Safety, Efficacy and Outcome of Rotational Thrombectomy assisted Endovascular Revascularisation of the Superior Mesenteric Artery in Acute Thromboembolic Mesenteric Ischaemia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous rotational thrombectomy-assisted endovascular revascularization of acute thromboembolic superior mesenteric artery occlusions in acute mesenteric ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen cases of percutaneous rotational thrombectomy- assisted (Rotarex S, BD, USA) revascularization were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology was embolic in 40 % of cases and thrombotic in 60 %. A "Thrombectomy in Visceral Ischemia" (TIVI) 5-point score determined vessel patency at presentation, after percutaneous rotational thrombectomy, and after adjunctive technologies. TIVI 3 indicated nearly complete revascularization (minimal residual side branch thrombus). TIVI 4 indicated complete revascularization. Technical success was defined as successful device application and a final TIVI score of 3/4 after adjunctive technologies. Safety and outcome were also analyzed. RESULTS: Device application via femoral access was feasible in 100 % of cases and improved flow in 86.7 % of cases (1â€Š× TIVI 0→1, 11â€Š× TIVI 0→2, 1â€Š× TIVI 1→2). There was no change in 13.3 % of cases (2â€Š× TIVI 2→2). Additional devices resulted in further flow improvement in 93.3 % of cases (8â€Š× TIVI 3, 6â€Š× TIVI 4). One recanalization failed (TIVI 2→2→2). After adjunctive technologies (10â€Š× manual aspiration, 11â€Š× angioplasty, 9â€Š× stenting), the technical success rate was 93.3 %. The mean procedure time was 40.5(±â€Š14) minutes for embolism and 72.1(±â€Š20) minutes for thrombosis. There was one device-related major complication (catheter tip fracture) resulting in a device-related safety rate of 93.3 %. The overall major complication rate was 20 %. Surgical exploration (13 ×), bowel resection (9 ×) and Fogarty embolectomy/bypass (3 ×) were also performed. The 30-day mortality rate was 40 %. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous rotational thrombectomy is an effective adjunct for rapid endovascular recanalization of acute thromboembolic superior mesenteric artery occlusions with an acceptable rate of major procedural complications. KEY POINTS: · Percutaneous rotational thrombectomy-assisted superior mesenteric artery revascularization in acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia is feasible and effective.. · Percutaneous rotational thrombectomy facilitates rapid flow restoration in native and stented superior mesenteric artery segments.. · Brachial access should be considered in the case of steep take-off angles of the superior mesenteric artery..

[Indications and techniques for endovascular revascularization of visceral arteries in mesenteric ischemia]. / Indikation und Technik der endovaskulären Revaskularisation der Viszeralarterien bei mesenterialer Ischämie.

Endovascular revascularization of visceral arteries is an important cornerstone of an interdisciplinary treatment concept for both acute and chronic forms of mesenteric ischemia. The advantages lie in the minimally invasive procedure and the speed of restoration of perfusion. This article provides an overview of the indications, techniques and current state of the clinical literature with respect to endovascular revascularization.

Pancreatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Following Endovascular Treatment of Symptomatic Celiac and Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenosis.

CLINICAL IMPACT: With endovascular therapy becoming the first-line treatment for symptomatic chronic mesenteric ischemia, acute pancreatitis within the context of abdominal ischemia-reperfusion injury may be seen more often in cross-sectional imaging following this kind of interventions and should therefore be kept in mind by the reading physician.

Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling: Procedural data from a German single-center study.

