Shigeharu Iida

Efficacy of manual aspiration immediately after complicated. Pneumothorax in CT-guided lung biopsy

PURPOSE The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of simple aspiration of air from the pleural space to prevent increased pneumothorax and avoid chest tube placement in cases of pneumothorax after computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was based on experience with 283 consecutive percutaneous needle lung biopsies with real-time CT fluoroscopic guidance. While patients were on the CT scanner table, percutaneous manual aspiration was performed in all those with moderate or large pneumothorax demonstrated on postbiopsy chest CT images regardless of symptoms. The authors evaluated the frequency of biopsy-induced pneumothorax, management of each such case, and factors that influenced the incidence of worsening pneumothorax that required chest tube placement despite manual aspiration. RESULTS Of the 104 (36.7%) pneumothoraces occurring after 283 biopsy procedures, 52 were treated with manual aspiration immediately after biopsy. In 95 of the 104 pneumothoraces (91.3%), the pneumothorax had resolved completely on follow-up chest radiographs without chest tube placement. Only nine patients (3.2% of the entire series; 8.7% of those who developed pneumothorax) required chest tube placement. Requirement of chest tube insertion significantly increased parallel to the increased volume of aspirated air. The optimal cutoff level of aspirated air on which to base a decision to abandon manual aspiration alone and resort to chest tube placement was 543 mL. CONCLUSION Percutaneous manual aspiration of biopsy-induced pneumothorax performed immediately after biopsy may prevent progressive pneumothorax and eliminate the need for chest tube placement. However, in cases in which the amount of aspirated air is large (such as more than 543 mL in this study), the possibility of required chest tube placement increases.

Gunther Tulip Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement During Treatment for Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Lower Extremity

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gunther tulip retrievable vena cava filter (GTF) implantation to prevent pulmonary embolism during intravenously administered thrombolytic and anticoagulation therapy and interventional radiological therapy for occlusive or nonocclusive deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity.MethodsWe evaluated placement of 55 GTFs in 42 patients with lower extremity DVT who had undergone various treatments including those utilizing techniques of interventional radiology.ResultsWorsening of pulmonary embolism in patients with existing pulmonary embolism or in those without pulmonary embolism at the time of GTF insertion was avoided in all patients. All attempts at implantation of the GTF were safely accomplished. Perforation and migration experienced by one patient was the only complication. Mean period of treatment for DVT under protection from pulmonary embolism by the GTF was 12.7 ± 8.3 days (mean ± SD, range 4–37 days). We attempted retrieval of GTFs in 18 patients in whom the venous thrombus had disappeared after therapy, and retrieval in one of these 18 cases failed. GTFs were left in the vena cava in 24 patients for permanent use when the DVT was refractory to treatment.ConclusionThe ability of the GTF to protect against pulmonary embolism during treatment of DVT was demonstrated. Safety in both placement and retrieval was clarified. Because replacement with a permanent filter was not required, use of the GTF was convenient when further protection from complicated pulmonary embolism was necessary.

Catheter Redundancy in the Aortic Arch Increases the Risk of Stroke in Left Subclavian Arterial Port–Catheter Systems

PURPOSE The stroke rate after left subclavian arterial port-catheter placement was compared in two groups: one with minimal redundancy of the catheter and one with pronounced redundancy in the aortic arch designed to minimize the likelihood of catheter dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred forty-eight patients (102 men, 46 women; age range, 26-83 years; mean age, 64.3 years) with inoperable advanced liver cancers underwent percutaneous implantation of port-catheter systems via the left subclavian artery. In 33 patients, a pronounced redundancy of the catheter was intentionally looped in the aortic arch. Redundancy was intentionally avoided in the remaining 115 patients. The rates of brain infarction complications in these two groups were retrospectively compared. RESULTS Among the 33 patients with pronounced redundant catheter looping, brain infarctions occurred in four cases (12.1%). In contrast, brain infarctions occurred in only three of the 115 patients with minimal redundant catheter looping (2.6%). The frequency of brain infarction complications was significantly higher in the patients with pronounced redundant catheter looping in the aortic arch than in patients with minimal pronounced redundant catheter looping (P = .044, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSION Catheter redundancy in the aortic arch increases the risk of stroke in patients undergoing implantation of port-catheter systems via a left subclavian arterial approach for repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.

