Interventional Management of Portal Vein Stenosis after Liver Transplant: Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Portal vein stenosis is a relatively rare complication after liver transplant but has severe consequences. We evaluated the efficacy and longterm results of the endovascular treatment methods for portal vein stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2011 to October 2022, we treated 22 patients (5 female, 17 male) with portal vein stenosis using endovascular methods. Doppler ultrasonography was used for initial diagnosis, with consideration of flow rate increase over stenosis, absence of flow, or reduced anastomotic segment size (>50%). Angiography served as the gold standard, with a pressure gradient above 5 mm Hg indicating the need for treatment. Technical success criteria were defined as <50% stenosis remaining and/or a pressure gradient <5mm Hg. The transhepatic approach was used for all patients. Balloon angioplasty was initially performed, and stents were reserved for patients in the early postoperative period or those unresponsive to balloon angioplasty. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. Mean age was 27.1 years (SD 22.4; range, 4 months to 63 years). Mean time from transplant to intervention was 317 days (range, 0-3135 days). Angioplasty was successful for 7 patients (13.8%). Of 15 patients who underwent stent placement, 9 (40.9%) were in the early postoperative period; in the other 6 patients (27%), results of angioplasty were not satisfactory, and stents were placed. Within 3 months of transplant, 3 patients died because of other complications. Among patients with stents, 2 required reintervention, resulting in reestablishment of good portal venous flow. During the mean follow-up of 24 months (range, 15 days to 9 years), 19 patients (86%) had portal flows within reference limits. CONCLUSIONS: The endovascular approach is a safe and effective treatment option for management of portal vein stenosis in both adult and pediatric liver transplant recipients in the early or late period.

Interventional Treatment Methods for Ureteral Complications After Kidney Transplant: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECYIVES: Ureteral complications are one of the most common complications after kidney transplant. Although these complications have been treated surgically in the past, almost all can be successfully treated with interventional methods today. In this study, we assessed the interventional treatment of ureteral complications after kidney transplants performed in our center and the long-term results of these treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 2223 kidney transplant recipients seen between January 1, 2000, and May 1, 2020. Among these, 70 kidney transplant recipients who experienced ureteral leakage or ureteral obstruction in the early or late posttransplant period were included in the study. Complications within the first 2 months posttransplant were classified as early complications, whereas those occurring after 2 months were considered late complications. We treated all patients with interventional methods. RESULTS: In review of patients, 44 patients were diagnosed with ureteral obstruction (22 patients were early obstruction, 22 were late obstruction) and 26 patients with ureteral anastomosis leakage. All patients with early and late ureteral obstruction were successfully treated with percutaneous methods. In the group of patients with ureteral leakage, all patients except 2 patients were treated with interventional methods. For 2 patients with ureteral leakage, surgical treatment was necessary because of persistent leakage despite percutaneous treatment methods. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral complications after kidney transplant can be successfully treated with interventional methods in experienced centers without the need for surgery.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Simultaneous Thermal Ablation for Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinomas in Regions with a High Risk of Recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization combined with percutaneous thermal ablation (radiofrequency or microwave ablation) in the treatment of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma tumors ranging from 2 to 4.5 cm at subdiaphragmatic, subcapsular, or perivascular locations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (12 men, mean [range] age of 66.6 ± 10.88 [34-75] y) who received transarterial chemoembolization combined with simultaneous percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (n = 5) or microwave ablation (n = 10) for hepatocellular carcinoma in regions with high risk of recurrence (subdiaphragmatic, subcapsular, or perivascular) between 2012 and 2018 were evaluated. We retrospectively investigated tumor diameter and localization, success rate, safety, local efficacy (imaging at month 1 after treatment), local tumor response (3 months posttreatment), local tumor progression, intrahepatic distant recurrence, overall survival and complications. RESULTS: Tumor diameter ranged from 20 to 45 mm (mean 31.7 ± 7.37 mm). Hepatocellular carcinoma diameter was 2 to 3 cm in 7 patients and 3.1 to 4.5 cm in 8 patients. The technical success rate was 100%, with no life-threatening complications. At enhanced imaging at 1-month follow-up, the complete necrosis rate was 100%; at 3 months, 100% of patients had a complete response. During a mean follow-up of 26 ± 13.6 months, 7 patients (46.7%) had tumor progression. Three patients (20%) had local tumor response, and 4 patients (26.7 %) experienced distant recurrences in the untreated liver. The mean local tumor progression and mean intrahepatic distance recurrence times were 11 months and 29.5 months, respectively. Overall survival rates were 100% at 1 year, 73% at 3 years, and 47% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial chemoembolization combined with simultaneous percutaneous thermal ablation is safe, feasible, and effective in enhancing the local control rate for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma ranging from 2 to 4.5 cm in regions with high risk of recurrence.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy as bridging or definitive treatment in patients with acute cholecystitis grade II or III.

