Jörg Neuerburg

Results of a multicenter study of the retrievable Tulip vena cava filter: Early clinical experience

PurposeTo evaluate clinically a new, retrievable vena caval filter in a multicenter study.MethodsThe Tulip filter is a stainless steel half-basket that is suitable for antegrade or retrograde insertion via an 8.5 Fr introducer sheath. The filter can be retrieved via the jugular approach using an 11 Fr coaxial retrieval system. Forty-eight filters were implanted via the femoral approach and 38 via the jugular approach in 83 patients. Follow-up examinations (plain films, colorcoded duplex sonography) were performed up to 3 years after filter insertion (mean 136 days) in 75 patients. Twenty-seven patients were screened by colorcoded duplex sonography for insertion site thrombosis.ResultsAn appropriate filter position was achieved in all cases. Insertion problems occurred in 3 cases; these were not due to the filter design but to an imperfect prototype insertion mechanism that has now been modified (n=2) or a manipulation error (n=1). In 2 of these cases the filters were replaced percutaneously; 1 patient required venotomy for filter removal. No further complications due to filter insertion occurred. Two filters were used as temporary devices and were successfully removed after 6 and 11 days, respectively. There was 1 fatal recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE) and 2 non-fatal PE, 5 complete and 3 partial caval occlusions, and 3 caudal migrations of the filter. Insertion site venous thrombosis was not seen in the 27 patients monitored for this complication.ConclusionPrecise placement of the Tulip filter is feasible by either access route and the device appears mechanically stable. Further observations are needed to confirm that safe filter removal is practical up to 10 days after its insertion.

New retrievable percutaneous vena cava filter: Experimentalin vitro andin vivo evaluation

A new retrievable percutaneous vena cava filter was testedin vitro andin vivo in 15 foxhounds.In vitro, the new vena cava filter was compared with the standard Kimray-Greenfield filter and the Günther basket filter. The new filter is a stainless steel half-basket filter and is suitable for percutaneous antegrade or retrograde insertion through a 8.5 Fr introducer sheath.In vitro testing showed the filter causing no significant flow alterations and being highly effective in capturing medium- and large-sized thrombi; furthermore, fatigue testing revealed no breakage of the new filter, whereas the Günther basket filter showed breakage of the struts.In vivo studies showed no occlusion, major perforation, or filter migration during follow-up of 2 weeks to 6 months. Tilting of the filter postimplantation occurred in two out of 28 filters. Ten of 11 filters were successfully retrieved by the transjugular approach 2 weeks after implantation. The device seems to be suitable for temporary or permanent protection against pulmonary embolism.

Interventional magnetic resonance. Initial clinical experience with a 1.5-tesla magnetic resonance system combined with c-arm fluoroscopy.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The authors evaluate the feasibility of performing magnetic resonance (MR) procedures on a 1.5-tesla (T) system combined with conventional c-arm fluoroscopy. METHODS A 1.5-T MR imaging system was combined with a conventional c-arm fluoroscopy unit in one room. The two systems were connected via a floating table top. Twenty-six interventional procedures (biopsies, MR-portography, percutaneous alcohol injection, laser ablation, fluid aspiration, and breast marking) were performed in 22 patients under MR, fluoroscopic control, or both. For MR guidance, fast gradient echo sequences were used, initiated from a panel at the front of the magnet. Images were displayed on an liquid crystal display screen positioned on the magnet. RESULTS All MR-guided procedures were performed successfully without complications. The addition of c-arm fluoroscopy was useful for bone interventions and MR-portography. All diagnostic biopsies yielded sufficient amounts of tissue for histologic diagnosis. In breast lesions, the target identified on dynamic MR imaging was marked correctly in each case. In interstitial laser thermotherapy the laser effect could be visualized, and in percutaneous ethanol injection the distribution of the alcohol could be seen. Both imaging systems worked without image distortions and high-quality MR images were obtained. CONCLUSIONS The combination of a 1.5-T MR imager with a c-arm fluoroscopy system seems to be a promising technical solution for performing interventional MR procedures.

