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Acinar cystic transformation (ACT) of the pancreas is a rare non-neoplastic cystic lesion. It is most frequently observed in the head of the pancreas. Despite advances in radiologic imaging methods, preoperative diagnosis of acinar cystic transformation is difficult, it is often confused with other cystic lesions. Here, we report three cases of acinar cystic transformation, one of which showed diffuse involvement of the pancreas, and the remaining two were multilocular localized cystic lesions. We analyzed their histomorphologic and immunohistochemical features. The patients’ ages ranged between 15 and 43 years and the ratio of females to males was 2:1. On microscopic examination, the cysts were lined by a single layer of flattened-cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells. The epithelial cells were diffusely positive with trypsin and keratin 7, but patchy with keratin 19. Due to its rarity and lack of radiologic and clinical awareness compared with other pancreatic cystic lesions, preoperative diagnosis of acinar cystic transformation is difficult and not definitive. All cases reported to date have been clinically benign and there is no evidence of recurrence or malignant transformation. The optimal treatment and whether to perform surgery remain controversial.

OBJECTIVES Treating aortic arch aneurysms with conventional open surgical and endovascular stent graft procedures is challenging due to the complex anatomy of the arch and the arteries arising from it that nourish the brain. Cerebral protection is of the utmost importance during the treatment of thoracic aneurysms involving the aortic arch. METHODS Between May 2014 and November 2018, 7 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms involving the aortic arch who underwent aortic arch cervical debranching with our technique were reviewed retrospectively. Because all the patients being considered for conventional surgical aortic arch replacement had serious comorbidities, they were selected to receive hybrid therapy. The mean age of the patients was 71.2 ± 9.4 years. One patient was a woman and 6 patients were men. One patient was given general anaesthesia; the remaining 6 patients had a regional block. A crossover temporary bypass was performed between the external carotid arteries with a 6-mm polytetrafluoroethylene graft for cerebral protection in all patients. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was successfully performed in all patients except 1 following debranching. RESULTS Neurological complications did not occur during the procedures. Patients were followed for a mean of 18.3 ± 4.9 months. One female patient died of exacerbating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within the first follow-up year. Three other patients died: 1 died of natural causes; 1 died of pneumonia followed by multiorgan failure; and 1 died of myocardial infarction during the mid-term follow-up period. The remaining patients are still being followed and are event free. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic diseases involving the aortic arch is facilitated when the aortic arch is debranched. Our cerebral protection method with a temporary crossover bypass between the external carotid arteries provides continuous pulsatile blood flow to the brain; hence, neurologically, it is a reliable procedure. The follow-up results of the patients who underwent aortic arch cervical debranching followed by TEVAR depended on their comorbidities.

Purpose Among various staple-line reinforcement methods applied during sleeve gastrectomy (SG), although data on full-thickness-continuous-suturing (FTCS) is nearly nil, it has been considered as potentially harmful. The safety/efficacy profile of FTCS is assessed. Methods All consecutive SGs completing 3-month follow-up were studied. Data on peri-operative parameters, complications, and follow-up were prospectively recorded. All reinforcements were completed by FTCS utilizing barbed suture. Super-super obese, secondary SGs, SGs performed in patients with prior anti-reflux surgery, and SGs performed with additional concomitant procedures were evaluated as “technically demanding” SGs. Student’s t/chi-square tests were used as appropriate. Results Between January 2012 and July 2020, 1008 SGs (941 “primary-standard,” 67 “technically demanding”) were performed without mortality/venous event. Single leak occurred in a patient with sleeve obstruction (0.1%). Thirteen bleedings, 4 requiring re-surgery (0.4%), and 17 stenoses (1.7%) were encountered. Four stenoses were treated with gastric bypass (1 emergency), 6 by dilatation(s), and one required parenteral nutrition. Six patients with stenosis chose not to have any treatment. No statistically significant difference was observed in postoperative complications between “primary-standard” and “technically demanding” SGs (p > 0.05). The median follow-up was 44 months. The excess weight loss % at 5th year was 80.1%. Suturing added 28.4 ± 6 minutes to the SG, 3 or fewer sutures were used to complete the reinforcement in > 95%. No mishap/complication occurred related to suturing. Conclusion FTCS produced excellent result in terms of leakage/hemorrhage with an acceptable stenosis rate at a low cost with half-an-hour increase in the operating time. In contrast to previous allegations, no harm attributable to stitching itself occurred. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00423-021-02161-5.

