CT-Guided Trans-osseous Biopsy: Experience in 24 Patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of computed tomography-guided trans-osseous biopsies in deep-seated lesions and report encountered complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed which included twenty-four patients with pathologic medical history and lesions non-accessible by common approaches. Exclusion criteria include patients who could be biopsied without trans-osseous access, as for example procedures aided with hydro- or pneumo-dissection. The population studied included 13 females (54.2%) and the overall average age was 64.5 (IIQ 43-69). The procedures were carried out through the following bones: sternum (n = 6), vertebral (n = 5), iliac (n = 5), scapula (n = 3), rib (n = 2), sacral (n = 2), and pubis (n = 1). RESULTS: The efficiency for these procedures was 87.5%, while 8.33% of them were non-diagnostic and 4.17% were inconclusive due to vital risk during the procedure. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography-guided trans-osseous biopsy resulted in a safe and effective technique for those lesions blocked by vital structures or apparently directly inaccessible.

Primeros pasos en el intervencionismo. Lecciones de la práctica diaria / First steps in interventionism. Lessons from daily practice

Resumen Las características del paciente y la localización de la lesión diana pueden hacer más complejo un procedimiento intervencionista. Una adecuada formación basada en el conocimiento de los instrumentos, manejo de técnicas alternativas y complementos hacen que estos procedimientos sean efectivos y seguros. Destacaremos la planificación anticipada, los enfoques seguros, el papel de la integración y la discusión interdisciplinaria. Los elementos descritos aquí y la bibliografía adjunta pueden tomarse como una guía para comenzar una carrera en radiología intervencionista.

Abstract The characteristics of the patient and the location of the target lesion can make an interventional procedure more complex. An adequate training based on the knowledge of instruments, handling of alternative techniques and supplementary tools make these procedures effective and safe. We will emphasize advanced planning, safe approaches, the role of integration, and interdisciplinary discussion. The items described here and the accompanying bibliography can be taken as a guide to starting a career in interventional radiology.

[Ultrasound guided biopsy of lung tumors: evaluation of efficacy and complications]. / Biopsia de tumores pulmonares con guía ecográfica: evaluación de eficacia y complicaciones

Introduction: The diagnosis of lung cancer, as well as that of lung nodules, is increasing. Percutaneous biopsy has become a transcendental tool for its diagnosis. Traditionally, computed tomography is used for these procedures because of its ability to clearly demonstrate bone and aerated lung. However, in selected cases it can be performed with ultrasound. Methods: Retrospective study conducted between January 2020 and December 2021, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. All patients had pleural-based lung lesions or pleural lesions, some with a known history of cancer. Results: Thirty-six procedures were performed, in 32 (88.9%) the sample obtained presented diagnostic yield and the most used additional test was Immunohistochemistry in 23 (63.9%). Complications were reported in 5 patients (13.9%): 2 with mild pneumothorax, 2 with hemothorax (1 mild and 1 moderate) and 1 patient reported pain. Conclusion: Ultrasound is a valid method to be used as a guide for biopsies of pleural and peripheral pulmonary lesions. The complications and diagnostic rate has been shown to be in line with the experience of other authors and international guidelines.

Introducción: El diagnóstico de cáncer pulmonar al igual que el de los nódulos pulmonares se encuentra en aumento. La biopsia percutánea se ha convertido en una herramienta trascendental para su diagnóstico. Tradicionalmente la tomografía computada es empleada para estos procedimientos por su capacidad para demostrar con claridad los huesos y el pulmón aireado. Sin embargo, en casos seleccionados puede efectuarse con ecografía. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo realizado entre enero de 2020 y diciembre de 2021, durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2. Todos los pacientes tenían lesiones pulmonares de base pleural o lesiones pleurales, algunos con antecedentes conocidos de cáncer. Resultados: Se realizaron 36 procedimientos, en 32 (88,9%) la muestra obtenida presentó rédito diagnóstico y la prueba adicional más utilizada fue la Inmunohistoquímica en 23 (63,9%). Se reportaron complicaciones en 5 pacientes (13,9%): 2 con neumotórax leve, 2 con hemotórax (1 leve y 1 moderado) y 1 paciente refirió dolor. Conclusión: La ecografía es un método válido para ser usado como guía de biopsias de lesiones pleurales y pulmonares periféricas. La tasa de complicaciones y reedito diagnóstico ha demostrado estar en línea con la experiencia de otros autores y guías internacionales.

