Search Results (19)

Background/Objectives: Adrenal vein sampling is the gold standard for differentiating between unilateral and bilateral primary aldosteronism and guiding treatment. This study evaluates the utility of inspiratory CT scans in interventional planning, specifically assessing the right adrenal vein visualization and positional discrepancies during fluoroscopy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 133 patients who underwent adrenal vein sampling was performed. Pre-procedural inspiratory CT scans were reviewed for visualization and location of the right adrenal vein using vertebral body levels as reference. The position of the right adrenal vein was then compared with the fluoroscopic findings during adrenal veins sampling. Results: The right adrenal vein was visualized on CT scans in 99.2% of patients. Cohen’s kappa demonstrated almost perfect agreement for both visualization of the right adrenal vein and position measurement. A median difference of three vertebral levels was observed between the level of the right adrenal vein on CT and fluoroscopy, with fluoroscopy showing a more cranial position in 91.7% of cases. Conclusions: Inspiratory CT scans visualize the right adrenal vein effectively and aid the planning of adrenal vein sampling. Understanding the positional discrepancies caused by respiratory motion is crucial for successful cannulation of the right adrenal vein, minimizing procedure time and contrast consumption and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in the management of primary aldosteronism. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent throughout the world, and peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been a growing mode of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for over four decades. Peritoneal dialysis has several advantages in cost, patient satisfaction, and quality of life, despite accounting for only one in ten patients on dialysis in the United States. In spite of some contraindications and barriers to effective PD, the vast majority of renal failure patients are candidates, especially when in a high-volume program with surgical expertise readily available. Reliable access via an intraabdominal PD catheter is paramount for managing end-stage renal disease patients. Surgical approaches for PD catheter insertion have evolved substantially alongside innovations in catheter design. Recent data suggests that the advanced laparoscopic catheter placement offers the best results and long-term survival. However, image-guided fluoroscopic insertion can be performed without general anesthesia, is highly effective, and is growing in usage. Being able to start PD urgently is vital in avoiding hemodialysis (HD) and its complications, and this is a growing theme worldwide, despite slightly higher morbidity. Infectious and mechanical complications are relatively common and are frustrating to PD patients and the physicians who care for them. Peritonitis and exit site infections require antibiotic coverage and sometimes, surgical intervention. Catheter dysfunction is a frequent mechanical issue requiring a multidisciplinary approach: medical treatment, nurse-administered flushing and clot dissolvers, interventional radiology evaluation and wire manipulation, and surgical laparoscopy for catheter salvage. Full article

Background: This study investigated and compared the efficacy, safety, radiation exposure, and financial compensation of two modalities for percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG): multislice computed tomography biopsy mode (MS-CT BM)-guided and fluoroscopy-guided (FPRG). The aim was to provide insights into optimizing radiologically assisted gastrostomy procedures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of PRG procedures performed at a single center from January 2018 to January 2024. The procedures were divided into two groups based on the imaging modality used. We compared patient demographics, intervention parameters, complication rates, and procedural times. Financial compensation was evaluated based on the tariff structure for outpatient medical services in Switzerland (TARMED). Statistical differences were determined using Fisher’s exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The study cohort included 133 patients: 55 with MS-CT BM-PRG and 78 with FPRG. The cohort comprised 35 women and 98 men, with a mean age of 64.59 years (±11.91). Significant differences were observed between the modalities in effective dose (MS-CT BM-PRG: 10.95 mSv ± 11.43 vs. FPRG: 0.169 mSv ± 0.21, p < 0.001) and procedural times (MS-CT BM-PRG: 41.15 min ± 16.14 vs. FPRG: 28.71 min ± 16.03, p < 0.001). Major complications were significantly more frequent with FPRG (10% vs. 0% in MS-CT BM-PRG, p = 0.039, φ = 0.214). A higher single-digit number of MS-CT BM-guided PRG was required initially to reduce procedure duration by 10 min. Financial comparison revealed that only 4% of MS-CT BM-guided PRGs achieved reimbursement equivalent to the most frequent comparable examination, according to TARMED. Conclusions: Based on our experience from a retrospective, single-center study, the execution of a PRG using MS-CT BM, as opposed to FPRG, is currently justified in challenging cases despite a lower incidence of major complications. However, further well-designed prospective multicenter studies are needed to determine the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of these two modalities. Full article