PURPOSE: To assess radiation exposure and diagnostic performance of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling for the distinction of pituitary and ectopic adrenocorticotropin-dependent Cushing's syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Procedural data of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus procedures were retrospectively evaluated. The analysis included the patients' clinical and demographic data, procedural radiation exposure, and complication rates, sampling results, clinical course of the patients, and calculation of diagnostic performance data. RESULTS: The cases of 46 patients diagnosed with adrenocorticotropin-dependent Cushing's syndrome were evaluated. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling was successfully performed in 97.8 % of the cases. The overall median procedure-related fluoroscopy time was 7.8 min. (range 3.2-36.2 min.), and the median procedural dose area product was 11.9 Gy*cm2 (range 2.1-73.7 Gy*cm2). Radiation doses due to digital subtraction angiography series for visualization of the inferior petrosal sinus were 3.6 Gy*cm2 (range 1.0-18.1 Gy*cm2). Radiation doses due to fluoroscopy had a higher impact on the overall radiation exposure and were significantly influenced by the patients' habitus. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 84 %, 100 %, 100 %, and 72 % before stimulation with corticotropin-releasing hormone, and 97 %, 100 %, 100 %, and 93 % after stimulation. Concordance between magnetic resonance imaging studies and bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling results was only found in 35.6 % of the cases. The periprocedural complication rate was 2.2 %, with one patient experiencing vasovagal syncope during catheterization. CONCLUSION: Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling is a safe procedure with high technical success rates und excellent diagnostic performance. The procedure-related radiation exposure shows large variations and depends on the complexity of cannulation as well as the patients' habitus. Fluoroscopy accounted for the largest proportion of radiation exposure. Acquisition of digital subtraction angiography series for the verification of correct catheter placement appears justified. KEY POINTS: · Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling with CRH stimulation provides high diagnostic performance in the distinction of pituitary and ectopic Cushing's syndrome.. · The associated radiation exposure is not negligible and is significantly influenced by the use of fluoroscopy and the patients' habitus.. · Digital subtraction angiography contributes less to the overall radiation dose and appears justified for the verification of correct catheter placement.. CITATION FORMAT: · Augustin A, Detomas M, Hartung V et al. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling: Procedural data from a German single-center study. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2023; 195: 1009 - 1017.

Multi-parametric whole-body MRI evaluation discerns vital from non-vital multiple myeloma lesions as validated by 18F-FDG and 11C-methionine PET/CT.

PURPOSE: We tested a novel multi-parametric (mp) whole body (WB)-MRI evaluation algorithm for medullary lesions in comparison to positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and 11C-methionine (11C-MET). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective single-center study included 44 MM patients, who received both 18F-FDG-PET and WB-MRI within ten days. MRI classified focal lesions as vital when showing 1) significant diffusion-restriction, 2) a fat fraction (FF) less than 20 % and 3) homogenous hypointensity on T2-weighted images. On a lesion-by-lesion level the findings were compared to 18F-FDG PET by using a 5-point scoring system (analogous to the Deauville score [DS]). In 24/44 (55 %) patients additional comparison to 11C-MET PET was available. RESULTS: Among two radiologists, an excellent inter-observer reliability for mpWB-MRI in a total of 84 medullary lesions was observed (ICC = 1, k = 1, p <.01). 16/17 (94.1 %) MRI-classified vital lesions had a DS of 4 or 5 on either 18F-FDG-PET or 11C-MET-PET. MRI-rated non-vital lesions correlated with PET-based DS ≤ 3. When results of mpWB-MRI were compared to 18F-FDG, a fair inter-observer agreement was recorded (ICC = 0.52, k = 0.53, p <.01), while for 11C-MET, an excellent concordance rate was achieved (ICC = 0.81, k = 0.79, p <.01). CONCLUSION: The proposed mpWB-MRI interpretation algorithm allowed to assess tumor activity of myeloma lesions with high inter-observer reproducibility. We observed a substantial concordance between the mpWB-MRI classification of lesions and PET assessment based on a semi-automatically calculated 5-point scoring system analogous to the Deauville scores.

Malignant obstruction of the inferior vena cava: clinical experience with the self-expanding Sinus-XL stent system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical and clinical outcome of Sinus-XL stent placement in patients with malignant obstruction syndrome of the inferior vena cava. METHODS: Between October 2010 and January 2021, 21 patients with different malignant primary disease causing inferior vena cava obstruction were treated with Sinus-XL stent implantation. Procedural data, technical and clinical outcome parameters were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%. Analysis of available manometry data revealed a significant reduction of the mean translesional pressure gradient following the procedure (p = 0.008). Reintervention rate was 4.8% (1/21). The available follow-up imaging studies showed primary and primary-assisted stent patency rates of 93% (13/14) and 100% (14/14), respectively. Major complications did not occur. The clinical success regarding lower extremity edema was 82.4% (14/17) for the first and 85.7% (18/21) for the last follow-up. Longer lengths of IVC obstruction were associated with reduced clinical improvement after the procedure (p = 0.025). Improvement of intraprocedural manometry results and lower extremity edema revealed only minor correlation. Ascites and anasarca were not significantly positively affected by the procedure. CONCLUSION: Sinus-XL stent placement in patients with malignant inferior vena cava obstruction showed high technical success and low complication rates. Regarding the clinical outcome, significant symptom improvement could be achieved in lower extremity edema, whereas ascites and anasarca lacked satisfying symptom relief. Based on our results, this procedure should be considered as a suitable therapy in a palliative care setting for patients with advanced malignant disease.

