Karunakaravel Karuppasamy

Predictors of Successful Downstaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Outside Milan Criteria

Background Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outside Milan criteria (MC) may be candidates for liver transplantation (LT) after successful downstaging. Factors that predict successful downstaging are unclear. We aimed to identify the predictors of successful downstaging of HCC in patients outside MC. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study on consecutive patients with HCC outside MC who received downstaging with locoregional therapy. Clinical and laboratory variables, tumor characteristics including total tumor volume (TTV) and up-to-7 criteria were recorded. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify variables associated with successful downstaging. Results Of 675 patients with HCC, 90 patients outside MC received downstaging. Fifty-three (59%) patients were successfully downstaged, 37 (41%) failed downstaging. University of California at San Francisco criteria, &agr;-fetoprotein, up-to-7 criteria, TTV, and platelet count were predictors of successful downstaging on univariate analysis. Total tumor volume was an independent predictor of successful downstaging on multivariate logistic regression (P = 0.04, area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.96). Fifty-two (76%) of 68 patients with TTV less than 200 cm3 were successfully downstaged, whereas only 1 (4.5%) of 22 patients with TTV greater than 200 cm3 were successfully downstaged. Forty-five (50%) patients underwent LT. Kaplan-Meier survival rates at 1 and 5 years post-LT were 95.3% and 79.4%, respectively. Patients who were successfully downstaged had better survival than patients who failed downstaging (P < 0.01). Conclusions Total tumor volume is a good predictor of successful downstaging of HCC. Patients with TTV less than 200 cm3 may be considered good candidates for downstaging. Further studies with larger cohort of patients are needed to validate this approach in patients with HCC outside Milan.

Billowing Of Endologix Powerlink Stent Mimicking Endoleaks

Introduction: Endoleaks remains one of the primary concerns of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and is routinely followed with CT angiography (CTA). However, certain imaging findings can mimic endoleaks. Case Presentation: A 65-year-old woman who had endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with Endologix Powerlink system developed marked new circumferential cauliflower-like bulging of contrast-filled sacs at mid-stent-graft with enlargement of the excluded aneurysm at 3-year follow-up. Conclusions: Considering the unique construct of the Powerlink stents, this is thought to represent aneurysmal degeneration of the outer fabric material from the metal struts and may potentially pressurize the excluded sac with risk for rupture.

Congenital anomalies of the IVC—embryological perspectives and clinical relevance

With the increased use of cross-sectional imaging, systemic venous anomalies are more frequently being recognized in asymptomatic patients. Accurate characterization of systemic venous anomalies plays a major role in the appropriate selection of a surgical approach or interventional procedure. In this article, we review common and uncommon inferior vena cava (IVC) anomalies. We describe the embryological basis and clinical implications of these anomalies, particularly from an interventional radiology perspective. We also discuss the complications and treatments of these anomalies.

Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy in the Setting of a Mediastinal Venous Malformation with a Congenitally Absent Left Subclavian Vein

Venous malformations have static venous lakes that predispose to spontaneous venous thrombosis within the malformation due to its low-flow static state. Thrombi of varying sizes can then embolize continually into the pulmonary arterial circulation, and occlude and narrow elastic pulmonary arteries causing chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is potentially curative in CTEPH, but has not been previously reported in the setting of mediastinal and chest wall venous malformations. We report the case of a 21-year-old female with such a large malformation treated successfully with PTE. The patient underwent complete endovascular reconstruction of her subclavian vein system from the axillary vein to the innominate vein stump with covered stent grafts to exclude the malformations from causing recurrent pulmonary emboli. This was followed by embolization of the malformation to allow for the surgical approach. The series of events in this case serves as a novel approach in managing such rare patients.

