Percutaneous management of benign biliary strictures.

The interventional radiologist plays an increasing role in the management of patients with benign biliary disease. This article summarizes the percutaneous management of patients with benign biliary strictures and includes a discussion of currently available techniques. The techniques of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage will be reviewed. This includes anatomic and technical considerations of the right midaxillary and left subxyphoid percutaneous approaches, a review of percutaneous dilation of biliary strictures and the management of patients with chronic indwelling biliary drainage catheters. (ie, periodic catheter exchanges, catheter flushing, etc). The article concludes with a discussion of biliary drainage catheters and the clinical and physiologic parameters used in making a decision to remove the tube.

Fenestration of extracardiac fontan and reversal of protein-losing enteropathy: case report.

We describe a patient with protein-losing enteropathy who presented 6 months after undergoing a modified Fontan operation. After failing to respond to medical therapy, the Fontan tunnel was fenestrated by catheter intervention with immediate improvement and resolution of hypoproteinemia and enteric protein loss.

Portal venous system thrombosis: helical CT angiography before transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of helical computed tomographic (CT) angiography for depiction of thrombi in the portal venous system in patients under consideration for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast material-enhanced helical CT was performed before TIPS creation in 25 patients. Axial, multiplanar, and three-dimensional images were evaluated to determine whether thrombus was present in the portal system and whether TIPS creation was contraindicated. CT findings were confirmed at visceral angiography (n = 3), direct portography (n = 20), or duplex ultrasonography (n = 2). RESULTS: Ten (40%) of 25 patients, including 10 (56%) of 18 patients with refractory variceal hemorrhage, had thrombus in the portal venous system. Helical CT scans depicted thrombus in nine (90%) of 10 patients (95% confidence interval = 0.71, 1.00) and in 16 (94%) of 17 vessels (95% confidence interval = 0.83, 1.00), including the portal vein (eight of eight patients), splenic vein (three of four patients), and superior mesenteric vein (five of five patients). TIPS creation was canceled in four (16%) patients on the basis of CT findings. CONCLUSION: Thrombi in the portal venous system are common in patients with refractory variceal hemorrhage. Helical CT angiography is sensitive and specific for portal venous system thrombosis and can provide information that alters treatment in these patients.

Guide wire directed manipulation of malfunctioning peritoneal dialysis catheters: a critical analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patency rates after guide wire directed manipulation of malfunctioning continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 58-month period, 23 patients underwent 34 outpatient guide wire directed manipulations of their CAPD catheter to improve function (n = 30) or reduce pain and improve function (n = 4) during dialysis. Catheter patency rates were subsequently determined by review of departmental, hospital, and dialysis center charts; procedural reports; and patient telephone interviews. RESULTS: Among 12 patients who underwent a single guide wire directed manipulation, long-term (> 30 days) catheter patency was achieved in seven (58%). With use of the Kaplan-Meier survival method, the 3-, 6-, and 12-month probability of patency after a single guide wire manipulation was 0.61, 0.54, and 0.11, respectively. The mean duration of patency achieved in this group was 131 days (range, 2-421 days). In those patients (n = 8) who underwent multiple catheter manipulations (n = 19), 11 (58%) procedures resulted in long-term patency, with each patient (100%) achieving at least one such period. The Kaplan-Meier survival method determined the probability of patency in this group at 3, 6, and 12 months to be 0.75, 0.69, and 0.54, respectively. The mean secondary catheter patency was 235 days (range, 2-646 days). Overall, 75% of patients followed up achieved at least one period of long-term catheter patency during the time of this study. One (3%) episode of postprocedure peritonitis occurred. CONCLUSION: Guide wire directed CAPD catheter manipulation is a relatively simple outpatient procedure that restores long-term catheter function for most patients with minimal risk for a major complication. Patients with nonfunctioning CAPD catheters who do not have peritonitis or sepsis will most likely benefit from at least one attempt at radiologic manipulation of their catheter.

Major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Follow-up after combined surgical and radiologic management.

