Real-time Sonographic Guidance Research Articles

Endoscopic ultrasound sampling: From cells to tissue

Extraluminal gastrointestinal (GI) tracts were often difficult to diagnose before the introduction of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Surgical procedure or computer tomographic-guided approach was needed to obtain tissue which was either invasive or lacked sensitivity and specificity. EUS-guided tissue acquisition has revolutionized tissue acquisition for upper extraluminal GI lesions. This is because EUS is minimally invasive compared to either surgery or percutaneous approach, close proximity to upper GI extraluminal GI lesions, and tissue acquisition under direct real-time sonographic guidance. Hence, it has become the first-line investigation for tissue acquisition. In the past decade, there have been significant improvements in tissue acquisition through EUS-guided approach. In this article, we have reviewed the key factors that improve tissue acquisition through EUS-guided approach.

Endobronchial Ultrasoud Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is often challenging. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is a novel technique which provides real time sonographic guidance during Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) from mediastinal and hilar lesions. A 60-year-old smoker presented with two months history of cough and chest pain on the right side. CT thorax revealed a right upper lobe spiculated mass with paratracheal (Station 4R) and subcarinal (Station 7) lymph nodes. Bronchoscopy did not reveal any endobronchial mass. Since EBUS-TBNA is superior to conventional TBNA for malignant mediastinal node, an EBUS- TBNA was performed from both lymph node stations. . Cytopathology and histopathology revealed non-small cell lung cancer. We hereby report the first use of EBUS-TBNA in Nepal, in a patient with lung cancer and mediastinallymphadenopathy.

Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is often challenging. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is a novel technique which provides real time sonographic guidance during Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) from mediastinal and hilar lesions. A 60-year-old smoker presented with two months history of cough and chest pain on the right side. CT thorax revealed a right upper lobe spiculated mass with paratracheal (Station 4R) and subcarinal (Station 7) lymph nodes. Bronchoscopy did not reveal any endobronchial mass. Since EBUS-TBNA is superior to conventional TBNA for malignant mediastinal node, an EBUS- TBNA was performed from both lymph node stations. . Cytopathology and histopathology revealed non-small cell lung cancer. We hereby report the first use of EBUS-TBNA in Nepal, in a patient with lung cancer and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Keywords: Endobronchial ultrasound; lung cancer; mediastinal lymph node; transbronchial needle aspiration.

The utility of ultrasound guidance in transjugular liver biopsy: our experience.

To demonstrate the utility of ultrasound (US) guidance in improving the safety and efficacy of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) by analyzing all the TJLBs performed by us in the last 4years. Forty-seven patients who underwent TJLB in the last 4years in our two centers were retrospectively analyzed. US guidance was used for all but for one patient during the two crucial steps of the procedure-for internal jugular vein (IJV) access and during the parenchymal biopsy. Biopsies were obtained under real-time sonographic guidance from the right lobe after confirming an adequate room for needle throw without breaching the liver capsule or any major hilar structures. Post-procedure complications, tissue yield, and histopathological adequacy of samples were analyzed. Overall technical success rate was 100%. No major complications were found where ultrasound-assisted TJLB (uTJLB) was performed. One patient who underwent non-US guided TJLB had an event of a capsular breach and intra-peritoneal hemorrhage requiring coil embolization. Samples were of adequate dimension. Histopathological positivity was 100%. The overall complication rate for uTJLB was 4.7% which was due to minor complications in two patients. Addition of US unit to the angiographic suite is effortless and Interventional Radiologists being already skilled in US can easily implement this simple yet valuable modification to conventional TJLB procedures. Our experience on uTJLB further emphasizes the role of US guidance in improving the procedural success rate, safety profile, and efficacy in the histopathological outcome of TJLB in all patients irrespective of age and disease burden.

Percutaneous repair of iatrogenic subclavian artery injury by suture-mediated closure device.

Central venous catheterization through internal jugular vein is done routinely in intensive care units. It is generally safe, more so when the procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance. However, there could be inadvertent puncture of other vessels in the neck when the procedure is not performed under real-time sonographic guidance. Closure of this vessel opening can pose a challenge if it is an artery, in a location difficult to compress, and is further complicated by deranged coagulation profile. Here, we discuss the removal of an inadvertently placed catheter from subclavian artery with closure of arteriotomy percutaneously using arterial suture-mediated closure device.

