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Purpose: Acquired prostatic fistula (PF) was defined as a connection between the prostatic urethra and the rectum, symphysis, peritoneum, or ending freely in the periprostatic area. This study aims to report our experience with PF presentation, diagnosis, and treatment., Methods: From January 2014 to February 2024, we retrospectively analyzed a prospectively maintained database from two urologic university hospitals to identify men with acquired PF. Diagnosis was based on post-intervention symptoms, including pneumaturia, fecaluria, rectal urine leakage, periprostatic inflammation or abscess, completed by radiological assessment using retrograde urethrogram, CT, or MRI. Standard cystoscopy and/or rectosigmoidoscopy assessed bladder and rectal integrity. Patients with post-prostatectomy fistulas were excluded., Results: Thirteen patients with a mean age of 66.54 ± 7.40 years were identified. The most commonly presenting symptoms were fecaluria/pneumaturia 54%, rectal urine leakage 31%, and recurrent urinary tract infection 31%. The mean time from the initial treatment to fistula development was 22.28 ± 20.53 months (0.1-59 months), and from diagnosis to repair was 3.5 ± 3 months (1-12 months). Cumulative closure rates (success rate) post-first and second attempts were 77% (10 patients) and 92% (12 patients), respectively; one patient declined definitive surgery, maintaining a persistent fistula after bladder drainage., Conclusion: Clinical suspicion and detailed diagnosis are essential for formulating a tailored treatment plan for prostatic fistulas, which are successfully manageable in many patients. Complex cases benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, with individualized therapy based on etiology, severity, and recurrence of PF, facilitating effective closure., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A 48-year-old man developed sudden-onset haematemesis and melena after decompensated posthepatitic cirrhosis. Endoscopic variceal injectional sclerotherapy was emergently performed. However, the patient developed esophago-pleural fistula, empyema, and liver failure. He thus received symptomatic treatments and nasojejunal feedings, which failed to restore the nutrition as the gastroesophageal reflux exacerbated the hydrothorax. Percutaneous endoscopic gastro-jejunal (PEG-J) was therefore carefully performed for enteral nutrition support. The patient had recovered from the fistula at a six-month follow-up, which allowed the resumption of an oral diet. Our literature review revealed that PEG-J is a feasible approach to treating esophago-pleural fistula, a rare but lethal complication of endoscopic sclerotherapy.

BACKGROUND Carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a rare, atypical vascular shunt between the carotid arterial system and the venous channels of the cavernous sinus, classified according to the shunt's anatomy, by etiology (resulting from trauma or occurring spontaneously), or by hemodynamic characteristics (such as low- or high-flow fistulas). CASE REPORT A 62-year-old female patient with poorly controlled arterial hypertension presented with bilateral periorbital edema, conjunctival chemosis, ophthalmoplegia, diplopia, and diminished visual acuity. On magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), abnormal arterial flow along the cavernous sinuses was noted, suggestive of bilateral CCF. The diagnosis of indirect dural low-flow CCF (Barrow Type D) was later confirmed by digital subtraction angiography, with feeding arteries from intracavernous internal carotid artery branches, and meningeal branches of the external carotid artery, draining bilaterally to ophthalmic veins, the intracavernous sinus, and the inferior petrosal sinus. The patient was successfully treated with endovascular embolization. At 7-month follow-up, no residual arteriovenous shunting was detected. This case highlights the importance of non-invasive radiological methods for CCF, and presents rarely published radiological findings of bilateral Type-D dural CCFs on 3-dimensional time-of-flight MRA with post-treatment MRA follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the patient's history of possible trauma, a patient presenting with bilateral periorbital edema, conjunctival chemosis, ophthalmoplegia, diplopia, and diminished visual acuity should have a spontaneous bilateral CCF investigated to prevent delayed treatment. Experienced neuroradiologists are needed to accurately detect indirect CCF, since this condition often does not demonstrate classic symptoms.

Background: Transvenous embolization of high-grade dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) is challenging particularly when the direct sinus access is favorable due to the complex venous anatomy which prohibits endovascular access via the transfemoral approach., Method: The procedure was conducted in the hybrid operating suite, where a burr hole was performed, followed by direct catheterization of the superior sagittal sinus. Coil embolization was then executed to achieve complete obliteration of the fistula., Conclusion: The direct puncture of the superior sagittal sinus is a safe and effective method for treating complex dAVFs. This approach grants access to the fistula channel which facilitates curative embolization., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To discuss the clinical spectrum and management strategies in patients with post-traumatic canalicular fistula (PTCF)., Methods: Retrospective, interventional case series of consecutive patients diagnosed with PTCF over a 6-year study period between June 2016 and June 2022. The demographics, mode of injury, location, and communication of the canalicular fistula were noted. The outcomes of several management modalities including dacryocystorhinostomy, lacrimal gland therapies, and conservative approaches were assessed., Results: Eleven cases with PTCF over the study period were included. The mean age at presentation was 23.5 years (range: 6-71 years), with male: female ratio of 8:3. The median time interval between trauma to presentation at the Dacryology clinic was 3 years (range: 1 week to 12 years). Seven had iatrogenic trauma and four had the canalicular fistula following primary trauma. Management modalities pursued include conservative approach for minimal symptoms, and dacryocystorhinostomy, dacryocystectomy, and lacrimal gland botulinum toxin injection. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range: 3-months-6 years)., Conclusion: PTCF is a complex lacrimal condition and the management of the PTCF needs a tailored approach guided by its nature and location and patient symptomatology.

