Clinical failure after uterine artery embolization: evaluation of patient and MR imaging characteristics.

Purpose: To investigate the patient and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics associated with clinical failure after uterine artery embolization (UAE).

Materials And Methods: Seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent UAE were examined. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed before and 4 months after the procedure, and clinical follow-up was performed at 15 months.

Outcomes after uterine artery embolization for pedunculated subserosal leiomyomas.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) treatment of pedunculated subserosal leiomyomas.

Materials And Methods: A review of patients undergoing UAE in a 30-month period (July 2004 to December 2006) was performed. Cases in which a pedunculated subserosal tumor (volume>or=4 cm3) was embolized were analyzed.

Performance of carotid stenting, vertebroplasty, and EVAR: how many are we doing and why are we not doing more? A survey by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association.

Objective: To determine the percentage of interventional radiologists who currently perform 3 interventional procedures: carotid stenting, vertebroplasty, and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in Canada, and impediments to their future performance by other interventional radiologists.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was emailed to all members of the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA). The survey was open for a period of 2 months.

Limitations influencing interventional radiology in Canada: results of a national survey by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA).

Purpose: To describe the current state and limitations to interventional radiology (IR) in Canada through a large, national survey of Canadian interventional radiologists.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was offered to members of the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA). Only staff radiologists were invited to participate.

Patency of endovascular treatment for central venous stenosis: is there a difference between dialysis fistulas and grafts?

Purpose: To determine if there is a difference in intervention patency for central venous stenosis (CVS) and occlusion between patients with autogenous hemodialysis fistulas and those with grafts.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study was performed from March 1998 to September 2005 identifying all patients with autogenous fistulas and synthetic grafts who underwent percutaneous angioplasty and/or stent placement for CVS. This study cohort consisted of 38 patients (22 with fistulas and 16 with grafts).

Percutaneous sodium tetradecyl sulfate sclerotherapy for peripheral venous vascular malformations: a single-center experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of percutaneous sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS)sclerotherapy for peripheral venous vascular malformations (VVMs).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively compiled database was performed to identify patients with a VVM who were referred from 1997 to 2004. Of the 132 patients identified, 78 underwent sclerotherapy.

The clinical interventional radiologist: results of a national survey by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association.

Objective: To determine the level of clinical responsibility interventional radiologists in Canada currently have within their practice and would like to have within their future practices.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was e-mailed to all members of the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association. The survey was open for a period of 2 months.

Uterine artery embolization--inpatient and outpatient therapy: a comparison of cost, safety, and patient satisfaction.

Objectives: To determine whether uterine artery embolization (UAE) can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure without increased complications and readmission rates or decreased patient satisfaction rates and to determine the Canadian cost difference between performing UAE as an outpatient, compared with inpatient, procedure.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review and patient survey of 2 groups of patients, 132 patients who underwent inpatient UAE and 20 patients who underwent outpatient UAE. Of these, 82 and 18, respectively, were successfully surveyed by telephone.

Laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroids.

Four patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids measuring less than 6 cm underwent laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using multiprobe-array electrodes. Follow-up of the treated fibroids was performed with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and patients' symptoms were assessed by telephone interviews. The procedure was initially technically successful in 3 of the 4 patients and MRI studies at 1 month demonstrated complete fibroid ablation.

Attitudes of and influences on residents in English Canadian radiology programs regarding interventional radiology: results of a national survey by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA).

Purpose: There has been a North American trend toward reduced application to the subspecialty of Interventional Radiology (IR). Out of fear of a looming manpower shortage, this survey was conducted to better understand awareness and attitudes toward IR by radiology residents-in-training.

Materials And Methods: An anonymous online survey was emailed to the Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program Director/Department Chairperson of each of the 13 English medical schools in Canada, to be forwarded to each respective Radiology Residency Program's radiology residents.

Percutaneous management of chronic mesenteric ischemia: outcomes after intervention.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and durability of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)/stent placement for treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated from January 1986 to August 2003 was conducted. Twenty-nine patients (mean age, 62 years) were treated for clinical symptoms consistent with CMI.

Pain after percutaneous liver biopsy for diffuse hepatic disease: a randomized trial comparing subcostal and intercostal approaches.

Purpose: To compare pain levels as measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and analgesic requirement between intercostal and anterior subcostal ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy.

Materials And Methods: Seventy consecutive patients were randomized to undergo biopsy via an intercostal (n = 33) or subcostal (n = 37) approach. The groups were matched with regard to baseline characteristics: mean age, 44 years; age range, 20-70 years; sex, 43 male and 27 female; and indications of hepatitis C in 69%, hepatitis B in 16%, and others in 15%.

Current issues of interventional radiology in Canada: a national survey by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association.

Objective: To determine current issues facing the field of interventional radiology (IR) in Canada.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was emailed to all members of the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association. The survey was open for 1 month.

Echogenic ovarian foci without shadowing: are they caused by psammomatous calcifications?

Purpose: To determine and report the spectrum of ultrasonographic appearances of echogenic ovarian foci (EOF) without shadowing in otherwise normal ovaries and the histopathologic and physical characteristics of these foci.

Materials And Methods: The appearances of foci on transvaginal pelvic sonograms obtained in 189 patients with EOF were prospectively analyzed. The foci were classified according to bilaterality, size, number (<5, 5-10, or >10), and location (peripheral, central, or diffuse).