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Purpose: To describe and evaluate an image fusion technique for the portal vein puncture guidance during TIPS procedure: a three-dimensional (3D) virtual target fluoroscopic display obtained with an automated 3D carbon dioxide wedged hepatic vein portography (3D CO 2 -WHVP)., Materials and Methods: All the 37 TIPS creations performed in our institution between 3/2017 and 12/2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventeen procedures were guided using the 3D CO 2 -WHVP technique (group 1) and were compared with the other 20 procedures performed under conventional 2D fluoroscopic guidance (group 2). Image acquisition for the 3D CO 2 -WHVP consisted of combining a CBCT acquisition and an automatic CO 2 injection. Once located on the multiplanar reformatted images of the CBCT acquisition, the portal bifurcation was manually segmented to create a virtual target that was overlaid onto live fluoroscopy allowing a real-time 3D guidance during portal vein puncture., Results: Primary success was 100% in group1 and 95% in group2. Median intervention length, fluoroscopy time and dose area product (DAP) were, respectively, 124 min [IQR 94-137], 40 min [IQR 26-52] and 12140 cGy.cm 2 [IQR 10147-18495] in group 1 and 146 min [IQR 118-199], 40 min [IQR 36-60] and 13290 cGy.cm 2 [IQR 10138-19538] in group 2. No technical parameter was significantly different between the two groups. Intraprocedural complication rate was 0% in group 1 and 20% in group 2 (p = 0.05)., Conclusion: Three-dimensional virtual target fluoroscopic display using a CBCT-acquired CO 2 wedged portography is an effective and safe technique to ease intrahepatic puncture of the portal vein during TIPS procedures., (© 2021. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE).)

Background: Prognostic biomarkers are needed in a heterogeneous population of patients with intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by transarterial (chemo)embolization. We aimed to validate the prognostic value of serum CRP levels and the STATE score, combining CRP, albumin and tumor burden., Methods: All cirrhotic patients with HCC treated by a first transarterial (chemo)embolization (2007-2013) in our institution were included. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, log rank, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses., Results: Among 157 patients included, 87% were men, 86% had Child Pugh A. Etiologies of liver disease included alcohol (57%), hepatitis C (32%), hepatitis B (11%) and/or metabolic syndrome (32%); 89% of patients were classified BCLC B. 33% of the patients had a CRP >1mg/dl and 33% a STATE score conferring poor prognosis (<18). Patients with CRP <1mg/dl had better overall survival than patients with CRP >1mg/dl (20 vs. 8 months, P=0.00186). Median overall survival was 6.73 months for patients with a STATE score <18 vs. 22.23 months for patients with STATE-score ≥18 (P=0.0002). In multivariate analysis, a STATE score <18 was independently associated with increased mortality (HR: 2.06 (CI95%: 1.28-3.34), P=0.0031)., Conclusion: In cirrhotic patients with HCC who underwent transarterial treatment, serum CRP level and STATE score at baseline can predict overall survival., (Copyright © 2016 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to assess whether percutaneous retrograde endovascular occlusion (PREVO) is effective and safe for the treatment of varicocele in pediatric patients., Methods: We retrospectively studied 71 children who underwent PREVO for left-sided varicocele. The primary outcome was the proportion of varicocele-free patients 6 months after PREVO as assessed by ultrasonography., Results: Seventy-one boys with left-sided grade III varicocele underwent PREVO at a mean age of 13.2 years. PREVO was performed under local anesthesia in all boys but 2, who required general anesthesia. The procedure was technically feasible in 68 (96%) patients. In the remaining 3 patients, the internal spermatic vein could not be catheterized. Minor short-term complications occurred in 6 patients and resolved fully. No major complications or deaths were recorded. The proportion of varicocele-free patients 6 months after PREVO was 93% (66/71) overall and 97% (66/68) in the patients whose PREVO procedure was feasible. No clinical recurrence was observed during the mean follow-up of 17.5 months., Conclusions: Percutaneous retrograde endovascular occlusion is an effective minimally invasive approach for varicocele treatment in pediatric patients. It can be safely performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for liver tumors located in the caudate lobe., Materials and Methods: Ten patients (46-79 years of age; median, 70 y), eight with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis and two with colorectal metastases in the caudate lobe, were treated with 5.8% NaCl tissue-perfused monopolar (n=7) or bipolar (n=3) RF ablation. The median tumor diameter was 41 mm (range, 25-70 mm). Procedures were performed under ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) guidance in eight and two patients, respectively. One month later, the treatment response was assessed by CT., Results: Transhepatic right intercostal and transomental anterior epigastric routes were used for tumor puncture in eight and two patients, respectively. The entire RF ablation treatment required one or two procedures (median, 1.5), including two to 15 electrode repositionings (median, 6). After RF ablation procedure, one patient experienced jaundice that resolved spontaneously. In one patient, CT follow-up showed asymptomatic segmental biliary duct dilations. Median total hospital stay was 3 days (range, 2-9 d). Complete ablation was achieved in nine of 10 tumors. In one patient, ethanol ablation was necessary to complete RF ablation treatment. After a median follow up of 9.5 months (range, 5-25 mo), three patients remained tumor-free and seven had tumor relapse: two local, four distant, and one mixed. Repeat RF ablation was successfully performed in four cases., Conclusion: RF ablation of liver tumors located in the caudate lobe is effective despite the deep location of tumors and the vicinity of major vessels.

