Techniques in vascular and interventional radiology
-
The role of the interventional radiologist continues to expand in the treatment of biliary disease. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) provides direct visualization of the biliary system for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, especially in cases where anatomical considerations prohibit a peroral approach. Visual inspection and endoscopically guided biopsy allow differentiation between benign and malignant lesions, as well as accurate assessment of the tumor extent for surgical planning. ⋯ PTCS-guided removal of biliary stones is highly successful, with complete stone removal from the bile ducts occurring in approximately 90% of cases. Overall, PTCS is a safe and effective procedure, with severe complications occurring in less than 8% of patients. The purpose of this review is to familiarize its reader with common indications for PTCS, techniques for procedural success, expected outcomes, and management of potential complications.
-
Malignancy resulting in impaired biliary drainage includes a number of diagnoses familiar to the interventional radiologist. Adequate drainage of such a system can significantly improve patient quality of life, and can facilitate the further treatment options and care of such patients. ⋯ Current initial interventional management of malignant biliary duct obstruction frequently includes endoscopic or percutaneous intervention, with local practices and preprocedural imaging guiding interventional approaches and subsequent management. This article addresses the indications for percutaneous drainage, technical considerations in performing such drainage, and specific techniques useful in attempting to achieve clinical end points in patients with malignant biliary duct obstruction.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
ReviewPercutaneous Approach to Irreversible Electroporation of the Pancreas: Miami Protocol.
Despite advances in the treatment of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer, outcomes remain poor. Irreversible electroporation is a nonthermal ablative modality whose role in the management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer is being studied. This review highlights patient selection, preparation, and follow-up as well as discusses the techniques to achieve safe and effective tumor ablation in this challenging location.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
ReviewIntroduction to Irreversible Electroporation--Principles and Techniques.
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel nonthermal focal ablation technique that uses a series of brief but intense electric pulses delivered by paired electrodes into a targeted region of tissue, killing the cells by irreversibly disrupting cellular membrane integrity. Unlike other ablation methods, IRE has relatively little effect on connective tissues and nerves and has a low patient effect. The ability of IRE to achieve cell death immediately adjacent to large vessels without effect on the vessels themselves has raised the possibility of better treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. ⋯ In clinical practice, IRE can be administered either percutaneously under imaging guidance or at open operation under direct vision. In animals there is some evidence of an immune response presumably due to exposure of the intracellular target material, resulting in a greater therapeutic effect. Unlike many other cancer treatments, IRE has been introduced for human clinical use at a very early stage of development of the technique and much of the basic understanding of how and when to use IRE is still under investigation.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
ReviewIrreversible Electroporation for Colorectal Liver Metastases.
Image-guided tumor ablation techniques have significantly broadened the treatment possibilities for primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. A new ablation technique, irreversible electroporation (IRE), was recently added to the treatment armamentarium. As opposed to thermal ablation, cell death with IRE is primarily induced using electrical energy: electrical pulses disrupt the cellular membrane integrity, resulting in cell death while sparing the extracellular matrix of sensitive structures such as the bile ducts, blood vessels, and bowel wall. ⋯ Imaging characteristics and early efficacy results are presented. Much is still unknown about the exact mechanism of cell death and about factors playing a crucial role in the extent of cell death. At this time, IRE for CRLM should only be reserved for small tumors that are truly unsuitable for resection or thermal ablation because of abutment of the portal triad or the venous pedicles.