Median sacral artery injury following a bone marrow biopsy successfully treated with selective trans-arterial embolization: a case report

Bone marrow biopsy in geriatric patients above the age of 85 years: invaluable or unnecessary? A retrospective analysis

Bone marrow biopsy (BMB) is a well-established diagnostic tool for various hematological, oncological, and other medical conditions. However, treatment options for geriatric patients (pts) facing these diseases are often constrained. In this single-center, retrospective analysis we assessed the diagnostic value of BMB in geriatric pts aged ≥ 85 years and examined its impact on therapeutic decisions. We examined 156 BMB procedures in 129 pts, extracting data from the electronic patient records and applying descriptive statistical methods. Nearly half of the primary diagnostic procedures (26; 44.1%) resulted in a modification of the initially suspected diagnosis. Notably, 15 (25.4%) of these procedures, led to changes in both the diagnosis and planned interventional treatment. Among the 15 follow-up procedures (36.6%), disease progression was initially suspected based on symptoms, but BMB results excluded such progression. In lymphoma staging biopsies, only 2 (3.6%) prompted a change in therapeutic intervention. Importantly, no BMB-related complications, such as bleeding, infection or nerve damage, were reported. Median survival after BMB was 16.1 months across all pts, yet it varied based on the diagnosis and comorbidity score. The survival of pts with a change in therapy based on BMB results did not significantly differ from those who did not undergo a therapy change. In conclusion, BMB proved to be generally safe and beneficial in this geriatric cancer patient cohort beyond the age of 85 years. However, the advantages of lymphoma staging in this patient population warrant further consideration.

Bone marrow biopsies: A hospitalist bedside procedure service 5-year experience

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsies (BMAB) are a relatively frequent procedure needed in the inpatient setting, especially in a tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVE

Procedure-focused hospitalists can provide an excellent option for doing inpatient BMAB. Here we present five years of experience with a hospitalist bedside procedure service (BPS) performing BMAB.

DESIGN

In 2016, the BPS partnered with the oncology service to begin performing inpatient BMAB.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

We evaluated internally collected data from the procedures performed by the BPS from 2016-2020.

INTERVENTION

From 2015-2016, faculty members on the BPS team were trained by the oncology department to do a BMAB, which was then offered as an inpatient procedure by the BPS from 2016-2021.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

Total number of BMAB performed, success rates, bleeding risk profiles of patients, rate of trainee participation, and complication rates.

RESULTS

The BPS performed a total of 432 BMAB from 2016-2021. Forty-six (10.6%) were unsuccessful and required referral for CT guidance. Elevated bleeding risk was present in 88 (20.4%) of patients. Trainees assisted in 62 (14.4%) of the procedures.There was one complication (0.2%).

Complications associated with improper palpation-guided iliac bone marrow biopsy tracts identified on follow-up imaging

OBJECTIVE

Bone marrow biopsy complications are rare. Our aim is to study the association of improper palpation-guided iliac biopsy tract with complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of adult patients who underwent iliac bone marrow biopsy without image guidance at our hospital from January 2019 to January 2021, and have cross-sectional radiologic imaging of the pelvis within 30 days following the procedure. Electronic health records were reviewed for clinical data. Two radiologists reviewed images of the pelvis for assessment of biopsy tract and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 443 procedures were included in 309 patients, mean age 53.4 ± 18.1 years, 112 females (36.2%). In addition, 332 tracts were proper (75%), 97 improper (22%), and 14 unidentified (3%). All 11 complications occurred in procedures with improper tracts; nine bleeding, one fracture, and one facet joint injury. Improper tract was significantly associated with complications (p < .001). There was no statistically significant association between platelet count, international normalized ratio, antiplatelet use and anticoagulant use, and presence of complications (p > .05). Body mass index and subcutaneous fat thickness overlying posterior superior iliac spine were not associated with improper tract (p > .05). Procedures performed by providers with ≤ 12 months' experience were significantly associated with improper tract (p < .001) and hence associated with complications (p = .007).

CONCLUSION

Improper tracts were common in palpation-guided iliac bone marrow biopsy and significantly associated with complications. No complications were encountered in proper tract procedures. Procedures performed by providers with ≤ 12 months' experience were significantly associated with improper tract and complications.