OBJECTIVE: The authors provide the results of follow-up evaluation after combined surgical and radiologic management of 89 patients with major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The incidence and mechanism of injury of major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been clearly defined. Furthermore, a number of series have described the management of these injuries by surgical, endoscopic, and radiologic techniques with excellent short-term results. Long-term follow-up data, however, are lacking in the management of these injuries. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 89 patients treated at a single institution with major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy managed between July 1, 1990, and July 1, 1996. Patients referred with injuries underwent early percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage. Based on the cholangiographic appearance and clinical situation, patients were managed by either percutaneous balloon dilatation or surgical reconstruction with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with transanastomotic stenting. Follow-up was obtained by personal interview during October 1996. RESULTS: Two patients died without an attempt at definitive therapy. Both deaths were caused by sepsis and multisystem organ failure present at the time of transfer to the authors' institution. The remaining 87 patients were managed initially by either balloon dilatation (N = 28) or surgical reconstruction (N = 59). Ten patients have not completed treatment and still have biliary stents in place. Evaluation of 25 patients completing treatment after balloon dilatation (mean follow-up, 27.8 months) showed a success rate of 64%. Evaluation of 52 patients completing treatment after surgical reconstruction (mean follow-up, 33.4 months) showed a success rate of 92%. All failures were managed successfully by either surgical reconstruction or balloon dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Major bile duct injuries can be managed successfully by combined surgical and radiologic techniques. This series provides, for the first time, significant follow-up on a large number of patients with overall success rates of 64% after balloon dilatation and 92% after surgical reconstruction. The combination of surgery and balloon dilatation resulted in a successful outcome in 100% of patients treated.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy-related bile duct injuries: a health and financial disaster.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the total costs associated with repair of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)-related bile duct injuries. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The popularity of LC with both patients and surgeons is such that this procedure now exceeds open cholecystectomy by a ratio of approximately 4 to 10:1. However, costs associated with LC-related injuries, particularly regarding treatment patterns, have up to now not been explored fully. METHODS: The complete hospital and interventional radiology (IR) billing records for 49 patients who have completed treatment for laparoscopic cholecystectomy-related bile duct injuries were divided into 8 categories. These records were totaled for comparison of costs between patient groups that experienced different injuries and treatment patterns. RESULTS: Patients with LC-related bile duct injuries were billed a mean of $51,411 for all care related to repair of their bile duct injury. Patients incurred an average of 32 days of inpatient hospitalization and 10 outpatient care days. Postoperative treatment included long-term chronic biliary intubation averaging 378 days. Two patients (4%) died as a result of their LC-related complications. Patients with bile duct injuries that were recognized immediately at the time of the initial surgery ultimately experienced a total cost for their repair and hospitalization of 43% to 83% less than for patients in whom recognition of the injury was delayed (p < 0.019 to 0.070). In addition, the total hospitalization and outpatient care days was reduced by as much as 76% with early recognition of an iatrogenic injury. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of cholecystectomy-related bile duct injuries can run 4.5 to 26.0 times the cost of the uncomplicated procedure and carries a significant mortality rate. Intraoperative recognition of such an injury with immediate conversion to an open procedure for definitive repair can result in significant cost savings and relates directly to a decreased morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization, and number of outpatient care days.

Volumetric evaluation of blood flow in normal renal arteries with a Doppler flow wire: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of direct intravascular determination of renal artery (RA) blood flow with a Doppler probetipped guide wire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Potential renal donors (n = 10) with normal RAs (n = 23) underwent evaluation of RA blood flow velocity with use of a 0.018-inch, 12-MHz Doppler guide wire. The RA average peak velocity (APV) was obtained with the flow wire. RA diameter was obtained from the filmed images with magnification corrected to a known standard or by a computerized quantification program. These data were used to determine the vessel's cross-sectional area (CSA). RESULTS: The right and left RA APV, CSA, and blood flow differed insignificantly within the group and averaged 9.7 and 9.0 cm/sec (P = .43), 0.417 and 0.357 cm2 (P = .22), and 382 and 370 mL/min (P = .43), respectively. However, in individuals, the RA CSA and total volumetric blood flow varied by a mean of 29% (range, 4%-56%) and 50% (range, 19%-128%), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that direct intravascular determination of RA blood flow with a Doppler-tipped wire is both feasible and relatively uncomplicated. Results indicate that blood flow can vary significantly, both in kidneys within the same individual and from person to person. The Doppler wire may facilitate measurements of RA blood flow during endoluminal interventions and help determine an optimal endpoint for these procedures.