Background: Complex arrhythmias often arise from the left side of the heart, necessitating established electrophysiological (EP) procedures like 3D-mapping-assisted radiofrequency (RF) ablations or pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). These procedures typically require transseptal access, emphasizing the critical role of achieving an optimal catheter position through a precise transseptal puncture (TSP). Commonly employed imaging methods for TSP guidance include fluoroscopy and interventional echocardiography. Despite their routine use, there is limited evidence on which imaging modality offers superior catheter positioning for EP procedures, and safety concerns regarding transseptal punctures with imaging remain underexplored. This study aims to systematically evaluate the feasibility, safety, and accuracy of echo-guided TSP compared to fluoroscopy-guided TSP. Methods: In this prospective study, 150 consecutive patients undergoing left atrial EP procedures were enrolled between October 2023 and February 2024 at the Ulm University Heart Center. Following optimal fluoroscopy-guided transseptal needle positioning at the interatrial septum, the catheter placement was further verified using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Adjustments were made in cases of suboptimal needle positioning observed in TEE. The fluoroscopically achieved septal positions were categorized based on TEE images as optimal, suboptimal, poor, or dangerous. Results: Among the 150 patients included (58.0% male), fluoroscopy achieved optimal, suboptimal, and poor/dangerous positions in 32.7%, 43.3%, and 24.0%, respectively. After TEE-guided adjustments, optimal and suboptimal positions were achieved in 59.3% and 40.7% of patients, respectively. No instances of poor or dangerous transseptal needle positions were observed under TEE guidance. Conclusions: TEE-guided TSP emerges as a feasible, more accurate, and safer imaging method for transseptal punctures in EP procedures. Full article

Pediatric interventional cardiology procedures are essential in diagnosing and treating congenital heart disease in children; however, they raise concerns about potential radiation exposure. Managing radiation doses and assessing image quality in angiographs becomes imperative for safe and effective interventions. This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyze the current understanding of physical image quality metrics relevant for characterizing X-ray systems used in fluoroscopy-guided pediatric cardiac interventional procedures, considering the main factors reported in the literature that influence this outcome. A search in Scopus and Web of Science, using relevant keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria, yielded 14 relevant articles published between 2000 and 2022. The physical image quality metrics reported were noise, signal-to-noise ratio, contrast, contrast-to-noise ratio, and high-contrast spatial resolution. Various factors influencing image quality were investigated, such as polymethyl methacrylate thickness (often used to simulate water equivalent tissue thickness), operation mode, anti-scatter grid presence, and tube voltage. Objective evaluations using these metrics ensured impartial assessments for main factors affecting image quality, improving the characterization of fluoroscopic X-ray systems, and aiding informed decision making to safeguard pediatric patients during procedures. Full article

