Extension of right portal vein embolization to segment IV portal branches.

Hypothesis: Routine embolization of segment IV, combined with right portal vein embolization (PVE), has been suggested in patients who are candidates for right trisegmentectomy to induce higher and faster hypertrophy of segments II-III. Our objective was to compare hypertrophy of segments II-III induced by PVE with and without extension to segment IV in patients undergoing major hepatectomy.

Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated; the future remnant liver volume was calculated using the portal phase of spiral computed tomographic scans before and 3 to 4 weeks after right PVE (group R, n = 13), which was extended to segment IV branches in 13 patients (group L).

Treatment of painful compression vertebral fractures with vertebroplasty: results and complications.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to assess the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous vertebroplasty in patients with focal pain caused by compression vertebral body fractures.

Materials And Methods: Over an eleven-month period 49 patients underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty, of which seven were retreated, for a total of 56 operations on 108 vertebrae. The patients were affected by osteoporotic compression fractures (n=28) or by benign and malignant infiltrative processes (n=21).