Ovarian Vein Embolization With N-butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate Glubran-2® for the Treatment of Pelvic Venous Disorder

Background: There are few reports in the literature on the use of Glubran-2 for the embolization of ovarian veins in patients with pelvic venous disorder (PeVD). In addition, a consensus on the efficacy and safety of Glubran-2 has not been reached.Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of ovarian vein embolization (OVE) with N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (NBCA) Glubran-2 for the treatment of PeVD.Material and Methods: Between January 2013 and January 2020, 21 women (mean age, 43.9 ± 13.3 years) with PeVD who underwent OVE with Glubran-2 were evaluated. Of those patients, ovarian vein or pelvic venous plexus insufficiency was verified by duplex ultrasound and/or multislice computer tomography (MSCT). The symptoms and signs of PeVD included chronic pelvic pain (CPP) (21/21; 100%), dyspareunia (12/21; 57.1%), dysmenorrhea (10/21; 47.6%), and vulvar varices (3/21; 14.3%). The medical data were retrospectively reviewed.Results: Glubran-2 was employed as the sole embolic material in 18 cases (85.7%) and used to perform rescue embolization in 3 cases (14.3%) due to CPP recurrence 1 month after initial embolization using microcoils. Technically successful embolization was achieved using Glubran-2 in all patients. No Glubran-2 related complications were noted. Neither persistent nor recurrent CPP was observed during follow-up, for which the mean was 62 ± 38 months (range, 12–102 months). Clinical efficacy was evaluated, and all patients exhibited complete or slight improvement of CPP after embolization. The visual analog scale (VAS) score significantly decreased from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p < 0.001). Six patients (28.6%) gave birth to healthy babies during follow-up after embolization with Glubran-2.Conclusions: Ovarian vein embolization with Glubran-2 is a feasible and safe treatment for CPP secondary to PeVD. This treatment may represent a potential and attractive alternative when patients desire symptom relief and want to continue reproducing. Larger studies are warranted to confirm the findings of this study.

Urgent Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Wunderlich Syndrome With Hypovolemic Shock Secondary to Ruptured Renal Angiomyolipoma

Purpose: Wunderlich syndrome (WS) with hypovolemic shock secondary to ruptured renal angiomyolipoma (rAML) represents an urgent condition. Hence, we reported our experience with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using different embolic materials under this condition.Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 22 patients. Embolic materials including particles, microcoils, and liquid embolic agents were selectively used based on the decisions of interventional radiologists. Technical success was defined as the complete occlusion of bleeding vessels on the final renal angiogram. Clinical success was defined as the absence of re-hemorrhage needed for repeat endovascular or surgery treatment after TAE.Results: The articulated materials were used when WS presented without aneurysms; a combination of particulate materials and microcoils or Glubran 2 alone were used for WS with aneurysms. The technical success based on 24 episodes of TAEs in 22 patients was 100% (24 of 24). Repeat TAE was achieved in two patients with hemorrhages re-occurring two days after the initial embolization with microcoils alone. The clinical success was 90.9% (20 of 22). No nontarget embolization or embolization-related complications occurred during the TAE procedure. Of the patients, 27.3% (6 of 22) experienced minor complications of post-embolization syndrome (PES). During a median follow-up time of 34 months, no recurrent hemorrhage that required repeat endovascular or surgical treatment for hemostasis occurred.Conclusion: Urgent TAE with the selective use of different embolic materials is an effective alternative to control WS with hypovolemic shock secondary to ruptured rAML. The condition of presenting with or without aneurysms may determine the embolic materials employed.

Feasibility and safety of a new endoscopic synthetic sealant nebulizing device over gastric endoscopic submucosal dissections

Background Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) is the treatment of choice of superficial neoplastic gastrointestinal lesions. Delayed bleedings and perforations are still current clinical concerns. Glubran 2 is a synthetic cyanoacrylate-derived glue nowadays already widely used as an effective tissue adhesive. ENDONEB is a novel device thought for enabling the sealant nebulization over a specific targeted surface during laparotomy, laparoscopy, and thoracotomy. The aim of this single-center preclinical animal trial is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the same nebulization technique during ESD in the perspective that further clinical studies would demonstrate the efficacy of Glubran 2 in preventing post-ESD adverse events. Methods Four live Landrace pigs were enrolled. Two approximately 30-mm-wide gastric ESDs were performed in each pig (experimental ESD and control ESD). About 0.5 mL of Glubran 2 was nebulized on the experimental ESDs. Subjective perception of the feasibility of the Glubran 2 nebulization was reported. Pigs were clinically monitored at follow-up and upper GI endoscopy was performed at 24 and 48 hours, when animals were euthanized to perform a macroscopic and histological analysis of the specimens. Results No peri-procedural adverse events were reported. Glubran 2 nebulization over experimental ESDs showed to be technically easy and time-effective. Clinical and endoscopic animal monitoring was negative at follow-up. At 24 hours, the Glubran 2 film was clearly visible on the eschar of the ESDs and signs of initial hydrolysis were discernable at 48 hours. No signs of peritoneal reaction were observed at the macroscopic examination. Equal transmural inflammation was described at the histological examination of both types of ESDs. Conclusions Safety and feasibility profiles of Glubran 2 nebulizing ENDONEB device over ESD surfaces were excellent. Further evidences and human trials are needed to investigate its effectiveness in ESDs’ eschars sealing and, thus, in delayed micro-perforations and bleedings prevention and treatment.

