Utility of low-dose gelatin sponge particles and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol mixture in retrograde transvenous obliteration (GERTO) for gastric varices.

Objective: To determine the utility of low-dose gelatin sponge particles and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol (EOI) mixture in retrograde transvenous obliteration (GERTO) for gastric varices (GV).

Methods: 57 consecutive patients who underwent balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for GV were divided into three groups with Hirota's grade by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous venography. Hirota's Grade 1 patients were assigned to G1 group and underwent treatment with 5% EOI.

CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy using a puncture site-down positioning technique.

Objective: We have developed a new CT-guided technique using puncture site-down positioning during the biopsy. The goal of our study was to determine the efficacy and safety of this technique for biopsy of lung lesions compared with the standard technique.

Materials And Methods: Medical records of 236 patients who underwent CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy were retrospectively evaluated.