The effect of using different embolic agents on survival in transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma: gelfoam versus polyvinyl alcohol.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the effect of using different embolic agents such as gelfoam and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on survival, tumor response, and complications in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 inoperable HCC patients who underwent TACE between August 1998 and April 2007. A total of 50 TACE sessions were performed using PVA (n=18) or gelfoam particles (n=20), following the application of 60 mg doxorubicin with 10-20 mL lipiodol emulsion. The PVA and gelfoam groups were compared based on clinical, laboratory and demographic variables. Survival rates were calculated starting from the first TACE session using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the survival rates of PVA and gelfoam groups (P = 0.235). Overall survival rates at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months were 55%, 36%, 15%, 7%, and 5%, respectively. Tumor response, age, lipiodol accumulation type, number of HCC foci, complications and serum alpha-fetoprotein level were significant factors for survival in all patients. CONCLUSION: Use of gelfoam or PVA as the embolic agent did not have a significant impact on survival. Complete tumor response, intensive lipiodol accumulation in tumor, older age (<60 years), fewer (≤3) HCC foci, low serum alpha-fetoprotein level (≤400 ng/mL) were found to improve cumulative survival significantly.

Outcome and quality of life after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined outcome and quality of life (QOL) in octogenarians, compared with patients aged <80 years, 1 year after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: From March 2009 until April 2011, 1263 patients in the Endurant Stent Graft Natural Selection Global Postmarket Registry (ENGAGE) registry with an abdominal aortic aneurysm were treated with EVAR using the Endurant endograft (Medtronic Cardiovascular, Santa Rosa, Calif). The patients were grouped according to those aged ≥80 years (290 [22.9%]) and those aged <80 years (973 [77.1%]) at the time of the procedure. QOL was assessed using composite EuroQoL 5-Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D) index scores. Baseline, perioperative, and follow-up data were analyzed at 1 year. RESULTS: Octogenarians had poorer anatomic characteristics. The technical success rate was almost 99% for both cohorts, with no deaths. The duration of the implant procedure was significantly longer in the elderly patients (P = .002), with significant differences in overall (P < .001) and postprocedure (P < .001) hospital stays in favor of the younger group. At 1 year, there was a significant difference in all-cause mortality (P = .002) and in the number of major adverse events (P = .003), including secondary rupture (P = .01), to the detriment of octogenarians. There were no significant differences in conversion to open surgery or in overall secondary endovascular procedures. The octogenarians scored lower in their overall health care perception (P < .001) but with no significant difference in the EQ-5D index. Compared with the group aged <80 years, they had still not completely recovered their QOL after 1 year (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians are more difficult to treat by EVAR than younger patients due to poorer anatomic suitability and a higher incidence of complications. Recovery of QOL in octogenarians takes longer (>12 months) than expected.

Body composition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is not different than healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased body fat, particularly its central distribution, is a well-known risk factor for CVD. A change in body composition in RA has been described previously. However, in most of these studies, age- and sex- but not body mass index (BMI)-matched controls were used. The aim of this study was to evaluate body composition in RA patients and compare it with age-, sex-, and BMI-matched controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-five RA patients (55 females and 10 males; mean age 54.9 ± 10.8) and 31 healthy controls (25 females, 6 males; 53.8±8.6) were included in this study. Mean disease duration was 9.2±9.6 years. Body composition was assessed by anthropometric methods (skinfold thicknesses, body circumferences), bioimpedance analysis, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was assessed with computed tomography. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for total body fatness, regional fat distribution, and total body water and fat-free mass between RA patients and control subjects. Bone mineral content (BMC), assessed by DXA, was significantly lower in RA patients (p=0.004). Clinical disease activity indices and steroid treatment do not affect soft tissue body composition or BMC. CONCLUSION: At least some RA patients do not have soft tissue composition alterations and may have similar health risks in comparison with subjects with similar age, sex, and total adiposity.

