SlicerPIT: software development and implementation for planning and image-guided therapy in photoimmunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Photoimmunotherapy is a treatment modality that induces targeted cell death by binding a molecular-targeted drug activated by infrared light to the tumor cells and subsequently illuminating the lesion with infrared light. For deep lesions, a needle catheter is used to puncture the tumor, and an illumination fiber (cylindrical diffuser) is inserted into the catheter lumen for internal illumination. However, it can be challenging to place the cylindrical diffusers in an appropriate position as the deep lesions cannot be often confirmed accurately during surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have developed "SlicerPIT", a planning simulation software for photoimmunotherapy. SlicerPIT allows users to place the cylindrical diffuser with its illumination range on preoperative images in 2D and 3D and export the planning data to external image-guided surgical navigation systems. We performed seven cycles of photoimmunotherapy with SlicerPIT in three patients with recurrent head and neck cancer. RESULTS: Preoperative planning for photoimmunotherapy was conducted using SlicerPIT, which could be imported into the navigation system. During the operation, we punctured the needle catheters along with the treatment plan on the navigation screen. Subsequently, intraoperative CT imaging was performed and overlaid with the preoperative treatment plan to confirm the alignment of the cylindrical diffusers as planned, followed by infrared light illumination. Postoperative imaging showed necrosis and shrinkage of the entire tumor in all cycles. CONCLUSION: SlicerPIT allows for detailed preoperative treatment planning and accurate puncture. It may be a valuable tool to improve the accuracy of photoimmunotherapy for deep lesions and improve patient outcomes.

Mechanical Properties of a 3 Dimensional-Printed Transparent Flexible Resin Used for Vascular Model Simulation Compared with Those of Porcine Arteries.

PURPOSE: To develop a vascular intervention simulation model that replicates the characteristics of a human patient and to compare the mechanical properties of a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed transparent flexible resin with those of porcine arteries using the elastic modulus (E) and kinetic friction coefficient (µk). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resin plates were created from a transparent flexible resin using a 3D printer. Porcine artery plates were prepared by excising the aorta. E values and the adhesive strengths of the resin and arterial surfaces toward a polyethylene plate, were measured with a tensile-compressive mechanical tester. Resin transparency was measured using an ultraviolet-visible light spectrometer. The µk value of the resin plate surface after applying silicone spray for 1-5 seconds and that of the artery were measured using a translational friction tester. RESULTS: E values differed significantly between the arteries and resin plates at each curing time (0.20 MPa ± 0.04 vs 8.53 MPa ± 2.37 for a curing time of 1 minute; P < .05). The resin was stiffer than the arteries, regardless of the curing times. The visible light transmittance and adhesive strength of the resin decreased as the curing time increased. The adhesive strength of the artery was the lowest. The µk value of the silicone-coated resin surface created by applying silicone for 2-3 seconds (thickness of the silicone layer, 1.6-2.0 µm) was comparable with that of the artery, indicating that the coating imparted a similar slippage to the resin as to the living artery. CONCLUSIONS: A transparent flexible resin is useful for creating a transparent and slippery vascular model for vascular intervention simulation.

Single-Session Intranodal Glue Embolization for Postsurgical Refractory Groin Lymphorrhea: A Case Report.

A 90-year-old female presented with poor right groin wound healing due to lymphorrhea and infection following a surgical cutdown procedure for arterial revascularization. Although negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed, infection and lymphorrhea did not heal. Lymphangiography via a right inguinal lymph node revealed lymphatic leakage in the wound. Intranodal glue embolization (IGE) was performed by injecting 0.6 mL of 33% n-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (NBCA)-lipiodol mixture. Additionally, the presence of glue in an open wound was directly confirmed in this case. After embolization, lymphorrhea ceased, and the wound healed completely. No lymphorrhea recurrence or complications were observed for 6 months. This case suggests that IGE could be an effective treatment for groin lymphorrhea.

Usefulness of preoperative simulation with patient-specific hollow vascular models for high-flow renal arteriovenous fistula embolization using a preloading coil-in-plug technique.