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, torasik stent greft uygulanmış hastaların uzun dönem sonuçlarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Kliniğimizde sadece stent greft ile ya da hibrid yöntem (cerrahi sonrası endovasküler girişim) ile tedavi edilmiş torasik aort patolojili, yaş ortalaması 67,1 (20-82) olan 25 hastayı retrospektif olarak değerlendirdik. Bulgular: Hastalardan 23’ü elektif olarak tedavi edilirken, 2’si acil olarak işleme alınmıştır. Kontrol görüntülemelerde 5 hastada tip 1A endoleak izlenmiştir. Bu hastalardan 3’üne ek girişim uygulanmıştır. Hastalardan birisinde endoleak takip sırasında kendiliğinden regrese olmuştur. 1 hastada ise post-op 6. günde MI nedeniyle ex olmuştur. Toplam 7 hastada hibrid işlem uygulanmıştır. Debranching uygulanan hastalardan bir tanesinde endovasküler işlem sırasında majör komplikasyon gelişmiştir. Hibrid girişim uygulanan 7 hastadan 1’i olan tip B diseksiyon hastasında işlem sonrası kontroller sırasında nörolojik komplikasyon izlenmiştir. Sonuç: Endovasküler torakal stent greft işlemi torakal aort patolojilerinde yüksek teknik başarı ve sağ kalım oranları ile uygulanmaktadır. Tek başına TEVAR’a uygun olmayan anatomiye sahip hastalarda hibrid girişim tercih edilmektedir. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of patients who underwent thoracic stent grafting. Material and Method: We retrospectively evaluated 25 patients with a mean age of 67.1 (20-82) with thoracic aortic pathology treated with a stent graft or the hybrid method (endovascular intervention after surgery) in our clinic. Results: 23 patients were treated electively and 2 of them were treated urgently. Type 1A endoleak was observed in 5 patients in control imaging. Additional intervention was performed in 3 of these patients. In one patient, the endoleak spontaneously regressed during follow-up. One patient died on the 6th postoperative day due to MI. A total of 7 patients underwent hybrid procedures. One of the debranching patients developed major complications during endovascular procedure. In the type B dissection patients, neurological complications were observed during post-procedure controls in 1 of the 7 patients who underwent hybrid intervention. Conclusion: Endovascular thoracic stent grafting is performed with high technical success and survival rates in thoracic aortic pathologies. Hybrid intervention is preferred in patients with non-suitable anatomy for TEVAR alone.

Transarterial embolization of liver hemangiomas has not been considered to be consistently effective.The charts of 25 patients who underwent superselective transarterial chemoembolization with the bleomycin-lipiodol emulsion were evaluated retrospectively.Twenty-two patients had abdominal pain; asymptomatic/vaguely symptomatic enlargement was the treatment indication in three patients. A single session was conducted in 17 patients, two sessions in 7 and three sessions in one. After the first session, lesion volume decreased by median (range) 51% (10-92%) from median (range) 634 (226-8435) to 372(28-4710) cmTransarterial chemoembolization with the bleomycin-lipiodol emulsion is a potential alternative to surgery for symptomatic/enlarging liver hemangiomas. Volume reduction is universal, and symptom control is satisfactory. Centrally located and very large (1000 cm

Treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms constitutes high mortality and morbidity rates despite improvements in surgery, anesthesia, and technology. Endovascular stent grafting may be an alternative therapy with lower risks when compared with conventional techniques. However, sometimes the branches of the aortic arch may require transport to the proximal segments prior to successful thoracic aortic endovascular stent grafting. Atherosclerosis is accounted among the etiology of both aneurysms and occlusive diseases that can coexist in the same patient. In these situations stent grafting may even be more complicated. In this report, we present the treatment of a 92-year-old patient with aortic arch aneurysm and proximal descending aortic aneurysm. For successful thoracic endovascular stent grafting, the patient needed an alternative route other than the native femoral and iliac arteries for the deployment of the stent graft. In addition, debranching of left carotid and subclavian arteries from the aortic arch was also required for successful exclusion of the thoracic aneurysm.

