Percutaneous drainage and stenting for palliation of malignant bile duct obstruction

Percutaneous biliary drainage and stenting (PTBD) for palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice has evolved to a safe and effective technique. PTBD is equally effective for treatment of distal and proximal bile obstruction. Metal self-expandable stents have proved superior to plastic stents and should therefore be used. Technical success is >90% en clinical success is >75% in all major series. There are a considerable number of complications, but most can be treated conservatively and procedure-related mortality is <2% in most series. Thirty-day mortality after PTBD is >10% in many series, but this is largely due to the underlying disease. About 10–30% of patients will have recurrent jaundice at some point in their disease after PTBD and require re-intervention.     

Radiological interventions in malignant biliary obstruction

Malignant biliary obstruction is commonly caused by gall bladder carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic nodes. Percutaneous interventions play an important role in managing these patients. Biliary drainage, which forms the major bulk of radiological interventions, can be palliative in inoperable patients or pre-operative to improve liver function prior to surgery. Other interventions include cholecystostomy and radiofrequency ablation. We present here the indications, contraindications, technique and complications of the radiological interventions performed in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.     

Use of stents in the palliative treatment of malignant gastric outlet and duodenal obstruction

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of stenting in the palliation of malignant duodenal and gastric outlet obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our series of patients who underwent stenting for malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction between March 1998 and December 1999. From January 2000 data have been acquired prospectively. Our series comprises 21 stents successfully deployed in 15 patients. RESULTS: The technical and clinical success was 93% (14/15 patients). One patient required endoscopic negotiation of recurrent gastric carcinoma at the gastrojejunostomy site after failure to cross the lesion fluroscopically. Two patients required re-intervention 2 and 5 weeks after initial stent placement, for migration and ingrowth respectively. Eighteen stents were placed transorally, two stents transhepatically and one via a transgastric approach. Early complications (pain < 3 days) occurred in two patients (13%) and late complications (ingrowth, overgrowth and migration) occurred in three patients (20%). The median survival was 2.4 months (range 2-4 months). CONCLUSION: Stenting provides a less invasive palliative option than surgery with the advantage of lower morbidity and complication rates. It has the advantage of high technical and clinical success rates facilitated by alternative routes of access into the upper gastrointestinal tract via transgastric and transhepatic routes in addition to the traditional peroral route.     

用于骨痛治疗的放射性核素

介绍了用于骨疼痛治疗的放射性核素89Sr、153Sm、186Re、188Re和117Snm,评述了这些核素的生产以及在骨疼痛治疗中的应用,并对每个核素的优缺点进行了讨论。     

Image-guided palliation of painful metastases using percutaneous ablation

Painful skeletal metastases are a common problem in cancer patients. Although external beam radiation therapy is the current standard of care for cancer patients who present with localized bone pain, 20 to 30% of patients treated with this modality do not experience pain relief and few further options exist for these patients. For many patients with painful metastatic skeletal disease, analgesics remain the only alternative treatment option. Recently, image-guided percutaneous methods of tumor destruction have proven effective for treatment of this difficult problem. Patient selection, treatment methods, and results of treatment are described for the use of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation for patients with painful metastatic disease.     

超顺应经内镜钳道结肠支架治疗肝脾曲结肠恶性梗阻7例

目的 评价超顺应经内镜钳道结肠支架治疗肝脾曲结肠恶性梗阻的可行性和治疗效果.方法 2013年9月至2014年7月超顺应经内镜钳道结肠支架治疗肝脾曲结肠恶性梗阻患者7例.内镜及透视引导下行支架置入,评价其技术和近期临床成功率、并发症和临床移位率.结果 恶性结肠梗阻部位肝曲1例,脾曲6例,平均曲度为125.7°±20.7°,技术均获成功,无支架相关性并发症.支架姑息性治疗3例,手术过渡治疗4例,7例临床梗阻均缓解,患者腹围由术前的(87±3)cm降至术后7d的(70±6) cm.4例行1期手术,支架置入时间为8～10 d,平均(9.3±1.0)d,无吻合口瘘和术后再狭窄.生存期为4～14个月,平均(8.7±3.6)个月.结论 超顺应经内镜钳道结肠支架治疗肝脾曲结肠恶性梗阻安全有效,可作为肝脾曲恶性梗阻的首选治疗方法.     

