Achilles Chatziioannou

Imaging and localization of pancreatic insulinomas

For pancreatic insulinomas, the treatment of choice is surgical excision, which when successful is curative. Intraoperative palpation combined with ultrasonography theoretically depict almost all tumors, however the accuracy of palpation is improved by the preoperative localization. All recent advances in imaging have improved the likelihood for curative surgical resection. Our purpose is to demonstrate the characteristics of all modalities, which may be used in the preoperative localization algorithm.

Complications of Lower-Extremity Outpatient Arteriography via Low Brachial Artery

We retrospectively evaluated low brachial artery puncture for arteriography and its complications as an alternative approach route for bilateral lower extremity run-off. Using the Seldinger technique and catheterization with a sheathless 4-F multiple side-hole pigtail catheter, we performed 2250 low brachial artery punctures in outpatients.The right brachial artery (RBA) was successfully punctured in 2039 patients; the left brachial artery (LBA) in 200. The transfemoral approach was used in 11 patients when catheterizing either of brachial arteries failed. Ten major or moderate complications (2 pseudoaneurysms, 2 thrombosis, 1 dissection and 5 hematomas) were encountered. Surgical intervention was necessary in three cases. There were no transient ischemic attacks. Twenty-one patients suffered temporary loss of radial pulse which returned spontaneously in less than 1 hour. One patient demonstrated prolonged loss of pulse which required heparin. Low brachial artery puncture and catheterization at the antecubital fossa is a very safe and cost-effective alternative to the femoral artery approach for lower extremity intra-arterial arteriography in the hands of experienced operators. The success rate in catheterizing one of the brachial arteries was 99.52% with a low significant complications rate of 0.44%. The transbrachial approach should be used as a standard method for lower extremity IA - DSA in an outpatient setting.

Embolization of a Segmental Renal Artery Pseudoaneurysm after Partial Nephrectomy in a Solitary Kidney

Renal pseudoaneurysms are a well-documented complication following trauma or after percutaneous biopsy. When symptomatic, patients present with hematuria and deteriorating renal function. We present the case of a 62-year-old man who, due to development of a pseudoaneurysm, presented with gross hematuria 10 days after partial nephrectomy for a renal cell carcinoma in a single kidney. A segmental artery was embolized with stainless steel coils without significant loss of the limited renal vascularization.

Management of Renal Angiomyolipoma by Selective Arterial Embolization

4 Patients with renal angiomyolipomas are presented. One of them had tuberous sclerosis with synchronous bilateral tumors. All the patients were symptomatic, 2 of them with retroperitoneal hemorrhage. In all patients selective arterial embolization was performed. Permanent control of the symptoms was successful in 2 patients. In 1 patient temporary resolution of the symptoms was observed, and a second embolization was required. Retroperitoneal bleeding in 1 patient continued and nephrectomy was undertaken.

Acute Iliac Artery Rupture: Endovascular Treatment

The authors present 7 patients who suffered iliac artery rupture over a 2 year period. In 5 patients, the rupture was iatrogenic: 4 cases were secondary to balloon angioplasty for iliac artery stenosis and 1 occurred during coronary angioplasty. In the last 2 patients, the rupture was secondary to iliac artery mycotic aneurysm. Direct placement of a stent-graft was performed in all cases, which was dilated until extravasation was controlled. Placement of the stent-graft was successful in all the cases, without any complications. The techniques used, results, and mid-term follow-up are presented. In conclusion, endovascular placement of a stent-graft is a quick, minimally invasive, efficient, and safe method for emergency treatment of acute iliac artery rupture, with satisfactory short- and mid-term results.

