Gallbladder Cryoablation: Clinical and Technical Considerations

Author(s):  
Hugh McGregor

AbstractAs many as 500,000 cholecystectomies are performed per year in the United States. Frail patients are at higher risk from cholecystectomy, with reported postoperative complication and mortality rates as high as 31 and 5% in patients older than 75 years. Percutaneous cholecystostomy drainage is commonly employed in high-risk patients with cholecystitis, with over 12,000 cases performed annually. Cholecystostomy, however, is not a definitive treatment, with up to 30% of patients having a recurrent episode of cholecystitis within 4 months after tube removal. Gallbladder cryoablation has emerged as a minimally invasive procedure that achieves transmural gallbladder wall necrosis in a single session resulting in gallbladder fibrosis and involution. Early clinical data have been promising, with reported technical success of 86% and clinical success of 100% at up to 500 days of follow-up. Several challenges and unknowns remain, however, including optimal patient selection and procedural technique, the potential need for adjunct procedures to occlude the cystic duct, the implications of the immunostimulatory effects of cryoablation, and the impact of the presence of gallstones on outcomes. This article reviews the rationale behind gallbladder cryoablation, updates early clinical outcomes, and discusses the challenges that remain for the adoption of the technique for the treatment of benign gallbladder disease.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santhosh Kumar Kannath ◽  
Bejoy Thomas ◽  
P Sankara Sarma ◽  
Jayadevan Enakshy Rajan

BackgroundThe preoperative localization of the feeder of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) could simplify the diagnostic spinal angiographic procedure. Localization by non-contrast-enhanced MRI-based techniques is an attractive option. However, the usefulness of such an approach for evaluation of SDAVF has not yet been reported.ObjectiveTo study the impact of non-contrast MRI-based feeder localization, followed by targeted spinal angiography, in the evaluation of SDAVF before endovascular intervention.Materials and methodsProspectively collected data were analyzed and the level of the feeder was localized preoperatively. The procedural time for targeted spinal angiography was calculated and compared with that of a historical cohort, who underwent routine spinal angiographic examination before the study period. Follow-up MRI was carried out to assess the reliability of this model for detection of occasional metachronous lesions that might be missed with this approach.ResultsSeven patients underwent targeted spinal angiography during the study. The feeder level was accurately identified in five patients and was localized to one vertebral level in six patients. The correlation between MRI and DSA was statistically significant. The number of spinal levels assessed was fewer and overall procedure time was significantly shorter compared to historical cohort (58 min vs 162 min, respectively; p<0.001). Intervention was coupled with targeted angiography in two patients. Follow-up MRI demonstrated flow voids in one patient, who had recurrent fistula at one vertebral level below the previously embolized feeder.ConclusionsThe non-contrast MRI-based localization technique can reliably detect the level of feeder and help in therapeutic planning of SDAVF. The localization techniques potentially shorten the angiographic procedure and may facilitate simultaneous endovascular definitive treatment. Inclusion of follow-up MRI may be useful for detection of synchronous or metachronous lesions if a targeted approach is adopted. Additionally, this helps to identify failed endovascular therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Hideki Kamada ◽  
Hideki Kobara ◽  
Naohito Uchida ◽  
Kiyohito Kato ◽  
Takayuki Fujimori ◽  
...  

Background. Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder stenting (ETGBS) is an effective procedure for treating high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis and severe comorbidities. However, the efficacy of ETGBS for recurrent cholecystitis (RC) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore its efficacy in patients with RC for whom cholecystectomy is contraindicated because of its high surgical risk.Methods. Data on 19 high-risk patients who had undergone ETGBS for RC after initial conservative therapy in our institution between June 2006 and May 2012 were retrospectively examined. The primary outcome was the clinical success rate, which was defined as no recurrences of acute cholecystitis after ETGBS until death or the end of the follow-up period. Secondary outcomes were technical success rate and adverse events (AEs).Results. The clinical success rate of ETGBS was 100%, the technical success rate 94.7%, and AE rate 5%: one patient developed procedure-related mild acute pancreatitis. The clinical courses of all patients were as follows: four died of nonbiliary disease, and the remaining 15 were subsequently treated conservatively. The median duration of follow-up was 14.95 months (range 3–42 months).Conclusions. ETGBS is an effective alternative for managing RC in high-risk patients with severe comorbidities.