[Presurgical hypogastric lymph node marking under CT guidance, aided by hidrodissection] / Marcación prequirúrgica de ganglio hipogástrico con tomografía computada asistido por hidrodisección.

Introduction: Pre-surgical lymph node marking is an established medical procedure of vital importance in the treatment of cancer patients. Materials: A 60-year-old man with a history of prostatic adenocarcinoma in a plan for resection of hypogastric adenopathy. Image guided pre-surgical marking was indicated. Results: Preoperative marking was performed with local anesthesia under computed tomography with transosseous access and hydrodissection. Conclusion: We present a technique that has been little studied and rarely reported in the international literature for the surgical identification of deep pelvic adenopathy.

Introducción: La marcación pre quirúrgica de ganglios es un procedimiento médico establecido y de vital importancia en el tratamiento de pacientes oncológicos. Materiales: Hombre de 60 años con antecedentes de adenocarcinoma prostático en plan de resección de adenopatía hipogástrica. Se indicó marcación prequirúrgica mediante guía imagenológica. Resultados: Se realizó marcación prequirúrgica con anestesia local bajo tomografía computada con acceso transóseo e hidrodisección. Conclusiones: presentamos una técnica poco estudiada y escasamente reportada en la bibliografía internacional para la identificación quirúrgica de una adenopatía pélvica profunda.

Biopsia percutánea de nódulos y masas pulmonares bajo ecografía: una alternativa a la tomografía computada / Ultrasound guided percutaneous biopsy of pulmonary nodules and masses: an alternative to CT

Resumen Los nódulos y masas pulmonares tradicionalmente son biopsiados mediante tomografía computada (TC). La ecografía está subestimada como guía para biopsias pulmonares. Las imágenes pulmonares factibles de biopsia con ecografía son aquellas en contacto pleural. Las contraindicaciones específicas incluyen ventilación mecánica asistida, neumonectomía contralateral, paciente no colaborador, tos incontrolable. En el monitoreo posbiopsia deberán controlarse los signos vitales, el dolor y la presencia de complicaciones. Por la localización de las lesiones abordables por este método, el neumotórax y el sangrado parenquimatoso como complicación son menos frecuentes que en las biopsias dirigidas por TC. En este artículo describimos los conceptos básicos para la correcta selección de paciente, planificación y ejecución segura de una biopsia de nódulo pulmonar bajo ecografía.

Abstract Pulmonary nodules and masses are traditionally biopsied under computed tomography (CT) guidance. Ultrasound remains underrated as lung nodule biopsy guide. Ultrasound can be employed to target pleural based lung nodules. Specific contraindications include: mechanical ventilation, contralateral pneumonectomy, non-cooperative patient and uncontrollable coughing. Post procedural care should cover vital signs check, pain assessment and complication evaluation. Due to lesion localization, complications such as pneumothorax and parenchymal bleeding are less frequent than in CT guided biopsies. In this article we provide basic concepts for patient selection, plan and safe execution of ultrasound guided pulmonary nodule biopsy.

Biopsias pelvianas percutáneas: guía iconográfica de abordajes seguros / Percutaneous pelvic biopsies: An illustrative guideline for safe approaches

Resumen Las biopsias percutáneas a nivel de la pelvis plantean un desafío dada la compleja anatomía regional. El conocimiento de las estructuras afectadas y el tipo de lesión a intervenir son algunos de los aspectos que van a influenciar la técnica que se utilice. Se han propuesto distintas vías de abordaje, pero aún carecen de sistematización. El objetivo de este artículo es destacar accesos seguros ejemplificando con casos ilustrativos de nuestra institución. Además, agregamos comentarios basados en nuestra experiencia.

Abstract Pelvic percutaneous biopsies are challenging due to complex regional anatomy. Knowledge of affected structures and lesion type are some of the aspects that will condition the technique applied. Different approaches to pelvic percutaneous biopsies have been proposed, but still lack systematization. The aim of this article is to highlight safe approaches supported with illustrative cases. Furthermore, we provide opinion based on our experience.

