Jung Suk Oh

Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-eluting Beads in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Usefulness of Contrast Saturation Features on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging for Predicting Short-term Tumor Response

PURPOSEnTo evaluate the predictability of the short-term tumor response and the clinical usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography (CT) performed immediately after drug-eluting bead (DEB) transarterial chemoembolization in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThis retrospective study comprised 90 patients (male-to-female ratio = 66:24; mean age, 60.4 y) with 119 tumors (mean size, 3.2 cm). All patients underwent DEB transarterial chemoembolization and received cone-beam CT after embolization. The marginal contrast saturation was defined as a contrast stasis that was observed along the margin of the tumor on the cone-beam CT images. The degree of marginal contrast saturation was calculated as a percentage and was classified into five grades in 25% increments. The degree of marginal contrast saturation and the tumor response were correlated based on follow-up imaging.nnnRESULTSnThere was a complete response in 63.8% (n = 76) of all tumors. Partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease were identified in 21.8% (n = 26), 13.4% (n = 16), and 0.8% (n = 1) of tumors. Marginal contrast saturation by cone-beam CT was 86%± 16.3, 73.2%± 28.8, 16.9%± 27.2, and 0% for complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, which indicated a significant correlation of a higher contrast saturation with a better response (P<.001) by follow-up imaging criteria. The positive predictive value of the G5 group showing a complete response was 98.1%.nnnCONCLUSIONSnMarginal contrast saturation showed a high positive predictive value for short-term tumor response. This technique may improve the success rates of DEB transarterial chemoembolization procedures and may reduce technical difficulties and shorten procedural time.

Percutaneous Management of Postoperative Duodenal Stump Leakage with Foley Catheter

PurposeThis study was designed to evaluate retrospectively the safety and efficacy of the percutaneous management of duodenal stump leakage with a Foley catheter after subtotal gastrectomy.MethodsTen consecutive patients (M:Fxa0=xa09:1, median age: 64xa0years) were included in this retrospective study. The duodenal stump leakages were diagnosed in all the patients within a median of 10xa0days (range, 6–20). At first, the patients underwent percutaneous drainage on the day of or the day after confirmation of the presence of duodenal stump leakage, and then the Foley catheters were replaced at a median of 9xa0days (range, 6–38) after the percutaneous drainage.ResultsFoley catheters were placed successfully in the duodenal lumen of all the patients under a fluoroscopic guide. No complication was observed during and after the procedures in all the patients. All of the patients started a regular diet 1xa0day after the Foley catheter placement. The patients were discharged at a median of 7xa0days (range, 5–14) after the Foley catheter placement. The catheters were removed in an outpatient clinic 10–58xa0days (median, 28) after the Foley catheter placement.ConclusionsFluoroscopy-guided percutaneous Foley catheter placement may be a safe and effective treatment option for postoperative duodenal stump leakage and may allow for shorter hospital stays, earlier oral intake, and more effective control of leakage sites.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis.

AIMnTo evaluate the prognostic factors and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis.nnnMETHODSnFifty hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) were treated using hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) via a subcutaneously implanted port. The epirubicin-cisplatin-5-fluorouracil (ECF) chemotherapeutic regimen consisted of 35 mg/m(2) epirubicin on day 1, 60 mg/m(2) cisplatin for 2 h on day 2, and 500 mg/m(2) 5-fluorouracil for 5 h on days 1-3. The treatments were repeated every 3 or 4 wk.nnnRESULTSnThree (6%) of the 50 patients achieved a complete response (CR), 13 (26%) showed partial responses (PR), and 22 (44%) had stable disease (SD). The median survival and time to progression were 7 and 2 mo, respectively. After 2 cycles of HAIC, CR was achieved in 1 patient (2%), PR in 10 patients (20%) and SD in 26 patients (52%). Significant pre-treatment prognostic factors were a tumor volume of < 400 cm(3) (P = 0.01) and normal levels of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist (PIVKA)-II (P = 0.022). After 2 cycles of treatment, disease control (CR + PR + SD) (P = 0.001), PVTT response (P = 0.003) and α-fetoprotein reduction of over 50% (P = 0.02) were independent factors for survival. Objective response (CR + PR), disease control, PVTT response, and combination therapy during the HAIC were also significant prognostic factors. Adverse events were tolerable and successfully managed.nnnCONCLUSIONnHAIC may be an effective treatment modality for advanced HCC with PVTT in patients with tumors < 400 cm(3) and good prognostic factors.

Evaluation of arterial impairment after experimental gelatin sponge embolization in a rabbit renal model.