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing tissue oxygen levels and regulating inflammatory pathways. Mounting evidence suggests that HBOT may be effective for inflammatory bowel disease. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the efficacy and safety of HBOT in fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD)., Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the EMBASE, Web of Science, Pubmed, and Cochrane Library databases according to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses" criteria. Study bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook guidelines., Results: Sixteen studies with 164 patients were included in the analysis. For all fistula subtypes, the pooled overall clinical response was 87% (95% CI: 0.70-0.95, I2 = 0) and the pooled clinical remission was 59% (95% CI: 0.35-0.80, I2 = 0). The overall clinical response was 89%, 84%, and 29% for perianal, enterocutaneous, and rectovaginal fistulas, respectively. On meta-regression, hours in the chamber and the number of HBOT sessions were not found to correlate with clinical response. The pooled number of adverse events was low at 51.7 per 10,000 HBOT sessions for all fistula types (95% CI: 16.8-159.3, I2 = 0). The risk of bias was observed across all studies., Conclusion: HBOT is a safe and potentially effective treatment option for fistulizing CD. Randomized control trials are needed to substantiate the benefit of HBOT in fistulizing CD., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Intraosseous dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are distinct in that the fistula is located within the bone rather than the dura through which the dural vessels pass. It has been stated that only fistulas within marrow should be considered as intraosseous DAVFs rather than DAVFs with traditional angioarchitecture that erode into bone or are located within a bony foramen. The ambiguity in the definition may have contributed to the oversight and scarcity of relevant cases reported in the literature. Three- or four-dimensional digital subtraction angiography is useful for determining the location of the fistula and developing treatment plans. We present an intraosseous DAVF around the pterygopalatine fossa using a transvenous approach., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical efficacy and safety of transvenous Onyx embolization for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with concomitant transvenous balloon protection of the venous sinus when transarterial route failed or was not feasible., Methods: Between September 2010 and December 2016, thirty-six patients presenting with intracranial DAVFs underwent transvenous balloon-assisted Onyx embolization. The technical efficacy, treatment-related complications, and angiographic and clinical outcomes were reviewed from our prospectively maintained DAVF database., Results: According to the Cognard Classification, 11 patients presented with clinically symptomatic Cognard type I; 11 cases with Cognard type IIa; 10 cases with Cognard type IIb; and 4 cases with Cognard type IIa+b. Complete angiographic occlusion of the DAVFs at the latest follow-up (mean 18 months after transvenous embolization) was achieved in 28 patients (77.8%), near-complete angiographic occlusion with minimal residual fistula in 5 patients (13.9%) and significant flow reduction of the DAVF in 2 patients (5.6%) and residual fistula for further treatment in 1 (2.8%) patient. Total clinical cure or remission of the pretreatment symptoms was achieved in 31 patients (31/36, 86.1%; 26 and 5 cases respectively). Affected venous sinus was preserved in 28 patients, intentionally occluded in 7 patients and gradually occluded in 1 patient. There were no immediate or long-term persistent complications after treatment., Conclusions: Transvenous Onyx embolization of dural arteriovenous fistulas with combined transvenous balloon protection of the venous sinus is safe and effective in achieving high occlusion rate, low embolization-related complications and satisfactory clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND We report a case of late-onset chronic fistula in a decompensated cornea after multiple ocular surgeries and a recent phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). CASE REPORT A 73-year-old woman presented to our service with a past ocular history of bilateral chronic angle closure glaucoma and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in the left eye. Given a history of long-term uncontrolled glaucoma with advanced disc cupping and poor visual potential, the patient underwent multiple palliative procedures, including, most recently, a PTK. Few years later she presented with a spontaneous late onset of slowly appearing corneal leak on fluorescein staining upon routine clinical examination. Corrected distance visual acuity was hand motion and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 40 mmHg in the affected eye. Serial anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) sections were obtained, which aided in understanding the current presentation and revealed distinctive multilayer corneal changes during the healing process. The patient was successfully managed with cyanoacrylate corneal gluing and ocular hypotensive medications, which halted the corneal leak. CONCLUSIONS We report a case of a rare finding of corneal fistula in an eye with multiple previous ocular surgeries, and provide an explanation of the possible etiopathogenesis. We also highlight the pivotal role of AS-OCT for evaluating such cases and stress the importance of early detection of similar subtle leaks in the setting of a formed anterior chamber, which can often be missed, carrying a risk of infection.

