A 63-year-old HBsAg-positive male patient was admitted for the evaluation of a liver mass that was detected on ultrasonography. Spiral computed tomography (CT) revealed infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the right hepatic lobe with main portal vein tumor thrombosis. His liver function was Child-Pugh class A and the serum alpha fetoprotein level was 7,400 ng/mL. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) via the right hepatic artery was performed. Following 3 sessions of TACE every 2 months, spiral CT revealed no evidence of viable tumor. The thrombi within the main portal vein disappeared with performing localized hepatic infarction at the site of the previous tumor. He is still alive 15 months after the third TACE without evidence of recurred tumor and his liver function remains well preserved. This case suggests that TACE might be effective and safe even in the patients with infiltrative HCC with main portal vein tumor thrombosis, if the extent of the tumor is limited and the liver function and portal flow via the collaterals are preserved.
Venous Thrombosis/*complications ; Portal Vein ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/radiography/*therapy ; Humans ; *Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications/radiography/*therapy

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is known as an effective and safe preoperative procedure that increases the future liver remnant (FLR) in patients with insufficient FLR. However, some possible major complications can lead to non-resectability or delayed elective surgery that results in increased morbidity and mortality. Although the majority of these complications are rare, knowledge of the radiologic findings of post-procedural complications facilitate an accurate diagnosis and ensure prompt management. We accordingly reviewed the CT findings of the complications of PVE.
Aged ; Cholangiocarcinoma/radiography/therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/radiography/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular System Injuries/etiology ; Venous Thrombosis/etiology

INTRODUCTIONGas is rarely found within the viscera outside the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Emphysematous gastritis is a rare form of infection of the stomach wall by gas producing organisms.

CLINICAL PICTUREA 45-year-old Chinese lady underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Postoperatively, she turned septic and encephalopathic with worsening liver function. Computed tomography scan revealed a thickened, oedematous stomach wall with air pockets within.

TREATMENTThe patient was started on a course of broad spectrum antibiotics.

OUTCOMEShe responded and was discharged well.

CONCLUSIONEmphysematous gastritis is a rare condition with high mortality. There is however, still no preferable approach of treatment despite therapeutic advances.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Emphysema ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Gastritis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; Radiography ; Thienamycins ; therapeutic use ; Ultrasonography ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging

Totally implanted central venous access devices for chemotherapy (chemoport) are being used increasingly in lung cancer patients. Vascular catheters are associated with various complications including infection, thrombosis as well as spontaneous fractures and embolization of the catheter, which is known as 'pinch-off syndrome'. 'Pinch-off syndrome' refers to the compression of a subclavian central venous catheter between the clavicle and first rib resulting in an intermittent or permanent obstruction, which can lead to tears, transection, or embolization. We report two cases of fractured and embolized implanted subclavian venous catheters in which the fragments were removed percutaneously. A 62-year-old man presented with back pain with a duration of a few weeks. The chest radiograph revealed complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the right atrium. In addition, a 47-year-old woman with a chemoport had a grade 3 pinch-off sign in a chest radiograph demonstrating complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the pulmonary artery. Both cases were managed by retrieving the embolized distal fragment percutaneously and removing the proximal section of the catheter.
Back Pain ; Catheters ; Central Venous Catheters ; Clavicle ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Ribs ; Thrombosis ; Vascular Access Devices

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Bones ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Radiography ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate stent compression in iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) and to identify its association with stent patency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2005 and June 2014, after stent placement for the treatment of IVCS with acute ilio-femoral deep vein thrombosis, follow-up CT venography was performed in 48 patients (35 women, 13 men; age range 23-87 years; median age 56 years). Using follow-up CT venography, the degree of the stent compression was calculated and used to divide patients into two groups. Possible factors associated with stent compression and patency were evaluated. The cumulative degree of stent compression and patency rate were analyzed. RESULTS: All of the stents used were laser-cut nitinol stents. The proportion of limbs showing significant stent compression was 33%. Fifty-six percent of limbs in the significant stent compression group developed stent occlusion. On the other hand, only 9% of limbs in the insignificant stent compression group developed stent occlusion. Significant stent compression was inversely correlated with stent patency (p < 0.001). The median patency period evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis was 20.0 months for patients with significant stent compression. Other factors including gender, age, and type of stent were not correlated with stent patency. Significant stent compression occurred most frequently (87.5%) at the upper end of the stent (ilio-caval junction). CONCLUSION: Significant compression of nitinol stents placed in IVCS highly affects stent patency. Therefore, in order to prevent stent compression in IVCS, nitinol stents with higher radial resistive force may be required.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Iliac Vein/pathology/*radiography ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; May-Thurner Syndrome/*diagnosis/radiography/*therapy ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents/adverse effects ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Patency/*physiology ; Venous Thrombosis/radiography/*therapy ; Young Adult

