Multilevel percutaneous vertebroplasty: safety, efficacy and long-term outcomes

Background: The pain in vertebral compression fractures is severe, leading to reduced mobility and quality of life. Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure for treating various spinal pathologies. This study evaluated the usefulness and safety of multilevel PVP (two to three vertebrae) in managing VCF.Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 59 vertebral levels in 28 patients with VCF who had been operated on for multilevel PVP (two to three levels). There were 22 females and six males, and their ages ranged from 36 to 79 years, with a mean age of 68.95 years. We had injected two levels in 25 patients and three levels in 3 patients. The visual analogue scale was used for pain intensity measurement, and plain X-ray films, computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging was used for radiological assessment. The mean follow-up period was 13.8 months (range, 11-19).Results: Significant pain improvement was recorded in 26 patients (92.85%). More remarkable improvement in pain was noticed in the immediate postoperative period than in the subsequent follow-ups. Asymptomatic bone cement leakage anteriorly and into the disk spaces in two patients. Isolated anterior leakage has occurred in one patient. There was no encounter of pulmonary embolism.Conclusions: Multilevel PVP for the treatment of VCF is a safe and effective procedure that can significantly reduce pain and improve patient condition without any significant morbidity. It is considered a cost-effective procedure allowing a rapid restoration of patient mobility.

Coeliac Plexus Neurolysis for Upper Abdominal Malignancies Using an Anterior Approach: Review of the Literature

Background: Coeliac plexus neurolysis (CPN) helps to diminish pain arising from malignancy of upper abdominal viscera. Imaging modalities have increased the success rates by enhancing technical accuracy including fluoroscopy, computed tomography and ultrasound. Advancement in the imaging modalities used has helped in the accurate depiction of anatomy and position of the needle tip.Methods: In an anterior approach, the patient lies supine and the needle is inserted through the anterior abdominal wall into the retropancreatic space. The needle often traverses the stomach, liver or pancreas before reaching the coeliac plexus due to anatomical considerations. The literature has been reviewed regarding various imaging modalities using an anterior approach to coeliac plexus block with regard to success rate, improvement in pain scores, duration of pain relief and analgesic consumption.Results: Successful pain relief in abdominal malignancies with an anterior approach using various imaging modalities varies between 54% and 94% of patients. Following neurolysis, many patients can be weaned off opioids. This procedure improves quality of life and reduces the risk of drug-related side effects. The duration of pain relief after an anterior approach is six to eight weeks.Conclusion: The use of various imaging modalities in an anterior approach has improved the technical accuracy in reaching the coeliac plexus, thereby avoiding the needle piercing crucial structures and avoiding deposition of drug in the retrocrural space, thereby reducing the risk of neurological complications. Coeliac plexus neurolysis via an anterior approach using different imaging modalities does not completely abolish pain, rather it diminishes pain, helping to reduce opioid requirements and improving survival in patients with upper abdominal malignancy.Keywords: Coeliac Plexus, Coeliac Plexus Block, Imaging Modalities, Neurolytic Techniques, Pancreatic Pain, Upper Abdominal Malignanc

EFSUMB Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS), Part III - Abdominal Treatment Procedures (Long Version)

Publisher Copyright: © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart. New York .The third part of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS) assesses the evidence for ultrasound-guided and assisted interventions in abdominal treatment procedures. Recommendations for clinical practice are presented covering indications, contraindications, and safe and effective performance of the broad variety of these techniques. In particular, drainage of abscesses and fluid collections, interventional tumor ablation techniques, interventional treatment of symptomatic cysts and echinococcosis, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage, percutaneous gastrostomy, urinary bladder drainage, and nephrostomy are addressed (long version).publishersversionPeer reviewe

Image-guided breast biopsy and localisation: recommendations for information to women and referring physicians by the European Society of Breast Imaging

Abstract: We summarise here the information to be provided to women and referring physicians about percutaneous breast biopsy and lesion localisation under imaging guidance. After explaining why a preoperative diagnosis with a percutaneous biopsy is preferred to surgical biopsy, we illustrate the criteria used by radiologists for choosing the most appropriate combination of device type for sampling and imaging technique for guidance. Then, we describe the commonly used devices, from fine-needle sampling to tissue biopsy with larger needles, namely core needle biopsy and vacuum-assisted biopsy, and how mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging work for targeting the lesion for sampling or localisation. The differences among the techniques available for localisation (carbon marking, metallic wire, radiotracer injection, radioactive seed, and magnetic seed localisation) are illustrated. Type and rate of possible complications are described and the issue of concomitant antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy is also addressed. The importance of pathological-radiological correlation is highlighted: when evaluating the results of any needle sampling, the radiologist must check the concordance between the cytology/pathology report of the sample and the radiological appearance of the biopsied lesion. We recommend that special attention is paid to a proper and tactful approach when communicating to the woman the need for tissue sampling as well as the possibility of cancer diagnosis, repeat tissue sampling, and or even surgery when tissue sampling shows a lesion with uncertain malignant potential (also referred to as “high-risk” or B3 lesions). Finally, seven frequently asked questions are answered