Background: Transvenous embolization is emerging as a promising treatment for cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistulas (CVF) associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH)., Objective: To perform an independent validation of the efficacy and safety of the procedure and describe the procedural techniques used at our institution., Methods: A retrospective review was performed including consecutive patients with SIH who had undergone CVF embolization with 3-month clinical and imaging follow-up. Clinical evaluation included the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) Scale and six-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Bern SIH score was used for imaging evaluation on brain MRI. Post-treatment changes in scores were assessed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Procedural technical details, including use of upper-extremity access and dual-microcatheter pressure cooker technique, were recorded., Results: 18 patients (13 female, median age 60 years) were included. 17 (94%) procedures were performed with upper-extremity access and 12 (67%) using dual-microcatheter pressure cooker technique. After embolization, 16 (89%) patients reported much or very much improved at follow-up PGIC; median (IQR) HIT-6 score improved from 68 (62-72) to 36 (36-38) and Bern SIH score improved from 8 (6-8) to 3 (1.5-3.5), p values <0.001. Side effects were transient embolization site back pain in 15 (83%) and rebound intracranial hypertension requiring medical management in 9 (50%) patients. HIT-6 and Bern SIH score changes were similar between conventional and pressure cooker techniques ( p values >0.05)., Conclusion: Transvenous embolization is independently validated as a highly effective and safe treatment for CVF and is feasible using upper-extremity venous access. Dual-microcatheter and balloon/coil pressure cooker techniques may be used to optimize distribution of embolic material and potentially, treatment efficacy., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Salvage cryotherapy (SCT) is widely used to treat prostate cancer (PCa) recurrence after radiotherapy (RT). We studied the intermediate oncological and functional outcomes of patients who underwent SCT following cryotherapy (CRYO-SCT) recurrence and compare it to recurrence after brachytherapy (BT-SCT)., Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective cohort study utilizing patient data from the Cryo On-Line Data Registry and the Duke PCa database between 1992 and 2016. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) using Phoenix criteria was the primary endpoint assessed at 2- and 5-years post-SCT. Secondary endpoints assessed functional outcomes including urinary continence, erectile function, and recto-urethral fistula. Association between treatment and biochemical progression-free survival was assessed using inverse probability weighted (IPTW) Cox proportional hazards regression. The differences in the secondary functional outcomes were assessed by Pearson's χ 2 test or Fisher's exact test, corrected for IPTW., Results: A total of 194 patients met inclusion criteria. The BCR rate for BT-SCT and CRYO-SCT was 23 (20.4%) and 17 (21%) at 2 years and 30 (26.5%) and 22 (27.2%) at 5 years according to Phoenix criteria. There was no statistical difference in 2 years (hazard ratio [HR] 0.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-1.7, p = 0.7) or 5-year BCR (HR: 0.86; 95% CI, 0.5-1.5, p = 0.6) between the groups. The functional outcomes like urinary continence (p = 0.4), erectile function (p = 0.1), and recto-urethral fistula (p = 0.3) were not statistically different., Conclusion: CRYO-SCT appears to be well tolerated, with comparable oncological and functional outcomes to patients failing primary BT. The findings also demonstrated that SCT can render a significant number of patients biochemically free of disease after initial CRYO with minimal morbidity. SCT is a viable treatment option to salvage local PCa recurrence following either BT or cryoablation failure., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral thalamic infarction (BTI) presenting as progressive thalamic dementia due to a midline tentorial dAVF (TdAVF) and to provide a systematic review of the literature., Methods: We performed a systematic literature review of previously reported cases of bi-thalamic signal changes due to dAVF considering population characteristics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, treatments, and outcomes., Results: We found 29 papers from 1985 until 2021 describing 35 cases of BTI dAVF-related. We analysed 36 cases comprehensive of our case report. The mean age was 58.7 years (range 38-79), 91.6% were males (n=33). Most cases presented with a subacute syndrome. In 86.1% (n=31) of cases a TdAVF was found; 58.3% (n=21) were type 2 Borden-Shucart fistulas, the remaining were mostly type 3. In 80.5% (n=29), a thrombosed sinus was identified. 33.3% of cases (n=12) had bi-thalamic haemorrhages. Endovascular treatment was performed in 83.3% of cases (n=30). A total of 75% (n=27) of cases had a good recovery., Conclusions: BTIs due to dAVFs may present with subacute symptoms overlapping with several differential diagnoses. Prompt identification at MRI, before venous drainage failure and bleeding, is crucial for a good prognosis., (© 2023. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

