Philip Haslam

Prostate MRI: Who, when, and how? Report from a UK consensus meeting

The current pathway for men suspected of having prostate cancer [transrectal biopsy, followed in some cases by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for staging] results in over-diagnosis of insignificant tumours, and systematically misses disease in the anterior prostate. Multiparametric MRI has the potential to change this pathway, and if performed before biopsy, might enable the exclusion of significant disease in some men without biopsy, targeted biopsy in others, and improvements in the performance of active surveillance. For the potential benefits to be realized, the setting of standards is vital. This article summarizes the outcome of a meeting of UK radiologists, at which a consensus was achieved on (1) the indications for MRI, (2) the conduct of the scan, (3) a method and template for reporting, and (4) minimum standards for radiologists.

Prospective study comparing three-dimensional computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating the renal vascular anatomy in potential living renal donors

To prospectively compare the accuracy of multislice spiral computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in evaluating the renal vascular anatomy in potential living renal donors.

Percutaneous Ablation of Peripheral Pseudoaneurysms Using Thrombin: A Simple and Effective Solution

AbstractPurpose: To assess the effectiveness of tissue adhesive and thrombin solution in the percutaneous ablation of peripheral artery pseudoaneurysms. Methods: Twenty-five pseudoaneurysms were treated over a 33-month period; all had failed ultrasound-guided compression. Tissue adhesive or thrombin solution was injected percutaneously, with needle tip position and changes within the aneurysm confirmed with color Doppler ultrasound. In 19 cases we utilized a protective balloon inflated across the aneurysm neck prior to the injection of tissue adhesive and in six cases used thrombin injection alone. Seven patients were anticoagulated. Patients were followed up after the procedure. Results: All 25 aneurysms were treated successfully; two patients required a return visit and there were no immediate complications or peripheral emboli detected. One patient developed a contralateral pseudoaneurysm. Conclusions: The percutaneous injection of pseudoaneurysms is a safe, atraumatic, and effective treatment for femoral artery pseudoaneurysms in the peripheral circulation. There are significant advantages over ultrasound-guided compression or surgical repair.

A Prospective Comparison of Two Types of Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheters: The Ash Split Versus the PermCath

Purpose: In a prospective randomized study a standard dual-tip hemodialysis catheter (PermCath, Sherwood Medical, St. Louis, MO, USA) was compared with a newer split-lumen catheter (Ash Split, Medcomp, Harleysville, PA, USA).Methods: Sixty-nine patients (42 men, 27 women; mean age 62 years) were randomized to receive either the Ash Split (AS) or the PermCath (PC) catheter. The catheters were inserted into the internal jugular vein. The primary outcome evaluated was blood flow measurements during the first six hemodialysis sessions. Secondary outcomes included: technical difficulties encountered at insertion, early complications and late complications requiring catheter removal or exchange.Results: A total of 69 hemodialysis catheters, 33 AS and 36 PC, were successfully inserted in the internal jugular vein (right 60, left 9) of 69 patients. Mean blood flow during dialysis (Qb) was 270.75 ml/min and 261.86 ml/hr for the AS and PC groups respectively (p = 0.27). Mean duration of catheter use was 111.7 days (range 5.4–548.9 days) and 141.2 days (range 7.0–560.9 days) in the AS and PC groups respectively (p = 0.307). Catheter failures leading to removal or exchange occurred in 20 patients: 14 in the AS group and six in the PC group. Survival curves with censored endpoints (i.e., recovery, arteriovenous fistula formation, peritoneal dialysis and transplantation) showed significantly better outcome with PermCath catheters (p = 0.024). There was no significant difference in ease of insertion or early complication rates.Conclusion: The Ash Split catheter allows increased rates of blood flow during hemodialysis but this increase was not significant at the beginning (p = 0.21) or end (p = 0.27) of the first six hemodialysis sessions. The Ash Split catheter is more prone to minor complications, particularly dislodgment, than the PermCath catheter.

De Novo Placement of Button Gastrostomy Catheters in an Adult Population: Experience in 53 Patients

PURPOSE To investigate the feasibility of primary button gastrostomy insertion with the aid of T-fastener gastropexy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-three consecutive patients (33 men, 20 women; mean age, 63.4 years) referred for percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) underwent primary button gastrostomy insertion over an 18-month period in two centers. Nine of the patients (17%) were referred after failed endoscopic gastrostomy and 44 (83%) were primarily referred for PRG. Indications for gastrostomy included esophageal/head and neck malignancy (n = 33) and neurologic disorders (n = 20). Gastropexy with three or four T-fasteners was performed in all patients and angioplasty balloon catheters (6 mm x 40 mm) were used to measure tract length and dilate the tract. An 18-F dilator was used for final tract dilation. Button gastrostomy catheters with retention balloons were inserted in all patients. Patient follow-up was performed by the department of dietetics, which contacted patients on a weekly basis. RESULTS Primary button gastrostomy insertion was successful in 52 of 53 patients (98%). The mean gastrostomy button catheter survival was 13.3 weeks (range, 1-28 weeks). No episodes of button occlusion occurred. Since the beginning of this study, 33 patients (63%) have had their gastrostomy buttons replaced. The reasons for button replacement include burst retention balloons (n = 27; 52%), dislodgment of the catheter (n = 4; 8%), and continuing pain/discomfort at the gastrostomy site (n = 2; 4%). CONCLUSION Button-type gastrostomy catheters can be placed de novo by interventional radiologists without the need for a mature tract, provided a T-fastener gastropexy is used. The balloon retention button devices are not compromised by occlusion but do tend to become dislodged.

