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PURPOSE Lenvatinib (LEN) is a first-line therapy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, it has shown modest survival benefits. Therefore, we aimed to compare clinical outcomes of LEN combined with transarterial chemoembolization (LEN-TACE) versus LEN monotherapy in patients with advanced HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel group, phase III trial. Patients with primary treatment-naive or initial recurrent advanced HCC after surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive LEN plus on-demand TACE (LEN-TACE) or LEN monotherapy. LEN was initiated within 3 days after random assignment (initial dose: 12 mg once daily for patients ≥ 60 kg; 8 mg once daily for patients < 60 kg). TACE was initiated one day after LEN initiation. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). RESULTS Between June 2019 and July 2021, a total of 338 patients underwent random assignment at 12 centers in China: 170 to LEN-TACE and 168 to LEN. At a prespecified event-driven interim analysis after a median follow-up of 17.0 months, the median OS was significantly longer in the LEN-TACE group (17.8 v 11.5 months; hazard ratio, 0.45; P < .001). The median progression-free survival was 10.6 months in the LEN-TACE group and 6.4 months in the LEN group (hazard ratio, 0.43; P < .001). Patients in the LEN-TACE group had a higher objective response rate according to the modified RECIST (54.1% v 25.0%, P < .001). Multivariable analysis revealed that portal vein tumor thrombus and treatment allocation were independent risk factors for OS. CONCLUSION The addition of TACE to LEN improves clinical outcomes and is a potential first-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC.

SUMMARY The Daliang Shan is a tectonic unit that connects the active southeastern Tibetan Plateau with the stable South China block. As a newly generated (formed later than the Xianshuihe–Xiaojiang active fault system) seismotectonic zone induced by the Tibetan tectonics, the detailed constraints of the crustal deformation are central to the understanding of the kinematics and dynamics of the Tibetan expansion. This paper establishes and analyses a high-spatial resolution global positioning system (GPS) velocity field from a dense GPS network in this region. Our modelling results indicate that, in contrast to the equivalent sinistral strike-slip rate of approximately 5 mm yr–1 on the Anninghe–Zemuhe and Daliangshan faults, their inferred interseismic locking depth varies within a large range. The southern segment of the Anninghe Fault and the middle segment of the Daliangshan Fault have deep locking depths of ∼13 km, indicating that the seismic risk is high in these areas. In addition, the detectable counter-clockwise rotation rate of 0.35 ± 0.12° Myr–1 of the Mabian block makes a significant contribution of ∼50 per cent to the strike-slip motion on its boundary faults. This counter-clockwise rotation may be induced by a left-lateral shear gradient with southeastward motion relative to the South China-fixed reference frame, indicating the significance of a simple-shear pattern in exploring the kinematics of the encroachment of the Tibetan tectonics upon a stable block (craton).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the sixth most prevalent malignancy worldwide. The incidence of portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is recorded as high as 10%-60% in HCC patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in advanced HCC patients complicated with PVTT in the main trunk.A total of 33 HCC patients were treated with TACE + HAIC or TACE, respectively. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) of HCC lesions and PVTT in the trunk. Adverse events and main complications were also investigated. A COX model was used to identify the risk factors associated with OS.There were 16 patients receiving TACE + HAIC and 17 receiving TACE. The median OS was longer in the TACE + HAIC group than the TACE group (P0.05). There were no significant differences in the ORR and DCR of HCC lesions and PVTT response between the two groups (P0.05). Alpha-fetoprotein was400 ng/ml. Multivariate analysis showed that cavernous transformation of portal vein was associated with longer OS. In terms of complications, the addition of HAIC showed more myelosuppression than the TACE alone group (P0.05).Compared with TACE alone, HAIC + TACE may be more safe and provide more benefits for HCC patients complicated with PVTT in the trunk.

