Computed Tomography-guided Drainage with Modified Trocar Technique Using a Drainaway Drainage Kit.

Purpose: Image-guided percutaneous drainage for abscesses is known as a safe and effective treatment. The computed tomography-guided percutaneous drainage kit Drainaway (SB Kawasumi Co., Ltd.), developed on the basis of a modified trocar method, has made it possible to complete the procedure only under computed tomography guidance without radiographic fluoroscopy. This study investigated the feasibility and safety of Drainaway for abscess drainage. Material and Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 28 procedures in 27 patients (18 men and 9 women; age 67.0 ± 12.3 years) who underwent computed tomography-guided drainage using Drainaway between March and December 2021 at seven affiliated hospitals were analyzed. Patients with symptomatic, puncturable on computed tomography and refractory abscesses were included. Technical success (successful drainage with computed tomography alone), primary clinical success (successful drainage with Drainaway alone), secondary clinical success (avoidance of surgery), and complications were evaluated. Results: The sites of the abscesses were the intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, and thoracic cavities in 19, 5, and 2 patients, respectively, and subcutaneous tissue in 1 patient. The mean size of the abscesses was 7.1 ± 3.4 cm. The technical success rate was 96.4%; the ligament of the puncture route could not be penetrated in one case. The primary clinical success rate was 77.8%, whereas the secondary clinical success rate of catheter upsizing or replacement was 96.3%. Complications included one case of biliary pleurisy that required drainage. Conclusions: Drainaway is a useful device that allows abscess drainage using only computed tomography guidance without radiographic fluoroscopy.

Comparison of Foaming Properties Between the Shirasu Porous Glass Membrane Device and Tessari's Three-way Stopcock Technique for Polidocanol and Ethanolamine Oleate Foam Production: A Benchtop Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the characteristics of polidocanol (POL) and ethanolamine oleate (EO) sclerosing foams produced by a Shirasu porous glass membrane (SPGM) device with those made using a 3-way stopcock (3WSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Foam half-life times were measured in an ex-vivo benchtop study. Computed tomography (CT) images of each foam were obtained over the time course, and a CT texture analysis was conducted. The bubble size in each foam was measured by an optical microscope. RESULTS: Median foam half-life times were longer in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL: 198 vs 166 s, P = .02; EO: 640 vs 391 s, P < .01). In the CT texture analysis, median standard deviation (SD) and entropy (randomness) were lower, and median energy (uniformity) and gray-level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) homogeneity were higher in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL SD: at 30 s and 50-300 s; POL entropy: at 0-60 s; EO SD: at 0-600 s; EO entropy: at 0-460 s; POL energy: at 0-40 s; POL GLCM homogeneity: at 0-250 s; EO energy: at 0-360 s; EO GLCM homogeneity: at 0-480 s; all P < .05). Median bubble diameters in the SPGM group and in the 3WSC group were 69 and 83 µm (P < .01), respectively, in the POL foam; and 36 and 36 µm (P = .45), respectively, in the EO foam. CONCLUSIONS: POL and EO foams had greater uniformity and longer foam half-life time when prepared with an SPGM device than with a 3WSC.

A Case of Severe Biliary Anastomotic Stricture after Living Donor Liver Transplantation Successfully Treated Using the Modified Gunsight Technique with Two Balloon Catheters.

Biliary stricture is a serious postoperative complication of liver transplantation. We report the case of a 2-year-old boy with severe biliary anastomotic stricture after left lobe living donor liver transplantation. As cannulation from the occluded B3 into the jejunum was impossible using the conventional technique, a gunsight approach was utilized. By puncturing balloons dilated at the occluded site of B3 and the proximal end of the non-occlusive B2, a tract between B3 and B2 was created, and the catheter was finally successfully inserted from B3 into the jejunum through the dilated tract and B2. The gunsight approach is an option for severe biliary strictures when the conventional approach proves impossible.

Portal Vein Damage after DEB-TACE and Lipiodol-TACE: Based on Evaluation by Computed Tomography during Arterial Portography.