Intraductal biliary biopsy: comparison of three techniques.

PURPOSE: To compare the results obtained with three different techniques for percutaneous transhepatic intraductal biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with obstructive jaundice underwent placement of percutaneous biliary drainage catheters for biliary decompression. As part of the initial procedure or at a subsequent date, intraductal biliary biopsy (n = 109) was performed with use of one or more of three techniques including cytologic brush (n = 53), clamshell forceps under choledochoscopic guidance (n = 31), and clamshell forceps under fluoroscopic guidance (n = 25). RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (55%) had a final diagnosis of malignant disease, and 40 (45%) had a diagnosis of benign disease. One hundred six (97%) biopsy procedures yielded technically adequate specimens. No complications directly related to the biopsy procedures occurred. Overall sensitivity and specificity for each biopsy technique were 26% and 96% for the cytologic brush technique, 30% and 88% for the clamshell forceps under fluoroscopic guidance technique, and 44% and 100% for the clamshell forceps under choledochoscopic guidance technique, respectively. The sensitivities of the biopsy techniques for pancreatic carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively, were 47% and 0% for brush; 75% and 0% for fluoroscopic clamshell; and 100% and 27% for choledochoscopic clamshell. CONCLUSION: The choledochoscope-directed biopsy technique had the greatest sensitivity and specificity of the three techniques evaluated, but this difference was not statistically significant versus the brush or fluoroscopic clamshell technique (P > .10). The sensitivity of all three techniques for pancreatic carcinoma was significantly greater than that for cholangiocarcinoma. Multiple biopsies did not increase the overall sensitivity of intraductal biliary biopsy as a diagnostic technique. All three techniques proved to be safe and easy to perform.

In situ formation of a loop snare for retrieval of a foreign body without a free end.

A technique is described that allowed percutaneous retrieval of an endoscopically placed, obstructed biliary stent using loop snare capture of an angled hydrophilic wire which was wrapped around the stent initially.

Pyogenic hepatic abscess. Changing trends over 42 years.

OBJECTIVE: The authors document changes in the etiology, diagnosis, bacteriology, treatment, and outcome of patients with pyogenic hepatic abscesses over the past 4 decades. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pyogenic hepatic abscess is a highly lethal problem. Over the past 2 decades, new roentgenographic methods, such as ultrasound, computed tomographic scanning, direct cholangiography, guided aspiration, and percutaneous drainage, have altered both the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. A more aggressive approach to the management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic neoplasms also has resulted in an increased incidence of this problem METHODS: The records of 233 patients with pyogenic liver abscesses managed over a 42-year period were reviewed. Patients treated from 1952 to 1972 (n = 80) were compared with those seen from 1973 to 1993 (n = 153). RESULTS: From 1973 to 1993, the incidence increased from 13 to 20 per 100,000 hospital admissions (p < 0.01. Patients managed from 1973 to 1993 were more likely (p < 0.01) to have an underlying malignancy (52% vs. 28%) with most of these (81%) being a hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer. The 1973 to 1993 patients were more likely (p < 0.05) to be infected with streptococcal (53% vs. 30%) or Pseudomonas (30% vs. 9%) species or to have mixed bacterial and fungal 26% vs. 1%) infections. The recent patients also were more likely (p < 0.05) to be managed by percutaneous abscess drainage (45% vs. 0%). Despite having more underlying problems, overall mortality decreased significantly (p < 0.01) from 65% (in 1952 to 1972 period) to 31% (in 1973 to 1993 period). The reduction was greatest for patients with multiple abscesses (88% vs. 44%; p < 0.05) with either a malignant or a benign biliary etiology (90% vs. 38%; p < 0.05). Mortality was increased (p < 0.02) in patients with mixed bacterial and fungal abscesses (50%). From 1973 to 1993, mortality was lower (p = 0.19) with open surgical as opposed to percutaneous abscess drainage (14% vs. 26%). CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes have occurred in the etiology, diagnosis, bacteriology, treatment, and outcome patients with pyogenic hepatic abscesses over the past 4 decades. However, mortality remains high, and proper management continues to be a challenge. Appropriate systemic antibiotics and fungal agents as well as adequate surgical, percutaneous, or biliary drainage are required for the best results.

