Jose M. Yrizarry

Percutaneous irreversible electroporation for downstaging and control of unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE Treatment of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) usually includes chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in an attempt to downstage these tumors to the extent of resectability, but outcomes remain poor. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an ablative modality that may be useful in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of percutaneous IRE in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS IRE was performed in patients with pancreatic cancer whose tumors remained unresectable after, or who were intolerant of, standard therapy. The procedures were all done percutaneously under general anesthesia. Patients were then followed for adverse events, tumor response, and survival. RESULTS Fifteen IRE procedures were performed in 14 patients (one was treated twice). Three patients had metastatic disease and 11 had LAPC. All patients had received chemotherapy previously, and 11 had received radiation. The median tumor size was 3.3 cm (range, 2.5-7 cm). Immediate and 24-hour postprocedural scans demonstrated patent vasculature in the treatment zone in all patients. Two patients underwent surgery 4 and 5 months after IRE, respectively. Both had margin-negative resections, and one had a pathologic complete response; both remain disease-free after 11 and 14 months, respectively. Complications included spontaneous pneumothorax during anesthesia (n = 1) and pancreatitis (n = 1), and both patients recovered completely. There were no deaths directly related to the procedure. All three patients with metastatic disease at IRE died from progression of their disease. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous IRE for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is feasible and safe. A prospective trial is being planned.

Percutaneous Catheter-directed Debridement of Infected Pancreatic Necrosis: Results in 20 Patients

PURPOSE To evaluate the usefulness of transcatheter debridement of infected pancreatic necrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Transcatheter debridement was performed on 20 patients who ranged in age from 20 to 78 years during the 8-year study period. All patients had infected pancreatic necrosis and were hemodynamically stable. Necrosis was defined as nonenhancing pancreatic tissue, as seen on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Infection was suspected clinically and documented by cultures of the pancreatic fluid at its initial drainage. Debridement was performed in multiple sessions in close succession (duration, 30-120 minutes; mean, 60 minutes) via large-bore catheters with enlarged side holes. Debris was removed with use of suction catheters, stone baskets, and copious amounts of lavage fluid. RESULTS All patients underwent successful catheter debridement. Success was determined by clinical course, as well as lesion appearance, at fluoroscopy and CT. Patients underwent 7-32 (average, 17) episodes of debridement and stayed 0-36 days (average, 9 days) in the intensive care unit, 13-118 days (average, 42 days) on the regular floor, and spent 0-98 days (average, 32 days) with the catheters as an outpatient. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSION Percutaneous catheter-directed debridement is a safe and effective treatment and it can be used as the primary means of treatment for the hemodynamically stable patient with infected pancreatic necrosis.

Portosystemic Communications Studied by Transhepatic Portography

The experience of collecting 120 transhepatic portograms, performed in patients with different degrees of portal hypertension, affords the opportunity for discussing the anatomical and hemodynamic features of portosystemic communications. Multiple pathways of decompression were found. The coronary-gastroesophageal collateral formed pathways in 108 cases, other major collaterals in 41, and minor collaterals in 2. This multiplicity of communications suggests that no one vessel is indispensable as a collateral pathway.

Use of D-STAT to prevent bleeding following percutaneous transhepatic intraportal islet transplantation.

An infrequent but nevertheless concerning complication associated with percutaneous transhepatic islet transplantation is bleeding. Historically in 61 procedures at this institution, we experienced four bleeding complications in three patients (6.6%), two requiring blood transfusion (3.3%) and two asymptomatic intraperitoneal bleeds detected sonographically at 24 h postprocedure (3.3%). It is suggested that the source of the majority of these bleeds is the liver parenchymal tract following removal of the infusion catheter combined with a significant dose of heparin administered to prevent portal vein thrombosis. Various techniques have been used to reduce the risk of tract bleeding, including gelfoam, intravascular coils, and cautery. In our experience gelfoam alone has been used to plug the catheter tract (n = 47); however, in the aforementioned three patients, this technique failed, either due to dislodgement of, or bleeding peripheral to, the plug. This article describes the use of D-Stat™, a collagen/thrombin paste that is injected into the peripheral tract. In five consecutive cases performed using D-Stat™, there has been no bleeding or thromboses detected. D-Stat™ combined with a single gelfoam plug offers a quick, easy, efficacious way of sealing the entire catheter tract without leaving any permanent hardware in the liver. This new method may simplify tract closure and reduce bleeding complications in islet transplantation.

Peripheral venous aneurysms with recurrent pulmonary embolism: report of a case and review of the literature.