The development of three-dimensional printers has facilitated the creation of patient-specific hollow vessel models. Preoperative simulations using these types of models have improved our ability to select appropriate devices and embolic materials before performing complex endovascular procedures. This report describes 2 cases of high-flow renal arteriovenous fistulas (r-AVFs) that were successfully treated via short-segment embolization using the preloading coil-in-plug (p-CIP) technique. To our knowledge, this is the first report of r-AVF being treated using the p-CIP technique. Our findings demonstrate that preoperative simulation has the potential to improve the safety and reliability of complex vascular embolization procedures.

Transabdominal Ultrasonography for Preoperative Diagnosis of Lymph Node Metastasis in Colon Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background/Aim: Although computed tomography (CT) is the standard modality for diagnosing lymph node metastasis (LNM), transabdominal ultrasonography (US) can be useful due to its high spatial resolution and use of Doppler signals to precisely analyse lymph nodes. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of US for lymph node assessment, establish US-based diagnostic criteria for LNM, and compare the capability of US with that of CT for the diagnosis of LNM. Patients and Methods: This retrospective, single-institution, cohort study included patients who underwent radical surgery for clinical stage 0-III colon cancer, between March 2012 and February 2019. Results: Overall, 34.9% (66/189) of patients had pathological LNM. The optimal US diagnostic criteria were 1) short axis ≥7 mm and short/long ratio ≥0.75 and 2) at least two of the following: the absence of hilar echoes, expansive appearance, or peripheral/mixed vascularity by the colour Doppler and/or contrast-enhanced method. Compared to CT, US showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity (54.5% vs. 43.9%; p=0.296), higher concordance with the number of pathological LNM (correlation coefficient: US, 0.42; CT, 0.27) and pathological N diagnosis (weighted ĸ: US, 0.35; CT, 0.18), and higher sensitivity for advanced LNM, including multiple LNMs (47.4% vs. 18.4%; p=0.014) and N2 stage (27.8% vs. 5.6%; p=0.177). Conclusion: US has higher sensitivity than CT for diagnosing LNM in colon cancer, along with a more accurate preoperative diagnosis of the N stage. Additionally, US may be more helpful than CT alone for preoperatively deciding the appropriateness of neoadjuvant treatment in colon cancer with advanced LNM.

Favorable effects of burosumab on tumor-induced osteomalacia caused by an undetectable tumor: A case report.

RATIONALE: Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is curable by tumor resection, but detection of the tumor can be challenging. Overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by the tumor causes hypophosphatemia and consequently induces inappropriate bone turnover. Conventionally oral phosphate supplementation was the only treatment for TIO, but had risks of hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. Burosumab, a human monoclonal anti-FGF23 antibody, was recently post-marketed in Japan against for FGF23-related hypophosphatemia. Herein, we present a case of TIO with undetectable tumor that was successfully treated with burosumab. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 47-year-old woman was forced to use a wheelchair because of pain in both feet. DIAGNOSIS: Laboratory findings showed hypophosphatemia, elevated bone markers, and high serum FGF23 without renal tubular defects. Imaging studies revealed bone atrophy in the feet, decreased bone density, and multiple pseudofractures in the talar, sacral, and L5 vertebral regions. After excluding drug-induced and hereditary osteomalacia, we diagnosed her as TIO. INTERVENTIONS: Comprehensive imaging studies and stepwise venous sampling failed to localize the tumor, and we started to administer subcutaneous burosumab. OUTCOMES: After administration of burosumab, her serum phosphate was normalized without phosphate supplementation within 2 months. Improvement of pseudofractures, relief of pain evaluated by a visual analog scale, and normalization of bone biomarkers were observed. The patient was able to stand by herself after 6 months administration of burosumab. LESSONS: This is the first report in clinical practice to demonstrate favorable effects of burosumab, including not only normalization of serum phosphate but also improvements of pseudofractures and subjective pain, in a patient with TIO and undetectable tumor.

