Radiofrequency ablation treatment of periacetabular chondrosarcoma: A case report

Needle biopsy of an incidental periacetabular bone lesion in an 18-year-old female showed a low-grade cartilaginous tumor. Based on the imaging and pelvic location, the tumor was considered a Grade I chondrosarcoma. Due to the young age, incidental discovery, and low metastatic potential, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was recommended in favor over traditional wide en bloc resection. The patient has been radiographically and clinically stable for 2 years. RFA has not been previously reported for low-grade chondrosarcoma. Its use should be done only with careful consideration and diligent follow-up in this setting.

Fogarty-assisted flow redirection during conventional transarterial chemoembolization for caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy. Approximately 8% of patients with HCC are not suitable candidates for curative options. Caudate lobe HCC presents technical challenges for interventional radiologists. Caudate lobe HCC has higher local recurrence and poorer survival rate than other segments. Transarterial treatments of caudate HCC are difficult due to extreme variation of arterial supply. We present a case of a caudate lobe HCC with supply from the proper hepatic artery, which underwent successful conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (cTACE) by utilizing a Fogarty catheter to direct the embolic material. The patient presented 5 days following the procedure with duodenitis and pancreatitis, which were managed conservatively. Follow-up imaging at 1 month showed significant improvement of the ischemic duodenitis/pancreatitis with successful cTACE.

A novel method of mechanical thrombectomy utilizing a stent retriever device with continuous aspiration prior to intracranial vascular embolectomy technique for acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion: A case report

Acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion resulting from a thrombus formation carries a high mortality risk and therefore immediate diagnosis and treatment are warranted. In recent years, mechanical thrombectomy by interventional radiology has become a viable treatment option if the occlusion has not advanced to intestinal necrosis. We present a rare and interesting case involving a patient with acute SMA occlusion which was completely recanalized by mechanical thrombectomy utilizing a stent retriever device and the continuous aspiration prior to intracranial vascular embolectomy (CAPTIVE) technique. The CAPTIVE technique has become widely adopted in recent years to treat large vessel occlusions in the cerebrovascular region due to thrombi. First, a microcatheter with a microguidewire is advanced through the occlusive thrombus coaxially with an aspiration catheter. Next, a stent retriever is deployed in the thrombotic body and the aspiration catheter is advanced adjacently to the proximal part of the thrombus with strong aspiration until no backflow is present. After checking for backflow from the aspiration catheter, the microcatheter delivering the stent is removed to increase the aspiration force. Finally, the stent retriever and the aspiration catheter are retrieved as a single unit. An 87-year-old female patient with a history of atrial fibrillation (AF), chronic heart failure, aortic valve stenosis, hypertension, type2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia was admitted to our hospital complaining of sudden onset upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. On arrival, her body temperature was 36.0°C (96.8°F), blood pressure was 131/75 mmHg, heart rate was 115 beats/min with AF rhythm, and her white blood cell count was 18,100 cells/μL. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a contrast defect in the SMA which we later diagnosed as an acute occluding thrombus of the SMA. Initially, we attempted aspiration of the thrombus but were unsuccessful, so we transitioned to mechanical thrombectomy utilizing a stent retriever device with CAPTIVE technique which rapidly and completely recanalized the occluded SMA. After the procedure, the patient’s abdominal pain immediately subsided. Normal stool was observed 2 days after the procedure and oral feeding was subsequently initiated. Twelve days after the procedure, the patient was discharged from the hospital in good health.

Percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement in a patient with prior sleeve gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomies have quickly become the most common bariatric weight loss surgery performed in the United States (U.S.). Given that hundreds of thousands of gastrostomy tubes (G tubes) are also placed each year, the number of patients with prior sleeve gastrectomies requiring a G tube will surely rise in the coming years. The case presented herein is a patient with prior sleeve gastrectomy who underwent percutaneous G tube placement.

Endovascular retrieval of two migrated stents from pulmonary artery by means of balloon catheter

Long-term central venous catheters can be associated with central venous stenosis in up to 50% of cases. Central venous stenosis can be managed with central venous stenting which was demonstrated to restore patency and improve suboptimal results after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Dislodgment of venous stents into the right side of the heart or the pulmonary artery during stent deployment is one of the most feared complications of this procedure. Percutaneous removal of these migrated stents is the preferred alternative for the more invasive operative intervention, which may be very hazardous in these patients. We report an unusual case of a 52-year-old man on hemodialysis who underwent endovascular stenting to treat a tight stenosis of the right brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava and suffered from stent migration to the left pulmonary artery, requiring removal by interventional radiologist.

Quantification of Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin liver perfusion as a predictor of tumor response to intra-arterial therapy with yttrium 90 spheres

