Human Gonads Do Not Contribute to the Circulating Pool of 11-Oxygenated Androgens.

CONTEXT: Androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T) are produced by both the adrenal glands and the gonads. The adrenal enzyme 11ß-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) executes the final step in cortisol synthesis; CYP11B1 also uses A4 and T as substrates, generating 11-hydroxyandrostenedione and 11-hydroxytestosterone, respectively. It has been suggested that CYP11B1 is expressed in the gonads, yet the circulating levels of all 11-oxygenated androgens (11-oxyandrogens) are similar in males and females of reproductive ages, despite enormous differences in T. OBJECTIVE: To assess the gonadal contribution to the circulating pool of 11-oxyandrogens. METHODS: We used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to measure 13 steroids, including traditional and 11-oxyandrogens in: (I) paired gonadal and peripheral vein blood samples obtained during gonadal venograms from 11 patients (7 women), median age 37 (range 31-51 years); and (II) 17 women, median age 57 (range 41-81 years) before and after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). We also compared CYP11B1, 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1), and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD3B2) mRNA expression in adrenal, ovarian, and testicular tissue. RESULTS: A4, T, estradiol, estrone, progesterone, 17α- and 16α-hydroxyprogesterone were all higher in gonadal veins vs. periphery (p < 0.05 for all), while four 11-oxyandrogens were similar between matched gonadal and peripheral vein samples. Equally, in women who underwent BSO, A4 (median [interquartile range]: 59.7 [47.7-67.6] ng/dL vs. 32.7 [27.4-47.8] ng/dL, p < 0.001) and T (24.1 [16.4-32.3] vs.15.5 [13.7-19.0] ng/dL, p < 0.001) declined, while 11-oxyandrogens remained stable. Gonadal tissue displayed negligible CYP11B1 mRNA. CONCLUSION: Despite producing substantial amounts of A4 and T, human gonads are not relevant sources of 11-oxyandrogens.

Management of hepatic caval stenosis and obstruction with modified Gianturco Z-stents.

Hepatic caval stenosis is managed with stenting; however, stent placement can be complicated by migration, which can be life-threatening. The risk of migration can be mitigated by increasing the length of the stent, which increases contact with the vessel wall. We describe the cases of three patients with hepatic caval stenosis treated with two Z-stents sutured together. Each had an uncomplicated postoperative course and demonstrated clinical improvement. The use of sutured Z-stents can increase the stability of the stent and, therefore, decrease the morbidity associated with stent placement for hepatic caval stenosis.

Evaluation of a clinical decision support tool to predict permanence of retrievable inferior vena cava filters.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of a published clinical decision support tool to predict the likelihood of a retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter being maintained as a permanent device. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1498 consecutive patients (852 men and 646 women; median age, 60 years; range, 18-98 years) who underwent retrievable IVC filter insertion between January 2012 and December 2019. The indications for IVC filtration, baseline neurologic disease, history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and underlying malignancy were recorded. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of a published clinical support tool were calculated to determine the usefulness of the tool. RESULTS: The majority of filters (1271/1498 [85%]) were placed for VTE with a contraindication to anticoagulation. A history of VTE was present in 811 of 1498 patients (54%) patients; underlying malignancy in 531 of 1498 patients (35%), and neurological disease in 258 of 1498 patients (17%). Of the 1498 filters, 456 (30%) were retrieved, 276 (18%) were maintained as permanent devices on follow-up, and 766 (51%) filters were not retrieved. The accuracy of the clinical prediction model was 61%, sensitivity was 60%, and specificity was 62%. CONCLUSIONS: A previously published clinical decision support tool to predict permanence of IVC filters had modest usefulness in the examined population; this factor should be taken into account when using this clinical decision support tool outside of the original study population. Future studies are required to refine the predictive capability of IVC filter decision support tools for broader use across different patient populations.

Understanding Lymphatic Anatomy and Abnormalities at Imaging.

Lymphatic abnormalities encompass a wide range of disorders spanning solitary common cystic lymphatic malformations (LMs) to entities involving multiple organ systems such as lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Many of these disorders are rare, yet some, such as secondary lymphedema from the treatment of malignancy (radiation therapy and/or lymph node dissection), affect millions of patients worldwide. Owing to complex and variable anatomy, the lymphatics are not as well understood as other organ systems. Further complicating this is the variability in the description of lymphatic disease processes and their nomenclature in the medical literature. In recent years, medical imaging has begun to facilitate a deeper understanding of the physiology and pathologic processes that involve the lymphatic system. Radiology is playing an important and growing role in the diagnosis and treatment of many lymphatic conditions. The authors describe both normal and common variant lymphatic anatomy. Various imaging modalities including nuclear medicine lymphoscintigraphy, conventional lymphangiography, and MR lymphangiography used in the diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic disorders are highlighted. The authors discuss imaging many of the common and uncommon lymphatic disorders, including primary LMs described by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies 2018 classification system (microcystic, mixed, and macrocystic LMs; primary lymphedema). Secondary central lymphatic disorders are also detailed, including secondary lymphedema and chylous leaks, as well as lymphatic disorders not otherwise easily classified. The authors aim to provide the reader with an overview of the anatomy, pathology, imaging findings, and treatment of a wide variety of lymphatic conditions. ©RSNA, 2022.

