Incidence, management and outcomes in hepatic artery complications after paediatric liver transplantation: protocol of the retrospective, international, multicentre HEPATIC Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic artery complications (HACs), such as a thrombosis or stenosis, are serious causes of morbidity and mortality after paediatric liver transplantation (LT). This study will investigate the incidence, current management practices and outcomes in paediatric patients with HAC after LT, including early and late complications. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The HEPatic Artery stenosis and Thrombosis after liver transplantation In Children (HEPATIC) Registry is an international, retrospective, multicentre, observational study. Any paediatric patient diagnosed with HAC and treated for HAC (at age <18 years) after paediatric LT within a 20-year time period will be included. The primary outcomes are graft and patient survivals. The secondary outcomes are technical success of the intervention, primary and secondary patency after HAC intervention, intraprocedural and postprocedural complications, description of current management practices, and incidence of HAC. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All participating sites will obtain local ethical approval and (waiver of) informed consent following the regulations on the conduct of observational clinical studies. The results will be disseminated through scientific presentations at conferences and through publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The HEPATIC registry is registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov website; Registry Identifier: NCT05818644.

Hemoptisis secundaria a tuberculosis pulmonar complicada con pseudoaneurisma de Rasmussen. Reporte de un caso en pediatría. / Hemoptysis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Complicated by Rasmussen's Pseudoaneurysm. A Pediatric Case Report.

Presentamos el caso de un niño de 12 años que consultó por hemoptisis, sin otros sín- tomas asociados. Se realizó radiografía de tórax (patológica), laboratorio con aumen- to moderado de reactantes de fase aguda, PPD (negativa), esputos x 3 con bacilosco- pias negativas y tomografía de tórax con contraste i.v. que mostró imágenes de árbol en brote en todos los lóbulos y una imagen de dilatación vascular de una rama de la ar- teria pulmonar en lóbulo superior izquierdo. Se plantearon diagnósticos diferenciales: malformación vascular primaria o lesión secundaria a infección. La angiografía digital permitió confirmar el pseudoaneurisma y embolizarlo. Luego de 17 días, 2/3 cultivos de esputo fueron positivos para Mycobacterium tuberculosis. El niño realizó tratamiento antituberculoso con drogas de primera línea con evolución clínica favorable. Este caso resalta la importancia de considerar el pseudoaneurisma de Rasmussen en- tre las posibles complicaciones de un paciente con tuberculosis y hemoptisis recurren- te o masiva.

We present the case of a 12-year-old boy admitted to the hospital due to hemoptysis without other symptoms. We performed a Thorax X-Ray (pathological), laboratory with elevated acute phase reactants, TST (negative), sputum x 3 with negative smear and computed tomography angiography showing a tree-in-bud pattern in all lobes, and di-latation of a brunch of the pulmonary artery in the upper left lobe. We considered pri-mary vascular anomaly or lesion due to infection as a differential diagnosis. The patient underwent digital angiography and therapeutic embolization of this pseudoaneurysm. After seventeen days, 2/3 of the sputum cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tu-berculosis. The patient received standard anti-TB therapy with favorable evolution. This case highlights the importance of considering complications such as Rasmussen's pseudoaneurysm in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and recurrent or massive hemoptysis.

