Nd-YAG laser ablation of arteriosclerotic obstructions: Clinical long-term results in femoropopliteal artery occlusions

Laser recanalization of peripheral artery occlusions was performed in 338 patients. A continuous wave Nd-YAG laser was used in combination with sapphire-probe laser catheters. The initial recanalization rate was 85%. Complications such as dissections, perforations, emboli and spasm were observed in 14%. The cumulative patency rate after 3 years was 48%.     

Necrotizing enterocolitis due to congenital arterioportal fistulas in an infant

A 3.5-month-old female presented with necrotizing enterocolitis and signs of portal hypertension. Clinical findings and ultrasonography suggested arterioportal (AP) shunting, and angiography confirmed the diagnosis of AP fistulas. Selective embolization, ligation of feeding arteries, and later a partial hepatectomy were ineffective in interrupting the shunting. Despite progressive obliteration of the portal vein, improvement in the patient's growth and development is evident, but signs of persisting mild portal hypertension still remain.     

Percutaneous nephrostomy and antegrade ureteral stenting: technique—indications—complications

In this review the technique, indication for and complications of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) and antegrade ureter stent insertion are described. In the majority of the cases PCN is performed to relieve urinary obstruction, which can be of benign or malignant nature. Another indication for PCN is for treatment of urinary fistulas. PCN can be performed under ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance, with a success rate of more than 90%. The complication rate is approximately 10% for major and minor complications together and 4–5% for major complications only. Percutaneous antegrade double-J stent insertion usually is performed if retrograde ureter stenting has not been successful. However, especially in malignant obstructions, the success rate for antegrade stenting is higher than for retrograde transvesical double-J stent insertion. In the case of severe infection and bleeding after PCN JJ-stent insertion may be contraindicated so long as there is no sufficient concomitant drainage via a PCN . Lower urinary tract dysfunction should be excluded before stent placement. The complication rate is 2–4%. Consequent stent surveillance with regular stent exchange is mandatory.     

Intra-hepatic haematoma complicating transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt for Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with anti-phospholipid antibodies, aplastic anaemia and chronic hepatitis C

Portal venous decompression with transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a new approach in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome. We report on a 31-year-old female with Budd-Chiari syndrome due to anti-phospholipid antibodies with compression of the inferior vena cava treated with TIPS and stenting of the inferior vena cava. TIPS was complicated by massive intra-hepatic haematoma which was managed conservatively. Treatment options and pathogenic mechanisms of Budd-Chiari syndrome under the rare coincidence of aplastic anaemia and anti-phospholipid syndrome are discussed. TIPS may be considered for venous decompression in Budd-Chiari syndrome, but physicians should be aware of potential TIPS' complications in these patients.     

Obstructive jaundice: use of expandable metal endoprosthesis for biliary drainage. Work in progress

Expandable metal endoprostheses were implanted transhepatically in 61 patients with obstructive jaundice. Fifty-three patients had malignant and eight had benign obstructions. Because of the small diameter of the compressed stent (7 F), primary implantation of the stent without a previous catheter drainage was preferred. Postprocedural complications occurred in three patients (5%) (biliary pleuritis, peritonitis, hepatic artery aneurysm). The 30-day mortality rate was 8.2%. Reocclusions were observed in six of the patients with malignant obstructions (11%) (observation period, 1-10 months; mean, 4.5 months) and in two of the patients with benign stenoses (25%) (observation period, 3-21 months; mean, 9 months). The higher reocclusion rate of benign obstructions must be interpreted with care because of the small number of patients. From their preliminary experience, the authors conclude that expandable metal endoprostheses offer patency rates equal to those of plastic stents. The implantation trauma is reduced due to the small 7-F introducing catheter system.