Outcome of tunneled hemodialysis catheters placed by radiologists.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of hemodialysis catheters placed by interventional radiologists with those placed by surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The outcomes were retrospectively analyzed of 237 hemodialysis catheters placed in 140 patients by a radiology service from January 1991 through December 1992. Follow-up data were available for 222 catheters (94%). Catheter secondary patency and freedom from infection were analyzed statistically and by means of life-table analysis. RESULTS: Pneumothorax occurred after the placement of six catheters (2.5%); in two patients, a chest tube was required for decompression. Other short-term complications included air embolism with no clinical sequelae (two procedures) and prolonged oozing from the tunnel (two procedures). Long-term complications included infection and catheter failure. Infection occurred in 26 patients (18%) with 32 catheters (14%) and resulted in removal of 25 catheters. Ninety-three catheters (42%) failed, and 63 catheters (28%) were removed because of failure. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis catheters placed by radiologists do not have a higher rate of complications or failure than catheters placed by surgeons.

Subcutaneously tethered temporary filter: pathologic effects in swine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the histopathologic effects of the Tempo-filter, a temporary caval filter, on the caval wall and determine the feasibility of deployment and removal of the device in swine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Filters were placed in the infrarenal inferior vena cava of 11 swine. The tethering catheter was sutured in a subcutaneous pocket near the puncture site. The original tethering catheter used in humans and a stiffer catheter designed to prevent migration in swine were evaluated. Postplacement, mid-study, and preexplant vena cavography procedures were performed. Four swine underwent in situ dissection at 3-10 weeks. Filters were removed from seven animals just before they were killed at 1-6 weeks. RESULTS: All filters were successfully placed. All seven filters were successfully removed at up to 6 weeks after placement. Cephalic migration of more than 1 cm was observed in 10 of 11 swine (100% of original catheters, 83% of stiff catheters). Other complications were more common with stiffer tethering catheters, including caval stenosis in 40% of original catheters and 100% of stiff catheters, filter cone thrombus in 0% and 67%, tethering catheter thrombus in 20% and 83%, pulmonary embolism in 0% and 50%, and death in 0% and 17%, respectively. There was mild vessel wall damage in the vena cava. CONCLUSION: Placement of the Tempofilter and removal at up to 6 weeks after placement is feasible.

Percutaneous jejunostomy replacement in patients who have undergone esophagectomy.

PURPOSE: The authors expand their experience with a technique for the percutaneous replacement of a feeding jejunostomy tube in patients who have undergone esophagectomy, in which markers placed during the initial surgical jejunostomy are used. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During esophagectomy in eight patients, a loop of jejunum was intubated with a surgical jejunostomy tube. This loop was then fixed to the anterior abdominal wall and marked with metal clips. In eight patients who required late nutritional support, the surgically placed metal clips on the fixed jejunal loop were used as fluoroscopic guides to mark the site for percutaneous access into the jejunum. Once access was obtained and verified with use of the Seldinger technique, a feeding jejunostomy tube was placed percutaneously after tract dilation. RESULTS: Percutaneous replacement of a feeding jejunostomy tube was successful in all eight patients; in one patient, two placement attempts on successive days were required. No immediate complications occurred. Only one replacement jejunostomy tube has required replacement due to leakage around the tube (mean follow-up, 3.1 months). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous replacement of a feeding jejunostomy tube with use of surgically placed clips as guides for access is a safe and effective method for providing late nutritional support in the postesophagectomy patient.

