McKeown esophagectomy with concomitant median arcuate ligament release in a case of esophageal cancer with celiac artery stenosis

Background The celiac artery stenosis due to compression by median arcuate ligament (MAL) has been reported in many cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy, but not in cases of esophagectomy. Recently, the celiac artery stenosis due to MAL or arteriosclerosis has been reported to be associated with the gastric tube necrosis or anastomotic leakage following Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy. Herein, we present the first reported case of esophageal cancer with celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL successfully treated by McKeown esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction following prophylactic MAL release. Case presentation A 72-year-old female patient was referred to our department for esophagectomy. The patient had received two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU and cisplatin for T2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the middle esophagus. Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL. The development of collateral arteries around the pancreatic head was observed without evidence of aneurysm formation. The patient reported no abdominal symptoms. After robot-assisted esophagectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy, gastric mobilization, supra-pancreatic lymphadenectomy, and preparation of the gastric tube were performed under laparotomy. Subsequently, the MAL was cut, and released to expose the celiac artery. Improved celiac artery blood flow was confirmed by decreased pulsatility index on intraoperative Doppler sonography. The operation was completed with the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis following cervical lymphadenectomy. Postoperative CECT on postoperative day 7 demonstrated increased celiac artery patency. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course thereafter. Conclusions Prophylactic MAL release may be considered in patients with celiac artery stenosis due to compression by the MAL on preoperative CECT for esophagectomy.

Retrograde Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenting in Case of SMA Shuttering

This case describes a patient who underwent endovascular repair for an extent V thoracoabdominal aneurysm with planned coverage of the celiac artery. Following deployment of the stent graft, the superior mesenteric artery was shuttered, and the patient subsequently developed signs and symptoms of bowel ischemia. The patient underwent successful retrograde open superior mesenteric artery stenting with resolution of her symptoms. Although retrograde open mesenteric artery stenting (ROMS) has been primarily shown to be effective in acute mesenteric ischemia, this case demonstrates that ROMS can be used as a salvage option for shuttering during endovascular procedures.

Clinical Presentation, Imaging, and Management of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis: A Rare Vascular Disorder

Objectives Our objective was to analyze the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and the management of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) in different case scenarios within our medical institution. Materials and Methods We retrospectively analyzed 13 cases of SAM in our institution from July 2017 to March 2020. The images from the cases were collected from picture archiving and communication system (PACS) along with other pertinent clinical information from the hospital's information system. All the patients we studied underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) using a third-generation Siemens SOMATOM Force dual-source CT scanner. Once the dual-phase scanning was completed, the images were analyzed using the workstation's syngo.via software. Results Three out of the 13 cases required stent-grafting of the renal/celiac artery, and the involved branch of the superior mesenteric artery was embolized in one case. The rest of the cases were managed conservatively with antiplatelets/anticoagulants. Subsequent follow-ups of the patients were conducted and showed stabilization/regression of the initial findings without finding any evidence of worsening. Conclusion SAM should be considered when making a differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain when associated with dissection or aneurysms in splanchnic arteries, and in cases of unexplained intra-abdominal hemorrhaging. The radiologist needs to be aware of this possibility to raise suspicion, alert the clinician, and guide appropriate management.

Safety and Efficacy of Intentional Celiac Artery Coverage in Endovascular Management of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose: Thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has emerged as an attractive alternative option in the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) diseases, reporting lower morbidity and mortality rates compared with open or hybrid repair. A challenging situation arises when the aneurysm involves the celiac artery (CA), precluding a safe distal landing zone. We investigated the safety and efficacy of CA coverage in the treatment of complex TAAA diseases during endovascular management. Materials and Methods: A review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The electronic bibliographic sources searched were MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases. Primary outcomes of interest were perioperative and 30-day mortality. Any type of endoleak, mesenteric ischemia, perioperative spinal cord ischemia, and reintervention rates were secondary end points. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Summary statistics of event risks were expressed as proportions and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Ten observational cohort studies published between 2009 and 2020, reporting a total of 175 patients, were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Indications for TEVAR were primary TAAAs in 82% of patients, aortic dissection in 14% of patients, type Ib endoleak after previous endograft deployment in 3% of patients, and penetrating aortic ulcer in 1 patient. Reintervention rate was 9% (95% CI, 4%–20%) and spinal cord ischemia was 7% (95% CI, 4%–-12%). Type II endoleak was the predominant type of endoleak in 10% of patients (95% CI, 4%–22%), followed by type I endoleak in 5% of patients (95% CI, 2%–12%) and type III endoleak in 1% (95% CI, 0%–16%) of patients. Mesenteric ischemia occurred in 6% of patients (95% CI, 3%–10%). Thirty-day mortality was 5% (95% CI, 2%–13%) and the pooled estimate for overall mortality was 21% (95% CI, 14%–31%). Conclusions: Celiac artery coverage during TEVAR is a challenging but feasible option for the treatment of TAAA diseases, providing acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Demonstration of adequate visceral collateral pathways before definitive CA coverage is the sine quo non for the success of the technique.

Feasibility of utilizing ultra-low-dose contrast medium for pancreatic artery depiction using the combination of advanced virtual monoenergetic imaging and high-concentration contrast medium: an intra-patient study

Objectives The least amount of contrast medium (CM) should be used under the premise of adequate diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing ultra-low-dose (224 mgI/kg) CM for pancreatic artery depiction using the combination of advanced virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI+) and high-concentration (400 mgI/mL) CM. Materials and methods 41 patients who underwent both normal dose CM (ND-CM, 320 mgI/kg) and low dose CM (LD-CM, 224 mgI/kg) thoracoabdominal enhanced CT for tumor follow-up were prospectively included. The VMI+ at the energy level of 40-kev for LD-CM images was reconstructed. CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of the abdominal artery, celiac artery, and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and qualitative scores of pancreatic arteries depiction were recorded and compared among the three groups (ND-CM, LD-CM, and VMI+ LD-CM images). ANOVA and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis. Results All quantitative and qualitative parameters on LD-CM images were lower than that on ND-CM images (all p < 0.01). There were no significant differences of all arteries’ qualitative scores between ND-CM and VMI+ LD-CM images (all p > 0.05). VMI+ LD-CM images had the highest mean CT and CNR values of all arteries (all p < 0.0001). The CM volume was 52.6 ± 9.4 mL for the ND-CM group and 37.0 ± 6.7 mL for the LD-CM group. Conclusion Ultra-low-dose CM (224 mgI/kg) was feasible for depicting pancreatic arteries. Inferior angiographic image quality could be successfully compensated by VMI+ and high-concentration CM.