Biliary stone removal through the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route, focusing on the balloon sphincteroplasty flushing technique: a single center study with 916 patients.

Purpose: To present our experience in biliary stone removal (BSR) through the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) route in 916 patients, and discuss its clinical usefulness.

Materials And Methods: From 2001 to 2015, 916 patients (479 male patients and 437 female patients; age range, 22-92 years; mean age, 67 years) with 52 recurring cases, so a total of 968 cases, were enrolled in this study and retrospectively reviewed. PTBD was performed in all patients.

MRI traceability of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-embedded chitosan microspheres as an embolic material in rabbit uterus.

Purpose: We aimed to compare polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles with calibrated superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle-loaded chitosan microspheres in a rabbit model, specifically regarding the relative distribution of embolic agents within the uterus based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathological evaluation.

Methods: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits underwent uterine artery embolization using either standard PVA particles (45-150 µm or 350-500 µm) or calibrated SPIO-embedded chitosan microspheres (45-150 µm or 300-500 µm). MRI and histopathological findings were compared one week after embolization.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents.

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma is uncommon in children and constitutes 0.5% to 3% of all pediatric malignancies. Few studies have reported imaging findings of childhood papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Comparison of brain activation in response to two dimensional and three dimensional on-line games.

Objective: The present study assessed the difference in the brain activity of professional gamers (excessive players, but not addicts) in response to playing a 3-dimensional online game with an improved interface.

Methods: Twenty-three StarCraft I pro gamers and 16 StarCraft II pro gamers were recruited at Chung Ang University Medical Center. Brain activity in response to StarCraft I or II cues was assessed with a 1.

A long-term outcome of therapeutic angiogenesis by transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells in critical limb ischemia after interventional revascularization.

A 61-year-old male patient with atherosclerotic critical limb ischemia in the left leg underwent stent insertion into the left superficial femoral artery. Stenting procedures improved Rutherford grade from III-5 to II-4. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor stimulated the production of white blood cells over four-fold and mononuclear cells (MNCs) 1.

A radiofrequency electrode catheter-guide wire system for arterial occlusion.

Purpose: To describe the design of a radiofrequency (RF) electrode catheter/guide wire system to allow endovascular coagulation of vessels.

Materials And Methods: A circuit was created by modifying an ordinary microcatheter. An electrically conductive ring was placed at a microcatheter tip, and an extension lead at the hub site.

In vivo tracking of mesenchymal stem cells labeled with a novel chitosan-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles using 3.0T MRI.

This study aimed to characterize and MRI track the mesenchymal stem cells labeled with chitosan-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (Chitosan-SPIO). Chitosan-SPIO was synthesized from a mixture of FeCl(2) and FeCl(3). The human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSC) were labeled with 50 microg Fe/mL chitosan-SPIO and Resovist.

Placement of stents in proximal colonic obstructions using a percutaneous retroperitoneal colostomy.

In cases of proximal colonic obstruction, the long distances and the tortuosity of the distal bowel make it difficult to advance and position the stent in the target lesion. We report 2 cases of stent placement for malignant obstruction of the proximal colon in which access was obtained through percutaneous retroperitoneal colostomy. In these cases, we initially tried to place a stent through the rectum under endoscopic guidance, but it was not possible to reach the lesion.

Endovascular treatment for common iliac artery injury complicating lumbar disc surgery : limited usefulness of temporary balloon occlusion.

Vascular injury during lumbar disc surgery is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. It has been managed by open vascular surgical repair. With recent technologic advance, endovascular treatment became one of effective treatment modalities.

Functional characterization of mesenchymal stem cells labeled with a novel PVP-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide.

Magnetic resonance imaging of cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) could be a valuable tool for tracking transplanted cells in living organisms. Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSC) were labeled with a novel polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-coated SPIO. Prussian blue staining and electron microscopy revealed that almost all of the cells were efficiently labeled with PVP-SPIO nanoparticles.

Retrievable biliary stent-graft in the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

Purpose: To investigate the technical and clinical efficacy of a retrievable stent-graft in the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

Materials And Methods: From February 2004 to December 2006, 29 patients with 32 benign biliary strictures (17 patients with 18 chronic cholangitis strictures and 12 with 14 postoperative strictures) were enrolled in this study. Twenty-four patients had 26 recurrent strictures despite prolonged catheter interposition after balloon dilation procedures.

Arterial occlusion using a microguidewire as a radiofrequency electrode.

Purpose: To illustrate the use of superselective radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery for arterial occlusion in vessels requiring embolization.

Technique: A 3.0-F microcatheter and a 0.

A new ischemic model using a radiofrequency wire electrode in a rabbit hindlimb.

The purpose of this study was to establish an ischemic rabbit hindlimb model using a radiofrequency (RF) wire electrode. We inserted a polytetrafluoroethylene-coated wire with a 2-cm exposed tip into the left superficial femoral artery of seven New Zealand white rabbits and performed RF ablation (RFA) while pulling the wire back. We assessed the clinical findings, angiography, computed tomography perfusion, and permeability surface until 6 weeks after RFA.

Treatment of high-flow priapism with superselective transcatheter embolization in 27 patients: a multicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment of high-flow priapism (HFP) with superselective transcatheter embolization at nine university hospitals.

Materials And Methods: Between May 1994 and October 2006, 27 patients underwent superselective embolization of the cavernous artery for HFP. Trauma was apparent in 22 patients, there was self-administered intracavernosal injection for erectile dysfunction in two, and the remaining three did not recall any penile or perineal trauma.

Chitin-based embolic materials in the renal artery of rabbits: pathologic evaluation of an absorbable particulate agent.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the tissue reaction to and the embolic effect and absorption of chitin and chitosan microspheres and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the renal artery of rabbits.

Materials And Methods: This experiment was performed in accordance with regulations on animal care and experiments. Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups according to the materials (PVA, chitin particles, and chitosan particles, and chitosan microspheres; diameter, 150-250 microm) used for embolization of the right renal artery.

Fixation methods for implantable port chamber: comparative study using glue, self-stabilizing leg and suture fixations in rabbits.

Objective: To evaluate the fixation strength and tissue reaction of the glue fixation and self-stabilizing leg fixation methods and to compare the results with those of the conventional tagging suture fixation method.

Materials And Methods: Twelve healthy rabbits were selected and three different methods of implanting the port chamber were employed on the back of each rabbit. A total of thirty six port chambers were implanted with these three different methods, viz.