Management of a persistent ileo-ureteric anastomotic leak with bilateral ureteric occlusion using angioplasty balloon catheters.

The ileal conduit continues to be the most common form of urinary diversion performed worldwide. As a result of improved surgical technique the perioperative mortality and morbidity for patients undergoing ileal conduit urinary diversion has reduced remarkably. However, one early complication that may occur is that of urinary leak at the ileo-ureteric anastomosis. Urinary anastomotic leaks may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although a small initial leakage postoperatively is common, the problem arises in cases of continued urinary leakage from the ileo-ureteric anastomosis. We report the management of a persistent ileo-ureteric anastomotic leak using angioplasty balloons catheters to occlude both ureters.

Endovascular management of major arterial hemorrhage as a complication of inflammatory pancreatic disease.

PURPOSE: Major arterial hemorrhage is an important complication of inflammatory pancreatic disease, with an overall mortality of 37%. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the experience of a tertiary referral center for pancreaticobiliary disease in the management of major arterial complications of pancreatitis with selective visceral angiography and transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 6-year retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing visceral angiography for major bleeding as a complication of pancreatitis identified 35 patients (26 male, 9 female) with a mean age of 51.2 years (range, 11-73 y). Patient demographics, history, clinical presentation, angiographic findings, angiographic treatment, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively noted. Technical success was defined as the devascularization of a focal lesion or reduction or cessation of blood flow to a target vascular bed or organ, and clinical success was defined as the resolution of the symptoms and signs that prompted the initial embolization. RESULTS: Angiography identified the site of bleeding in 54.3% of patients (n=19) and angiographic intervention was performed in 77.1% of patients (n=27). Technical success was achieved in 81.5% of those 27 patients (n=22), with overall clinical success in 80.0% (n=28). Multiple angiograms were required in 12 patients, with four demonstrating bleeding from new sites. The mortality rate was 20% (7 of 35). CONCLUSIONS: In major arterial hemorrhage resulting from pancreatic inflammatory disease, visceral angiography can identify the site of bleeding and hemostasis can be achieved. Repeat angiography is often required with bleeding from new sites. The mortality rate is comparable to that associated with surgery and reflects multisystem involvement in acute severe pancreatitis.

Hepatic angiosarcoma presenting as an acute intraabdominal hemorrhage treated with transarterial chemoembolization.

Primary malignant neoplasms of the liver are some of the most uncommon malignancies in many parts of the world. They include hepatocellular carcinoma and stromal tumors such as hepatic angiosarcoma. It is a lethal tumor with life expectancy of less than six months. Once discovered, it is often too late for surgical intervention. Like other vascular tumors of the liver and spleen, intraperitoneal hemorrhage is a well-documented finding of angiosarcoma which can be lethal if not diagnosed and treated immediately. As in our case, intraperitoneal hemorrhage from primary tumor rupture was the only clinical presentation of this neoplasm. Approximately 15% of patients present with acute hemoperitoneum from either tumor rupture or peritoneal metastasis. Although several therapeutic options are available, we describe apalliative therapy for hepatic angiosarcoma utilizing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) techniques incorporating the newer embolization agent Embospheres to locally target and treat this aggressive tumor.

Multi-section CT angiography compared with digital subtraction angiography in diagnosing major arterial hemorrhage in inflammatory pancreatic disease.

PURPOSE: Major arterial hemorrhage is an uncommon but serious complication of pancreatitis with high morbidity and mortality. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has long been the gold standard for the detection of a visceral artery pseudoaneurysm or for the site of active bleeding in patients with pancreatitis. Multi-section CT angiography is a minimally invasive technique which can provide high-resolution and high-contrast images of the arterial lumen and wall, with a much lower risk of complication and morbidity compared to DSA. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of multi-section CT angiography for the diagnosis of arterial complications of inflammatory pancreatitic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing visceral angiography for major bleeding as a complication of pancreatitis between 1998 and 2004 was performed. Twenty-nine studies in 25 patients (20 males, 5 females) with a mean age of 50.9 years (range 11-67 years) were identified where multi-section CT angiography was performed in the 24 h preceding the digital subtraction angiogram. RESULTS: Digital subtraction angiography detected a pseudoaneurysm or contrast extravasation in 19 studies and no bleeding was demonstrated in 9 studies. CT angiography correctly identified the site and type of bleeding in 18 of the 19 positive studies. CT angiography detected extravasation of contrast in one study that was not demonstrated on digital subtraction angiography. The sensitivity and specificity for multi-section CT angiography for the detection of major arterial bleeding on a background of pancreatitis were 0.947 and 0.900, respectively. CONCLUSION: Multi-section CT angiography is a sensitive and accurate technique for the detection of major arterial hemorrhage in inflammatory pancreatic disease and should be considered as the first investigation in the management of these patients.

Coil embolization of multiple hepatic artery aneurysms in a patient with undiagnosed polyarteritis nodosa.