Purpose: To reveal the effect of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization and Lipiodol transarterial chemoembolization on portal perfusion, and to identify factors predisposing portal vein damage after transarterial chemoembolization, based on evaluation by computed tomography during arterial portography. Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis included 49 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization and preprocedural/follow-up computed tomography during arterial portography between October 2013 and April 2015. The preprocedural and follow-up computed tomography during arterial portography were compared to identify the following new changes suggestive of portal vein damage in the follow-up computed tomography during arterial portography: small perfusion defects, large perfusion defects, and narrowing/disappearance or portal vein obstruction. The frequency of portal vein damage after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization and Lipiodol transarterial chemoembolization was calculated, and relationships between portal vein damage and clinical variables were analyzed. Finally, a multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustments for potentially confounding factors was performed to identify factors predisposing portal vein damage. Results: The analysis included 24 patients who underwent drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization and 25 who underwent Lipiodol transarterial chemoembolization. Emergence of small perfusion defects and narrowing/disappearance or obstruction of portal vein were observed at a significantly higher frequency following drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization than following Lipiodol transarterial chemoembolization (70.8% [17/24] vs. 20% [5/25]; p < 0.001; 41.7% [10/24] vs. 12% [3/25]; p = 0.019). Drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization and selectivity of transarterial chemoembolization (selective [

Successful Percutaneous Abscess Drainage and Irrigation for the Treatment of Infected Aortic Aneurysm Post-Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Infected aortic aneurysm (IAA) is a rare, life-threatening disease with rapid progression and a high mortality rate. An 84-year-old man developed IAA caused by urosepsis owing to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli infection. Considering surgical risk and perioperative mortality, the patient underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous abscess drainage and continuous irrigation with optimal antibiotic therapy. We controlled his systemic inflammation without surgery; thus, he was discharged. Six months later, we confirmed that the abscess had almost disappeared in the follow-up computed tomography scan. Percutaneous abscess drainage and irrigation may be an effective therapeutic option for surgical high-risk patients with IAA.

L'anévrisme aortique infecté (AAI) est une affection rare menaçant le pronostic vital, qui évolue rapidement et est associée à un taux de mortalité élevé. Nous exposons le cas d'un homme de 84 ans présentant un AAI secondaire à un urosepsis, lui-même causé par une infection à Escherichia coli productrice de bêta-lactamases à spectre étendu. Compte tenu du risque associé à une intervention chirurgicale et du risque de mortalité périopératoire, nous avons procédé à un drainage percutané de l'abcès guidé par tomographie assistée par ordinateur et sous irrigation continue, puis prescrit une antibiothérapie optimale. Nous avons ainsi réussi à maîtriser l'inflammation générale sans intervention chirurgicale, et le patient a pu recevoir son congé de l'hôpital. Six mois plus tard, une tomodensitométrie de suivi a permis de confirmer la disparition presque complète de l'abcès. Le drainage et l'irrigation d'un abcès par voie percutanée peuvent donc être une option thérapeutique efficace dans le cas des patients présentant un AAI les exposant à un risque chirurgical élevé.

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm.

Examine computed tomography angiography before performing transbronchial biopsy in patients with haemoptysis.

Does Drug-Eluting Bead TACE Enhance the Local Effect of IRE? Imaging and Histopathological Evaluation in a Porcine Model.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted an in vivo trial on swine to compare the ablation volumes of irreversible electroporation (IRE) followed by drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) versus IRE only. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine swine underwent CT-guided IRE in one liver lobe and IRE immediately followed by DEB-TACE in a different liver lobe. For DEB-TACE, 100-300 µm beads (DC-Beads®) were loaded with 50 mg doxorubicin. For IRE, the NanoKnife® was used employing two electrodes according to the vendor's protocol. Imaging follow-up was performed including CT-based lesion volume assessment using contrast-enhanced CT (venous phase) on days 1, 3, and 7 after the procedure. Three animals were killed for histopathological analysis after each follow-up. RESULTS: Ablation volumes in CT in the IRE + DEB-TACE group were 15.4 ± 10.5 ml on day 1, 8.7 ± 5.6 ml on day 3, and 1.6 ± 0.7 ml on day 7. In the IRE group, the corresponding values were 5.2 ± 5.2 ml on day 1, 1.0 ± 1.2 ml on day 3, and 0.1 ± 0.1 ml on day 7. On day 1 and day 3, ablation volumes of IRE + TACE group were significantly larger than in the IRE group (p < 0.05). 96% of beads were depicted in or around ablative lesions. 69% of these beads were found in the surrounding hemorrhagic infiltration and 31% within the ablative lesion itself. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of IRE immediately followed by DEB-TACE resulted in larger ablation volumes compared to IRE alone, suggesting that local efficacy of IRE can be enhanced by post-IRE DEB-TACE.

Gadobutrol versus gadofosveset-trisodium in MR venography of the lower extremities.

OBJECTIVES: MR venography (MRV) protocols have used bloodpool contrast agents and long scan sequences to identify patients suitable for treatment and preoperatively. However, variable availability of bloodpool contrast agents, high costs and a need to shorten acquisition times for routine MR protocols hamper everyday practice. MATERIALS: 20 patients (11 men; mean age 54 ± 11.8 years; body mass index 23.6 ± 2.5) were enrolled in this prospective study. An intra-individual comparison of image quality, interpretation and findings for two different contrast agents (regular gadolinium contrast agent gadobutrol vs. bloodpool contrast agent gadofosveset-trisodium) and two different scan protocols (long acquisition time protocol using a high-resolution fast field echo (FFE) sequence vs. short acquisition time protocol using an ultra-fast gradient echo (GE) sequence) were performed. RESULTS: Image quality (average of 4.94 vs. 4.92 on a five-point scale), interpretation and contrast-to-noise ratio (44 vs. 45) were equal for both contrast agents. Image findings showed no statistical significant differences between the MR protocols or contrast agents (overall p = 0.328). CONCLUSIONS: For high-resolution MRV, it is possible to replace gadofosveset-trisodium with gadobutrol. Furthermore, an ultra-fast GE sequence for MRV might considerably shorten acquisition time, without loss of image quality or diagnostic yield. KEY POINTS: • High-quality MRV can be performed with a regular gadolinium-based contrast agent. • Ultra-fast GRE vs. HR-FFE MRV: equally suitable for evaluation of venous obstruction. • Regular gadolinium-based contrast agent can supersede a bloodpool contrast agent for MRV. • Equal confidence for gadobutrol vs gadofosveset-trisodium in MRV. • MRV accessible for routine daily practice.

Feasibility of electromagnetically guided transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an electromagnetic navigation technology for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation and translate it from phantom to an in-vivo large animal setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A custom-designed device for TIPS creation consisting of a stylet within a 5 French catheter as well as a software prototype were developed that allow real-time tip tracking of both stylet and catheter using an electromagnetic tracking system. Feasibility of navigated TIPSS creation was tested in a phantom by two interventional radiologists (A/B) followed by in-vivo testing evaluation in eight domestic pigs. Procedure duration and number of attempts needed for puncture of the portal vein were recorded. RESULTS: In the phantom setting, intervention time to gain access to the portal vein (PV) was 144 ± 67 s (A) and 122 ± 51 s (B), respectively. In the in-vivo trials, TIPS could be successfully completed in five out of eight animals. Mean time for the complete TIPS was 245 ± 205 minutes with a notable learning curve towards the last animal. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS creation with the use of electromagnetic tracking technology proved to be feasible in-vitro as well as in-vivo. The system may be useful to facilitate challenging TIPSS procedures.

Lymphatic Intervention for Various Types of Lymphorrhea: Access and Treatment.

Traumatic lymphorrhea is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Postoperative lymphorrhea is the leading cause of traumatic lymphorrhea and can arise anywhere within the lymphatic system. Leaks arising from the aortoiliac region to the thoracic duct (TD) and from hepatic lymphatics can be identified with intranodal lymphangiography and transhepatic lymphangiography, respectively. Therefore, an appropriate lymphangiography technique is essential for identifying the sources of leaks. Chylothorax resulting from damage to the TD can be serious because the TD transports large amounts of lymphatic fluid from the gastrointestinal, hepatic, and aortoiliac regions. Percutaneous TD embolization-comprising access to the TD followed by embolization-has recently become a minimally invasive alternative to surgical TD ligation for high-output chylothorax. The selection of access routes to the TD depends on its anatomy. If the TD cannot be approached by such means, other options include TD needle interruption or drainage of lymphatic fluid adjacent to the leakage point followed by sclerotherapy. Most cases of abdominal lymphorrhea arise from the aorta-iliac lymphatic system, and lymphangiography alone or computed tomography-guided sclerotherapy might be useful. Rarely, leakage may arise from hepatic lymphatics due to a damaged gastroduodenal ligament and can be visualized and embolized transhepatically. This article comprehensively reviews clinically relevant anatomic TD variations, lymphangiography techniques and criteria for their selection, and treatment strategies for lymphorrhea. ©RSNA, 2016.

Portosystemic Encephalopathy without Liver Cirrhosis Masquerading as Depression.

A 69-year-old woman was hospitalized due to progressive lethargy with hyperammonemia. Five months before the current admission, she was diagnosed with depression based on her low level of daily physical activity and thus began taking antidepressants. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a portosystemic shunt running between the left renal vein and inferior mesenteric vein. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of the shunt vessel was performed, and the patient showed a remarkable clinical improvement. The possibility of a portosystemic shunt should be considered in the presence or absence of underlying liver disease and the ammonia level should be measured before diagnosing depression, as portosystemic encephalopathy may be reversible with interventional radiology treatment.

A miniature accelerometer-based guidance device for percutaneous computed tomography-guided punctures.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous punctures are often performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance using a freehand method. Especially in challenging cases, initial accuracy of the needle placement is highly dependent on the radiologist's experience. Thus, a miniature lightweight guidance device was developed which is capable of assisting a radiologist during the needle placement process. METHODS: The device utilizes an accelerometer to measure the needle's tilt by calculating a set of orientation angles. This set can be matched with the coordinate system of the CT imaging software during a simple alignment process. After that, the needle's orientation can be expressed in terms of projected angles in the axial and sagittal planes. The accuracy of the device was evaluated in a phantom study, and initial clinical trials were carried out performing facet joint punctures in a swine cadaver. RESULTS: The sensor was embedded in a cube with dimensions of [Formula: see text] and a total weight of about 11 g which can be attached to the puncture needle at its rear end or handgrip. A graphical user interface (GUÌ) has been created offering visual real-time orientation guidance. Results of the phantom experiments showed differences between planned target and performed puncture angles of [Formula: see text] for in-plane and [Formula: see text] for out-of-plane punctures. CONCLUSION: The results of the phantom and ex vivo study suggest that the device is useful to assist a radiologist in CT-guided percutaneous punctures and helps navigating the needle with high precision.

Bipolar radiofrequency ablation: development of a new expandable device.

PURPOSE: To test the performance of an expandable bipolar probe as a simple technical solution for extending the coagulation volume. METHODS: On the basis of a commercially available monopolar radiofrequency (RF) probe (LeVeen), an expandable bipolar RF probe was developed by integrating a second electrode into the probe shaft. The influence of length on the second electrode, and the distance between both electrodes and generator output was investigated by performing ten ablations for each condition on a freshly excised bovine liver. Macroscopically quantified coagulation volumes, lesion shape characteristics, and procedure durations were recorded. Results of the prototype featuring the optimal configuration were compared to the original LeVeen probe and commonly used bipolar RF probe (CelonLabPower). RESULTS: Extension of the shaft electrode length, increasing distance between the shaft electrode and the tip electrode, and reduction of generator output resulted in increasing coagulation volumes. The coagulation volumes the prototype generated were significantly smaller and more elliptically shaped than the monopolar probe (9.4 ± 1.5 cm(3) vs. 12.1 ± 1.6 cm(3)), but were larger than the commercially available bipolar RF probe (vs. 7.3 ± 0.5). The procedure duration of the prototype was comparable to the monopolar probe (467 ± 31 s vs. 464 ± 17 s) and shorter than the bipolar probe (vs. 2009 ± 444 s). In comparison to the commercially available bipolar system, the developed prototype exhibited favorable results. CONCLUSION: The first benchmark testing of the developed bipolar prototype had promising results. However, further optimization of the applicator design and ablation protocol is needed to enlarge the achievable coagulation volume.

Two cases of postmyomectomy pseudoaneurysm treated by transarterial embolization.

Pseudoaneurysm resulting from hysteroscopic myomectomy is a rare clinical situation, and interventional radiologists are not traditionally involved in the management. To our knowledge, endovascular treatment of a pseudoaneurysm resulting from hysteroscopic myomectomy has not yet been reported in the English-language literature. Here, two such cases are reported, including one of a woman who later became pregnant. The case is unique because little is known about the influence of unilateral coil embolization of the uterine artery on fertility.

Computed tomographic appearance of lung tumors treated with percutaneous cryoablation.

PURPOSE: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) appearance of lung tumors treated with cryoablation to establish a reliable reference profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT images of 56 patients who underwent follow-up CT for at least 1 year for treatment with cryoablation of 79 tumors from 2003 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients had a follow-up CT scan immediately after the procedure; 1 day, 1 week (two-phase dynamic CT), and 1 month later; and then at 3-month intervals. The appearance of ablation zones on CT images was classified into five patterns, and bidimensional diameters and other imaging features were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of ablation zones (62 of 79) showed transformation similar to the following: a consolidation or nodular pattern was seen within the 1-week follow-up, involution and a "stripe" pattern was shown at 1 month or later, and zones later became indistinct. Eighty percent of cases of local progression (eight of 10) arose from the stripe pattern on follow-up CT 6 months or later, after the ablation zones showed a transformation opposite the aforementioned pattern. Ice balls could not always be visualized exactly because of dense peritumoral hemorrhage. Internal and marginal enhancement of the ablation zone within the 3-month follow-up did not show a direct relationship with local progression. In total, cavitation and peritumoral ground-glass opacity were seen in 35% (n = 28) and 85% (n = 66) of ablation zones, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reference profile of CT appearance, which is mandatory for follow-up, has been established. No single indicator of complete ablation was proven throughout this study. Careful long-term follow-up with CT is indispensable.