The western Qinling Mountains, located between the East Kunlun fault and the West Qinling fault, hold the key to investigating the outward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau. We use up-to-date GPS observations to derive high spatial–temporal resolution crustal velocity and strain rate fields for this region. Our results suggest that a series of NEE-trending faults bounding the eastern margin of the western Qinling Mountains experience right-lateral strike slip with low rates of ~ 1 mm/yr. In addition, our results suggest that crustal deformation of the western Qinling Mountains could be governed by a right-lateral shear zone trending NNE at a rate of ~ 6 mm/yr, producing a clockwise rotation of subblocks: left-lateral and right-lateral strike slip on the NWW-trending and NEE-trending faults, respectively. The eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau along the western Qinling Mountains is limited further east. In contrast, the NNE-ward expansion of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau is the primary motion which extends through the western Qinling Mountains and the Longxi block. The results of this study improve our understanding of the outward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau influenced by the Indian–Eurasian collision.

SummaryPurpose Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is one of the options to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The majority of HCC patients suffer great pain in the course of HAIC treatment. To improve the quality of life and the efficacy of HAIC treatment, the causes of pain, the choice of an analgesic regimen, and the relationship between pain and prognosis of HCC were analyzed. Methods A total of 376 HCC patients under HAIC in our hospital were recriuted between March 2017 and September 2019. Multivariate linear regression analysis (stepwise) was used to calculate the potential factors related to the severe pain in HCC patients under HAIC. Analgesics treatments were carried out based on the results of the visual analogue scale (VAS) score which was used to evaluate the pain. Results The mean value of the VAS score is 3.604, which indicates that the pain in most patients is mild and endurable. Intra-arterial lidocaine injection is an effective method in most patients (96%, 361 of 376), and the total score of VAS is reduced from 1355 to 195 following lidocaine injection. Multivariate analysis suggestes that oxaliplatin (OXA) preparation time, hepatic artery diameter and OXA manufacturers (R2 = 0.859) are influential factors for pain scores. Conclusion This study demonstrates an effective way to systematically assess and ease pain in HCC patients with HAIC treatment. OXA preparation time, hepatic artery diameter, and OXA manufacturers are the potential influencing factors for pain. This work presented here will provide a detailed understanding of the clinical application of HAIC in advanced HCC patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to construct an in vitro model of degenerated nucleus pulposus with different combinations of biochemical components, and to find an in vitro model for the early degeneration of nucleus pulposus suitable for the detection of magnetic resonance T1rho (MR-T1ρ) sequence for the early diagnosis of degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: The proteoglycan concentration gradient in the first experimental group was 5%, with a concentration range of 7 samples in vitro models from 5% to 35%. The second experimental group had 15 samples with a 1% concentration gradient of proteoglycan (range, 10–24%), with a higher water content compared with the first group. The third experimental group contained 20 samples with a concentration gradient of 1% proteoglycan (range, 10–29%), with 75% water content. All of the in vitro models were scanned using a 3.0T GE MR. To analyze the correlation between the proteoglycan content of the in vitro model and the T1ρ value, we investigated the feasibility and stability of modeling. RESULTS: There was no correlation between the in vitro model proteoglycan concentration and T1ρ value in the first experimental group; however, there was a significant negative correlation between the proteoglycan concentration and T1ρ value in the second experimental group (Y=–3.02X+131.8, R(2)=0.852, P

Purpose The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical outcomes of pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) versus lenvatinib-TACE sequential therapy in selected populations of Chinese patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) harbouring programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression. Methods Consecutive patients with initial PD-L1-positive uHCC who received pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-TACE or lenvatinib-TACE sequential therapy were retrospectively identified from three medical institutions during 2016–2020. The primary endpoints included the rate of conversion therapy, defined as converting initially uHCC to hepatectomy, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoint was the frequency of key adverse events (AEs). Results In total, 220 consecutively recruited patients were retrospectively reviewed, 78 of whom were ineligible according to the current criteria, leaving 142 patients [pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-TACE: n = 70, median age 58 years (range 36–69) and lenvatinib-TACE: n = 72, 57 years (35–68)] who were eligible for the study. The median duration of follow-up was 27 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 26.3–28.7 months]. At the last follow-up, the rate of conversion therapy was 25.7% in the pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-TACE group and 11.1% in the lenvatinib-TACE group (p = 0.025). The median OS was 18.1 months (95% CI 16.5–20.7) in the pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-TACE group versus 14.1 months (95% CI 12.2–16.9) in the lenvatinib-TACE group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.56, 95% CI 0.38–0.83; p = 0.004]. A distinct difference in the median PFS interval between the groups was detected [9.2 months (95% CI 7.1–10.4) in the pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-TACE group vs. 5.5 months (95% CI 3.9–6.6) in the lenvatinib-TACE group (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.39–0.91; p = 0.006)]. The rates of the key AEs assessed, which were hypertension, nausea, and rash, were higher in the pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-TACE group than in the lenvatinib-TACE group (all p Conclusion Among the selected populations of patients with initial PD-L1-positive uHCC, pembrolizumab-lenvatinib-TACE sequential therapy may have promising antitumour activity, with an acceptable conversion rate and a well-characterized safety profile.