Doppler US evaluation of renal biopsy complications in children.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous renal biopsy plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of renal disease in children, but it does carry some complications. As most cases are vascular in origin, Doppler ultrasonography (US) has clear benefits in terms of detecting bleeding and assessing vascular damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Doppler US in detecting possible complications after percutaneous renal biopsy in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed using the data obtained from all pediatric patients who underwent renal biopsy in our institution between 1999 and 2011. RESULTS: A total of 175 biopsies were performed in 172 patients (48.3% male, 51.7% female) ranging in age from 1 to 17 years (mean, 8.7 years). Of 175 biopsies, 42 (24.0%) led to complications. Overall, 52 complications (25% major, 75% minor) occurred following 42 biopsies. CONCLUSION: Doppler US examination is capable of and helpful in detecting possible vascular complications such as pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula and improves the management of these patients after biopsy. It is important to recognize the Doppler US appearance of complications associated with percutaneous renal biopsy and to perform close follow-up with Doppler US in the first 24 hours.

Ghrelin and adipokines as circulating markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis.

INTRODUCTION: The current markers of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA) are insufficient for proper assessment. We investigated circulating levels of unacylated and acylated ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin and their relationships with disease activity in patients with TA. METHODS: This study included 31 patients with TA and 32 sex-, age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls. Disease activity was assessed in TA patients using various tools, including Kerr's criteria, disease extent index-Takayasu, physician's global assessment, radiological parameters, and laboratory markers. Plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin, and serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels were found to be significantly lower in TA patients than that in healthy controls. Patients with active disease had lower unacylated ghrelin levels than those with inactive disease and had lower acylated ghrelin levels than healthy controls. Ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with various parameters of disease activity. The leptin/ghrelin ratio was significantly higher in TA patients than controls. It was positively correlated with disease activity. There was a positive correlation between unacylated and acylated ghrelin and a negative correlation between leptin and ghrelin. There was no statistical difference in adiponectin levels between TA patients and controls. The radiological activity markers were positively correlated with other parameters of disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels may be useful in monitoring disease activity and planning treatment strategies for patients with TA. The serum leptin level and leptin/ghrelin ratio may also be used to help assess the disease activity.

Valiant thoracic stent-graft deployed with the new captivia delivery system: procedural and 30-day results of the Valiant Captivia registry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate procedural and 30-day outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) employing the Valiant Thoracic Stent Graft with the Captivia Delivery System. METHODS: Enrollment in the study ( www.ClinicalTrials.com identifier NCT01181947) included all eligible patients implanted with the Valiant Captivia System retrospectively and prospectively at 15 sites in Europe and Turkey between October 2009 and June 2010. In the 100 treated patients (81 men; mean age 64.6 ± 12.0 years, range 25-87), indications included descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA, 49.0%) and aortic dissection (42.0%). RESULTS: Technical success was 100.0%, with no misaligned deployments or aortic perforations. Mean follow-up was 68.9 ± 34.9 days (range 20-147, median 61). The 30-day rate of all-cause mortality was 4.0% (all 4 cases procedure-related, 3 device-related). Retrograde type A dissection occurred in 2 patients. The only conversion to open surgery was successful in a patient experiencing intraoperative aneurysm rupture. Stroke occurred in 4 (4.0%) patients and paraplegia in 1 (1.0%). Among 66 patients with 30-day imaging studies evaluable for endoleak, 4 (6.1%) had type I and 7 (10.6%) had type II endoleak; there were no types III or IV. Within 30 days, no secondary endovascular procedures were required due to endoleak. One patient with type II endoleak died 3 weeks postimplantation before scheduled embolization. CONCLUSION: In this analysis of procedural and 30-day results, the high technical success and clinical outcome rates showed that the Valiant Thoracic Stent Graft with the new Captivia Delivery System has promising capacity to treat a variety of thoracic aortic conditions in a range of anatomies.

