Purpose:To eveluate the effect of liver function after TIPSS.Materials and methds:Ananalysis of 17 cases with laboratory data to study the liver function changes after TIPSS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunts).Results:There were 35 percent of cases whose liver function were worse than before,the others showed no change or better after TIPSS. Couclusion:It was important to choose the cases strictly before TIPSS so as to reduce the compli- cation and improve the survival rates.Although some cases liver function went worse after TIPSS but only temporarily.TIPSS can reduce bleeding retes effectively,thus simultaneously seve the lives.It is worthy to extend this procedue.

Objective To explore the imaging diagnostic method of Merkel cell carcinoma(MCC). Methods Imaging and pathologic features of MCC of 1 female and 44 years old patient were determinded by CT, MRI, pathologic examination and operative observation. Results MCC is a rare subepidermal carcinoma, and most located in the head, neck region and extrimities. Clinically, only a presumptive diagnosis of MCC can be established. The definite diagnosis of MCC can be made only by pathologic examination, especially immunohistological method. MCC is red and brown, and looks like rotten meat. MCC texture is middle with rich blood supply. MCC can invade occipital bone, occipital muscles, dura and cerebellar tissues. Optical microscope observation showed that MCC is located at dermis, and sometimes at subcutaneous tissues. MCC cells are gathered in groups, their sizes are unanimous, and their shapes look like lymphocytes. The cell nuclei of MCC looklike empty bubbles, and have many karyokinesis. The chromatin of MCC is very fine. The cytoplasms of MCC are little, and oxyphil staining. Immunohistological staining showed that both NSE (neuron-specific enolase) and CK(cytokeratin) are positive. The CT imaging of MCC is higher density. The MRI imaging of MCC is lower signals with unclear border in T1w and T2w, but becomes clear in enhanced MRI. Tumor cells invasion to soft tissues and bones could be seen on CT or MRI. Conclusion CT and MRI could clearly show the characteristics of MCC, and provide valuable information for operative treatment of MCC.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of interventional therapy for left iliac vein compression syndrome (LICS). Methods A total of 27 patients with LICS that were diagnosed by colour Doppler or venography,were included in this study. Among the cases,the disease course was shorter than 3 weeks in 13 patients,who presented with acute iliac-femoral vein thrombosis; in the other 14 patients,the disease course was longer than 3 weeks,showing the symptoms of chronic venous thrombosis. Venous puncture was performed via the contralateral femoral vein in 13 cases,and through the ipsilateral popliteal vein in 14. Venous filter was placed in 11 cases before thrombolysis,while in the other 16 cases,no filter was used. All of the patients received catheter-directed thrombolysis,afterwards,7 of them underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty,and the other 20 received angioplasty plus stent placement. Results In the 13 patients,who received venous puncture via the contralateral femoral approach,the guide wire could advance through the stenosis successfully in 8 patients but failed in 5. Ipsilateral popliteal vein puncture were then employed and succeeded in all the patients. Ipsilateral popliteal puncture were performed successfully in 14 patients. In 11 patients,inferior vena cava filter was placed before the procedure. In this series,the thrombolysis time was (85?16) h with a dose of (3000?320) thousand units urokinase. The thrombosis was dissolved completely in 13 acute patients and partial dissolution was attained in 14 patients in whom blood flow signal were detected color Doppler. After the operation,venogram showed complete patent iliac veins in all of the 27 cases. The patients were followed up for 6 to 26 months (mean,11 months). During the period,19 patients obtained patent iliac-femoral vein with the symptoms disappeared; 8 patients met the standard of improvement. Conclusions Interventional technique can be the first-line treatment for left iliac vein compression syndrome because of its favorable result and minimal invasion.

Objective To study the 6 year outcome following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) for variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension. Methods 65 patients, 51 males, 14 females, aged 35～72 years old with averaged 4.5 years, have been undergone TIPSS because of portal hypertension due to cirrhosis or Budd Chiari syndrome. The portal pressures were measured before and after TIPSS. Follow up study was done by color Doppler sonography or Barium esophageal radiogaphy for 3 months to 6 years (averaged 18 months). Repeated interventional treatments were done in cases of restenosis of the shunts. Results There were 0,2,10,5,0 cases of recurrent bleeding after 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 year and 3—6 year following TIPSS respectively. Stenosis occurred in shunt paths due to thrombosis or smooth muscle cell proliferation or neointimal hyperplasia were relieved after thrombolytic therapy and repeated balloon angioplasty or stent plant among most of them. 2 were failed due to serious stenosis. 7 cases died, 2 of massive bleeding, 1 of the other cause and 4 of hepatic cancer. The other patients are getting well. Conclusions Although there were very high rates of restenosis (34%), but most of them could be treated again with interventional therapy, and in kept patency effectively. TIPSS is a still practical valuable management for massive gastric bleeding.