Different animal models are used in disc degenerative disease research by now. To our knowledge, a functional animal model that mimics ischemic and slowly progressive disc degeneration of humans does not exist.This is an experimental animal study of disc degeneration.The purpose of this study was to establish an ischemic and slowly progressive intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration model with an injection of pingyangmycin (PYM) into subchondral bone adjacent to the disc, using bone marrow needle guided by computed tomography (CT) scan.The subchondral bone adjacent to the lumbar IVDs (from L3-L4 to L5-L6) of 18 rabbits was randomly injected with 3 mL PYM solution (1.5 mg/mL PYM), 3 mL phosphate-buffered saline (vehicle control), or exteriorized but not injected with anything (sham), with using bone marrow needle guided by CT scan. The degenerative process was investigated by using radiography and magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, combined with histological scoring, immunohistochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis.Significant disc space narrowing was observed at 6 months in the discs adjacent to the subchondral bone injected with PYM, compared with the control groups (p.05). The magnetic resonance imaging assessment also demonstrated a progressive loss of T2-weighted signal intensity postoperatively. The histological score increased significantly compared with that of the control groups from 3 months to the end point (p.05). The bone tissue area of the end plate increased significantly at the end point, compared with that of the control groups (p.05). The results of molecular analysis showed significant increase of matrix metalloproteinase-3, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif-5, and marked reduction of aggrecan and Type II collagen after 3 months at the messenger RNA levels in the discs of PYM group (p.05). The von Willebrand factor expression of PYM group also showed a significant reduction after 1 month (p.05).Percutaneous injection of PYM into the subchondral bone adjacent to the lumbar IVDs of rabbits, using bone marrow needle guided by CT scan, can result in ischemic and slowly progressive disc degeneration model, which mimics the onset of human disc degeneration.

BACKGROUND To explore the prognostic role of ovarian endometriosis in symptomatic adenomyosis patients underwent uterine artery embolization (UAE). METHODS This was a retrospective, single-center study. A total of 76 patients with adenomyosis who underwent UAE in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between May 2009 and July 2016 were enrolled in this study. These patients were divided into two groups based on whether complicated with ovarian endometriosis. After UAE, the patients were followed up for 12 months. The improvements of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia were evaluated according to the symptom relief criteria. The improvement rates in both groups were analyzed and compared. RESULTS Among the 76 patients with adenomyosis, 17 (22.3%) were diagnosed with OE and 59 (77.6%) were non-OE. In the OE group, all patients (17/17, 100%) had dysmenorrhea and 11 (11/17, 64.7%) had menorrhagia. In non-OE group, 57 patients (57/59, 96.6%) had dysmenorrhea and 50 (50/59, 84.7%) had menorrhagia. The improvement rates of dysmenorrhea in the two groups were 47.1% (OE group) and 86.0% (non-OE group), respectively (P