Background: Although partial splenic embolization (PSE) has been proposed in patients with cirrhosis in cases when thrombocytopenia or neutropenia may cause clinical manifestations or if there are contra-indications to other therapeutic procedures, there are limited data on long-term outcome. We provide a retrospective review of results and the tolerance of all PSE procedures in patients with cirrhosis in our department., Patients and Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with cirrhosis were included over a 6 year period. Indications for PSE were as follows: (1) severe cytopenia preventing necessary antiviral treatment (n=14), percutaneous destruction of hepatocellular carcinoma (n=8) or major surgery (n=3), severe purpura (n=3); (2) painful splenomegaly (n=4). After superselective catheterization, embolization was performed with up to 50% reduction of splenic blood flow., Results: Thrombocyte and leucocyte counts increased markedly (185% and 51% at 1 month; 95% and 30% at 6 months). Thirty-one and 20 patients had platelet count >80,000/mm3 at months 1 and 6 vs only one before PSE. Overall, the aim of PSE was achieved in 27 patients (84%) (planned treatment: 20/25; disappearance of purpura and splenic pain: 7/7). Severe complications occurred in five patients (16%): transient ascites (n=2), splenic and/or portal vein thrombosis (n=2) that resolved after anticoagulation therapy, and splenic abscess (n=2) leading to death. These two patients had splenic necrosis >70%., Conclusion: In patients with cirrhosis, PSE may resolve cytopenia and the clinical complications related to hypersplenism or splenomegaly. However, due to a high risk of severe complications, particularly splenic abscess, the indications of PSE should be very limited and the extent of necrosis should be strictly controlled during the PSE procedure.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate patients' tolerance and the effectiveness of percutaneous intraarterial ethanol injection (PIAEI), alone or combined with conventional percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Materials and Methods: Neither institutional review board approval nor informed consent was required for this retrospective study; however, all patients had given their consent to be treated with PIAEI. Fourteen men and four women with cirrhosis and HCC who were ineligible for conventional curative treatment (largest tumor diameter, 35-90 mm; mean, 52 mm +/- 16 [standard deviation]) and whose supplying arteries were visible on computed tomographic (CT) and color Doppler ultrasonographic (US) images were treated with US-guided PIAEI-either alone or combined with PEI. Twelve patients had infiltrative tumors, and six had nodular tumors. Four patients had portal venous tumor involvement. Tumor necrosis and recurrence were evaluated with CT, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis., Results: In four patients, the main tumor was treated with PIAEI only, and in 14 patients, the main tumor was treated with combined PIAEI and PEI. One patient died of myocardial infarction before CT evaluation. Tumor necrosis was complete in 15 (88%) and incomplete in two (12%) of 17 patients. Results of subsequent surgery performed in three patients confirmed the radiologic findings: complete tumor necrosis in two patients and incomplete necrosis in one patient. Two severe PIAEI-related complications occurred: liver abscess, which resolved, and fatal acute pancreatitis. During the follow-up period (mean, 15 months +/- 6.7), six patients died owing to recurrent HCC, and 10 patients were alive with no detectable tumor after a mean follow-up period of 18 months +/- 11. One- and 2-year survival rates were 76.6% and 44.5%, respectively., Conclusion: For patients with advanced HCC who are ineligible for other curative options, PIAEI could be an effective treatment, despite the associated risk of severe complications., ((c) RSNA, 2004.)

