Pregnancy after uterine artery embolization for leiomyomata: the Ontario multicenter trial.

Objective: To report on pregnancies and deliveries occurring in a large cohort of women who underwent uterine artery embolization instead of surgery for symptomatic leiomyomata.

Methods: A total of 555 women underwent uterine embolization in a multicenter clinical trial. The primary embolic agent was 355-500 microm polyvinyl alcohol particles with treatment end-point as bilateral stasis in the uterine arteries.

Technical results and effects of operator experience on uterine artery embolization for fibroids: the Ontario Uterine Fibroid Embolization Trial.

Purpose: To document the technical results and spectrum of practice of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for fibroids in the health care setting in Canada. The effects of interventional radiologist's (IR's) experience with UAE on procedure and fluoroscopy time were also investigated.

Materials And Methods: The study involved a multicenter prospective single-arm clinical treatment trial and included the practices of 11 IRs at eight university-affiliated teaching and community hospitals.

The Ontario Uterine Fibroid Embolization Trial. Part 1. Baseline patient characteristics, fibroid burden, and impact on life.

Objective: To determine baseline characteristics of women undergoing uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic fibroids.

Design: Multicenter, prospective, single-arm clinical treatment trial.

Setting: Eight Ontario university and community hospitals.

Fluoroscopically-guided manipulation of malfunctioning peritoneal dialysis catheters.

Objective: To review our experience with fluoroscopic evaluation and manipulation of malpositioned, malfunctioning, peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-one patients, over a 5-year period (1 May 1992 to 30 April 1997) with malfunctioning PD catheters, who had fluoroscopically-guided manipulation were reviewed. Catheters were manipulated using a malleable aluminum bar and, if necessary, guide wires or other stiffeners.

Management of upper extremity central venous obstruction using interventional radiology.

Upper extremity central vein stenosis/occlusion is responsible for significant morbidity. The objective of this report is to review our management using interventional radiological techniques and to determine the long-term clinical results. All radiological interventions for central vein stenosis/occlusion (n = 59) between July 1991 and July 1996 at our institution were reviewed.

Complications of radiologically placed central venous ports and Hickman catheters in patients with AIDS.

Objective: To determine any differences in the complications following radiologic placement of 2 devices--Hickman catheters and central venous ports--to permit long-term central venous access in patients with AIDS.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-eight patients with AIDS received 52 long-term central venous access catheters. Seventeen received 23 Hickman catheters and 27 received 29 central venous ports (hence, 6 patients received both).

Image-guided insertion of the Uldall tunneled hemodialysis catheter: technical success and clinical follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate the technical success, complication rates, and survival time of the Uldall double-lumen catheter placed by interventional radiologists in patients presenting to a hemodialysis clinic.

Materials And Methods: Patients eligible for this study included those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who had failed peripheral vascular access or who were awaiting access at a hemodialysis unit between June 1993 and March 1996. All catheters were placed under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance in the angiography suite.

Nonvascular stents.

Stents or endoprostheses have evolved since their introduction. Initially used only in the vascular system, the use of stents has expanded to use in the biliary, urinary, and gastrointestinal tracts and in the tracheo-bronchial tree. Current use of stents includes treatment of both benign and malignant conditions, with the greatest impact in the palliation of malignant strictures.

A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing two film-screen systems for chest radiography.

Objective: To compare conventional and asymmetric film-screen chest radiography systems in a prospective, randomized trial.

Patients And Methods: Posteroanterior and lateral films were obtained with each system for one healthy volunteer and 49 consenting patients referred from pulmonary clinics and wards (for a total of 27 male and 23 female subjects ranging in age from 16 to 82 [mean 58] years). The radiographs, obtained and presented in random order, were reviewed and rated independently by two experienced radiologists and one resident in radiology; all observers were blinded to patient identification and film type.

Clinical effects and maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of epidural ropivacaine versus bupivacaine for cesarean section.

Background: Ropivacaine is a new amide local anesthetic structurally similar to bupivacaine and mepivacaine. Previous studies showed that ropivacaine has a similar clinical effect as bupivacaine with regard to sensory anesthesia and slightly less motor blockade than bupivacaine. Ropivacaine appears to be less cardiotoxic and arrhythmogenic than bupivacaine.

A questionnaire to evaluate disability in osteoporotic patients with vertebral compression fractures.

Background: Few studies have reported on the functional disability due to vertebral compression factors in osteoporosis. The Osteoporosis Functional Disability Questionnaire (OFDQ) was developed to assess disability in patients with osteoporosis and back pain due to vertebral fractures. The domains of the OFDQ include: quantitative indices of pain, a standard 20-item depression scale, 26 items relating to functional abilities, a scale of social activities, and confidence in the ability of prescribed osteoporosis treatment to reverse disability.