Background: We aimed to investigate the extent to which ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is used as a bridging or definitive therapy for grade II and III acute cholecystitis and whether this treatment causes significant changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and direct bilirubin (DB) levels in the first 72 h and the first three weeks. Methods: We included 145 consecutive patients who underwent PC over 17 years. No patient had cirrhosis. PC was performed in the interventional radiology department under US guidance. Results: US-guided PC was the definitive treatment for more than half of the patients (51.7%) and decreased DB levels significantly more than CRP levels. Conclusion: No statistically significant correlation between those whose CRP and DB levels normalized within three weeks and those who did not and required a second invasive procedure. Nevertheless, the bridging treatment group was significantly older than the definitive treatment group.

Percutaneous revision of dysfunctional shunts in patients who underwent intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure via percutaneous or conventional method: 11-years single center experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Our primary objective is to report the results of the ultrasound (US)-guided revision technique of transhepatic shunt in patients in whom intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was created by the percutaneous or conventional route. Our secondary objective is to investigate whether there is an association between the indication for a portosystemic shunt and the need for post-shunt revision. METHODS: Data from 117 consecutive patients who had a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placed percutaneously or conventionally were extracted from hospital electronic medical records and examined those who underwent revision within 11 years and those who did not. US-guided transhepatic shunt revision technique was evaluated in terms of technical success, complications, and patency. In addition, the relationship between etiology and the need for revision was also examined using the chi-square test in three groups. RESULTS: Forty six point two percent of patients who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt required one or more revisions within 11 years. While patency of the shunt could be established via the transjugular route in 83.3% of revision patients, it was necessary to use the transhepatic route in 16.7%. The technical success rate for the US-guided transhepatic shunt revision method was 100%, and the pressure gradient between the portal and hepatic venous systems decreased below 10 mmHg in all patients at the end of the procedure. CONCLUSION: US-guided transhepatic shunt revision is a safe and effective method where transjugular revision cannot be performed. In addition, the revision rate is significantly higher in patients who have undergone transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt due to Budd-Chiari syndrome compared with other groups.

Endovascular Management of Hematomas in Pediatric Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Transcatheter arterial embolization is used to control active hemorrhage at different anatomic locations. Because hematomas can suddenly deteriorate and become life threatening for transplant patients, they require prompt diagnosis and intervention rather than conservative management. Here, we evaluated computed tomography in treatment planning and transcatheter embolization effectiveness for hematoma management in pediatric liver transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2012 and December 2021, 10 pediatric liver transplant patients were referred to our interventional radiology unit. Computed tomography and angiograms were reviewed for hematoma location and presence of extravasation. We analyzed correlations between computed tomography and angiography findings and technical and clinical success of the endovascular interventions. RESULTS: Active leak of contrast material during arterial phase was detected on 9/10 CT scans. Although there was no active bleeding on CT in 1 patient, active arterial bleeding was detected on angiography. On the contrary, in 2 patients, although active bleeding was observed on computed tomography, it was not detected on angiography. Source of bleeding was superior mesenteric artery branches in 4, hepatic artery branch in 2, superior epigastric artery in 1, and phrenic artery in 1 patient. Six of 8 patients with active bleeding were treated with endovascular procedures. The remaining 2 patients received surgery: 1 had bleeding from liver cut surface originating from a hepatic artery branch and received open surgery because the bleeding branch was too thin for catheterization, and 1 was hemodynamically unstable and selective catheterization of the internal thoracic artery would take time. Two patients received embolization procedures with N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (glue) diluted with iodized oil, and 1 patient had coil and glue with iodized oil. Embolization with coils was performed in 3 patients. Rate of success with transcatheter arterial embolization was 75%. No complications related to patient comorbidities or embolization procedures were shown. No deaths occurred due to progression of the hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial embolization is effective and safe for treatment of pediatric liver transplant patients with hematomas. Computed tomography has value in identifying the bleeding source and its anatomic relationships and may enhance our intervention abilities to become quicker, more effective, and more secured.

