ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to present a new technique for endovascular aortic arch repair for 1, 2, or 3 vessels using preloaded wires and precannulated target vessels without wire wrapping. TECHNIQUE: This technique uses a prototype catheter with 2 parallel lumens to position through-and-through guidewires in the supra-aortic branches and an extra-stiff guidewire in the ascending aorta with no wrapping. This allows the introduction and advancement of the device with the already precannulated target vessels. The endograft is advanced to the aortic arch without twisting or wrapping. Covered stents are deployed to align the graft and target vessels. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, a technique that avoids wire wrapping has not been previously described. This technique allows safer and faster endovascular arch procedures and opens up new possibilities by enabling multi-vessel endovascular aortic arch repair with all precannulated target vessels.
Subject(s)
Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation , Endovascular Procedures , Aorta, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , Aorta, Thoracic/surgery , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/surgery , Blood Vessel Prosthesis , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Humans , Prosthesis Design , Stents , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value for malignancy of microcalcifications determined by ultrasonography in thyroid nodules. METHODS: One hundred seventy-seven nodules were prospectively studied by ultrasonography and compared with their fine-needle aspirative biopsy. The association between the presence and type of calcification and cytologic findings was verified through the chi-square test or likelihood ratio. RESULTS: Thirty nodules showed calcification, of which 17 had fine calcifications, 3 had fine and gross calcifications, and 10 had only coarse calcification. Seven (41.18%) of 17 fine calcified nodules were malignant on cytology, 8 (47.06%) were benign, 1 (5.88%) was indeterminate, and 1 was suspect for malignancy. We found statistical significance between the presence of fine calcifications and malignancy (p = .001) and, in the 13 malignant nodule group, 8 (61.50%) had fine calcifications. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that microcalcifications were highly specific for malignancy and were present in 61% of the malignant nodules.