Bulent Arslan

Outcomes of Therasphere Radioembolization for Colorectal Metastases

INTRODUCTION The liver is the most common site for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases. Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y90) represents an alternative approach in the management of unresectable hepatic colorectal metastases. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes after treatment with Y90. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of patients undergoing Y90 glass microsphere treatment for metastatic CRC from 2009 to 2013 was conducted. Multivariable analysis (MVA) of factors related to overall survival (OS) was performed using the Cox proportional hazard and OS estimates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS We identified 68 patients. Median and 2-year OS were 11.6 months and 34%. For patients with ≤ 25% hepatic burden of disease (HBD) and 1 chemotherapy regimen, 2-year OS was 63%. Median and 2-year OS for patients with ≤ 25% versus > 25% HBD were 19.6 months and 42% versus 3.4 months and 0% (P < .0001). Univariate analysis revealed that higher HBD, ≥ 3 lines of chemotherapy received, and higher carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were found to be significant predictors of worse OS. MVA revealed age, > 25% HBD, ≥ 3 lines of chemotherapy, and higher CEA were independently prognostic for increased mortality, and resected status of the primary tumor was associated with decreased mortality. The presence of extrahepatic metastases was not prognostic. Toxicities were mild and only 5 patients experienced Grade 3/4 biochemical toxicity. CONCLUSION Yttrium-90 was associated with acceptable OS with minimal morbidity in this series. Minimal exposure to chemotherapy and low HBD were found to be associated with better OS, however, even patients with chemotherapy-refractory disease received a benefit from treatment.

Appropriateness of systemic treatments in unresectable metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

AIM To evaluate systemic treatment choices in unresectable metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and provide consensus treatment recommendations. METHODS Systemic treatment options for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have expanded in recent years to include somatostatin analogs, angiogenesis inhibitors, inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin and cytotoxic agents. At this time, there is little data to guide treatment selection and sequence. We therefore assembled a panel of expert physicians to evaluate systemic treatment choices and provide consensus treatment recommendations. Treatment appropriateness ratings were collected using the RAND/UCLA modified Delphi process. After studying the literature, a multidisciplinary panel of 10 physicians assessed the appropriateness of various medical treatment scenarios on a 1-9 scale. Ratings were done both before and after an extended discussion of the evidence. Quantitative measurements of agreement were made and consensus statements developed from the second round ratings. RESULTS Specialties represented were medical and surgical oncology, interventional radiology, and gastroenterology. Panelists had practiced for a mean of 15.5 years (range: 6-33). Among 202 rated scenarios, disagreement decreased from 13.2% (26 scenarios) before the face-to-face discussion of evidence to 1% (2) after. In the final ratings, 46.5% (94 scenarios) were rated inappropriate, 21.8% (44) were uncertain, and 30.7% (62) were appropriate. Consensus statements from the scenarios included: (1) it is appropriate to use somatostatin analogs as first line therapy in patients with hormonally functional tumors and may be appropriate in patients who are asymptomatic; (2) it is appropriate to use everolimus, sunitinib, or cytotoxic chemotherapy therapy as first line therapy in patients with symptomatic or progressive tumors; and (3) beyond first line, these same agents can be used. In patients with uncontrolled secretory symptoms, octreotide LAR doses can be titrated up to 60 mg every 4 wk or up to 40 mg every 3 or 4 wk. CONCLUSION Using the Delphi process allowed physician experts to systematically obtain a consensus on the appropriateness of a variety of medical therapies in patients with PNETs.

Outcomes of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal nonvariceal hemorrhage referred to interventional radiology for potential embolotherapy.

Purpose: To report the outcomes following catheter angiography with or without embolization in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal nonvariceal hemorrhage (UGINH). Materials and Methods: A review of electronic medical records was performed to identify all potential patients for this study between 2001 and 2011. Patients with first-time UGINH who required angiographic localization and endovascular treatment were included. Patients with variceal bleeding and prior surgical or endovascular intervention for the gastrointestinal system were excluded. Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines and American College of Radiology “appropriateness criteria” reporting standards were followed. Results: We identified 74 patients (men/women=46/28) with a mean age of 60 years. Thirty-four patients were found to have active bleeding on angiography. One patient from this group did not undergo embolization because of an angiographic diagnosis of aortoenteric fistula. Technical failure was encountered in 2/34 patients; therefore, the technical success of embolization was 94%. Forty of 74 patients showed no angiographic evidence of active bleeding; 18 patients underwent prophylactic embolization using endoscopically placed clips as targets; and 22 patients had no embolotherapy. Thus, we grouped the patients into 3 groups: (1) therapeutic embolization; (2) prophylactic/empiric embolization; and (3) no embolotherapy groups. The clinical success of embolization was 67% to 68% in the therapeutic embolization group and 67% in the prophylactic embolization group. Early rebleeding rates were 33.8%, 51.6%, 33.3%, and 12% among all the patients, the therapeutic embolization group, the prophylactic embolization group, and the no endovascular treatment group, respectively. Mortality was significantly high in patients with advanced age (P=0.001), cerebrovascular disorders (P=0.037), and positive angiography (P=0.026), even when clinical success was achieved. Conclusions: Acute UGINH remains a clinical challenge with increased mortality rates, even with high technical success rates. Patients with negative findings on angiography have lower early rebleeding rates than patients with active bleeding during angiography or endoscopy-guided prophylactic/empiric embolization.

Irreversible electroporation in the curative treatment of Ewing's sarcoma.

