Successful Treatment of Staphylococcus schleiferi Infection after Aortic Arch Repair: In Situ Aortic Arch Replacement and Domino Reconstruction of the Debranching Graft using Autologous Iliac Artery.

A 62-year-old Japanese male presented with graft infection by Staphylococcus schleiferi 50 days after debranching of the left subclavian artery and frozen elephant trunk repair for the entry closure of a Stanford type B aortic dissection. The graft was removed, and the patient was successfully treated using in situ reconstruction of the arch with omental flap coverage, removal of the debranching graft, autologous iliac artery grafting, and longterm antibiotics. Domino reconstruction of the infected debranching graft using autologous external iliac artery and a Dacron graft can thus be a good option in similar cases.

Transatrial repair of post-infarction ventricular septal defect.

A 72-year-old woman presented with a post-infarction ventricular septal defect, presumably within 10 days after the onset of acute myocardial infarction. An emergency surgery was performed because of hemodynamic instability. Using the sandwich patch technique, we approached the posteriorly oriented defect through a right atriotomy and detached tricuspid valve. By avoiding either left or right ventriculotomy, additional damage to the already infarcted ventricle and risk of bleeding were avoided. The patient showed an uneventful postoperative recovery, with no residual shunt detected. A transatrial approach combined with a sandwich patch technique is a good alternative in cases where the pathological anatomy is suitable.

Water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol microspheres for temporary embolization: development and in vivo characteristics in a pig kidney model.

PURPOSE: To preliminarily examine whether solubility of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microspheres in blood plasma changes in proportion to their degrees of saponification. The study also examined their feasibility as a temporary embolic agents in the pig renal artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three types of PVA microspheres with the degrees of saponification of 97 mol% (S97), 98 mol% (S98), and 99 mol% (S99) were prepared. Seven kidneys in seven miniature pigs were embolized and divided into three groups so there would be at least two kidneys for each type of PVA. One animal in each group was euthanized immediately after angiography at 3 hours after embolization and the other one at 7 days after. In addition, one animal embolized with S99 microspheres was euthanized at 21 days after embolization. RESULTS: With S97 microspheres, the vascular network had recovered to the preembolic state by 3 hours after embolization. With S98 microspheres, blood flow in the third-order branch had been restored in the same period. With S99 microspheres, the second- and lower order branches remained occluded until 21 days. Histopathologic specimens harvested at 3 hours revealed only a trace of PVA for S97 microspheres. With S98 microspheres, the vascular lumen was still found to be filled with PVA gel. With S99 microspheres, swollen microspheres densely filled the vascular lumen even on day 21. CONCLUSIONS: Dissolution process in vitro and the duration of arterial occlusion in vivo were possibly related to the degree of saponification of PVA. This result may support feasibility of PVA microspheres as a temporary embolic agent.

Transcatheter embolization for visceral pseudoaneurysm with situs inversus totalis.

We present a case of visceral pseudoaneurysm with situs inversus totalis, which was treated by transcatheter embolization. A 58-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis and situs inversus totalis was admitted to our hospital for epigastric pain. On celiac arteriography, a pseudoaneurysm was detected at the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (ASPD). We catheterized the ASPD with a microcatheter introduced coaxially through a 5Fr catheter, and we isolated the pseudoaneurysm with microcoils. The patient's recovery was uneventful and he was discharged 17 days after the procedure. We describe this case because of the rarity of this anomaly, and it is important in that recognition may help avoid mishaps at interventions, particularly in the emergency setting.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome occurring after uterine artery embolization for uterine myoma.

This case report describes posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) occurring after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for uterine myoma. This is the first report of PRES occurring after uterine vascular radiologic intervention. The mechanism by which UAE induced PRES is unclear.

Pancreatitis after transcatheter embolization of a splenic aneurysm.

A 52-year-old woman was treated for a splenic aneurysm that was found on abdominal computed tomography (CT) during a preoperative assessment for rectal cancer. The aneurysm was embolized using the "double coil-delivered microcatheter technique," and 4 ml of a mixture of N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and iodized oil (Lipiodol) (NBCA/Lipiodol = 1.0: 2.5) were injected into the aneurysm. The patient complained of left upper quadrant abdominal pain immediately after the procedure. A blood test 2 days after the procedure showed an increased white blood cell count (13,100/microl), C-reactive protein (13.36 mg/dl), and pancreatic amylase (428 U/l). Abdominal CT scan showed a huge cystic lesion at the pancreatic tail, in the center of which was a highly enhanced area due to accumulated NBCA-Lipiodol. Postembolization pancreatitis was diagnosed, and treatment with fasting and a drip infusion of nafamostat mesilate was started. The patient's abdominal pain became less severe within 3 days, and the pancreatic enzyme level had normalized 14 days after treatment. On CT, the cystic lesion at the pancreatic tail was smaller 20 days after the procedure, and it had disappeared completely 75 days after the procedure.

