Foreign Body Granuloma After Embolization of Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm Using N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate: A Case Report.

Foreign body granulomas following endovascular treatment are rare complications and are mostly reported in the brain or cutaneous vascular tissues. To the best of our knowledge, no study to date has reported on foreign body granulomas in the abdomen after injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA)-lipiodol mixture into the abdominal arteries. This study reports a case of foreign body granuloma that appeared 12 months after the embolization of a right internal iliac artery aneurysm using an NBCA-lipiodol mixture, which posed challenges in differentiation from malignant tumors. We present a 77-year-old man who underwent embolization of a right internal iliac artery aneurysm and open surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. A contrast-enhanced CT performed 12 months postoperatively revealed a right-sided retroperitoneal mass surrounding the iliopsoas muscle. The mass contained multiple, small, hyperdense areas, suggesting the migration of the NBCA-lipiodol mixture casts from the embolized right internal iliac artery aneurysm. The differential diagnosis included foreign body granuloma, lymphoma, and sarcoma. A biopsy of the lesion revealed a granuloma with various stages of inflammation, no hemosiderin deposition, multinucleated giant cells, and foam cells containing fat, and was diagnosed with a foreign body granuloma. Special staining for microorganisms revealed no findings suggestive of infection. Because the patient was asymptomatic, no treatment was administered. Contrast-enhanced CT at 24 months postoperatively showed shrinkage of the mass, with no change in size noted at 48 months postoperatively. This report highlights a foreign body granuloma that mimicked malignant tumors. Extravascular migration of the NBCA-lipiodol mixture casts likely contributed to granuloma formation. Radiologists should consider foreign body granulomas after embolization using NBCA into the abdominal arteries.

Enhancing precision in vascular embolization: evaluating the effectiveness of the intentional early detachment technique with detachable coils in complex cases.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and versatility of an intentional early detachment technique with detachable coils in addressing challenging vascular embolization scenarios. This novel approach aims to provide an alternative method for achieving precise coil placement when standard methods of detachable coil placement are ineffective owing to vascular anatomy or limited available equipment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 11 patients (nine males and two females; median age, 77 years) who underwent embolization procedures between October 2021 and December 2023 using the intentional early detachment technique through 1.6-Fr or 1.3-Fr microcatheters. In this technique, detachable coils were intentionally detached within the microcatheter and placed through saline flushing. The technique's technical success, complications, and clinical success were evaluated. RESULTS: The technique was applied in three distinct scenarios: tortuous vascular anatomy (four cases), inadequate system backup (three cases), and 1.3-Fr microcatheter use (four cases). The technical and clinical success rates were 100%. No complications were observed, and no cases of coil migration or malpositioning. CONCLUSION: The intentional early detachment technique is valuable for interventional radiologists and offers a solution for challenging vascular embolization scenarios. Its application is limited to specific circumstances; however, it can significantly enhance coil placement in complex cases, thereby contributing to improved patient care.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Bleeding Caused by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration: A Case Series.

Introduction Bleeding is the most frequent complication of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). In a few cases of massive bleeding caused by EUS-FNA, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has been used to obtain hemostasis. We present a case series of patients who underwent TAE for bleeding due to EUS-FNA. Methods This case series included six patients (five men and one woman) who underwent TAE for bleeding caused by EUS-FNA between January 2018 and December 2022 at the four institutions involved in this study. The median age at TAE was 72.5 years (range, 67-83 years). The target sites for EUS-FNA were the pancreatic tail (n = 3), pancreatic head (n = 2), and hepatic hilar lymph nodes (n = 1). The angiographic findings, embolization procedures, technical and clinical success rates, and TAE complications were retrospectively assessed. Results Angiography revealed contrast-media extravasation or pseudoaneurysms in five patients. In all patients, TAE using a microcatheter was performed via the transfemoral approach. N-butyl cyanoacrylate, coils, and gelatin sponges were used for embolization. The technical and clinical success rates of TAE were 100%. One complication, a duodenal ulcer, developed in one patient and was managed conservatively. Conclusion TAE is an effective and safe treatment for EUS-FNA-induced bleeding.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for subcapsular hematoma of the liver.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the technical and clinical success rates of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for subcapsular hematoma of the liver. METHODS: Between January 2010 and March 2022, 34 patients underwent TAE for subcapsular hematomas of the liver. The causes of subcapsular hematoma were liver tumor rupture (n = 12), trauma (n = 12), iatrogenic complications (n = 9), and spontaneous bleeding (n = 1). The technical and clinical success rates of TAE, blood test results after TAE and additional treatments were evaluated. The patients were divided into either with or without retrograde segmental or lobar portal venous flow on angiography. Technical and clinical success rates and blood test results after TAE were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success rates were 94.1% and 73.5%, respectively. Six patients died within one month of TAE. A repeat TAE was performed in three patients. Surgical removal and hemostasis for subcapsular hematoma were done in four patients. One patient had liver failure. The retrograde portal venous flow was observed in 18 patients. The difference in technical and clinical success rates and blood test results after TAE between the two groups was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: TAE is an effective and safe treatment for subcapsular hematomas of the liver. The success rates of TAE and liver damage due to TAE did not differ between patients with and without retrograde portal venous flow.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for traction-induced aortic avulsion injury in neurofibromatosis type 1.