Author(s):  
Janey Phelps

Congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth defect and is estimated to affect nearly 1% of all births per year in the United States. Echocardiograms are necessary to fully evaluate these defects, and depending on the age of the child, sedation may be required to ensure optimal imaging. This chapter discusses the sedation/anesthesia options for transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and cardioversion. For all of these procedures high-risk patients should be triaged to a pediatric anesthesia provider and in some cases, a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist. Transthoracic echocardiograms can be completed with distraction and/or minimal sedation with oral or intranasal midazolam. If moderate sedation is required due to patient characteristics or previous history of failure with minimal sedation, intranasal dexmedetomidine is a good option. Transesophageal echocardiography is an invasive procedure; patients <2 years of age should be intubated and those >2 years of age can maintain a native airway with deep sedation with propofol. The need for cardioversion is infrequent in pediatrics but when needed, propofol is a good choice.


2020 ◽  
pp. 152483992094592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikanta Banerjee ◽  
Tim Radak ◽  
Jagdish Khubchandani ◽  
Patrick Dunn

Food insecurity is a significant public health problem in the United States leading to substantial social, economic, and health care–related burdens. While studies continue to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity, the long-term outcomes are not extensively explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of food insecurity on mortality. We analyzed data on adults (≥ 20 years) from the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with mortality data obtained through 2015. Among the total study participants (n = 25,247), 17.6% reported food insecurity. Food-insecure individuals were more likely to be younger in age, minorities, poorer, with lesser education, obese, smokers, and with diabetes compared to food-secure counterparts. During a 10.2-year follow-up, among the food insecure, 821 individuals died (11%). The hazard ratio (HR) for mortality among the food insecure compared with the food secure, with adjustment for age and gender only, was 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.25, 2.01]. The adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality, HR = 1.46, CI [1.23, 1.72], p < .001, and cardiovascular mortality, HR = 1.75, CI [1.19, 2.57], p < .01, were statistically significantly higher among food-insecure individuals, after adjustment for multiple demographic and health risk factors. Individuals who are food-insecure have a significantly higher probability of death from any cause or cardiovascular disease in long-term follow-up. Comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches to reducing food insecurity–related disparities and health risks should be implemented. Including food insecurity in health risk assessments and addressing food insecurity as a determinant of long-term outcomes may contribute to lower premature death rates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Destro ◽  
Giorgio Selvaggio ◽  
Federica Marinoni ◽  
Andrea Pansini ◽  
Giovanna Riccipetitoni

Primary Obstructive Megaureter (POM) is a common cause of hydronephrosis in children with spontaneous resolution in most cases. High-Pressure Balloon Dilatation (HPBD) has been proposed as a minimally invasive procedure for POM correction in selected patients. The aim of the paper is to review our experience with HPBD in patients with POM. We performed a retrospective study in a single Centre collecting data on patients’ demographics, diagnostic modalities, surgical details, results and follow-up. In particular, the endoscopic aspect of the orifice permitted the identification of 3 patterns: adynamic ureteral segment, stenotic ureteric ring and pseudoureterocelic orifice. We performed HPBD in 30 patients over 6 years. We had 23 patients with adynamic distal ureteral segment (type 1), 4 with stenotic ring (type 2) and 3 with ureterocelic orifice (type 3). In 3 patients (10%) the guidewire did not easily pass into the ureter requiring ureteral stenting or papillotomy. Post-operative course was uneventful. Five patients (3 pseudoureterocelic) required open surgery during follow-up. HPBD for the treatment of POM is a safe and feasible procedure and it can be a definitive treatment of POM. Complications are mainly due to double J stent and none of our patients had symptoms related to vescico-ureteral reflux. The aspect of the orifice, identified during cystoscopy, seems to correlate with the efficacy of the dilatation: type 1 and 2 are associated with good and excellent results respectively; type 3 do not permit dilatation in almost all cases requiring papillotomy. HPBD can be performed in selected patients of all paediatric ages as first therapeutic line. The presence of a pseudoureterocelic orifice or long stenosis might interfere with the ureteral stenting and seems associated with worse outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175346661984123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Bowling ◽  
Erik E. Folch ◽  
Sandeep J. Khandhar ◽  
Jordan Kazakov ◽  
William S. Krimsky ◽  
...  