Withdrawal of Implanted Port–Catheter for Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy with Fixed Catheter Tip Technique

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility of a method developed to withdraw a port-catheter system that had been implanted with use of the fixed catheter tip technique. Withdrawal of an implanted catheter was required in four patients with advanced liver cancer in whom port-catheter systems had been implanted for performance of repeated hepatic arterial infusion. In all patients, port-catheter systems were successfully removed without complications. In conclusion, an implanted port-catheter system can be removed even when implanted with the fixed catheter tip technique.

CT-guided percutaneous drainage within intervertebral space for pyogenic spondylodiscitis with psoas abscess.

Background Reports on CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space for pyogenic spondylodiscitis with a secondary psoas abscess are limited. Purpose To evaluate CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space for pyogenic spondylodiscitis and a secondary psoas abscess in which the two sites appear to communicate. Material and Methods Eight patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis and a secondary psoas abscess showing communication with the intradiscal abscess underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space. The clinical outcome was retrospectively assessed. Results An 8-French pigtail catheter within the intervertebral space was successfully placed in all patients. Seven patients responded well to this treatment. The one remaining patient who had developed septic shock before the procedure died on the following day. The mean duration of drainage was 32 days (13–70 days). Only one patient with persistent back pain underwent surgery for stabilization of the spine after the improvement of inflammation. Among seven patients responding well, long-term follow-up (91–801 days, mean 292 days) was conducted in six patients excluding one patient who died of asphyxiation due to aspiration unrelated to the procedure within 30 days after the procedure. In these six patients, no recurrence of either pyogenic spondylodiscitis or the psoas abscess was noted. Conclusion CT-guided percutaneous drainage within the intervertebral space can be effective for patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis and a secondary psoas abscess if the psoas abscess communicates with the intradiscal abscess.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Secondary to Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunt: Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Embolization with n-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Microcoils

We report a 70-year-old woman with hepatic encephalopathy due to an intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt that was successfully occluded by percutaneous transcatheter embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate and microcoils.

NONTUMOROUS PERFUSION ABNORMALITIES OF LIVER PARENCHYMA ADJACENT TO THE FALCIFORM LIGAMENT AS REVEALED BY ANGIOGRAPHIC HELICAL CT AND ANGIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE To investigate nontumorous abnormalities in the liver around the falciform ligament as revealed by arteriography and helical CT arterial portography (CTAP) and helical CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA). MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and seventeen patients simultaneously underwent hepatic arteriography and CTAP and CTHA of the common hepatic artery. The number, size, and shape of nontumorous defects of portal perfusion in the liver adjacent to the falciform ligament on CTAP as well as the nontumorous contrast enhancement in the same area on CTHA were determined. In 1 case, in which nontumorous enhancement was observed on CTHA, selective arteriography from the gastric arteries was performed. RESULTS On CTAP a nontumorous area of decreased portal perfusion of the liver around the falciform ligament was detected in 18 (15.4%) of the 117 patients, while nontumorous enhancement on CTHA was seen in 7 (6.0%). In 4 patients, both of these nontumorous abnormalities were observed. In the patient undergoing selective gastric arteriography, nonportal venous inflow to the liver in the direction to the liver adjacent to the falciform ligament was seen. CONCLUSION One cause of nontumorous vascular abnormalities adjacent to the falciform ligament as shown on angiographic helical CT is aberrant gastric venous inflow to this region.

Interventional radiologic treatment for hepatic arterial occlusion after repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy via implanted port-catheter system

The present study evaluated the feasibility of interventional radiologic treatments for hepatic arterial occlusion after hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) via an implanted port-catheter system. Treatment for hepatic arterial occlusion was attempted in seven patients with unresectable liver cancer. In six, the obstructed hepatic artery was recanalized. In three patients, the recanalized hepatic artery again became obstructed. However, by performing additional interventional radiologic procedures, secondary patency of the hepatic artery was successfully obtained in two patients. In conclusion, when hepatic arterial occlusion occurs, HAIC can be resumed in the attempt to recanalize the hepatic artery.