Techniques in vascular and interventional radiology
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
Irreversible Electroporation of Hepatic and Pancreatic Malignancies: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel therapy that has shown to be a feasible and promising alternative to conventional ablative techniques when treating tumors near vital structures or blood vessels. The clinical efficacy of IRE has been evaluated using established imaging criteria. This study evaluates the histologic and imaging response of hepatic and pancreatic malignancies that were surgically resected after IRE. ⋯ The rate of complete response to IRE was 25% based on the histologic evaluation of the resected tumors. Although treatment-related vessel wall changes were noted in several cases in histologic findings, there was no evidence of vascular luminal narrowing or obliteration in any of the specimens. The imaging response to IRE before surgical resection usually resulted in underestimation of disease burden when compared with the histologic response seen on the resected specimens.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Mar 2015
ReviewIsolated stenosis of the inferior mesenteric artery: to treat or not to treat?
The indication for treatment of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is generally not clear. The IMA is frequently ignored owing to its size and the presence of alternate pathways within the mesenteric vasculature. However, IMA treatment may be indicated in certain clinical scenarios. In this article, we focus on the indications for IMA treatment and technical considerations when treatment is indicated.
-
Mesenteric vasculitis is a rare diagnosis, but it comprises a group of disorders that may have devastating manifestations. It is often difficult to diagnose using clinical symptoms and biomarkers. Vascular imaging often provides the best opportunity for the noninvasive diagnosis of vasculitis and obviates the need for performing a biopsy. ⋯ Operative management remains the mainstay of therapy for focal occlusive or aneurysms, but the treatment options for multifocal disease remain challenging. Endovascular treatment is increasingly being used as a first line of treatment for symptomatic vasculitis. Interventionalists should be familiar with the indications and outcomes associated with the various therapeutic options for mesenteric vasculitis-associated occlusive disease and aneurysms.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Mar 2015
ReviewComputed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography imaging of the mesenteric vasculature.
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are highly accurate cross-sectional vascular imaging modalities that have almost completely replaced diagnostic catheter angiography for the evaluation of the mesenteric vasculature. CTA is the technique of choice when evaluating patients with suspected mesenteric ischemia; it permits to differentiate between occlusive and nonocclusive etiologies, to evaluate indirect signs of bowel ischemia, and in some instances, to provide alternative diagnoses. ⋯ CTA provides excellent depiction of visceral aneurysms and has an important role to plan therapy for both occlusive and aneurysmal diseases and in the follow-up of patients after open or endovascular mesenteric revascularization procedures. This article provides an introduction to the CTA and MRA imaging protocol to study the mesenteric vasculature, the imaging findings in patients presenting with acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia and visceral aneurysms, and the value of these imaging techniques for therapy planning and follow-up.
-
Acute mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an abrupt decrease in blood flow results in inadequate supply to the intestines, leading to bowel infarction. Etiologies may include arterial embolus, arterial or venous thrombosis, and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. Other causes include vasculitis, traumatic injury, dissection of the aorta, cholesterol emboli, and intestinal obstruction. ⋯ However, endovascular approaches have been increasingly reported in multiple case series describing success with initial endovascular therapy followed by open surgical intervention in some cases. Acuity of presentation, presence of bowel infarction, etiology of the ischemia, and risk factors may influence a planned treatment approach. The key to successful treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia involves early clinical recognition based on a detailed history and physical examination along with assessment of contributory risk factors, rapid acquisition of appropriate diagnostics to confirm a diagnosis, and early intervention to correct the underlying abnormality.