Perspective on the New IR Residency Selection Process: 4-year Experience at a Large, Collaborative Training Program.

Interventional Radiology (IR) was officially approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties in 2012 and the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education as a unique, integrated residency in 2014. Its establishment and distinction from diagnostic radiology was compelled by the increasing emphasis on clinical care delivery by IRs. The shift in the IR training paradigm, as exemplified in the Integrated IR residency programs, appeals to a distinct cohort of applicants, prompting the need to re-evaluate the recruitment and selection process. This article discusses selection criteria for identifying ideal candidates for the new IR training model (focusing on Integrated IR residency training), highlights the importance of collaboration between the IR and DR selection committees, and illustrates the changes made at a single institution over the course of 4 selection cycles prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as significant changes in the current climate of the global pandemic.

Pulmonary CTA Reporting: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review.

Pulmonary CTA is a ubiquitous study interpreted by radiologists with different levels of experience in a variety of practice settings. Pulmonary embolism (PE) can range from an incidental and clinically insignificant finding to a clinically significant thrombus that can be managed on an outpatient basis to a potentially fatal condition requiring immediate medical or invasive management. Accordingly, a clear and concise pulmonary CTA report should effectively communicate the most pertinent findings to help the treating medical team diagnose or exclude PE and provide information to guide appropriate management. In this Expert Panel Narrative Review, we discuss the purpose of the radiology report for pulmonary CTA, the optimal report format, and the relevant findings that need to be addressed and their clinical significance.

Anatomy, Pathology, and Classification of Aortic Dissection.

The incremental understanding of the anatomy and pathophysiology of aortic dissection over the past 250 years has predicated the modern endovascular treatments in use today. Since the early descriptions of aortic dissection, our knowledge of the predisposing factors and hemodynamic disturbances that lead to aortic dissection and overlapping syndromes, including intramural hematoma and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, has been fine-tuned, aided by more advanced ultrastructural histopathologic analysis and modern cross-sectional imaging techniques. However, several controversies and ambiguities of the pathophysiology and natural history of aortic dissection persist, leading to ongoing challenges in prevention, clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we aim to describe the anatomy, pathology, and classification of aortic dissection and introduce the pathophysiologic basis for endovascular therapies.

Endovascular Management of Malperfusion Syndromes in Aortic Dissection.

Malperfusion Syndrome (MPS) refers to inadequate perfusion of end organs secondary to ongoing arterial obstruction of the aorta and its branches resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. While uncomplicated type B dissection can typically be monitored, type A or type B dissections with malperfusion syndrome are should be considered for hybrid treatment with an endovascular intervention.  In addition to pre-procedure CTA and labs, intra-procedure evaluation of the true lumen, false lumen, and branch vessels is performed with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and manometry to delineate static versus dynamic obstruction. Dynamic obstruction of the visceral arteries is typically treated first and can be relieved either with supraceliac dissection flap fenestration or exclusion of the entry tear by thoracic endovascular aortic repair, both of which will restore flow to the true lumen. Static obstruction requires stenting or other branch-artery intervention including branch artery fenestration, suction embolectomy, or thrombolysis. Throughout the procedure, IVUS and manometry are used to evaluate results of interventions with respect to continued hemodynamically significant obstruction. Endovascular intervention should be performed in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary team as patients are often complex and may require further procedures such as bowel resection or open aortic repair.

Bedside intravascular ultrasound-guided fibrin sheath balloon maceration and inferior vena cava filter placement during extracorporeal membranous oxygenation decannulation.

Inferior vena cava filter placement during extracorporeal membranous oxygenation decannulation has been described as a technique to prevent potentially lethal pulmonary embolism in this critically ill population. With long-standing extracorporeal membranous oxygenation cannulae, venous fibrin sheaths may develop, which may predispose to filter maldeployment or inadequate embolus filtration. This report describes the use of a balloon catheter to disrupt a fibrin sheath at patient bedside using intravascular ultrasound guidance to facilitate inferior vena cava filter placement.

