Bronchial artery embolization for management of massive cryptogenic hemoptysis: a case series

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Hemoptysis constitutes a common and urgent medical problem. Swift and effective management is of crucial importance, especially in severe, life-threatening cases. In cases of idiopathic hemoptysis, in which no underlying pulmonary pathology can be identified, treatment is challenging. We report our experience with bronchial artery embolization in the treatment of massive idiopathic hemoptysis.</p> <p>Cases presentation</p> <p>We report three consecutive cases of acute severe idiopathic hemoptysis. Our patients (two men aged 51 and 56 years and one woman aged 46 years), were of Caucasian ethnicity. We discuss the results and management of the patients, and review the literature. All three patients were treated safely and successfully with transcatheter embolization of the bronchial arteries using tris-acryl gelatin microspheres. Hemoptysis was controlled. All cases were followed up for 12 months, and there was no recurrence of bleeding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bronchial artery embolization is an effective tool for the evaluation and treatment of massive idiopathic hemoptysis.</p

MR imaging of the gallbladder: a pictorial essay

The gallbladder serves as the repository for bile produced in the liver. However, bile within the gallbladder may become supersaturated with cholesterol, leading to crystal precipitation and subsequent gallstone formation. The most common disorders of the gallbladder are related to gallstones and include symptomatic cholelithiasis, acute and chronic cholecystitis, and carcinoma of the gallbladder. Other conditions that can affect the gallbladder include biliary dyskinesia (functional), adenomyomatosis (hyperplastic), and postoperative changes or complications (iatrogenic). Ultrasonography (US) has been the traditional modality for evaluating gallbladder disease, primarily owing to its high sensitivity and specificity for both stone disease and gallbladder inflammation. US performed before and after ingestion of a fatty meal may also be useful for functional evaluation of the gallbladder. However, US is limited by patient body habitus, with degradation of image quality and anatomic detail in obese individuals. With the advent of faster and more efficient imaging techniques, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has assumed an increasing role as an adjunct modality for gallbladder imaging, primarily in patients who are incompletely assessed with US. MR imaging allows simultaneous anatomic and physiologic assessment of the gallbladder and biliary tract in both initial evaluation of disease and examination of the postoperative patient. This assessment is accomplished chiefly through the use of MR imaging contrast agents excreted preferentially via the biliary system

Ruptured subscapular artery aneurysm and subclavian artery occlusion in a patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Collateral muscular artery aneurysm is exceedingly rare. We report the first case of subscapular artery aneurysm in a patient with type 1 neurofibromatosis and ipsilateral chronic subclavian artery occlusion. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old Caucasian woman with a medical history of type 1 neurofibromatosis, presented a sudden left pectoral mass, later diagnosed as a ruptured aneurysm of the left subscapular artery. It was caused by a chronic occlusion of the left subclavian artery, diagnosed on angiographies prior to embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Collateral artery aneurysm in the event of a mainstream muscular artery chronic occlusion may occur in type 1 neurofibromatosis