A Comparative Study of a Small Series of Patients (50 Patients) with Pelvic Varicose Veins Treated with Plugs Alone or Plugs and Polidocanol.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of vascular plug (VP) and vascular plug and polidocanol foam (VPPF) treatments for embolization in pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative, prospective, two-center study enrolled 50 women with PCS from January 2019 to January 2020. The patients were divided into two groups, and embolization was performed with VP (n = 25) and VPPF (n = 25) treatments. The mean age of the patients was 45.6 years ± 6.9. Three clinical parameters were assessed: abdominal pain, dyspareunia, and lower limb pain. The primary outcome (clinical success at 1 yr using a VAS), number of devices, procedure and fluoroscopy times, radiation doses, costs, and complications were compared. The participants were followed-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: At the 1-year follow-up, clinical success did not significantly differ between the two groups (VP vs. VPPF) regarding the improvement of the symptoms analyzed (pelvic pain, dyspareunia, lower extremity pain, and other symptoms (p < 0.05)). The mean number of devices per case was 4 ± 1.1 for the VP group and 2 ± 0.31 for the VPPF group (p < 0.001). No major complications were recorded in either group. The VPPF group had a significantly longer fluoroscopy time (42.8 min ± 14.2 vs. 25.4 min ± 7) and longer radiation dose (VPPF air kerma 839.4 ± 513 vs. VP air kerma 658.4 mGy ± 355 (all p < 0.001)). CONCLUSIONS: Embolization for PCS resulted in pain relief in 90% of patients; the use of polidocanol did not demonstrate changes in the clinical outcome. The use of a VP alone was associated with decreased fluoroscopy time and radiation dose.

Catheter-directed hemorrhoidal embolization for rectal bleeding due to hemorrhoids (Goligher grade I-III): prospective outcomes from a Spanish emborrhoid registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of catheter-directed hemorrhoidal embolization (CDHE) by microcoil embolization for rectal bleeding due to hemorrhoids classified as Goligher grade I-III. METHODS: Eighty patients (62.5% males) with a mean age of 48 ± 9 years were recruited prospectively. All patients had symptomatic bleeding hemorrhoids. All patients were classified according to Goligher classification: grade I (13.7%), grade II (71.1%), grade III (15%), and no grade IV were recruited in this study. In all cases, microcoils were used to embolize the superior rectal artery(SRA), and microspheres if recurrence of bleeding occurred. Follow-up evaluation (1, 3, 6, and 12 months) included clinical examination and anoscopy. A questionnaire was conducted to determine improvement regarding bleeding, quality of life before, and the degree of patient satisfaction of each participant. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 100% of the cases. Fifty-five (68.7%) participants had the absence of rectal bleeding after 12 months of embolization. VAS and QL improved 4 points and 1.5 respectively after embolization. A total of 25/80 (31.3%) had a recurrence in rectal bleeding. Seventeen (21.3%) patients underwent a second embolization, and four patients (5%) were treated with open hemorrhoidectomy. No major complications were observed. Sixteen participants had minor complications. Subjective post-treatment symptom and QL surveys showed significant differences from the baseline survey. Likewise, the degree of satisfaction in the telephone survey at 12 months revealed a high degree of patient satisfaction (8.3±1.1). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that CDHE is a feasible, well-tolerated, ambulatory, anal sphincter-sparing procedure for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: CDHE is a simple procedure, well tolerated and accepted by patients, that preserves the anal sphincter and presents few complications when metal devices or microspheres are used as embolic agents. KEY POINTS: • The technical success rate of CDHE, defined as the closure of all the SRA in their distal segment, was achieved 100% of all patients. However, a second embolization treatment was required since 21.25% of the patients experienced rectal bleeding. • Overall, CDHE's safety profile is acceptable. After the procedure and 1 year of follow-up, no significant complications were observed. • Encouraging clinical outcomes have demonstrated CDHE in individuals with hemorrhoids and mild prolapse Goligher grades I-III with persistent rectal bleeding.

Prevalence, management and efficacy of treatment in portal vein obstruction after paediatric liver transplantation: protocol of the retrospective international multicentre PORTAL registry.

