Kyung-Bok Lee

Predictors of response to percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy (PES) in patients with venous malformations: Analysis of patient self-assessment and imaging

BACKGROUNDnPercutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy (PES) is the primary tool in the treatment of venous malformations (VM). However, PES has known serious complications. This study is aimed at identifying predictors of good response to PES in patients with VM to improve patient selection.nnnMETHODSnWe performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 158 VM patients (mean age, 14.3 years, male 42%) who underwent ethanol sclerotherapy at a specialized vascular malformation center. For clinical result assessment, patients or parents in pediatric patients answered questions on symptomatic, functional, and cosmetic improvement after PES. In each category, the possible choices were markedly improved, moderately improved, no change, moderately worse, or markedly worse compared with pretreatment status. A good response was defined as one or more areas of marked improvement on the self-assessment in conjunction with marked improvement on post-treatment images (> or =30% decrease in maximal diameter of VM on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] or > or =50% decrease in abnormal blood pool ratio on whole body blood pool scintigraphy [WBBPS] compared with pretreatment images). To determine predictors of a good response to PES, uni- and multivariate analysis were conducted on demographics (age, gender), clinical features of VM (location, size, depth of involved tissue, presence of associated lymphatic malformation, MRI findings; well-defined vs ill-defined margin, characteristics of venous drainage during PES) and treatment variables (number of PES sessions, maximal concentration and dosage of ethanol used in PES, adjuvant therapy).nnnRESULTSnSymptomatic, functional, and cosmetic improvement was 28%, 27%, and 34%, respectively, based on patient questionnaires. Based on imaging studies, 42 patients (27%) had markedly improvement. Composite outcome combining questionnaire results and imaging study showed that 16% of patients had a good response. On multivariate analysis, female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 4.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-16.28), no or delayed visualization of drainage vein (OR: 9.22, 95% CI: 1.79-47.51), and a well-defined margin on MRI (OR: 13.38, 95% CI: 2.84-63.12) were independent predictors of good response to PES.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPES should be performed in selected patients in order to obtain the best outcomes and minimize complications. No or delayed visualization of drainage vein on initial direct puncture venogram, a well-defined margin on MRI, and female gender were statistically significant predictors of a good response to PES and may be useful in selecting patients.

Incidence of soft tissue injury and neuropathy after embolo/sclerotherapy for congenital vascular malformation

PURPOSEnEmbolo/sclerotherapy is an important treatment modality for vascular malformations, but the rates and results of the complications associated with embolo/sclerotherapy are not well known. We report the incidence and outcome of soft tissue injury and neuropathy after performing embolo/sclerotherapy for congenital vascular malformations (CVMs) classified according to the Hamburg classification.nnnMETHODSnAmong 1823 patients with CVM, 573 were treated with embolo/sclerotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed 68 patients (31 males, 37 females; mean age, 20.0 years) with soft tissue injury and 49 patients (16 males, 33 females; mean age, 21.2 years) with neuropathy. The indications for embolo/sclerotherapy for CVM were that the CVMs affected the quality of life, such as a symptomatic or trauma-prone lesion or a lesion that was impairing the function of a limb, and the lesions that were located near a life-threatening vital area, including the airway. As embolo/sclerotherapy agents, absolute or 80% ethanol, N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA), and various types of coils or contour particles were used in various combinations, either at the same time or in phases, depending on the location, severity, and extent of the CVM.nnnRESULTSnThe incidence of soft tissue injury was 29.4% (42 of 143) for the arteriovenous shunting type and 8% (22 of 273) for the venous type. No soft tissue injuries occurred in the patients with arterial and lymphatic malformations. Of the 68 patients with soft tissue injury, 40 lesions healed with conservative management, and 28 lesions needed surgery, including escharectomy, skin graft, or amputation. The incidence of neuropathy was 10.9% (30 of 273) for the venous CVM. No neuropathy occurred in the patients with arterial malformations. Of the 49 patients with neuropathy, 42 recovered at a mean period of 5.3 months, but seven did not.nnnCONCLUSIONnSoft tissue injuries occurred in 11.9% of patients (68 of 573) and neuropathies occurred in 8.6% (49 of 573) after undergoing embolo/sclerotherapy. Most of these complications recovered by themselves (58.9% from soft tissue injury and 85.1% from neuropathy). Our results suggest that embolo/sclerotherapy has an acceptable incidence of soft tissue injury and neuropathy, when considering the effect that the CVM had on the quality of life before treatment, so embolo/sclerotherapy is recommended as a treatment modality for CVM.