Hepatic aneurysms are a rare sequela of vascular abnormalities in the liver, including trauma, infection, necrotizing vasculitis such as polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), and iatrogenic and arterial mediolysis. Presentation with intra-abdominal hemorrhage is associated with a high mortality rate. We describe life-saving transcatheter coil embolization of multiple isolated ruptured hepatic pseudoaneurysms in a patient with no history or clinical findings of PAN. We present angiographic findings and intra-arterial transcatheter embolization techniques in the treatment of ruptured large hepatic artery aneurysms. Endovascular specialists should recognize that PAN could present with classic angiographic findings and, in some cases, as life-threatening ruptured isolated hepatic artery aneurysms as its first presentation.

Multi-detector row CT of relevant vascular anatomy of the surgical plane in split-liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate relevant arterial and venous anatomy of the hepatectomy plane lateral to segment IV by using multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) with respect to adult living related transplantation of the right lobe of the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In potential liver donors, 100 consecutive hepatic CT angiograms were obtained after intravenous bolus administration of 150-180 mL of nonionic contrast material. Arterial phase images (1.25-mm collimation, 7.5 mm/ 0.8-second table speed) were acquired after test dose injection. Portal phase images were acquired at 60 seconds (2.5-mm collimation, 15 mm/0.8-second table speed). Postprocessing depicted arterial, portal, and hepatic vein anatomy traversing the anticipated surgical hepatectomy plane to the right of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) and separating the right and left lobes of the liver. Two radiologists interpreted the images, and data were agreed on by consensus. Data collected included intrahepatic anatomy and origin of the artery and vein supplying segment IV; the venous drainage from segments V and VIII; and the presence, size, and distance from the right hepatic vein (RHV) confluence of accessory hepatic veins in the surgical plane. RESULTS: Thirty-one donors had conventional hepatic vascular anatomy. Vessels that traversed the hepatectomy plane included the artery supplying segment IV in seven (7%) patients, dominant portal vein supply to segment IV from the right portal vein in two (2%) patients or from both right and left portal vein branches in three (3%) patients, segment VIII draining into the MHV in 67 (67%) patients or both the MHV and RHV in 18 (18%) patients (the major draining vein was >7 mm in diameter in 23%), segment V draining into the MHV in 10 (10%) patients, or both the MHV and RHV in 19 (19%) patients (the major draining vein from segment V was 7-10 mm in diameter in 70 patients, and larger than 10 mm in five). Forty-four accessory hepatic veins were identified in 40 patients; seven drained segment V, while the majority drained segments VI and VII. The mean diameter was 5.3 mm and 45% were larger than 6 mm. The average distance to the RHV-inferior vena cava confluence was 28.7 mm. Of 70 patients with drainage from segment V into RHV, 22 (31%) had an accessory RHV. However, atypical drainage into the MHV was noted in seven (70%) of 10 patients and into the MHV and RHV in 11 (58%) of 19 patients. CONCLUSION: In the majority of potential donors, CT angiography depicted a wide range of vascular anatomic variations that traverse the hepatectomy plane.

Phase II trial of continuous infusion carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and radiotherapy for localized cancer of the esophagus.

The aim of this study was to determine the toxicity, response rate, failure-free survival, and overall survival in a treatment program comprising continuous infusion carboplatin, short in-fusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and radiotherapy for localized carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus. To be eligible, patients were required to have Karnofsky performance status greater than or equal to 60, adequate organ function, and have received no prior therapy. Planned radiation dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. 5-FU was to be administered commencing days 1 and 29 of radiotherapy, and given at a dose of 1 g/m2/d for 4 days as a continuous infusion. Carboplatin was to commence on day 1 of radiotherapy and be given throughout the period of radiation as a continuous infusion. The starting dose of carboplatin was 28 mg/m2/d. The protocol specified a 25% dose reduction of carboplatin if more than two of the first six patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). DLT was defined as grade IV neutropenia lasting more than 7 days, grade IV thrombocytopenia, or any grade IV nonhematologic toxicity. All 23 patients in the study received protocol radio-therapy, except one who was given an extra 10 Gy. Seven patients received carboplatin at 28 mg/m2/d and 16 received 21 mg/m2/d. Hematologic DLTs were experienced by all of the seven patients receiving the higher dose. No patients in the low-dose group experienced hematologic DLTs, and only 2 of 16 ceased chemotherapy early because of myelosuppression. Three patients in the low-dose group experienced grade IV esophagitis but were able to complete protocol radiotherapy. Apart from esophagitis, nonhematologic toxicity was generally moderate or mild. Six patients had thrombosis complicating the central venous catheters. Endoscopy was performed in 21 patients (91%), with an overall complete response rate of 65% (CI: 43-84%) for the whole group or 71% (CI: 48-89%) for the endoscopically evaluated group. Estimated median failure-free survival time was 8.9 months (CI: 7.1-12.9), and estimated median overall survival time was 21.4 months (CI: 9.6 -35.4). Carboplatin at 21 mg/m2/d as a continuous infusion may be given safely in combination with short infusional 5-FU and radiotherapy for localized carcinoma of the esophagus. This combination has resulted in response data comparable to that of larger studies of cisplatin-containing regimens and warrants further study, ideally in a phase III randomized controlled trial.