Foam sclerotherapy for patients with Klipple-Trenaunary syndrome complicated by frequent cellulitis of lower extremity: A case report.

RATIONALE: Klipple-Trenaunary Syndrome (KTS) complicated by frequent cellulitis of lower extremity seriously affects a patient quality of life. The hemodynamic characteristics of the disease are still unclear. Direct skin incision or puncture to remove malformed veins at the lesion site carries the risk of non-healing of the surgical incision. Our aim is to explore initial management strategies based on the hemodynamic characteristics of this disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 29-year-old Manchu man was affected by KTS from childhood, characterized by an increase of the circumference and superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity. In the past 5 years, he suffered from frequent cellulitis in the left leg every 15 days or so. DIAGNOSES: KTS complicated by frequent cellulitis of lower extremity. INTERVENTIONS: The clinical and hemodynamic characteristics of KTS were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) combined with CT venography (CTV), and foam sclerotherapy and postoperative elastic bandage compression were performed accordingly. OUTCOMES: Based on evaluations, the reason for frequent cellulitis was the continuous increase of venous hypertension in the calf caused by the malformed superficial vein and its penetrating vein. After 3 operations, the patient had no recurrence of cellulitis of the leg. Follow-up for 1 year showed no recurrence of left leg cellulitis. LESSONS: This report emphasizes that foam sclerotherapy can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of KTS, such as cellulitis, and provide a safe skin environment for the implementation of other surgical methods, based on the evaluation of the pathological characteristics of KTS by DUS combined with CTV.

Up-and-over access is not an optimal pathway for percutaneous catheter-directed thrombolysis in acute iliofemoral popliteal venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the feasibility and results of up-and-over access (UOA) for catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in acute iliofemoral popliteal venous thrombosis (IFPVT). METHODS: From June 2020 to June 2021, a total of 26 patients (26 lower limbs) undergoing CDT for IFPVT were included. According to the vascular access, the patients were divided into UOA group (n = 11, 10 left limbs and 1 right limb) and ipsilateral popliteal vein (ILPV) (n = 15, 15 left limbs) access group. The differences in preoperative characteristics and technical details between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Patients in UOA group were older than those in ILPV access group (67.64 ± 4.11 years VS. 52.73 ± 15.63 years, p = .003). The BMI of UOA group was significantly higher than that of ILPV access group (26.03 ± 1.62 kg/m2 VS 24.71 ± 1.46 kg/m2, p = .039). There were significantly more patients with simultaneous three comorbidities in UOA group than in ILPV access group (45.5% vs. 0, p = .043). Compared with ILPV access group, the duration of operation and fluoroscopy of UOA group were significantly longer (20.64 ± 3.41 min vs. 10.20 ± 1.42 min, p < .001; 18.18 ± 2.99 min vs. 6.13 ± 0.92 min, p < .001), but the technical success rate was significantly lower (54.5% vs. 100%, p = .007). In UOA group, the operation-related complications occurred, including catheter straying into lateral sacral vein (9.1%), retroperitoneal hematoma (9.1%), and thrombus shedding into filter (9.1%). CONCLUSION: The UOA may be attempted in patients who are unable to be prone, but this access is not an optimal pathway for CDT.

Combination of Circulating miR-125a-5p, miR-223-3p and D-dimer as a Novel Biomarker for Deep Vein Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a thrombus formed in the deep venous cavity and can cause a fatal pulmonary embolism. Since circulating miRNAs are used as molecular markers for the early warning and diagnosis of various diseases, such as tumors and cardiovascular diseases, the purpose of the present study was initially to identify differential expression circulating miRNAs in plasma, and then explore potential biomarkers for DVT. METHODS: The plasma of 30 patients with DVT before and after DVT-related endovascular interventions constituted 6 sample pools for miRNA sequencing, and the levels of 22 plasma miRNAs were significantly changed. Then, various bioinformatics tools were utilized to screen out 8 miRNAs with potential DVT diagnostic value. Furthermore, their diagnostic values were evaluated in 120 patients with DVT and 120 healthy individuals. RESULTS: The levels of 22 circulating plasma miRNAs (12 up-regulated, 10 down-regulated) were significantly changed in patients with DVT before and after endovascular interventions, especially miR-125a-5p (up-regulation) and miR-223-3p (down-regulation). The values of area under the ROC curve (AUC) of miR-125a-5p and miR-223-3p were both >0.8, indicating that they were valuable in diagnosing DVT. The combination of miR-125a-5p and miR-223-3p with D-dimer significantly improved the efficiency of diagnosing DVT, (AUC >0.97, the sensitivity and specificity >95%), and was better than those of D-dimer alone. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of miR-125a-5p and miR-223-3p were the most significantly changed in patients with DVT before and after endovascular interventions; together with the classic biomarker D-dimer, they can be used as a potential biomarker for diagnostic and therapeutic process of DVT.