Rupture of intercostal artery aneurysms has been reported in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. Many reports have demonstrated the efficacy of endovascular interventions. Herein, we present a case of successful treatment with thoracic endovascular aortic repair for traction-induced avulsion injury of the previously embolized intercostal artery. We further report the potential postoperative risk of rapid aneurysmal enlargement, possibly owing to changes in the thoracic arterial regional network. Even after successful treatment, vascular surgeons should pay attention to other aneurysmal events in the acute phase and avulsion injuries in the chronic phase. Close follow-up is essential.

Severe Coagulopathy in a Patient With Short Bowel Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) refers to a malabsorptive state caused by extensive resection of the intestinal tract that leads to chronic diarrhea, electrolyte disturbances, and malnutrition. Although relatively uncommon, patients with SBS can present to the emergency department with more serious complications that are potentially life-threatening. Among these complications, coagulopathy secondary to SBS is an underrecognized condition. CASE REPORT: We present a case of severe coagulopathy secondary to vitamin K deficiency in SBS. The patient presented with unexplained coagulopathy and spontaneous bleeding in multiple organs. With a review of surgical history and detailed clinical evaluation, SBS complicated with vitamin K deficiency was diagnosed, and the patient was treated successfully. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: When a patient with a history of repeated intestinal surgery presents with diarrhea, malnutrition, or electrolyte abnormalities, emergency physicians should suspect SBS. Among complications of SBS, vitamin K deficiency is a rare but serious cause of unexplained coagulopathy presenting to the emergency department. Understanding the pathophysiology of SBS facilitates early identification of complications and improves patient outcomes.

Transportal embolization for pancreatic arteriovenous malformation via a recanalized paraumbilical vein: A case report.

A 62-year-old man with liver cirrhosis presented with deterioration of liver function. Imaging studies revealed an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), with a dilated venous space, at the pancreatic head. Transarterial embolization of the AVM, using microcoils, was performed, although many feeding arteries remained. As the transarterial embolization was incomplete, further liver function deterioration was a possibility. In fact, 1 year after the procedure, the patient was referred back to our hospital for treatment of massive ascites and liver function deterioration. Transportal embolization of the dilated venous space was performed, using microcoils via the recanalized paraumbilical vein, with no enhancement of the AVM. No complications occurred. Based on our experience, we propose transportal embolization as an effective treatment option for pancreatic AVM.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with severity of patients hospitalized for acute asthma.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with suboptimal disease control and worse chronic severity of asthma. However, little is known about the relations of OSA with acute asthma severity in hospitalized patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of OSA with acute asthma severity. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study (2010-2013) using State Inpatient Databases from 8 geographically diverse states in the United States. The outcomes were markers of acute severity, including mechanical ventilation use, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. To determine the association of interest, we fit multivariable logistic regression models, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, primary insurance, household income, patient residence, comorbidities, hospital state, and hospitalization year. We repeated the analysis for children aged 6 to 17 years. RESULTS: Among 73,408 adult patients hospitalized for acute asthma, 10.3% had OSA. Coexistent OSA was associated with a significantly higher risk of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation use (14.9% vs 3.1%; unadjusted odds ratio, 6.48; 95% CI, 5.88-7.13; adjusted odds ratio, 5.20; 95% CI, 4.65-5.80), whereas coexistent OSA was not significantly associated with the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation use. Patients with OSA had 37% longer hospital length of stay (unadjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.33-1.40); this significant association persisted in the multivariable model (incidence rate ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.10-1.17). The in-hospital mortality did not significantly differ between groups. These findings were consistent in both obesity and nonobesity groups and in 27,935 children. CONCLUSION: Among patients hospitalized for acute asthma, OSA was associated with a higher risk of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation use and longer length of stay compared with those without OSA.