Role of Interventional Radiology in the Management of Early Vascular Complications After Liver Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: A hepatic vascular complication after liver transplant is a critical situation, often resulting in graft failure and potentially leading to patient death. Early diagnosis and treatment of vascular complications can provide prolonged graft survival and prohibit further complications. This study presents our experiences with endovascular treatment during the first week after liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2012 and February 2021, 240 liver transplants were performed, with 43 patients having early endovascular treatment (37 men; mean age 27 ± 2.9 years) at a single center. Early endovascular interventions were carried out 1 to 7 days (mean ± SD of 2.7 ± 0.24 days) after transplant. Patients with vascular complications were grouped by arterial, venous, and portal complications. In addition, arterial complications were subgrouped by occlusive (hepatic artery thrombosis) and nonocclusive (hepatic artery stenosis/splenic artery steal syndrome) complications. Patients had median follow-up of 47 ± 4 months. RESULTS: In the first week after liver transplant, vascular complications included splenic artery steal syndrome in 27 patients (62.7%), hepatic complications in 10 patients (23.2%) (7 with hepatic artery thrombosis, 3 with hepatic artery stenosis), hepatic venous outflow complications in 4 patients (9.3%), and portal vein complications in 2 patients (4.6%). Only 1 patient required revision surgery because of excessive arterial kinking; the remaining patients with arterial complications were successfully managed with multiple endovascular treatment attempts. Patients with splenic artery steal syndrome were treated by selective arterial embolization with coil devices. Resistivity index, peak systolic velocity of hepatic arteries, and portal vein maximal velocity significantly improved (P < .001). Patients with hepatic venous outflow and portal vein complications who had endovascular treatments and vascular structures maintained good results over follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Early endovascular intervention is feasible and safe for hepatic vascular complications following liver transplant, with high success treatment rates with advances in interventional radiology.

Influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 in adult: 'Similarities and differences'.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing a global pandemic starting from December 2019, showed a course that resulted in serious mortality in the world. In order to understand SARSCoV-2 better, here we aimed to compare the similar and different characteristics of Influenza viruses occurring in the same season with SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 144 patients (31 patients with COVID-19, 62 patients with H1N1 influenza, and 51 patients with influenza B) were included in the study. Demographic findings, chronic diseases, laboratory values, chest x-ray, and chest CT findings of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. RESULT: Median age of the COVID-19 patients and rate of male patients were higher than other patient groups (55 years; p< 0.001) (61% male; p< 0.001). The most common chronic medical conditions were hypertension and diabetes. Platelet numbers and alanine aminotransferase values were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients. Radiologically, bilateral (74.2%) and nonspecific distribution (58.1%), ground-glass opacities with consolidation (51.6%), patchy image (25.8%), ground-glass opacities with interstitial changes (22.6%) and halo sign (22.6%) were quite evident than other groups in COVID-19 patients (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that due to the higher PLT values observed in COVID-19 patients, initiation of anticoagulant therapy should be considered in the early stage and routine follow-up with d-dimer and fibrinogen should be applied for suspected patients. Moreover, attention should be paid in terms of possible liver toxicity of the drugs to be used in treatment due the higher ALT values observed in COVID-19 patients. Since we did not detect SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses concurrently in the same patient, it may be helpful to focus on only one virus in a patient with symptoms, and radiographic differences can be used to differentiate COVID-19 from influenza.

Coexistence of sclerosing polycystic adenosis and dysgenetic polycystic disease of parotid, Report of a case.