Muscle cross-section measurement by magnetic resonance imaging.

SummaryMuscle cross-section areas were measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the thigh of a human cadaver,. the results being compared with those obtained by photography of corresponding anatomic macroslices. A close correlation was found between MRI and photographic evaluation, differences between the methods ranging from nil to 9.5%, depending on the scan position and the muscle groups. In vivo MRI measurements were performed on 12 female and 16 male students, the objectivity, the test-retest reliability and the variability of the MRI measurements being studied by fixing the scan position either manually or by coronary scan. The latter method appeared to be more objective and reliable. The coefficients of variation for muscle cross-section areas measured by MRI were in the range of those for the planimetry of given cross-section areas. Allowing for differentiation between several small muscle bundles in a given area, MRI proved to be a suitable method to quantify muscle cross-sections for intra- and interindividual analysis of muscle size.

Neointima formation following arterial placement of self-expanding stents of different radial force: Experimental results

AbstractPurpose: Radial force delivered by self-expanding stents has been discussed as a factor affecting thickness of neointima formation. Methods: Two types of Wallstents were studied experimentallyin vitro andin vivo. Due to an altered braiding angle of the stent filaments, one stent type (LS type) delivers half the radial force to the vascular wall than the conventional type. The radial force was evaluated in a compression-expansion test which related changes in stent length to the compressing force. Fourteen LS and 16 conventional stents were implanted into 15 femoropopliteal arteries of 10 dogs. Autopsy was performed after 4 weeks (14 stents) or 6 months (16 stents). Results: All stents remained patent over the follow-up period with no evidence of stenosis. Neointimal overgrowth was complete and smooth in all. Medial atrophy was a constant finding after placement of both types. Neointimal thickness did not exceed 100μm after 4 weeks and 6 months and did not significantly differ between LS stents and conventional stents. Conclusion: It is concluded that in normal dogs self-expanding stents of the Wallstent type do not induce neointimal buildup that exceeds 100μm in the femoropopliteal artery. A reduced radial force was not found to result in reduced neointima formation.

Percutaneous retrieval of the Tulip vena cava filter: feasibility, short- and long-term changes--an experimental study in dogs.

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate experimentally the retrievability of the Tulip inferior vena cava (IVC) filter in an in vivo study. Changes which accompany venous healing after filter retrieval were investigated. Methods: In 12 dogs, 23 filters were inserted percutaneously into the lumbar and intrahepatic segments of the IVC. Two weeks (n = 21 filters) or 3 weeks (n = 2 filters) after insertion, filter retrieval was attempted through an 11 Fr coaxial retrieval sheath system placed via the jugular vein. Follow-up studies before and after filter retrieval included cavography, computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound of the IVC. Seven dogs were killed immediately after filter retrieval to confirm short-term changes of the IVC, and 5 dogs were killed 6 months after filter retraction to evaluate long-term changes of the IVC related to filter retrieval. Post-mortem examinations and histologic specimens of the IVC were obtained to evaluate caval wall abnormalities secondary to filter removal. Results: All but one filter were successfully retrieved 2 weeks post-implantation. However, 3 weeks after insertion, filter retrieval was impossible. There were no complications caused by filter extraction. Follow-up studies after filter retrieval revealed no significant changes in the integrity, morphology or composition of the IVC and pericaval tissue. Histologic examination 6 months after filter retrieval revealed only flimsy fibrotic intimal plaques at the sites of former hook insertion. Conclusion: The Tulip filter allows percutaneous insertion and retrieval up to 14 days after insertion, suggesting that it may be useful for either permanent or temporary prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism.

