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Carlo Fugazzola

Publications and source records attributed to Carlo Fugazzola.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Bleeding from peristomal varices in a cirrhotic patient with ileal conduit: treatment with transjugular intrahepatic portocaval shunt (TIPS).

We report an unusual case of a 71-year-old man with liver cirrhosis who presented recurred bleedings from the stoma of the ileal conduit after radical cystoprostatectomy. The haemorrhages could not be treated by local measures, and a transjugular intrahepatic portocaval shunt was performed, displacing an endoprosthesis and a self-expandable stent. We highlight the role of TIPS to treat recurrent bleedings from the stoma in cirrhotic patients with ileal conduit and portal hypertension.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Bleeding after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation: Successful treatment with transcatheter embolization.

PURPOSE: This knowledge will provide an ability to earlier detect bleeding complications after radiofrequency ablation (RFA), to manage these complications appropriately with endovascular procedures and minimize the sequelae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002 to 2005, 96 patients with 150 hepatic tumours underwent 126 RFA sessions. Fifty-eight patients had HCC, 34 had liver colorectal metastases and 4 had cholangiocellular carcinoma. Sixty-one patients were men and 35 were women (mean age 69.82 years, age range 39-89). The lesions number ranged from 1 to 7 per patients (mean 1.6 nodules) with a mean diameter of 28.5 mm (range 80-10 mm). Seventy-seven patients underwent a single ablative session, 13 patients underwent 2 sessions, 4 patients underwent 3 sessions and 2 patients underwent 4 sessions. The number of tumours treated in each ablative session was 1 in 106, 2 in 18 and 4 in 2 patients. RESULTS: Two cases of serious haemorrhages occurred after the procedures in two patients treated for liver metastases. An endovascular embolization was proposed for both patients using polyvinyl-alcohol and micro-coils. The absence of bleeding was first confirmed during angiography and then by CT performed the day after the angiographic procedure. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization (TAE) represents the treatment of choice in the management of iatrogenic bleeding after RFA since it is minimally invasive, have a high success rate and a low incidence of complications compared to the more complex and dangerous surgical or laparoscopic options in patients who are often haemodynamically unstable and therefore at high anaesthetic and surgical risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Multimodal approach to endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and the effectiveness of endovascular treatment of visceral arteries aneurysms (VAAs) using a "multimodal approach". MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients (mean age 60.1 years) with 29 VAAs (13 splenic, 4 hepatic, 3 gastroduodenal, 6 renal, 2 pancreatic-duodenal, 1 superior mesenteric) were considered suitable for endovascular treatment; 8/29 were ruptured. Saccular aneurysms (9/29) were treated by sac embolization with coils (in 4 cases associated with cyanoacrylate or thrombin) with preservation of artery patency. Fusiform aneurysms (6/29), were treated by an "endovascular exclusion". In 10/29 cases, supplied by a terminal branch, we performed an embolization of the afferent artery, with coils and cyanoacrylate or thrombin. 2/29 cases were treated with a stent-graft and 2/29 cases with a percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection and coils embolization of the afferent artery. The follow-up was performed by ultrasonography and/or CT-angiography 1 week after the procedure and then after 1, 6, and 12 months and thereafter annually. RESULTS: In 29/29 cases we obtained an immediate exclusion. Two patient died for other reasons. Complication rate was 27.6% (7 spleen ischemia and 1 stent-graft occlusion). During the follow-up (range: 7 days-36 months, mean 18.7 months), we observed 3/29 (10.3%) cases of reperfusion in the first month, all treated successfully with a further endovascular procedure. Primary technical success was 89.7%; secondary technical success was 100%. CONCLUSION: Endovascular therapy can be considered a feasible and effective approach for VAAs with good primary and secondary success rates.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism with ultrasonographically guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermoablation.