Marfan syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder affecting mainly eyes and skeletal and cardiovascular systems. Cardiovascular involvement may lead to life-threatening aortic pathologies including aneurysms and/or dissections. In this report, the authors present images of a patient with Marfan syndrome with a history of Bentall-De Bono procedure followed by aortic arch and infrarenal aortoiliac replacements who strongly refused conventional open repair and underwent abdominal debranching followed by thoracoabdominal endovascular stent grafting for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysm.

Dacron grafts are frequently used during surgical revascularization procedures. Complications including graft thrombosis and infection are well known; however, aneurysm formation is extremely rare. In this report, we describe dilatation of a Dacron graft detected four years after aortobifemoral bypass procedure in a 50-year-old male patient who was treated with endovascular stent grafting.

Background: Cardiac tamponade (CT) is a dreadful complication of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) with unknown incidence, and preventive measures are yet to be defined. Incidence during LARS with respect to usage/configuration of graft deployment is analyzed. Three-dimensional (3D) analysis of tack distribution provided anatomical insight to prevent cardiac injury. Materials and Methods: Data regarding the usage and configuration of graft deployment are retrieved from the prospective database. Grafting was posterior or posterior + anterior. Incidence of CT in all hiatoplasties is calculated. Tomography is reconstructed in 3D, showing the spatial distribution of the tacks. Tacks are numbered in the surgical video. Corresponding numbering is applied to the tacks in any particular tomography slice, utilizing the 3D images as an interface. A numbering-blinded radiologist is asked to identify the offending and the nonoffending tacks as the cause of tamponade. Tack-to-pericardium distances are recorded. Tacks having no measurable distance from the pericardium are regarded as offensive. Results: One CT occurred in 1302 consecutive LARS (0.076\%). The incidence is 0\% when no (379) or posterior (880) graft is used as opposed to 2.3\% rate in posterior + anterior (43) grafting. The distribution of offensive, nonoffensive but nearest, and safe tacks followed a pattern. All offensive tacks belonged to the anterior graft fixation, which we referred as the critical zone. Conclusion: CT during LARS is rare, and associated with graft fixation anterior to the hiatal opening. Avoiding graft fixation to the critical zone may prevent cardiac injury.

Background While administering medication through intramuscular injection, the ventrogluteal site must be used instead of the dorsogluteal site, and it is of great significance to locate the ventrogluteal site correctly. Objective To determine the reliability of two different methods used to determine the ventrogluteal site in intramuscular injection practice. Design A cross-sectional study. Settings A university hospital in Istanbul. Participants The study population comprised 120 randomly selected healthcare personnel at a university hospital. Methods The ventrogluteal site was determined using the geometric (G method) and V method and these sites were scrutinized under ultrasonography. It was investigated whether there was any anatomic vessels or neural structure present, and also determined the thickness of subcutaneous tissue, musculus gluteus medius, and musculus gluteus minimus. Results Of the participants, 65.8% were female and the average age was 32.30 years and body mass index was 25.31kg/m 2 . The results showed that G and V methods were statistically significant in terms of variables. It was also found that sex affects subcutaneous tissue thickness and the skin-bone margin in the G and V method, and that body mass index determines subcutaneous tissue, musculus gluteus medius thickness and skin-bone margin. Conclusion When the ventrogluteal site is used for intramuscular injection purposes, the site must be determined in line with the geometric method.

Duplicated common bile duct, often associated with conditions like lithiasis, biliary cysts and pancreatobiliary maljunction, could result in highly morbid and potentially fatal biliary injuries. Precise preoperative diagnosis and classification still remain a challenge. A female patient undergoing emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis sustained iatrogenic bile duct injury. A drainage tube was placed into the injured duct for post-operative conservative management. Post-operative tube cholangiogram revealed a double common bile duct with cystic duct opening distally. This was identified as a new variant not previously reported or classified. However rare, duplicated common bile duct could result in serious iatrogenic bile duct injury if unidentified during surgery. Knowledge of its existence is essential to avoid such injuries as preoperative diagnosis still remains a challenge. A thorough clinical and morphological study of previously reported variants is needed for a comprehensive classification to encompass newly discovered variants.