INTRODUCTION: Portal vein obstruction (PVO) consists of anastomotic stenosis and thrombosis, which occurs due to a progression of the former. The aim of this large-scale international study is to assess the prevalence, current management practices and efficacy of treatment in patients with PVO. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Portal vein Obstruction Revascularisation Therapy After Liver transplantation registry will facilitate an international, retrospective, multicentre, observational study, with 25 centres around the world already actively involved. Paediatric patients (aged <18 years) with a diagnosed PVO between 1 January 2001 and 1 January 2021 after liver transplantation will be eligible for inclusion. The primary endpoints are the prevalence of PVO, primary and secondary patency after PVO intervention and current management practices. Secondary endpoints are patient and graft survival, severe complications of PVO and technical success of revascularisation techniques. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Medical Ethics Review Board of the University Medical Center Groningen has approved the study (METc 2021/072). The results of this study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations at national and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Netherlands Trial Register (NL9261).

Actualización en anomalías vasculares de la órbita en pediatría: diagnóstico por imágenes y tratamiento / Update on orbital vascular anomalies in pediatrics: imaging studies and management

Las anomalías vasculares de la órbita (AVO) son un grupo heterogéneo de patologías que pueden presentarse con frecuencia en el cono orbitario, la región periorbitaria o dentro de la órbita misma. Las AVO se dividen en tumores y malformaciones. Su presentación clínica más frecuente es el exoftalmos, asociado o no a alteración del eje visual. Además, pueden presentar complicaciones agudas, como hemorragia intralesional o celulitis entre las más frecuentes, y complicaciones crónicas, como ambliopía y afectación de la agudeza visual a largo plazo. La evolución de las técnicas de imágenes, el uso de nuevos fármacos y la utilización de innovadores procedimientos en radiología intervencionista han posibilitado obtener una mejora significativa en los procesos diagnósticos y terapéuticos de estos pacientes, permitiendo un diagnóstico y tratamiento preciso.

Orbital vascular anomalies (OVAs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders frequently found in the orbital cone, the periorbital region, or within the orbit itself. OVAs are divided into tumors and malformations. The most frequent clinical presentation is exophthalmos, associated or not with an alteration of the visual axis. They may also cause acute complications, being intralesional bleeding or cellulitis the most frequent, and chronic complications, such as amblyopia and long-term visual acuity impairment. The development of imaging techniques, the use of new drugs, and the implementation of innovative procedures in interventional radiology have resulted in a significant improvement in the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these patients, essential to an accurate diagnosis and management.

Update on orbital vascular anomalies in pediatrics: imaging studies and management. / Actualización en anomalías vasculares de la órbita en pediatría: diagnóstico por imágenes y tratamiento.

Orbital vascular anomalies (OVAs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders frequently found in the orbital cone, the periorbital region, or within the orbit itself. OVAs are divided into tumors and malformations. The most frequent clinical presentation is exophthalmos, associated or not with an alteration of the visual axis. They may also cause acute complications, being intralesional bleeding or cellulitis the most frequent, and chronic complications, such as amblyopia and long-term visual acuity impairment. The development of imaging techniques, the use of new drugs, and the implementation of innovative procedures in interventional radiology have resulted in a significant improvement in the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these patients, essential to an accurate diagnosis and management.

Las anomalías vasculares de la órbita (AVO) son un grupo heterogéneo de patologías que pueden presentarse con frecuencia en el cono orbitario, la región periorbitaria o dentro de la órbita misma. Las AVO se dividen en tumores y malformaciones. Su presentación clínica más frecuente es el exoftalmos, asociado o no a alteración del eje visual. Además, pueden presentar complicaciones agudas, como hemorragia intralesional o celulitis entre las más frecuentes, y complicaciones crónicas, como ambliopía y afectación de la agudeza visual a largo plazo. La evolución de las técnicas de imágenes, el uso de nuevos fármacos y la utilización de innovadores procedimientos en radiología intervencionista han posibilitado obtener una mejora significativa en los procesos diagnósticos y terapéuticos de estos pacientes, permitiendo un diagnóstico y tratamiento preciso.