We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with a recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism hyperplasia with absolute contraindication for surgery, treated in 2 sessions with percutaneous ultrasonographically guided radiofrequency tissue ablation. The complete pathologic tissue ablation was confirmed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography performed before and after the treatment and by clinical and laboratory follow-up. Furthermore in work progress, the percutaneous ultrasonographically guided radiofrequency tissue ablation can be considered a feasible and effective nonsurgical alternative treatment for symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism in high-risk patients.

Catheter Ablation↗
PubMed2005

The role of interventional radiology in the management of kidney transplant complications.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role and the effectiveness of interventional radiology in the treatment of renal transplant complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2004 a total of 288 kidney transplants from cadavers were performed in our Institute. The kidney was always collocated in iliac fossa by creating a vascular anastomosis with the external iliac artery and vein; in all cases the ureter was implanted into the recipient bladder. During the follow-up, 34 complications were observed. Twenty-seven complications in 25 patients (20 males and 5 females; age 35-65 years) were treated by a radiologic procedure: 9 renal artery stenosis and 1 native external iliac artery stenosis (by PTA), 5 ureteral obstructions (by nephrostomy and ureteral stenting), 8 ureteral leaks (by nephrostomy, in 2 cases associated to ureteral stenting) and 4 limphoceles (by percutaneous ultrasound-guided catheter drainage). RESULTS: Primary technical success was obtained in 20/27 cases (74%). Success was obtained with a second interventional procedure in 3/27 cases, 2 limphoceles and 1 ureteral fistula (secondary technical success: 85.2%), with a clinical final success in 23/27 cases (85.2%). We observed a peri-procedural complication rate of 3.7% (1 renal artery post-PTA dissection during a restenosis treatment). Four cases (1 renal arterial post-PTA dissection, 1 ureteral obstruction, 1 ureteral leak and 1 limphocele) needed a surgical correction (14.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Interventional radiology is the first therapeutic approach to treat renal transplant complications. It shows good technical and clinical results and a low complication rate. Surgery had to be considered only if minimally invasive procedures are infeasible or ineffective.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Percutaneous treatment of femoro-popliteal aneurysms with covered stents.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of the percutaneous treatment of femoro-popliteal aneurysms with covered stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten femoro-popliteal (1 femoral, 6 femoro-popliteal, 3 popliteal) aneurysms with diameters ranging from 2.1 to 6 cm (mean 3.6 cm) and lengths of 2.2-9 cm (mean 5.8 cm) were treated between September 1998 and December 2001. The patients were 8 men and 2 women aged between 33 and 73 years (mean age 65.4). Self-expanding covered stents (Wallgraft) were employed in all cases: the flexible and elastic stents were implanted percutaneously, under local anesthesia, using 9-10 F introducer sheaths. Color-Doppler ultrasound confirmed the clinical diagnosis. In all cases spiral CT angiography was performed to better evaluate the diameters and lengths of the aneurysms and the size of the arteries above and below the aneurysms. The patients were followed up with color-Doppler US and only occasionally with CT angiography. RESULTS: Stent implantation was successful in all patients; there were no complications. As regards follow up, 6 patients did not show any stent-graft occlusions. One patient, who died 45 days later of causes unrelated to the procedure, was not taken into account. As for the remaining five patients, color-Doppler US showed primary patency of the stents and exclusion of aneurysms at 24 months (2/5), 12 months (1/5), and 6 months (2/5). There were 4 cases of stent-graft occlusion within the first month after placement (in 3/4 cases the caudal end of the aneurysm was located in the median segment of the popliteal artery), re-canalized by local thrombolysis and, in two cases, by PTA aimed at removing the stenoses caused by intimal hyperplasia: one case was patent at 36 months, 3 cases re-occluded and were converted to surgical by-pass (1 at 14 months, 2 at 18 months). Therefore in our series (mean follow-up: 18 months) primary patency was 55.5% and secondary patency was 66.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous placement of a covered stent seems to provide an alternative to surgery for aneurysms with limited length and caudal end located not beyond the proximal tract of the popliteal artery. A good peripheral run-off (at least two patent leg arteries) is also necessary. Nevertheless, further studies and longer follow-up are required to confirm the results obtained in our small series.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Emergency endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: feasibility and results.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of emergency endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: During 36 months we treated, on an emergency basis, 30 AAAs with endovascular exclusion. In 21 hemodynamically stable patients preoperative CT angiography (CTA) was performed to confirm the diagnosis and to plan the treatment; 9 patients with hemorrhagic shock were evaluated with angiography performed in the operating room. Twenty-two Excluder (Gore) and 8 Zenith (Cook) stent-grafts (25 bifurcated and 5 aorto-uni-iliac) were used. The follow-up was performed by CTA at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases with a 10% mortality rate. The total complication rate was 23% (5 increases in serum creatinine level and 2 wound infections). During the follow-up, performed in 27 patients (1-36 months, mean 15.2 months), 4 secondary endoleaks (15%) (3 type II, 2 spontaneously thrombosed and 1 under observation, and 1 type III treated by iliac extender insertion) and 1 iliac leg occlusion (treated with femoro-femoral bypass) occurred. We observed a shrinkage of the aneurysmal sac in 8 of 27 cases and stability in 19 of 27 cases; we did not observe any endotension. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair is a good option for emergency treatment of AAAs. The team's experience allows correct planning of the procedure in emergency situations also, with technical results comparable with elective repair. In our experience the bifurcated stent-graft is the device of choice in patients with suitable anatomy because the procedure is less time-consuming than aorto-uni-iliac stent-grafting with surgical crossover, allowing faster aneurysm exclusion. However, further studies are required to demonstrate the long-term efficacy of endovascular repair compared with surgical treatment.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography in classifying endoleaks after endovascular treatment of abdominal aorta aneurysms: preliminary experience.

