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Background: Despite a 40% reduction in breast cancer mortality over the last 30 years, not all groups have benefited equally from these gains. A consistent link between later stage of diagnosis and disparities in breast cancer mortality has been observed by race, socioeconomic status, and rurality. Therefore, ensuring equitable geographic access to screening mammography represents an important priority for reducing breast cancer disparities. Access to breast cancer screening was evaluated in Delaware, a state that experiences an elevated burden from breast cancer but is otherwise representative of the US in terms of race and urban-rural characteristics. We first conducted a catchment analysis of mammography facilities. Finding evidence of disparities by race and rurality, we next conducted a location-allocation analysis to identify candidate locations for the establishment of new mammography facilities to optimize equitable access., Methods: A catchment analysis using the ArcGIS Pro Service Area analytic tool characterized the geographic distribution of mammography sites and Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence (BICOEs). Poisson regression analyses identified census tract-level correlates of access. Next, the ArcGIS Pro Location-Allocation analytic tool identified candidate locations for the placement of additional mammography sites in Delaware according to several sets of breast cancer screening guidelines., Results: The catchment analysis showed that for each standard deviation increase in the number of Black women in a census tract, there were 68% (95% CI 38-85%) fewer mammography units and 89% (95% CI 60-98%) fewer BICOEs. The more rural counties in the state accounted for 41% of the population but only 22% of the BICOEs. The results of the location-allocation analysis depended on which set of screening guidelines were adopted, which included increasing mammography sites in communities with a greater proportion of younger Black women and in rural areas., Conclusions: The results of this study illustrate how catchment and location-allocation analytic tools can be leveraged to guide the equitable selection of new mammography facility locations as part of a larger strategy to close breast cancer disparities., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the physician work effort for formal written breast radiology second-opinion reports of imaging performed at outside facilities, to compare this effort with a per-report credit system, and to estimate the downstream value of subsequent services provided by the radiology department and institution at a National Comprehensive Cancer Network-designated comprehensive cancer center., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive reports for "outside film review" from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2018. The number and types of breast imaging studies reinterpreted for each individual patient request were tabulated for requests for a 3-month sample from each year. Physician effort was estimated on the basis of the primary interpretation CMS fee schedule for work relative value units (wRVUs) for the study-specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code and study type. This effort was compared with the interpreting radiologist credit of 0.44 wRVUs per report. Subsequent imaging and evaluation and management encounters generated by these second-opinion patient requests were tracked through June 30, 2019., Results: For the 3-year period reviewed, 2,513 unique patient requests were identified, averaging 837 per fiscal year. For January to March of 2016, 2017, and 2018, 645 unique patient reports were identified. For these reports, 2,216 studies were reinterpreted, with an estimated physician effort of 2,660 wRVUs compared with 284 wRVUs on the basis of per-report credit. The range of annualized wRVUs for all outside studies interpreted and credited per specific CPT code was 3,135 to 3,804 (mean, 3,547). However, the institutional relative value unit credit received for fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017, on the basis of the number of patient requests, was only 385, 375, and 345 wRVUs, respectively., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the substantial work effort necessary to provide formal second-opinion interpretations for breast imaging studies at a National Comprehensive Cancer Network cancer center. The authors believe that these data support billing for the study-specific CPT code and crediting the radiologist with the full wRVUs for each study reinterpreted., (Copyright © 2022 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The author reports no conflicts of interest related to the material discussed in this article

Background Clustered microcysts are common, especially in perimenopausal women, and are seen in up to 6% of US examinations. However, there are limited published data on appropriate assessment and management recommendations for clustered microcysts on breast US images. Purpose To determine outcomes of lesions identified as clustered microcysts on breast US images to help guide appropriate management recommendations. Materials and Methods Lesions classified as clustered microcysts at breast US were retrospectively identified in women at two hospitals (a large tertiary care academic hospital and a National Comprehensive Cancer Network-designated comprehensive cancer center) within one metropolitan health system from 2005 through 2015. If US-guided tissue sampling was performed, results were obtained from the pathology or cytology reports. If sampling was not performed, only lesions with at least 24 months of imaging follow-up or any imaging follow-up with interval resolution or decrease in size were included in the study. Data were evaluated using standard statistics, Fisher exact tests, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results A total of 189 women (median age, 52 years [interquartile range, 46-59 years]) with 196 lesions classified as clustered microcysts on US images were included in this study. During the surveillance period of at least 24 months and at tissue diagnosis, malignancy was not found in any of the 196 lesions (0%) (95% confidence interval: 0.0%, 1.9%). A total of 158 of 196 (80%) lesions were followed with imaging, and 38 of 196 (20%) lesions underwent percutaneous sampling. During the follow-up period, 28 of 158 (18%) lesions spontaneously resolved, 13 of 158 (8%) decreased in size, and one of 158 lesions (0.6%) increased at 18-month follow-up but then became stable. One hundred sixteen of 158 lesions (73%) demonstrated no change at follow-up imaging, 38 of 196 (19%) lesions underwent percutaneous sampling, and 38 of 38 (100%) revealed benign results. Conclusion No malignancies were identified in this series. These results further support the existing literature that lesions characterized as clustered microcysts demonstrate a very low risk of malignancy and can be classified as benign. Biopsy may be safely avoided. © RSNA, 2020 See also the editorial by Berg in this issue.