Transcatheter embolization for peripheral pseudoaneurysms with n-butyl cyanoacrylate.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter embolization for pseudoaneurysms of peripheral arteries with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). From November 2000 to February 2008, 17 patients with 18 pseudoaneurysms were treated by transcatheter embolization at our affiliated hospitals. The locations of the pseudoaneurysms were right hepatic artery (n=3), renal artery (n=5), splenic artery (n=2), gastroduodenal artery (n=2), common hepatic artery (n=1), pancreatic arcade (n=1), external iliac artery (n=1), internal iliac artery (n=1), internal thoracic artery (n=1), and left gastric artery (n=1). We assessed technical success rate, embolization methods, and clinical course in this study. The technical success rate was 94.4% (17/18 cases). Embolization methods were isolation (n=17) and packing (n=1). Only NBCA was used in 14 cases, both coils and NBCA were used in four cases. Six patients were in shock prior to the procedure, but all patients recovered immediately after embolization procedure including transfusion. None of the patients died of procedure-related factors or had notable postoperative complications, but three patients died within a week of the procedure because of deterioration of the underlying disease. In conclusion, transcatheter embolization of pseudoaneurysms with NBCA is a safe and effective technique for treatment.

Cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fractures with or without intravertebral clefts.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to compare the incidence and location of cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fractures with and without intravertebral clefts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed in 120 consecutive patients with 300 osteoporotic compression fractures. The cement volume injected was recorded. The cement leakage was evaluated using spinal radiography, MRI, and fluoroscopy during the procedure and CT after the procedure. RESULTS: One hundred seven vertebrae contained intervertebral clefts, and 193 vertebrae had no clefts. The cement volume injected (+/- SD) was 4.0 +/- 2.0 and 3.6 +/- 1.6 mL into vertebrae with clefts and without clefts, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.14). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of cement leakage between vertebrae with clefts (53 of 107) and those without clefts (78 of 193) (p = 0.13). Leakage occurred into the epidural veins (12 of 107), perivertebral soft tissues (7 of 107), disks (41 of 107), intervertebral foramen (1 of 107), and spinal canal (1 of 107) in fractures with clefts and into the epidural veins (47 of 193), perivertebral soft tissues (13 of 193), disks (25 of 193), paravertebral veins (5 of 193), large vein (2 of 193), lung (2 of 193), intervertebral foramen (1 of 193), and spinal canal (1 of 193) in fractures without clefts. Cement leakage into the epidural vein was significantly more frequent in vertebrae without clefts (p < 0.01). Disk leakage was significantly more frequent in vertebrae with clefts compared with those without clefts (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of cement leakage between vertebrae with clefts and without clefts. However, cement leakage into the epidural vein was significantly more frequent in vertebrae without clefts and disk leakage was significantly more frequent in vertebrae with clefts.

Mechanical characteristics of composite knitted stents.

We used metal wires and fibers to fabricate a composite knitted stent and then compare the mechanical characteristics of this stent with those of a pure metallic stent of the same construction in order to develop a stent that offers a comparable degree of expandability as metallic stents but can be used for highly curved lesions that cannot be treated using metallic stents. We fabricated two types of composite knitted stent (N-Z stents), using nitinol wire with a diameter of 0.12 mm and polypara-phenylene-benzobisoxazole (PBO) multifilament fiber (Zyron AS; Toyobo, Osaka, Japan). Stents were knitted into a cylindrical shape using the same textile pattern as a Strecker stent. Two loop lengths (L) of nitinol wire were used in the N-Z stents: L = 1.84 mm (N-Z stent L = 1.84) and L = 2.08 mm (N-Z stent L = 2.08). For the sake of comparison, we fabricated a metallic stent of nitinol using the same textile pattern (N-N stent L = 1.92). We applied a radial compression force diametrically to each stent and applied a bending force diametrically at the free end of a stent with one end fixed in order to evaluate the relationship between stent elasticity and load values. In addition, we macroscopically evaluated the generation of kinks when the stent was bent 180 degrees . The radial compressive force when the stent diameter was reduced by 53% was 6.44 N in the case of N-Z stent L = 1.84, 6.14 N in the case of N-Z stent L = 2.08, and 4.96 N in the case of N-N stent L = 1.92 mm. The composite stent had a radial compressive force higher than that of a metallic stent. The restoring force to longitudinal direction at a 90 degrees bending angle was 0.005 N for N-Z stent L = 1.84, 0.003 N for N-Z stent L = 2.08, and 0.034 N for N-N stent L = 1.92. The restoring force of the composite stent was significantly lower. Finally, the composite stent generated no definitive kinks at a bending angle of 180 degrees , regardless of loop length. However, the N-N stent clearly produced kinks, causing blockage of the inner cavity. In conclusion, the use of a metal and fiber composite in the construction of a knitted stent ensures an expansion performance comparable to that of metallic stents, while providing better kink resistance.