Objective Arterial stenosis is a major obstacle for subsequent interventional procedures. We hypothesized that the stenosis is caused by gelatin sponge embolization and performed an experimental study in a rabbit renal model. Materials and Methods A total of 24 rabbits were embolized with porcine gelatin sponge particles injected into the renal arteries. Four rabbits were sacrificed on 1 day, 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks after embolization. Microscopic evaluations were performed on hematoxylin-eosin and smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical stained sections. Results Gelatin sponge particles were mainly observed in the segmental and interlobar arteries. Transmural inflammation of the embolized arterial wall and mild thickening of the media were observed 1 week after embolization. Resorption of the gelatin sponge and organization of thrombus accompanied by foreign body reactions, were observed from 2 to 4 weeks after embolization. Microscopic images of the 3 weeks group showed vessel lumens filled mostly with organized thrombi, resulting in severe stenosis. Additionally, vessels showed a thickened intima that contained migrating smooth muscle cells and accompanying interruption of the internal elastic lamina. The migrating smooth muscle cells were distributed around the recanalized arterial lumen. Conclusion Gelatin sponge embolization may induce arterial stenosis by causing organized thrombus and intimal hyperplasia, which consists of migrating smooth muscle cells and intimal collagen deposits.

A comparative study of sorafenib and metronomic chemotherapy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma with poor liver function

Background/Aims Metronomic chemotherapy (MET) is frequently administered in comparatively low doses as a continuous chemotherapeutic agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and overall survival (OS) of MET compared to sorafenib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Methods A total of 54 patients with advanced HCC and PVTT who had undergone MET were analyzed between 2005 and 2013. A total of 53 patients who had undergone sorafenib therapy were analyzed as the control group. The primary endpoint of this study was OS. Results The median number of MET cycles was two (1-15). The OS values for the MET group and sorafenib group were 158 days (132-184) and 117 days (92-142), respectively (P=0.029). The Cox proportional-hazard model showed that a higher risk of death was correlated with higher serum alpha fetoprotein level (≥400 mg/dL, hazard ratio [HR]=1.680, P=0.014) and Child-Pugh class B (HR=1.856, P=0.008). Conclusions MET was associated with more favorable outcomes in terms of overall survival than was sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC with PVTT, especially in patients with poor liver function. Therefore, MET can be considered as a treatment option in patients with advanced HCC with PVTT and poor liver function.

The Twisting Maneuver for Fluoroscopic-guided Removal of Nonpalpable Tunneled Central Venous Access Catheter Cuffs

The present report describes an alternative technique for the detection of nonpalpable polyester cuffs during the removal of tunneled central venous catheters. By twisting the external segment of the tunneled catheter in obese patients or those with severe edema, fluoroscopy can easily confirm the estimated site of the hidden cuff.

Dexamethasone Prophylaxis to Alleviate Postembolization Syndrome after Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study

PURPOSEnTo test the hypothesis that prophylactic administration of dexamethasone alleviates postembolization syndrome (PES) after transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThis prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a single center from August 2015 to June 2016. A total of 88 patients with intermediate-stage HCC were enrolled. After randomization, 44 patients were assigned to the dexamethasone group and the other 44 to the control group. In the dexamethasone group, 12 mg of intravenous dexamethasone was administered before chemoembolization. Nausea, vomiting, fever, pain, and alanine aminotransferase level elevation were evaluated after chemoembolization had been performed with the use of Lipiodol and doxorubicin.nnnRESULTSnThe incidences of PES were 78.0% in the dexamethasone group and 97.5% in the control group (Pxa0= .008). Mean hospitalization times after chemoembolization were 2.7 days ± 1.44 in the dexamethasone group and 2.9 days ± 1.83 in the control group (Pxa0= .553). Mean doses of antiemetic and analgesic agents were lower in the dexamethasone group than the control group (0.2 ± 0.58 vs 1.0 ± 1.89 [Pxa0= .029] and 0.6 ± 0.97 vs 1.92 ± 2.54 [Pxa0= .006], respectively). Prophylactic administration of dexamethasone was a significant factor that influences PES occurrence after chemoembolization (odds ratioxa0= 10.969, Pxa0= .027).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study demonstrates that the prophylactic administration of dexamethasone before chemoembolization is an effective way to reduce PES.

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

PURPOSEnTo assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolic (DEE) agents for nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe 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.nnnRESULTSnAt 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.nnnCONCLUSIONSnDEE chemoembolization for nodular HCC had an acceptable safety profile and acceptable 6-month tumor response and survival rates.

T-shaped Angioplasty with Apex Puncture of Thrombosed Looped Hemodialysis Grafts

This study is a retrospective evaluation of an alternative technique for angioplasty of thrombosed loop hemodialysis grafts through a single vascular access. This technique can provide balloon angioplasty to the puncture site without any additional vascular accesses by using a T-shaped balloon catheter and can simplify thrombectomy procedures.

Extraluminal Recanalization of Bile Duct Anastomosis Obstruction after Liver Transplantation

This report describes extraluminal recanalization of bile duct anastomosis obstruction after living donor liver transplantation. The procedure was performed in 5 patients in whom negotiation of the biliary anastomotic obstruction by retrograde endoscopic approach and percutaneous intraluminal recanalization had failed. Extraluminal puncture from the donor bile duct to the recipient side bile duct was made with the stiff back end of a 0.035-inch hydrophilic guide wire. After recanalization, a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage catheter was placed through the created tract. In all 5 patients, extraluminal recanalization was achieved without major complication, and endoscopic plastic stents were subsequently placed along the tract.