Percutaneous transluminal atherectomy of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries: long-term results in 48 patients.

PURPOSE: Evaluate retrospectively the long-term primary patency of directional atherectomy (DA) in the femoropopliteal arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DA was used alone in 59 patients (47%) or in combination with predilatation to allow passage of the device (43%) or after thrombolysis (10%) to treat 127 (93%) excentric atherosclerotic stenoses and nine (7%) occlusions of the femoropopliteal arteries. Forty-eight patients were followed by telephone interview, scheduled outpatient visits, color-flow Doppler evaluation, and angiography for 1-36 months (mean 16.9 months). RESULTS: Technical success (reduction of the stenosis or occlusion to less than 30% luminal diameter) was achieved in 110 lesions (80.3%) during 48 procedures in 37 patients. Mean luminal diameter was increased 54% with a concomitant increase in mean ankle/brachial indices of 0.33. According to Kaplan-Meier survival curves, patency at 12 and 24 months was 88% and 75%, respectively. When patients who retained patency but developed restenosis were excluded, the probability of patency at 12, 24, and 36 months was 76%, 58%, and 32%, respectively. Major and minor complications occurred in 15 (21.4%) procedures each for a total complication rate of 42.8%. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, DA is an effective method for percutaneous treatment of atherosclerotic disease involving the femoropopliteal arteries. It has similar patency but a relatively high complication rate compared with PTA.

Biliary manometry versus clinical trial: value as predictors of success after treatment of biliary tract strictures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biliary manometric-perfusion test (BMPT) and clinical trial as predictors of long-term success after percutaneous and surgical treatment of biliary tract strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After percutaneous intervention or surgical repair of extrahepatic bile duct strictures, 43 patients underwent long-term biliary intubation (mean, 13 months) with 61 internal-external stents. Before removal of the stents, all 43 patients underwent a BMPT (n = 65) and 24 underwent a 2-3-week clinical trial (n = 27) with stents positioned above the treated region. Patients were followed up 1-46 months (mean, 16 months) after stent removal, with clinical outcome determined by means of physical examination, biochemical evaluation, chart review, and telephone interview. RESULTS: With logistic regression analysis, the BMPT and clinical trial were shown to have equal predictive value in determining treatment success or failure. Eighty-four percent of the clinical outcomes were correctly predicted with BMPT, versus 88% for the clinical trial. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis demonstrated the probability of remaining stricture free at 1 year after passing a BMPT and after passing a clinical trial to be 90% and 86% (P = .55), respectively. CONCLUSION: BMPT and clinical trial have similar capabilities in the prediction of long-term patency after treatment of benign biliary tract strictures, but the BMPT is less costly and time consuming for the patient.

Thrombosed dialysis access grafts: percutaneous mechanical declotting without urokinase.

PURPOSE: To evaluate percutaneous declotting of dialysis access grafts with available catheters without urokinase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four clotted grafts were treated in 24 patients. Clot was macerated and pushed into the central circulation with balloon catheters. RESULTS: Successful mechanical declotting was performed in all but two patients (94%). The procedure was abandoned after successful declotting in four patients with poor venous outflow, resulting in a 24-hour success rate of 82%. Mean total procedure time was 116 minutes. Eight grafts clotted within 1 week. Using successful dialysis beyond 1 week as the measure of clinical success, the authors report a 59% clinical success rate with mean primary patency of 126 days (range, 16-322 days). Two complications, both emboli to the brachial artery, were successfully treated with urokinase. No symptomatic pulmonary emboli occurred. CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombolysis of clotted grafts with currently available catheters yields results similar to those reported with mechanical devices and urokinase. The procedure is relatively inexpensive, safe, and well tolerated.