2D-perfusion angiography for intra-procedural endovascular treatment response assessment in chronic mesenteric ischemia: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular revascularization has become the first-line treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). The qualitative visual analysis of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is dependent on observer experience and prone to interpretation errors. We evaluate the feasibility of 2D-Perfusion Angiography (2D-PA) for objective, quantitative treatment response assessment in CMI. METHODS: 49 revascularizations in 39 patients with imaging based evidence of mesenteric vascular occlusive disease and clinical signs of CMI were included in this retrospective study. To assess perfusion changes by 2D-PA, DSA-series were post-processed using a dedicated, commercially available software. Regions of interest (ROI) were placed in the pre- and post-stenotic artery segment. In aorto-ostial disease, the inflow ROI was positioned at the mesenteric artery orifice. The ratios outflow to inflow ROI for peak density (PD), time to peak and area-under-the-curve (AUC) were computed and compared pre- and post-interventionally. We graded motion artifacts by means of a four-point scale. Feasibility of 2D-PA and changes of flow parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Motion artifacts due to a mobile vessel location beneath the diaphragm or within the mesenteric root, branch vessel superimposition and inadequate contrast enhancement at the inflow ROI during manually conducted DSA-series via selective catheters owing to steep vessel angulation, necessitated exclusion of 26 measurements from quantitative flow evaluation. The feasibility rate was 47%. In 23 technically feasible assessments, PDoutflow/PDinflow increased by 65% (p < 0.001) and AUCoutflow/AUCinflow increased by 85% (p < 0.001). The time to peak density values in the outflow ROI accelerated only minimally without reaching statistical significance. Age, BMI, target vessel (celiac trunk, SMA or IMA), stenosis location (ostial or truncal), calcification severity, plaque composition or the presence of a complex stenosis did not reach statistical significance in their distribution among the feasible and non-feasible group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other vascular territories and indications, the feasibility of 2D-PA in mesenteric revascularization for CMI was limited. Unfavorable anatomic conditions contributed to a high rate of inconclusive 2D-PA results.

Percutaneous implantation of peripherally inserted totally implantable venous access systems in the forearm in adolescent patients.

BACKGROUND: Children with different underlying malignant diseases require long-term central venous access. As for port systems in a pectoral position, peripherally implanted port systems in the forearm revealed high levels of technical and clinical success in adult cohorts. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the technical and clinical outcomes of percutaneous central venous port implantation in the forearm in adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2010 and August 2020, 32 children ages 9 to 17 years with underlying malignancy received 35 totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) in the forearm. All venous port systems were peripherally inserted under ultrasound guidance. Correct catheter placement was controlled by fluoroscopy. As primary endpoints, the technical success, rate of complications and catheter maintenance were analyzed. Secondary endpoints were the side of implantation, vein of catheter access, laboratory results on the day of the procedure, procedural radiation exposure, amount of contrast agent and reasons for port device removal. RESULTS: Percutaneous TIVAP placement under sonographic guidance was technically successful in 34 of 35 procedures (97.1%). Procedure-related complications did not occur. During the follow-up, 13,684 catheter days were analyzed, revealing 11 complications (0.8 per 1,000 catheter-duration days), Of these 11 complications, 7 were major and 10 occurred late. In seven cases, the port device had to be removed; removal-related complications did not occur. CONCLUSION: Peripheral TIVAP placement in the forearms of children is a feasible, effective and safe technique with good midterm outcome. As results are comparable with standard access routes, this technique may be offered as an alternative when intermittent venous access is required.

