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Purpose: To compare, in an interventional radiology setting, peak skin doses (PSDs) delivered as calculated using a dedicated software tool and as measured using radiochromic film. To assess the utility of this dose calculation software tool in routine clinical practice., Materials and Methods: First, radiochromic films were positioned on the examination table in the back of an adult anthropomorphic phantom to measure PSD, and X-ray examinations were simulated. Then, films were again positioned in the patient's back for 59 thoracic or abdominopelvic endovascular interventions. The results obtained with the radiochromic films were taken as a reference and were statistically compared with those of the software., Results: With measured PSDs ranging from 100 to 7000 mGy, the median software-film difference was 8.5%. Lin's concordance coefficient was 0.98 [0.97; 0.99] (p < 0.001), meaning that concordance was excellent between the two methods. For the films where PSD exceeded 1000 mGy, the median difference in the measured value was 8.7% [- 1.3; 21.1], with a maximum discrepancy of 34%. Lin's concordance coefficient was 0.98 [0.96; 1] (p < 0.001), meaning that concordance was excellent between the two methods., Conclusion: Comparison between radiochromic films and the software tool showed that the software is a suitable tool for a simple and reliable estimation of PSD. The software seems to be a good alternative to films, whose use remains complex.

Purpose: To evaluate cisplatin (CDDP) pharmacokinetics after its intravenous (IV) or intrahepatic arterial administration (IHA) in healthy pigs with or without embolization by absorbable gelatine., Material and Methods: We analysed plasmatic and hepatic drug concentration in four groups of six mini-pigs each according to the modality of administration of CDDP (1 mg/kg): IV, IHA, IHA with partial embolization using absorbable gelatine (IHA-Pe), and IHA with complete embolization (IHA-Te). Unbounded plasmatic and hepatic platinum concentrations were measured. Concentration and pharmacokinetics parameters were compared using analysis of variance., Results: For all groups, there was a rapid and biexponential decrease in free platinum concentration. Plasmatic terminal half-life (T(1/2)) was significantly decreased after embolization at 191, 178, 42, and 41 min after IV, IHA, IHA-Pe, and IHA-Te administration, respectively. Maximal plasmatic concentration and systemic exposure to CDDP (AUC(24)) values were significantly decreased after embolization (C(max) p = 0.0075; AUC(24) p = 0.0053). Hepatic CDDP concentration rapidly peaked and then decreased progressively. After 24 h, the residual concentration represented 45, 47, 60, and 63 % of C(max), respectively, after IV, IHA, IHA-Pe, and IHA-Te. Hepatic T(1/2) and AUC(∞) values were increased after embolization, but the differences were not statistically significant., Conclusion: This preliminary study confirms the feasibility of a pig model to study systemic and hepatic CDDP pharmacokinetics. Systemic exposure is lower after embolization, which could minimize systemic toxicity. Hepatic T(1/2) elimination and hepatic exposition values are increased with IHA compared with IV administration.

Purpose: To retrospectively identify predictive factors of recurrent bleeding within 24 h after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)., Materials and Methods: A total of 194 patients underwent UAE for PPH between August 1999 and April 2009 at our institution. Twelve patients experienced recurrent bleeding within the next 24 h; a second attempt at UAE was thus necessary, which was successful in 10 cases. In two cases, hemostatic hysterectomy was performed. Epidemiological, gynecological-obstetrical, anatomic, and biological data were analyzed., Results: Complete data were available for 148 of the 194 (76%) included patients. Sixty-four (43%) were primiparous, 18 (12.2%) had a placenta accreta, 21 (14%) had a coagulopathy, and 28 (18.9%) had an anatomic variant of the uterine arterial vasculature. Mean age and pregnancy term were similar in both recurring and nonrecurrent bleeding groups. After multivariate analysis, three criteria emerged as risk factors of recurrent bleeding: primiparity (10 patients, 83%; odds ratio [OR]=18.84; P=0.014), coagulation disorders (6 patients, 50%; OR=12.08; P=0.006), and anatomic variant of the uterine arterial vasculature (28 patients; OR=9.83; P=0.003)., Conclusion: Search for uterine collaterals must be performed before UAE for PPH. Primiparity and coagulation disorders increase the risk of recurrent bleeding after UAE for PPH.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with initial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) ± stenting as valuable options in the acute setting., Methods: Between 2003 and 2008, eight patients with abdominal angio-MDCT-scan proven thrombotic AMI benefited from initial PTA ± stenting. We retrospectively assessed clinical and radiological findings and their management. Seven patients presented thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery, and in one patient both mesenteric arteries were occluded. All patients underwent initial PTA and stenting, except one who had balloon PTA alone. One patient was treated by additional in situ thrombolysis., Results: Technical success was obtained in all patients. Three patients required subsequent surgery (37.5%), two of whom had severe radiological findings (pneumatosis intestinalis and/or portal venous gas). Two patients (25%) died: both had NIDD, an ASA score ≥4, and severe radiologic findings. Satisfactory arterial patency was observed after a follow-up of 15 (range, 11-17) months in five patients who did not require subsequent surgery, four of whom had abdominal guarding but no severe CT scan findings. One patient had an ileocecal stenosis 60 days after the procedure., Conclusions: Initial PTA ± stenting is a valuable alternative to surgery for patients with thrombotic AMI even for those with clinical peritoneal irritation signs and/or severe radiologic findings. Early surgery is indicated if clinical condition does not improve after PTA. The decision of a subsequent surgery must be lead by early clinical status reevaluation. In case of underlying atherosclerotic lesion, stenting should be performed after initial balloon dilatation.