Chest x-ray automated triage: A semiologic approach designed for clinical implementation, exploiting different types of labels through a combination of four Deep Learning architectures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The multiple chest x-ray datasets released in the last years have ground-truth labels intended for different computer vision tasks, suggesting that performance in automated chest x-ray interpretation might improve by using a method that can exploit diverse types of annotations. This work presents a Deep Learning method based on the late fusion of different convolutional architectures, that allows training with heterogeneous data with a simple implementation, and evaluates its performance on independent test data. We focused on obtaining a clinically useful tool that could be successfully integrated into a hospital workflow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on expert opinion, we selected four target chest x-ray findings, namely lung opacities, fractures, pneumothorax and pleural effusion. For each finding we defined the most suitable type of ground-truth label, and built four training datasets combining images from public chest x-ray datasets and our institutional archive. We trained four different Deep Learning architectures and combined their outputs with a late fusion strategy, obtaining a unified tool. The performance was measured on two test datasets: an external openly-available dataset, and a retrospective institutional dataset, to estimate performance on the local population. RESULTS: The external and local test sets had 4376 and 1064 images, respectively, for which the model showed an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics curve of 0.75 (95%CI: 0.74-0.76) and 0.87 (95%CI: 0.86-0.89) in the detection of abnormal chest x-rays. For the local population, a sensitivity of 86% (95%CI: 84-90), and a specificity of 88% (95%CI: 86-90) were obtained, with no significant differences between demographic subgroups. We present examples of heatmaps to show the accomplished level of interpretability, examining true and false positives. CONCLUSION: This study presents a new approach for exploiting heterogeneous labels from different chest x-ray datasets, by choosing Deep Learning architectures according to the radiological characteristics of each pathological finding. We estimated the tool's performance on the local population, obtaining results comparable to state-of-the-art metrics. We believe this approach is closer to the actual reading process of chest x-rays by professionals, and therefore more likely to be successful in a real clinical setting.

[Percutaneous ultrasound-guided pancreas allograft biopsy: a secure procedure]. / Biopsia percutánea de páncreas trasplantado bajo guía ecográfica: un procedimiento seguro.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the complications rate related to percutaneous ultrasound-guided pancreas allograft biopsy using an N16 Gauge needle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, the results of transplanted pancreas biopsies were analyzed in the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 1997 and 2012. In all patients, the indication for the procedure was a suspected rejection. After verifying the lack ofcontraindications, a percutaneous biopsy ofthe transplanted pancreas guided by ultrasound using an N16 Gauge needle was performed. A pathologist immediately evaluated the samples in order to establish that the material obtained was adequate. The complications were documented. RESULTS: . A total of92 pancreas percutaneous biopsies were performed in 47 patients in the Interventionism service of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. In 86% ofthe biopsies two samples were taken and in the 14% remaining only one. It was possible to reach a diagnosis in 100% of the biopsies. Only two patients presented complications: a post-puncture pancreatic fistula that healed with conservative treatment and an intense post-puncture pain with vasovagal reaction that reverted with the increase of venous return. CONCLUSION: Our results with the 16G needle are similar to those reported by other authors that used needles with lower gauge (18G or 20G). Thus, we can interpret that the percutaneous biopsy of transplanted pancreas under ultrasound guide with N16 Gauge needle is a safe (2.2% of complications) and efficient technique for the histopathological diagnosis of rejection (100%).

Extracción percutánea de catéteres rotos y migrados en el sistema circulatoria / Removal of the catheter fragment by percutaneous endovascular approach

La rotura y migración de un fragmento de catéter venoso central o angiográfico es una situación poco frecuente pero grave. Suele asociarse con una alta morbimortalidad como consecuencia de taquiarritmias cardíacas, sepsis o complicaciones tromboembólicas. La extracción del catéter por vía percutánea endovascular previene o resuelve estas complicaciones. Esta técnica es altamente efectiva y segura realizada por un equipo experimentado en terapéutica endovascular. Ha reemplazado la extracción por toracotomía a cielo abierto, que a priori, carece de indicaciones

Extracción percutánea de catéteres rotos y migrados en el sistema circulatoria / Removal of the catheter fragment by percutaneous endovascular approach

La rotura y migración de un fragmento de catéter venoso central o angiográfico es una situación poco frecuente pero grave. Suele asociarse con una alta morbimortalidad como consecuencia de taquiarritmias cardíacas, sepsis o complicaciones tromboembólicas. La extracción del catéter por vía percutánea endovascular previene o resuelve estas complicaciones. Esta técnica es altamente efectiva y segura realizada por un equipo experimentado en terapéutica endovascular. Ha reemplazado la extracción por toracotomía a cielo abierto, que a priori, carece de indicaciones