Although interventional radiology (IVR) is preferred over surgical procedures because it is less invasive, it results in increased radiation exposure due to long fluoroscopy times and the need for frequent imaging. Nurses engaged in cardiac IVR receive the highest lens radiation doses among medical workers, after physicians. Hence, it is important to measure the lens exposure of IVR nurses accurately. Very few studies have evaluated IVR nurse lens doses using direct dosimeters. This study was conducted using direct eye dosimeters to determine the occupational eye dose of nurses engaged in cardiac IVR, and to identify simple and accurate methods to evaluate the lens dose received by nurses. Over 6 months, in a catheterization laboratory, we measured the occupational dose to the eyes (3 mm dose equivalent) and neck (0.07 mm dose equivalent) of nurses on the right and left sides. We investigated the relationship between lens and neck doses, and found a significant correlation. Hence, it may be possible to estimate the lens dose from the neck badge dose. We also evaluated the appropriate position (left or right) of eye dosimeters for IVR nurses. Although there was little difference between the mean doses to the right and left eyes, that to the right eye was slightly higher. In addition, we investigated whether it is possible to estimate doses received by IVR nurses from patient dose parameters. There were significant correlations between the measured doses to the neck and lens, and the patient dose parameters (fluoroscopy time and air kerma), implying that these parameters could be used to estimate the lens dose. However, it may be difficult to determine the lens dose of IVR nurses accurately from neck badges or patient dose parameters because of variation in the behaviors of nurses and the procedure type. Therefore, neck doses and patient dose parameters do not correlate well with the radiation eye doses of individual IVR nurses measured by personal eye dosimeters. For IVR nurses with higher eye doses, more accurate measurement of the radiation doses is required. We recommend that a lens dosimeter be worn near the eyes to measure the lens dose to IVR nurses accurately, especially those exposed to relatively high doses. Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether the application of a CT-based preplanning algorithm might allow abstaining from TEE during LAAC. Background: LAAC is an established treatment alternative for patients with atrial fibrillation. Today, most LAAC procedures are guided by TEE, which, however, leads to the need for patient sedation and might even cause direct harm to the patient. CT-based preplanning of the LAAC procedure, in combination with technical improvements in device design and interventional experience, might allow abstaining from TEE. Methods: Fluoro-FLX is a prospective single-center study to evaluate how often TEE leads to a procedural change during interventional LAAC if a dedicated CT planning algorithm is applied. The study hypothesis is that under these circumstances, a sole fluoroscopy-guided LAAC is an alternative to a TEE-guided approach. All procedures are preplanned by cardiac CT and, finally, guided by fluoroscopy only, while TEE is carried out in the background during the intervention for safety reasons. Results: In none of the 31 consecutive patients did TEE lead to a change in the preplanned fluoroscopy-guided LAAC (success ratio: 1.00; CI: 0.94–1.00), thereby meeting the primary endpoint (performance goal: 0.90). There were no procedure-related adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (no pericardial effusion, TIA, stroke, systemic embolism, device embolism, death). Conclusions: Our data suggest that it is feasible to perform LAAC under sole fluoroscopic guidance if preplanning is performed using cardiac CT. This might be worth considering, especially in patients who are at high risk for TEE-related adverse events. Full article

Introduction: Rates of peritoneal dialysis (PD) have been traditionally low in Northern Ireland. With rising numbers of patients reaching end-stage kidney disease, PD is a more cost-effective treatment than haemodialysis and aligns with international goals to increase home-based dialysis options. The aim of our study was to highlight how a service reconfiguration bundle expanded access to PD in Northern Ireland. Methods: The service reconfiguration bundle consisted of the appointment of a surgical lead, a dedicated interventional radiologist for fluoroscopically guided PD catheter insertion, and a nephrology-led ultrasound-guided PD catheter insertion service in an area of particular need. All patients in Northern Ireland who had a PD catheter inserted in the year following service reconfigurations were included and prospectively followed up for one-year. Patient demographics, PD catheter insertion technique, setting of procedure, and outcome data were summarised. Results: The number of patients receiving PD catheter insertion doubled to 66 in the year following service reconfigurations. The range of approaches to PD catheter insertion (laparoscopic n = 41, percutaneous n = 24 and open n = 1) allowed a wide range of patients to benefit from PD. Six patients had emergency PD catheter insertion, with four receiving urgent or early start PD. Nearly half (48%, 29/60) of the PD catheters inserted electively were in smaller elective hubs rather than the regional unit. A total of 97% of patients successfully started PD. Patients who experienced percutaneous PD catheter insertion were older [median age 76 (range 37–88) vs. 56 (range 18–84), p < 0.0001] and had less previous abdominal surgery than patients who experienced laparoscopic PD catheter insertion (25%, 6/24 vs. 54%, 22/41, p = 0.05). Discussion: Through a service reconfiguration bundle, we were able to double our annual incident PD population. This study highlights how flexible models of service delivery introduced as a bundle can quickly deliver expanded access to PD and home therapy. Full article