Evaluation of early atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding early atherosclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease are limited and conflicting results are present. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serological and sonographical evidence of subclinical vascular involvement in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with inflammatory bowel disease (20 Crohn's disease, and 19 ulcerative colitis patients) and 31 healthy controls were consecutively enrolled in the study. Flow mediated dilatation of the brachial artery and intima media thickness assessments of the common carotid artery were measured sonographically. Soluble CD40 ligand levels were evaluated. Crohn's disease activity index and modified Truelove-Witt's criteria were also noted. RESULTS: Age, sex distribution, serum lipids, smoking status, and intima media thickness of the common carotid artery were similar between the inflammatory bowel disease patients and controls (p > 0.05). However, both endothelium dependent and independent flow mediated dilatation values were significantly impaired in the inflammatory bowel disease group compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and soluble CD40 ligand values were significantly increased in inflammatory bowel disease patients compared with controls (p < 0.05), and soluble CD40 ligand was negatively correlated with flow mediated dilatation (r = -0.3, p < 0.05). Flow mediated dilatation was significantly predicted from the concentrations of C-reactive protein and soluble CD40 ligand. CONCLUSION: Functional atherosclerosis is present in inflammatory bowel disease before early structural changes occur in vasculature. Higher sCD40L may indicate worse vascular outcome for IBD.

Nasal septal perforation in a patient with Takayasu's arteritis; a rare association.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic, progressive, granulomatous inflammation of the aorta and its major branches, and is diagnosed often only in the late stage. The late phase of disease is characterized by variety of ischemic symptoms due to stenosis or occlusion of the major arteries. Although major neurological events such as stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and seizures due to either progressive arterial stenosis or hypertension, are reported to occur in one-fifth of the patients, nasal septal perforation has not been previously reported. Herein we present a young woman with TA who was hospitalized with left hemiparesis due to occlusion of stented carotid artery. Her clinical course was also complicated with nasal septal perforation. This case suggested that nasal septal perforation could be a rare complication of TA and might be considered as a part of the clinical spectrum of the disease.

Mesenteric Doppler ultrasonography findings of Echinococcus multilocularis infection: an experimental study.

The diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, is often difficult and almost always possible only in the later stages of the disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the findings of Doppler ultrasonography images for the diagnosis of intraabdominal non-visceral alveolar echinococcosis in Meriones unguiculatus. Six infected animals were studied. Abdominal Doppler ultrasonography examinations were performed 20-25 days after the implantation. Then, animals were sacrificed and infected specimens were histopathologically examined. The sonographic examinations of the infected animals revealed lobulated, heterogeneous cystic intraabdominal masses. There were echogenic solid areas with hypoechoic and anechoic cystic areas within the lesions. Doppler ultrasound examination revealed vascular islands within those heterogeneous cystic lesions. Color mode showed multiple vascular coding areas within the solid part of the lesions, most of them were venous structures but there were also arterial vessels showing dominant flow with low resistive indices. Vascular structures were supposed to be the invaded native mesenteric vessels within the infiltrating inflammatory mass lesions. We consider that the Doppler ultrasound finding of irregular mesenteric vascular structures within intraabdominal heterogenous mass lesions may be an important sign for the diagnosis of experimental non-visceral alveolar echinococcosis in Meriones unguiculatus.

Juvenile linear scleroderma with unique forms of renal involvement.

Linear scleroderma is the most common type of juvenile localized scleroderma, which usually involves the limbs. The linear lesions may extend through the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and the underlying bone, leading to significant functional and cosmetic deformities. Renal involvement in juvenile localized scleroderma is a rare manifestation. Here we report two cases with juvenile linear scleroderma and unique renal manifestations, including unilateral renal arterial stenosis and immunoglobulin M nephropathy.

A rare cause of renovascular hypertension: Takayasu arteritis with only renal artery involvement.

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects mainly the aorta, main branches of aorta, and pulmonary arteries with unknown etiology. Disease affecting solely the renal arteries is rare. We will present a case that had hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis where the etiology was type 2 Takayasu arteritis, affecting renal arteries.

A case of angiographically verified non-occlusive mesentery ischemia induced by digitalis.

Here we present a case of non-occlusive mesentery ischemia induced by digitalis, which was verified angiographically. Nonocclusive mesentery ischemia, a subgroup of "acute mesentery ischemia", is known as a period of intestinal ischemic hypoperfusion without a demonstrable vascular occlusion in the mesentery bed. It can be caused by factors leading to splanchnic hypoperfusion, which can be of cardiac, renal or hepatic origin. In addition, it can be induced by certain drugs such as digitalis, ergotamines and vasoactive agents. In clinical practice, digitalis toxicity is commonly seen. In contrast, non-occlusive mesentery ischemia secondary to digitalis is quite rare. However, nonocclusive mesentery ischemia should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients who develop sudden and diffuse abdominal pain while on digitalis therapy.

