Early postoperative duplex ultrasound findings of the hepatic artery in postoperative vascular complications from paediatric liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate duplex US findings of the HA in all three postoperative vascular (HA, PV, HV and IVC) complications of paediatric LT for early detection and some helpful secondary signs to determine these vascular complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected data from 44 post-LT paediatric patients who underwent daily duplex US for seven consecutive days and three months after LT during January 2017-June 2020. Four duplex US parameters of the HA (extrahepatic PSV, intrahepatic PSV, RI and AT) were compared in patients with and without complications. RESULTS: The PSV of the extrahepatic HA in patients with HA complications was higher than that in patients without complications (P value = 0.019). The PSV at 107.7 cm/s is the optimal cut-off parameter associated with HA complications [a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 80.0% (ROC area is 0.84)]. The intrahepatic RI was higher on the first day than on the last day and gradually decreased in patients without vascular complications (P value = 0.000). The intrahepatic PSV significantly decreased with time when comparing the first and last days in patients without PV and HV-IVC complications (P value = 0.014 and 0.038). In contrast, patients with vascular complications showed no significant decrease. CONCLUSION: The extrahepatic PSV relates to HA complications after paediatric LT but not PV and HV-IVC complications. Non-significantly decreased intrahepatic RI and PSV from the first day to the day of complication diagnosis may correlate with the occurrence of vascular complications.

Diameter-reflux relationship of the saphenous vein in the C0-C3 patients of chronic venous disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the saphenous vein's diameter and reflux and determine the cut point of the saphenous vein's diameter that indicates lack of reflux. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study conducted in 807 limbs underwent the venous ultrasound for 36 months. The saphenous vein's diameter in the reflux and non-reflux groups was evaluated. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the saphenous vein's diameter that maximizes the summation of sensitivity and specificity for saphenous vein reflux in C0-C3 patients. RESULTS: The reflux group had a significantly greater diameter than a non-reflux group at four great saphenous vein (GSV) levels and two small saphenous vein (SSV) levels (p-value < 0.001). The venous reflux correlated significantly with GSV diameter at all four GSV levels and two SSV levels (p-value <0.001). The ROC area of the diameter at four GSV levels ranges from 0.59 to 0.69. The optimal cut-off diameter for GSV reflux is 3.8 mm at the proximal thigh, 2.8 mm at the distal thigh, 3.2 mm at the proximal calf, and 2.5 mm at the distal calf. The ROC area of the diameter at two SSV levels ranges from 0.66 to 0.67. The optimal cut-off diameter for SSV reflux is 2.5 mm at the proximal calf and 2.3 mm at the distal calf. CONCLUSION: The saphenous vein's diameter has been proved to be significantly correlated with the presence of reflux in duplex ultrasound in all lower limbs' levels. Unfortunately, the study's cut point diameter is considered poor accuracy and is not an accurate measurement to use as the screening test for the presence of reflux.

Lower-Extremity Venous Ultrasound in DVT-Unlikely Patients with Positive D-Dimer Test.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To review the clinical data, D-dimer level and the ultrasonographic findings from complete venous ultrasound of the lower extremity in deep venous thrombosis (DVT)-unlikely patients with abnormal D-dimer test were compared to DVT-likely patients to ascertain the appropriate ultrasound examination protocol for patients in this group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients who underwent a complete (whole leg) venous ultrasound in one 13-month period. The medical history, demographic, clinical risk factors, and ultrasonographic findings of the patients with high clinical probability for deep vein thrombosis (Wells score ≥2), along with patients with a low clinical probability of deep vein thrombosis (Wells score ≤1) but with a D-dimer level higher than the threshold (≥500 ng/ml FEU) were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 96 patients in the DVT-likely group and 86 patients in the DVT-unlikely group. The indication for ultrasound examination in the DVT-unlikely group was preoperative assessment to avoid the risk of pulmonary thromboembolism. The patients in the DVT-likely group had more positive ultrasound results for DVT (15.63% vs. 5.18%, p value = 0.03) than the patients in the DVT-unlikely group. In the DVT-unlikely group, the median D-dimer level in the patients with positive ultrasound for DVT showed statistically significantly higher levels than the patients with negative ultrasound for DVT did (2208 vs. 921 ng/ml FEU, p value = 0.02). The optimal D-dimer cut-off from the receiver operating characteristics analysis shows the maximized summation of sensitivity and specificity (80% and 66.67%) at 1251 ng/ml FEU. The prevalence of acute thrombus in a thigh vein in DVT-unlikely, preoperative patients is low (1.2%). CONCLUSION: To minimize the number of unnecessary complete venous ultrasound lower-extremity examinations, the use of a higher D-dimer cut-off level and limiting proximal or thigh vein ultrasound examinations in the preoperative patient is considered.