Analysis of the postoperative hemodynamic changes in varicose vein surgery using air plethysmography

OBJECTIVESnThis study used air plethysmographic parameters to evaluate the changes in venous hemodynamics after the surgical treatment of primary varicose veins.nnnMETHODSnWe retrospectively analyzed 1756 limbs of 1620 patients who had undergone surgery for great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux from January 1996 to June 2009 at Samsung Medical Center. Venous hemodynamic changes were evaluated by performing air plethysmography preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively and assessing the venous volume (VV), the venous filling index (VFI), the residual volume fraction (RVF), and the ejection fraction (EF).nnnRESULTSnPreoperatively, median (interquartile range) values were VV, 121.6 (94.7-160.6) mL; VFI, 4.8 (2.9-7.6) mL/s; RVF, 40.6% (29.7%-50.0%); and EF, 53.5% (44.3%-64.1%). Postoperatively, the median (interquartile range) values were VV, 90.6 (69.1-116.8) mL; VFI, 1.4 (0.9-1.9) mL/s; RVF, 28.4% (17.5%-38.7%); and EF, 65.2% (54.5%-77.2%). VV, VFI, and RVF were reduced 25.2%, 71.5%, and 29.9%, respectively; EF was increased 20.3%. The results were significant for all four variables (P < .001). We compared the degree of hemodynamic changes according to the treatment modalities: the high ligation and stripping group , 1578 cases; the GSV valvuloplasty group, 124 cases; and the VNUS group (VNUS Medical Technologies Inc, San Jose, CA), 54 cases. The reduction of the VV, VFI, and RVF was greater in the GSV stripping group and in the VNUS group than in the valvuloplasty group (P < .001), yet no difference was noted in the EF increase among the surgical modalities (P = .157).nnnCONCLUSIONnOur results show that the venous hemodynamic parameters of primary varicose veins were improved after surgical treatment.

Association with inflammatory cells and apolipoproteins to the progression of atherosclerosis

Purpose Inflammatory cells are known to be associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture. However, the relation to inflammatory cells and apolipoproteins on the progression of atherosclerosis is unknown. This study was aimed at examining the different expressions of inflammatory cells and evaluate the effect of apolipoprotein (APO) C1 and APO E during the progression of atherosclerosis. Methods Ten atherosclerotic tissues were compared with five non-atherosclerotic tissues. The presence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), macrophages, T-cells, APO C1, and APO E were identified by Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis with antibodies. The senescence was analyzed by senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Results The protein expression and senescence of macrophages, APO C1 and APO E were significantly higher in the main atherosclerotic lesion than the non-atherosclerotic lesion. A high concentration of inflammatory cells and the paucity of VSMCs were present in the shoulder area. In addition, macrophage and T-cells are expressed in the early stage of atherosclerotic development and more expanded in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. APO C1 was expressed mainly within the necrotic core, and APO E existed mostly around the necrotic core and the fibrous cap in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusion Our study indicated that the expression and the senescence of macrophage and T-cells may be closelyrelated to induction and deposition of APO C1 and APO E. This contributes to the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaque by expanding the necrotic core.

Cystic Adventitial Disease of the Popliteal Artery: Report of a Case

The etiology of cystic adventitial disease is unknown and the optimal treatment modality remains to be elucidated. We report a 58-year-old man diagnosed to have cystic adventitial disease in the popliteal artery, who was treated by a resection of the diseased segment of the arteries and then underwent reconstruction with a reversed saphenous vein graft interposition.

Prevalence of asymptomatic critical carotid artery stenosis in Korean patients with chronic atherosclerotic lower extremity ischemia: is a screening carotid duplex ultrasonography worthwhile?

This study aimed to investigate prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) in Korean patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and identify predictive factors of ACAS in patients with PAD. Between 1994 and 2008, 546 patients who underwent bypass surgery due to PAD were identified in a single tertiary teaching hospital. Of those, 409 patients underwent preoperative screening carotid duplex ultrasonography (CDUS). Patients who had an episode of cerebrovascular event or previous carotid artery intervention were excluded and then a retrospective analysis was made of 340 patients. The degree of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis was determined by the criteria of Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus Conference. To determine the risk factors of ACAS, demographic, coexisting medical condition and lesion characteristics were tested with binary logistic regression model. The prevalence of ≥70% ICA stenosis was 14%. ICA occlusion was detected in 7.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed age >65 yr (OR: 2.610, 95% CI: 1.197-5.691) and coronary artery disease (CAD, OR: 2.333, 95% CI: 1.169-4.657) are predictive factors of ≥70% stenosis. A PAD patient who needs revascularization, particularly, >65 yr or has a concomitant CAD, can be a good candidate of screening CDUS.