Three-dimensional C-arm computed tomography combined with fluoroscopic guided pediculoplasty for treatment of vertebral body metastasis with lytic pedicle.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate a percutaneous pediculoplasty (PP) technique, using 3-dimensional C-arm CT reformation combined with fluoroscopic guidance for patients presented vertebral body metastasis with lytic pedicle. Thirteen patients (average age 57.8 years) were treated through lytic pedicle approach in our study. Subjective good and partial pain relief was reported with Visual Analogue Scale reduction ≥ 4 in 11/13 patients at 1 month after procedure, two patients with insufficient pain relief died from clinical complications unrelated with PP at 3 month follow-up. Pain relief was maintained in 10 patients at 6 month post-procedural follow-up. One patient died from underlying disease unrelated with the procedure at 5 month follow-up. PP through the lytic pedicle approach under 3-dimensional C-arm CT reformation combined with fluoroscopic guidance was a feasible, safe, and minimally invasive procedure that could provide both the precise control of needle placement and cement injection with one imaging system.

Three-dimensional C-arm computed tomography reformation combined with fluoroscopic-guided sacroplasty for sacral metastases.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate a sacroplasty technique, using three-dimensional C-arm CT reformation combined with fluoroscopic guidance for patients with severe painful sacral metastases. We studied the data of seven patients (average age 55.7 years) treated through trans-sacroiliac joint approach with the technique. Patients with additional thoracolumbar osteolytic metastases (five out of seven) also received concomitant vertebroplasty accordingly. Subjective significant pain relief was reported with visual analogue scale reduction ≥4 in all seven patients at 1 month after procedure, six out of seven at 3 months, and five out of six at 6 months. Pain recurrence was reported in two patients at 3 and 6 months follow-up, respectively, associated with their clinical evidence of tumor progression. One patient died from underlying disease unrelated with the procedure. Sacroplasty under three-dimensional C-arm CT reformation combined with fluoroscopic guidance was a feasible, safe, and minimally invasive procedure that could provide both the precise control of needle placement and cement injection with one imaging system.

Height restoration and wedge angle correction effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty: association with intraosseous clefts.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of vertebroplasty on restoration of vertebral body height and wedge angle and relief from pain in patients with osteoporotic compression fractures. METHODS: A retrospective study of 156 patients (232 levels) who had undergone vertebroplasty was conducted. Treated vertebrae with cleft included 49 patients (49 levels) and that without cleft 107 patients (183 levels). Effects on restoration of vertebral body height and wedge angle, and pain scores between pre- and post-procedure were statistically analyzed by using a paired-sample t test, and Kruskal Wallis test. RESULTS: The height and wedge angle of the fractured vertebral body, and pain score, improved significantly after vertebroplasty. On a vertebra-by-vertebra analysis, the vertebral body height and wedge angle in the cleft group, were statistically significantly better post-procedure (P < 0.01); in the non-cleft group, there was nosignificant improved (P > 0.05). Pain relief was not statistically significant different between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most patients experienced pain relief after vertebroplasty. After vertebroplasty, the height and wedge angle were significantly improved in the cleft group (p < 0.01), with no significant improvement in the non-cleft group (p > 0.05). Key Points • Vertebra with cleft is attributed to improvement of the spinal deformity • Vertebra without cleft was not associated with improvement of the spinal deformity • Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment strategy for osteoporotic compression fractures.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for treatment of osteolytic metastases of the C2 vertebral body using anterolateral and posterolateral approach.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) of C2 vertebral body is a challenging procedure. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of PVP for the C2 osteolytic metastases using anterolateral and posterolateral approaches. Ten patients (8 male, 2 female) with C2 metastases were treated with PVP under local anesthesia. Anterolateral route was used under the guidance of fluoroscopy in 9 cases, and posterolateral route was used under the guidance of CT in 1 case. Pain intensity was scored on a scale ranging from 0/10 (no pain) to 10/10 (maximum pain intensity). The mean volume of cement injected was 3 +/- 0.8 mL (range, 2.0-4.0 mL), with average vertebral filling of more than 70%. Cement leakage was detected in 4 treated vertebrae. Pain improvement and spine stability were achieved in all patients. In conclusion, PVP of C2 using anterolateral approach is a feasible and minimal invasive procedure for treatment of patients with C2 osteolytic metastases. Posterolateral approach is a safe and effective option for PVP of C2 when hyperextension of the cervical spine is contraindicated or difficult to achieve.

