Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy of Chemoembolization with Doxorubicin-Loaded Tightly Calibrated Small Microspheres in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: This study examines safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of chemoembolization with loadable microspheres ≤100 μm for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: A pilot safety study was performed in 19 patients with size and dose escalation and then 52 patients were enrolled prospectively and randomly assigned to chemoembolization with TANDEM™ loaded with 150 or 100 mg of doxorubicin.

Results: The mean diameter of the tumors was 7.

Successful endovascular treatment of transplant intrarenal artery stenosis in renal transplant recipients: Two case reports.

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a relatively rare complication after renal transplantation. The site of the surgical anastomosis is most commonly involved, but sites both proximal and distal to the anastomosis may occur, as well. Angioplasty is the gold standard for the treatment of the stenosis, especially for intrarenal lesions.

Chemoembolization with DC Bead™ for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: an update.

In this review, DC Bead™ for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is discussed. The embolic device and its mechanism of action is described, focusing on the clinical application and the preclinical background. Guidelines for patient selection and management, along with technical considerations for the appropriate use are provided.

Chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with HepaSphere 30-60 μm. Safety and efficacy study.

Background: This study examined the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a newly developed size of a superabsorbent polymer drug-eluting embolic material.

Methods: Forty-five patients with documented HCC (Child-Pugh score A/B: 55.5 %/44.

Palliative treatment of rectal carcinoma recurrence using radiofrequency ablation.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CT-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the palliative treatment of recurrent unresectable rectal tumors.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-seven patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer were treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided RF ablation. Therapy was performed with the patient under conscious sedation with a seven- or a nine-array expandable RF electrode for 8-10 min at 80-110°C and a power of 90-110 W.

A unique case of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radiofrequency ablation with more than 12 years overall survival: a case report.

The case of a 72-year-old male patient with HCC is presented in whom percutaneous RFA was used as the sole first-line anticancer treatment, since he denied having partial hepatectomy. The patient underwent RFA two more times, at 1.5 years for treating a local tumor progression at the initial ablation site and at 11 years after the first session for treating a new remote intrahepatic recurrence.

Direct radiofrequency ablation of portal vein tumor thrombus in continuity with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The authors describe the case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein (PV) tumor thrombus. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation was applied successfully not only to the main tumor but also directly to the invaded PV. On the last imaging follow-up performed at 16 months after RF ablation the PV remained recanalized.

Radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases from cancer of unknown primary site.

Purpose: This retrospective study was performed to review the efficacy of local radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in all the management of liver cancer of unknown primary site (CUP), and to identify possible prognostic features and complications that affect the efficacy of this treatment on survival.

Materials And Methods: From April 2003 to December 2007, 22 patients (15 men, 7 women) with a total of 36 liver metastasis of CUP and poor response to prior systemic chemotherapy were treated with computed tomography-guided RFA. The median age of patients was 66 years.

Prospective randomized study of doxorubicin-eluting-bead embolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: results of the PRECISION V study.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) offers a survival benefit to patients with intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A widely accepted TACE regimen includes administration of doxorubicin-oil emulsion followed by gelatine sponge-conventional TACE. Recently, a drug-eluting bead (DC Bead) has been developed to enhance tumor drug delivery and reduce systemic availability.

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation in the management of lung tumors: presentation of clinical experience on a series of 35 patients.

Purpose: To present our results in a series of 35 patients with malignant pulmonary lesions, who underwent radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) during a period of 18 months.

Materials And Methods: In our institution, 55 RFA sessions under computed tomography (CT) guidance were performed on 48 pulmonary malignant lesions (23 inoperable primary and 25 metastatic) in 35 patients.

Results: Total necrosis was noted in 19 primary (82.

Image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of unresectable hepatic tumors using a triple-spiral-shaped electrode needle: initial experience in 34 patients.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a triple-spiral-shaped electrode needle for unresectable primary or metastatic hepatic tumors. Thirty-four patients with 46 index tumors were treated. Ablation zone, morbidity, and complications were assessed.

Image-guided radiofrequency ablation of a pancreatic tumor with a new triple spiral-shaped electrode.

