Purpose of review The enthusiasm generated by the results of the Edmonton protocol of islet transplantation is inciting a great number of institutions to start such programs. However, the procedure of islet isolation and purification is costly, complex and technically challenging. In order to share costs and to avoid facing the steep learning curve of the procedure, many centers interested in islet transplantation have looked into collaborating with experienced groups serving as core islet isolation facilities. Recent findings The proof of principle that remote islet processing and shipment could be successfully implemented with obtainng the Portland/Minneapolis, Huddinge/Giessen and Houston/Miami partnerships. Moreover, in order to increase both the donor pool and the number of patients gaining access to islet transplantation, multicenter networks,such as the Swiss-French GRAGIL consortium and the 4-country Nordic Network in Scandinavia have been built. The GRAGIL group has been fully operational since 1999, allowing the transplantation of 27 islet preparations processed in Geneva, Switzerland into 20 recipients in France over the course of 4.5 years.Organizational issues in the design of such networks are discussed based on the example of the GRAGIL experience. Summary The feasibility and the efficiency of islet transplantation in multicenter networks have been demonstrated. This strategy allows to increase the donor pool and the accessibility to islet transplantation in an extended population area. (J Intervent Radiol, 2006, 15:626-631 )

Subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm that induced from central venous catheterization through the internal jugular vein is relatively uncommon. However, the management of subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm remains a challenge because of their non-compressibility of deep locality and relationship to important surrounding anatomy, such as the origin of vertebral artery. In this paper, the authors report a patient with larger iatrogenic subclavian arterial pseudoaneurysm near the origin of vertebral artery, that was treated successfully by endovascular covered stent and coils.

Objective To evaluate the toxic effects and efficacy of the intra-arterial chrono-chemotherapy on patients with liver metastasis arised from colorectal cancer. Methods Chemotherapy of 42 patients were randomly divided into group A (n = 20) with continuously constant arterial infusion, and group B (n = 22) with arterial chrono-modulated infusion. And the toxic effects and efficacy of two groups were compared. Results A significant difference was found in the toxic effects of digestive system between the two groups. The treatment response was similar in the two groups. Conclusions Intra-arterial chrono-chemotherapy may decrease the toxic effects and improve the life quality of these patients.

Objective To study the damage of liver function after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with low-dose versus conventional-dose anticancer drugs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods One hundred and twelve patients with unresectable HCC were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) to receive superselective TACE. Low-dose anticancer drugs including mitomycin C (MMC) 2 ～ 8 mg, epirubicin (EPI) 5 ～ 10 mg and carboplatin (CBP) 100 mg were used in group A (n= 52), and conventional-dose of anticancer drugs (MMC 10 mg, EPI 40 mg and CBP 300 mg)for patients in group B(n= 60). Lipiodol-anticancer drugs emulsion was injected into the feeding arteries of tumor and then followed by embolization of gelatin sponge (GS) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles.Laboratory examination of the liver function including Child-Pugh scores, total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (ALB) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated respectively before TACE and at third day, one week and four weeks after this procedure. Results In both groups, TBIL, ALT, and Child-Pugh scores increased (P ＜ 0.001 or P ＜ 0.05) and ALB decreased (P ＜ 0.001 or P ＜ 0.01) at three days and one week after TACE. Four weeks after-procedure, all the parameters described above showed no significant difference than those before the procedure in group A (P ＞ 0.05 ). On the contrary in group B, a significant difference (P ＜ 0.05) was found in the comparison of these parameters (except ALT). Conclusion Superselective TACE with low-dose anticancer drugs may induce transient impairment of liver function in the patients with HCC, but those patients used conventional-dose of anticancer drugs frequently cause lasting and more serious worsening of liver function.

Objective To evaluate the mid- and long-term radiological outcomes of cerebral aneurysms with GDCs embolization.Methods One hundred and sixty-two patients with 173 aneurysms embolized with GDCs underwent angiographic follow-up from 1 to 54 months post-operatively and were retrospectively reviewed. Three neuro-radiologists reviewed each angiogram and made a comparison between initial and follow-up angiograms. Morphological outcomes were evaluated as follows: unchanged; progressive thrombosis; and re-opening or re-growth. Results Of 173 aneurysms with GDC embolization, 142 aneutysms had total or nearly total occlusion, 23 subtotal occlusion and 8 partial occlusion shown on initial angiograms. The incidence of re-opening was 17.1% (13/76) in less than 3 months, and 6.2% (6/97) between 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Four aneurysms showed recurrency(2.3%) on second follow-up angiography in one year after procedure and one-year cumulative recurrent rate was 13.3% of 56 aneurysms with the third follow-up angiography in the post-operation period of 12 to 54 months, four showed a little enlargement and the cmnulative recurrent rate so far was 20.2% (35/173). Conclusions The direct and main causes for aneurysmal recurrence are incomplete and loosening packing. The first angiographic follow-up is recommended to be performed at 3 months or earlier after the procedure, especially in aneurysms with initial incomplete occlusion. Re-treatment with balloon- or stent-assisted coil embolization is recommended in re-opening aneurysms. (J Intervent Radiol,2005,14:472-479)