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in endoleak classification after endovascular treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm compared to computed tomography angiography (CTA). From May 2001 to April 2003, 10 patients with endoleaks already detected by CTA underwent CEUS with Sonovue to confirm the CTA classification or to reclassify the endoleak. In three conflicting cases, the patients were also studied with conventional angiography. CEUS confirmed the CTA classification in seven cases (type II endoleaks). Two CTA type III endoleaks were classified as type II using CEUS and one CTA type II endoleak was classified as type I by CEUS. Regarding the cases with discordant classification, conventional angiography confirmed the ultrasound classification. Additionally, CEUS documented the origin of type II endoleaks in all cases. After CEUS reclassification of endoleaks, a significant change in patient management occurred in three cases. CEUS allows a better attribution of the origin of the endoleak, as it shows the flow in real time. CEUS is more specific than CTA in endoleak classification and gives more accurate information in therapeutic planning.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal aneurysms: a five-year experience.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal aneurysms (FPAs). METHODS: In the last 5 years, we have treated 17 FPAs (diameter 21-75 cm, mean 38.4 cm; length 27-100 cm, mean 72.5 cm) in 15 patients (age 57-80 years, mean 70.9 years). The diagnosis was obtained by color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and the procedure was planned by CT angiography (CTA) and preprocedural angiography. Eight FPAs were excluded with only one stent-graft; in 8 patients, two stent-grafts were positioned; and in 1 patient, three stent-grafts were used. In 14 cases we used a Wallgraft endoprosthesis, in 2 cases a Hemobahn, and in 1 case an Excluder contralateral leg. The patients were followed up with CDU and occasionally with CTA. RESULTS: Immediate technical success was obtained in 17 of 17 cases (100%). One patient died during the first year. During a mean follow-up of 26.9 months (range 3-60 months) we observed 6 of 16 (38%) stent-graft occlusions (3 of which were recanalized with locoregional thrombolysis and 3 with mechanical thrombectomy). Two stent-grafts were patent at 12 and 24 months. Four patients experienced subsequent occlusions and recanalizations until corrected by surgical bypass (1 at 14 months, 2 at 18 months, and 1 at 36 months). Therefore the primary patency was 63% and assisted patency was 73%. CONCLUSION: The endovascular approach is a minimally invasive treatment option for FPAs. Moreover endovascular stent-grafting does not necessarily preclude conventional surgical repair, but it can delay it. Longer follow-up will be needed to determine the long-term patency rate.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR Arthrography: a proposal for solution optimization with lidocaine. An in vitro experience.