Background: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a minimally invasive procedure for treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas, but long-term complications are under-reported., Case: This is the case of a healthy 51-year-old woman who had previously undergone UAE for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. The patient presented with gross hematuria and pelvic pain 10 years later. She was found to have both a vesicouterine and a uteroduodenal fistula. The patient was successfully treated with hysterectomy, excision of the vesicouterine fistula, partial cystectomy, excision of the duodenal fistula, and primary duodenal repair., Conclusion: Complex gynecologic fistulas may occur as a long-term complication in symptomatic women with a history of UAE., Competing Interests: Financial Disclosure The authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to compare the treatment efficacy and tolerance between drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with arterioportal fistula (APF). A total of 44 HCC patients with APF scheduled for DEB-TACE (N = 24, as DEB-TACE group) or cTACE (N = 20, as cTACE group) were recruited. Treatment response, hepatic function, and adverse events were assessed or recorded. Besides, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Total treatment response was better in the DEB-TACE group compared with the cTACE group ( P = .012). Meanwhile, the objective response rate (87.5% versus 60.0%) was higher ( P = .013), while the disease control rate (95.8% versus 85.0%) was similar in the DEB-TACE group compared to the cTACE group ( P = .213). Besides, PFS (mean value: 12.2 (95%CI: 9.9-14.6) months versus 7.8 (95%CI: 5.6-10.0) months) ( P = .037), but not OS (mean value: 20.0 (95%CI: 18.1-21.9) months versus. 18.6 (95%CI: 15.4-21.8) months) ( P = .341) was prolonged in DEB-TACE group compared with cTACE group. Regarding the safety, Child-Pugh stage, albumin level, and bilirubin level after treatment were all similar between the DEB-TACE group and cTACE group (all P > .05); moreover, no difference was found in the occurrence of adverse events during or after treatment between the two groups (all P > .05). Moreover, subsequent analyses found that embolic materials for APF (microspheres) in the DEB-TACE group did not affect the treatment efficacy (all P > .05). DEB-TACE promotes treatment response and PFS compared with cTACE and shows good safety in HCC patients with APF.

Hemoptysis is a common clinical emergency, bronchial arterial embolization is considered to be an effective treatment. The presence of coronary artery-bronchial artery fistula (CBF) may lead to recurrence of hemoptysis after treatment. It is necessary to investigate the imaging characteristics of a CBF and its correlation with the severity of pulmonary disease. With the development of multi-detector computed tomography, our study used the 320-slice CT bronchial artery angiography technology to observe and visualize blood vessels. The image and clinical data of 2015 hemoptysis patients with 320-slice CT bronchial artery angiography were retrospectively reviewed from January 2015 to December 2019. The axial and three-dimensional CT images were analyzed. The incidence, anatomical characteristics of CBF and pulmonary disease severity score were evaluated. A total of 12 CBF vessels were detected in 11 patients. We found that the incidence of CBF in this group was 0.55% (11/2015). Mean CBF diameter was 1.9 mm (1.2-2.5 mm). The course of CBF usually was relatively fixed. The proportions of CBF originated from the left circumflex artery, right coronary artery, and left anterior descending artery were 75%, 16.7% and 8.3%, respectively. Preliminarily analysis of the correlation between the trend of CBF and the pulmonary diseases severity score showed that CBF was more likely to communicate with a bronchial artery on the side with a higher severity score. CBF may occur in patients with chronic pulmonary disease and hemoptysis, and its origin, course and trend are characteristic. Detailed and comprehensive computed tomography angiography image analysis is helpful to improve the clinical treatment of hemoptysis with CBF., (© 2022. Springer Japan KK, part of Springer Nature.)

Perilymphatic fistula (PLF) is a rare condition with a pathological communication between the inner ear and usually the middle ear, causing both cochlear and vestibular symptoms. PLF is typically treated with either a conservative approach or surgically with grafting. But a new treatment has been proposed: intratympanic injection of autologous blood, blood patch. This is a case report of a 21-year-old woman who presented herself with PLF and was successfully treated with blood patch.

This study aimed to document the experience of integration and the contribution of the Client Tracker (CT) to female genital fistula (FGF) management and data quality in sites supported by the Fistula Care + Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), from 2017 to 2019. It was a parallel mixed methods study using routine quantitative data and qualitative data from in-depth interviews with the project staff. Quantitative findings indicated that CT forms were present in the medical records of 63% of patients; of these, 38% were completely filled out, and 29% were correctly filled out. Qualitative findings suggested that the level of use of CT in the management of FGF was associated with staff familiarity with the CT, staff understanding of concepts in the CT forms, and the CT-related additional workload. The CT has mainly contributed to improving data quality and reporting, quality of care, follow-up of fistula patients, and self-supervision of management activities. A possible simplification of the CT and/or harmonization of its content with existing routine forms, coupled with adequate continuous training of staff on record-keeping, would further contribute to maximizing CT effectiveness and sustainability., Competing Interests: DB and VT were employed by EngenderHealth. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Paluku, Kitambala, Furaha, Bulu Bobina, Habamungu, Camara, Sidibe, Banze Kyongolwa, Tripathi and Delamou.)

