Akhmadu Muradi

Secondary aortoesophageal fistula after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for a huge aneurysm.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm is an excellent alternative to open surgery, especially in patients with a number of comorbidities. It may cause fatal complications, including aortoesophageal fistula, but these are very rare. Here, we report the case of secondary aortoesophageal fistula four months after the procedure for a huge descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, which presented with new-onset high-grade fever accompanied by elevated inflammatory markers.

Lessons learned from endovascular management of ureteroarterial fistula.

Stent graft placement for ureteroarterial fistula is the preferred treatment. However, some pitfalls may occur during the procedure. Chronic inflammation process will induce longer adhesion area between artery and ureter, which results in unusual fistula site and rigid iliac arteries. This further leads to difficulty in advancing the endograft delivery system, even when access route is large enough. Multiple attempts to pass the iliac artery may result in “incidental” mechanical provocative angiography with subsequent massive bleeding. These suggested us not only to be careful and prepared but also to consider that angiography after inserting the delivery system could give additional information on the exact fistula site.

Inhibition of Growth in a Rabbit VX2 Thigh Tumor Model with Intraarterial Infusion of Carbon Dioxide–Saturated Solution

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of intraarterial infusion of CO2-saturated solution in rabbit VX2 thigh tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen Japanese white rabbits had VX2 tumors implanted in the right femoral muscle 3 weeks before intraarterial infusion. Rabbits were divided into control and CO2 groups (n = 7 each). Fifty milliliters of solution (saline solution and CO2-saturated solution for the control and CO2 groups, respectively) was administered via a 24-gauge catheter in the ipsilateral iliac artery close to the feeding artery of the VX2 tumor. All rabbits were killed for tumor harvest on day 3 after the procedure. Tumor volume was evaluated with in vivo direct caliper measurement and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Tumor apoptotic changes were examined by DNA fragmentation assay and immunoblot analysis. The tumor growth ratio and apoptotic cell rate were analyzed. RESULTS Body weight was equally increased in both groups, but the mean tumor growth ratio was significantly decreased in the CO2 group compared with the control group (-9.5% ± 7.9 vs 27.2% ± 6.6 and 4.1% ± 4.4 vs 35.7% ± 4.5 measured by calipers and contrast-enhanced CT, respectively; P < .01). Apoptotic activity in the CO2 group was higher than in the control group (number of apoptotic cells per area, 215.0 ± 58.7 vs 21.8 ± 5.4; adjusted relative density of cleaved caspase-3, 0.23 ± 0.07 vs 0.04 ± 0.01; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Intraarterial infusion of CO2-saturated solution inhibits rabbit VX2 thigh tumor growth by activation of apoptotic cell death through cleaved caspase-3 upregulation.

Comparison of Volumetric and Diametric Analysis in Endovascular Repair of Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate computed tomography angiography (CTA) volumetric and diametric analysis after endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTAAs) and its correlation with and applicability for clinical follow up. METHODS Fifty-four consecutive endovascular repairs for DTAA were retrospectively evaluated from 2008 to 2014. All patients underwent pre-operative CTA and at least one post-operative CTA at 6 months. Fifty-four pre-operative and 137 post-operative CTAs were evaluated (using the Ziosoft 2 software) to analyze the aneurysm and thrombus volume, the maximum aneurysm diameter, and their changes at the last follow up CTA (mean 30.5 months; range 6.5-66.4 months). A statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between diameter and volume changes, as well as association with endoleaks. The cut off point to predict endoleaks was determined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The predictive accuracy of volume change versus diameter change for Type I endoleak was analyzed. RESULTS The mean pre-operative aneurysm diameter, aneurysm volume, and thrombus volume were 56.7 ± 11.7 mm, 145.8 ± 120.0 mL, and 48.8 ± 54.8 mL, respectively. Within the observational period, a mean decrease of -27.9 ± 30.5% in the aortic volume and -15.9 ± 15.4% in diameter was observed. Correlation between aneurysm diameter and volume changes was good (r = 0.854). Volume and diameter changes were significantly different between groups with and without endoleaks (volume change 16.9 ± 38.8% vs. -35.6 ± 23.1%, p < .001; diameter change 8.0 ± 12.1% vs. -18.8 ± 14.3%, p < .001). A pre-operative thrombus volume percentage of <11.3% and increase in aneurysm volume +11.6% were predictive factors for Type II and Type I endoleak, respectively. The accuracy of a >10% volume increase in predicting a Type I endoleak was higher (accuracy 96.3%, sensitivity 75%, and specificity 98%) than a >5 mm diameter increase (accuracy 92.6%, sensitivity 25%, and specificity 98%). CONCLUSIONS CT volumetric analysis is a more reliable modality for predicting endoleaks after endovascular repair for DTAA than diameter analysis.

Successful n-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization of a spontaneous rupture of the internal mammary artery in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: report of a case

Hemomediastinum and hemothorax due to spontaneous internal mammary artery (IMA) rupture is extremely rare, and can be a life-threatening condition. We herein present, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of spontaneous IMA rupture complicating myelodysplastic syndrome, and the first case that was successfully treated by emergency trans-arterial embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate.

Hybrid management for spontaneous isolated dissection of the iliofemoral artery.

Acute spontaneous and isolated dissection of the iliofemoral artery is an extremely rare entity. Conservative, surgical, and endovascular treatment have been used to treat such cases. To the best of our knowledge we report the first case of using hybrid management to successfully treat isolated external iliac artery dissection extending to the superficial femoral artery. This method could potentially overcome the limitations of endovascular techniques and minimize use of extensive open surgery.

Management of type II endoleak after endovascular repair of arteriocaval fistula complicating aortoiliac aneurysm: case report and literature review.

Endovascular treatment for arteriocaval fistula (ACF) has become the preferred alternative to open repair. However, endoleaks sometimes occur and maintain the ACF. A 64-year-old man presented with persistent fistula after placement of a bifurcated stent-graft for ACF complicating an aortoiliac aneurysm that was maintained by endoleaks from the inferior mesenteric and lumbar arteries. Transarterial embolization of the aneurysm sac and inferior mesenteric artery successfully resolved the problem without any complications observed over 16 months of follow-up. A literature review and discussion of the management options for this entity are presented. A combination of inflow and outflow control is important to obtain better long-term outcomes.

Modified interventional obliteration for variceal hemorrhage from elevated jejunum after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy

Ectopic variceal hemorrhage caused by sinistral portal hypertension after splenic vein ligation during a pyloric-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy is a rare entity. We report the case of a 58-year-old man with symptoms of refractory melena. The varices could not be treated endoscopically and surgery was considered unsuitable due to severe adhesions and altered anatomy. Following clinical failure of partial splenic embolization, an alternative obliteration method by a retrograde trans-portal-venous approach was successfully performed and resolved the problem. It seems to be an effective method for ectopic variceal bleeding, especially when other interventions are unavailable or highly risky.

Iliac Leg and Abdominal Aortic Cuff Stent-Graft for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury in Young Patient

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury in young adults with small aortic diameter often encounters high difficulty. We report, to our knowledge, the first case of successful treatment using combination of iliac leg and abdominal aortic cuff stent-graft.