Gyoung Min Kim

Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for the Treatment of Gastric Variceal Hemorrhage

Objective To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) to treat gastric variceal hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension. Materials and Methods From May 2012 to June 2014, 19 patients (11 men and 8 women, median age; 61, with history of gastric variceal hemorrhage; 17, active bleeding; 2) who underwent PARTO using a vascular plug and a gelfoam pledget were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and laboratory data were examined to evaluate primary (technical and clinical success, complications) and secondary (worsening of esophageal varix [EV], change in liver function) end points. Median follow-up duration was 11 months, from 6.5 to 18 months. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare laboratory data before and after the procedure. Results Technical success (complete occlusion of the efferent shunt and complete filling of gastric varix [GV] with a gelfoam slurry) was achieved in 18 of 19 (94.7%) patients. The embolic materials could not reach the GV in 1 patient who had endoscopic glue injection before our procedure. The clinical success rate (no recurrence of gastric variceal bleeding) was the same because the technically failed patient showed recurrent bleeding later. Acute complications included fever (n = 2), fever and hypotension (n = 2; one diagnosed adrenal insufficiency), and transient microscopic hematuria (n = 3). Ten patients underwent follow-up endoscopy; all exhibited GV improvement, except 2 without endoscopic change. Five patients exhibited aggravated EV, and 2 of them had a bleeding event. Laboratory findings were significantly improved after PARTO. Conclusion PARTO is technically feasible, safe, and effective for gastric variceal hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension.

Uterine Artery Embolization for Adenomyosis: Percentage of Necrosis Predicts Midterm Clinical Recurrence.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of degree of necrosis after uterine artery embolization (UAE) on symptom recurrence at midterm clinical follow-up in patients with adenomyosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Women (N = 50) who underwent UAE for symptomatic adenomyosis were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at baseline and 3 months after UAE and were followed clinically for at least 18 months. The type of adenomyosis was classified as focal or diffuse. The uterine volume and the percentage of necrosis after embolization were measured three-dimensionally on MR imaging. The percentage of the necrosis cutoff point for predicting recurrence was estimated. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the cutoff point. The rate of recurrence was compared between groups, and risk factors for recurrence were identified. RESULTS During the follow-up period (range, 18-48 mo), symptom recurrence occurred in 12 of 50 patients. A necrosis cutoff point of 34.3% was calculated to predict recurrence (area under the curve = 0.721; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.577-0.839; P = .004). Patients with < 34.3% necrosis (group A, n = 12) were at a significantly higher risk of recurrence than patients with > 34.3% necrosis (group B, n = 38; hazard ratio = 7.0; 95% CI = 2.2, 22.4; P = .001). Initial uterine volume and type of adenomyosis were not associated with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS The percentage of necrosis in patients with adenomyosis after UAE may predict symptom recurrence at midterm follow-up. The cutoff percentage of necrosis required to predict symptom recurrence was 34.3% in this study.

Risk factors for stent graft-induced new entry after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for Stanford type B aortic dissection

Objective: Stent graft‐induced new entry (SINE) has been increasingly observed after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford type B aortic dissection. SINE is often life threatening, and reintervention is required. This study investigated risk factors for SINE after TEVAR. Methods: From July 2001 to June 2013, we retrospectively analyzed data from 79 patients who underwent TEVAR for Stanford type B aortic dissection. TEVAR was performed in 17 patients ≤2 weeks (acute) after the diagnosis of aortic dissection and in the remaining 62 patients >2 weeks (chronic) after diagnosis. Forty‐two of the patients underwent TEVAR with modified stent graft with an “inwardly bent” margin, and the remaining 37 underwent TEVAR with a conventional stent graft. The maximal diameter, minimal diameter, mean diameter, circumference, and area of the true lumen were analyzed. Taper ratio and oversizing ratio were evaluated and compared between the SINE and non‐SINE groups, and cutoff values of taper ratio and oversizing ratio for prediction of SINE were determined using receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis. The cumulative incidence of SINE was estimated with the Kaplan‐Meier method. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent predictive variables for SINE. Results: SINE occurred in 21 patients (26.5%) and occurred more frequently in patients with chronic dissection than in those with acute dissection (32.3% vs 5.9%; P = .032). The Kaplan‐Meier curves were significantly different (P = .016) between these groups. The incidence of SINE events was not significantly different between the modified stent group and nonmodified stent group (23.8% vs 36.0%; P = .284). The taper ratio and oversizing ratio by maximal diameter, mean diameter, circumference, and area were significantly higher in the SINE group than in the non‐SINE group, and Kaplan‐Meier curves were significantly different between groups above and below optimal cutoff value (P < .0005 to .003). According to multivariate analysis, the hazard ratios of chronic aortic dissection were 6.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.83–47.74; P = .075) to 7.80 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–59.07; P = .047). The taper ratio and oversizing ratio calculated by maximal diameter, mean diameter, circumference, and area were independent predictors of the development of SINE. Conclusions: Distal oversizing of the stent graft was an independent predictor of the development of SINE. Appropriate size selection of stent graft without distal oversizing might reduce the risk of late SINE events.

Hepatocellular Carcinomas Smaller Than 4 cm Supplied by the Intercostal Artery: Can We Predict Which Intercostal Artery Supplies the Tumor?