Objective To evaluate the effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before operation, including side effects and the improvment for the suceesfult resection rate.Methods 56 patients with cardiac cancer were divided into two groups: TACE group and resection group. The former included 25 patients (male 14, female 11) undertaken TACE 7-15 days before surgery. The image manifestations, histological changes and side effects together with the time of operation, volume of blood lose during operation and the succesful resection rate were compared with those of the latter. Results 1. TACE induced the necrosis of tumor tissue to some extent and possessed the power to localize the lesion with little side effects. 2. TACE before resection did not only minimize the injury of operation but also improved the resection rate. Conclusion TACE is a safe, effective modality before operation and is worthy for recommendation

Objective To study the route of branches of the internal iliac artery for presenting basic applied anatomy to be used in pelvic tumor diagnosis and interventional therapy through angiographic manifestations. Methods The branches of the internal iliac artery were studied by means of dissection on 45 adult cadavers(30 male, 12 female), including the origin, length, external diameter and bifurcation angle; and additionally angiographic characteristics of pelvic tumors in 42 cases together with normal ones of another 50 cases through bilateral selective internal iliac arteriography. Results①The angle between left and right common iliac artery was (58.9??7.3?),and that between the external and internal iliac artery was (27.6??5.3?). Iliolumbar artery and obturator artery were mainly originated from the main trunk of internal iliac artery and the distal portion (50%, 84.8%).②The external diameter of the branches of the internal iliac artery measured on cadavers was significantly smaller than that on patients alive. Conclusions Normal variations occur frequently in the origination, site of orifice and route of the middle and small branches of the internal iliac artery.

Objective To evaluate the value of helical CT and pulmonary artery angiography in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism. Methods The data of helical CT and pulmonary angiography of 18 cases of pulmonary embolism suspected by clinical diagnosis were analyzed retrospectively. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 12 patients with pulmonary angiography, and treated by suction throngh cathether and local fibrinolysis. Results Embolism was found to involve 107 pulmonary artery branches in the 18 cases, including bilateral pulmonary lower lobes in 28.97%, left and right main pulmonary artery in 22.43%, lobar artery and segmental artery in 40.18%, and main pulmonary artery in 8.41%. The direct signs of helical CT and pulmonary angiography included partial filling defect, mural filling defect, central filling defect or so-called railway-track sign, and total occlusion. Secondary signs included enlargement of pulmonary artery trunk, local pulmonary digemia, pulmonary infarction and pleural effusion. 12 patients survived and showed clinical improvement with significant increase in PaO_2. Conclusion Helical CT is a noninvasive and effective method for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, while the pulmonary artery angiography is also an important tool in diagnosis and treatment of it.

Objective To study the method and effectiveness of interventional therapy for the stenotic or obstructive inferior vena cava(IVC) caused by hepatic cancer. Methods All together 6 patients were enroled, 4 males and 2 females, with age of 45 to 58 years, average 53 years. The main symptoms including abdominal distention, varices on abdominal walls and edema in lower extremities were caused by compression or involvement of IVC with right hepatic lobe lesion. We performed thrombolysis first and follower by balloon dilation and stent placement. Results IVC were recanalized in all 6 patients with free patent blood flow. The postal venous pressure dropped from 4.4 kPa to 2.1 kPa without major complications. Conclusions Treating the IVC stenosis and obstruction caused by primary liver cancer with interventional method is safe and effective together with improvement of life quality and prolongation of survival time. (J Intervent Radiol, 2006, 15: 537-538)

Objective To assess the different methods and their outcomes of interventional therapy for stenosis or occlusion in superior vena cava and its branches. Methods Sixty patients with stenosis or occlusion of SVC and its branches were retrospectively analyzed after interventional therapy. Among them, 38 were males and 22 were females, with age range from 15 to 72 years old(mean age 58). Seventeen patients were treated by thrombolysis, and the rest 43 patients accepted percutaneous angioplasty and stenting. Before and after that, the pressures within the vein were measured at the inflow side. The paired-t test was used for statistical analysis. Results After treatment, the pressure at the inflow side dropped from (24.8±2.3)mm Hg to (7.1±1.5)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), with a significant difference(t=3.232,P＜0.01). The clinical outcomes included complete relief in 27 patients, partial relief in 28 patients and non-relief in 5 patients. No major complications occurred. During 6 months follow up, restenosis occurred in 10 patients, among whom 6 received repeat intervention with good results. The other 4 patients turned to surgery .Conclusion Interventional therapy for stenosis or occlusion in SVC and its branches could recanalize the vessels, restore the blood flow and relief the clinical symptoms.