Embolization of the deep cervical collaterals--a unique endovascular approach to prevent repeated posterior fossa strokes refractory to medical therapy.

We present a 69-year-old man with advanced vertebral artery atherosclerotic disease and repeated posterior fossa strokes, refractory to aggressive medical treatment. CT angiogram showed heavily calcified long segment occlusion of the dominant right vertebral artery. Beyond the occlusion, the vertebral artery was reconstituted by hypertrophic deep cervical collaterals which had multiple long and short segments of severe stenosis and antegrade flow.

Intrahepatic collateral recanalization in symptomatic Budd-Chiari syndrome: a single-center experience.

The authors present a single-institutional experience with intrahepatic collateral vessel recanalization as a treatment option in symptomatic Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). Over a period of 26 months, this procedure was performed in four symptomatic patients in whom standard hepatic vein recanalization was not feasible or had failed, with a follow-up duration ranging from 7 to 44 months. Based on these cases, intrahepatic collateral vessel recanalization is a promising treatment option in suitable patients with symptomatic BCS and is deserving of further study.

Survey of radiologists' knowledge regarding the management of severe contrast material-induced allergic reactions.

Purpose: To evaluate radiologists' knowledge of the appropriate management of severe contrast material-induced allergic reactions by means of a telephone survey.

Materials And Methods: Institutional research ethics board approval was obtained. Following verbal consent, a telephone survey of radiologists working in Canada's 13 English-speaking and 13 U.

Left gastric artery pseudoaneurysm following traumatic pancreatic transection.

A 24-year-old man presented to us 10 days after suffering blunt trauma to the abdomen. He was diagnosed with pancreatic transection and underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Two weeks after the operation, he developed intra-abdominal haemorrhage.

Transjugular liver biopsy: a retrospective analysis of 601 cases.

Purpose: To perform a retrospective analysis of all transjugular liver biopsies (TJLBs) performed during a 77-month period. The authors discuss the technical modifications adopted to achieve better procedural success and histopathologic yield apart from the safety profile of this procedure during the study period.

Materials And Methods: Six hundred one consecutive patients underwent TJLB at the authors' institution during the study period.

Infectious etiology modifies the treatment effect of zinc in severe pneumonia.

Background: Zinc is undergoing evaluation as an inexpensive therapeutic adjuvant for severe pediatric pneumonia.

Objective: We explored the effect of etiology on the treatment effect of zinc in young children hospitalized for severe pneumonia.

Design: We analyzed data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at the Christian Medical College Hospital, a teaching hospital in Tamilnadu, India.

Changing profile of Budd Chiari syndrome in India.

There is increasing evidence that Budd Chiari syndrome occurs when acquired predisposing factor(s) affect a susceptible individual with one or more underlying thrombophilic conditions. Geographical variations in disease pattern of Budd Chiari syndrome exist, which may reflect differing predisposing factors. We review a change in disease profile of Budd Chiari syndrome in India over the past three decades.

Direct intrahepatic cavo-portal shunts in Budd-Chiari syndrome: Role of simultaneous fluoroscopy and trans-abdominal ultrasonography.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) can be inserted from inferior vena cava or hepatic vein to portal vein. The former is performed when hepatic veins are not suitable and is technically more challenging.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 7 patients with chronic BCS needed cavo-portal shunt as hepatic veins were neither amenable to plasty nor provided access for TIPS placement.

Evaluation of radiation dose to patients during abdominal embolizations.

Background: Abdominal embolization procedures performed using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is on the increase in the present-day scenario owing to their diagnostic and therapeutic values. These procedures involve prolonged fluoroscopy times and may tend to impart high radiation dose to patients if adequate radiation safety measures are not taken.

Aim: To evaluate radiation dose imparted to patients and the work practices involved therein during abdominal embolization procedures.