Numerous studies concerning hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) have been conducted by adopting regimens containing 5-fluorouracil (FU), with a favourable efficacy compared with conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) treatment; however, the detailed mechanism of HAIC remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate peripheral concentration time curves of 5-FU administered through the hepatic artery, which may additionally explain the mechanism of action of HAIC. A total of 10 eligible patients underwent transcatheter arterial embolization and a 2-day HAIC treatment regimen using a folinic acid, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin regimen. Peripheral venous blood sampling was performed in each patient prior to infusion, and at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 5, 10, 15, 22 and 23 h following the start of infusion. The blood sample at 0 h was analysed for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) levels by high performance liquid chromatography, and the rest of the samples were analysed for 5-FU by optimised liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The lower limit of quantification of optimised LC-MS for 5-FU was 5 ng/ml. The steady-state plasma concentration of 5-FU administered through the hepatic artery was achieved after 15 h. This concentration largely varied, ranging from 8.64-152.00 ng/ml. Optimised LC-MS may detect low concentrations of 5-FU. The steady-state concentration of 5-FU administered through the hepatic artery was achieved after 15 h. DPD levels were analysed through determining the ratio of plasma uracil (U) and dihydrouracil (UH2) by HPLC, and the results indicated a mild DPD deficiency in the patients with HCC. These results may provide a basis for the explanation of the clinical efficacy of HAIC, and to additionally optimise its efficacy.

Background The aim of the present study was to construct an in vitro model of degenerated nucleus pulposus with different combinations of biochemical components, and to find an in vitro model for the early degeneration of nucleus pulposus suitable for the detection of magnetic resonance T1rho (MR-T1ρ) sequence for the early diagnosis of degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods The proteoglycan concentration gradient in the first experimental group was 5%, with a concentration range of 7 samples in vitro models from 5% to 35%. The second experimental group had 15 samples with a 1% concentration gradient of proteoglycan (range, 10-24%), with a higher water content compared with the first group. The third experimental group contained 20 samples with a concentration gradient of 1% proteoglycan (range, 10-29%), with 75% water content. All of the in vitro models were scanned using a 3.0T GE MR. To analyze the correlation between the proteoglycan content of the in vitro model and the T1ρ value, we investigated the feasibility and stability of modeling. Results There was no correlation between the in vitro model proteoglycan concentration and T1ρ value in the first experimental group; however, there was a significant negative correlation between the proteoglycan concentration and T1ρ value in the second experimental group (Y=-3.02X+131.8, R2=0.852, P

East Asia is bounded by the Indian plate to the southwest and the Pacific and Philippine plates to the east, and has undergone complex tectonic evolution since ~55 Ma. In this study, we collect and process three sources of GPS datasets, including GPS observations, GPS positioning time series, and published GPS velocities, to derive unified velocity and strain rate fields for East Asia. We observed southward movement and arc-parallel extension along the Ryukyu Arc and propose that the maximum principal stress axis (striking NEE) in North China could be mainly induced by westward subduction of the Pacific plate and the southward movement of the Ryukyu Arc. The large EW-trending sinistral shear zone that bounds North China has been created by eastward movement of South China to the south and westward subduction of the Pacific plate to the north. GPS velocity profiles and strain rates also demonstrate that crustal deformation in mainland China is controlled by northeastward collision of the Indian plate into Eurasia and westward subduction of the Pacific and Philippine Sea plates beneath Eurasia. In particular, the India-Eurasia continental collision has the most extensive impact, which can reach as far as the southern Lake Baikal. The viscous behavior of the subducting Pacific slab also drives interseismic deformation of North China. The crustal deformation caused by Philippine oceanic subduction is small and is limited to the region between the southeast coast of mainland China and Taiwan island. However, the principal compressional strain around eastern Taiwan is the largest in the region.

