4 research outputs found
Abdominal aorta angiosarcoma after endovascular aneurysm repair
Primary tumors originating within the wall of the arteries are rare and they frequently manifest late, making effective treatment a challenge. We describe here a case of Abdominal Aorta AngioSarcoma masqueraded as an infected EndoVascular Aortic Repair. The knowledge of this pathology from vascular surgeons and radiologist is crucial, because a prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis
Neuroembolization may expose patients to radiation doses previously linked to tumor induction.
OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological studies indicate a link between low-dose irradiation
(<10,000 mGy) to the head and the local occurrence of tumors after decades of
delay. Comparable radiation doses can be reached during neuro-endovascular
procedures (NEP), but the incidence of similar exposures has not been completely
delineated. We compared the levels of radiation to the head measured during NEP
to those reported for patients developing radiation-induced cancers.
METHODS: In our prospective study we determined the cumulative maximum entrance
skin doses (MESD) and the incidence of epilation in 107 consecutive patients
submitted to NEP between 2003 and 2007. We also extensively searched the
literature and compared our results with the data we found.
RESULTS: The cumulative MESD due to NEP was above 3,000 mGy (range 3,101-5,421
mGy) in 18 patients. In 22 we observed partial epilation within 10 weeks from the
initial NEP. Sixty cases of epilation after NEP have been previously reported in
the literature. The average of the reported MESD was 4,241 mGy (range 2,000-6,640
mGy).
CONCLUSION: Physical dosimetry and the incidence of partial epilation indicate
that about one fifth of the patients submitted to NEP received radiation doses
comparable to those linked to the occurrence of tumors. The potential risks of
developing tumors after a long delay, when compared to the immediate benefits of
endovascular treatment of aneurysm and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the
brain, do not counterindicate NEP, but increased awareness of the risk should
help physicians and patients to make a fully informed decision when other
treatments are available