Hans-Peter Dinkel

Endovascular Treatment of Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: Is Bilateral Wallstent Placement Superior to Unilateral Placement?

Purpose: To report our experience with unilateral versus bilateral stent placement in the treatment of malignant superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Methods: The records and films of 84 consecutive patients (69 men; mean age 64±10 years, range 39–79) referred for stent placement in malignant SVCS were reviewed for venous compromise, technical and clinical success, complications, and reocclusions. Wallstents were placed covering the SVC and both (bilateral technique) brachiocephalic veins (BCV) preferentially; unilateral stenting of only one BCV in addition to the SVC was performed based on operator preference or inability to access both sides. Technical success was defined as the ability to stent the SVC and at least one BCV; clinical success was the elimination of SVCS symptoms. Results: Technical success was achieved in 83 (99%) patients, using the unilateral technique in 22 and bilateral stenting in 61 patients. The groups did not differ with regard to age, sex, underlying diseases, or location and extent of venous compromise. Immediate clinical success was achieved in 20 (91%) of 22 patients in the unilateral group and 55 (90%) of 61 patients in the bilateral group. Two patients suffered late occlusion in the unilateral group, while in the bilateral group, 8 patients had early occlusion and 9 had late occlusion. Thus, the total occlusion rate was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the unilateral group. There was 1 other complication (pericardial tamponade) in the bilateral group, for a 28% total complication rate, which was significantly higher (p = 0.039) than the 9% in the unilateral group. The 1, 3, 6, and 12-month primary stent patency rates were 90%, 81%, 76%, and 69%, respectively. Patency tended to last longer in the unilateral group, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.11). Conclusions: Although bilateral Wallstent placement achieved equal technical and clinical success, it tended to confer shorter-lived patency and caused more complications.

Importance of extracolonic findings at IV contrast medium-enhanced CT colonography versus those at non-enhanced CT colonography

To compare the clinical importance of extracolonic findings at intravenous (IV) contrast-enhanced CT colonography versus those at non-enhanced CT colonography. IV contrast medium-enhanced (n=72) and non-enhanced (n=30) multidetector CT colonography was performed in 102 symptomatic patients followed by conventional colonoscopy on the same day. The impact of extracolonic findings on further work up and treatment was assessed by a review of patient records. Extracolonic findings were divided into two groups: either leading to further work up respectively having an impact on therapy or not. A total of 303 extracolonic findings were detected. Of those, 71% (215/303) were found on IV contrast-enhanced CT, and 29% (88/303) were found on non-enhanced CT colonography. The extracolonic findings in 25% (26/102) of all patients led to further work up or had an impact on therapy. Twenty-two of these patients underwent CT colonography with IV contrast enhancement, and four without. The percentage of extracolonic findings leading to further work up or having an impact on therapy was higher for IV contrast-enhanced (31%; 22/72) than for non-enhanced (13%; 4/30) CT scans (P=0.12). IV contrast-enhanced CT colonography produced more extracolonic findings than non-enhanced CT colonography. A substantially greater proportion of findings on IV contrast-enhanced CT colonography led to further work up and treatment than did non-enhanced CT colonography.

Prospective comparison of contrast enhanced CT colonography and conventional colonoscopy for detection of colorectal neoplasms in a single institutional study using second-look colonoscopy with discrepant results.

BACKGROUND:Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Western countries. Early detection by colorectal cancer screening can effectively cut its mortality rate. CT colonography represents a promising, minimally invasive alternative to conventional methods of colorectal carcinoma screening.AIMS:The purpose of this prospective single institutional study was to compare the abilities of routine clinical CT colonography and conventional colonoscopy to detect colorectal neoplasms using second-look colonoscopy to clarify discrepant results.PATIENTS AND METHODS:CT colonography was performed in 100 symptomatic patients using contrast enhanced multidetector CT followed by conventional colonoscopy on the same day. If results were discrepant, a second-look colonoscopy was performed after unblinding. CT colonographic findings were compared with those of conventional colonoscopy.RESULTS:Conventional colonoscopy found 122 colorectal neoplasms in 49 patients. The overall sensitivity of CT colonography at detecting patients with at least one polyp 6 mm or larger was 76% and its specificity was 88%. Its by-patient sensitivity for polyps 10 mm or larger was 95% and its specificity was 98%. By-polyp sensitivities were 71% for polyps 10 mm or larger, and 61% for polyps 6 mm or larger. A second-look colonoscopy was performed in 19 patients and two initial false-positive findings of CT colonography were reclassified as true-positive. For conventional colonoscopy, this produced a by-polyp sensitivity of 94% for detection of lesions 6 mm and larger.CONCLUSIONS:CT colonography had both a high by-patient sensitivity and specificity for detection of clinically important colorectal neoplasms 10 mm or larger. This suggests that CT colonography has the potential to become a valuable clinical screening method for colorectal neoplasms.

Fatal pericardial tamponade after Wallstent implantation for malignant superior vena cava syndrome.