Objective To predict which intercostal artery supplies a tumor by examining the spatial relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the intercostal artery feeding the tumor on transverse computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods Between January 2000 and September 2009, 46 intercostal arteries supplying HCCs smaller than 4 cm were noted in 44 patients, and CT scans and angiograms of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. The intercostal artery feeding the tumor was marked on the CT scan showing the center of the tumor. In addition, its spatial relationship with the tumor center was examined. The angle of the tumor location was measured on the transverse CT scan in the clockwise direction from the sagittal line on the virtual circle centered in the right hemithorax. Correlations between the angle of the tumor location and the level of the tumor-feeding intercostal artery were assessed with the Spearman rank coefficient. Results Of 46 intercostal arteries feeding HCC, 39 (85%) were the first ones observed from the tumor center in a counterclockwise direction on the transverse CT image containing the tumor center. The level of the tumor-feeding intercostal artery was significantly correlated with the angle of the tumor, as the posteriorly located tumor tends to be supplied by lower intercostal arteries, while the laterally located tumor by upper intercostal arteries (Spearman coefficient = -0.537; p < 0.001). Conclusion We can predict the tumor feeder with an accuracy of 85% as the first intercostal artery encountered from the tumor center in a counterclockwise direction on a transverse CT image.

Conventional versus drug-eluting beads chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: Emphasis on the impact of tumor size

This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using drug‐eluting beads (DEB).

Tumor size might not distinguish outcomes between conventional and drug-eluting chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using drug‐eluting beads (DEB).

Comparison of treatment outcomes between balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for gastric variceal bleeding hemostasis

Both balloon‐occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are considered effective treatments for gastric variceal bleeding (GVB). In this study, outcomes of these two procedures were compared in managing patients with GVB.

Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic fibroids in postmenopausal women

PURPOSE The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic fibroids in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS Among 900 cases who underwent UAE between 2007 and 2013, a total of 9 postmenopausal women with symptomatic fibroids (n=6) and fibroid with adenomyosis (n=3) were included in this retrospective study. Ages ranged from 49 to 55years (median of 52). The embolic agent was nonspherical polyvinyl alcohol particles. We evaluated 18 uterine arteries in nine patients and compared the size of the uterine artery relative to inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in preprocedural magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before and 3months after UAE. Predominant fibroid and uterine volumes were calculated from MR images. RESULTS Urinary frequency was the most common symptom, observed in seven patients (77.8%). Of two patients (22.2%) with vaginal bleeding from submucosal myomas, one patient had been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). One patient underwent UAE due to growing leiomyoma after HRT. All of the 18 uterine arteries were bigger than the corresponding IMAs in MR angiography. Contrast-enhanced MRI revealed complete necrosis of the predominant fibroid in all patients. Eight (88.9%) of the nine participants demonstrated resolution of symptoms. The mean predominant fibroid and uterine volume reduction rates were 39.7% and 36.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In postmenopausal women, UAE was effective to treat symptomatic fibroids, and it could be considered as an alternative treatment to hysterectomy.

Korean Multicenter Registry of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization with Drug-Eluting Embolic Agents for Nodular Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Six-Month Outcome Analysis

PURPOSE To assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolic (DEE) agents for nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study design was a prospective multicenter registry-based, single-arm clinical trial that included 152 patients. One hundred three (67.8%) had a Child-Pugh class/score of A5, 114 (75.0%) had a performance status of 0, and 77 (50.7%) had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A disease. The DEE chemoembolization procedures were performed with DC Bead particles loaded with doxorubicin solution. The primary endpoint of the study was 6-month tumor response assessed per modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors. Secondary endpoints were treatment safety and overall survival. RESULTS At 1-month posttreatment assessment, complete response (CR) and objective response (OR; ie, CR or partial response) rates were 40.1% and 91.4%, respectively. At 6-month assessment, 121 patients remained for analysis, and CR and OR rates were 43.0% and 55.4%, respectively. The cumulative progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months was 65.0%. Child-Pugh score, tumor multiplicity, and tumor size were independent predictors of PFS (P = .020, P = .029, and P = .001, respectively). There was no 30-day mortality. The overall 6-month survival rate was 97.4%. There were no grade 4 adverse events or laboratory changes. Serious adverse events were reported in 7.2% of patients, and persistent deterioration of liver function was observed in 3.9%. Prominent biliary injury was demonstrated in 19.7% of patients. No liver abscess was observed. CONCLUSIONS DEE chemoembolization for nodular HCC had an acceptable safety profile and acceptable 6-month tumor response and survival rates.

Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Sorafenib in a Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumor Model: Pharmacokinetics and Antitumor Effect

PURPOSE To investigate feasibility, safety, and effect of transarterial chemoembolization using sorafenib on degree of tumor necrosis in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS New Zealand White rabbits (n = 20) with a VX2 tumor were divided into two groups; one group was treated with hepatic arterial administration of 0.5 mL ethiodized oil alone (Lipiodol; Guerbet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France) (transarterial embolization with Lipiodol [TAE-L] group), and one group was treated with 0.5 mL ethiodized oil plus 10 mg sorafenib (transarterial embolization with sorafenib [TAE-S] group). Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure sorafenib concentration in peripheral blood and tissue. Hepatic enzymes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) were measured at 0, 24, and 72 hours after treatment. Histopathologic examination was performed to evaluate extent of tumor necrosis and normal parenchymal damage. RESULTS Serum sorafenib concentration peaked at 2 hours after treatment. The mean tissue concentration was 406.8 times greater than the serum concentration. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly elevated in the TAE-S group at 24 hours after treatment. Serum VEGF and HIF-1α concentrations were not significantly different between the TAE-L and TAE-S groups. Hepatic parenchymal damage was more severe in the TAE-S group. Mean fraction of tumor necrosis after treatment was significantly greater in the TAE-S group. CONCLUSIONS Transarterial chemoembolization using sorafenib resulted in a high intrahepatic concentration of sorafenib. The degree of tumor necrosis was significantly greater in the TAE-S group compared with the TAE-L group, but more severe toxicity of normal liver tissue also occurred.