This study was performed to monitor the glycoform distribution of a recombinant antibody fusion protein expressed in CHO cells over the course of fed-batch bioreactor runs using high-throughput methods to accurately determine the glycosylation status of the cell culture and its product. Three different bioreactors running similar conditions were analysed at the same five time-points using the advanced methods described here. N-glycans from cell and secreted glycoproteins from CHO cells were analysed by HILIC-UPLC and MS, and the total glycosylation (both N- and O-linked glycans) secreted from the CHO cells were analysed by lectin microarrays. Cell glycoproteins contained mostly high mannose type N-linked glycans with some complex glycans; sialic acid was α-(2,3)-linked, galactose β-(1,4)-linked, with core fucose. Glycans attached to secreted glycoproteins were mostly complex with sialic acid α-(2,3)-linked, galactose β-(1,4)-linked, with mostly core fucose. There were no significant differences noted among the bioreactors in either the cell pellets or supernatants using the HILIC-UPLC method and only minor differences at the early time-points of days 1 and 3 by the lectin microarray method. In comparing different time-points, significant decreases in sialylation and branching with time were observed for glycans attached to both cell and secreted glycoproteins. Additionally, there was a significant decrease over time in high mannose type N-glycans from the cell glycoproteins. A combination of the complementary methods HILIC-UPLC and lectin microarrays could provide a powerful and rapid HTP profiling tool capable of yielding qualitative and quantitative data for a defined biopharmaceutical process, which would allow valuable near 'real-time' monitoring of the biopharmaceutical product., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Unresectable colorectal liver metastases have a 1- and 2-year survival of 55% and 33% with current systemic therapies. The authors evaluated response and survival after transarterial chemoembolization., Methods: Chemoembolization with cisplatin, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, ethiodized oil, and polyvinyl alcohol particles was performed at monthly intervals for 1 to 4 sessions. Cross-sectional imaging and clinical and laboratory evaluation were performed before treatment, 1 month after treatment, and then every 3 months. A second cycle was performed for intrahepatic recurrence. Toxicity was assessed using National Cancer Institute's Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0. Response was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. Progression and survival were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analysis., Results: A total of 245 treatments were performed over 141 cycles on 121 patients. Ninety-five of 141 treatment cycles were evaluable for response: 2 (2%) partial response, 39 (41%) stable disease, and 54 (57%) progression. Median time to disease progression (TTP) in the treated liver was 5 months, and median TTP anywhere was 3 months. Median survival was 33 months from diagnosis of the primary colon cancer, 27 months from development of liver metastases, and 9 months from chemoembolization. Survival was significantly better when chemoembolization was performed after first- or second-line systemic therapy (11-12 months) than after third- to fifth-line therapies (6 months) (P = .03). Presence of extrahepatic metastases did not adversely affect survival (P = .48)., Conclusions: Chemoembolization provided local disease control of hepatic metastases after 43% of treatment cycles. Median survival was 27 months overall, and 11 months when initiated for salvage after failure of second-line systemic therapy., (Copyright © 2010 American Cancer Society.)