Relationship between cone-beam CT technique and diagnostic usefulness in patients undergoing embolotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma☆

AIM To determine the effect of different numbers of projection images in C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) on diagnostic content and image quality in patients undergoing angiographic embolotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 29 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced conventional multidetector CT (MDCT) within 6 weeks prior to CBCT acquired during embolotherapy for HCC between 2010 and 2013 were included in the study. CBCT was acquired in each patient using a 5-s (248 projection images) or 8-s (396 projection images) protocol. Anonymised images were reviewed independently by an interventional radiologist blinded to CBCT group. MDCT was used as a reference to the patients anatomy, and performance of CBCT was compared to that of MDCT in each group. The level of concordance between CBCT and MDCT within each group was assessed for the following variables: number of foci >1 cm, largest tumour diameter, highest order branching vessel identified, image quality, diagnostic quality, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). CBCT radiation dose was recorded. RESULTS There was no significant difference between MDCT and CBCT within each group in the number of tumour foci >1 cm identified or size of the largest focus measured. MDCT had superior image quality compared to both CBCT groups (p<0.01), but CBCT demonstrated subsegmental branches more often in each group than MDCT. Both CBCT groups demonstrated higher CNR than MDCT (p<0.01). The dose-area product (3675±1295 versus 6598±1252 μGy·m2; p<0.001) and skin dose (119±41 versus 212±38 mGy; p<0.001) were significantly lower with 5-s CBCT than with 8-s CBCT. CONCLUSION The relationship between MDCT and CBCT in both groups was consistent. The information obtained with 5-s CBCT was equivalent to that obtained with 8-s CBCT but with a lower radiation dose.

Congenital Anomalies of the Superior Vena Cava: Embryological Correlation, Imaging Perspectives, and Clinical Relevance

There is a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies of the superior vena cava, which are more increasingly recognized in cross-sectional imaging. Although some of these anomalies are asymptomatic, others have important clinical and interventional implications. Imaging modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play an important role in the accurate characterization of these anomalies, which is essential for mapping prior to surgeries or interventions. In this article, we review a wide range of anomalies of the superior vena cava, including the embryological basis, cross-sectional imaging findings, and clinical implications, particularly from an interventional radiology perspective. We also discuss the treatments and complications of these anomalies.

Diagnostic accuracy of non-contrast magnetic resonance angiogram of infra-popliteal arteries prior to fibular-free flap harvest

Background Patients who are being evaluated to undergo fibula free flap transfer often do not have arterial disease. However a significant anatomical variant cannot be clinically excluded. Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiogram (CE-MRA) is commonly performed to identify the suitable side to harvest the flap and to exclude unsuitable infra-popliteal arterial anatomy. The aim of this study is to measure the quality and accuracy of a noncontrast MRA (NC-MRA) technique (Native SPACE = Non-contrast Angiography of the Arteries and Veins using Sampling Perfection with Application Optimized Contrast by using different flip angle Evolution) compared to CE-MRA.

Utility of cone-beam computed tomography in the assessment of the porto-spleno-mesenteric venous system

The common diagnostic tools available to evaluate the porto-spleno-mesenteric venous (PSMV) system provide either good hemodynamic information with limited morphological details [e.g., ultrasonography (US)] or excellent tomographic display of the anatomy with limited information about flow patterns [e.g., multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging]. Although catheter-directed selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) can provide excellent information about flow at a high temporal resolution and can generate images at a high spatial resolution, this technique is often limited by a lack of cross-sectional detail. In the assessment of the PSMV system, DSA is also limited by dilution of contrast and motion artefacts. Combining venous phase cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) with DSA can generate high-quality tomographic data, which allows detailed evaluation of venous tributaries and flow patterns within the splenic, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric venous systems individually. This enables clinicians to better understand the impact of nonobstructive resistance to flow (e.g., as in patients with cirrhosis) and obstructive resistance to flow (e.g., as in patients with thrombosis) within each system and plan treatment accordingly. In this review, we discuss the limitations of common diagnostic methods and the role venous CBCT in combination with DSA can play in assessing the PSMV system.

New “Cardiac Mass” After Heart Transplantation

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4][![Graphic][5] ][5] A 50-year-old man, 2 years post–heart transplantation, presented with progressive mild shortness of breath on follow-up. Echocardiography revealed normal left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV