[A Case of Effective Endovascular Treatment for Recurrent Bleeding from Advanced Breast Cancer]

A-58-year-old woman was diagnosed with breast cancer 8 years ago at another hospital, but refused surgical treatment. From 2 years ago, her skin invasion of cancer lesions began bleeding. The patient required frequent blood transfusions due to anemia associated with repeated bleeding. She was referred to our department for local treatment and palliative care. Diagnostic imaging revealed multiple lung, bone and liver metastasis. The patient refused to receive systemic chemotherapy, and she was recommended radiation therapy for repeated massive bleeding, but her consent was not obtained. She agreed to receive arterial embolization from the tumor-bearing vessels plus intravenous anti-cancer drug therapy. The hemostatic effect was observed for 4 to 5 weeks per treatment, and tumor reduction was also observed. She received a total of 6 treatments during 8 months until her death. These treatments were effective in maintaining quality of life at the end of life.

Internal Hernias in the Era of Multidetector CT: Correlation of Imaging and Surgical Findings

Clinical diagnosis of internal hernias is challenging because of their nonspecific signs and symptoms. Many types of internal hernias have been defined: paraduodenal, small bowel mesentery-related, greater omentum-related, lesser sac, transverse mesocolon-related, pericecal, sigmoid mesocolon-related, falciform ligament, pelvic internal, and Roux-en-Y anastomosis-related. An internal hernia is a surgical emergency that can develop into intestinal strangulation and ischemia. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management. Multidetector computed tomography (CT), with its thin-section axial images, high-quality multiplanar reformations, and three-dimensional images, currently plays an essential role in preoperative diagnosis of internal hernias. The diagnostic approach to internal hernias at multidetector CT includes detecting an intestinal closed loop, identifying the hernia orifice, and analyzing abnormal displacement of surrounding structures and key vessels around the hernia orifice and hernia sac. At each step, multidetector CT can depict pathognomonic findings. A saclike appearance suggests an intestinal closed loop in several types of internal hernias. Convergence, engorgement, and twisting of mesenteric vessels in the hernia orifice can be seen clearly at multidetector CT, especially with use of multiplanar reformations. For definitive diagnosis of an internal hernia, analysis of displacement of anatomic landmarks around the hernia orifice is particularly important, and thin-section images provide the required information. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy, etiology, and imaging landmarks of the various hernia types is also necessary. Familiarity with the appearances of internal hernias at multidetector CT allows accurate and specific preoperative diagnosis. (©)RSNA, 2015.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging findings in a patient with struma ovarii

In this report, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of struma ovarii (SO) in a patient who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the pelvis and subsequent histological analysis is described. The solid portion of SO showed a high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, indicating unrestricted diffusion, and each loculus of SO showed different ADC values due to the different viscosity of the cyst contents in each loculus. These unique and characteristic DWI findings may serve as a helpful sign in making the correct diagnosis of SO when DWI findings are interpreted in conjunction with conventional MRI findings.

Small bowel obstruction due to an intramesosigmoid hernia diagnosed by multidetector row computed tomography: a case report

Small bowel obstruction caused by an internal hernia involving the sigmoid mesocolon is rare, and this condition is difficult to diagnose clinically. We herein report a case of small bowel obstruction due to an intramesosigmoid hernia that was diagnosed by a 64-row multidetector computed tomography and surgically treated.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in tubo-ovarian abscess: a case report

In this report, we describe the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) in a patient who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the pelvis and subsequent histologic analysis. The content of the TOA was markedly high signal intensity relative to the surrounding tissue on DWI, and it showed low signal intensity on the apparent diffusion coefficient map; these findings were consistent with those of published reports on brain and liver abscesses.

Dual balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varix draining into the left adrenal vein and left inferior phrenic vein

A 66-year-old woman with a gastric varix, draining into a dilated left adrenal vein and a left inferior phrenic vein, was treated with dual balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO). Under balloon occlusion of the left adrenal vein and the left inferior phrenic vein, retrograde injection of a sclerosant (5% ethanolamine oleate) into the gastric varix was performed. Two weeks later, disappearance of flow in the gastric varix was confirmed on endoscopic ultrasound examination.

