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Aim: To evaluate safety, technical and clinical success of embolization of type Ia endoleak (T1a EL) using ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer as embolic agent alone or in combination with other materials., Materials and Methods: Five patients presented T1a EL after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms (EVAR) with radiological evidence of expanding sac size; in particular, three had contained rupture. In one patient, proximal cuff insertion was previously performed, in three patients proximal cuff was urgently inserted but T1a EL persisted; one patient, previously treated with Ovation Abdominal Stent Graft System, was directly proposed for endovascular treatment. In all cases, endovascular embolization was successfully performed and the transfemoral approach was always chosen; in one case it failed and translumbar approach by direct puncture of the sac was required. Used embolization agents were glue, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) and coils in three cases, n-butyl cyanoacrylate and Onyx in one case, Onyx and coils in the last case., Results: Technical success rate was 100% as well as clinical success. No major or minor complication, including non-target embolization, was registered. Clinical success was 100% until today and the sac diameter remained stable in four patients and decreased in one., Conclusions: Onyx may be considered a suitable embolic agent in the treatment of patients with type Ia endoleaks after EVAR, after failure of conventional treatments such as prolonged balloon inflation of the aortic neck or deployment of large bare stent.

Aim: To evaluate safety, technical and clinical success of embolization of type II endoleak (T2 EL) using ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer as embolic agent alone or in combination with others materials., Materials and Methods: From March 2007 to March 2015, 104 patients presented T2 EL during follow-up. A total of 21 patients met the criteria for treatment. T2 EL was treated with TAE (n = 18), DPSI (n = 10) or laparoscopic ligature of the inferior mesenteric artery (n = 1). DPSI was considered in case TAE was unsuccessful (8/18 patients). Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer was used as embolic agent in 12 patients: alone in 5 cases, in association with glue and with glue and thrombin in 3 and 2 cases, respectively, during TAE. Onyx was injected in two cases of embolization performed with DPSI: in one case alone and in the other in combination with thrombin and glue., Results: Technical success rate was 100%. Immediate clinical success was 91.7%; in one patient CEUS revealed persistent T2 EL, decreased if compared with that before the procedure. Secondary clinical success was 91.7%; until today, in one patient T2EL is persistent, nevertheless, the sac diameter remained stable. No major or minor complications were registered., Conclusions: Onyx could be an ideal embolic agent for endovascular and percutaneous embolization of T2 EL.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate factors influencing effectiveness of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (<3 cm)., Materials and Methods: Between December 2007 and August 2015, 49 patients with 65 previously histological typed HCC were treated in a total of 61 sessions. Tumours were subdivided into central (>3 cm from the capsule) (n = 22) and peripheral (<3 cm from the capsule) (n = 43). Imaging follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, then annually. Mean follow-up period was 18 months (range 1-55). Location of the lesion, age, sex, and underlying disease of the patients was analyzed and related with efficacy., Results: Technical success was obtained in all cases. Residual disease was registered in 21 lesions (32.3 %): 13 were peripheral and 8 were central. Twelve of them were retreated with percutaneous MWA. Local recurrence was recorded in 8 lesions (12.3 %): 5 were retreated with MWA. No significant difference in terms of effectiveness was observed in lesions located in a central position and those situated in the peripheral position. Age, sex, and underlying disease not influenced results. Only one major complication was observed. The rate of minor complications was 24.5 %. Mortality at 30 days was 0 %., Conclusions: Our results encourage the role of MWA in the treatment of small HCC. More numerous series and randomized studies are necessary to state the role of MWA and to select cases in which MWA may be more effective and safer than RFA.

Aim: To evaluate the technical and clinical success, primary patency (PP) and complications of angioplasty performed with paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCBs) associated with cutting balloon and for the treatment of the outflow stenoses of failing hemodialysis arteriovenous shunt., Material and Methods: From September 2014 to September 2015, 50 patients with 66 stenoses were registered. Vascular accesses were autogenous (n = 20) and prosthetic (n = 30). Stenosis were documented during follow-up with routine echo-color Doppler, clinical evaluation and in the remaining incidentally during fistulography. Angioplasty was performed with cutting balloon and afterward with PCB. The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range 6-15 months). Technical success, clinical success, primary patency and complications were registered., Results: Technical success was 100 %. Clinical success was 94.7 %. Primary patency rate was 87.7 %; in five patients, a significant re-stenosis (≥50 %) was registered. A residual asymptomatic stenosis (<30 %) was registered in four cases (7 %). No major complications were registered., Conclusions: A short-term patency benefit may be obtained including PCB in angioplasty treatment of failing hemodialysis arteriovenous shunts.