Early ultrasonographic markers of atherosclerosis in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Systemic inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis (AS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of early AS in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) that is characterized by recurrent inflammatory attacks of serositis. Sixty-one FMF patients (30 Male/31 Female; 31.5 [18-54] years) and 31 healthy controls (16 Male/15 Female; 31 [22-58] years) were studied. All FMF patients were on regular daily colchicine treatment and during attack-free periods. Both the FMF patients and controls with a history of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were excluded. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Serum lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were assessed. Two-hour oral glucose tolerance test was performed to rule out DM and glucose intolerance. To investigate early AS "endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD%)," "nitroglycerin-induced endothelium-independent peripheral vasodilatation (NTG%)," and intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries (CCA) were measured by ultrasonograpy. The median disease duration for FMF patients was 16 (1-45) years. Age, sex, BMI, smoking status, and serum lipids were comparable in patients and controls (p > 0.05). However, ESR and standard CRP were significantly higher in the patients group (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the measurements of right, left, and averaged IMT of CCA between patients and controls ([0.49 vs 0.5], [0.51 vs 0.52] and [0.5 vs 0.51]; p > 0.05, respectively). None of the subjects had carotid artery plaques. FMD% and NTG% were also similar in patients and controls group ([18.2 vs 20.6] and [24.2 vs 22.5]; p > 0.05, respectively). This study suggests that the markers of early AS are not impaired in FMF patients on regular daily colchicine treatment.

A rare case of acute renal infarction due to atrial fibrillation mimicking renal colic.

A 70-year-old patient with acute renal infarction due to chronic atrial fibrillation is presented. The clinical presentation of the patient was suggestive of renal colic. Computerized tomography was consistent with acute renal infarction and confirmed the diagnosis. After giving anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic treatment, she was discharged with clinical improvement. High clinical suspicion is necessary on an old patient who has thromboembolic risk factors with the complaint of abrupt-onset flank pain.

Predictive value of the international prostate symptom score for positive prostate needle biopsy in the low-intermediate prostate-specific antigen range.

PURPOSE: Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has a restricted predictive value for prostate cancer in the low-intermediate PSA range (2.5-10 ng/ml). Our aim was to determine the predictive value of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for positive prostate needle biopsy (PNB) in patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy with a low-intermediate PSA level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2004, the data of 389 consecutive patients applying for any urologic complaint to our department and who underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy due to an elevated serum PSA and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 158 eligible patients with a low-intermediate PSA level were included in the study. The patient's age, PSA, free PSA, free/total PSA, prostate volume, PSA density (PSAD), pre-biopsy IPSS were compared in the positive and negative biopsy groups. RESULTS: Fifty-eight of 158 patients (37%) who underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy had positive PNBs. Forty-eight patients (30%) had abnormal DREs. In the positive PNB group, the mean age was older and PSAD was higher, but the means of the prostate volumes and total IPSS were lower (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age and IPSS were independent predictors of a positive PNB (p<0.05). The odds ratio of mild IPSS for positive PNB controlled for age was 3.0 (95% CI 1.5-6.7). Receiver-operating characteristics analysis revealed a mild IPSS (AUC=0.640) and was a considerable predictor for positive PNB as well as PSAD (AUC=0.648). The sensitivity and specificity of IPSS with a cutoff value of 7.5 points were 31 and 87% for prediction of prostate cancer detection. CONCLUSION: In the low-intermediate PSA range, mild IPSS may be a predictive factor for positive PNB with a similar specificity of PSAD.