Detection of Portal Perfusion Abnormalities

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 3 ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences prospectively for the detection of nontumoral portal perfusion abnormalities.

METHODS

Thirty-nine noncirrhotic patients with liver metastases underwent computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP) and MR imaging comprising T1-weighted gradient recalled echo (GRE), T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE), and T2*-weighted GRE sequences with and without ferucarbotran. Magnetic resonance images were reviewed by 4 blinded observers for rating based on the confidence scale. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for each sequence were measured by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and relative signal-to-noise ratio changes were statistically compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine nontumoral perfusion defects were observed in 22 patients by CTAP. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed the accuracy was higher for T2*-weighted GRE (0.884) than for T1-weighted GRE (0.572) and T2-weighted FSE (0.597). T2*-weighted imaging achieved the highest sensitivity (81.4%) and the lowest specificity (86.6%). Postenhanced T2*-weighted imaging achieved the highest CNR (19.3 +/- 9.2).

CONCLUSIONS

T2*-weighted imaging was the most accurate and sensitive method for detecting portal perfusion abnormalities compared with T1- or T2-weighted imaging, whereas T1- or T2-weighted imaging is superior in specificity to T2*-weighted imaging during ferucarbotran-enhanced MR imaging.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt: long-term follow-up in 78 patients

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to evaluate the long-term clinical results after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for gastric varices with spontaneous gastrorenal shunt.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 78 patients with cirrhosis and with gastric varices, successfully treated by B-RTO, were enrolled in this study. Recurrence and bleeding of gastric varices and worsening of esophageal varices were endoscopically evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the prognostic factors for worsening of esophageal varices and survival.

RESULTS

Recurrence of gastric varices was found in two patients; the 5-year recurrence rate was 2.7%. Bleeding of gastric varices occurred in only one patient after B-RTO; the 5-year bleeding rate was 1.5%. Worsening of esophageal varices was observed in 29 patients, and the worsening rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 27%, 58%, and 66%, respectively. These esophageal varices were endoscopically treated to prevent rupture. Multivariate analysis showed the presence of esophageal varices before B-RTO was a prognostic factor for worsening (relative risk, 4.956). At a median follow-up of 700 days (range, 137-2,339 days), the survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 93%, 76%, and 54%, respectively. The prognostic factors associated with survival were presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (relative risk, 24.342) and the Child-Pugh classification (relative risk, 5.780).

CONCLUSION

B-RTO is an effective method for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt and provides lower recurrence and bleeding rates. We believe that B-RTO can become a standard treatment for gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt, although treatment of worsened esophageal varices may be necessary after B-RTO.

TIPS versus transcatheter sclerotherapy for gastric varices

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to compare the efficacy and long-term results of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with those of transcatheter sclerotherapy for the treatment of gastric varices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 139 cirrhotic patients with gastric varices underwent endovascular treatment. Of the 139 patients, 104 without hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled; 27 patients were treated with TIPS, and 77 patients with transcatheter sclerotherapy. Bleeding of gastric varices and survival rates were compared between the TIPS and transcatheter sclerotherapy groups. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the prognostic factors for gastric variceal bleeding and survival. Changes in liver function were evaluated in each group.

RESULTS

The cumulative gastric variceal bleeding rate at 1 year was 20% in the TIPS group and 2% in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group (p < 0.01). The prognostic factor associated with gastric variceal bleeding was the treatment method. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were, respectively, 81%, 64%, and 40% in the TIPS group and 96%, 83%, and 76% in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group (p < 0.01). The prognostic factors for survival were the treatment method and the Child-Pugh classification of liver disease. For patients categorized in Child-Pugh class A, the survival rate was higher in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group than in the TIPS group (p < 0.01). For patients in Child-Pugh classes B and C, no significant difference was seen between the two groups. Liver function tended to improve in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group.

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter sclerotherapy may provide better control of gastric variceal bleeding than TIPS. Transcatheter sclerotherapy may contribute to a higher survival rate than TIPS in patients with Child-Pugh class A disease.