Purpose To retrospectively review the outcomes of 21 patients with stab wounds to the gluteal region who underwent embolization for pseudoaneurysms causing active bleeding. Materials and methods Between 1997 and 2007, 3 superior gluteal artery, 2 inferior gluteal artery and 16 deep femoral artery muscular branch pseudoaneurysms detected by digital subtraction angiography were selectively catheterized with diagnostic catheters with hydrophilic coating and embolized with pushable springcoils. 17 of the 21 pseudoaneurysms were located in a distal end of an artery where outflow vessels could not be depicted. The other 4 lesions were side wall injuries which required the placement of coils distal and proximal to the injury site. Results Embolization was successful in controlling the bleeding in all of the patients. 16 patients required 1 or 2 coils, 4 patients required 3 coils and 1 patient required 5 coils. 2 patients had femoral puncture site hematomas which resolved spontaneously. 2 patients required surgical evacuation of large gluteal hematomas following the embolization because of symptoms second to mass effect. There were no procedure related major complications or mortality. Conclusions Our experience demonstrates that pushable coil embolization is a relatively simple, effective and economic method for the embolization of pseudoaneurysms caused by penetrating gluteal injuries. Experimenting with other embolization materials does not seem to be justified.

This prospective study was approved by the local institutional ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether the oral administration of a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-electrolyte solution induces adequate luminal distention for magnetic resonance (MR) colonography to be performed and to assess patient acceptance of this procedure. Fifty-five patients (26 women, 29 men; mean age, 60.5 years +/- 14 [standard deviation]; age range, 40-75 years) who were referred for optical colonoscopy (OC) owing to symptoms and findings that included rectal bleeding, altered bowel habits, and positive fecal occult blood test results participated in this study. Standard bowel preparation was performed 1 day before the procedure. MR colonography was performed and followed by OC on the same day. Before undergoing MR colonography, the patients received 2.0-2.5 L of the PEG-electrolyte solution orally. Adequate distention of all colonic segments was achieved in 50-53 (91%-96%) of patients imaged in the supine position and in 51-53 (93%-96%) of patients imaged in the prone position. Oral administration of the solution yielded uniform luminal darkening and sufficient colonic distention for MR colonography in 91%-96% of patients.

Horseshoe kidney is a rare congenital anomaly of the urinary system and a coexisting abdominal aortic aneurysm with a horseshoe kidney is associated with substantial surgical challenges. The horseshoe kidney has a variant arterial supply in the majority of patients with accessory renal arteries arising from the aorta or iliac arteries. These arteries are considered to be end arteries and renal tissue perfused with these vessels is under risk of infarction in case of compromise. Since the surgical approach is challenging and carries a high risk of complications, endovascular repair seems to be an attractive alternative when feasible. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience in the successful endovascular treatment of a patient who had the coexistence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a horseshoe kidney. The patient had an accessory isthmic artery which shared a common origin with the middle sacral artery which provided retrograde flow following stent-grafting. There was no loss of renal tissue following the intervention. This case demonstrates that accessory renal arteries in patients with horseshoe kidneys are not necessarily end arteries. Their careful analysis prior to the procedure is essential for rational therapy planning.

Background: Radical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Although Turkey is an endemic region, population screening is not performed and early diagnosis is rare. Consequently, surgeons are compelled to explore possibilities such as near-total resection and biliodigestive anastomosis for palliation of jaundice. Methods: Surgery was performed in 32 patients with hepatic AE with the following indications: (1) resection; (2) palliation of jaundice; (3) definite assessment of operability; (4) failure in the management of cavity infection by percutaneous methods. Curative resection (R0 = complete resection of all parasitic mass [n = 9], and R1 = a resection in which a small remnant was left on a vital structure [n = 8]) were performed in 17 patients, intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy in 7, laparotomy-external drainage in 7, and debulking in 1. Results: Perioperative mortality rates were 2/17, 0/7, 2/7 and 1/1, respectively. Twelve patients in the curative resection group are alive without recurrence/progression of the small remnant during a median follow-up of 59 (range 27–116) months. One patient developed an inoperable recurrence that was treated with albendazole. One patient was lost to follow-up. Long-term albendazole treatment was effective in all R1 patients except a patient who had slow asymptomatic progression. Successful palliation of jaundice was achieved in 5 of the 7 intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy patients. Conclusions: The results of R1 resection in alveolar hydatid disease are similar to those of R0 resection; a small remnant is successfully controlled by albendazole. In patients with jaundice due to hilar invasion, biliary diversion from segment 3 or 5 is effective for palliation of the jaundice and facilitates albendazole treatment.