The safety and efficacy of Glubran 2 as biliostatic agent in liver resection

Background Biloma, an encapsulated collection of bile outside the biliary tree, supported by a predominantly iatrogenic biliary fistula, and bile likeage are two of the most important surgical complications after liver resection. We, hypothesized to conduct a project aimed to prevent, or reduce, the formation of biloma or biliary fistula applying on the hepatic resection area the cyanoacrylate glue (Glubran2). Methods We searched in our surgical database all patients underwent liver resection for mCRC from January 2013 to December 2018 and we found a total of 510 patients. 205 patients for Group A (study population: included patients in which we have used Glubran2 during surgical procedure) and 113 patients for Group B (control group), were enrolled. Results In both Groups no patients died during hospitalization and the 30-day mortality was 0 %. During follow-up in Group A, a biliary fistula was found in 2 patients (1 %) versus 3 patients in the Group B (2,6 %). In patients enrolled in Group A no adverse event were reported relate to the use of Glubran2. Conclusions It is possible to affirm that the use of Glubran2 as biliostatic agent after liver resection is useful to prevent bile leakage complication and biloma formation and its use demonstrated to be safe and feasible during liver surgery.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for massive hemobilia with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) Glubran 2

Background Massive hemobilia is a life-threatening condition and therapeutic challenge. Few studies have demonstrated the use of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for massive hemobilia. Purpose To investigate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using NBCA Glubran 2 for massive hemobilia. Material and Methods Between January 2012 and December 2019, the data of 26 patients (mean age 63.4 ± 12.6 years) with massive hemobilia were retrospectively evaluated for TAE using NBCA. The patients’ baseline characteristics, severities of hemobilia, and imaging findings were collected. Emergent TAE was performed using 1:2–1:4 mixtures of NBCA and ethiodized oil. Technical success, clinical success, procedure-related complications, and follow-up outcomes were assessed. Results Pre-procedure arteriography demonstrated injuries to the right hepatic artery (n = 24) and cystic artery (n = 2). Initial coil embolization distal to the lesions was required in 5 (19.2%) patients to control high blood flow and prevent end-organ damage. After a mean treatment time of 11.2 ± 5.3 min, technical success was achieved in 100% of the patients without non-target embolization and catheter adhesion. Clinical success was achieved in 25 (96.2%) patients. Major complications were noted in 1 (3.8%) patient with gallbladder necrosis. During a median follow-up time of 16.5 months (range 3–24 months), two patients died due to carcinomas, whereas none of the patients experienced recurrent hemobilia, embolic material migration, or post-embolization complications. Conclusion NBCA embolization for massive hemobilia is associated with rapid and effective hemostasis, as well as few major complications. This treatment modality may be a promising alternative to coil embolization.

Ovarian Vein Embolization with N-butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate Glubran-2® for the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain Secondary to Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ovarian vein embolization using N- butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (NBCA) Glubran-2® in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS).Materials and Methods: Between January 2013 and June 2019, seven wo-men (mean age, 45.6±15.9 y) presenting with CPP secondary to PCS were evaluated for ovarian vein embolization with Glubran-2®. PCS was initially diagnosed by transva-ginal Doppler Ultrasound or CT and further confirmed by pelvic venography. Medical database was retrospectively reviewed.Results: Glubran-2 was employed as a sole embolic material in two cases, four cases subsequently underwent added microcoils in the opening of varicose ovarian vein trunk during the same procedure. Secondary embolization was achieved in one case due to CPP recurrence one month after initial embolization with microcoils. Technical success of ovarian vein embolization with Glubran-2 was achieved in all patients. There were no Glubran-2 related complications mid procedure and postintervention. With mean 62±40 months (range, 12-102 months) follow-up, neither persistent nor recurrent CPP was observed. Clinical efficacy was evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th months, complete or slight improvement of CPP after embolization were achieved in all patients. VAS score used to identify preintervention and postintervention significantly decreased (p<0.001). Two patients after Glubran-2 embolization gave birth to a healthy baby during follow-up.Conclusions: Ovarian vein embolization with Glubran-2 is a feasible and safe treatment of CPP secondary to PCS. In particularly, it appears to be a potential and attractive alternative when patients with the desires of symptom relief and reproduction.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for massive hemobilia with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) Glubran 2

Background Massive hemobilia is a life-threatening scenario and therapeutic challenge. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) Glubran 2 for massive hemobilia with arterial injuries. Methods From January 2014 to February 2019, 12 patients (mean age, 63.2 ± 12 years) with massive hemobilia were retrospectively evaluated for TAE using NBCA Glubran 2. Patient baseline characteristics, severities of hemobilia, and imaging findings were collected. Emergent TAE was performed using 1:2 − 1:4 mixtures of NBCA and ethiodized oil. Technical success, clinical success, procedure-related complications, and follow-up outcomes were assessed. Results Pre-procedure arteriography demonstrated injuries of the right hepatic artery (n = 10), and cystic artery (n = 2). Initial coil embolization distal to the lesions was required in 4 (33.3%) patients to control the high blood flow and prevent end-organ damage. After a mean treatment time of 10.1 ± 5.5 min, technical success was achieved in 100% of the patients without non-target embolization and catheter adhesion. Clinical success was achieved in 11 (91.7%) patients. Major complication was noted in 1 (8.3%) patient with gallbladder necrosis owing to embolization of the cystic artery. During a median follow-up time of 16 months (range, 6–36 months), one patient died owing to carcinoma, whereas no patient encountered recurrent hemobilia, embolic material migration or post-embolization complications. Conclusions TAE using NBCA Glubran 2 is a rapid, effective, and safe treatment modality for massive hemobilia. This treatment modality may be reserved as a promising alternative option to coil embolization.