Background: Hemoptysis is a frequently encountered symptom of the respiratory system in adult but is rare in children. Bronchial artery-pulmonary artery fistula (BPF) is one of the most important and life-threatening cause in pediatric hemoptysis patients. Although the severity of BPF has been proved in previous studies, details about clinical diagnosis and treatment of BPF in children have been rarely reported., Case Preparation: A 12-year-old boy presented to the hospital with hematemesis after coughing, without any other symptoms. After admission, he had repeated hemoptysis, 20-30 ml each time, and on the 11th night of admission a massive hemoptysis (about 100 ml bright red blood) occurred suddenly. Chest computed tomography demonstrated patchy ground glass opacities in the right lung, suggestive of pulmonary hemorrhage. Bronchial arteriography showed an apparent BPF in the right lobe bronchial artery. Therefore, bronchial artery embolization was performed, following which a thrombus in the bronchial lumen was removed by bronchoscopy. After these interventions, the patient recovered quickly and no recurrence was noted in the following year., Conclusion: We believe that this case should raise awareness of cryptogenic massive hemoptysis caused by BPF. In the event of hemoptysis in a child, it is important to clarify the source of the bleeding. If common etiologies have been excluded, the presence of pulmonary and bronchial vascular malformations should be considered. Moreover, multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial in the diagnosis and management of cryptogenic hemoptysis., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Thoracic duct chylous fistula is a rare complication following neck surgery, especially for malignant disease. Despite its low incidence, it can be a life-threatening postoperative complication increasing the risk of infection, bleeding, hypovolemia, electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition. Currently, the management of thoracic duct fistula is not standardized yet. It can range from conservative to surgical approaches, and even when surgery indication occurs, there is no unanimous agreement on timing and operative steps, so the surgical approach still remains mostly subjective, in accordance with clinical conditions of the patients and with surgeon's experience., Aims: The aim of the study was to search into Literature a common accepted behaviour in thoracic duct chylous fistula occurring., Methods: A literature review was carried out. Conservative treatments include fasting associated with total parental nutrition or low-fat diet, compressive dressings, and octreotide administration. If conservative treatment fails, in order to avoid dangerous consequences, functional repair of the thoracic duct injury with lymphovenous microanastomosis should be the preferred solution, rather than an approach that obliterates the thoracic duct or lymphatic-chylous pathways, such as thoracic duct embolization, therapeutic lymphangiography, and thoracic duct ligation., Conclusions: In our experience, patients undergone thyroidectomy and neck dissection for thyroid-differentiated cancer, who report an unrecognized thoracic duct chylous fistula after surgery, must be treated via integrated conservative and surgical treatment. A literature review about thoracic duct chylous fistula following neck surgery, focusing on the current management and therapeutic approach, was furthermore carried out, in order to delineate the actual therapeutic options in case of thoracic duct chylous fistula occurrence.

Objective: Determining the outcomes of transcatheter coil embolization (TCE) for several coronary artery lesions., Background: TCE has been used as a treatment modality for various lesions in the coronary circulation. However, data on the efficacy and safety of TCE to treat coronary artery fistula (CAF), left internal mammary artery (LIMA) side-branch, coronary artery perforation (CAP), coronary artery aneurysm (CAA), and coronary artery pseudoaneurysm (CAPA) are limited., Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive analysis of all TCE devices in coronary lesions at our center from 2007 to 2019. Forty-one studied lesions included 25 CAF, 7 LIMA side-branch, 5 CAP, 2 CAA, and 2 CAPA. Short- and 1-year mortality and hospital readmission were reported, in addition to coil-related complications and procedural success., Results: The utilization rate of TCE in coronary artery lesions at our center was found to be 33.8 per 100,000 percutaneous coronary intervention procedures over 12 years. Successful angiographic closure was achieved in 37 out of 41 (87.8%) cases (88, 100, 60, 100, and 100% of CAF, LIMA side-branch, CAP, CAA, and CAPA, respectively). No adverse events were directly related to TCE among the LIMA, CAA, and CAPA cases, and only one patient with CAF required reintervention at 3 months due to coil migration., Conclusions: Coil embolization in our institution was safe and effective in treating different coronary circulation abnormalities with a 87.8% overall success rate. Further study on the use of vascular plug devices in cases such as CAF or LIMA side-branch would be beneficial to understand the treatment options better., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: Lymphocutaneous fistula after lymph node dissection is intractable, yet there is no established treatment strategy. This study demonstrates the wound closure time achieved by a new method of combined internal and external negative pressure wound therapy (CIEN) in patients with lymphocutaneous fistula., Methods: The subjects of this study were six consecutive patients with lymphocutaneous fistula after lymphatic surgery, who were treated with CIEN between 2018 and 2020. The CIEN technique can be summarized as follows: first, internal foam is inserted into the fistula from the opening of the fenestration. Next, a slightly larger area of external foam is applied above the fistula flap outside the external margin of the foam-filled fistula. After bridging the internal foam and external foam, negative-pressure wound therapy is carried out on this bridging foam block., Results: CIEN led to rapid and complete wound healing in all six patients. Fistula flap margin ischemia developed in one patient, but adjusting the mode and pressure settings resulted in improvement. Three patients suffered contact dermatitis. There were no signs of tumor or fistula recurrence in any patients after at least 3 months of follow-up., Conclusion: CIEN is an effective and less invasive treatment modality than the conventional method of managing lymphocutaneous fistula., (© 2021. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.)