Purpose: Our center's experience with Ultraflex, Flamingo, SR stent and Flexstent for the palliation of malignant esophageal strictures is reported, and current pertinent literature is reviewed. Material and methods: Stents have been placed under fluoroscopic guidance between August 1993 and February 2002 for the palliation of malignant dysphagia in 116 patients. 59 patients received Ultraflex, 33 patients received Flamingo Wallstent, 20 patients received the SR stent and four patients received Flexstent. Results: Stent placement was successful in all the patients, with good symptomatic control in 123 out of 126 patients (98%) and no procedure-related complications. Four esophagorespiratory fistulas were successfully closed with covered Flamingo stents. Repeat intervention was necessary in 30 patients (51%) who received the Ultraflex stent, secondary to tumor ingrowth, overgrowth, ulceration, fistula and incomplete expansion. Two patients (6%) who received Flamingo Wallstent died due to gastrointestinal bleeding and one patient had proximal migration. Four patients (20%) who received the SR stent had complete migration of the stent. Conclusion: Covered stents were found to provide better long-term palliation compared to uncovered stents. The covered Flamingo Wallstent seems to be the best choice of stent for lesions where crossing the esophagogastric junction is not necessary. For lesions where it is mandatory to cross the junction it may be preferable to use a stent with an antireflux mechanism.

With the development of newer stent designs and delivery systems, metallic stents are currently established component of nonsurgical treatment of gastrointestinal obstructions. The use of metallic stents is not intended to be curative but palliative. This palliation may be intended for the rest of the patient's life with unresectable disease or as a temporary procedure prior to a definitive surgical procedure to allow time to improve the patient's overall medical condition or quick and noninvasive decompression of the intestinal obstruction.