Halo sign: useful CT sign for differentiating benign from malignant colonic disease

AIM: To evaluate the halo sign for accurately distinguishing benign from malignant colonic wall thickening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) examinations of 92 patients (70 men; 22 women; mean age 57 years) with pathologically proven colonic wall thickening (51 benign and 41 malignant) were retrospectively reviewed in a blinded fashion. The affected segment was assessed for presence of the halo sign, degree and uniformity of thickness and density of the intramural stratum. RESULTS: The halo sign was present in 74.5% (38/51) patients with benign and 7.3% (3/41) patients with malignant bowel disease. The presence of the halo sign was 75.4% sensitive and 92.5% specific for benign bowel wall thickening. All 38 benign halos showed uniform, continuous stratification; only one of three malignant halos met the strict criteria for benign halo. CONCLUSION: The halo sign is a moderately sensitive and highly specific sign for distinguishing benign from malignant bowel wall thickening. However, it is not pathognomonic for benign disease. Detailed analysis of halo characteristics is necessary to improve the usefulness of this finding.     

The management of ureteric obstruction secondary to malignant pelvic disease

AIM: Management of upper-tract obstruction secondary to a malignant pelvic process is a difficult problem and is best dealt with by a multi-disciplinary team. In the present audit, we address the question: is staged antegrade stenting better than retrograde ureteric stenting? MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed our present management of upper-tract obstruction secondary to malignant pelvic disease in 65 patients treated over a period of 2 years. Fifty-eight patients had urological cancer and seven patients had non-urological cancers; 70% of all cases had renal impairment. Twenty-four of 65 patients had an attempt at endoscopic retrograde ureteric stenting as a primary method of decompression while percutaneous nephrostomy followed by antegrade ureteric stenting was performed in 41/65 patients. RESULTS: Endoscopic retrograde stenting had a success rate of 21% whereas two-stage antegrade stenting was successful in 98% of patients. The antegrade approach had minimal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Obstruction of the pelvic ureter secondary to any pelvic malignancy is best managed by two-stage antegrade ureteric stenting. This approach has a high success rate with minimal morbidity, and should be preferred to an endoscopic approach. This highlights the important role of an interventional uroradiologist in the management of these patients.     

老年人结肠癌并急性肠梗阻86例外科处理分析

目的探讨老年人结肠癌并发急性肠梗阻的特点、诊断、外科处理方法与预后。方法回顾性分析我院2000年1月—2009年8月86例年龄>60岁的老年患者手术治疗的结肠癌并发急性肠梗阻病人的临床资料,其中一期切除吻合58例(右半结肠一期切除吻合39例,左半结肠一期切除吻合19例),分期手术19例(右半结肠4例,左半结肠15例),行Hartmann手术。肿瘤无法切除行单纯结肠造瘘和捷径手术9例。结果术后出现并发症8例,发生率为9.3%,其中切口感染3例,腹腔感染2例,肺部感染2例,感染性休克1例,1例死亡,病死率1.2%,85例痊愈出院。结论老年人结肠癌致肠梗阻的外科治疗要根据老年病人的具体情况选择合理的术式,准确的早期诊断,恰当的围术期处理,正确的手术方式的选择,是提高其预后的关键。     

Radiological evaluation of covered self-expandable metallic stents used for palliation in patients with malignant esophageal strictures

Purpose: To study the role of self-expandable metallic stents in malignant esophageal strictures in terms of patency, improved dysphagia score, and possible associated complications.

Material and Methods: Twenty-two patients with inoperable carcinoma of the esophagus underwent stent placement. Four different varieties of covered stents were used. Stenting was performed under fluoroscopic guidance and local pharyngeal anesthesia. During follow-up, patients were examined clinically and radiologically to assess the effectiveness of stents in relieving dysphagia, to check the stent position, patency, and possible complications.

Results: Fluoroscopic placement of the stent was successful and well tolerated in all patients without any serious complications. Accurate stent placement was possible in 95% of cases. The mean dysphagia score prior to stenting was 3.5 and poststent 1.2, with an improvement of 2.3 degrees. In two patients with associated fistulas, complete closure was seen after stent insertion. There was poor stent expansion in three patients. Significant tumor overgrowth occurred in two patients, and a second overlapping stent was deployed in one case. Three patients developed food impaction, which needed endoscopic removal of impacted food in two cases.

Conclusion: Fluoroscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stents is a safe and effective method of palliating severe dysphagia and fistulas in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. However, complications such as tumor overgrowth and food impaction may require reintervention after stent placement.     