Ewings sarcoma (ES) is the second most common paediatric cancer of the bone. Standard therapy includes surgery or radiation for local control of primary and relapsed lesions and chemotherapy for systemic control. Irreversible electroporation (IRE), which uses short electrical pulses to induce pores and ablate neoplastic cells, has emerged as an alternative method of local control for inoperable metastatic liver and lung lesions. We present the first case in which IRE was used for local control of bony ES. This method has achieved successful local tumour control in our patient for 3 years.

Delayed Retrograde Ascending Aortic Dissection After Endovascular Repair of Descending Dissection

We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who developed delayed retrograde ascending aortic dissection after previous endovascular repair of her descending thoracic aorta. Preoperative computed tomography imaging specifically highlights the interaction of endograft springs with the dissection flap and surrounding aortic tissues. Intraoperative findings are presented for comparison and further discussion.

Needle Tract Seeding Following Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) of Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma to the Liver

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an increasingly popular tissue ablative technology that creates pores in the cell membrane by means of electricity. For hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver, it can target lesions near ducts and vessels without risk of thrombosis or stricture. Its non-thermal mechanism, however, may allow for increased rates of needle tract seeding. We present the first known case report of peritoneal needle tract seeding following IRE. Case

The Changing Face of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Forecasting Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatitis C Cirrhosis

Background/objectives The purpose of this research is to analyze the past and forecast the future prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and their respective contribution to Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) incidence in the setting of novel anti-viral agents and rising obesity rates in the United States. Methods Existing data of HCV and NASH prevalence in the United States utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) was collected and analyzed to project future prevalence trends. Results Prevalence of NASH and HCV are expected to increase and decline respectively over the next two decades with alcoholic cirrhosis expected to stay relatively unchanged. The estimated prevalence of NASH equaled and overtook the projected prevalence of HCV in 2007 at approximately 3 million persons. Estimates of NASHs contribution to HCC overtook HCV-HCC in 2015 at an approximately 25 million persons. Projection models suggest HCV prevalence declining to 1 million active cases by 2025, while NASH potentially increases to 17-42 million depending on a linear or exponential trendline. Projections of NASH-HCC similarly outpace HCV-HCC by 2025 with 45 million or 106 million (linear, exponential) versus 18 million persons respectively. Conclusions The future prevalence of HCV and NASH are expected to become further divergent with NASH emerging as the major contributor of cirrhosis and HCC in the United States.

Rising Retrieval Rates of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in the United States: Insights From the 2012 to 2016 Summary Medicare Claims Data

BACKGROUND To determine recent inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) retrieval volumes and rates in the Medicare population. METHODS The summary Medicare claims data were searched for the years 2012 to 2016 to identify the frequency of IVCF placements and retrievals. The new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code for filter retrieval introduced in 2012, 37193, was used to track filter retrievals. Trends in number of IVCF placements and retrievals over the study period were evaluated, both of which were further stratified by physician specialty and site of service. Aggregate and compound annual growth rates for retrievals were also computed. RESULTS A total of 255,034 filters were placed over the study period, with the filter placement volume declining from 61,889 in 2012 to 38,095 in 2016. Filter retrievals, however, increased from 4,327 in 2012 to 8,405 in 2016. The net filter retrieval rate per annual filters placed increased from 6.9% in 2012 to 22.1% in 2016, yielding an average filter retrieval rate and compound annual growth rate of 11.6% and 18.1% respectively. Radiologists placed and retrieved the majority of filters (60.4% placed, 63.5% retrieved) compared with nonradiologists. The inpatient setting was the dominant site for filter placement compared with the outpatient setting for filter retrieval across all years and specialties. CONCLUSIONS Since introduction of the unique Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code for IVCF retrieval in 2012, IVCF placements in the Medicare population have been declining and net retrieval rates have risen. Radiologists continue to place and retrieve the majority of filters.

Hemodialysis Access Maintenance in the Medicare Population: An Analysis Over a Decade of Trends by Provider Specialty and Site of Service

PURPOSE To evaluate annual national trends in hemodialysis access maintenance procedures in the Medicare population by specialty and setting. METHODS Medicare Physician Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files between 2005 and 2015 were analyzed for procedure codes of hemodialysis access angiography and percutaneous thrombectomy. Using physician specialty codes, component procedure volume for endovascular services were queried for radiology, medicine, and surgery. Data entries were analyzed by provider specialty and place of service. Average submitted and allowed charges per intervention were extracted. Linear regression modeling was used to identify trends in number of and allowed charges by specialty and practice setting. RESULTS Between 2005 and 2015, the frequency of dialysis access angiography for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries increased by a total of 74.71% (211,181 to 368,955). Specialty-specific analysis demonstrated volume increases of 220.21% (22,128 to 101,109) for surgery, 249.02% (32,690 to 114,094) for medicine, and 2.81% (135,564 to 139, 367) for radiology. By 2015, an increased trend from hospital-based to non-hospital-based procedures associated with significantly higher reimbursement rates to providers (+18,798 non-hospital-based cases/year,

Percutaneous Endovascular Retrieval of a Migrated Permanent VenaTech LP Inferior Vena Cava Filter from the Right Ventricle

46.95/year, P ≤ .001) was also observed, with medicine performing the highest volume of non-hospital-based procedures. In this period, there was also a modest total overall increase of percutaneous thrombectomy procedures by 7.75% (61,485 to 66,250). CONCLUSIONS The frequency of endovascular hemodialysis access maintenance procedures in the Medicare fee-for-service program has increased from 2005 to 2015, with the majority market share transitioning from radiologists to non-radiologists. Similarly, most access maintenance in this time period changed from hospital-based to non-hospital-based interventions.