Background: Conventional surgical repair of thoracic aortic dissections is a challenge due to mortality and morbidity risks. Objectives: We analyzed our experience in hybrid aortic arch repair for complex dissections of the aortic arch. Methods: Between 2009 and 2013, 18 patients (the mean age of 67 ± 8 years-old) underwent hybrid aortic arch repair. The procedural strategy was determined on the individual patient. Results: Thirteen patients had type I repair using trifurcation and another patient with bifurcation graft. Two patients had type II repair with replacement of the ascending aorta. Two patients received extra-anatomic bypass grafting to left carotid artery allowing covering of zone 1. Stent graft deployment rate was 100%. No patients experienced stroke. One patient with total debranching of the aortic arch following an acute dissection of the proximal arch expired 3 months after TEVAR due to heart failure. There were no early to midterm endoleaks. The median follow-up was 20 ± 8 months with patency rate of 100%. Conclusion: Various debranching solutions for different complex scenarios of the aortic arch serve as less invasive procedures than conventional open surgery enabling safe and effective treatment of this highly selected subgroup of patients with complex aortic pathologies. Fundamentos: O reparo cirúrgico convencional de dissecção da aorta torácica é um desafio devido aos riscos de mortalidade e morbidade. Objetivos: Analisamos nossa experiência no reparo híbrido do arco aórtico em dissecções complexas do arco aórtico. Métodos: Entre os anos de 2009 e 2013, 18 pacientes (idade média de 67 ± 8 anos de idade) foram submetidos ao reparo híbrido do arco aórtico. A estratégia de procedimento foi determinada individualmente para cada paciente. Resultados: Treze pacientes fizeram o reparo tipo I utilizando enxerto trifurcado; outro paciente utilizou um enxerto bifurcado. Dois pacientes fizeram o reparo tipo II com substituição da aorta ascendente. Dois pacientes receberam desvios extra-anatômicos de enxertia pela artéria carótida esquerda, permitindo a cobertura da zona 1. A taxa de implantação do stent foi de 100%. Nenhum paciente apresentou acidente vascular cerebral. Um paciente com desramificação total do arco aórtico após dissecção aguda do arco proximal faleceu 3 meses depois de realizar o reparo endovascular da aorta torácica (TEVAR), por insuficiência cardíaca. Não houve endoleak precoce ou a médio prazo. A média de acompanhamento foi de 20 ± 8 meses, com taxa de patência de 100%. Conclusão: Diversas soluções de desramificação, utilizadas em diferentes cenários complexos do arco aórtico, são procedimentos menos invasivos que a cirurgia aberta convencional e permitem o tratamento seguro e eficaz deste subgrupo, altamente selecionado de pacientes com patologias complexas da aorta.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT findings of pulmonary artery aneurysms in patients being treated for Behçet's disease.Thirteen patients with Behçet's disease who had a total of 46 aneurysms were included in the study. All patients underwent helical CT before and after treatment. Both initial and follow-up CT scans were evaluated for location, number, and size of aneurysms and for thrombosis and pulmonary parenchyma changes.Thirty-five (76%) of the 46 aneurysms completely disappeared during the 3-42 months of treatment (mean, 21 months), and the remaining 11 aneurysms (24%) became smaller. Both disappearance and regression of aneurysms were preceded by thrombus formation. In 15 initially thrombosed aneurysms (33%), the thrombus increased in size during treatment. After treatment, the thrombus regressed and the pulmonary artery aneurysms disappeared. Thirty-one initially nonthrombosed aneurysms (67%) first became thrombosed during treatment; later, the thrombus regressed and the aneurysm decreased in size. Perianeurysmal consolidation and air-space nodules detected in seven patients disappeared in the early stages of treatment. Mosaic attenuation areas were seen in eight patients and disappeared in seven (88%) after treatment.Pulmonary artery aneurysms in Behçet's disease may become smaller or disappear with medical treatment. Mural thrombotic changes may be observed during the regression of pulmonary artery aneurysms. Helical CT is helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of aneurysms and thrombosis in Behçet's disease.

Congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic defects, such as Bochdalek hernias (BHs), usually present during the neonatal period with respiratory symptoms and are associated with significant mortality (1). However, a subset of patients with BHs may remain asymptomatic during childhood, and the condition may present as a surgical emergency in adulthood (2). Surgical repair of the defect is the recommended therapy for all patients with BHs, regardless of the presence of symptoms (3). Traditionally, the repair of diaphragmatic defects has been performed via laparotomy or thoracotomy, but the use of laparoscopy has challenged the use of these traditional procedures. However, the laparoscopic management of incarcerated BH is rarely reported. In the present paper, we report the case of a patient who presented with a partial colonic obstruction that was caused by an incarcerated transverse colon through a Bochdalek defect and treated using a laparoscopic approach.

PubMed ID: 20690533, We report on the case of an 83-year-old hemiplegic female patient presenting with post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the supracoeliac aorta, treated with 38 mm x 100 mm Talent Endoluminal Stent-Graft (Medtronic Inc., Santa Rosa, CA) using local anaesthesia. The patient was discharged on day 3 and the 8 month follow-up was without complications.

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) continues to be a major health problem in developing countries. A review of current literature discloses four alternatives for the management of active CE, consisting of surgery, percutaneous treatment (PT), chemotherapy, and follow-up without intervention, but no clear guidelines for directing patients to the different management options. Palliation of symptoms or prevention of complications is the main rationale for the treatment of CE. Surgery has long been considered as the gold standard treatment. However, a meta-analysis comparing the clinical outcomes of patients treated with PT with those of a control group treated with surgery found PT to be more effective, safer, and cheaper. Medical therapy is considered to be ineffective when the criterion of success is defined as the disappearance of the lesion. However, medical therapy seems to be effective when the goal of therapy is defined as the prevention of complications in asymptomatic patients. We propose an algorithm for therapy planning in CE where the first line of therapy for patients with active lesions is PT. Patients with lesions unsuitable for PT are directed to surgery if they are symptomatic, have complicated lesions or have lesions that are prone to rupture. Asymptomatic patients with uncomplicated lesions are directed to medical therapy. Medical therapy failures are redirected to surgery.