PURPOSE: Pain on capsule distension in painful joints may affect feasibility of the MR Arthrography. We tried to overcome this limitation by adding a local anesthetic (lidocaine) to the paramagnetic contrast agent solution. We aimed at: a) investigating which contrast agent dilution provides the best signal-to-noise ratio in the SE T1 sequences; b) evaluating the effects of lidocaine on the signal intensity and on the viscosity of the solutions; assessing the viscosity of solutions containing iodinated contrast agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The paramagnetic contrast agent was diluted with saline and lidocaine at various concentrations. Signal intensity was measured with a 1.5 Tesla superconductive MR unit with a dedicated head coil; we used T1-weighted spin-echo sequence. The viscosity coefficient of the solutions was analyzed and compared with that of solutions containing iodinated contrast agents (but not lidocaine). RESULTS: Signal intensity is also unaffected by variations in the concentration of lidocaine, which does not interfere with the biphasic behavior of Gadolinium. Viscosity is scarcely affected by changes in lidocaine concentration when the paramagnetic contrast agent concentration is not changed. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal signal-to-noise ratio in T1-weighted sequences is provided by 0.4%, contrast agent dilution but contrast agent-saline solutions, with(out) lidocaine, cannot be considered steady and signal intensity values change over time. The addition of lidocaine does not significantly influence the signal-to-noise ratio and the viscosity of the solutions. The low viscosity of the paramagnetic contrast agent appears to favor quicker spread of the solution, even in tiny defects; thanks to its anesthetic effect, lidocaine could facilitates execution of the examination in painful joints without affecting the diagnostic result.

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endovascular treatment of splenic artery aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of endovascular treatment of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2000 and June 2003 we treated 11 true SAAs in 9 patients (7 females and 2 males; mean age 58 years), 8 saccular and 3 fusiform, 4 located at the middle tract of the splenic artery, 5 at the distal tract and 2 intra-parenchymal. The diagnosis was performed with colour-Doppler ultrasound and/or CT-angiography; 7 patients were symptomless, 1 had left hypochondriac pain, and 1 had acute abdomen caused by a ruptured SAA. Four SAAs were treated by microcoil embolization of the aneurysmal sac with preservation of splenic artery patency; in 2 cases this was associated with transcatheter injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Four cases were treated by endovascular ligature, with sectoral spleen ischaemia. One ruptured SAA received emergency treatment with splenic artery cyanoacrylate embolization. Two intra-parenchymal SAAs were excluded, one by cyanoacrylate embolization of the afferent artery and the other by transcatheter thrombin injection in the aneurysmal sac. RESULTS: Technical success was observed in all cases (in 10/11 at the end of the procedure; in 1/11 at CT performed 3 days after the procedure). The follow-up (mean 18 months; range 6-36) was performed by colour-Doppler ultrasound and/or CT-angiography 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure and subsequently once a year; the complete exclusion of the aneurysms was confirmed in 11/11 cases. The complications were: 4 cases of mild left pleuritis; fever and left hypochondriac pain 1 day after the procedure (in the same 4 patients and in one other case); 5 cases of sectoral spleen ischaemia and 1 case of diffuse spleen infarction with partial revascularization by collateral vessels. No alteration of the levels of pancreatic enzymes was found; a transitory increase in platelet count occurred only in the patient with diffuse spleen infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Using different techniques, endovascular treatment is feasible in nearly all SAAs. It ensures good immediate and long term results, and no doubt presents some advantages in comparison to surgical treatment, as it is less invasive and allows the preservation of splenic function.

Adult↗