Combined treatment of an aortosplenic bypass followed by coil embolization in the treatment of pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms caused by median arcuate ligament compression: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms (PDAAs) are rare visceral aneurysms, and prompt intervention/treatment of all PDAAs is recommended at the time of diagnosis to avoid rupture of aneurysms. Herein, we report two cases of PDAA caused by the median arcuate ligament syndrome, treated with surgical revascularization by aortosplenic bypass followed by coil embolization. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 A 54-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of severe epigastralgia and was diagnosed with two large fusiform inferior PDAAs and celiac axis occlusion. To preserve the blood flow of the pancreatic head, duodenum, liver, and spleen, we performed elective surgery to release the MAL along with aortosplenic bypass. At 6 days postoperatively, transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. At the 8-year 6-month follow-up observation, no recurrent perfusion of the embolized PDAAs or rupture had occurred, including the non-embolized small PDAA, and the bypass graft had excellent patency. Case 2 A 39-year-old man who had been in good health was found to have a PDAA with celiac stenosis during a medical checkup. Computed tomography and superior mesenteric arteriography showed severe celiac axis stenosis and a markedly dilated pancreatic arcade with a large saccular PDAA. To preserve the blood flow of the pancreatic arcade, we performed elective surgery to release the MAL along with aortosplenic bypass. At 9 days postoperatively, transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. At the 6-year 7-month follow-up observation, no recurrent perfusion or rupture of the PDAA had occurred, and the bypass graft had excellent patency. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with bypass surgery and coil embolization can be an effective option for the treatment of PDAAs associated with celiac axis occlusion or severe stenosis.

Successful transvenous embbolization for type II uterine arteriovenous malformation: A case report.

A 40-year-old female (gravida 3 para 1) presented with menstrual, urinary, and anal pain. Computed tomography revealed type II acquired uterine arteriovenous malformation, a common dilated venous sac with bilateral uterine arteries, and multiple branches of iliac arteries draining to the bilateral ovarian veins. Venous sac transvenous embolization via the left ovarian vein of dominant outflow was planned, since complete arteriovenous malformation occlusion was difficult with super-selective transarterial embolization of multiple feeders. Therefore, transarterial embolization of the minor feeder was performed before completing transvenous embolization using coils and 50% glue under left iliac artery flow control. Immediately thereafter, angiography confirmed the complete disappearance of the uterine arteriovenous malformation, and all pain symptoms remitted. In conclusion, transvenous embolization combined with adjunctive transarterial embolization can be an effective and radical treatment for type II uterine arteriovenous malformations.

A case report of percutaneous direct injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) to treat a pancreatic duodenal stump leak after a simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) is a treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. We report a patient with a refractory fistula due to leakage from the duodenal stump of the pancreas graft after an SPK with bladder drainage who was successfully treated with a percutaneous direct injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA). CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old female with a 33-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and a 10-year history of renal replacement therapy underwent an SPK in 2015. At the time of transplantation, an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a high risk of rupture was treated by a Y-graft replacement prior to the SPK. Bladder drainage of the pancreas graft was chosen to avoid a vessel graft infection. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 93 with good-functioning pancreas and kidney grafts. One and a half years after the operation, the patient was found to have acute graft pancreatitis and a leak from the duodenal stump of the pancreas graft due to a paralytic neurogenic bladder. The insertion of an indwelling catheter into the bladder and the endoscopic-guided insertion of a catheter into the graft pancreatic duct through the duodenum/bladder anastomosis did not result in the closure of the fistula. Therefore, NBCA was injected at the site of the leak point using CT-guided technique. The fistula was completely closed immediately after the injection, with no recurrences of leaks. CONCLUSIONS: A percutaneous direct injection of NBCA is one of the treatment options to treat intractable fistulas.

Treatment outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy using a real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy system for hepatocellular carcinomas.