Protein S (PS), a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein, performs an important role in the anticoagulation cascade as a cofactor of protein C. Because of the presence of a pseudogene and two different forms of PS in the plasma, protein S deficiency (PSD) is one of the most difficult thrombophilias to study and a rare blood disorder associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. We describe a unusual case of previously healthy 37-year-old man diagnosed with portal-splenic-mesenteric vein thrombosis secondary to PSD. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to continuous nonspecific abdominal pain and nausea. Abdominal computed tomography revealed acute venous thrombosis from inferior mesenteric vein to left portal vein via splenic vein, and laboratory test revealed decreased PS antigen level and PS functional activity. Conventional polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing analysis of the PROS1 gene demonstrated duplication of the 166th base in exon 2 resulting in frame-shift mutation (p.Arg56Lysfs*10) which is the first description of the new PROS1 gene mutation to our knowledge. Results from other studies suggest that the inherited PSD due to a PROS1 gene mutation may cause venous thrombosis in a healthy young man without any known predisposing factor.
Adult ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use ; Base Sequence ; Blood Proteins/*genetics ; Codon, Terminator ; Exons ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Veins/radiography ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Portal Vein/radiography ; Protein S Deficiency/complications/*diagnosis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Splenic Vein/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Venous Thrombosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical efficiency of metallic stent implantation in combination with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus.

METHODS22 cases of HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombus were devided into 2 groups: 10 patients (group A) recieved stent implantation in combination with conformal radiation therapy, 12 patients (group B) recieved stent implantation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. The adverse reactions, and liver function before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The stent patency rate at 4, 6 and 12 months and the survival rate at 3, 6 and 12 months were followed up. Comparison of liver function was analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Comparison of stent patency rate curves and survival curves was analyzed by Log rank test.

RESULTSThe portal vein catheterization was successful in all the patients. The stents were successfully implanted by transhepatic portal vein approach, and portal vein stenosis was re-opened. There was no abdominal hemorrhage in all the patients, but there were symptoms of abdominalgia, fever, nausea, vomiting and flatulence of varying degrees after interventional operation, and these symptoms were relieved by symptomatic treatment in one week. All patients in group A completed the treatment. I-II degree gastrointestinal tract reactions occurred in 3 cases, I-II degree myelosuppression occurred in 2 cases, and they were all completely relieved after treatment. The stent patency rate at 4, 6 and 12 months was 90%, 70%, 30% in group A; and 50%, 25% , 16.7% in group B (P < 0.05). The survival rate at 3, 6 and 12 months was 100%, 80% , 30% in group A and 91.7%, 41.7%, 16.7% in group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONStent implantation combined with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy is a good treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus and causes less damage to liver.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Metals ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Portal Vein ; pathology ; Radiography ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the feasibility of catheter-directed thrombolysis with a continuous infusion of low-dose urokinase for treating non-acute (less than 14 days) deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 110 patients who were treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis with a continuous infusion of low-dose urokinase for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis was analysed. Adjunctive angioplasty or/and stenting was performed for the residual stenosis. Venous recanalization was graded by pre- and post-treatment venography. Follow-up was performed by clinical evaluation and Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: A total of 112 limbs with deep venous thrombosis with a mean symptom duration of 22.7 days (range: 15-38 days) were treated with a urokinase infusion (mean: 3.5 million IU) for a mean of 196 hours. After thrombolysis, stent placement was performed in 25 iliac vein lesions and percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) alone was done in five iliac veins. Clinically significant recanalization was achieved in 81% (90 of 112) of the treated limbs; complete recanalization was achieved in 28% (31 of 112) and partial recanalization was achieved in 53% (59 of 112). Minor bleeding occurred in 14 (13%) patients, but none of the patients suffered from major bleeding or symptomatic pulmonary embolism. During follow-up (mean: 15.2 months, range: 3-24 months), the veins were patent in 74 (67%) limbs. Thirty seven limbs (32%) showed progression of the stenosis with luminal narrowing more than 50%, including three with rethrombosis, while one revealed an asymptomatic iliac vein occlusion; 25 limbs (22%) developed mild post-thrombotic syndrome, and none had severe post-thrombotic syndrome. Valvular reflux occurred in 24 (21%) limbs. CONCLUSION: Catheter-directed thrombolysis with a continuous infusion of low-dose urokinase combined with adjunctive iliac vein stenting is safe and effective for removal of the clot burden and for restoration of the venous flow in patients with non-acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; *Catheterization, Peripheral ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents/*administration & dosage ; Humans ; *Infusion Pumps ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Leg/*blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; *Thrombolytic Therapy/methods ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/*administration & dosage ; Vascular Patency ; Venous Thrombosis/*drug therapy/radiography/ultrasonography