Image-guided breast biopsy and localisation: recommendations for information to women and referring physicians by the European Society of Breast Imaging

We summarise here the information to be provided to women and referring physicians about percutaneous breast biopsy and lesion localisation under imaging guidance. After explaining why a preoperative diagnosis with a percutaneous biopsy is preferred to surgical biopsy, we illustrate the criteria used by radiologists for choosing the most appropriate combination of device type for sampling and imaging technique for guidance. Then, we describe the commonly used devices, from fine-needle sampling to tissue biopsy with larger needles, namely core needle biopsy and vacuum-assisted biopsy, and how mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging work for targeting the lesion for sampling or localisation. The differences among the techniques available for localisation (carbon marking, metallic wire, radiotracer injection, radioactive seed, and magnetic seed localisation) are illustrated. Type and rate of possible complications are described and the issue of concomitant antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy is also addressed. The importance of pathological-radiological correlation is highlighted: when evaluating the results of any needle sampling, the radiologist must check the concordance between the cytology/pathology report of the sample and the radiological appearance of the biopsied lesion. We recommend that special attention is paid to a proper and tactful approach when communicating to the woman the need for tissue sampling as well as the possibility of cancer diagnosis, repeat tissue sampling, and or even surgery when tissue sampling shows a lesion with uncertain malignant potential (also referred to as "high-risk" or B3 lesions). Finally, seven frequently asked questions are answered

Evaluation and Surgical Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary malignant tumor of the liver, being the sixth most common cancer in the world and the third cause of cancer mortality. Most of the patients with HCC have an established background of cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best technique for evaluation of the liver nodules in patients with cirrhosis, especially when a HCC is suspected. HCC staging is mandatory to select the appropriate primary and adjuvant therapy and to evaluate the prognosis. Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice in non-cirrhotic patients who have been diagnosed with HCC. In this chapter we underline the main diagnostic methods used for HCC staging, together with the treatment possibilities, highlighting the importance of surgical management, conventional or minimally invasive

Treatment of pulmonary nodule: from VATS to RATS

The incidental detection of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is currently increasing due to the widespread use of computed tomography (CT) during the follow up in oncological patients or in screening trials. A quick and definitive histological diagnosis of these nodes is mandatory as, in case of primitive lung cancer, an early detection could improve both surgical results and prognosis. The minimally invasive pulmonary resection (MIPR) is the gold standard procedure for diagnosis and treatment of small lung nodules, but it can be difficult to localize deep nonpalpable nodes that lie in the lung parenchyma. Hence, throughout the years several techniques have been developed to better localize deep or sub solid nodes. We describe our experience with radio-guided technique

Basic embolization techniques: tips and tricks

Good knowledge of the various approaches of embolization of peripheral bleedings and different embolic materials available is of paramount importance for successful and safe embolization. We review and illustrate the main endovascular and percutaneous techniques used for embolization, along with the characteristics of the different embolic materials, and the potential complications

Breast Imaging and Translation into Targeted Oncoplastic Breast Surgery

Preoperative staging of breast cancer based on breast imaging is mandatory. Breast imaging encompasses mammography, breast sonography and MR-mammography. Earlier diagnosis of breast cancer results in a favourable oncological outcome. Limitations and influences on operative procedures of MR-mammography in diagnosis and staging of breast cancer have to be discussed. Different interventional procedures have been developed. The histological results of interventional procedures guided by ultrasound, stereotactic mammography or magnetic resonance have to be integrated in planning surgical resection margins in oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery. Image-guided wire markings are an important tool for planning these surgical resection margins. This chapter summarises the results of breast imaging, interventional procedures and wire markings for the breast-conserving therapy of breast cancer. Breast imaging and interventional procedures are the basis for a concept of targeted oncoplastic breast surgery

Therapeutic Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Endoscopy has had a big role in the development of modern gastroenterology. Modern endoscopy will certainly be more therapeutic. It started with endoscopic hemostasis and polipectomy, than beginning of the 1970's with the advent of endoscopic sphincterotomy extended to biliopancreatic pathology and has a huge impact in this difficult pathology. Plastic stents made the first steps in endoscopic palliation of neoplastic jaundice, metallic stents, covered or uncovered are better for biliary palliation and can be used also for palliation neoplastic obstruction at different levels of the digestive tube. Resection of digestive tumors has evolved now to sub-mucosal resection, looking to have one-piece complete resection. Interventional endoscopy is now very complex and takes a lot of time for endoscopists to learn properly these techniques. This book is a very good up-to-date overview of new techniques of interventional endoscopy for those who want to learn or develop their knowledges in this field