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using the FOLFOX regimen combined with transarterial embolization (TAE + HAIC) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Unresectable HCC patients treated with TAE + HAIC and conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), respectively, between January 2015 and October 2016 in China were retrospectively assessed. The primary outcome was progression‐free survival (PFS), while secondary outcomes included the objective response rate (ORR), the disease control rate (DCR), and main complications. Propensity score matching (PSM) was estimated by multiple logistic regression using caliper matching (caliper 0.2). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify those factors shown to be associated with PFS. Results A total of 113 patients were analyzed, with 41 and 72 receiving TAE + HAIC and TACE, respectively. After PSM, 35 pairs of patients were assessed. The median PFS was 7.93 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.44–11.42) for the TAE + HAIC group, which was higher compared with 2.60 months (95% CI, 0.93–4.27, P = 0.003) for TACE. The subgroup with Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage C obtained more PFS benefit from TAE + HAIC (P = 0.002). ORRs in the TAE + HAIC and TACE groups were 37.14% (13/35) and 20.00% (7/35, P = 0.112), respectively; DCRs were 88.57% (31/35) and 60.00% (21/35, P = 0.006), respectively. Abundant blood supply (hazard ratio [HR] =0.327, 95% CI 0.173–0.615, P, Compared with conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), TAE + HAIC provides more progression‐free survival (PFS) benefits in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in those with Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage C.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of using transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with anlotinib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, compared with TACE alone. Methods: This was a single-center study, retrospectively recruited 82 unresectable HCC patients who received either TACE alone (TA group; n = 46) or TACE combined with anlotinib (TC group; n = 36) between Jan 2018 and Jan 2019. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). While the secondary outcomes were the objective response rate (ORR), the disease control rate (DCR), and main complications. Log-rank test and Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the survival difference. All statistical tests were 2-sided and P value Results: Patients in TC group had a significant higher PFS than those in TA group (7.35 months vs. 5.54 months, p = 0.035). Although 3-month survival rate in the 2 groups was not statistically different (97.2% vs. 93.5%, p = 0.627), the survival rate at 6 months and 1 year were strongly higher in TC group (83.3% vs. 56.5%, p = 0.016; 66.7% vs. 19.6%, respectively, p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significantly higher ORR in TC group, while no statistical difference existed in DCR. Neither treatment-related mortality nor grade 4 adverse events (AEs) occurred. However, 2 patients in TC group had grade 3 AEs (one suffered with erythra, and the other with hand-foot-skin reaction), which disappeared after prompt treatment. Conclusion: TACE combined with anlotinib is safe and may improve outcomes for unresectable HCC patients comparing with TACE alone. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to further evaluate treatment effects of anlotinib in HCC.

Integer ambiguity resolution is one of the difficult and important points in precision relative positioning. As we all know, LAMBDA (Least-squares AMBiguity Decorrelation Adjustment) method can be regard as the most rigorous algorithm in ambiguity resolution methods, it is still effective in the ambiguity resolution of triple-frequency GNSS precision positioning. So, the algorithms such as LAMBDA, Rounding, and Bootstrapping are adopted in this paper to solve the zero baseline and ultra-short baseline BDS observations, respectively, and the results of ambiguities resolution for pseudorange and carrier-phase double difference observations and increments of ENU direction for baselines are obtained, which the C01 satellite is taken as reference satellite in the whole baselines resolution. Through comparing the consequences of ambiguity resolution and the difference for increment of ENU direction between the three methods and TBC (Trimble Business Center) software, results show that performance of the three methods is at the same level, therefore both of them can be used for ambiguity resolution of zero baseline and ultra-short baseline.

To evaluate the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for osteosarcoma and to describe the clinicopathologic features produced by TACE as well as the effect of different embolic materials. From January 1998 to December 2003, preoperative TACE was carried out in 32 patients. The preoperative and postoperative clinical response, levels of alkaline phosphatase (AKP), leukocyte count, and clinicopathologic features were recorded. We also compared the effect of different embolic materials: adriblastine gelatin microspheres, anhydrous alcohol, common bletilla tuber, and gelatin sponge particles. The levels of AKP were significantly decreased after treatment (p

Invasive treatment for nutcracker syndrome is controversial, especially in patients with a pediatric onset. Most patients are treated conservatively for a relatively long time, but severe hematuria with an intermittent exacerbation remained unchanged. Three pediatric patients presented with hematuria associated with or without mild proteinuria and were diagnosed as having nutcracker syndrome. The authors performed self-expandable endovascular stent placement across the left renal vein in these pediatric patients. Severe gross hematuria completely subsided after treatment and no serious complications are noted during 2- or 3-year follow-up; moreover, all patients have good physical development.