Percutaneous cryoablation of lung tumors: feasibility and safety.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of cryoablation for lung tumors as well as the incidence of, and risk factors for, complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 193 cryoablation sessions for 396 lung tumors in 117 consecutive patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess risk factors for common complications. Changes in laboratory values were analyzed the day after cryoablation. RESULTS: Pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and hemoptysis occurred after 119 (61.7%), 136 (70.5%), and 71 (36.8%) sessions, respectively. Phrenic nerve palsy, frostbite, and empyema occurred after one session each (0.52%). Proximal tumor implantation was observed in one of 471 punctures (0.20%). Of 119 sessions with pneumothorax, 21 (17.6%) required chest tube insertion and two (1.7%) required pleurodesis. Delayed and recurrent pneumothorax occurred in 15 of 193 sessions each (7.8%). A greater number of cryoprobes was a significant (P = .001) predictor of pneumothorax. Male sex (P = .047) and no history of ipsilateral surgery (P = .012) were predictors for the need for chest tube insertion, and no history of ipsilateral surgery (P = .021) was a predictor for delayed/recurrent pneumothorax. Greater number of cryoprobes (P = .001) and no history of ipsilateral surgery (P = .004) were predictors for pleural effusion. Greater number of cryoprobes (P < .001) and younger age (P = .034) were predictors for hemoptysis. Mean changes in white blood cell count, platelet count, hemoglobin level, and C-reactive protein level were 2,418/µL ± 2,260 (P < .001), -2.0 × 10(4)/µL ± 3.2 (P < .001), -0.77 mg/dL ± 0.89 (P < .001), and 3.0 mg/dL ± 2.9 (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous cryoablation could be performed minimally invasively with acceptable rates of complications.

Sharp recanalization for chronic left iliac vein occlusion.

Endovascular treatment has emerged as a first-line treatment for venous occlusions, but is sometimes challenging with conventional approaches. This article describes a helpful technique using a Rösch-Uchida needle to cross a chronic occlusion of the iliac vein when conventional techniques have failed.

Successful pregnancy and normal delivery after whole craniospinal irradiation in two patients.

BACKGROUND: Two cases of normal pregnancies and deliveries after whole craniospinal irradiation (WCSI) are described, and whether the ovaries can be left out of the WCSI field by identifying ovarian position using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distance between the upper edge of the pubic symphysis and the central part of the ovary was measured on MRI in 17 women. RESULTS: The right ovary was located 20.3-68.4 mm to the right of and 33.7-113.5 mm above the upper edge of the pubic symphysis; the left ovary was located 26.2-72.5 mm to the left and 25.8-106.6 mm above this edge. The lower border of the spinal field in WCSI should be the caudal border of the thecal sac, i.e., S2-S4. The line of this location, which nearly approximates normal ovarian position, should be employed in radiotherapy planning to avoid irradiating at least one ovary with its thecal sac. Omitting this area from the WCSI field in women of childbearing age with a good long-term prognosis, preserves potential fertility. CONCLUSION: It appears that the ovaries might be excluded from the WCSI field, using appropriate techniques, so as to preserve female fertility.

Nationwide survey on the treatment policy for well-differentiated thyroid cancer -- results of a questionnaire distributed at the 37th meeting of the Japanese Society of Thyroid Surgery.

The treatment policy for patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer varies among institutions. Although surgery has been the mainstay of treatment for this cancer, there is no consensus concerning the optimal extent of thyroid resection or the extent of lymph node dissection. Furthermore, controversy remains with regard to the indications for radiation therapy and hormonal therapy in surgical or non-surgical cases and the treatment modalities for cancer recurrence. To determine the actual status of treatment policies for thyroid cancer in Japan, a questionnaire was distributed to all physicians who participated in the 37th meeting of the Japanese Society of Thyroid Surgery, to inquire into treatment options for well-differentiated thyroid cancer in relation to clinical stages in actual situations. The replies to this questionnaire were analyzed in this study.