Summary Arterial manifestations of Behcet's disease consist of aneurysm formation, stenosis and occlusion. Aneurysms in Behcet's disease most commonly involve the pulmonary arteries and have been shown to resolve with medical treatment. However, this regression pattern with medical therapy has not been reported for aortic aneurysms to date. We present a 43-year-old man with bilateral abdominal aortic aneurysms resulting from Behcet's disease resolving with medical therapy.

Aortic aneurysms and stenosis are widely treated with endovascular procedures in the current era. In this report, we present endovascular stent grafting for symptomatic treatment of severe thoracic aortic stenosis caused by an aortic sarcomatoid carcinoma in a 73-year-old female. The peri- and post-operative courses were complicated with tumor embolisms that were managed by both endovascular and surgical measures.

This article presents a review of the interventional radiological procedures in inflammatory pancreatic diseases including imaging guided biopsy, percutaneous aspiration and drainage, and transcatheter embolization of ruptured pseudoaneurysms.

Percutaneous aspiration of purely cystic liver lesions was performed in 15 patients aged 11-56 years. After aspiration under guidance with computed tomography (CT) in 12 patients, a membrane that is diagnostic for hydatid disease was visible in the lumen of the cyst on CT scans. Hypertonic saline was injected in the cystic cavities of these patients as a scolecidal agent. No major complications occurred during or after the procedures. In the follow-up period of 6-16 months, control CT and ultrasound scans revealed a progressive decrease in the size of the lesions and no evidence of peritoneal seeding. It is concluded that percutaneous aspiration and hypertonic saline injection for purely cystic hydatid disease of the liver seem to be an effective form of treatment and may eventually prove to be an alternative to surgical intervention.

We evaluated the incidence and history of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after kidney biopsy and assessed the use of superselective embolization for treatment.During the last 10 years, 896 kidney biopsies (age range of the patients: 1 month-18.6 years) have been performed in our institution under real-time ultrasonographic guidance with a 14 gauge cutting biopsy needle, and 32 of the patients had renal allografts (3.4%). We observed three cases of AVF (two in allograft kidneys, one in a native kidney) among all biopsies (0.34%), and the incidence of developing AVF after renal allograft biopsy was 6.3%. All three patients with AVF were symptomatic, and intravascular therapy was indicated.An angiographic study combined with endovascular treatment of the intrarenal AVF and pseudoaneurysm was performed in all three patients. Embolization was performed with bucrylate and lipiodol in two patients and with micro-coils in one. After successful embolization, all three patients became asymptomatic (in two renal bleeding stopped, in one patient with severe uncontrollable hypertension blood pressure returned to normal limits). No complications were observed secondary to the embolization procedure.The technique of superselective embolization using a coaxial catheter is an effective and safe method in the treatment of post-biopsy AVFs and pseudoaneurysm.

From the Department of Radiology, Department of Gastroenterohepatology, and Department of General Surgery, Transplant Unit, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey This section features outstanding photographs of clinical materials selected for their educational value or message, or possibly their rarity. The images are accompanied by brief case reports (limit 2 typed pages, 4 references). Our readers are invited to submit items for consideration.

A 69-year-old man with a history of a perforated gastric ulcer, necessitating operation 30 years earlier, presented to the emergency room with epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. Physical examination showed diffuse abdominal tenderness, rebound and defense. Abnormal laboratory findings were a white blood cell count of 8.7 10/L, total bilirubin level of 3.8 mg/dL (direct bilirubin 2.47 mg/dL), alkaline phosphatase level of 865 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase level of 297 U/L, an amylase level of 1114 U/L, and urine amylase level of 9459 U/L. Preliminary diagnosis of biliary pancreatitis was suggested due to the high amylase levels. However, diagnosis of afferent loop syndrome (ALS) was made on a multidetector computed tomography (CT) on the basis of the presence of a fluid-filled, tubular structure extending from the gallbladder