Despite the availability of effective treatments for Graves' disease, there are patients who are unable to tolerate, or choose not to accept, current therapies (oral medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery). In this study, we have examined the use of thyroid arterial embolization as an option for patients who suffer from Graves' disease and who fit into one of the preceding patient groups. Selective arteriography, followed by embolization of thyroid arteries, was performed using Seldinger's technique in 22 patients with Graves' disease. Six of the patients received both arterial embolization and surgery at 2-3 wk after embolization. No serious complications were noted in any patient. In those who were treated with only interventional embolization, 14 of 22 (63.6%) became euthyroid and remained in this state for the duration of the study. The remaining 2 patients required a maintenance dose of antithyroid drug therapy (tapazole, 5-10 mg/d; or propylthiouracil, 50-100 mg/d). Patients were followed for a median time of 27 months (range, 6-50). At the end of the follow-up period, all 22 patients were euthyroid, the size of thyroid gland had decreased by one third to one half its original volume, but 2 patients continued to require antithyroid drugs. Histologic analysis of thyroid tissue from 6 patients who had embolization followed by surgery showed that embolization blocked both the superior and inferior thyroid arteries plus most of their branches. Evidence of chemical inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were observed in embolized thyroid tissue. The average diameter of capillary network within the body of the thyroid adjacent to superior and inferior artery was 0.12-0.25 mm, with the smallest ones ranging from 0.04-0.11 mm. The diameter of the capillaries in the isthmus ranged from 0.13-0.15 mm. The average diameters of the superior and inferior arteries were 2-5.5 and 3-3.75 mm, respectively, measured using radiographs from angiography. Based on the measured diameters of arteries, the appropriate size of embolizing granules can be selected, and complete embolization of the majority of the thyroid glands was achieved with a high frequency of therapeutic success. Histological examination of the thyroid tissue and clinical follow-up after embolization indicate that this procedure is an effective, minimally invasive, and safe method for the treatment of Graves' disease patients who cannot, or choose not to, accept current therapies.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous transarterial embolization for the treatment of serious renal hemorrhage after renal biopsy. Nine patients with renal hemorrhage had frank pain and gross hematuria as main symptoms after renal biopsy. Intrarenal arterial injuries and perinephric hematoma were confirmed by angiography in all cases. The arterial injuries led to two types of renal hemorrhage, Type I: severe renal injure or intrarenal renal artery rupture (n=5), with contrast medium spilling out of the artery and spreading into renal pelvis or kidney capsule in angiography; Type II, pseudo aneurysm or potential risk of intrarenal artery injure (n=4), where contrast medium that spilled out of intraartery was retained in the parenchyma as little spots less than 5 mm in diameter in angiography. Transcatheter superselective intrarenal artery embolization was performed with coils or microcoils (Type I intrarenal artery injure) and polyvinyl alcohol particles (Type II injure). The intrarenal arterial injuries were occluded successfully in all patients. Light or mild back or abdominal pain in the side of the embolized kidney was found in three patients following embolization procedures and disappeared 3 days later. Serum creatinine and perinephric hematoma were stable, and gross hematuresis stopped immediately (n=4) or 3-5 days (n=3) after embolization. In conclusions, transcatheter superselective intrarenal artery embolization as a minimally invasive therapy is safe and effective for treatment of serious renal hemorrhage following percutaneous renal biopsy.

This study was designed to establish guinea pigs as an animal model for uterine artery embolization (UAE) with tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM). Twenty-five female adult guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups, including a uterine artery casting mould group (n = 10) and a UAE group (n = 15). Pelvic angiography and vascular casting mould were performed in the first group. The anatomical characters of the pelvic cavity in guinea pigs were described. In the second group, the technical feasibility of performing UAE with TAGM in guinea pigs was investigated. The histopathological slides of the uterus of guinea pigs after UAE were examined to inspect the outcomes of UAE. The uterine artery springs from the internal iliac artery, ascends tortuously along the cervix, and gives off vertically 8–10 branches to the cervix uteri and uterine horns. The diameters of the trunk of the uterine artery and its first branch were 0.32 ± 0.027 mm and 0.14 ± 0.01 mm, respectively. For UAE animals, the dosages of 40–120 and 100–300 μm TAGM were 0.033 ± 0.003 ml and 0.015 ± 0.002 ml, respectively. On histopathological slides, embosphere particles were found in the first branches of the uterine artery, the subserous arteries, and the intramural arteries. Inflammatory reactions in the uterus were common in guinea pigs after UAE. Local or dispersed areas of necrosis in uterus also were observed in a few guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are an appropriate and feasible model for UAE with TAGM.

