Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection for the treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysm occurring after catheterization of the femoral artery is associated with significant morbidity. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection has recently emerged as a potential first-line therapy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of this treatment in eight patients with iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. METHODS: After attempted treatment with external compression had failed, eight patients with iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm were treated with thrombin injection. Treatment performed between 2 and 9 days following arterial puncture. The study group comprised seven males and one female ranging in age from 23 to 89 years (median 70). Seven had undergone cardiac catheterization with or without intervention, and five were receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs. Arterial pseudoaneurysm resulted from femoral vein catheterization in one patient. Using a sterile technique and real-time Doppler ultrasound guidance, a dilute solution of bovine thrombin (average dose 250 units, range 100-600), was slowly injected directly into the pseudoaneurysm until cessation of flow was seen. Patients were allowed to walk within 2 hours of the procedure and were followed up clinically and by color Doppler ultrasound during the admission. RESULTS: Cardiac catheterization had been inadvertently performed via the superficial or profunda femoris arteries in four of the eight patients. Thrombin injection was initially successful in all eight patients without complication. Thrombosis occurred immediately in every case. Early recanalization of pseudoaneurysm occurred in one patient despite repeat thrombin injection and attempted ultrasound-guided compression. He eventually required surgical repair. The final success rate was 87.5% (7/8). CONCLUSION: Faulty puncture technique is an important risk factor for the development of post-catheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysm. Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection is a safe, rapid, well-tolerated, inexpensive and successful therapy. If initial external compression with a sandbag fails to result in thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm then thrombin injection should be considered as first-line therapy. If unsuccessful, it does not preclude the use of alternative treatment modalities. Further study is necessary to assess the long-term effects of thrombin injection.

Vascular access via peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs): experience in 40 patients with acute myeloid leukemia at a single institute.

Reliable long-term vascular access is essential for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been in use for many years, little data exist on their use in patients receiving intensive chemotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed all AML patients who had a PICC inserted between July 95 and May 98. Fifty two PICCs were inserted in 40 patients with AML. Thirty three PICCs were inserted during severe thrombocytopenia (platelets < 50 x 10(9)/L), and 31 during severe neutropenia (neutrophils < 0.5 x 10(9)/L). Mean catheter duration was 82 (median 63, range 3-441) days for a total of 4274 catheter days. A mean of 1.8 chemotherapy courses were administered via each PICC. There were 5 early complications of PICC placement. Other mechanical complications occurred in 14 catheters and phlebitis in 12. Twenty blood stream infections (BSI) occurred in 17 patients. All BSIs occurred during neutropenia. Seventeen PICCs were removed due to the following complications - phlebitis (11), possible catheter related BSI (4), mechanical reasons in 3 (2 with concomitant phlebitis) and persistent fever (1). PICC duration was significantly shorter in these 17 catheters (52.9 v 96.4 days in the other 35, p=0.0289). We conclude that PICCs provide long-term vascular access with an acceptable complication rate in patients with AML. However, a randomised trial is required before PICCs can be considered an alternative to tunneled central venous catheters in these patients.

[Transarterial oil chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma, in 100 cases].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with a grave prognosis. Most patients have both the malignant tumor as well as hepatic cirrhosis. Liver transplantation or hepatectomy are considered the only curative procedures, but can be applied in fewer than 10% of patients. In recent decades the most common treatments of HCC are transarterial chemoembolization with oil (TOCE) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). We summarize our retrospective study of 100 patients (mean age 64 +/- 3) treated by TOCE. In 271 procedures between 1989-1998, in 16 patients hepatectomy was combined with TOCE and in 8 PEI was combined with TOCE, while the rest were treated by TOCE alone. Tumor mass was reduced in 36% of those treated by TOCE (tumor volume reduced 24-75%). Alpha-feto protein (AFP) was reduced 25-90% in 20/32 of those with elevated AFP levels. Median survival for the 100 in the entire group was 19 months (10.9 months in those with conservative treatment). Median survival in the 57 in Okuda stage 1 and the 43 in stages 2 or 3 was 30.1 months and 10.9 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). Of the 57 in stage 1, 16 underwent hepatectomy in addition to TOCE and 41 were treated only by TOCE (median survival 15 and 26 months, respectively, p not significant). Comparing Okuda 1 patients treated by TOCE only with the natural history of the disease and historical controls (Okuda 1 patients treated conservatively in 1984) median survival was 26 and 10 months respectively (p < 0.001). The side effects of TOCE were relatively mild. There was 1 fatality (3 days after treatment), and quality of life was maintained. Despite progress in the treatment of HCC by TOCE, PEI, and liver transplantation, long-term survival has remained unsatisfactory.