Aim: The aim of the study was to establish if a novel tablet ultrasound (US) may replace a high-end US machine during routine interventional radiology activities., Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutive patients were evaluated by two operators comparing the performance of the new US tablet system (VISIQ, Philips Healthcare) against a high-end US system (iU22, Philips Healthcare) using a curved probe (C5-2). A structured questionnaire was used to rank on a 4-point scale the ability of each system to locate a target as detected by previous examinations and visualize needles and path during an interventional procedure. Necessity for conversion from the tablet US to the high-end US system was registered; body mass index (BMI) was annotated for each patient., Results: Agreement between the operators was found for every patient. Mean patient BMI was 25 (range 17-34). Image quality of the tablet US was considered insufficient in 1 case to visualize the target and in another case to visualize the needle. Mean target image quality was superior with the high-end US system, while needle visibility scored higher with the tablet US. Conversion to the high-end system was registered in 40 % of cases: in most cases (66.6 %) the decision was due to the absence of a dedicated needle guide for the tablet US., Conclusions: The novel tablet US was found to provide sufficient image quality for the majority of routine interventional procedures. Dedicated accessories and additional experience with this new generation US device may be needed to replace bulky high-end US systems.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of pulmonary nodules under cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) with "XperGuide" navigation guidance., Materials and Methods: From February 2010 to January 2012, 100 patients (63 men and 37 women; mean age 67.27 years; range 21-88 years) with 100 lung nodules (44 ≤ 3 cm, 56 > 3 cm) underwent CBCT-XperGuide guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsies. Technical success, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and complications were evaluated., Results: Of 100 nodules (mean size 5.19 cm), 68 were diagnosed as malignant, 27 as benign, and five as indeterminate. Technical success was 95 %. Only 33 of 100 patients underwent surgery: the final pathological diagnosis was concordant with the biopsy diagnosis in 26 cases and discordant in 7 cases (false negatives). Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 92.6, 90.9, 100, 100 and 72 %, respectively., Conclusions: CBCT-XperGuide navigation is a new, accurate and safe imaging guidance for percutaneous lung biopsies.

In the last decades an increased incidence of new renal tumor cases has been for clinically localized, small tumors <2.0 cm. This trend for small, low-stage tumors is the reflection of earlier diagnosis primarily as a result of the widespread and increasing use of non-invasive abdominal imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Renal tumors are often diagnosed in elderly patients, with medical comorbidities whom the risk of surgical complications may pose a greater risk of death than that due to the tumor itself. In these patients, unsuitable for surgical approach, thermal ablation represents a valid alternative to traditional surgery. Thermal ablation is a less invasive, less morbid treatment option thanks to reduced blood loss, lower incidence of complications during the procedure and a less long convalescence. At present, the most widely used thermal ablative techniques are cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation (MWA). MWA offers many benefits of other ablation techniques and offers several other advantages: higher intratumoral temperatures, larger tumor ablation volumes, faster ablation times, the ability to use multiple applicators simultaneously, optimal heating of cystic masses and tumors close to the vessels and less procedural pain. This review aims to provide the reader with an overview about the state of the art of microwave ablation for renal tumors and to cast a glance on the new development trends of this technique.

Unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer with or without metastatic disease is associated with a very poor prognosis. Ablation techniques are based on direct application of chemical, thermal, or electrical energy to a tumor, which leads to cellular necrosis. Initial studies about ablation therapies of the pancreas were associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which limited widespread adoption. Modifications to the various applications, in particular combining the techniques with high-quality imaging and intra-operative approach has enabled real-time treatment monitoring and significant improvements in safety. Inoperable cases of pancreatic cancer have been treated by various ablation techniques in the last few years with promising results. The purpose of this review is to present the current status of local ablative therapies in the treatment of pancreatic advanced tumor.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to review our experience and long-term follow-up in the treatment of iatrogenic renal vascular injuries using transcatheter embolisation., Materials and Methods: Our retrospective analysis of cases collected in two interventional centres consists of a total of 21 patients who underwent renal arterial embolisation (RAE) for iatrogenic arterial kidney bleeding. Biopsy (n = 4), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (n = 4), nephron-sparing surgery (n = 4), guidewire-induced arterial perforation during coronary angiography or renal stenting (n = 3), percutaneous nephrostomy (n = 3), renal endopyelotomy/pyeloplasty (n = 2) and surgical nephrectomy were the iatrogenic causes. Seven patients presented with haemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion (33.3%), the remaining were haemodynamically stable (66.7%). Diagnostic renal angiography revealed 9 actively bleeding vessels, 6 pseudoaneurysms, 4 arteriovenous fistulas and 1 arterio-calyceal fistula. In one patient selective renal arteriography was negative probably because the bleeding observed at CT angiography was self-limited. Twenty-one embolisation procedures were performed in 20 patients; one patient required a second embolisation 3 h after the first one. Embolisation was performed with microcoils, polyvinyl alcohol particles, embospheres, spongostan emulsion and vascular plug., Results: The technical success rate was 100%. The overall clinical success rate was 95%. Apart from a patient who died due to disseminated intravascular coagulation, no major complications requiring intensive care treatment were encountered during or after the procedures. No patient required emergency surgery or subsequent surgical treatment. No statistically significant differences in eGFR or renal function stage appeared after RAE., Conclusions: Percutaneous treatment can be proposed as a first-line treatment in iatrogenic renal arterial injuries, resulting in a safe and effective procedure.