EFSUMB Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS), Part VI - Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Interventions.

The sixth part of the Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound produced under the auspices of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) assesses the evidence for ultrasound guidance and assistance in vascular interventions. Based on convincing data, real-time sonographic guidance for central venous access is strongly recommended as a key safety measure. Systematic analysis of scientific literature shows that in difficult situations and special circumstances US guidance may also improve the efficacy and safety of peripheral venous and arterial access and endovascular interventions. Moreover, the recommendations of this guideline endorse the use of ultrasound to detect complications of vascular access and US-guidedinterventional treatment of arterial pseudoaneurysms.

Editorial Comment

The authors report on a retrospective series of patients who underwent laparoscopic cryoablation of solid renal masses presumed to be renal cell carcinoma. The explicit goal of the study was to examine the “long-term” oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic cryoablation in a large cohort of patients. Selection criteria was limited to those with clinical stage I disease and >5 years of follow-up. Treatment logistics were consistent with best practice recommendations including a double freeze-thaw cycle and ablation under real-time sonographic guidance.

Real-time sonographically guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy using a long-axis approach compared to the landmark technique.

Sonographic evaluation of neck anatomy before performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) has been shown to predict PDT success. In this study, we compared the real-time, long-axis, in-plane approach to the traditional bronchoscopically guided landmark technique. Data were analyzed from a prospectively maintained PDT database at a university tertiary care medical intensive care unit. A convenience sample of adult patients requiring PDT for prolonged mechanical ventilation dependence was enrolled. Critical care fellows, under direct supervision of an attending intensivist, performed all PDTs. Tracheostomy performance from the sonographically guided and landmark techniques was compared. Twenty-three patients were enrolled: 11 in the sonography group and 12 in the landmark group. Initial midline introducer needle puncture was achieved in 72.7% in the sonography group compared to 8.3% in the landmark group (P< .001). The mean number of introducer needle punctures ± SD was significantly lower in the sonography group compared to the landmark group (1.4 ± 0.7 versus 2.6 ± 0.9; P < .001). The total tracheostomy time was 11.4 ± 4.2 minutes in the sonography group versus 15.3 ± 6.8 minutes in the landmark group (P = .12). Sonography accurately predicted tracheal ring space insertion in 90.9% of patients. Procedural complications did not differ significantly between the groups. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy under real-time sonographic guidance using a long-axis approach may increase the rate of midline punctures and decrease the number of needle punctures when compared to the landmark technique. Sonographic guidance can also help guide accurate and efficient placement of a tracheostomy tube into the desired tracheal ring space.

Galanin in the amniotic fluid and neonatal birth weight: a prospective observational study

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine whether an association is present between amniotic fluid (AF) galanin and neonatal birth weight (NBW).Design: Prospective observational study.Setting: Fetal maternal unit in a tertiary teaching hospital.Population: Fifty women of singleton pregnancy who underwent amniocentesis during the second trimester and delivered after the 37th week of gestation.Methods: Amniocentesis 18th–19th gestational week for genetic indication with the use of a 22G needle under real-time sonographic guidance and measurement of galanin concentration in the AF.Main outcome measures: Association between concentration of AF galanin and NBW at term.Results: Galanin was isolated in all samples of AF (median concentration 19.95 pg/mL; range: 19.0–21.7). A strong linear correlation between AF galanin and NBW was detected (τ = 0.928; p < 0.001). Non-parametric linear regression analysis revealed that galanin concentration could explain 72.1% of the variance in the NBW, when controlling for gestational week at birth and mother’s body mass index at delivery.Conclusions: AF galanin during the second trimester seems to have a strong linear correlation with NBW of term deliveries in singleton pregnancies, even when controlling for important confounders.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation Using Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance

PurposeTo describe the use of intravascular ultrasound (US) guidance for creation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) in humans. Materials and MethodsThe initial 25 cases of intravascular US–guided TIPS were retrospectively compared versus the last 75 conventional TIPS cases during the same time period at the same institution in terms of the number of needle passes required to establish portal vein (PV) access, fluoroscopy time, and needle pass–related complications. ResultsIntravascular US–guided TIPS creation was successful in all cases, and there was no statistically significant difference in number of needle passes, fluoroscopy time, or needle pass–related complications between TIPS techniques. Intravascular US–guided TIPS creation was successful in cases in which conventional TIPS creation had failed as a result of PV thrombosis or distorted anatomy. Intravascular US guidance for TIPS creation was additionally useful in a patient with Budd–Chiari syndrome and in a patient with intrahepatic tumors. ConclusionsIntravascular US is a safe and reproducible means of real-time image guidance for TIPS creation, equivalent in efficacy to conventional fluoroscopic guidance. Real-time sonographic guidance with intravascular US may prove advantageous for cases in which there is PV thrombus, distorted anatomy, Budd–Chiari syndrome, or hepatic tumors.

The Surgeon’s Role in Breast Brachytherapy

Although two-thirds of invasive breast cancers and half of non-invasive breast cancers are amenable to lumpectomy, only about 70% of such patients choose breast conservation. Of that group, up to one-third do not follow-up with radiation therapy despite it being clinically indicated. The reasons include the patient's and surgeon's attitude toward breast conservation as well as the inconvenience and distance of a suitable radiation facility. The advent of shorter courses of radiation therapy may encourage more patients to seek adjuvant therapy. An increasingly popular and more convenient alternative to traditional whole-breast radiation therapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer is accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), for which the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American Brachytherapy Society have promulgated guidelines for candidate selection. Although several methods are emerging, the most widely used brachytherapy technique utilizes the MammoSite single-catheter balloon brachytherapy device. In a best practices symposium convened in 2006, breast surgeons from academic and community practices with extensive experience in balloon brachytherapy developed general guidelines for integrating APBI into a breast surgical practice. Important considerations include patient age, histology, tumor location and size, and breast size. Thoughtful lumpectomy planning is essential to optimize balloon placement. Real-time sonographic guidance is essential as the surgeon should attend closely to volume excised and cavity shape. A cavity evaluation device can act as a place holder while patient suitability for APBI is considered. Many breast surgeons expert in this procedure insert the balloon catheter in the office either through a de novo skin entrance site removed from the lumpectomy incision or through the original incision. Optimally, insertion occurs within 2-3 weeks after lumpectomy. Close and continual communication with the radiation oncologist is essential to assure optimal outcomes. In this review, several key aspects of a successful APBI program from a surgeon's perspective as well as a consensus panel from a best practices symposium on the topic herein are highlighted.

Long-term outcomes of peripheral arm ports implanted in patients with colorectal cancer

Venous ports are mandatory for chemotherapy in cancer patients because prolonged infusions are required. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of peripheral arm ports for chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. A peripheral venous access port was placed in the upper arm in 113 consecutive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). All patients received modified FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil [5-FU]/l-leucovorin [LV]/oxaliplatin [L-OHP]) 6 or FOLFIRI (5-FU/LV/irinotecan hydrochloride [CPT-11]) regimens at least once via the venous access port. All patients were followed up at least once every 2 weeks. Puncture of the basilic veins was successfully completed under real-time sonographic guidance or radiographic guidance in all patients. The median operative time was 30 min. The cumulative follow-up period was 29 886 catheter days (range, 9-560 days; mean, 264 days). No procedural complications, such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, arterial puncture, or cardiovascular problems, occurred in our series. A total of nine patients (8.0%) had complications. Port-site infection occurred in six patients (5.3%; 0.20 infections per 1000 catheter-days). One patient (0.9%) had an episode of ultrasound-documented deep vein thrombosis in the ipsilateral upper extremity (0.03/1000 catheter-days). Dislocation or migration of the catheter tip occurred in two patients (0.07/1000 catheter-days). A second port was placed in six patients (5.3%) after removal of the fi rst port. Peripheral arm ports can be maintained with excellent short-and long-term outcomes. Peripheral arm ports are considered to be a good alternative to central venous ports implanted in the chest in patients with MCRC.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for treatment of hepatoblastoma recurrence

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been widely reported as a minimally invasive treatment for liver tumours in adults, but has not been documented as a treatment for hepatoblastoma in a child. We report a 2-year-old boy with local recurrence of hepatoblastoma after partial hepatectomy. Percutaneous RFA was performed under real-time sonographic guidance. There was no imaging evidence of recurrence after a follow-up of 2 years. We consider this a promising technique in children.