Background: Fiducial markers (FMs) help direct stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and localization for surgical resection in lung cancer management. We report the safety, accuracy, and practice patterns of FM placement utilizing electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB). Methods: NAVIGATE is a global, prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of ENB using the superDimension™ navigation system. This prospectively collected subgroup analysis presents the patient demographics, procedural characteristics, and 1-month outcomes in patients undergoing ENB-guided FM placement. Follow up through 24 months is ongoing. Results: Two-hundred fifty-eight patients from 21 centers in the United States were included. General anesthesia was used in 68.2%. Lesion location was confirmed by radial endobronchial ultrasound in 34.5% of procedures. The median ENB procedure time was 31.0 min. Concurrent lung lesion biopsy was conducted in 82.6% (213/258) of patients. A mean of 2.2 ± 1.7 FMs (median 1.0 FMs) were placed per patient and 99.2% were accurately positioned based on subjective operator assessment. Follow-up imaging showed that 94.1% (239/254) of markers remained in place. The procedure-related pneumothorax rate was 5.4% (14/258) overall and 3.1% (8/258) grade ⩾ 2 based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scale. The procedure-related grade ⩾ 4 respiratory failure rate was 1.6% (4/258). There were no bronchopulmonary hemorrhages. Conclusion: ENB is an accurate and versatile tool to place FMs for SBRT and localization for surgical resection with low complication rates. The ability to perform a biopsy safely in the same procedure can also increase efficiency. The impact of practice pattern variations on therapeutic effectiveness requires further study. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02410837.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 969
Author(s):  
Guido Alberto Massimo Tiberio ◽  
Vittorio Ferrari ◽  
Zeno Ballarini ◽  
Giovanni Casole ◽  
Marta Laganà ◽  
...  

Background. This study explores the impact of Hypertermic Intra PEritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) on adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) management through a safety analysis completed by a preliminary evaluation of survival performances. Methods. Retrospective chart review of 27 patients submitted to surgical treatment completed by HIPEC for primary (SP, 13 patients) or recurrent (SR, 14 patients, 17 treatments) ACC. Safety was evaluated by means of procedural morbidity and mortality. Survival performances included multiple end points: local/peritoneal disease-free survival (l/pDFS), overall progression-free survival (OPFS), and overall survival (OS). Results. In the SP group, mortality was nil and morbidity was 46% (major 23%). At a median follow-up of 25 months, the median value for all the different survival measures had not been reached. Mortality was also nil in the SR group. However, morbidity was 77% (major 18%). Median l/pDFS and OPFS were 12 ± 4 and 8 ± 2 months, respectively. At a median follow-up of 30 months, median OS had not been reached. Conclusion. Surgery and HIPEC is an invasive procedure. Its employment in the surgery for primary setting deserves attention as it may affect oncologic outcomes positively. Its value in the management of recurrences seems less appreciable, albeit it may find its place in the multimodal management of a rare disease for which multiple therapeutic options do not yet exist.


2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birte Gundelach ◽  
Anita Manatschal

Increasing ethnic diversity and whether or not it impacts on social trust are highly debated topics. Numerous studies report a negative relationship between diversity and trust, particularly in the United States. A growing body of follow-up studies has examined the extent to which these findings can be transferred to Europe, but the results remain inconclusive. Moving beyond the discussion of the mere existence or absence of diversity effects on trust, this study is concerned with the moderation of this relationship. It addresses the neglected role of subnational integration policies influencing the impact of diversity on trust. Empirical tests not only indicate that integration policies moderate the relationship but also suggest that the influence of policies varies substantively according to the specific policy aspect under consideration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0014
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Murtha ◽  
Matthew R. Schmitz

Background: The primary focus of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) literature has been survivorship until hip arthroplasty. This endpoint overlooks its impact on young, active patients. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study sought to assess the impact of the PAO on the careers of active duty members of the United States Armed Forces. Methods: A retrospective review identified 38 patients who underwent PAO performed by a single surgeon at an academic, military medical center from January 2014 through April 2017. Twenty-one of the patients were active duty United States military service members (16 female, 5 male) and had a minimum 28 months of post-operative follow-up at the time of review. Preoperative and postoperative duty restrictions were noted and referrals to the U.S Army and U.S. Air Force Medical Evaluation Boards (MEB) were queried. Results: The average age at surgery was 25.6 years (range, 19-40y). Preoperatively, sixteen patients (94.1%) were on duty restrictions, one had been referred to the MEB, and records were not available on three patients who separated from the military prior to review. Average follow-up was 3.4 years (range, 2.3 – 5.4y). Among the patients without a preoperative MEB referral, 85.0% remained on active duty (n = 12) or completed their military service commitment (n=5). Of the fourteen patients with temporary duty restrictions preoperatively, 35.7% (n=5) were relieved of their restrictions and returned to full duty and 50% (n=7) were retained on active service with permanent duty restrictions. Such permanent duty restrictions typically consisted of modifications to the aerobic component of the semiannual military fitness testing. Six patients (28.6%) were referred to the MEB including one who was referred prior to PAO. Of these patients, two were deemed fit to retain on active service with permanent duty restrictions, two were medically separated for non-hip conditions, and two were medically separated for a hip condition. The average Veteran Affairs (VA) disability score related to hip pathology in patients referred to MEB was 16% (range 0-40%). Conclusion: This is the first study to look at the PAO in active duty military service members. In patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia, PAO may provide an opportunity to relieve preoperative duty restrictions and allow for continued military service. Further study with the inclusion of patient reported outcomes are necessary assess the impact of the procedure in this active patient population.


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