The new international lymph node classification adopted by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) is described and illustrated with computed tomography (CT). Anatomic landmarks for 14 hilar, intrapulmonary, and mediastinal lymph node stations are designated. Main differences between the new international classification and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) one are emphasized. In particular, mediastinal pleural reflection is now used to differentiate N2 from N1 nodes. The ATS 10L (left peribronchial nodes) and 10R (right tracheobronchial nodes) stations are now replaced by the AJCC-UICC station 10 (hilar nodes) and the AJCC-UICC station 4 (lower paratracheal, including azygos, nodes), respectively. This very important difference from the ATS classification helps classify the 4 lower paratracheal nodes as N2 nodes, even though the pleural reflection is not seen with CT. The 5 AJCC-UICC nodes are renamed subaortic nodes instead of aortopulmonary ATS nodes. Paraortic nodes, which previously were classified as 5 ATS nodes, are now included with the 6 AJCC-UICC nodes (now renamed paraaortic nodes instead of anterior mediastinal ATS nodes). This change helps accurate labeling because the border between 5 and 6 ATS nodes was not always clear on CT scans. Radiologists should be familiar with this new classification to be able to more accurately compare the lung cancer staging done in different institutions around the world.

Two cases of sclerosing cholangitis after oily arterial chemoembolization are reported. In one patient angiocholitis with liver abscesses, in the other patient gradual cholestasis were the main clinical features. In both cases, endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram showed a stricture of the common hepatic bile duct and, in one case, irregularities of intrahepatic biliary tree. Histologic examination of the liver in the two patients pointed out the involvement of small bile ducts and arteriolar endarteritis obliterans. Ischaemia is likely to be the main mechanism of these two cases of sclerosing cholangitis as well as in those described after FUDR intra-arterial chemotherapy. The prevalence of sclerosing cholangitis after arterial oily chemoembolization is probably underestimated because of a non specific clinical presentation and need to be precise by further study.

Duplex Doppler ultrasound should be the first investigation when a vascular complication is suspected. Serial examinations may increase sensitivity. Color imaging enhances identification of small vessels and increases specificity. Angiography is not necessary unless an pseudoaneurysm is suspected. When duplex Doppler ultrasound is abnormal, angiography is performed to evaluate the possibility of treatment. Endovascular therapeutic procedures appear to have a limited field of application in comparison to percutaneous biliary procedures. Hemostatic embolization or dilatation of vascular strictures can be used either as definitive treatment or while waiting for a new graft to be performed under better conditions.

Twenty-nine vascular complications which occurred after 388 hepatic transplantations performed over a 5 year period (14 arterial thromboses, 4 aneurysms and ruptures of the hepatic artery, 8 portal thromboses and 3 peri-anastomosis portal stenoses) were investigated retrospectively in order to determine the role of imagery in diagnosing these vascular complications. The best screening examination for the diagnosis of hepatic artery thrombosis appeared to be pulsed Doppler coupled with echography. It provides a means of selecting candidates for arteriography, the only investigation allowing certain diagnosis of thrombosis. False aneurysms, suspected in cases of severe post-operative sepsis should be investigated with arteriography even if CAT scans and echo-pulsed Doppler imagery is normal. The diagnosis of portal thrombosis and stenosis relies on echo-pulsed Doppler imagery. In these cases, arteriography is carried out before treatment to evaluate the extent of vascular involvement. Thus echography coupled with pulsed Doppler is the best first intention screening examination to be performed whenever a vascular complication is suspected after hepatic transplantation. Nevertheless, arteriography remains the key examination for the diagnosis and evaluation of these complications.

Four patients with unresectable hepatic adenoma underwent selective hepatic artery embolization. Non-operability was related to the size and the situation of the tumor, and the clinical background. The only subsequent postembolization syndrome was one case of acute renal failure, reversible after diuretic treatment. In 3 cases the decrease in tumoral size was delayed and appeared six months after the first embolization, allowing surgical resection in 2 cases. Because of lack of tumoral devascularization and presence of residual nodules on the resected specimen, this technique is not a satisfactory alternative to surgery, at least with the employed technique. However, preoperative selective hepatic artery embolization can play an important role in the management of hepatic adenomas as it may permit safer surgical resection.