Incidence and risk factors of poor mobilization in adult autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: a single-centre experience

Collection of sufficient CD34+ cells for autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation is frequently failed in patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated the incidence and the predictive factors for poor mobilization.

Risk factors for delayed recanalization of calf vein thrombosis

Purpose To determine the risk factors of delayed recanalization of isolated calf vein thrombosis (CVT). Methods One hundred fifty limbs of 110 patients with CVT between September 2007 and April 2010 were enrolled. We used ultrasonography for the diagnosis and follow-up examinations of CVT. We calculated recanalization rates at 1 and 3 months after initial diagnosis and analyzed the risk factors associated with delayed recanalization of CVT. Results CVTs were located in the muscular calf vein in 110 (73.3%), in the deep calf vein in 18 (12%), and in both in 22 cases (14.7%). Among all CVTs, 94 limbs (63%) were symptomatic. Major risk factors for CVT were orthopedic surgery (87.3%), malignancy (21.3%), and immobilization (15.3%). Sixty-seven patients (60.9%) were treated with oral anticoagulation therapy, while 43 patients by low molecular weight heparin (n = 19) or by conservative methods including elastic compression stockings and ambulation (n = 21). The cumulative recanalization rate at 1 and 3 months was 23% and 82% and it was significantly higher in patients who underwent oral anticoagulation therapy compared with patients without oral anticoagulation therapy (84% vs. 65%, P = 0.008 by log-rank test). Malignancy (odds ratio [OR], 2.789; P = 0.043) and immobilization (OR, 4.191; P = 0.029) were independent risk factors for delayed recanalization of CVT and oral anticoagulation (OR, 0.300; P = 0.020) was an independent factor in promoting recanalization in multivariate analysis. Conclusion For patients with isolated CVT, no oral anticoagulation resulted in higher rates of delayed recanalization compared to oral anticoagulation treatment. Immobilization and having malignancy were independent risk factors for delayed recanalization.

Skin and Soft Tissue Injuries in Congenital Vascular Malformations

Congenital vascular malformation (CVM) refers to malformed vessels resulting from arrested development during various stages of embryogenesis and presents in about 1.5% of the population (Belov, 1989; Malan & Pulionisi, 1965; Villavicencio et al, 2002). The CVMs may originate from multiple vascular systems, including arterial, venous, and lymphatic, and represent as either a predominant form (e.g., arterial malformation) or as a mixed condition (venolymphatic malformation). As such, CVM has various clinical manifestations depending on vascular structural architecture, involved site(s), and type of malformed vessels present. In general, most CVMs are sporadic, but some are heritable in an autosomal dominant fashion (Arneja & Gosain, 2008). In spite of advances in the field of vascular biology, the pathogenesis, natural history, and treatment principles of CVMs have yet to be understood or developed. Occasionally, CVMs can be confused with infantile hemangiomas (Figure 1). Even though both anomalies represent cutaneous vascular manifestations, their histologic findings and clinical courses are completely different. Most hemangiomas appear at birth, are self-limited, and resolve spontaneously before 12 years of age. However, CVMs may be identified at birth, progress during childhood, and never regress during the lifespan (Figure 1). Clinical manifestations of the CVM are determined by its embryologic characteristics, especially the stage of embryogenesis in which development was arrested. Thus, it represents a wide range of clinical symptoms from a simple birthmark to a life-threatening condition (Lee, 2005). A small, localized venous malformation may cause a simple cosmetic problem such as a birthmark; however, a diffuse type of arteriovenous malformation in a major organ may result in a life-threatening condition, such as congestive heart failure, intractable bleeding, or airway obstruction, in addition to serious disfigurement. Despite diagnostic advances over the last three decades, it is very difficult to diagnose the CVM for a sole physician because the CVM may involve multiple vascular systems and manifest variable clinical presentations. Therefore, multidisciplinary collaboration of physicians from special departments is necessary for accurate diagnosis and successful treatment of CVM.