High-dose-rate brachytherapy in symptom palliation due to malignant endobronchial obstruction: A quantitative assessment

PurposeThis study was performed to objectively evaluate the effect of high-dose-rate endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) in symptom palliation of patients with malignant airway obstruction and treatment-related toxicity.Methods and MaterialsSeventy-eight patients were treated with palliative intent according to a prospective observational protocol. HDREB was delivered in three fractions of 7.5 Gy at weekly or fortnightly intervals, associated or not with external beam irradiation. Most patients presented with lung cancer primaries and were treated because of lesions located in the trachea and/or main bronchi. Performance status, degree of obstruction, and symptom palliation were graded according to an objective score index, defined before and after HDREB at the last followup visit. Survival was considered from the end of HDREB for at least 3 years or until death.ResultsOverall, there was a 70% improvement, with migration of patients from lower to higher performance status. Bronchial obstruction was improved in 73.4% of the patients. The symptom that presented the better response was hemoptysis (100% complete relief) followed by postobstructive pneumonia (80%), dyspnea (57.4%), and cough (33.9%). Median survival was 6 months and improved in patients with complete response at bronchoscopy (9 months). There were two (2.6%) cases of bronchial fistulae and eight cases (10.2%) of fatal hemoptysis.ConclusionsHDREB is an excellent modality for palliating malignant airway obstruction resulting in quality of life improvement, with a good tolerance, patient compliance, and low rate of complications.     

Upper gastrointestinal tract malignant obstruction: initial results of palliation with a flexible covered stent

The authors treated 21 patients with inoperable upper gastrointestinal tract malignant obstruction from the esophagus to the duodenum by means of intubation with a flexible covered stent with fluoroscopic guidance. Stent placement was successful and relief of dysphagia was immediate in 18 (86%) patients, without serious complication. The average dysphagia score decreased from 2.6 (dysphagia to liquids) to 1.0 (dysphagia to normal solid food). Placement of a flexible covered stent provides easy, safe, and effective palliation of upper gastrointestinal malignant obstruction.     

Radiological evaluation of rat colonic tumors

Colon carcinomata were induced in rats with N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. A magnified double contrast barium enema technique was developed for an in vivo study of tumor growth patterns. Invariably, all small tumors were smoothly outlined and were spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. Irregularity developed only when the tumors grew larger, at which time there was considerable variation in the tumor growth patterns. The onset, shape, progression, spread and number of tumors present can be studied without sacrificing the animal.     

Bone pain palliation with strontium-89 in breast cancer patients with bone metastases and refractory bone pain

Fifteen patients with breast cancer and skeletal metastases who had bone pain refractory to opioid analgesics and who were not eligible for or had not responded to local field radiotherapy, were treated with strontium-89. All patients had received previous treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for bone metastases. Severity of bone pain, sleeping pattern, mobility and dependency on analgesics were evaluated before and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after⁸⁹Sr administration. Patients received 2 MBq/kg (118–148 MBq) of⁸⁹Sr by i.v. injection. Pain relief and a reduction in analgesic requirements were observed in 7 of the 15 (47%) patients, with a reduction in the severity score from 34% to 71%. Duration of the response varied from 3 to 7 months. A decrease in peripheral blood cell count was observed in 11 patients: a 15%–66% reduction in white cell count and a 14%–75% reduction in platelet count were detected at 12 weeks after treatment in these patients. We conclude that⁸⁹Sr is effective (47% response rate) for bone pain palliation in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer. Dependency on opioid analgesics may be reduced in patients with refractory bone pain.     

Over-the-wire versus through-the-scope stents for the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction: A retrospective comparison study

Objectives

To compare the outcomes of over-the-wire (OTW) and through-the-scope (TTS) partially covered stents in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO).

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in 306 patients who had either OTW (n?=?125) or TTS (n?=?181) stents placed. Outcomes analysed included technical and clinical success, procedure time, complications, re-intervention, stent patency and survival.

Results

One hundred and ninety-three patients met our inclusion criteria, including 125 patients in the OTW group and 68 patients in the TTS group. Technical and clinical outcomes were similar in the two groups. Stent migration rate was higher in the TTS than in the OTW group (P?=?0.002) and was associated with straight stent and subsequent chemotherapy in the TTS group. Stent collapse was lower in the TTS than in the OTW group (P?=?0.021). Six-month stent patency rate was higher in the OTW than in the TTS group (P?=?0.044).

Conclusions

TTS and OTW stents for the palliation of malignant GOO resulted in similar technical and clinical outcomes, stent patency and survival. TTS stents were associated with a higher migration rate, especially use of straight stents and subsequent chemotherapy, but a lower stent collapse rate than OTW stents.

Key Points

? OTW and TTS stents are equally effective in palliating GOO symptoms. ? Six-month stent patency was higher for OTW than for TTS. ? The straight stent and subsequent chemotherapy could increase stent migration. ? Complication rates were lower for flared than for straight stents. ? It is necessary to develop a multidisciplinary approach to integrate clinical experience.

     

Radiological appearances of colonic ring staple anastomoses

The radiographic appearances of colonic staple ring anastomoses are presented. Staple ring disruption on plain abdominal radiographs in the early post-operative period suggests dehiscence of the bowel anastomosis and is an indication for urgent water-soluble contrast medium enema to confirm the diagnosis. Rectal stenosis can develop as a late complication of staple anastomosis and may be detected on barium enema.     