PILOT EXPERIENCE WITH REAL-TIME ULTRASOUND GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS RENAL MASS CRYOABLATION

We describe our pilot experience with percutaneous cryoablation of renal masses using real-time sonography. Three patients presented with 4 renal masses in 4 kidneys, which enhanced with contrast administration by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Renal neoplasm cryoablation was performed using general anesthesia with 17 gauge cryoneedles percutaneously placed into the renal tumor under real-time sonographic guidance. Followup cross-sectional imaging was performed 6 to 7 weeks following cryoablation in all patients. No perioperative complications were noted. All patients were discharged home within 24 hours of the procedure and postoperative pain was controlled with oral nonnarcotic medications. Followup cross-sectional imaging indicated that the lesions shrank an average 63% +/- 15% from initial pretreatment volume. Importantly none of the lesions showed contrast enhancement by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Our initial experience shows that percutaneous, sonographically guided renal neoplasm cryoablation can be a safe method for treating renal masses.

Selective reduction of acardiac twin by radiofrequency ablation

Objective: Acardiac/acephalic twinning is a rare anomaly in which a normal "pump" twin perfuses an acardiac twin, which results in twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence. A novel technique for selective reduction and obliteration of blood flow in the acardiac twin is described. Study Design: Thirteen consecutive cases of monochorionic twin gestation with twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence underwent selective reduction of the abnormal twin with the use of radiofrequency ablation. Under direct real-time sonographic guidance, a 3-mm (14-gauge) radiofrequency ablation needle was percutaneously inserted through the maternal abdominal wall into the intrauterine fetal abdomen at the level of the cord insertion site of the acardiac twin. Energy was applied until termination of blood flow to the acardiac fetus was documented by Doppler ultrasound scanning. Results: All 13 mothers tolerated the procedure without major complications. All 13 "pump" fetuses have been delivered. Twelve of 13 infants are alive and well. The first patient in this series was delivered at 24.4 weeks and the infant subsequently died from complications of prematurity. Average gestational age at intervention was 20.7 weeks, and the average gestational age at delivery was 36.2 weeks. Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive, percutaneous technique that can effectively obliterate blood supply to an acardiac twin to preserve and protect the pump twin. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:635-40.)

Sonographically guided percutaneous sclerosis using 1% polidocanol in the treatment of vascular malformations.

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the safety and efficacy of sonographically guided percutaneous injection of 1% polidocanol for sclerosis of peripheral vascular malformations. Patients with vascular malformations of soft tissues were invited to enroll in the study. Gray-scale and color Doppler sonography were performed to determine the texture, margins, and size of the lesions and to determine whether high-velocity blood flow was present. Using real-time sonographic guidance, lesions were punctured with a 20/21-gauge spinal needle. When possible, venous return was occluded before injection. For each injection, 1-6 ml of 1% polidocanol was injected into 1 or more sites within the lesion. The sclerosing agent was not aspirated after injection. Repeat radiography was performed 1 month after each injection session. The procedure was repeated if the patient did not have a complete response, defined as an 80% or greater decrease in the volume of the lesion or resolution of the presenting symptoms. Of the 15 patients enrolled, 9 had venous malformations, 3 had lymphangiomas, 1 had a recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst, 1 had a venous pseudoaneurysm, and 1 had an arteriovenous malformation of the pinna. Each patient received 1-20 injections of 1% polidocanol (mean +/- standard deviation, 3.3 +/- 4.8 injections). This treatment resulted in a complete response of 7 venous malformations, 3 lymphangiomas, and the arteriovenous malformation and partial response of 2 venous malformations, the recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst, and the venous pseudoaneurysm. Only minor complications occurred. Sonographically guided percutaneous injection of 1% polidocanol for sclerosis of peripheral vascular lesions is simple, effective, and safe. This technique is especially effective in cases of soft tissue venous malformation and lymphangioma.

Radiologic placement of implantable chest ports in pediatric patients.