Efficacy of median sacral artery embolization for treating severe pelvic fractures: a retrospective study

Objective

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of bilateral internal iliac arteries (IIAs) in patients with a hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture is associated with a low mortality rate. The persistence of unstable hemodynamics after IIA embolization indicates the involvement of other arteries, such as the median sacral artery (MSA). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MSA embolization.

Methods

In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, medical records of patients who underwent MSA angiography or embolization for pelvic fractures (n = 21) between January 2007 and August 2019 were reviewed. The percentage of patients achieving hemodynamic stabilization by MSA embolization was calculated.

Results

Fifteen patients underwent MSA embolization, and the remaining six underwent MSA angiography. The shock index value was significantly higher after MSA embolization than that before MSA embolization in hemodynamically unstable patients who underwent this procedure. The success rate of MSA selection was 100%. One patient presented with urinary retention because of bladder and rectal disorders after MSA embolization. The 30-day survival rate was 85.7%.

Conclusions

Severe pelvic fractures, such as a Dennis Zone III fracture and suicidal jumper’s fracture due to trauma from a fall, may require MSA embolization.

Narrative review of vascular iatrogenic trauma and endovascular treatment

Iatrogenic injury is unfortunately a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for patients worldwide. The etiology of iatrogenic injury is broad, and can be seen with both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. While steps can be taken to reduce the occurrence of iatrogenic injury, it is often not completely avoidable. Once iatrogenic injury has occurred, prompt recognition and appropriate management can help reduce further harm. The objective of this narrative review it to help reader better understand the risk factors associated with, and treatment options for a broad range of potential iatrogenic injuries by presenting a series of iatrogenic injury cases. This review also discusses rates, risk factors, as well as imaging and clinical signs of iatrogenic injury with an emphasis on endovascular and minimally invasive treatments. While iatrogenic vascular injury once required surgical intervention, now minimally invasive endovascular treatment is a potential option for certain patients. Further research is needed to help identify patients that are at the highest risk for iatrogenic injury, allowing patients and providers to reconsider or avoid interventions where the risk of iatrogenic injury may outweigh the benefit. Further research is also needed to better define outcomes for patients with iatrogenic vascular injury treated with minimally invasive endovascular techniques verses conservative management or surgical intervention.

Safety of bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in severely thrombocytopenic patients

PURPOSE

To assess the safety of fluoroscopically guided drill-assisted bone marrow aspirate and biopsy in severely thrombocytopenic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was approved by the IRB with waiver of informed consent. Retrospective review of 111 bone marrow aspirate and biopsies (BMAB) performed in 94 patients who received a CT scan which included the pelvis and biopsy site within the 7 days following the BMAB. The 94 patients were subdivided based on their platelet count: severe thrombocytopenia (< 20 platelets × 10⁹/L), thrombocytopenia (20-50 platelets × 10⁹/L), and control (> 50 platelets × 10⁹/L). The procedure report was reviewed for sedation time, aspirate volume, and aggregate size of core biopsy specimens. The electronic medical record was reviewed for specimen adequacy; pathologic diagnosis; body mass index; pre- and post-procedure labs including platelet count, hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR) levels; post-procedural transfusion; and complications including mortality at 30 and 90 days. CT scans were independently reviewed by 2 fellowship-trained radiologists for the presence of post-procedural hemorrhage.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in CT-identified post-procedural hematoma, or change in the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels pre- and post-procedure between the three groups. There was no significant difference in complication rate or all-cause mortality. There was a significant difference in transfusion at 30 days with thrombocytopenic and severely thrombocytopenic patients more likely to receive transfusion within the 30 days post-procedure.

CONCLUSION

Fluoroscopically guided BMAB can be safely performed in patients with severe thrombocytopenia.

A case of median sacral artery avulsion injury by L4-5 lateral dislocation fracture

Introduction

The median sacral artery injury is a rare entity, especially in trauma. And the injuries are always with pelvic fractures. We describe a case of the median sacral injury which was induced by blunt trauma without pelvic fractures.