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of microwave (MW) ablation of lung tumours., Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients underwent percutaneous MW ablation of 26 intraparenchymal pulmonary masses. All patients were judged to be inoperable on the basis of tumour stage, comorbidities, advanced age and/or refusal to undergo surgery. Ablation was performed using a microwave generator (Evident Microwave Ablation System, Covidien Ltd., Dublin). Lesions with a diameter ≤ 3 cm were treated with a single antenna, lesions with a diameter >3 cm were treated by positioning two or more antennae, simultaneously. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) follow-up with and without contrast administration at 1, 3 and 6 months and then yearly in combination with complete blood and metabolic tests., Results: Technical success was 100 %. No major complications were recorded. Asymptomatic grade-1 pneumothorax was recorded in 9 patients (37.5 %). One case of asymptomatic pleural effusion and one of haemoptysis, not requiring transfusion, were observed. No patients were diagnosed with a post-ablation syndrome. Complete necrosis was observed in 16 of 26 lesions (61.6 %). Partial necrosis was obtained in 30.8 % (8/26 lesions); in one case (3.8 %) a progression of the disease was recorded and in another case (3.8 %) a stability was observed., Conclusions: Our preliminary experience may be considered in accordance with literature dates, in terms of efficacy and safety.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate technical success, effectiveness and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with unresectable liver metastases, where radiofrequency ablation (RFA) presents some limits., Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients (17 men, 8 women) with 31 liver metastases >3 cm or located near vessels (>3 mm) were treated in a total of 29 sessions. Tumours were subdivided as follows: colorectal metastases (n=21) and no colorectal metastases (n=10). All procedures were performed percutaneously under ultrasound (US) guidance. Follow-up was performed with computed tomography (CT) scan at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment; mean follow-up period was 12.04 (range, 3-36) months. Technical success, mean disease-free survival, effectiveness and safety were evaluated., Results: Technical success was obtained in all cases. Mean disease-free survival was of 20.5 months. Local recurrence was recorded in 12.9% of metastases treated (4/31). No major complications were recorded. The rate of minor complications was 44.8% (13/29 sessions). Mortality at 30 days was 0%., Conclusions: Percutaneous MWA of liver metastases >3 cm or located near vessels (>3 mm) can be considered a valid and safe option, probably preferable to RFA. Further studies are required to confirm these encouraging initial results.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of endovascular treatment of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs)., Materials and Methods: Between May 2000 and June 2003 we treated 11 true SAAs in 9 patients (7 females and 2 males; mean age 58 years), 8 saccular and 3 fusiform, 4 located at the middle tract of the splenic artery, 5 at the distal tract and 2 intra-parenchymal. The diagnosis was performed with colour-Doppler ultrasound and/or CT-angiography; 7 patients were symptomless, 1 had left hypochondriac pain, and 1 had acute abdomen caused by a ruptured SAA. Four SAAs were treated by microcoil embolization of the aneurysmal sac with preservation of splenic artery patency; in 2 cases this was associated with transcatheter injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Four cases were treated by endovascular ligature, with sectoral spleen ischaemia. One ruptured SAA received emergency treatment with splenic artery cyanoacrylate embolization. Two intra-parenchymal SAAs were excluded, one by cyanoacrylate embolization of the afferent artery and the other by transcatheter thrombin injection in the aneurysmal sac., Results: Technical success was observed in all cases (in 10/11 at the end of the procedure; in 1/11 at CT performed 3 days after the procedure). The follow-up (mean 18 months; range 6-36) was performed by colour-Doppler ultrasound and/or CT-angiography 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure and subsequently once a year; the complete exclusion of the aneurysms was confirmed in 11/11 cases. The complications were: 4 cases of mild left pleuritis; fever and left hypochondriac pain 1 day after the procedure (in the same 4 patients and in one other case); 5 cases of sectoral spleen ischaemia and 1 case of diffuse spleen infarction with partial revascularization by collateral vessels. No alteration of the levels of pancreatic enzymes was found; a transitory increase in platelet count occurred only in the patient with diffuse spleen infarction., Conclusions: Using different techniques, endovascular treatment is feasible in nearly all SAAs. It ensures good immediate and long term results, and no doubt presents some advantages in comparison to surgical treatment, as it is less invasive and allows the preservation of splenic function.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic capabilities of multidetector CT in the evaluation of the small bowel in different pathological conditions, with the use of oral hyperhydration with isotonic solution., Materials and Methods: The study retrospectively evaluated 106 patients who underwent multidetector CT of the small bowel. Four groups were considered on the basis of the clinical findings: group A (48 cases), with suspected or certain chronic inflammatory disease of the small bowel; group B (16 cases), with suspected neoplastic lesion of the small bowel; group C (17 cases), patients affected by malabsorption; group D (25 cases), others: 13 cases with non-specific abdominal pain, 4 cases with occult bleeding, 8 cases affected by fever of unknown origin. Thirteen patients had previously undergone surgical intestinal resection. In all cases the CT examination was performed after the oral administration of 2000 mL polyethylene glycol electrolyte balanced solution; before the scan, N-butyl scopolamine or glucagon were administered intravenously to obtain rapid inhibition of bowel peristalsis. All multidetector CT scans were acquired at baseline and 50 seconds after the I.V. administration of 110-130 ml high-concentration non-ionic iodinated contrast medium. The images were subsequently processed on a dedicated workstation (Advantage Windows 4.0, GE Medical Systems) to obtain multiplanar reconstruction (MPR). We considered the following CT findings: fold distribution, wall thickening and stratification and contrast enhancement, extraparietal involvement and abnormalities of the abdominal organs. The CT diagnoses were compared with the clinical and laboratory findings (86 cases) and with the results of barium follow-through (55 cases), ileo-colonoscopy (45 cases) or surgery (28 cases)., Results: CT examination allowed the correct diagnosis in 86/106 cases (89%); 20 patients were not included in the study because of a poor (11 cases) or absent (9 cases) small bowel loop distension. The final diagnoses in the 86 patients were: Crohn's disease of the small bowel (38 cases), Crohn's disease of the duodenum (1 case), granulomatous colitis (3 cases), malabsorption (8 cases), neoplastic lesion (4 cases), post-radiation conglomeration of ileal loops (1 case), intestinal lymphangiectasia (1 case), ulceration of the last ileal loop (1 case). In 29 cases no abnormalities of the small bowel were found. Spiral CT yielded 52 true positive cases, 5 false negative cases, 2 false positive cases, and 27 true negative, Results: The sensitivity of the technique was 91%, specificity 93% and diagnostic accuracy 92%., Conclusions: Multidetector CT of the small bowel performed after oral hyperhydration with isosmotic solution, proved to be an accurate and thorough technique. It can be considered a safe and effective alternative to conventional radiographic studies and to small bowel spiral CT enema in patients that refuse the nasojejunal balloon catheter or the administration of methylcellulose.

From January 1969-June 1978, 413 children less than 15 years of age underwent lymphography at the National Cancer Institute, Milan. Successful lymphatic cannulation was accomplished in 97.7% (769/787) of the sites where it was attempted. No major or permanent complications were encountered. In those children undergoing biopsy of opacified lymph nodes, lymphographic-histologic correlation was 94.5% (104/110). This study has shown that lymphography in childhood can be as readily performed as in the adult and that its diagnostic accuracy is acceptable. As in adults, it is useful in treatment planning, evaluating results of therapy, and detecting recurrent tumor.