Percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for intrahepatic and choledochal biliary stones.

Purpose: To report our approach for treating complicated biliary calculi by percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic biliary holmium laser lithotripsy (PTBL).

Patients And Methods: Twenty-two symptomatic patients (11 men and 11 women, age range 51 to 88 years) with intrahepatic or common bile duct calculi underwent PTBL. Nine patients had undergone previous gastrectomy and small-bowel anastomosis, thus precluding endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Optease vena cava filter optimal indwelling time and retrievability.

The purpose of this study was to assess the indwelling time and retrievability of the Optease IVC filter. Between 2002 and 2009, a total of 811 Optease filters were inserted: 382 for prophylaxis in multitrauma patients and 429 for patients with venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. In 139 patients [97 men and 42 women; mean age, 36 (range, 17-82) years], filter retrieval was attempted.

Histology of tissue adherent to OptEase inferior vena cava filters regarding indwelling time.

The purpose of this paper is to report on the histology of tissues found on retrieved filters with regard to indwelling time. Between February 2006 and January 2007, 28 Optease inferior vena cava filters (Cordis Europa, Roden, The Netherlands) were retrieved from 27 patients. Twenty-two filters were inserted prophylactically for trauma patients and six for patients with venous thromboembolism.

Retrievable vena cava filters in major trauma patients: prevalence of thrombus within the filter.

The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of thrombus within a retrievable vena cava filter inserted prophylactically in major trauma patients referred for filter extraction. Between November 2002 and August 2005, 80 retrievable inferior vena cava filters (68 Optease and 12 Gunther-Tulip) were inserted into critically injured trauma patients (mean injury severity score 33.5).

Amplatzer Vascular Plug: expanding the applications spectrum.

The Amplatzer Vascular Plug is a new embolization device which has been used in different vascular anomalies, especially by cardiologists in the cardiac and pulmonary circulations. It is underused by interventional radiologists. We used this device in three different vascular conditions, which we present here.

Ethanol and polyvinyl alcohol mixture for transcatheter embolization of renal angiomyolipoma.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the immediate and midterm effects of embolization of the angiogenic component of renal angiomyolipoma in which a mixture of ethanol and polyvinyl alcohol is used as a permanent obliterator.

Materials And Methods: Seventeen patients with 18 renal angiomyolipomas (size range, 5.5-20 cm; mean size, 10 cm) were treated with transcatheter embolization over an 8-year period.

Resolved abdominal aortic aneurysms following stent graft treatment: a report of five cases.

Complete aneurysm resolution is the hallmark of successful endoluminal stent-graft treatment. We describe 5 patients in whom an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disappeared completely at mid-term follow-up after endovascular stent-graft placement. We reviewed 45 patients (43 men and 2 women) who underwent AAA repair using an endovascular technique, from April 1997 to December 2001.

Endovascular closure of a large renal arteriovenous fistula.

A case is described of a large renal arteriovenous fistula causing long-term cardiovascular complications. Successful percutaneous embolization was achieved using temporary occlusion balloons, Guglielmi detachable coils, regular nondetachable spring coils, and cyanacrylate. The advanced therapeutic tools we used can improve the prognosis of patients with large and complicated arteriovenous fistulas and prevent surgery.

Perirectal urinoma from ureteral injury incurred during spinal surgery mimicking rectal perforation on computed tomography scan.

Study Design: A case of a perirectal urinoma from a ureteral injury incurred during spinal surgery is reported.

Objectives: To report ureteral injury as a rare complication of spinal surgery with misleading CT findings, and to emphasize the necessity of delayed scans in the diagnosis.

Summary Of Background Data: A ureteral injury is a rare complication of spinal surgery.