Renal denervation for treatment-resistant hypertension

Hypertension is a major public health concern that is increasing in prevalence. Lifestyle and pharmacological management are not always sufficient to control blood pressure and treatment-resistant hypertension is a recognized clinical challenge. Renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) represents a new frontier in the treatment of resistant hypertension. Results from the Symplicity HTN-1 and HTN-2 trials have demonstrated evidence that suggests RSD can safely reduce blood pressure in patients with this condition. More research is needed to verify these data, clarify unanswered questions and assess future applications of RSD. This review provides a detailed overview on the history of hypertension, treatment-resistant hypertension, the rationale behind RSD, current evidence and potential future applications of RSD. An overview of current and upcoming RSD devices is also included.

Contrast-enhanced CT in 100 clear cell renal cell cancers - an analysis of enhancement, tumour size, and survival.

AIM To investigate the relationship between computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement of clear cell renal tumours and clinicopathological measures including tumour size, stage, grade, presence of necrosis, and disease-specific survival (DSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who had radical nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the period 2004-2007 and who underwent contrast-enhanced (CE)CT at diagnosis were included. Pathological records and radiological imaging were reviewed. Maximum contrast enhancement (MACE) in Hounsfield units (HU) was calculated as the difference between the highest value on pre-contrast and post-contrast imaging in at least three regions of interest within the tumour. MACE was correlated with histopathological measures (size, stage, grade, necrosis) and 5 year DSS. RESULTS In total, 100 patients with clear cell RCC (median follow-up 40 months) were included with median age of 64 years. MACE values ranged from 21-155 HU with a median of 60.5 HU. There was weak negative correlation between increasing tumour size and MACE (r=-0.2, p=0.045). Patients with necrosis on pathology had lower MACE (71.3 versus 57.5 HU, p=0.03). There was no significant correlation between tumour grade or stage and MACE. Kaplan-Meier plots showed significant survival differences with 5 year DSS for MACE <50 HU 100% versus 5 year DSS for MACE >50 HU 82% (log rank p=0.025). CONCLUSION MACE decreased with increasing tumour size and was associated with tumour necrosis. MACE >50 HU was associated with a worse 5 year DSS.

Cross-sectional study of the provision of interventional oncology services in the UK

Objective To map out the current provision of interventional oncology (IO) services in the UK. Design Cross-sectional multicentre study. Setting All National Health Service (NHS) trusts in England and Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland health boards. Participants Interventional radiology (IR) departments in all NHS trusts/health boards in the UK. Results A total of 179 NHS trusts/health boards were contacted. We received a 100% response rate. Only 19 (11%) institutions had an IO lead. 144 trusts (80%) provided IO services or had a formal pathway of referral in place for patients to a recipient trust. 21 trusts (12%) had plans to provide an IO service or formal referral pathway in the next 12 months only. 14 trusts (8%) did not have a pathway of referral and no plans to implement one. 70 trusts (39%) offered supportive and disease-modifying procedures. One trust had a formal referral pathway for supportive procedures. 73 trusts (41%) provided only supportive procedures (diagnostic or therapeutic). Of these, 43 (59%) had a referral pathway for disease-modifying IO procedures, either from a regional cancer network or through IR networks and 30 trusts (41%) did not have a referral pathway for disease-modifying procedures. Conclusion The provision of IO services in the UK is promising; however, collaborative networks are necessary to ensure disease-modifying IO procedures are made accessible to all patients and to facilitate larger registry data for research with commissioning of new services.

Percutaneous perirenal thrombin injection for the treatment of acute hemorrhage after renal biopsy

Percutaneous renal biopsy is a valuable diagnostic approach. While commonly safe, it is not without risk and the most feared vascular complications include hemorrhage, pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous fistula formation. We report a case of acute hemorrhage after renal biopsy that was immediately identified by ultrasonography and successfully treated with percutaneous perirenal thrombin injection. This technique may prove a useful addition to the armamentarium of any operator performing renal biopsies.

Evolving role of positron emission tomography (PET) in urological malignancy

We present a review on the increasing indications for the use of positron emission tomography (PET) in uro‐oncology. In this review we describe the details of the different types of PET scans, indications for requesting PET scans in specific urological malignancy and the interpretation of the results.