Whole-Body MRI with an Ultrahigh b-Value of 2000 s/mm2 Improves the Specificity of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Patients with Plasma Cell Dyscrasias.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Our study compared sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI) using a b-value of 2000 s/mm2 with that of the commonly used b-value of 800 s/mm2 for depiction of active tumor sites in patients with plasma cell diseases. We introduced an ultrahigh b-value to reduce interfering signals from benign and post-therapeutic inactive lesions by suppressing T2-shine-through effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective single-center study included patients when they went through a whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) staging or response evaluation procedure. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and morphologic appearance served as reference for classifying focal lesions on WB-DWI as vital or post-therapeutic. Additionally, we compared our classification with patients' serological markers of disease activity. RESULTS: One hundred participants (65 ± 10 years, 58 men) underwent WB-DWI between June and October 2019. The detection rate of vital focal lesions was similar for both b-values with a sensitivity of 0.99 using b = 800 s/mm2 and 0.98 using b = 2000 s/mm2. By contrast, specificity and accuracy were 0.09 and 0.71 when using a b-value of 800 s/mm2, and 0.96 and 0.98 when using a b-value of 2000 s/mm2, respectively. The difference in specificity and accuracy was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Using a b-value of 2000 s/mm2 significantly improved the specificity of lesion detection with WB-DWI as compared to the commonly used b-value of 800 s/mm2. The high b-value significantly reduced signal intensities of post-therapeutic or benign lesions and provided a significantly more accurate representation of active tumor load.

A novel double clip-based vascular closure device in antegrade and retrograde femoral punctures: A single-center experience in peripheral non-cardiac procedures.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study investigates the efficacy and safety of the novel Celt ACD® vascular closure device (VCD) following antegrade and retrograde common femoral artery (CFA) punctures for the treatment of peripheral artery disease in a challenging patient collective (e.g. calcifications, obesity, and anticoagulation). METHODS: A total of 208 VCDs (i.e. 100 antegrade and 108 retrograde) were deployed between October 2019 and December 2020 in a tertiary referral interventional radiology department. Fifty-two devices were undersized in relation to the introducer sheath (up to 2 Fr). Technical success and VCD related complications were evaluated in the immediate post procedure period and the following 24 h clinically. In 68% of cases, additional duplex ultrasound was performed prior to discharge. RESULTS: The overall technical success rate was 97%. Technical failures following antegrade approach were due to a too acute access angle (⩾60°), rendering it impossible to pass the applicator tip through the sheath lumen. A subgroup analysis of technical success pinpoints severe calcification as another key limiting factor in VCD use (p = 0.004). Comparing equally sized with undersized device selection (p = 0.196), direction of approach (p = 0.265), and body mass index (p = 0.184) proved to be insignificant. Five (2%, 5/208) major complications occurred: Four antegrade (i.e. one false aneurysm, one vessel laceration with retroperitoneal hemorrhage, two device migrations; 4%, 4/100) and one following retrograde access (i.e. >6 cm hematoma, 1%, 1/108)). Complications were successfully managed with manual compression or interventional procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The novel clip-based VCD proved to be effective with a low VCD related complication rate.

Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy device assisted TIPS recanalization: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Despite improved shunt patency, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) occlusion remains a serious complication, and effective debulking of the existing tract is needed to restore sufficient blood flow. PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical and clinical success of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in restoring patency of acutely and chronically thrombosed covered TIPS using the Aspirex®S and Rotarex®S system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated mechanical thrombectomy-assisted revisions in five patients between January 2012 and April 2021. Two patients had to be revised twice due to recurrent occlusion. We designated thrombosis within 10 days after shunt creation or revision as acute. Insidious deterioration of portal hypertension related symptoms for at least 6-8 weeks was recorded in chronic cases. We treated four acute and three chronic occlusions. After transjugular lesion crossing, we performed two mechanical thrombectomy device passages. If indicated, balloon dilatation, covered stent placement, or variceal embolization were added. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100%. No procedure-related complications occurred. In one patient with acute decompensation of Budd-Chiari syndrome and acute-on-chronic liver failure, early re-thrombosis occurred twice with patency intervals of up to eight days. In contrast, stable patency was achieved in the other four patients with documented patency intervals of at least five months and improvement of portal hypertension-related symptoms, resulting in a patient based clinical success rate of 80%. CONCLUSION: In five patients, percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy assisted TIPS recanalization of four acute and three chronic occlusions proved to be technically feasible and safe with a high clinical success rate.