Percutaneous translumbar inferior vena cava cannulation under computed tomography guidance.

Percutaneous translumbar inferior vena cava (IVC) cannulation is an alternative approach for central venous catheterization, but there have been sporadic reports of puncture-related complications. To avoid complications during IVC puncture, percutaneous translumbar IVC cannulation was performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance in addition to fluoroscopy in two patients. To perform chemotherapy for recurrent breast cancer, we planned subcutaneous port catheter placement for central venous access. Under CT guidance, the direction and insertion distance of a long elastor needle were adjusted, and the IVC was punctured at the level of the third lumbar vertebra while taking care to avoid the right urinary tract. A guidewire was inserted through the long elastor needle, and a catheter was placed over the guidewire. It was possible to perform central venous catheterization by percutaneous translumbar inferior vena cava cannulation under CT guidance.

Transcatheter coil embolization of an aneurysm of an anomalous splenic artery: usefulness of double microcatheter method.

Transcatheter embolization using two microcatheters of different shapes was performed to treat a 34-mm-diameter aneurysm that was located near the origin of a splenic artery that originated from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The procedure resulted in complete packing of the aneurysm and preserving splenic arterial blood flow.

Intraosseous venography with carbon dioxide in percutaneous vertebroplasty: carbon dioxide retention in renal veins.

The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of gas retention in the renal vein following carbon dioxide intraosseous venography in the prone position and, while citing references, to examine its onset mechanisms. All percutaneous vertebroplasties performed at our hospital from January to December 2005 were registered and retrospectively analyzed. Of 43 registered procedures treating 79 vertebrae, 28 procedures treating 54 vertebrae were analyzed. Vertebral intraosseous venography was performed using carbon dioxide as a contrast agent in all percutaneous vertebroplasty procedures. In preoperative and postoperative vertebral CT, gas retention in the renal vein and other areas was assessed. Preoperative CT did not show gas retention (0/28 procedures; 0%). Postoperative CT confirmed gas retention in the renal vein in 10 of the 28 procedures (35.7%). Gas retention was seen in the right renal vein in 8 procedures (28.6%), in the left renal vein in 5 procedures (17.9%), in the left and right renal veins in 3 procedures (10.7%), in vertebrae in 22 procedures (78.6%), in the soft tissue around vertebrae in 14 procedures (50.0%), in the spinal canal in 12 procedures (42.9%), and in the subcutaneous tissue in 5 procedures (17.9%). In conclusion, in our study, carbon dioxide gas injected into the vertebra frequently reached and remained in the renal vein.

Biochemical markers of bone turnover in percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fracture.

PURPOSE: To evaluate relationships between biochemical markers of bone turnover, bone mineral density, and new compression fractures following vertebroplasty. METHODS: Initially, we enrolled 30 consecutive patients with vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. Twenty-three of the 30 patients visited our hospital for follow-up examinations for more than 4 weeks after vertebroplasty. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with new fractures (group F) and patients with no new fractures (group N). We analyzed differences in the following parameters between these two groups: serum bone alkaline phosphatase, urinary crosslinked N-telopeptide of type I collagen, urinary deoxypyridinoline, and bone mineral density. Next, the patients were divided into another two groups: patients with higher risk (group H: urinary crosslinked N-telopeptide of type I collagen >54.3 nmol BCE/mmol Cr or urinary deoxypyridinoline >7.6 nmol/mmol Cr, and serum bone alkaline phosphatase <29.0 U/l) and patients with lower risk (group L). We analyzed the difference in the rate of new fractures between these two groups. RESULTS: We identified 9 new fractures in 7 patients. There were no significant differences between groups F and N. We identified 5 new fractures in 3 of the 4 patients in group H, and 4 new fractures in 4 of the 19 patients in group L. There was a significant difference in the rate of new fractures between groups H and L. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of high levels of bone resorption markers and normal levels of bone formation markers may be associated with increased risk of new recurrent fractures after percutaneous vertebroplasty.