We evaluated the technical success and complications associated with radiologic placement of implantable chest ports in children for long-term central venous access. Between May 1, 1996 and January 11, 2000, 29 chest ports were placed in 28 children (15 girls, 13 boys; age range, 2-17 years; mean, 11.7 years). The patient's right internal jugular vein was used for access in 93% (27/29) of the procedures, and a collateral neck vein was used as a conduit to recanalize the central veins in two procedures because of bilateral jugular and subclavian vein occlusion. All procedures were performed in interventional radiology suites. Both real-time sonography and fluoroscopy were used to guide venipuncture and port insertion. Follow-up data were obtained through the clinical examination and electronic review of charts. Technical success was 100%. Fourteen percent of the catheters were removed prematurely, including one catheter removed 17 days after placement because the patient's blood cultures were positive for Candida albicans. No patients experienced hematoma, symptomatic air embolism, symptomatic central venous thrombosis, catheter malposition, or pneumothorax. The median number of days for catheter use by patients was 280 days (total, 9043 days; range, 17-869 days). The rate of confirmed catheter-related infection was 14% or 0.04 per 100 venous access days. One catheter occluded after 132 days. In pediatric patients, radiologists can insert implantable chest ports using real-time sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance with high rates of technical success and low rates of complication.

Sonographically guided percutaneous biopsy of gastrointestinal tract lesions.

Our objective was to evaluate the role and safety of sonographically guided percutaneous biopsy in the diagnosis of digestive tract lesions when the lesions are not suitable to biopsy by endoscopy and safely reachable by sonography. We performed 42 biopsies in 41 patients (age range, 14-81 years; mean age, 57.5 years). We performed biopsies with real-time sonographic guidance using graded compression, with a 3.5-5-MHz microconvex transducer. In 39 biopsies, core specimens were obtained with an 18-gauge automatic needle gun; fine-needle aspiration biopsy was obtained in 28 patients with a 22-gauge needle and in the other four patients with a 21-gauge needle. In the remaining three patients, a coaxial technique with 20- and 22-gauge needles for cytology was used. In 40 (95.2%) of 42 core biopsies performed, a specific diagnosis was obtained. A positive diagnosis was obtained in 16 (45.7%) of 35 fine-needle aspirations. The lesions were located from the pharynx to the sigmoid colon. Twenty-eight patients had malignant lesions, and 13 had benign lesions. Only one serious complication, bile peritonitis, was observed. Percutaneous biopsy with sonographic guidance can be used safely and efficiently to diagnose digestive tract lesions that can be visualized on sonography and are not accessible endoscopically.

Image-guided central venous catheters for apheresis.

Apheresis is an increasingly important procedure in the treatment of a variety of conditions, sometimes performed via peripheral access because of concern over major complications associated with central venous catheter (CVC) placement. This study sought to determine the safety and success for ultrasound and fluoroscopically guided, non-tunneled dual lumen CVCs placed for apheresis. Prospective data collection was made of 200 attempted CVC placements in the radiology department utilizing real time sonographic guidance. The complications relating to placement were noted in all and the number of passes required for venepuncture and whether a single wall puncture was achieved was recorded in 185 cases. Duration of catheterization and reason for line removal were recorded in all. Our study group included 71 donors providing peripheral blood stem cells for allogeneic transplant. CVCs were successfully placed in all patients, 191 lines in the internal jugular and seven in the femoral vein. 86.5% required only a single pass and 80.5% with only anterior wall puncture. Inadvertent but clinically insignificant arterial puncture occurred in six (3%) cases. In no case did this prevent line placement. There were no other procedure-related complications. 173 (87.4%) catheters were removed the same day. No catheters were removed prematurely. There was one case of prolonged venous bleeding. Our study demonstrates the safety of central venous catheters for apheresis provided that duration of catheterization is short and real-time sonographic guidance is used for the puncture, and guide wire and catheter placement are confirmed fluoroscopically.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomy in non-dilated pelvicaliceal system.

Percutaneous placement of nephrostomy catheters in patients with non-dilated pelvicaliceal systems remains problematic. We successfully performed ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomies in 5 such patients after intravenous administration of a diuretic agent. Diuresis resulted in transient dilatation of the calyces, facilitating the procedures, which were performed under real-time sonographic guidance using the Seldinger technique. No complications were encountered.