Usability and diagnostic accuracy of different MRI/ultrasound-guided fusion biopsy systems for the detection of clinically significant and insignificant prostate cancer: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To explore the usability and diagnostic accuracy for prostate cancer of three multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)/transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided fusion biopsy systems operated by the same urologists. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study including patients that underwent prostate biopsy due to a visible lesion in mpMRI (PI-RADS ≥ 3). We consecutively assessed two platforms with a rigid image registration (BioJet, D&K Technologies and UroNav, Invivo Corporation) and one with an elastic registration (Trinity, KOELIS). Four urologists evaluated each fusion system in terms of usability based on the System Usability Scale and diagnostic accuracy based on the detection of prostate cancer. RESULTS: We enrolled 60 consecutive patients that received mpMRI/TRUS-guided prostate biopsy with the BioJet (n = 20), UroNav (n = 20) or Trinity (n = 20) fusion system. Comparing the rigid with the elastic registration systems, the rigid registration systems were more user-friendly compared to the elastic registration systems (p = 0.012). Similarly, the prostate biopsy with the rigid registration systems had a shorter duration compared to the elastic registration system (p < 0.001). Overall, 40 cases of prostate cancer were detected. Of them, both the BioJet and UroNav fusion systems detected 13 prostate cancer cases, while the Trinity detected 14. No significant differences were demonstrated among the three fusion biopsy systems in terms of highest ISUP Grade Group (p > 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Rigid fusion biopsy systems are easier to use and provide shorter operative time compared to elastic systems, while both types of platforms display similar detection rates for prostate cancer. Still, further high-quality, long-term results are mandatory.

Pasotuxizumab, a BiTE® immune therapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer: Phase I, dose-escalation study findings.

Aim: We report results of a first-in-human study of pasotuxizumab, a PSMA bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE®) immune therapy mediating T-cell killing of tumor cells in patients with advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer. Patients & methods: We assessed once-daily subcutaneous (SC) pasotuxizumab. All SC patients developed antidrug antibodies; therefore, continuous intravenous (cIV) infusion was assessed. Results: A total of 47 patients received pasotuxizumab (SC: n = 31, 0.5-172 µg/d; cIV: n = 16, 5-80 µg/d). The SC maximum tolerated dose was 172.0 µg/d. A sponsor change stopped the cIV cohort early; maximum tolerated dose was not determined. PSA responders occurred (>50% PSA decline: SC, n = 9; cIV, n = 3), including two long-term responders. Conclusion: Data support pasotuxizumab safety in advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer and represent evidence of BiTE monotherapy efficacy in solid tumors. Clinical trial registration: NCT01723475 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Female Adnexal Tumour of Probable Wolffian Origin (FATWO): Review of the Literature.

FATWO (female adnexal tumour of probable Wolffian origin) denotes a rare tumour of the female adnexa which has been described in nearly 80 cases worldwide and which presumably originates in the remains of the Wolffian ducts. In 10 to 20 percent of patients, a metastasis or recurrence was seen subsequently and for this reason, a malignant potential is attributed to the FATWO. Because of the small number of cases, there is no clear therapeutic recommendation. The method of choice currently is surgical treatment with hysterectomy and adnexectomy. The benefit of radio- and chemotherapies is not clear and a small number of treatment attempts with imatinib have been made in cases of CD117 positivity or treatment attempts on an endocrine basis. This work provides an overview of the literature on epidemiology, imaging and histopathological diagnostic features as well as therapeutic options of this same tumour form.

Cardiac Manifestation of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Here, we report on a 38-year-old man with unclear right heart failure. Imaging with cardiac MRI and combined PET/CT with F-FDG revealed a hypermetabolic mass extending from the right ventricle to the atrium. In addition, intense glucose utilization throughout the bone marrow was noted. Biopsies of both bone marrow and cardiac mass were performed and revealed precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with gross leukemic infiltration of the myopericardium, a rare manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia at initial diagnosis.