Preliminary study on a single balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Recently, bilateral transpedicular kyphoplasty with a single balloon was performed for osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures (OVCFs) to reduce the fees of the operation, but the time of operation and radiation exposure are longer. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of a single balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty for OVCFs. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with painful OVCFs (61 vertebrae) were enrolled in this research. Unilateral transpedicular puncture was performed under the fluoroscopy monitoring of an oblique angle down the pedicle. A single balloon was introduced through unipedicular approach. The final balloon position was in the midline of the vertebral body with the balloon cross-midline expansion and bone cement filled. Clinical outcomes were determined by comparison of the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiographic assessment included restoration of vertebral height and correction of kyphosis. Follow-up was conducted for 6 - 12 months (mean 9.2 months). RESULTS: Thirty-six consecutive patients with 61 vertebrae were successfully operated on with a mean operation time of 37.4 minutes per vertebra. All patients had dramatic pain relief and functional recovery within 96 hours after the procedure with no surgery or device-related complications. VAS score improved from 7.27 +/- 1.02 preoperatively to 2.71 +/- 0.75 postoperatively (P < 0.01). ODI score was decreased from (71.14 +/- 10.94)% preoperatively to (26.56 +/- 6.35)% postoperatively. The average loss of anterior body height was (14.33 +/- 2.76) mm before procedure and (10.03 +/- 1.83) mm after procedure (P < 0.01), while the average loss of middle body height was (10.15 +/- 2.70) mm before procedure and (5.89 +/- 1.83) mm after procedure (P < 0.01). The kyphotic deformity was corrected from (23.43 +/- 5.00) degree to (16.16 +/- 2.77) degree (P < 0.01). The pain relief and functional recovery were substantial and maintained to the last follow-up without any re-collapse or adjacent level fracture. CONCLUSIONS: A single-balloon cross-midline expansion via unipedicular approach in kyphoplasty for OVCFs is an effective and safe procedure with less cost, less operation time and less radiation exposure when compared with the conventional kyphoplasty technique.