[CT-guided excision of osteoid osteoma].

CT-guided excision of osteoid osteoma is a new surgical technique that enables accurate resection of the nidus during 1-day hospitalization. We present 5-year results in 42 patients (26 males and 16 females, mean age 18 years, range 3-46). In 40 out of 42, complaints disappeared immediately after the procedure. The recovery period was short and the return to normal activity was faster than in the open surgical approach. Complications were minimal and transient.

The supracostal percutaneous nephrostomy for treatment of staghorn and complex kidney stones.

From March 1995 to May 1997, 104 patients underwent 115 supracostal percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures for the treatment of 102 complete staghorn calculi, 6 large semistaghorn calculi, 3 large upper-caliceal stones, and 4 significant volumes of residual stone fragments after SWL. Additional renal access was required mainly for complete staghorn stones (23 patients; 20%). Extracor poreal lithotripsy was performed in 30.4% of cases, and second-look PCNL was done in 15.6%. The stone-free rate was 87%, and the infection-free rate at 7 to 33 months was 88.5%. Among 115 supracostal PCNL procedures, complications were encountered in 10 (8.7%). These problems included four large pleural effusions that were drained by chest tube in three patients and by repeated thoracocentesis in one patient. Six patients developed significant atelectasis, which was treated by vigorous physiotherapy in five and flexible bronchoscopy in one. We conclude that the supracostal approach provides direct and optimal access to most staghorn calculi with an excellent stone-free rate. The advantages of this approach can be achieved with a slight and acceptable increase in morbidity.

Mesenteric bypass for chronic mesenteric ischaemia.

Chronic mesenteric ischaemia is an uncommon disease that requires treatment to relieve the symptoms of abdominal angina and to prevent intestinal infarction. Over a period of 3 years, 12 patients with visceral artery stenosis or occlusion were referred to the authors' service and 10 underwent mesenteric bypass grafting. Both the coeliac and the superior mesenteric arteries were revascularized in four patients, and the superior mesenteric artery alone in six patients, using a variety of grafts and graft configurations. This was done in conjunction with aortic graft placement in four cases and with renal bypass in three. All patients survived the procedure. At a mean follow-up of 28 months, one patient died of myocardial infarction 42 months after surgery, while all survivors are symptom-free. Chronic mesenteric ischaemia can be treated safely and effectively. The variation in the pattern of mesenteric occlusions and the frequent association with aortic and renovascular disease does not allow for a single 'best' technical solution but requires the surgical procedure to be individually tailored.

Thoracic aorta transobturator bipopliteal bypass as eventual durable reconstruction after removal of an infected aortofemoral graft.

A 36-year-old man was referred with aortofemoral graft infection and perigraft duodenal erosion. The aortofemoral graft was removed, and bilateral axillo-superficial femoral grafts were constructed. Recurrent failures of these grafts prompted us to convert to a more-durable reconstruction. A straight graft was anastomosed to the lower thoracic aorta, routed retroperitoneally, and attached to an inverted U-shaped bilateral transobturator bypass graft, which was anastomosed to both above-knee popliteal arteries. After 3 years, the patient has remained well and the grafts are patent. This operation represents a durable in-line reconstruction that avoids all previously infected areas after removal of an infected aortofemoral graft.

Complete staghorn calculi: random prospective comparison between extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy and combined with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

PURPOSE: We determined the preferred treatment of staghorn calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1992 and December 1994 we performed a prospective, randomized, single center study involving 50 kidneys with complete staghorn calculi: 27 renal units were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy (group 1) and 23 were treated with combined (initial) percutaneous nephrostolithotomy with ESWL (group 2). The 2 treatment groups were compared regarding stone size, grade of collecting system dilatation and urine culture at presentation. The number of treatment sessions, narcotic doses, renal colic episodes, septic complications, unplanned ancillary procedures, length of hospitalization, total treatment duration and stone-free rate at 6 months were recorded and compared. RESULTS: At the conclusion of therapy the stone-free rate was significantly greater in group 2 than in group 1 (74 versus 22%, respectively, p = 0.0005). The complication rate was significantly greater in group 1, with 15 septic complications (fever greater than 38.5C for longer than 3 days) in 10 patients compared to only 2 episodes in group 2 (p = 0.007). The unplanned ancillary procedure rate was significantly greater in group 1 (8 procedures in 7 patients versus 1 procedure in group 2, p = 0.03). The overall treatment length was significantly shorter in group 2 (1 versus 6 months, p = 0.0006). There was no significant difference in the number of procedures performed with anesthesia or in the number of hospitalization days between the 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Combined percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and ESWL should be recommended as the first line treatment choice for most patients with staghorn stones.