Morphologic change in deep venous thrombosis in the lower extremity after therapeutic anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the anticoagulant treatment response in venous thrombi with different morphologies (size, shape, and echogenicity) by measuring the change in thrombus thickness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 97 lower extremity DVT patients diagnosed by venous ultrasound between March 2014 and February 2018. The demographics, clinical risk factors, anticoagulant treatment, and ultrasound findings at the first diagnosis and 2-6 months after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: The anticoagulant treatment with LMWH followed by VKAs showed a significant decrease in the mean maximum difference in lower extremity DVT thrombus thickness compared with VKAs alone (P-value < 0.001). After adjustment by treatment, the thrombi found in dilated veins showed a significant decrease in the thickness of such thrombi compared with those found in small veins: 4 mm vs. 0 mm (Coef. = 3, 95% CI: 1.9, 4.1 and P-value < 0.001). Anechoic and hypoechoic thrombi showed a significant decrease in the thickness compared with hyperechoic thrombi: 5 mm vs. 0 mm (Coef. = 4, 95% CI: 3.25, 4.74 and P-value < 0.001) and 3 mm vs. 0 mm (Coef. = 2, 95% CI: 1.34, 42.66 and P-value < 0.001), respectively. Concentric thrombi showed a significant decrease in thickness compared with eccentric thrombi: 4 mm vs. 0 mm (Coef. = 2, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.55 and P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The anticoagulant treatment with LMWH followed by VKAs shows a significant decrease in lower extremity DVT thrombus thickness compared with VKAs alone. After adjustment by treatment, the morphologic finding of acute thrombi shows a significantly decreased thickness compared with the morphologic finding of chronic thrombi.

Recurrent ruptured abdominal aneurysms in polyarteritis nodosa successfully treated with infliximab.

Systemic polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare form of necrotizing vasculitis in children. Recurrent episodes of abdominal aneurysm ruptures are uncommon and life-threatening condition in children. Failures of response to immunosuppressive medications and radiological intervention also lead to high mortality. Some reports suggested that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) might have role in the inflammation of this disease. After an English-language literature review, this is the first case report in children of recurrent abdominal-ruptured aneurysms with a failure of conventional therapy but successfully treated with anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody. We herein describe a 9-year-old girl who presented with chronic abdominal pain, hypertension, and massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The disease was refractory to conventional treatment, including administration of a corticosteroid, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin, and recurrent-ruptured aneurysms developed in the gastrointestinal tract. Arterial embolization during angiography resulted in temporary improvement of the gastrointestinal bleeding. Infliximab, a chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody, was initiated and resulted in disease remission with resolution of the gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain. Anti-TNF therapy might be another treatment option for refractory disease to prevent ongoing inflammation that could lead to aneurysmal dilatation or even rupture. However, early recognition of refractory disease and aggressive treatment in the early course of the disease are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Duplex ultrasound findings and clinical classification of lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency in a Thai population.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the clinical classification of chronic venous insufficiency and duplex ultrasound findings. METHODS: A total of 1010 limbs with clinically suspected chronic venous insufficiency were stratified according to the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification and underwent duplex ultrasound evaluation consecutively between January 2012 and June 2015. Venous thrombosis, venous reflux, and anatomic distribution of the deep and superficial venous systems were investigated across the CEAP clinical classes. RESULTS: There were 259 male limbs (25.6%) and 751 female limbs (74.4%) in clinical class C0 (24 limbs [2.4%]), C1 (130 limbs [13.1%]), C2 (452 limbs [44.8%]), C3 (183 limbs [18.1%]), C4 (163 limbs [16.1%]), C5 (31 limbs [3.1%]), and C6 (27 limbs [2.7%]). The mean age in clinical class C4-C6 (60.77 ± 14.67 years) was statistically significantly higher than in C0-C3 (55.73 ± 18.85 years; P < .001). Male limbs were shown to have a predilection for presenting with clinical class C4-C6 over female limbs (36.3% vs 16.9%; odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-3.8). Positive findings were predominantly displayed in clinical class C4-C6 compared with C0-C3 (deep venous thrombosis, 3.2% vs 1.3%; deep venous reflux, 30.8% vs 26.9%; superficial vein thrombosis, 2.7% vs 2.0%; superficial venous reflux, 56.6% vs 47.6%; perforator vein reflux, 12.7% vs 8.2% [P = .049]). A low prevalence of small saphenous vein and perforator vein reflux in C1 limbs (0.3% and 4.6%) and C3 limbs (3.8 and 6.6%) was discovered. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CEAP class C0-C3 was found to be higher than C4-C6. However, men were shown to have a predilection for presenting in clinical class C4-C6 over women. The mean age of patients with clinical class C4-C6 limbs was statistically significantly higher than of those with clinical class C0-C3 limbs. The prevalence of deep venous reflux, superficial venous reflux, and coincident deep and superficial venous reflux in clinical class C4-C6 limbs was higher than in clinical class C0-C3 limbs. Detection of incompetent perforator veins was shown to have a statistically significant correlation with clinical class C4-C6 limbs.