Diclofenac suppository administration in conjunction with lidocaine gel during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the additional analgesic efficacy of the rectal administration of diclofenac suppository compared with placebo in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. METHODS: A total of 40 consecutive men undergoing biopsy were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized equally into two treatment groups. In group 1, patients received an intrarectal 100-mg diclofenac suppository 1 hour before biopsy. In group 2, patients received a glycerin suppository as a placebo intrarectally 1 hour before biopsy. All patients received 10 mL of 2% lidocaine gel intrarectally 10 minutes before biopsy. A self-administrated visual analog scale was used to measure the pain scores at the end of the biopsy and 2 hours and 1 day after the biopsy. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 63.3 +/- 6.8 years and 61.6 +/- 6.7 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean pain score in groups 1 and 2 was 3.4 +/- 1.3 versus 5.9 +/- 1.7 (P < 0.0001), respectively, at the end of the biopsy. The mean pain score at 2 hours and 1 day after the procedure was 1.2 +/- 1.0 versus 3.6 +/- 1.4 (P < 0.0001) and 0.5 +/- 0.9 versus 1.4 +/- 1.3 (P = 0.017) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intrarectal diclofenac suppository administration is a simple, safe, and effective procedure to reduce pain and improve patients' tolerance of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. We recommend intrarectal diclofenac suppository administration, together with intrarectally administered lidocaine gel, in men undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

A case of Takayasu disease with findings of incomplete Alagille syndrome.

A 16-year-old girl being followed up for Takayasu arteritis for the last 3 years was also found to have Alagille syndrome upon findings of atypical facies, posterior embryotoxon, high-pitched voice, osteopenia and hypogonadism. This case might imply a possible relationship between Takayasu arteritis and Alagille syndrome.

A case of familial Mediterranean fever and polyarteritis nodosa complicated by spontaneous perirenal and subcapsular hepatic hemorrhage requiring multiple arterial embolizations.

The association of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) has been well established. These patients have been reported to have an overall better prognosis than other PAN patients. Herein we report a patient with FMF and PAN who died of sepsis following a severe course of recurrent bleeding episodes which required multiple embolization attempts. The 39-year-old Turkish male presented with abdominal pain of 1-month duration. He had been diagnosed with FMF at the age of 24. On admission, he had pallor with general ill appearance. Rebound tenderness was obtained in the right upper abdominal quadrant. He had mild anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and hypoalbuminemia. On the 2nd day of his admission, he developed hypotension with a rapid decline in hemoglobin level. Abdominal angiography showed multiple aneurysms in the branches of renal arteries, superior mesenteric artery, and hepatic arterial system including left renal infarct, suggesting PAN. He was put on high-dose steroids and oral cyclophosphamide. Despite medical treatment, he developed intense abdominal pain, hypotension, tachycardia, and a rapid fall in hemoglobin on four occasions. Active bleeding sites were embolized in two different angiography sessions. Although the patient experienced no more recurrent bleeding, he died of multiorgan dysfunction syndrome resulting from sepsis 6 weeks after admission. Polyarteritis nodosa associated with FMF may follow a grave course despite immunosuppressive therapy. Arterial embolization should be considered in the presence of bleeding aneurysms in addition to immunosuppressive therapy.

Relationship between complications due to prostate biopsy and the scores of pain and discomfort.

INTRODUCTION: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy is routinely performed in the prostate-specific antigen era. In this study, we evaluated morbidity and complications observed in patients undergoing TRUS-guided prostate biopsy following intrarectal lidocaine application and the relation of these complications to pain and discomfort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and August 2002, a total of 128 patients underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. The procedure was carried out following an intrarectal application of 10 cm(3) 2% lidocaine gel. Immediately after the biopsy, pain and discomfort scores were determined using a 10-point linear visual analog scale. The patients were seen 10 days later and questioned for complications. RESULTS: At least one complication was observed in 107 patients (84%). Most frequent complications were macroscopic hematuria (90%), hematochezia (36%), and hematospermia (13%). The mean pain and discomfort scores of the patients were found to be correlated to each other (p < 0.01). The complication-negative group had significantly lower pain and discomfort scores (p < 0.01). The scores of the patients with hematochezia were significantly higher than the scores of the patients with other complications (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Minor complications like hematuria, hematochezia, and hematospermia are frequently seen in patients undergoing TRUS-guided prostate biopsies. The pain and discomfort scores may be predictors of minor complications, particularly of rectal bleeding.