[Comparison of doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) with conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To compare conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, evaluating the tumor response, complications after treatment, and survival.

Material And Methods: We present 72 patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma treated consecutively between January 2000 and December 2009. We studied 25 patients treated with TACE (Group A) and 47 patients treated with DEB-TACE (Group B); adriamycin (doxorubicin) was the chemotherapy agent used in both groups.

[The rabbit as an experimental model: technique for the induction of vascular lesions and incidents].

Objective: To describe the process for inducing atherogenic lesions in rabbits, to show the damage to vessels caused by two different caliber balloon catheters, and to show the usefulness of ultrasonography in the quantification of vascular damage.

Material And Methods: We used 36 rabbits. We studied the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and examined the aorta and iliac arteries by ultrasonography.

[Coronary artery calcium quantification with non-ECG-gated low-radiation dose CT of the chest].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of quantifying coronary artery calcification in low-radiation dose chest CT (LDCT) studies performed in an early lung cancer detection program by comparing the results of this technique with those of dedicated retrospectively ECG-gated cardiac CT.

Material And Methods: After obtaining informed consent, we evaluated the CT studies of 48 consecutive asymptomatic smokers (44 male, 4 female; mean age 59.7 years) included in an early lung cancer detection trial who underwent multislice LDCT (Volume Zoom, Siemens) of the chest and a retrospectively ECG-gated cardiac CT specifically dedicated to quantifying coronary artery calcification.

[Treatment of lacrimal duct obstruction with a Tear-Leader stent].

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness and patency of the TearLeader stent (PBN) for treatment of lacrimal system obstruction.

Methods: A prospective study of 68 patients referred from the ophthalmology department with suspicion of lacrimal system obstruction. We placed 74 TearLeader PBN stents.

[Intestinal pneumatosis and portomesenteric gas: a case review].

Intestinal pneumatosis (presence of gas in the intestinal wall and in the portomeseteric veins) is an infrequent clinical situation that has been associated with extended bowel necrosis and fatal outcome. However, there are other reasons that can justify these findings without such an outcome. Recent advances in diagnostic imaging techniques, especially multislice computerized tomography (MSCT), have allowed precise and quick diagnosis of these entities.

Endovascular treatment of thoracic dissection.

Type A aortic dissection remains fatal if untreated. Although classical medical therapy for type B dissection is considered the therapy of choice in uncomplicated cases, the paradigm is changing as greater experience is accrued with endovascular treatments and technical advances improve the long-term outlook. Diagnosis is also becoming more sophisticated, allowing greater appreciation of the anatomy of dissections and improving the knowledge base as their natural history is assessed.

Late perforation of a thoracic aortic dacron graft by a metallic stent-graft component.

Purpose: To describe a case involving perforation of a previously placed aortic Dacron graft by the uncovered proximal stent of a thoracic stent-graft.

Case Report: A 76-year-old man with a surgically treated type A dissection presented with residual type B dissection. Thoracic stent-grafting of the entry site was performed successfully.

Right gastric artery embolization prior to treatment with yttrium-90 microspheres.

Purpose: Intra-arterial infusion of yttrium-90 microspheres is a form of radiation treatment for unresectable hepatic neoplasms. Misdeposition of particles in the gastroduodenal area such as the right gastric artery (RGA) may occur with serious consequences. We present a series of patients who underwent a detailed vascular study followed by RGA embolization.

Complications of embolization.

Embolization is a remarkably versatile procedure used in nearly all vascular and nonvascular systems to treat a wide range of pathology. The published literature is rich with studies demonstrating the enormous therapeutic potential offered by embolization procedures, and the possibilities continue to expand with the advent of new embolization agents and techniques. Unfortunately, with this variety and innovation comes a wide spectrum of potential complications, not always easy to classify and summarize, associated with embolization.

[Endovascular therapeutic techniques].

Percutaneous and endovascular techniques have shown their efficacy in the treatment of a great variety of pathologies. The advances in diagnostic imaging as well as the development of new materials have made it possible to carry out new procedures that were unthinkable not many years ago. The irruption of this new form of treating patients has had, is having, and will have a clear impact on the multidisciplinary approach to numerous diseases.

Transrectal US-guided seminal vesiculography and ejaculatory duct recanalization and balloon dilation for treatment of chronic pelvic pain.

Ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO) is an uncommon but correctable cause of infertility and male chronic pelvic pain. The condition is thought to be underdiagnosed, but the increased application of noninvasive imaging tools, specifically transrectal ultrasonography (US), has lead to greater recognition of EDO. Moreover, the development of minimally invasive therapies now offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment options with low morbidity for select patient groups.

Early lung cancer detection using spiral computed tomography and positron emission tomography.

Rationale: Lung cancer screening using computed tomography (CT) is effective in detecting lung cancer in early stages. Concerns regarding false-positive rates and unnecessary invasive procedures have been raised.

Objective: To study the efficiency of a lung cancer protocol using spiral CT and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET).

Treatment of ureteroarterial fistulae with covered vascular endoprostheses and ureteral occlusion.

Background: Ureteroarterial fistulae (UAFs) are a rare entity, often difficult to identify, and associated with a high mortality rate. This fact has been attributed to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Five conditions that can predispose to the development of this uncommon entity have been described: prior pelvic surgery, prolonged ureteral stenting, radiation therapy, previous vascular surgery and vascular pathology.