Purpose: To assess the toxicity and efficacy of chemoembolization and bland embolization in patients with neuroendocrine tumor metastases to the liver., Materials and Methods: A total of 67 patients underwent 219 embolization procedures: 23 patients received primarily bland embolization with PVA with or without iodized oil and 44 primarily received chemoembolization with cisplatin, doxorubicin, mitomycin-C, iodized oil, and polyvinyl alcohol. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging follow-up was performed 1 month after completion of therapy and every 3 months thereafter. Patients with disease relapse were treated again when feasible. Toxicity was assessed according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. Efficacy was assessed by clinical and morphologic response. Time to progression (TTP), time to treatment failure, and survival were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis., Results: Ten of 67 patients (15%) were lost to follow-up. The mortality rate at 30 days was 1.4%. Toxicities of grade 3 or worse in severity occurred after 25% of chemoembolization procedures and 22% of bland embolization procedures (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.4-4.0). Mean length of stay was 1.5 day in both groups. Rates of freedom from progression at 1, 2, and 3 years were 49%, 49%, and 35% after chemoembolization and 0%, 0%, and 0% after bland embolization (log-rank test, P = .16). Among the subgroup with carcinoid tumors, the proportions without progression were 65%, 65%, and 52% after chemoembolization and 0%, 0%, and 0% after bland embolization (log-rank test, P = .08). Patients treated with chemoembolization and bland embolization experienced symptomatic relief for means of 15 and 7.5 months, respectively (P = .14). Survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years after therapy were 86%, 67%, and 50%, respectively, after chemoembolization and 68%, 46%, and 33%, respectively, after bland embolization (log-rank test, P = .18)., Conclusions: Chemoembolization was not associated with a higher degree of toxicity than bland embolization. Chemoembolization demonstrated trends toward improvement in TTP, symptom control, and survival. Based on these results, a multicenter prospective randomized trial is warranted.

Purpose: Liver abscess occurs in most patients with biliary stents or bypass undergoing chemoembolization despite the use of standard prophylactic antibiotics. The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of an aggressive prophylactic regimen to prevent abscess in such patients., Materials and Methods: Between November 2002 and July 2005, 16 chemoembolization procedures were performed in seven patients who had undergone biliary intervention. Prophylaxis was initiated with levofloxacin 500 mg daily and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily 2 days before chemoembolization and continued for 2 weeks after discharge. A bowel preparation regimen was given with neomycin 1 g plus erythromycin base 1 g orally at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 11 p. m. the day before chemoembolization. With the Fisher exact test, the incidence of infectious complications was compared with previously reported data for patients with and without earlier biliary intervention who had received standard prophylaxis., Results: Liver abscess occurred in two of seven patients after two of 16 procedures. Previously reported incidences were six of seven patients (P=.103) and six of 14 procedures (P=.101) among patients with previous biliary intervention receiving standard prophylaxis and one of 150 patients (P=.005) and one of 383 procedures (P=.004) among patients with no previous biliary intervention., Conclusions: There was a trend toward a lower rate of abscess formation among patients at high risk who received more aggressive antibiotic prophylaxis, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The rate of infection remained significantly higher than among patients without previous biliary intervention.

Purpose: To assess ultrasound (US) surveillance of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stents in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS)., Materials and Methods: Procedural data, including stent size and portosystemic gradients (PSG) before and after creation of TIPS, were obtained retrospectively in 55 patients (33 men, 22 women). Chart review provided clinical information, including etiology of liver disease, indication for TIPS creation, and Child-Pugh class. Radiology reports provided US venography data and pathology reports confirmed shunt status in transplant recipients. Patients had baseline US examinations 3-7 days after TIPS creation with scheduled follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. Clinical and radiology reports were compared to evaluate US surveillance of Viatorr stents., Results: One hundred fifty-nine US examinations were performed on 52 patients, for an average 3.1 studies per patient (range, 1-7) over a mean follow-up duration of 173 days (range, 0-1,013 d). Sixty-four US studies (40%) were baseline studies, 88 studies (55%) were routine follow-up studies, and seven (4%) were interval studies. US predicted TIPS abnormalities in 30 of 159 studies (19%); venography followed 15 of 30 abnormal US findings (50%) and clinical examinations complemented 10 of 15 venograms (67%). Venography and US were concordant in eight of 15 paired studies (53%); clinical examinations, when conducted, accurately predicted shunt status in all but one case. US findings changed management in six of 159 studies (4%): five of six (83%) were baseline evaluations and the other one (17%) was a routine follow-up examination. A total of five baseline US examinations (8%) and one surveillance examination (1%) altered patient management., Conclusions: A single US examination after a TIPS procedure to confirm immediate function may be valuable, but routine US is not effective for long-term surveillance of ePTFE-covered stents.