Differentiation of spontaneous canine breast tumors using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging with 24-Gadolinium-DTPA-cascade-polymer, a new blood-pool agent. Preliminary experience.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The author assess the enhancement characteristics over time of spontaneous breast tumors in dogs comparing gadopentetate dimeglumine with a new blood-pool agent (24-gadolinium [Gd]-DTPA-cascade polymer). METHODS Eighteen dogs with spontaneous breast tumors (5 carcinomas, 4 adenomas, and 9 benign mixed-tissue tumors) underwent dynamic magnetic resonance imaging after intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine and the blood-pool agent. Signal intensity time curves were followed up to 30 minutes after injection of both agents in the same animal. A nonlinear fitting routine enabled calculation of the delivery and clearance half lives of the contrast agent kinetics in each tumor. RESULTS For gadopentetate dimeglumine, a fast signal increase was found immediately after intravenous injection, with a subsequent signal decay in all tumors. No difference was observed between the enhancement kinetics of different tumor types after gadopentetate dimeglumine application. Similar kinetics were found in benign lesions after injection of the blood-pool agent. However, in carcinomas the blood-pool agent displayed a slower delivery, delayed peak enhancement, and slower tumor tissue clearance or even a signal plateau of more than 30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging of breast neoplasms using a blood-pool agent may help to better differentiate between benign and malignant lesions because it demonstrates the enlarged interstitial space and increased capillary permeability in carcinomas.

Magnetic resonance angiography of nonferromagnetic iliac artery stents and stent-grafts: A comparative study in sheep.

Purpose: To compare nonferromagnetic iliac artery prostheses in their suitability for patency monitoring with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) using conventional angiography as a reference.Methods: In experiment 1, three Memotherm stents were inserted nto the iliac arteries of each of six sheep: two “tandem” stents on one side and a single stent on the other side. In experiment 2, four prostheses (normal and low-porosity Corvita stent-grafts, Memotherm, ZA-stent) were inserted in each of 11 sheep. Patency was monitored before and 1, 3, and 6 months after insertion with 3D phase-contrast and two 2D time-of-flight sequences (TOF-1: TR/TE=18/6.9, TOF-2: 13/2.5) with and without contrast at 1.5 T. On 206 coronal MIP images (72 pre-, 134 post-stenting), three readers analyzed 824 iliac segments (206 × 4) for patency and artifacts.Results: There was no difference in the number of artifacts between tandem and single iliac Memotherm stents. The ZA-stent induced significantly fewer artifacts than the other prostheses (p<0.00001). With MRA, patency of the ZA-stent was correctly diagnosed in 88% of cases, which was almost comparable to nonstented iliac segments (95%), patency of the Memotherm stent in 59%, and of the Corvita stent-grafts in 57% and 55%. The TOF-2 sequence with contrast yielded the best images.Conclusion: MRA compatibility of nonferromagnetic prostheses depends strongly on the design of the device. MRA may be used to monitor the patency of iliac ZA-stents, whereas iliac Memotherm stents and Corvita stent-grafts appear to be less suited for follow-up with MRA.

Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the staging of urinary bladder neoplasms.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proved to be an important diagnostic tool in the correct staging of bladder neoplasms. The advantage of multiplane imaging and high soft-tissue contrast may be extended by the use of MRI contrast media such as the gadoliniumdiethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid complex. In 60 patients with suspected or proved bladder tumors, the results of preoperative gadolinium-enhanced MRI were correlated with the histopathologic findings. The staging accuracy of infiltrating tumors was 83% and sensitivity and specificity 86% and 83%, respectively. Three tumors could only be localized after administration of gadolinium. All active tumors demonstrated significant contrast enhancement after intravenously injected gadolinium. Small papillary tumors or carcinoma in situ remain problematic to preoperative staging procedures. The advantages of gadolinium-enhanced MRI will best be employed in the exact pretherapeutic staging of infiltrative bladder neoplasms or in restaging procedures after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Percutaneous biopsy of pancreatic lesions.

Percutaneous biopsy provides an effective means of tissue diagnosis in pancreatic lesions. Accuracy rates are ranging between 72 and 100%, with a sensitivity for carcinomas between 69 and 90% and a constantly high specificity of 100% in most series of the literature. The rate of major complications is low, with an incidence of about 0.05%.