This clinical report deals with a femoral venous aneurysm as a source of recurrent pulmonary embolism. The literature concerning venous aneurysms is reviewed with emphasis on those cases which were complicated by venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This case demonstrates that lower leg venous aneurysms can occur in either sex and in different age groups. Venography was shown to be important in diagnosing these lesions. Surgical resection may be necessary to prevent potential thrombosis and life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Percutaneous Sclerotherapy of Lymphoceles Related to Renal Transplantation

PURPOSE To determine the advantages of using transcatheter sclerotherapy to treat renal allograft-related lymphoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen patients first seen with symptomatic lymphoceles secondary to renal transplantation were treated with povidone-iodine percutaneous sclerotherapy. Percutaneous catheters were place by means of sonographic, computed tomographic, or combined fluoroscopic and sonographic guidance. Sclerotherapy was initiated while patients were in the hospital, and the patients then instilled povidone-iodine twice a day at home. RESULTS One patient had an inadequate trial period of therapy and was not included in the analysis. Seventeen lymphoceles were adequately sclerosed. Average length of treatment was 35 days. Three lymphoceles recurred and were effectively treated percutaneously. Follow-up studies showed no recurrence 1 month to 2 years after completion of therapy. No patient needed surgery for lymphocele repair. CONCLUSION Because of its safety and efficacy, percutaneous transcatheter sclerotherapy with povidone-iodine should be the treatment of choice in patients with lymphoceles that develop after renal transplantation.

A Phase I study of chemoembolization with cisplatin and lipiodol for primary and metastatic liver cancer

Twenty patients with either unresectable primary hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic metastases were entered into a Chemoembolization program with cisplatin and lipiodol; 19 patients were evaluable for response. Doses of cisplatin ranged from 40 to 100 mg/m2. Toxicity was tolerable and reversible and included abdominal pain, transient elevation in serum creatinine, serum bilirubin, and serum transaminases. Less common side effects include fever, ascites or pleural effusion, and hiccups. Two of four patients with ocular melanoma had partial responses. Duration of response was 10 and 11 months. Among 8 patients with unresectable hepatoma, 2 patients had partial response for 10+ and 13 months, 2 had minor response for 2 months and 4+ months, 1 patient had stable disease for 5+ months, and 3 patients failed to respond. Of the six colon cancer patients treated, one had a partial response in the liver, but developed progressive nodal disease, and another patient had a partial response for 3 months. Chemoembolization of the liver with cisplatin and lipiodol is feasible and doses of cisplatin at least 100 mg/m2 are tolerable. Antitumor activity in metastatic ocular melanoma is encouraging but requires further study.

Percutaneous dilatation of biliary strictures through the afferent limb of a modified roux-en-y choledochojejunostomy or hepaticojejunostomy

BACKGROUND This report is a 13-year prospective evaluation of percutaneous balloon dilatation of benign biliary strictures through the subcutaneous or subfascially positioned afferent limb of a choledocho or hepaticojejunostomy in 30 patients. DATA SOURCE Twenty-seven strictures developed after a common duct injury sustained at the time of cholecystectomy, two after hepatectomy reconstruction for trauma and one following a gastrectomy. Twelve injuries (40%) were recognized at operation. Of the 18 patients where the injury was unrecognized at the time of operation, 8 had not been reoperated at the time of referral, 7 had late repairs by the referring physician, and 3 had late repairs at our institution. The follow-up is 1 to 13 years. RESULTS There has been 1 late death and 6 patients are lost alive. The jejunal-limb was accessed 50 times with two minor and no major complications. There have been two parajejunal hernia repairs, but there have not been any reoperations for recurrent biliary strictures. CONCLUSIONS Benign biliary strictures can be effectively managed by repeat balloon dilatations thru the afferent limb of a choledocho or hepaticojejunostomy, thus eliminating the need for repeat surgical interventions.

Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases with a Proposal for a New Response Evaluation System

PURPOSE To describe an initial experience with irreversible electroporation (IRE) in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CLM). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing IRE for the management of CLM was performed. Procedures were done percutaneously under general anesthesia. Patients were then followed for adverse events, tumor response, and survival. RESULTS Between March 2010 and February 2013, 29 patients underwent percutaneous ablation of 58 tumors in 36 IRE sessions. Most patients (89%) had an absolute or relative contraindication to thermal ablation. The median age was 62 years, and the median time from diagnosis to IRE was 28 months. The median number of lesions treated per patient was two, and the median tumor size was 2.7 cm. Patients had received previous chemotherapy regimens (range, 1-5 per patient). A new Metabolic Imaging And Marker Integration response evaluation criteria was used for response assessment, and was a predictor of progression-free and overall survival. The 2-year progression-free survival rate was 18% (95% confidence interval, 0%-35%), and the 2-year overall survival rate was 62% (95% confidence interval, 37%-87%). Complications included arrhythmias (n = 1) and postprocedure pain (n = 1). Both patients recovered without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous IRE of CLM is feasible and safe. A new response evaluation system for colorectal cancer appears to be prognostic.

Popliteal artery entrapment: Importance of the stress runoff for diagnosis

We review our experience with seven patients, (12 affected extremities) with popliteal artery entrapment. The classic angiographic finding of medial deviation of the popliteal artery was found in only three patients (four extremities). Four patients (eight extremities) had no medial deviation of their popliteal arteries and required a stress runoff examination to demonstrate arterial entrapment. Five patients had bilateral entrapment. This patient series underscores the need to consider possible arterial entrapment even when the popliteal arteries appear normal on the resting runoff examination as well as the importance of imaging both extremities since the incidence of bilateral entrapment may be higher than previously recognized.