Sclerosing polycystic adenosis (SPA) is a rare benign salivary gland lesion. Dysgenetic polycystic disease (DPD), which is a histologically similar lesion, may cause a lattice-like gross appearance with bilateral enlargement of the entire salivary glands. In this report, we present a case of SPA in the right parotid and coexistent DPD involving the both parotid.

Views of emergency physicians working in university and state hospitals in Turkey regarding the use of analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain.

BACKGROUND: Use of narcotic analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain does not cause delayed misdiagnosis, increases patient comfort and does not suppresses physical examination. The purpose of this study was to determine attitudes anddaily practices of emergency medicine (EM) specialists, residents and faculty members in Turkey on the use of analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain and factors affecting their decisions on the use of analgesics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed between November 15, 2013 and January 25, 2014 by conducting a questionnaire to EM physicians working in University Hospitals, Education and Research Hospitals of the Ministry of Health, State Hospitals, and Private Hospitals in Turkey. RESULTS: A total of 803 questionnaires (participation rate: 47%) were completed. 59.3% (n=470) of the participants were research assistants. 49.5% of the participants reported that analgesic drugs "suppressed'' physical examination findings. They stated that 90% of the patients "always'' and "often'' requested analgesics and that 34.6% of surgery consultant physicians "rarely" recommended the use of analgesics, while 28.7% "never" recommended, and that there was no common policy established together with surgical departments (79.1%). According to the comparison between the EM specialists and residents, residents in the group stating that they would "never'' use analgesics were higher than specialists in number (p=0.002); residents reported that they administered analgesics "upon surgical intervention decision", while specialists reported that they administered analgesics "after patient's examination and treatment plan" (p=0.021); residents reported that analgesics "suppressed'' physical examination findings, while specialists reported that analgesics "clarified'' physical examination findings (p<0.0001); residents reported that they did not administer analgesics "before examination by surgeon'', while specialists reported otherwise (p=0.0001). Senior residents (>24 months) reported that they administered analgesics "often'' compared to junior residents (p=0.034) and that junior residents believed that the use of analgesics would "suppress physical examination findings'' at a higher percentage (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The rates of use of analgesics in patients with acute abdominal pain by EM physicians are very low. The rates of use of analgesics by EM residents are much lower compared to EM specialists, and they highly believe that analgesic drugs suppress physical examination findings. Residents tend to administer analgesic drugs at a later stage. As seniority of residents increases, the rate of analgesics use and the opinion that analgesic drugs have no effect on physical examination findings increases.

Endovascular stent placement of juxtaanastomotic stenosis in native arteriovenous fistula after unsuccessful balloon angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: In hemodialysis patients, the most common problem in arteriovenous fistulas, as the best functional vascular access, is the juxtaanastomotic located lesions. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is accepted as the treatment method for juxtanastomotic lesions. OBJECTIVES: To assess juxtaanastomotic stent placement after insufficient balloon angioplasty in the treatment of autogenous radiocephalic or brachiocephalic fistula dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2003 and June 2010, 20 hemodialysis patients with autogenous radiocephalic or brachiocephalic fistula dysfunction underwent stent placement for the lesion located at the juxtaanastomotic region. Indications for stent placement were insufficient balloon dilatation, early recurring stenosis, chronic organizing thrombus and vessel rupture. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the stent patency rates. All patients who had fistula dysfunction (thrombosis of hemodialysis access, difficult access cannulation, extremity pain due to thrombosis or decreased arterial access blood flow) were evaluated by color Doppler ultrasound. The stenoses were initially dilated with standard noncompliant balloons (3 to 10-mm in diameter). Dilatation was followed by high pressure (Blue Max, Boston Scientific) or cutting balloons (Boston Scientific), if the standard balloon failed to dilate the stenotic segment. RESULTS: Twenty-one stents were applied. The anatomical and clinical success rate was 100%. Seventeen additional interventions were done for 11 (55%) patients due to stent thrombosis or stenosis during follow-up. Our 1- and 2-year secondary patency rates were 76.2% and 65.5%, respectively and were comparable to those after balloon angioplasty and surgical shunt revision. CONCLUSION: Metallic stent placement is a safe and effective procedure for salvage of native hemodialysis fistula after unsuccessful balloon angioplasty.