The Impact of Adjuvant Sirolimus Therapy in the Surgical Management of Scrotal Slow-Flow Vascular Malformations.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of oral sirolimus administered before and after surgical resection of slow-flow vascular malformations of the scrotum in pediatric patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of 3 patients presenting with complex lymphatic-venous malformations of the scrotum who received adjuvant oral sirolimus 3 months before and 3 months after surgical resection. Demographic data, clinical course, imaging findings, and management strategies were reviewed for each patient. RESULTS: In each of the 3 patients, there was a significant volume reduction of the lesion within the 3 months after initial dose of sirolimus. Scarce lymphatic leakage during and after surgery was reported, associated with an adequate wound healing. Two years after the last postsurgical dose of sirolimus, all patients remain asymptomatic without any lymphatic leakage or lesion recurrence. CONCLUSION: Combined lymphatic-venous vascular malformations of the male genitalia are rare but associated with high morbidity and challenging treatment options. Pre- and postsurgical adjuvant treatment with oral sirolimus seems to be a promising therapeutic option that provides reduction of the lesion size before surgery and improvement of postsurgical recovery and wound healing.

Ibero-American Society of Interventionism (SIDI) and the Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI) Standard of Practice (SOP) for the Management of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in the Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVES: to present an interventional radiology standard of practice on the use of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in patients with or at risk to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE) from the Iberoamerican Interventional Society (SIDI) and Spanish Vascular and Interventional Radiology Society (SERVEI). METHODS: a group of twenty-two interventional radiologist experts, from the SIDI and SERVEI societies, attended online meetings to develop a current clinical practice guideline on the proper indication for the placement and retrieval of IVCFs. A broad review was undertaken to determine the participation of interventional radiologists in the current guidelines and a consensus on inferior vena cava filters. Twenty-two experts from both societies worked on a common draft and received a questionnaire where they had to assess, for IVCF placement, the absolute, relative, and prophylactic indications. The experts voted on the different indications and reasoned their decision. RESULTS: a total of two-hundred-thirty-three articles were reviewed. Interventional radiologists participated in the development of just two of the eight guidelines. The threshold for inclusion was 100% agreement. Three absolute and four relative indications for the IVCF placement were identified. No indications for the prophylactic filter placement reached the threshold. CONCLUSION: interventional radiologists are highly involved in the management of IVCFs but have limited participation in the development of multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines.

Mechanochemical Endovenous Ablation of Varicose Veins in Pediatric Patients with Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome: Feasibility, Safety, and Initial Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate feasibility, safety, and results of endovenous mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) for treatment of persistent embryonic and dysplastic veins in pediatric patients with Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome (KTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen MOCA procedures were performed in 11 patients (age range, 4-16 years) with KTS and symptomatic persistent embryonic or dysplastic veins during a 24-month period. All patients were evaluated with color Doppler (CD) ultrasound (US), contrast-enhanced MR imaging, and venography to assess the anatomy of the target vessels and patency of the deep venous system. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia with a ClariVein catheter and liquid sodium tetradecyl sulfate as the sclerosing agent. US and fluoroscopic guidance were used in all cases. Technical success rate, primary occlusion rate, adverse effects, and recanalization rates were evaluated. Clinical and radiological (CD US) controls were performed 1 day, 7 days, 1 month, and 6 months after the procedure and once a year thereafter, with a mean follow-up of 16 months (range, 6-25 months). RESULTS: Technical success and primary occlusion were achieved in all patients with no adverse events. During the follow-up period, CD US demonstrated partial recanalization and symptom recurrence in 2 patients (18%), 14 and 18 months after the initial procedure. These 2 patients had a second ablation procedure with no recanalization or symptom recurrence during the subsequent follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: MOCA is feasible and appears to be a safe and effective technique for treatment of varicose veins in pediatric patients with KTS.