Image-guided, minimally invasive treatment modalities have become an area of considerable interest and research during the last few years for the treatment of primary and secondary liver tumors. We report our experience with an unresectable pancreatic tumor, treated with application of radiofrequency ablation under CT guidance that even though a complication occurred during the procedure, had excellent results on follow-up CT scans.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Case report and review of the literature.

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding, is often a dramatic situation, associated with mortality rate up to 28%. Currently transcatheter alternatives have found their place in the therapeutic spectrum of this situation. An interesting question is when should this procedure be performed and which are the difficulties when performing it.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors in contact with the aorta: dangerous and difficult but efficient: a report of two cases.

Percutaneous imaging-guided tumor ablation is a widely accepted method for the treatment of primary and secondary lung tumors. Although it is generally feasible and effective for local tumor control, some conditions may affect its feasibility and effectiveness. Herein the authors report their experience with two patients with lung malignancies contiguous to the aorta who were successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation, even though it initially appeared highly risky due to the possible fatal complications.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinomas in patients with solitary kidney: 6 years experience.

Objective: In this study we attempt to present our clinical experience in RFA under CT-guidance, in patients with renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney.

Material And Method: Between October 2000 and June 2005, 18 patients with solitary kidney and renal cell carcinoma underwent percutaneous CT-guided radiofrequency ablation in our institution. Tumors diameter ranged from 1 to 7 cm and there was no evidence of spread beyond the kidney.

Overcoming the heat-sink phenomenon: successful radiofrequency thermal ablation of liver tumors in contact with blood vessels.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) of liver tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases) > 3 mm in diameter that were in contact with blood vessels.

Materials And Methods: During a 3-year period RFA was performed in 28 patients (age range, 36-83 years; male/female ratio, 17:11) with liver tumors (primary and metastatic) that were in contact with blood vessels > 3 mm in diameter. Tumor diameter ranged from 1.

Endovascular treatment of a ruptured para-anastomotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.

We report a case of a ruptured para-anastomotic aortic aneurysm treated with implantation of a bifurcated stent-graft. A 72-year-old patient, who had undergone aortobifemoral bypass for aortoiliac occlusive disease 16 years ago, presented with a ruptured para-anastomotic aortic aneurysm. A bifurcated stent-graft was successfully deployed into the old bifurcated graft.

Infected false aneurysms of the limbs secondary to chronic intravenous drug abuse: analysis of perioperative considerations and operative outcomes.

Purpose: To discuss the perioperative considerations and operative outcomes of 26 intravenous (i.v.) drug abusers who presented with infected false aneurysms of the limbs.

Aorto-enteric fistula: CT findings.

The objective of this pictorial essay is to present the different CT findings encountered in patients with aorto-enteric fistulas (AEFs). An AEF is a rare and sometimes disastrous occurrence, responsible for intermittent or massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage and hematemesis. CT provides fast and effective evaluation in hemodynamically stable patients suspected of having an AEF.

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors.

Objective: Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. For patients with inoperable lung cancer, percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) under CT-guidance represents a minimally invasive treatment. It can also be applied in combination with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Multifocal skeletal tuberculosis with Rhodotorula minuta co-infection.

Multifocal skeletal tuberculosis comprises lesions occurring at 2 or more locations of the skeleton. We present an atypical case of multifocal skeletal tuberculosis coexisting with Rhodotorula minuta infection in a non-immunocompromized host. The advantages of computed tomography-guided biopsy in establishing the diagnosis and thus influencing treatment are also discussed.

Freehand two-step CT-guided brain tumor biopsy: a fast and effective interventional procedure in selected patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided needle biopsy of brain lesions without a stereotactic device, and to determine the best possible indications for this technique.

Methods: From February 2001 to February 2004, 20 patients (12 men, 8 women; age 61-82 years) underwent CT-guided brain lesion biopsy. The procedure started with a brain CT scan for lesion localization and for selection of the inlet for needle insertion.

Percutaneous CT-guided core needle biopsy versus fine needle aspiration in diagnosing pneumonia and mimics of pneumonia.

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) relative to fine needle aspiration (FNA) in patients with pneumonia and pneumonia mimics. In this prospective study we present our experience with 48 thoracic FNAs and CNBs carried out on 48 patients with pneumonia and pneumonia mimics. Samples were obtained from all patients using both CNB (with an automated 18-G core biopsy needle and a gun) and FNA (with a 22-G needle).