Repeat dilation of Palmaz stents in pulmonary arteries: study of safety and effectiveness in a growing animal model.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the technical feasibility and safety of repeat dilation of Palmaz stents in growing pulmonary arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Palmaz stents (1.2 cm long) were placed percutaneously into the pulmonary arteries of 20 newborn lambs. After 4 months, pulmonary arteriography was performed. Where vessel growth in excess of stent diameter had created a stenosis (> 15%), stents were dilated again percutaneously. Six months later, pulmonary arteriography was performed, before the animal was killed and histologic examination performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four pulmonary artery stent placements were attempted; 23 were successful. One stent placement was unsuccessful owing to stent displacement from the balloon. Acute complications included branch pulmonary artery occlusion (n = 3) and stent displacement from the delivery balloon (n = 2). At 4 months, the desired degree of stenosis (> 15%) was achieved in 11 animals. The average stenosis was 35% (standard deviation, 16%; range, 17%-66%). The mean predilation stent diameter was 6 mm +/- 1.1 (range, 4-8 mm), and the final diameter of 8 mm +/- 1.4 (range, 6-10 mm), represented a 35% mean increase (P < .001). Complications included stent (n = 1) and branch vessel (n = 1) thrombosis. At 6-month follow-up, all stents were patent. Areas of previously noted branch thrombosis were fully recanalized in all cases. At histologic inspection, only a thin layer of neointima was found on the stents. CONCLUSION: Repeat dilation of Palmaz stents may be safely performed in growing pulmonary arteries in an animal model. Neointimal hyperplasia is minimal in pulmonary artery stents.

Intrahepatic stones. The transhepatic team approach.

OBJECTIVE: The authors reviewed the combined interventional radiologic and surgical management of 54 patients with intrahepatic stones at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The team approach used large-bore transhepatic stents to access the intrahepatic ducts until they were stone free. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Intrahepatic stones are uncommon in western countries. As a result, few American institutions have had much experience, and multiple management algorithms have been suggested. Nonoperative, operative, and combination surgical and nonoperative approaches have been advocated. At Johns Hopkins, combined surgical and percutaneous management has been used for 18 years. METHODS: This team approach includes (1) percutaneous placement of transhepatic access catheters, (2) surgery for underlying biliary disease and stone removal, and, when necessary (3) postoperative percutaneous choledochoscopy and stone removal through the transhepatic stents. RESULTS: The median age of the 54 patients was 50 years, and 32 were men. Biliary disease included 27 benign strictures, 7 sclerosing cholangitis, 5 choledochal cysts, 5 parasitic infections, 5 choledocholithiasis, and 5 biliary tumors. Fourteen patients (26%) were treated exclusively with percutaneous techniques. Forty patients (74%) had surgery, including 36 Roux-en-Y hepatico- or choledochojejunostomies with large-bore transhepatic stents. Eighteen of these 40 patients (45%) with multiple intrahepatic stones, strictures, or both required additional procedures after operation. No hospital deaths occurred after any of the percutaneous or surgical procedures. With a mean follow-up of 60 months, 94% of patients were stone free, 87% of patients were symptom free, and 73% have had their transhepatic stents removed. CONCLUSIONS: A combined radiologic and surgical approach with transhepatic stents is a safe and effective method for managing intrahepatic stones.

Percutaneous varicocele occlusion: long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: The authors summarize their 11-year experience with percutaneous varicocele occlusion at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the patients' medical records and from a mailed questionnaire. Most of the data analysis is based on the 182 patients who responded to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Most of the occlusions were performed for infertility. The mean length of time couples had been attempting to conceive was approximately 44 months. Occlusion was technically successful in 95.7% of cases. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 59 months. Success is difficult to define because many patients and/or their wives received additional infertility treatment. Fifty-seven percent of all couples and 60% of a subgroup of couples who received no other treatment eventually conceived. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous occlusion is a well-established treatment for varicoceles. Pregnancy rates and recurrence rates are comparable to those following surgical varicocelectomy. It is unlikely that resultant pregnancies occur from random chance alone.