We report a consecutive case series of patients who underwent transvenous embolization of the paraspinal vein, which was draining the CSF-venous fistula, for treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. These are the first-ever reported cases of this treatment for CSF-venous fistulas. All patients underwent spinal venography following catheterization of the azygous vein and then selective catheterization of the paraspinal vein followed by embolization of the vein with Onyx. All patients had improvement of clinical and radiologic findings with 4 patients having complete resolution of headaches and 1 patient having 50% reduction in headache symptoms. Pachymeningeal enhancement resolved in 4 patients and improved but did not resolve in 1 patient. Brain sag resolved in 4 patients and improved but did not resolve in 1 patient. There were no cases of permanent neurologic complications. All patients were discharged home on the day of the procedure., (© 2021 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Background: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is usually caused by a spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. CSF-venous fistula is an underdiagnosed cause of spinal CSF leak, as it is challenging to identify on myelography., Objective: To review existing literature to summarize common presentations, diagnostic imaging modalities, and current treatment strategies for CSF-venous fistulas., Methods: We conducted a systematic review using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify studies discussing CSF-venous fistulas. Titles and abstracts were screened. Studies meeting prespecified inclusion criteria were reviewed in full., Results: Of 180 articles identified, 16 articles met inclusion criteria. Individual patient data was acquired from 7 studies reporting on 18 patients. CSF-venous fistula most frequently presented as positional headache. Digital subtraction myelography provided greatest detection of CSF-venous fistula in the lateral decubitus position and detected CSF-venous fistula in all individual patient cases. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) myelogram enabled detection and differentiation of CSF-venous fistulas from low-flow epidural leaks. The majority of fistulas were in the thoracic spine and slightly more common on the right. Epidural blood patch (EBP) provided temporary or no relief in all individual patients. Resolution or improvement of clinical symptoms and radiologic normalization were observed in all surgically treated patients., Conclusion: Although rare, CSF-venous fistula is an important cause of spinal CSF leak contributing to SIH. Dynamic CT myelogram and digital subtraction myelography, particularly in the lateral decubitus position, are the most accurate and effective diagnostic imaging modalities. EBPs often provide only transient relief, while surgical management is preferred., (© Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2021.)

This collection of cases describes some unusual urological tumors and complications related to urological tumors and their treatment. Case 1: A case of uretero-arterial fistula in a patient with long-term ureteral stenting for ureteral oncological stricture and a second case associated to retroperitoneal fibrosis were described. Abdominal CT, pyelography, cystoscopy were useful to show the origin of the bleeding. Angiography is useful for confirming the diagnosis and for subsequent positioning of an endovascular prosthesis which represents a safe approach with reduced post-procedural complications. Case 2: A case of patient who suffered from interstitial pneumonitis during a cycle of intravesical BCG instillations for urothelial cancer. The patient was hospitalized for more than two weeks in a COVID ward for a suspected of COVID-19 pneumonia, but he did not show any evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during his hospital stay. Case 3: A case of a young man with a functional urinary bladder paraganglioma who was successfully managed with complete removal of the tumor, leaving the urinary bladder intact. Case 4: A case of a 61 year old male suffering from muscle invasive bladder cancer who was admitted for a radical cystectomy and on the eighth postoperative day developed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, which clinically defines thrombotic microangiopathy.