[Percutaneous kyphoplasty with double or single balloon in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compressive fracture: a clinical controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous bipediculary kyphoplasty with double or single balloon I treatment of osteoporosis vertebral compressive fractures. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with painful osteoporotic vertebral compressive fracture involving 69 vertebrae. 19 males and 32 females, aged 72.5 (63 - 85), underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty with double inflatable balloon (29 cases, 38 vertebrae) or single inflatable balloon (22 cases, 31 vertebrae) under X-ray fluoroscopy monitoring. The fractured vertebral bodies were punctuated, balloon was put into the subsided areas and then distended, and bone cement was injected into the cavity. The vertebral height and Cobb angle, preoperative and postoperative, were measured by radiography. Follow-up was conducted for 6 - 12 months. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the procedure well with dramatic pain relief within 96 hours after the procedure. No clinical complication was found. Visual analog scale score was improved from 7.8 preoperatively to 2.6 postoperatively (P < 0.01). Oswestry disability index was decreased from 73% preoperatively to 26% postoperatively. In the double balloon group, the heights loss of the anterior and middle portions of the vertebral body reduced from 14.7 mm and 10.5 mm to 10.1 mm and 5.5 mm respectively (both P < 0.01), and the Cobb angle was corrected from 22.4 degrees to 12.3 degrees (P < 0.01). In the single balloon group, the heights loss of the anterior and middle portions of the vertebral body reduced from 14.7 mm and 10.6 mm to 10.4 mm and 6.5 mm respectively (both P < 0.01), and the. Cobb angle was corrected averagely from 21.2 degrees to 11.6 degrees (P < 0.01). The mean vertebral height restoration rates were 72.8% and 70.1% in the double and single balloon groups respectively. The mean Cobb angle correct degrees were 10.1 degrees and 9.5 degrees in double and single balloon groups respectively. There were no significant differences in the average height restoration rate and Cobb angle correction between the double and single balloon groups (72.8% vs 70.1%, and 10.0 degrees vs 9.5 degrees both P > 0.05). The pain relief and functional recovery were substantial and maintained to the last follow up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous bipediculary kyphoplasty with double or single balloon for painful osteoporotic vertebral body compressive fractures is effective and safe.

[The effects of coronary abnormalities on reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract in patients with complex congenital heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of coronary abnormalities on reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract in patients with complex congenital heart disease. METHODS: Eighty patients, including tetralogy of Fallot 14 cases and double outlet right ventricle (DORV) 4 cases with anomalous coronary artery, underwent surgical treatment from April 1989 to May 2004. The coronary diseases included single left or right coronary artery in 11 cases, left anterior descending coronary artery originating from right coronary artery in 6 cases, vascular plexus on right outflow tract in 1 case. One-stage correction was undergone in 17 cases, palliative procedure in 1 case. The reconstruction methods were as follows: mobilizing coronary artery and expanding incision under coronary artery with pericardial patches in 4 cases; repairing ventricular septal defect (VSD) via the incision beneath the coronary artery and expanding right ventricular outlet tract (RVOT) and pulmonary via longitudinal incision over the coronary artery in 3 cases. VSD were repaired via right atrium and minimal incision on RVOT plus incision on pulmonary were made to expand RVOT. Trunk of pulmonary were anastomosis with RVOT in 3 cases. Homograft valved aorta were used in 3 cases. RESULTS: One case died of serious low cardiac output syndrome postoperatively. There was no critical complication of hemorrhage and respiratory tract. Oxygen saturation rose from 68.0% to 82.0% after treated by palliative procedure. Seventeen cases were followed from 10 months to 8 years, 1 case suddenly died with no clear cause. Three cases were with residual leak, 3 with residual obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical procedure should be selected according to the characteristics of coronary disease with complex congenital heart disease.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty using instruments and drugs made in China for vertebral metastases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty on vertebral tumor metastasis using instruments and drugs made in China and to explore the technique of percutaneous vertebroplasty. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with vertebral metastasis were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty with instruments and drugs made in China. Anterolateral approach for cervical vertebrae and transpedicular approach for thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were used. The volume of disease focus and the amount of polymethy methacrylate (PMMA) injected were calculated with formula V = 4/3pi (D/2)(3) preoperatively. PMMA with contrast was mixed according to the ratio of powder/liquid/contrast of 3:2:1. The procedures were monitored under fluoroscopy. PMMA was injected in the polymerization time. CT scanning was performed before and after the operation. RESULTS: The percentage of lesion PMMA fill was more than 50% as demonstrated by CT. Clinical data were obtained from the cases followed up for 7 - 12 months, and the rate of pain relief was 90.6% (29/32) at one week, 71.8% (23/32) at six months, and 58.6% (17/29) at 12 months after operation. There were no cases of PMMA leakage that affected clinical performance. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous vertebroplasty for vertebral tumor metastasis using instruments and drugs made in China was effective. It is important to prevent paravertebral leaks of PMMA and to ensure that PMMA is injected within the polymerization time.