Treating cancer involves more than high-tech regional and local therapies. To participate effectively in the care of patients with cancer, the interventional radiologist needs to have a basic understanding of all of the elements that make up the complete evaluation of the cancer patient. This understanding also facilitates interactions with other oncological experts that are necessary to care for these complex patients. Proper assessment of the patient is a key step in the treatment process.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the natural history of high-grade (>50%) asymptomatic central venous stenosis (CVS) in hemodialysis patients and the outcome of serial treatment of CVS with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)., Materials and Methods: The institutional review board granted exemption for this retrospective study, the need for informed consent was waived, and all data collection was in compliance with HIPAA. Patients with hemodialysis access requiring maintenance procedures between 1998 and 2004 and incidentally found to have ipsilateral (> or =50%) CVS were identified from a departmental database. Thirty-five patients (19 men, 16 women; mean age, 58.7 years) with 38 grafts met inclusion criteria, and 86 venograms were reviewed. CVS was measured by using venograms obtained before and after PTA, if performed. Patients with arm swelling, multiple CVS, indwelling catheters, and stents at the first encounter were excluded. CVS progression was calculated by dividing the change in the degree of stenosis by the time between venographic examinations. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to evaluate differences in rate of CVS progression between treated and nontreated patients., Results: Mean degree of CVS before intervention was 71% (range, 50%-100%). Sixty-two percent (53 of 86) of lesions had associated collateral vessels; 28% (24 of 86) of CVSs were not treated. Mean degree of stenosis in this group was 72% (range, 30%-100%); mean progression was -0.08 percentage point per day. No untreated CVS progressed to symptoms, stent placement, or additional CVS. Seventy-two percent (62 of 86) of CVSs were treated with PTA. Mean degree of stenosis in this group was 74% (range, 50%-100%) before and 40% (range, 0%-75%) after treatment; mean progression was 0.21 percentage point per day after treatment (P = .03). Six (8%) of 62 treatments were followed by CVS escalation; one patient developed arm swelling, four required stents, and four developed additional CVS., Conclusion: PTA of asymptomatic CVS greater than 50% in the setting of hemodialysis access maintenance procedures was associated with more rapid stenosis progression and escalation of lesions, compared with a nontreatment approach., (Copyright RSNA, 2006.)

Purpose: It was postulated that a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) produces arterioportal shunting and accounts for reversed flow in the intrahepatic portal veins (PVs) after creation of the TIPS. This study sought to quantify this shunting in patients undergoing TIPS creation and/or revision with use of a direct catheter-based technique and by measuring changes in blood oxygenation within the TIPS and the PV., Materials and Methods: This prospective study consisted of 26 patients. Median Model for End-stage Liver Disease and Child-Pugh scores were 13 and 9, respectively. Primary TIPS creation was attempted in 21 patients and revision of failing TIPS was undertaken in five. In two patients, TIPS creation was unsuccessful. All TIPS creation procedures but one were performed with use of polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-grafts. Flow within the main PV (Q(portal)) was measured with use of a retrograde thermodilutional catheter before and after TIPS creation/revision, and TIPS flow (Q(TIPS)) was measured at procedure completion. The amount of arterioportal shunting was assumed to be the increase between final Q(portal) and Q(TIPS), assuming Q(TIPS) was equivalent to the final Q(portal) plus the reversed flow in the right and left PVs. Oxygen saturation within the TIPS and the PV was determined from samples obtained during TIPS creation and revision., Results: Mean Q(portal) before TIPS creation was 691 mL/min; mean Q(portal) after TIPS creation was 1,136 mL/min, representing a 64% increase (P = .049). Mean Q(TIPS) was 1,631 mL/min, a 44% increase from final Q(portal) (P = .0009). Among cases of revision, baseline Q(portal) was 1,010 mL/min and mean Q(portal) after TIPS revision was 1,415 mL/min, a 40% increase. Mean Q(TIPS) was 1,693 mL/min, a 20% increase from final Q(portal) (P = .42). Arterioportal shunting rates were 494 mL/min after TIPS creation and 277 mL/min after TIPS revision, representing 30% of total Q(TIPS) after TIPS creation and 16% of Q(TIPS) after TIPS revision. No increase in oxygen tension or saturation was seen in the PV or TIPS compared with initial PV levels. Q(TIPS) did not correlate with the portosystemic gradient., Conclusion: TIPS creation results in significant arterioportal shunting, with less arterioportal shunting seen among patients who undergo TIPS revision. Further work is necessary to correlate Q(TIPS) with the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and liver failure.