Percutaneous Transesophageal Access for Enteral Feeding Tube Placement.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe our experience with percutaneous transesophageal enteral feeding tube placement when percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement is not feasible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed from July 2018 to March 2019. Thirteen patients (9 females, 4 males), (age range 22-80 years; mean age, 55 years; mean body mass index of 24.6) underwent placement of 14 percutaneous transesophageal enteral feeding tubes. Relative contraindications to standard gastrostomy tube placement included: prior gastric surgery (5 patients), severe contractures/large body habitus (2), abdominal mesh (1), high riding stomach (1), interposition of bowel (1), ascites (1), and refractory gastrostomy tract leak (1). Patients were evaluated for functionality of the tube, complications, and patients' satisfaction with physical examination at 24 h, review of electronic medical record and phone interviews at 1 month, and 3-month follow-up. Complications were classified according to the CIRSE guidelines. RESULTS: Technical success rate was 100% with placement of seven percutaneous transesophageal gastrostomy tubes and seven percutaneous transesophageal jejunostomy tubes. One patient underwent tube placement twice after dislodgement. At 3-month follow-up, two patients had died, one patient was lost to follow-up, and 11 patients had properly working tubes. No major complications occurred. Minor complication rate was 43% (6/14). Patient's satisfaction scores ranged from "poor" 2/11 (18%) or "neutral" 4/11 (36.4%) to "satisfied/very satisfied" 5/11 (45.3%). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transesophageal enteral feeding tube placement is feasible with a low complication rate. A majority of patients were either satisfied or neutral with the transesophageal enteral tube.

Hybrid venous recanalization and cardiac implantable electronic device lead revision procedures: A single-center retrospective analysis of 38 patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the safety and efficacy of hybrid recanalization procedures in a series of patients with obstructed central veins requiring cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) revision. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2016, 38 consecutive patients (24 M; age 60.5 ±â€¯16.2 years; range 25-87 years) with central venous obstruction underwent 42 recanalization interventions performed in conjunction with CIED revision or extraction. Fifty percent of patients (19/38) presented with veno-occlusive symptoms, and 13% (5/38) of patients had CIED leads with an ipsilateral upper extremity dialysis conduit. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent (38/42) of all procedures resulted in successful recanalization and CIED revision. Twenty-four percent (9/38) of all patients required secondary procedures due to recurrent stenosis, and 78% (7/9) of those requiring secondary procedures had indwelling dialysis conduits and/or clinical symptoms related to venous occlusion before the initial procedure. There were complications in 2 patients related to recanalization, and in 3 related to CIED revision. CONCLUSIONS: Recanalization of central venous stenosis/occlusion in patients with CIED can be technically challenging but is successful in most patients. Symptomatic patients and those with dialysis conduits often require more aggressive revascularization interventions and may be at increased risk of complication or need for secondary interventions.

Establishing a Surgical Preliminary Year in the IR Residency: Keys to Success.

The training paradigm of the interventional radiologist has quickly evolved with the approval of the integrated interventional radiology (IR) residency by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education. Prior to appointment in an integrated IR program, a resident must complete a preliminary clinical year, which may be surgical, medical, or transitional. The unique procedural- and clinical-based skillset required of the IR resident is best aligned with a surgical preliminary year. The following is a review of the steps to successful creation of a surgical preliminary year based on a single institution's experience.

Transvenous Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Intravascular or Perivascular Neoplasm: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of 36 Patients.

Between September 2008 and August 2017, 36 patients (mean age 56 y; range, 30-89 y) underwent transvenous biopsy of suspected tumor thrombus or perivascular tumor. Intravascular biopsy was pursued because of inaccessible percutaneous access in 9 patients (25%) and as part of a planned revascularization procedure in 27 patients (75%). Histopathologic results showed malignancy in 26 patients (72%) and benign etiologies in 10 patients (28%). No patients required repeat biopsy. There were no complications related to the biopsy procedure. The present series suggests that transvenous biopsy is a safe and accurate method of intravascular and perivascular mass tissue sampling.

Transgastric jejunal snare technique facilitates primary jejunostomy placement.

Placement of percutaneous jejunostomy tubes using fluoroscopy may be technically challenging because of the peristaltic motion of small bowel loops within the peritoneum. Furthermore, fluoroscopic jejunostomy placement has an inherent risk of complications, including peritonitis and death. A transnasal snare technique to facilitate direct jejunostomy in patients with a surgically altered gastric anatomy has been previously reported. This report describes a patient with gastroparesis and a chronic nasojejunal tube who underwent a percutaneous transgastric snare technique to facilitate the placement of a direct jejunostomy.

Laser Ablation Facilitates Closure of Chronic Enterocutaneous Fistulae.

This report describes the use of laser ablation for treatment of chronic enterocutaneous fistulae (ECFs) after failure of conservative therapy. Three patients underwent laser ablation for treatment of 8 ECFs. Mean duration of fistula patency was 28 months with mean fistula output of 134 mL/day. The initial technical success was 100% with no major or minor complications. Three ECFs required repeat treatment. At mean follow-up of 53 days, 7 of the fistulae were occluded. One fistula showed a markedly reduced output of 10 mL/day.

Role of Clinical Decision Tools in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe the importance of clinical decision rules for pretest assessment of the probability of the presence of pulmonary embolism (PE), the effect of use of the rules on the yield of pulmonary CT angiography, and obstacles to implementation of the rules in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary CT angiography is the imaging modality of choice for evaluating patients with suspected PE. Despite increased use of pulmonary CTA, the diagnostic yield for PE remains low. Study results suggest a potential benefit to the use of clinical decision tools in the diagnostic workup of suspected PE.