Objective To observed the long-term follow-up of the two types of interventional procedure for achalasia. Methods The study cohort was comprised of 140 patients of achalasia including 70 patients treated under fluoroscopy with pneumatic dilation (group A) and 70 with temporary partially covered metal stent dilation (group B). Results One hundred and forty dilations were performed on the 70 patients of group A with complications of chest pain (n=35), reflux (n=18), and bleeding (n=8); 38 atients of relapsing dysphagia during a 12-month follow-up, and 50 patients out of 60 of recurrent dysphagia during a 36-month follow-up. Seventy partially covered expandable metal stents were temporarily placed in the 70 patients of group B and withdrawn after 3-7 days via gastroscopy with complications of chest pain (n=28), reflux (n=15), and bleeding (n=9); 7 patients out of 70 exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 12-month follow-up, and 9 out of 58 patients exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 36-month follow-up. All the stents were inserted and withdrawn successfully. The follow-up in groups A-B lasted for 12-96 months. Conclusion Temporary partially covered metal stent dilation is one of the best methods of interventional procedure for achalasia in long-term follow-up. (J Intervent Radiol,2005,14:171-174)

Objective　To analyze the influence of multiple variable factors on the occurance rate of pneumothorax associated with transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy of the lung. Methods　Fluoroscopically guided lung biopsies were performed in 46 patients. Variable factors were analyzed including lesion size, location, number of puncture, presence of emphysema and patients position after needle biopsy of the lung. Results　Pneumothorax occurred at 9 (19.6%) of 46 patients and that occurred at 4 (44.4%) of 9 emphysematous patients. Among them 2 necessitated chest drainage tube placement. The pneumothorax occurance rate was 30% (3/10) for lesions of diameter 3cm or less in size. In the dependent group, pneumothorax occurred in 4 of 20 patients (20%). In the nondependent group, pneumothorax occurred in 5 of 26 patients (19.2%). Conclusion　The correlation showed that increasing frequency of pneumothorax with decreasing size of lesions. An increased rate of pneumothorax was correlated with presence of emphysema. Patients with emphysema are more likely to have a symptomatic pneumothorax. No significant differences were found in the incidence of pneumothorax between patients placed with the puncture site dependent after biopsy and those placed with the puncture site nondependent.

Splenic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe, effective and minimally-invasive approach for the management of hypersplenism due to portal hypertension. After RFA, the remnant volume of the spleen will be decreased, the hypersplenism can be corrected, and the hepatic artery blood flow can be significantly increased with resultant marked improvement of liver function; in addition, hypertrophy and regeneration of the liver can be induced. However, many factors can affect the therapeutic results of RFA,therefore, further studies are necessary to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

With the rapid technical development of interventional radiology, the percutaneous endovaseular stent implantation has been increasingly and widely used in treating the obstruction of brachiocephalic vein-superior vena cava. Stent implantation can relieve the obstruction immediately and the technique is safe and effective. This paper aims to summarize the current situation and the clinical practice of this therapy, to evaluate its effectiveness and to make a prospect of the developing trends and the problems need to be solved urgently.

Objective To discuss the effective nursing measures in interventional therapy for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremities in order to improve the successful rate of the procedure and to decrease the occurrence of complications. Methods Comprehensive nursing measures, including general nursing care, specific nursing care and emergency nursing care, were employed in 63 DVT patients receiving interventional therapy. Clinical response and complications were observed. Results After the treatment, the disorder was cured in 31 cases, while excellent result was seen in 26 cases and obvious improvement in 6 cases. During the procedure, bleeding at puncture site occurred in 16 cases, pulmonary embolism in 2 cases and cerebral hemorrhage in one case. No death occurred. Conclusion Comprehensive nursing measures can effectively prevent or reduce the occurrence of complications, decrease the mortality rate. Therefore, Comprehensive nursing measures are the most helpful nursing care for DVT patients receiving interventional therapy.