全结肠无神经节细胞症X线诊断(附13例报告)

目的：探讨全结肠无神经节细胞症的X线表现,及其X线诊断方法。方法：回顾性分析经手术病理证实的全结肠无神经节细胞症13例,均作腹部平片和钡剂灌肠检查。结果：腹部平片显示普遍性小肠胀气13例,出现液平9例,无1例结肠或直肠充气,钡灌肠（13例）显示结肠细小10例,3例结肠近似正常,有1例表现结肠缩短,1例合并多处穿孔,6例排钡延。结论：钡肠检查仍是目前X线诊断全结肠无神经节细胞症的主要方法。     

Value of implantable peritoneal ports in managing recurrent malignant ascites

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficiency of percutaneous implantable peritoneal port in minimally invasive treatment of intractable ascites.

Patients and methods

40 patients with malignant ascites were referred from the oncology clinic to the radiodiagnosis department for percutaneous placement of peritoneal port catheter as a palliative treatment under guidance of ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. Ports were evaluated for safety and efficiency.

Results

The technical insertion success rate of percutaneous implantable peritoneal port was 100% with gradual removal of ascites together with 100% immediate relief of symptoms. No major complication was noticed however one minor immediate complication (2.5%) was detected as leakage at the port placement site which stopped spontaneously with removal of ascites and conservative patient management .In long term results, one patient (2.5%) developed infection at port site after 3 months of successful ascites drainage. This technique avoided ascites related morbidity, increases patient compliance, and satisfaction by decreasing hospital visits as the drainage and patients monitor can be done at home.

Conclusion

The percutaneous implantable peritoneal port system is safe and effective in palliation of symptomatic malignant ascites with minimal invasive treatment. Port aspiration can be performed by patients or family members without nursing assistance or hospital visits.     

经皮肝穿刺胆管内射频消融联合金属支架植入治疗恶性胆道梗阻的短期疗效及安全性

目的 探讨经皮肝穿刺胆管内射频消融联合金属支架植入术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸的安全性和有效性.方法 回顾性分析了156例无法手术的恶性胆道梗阻患者的资料.这些患者首先接受经皮肝穿刺胆管内射频消融术,随后联合胆道内金属支架植入进行内引流.结果 经联合治疗后,患者除血清白蛋白下降外,其他主要肝功能指标均显著改善,TBil由治疗前的(325.6±182.3) μmol/L下降到(211.0±153.2)μmol/L,均未发生肝功能不全,30 d内无一例患者死亡.术后发生严重并发症8例,其中胆漏2例(1.3％),出血6例(3.9％);发生轻微并发症88例,其中胆道感染22例(14.3％),疼痛36例(23.4％),呕吐30例(19.5％).结论 经皮肝穿刺胆管内射频消融联合金属支架植入术治疗恶性胆道梗阻是安全,有效的.     

Strontium-89 for palliation of pain from bone metastases in patients with prostate and breast cancer

We have used strontium-89 chloride (⁸⁹Sr) for the palliative treatment of metastatic bone pain. Seventy-six patients (50 males with prostate carcinoma and 26 females with breast cancer) were treated with 148 MBq of ⁸⁹Sr. Sixteen patients were retreated, receiving two or three doses; the total number of injected doses was consequently 95. The Karnofsky performance status was assessed and pain and analgesia were scored on scales of 9 and 5 points, respectively. The efficacy of ⁸⁹Sr was evaluated at 3 months of treament. Three levels of response were considered: good – when there was an increase in the Karnofsky status and a decrease in the pain score (equal to or higher than 4) or analgesic score (equal to or higher than 1); partial – when there was an increase in the Karnofsky status and a decrease in the pain score (2 or 3 points) without significant changes in the analgesic score; no response – if no variation or deterioration in these parameters was observed. In prostate cancer patients, the response was good in 64% of cases and partial in 25%, and there was no response in the remaining 11%. In breast cancer patients, the response was good in 62% of cases and partial in 31%, and there was no response in the remaining 8%. Duration of the response ranged from 3 to 12 months (mean 6 months). In the patients who were retreated the effectiveness was as good as after the first dose of ⁸⁹Sr. A decrease in the initial leucocyte and platelet counts was observed after the 1st month of treatment, with a gradual partial to complete recovery within 6 months. It is concluded that ⁸⁹Sr is an effective agent in palliative therapy for metastatic bone pain in patients with prostate or breast carcinoma. If required, retreatment can be administered safely and with the same efficacy as is achieved by the first dose. Received 13 March and in revised form 6 June 1997