Objectives: It remains unclear whether quantifying the pre-therapy tumor Technetium 99m macro aggregated albumin (Tc 99m MAA) localization can accurately predict the response to Yttrium 90 (Y-90) spheres therapy. Present studies are limited and with contradictory results. The aim of this study is to determine if quantification of Tc-99m MAA in hepatic tumor lesion(s) on pretherapy planning nuclear scan can predict the degree of tumor response after radioembolization using Y-90 Spheres. Material and Methods: We retrospectively included patients with primary liver cancers or metastases who were treated with SirSpheres or TheraSpheres. All patients had a Tc-99m MAA scan with an average dose of 5.0mCi injected aseptically in either the right, left, or common hepatic artery. The patients were subsequently transferred for imaging using planar and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the abdomen and planar images of the chest. We calculated geometric mean of radiotracer counts in the largest lesion in the lobe to be treated by placing same size region of interest (ROI) around the largest lesion on the anterior and posterior planar images. Subsequently, an irregular ROI around the liver or lobe to be treated were drawn to calculate the geometric mean of counts in the liver. The percent tracer accumulation in the largest lesion was calculated by dividing the geometric mean of counts in the largest lesion by the geometric mean of counts in the liver or lobe and multiplying by 100%. The size of this largest lesion was obtained on the most recent CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cm in 2 directions prior to treatment with Y-90 Spheres. The extent of the response to Y-90 Spheres therapy was re-evaluated with 3 months follow-up MRI or CT by measuring the decrease in the largest lesion size. Comparison of the percent Tc-99 MAA count accumulation in the largest lesion on the pre-therapy scan with the reduction in size using anatomic imaging was performed. Results: A total of 30 patients were included (16 hepatocellular carcinoma, eight colorectal, three breast, one neuroendocrine, one cholangiocarcinoma, and one cervical metastases). There were 14 patients in stable disease or progressive disease group (SD/PD gp) and 16 patients in partial response or complete response group (PR/CR gp). The median lesion size was 3.5 cm in the PD/SD gp versus 2.8 cm in the PR/CR gp (P = 0.31). Additionally, the median delivered Y90 Spheres treatment dose was 51.3 mCi in the PD/SD versus 43.2 mCi in the PR/CR gp (P = 0.22). The percent median largest lesion to liver concentration was 21.9% in the PR/CR gp versus 23.3% in the PR/CR gp (P = 0.74). There was no significant difference in percent Tc-99m MAA distribution in the largest liver lesion between the SD/PD gp and the PR/CR gp. Conclusion: The degree of Tc-99m MAA localization in the largest tumor lesion in the liver compared to the remainder of the liver as quantified from planar images does not predict the response to Y-90 spheres therapy.

Balloon-assisted inferior vena cava filter retrieval: A novel technique to enhance irretrievable filter extraction

Although the use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters has expanded, complications have led to the recommendation to remove all unnecessary filters. Several techniques exist to aid in retrieving irretrievable IVC filters. The balloon-assisted retrieval technique has previously been described to aid in cases of an embedded hook. This report describes an alternative use of the balloon-assisted technique, specifically to aid in the retrieval of Greenfield IVC filters in cases of strut perforation of the cava wall. This technique was successfully performed in six out of six attempted cases with no associated complications.

Provocative mesenteric angiography for localizing ambiguous gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Objectives: Five percent of patients with recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage have indeterminate origin by radiological and endoscopic examinations. To improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic embolization, the technique of provocative mesenteric angiography (PMA) has been developed. It involves the addition of pharmacologic agents to standard angiographic protocols to induce bleeding. Material and Methods: This is an institutional review board-approved, retrospective study of 20 patients who underwent PMA between 2014 and 2019. All patients had clinical evidence of GI hemorrhage without a definite source. PMA consisted of anticoagulation with 5000 units of heparin and selective transcatheter injection of up to 600 μg of nitroglycerine, followed by slow infusion of up to 24 mg of tissue plasminogen activator into the arterial distribution of the highest suspicion mesenteric artery. Results: Among the 20 patients who underwent PMA, 11/20 (55%) resulted in angiographically visible extravasation. Of these 11 patients, nine patients underwent successful embolization with coil or glue and were discharged upon achieving hemodynamic stability. Two patients spontaneously stopped bleeding. In our series, PMA resulted in the successful treatment of 9/20 (45%) patients with recurrent hemorrhage. No procedure-associated complications were reported with these 20 patients during the procedure and their course of hospitalization. Conclusion: In our experience, PMA is an effective and safe approach in localizing and treating the source of GI bleeding in about half of patients with an otherwise unidentifiable source.

Is percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy safer than percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy?

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to compare the indications, adverse events, removal rates, and mortality of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) techniques at our tertiary care institution from 2014 to 2019. Material and Methods: We undertook a 5-year retrospective review of patients who underwent either PEG or PRG at our institution from 2014 to 2019. Common adverse events include tube clogs, leaks, minor bleeds, and wound infections, while more rare major complications include peritonitis, intra-abdominal infection, and major hemorrhage. The procedures were all performed with either conscious sedation or general anesthesia. A total of 789 patients were reviewed, of whom 519 (65.8%) had a PRG and 270 (34.2%) had a PEG. PRGs were more likely to be placed for head-and-neck cancer (P < 0.0001) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (P < 0.0001), while PEGs were more likely to be placed for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) (P <.0001) and malnutrition (P < 0.0001). Results: The rate of major adverse events was similar between the two groups (P = 0.938). GI placed gastrostomy tubes were more likely to have a minor adverse event (P < 0.0001), however, this was secondary to a significant increase in tube clog in the PEG/J group as compared to PEG (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The decision to place a PEG or PRG should be individualized to the patient’s specific condition and indication. Both procedures have favorable safety profiles, and it is likely that institutional expertise and procedural access will be the primary determinants of the procedural technique chosen for minimally invasive gastrostomy.

A rare case of recurrent cystic dilatation of the cisterna chyli treated via an interventional approach

A 27-year-old man with a long history of intermittent, severe abdominal pain for approximately 10 years was evaluated by interventional radiology for a retrocrural cystic lesion found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Prior to evaluation, he was extensively worked up by several gastrointestinal specialties and multiple surgeons without clear etiology of his abdominal pain. This retrocrural cystic lesion found on MRI was thought to be the source of his cyclic abdominal pain occurring every few months. Since the pain was aggravated by the consumption of fatty foods, the patient was advised to intake a large quantity of fatty foods and return for repeat serial computed tomography (CT) scans until this cystic lesion could be identified. Once identified, he was taken back to the procedural CT scanner for drainage and embolization with a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue and lipiodol (1:3 ratio). 3 years post-intervention, this patient is now asymptomatic with complete resolution of his pain.