Predicting Factors for Failure of Percutaneous Drainage of Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Collection.

Objective: To determine the predictive factors for failure of percutaneous drainage (PD) of postoperative intra-abdominal collection, to better select the patients who might benefit from PD. Material and Method: From September 2011 to February 2013, the authors reviewed 42 patients with symptomatic postoperative intra-abdominal collection who had received PD at Ramathibodi Hospital. The PD was considered as failure when clinical sepsis persisted or subsequent surgery was needed. Univariate analysis was used to examine the relationships between failure of PD and the collection and drainage-related variables. Results: The success rate of PD in the present study was 80%. No major complication was detected. The overall mortality was 12%. Univariate analysis showed that the presence of biliary fistula (p = 0.012), subhepatic location (p = 0.040) and the drainage catheter size of 12F (p = 0.002) were significant predictive variables for failure of PD. Conclusion: Image-guided PD of postoperative intra-abdominal collection was found to be a safe and effective procedure with few complications. Initial recognition of biliary fistula in the collection at subhepatic region or in patients underwent hepatobiliary surgery was the important prognostic factor for unsuccessful PD. These patients may be more beneficial for initial surgical drainage.

Role of interventional radiology in the management of acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality without appropriate treatment. There are numerous causes of acute GIB including but not limited to infection, vascular anomalies, inflammatory diseases, trauma, and malignancy. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach of GIB depends on its location, severity, and etiology. The role of interventional radiology becomes vital in patients whose GIB remains resistant to medical and endoscopic treatment. Radiology offers diagnostic imaging studies and endovascular therapeutic interventions that can be performed promptly and effectively with successful outcomes. Computed tomography angiography and nuclear scintigraphy can localize the source of bleeding and provide essential information for the interventional radiologist to guide therapeutic management with endovascular angiography and transcatheter embolization. This review article provides insight into the essential role of Interventional Radiology in the management of acute GIB.

Efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatic malignant tumors using a perfused-cooled electrode.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation ofhepatic malignant tumors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using a 17-gauge single needle perfusedcooled electrode (Cool-tip) RF ablation system was performed on 30 hepatic tumors in 26 patients between January 2009 and September 2010. The medical records, CT scan, and MRI results were assessed at one and three months after the procedure was completed. Primary technical success, local tumor progression, and complication were also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-six hepatic lesions in 23 patients were primarily hepatocellular carcinoma. Only four lesions in three patients were metastasized. Three of them were from colorectal cancer whilst another one was from malignant melanoma. At 1-month follow-up imaging post percutaneous radiofrequency ablation, complete ablation rate was 86.7%. Local tumor progression at 3-month follow-up imaging was 4.2%. The rate for minor complication was 3.8%. No major complication was found Complete ablation rate was found to increase signiJicantly in tumors size of less than 2 cm compared to those diameter larger than 2 cm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is one of the most effective and invulnerable therapeutic modality in treatment of hepatic malignant tumor. Size is the key factor of technical success as the smaller the size of tumor the better the outcome achieved.