Pelvic Venous Disorders in Women due to Pelvic Varices: Treatment by Embolization: Experience in 520 Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of embolization treatment in pelvic venous disorders in women refluxing in the ovarian and or internal iliac veins in women with chronic pelvic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study conducted from January 2000 to June 2017 in 617 patients diagnosed with pelvic venous disorders (PeVDs) with a mean age of 43.2 ± 7.2 years were treated using an embolization procedure. A total of 520 were included, and 97 patients were excluded. The main inclusion criteria were PeVD symptoms for more than 6 months and transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography (TV-DUS) diagnosis of varicose veins in the pelvis with a diameter greater than 6 mm. The main objective was to embolize the 4 main pelvic venous plexi (ovarian and internal iliac veins) whenever possible. Follow-up was performed using clinical symptoms (visual analog scale) and TV-DUS at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and then every year up to 5 years. RESULTS: The technical success (embolization of the 4 main pelvic veins) was achieved in 84.4% of the patients. The average follow-up was 58.7 ± 5.7 months. The visual analog scale was improved from 7.63 ± 0.9 points pretreatment to 0.91 ± 1.5 at 5 years. A total of 26 patients (5%) presented with symptom recurrence and pelvic varicose veins. There were 57 minor complications (10.9%) and 11 major complications (2.1%), with 7 cases (1.34%) of device migration to the lung. CONCLUSIONS: The embolization of pelvic varicose veins is a safe and effective procedure. The selection of the embolic agents and the number of veins needed to be treated.

Spanish multicenter real - life registry of retrievable vena cava filters (REFiVeC).

BACKGROUND: The treatment of venous thromboembolic disease the treatment of choice is systemic anticoagulation. However, the interruption of the inferior vena cava with filters has been recommended when anticoagulation fails or there is a contraindication. Due to the rising inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) complications, physicians are encouraged to retrieve them when there is no longer recommended. In daily practice, it may be a difficult close follow-up of these patients. In this study, the primary objective was to evaluate the IVCF retrieval rate of all implanted filters in a Spanish registry. Secondary objectives were to analyze the causes of failed retrieval, procedure-related complications, and outcomes at a 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-six vena cava filters were implanted in 355 patients. The types of filter were: Gunther Tulip (Cook Medical) 160 (44.9%), Optease (Cordis) 77 (21.6%), Celect (Cook Medical) 49 (13, 7%), Aegisy (Lifetech Scientific) 33 (9.2%), Option ELITE (Argon Medical devices) 16 (4.4%), Denali filter (BD Bard) 11 (3.08%), ALN filter (ALN) 10 (2.8%). Removal was achieved in 274/356 (76,9%). eighty-two (23,1%) IVCF were not retrieved due to the following: 41 (11,5%) patients required ongoing filtration, 24 IVCF (6,7%) patients died before retrieval, and 17 (4,7%) impossibility of retrieval because of a tilted and embedded filter apex. There were no major complications observed. CONCLUSIONS: The global retrieval rate of IVCF was achieved in 76.9%, and the adjusted retrieval rate was of 94.15% with no major complications. IVCF tilting was associated with failure of filter removal in less than 5% of cases. This study demonstrates that the retrieval procedure of IVCF is controlled by the clinician and not by the interventional radiologist.

Guía de práctica clínico-quirúrgica para hemorragia digestiva baja / Clinical practice guide in lower gastrointestinal bleeding

El objetivo de esta guía clínico-quirúrgica es homogeneizar conceptos y conductas para el manejo de la hemorragia digestiva baja (HDB), con el fin de protocolizar y unificar el tratamiento multidisciplinario de dicha patología. Durante el manejo inicial del paciente con HDB, resulta prioritario determinar la estabilidad hemodinámica. Cuando el paciente se presenta hemodinámicamente estable, la videocolonoscopia (VCC) es el método diagnóstico de elección, la cual debe realizarse con preparación colónica y dentro de las 48 horas, mientras que si se trata de un paciente inestable que no responde a la reanimación debe realizarse, de ser posible, angiotomografía para localizar el sitio de sangrado y posteriormente angiografía. Si las condiciones no lo permiten, se procede directamente a la cirugía de urgencia. Si se logra reanimar al paciente, el método diagnóstico de elección es la videoendoscopia digestiva alta (VEDA). Si la VEDA es negativa y el paciente permanece estable, se prosigue con VCC. Por el contrario, si continúa sangrando, el paso siguiente es la angio-TC. En caso de localizar el sitio de sangrado, se realiza angiografía terapéutica. Si falla o la angio-TC es negativa, tiene indicación de cirugía. Esta guía fue consensuada a partir de la bibliografía, guías internacionales y la experiencia de los Servicios de Cirugía General, Coloproctología, Gastroenterología, Diagnóstico por Imágenes y Hemodinamia.(AU)