AIM: To report the outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy using a real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy system for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. METHODS: From January 2005 to July 2018, 63 patients with 74 lesions with a maximum diameter ≤52 mm were treated by stereotactic body radiotherapy using a real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy system. No patient with a Child-Pugh Score ≥9 was included, and 85.6% had a score of 5 or 6. Using the biological effective dose (BED) with an α/ß ratio of 10 (BED10 ), the median dose in BED10 at the reference point was 76.8 Gy (range 60-122.5 Gy). Overall survival (OS) and local control rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: With a median follow-up period of 24.6 months (range 0.9-118.4 months), the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 86.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 75.8-93.3) and 71.1% (57.8-81.6), respectively. The 2-year OS was 89.6% in patients with the baseline modified albumin-bilirubin (mALBI) grade =1, and 61.7% in patients with grade ≥2a. In the multivariate analysis, the mALBI grade (=1 vs. ≥2a) was a significant factor for OS (p = 0.028, 95% CI 1.11-6.18). The 1-year and 2-year local control rates were 100% (100-100%) and 92.0% (77.5-97.5%). The local control rates were significantly higher in the BED10 ≥100 Gy group than in the BED10 <100 Gy group (2-year 100% vs. 86.5%, p = 0.049) at the reference point. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study of stereotactic body radiotherapy using real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma showed favorable outcomes with lower incidence of toxicities, especially in patients treated with BED10 ≥100 Gy to the reference point.

Spontaneous rupture of the pancreatic arcade artery caused by neurofibromatosis type 1 successfully treated using emergency transcatheter arterial embolization, partial intra-aortic balloon occlusion, and stent graft placement: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Vascular abnormalities in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are rare, but are the second leading cause of death in persons with NF1. In NF1 vasculopathy (NF-V), fatal bleeding due to a spontaneous arterial rupture sometimes occurs. Ruptured extracranial arteries in patients with NF1 often involve thoracic vessels, such as the intercostal and subclavian arteries; very few reports exist regarding the abdominal region. Herein, we present the first case of intraperitoneal bleeding due to spontaneous pancreatic arcade artery (PAA) rupture associated with NF1, successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) combined with stent-graft placement and partial intra-aortic balloon occlusion (IABO). CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old woman complained of back and abdominal pain. Upon admission, her blood pressure was 85/41 mmHg and heart rate was 129 beats/min. Computed tomography (CT) showed large intraperitoneal bleeding due to PAA rupture. After CT scanning, her systolic blood pressure decreased to 50 mmHg. Therefore, we performed emergency TAE with partial IABO. She was treated by TAE of the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery, anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, and inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. However, even after TAE, minor extravasation around the superior mesenteric artery continued, and her vital signs remained unstable. Stent-graft placement was selected to stop the haemorrhage, preserving normal blood flow of the superior mesenteric artery trunk. Excellent patency of the stent graft was confirmed on follow-up CT, and she was discharged on postoperative day 56. CONCLUSION: PAA rupture associated with NF1 can be successfully treated by TAE combined with partial intra-aortic balloon occlusion, and stent-graft placement.

Visualization of Quantitative Flow Reduction with 4D-flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient with Pelvic Arteriovenous Malformation After Transcatheter Arterial Embolization.

A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with dyspnea and heart failure. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a giant pelvic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) fed by the left internal iliac artery (IIA), right IIA, and inferior mesenteric artery. (IMA). The AVM was treated with selective embolization via the left IIA. Time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (4D-flow MRI) visualized a gradual flow reduction in the left IIA, whereas the flow in the IMA and right IIA increased relatively. After four sessions, the patient experienced symptom relief and the blood level of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide decreased. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first reported use of 4D-flow MRI to quantitatively assess flow reduction in the case of pelvic AVM after embolization.

Percutaneous insertion of hepatic fiducial true-spherical markers for real-time adaptive radiotherapy.