A parotid fistula is a rare complication following parotid gland and duct injury. A two-year-old boy with a previous parotid fistula after parotid injury due to a dog bite was successfully treated with pressure-dressing therapy, which is generally non-invasive and tolerable by young children. During follow-up, ultrasonography revealed atrophy of the parotid gland. This finding is consistent with the healing mechanism previously assumed in adult patients with a parotid fistula. Consideration should be paid to the possibility of oral environmental changes associated with reduced saliva secretion from parotid gland atrophy after conservative treatment of parotid fistula., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background:  Postoperative lymphatic leakage (PLL) is usually managed by conservative and/or surgical treatments but these procedures can be challenging to perform and potentially clinically ineffective. Therefore, conventional lymphangiography (CL) has emerged as an important alternative. The aim of this review is to present the available outcome data on CL in the management of PLL., Method:  A systematic literature search (PubMed) using the MeSH term "lymphangiography" was performed and the search was restricted to literature published between January 2007 and August 2019. Identification, screening, and assessment for eligibility and inclusion were conducted in accordance with PRISMA., Results:  From the initially obtained 1006 articles (identification), 28 articles with a total of 201 patients were finally included (inclusion). The methodological quality of all included articles corresponds to level 4 (Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine - Levels of Evidence, March 2009). PLL occurs after oncological and non-oncological surgery in the form of chylothorax, chylous ascites, and cervical, thoracic, abdominal and peripheral lymph fistula and/or lymphocele. The technical success rate of CL is 75-100 %. Access for CL is transpedal (176 patients) or intranodal (25 patients). Lipiodol is used as the contrast material in all articles, with a maximum amount of 20 ml for transpedal CL and 30 ml for intranodal CL. The X-ray imaging modalities used for CL are fluoroscopy, radiography and/or CT. Two articles report CL-associated major complications and CL-associated morbidity and mortality. The PLL cure rate is 51-70 % for transpedal CL (time to PLL cure: 2-29 days) and 33-100 % for intranodal CL (time to PLL cure: 2-< 30 days). Bailout procedures in the case of clinically ineffective CL include a range of treatments., Conclusion:  CL is feasible, safe, and effective in the management of PLL. Lipiodol as the contrast material is essential in CL because the highly viscous iodinated poppy-seed oil has not only diagnostic but therapeutic effects. Guidelines and randomized controlled trials are further steps towards defining the ultimate value of CL., Key Points:   · PLL is a difficult-to-treat and potentially life-threatening surgical complication.. · CL has emerged as an alternative to conservative/surgical treatment of PLL.. · CL is feasible, safe, and effective in the management of PLL. · Lipiodol-based CL can be regarded as a therapeutic procedure.. · Guidelines and randomized controlled trials are further important steps.., Citation Format: · Sommer CM, Pieper CC, Itkin M et al. Conventional Lymphangiography (CL) in the Management of Postoperative Lymphatic Leakage (PLL): A Systematic Review. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 1025 - 1035., Competing Interests: Guerbet, Villepinte, France financially supported professional language editing. The sponsor had no influence over the content of the manuscript. All authors report no conflict of interest regarding this manuscript., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Diverticular disease of the colon and small bowel is an important cause of pathology leading to emergency department visits and urgent gastrointestinal surgery. CT is a highly sensitive and specific modality for the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis and its complications as well as for the exclusion of alternate causes of pathology. Ultrasound, MRI and virtual CT colonoscopy have important adjunct roles for screening and workup of complications in specific patient populations. While diverticular disease most commonly involves the descending and sigmoid colon, it can also affect the proximal colon and small bowel. Acute diverticulitis may be categorized as uncomplicated or complicated according to the degree of inflammatory changes and related complications it induces, although some degree of overlap exists in clinical practice. Uncomplicated diverticulitis is classically characterized by localized inflammation surrounding a diverticulum ranging from wall thickening and phlegmonous change to the development of small, localized pericolic abscesses. Complicated forms of disease manifest with larger pericolic and distant abscesses, fistulae to adjacent organs, perforation, and peritonitis. Recurrent episodes of diverticulitis may lead to muscular hypertrophy of the bowel wall and luminal narrowing, potentially leading to bowel obstruction. Several imaging features may help to differentiate diverticulitis from colonic malignancy, however this remains a diagnostic imaging challenge that often requires further evaluation with colonoscopy. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology and key imaging features of acute diverticulitis and its complications. We explore both common and uncommon presentations of the disease involving the colon and small bowel, acute and chronic manifestations of disease, and pitfalls to recognize when imaging alone may be insufficient to distinguish benign from malignant., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A research-to-action collaboration sought to understand and respond to barriers to female genital fistula treatment in Nigeria and Uganda. This was guided by appreciative inquiry, a participatory approach for transformative programing with four phases: (1) inquire, (2) imagine, (3) innovate, and (4) implement. Through this process, partners designed and refined a treatment barrier reduction intervention using multiple communication channels to disseminate a consistent fistula screening algorithm and provide transportation vouchers to those screening positive. Partnership between an implementation organization, a research institution, and local community partners enabled data-driven design and patient-centered implementation to address specific barriers experienced by women.