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer type in Taiwan and worldwide. Early detection and treatment advancements have improved survival. However, small peripheral pulmonary nodules (PPN) biopsy is often challenging, relying solely on bronchoscopy with radial endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Augmented fluoroscopy overlays the intra-procedural cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images with fluoroscopy enabling real-time three-dimensional localization during bronchoscopic transbronchial biopsy. The hybrid operating room (HOR), equipped with various types of C-arm CBCT, is a perfect suite for PPN diagnosis and other interventional pulmonology. This study shares the single institute experience of EBUS transbronchial biopsy of PPN with the aid of augmented fluoroscopic bronchoscopy (AFB) and CBCT in an HOR. We retrospectively enrolled patients who underwent robotic CBCT, augmented fluoroscopy-guided, radial endobronchial ultrasound-confirmed transbronchial biopsy and cryobiopsy in a hybrid operating room. Patient demographic characteristics, computed tomography images, rapid on-site evaluation cytology, and final pathology reports were collected. Forty-one patients underwent transbronchial biopsy and 6 received additional percutaneous transthoracic core-needle biopsy during the same procedure. The overall diagnostic yield was 88%. The complications included three patients with pneumothorax after receiving subsequent CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy, and two patients with hemothorax who underwent transbronchial cryobiopsy. Overall, the bronchoscopic biopsy of PPN using AFB and CBCT as precise guidance in the hybrid operating room is feasible and can be performed safely with a high diagnostic yield. Full article

In 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended a significant reduction in the lens-equivalent radiation dose limit, thus from an average of 150 to 20 mSv/year over 5 years. In recent years, the occupational dose has been rising with the increased sophistication of interventional radiology (IVR); management of IVR staff radiation doses has become more important, making real-time radiation monitoring of such staff desirable. Recently, the i3 real-time occupational exposure monitoring system (based on RaySafe^TM) has replaced the conventional i2 system. Here, we compared the i2 and i3 systems in terms of sensitivity (batch uniformity), tube-voltage dependency, dose linearity, dose-rate dependency, and angle dependency. The sensitivity difference (batch uniformity) was approximately 5%, and the tube-voltage dependency was <±20% between 50 and 110 kV. Dose linearity was good (R² = 1.00); a slight dose-rate dependency (~20%) was evident at very high dose rates (250 mGy/h). The i3 dosimeter showed better performance for the lower radiation detection limit compared with the i2 system. The horizontal and vertical angle dependencies of i3 were superior to those of i2. Thus, i3 sensitivity was higher over a wider angle range compared with i2, aiding the measurement of scattered radiation. Unlike the i2 sensor, the influence of backscattered radiation (i.e., radiation from an angle of 180°) was negligible. Therefore, the i3 system may be more appropriate in areas affected by backscatter. In the future, i3 will facilitate real-time dosimetry and dose management during IVR and other applications. Full article

Study design: Technical note. Objectives: To present a novel C-arm-free technique guided by navigation to insert and place a C1 lateral mass screw. Background and Objectives: Atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) is a relatively common sequelae in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and upper cervical trauma. If they present with severe symptoms, surgical intervention such as posterior fusion is indicated. The established treatment for AAS is fixation with a C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw (modified Goel technique) to achieve bony fusion. However, this technique requires fluoroscopy for C1 screw insertion. To avoid exposing the operating team to radiation, we present here a novel C-arm-free C1 lateral mass screw insertion technique for AAS. Materials and Methods: A 67-year-old man was referred to our hospital with neck pain, quadriparesis, and clumsiness and numbness of both upper and lower limbs. He had undergone C3–6 posterior fusion previously in another hospital. In physical examination, he had severe muscle weakness of bilateral upper limbs and hypoesthesia of all four limbs. He had hyper-reflexia of bilateral lower limbs and pollakiuria. His Japanese orthopedic score was 8 points out of 17. Preoperative radiograms showed AAS with an atlantodental interval (ADI) of 7 mm. MRI indicated retro-odontoid pseudotumor and severe spinal cord compression at the C1–2 level. The patient underwent posterior atlantoaxial fixation under navigation guidance. To prevent epidural bleeding during the insertion and placement of a C1 lateral mass screw, we have here defined a novel screw insertion technique. Results: The surgical time was clocked as 127 min and blood loss was 100 mL. There were no complications per-operatively or in the postoperative period. The patient showed almost full recovery (JOA 16/17) at two months follow-up and a solid bony fusion was noticed in the radiograms at one year follow-up. Conclusions: This novel surgical procedure and C1 lateral mas screw placement technique is a practical and safe method in recent advances of AAS treatment. Procedurally, the technique helps prevent epidural bleeding from the screw entry point and also allows for proper C1 screw insertion under navigation guidance without exposing surgeons and staff to the risk of fluoroscopic radiation. Full article