Purpose: This study evaluated the success rate and complications of percutaneous implantation of hepatic fiducial true-spherical gold markers for real-time adaptive radiotherapy (RAR), which constitutes real-time image-guided radiotherapy with gating.Material and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 100 patients who underwent 116 percutaneous intrahepatic implantations of 2-mm-diameter, spherical, gold fiducial markers before RAR from 1999 to 2016, with Seldinger's method. We defined technical success as marker placement at the intended liver parenchyma, without mispositioning, and clinical success as successful tracking of the gold marker and completion of planned RAR. Complications related to marker placement were assessed.Results: The technical success rate for true-spherical gold marker implantation was 92.2% (107/116). Nine of 116 markers migrated (intra-procedurally in seven patients, delayed in two patients). Migration out of the liver (n = 4) or intrahepatic vessels (n = 5) occurred without complications; these markers were not retrieved. The clinical success rate was 100.0% (115/115). Abdominal pain occurred in 16 patients, fever and hemorrhage in seven patients each, and pneumothorax and nausea in one patient each. No major complications were encountered.Conclusions: Percutaneous transhepatic implantation of true-spherical gold markers for RAR is feasible and can be conducted with a high success rate and low complication rate.

Treatment of bleeding from a portion of pancreatojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy with division of the splenic vein: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: There is no definitive strategy for gastrointestinal bleeding due to left-sided portal hypertension after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic cancer (PC) with concomitant portal vein resection (PVR). CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 70-year-old woman underwent a PD for PC with PVR. Seven years after her surgery, she suffered severe anemia with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding. Computed tomography scan (CT) revealed varices at a portion of the pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). Angiography revealed that splenic venous flow drained into the varices and then into the portal vein. A diagnosis of bleeding varices of the PJ due to left-sided portal hypertension was made. Following a partial splenic artery embolization, her anemia improved. Case 2: An 80-year-old male underwent a PD for pancreatic head cancer combined with resection of the confluence of the portal and splenic veins with a reconstruction between the portal and superior mesenteric veins. Eighteen months after his surgery, he developed melena with negative endoscopy findings in his large and small bowel. CT revealed varices at the site of the PJ that communicated with the jejunal and portal veins. He underwent obliteration of the varices via a trans-portal-venous approach. As a result, he remained without melena until he died of PC 17 months after the embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Left-sided portal hypertension following a PD with bleeding varices can be treated by interventional radiology with minimal invasiveness.

Initial experience with the use of tris-acryl gelatin microspheres for transcatheter arterial embolization for enlarged polycystic liver.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with tris-acryl gelatin microspheres for patients with symptomatic enlarged polycystic liver disease (PCLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was approved by our hospital's institutional review board and planned for patients with symptoms related to enlarged PCLD, such as distended abdomen, gastrointestinal obstruction and abdominal pain. Hemi-hepatic embolization with tris-acryl gelatin microspheres was performed in the hepatic artery supplying the hepatic lobe that showed the predominant presence of cysts. Each patient underwent an assessment of liver function, a questionnaire survey about symptoms, measurement of the estimated volume of the whole liver before and after TAE, and an assessment of complications associated with TAE. RESULTS: Five patients (four females, one male; mean age 52.6 ± 9.1 years) were treated. All five patients successfully completed TAE. The left lobe was treated in three patients and the right in two. After TAE, post-embolization syndrome and transient elevation of white blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase occurred in all patients, but none developed hepatic insufficiency or severe complications. The mean whole liver volume was 7406 ± 2323 mL before TAE, and 6995 ± 2139 mL (95.1 ± 5.2% of the pre-therapeutic value) at 3 months and 6855 ± 2246 mL (93.3 ± 9.7%) at 12 months after TAE. Three of the five patients reported an improvement of clinical symptoms within 12 months after TAE. CONCLUSION: TAE with microspheres can be a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic enlarged PCLD.

The Steerable Microcatheter: A New Device for Selective Catheterisation.

The steerable microcatheter (SwiftNINJA, Sumitomo Bakelite, Tokyo, Japan), which has a remote-controlled flexible tip manipulated using a dial in the handgrip, was recently developed and delivered to the market. This device enables the user to change the angle of the microcatheter tip manually, and potentially makes selective catheterisation easier. We evaluated its unique characteristics and utility in selective catheterisation and coil embolization. This article describes: (1) the advantages of this device in catheterisations involving acute angle branches, and (2) a new technique of compact coil packing with the use of intentional folding by the bendable tip of the catheter.

