Pilot Evaluation of Angiogenesis Signaling Factor Response after Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose To identify changes in a broad panel of circulating angiogenesis factors after bland transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), a purely ischemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods This prospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants prior to entry into the study.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Octyl Cyanoacrylate Skin Adhesive versus Subcuticular Suture for Skin Closure after Implantable Venous Port Placement.

Purpose: To compare early outcomes of skin closure with octyl cyanoacrylate skin adhesive versus subcuticular suture closure.

Materials And Methods: Over a 7-month period, 109 subjects (28 men and 81 women; mean age, 58.6 y) scheduled to undergo single-lumen implantable venous port insertion for chemotherapy were randomly assigned to skin closure with either octyl cyanoacrylate skin adhesive or absorbable subcuticular suture after suturing the deep dermal layer.

Percutaneous cryoablation of renal masses under CT fluoroscopy: radiation doses to the patient and interventionalist.

Purpose: Computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous cryoablation is an effective therapeutic method used to treat focal renal masses. The purpose of this study is to quantify the radiation dose to the patient and interventional radiologist during percutaneous cryoablation of renal masses using CT fluoroscopic guidance.

Methods: Over a 1-year period, the CT fluoroscopy time during percutaneous cryoablation of renal masses was recorded in 41 patients.

Small renal mass biopsy--how, what and when: report from an international consensus panel.

To discuss the use of renal mass biopsy (RMB) for small renal masses (SRMs), formulate technical aspects, outline potential pitfalls and provide recommendations for the practicing clinician. The meeting was conducted as an informal consensus process and no scoring system was used to measure the levels of agreement on the different topics. A moderated general discussion was used as the basis for consensus and arising issues were resolved at this point.

Emergent ureteric stent vs percutaneous nephrostomy for obstructive urolithiasis with sepsis: patterns of use and outcomes from a 15-year experience.

Objectives: To characterize the use of emergent JJ ureteric stent placement and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) for patients with obstructive urolithiasis with sepsis, and to determine whether outcomes differ between the two treatment methods.

Patients And Methods: A total of 130 patients with obstructive urolithiasis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria were identified retrospectively from a single health system database from 1995 to 2011. Primary outcomes included stone-related and clinical variables which predicted the use of each treatment method.

Percutaneous interventions on the hemodialysis reliable outflow vascular access device.

Purpose: To determine the outcomes of percutaneous interventions for prolonging the patency of the Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) device.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2007 and August 2011, 73 percutaneous interventions were performed on 26 HeRO devices in 25 patients. The graft was implanted in the upper arm with the outflow catheter tip in the superior vena cava or right atrium.

Bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis.

Bronchial artery angiography with embolization has become a mainstay in the treatment of hemoptysis. Major complications are rare and immediate clinical success defined as cessation of hemorrhage ranges in most series from 85% to 100%, although recurrence of hemorrhage ranges from 10% to 33%. Bronchial artery embolization offers a minimally invasive procedure for even the most compromised patient serving as first-line treatment for hemorrhage as well as providing a bridge to more definitive medical or surgical intervention focused upon the etiology of the hemorrhage.

Hepatic venous pressure measurements: comparison of end-hole and balloon catheter methods.

Purpose: To determine the difference in hepatic venous pressures measured with the use of an end-hole diagnostic catheter versus a balloon catheter.

Materials And Methods: A total of 92 patients underwent transjugular hepatic venous pressure measurements with a 5-F diagnostic end-hole catheter and a balloon catheter, with the catheter type used initially determined randomly. With both catheters, free and wedged systolic, diastolic, and mean pressures were collected.

Percutaneous cryoablation of renal lesions with radiographic ice ball involvement of the renal sinus: analysis of hemorrhagic and collecting system complications.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of collecting system and hemorrhagic complications resulting from CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation of renal tumors in which the radiographic ice ball abuts or involves the renal sinus.

Materials And Methods: From November 2005 through July 2009 at our institution, we performed 129 CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation procedures on 107 patients (mean age, 64 years) with renal masses suspicious of being renal cell carcinoma. Radiographic ice balls that abutted or overlapped the renal sinus were classified as central; the other lesions were classified as noncentral.