Cryoablation of lung malignancies recurring close to surgical clips following surgery: Report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Minimally ablative therapies are now available for the treatment of lung malignancies. However, selection of the appropriate technique is not always easy and requires accurate preoperative planning. AIMS: To describe the treatment of lung tumors with cryoablation. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: We report three cases of lung malignancies that recurred close to surgical clips after surgical treatment, successfully treated by cryoablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An initial freezing cycle was performed for 10 min, followed by a 5-min thawing cycle, and an additional 10-min freezing cycle. A final 5-min thaw was necessary to remove the needle from the iceball formed during the freezing cycle. RESULTS: The procedures were completed successfully with no signs of surgical-clip misplacement, and excellent ablation of the lesions. CONCLUSION: Cryoablation is a relatively new procedure that potentially permits the local treatment of lung tumors with minimal loss of lung parenchyma.

Bilateral transrenal ureteral occlusion by means of n-butyl cyanoacrylate and AMPLATZER vascular plug.

AMPLATZER vascular plug is a widely used embolic agent. In the present paper, we present a case of an 86-year-old female patient who underwent bilateral ureteral occlusion by means of AMPLATZER vascular plug II coupled to n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) because of recurring pyelonephritis following cystectomy with subsequent bilateral ureterosigmoidostomy (sec. Mainz type II).

Retrograde fluoroscopy-guided trans-urethral exchange of ureteral stents: Comparison of direct grasping vs. modified snare.

BACKGROUND: Several different techniques including guide-wire lasso, simple snare, modified snare (MS) and direct grasping (DG), are available for retrograde ureteral stent retrieval and exchange. Choice among them is not always easy and depends on many different factors, including the local level of expertise. OBJECTIVE: To compare the MS and DG during retrograde exchange of double-J ureteral stent under fluoroscopic guidance. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: 66 patients (36 men and 30 women; mean age 66.6 years) needing retrograde ureteral stent exchange were included. All stents were previously placed through an anterograde way. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Time needed to grasp each single stent was recorded as well as the complications. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Fisher's test was used to compare procedural time in both groups; P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 102 stents were exchanged. Mean time was 4.46 min for DG and 7.81 min for MS (P = 0.029). No significant complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the MS, the DG is easier, quicker, and less expensive.