Purpose: To report a rare, fatal complication of superior vena cava Wallstent implantation. Case Report: A 59-year-old man presenting with superior vena cava syndrome caused by small-cell lung cancer underwent stent implantation of 2 kissing Wallstents >1.5 cm above the right atrium. Despite correct stent deployment, vessel perforation occurred in a section not encased by tumor, which led to fatal pericardial tamponade shortly after the procedure. Autopsy revealed perforation of a stent strut through the caval wall into the pericardial space. Anatomical and methodological reasons are discussed. Conclusions: The interventionist should be aware of this rare complication. Alternative stent designs avoiding the sharp ends of Wallstents and Palmaz stents should be considered.

Pregnancy-associated diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the uterus

Diffuse cavernous hemangiomatosis of the pregnant uterus is a rare but serious condition. Six cases (1) have been reported in the literature since 1897. This is the first case diagnosed by sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the second one in which pregnancy was terminated by a successful cesarean section. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination. Several complications are described.

Emergency percutaneous retrieval of a silicone port catheter fragment in pinch-off syndrome by means of an Amplatz gooseneck snare

Rupture of a silicone Port-a-Cath catheter may occur, especially with costoclavicular pinch-off syndrome (POS), which is a typical consequence of fatigue when the catheter is introduced in the subclavian vein too medially. This case report describes the percutaneous retrieval of a fractured silicone port catheter fragment, which had migrated into the internal jugular vein. Extraction was complicated by the presence of an internal jugular vein stenosis and the fact that the catheter fragment was looped upon itself. Several retrieval devices failed before an Amplatz gooseneck snare finally allowed retrieval of the fragment. We recommend this device for extraction of silicone port catheter fragments. Rerupture of the port catheter occurred 7 months after surgical reinsertion at the same infraclavicular site, as a consequence of constant compression by POS. Alternative approaches should be used after catheter failure due to POS.

Combined Surgical and Endovascular Approach to Treat a Complex Aortic Coarctation Without Extracorporeal Circulation

Various therapeutic approaches have been proposed to treat complex coarctation of the aorta (eg, recoarctation, which requires repetitive interventions, or coarctation with a hypoplastic aortic arch). Resection followed by end-to-end anastomosis or by graft interposition is technically demanding and exposes the patient to considerable perioperative risks. Cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest may be necessary to control the distal aortic arch. The role of stent technology in treating this type of lesion has not yet been defined. We present a 21-year-old woman with a recurrent coarctation of the aorta associated with a hypoplastic aortic arch and a pseudoaneurysm of the proximal descending aorta. She had undergone 4 previous interventions. Treatment consisted of a combined surgical and endovascular approach without cardiopulmonary bypass and included extraanatomic aortic bypass, partial debranching of the supraaortic vessels, and stent-graft insertion to exclude the aneurysm.

Emphysematous cystitis in a patient presenting with paradoxical arterial embolism and intestinal mycobacteriosis without evidence of diabetes

Abstract We describe the case of a 72-year-old woman who displayed massive multiple intramural gas collections of the bladder wall as an incidental finding on CT. The patient presented with critical ischemia of the left leg caused by paradoxical arterial embolism, raised corpuscular sedimentation rate, anemia by gastrointestinal blood loss, hypoproteinemia, diarrhea, malabsorption, and exudative enteropathia caused by mycobacterial ileocolitis. The patient had no dysuria and there was no evidence of diabetes. The intramural gas collections of the bladder wall, as shown by CT, were compatible with emphysematous cystitis. Urine samples proved infection by a multi-resistant strain of E. coli. Emphysematous cystitis is a rare form of bladder infection that can be diagnosed by plain-film radiograms or CT.

Emergent Axillary Artery Stent-Graft Placement for Massive Hemorrhage from an Avulsed Subscapular Artery

Purpose: To report the successful endovascular repair of an acute axillary artery hemorrhage. Case Report: An 87-year-old woman with Charcot-Marie-Tooth ataxia presented with an enormous shoulder hematoma and clinical signs of exsanguination after a fall. Angiography demonstrated complete avulsion of the right subscapular artery from the axillary artery, and active bleeding into a hematoma of at least 1500 mL. Endovascular repair with a balloon-mounted covered stent-graft was performed percutaneously, which controlled the bleeding and averted surgery. The patient recovered uneventfully and was without signs of recurrent bleeding or ischemia on the 6-month ultrasound examination; she reports no symptoms referable to her upper extremity after 14 months. Conclusions: Endovascular repair with stent-grafts is effective in controlling arterial bleeding from supra-aortic vessels even under emergency conditions.

Endovascular aneurysm exclusion along a femorodistal venous bypass in active Behçet's disease.

PURPOSE To report the endovascular repair of dual aneurysms along a femorodistal venous bypass graft in a patient with Behçets disease. CASE REPORT A 55-year-old man of middle European ancestry with Behçets disease had dual aneurysms evolve along the proximal segment of a femorodistal venous bypass that had been implanted 2.5 years earlier for recurrent false aneurysm formation. Owing to the lack of suitable venous conduits and the active nature of the disease, the aneurysms were successfully excluded with overlapping Hemobahn and Jostent endografts; the immunosuppressive therapy was intensified. Rupture of the aneurysms was successfully prevented, but the stent-grafts thrombosed 6 weeks later owing to exacerbation of the underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular exclusion of aneurysm in venous bypass grafts in Behçets disease is feasible. Although the stent-grafts thrombosed, they did prevent rupture of the aneurysms.