Purpose: The present study sought to evaluate the performance of the Arrow-Trerotola Percutaneous Thrombolytic Device (PTD) in the treatment of native fistula thrombosis in a U. S. hemodialysis population. Specifically, the technical success, clinical success, complication rate and type, primary and secondary patency rates, effect of adjunctive thrombolytic therapy, and any variables that affected outcomes of procedures in which this device was used were analyzed., Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients with 44 thrombosed native fistulas (17 radiocephalic, 10 brachiocephalic, 10 transposed or superficialized, five graft/fistula hybrids, and two leg fistulas) were treated with 62 mechanical thrombolysis procedures with use of the PTD. All patients had large clot burden. The device type was recorded in 43 procedures: standard (n = 21), over-the-wire (OTW; n = 19), or both (n = 3). No device was used in two cases because of inability to cross the anastomosis. Adjunctive therapies (n = 18) included the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; n = 16) and deployment of the AngioJet device with (n = 1) or without tPA (n = 1). Stents were inserted in four procedures. Outcome variables included technical and clinical success, complications, and primary and secondary patency. Cox proportional-hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed., Results: The technical success rate was 87% (54 of 62) and the clinical success rate was 79% (49 of 62). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in all but two procedures. Complications occurred in 13% of procedures (n = 8); three resulted in technical failure. The primary patency rates were 38% at 6 months and 18% at 12 months; secondary patency rates were 74% and 69%, respectively. Outcomes were not affected by adjunctive techniques, fistula type, age of fistula, device type (ie, OTW vs standard), or patient sex. Secondary patency was superior when no residual clot or stenosis was present (P = .003)., Conclusions: The PTD is effective for percutaneous treatment of thrombosed hemodialysis fistulas, with good short- and long-term outcomes in a U.S. population. Within the limitations of a retrospective study with a small sample size, use of an adjunctive thrombolytic agent did not appear to improve results compared with the use of the device alone.

Purpose: Balloon angioplasty is a mainstay in the treatment of failing or thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts and fistulas. A sizable body of outcomes data exists concerning percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in hemodialysis access, yet there is a relative paucity of technical information available, especially regarding dilation pressures. The aim of the present study was to compile such information, which can be critical to the choice of devices for PTA and to the design of future clinical trials seeking to improve outcomes in this area., Materials and Methods: Technical data were collected prospectively for 102 PTA procedures (66 prophylactic PTA procedures and 36 PTA procedures performed during access thrombectomy). Demographic data concerning the access were collected. Technical data were collected individually for each lesion treated, including lesion location; degree of stenosis (in quartiles); lesion length; PTA balloon brand, size, and length; pressure at which the waist of the balloon was effaced; residual stenosis; and reason for additional balloons or inflations if used. Outcomes data other than residual stenosis were not collected, but the endpoint for all interventions was a thrill in the access., Results: A total of 230 lesions were treated. Two (1%) could not be successfully treated with PTA despite the use of "ultra high" pressure (approximately 40 atm); one was treated successfully with parallel wire technique and the other was revised surgically after the use of a cutting balloon also failed. Overall, 55% of lesions required pressures greater than 15 atm to efface the waist. Excluding initial failures, 20% of lesions in native fistulas and 9% in grafts required very high pressure (>20 atm) to efface the waist (P = .02). High pressure was needed less frequently in PTA procedures performed in the setting of thrombectomy procedures than in prophylactic PTA procedures (P = .0001). Residual stenosis was positively correlated with severity of initial stenosis and negatively correlated with duration of inflation., Conclusions: Conventional angioplasty balloons are inadequate for the treatment of most hemodialysis access stenoses. High pressures (>15 atm) are commonly needed for PTA in hemodialysis access. Very high pressures (>20 atm) are more frequently needed in native fistulas.

In this article, the authors present approaches they use in performing dialysis access intervention-in particular clotted access. It is not meant to be a comprehensive review of dialysis access management. At our institution, mechanical thrombectomy is the primary mode of treatment for clotted hemodialysis access. We will present physical examination findings in clotted dialysis access and contraindications for mechanical thrombectomy in dialysis access. We will also discuss the devices for mechanical thrombectomy and the techniques we use. Finally, we will discuss the difficulties encountered in these procedures and their solutions.