OBJECTIVEDue to its minimal-invasive approach, endovascular procedure had replaced surgery in treating Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). The interventional therapy was a safe and effective treatment in adults with BCS and the cure rate was high. However Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is rare. Published literature on interventional procedure for Budd-Chiari syndrome in children and adolescents is scarce. The aim of the study was to present results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stents placement in children and adolescents with BCS and to evaluate the efficacy and safety in these patients of this approach.

METHODTwenty-five patients [16 boys and 9 girls; average age of (14.5 ± 3.4) years old; age ranged from 5 to 17 years] with Budd-Chiari syndrome who were hospitalized from December 1990 to August 2012 were presented. All of them were diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound scan while 12 of them had magnetic resonance venography (MRV) scan. All of the patients had undergone angiographic examination. Four cases with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) were treated with PTA. One case with segmental block of IVC was treated with PTA and stent placement. Five cases with membranous obstruction of IVC and hepatic vein (/and accessory hepatic vein) were treated with PTA. Among 8 cases with membranous obstruction of hepatic veins, 6 cases were treated with PTA and the others with PTA and stent placement. Among 4 cases with blocks of 3 hepatic veins (HVs), one was treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement and the other one was unsuccessful. Three cases with obstruction of HV and accessory HV (AHV) were treated with PTA. Totally, 24 patients were treated with interventional approach and followed up.

RESULTThe procedure was successful in 24 patients. The involved veins (hepatic veins or IVC) were patented after interventional procedure. The pressure of hepatic vein was (42.1 ± 4.2) cm H2O (37-50 cm H2O) (1 cm H2O = 0.098 kPa) before the interventional therapy, while it was (17.3 ± 3.3) cm H2O (14-26 cm H2O) after it. The pressure of IVC was (30.6 ± 2.9) cm H2O (26-36 cm H2O) before the interventional therapy, while it was (18.8 ± 4.2) cm H2O (15-26 cm H2O) after it. The symptoms and signs vanished instantly after interventional procedure. There were no procedure-related complications. The rate of overall initial cure was 96%. The patients were followed up for a mean of 25.8 months (range 6 months to 8 years). Seven cases developed restenosis after first procedure. Five of them were treated with PTA, one with PTA plus catheter thrombolysis plus PTA, one with PTA and stent placement. All of the involved veins were patented again. Clinical symptoms were relieved. There were no procedure-related complications as well.

CONCLUSIONThe interventional procedure in children and adolescents with BCS is the same as in adults. Radiological therapeutic intervention is efficacious and safe in children and adolescents with BCS.

Adolescent ; Angioplasty ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; therapy ; Catheterization, Peripheral ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Phlebography ; methods ; Radiography, Interventional ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Venous Thrombosis ; therapy