Application of 3D Printing in Preoperative Planning.

Preoperative planning is critical for success in the surgical suite. Current techniques for surgical planning are limited; clinicians often rely on prior experience and medical imaging to guide the decision-making process. Furthermore, two-dimensional (2D) presentations of anatomical structures may not accurately portray their three-dimensional (3D) complexity, often leaving physicians ill-equipped for the procedure.

Bland Embolization of Benign Liver Tumors: Review of the Literature and a Single Center Experience.

Transarterial embolization has shown promise as a safe, effective, and less invasive treatment modality for benign liver lesions (hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and hepatic adenoma (HA)) with fewer complications compared to surgical intervention. There is no consensus regarding the most appropriate embolization material(s) for the treatment of benign liver tumors. The purpose of this study was to review the current literature regarding the transarterial embolization of benign liver tumors and to share our single center experience.

Percutaneous Embolization of an Inferior Mesenteric Artery Aneurysm in a Patient With Type IV Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) refers to a group of genetic disorders involving the connective tissues. Type IV EDS impairs type III collagen that is responsible for vessel integrity. Patients with type IV EDS are susceptible to vascular and visceral complications, including aortic aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, dissections, and spontaneous rupture of internal organs.

Endovascular Retrieval of an Embolized Atrial Septal Occluder Device From the Abdominal Aorta.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common heart condition in adults. Closure with a septal occluder device is a safe, well-established treatment option with excellent clinical outcomes. One rare complication of percutaneous PFO closure is embolization of the device to the heart chambers or distal vasculature.

Developing Interventional Radiology Anticoagulation Guidelines: Process and Benefits .

We created, posted, and updated radiology department anticoagulation guidelines and identified various steps in the process, including triggering events, consensus building, legal analysis, education, and distribution of the guidelines to nurses and clinicians. Supporting data collected retrospectively, before and after implementation, included nursing satisfaction survey results and the number of procedure cancellations. After the guidelines were developed and posted, significantly fewer procedures were cancelled, nursing satisfaction was higher, and radiologists performed procedures with less variability.

Segmental Arterial Mediolysis: Abdominal Imaging of and Disease Course in 111 Patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the imaging characteristics of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) at presentation and establish the longitudinal course of disease.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with SAM at a single institution from 2000 through 2015. Diagnosis was based on published guidelines with multidisciplinary consensus.

Rationale for catheter directed therapy in pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a widespread health concern associated with major morbidity and mortality. Catheter directed therapy (CDT) has emerged as a treatment option for acute PE adding to the current potential options of systemic thrombolysis or anticoagulation. The purpose of this review is to understand the rationale and indications for CDT in patients with PE.

Feasibility of ultra-low radiation dose reduction for renal stone CT using model-based iterative reconstruction: prospective pilot study.

Purpose: To compare dose, reader assessments, and noise between ultra-low-dose (ULD) and low-dose (LD) renal stone computed tomography (CT) using multiple reconstruction methods.

Materials And Methods: Prospective study of 19 patients having noncontrast LD and ULD renal stone CT reconstructed using filtered back projection, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR). Dose, noise measurements, and subjective image assessments were recorded.

The accordion sign in the transplant ureter: ramifications during balloon dilation of strictures.

Purpose: This study was designed to demonstrate the accordion sign within the transplant ureter and evaluate its ramifications during balloon dilation of strictures.

Methods: A retrospective electronic chart and imaging review included demographic characteristics, procedure reports, and complications of 28 renal transplant patients having ureteral strictures treated with percutaneous balloon dilation reported in our transplant nephrology database during an 8-year period. The accordion sign was deemed present or absent on the basis of an imaging review and was defined as present when a tortuous ureter became kinked and irregular when foreshortened after placement of a wire or a catheter.

Ultra-low-dose computed tomographic angiography with model-based iterative reconstruction compared with standard-dose imaging after endovascular aneurysm repair: a prospective pilot study.

Purpose: An ultra-low-dose radiation protocol reconstructed with model-based iterative reconstruction was compared with our standard-dose protocol.

Methods: This prospective study evaluated 20 men undergoing surveillance-enhanced computed tomography after endovascular aneurysm repair. All patients underwent standard-dose and ultra-low-dose venous phase imaging; images were compared after reconstruction with filtered back projection, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction, and model-based iterative reconstruction.

Primary percutaneous treatment of transplant ureteral strictures using tandem stents.

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of primary (first-occurrence) treatment of renal transplant ureteral strictures using tandem parallel internal double-pigtail stents.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective electronic chart review, including demographics, medical history, stricture intervention, and outcomes, was performed of patients with renal transplants with first-occurrence ureteral obstructions or leaks reported in a transplant nephrology database over a 4-year period, with a focus on patients treated primarily with tandem stents.

Results: Of 27 patients with first-occurrence ureteral obstruction or ureteral leak, 18 (67%) were treated primarily using tandem internal stents, with 15 (83%) of 18 stent-free for a minimum 90 days of follow-up.

Endovascular retrieval of a TrapEase permanent inferior vena cava filter from the aorta.

Intra-aortic inferior vena cava filter placement is a rare event. We describe a case in which a permanent vena caval filter was retrieved from the aorta with endovascular techniques. Knowledge of filter design, catheters, and available wires is important to perform this procedure safely.

Incidence of highly important extravascular findings detected on CT angiography of the abdominal aorta and the lower extremities.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and significance of extravascular findings on CT angiography of the abdominal aorta and lower extremities.

Materials And Methods: Reports of CT angiograms of the abdominal aorta and lower extremities for 275 patients (164 men and 111 women; mean age, 72 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were scanned from the level of diaphragm to toes.

Vaginal paraganglioma presenting as a pelvic mass.

Paragangliomas are extra-adrenal neuroendocrine neoplasms derived from neural crest precursors. These tumors rarely arise from the female genital tract. Vaginal paragangliomas are extremely rare.

Direct percutaneous embolization of bleeding stomal varices.

Stomal variceal bleeding can develop in patients with underlying cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Most patients are best treated with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation because this addresses the underlying problem of portal hypertension. However, some patients are not good candidates for TIPS creation because they have end-stage liver disease or encephalopathy.

Percutaneous embolization of a lumbar pseudoaneurysm in a patient with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a rare hereditary connective tissue disorder. Patients with type IV EDS are prone to develop visceral pseudoaneurysms and aortic aneurysms. Surgical and endovascular interventions are fraught with complications and high morbidity.

Endovascular lung perfusion using high-dose cisplatin: uptake and DNA adduct formation in an animal model.

Mean survival after diagnosis of unresectable pulmonary metastases is less than one year. Isolated lung perfusion (ILP) is a technique that delivers chemotherapy into the pulmonary artery via a thoracotomy. Human trials are limited.