Purpose: This study evaluates clinical experience with the Recovery filter as a retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter., Materials and Methods: One hundred seven Recovery filters were placed in 106 patients with an initial clinical indication for temporary caval filtration. Patients were followed up to assess filter efficacy, complications, eventual need for filter removal, time to retrieval, and ability to remove the filter., Results: The patient cohort consisted of 62 men and 44 women with a mean age of 48 years (range, 18-90 y). Mean implantation time was 165 days. Indications for filter placement in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) included contraindication to anticoagulation (n = 33), complications of anticoagulation (n = 8), poor cardiopulmonary reserve (n = 6), large clot burden (n = 3), and PE while receiving anticoagulation (n = 1). Indications for filter placement in patients without proven PE or DVT included immobility after trauma (n = 35); recent intracranial hemorrhage, neurosurgery, or brain tumor (n = 18); and other surgical or invasive procedure (n = 3). Three patients (2.8%) had symptomatic PE after placement of the Recovery filter. No caval thromboses were detected. No symptomatic filter migrations occurred. Recovery filter removal was attempted in 15 of 106 patients (14%) at a mean of 150 days after placement. The Recovery filter was successfully retrieved in 14 of 15 patients (93%); one removal was unsuccessful at 210 days after placement. Ninety-two filters (87%) currently remain in place., Conclusions: Although all the filters were placed with the intention of being removed, a large percentage of filters were not retrieved. The Recovery filter was safe and effective in preventing PE when used as a retrievable IVC filter.

The Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) is an evolving, literature-based set of practice guidelines designed to improve measurably the quality of life for dialysis patients. As is characteristic of guidelines, they do not change as rapidly as the literature. The K/DOQI guidelines are not meant as the definitive document and should be not treated as such. Although the guidelines are not perfect, everyone caring for chronic renal patients should be very familiar with the guidelines. It is perfectly acceptable to adopt approaches that differ from the guidelines as long as they are supported by literature. An attempt is made in this article to review the aspects of the guidelines most pertinent to the interventionalist and outline deviations from the guidelines that are supported by literature.

Purpose: The relationship between catheter tip position of implanted subcutaneous chest ports and subsequent port malfunction was investigated. Tip movement from initial supine position to subsequent erect position was also evaluated., Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent imaging-guided internal jugular chest port placement between July 2001 and May 2003 were identified with use of a quality-assurance database. Sixty-two patients were included in the study (22 men and 40 women), with a mean age of 58 years (range, 27-81 years). Catheter tip location on the intraprocedural chest radiograph was determined with use of two methods. First, the distance from the right tracheobronchial angle (TBA) was recorded (TBA distance). Second, tip location was classified into six anatomic regions: 1, internal jugular veins; 2, brachiocephalic veins; 3, superior vena cava (SVC; n = 11); 4, SVC/right atrial junction (n = 22); 5, upper half of right atrium (n = 25); and 6, lower half of right atrium (n = 4). For the duration of follow-up, catheter tip location was documented, as were all episodes of catheter malfunction., Results: Patients with catheter tips initially placed in position 3 had a higher risk of port malfunction (four of 11; 36%) than patients with catheter tips located in position 5 (two of 25; 8%). This difference narrowly fell short of statistical significance (P =.057). When comparing intraprocedural chest radiographs to the first erect chest radiographs, significant upward tip movement was noted. The tips migrated cephalad an average of 20 mm (P =.003) and 1.0 position units (P =.001)., Discussion: Catheter tips placed in the SVC tended to have a greater risk of port malfunction compared with those positioned in the right atrium. Chest ports migrated cephalad between the supine and erect positions.

The authors retrospectively reviewed the use of ultrahigh-pressure angioplasty balloons at atmospheric pressures at or above the manufacturer recommended burst pressure (30 atm) for the treatment of resistant hemodialysis-related venous stenosis at their institution. In seven of 87 procedures, high-pressure angioplasty (up to 27 atm) was unsuccessful. By coupling new balloon technology with aggressive inflation pressures, 100% technical success was achieved in the treatment of stenoses that were resistant to high-pressure angioplasty in these seven procedures. This approach could potentially offer cost savings compared with the costs of other previously described treatment methods for resistant lesions, such as atherectomy devices and cutting balloons., (Copyright RSNA, 2004)