Transcatheter arterial embolization as therapy of renal angiomyolipomas: The evolution in 15 years of experience

OBJECTIVE This study aims at presenting the evolution of the embolization technique in treating renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) either diagnosed in patients with acute bleeding or discovered accidentally. METHODS Ten patients with renal AMLs have been through thirteen selective transcatheter arterial embolizations for 15 years. Two patients had tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with bilateral tumors and were embolized twice. Four embolic materials were employed: PVA particles, Gianturco coils, microspheres and microcoils. Catheterization was achieved by means of 5F Cobra 2 catheters and coaxial microcatheter systems. RESULTS On an emergency basis, embolization was a first-line treatment. In one case, surgery was necessary; in two patients, a second embolization was performed. When treatment was preventive, a single embolization proved to be sufficient, as well. There was no significant deterioration of the serum creatinine levels in the post-embolization period. CONCLUSION Selective arterial embolization is a rather safe and effective technique to treat AMLs both urgently and preventively. Different embolic materials can be employed. Microspheres and microcatheters stand for new promising materials.

Superselective Microcoil Embolization of a Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Cavernosal Artery

According to the literature, straddle injuries of the perineum may result in arteriosinusoidal fistula and secondary high-flow priapism. We report a case of a 23-year-old man who developed a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the cavernosal artery, secondary to straddle injury, and presented with painless priapism. It was treated successfully with superselective microcoil embolization and the priapism resolved.

ULTRASOUND AND BIOCHEMICAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF VULNERABLE CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and characterization of vulnerable carotid plaque remains the spearhead of scientific research. Plaque destabilization, the key factor that induces the series of events leading to the clinical symptoms of carotid artery disease, is a consequence of complex mechanical, structural and biochemical processes. Novel imaging and molecular markers have been studied as predictors of disease outcome with promising results. The aim of this review is to present the current state of research on the association between ultrasound-derived echogenicity indices and blood parameters indicative of carotid plaque stability and activity. Bibliographic research revealed that there are limited available data. Among the biomarkers studied, those related to oxidative stress, lipoproteins and diabetes/insulin resistance are associated with echolucent plaques, whereas adipokines are associated with echogenic plaques. Biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation have not exhibited any conclusive relationship with plaque echogenicity, and it is not possible to come to any conclusion regarding calcification-, apoptosis- and neo-angiogenesis-related parameters because of the extremely limited bibliographic data.

Childhood central nervous system tumour mortality and survival in Southern and Eastern Europe (1983-2014 ): Gaps persist across 14 cancer registries.

AIM Childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumour registration and control programs in Southern and Eastern Europe remain thin, despite the lethal nature of the disease. Mortality/survival data were assembled to estimate the burden of malignant CNS tumours, as well as the potential role of sociodemographic survival determinants across 14 cancer registries of this region. METHODS Average age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated, whereas time trends were quantified through Poisson and Joinpoint regressions. Kaplan-Meier curves were derived for the maximum and the more recent (10 and 5 year) registration periods. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess demographic and disease-related determinants. RESULTS Variations in mortality (8-16 per million) and survival (5-year: 35-69%) were substantial among the participating registries; in most registries mortality trend was stable, whereas Bulgaria, having the highest starting rate, experienced decreasing annual mortality (-2.4%, p=0.001). A steep decrease in survival rates was evident before the second year of follow-up. After controlling for diagnostic subgroup, age, gender and diagnostic year, Greece seemed to present higher survival compared with the other contributing registries, although the follow-up period was short. Irrespective of country, however, rural residence was found to impose substantial adverse repercussions on survival (hazard ratio (HR): 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-1.4). CONCLUSION Cross-country mortality and survival variations possibly reflect suboptimal levels of health care delivery and cancer control in some regions of Southern and Eastern Europe, notwithstanding questionable death certification patterns or follow-up procedures. Continuous childhood cancer registration and linkage with clinical data are prerequisite for the reduction of survival inequalities across Europe.

Endovascular Treatment of Renal Arteriovenous Malformations

We report a case of renal arteriovenous malformation treated with superselective endovascular embolization using a light mixture of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate and Lipiodol. Diagnostic imaging modalities and treatment methods are discussed. In conclusion, successful superselective embolization should be the standard of care.