Intraabdominal Hemorrhage from Ruptured Ectopic Varices Treated by Antegrade Embolization via a Recanalized Paraumbilical Vein.

A 49-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated massive hemorrhagic ascites and ectopic varices fed by right colic and ileocolic veins. The varices were treated with selective embolization via a recanalized paraumbilical vein using N-butyl cyanoacrylate. Currently, no complications and rebleeding have occurred for 7 months. Antegrade embolization via a recanalized paraumbilical vein is feasible and less-invasive in a patient with massive ascites. Flow reduction may be effective for intraabdominal hemorrhage from ruptured ectopic varices. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5, case report.

Placement of a Viabahn stent-graft for hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm complicated by arterial dissection caused by a guiding sheath.

A 69-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for massive hemorrhage from a right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm 5 months after surgery for gastric cancer. Stent-graft placement was planned to avoid fatal hepatic infarction, and a guiding sheath was advanced deeply into the tortuous and stenotic right hepatic artery beyond the pseudoaneurysm for safe deployment of a stent-graft. However, this advancement caused arterial dissection of the right hepatic artery. After the guiding sheath was pulled back, a Viabahn stent-graft was successfully advanced over a guidewire to exclude the pseudoaneurysm. We consider that a Viabahn stent-graft is more flexible than a guiding sheath and that advancing a Viabahn stent-graft directly from a proximally placed guiding sheath is safer than advancing a guiding sheath into a tortuous and stenotic abdominal artery.

Usefulness of a distal access catheter in embolization of a short gastric artery pseudoaneurysm.

A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for hematemesis. A hematoma was found in the posterior wall of the stomach, but the source of bleeding was not identified. One month later, contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the short gastric artery. Embolization of the pseudoaneurysm was difficult due to vessel tortuosity. Usage of a distal access catheter improved catheter stability and enabled successful embolization. We consider a distal access catheter to be useful for embolization of an aneurysm beyond a tortuous artery.

Loop formation by an aortic occlusion balloon catheter during resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA).

A 77-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for endoscopically uncontrollable active bleeding from a duodenal ulcer. Soon after his arrival, he became hemodynamically unstable and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was performed using a 7-F aortic occlusion balloon catheter (Rescue Balloon; Tokai Medical Products, Aichi, Japan). He became hemodynamically stable and was transferred to the CT room. CT demonstrated that the distal part of the catheter shaft had made a loop in the aorta and the balloon was located at the level of the upper abdomen. We consider the low-profile occlusion balloon catheter to be less rigid than large ones, and care should be taken to prevent balloon migration and catheter shaft bending.

Successful embolization of ileal conduit stomal varices with N-butyl cyanoacrylate via a recanalized paraumbilical vein.

A 77-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis was admitted to our hospital for marked hemorrhage in her ileal conduit stoma. She had a history of cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder carcinoma 2 years ago. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated varices in the ileal conduit stoma. We accessed the varices via a recanalized paraumbilical vein to avoid pain from the transhepatic approach, and selectively embolized the varices with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). We consider antegrade embolization of ileal conduit stomal varices with NBCA to be effective and feasible. Access via a paraumbilical vein is a useful alternative to the transhepatic approach.

Successful Embolization of Bleeding Ileal Varices with N-butyl Cyanoacrylate via a Recanalized Paraumbilical Vein.

A 48-year-old woman with alcoholic liver cirrhosis was admitted to our hospital because of hematochezia and severe anemia. She had been hospitalized many times over the past year for hematochezia of unknown etiology. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated ileal varices, which were fed by several ileal veins. These feeding veins were selectively embolized with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) via a recanalized paraumbilical vein. The paraumbilical vein instead of the portal vein was punctured to decrease the risk of bleeding complications because she had coagulopathy and ascites. We consider antegrade embolization of ileal varices with NBCA to be a feasible and effective treatment. Access via a paraumbilical vein is an alternative to the transhepatic approach.Level of Evidence Level V, case report.

Damage of gas facilities by Great Hanshin earthquake and restoration process

The Great Hanshin Earthquake caused major damage to urban infrastructure and lifelines. In gas supply facilities and equipment, most of the damage occurred in low-pressure pipelines that used screw joints. To prevent secondary disaster, Osaka Gas suspended gas supply to about 860,000 households by designating earthquake isolation blocks in which the damage was most severe. The restoration work was conducted under a difficult work environment due to such factors as large amounts of water and sand inside the gas pipes, but work was completed on the 85th day (April 11) from the day of the earthquake.(AU)