Background: Aorto-cardiac fistulae are a rare but increasingly reported entity, and data are scarce., Method: The authors performed a systematic review of ACFs to characterize the underlying etiology, clinical presentation, and compare outcomes of treatment strategies., Results: 3,733 publications were identified in the search. Of those, 292 studies including 300 patients were included. Etiology of ACFs was 38% iatrogenic, 25% infectious, 14% traumatic, and 15% due to other causes. Most patients (74%) presented with heart failure. Common locations were aortic-right atrium (37%), and aortic-pulmonary artery (25%). The majority of patients (71%) were treated surgically, while 13% were treated percutaneously, and 16% were treated conservatively. Patients who were managed conservatively had a higher mortality than those treated with invasive closure (53% vs. 12% vs. 3%, p = <0.00001)., Conclusions: This systematic review sheds light on this highly morbid condition. Once recognized, fistula closure appears to be superior to conservative management., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None, (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fistula formation in head and neck wounds is considered one of the most challenging complications that a head and neck reconstructive surgeon may encounter. The current mainstay of treatment is aggressive surgical debridement followed by vascularised soft tissue coverage. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been successfully used for the closure of complicated wounds for decades. This study analysed the outcomes and complications of NPWT in the management of head and neck wounds with fistulas. A systematic search of studies published between January 1966 and September 2019 was conducted using the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases and using the following key words: "negative pressure wound therapy," "head and neck," and "fistula." We included human studies with abstract and full text available. Analysed endpoints were rate of fistula closure, follow-up duration, and complications if present. Nine retrospective case series (Level IV evidence) that collectively included 122 head and neck wounds with orocutaneous fistulas, pharyngocutaneous fistulas, and salivary contamination were examined. The number of patients included in each study ranged from 5 to 64. The mode of NPWT varied among the included studies, with most adopting a continuous pressure of -125 mm Hg. Mean durations of NPWT ranged from 3.7 to 23 days, and the reported fistula closure rate ranged from 78% to 100%. To achieve complete wound healing, six studies used additional procedures after stopping NPWT, including conventional wound dressings and vascularised tissue transfer. Information regarding follow up was provided in only three of the nine studies, where patients were followed for 5, 10, and 18 months. No serious adverse events were reported. NPWT for head and neck wounds with fistulas may be considered a safe treatment method that yields beneficial outcomes with a low risk of complications. The current data originated mainly from studies with low levels of evidence characterised by heterogeneity. Therefore, definitive recommendations based on these data cannot be offered. Additional high-quality trials are warranted to corroborate the findings of this systematic review., (© 2019 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Awake endotracheal intubation is the technique of choice to secure the airway when both mask ventilation and intubation are anticipated to be difficult. We present a case of a patient with a known difficult airway, bronchopleural fistula (BPF), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who was intubated with a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DL ETT) under awake condition using a videolaryngoscope. Independent lung ventilation (ILV) was instituted because of the BPF. The patient was treated successfully for ARDS and discharged home. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful videolaryngoscope-assisted DL ETT intubation in an awake patient.

Purpose: A controlled, prospective, multicenter, randomized trial to compare primary patency after angioplasty with a drug-coated balloon versus plain angioplasty balloon in stenosis of dysfunctional fistulae and grafts for hemodialysis., Materials and Methods: A total of 136 patients (148 angioplasties) at four centers were randomized to receive a drug-coated balloon or plain angioplasty balloon after satisfactory angioplasty with a high-pressure balloon. The inclusion criteria were clinical signs of vascular dysfunction confirmed by Doppler Ultrasound and/or angiography. The primary endpoint was target lesion patency defined as time elapsed between the completion of effective and the appearance of restenosis at 6 and 12 months after angioplasty. Secondary endpoints included the relationship between the location of the stenosis, previous angioplasty, demographic variables and survival., Results: Primary patency after angioplasty was higher in the group treated with the drug-coated balloon than the plain angioplasty balloon (153.01 to 141.69 days at 6 months; 265.78 to 237.83 days at 12 months). Drug-coated balloon angioplasty resulted in superior patency after 6 and 12 months, but this result was not statically significant (P = 0.068 at 6 months; P = 0.369 at 12 months). There was no relation between target lesion patency and the other variables studied. Overall mortality in the plain angioplasty balloon group was higher (9% vs. 5.7%) but not statistically significant., Conclusions: Drug-coated balloon angioplasty resulted in superior survival of dysfunctional peripheral vascular access at 6 and 12 months, but this result was not statistically significant. Both arms show equivalent complications and similar mortality., Level of Evidence: Level Ia, therapeutic study, RCT. EBM ratings will be based on a scale of 1-5.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is considered the gold-standard operation to treat lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement in men. Postoperative bleeding is a recognised complication and managing it is a core skill required by attending urologists. We report a rare case of postoperative bleeding caused by fistulating vessels to the prostate which developed after TURP. These fistulas arose from the right internal iliac vessels and communicated with pre-existing pelvic varices affecting the right paraprostaticand seminal vesicle tissues. The fistulating vessels were successfully embolised with liquid embolic agent. Surgeons should be aware that persisting haemorrhage can occur post-TURP from the rare presence of fistulating vessels communicating with pelvic varices. Early computed tomography angiographic assessment is warranted in cases where bleeding is prolonged and refractory to standard management in view of timely referral for percutaneous embolisation.

Oesophago-pleural fistula is an uncommon complication after pneumonectomy, usually related to high morbidity and mortality. Due to its rarity and heterogeneous clinical presentation, its diagnosis and management are challenging issues. Here, we report the case of a patient with a history of pneumonectomy for a tracheal tumour, who developed an asymptomatic oesophago-pleural fistula 7 years after primary surgery. In consideration of the patient's good clinical status and after verifying the preservation of respiratory and digestive functions, a bold conservative approach was adopted. Five-year follow-up computed tomography did not disclose any sign of recurrence of disease and showed a stable, chronic fistula., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)