Catheter-directed aspiration thrombectomy and low-dose thrombolysis for patients with acute unstable pulmonary embolism: Prospective outcomes from a PE registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspiration thrombectomy in combination with low-dose catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute unstable pulmonary embolism (PE). BACKGROUND: Acute unstable (PE) is a life-threatening condition requiring treatment escalation, but many patients cannot receive full-dose systemic thrombolysis due to contraindications. METHODS: Eligible patients had a PE with sustained hypotension. We used a 115-cm, 8-F continuous aspiration mechanical thrombectomy catheter to perform mechanical thrombectomy, followed by catheter-directed thrombolysis with low-dose urokinase. The primary efficacy outcome was the change in the pulmonary artery pressure after aspiration thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis. Secondary efficacy outcomes were stabilization of hemodynamics post-procedure and survival to hospital discharge. The primary safety outcome was major procedure-related complications and major bleeding events. RESULTS: We included 54 patients with acute unstable PE. After thrombectomy, mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 60.2 mm Hg to 55.2 mm Hg (P < 0.01), and to 40.5 mm Hg after catheter thrombolysis (P < 0.0001). The in-hospital PE-related death occurred in six patients (11%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2-23%) at a mean follow-up of 1.1 days, and hemodynamics stabilized in the remaining 48 patients. Minor complications after thrombectomy included arrhythmias (4 of 48 patients, 8.3%; 95% CI, 2.3-20%), and minor bleeding episodes (3 of 48 patients; 6.2%; 95% CI, 1.3-17%). Major complication occurred in one patient (2.1%; 95% CI, 0.1-11%) who developed hemorrhagic transformation of paradoxical embolic stroke following catheter-directed thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Aspiration thrombectomy followed by catheter-directed thrombolysis was overall effective and safe in treating patients with acute unstable PE.

Challenges and Opportunities for Continued Success and Growth of Pediatric Interventional Radiology: A Communiqué From the Society for Pediatric Interventional Radiology.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric interventional radiology (PIR) is a dynamic and growing subspecialty. We will detail our need to evolve like the emerging therapies and innovative imaging options that we provide to children. CONCLUSION: New interventional radiology training pathways, maintaining competency with small volumes of complex procedures, limited availability of pediatric-specific equipment, questions about the safety of sedation in the developing brain, and the dearth of PIR opportunities outside of North America provide challenges and opportunities for the vibrant community of PIR practitioners.

Interventional Radiology and Spanish Medical Students: A Survey of Knowledge and Interests in Preclinical and Clinical Courses.