Purpose: Secure venous access with multiple lumens is necessary for the care of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. The outcomes associated with simultaneous bilateral tunneled internal jugular infusion catheter placement in the HSCT recipient population were investigated in an attempt to determine whether simultaneous introduction of these catheters compounds or magnifies the risks (infection, venous thrombosis) associated with tunneled catheters., Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing HSCT and receiving bilateral tunneled infusion catheters in a single procedure were identified using a quality assurance data base. Medical records for the duration of catheterization were reviewed; 43 patients were included in the study (mean age, 42 years; range, 22-56). Diagnoses included acute lymphocytic leukemia (n = 4), acute myelogenous leukemia (n = 8), aplastic anemia (n = 2), chronic myelogenous leukemia (n = 17), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 1), Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1), myelodysplasia (n = 4), myelofibrosis (n = 2), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 4). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to determine differences in infection rates between dual- and triple-lumen catheters., Results: Forty-three pairs of catheters were placed. All met venous access needs for HSCT recipient care. Complete follow-up was achieved for 77 of 87 (89%) catheters. The overall infection rate was 0.25 per 100 catheter-days. The rate was 0.19 and 0.33 for dual- and triple-lumen catheters, respectively (P =.15). Mechanical failure did not differ between catheter types (dual: 0.14 episodes per 100 days, triple: 0.05 per 100 days, P =.2)., Conclusions: Bilateral multilumen tunneled infusion catheter placement in a single procedure using imaging guidance is safe with acceptable outcomes and meets venous access needs for HSCT. There is a trend toward higher infection rates, with more lumens and more mechanical failure with dual-lumen catheters.

Purpose: The ratio of intragraft venous limb pressure (VLP) to systemic pressure (S) has been proposed to help determine the endpoint of hemodialysis access interventions. It was hypothesized that physical examination of the access could be used in the same way and these techniques were compared as predictors of outcome., Patients and Methods: With use of a quality-assurance database, records from 117 hemodialysis access interventions were retrospectively reviewed. Only interventions in grafts were included. The database included physical examination (to establish thrill, thrill with slight pulsatility [TSP], pulse with slight thrill [PST], and pulse) at three locations along the graft (proximal, midportion, and distal), normalized pressure ratio calculated with S from a blood pressure cuff (S(cuff)) and S within the graft with outflow occluded (S(direct)), graft configuration and location, indication, operator, and time to next intervention (outcome of primary patency). Only procedures with complete follow-up data were included in the analysis (n = 97; declotting, n = 51; prophylactic percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA], n = 46). Statistical analysis was performed with use of Cox proportional-hazards regression., Results: Graft configuration, location, side, VLP, S(direct), and S(cuff) did not affect outcomes. An operator effect was noted for two physicians and was adjusted for in all analyses. Pressure ratios were weak predictors of outcome (VLP/S(direct), P =.07; VLP/S(cuff), P =.08) and suggested that patency increased with increasing pressure ratio, contrary to earlier studies. Procedure type predicted outcome (declotting, median patency of 50 days; PTA, median patency of 105 days; P =.01). Thrill at distal physical examination was predictive of outcome (P =.04) and even more so when thrill and TSP combined were compared with PST and pulse combined (P =.03). Similar but less-pronounced effects were seen at midportion and proximal physical examinations., Conclusions: The presence of a thrill or slightly pulsatile thrill at the distal (venous) end of a dialysis graft is the best predictor of outcome after percutaneous intervention. Based on the present study, the authors believe that physical examination of dialysis access should supplant pressure measurements as an endpoint of intervention and should serve as an essential component of quality assurance of access interventions.

Purpose: To review the incidence and repair of inferior mesenteric arterial (IMA) type II endoleaks after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms., Materials and Methods: Fifty patients who underwent endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms were examined. If an endoleak was identified at 30-day postoperative computed tomography, conventional arteriography was performed to identify and eliminate its source. After the exclusion of attachment site leaks, a catheter was placed selectively in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). If retrograde filling of the IMA and aneurysm was identified, coil embolization was attempted through the SMA and middle colic artery. Intrasac pressures were measured at embolization., Results: Eight of 50 patients (16%) had type II endoleaks that were attributed to retrograde flow in the IMA. Intrasac measurements demonstrated systemic pressure in six patients and one-half systemic pressure in two patients. The IMA was embolized through the SMA and left colic artery in seven patients and through the translumbar aorta in one patient., Conclusion: Retrograde flow in the IMA is responsible for many type II endoleaks. Systemic pressures are transmitted into the aneurysm sac from the IMA. The IMA can be embolized successfully with an SMA approach in most patients.