 50% acetic acid through the drainage catheter. Acetic acid was retained for 20 minutes with intermittent position change. The drainage catheter was removed immediately after sclerotherapy. The dogs were euthanized 8 weeks after the procedure. The gallbladders and adjacent organs were evaluated grossly as well as microscopically. RESULTS: All dogs survived without serious complications during the experimental period. Sclerotherapy was technically successful in all dogs. Gross specimens of the gallbladder showed shrinkage and fibrotic change without retention of any bile, mucus, or pus. Histologic examinations from the body and fundus of the gallbladder demonstrated complete ablation of the mucosa. However, the neck region of the gallbladder near the cystic duct, where NBCA and coils for cystic duct occlusion were located, had focal areas of remnant or regenerating mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Chemical ablation of the gallbladder with 50% acetic acid was effective and safe. Complete ablation was achieved in the majority of gallbladder mucosa except for a small portion located in the gallbladder neck.

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma with osseous involvement of the finger: a case report with radiologic and US findings.

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma is a rare soft tissue tumor that occurs in the distal extremities of children and adolescents. We report ultrasound and X-ray findings of a calcifying aponeurotic fibroma in the finger of a 36-year-old woman, associated with distal phalangeal bone involvement.

Hemoperitoneum caused by hepatic necrosis and rupture following a snakebite: a case report with rare CT findings and successful embolization.

We report the computed tomographic and angiographic findings in the case of a recently obtained successful clinical outcome after embolization of the hepatic artery in the case of a snakebite causing hemoperitoneum associated with hepatic necrosis and rupture with active bleeding.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatic arteriovenous shunt after temporary balloon occlusion of hepatic vein.

PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatic artery to hepatic vein (AV) shunt has increased risk of pulmonary complications during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The purpose of this study is to assess temporary balloon occlusion as a means of preventing pulmonary complications during TACE of hepatocellular carcinoma with AV shunt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven hepatocellular carcinoma patients (M: F = 9:2; mean age, 48 years) with angiographically evident AV shunt underwent TACE with occlusion of the shunt-draining hepatic veins using temporary occlusion balloon catheters. All tumors were in the right lobe, and all AV shunts were between the right hepatic artery and right hepatic vein. The occlusion balloon was inserted via femoral (n = 6) or jugular (n = 5) venous access. The balloon diameter ranged from 8.5 to 11.5 mm and time of ballooning was 3 to 15 minutes (mean, 9.5 minutes). TACE was performed using emulsion of iodized oil and doxorubicin, followed by Gelfoam embolization. The balloon was deflated immediately after chemoembolization, and physical examination and chest radiography were performed. Follow-up computed tomography was performed within 2 weeks after TACE to evaluate the result and pulmonary complications. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. There was no symptom, sign, or radiographic evidence of pulmonary complication. Follow-up computed tomography revealed complete iodized oil uptake by the tumor in eight patients and incomplete uptake by the tumor in three patients. There was no iodized oil uptake in the lungs. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary balloon occlusion of the hepatic vein in hepatocellular carcinoma with AV shunt allowed completion of TACE using conventional method while preventing pulmonary complications.