Radiologic spectrum of localized Castleman's disease.

We report seven patients with the localized form of Castleman's disease, diagnosed by surgical biopsy; four had the plasma cell type and three the hyaline vascular type. A variety of nonspecific clinical and radiologic findings were identified in these patients. Precise clinical staging is important to separate the widespread from the localized form of Castleman's disease, as the localized form may be successfully treated surgically. Percutaneous core needle biopsy is not helpful in the diagnosis of Castleman's disease. Significant computerized tomography enhancement with intravenous contrast in the hyaline vascular type is indicative of increased vascularity which may cause surgical complications when resection is attempted.

Diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta using dynamic rapid sequence axial computerized tomography.

The use of intravenous contrast enhanced rapid sequence (dynamic) computerized tomography (CT) of the chest led to the successful diagnosis and treatment of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta in three patients. Early diagnosis of this often fatal injury may result in a favorable outcome; and in the hemodynamically stable patient with multisystem injury a well-performed CT may preclude the use of more invasive techniques. When aortic disruption is suspected, dynamic rapid sequence axial CT of the chest may not only exclude but also confirm the diagnosis, in addition to accurately detecting other major intrathoracic injuries.

[Endobronchial stenting in bronchial stenosis following lung transplantation].

Endobronchial stricture is not an uncommon complication following lung transplantation and may cause significant morbidity and mortality. We report our experience in a 36-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man who underwent lung transplantation and developed stenosis in the anastomotic area. Implantation of a silicone stent in 1 patient and an expandable metal stent in the other were successful. Both patients developed infections with Aspergillus fumigatus, 1 of whom died of fungal dissemination.

Combined transhepatic and endoscopic procedures in the biliary system.

Endoscopic biliary procedures are 89-97% successful in skilled hands. The commonest causes of failure are inability to cannulate the papilla of Vater due to difficult anatomy or tortuosity of the distal common bile duct and failure to cross a rigid biliary stricture. In nearly all of these cases, successful endoscopic procedures can be completed after percutaneous antegrade placement of a small catheter or guidewire to the duodenum. In 44 such combined procedures on 42 patients, the success rate was 43 (98%). There were two severe and eight mild complications. Combined procedures overcome the difficulties caused by tortuous biliary ducts and rigid strictures while obviating the need for more extensive percutaneous procedures and transhepatic tract dilatation.

Biliary and colonic cutaneous fistula successfully treated by endoscopic insertion of biliary stents.

We report a case in which a large, postoperative cutaneous biliary and a colonic fistula were successfully treated by means of endoscopic insertion of two endoprostheses into the common bile duct. Twenty-four hours after the procedure, bile flow through the leak ceased completely while the colonic fistula closed in 6 days. Six months after the treatment, when a new endoscopic cholangiography showed no evidence of leak or stricture, the stents were removed. For the treatment of postoperative biliary leaks, insertion of endoprostheses is a good and safe alternative to surgery.

Myelopoiesis in the presence of stromal cells from mouse bone marrow: II. Mechanism of glucose dependent colony formation.

The inhibition of myeloid colony formation exerted by adherent bone marrow cells could be relieved by various non-metabolized methylglycosides and also by the free sugar D-glucose. The formation of colonies in the presence of the latter had, however, a number of distinct features. To test whether the effect of D-glucose was due to its metabolism, we tried to mimic the glucose effect by pyruvate and lactate. These could not induce colony formation in the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. Glucose-induced colonies could also form on top of agar overlayering the adherent cells. It therefore appears that stromal cells produce a stimulator of myelopoiesis which is glucose-dependent. This factor is capable of partially overcoming the activity of the inhibitor concomitantly produced by stromal cells.

Myelopoiesis in the presence of stromal cells from mouse bone marrow: I. Monosaccharides regulate colony formation.

Colony stimulating factor (CSF) was incapable of inducing the formation of granulocyte/monocyte (G/M) colonies in the presence of bone marrow-derived adherent cells. To test the possibility that interactions between adherent cells and myeloid progenitors are mediated via glycoproteins, we added a variety of sugars to methyl-cellulose cultures of BALB/c mouse bone marrow cells, in the presence of syngeneic bone marrow adherent cells. We found that a number of free sugars, as well as certain glycosides, relieved the inhibition of G/M colony formation exerted by the adherent cells. The effect of these monosaccharides was neither due to osmotic changes nor to their toxicity to the adherent cells. It is therefore concluded that glycoprotein or glycolipid factors may be involved in the interactions between myeloid progenitors and stromal cells.