INTRODUCTION: Interventional Radiology (IR) is a medical activity that has experienced an extraordinary growth in the medical field in Spain in recent years. However, there is a lack of visibility in the Spanish Health Administration and the University community, especially among medical students. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine IR knowledge among medical students, preclinical and clinical, in a single University in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic survey was uploaded (November-December 2017) to an online learning platform (Moodle) and sent to 414 students from second (183 PCs) and fourth (231 Cs) year of medical school. A total of 313 students of 414 (75.6%) answered the survey 142/45.4% PCs and 171/54.6% Cs. RESULTS: Students quantified their knowledge between adequate (41% PCs/80.7% Cs) and poor levels (50.7% PCs/14% Cs). Most of the students suggested that interventional radiologists (IRs) should have a mixed training, surgical and radiological (95% PCs/88.8% Cs). Majority of students indicated that the professionals in charge of carrying out angioplasty were the IRs (95% PCs/83.6% Cs) and only 20.4% PCs/12.8% Cs (P = 0.165) of students chose cardiologists. Almost all of the medical students in both groups said they wanted to know more about IR (99.3% PCs/100.0% Cs), and the majority of students (100.0% PCs/98.8% Cs) said they agree or strongly agree that IR should be taught as an undergraduate medical subject. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that medical students in our University have poor knowledge of IR; however, they are overwhelmingly positive in their desire to have this subject taught as distinct curriculum in medical school.

A Randomized Trial of Endovascular Embolization Treatment in Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Fibered Platinum Coils versus Vascular Plugs with 1-Year Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare safety and efficacy of vascular plugs (VPs) and fibered platinum coils (FPCs) for embolization in pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, prospective, single-center study enrolled 100 women with PCS from January 2014 to January 2015. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, and embolization was performed with FPCs (n = 50) or VPs (n = 50). Mean age of patients was 42.7 years ± 7.60, and mean visual analog scale (VAS) score for pelvic pain before treatment was 7.4 ± 7.60. Primary outcome (clinical success at 1 y using a VAS), number of devices, procedure and fluoroscopy times, radiation doses, costs, and complications were compared, and participants were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Clinical success and subjective improvement were not significantly different at 1-year follow-up (89.7% for FPCs vs 90.6% for VPs; P = .760). Mean number of devices per case was 18.2 ± 1.33 for FPCs and 4.1 ± 0.31 for VPs (P < .001). Three FPCs and 1 VP migrated to pulmonary vasculature approximately 3-6 months after the embolization procedure; all were retrieved without complications. The FPC group had a significantly longer fluoroscopy time (33.4 min ± 4.68 vs 19.5 min ± 6.14) and larger radiation dose (air kerma 948.0 mGy ± 248.45 vs 320.7 mGy ± 134.33) (all P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Embolization for PCS resulted in pain relief in 90% of patients; clinical success was not affected by embolic device. VPs were associated with decreased fluoroscopy time and radiation dose.

Neurophysiological Monitoring in Radiofrequency Ablation of Spinal Osteoid Osteoma With a Progressive Time and Temperature Protocol in Children.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. Level IV Evidence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) to detect and eventually prevent impending neurovascular damage during computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of spinal osteoid osteoma (OO) in children. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: To our knowledge, this is the first case series of spinal OO in pediatric patients treated at a single center employing IONM during RFA. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of seven consecutive patients (3 girls and 4 boys, mean age: 9 years 4 months) with imaging and clinical signs compatible with spinal OO who underwent CT-guided RFA, under general anesthesia, and IONM in a single center between 2011 and 2015. Before the RFA procedure, a CT-guided percutaneous biopsy of the nidus was performed in the same setting. RFA was divided into four cycles of increasing time and temperature and performed under IONM in every patient. RESULTS: Two patients had lesions located in the thoracic spine and five patients had lumbar involvement. The RFA technical and clinical success was 85.7%. Six patients presented with reversible neurophysiological changes either during biopsy needle positioning or RFA cycles. In the remaining case, as IONM changes did not improve after several minutes of neuroprotective hypertension, the procedure was interrupted. Neither neurologic nor vascular complications were observed after RFA treatment. In only one biopsy sample, OO was confirmed by histopathologic studies. CONCLUSION: CT-guided RFA is an accepted minimally invasive technique for the treatment of spinal OO in children. IONM may be a helpful tool that requires minimal additional time and provides feedback on the state of the spinal cord and nerves at risk during the procedure. We promote the use of IONM during these procedures to detect and possibly prevent impending neurologic damage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.