Background Sixty percent of paragangliomas are located unilaterally at the carotid bifurcation. These are referred to as carotid body tumors (CBTs). Objective To present our 10-year experience in the management of patients with CBTs, and to evaluate the efficacy of angiography and preoperative embolization technique in this retrospective study. Methods Sixty-two patients with surgically removed CBTs (Shamblin class II and III), were divided into two groups. Group I, the preoperative embolization group, included 33 patients with 11 class II lesions and 25 class III lesions. Group II, the group that had surgery only, without preoperative embolization, included 29 patients with 9 class II lesions and 21 class III lesions. Comparisons were made between the groups in terms of mean intraoperative blood loss, mean operation time, mean postoperative hospital stay, and clinical complications. Results In group I, post-embolization angiography demonstrated complete tumor devascularization in 25 (76%) lesions and partial devascularization in 11 (24%) lesions. All but 1 (2%) lesion were completely excised. Mean intraoperative blood loss, mean operation time, and mean hospital stay were 354.8 ± 334.4 mL, 170.3 ± 75.4 min, 8.0 ± 2.1 days in group I and 656.4 ± 497.4 mL, 224.6 ± 114.0 min, 9.5 ± 3.5 days in group II, respectively. In group II, 27 lesions (91%) were completely removed. The transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cranial nerve injury incidence rates were 10.3% and 13.8% in group II and only 3% for TIA in group I. Conclusion These results suggest angiography is highly valuable for the diagnosis of CBT. Preoperative selective embolization of CBT is an effective and safe adjunct for surgical resection, especially for Shamblin class II and III tumors.

Between October 2000 and January 2002, 9 consecutive male patients with subacute or chronic aortic dissection underwent stent-graft placement. The indication for surgery was continuous pain or aneurysm development. One patient had a type A dissecting aortic aneurysm with a primary tear in the ascending thoracic aorta; the other 8 had type B dissection. Placement of an endovascular stent-graft was technically successful in 8 patients, and one underwent an open procedure for abdominal aortic fenestration. The entry site was sealed and the false lumen disappeared in 8 cases, and thrombosis of the false lumen was obtained. Rupture of an iliac artery dissecting aneurysm occurred in one patient 2 days after stent-graft placement; abdominal aortic fenestration with prosthetic replacement of the distal abdominal aorta was performed. One patient died of myocardial infarction 3 days after the stent-graft procedure. During a mean follow-up period of 7 months (1–16 months), one patient died of acute myocardial infarction at 11 months. It was concluded on the basis of these short-term results that endovascular repair of aortic dissection is a promising treatment, and abdominal aortic fenestration is a useful adjuvant procedure.

To evaluate the value of angiography and cholangiography on the diagnosis and interventional treatment of vascular and biliary complications after liver transplantation.Sixteen of 46 patients (15 men and 1 woman, 17 - 60 years old) after orthotopic liver transplantation received angiography due to abnormal ultrasonography or edema of lower limbs, or cholangiography due to progressing jaundice. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or drainage was performed in some patients.Fifteen patients experienced vascular complications and 4 patients had biliary complications. Three of them appeared to have both vascular and biliary complications. Hepatic artery complications were the most common complications (9/16), including hepatic artery thrombosis or stenosis (6/9), bleeding (2/9) and hepatic artery-dissecting aneurysm (1/9). One patient with hepatic artery thrombosis received transcatheter thrombolysis and two patients with bleeding received coil embolization. Inferior vena cava and portal vein stenosis were observed in 6 and 2 patients, respectively. After balloon angioplasty or stent placement, clinical symptoms were alleviated. Biliary complications, including biliary stricture and anastomotic bile leak, occurred in 4 patients. Jaundice decreased after percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage.Besides diagnosis, interventional methods include mini-invasive treatment for patients with vascular and biliary complications after liver transplantation. Balloon angiography and stent placement for venous stenosis are useful procedure for the treatment of these problems.