Comparison of conventional ultrasonography and ultrasonography-computed tomography fusion imaging for target identification using digital/real hybrid phantoms: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: This preliminary study compared ultrasonography-computed tomography (US-CT) fusion imaging and conventional ultrasonography (US) for accuracy and time required for target identification using a combination of real phantoms and sets of digitally modified computed tomography (CT) images (digital/real hybrid phantoms). METHODS: In this randomized prospective study, 27 spheres visible on B-mode US were placed at depths of 3.5, 8.5, and 13.5 cm (nine spheres each). All 27 spheres were digitally erased from the CT images, and a radiopaque sphere was digitally placed at each of the 27 locations to create 27 different sets of CT images. Twenty clinicians were instructed to identify the sphere target using US alone and fusion imaging. The accuracy of target identification of the two methods was compared using McNemar's test. The mean time required for target identification and error distances were compared using paired t tests. RESULTS: At all three depths, target identification was more accurate and the mean time required for target identification was significantly less with US-CT fusion imaging than with US alone, and the mean error distances were also shorter with US-CT fusion imaging. CONCLUSION: US-CT fusion imaging was superior to US alone in terms of accurate and rapid identification of target lesions.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization with Ethanol Injection in Symptomatic Patients with Enlarged Polycystic Kidneys.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with ethanol in symptomatic patients with enlarged polycystic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was institutional review board approved and was planned for patients with symptoms related to enlarged polycystic kidney disease, such as a markedly distended abdomen, gastroesophageal reflux, and abdominal pain. At the time of TAE, all patients were undergoing dialysis therapy for chronic renal failure, and their urinary volume had decreased to less than 500 mL per day. Bilateral renal TAE with absolute ethanol was performed, and changes in kidney volume, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and complications were evaluated after TAE. The differences in patients' kidney volumes, clinical symptoms, abdominal circumference, and dry weights before and after TAE were analyzed with a mixed effect model. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (seven men and eight women; mean age, 57.7 years ± 5.3 [standard deviation]) were treated. Among the 15 patients, the follow-up period was 24 months in 13 patients, 6 months in one patient, and 3 months in one patient. The mean kidney volume was 3380 mL before renal TAE, and at 3, 12, and 24 months after TAE, it significantly decreased to 60.9%, 39.8%, and 32.1% of the pretherapeutic value, respectively (P < .001). All patients reported improved clinical symptoms within 3 months after TAE (P < .001). Abdominal circumferences were significantly decreased after TAE (P < .001). The dry weights also continued to significantly decreased until 6 months after TAE (P < .001), at which point they began to slightly increase until 24 months after TAE. Abdominal pain, nausea, and inflammatory response developed in all patients after TAE, but these symptoms improved with conservative treatment. Abscess formation was found in one kidney, and drainage catheter placement was performed. No major complications related to TAE occurred in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION: Renal contraction therapy by TAE with ethanol injection appears to be a safe and effective treatment in patients with symptomatic enlarged polycystic kidney disease.

Prediction of pancreatic anastomotic failure after pancreatic head resection using preoperative diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the preoperative pancreatic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can be used to predict the development of postoperative pancreatic anastomotic failure (PAF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined the cases of 79 patients who underwent pancreatic head resection between January 2010 and October 2013. The patients underwent 1.5-T MR imaging including diffusion-weighted imaging before surgery. The main pancreatic duct diameter (MPD), the pancreatic parenchymal thickness (PT), and the ADC of the pancreatic remnant parenchyma were measured. Two radiologists blinded to the patients' outcomes performed the measurements. The imaging parameters were compared between the patients who developed PAF and those who did not. The cut-off ADC for the development of PAF was calculated with a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The imaging parameters were highly correlated between the two observers. The MPD and PT did not differ significantly among the patients. The mean pancreatic ADCs were significantly higher in the patients with PAF than in those without PAF. An ADC higher than 1.50 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s (Az = 0.719, observer-1) or 1.35 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s (Az = 0.752, observer-2) was optimal for predicting the development of postoperative PAF. CONCLUSION: Measuring the preoperative non-tumorous pancreatic ADC may be useful for the prediction of a postoperative PAF.