Case presentation

A 26-year-old male who suffered L4-5 fracture dislocation and some hemorrhage in pelvic cavity following a motorcycle accident. He had a median sacral artery injury, and we tried to the trans-catheter arterial embolization, however it could not be success. The embolization was performed using of gelatin sponges in bilateral internal iliac artery and left 4th lumber artery. After his admission, a demand of transfusions lasted for 7 days.

Conclusion

We successfully treated a case of median sacral avulsion injury by choosing conservative treatment.

Large spontaneous median sacral artery pseudoaneurysm masquerading as hip pain

We report the case of an 81-year-old man who presented with severe right hip pain and reduced physical function secondary to a large spontaneous median sacral artery pseudoaneurysm measuring 83.5 × 55.4 mm. The patient had no history of recent trauma, infective or inflammatory disease, or any recent procedures. The patient was taking apixaban for atrial fibrillation. Percutaneous coil embolization was used to occlude the pseudoaneurysm. This case describes a novel disease, spontaneous median sacral artery pseudoaneurysm, presenting with hip pain.

Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage Caused by Trephine Biopsy

The bone marrow biopsy is usually a safe procedure; however, it can occasionally present important complications. These complications are not always immediately evident or quickly diagnosed and may include pain at the biopsy site, trauma to neighboring structures, vascular injuries, infection, transient pressure neuropathies, pneumoretroperitoneum, and hemorrhage. Several risk factors are recognized, including thrombocytopenia, concurrent use of anticoagulants, and the presence of an underlying myeloproliferative disorder. While several reports of adverse events have been published, only 2 deaths attributable to this procedure have been reported. We present 2 cases of fatal hemorrhage after bone marrow biopsy.

Massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage secondary to femoral artery puncture: A case report and review of literature

RATIONALE

A rare case of massive bleeding with rupture of the branch artery deriving from uterine artery was reported in the present study.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 29-year old female patient received embolism of malformed cerebral vessels. Ten hours after the operation, a sudden drop in blood pressure occurred. The patient developed coma and shock, and again underwent interventional angiography, which revealed bleeding at the right femoral artery puncture site of the first interventional procedure. The bleeding sign disappeared by pressure dressing. At 19 hours after stable condition, blood pressure fell again, and it was considered that recurrent bleeding occurred at the femoral artery puncture point. Therefore surgical suture of punctured blood vessel was performed. Then the condition was stabilized again. After another 20 hours, the third times blood pressure dropped. The third interventional angiography displayed a rupture of the branch artery deriving from the right uterine artery. Blood pressure of the patient elevated after embolism of right uterine artery, and the condition gradually stabilized.

DIAGNOSES

The massive bleeding with rupture of the branch artery deriving from uterine artery seconded huge retroperitoneal hematoma after femoral artery puncture.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent three times interventional treatment including an embolism of malformed cerebral vessels, a right femoral artery interventional treatment, an embolism of the branch artery deriving from the right uterine artery and one time of surgical suture of punctured blood vessel.

OUTCOMES

Half a month of comprehensive treatment later, the patient was discharged from the hospital.

LESSONS

Massive bleeding with rupture of branch of artery deriving from the uterine artery following grain retroperitoneal hemorrhage is extremely rare, to the best of our knowledge, it has not been previously reported. The rupture of branch of artery deriving from the uterine artery should be considered as one the differential diagnosis in the retroperitoneal hemorrhage when the bleeding cause was not found. Endovascular trans-arterial embolism was a safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic option.

The Endovascular Management of an Iatrogenic Superior Gluteal Artery Rupture Following Bone Marrow Biopsy

We herein report an uncommon case of a life-threatening retroperitoneal hematoma after a bone marrow biopsy. Two hours after iliac crest bone harvesting, the patient experienced syncope and severe hypotension. Urgent contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated extravasation from the superior gluteal artery. Transcatheter coil embolization was performed successfully, without complications. Life-threatening complications caused by retroperitoneal bleeding after bone marrow biopsy are very rare. There are few reports on the use of endovascular treatment in the management of life-threatening hemorrhagic complications after bone marrow biopsy.