To evaluate the technical outcome, clinical success, and safety of low-milliampere CT fluoroscopy (CTF)-guided percutaneous drain (PD) placement in patients with lymphoceles following radical prostatectomy (RP) with pelvic lymph node dissection (LND). This retrospective analysis comprised 65 patients with PD placement in lymphoceles following RP under low-milliampere CTF guidance. Technical and clinical success were evaluated. Complications within a 30-day time interval associated with CTF-guided PD placement were classified according to SIR. Patient radiation exposure was quantified using dose-length products (DLP) of the pre-interventional planning CT scan (DLP_pre), of the sum of intra-interventional CT fluoroscopic acquisitions (DLP_intra) and of the post-interventional control CT scan (DLP_post). Eighty-nine lymphoceles were detected. Seventy-seven CT-guided interventions were performed, with a total of 92 inserted drains. CTF-guided lymphocele drainage was technically successful in 100% of cases. For all symptomatic patients, improvement in symptoms was reported within 48 h after intervention. Time course of C-reactive protein and Leucocytes within 30 days revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) decrease. Median DLP_pre, DLP_intra and DLP_post were 431 mGy*cm, 45 mGy*cm and 303 mGy*cm, respectively. Only one minor complication (self-resolving haematoma over the bladder dome; SIR Grade 2) was observed. Low-milliampere CTF-guided drainage is a safe treatment option in patients with lymphoceles following RP with pelvic LND characterized by high technical and good clinical success rates, which provides rapid symptom relief and serves as definite treatment or as a bridging therapy prior to laparoscopic marsupialisation. Full article

Interventional radiology (IVR) procedures are associated with increased radiation exposure and injury risk. Furthermore, radiation eye injury (i.e., cataract) in IVR staff have also been reported. It is crucial to protect the eyes of IVR physicians from X-ray radiation exposure. Many IVR physicians use protective Pb eyeglasses to reduce occupational eye exposure. However, the shielding effects of Pb eyeglasses are inadequate. We developed a novel shield for the face (including eyes) of IVR physicians. The novel shield consists of a neck and face guard (0.25 mm Pb-equivalent rubber sheet, nonlead protective sheet). The face shield is positioned on the left side of the IVR physician. We assessed the shielding effects of the novel shield using a phantom in the IVR X-ray system; a radiophotoluminescence dosimeter was used to measure the radiation exposure. In this phantom study, the effectiveness of the novel device for protecting against radiation was greater than 80% in almost all measurement situations, including in terms of eye lens exposure. A large amount of scattered radiation reaches the left side of IVR physicians. The novel radiation shield effectively protects the left side of the physician from this scattered radiation. Thus, the device can be used to protect the face and eyes of IVR physicians from occupational radiation exposure. The novel device will be useful for protecting the face (including eyes) of IVR physicians from radiation, and thus could reduce the rate of radiation injury. Based on the positive results of this phantom study, we plan to perform a clinical experiment to further test the utility of this novel radiation shield for IVR physicians. Full article

This study aimed to estimate the level of underestimation of National Dose Registry (NDR) doses based on the workers’ dosimeter wearing compliance. In 2021, a nationwide survey of Korean medical radiation workers was conducted. A total of 989 medical workers who performed fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures participated, and their NDR was compared with the adjusted doses by multiplying the correction factors based on the individual level of dosimeter compliance from the questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors for low dosimeter wearing. Based on the data from the NDR, the average annual effective radiation dose was 0.95 mSv, while the compliance-adjusted dose was 1.79 mSv, yielding an 89% increase. The risks for low compliance with wearing a badge were significantly higher among doctors, professionals other than radiologists or cardiologists, workers not frequently involved in performing fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures, and workers who did not frequently wear protective devices. This study provided quantitative information demonstrating that the NDR data may have underestimated the actual occupational radiation exposure. The underestimation of NDR doses may lead to biased risk estimates in epidemiological studies for radiation workers, and considerable attention on dosimetry wearing compliance is required to interpret and utilize NDR data. Full article