Citations

Dialysis associated steal syndrome (DASS) is a relatively rare but debilitating complication of arteriovenous fistulas. While mild symptoms can be observed, if severe symptoms are left untreated, DASS can result in ulcerations and limb threatening ischemia. High-flow with resultant heart failure is another documented complication following dialysis access procedures. Historically, open surgical procedures have been the mainstay of therapy for both DASS as well as high-flow. These procedures included ligation, open surgical banding, distal revascularization-interval ligation, revascularization using distal inflow, and proximal invasion of arterial inflow. While effective, open surgical procedures and general anesthesia are preferably avoided in this high-risk population. Minimally invasive limited ligation endoluminal-assisted revision (MILLER) offers both a precise as well as a minimally invasive approach to treating both dialysis associated steal syndrome as well as high-flow with resultant heart failure. MILLER is not ideal for all DASS patients, particularly those with low-flow fistulas. We aim to briefly describe the open surgical therapies as well as review both the technical aspects of the MILLER procedure and the available literature.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a subset of congenital vascular malformations (CVMs). They comprise abnormal connections between arterial and venous circulation; treatment approaches are dependent on the angioarchitecture of the AVM, specifically the number and arrangement of the feeder arteries and outflow veins. Various imaging modalities can be used to diagnose and plan treatment. Here we will review the use of transarterial approaches to treat AVMs.

Nutcracker syndrome (NS) refers to symptomatic compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery with potential symptoms including hematuria, proteinuria, left flank pain, and renal venous hypertension. No consensus diagnostic criteria exist to guide endovascular treatment. We aimed to evaluate the specificity of LRV compression to NS symptoms through a retrospective study including 33 NS and 103 control patients. The size of the patent lumen at point of compression and normal portions of the LRV were measured for all patients. Multiple logistic regression analyses (MLR) assessing impact of compression, body mass index (BMI), age, and gender on the likelihood of each symptom with NS were obtained. NS patients presented most commonly with abdominal pain (72.7%), followed by hematuria (57.6%), proteinuria (39.4%), and left flank pain (30.3%). These symptoms were more commonly seen than in the control group at 10.6, 11.7, 6.8, and 1.9%, respectively. The degree of LRV compression for NS was 74.5% and 25.2% for controls (p < 0.0001). Higher compression led to more hematuria (p < 0.0013), abdominal pain (p < 0.006), and more proteinuria (p < 0.002). Furthermore, the average BMI of NS patients was 21.4 and 27.2 for controls (p < 0.001) and a low BMI led to more abdominal pain (p < 0.005). These results demonstrate a strong correlation between the degree of LRV compression on imaging in diagnosing NS.

Cross-sectional imaging has become a critical aspect in the evaluation of arterial injuries. In particular, angiography using computed tomography (CT) is the imaging of choice. A variety of techniques and options are available when evaluating for arterial injuries. Techniques involve contrast bolus, various phases of contrast enhancement, multiplanar reconstruction, volume rendering, and maximum intensity projection. After the images are rendered, a variety of features may be seen that diagnose the injury. This article provides a general overview of the techniques, important findings, and pitfalls in cross sectional imaging of arterial imaging, particularly in relation to computed tomography. In addition, the future directions of computed tomography, including a few techniques in the process of development, is also discussed.

Colovaginal and/or rectovaginal fistulas cause significant and distressing symptoms, including vaginitis, passage of flatus/feces through the vagina, and painful skin excoriation. These fistulas can be a challenging condition to treat. Although most fistulas can be treated with surgical repair, for those patients who are not operative candidates, limited options remain. As minimally-invasive interventional techniques have evolved, the possibility of fistula occlusion has enriched the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of these complex patients. In order to offer optimal treatment options to these patients, it is important to understand the imaging and anatomical features which may appropriately guide the surgeon and/or interventional radiologist during pre-procedural planning.

Quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) is a rare disorder characterized by axillary nerve and posterior humeral circumflex artery (PHCA) compression within the quadrilateral space. Impingement is most frequently due to trauma, fibrous bands, or hypertrophy of one of the muscular borders. Diagnosis can be complicated by the presence of concurrent traumatic injuries, particularly in athletes. Since many other conditions can mimic QSS, it is often a diagnosis of exclusion. Conservative treatment is often first trialed, including physical exercise modification, physical therapy, and therapeutic massage. In patients unrelieved by conservative measures, surgical decompression of the quadrilateral space may be indicated.

Purpose FGFR genetic aberrations (GAs) occur in an estimated 10% to 16% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs). The natural history of CCA with FGFR GAs, the prognostic role of coexisting GAs, and the outcome with FGFR-targeted inhibitors are unknown. Patients and Methods Patients with CCA with FGFR GAs were identified using next-generation sequencing or fluorescence in situ hybridization from four tertiary cancer centers and compared with FGFR wild-type counterparts. Data reviewed included demographic, treatment, overall survival (OS), and GA data. Fisher’s exact test, Kaplan-Meier plots, and log-rank tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Three hundred seventy-seven patients with CCA were identified, and 95 had FGFR GAs. FGFR2 GA was most common (n = 74, with 63 fusions) and seen in intrahepatic CCA. In patients with CCA, FGFR GAs occurred more frequently in younger patients (≤ 40 years; 20%) compared with older patients (> 40 years; 6.7%; P < .001), presented at an earlier stage (TNM stage I/II v III/IV: 35.8% v 22%, respectively; P = .001), and were associated with a longer OS compared with patients without FGFR GAs (37 v 20 months, respectively; P < .001). This difference remained significant after excluding 36 patients treated with FGFR inhibitors. There was no OS difference ( P = .60) between CCA with FGFR2 fusions (n = 63) versus other FGFR GAs (n = 29). Patients with FGFR GAs had a better OS with FGFR-targeted therapy compared with standard treatment ( P = .01). BAP1 mutation was the most common coexisting mutation without prognostic impact, whereas TP53 ( P = .04) and CDKN2A/B ( P = .04) were correlated with a shorter OS. Conclusion CCA with FGFR GAs represents a unique subtype occurring in younger patients with an indolent disease course. FGFR-targeted therapy may have a positive impact on OS in this subgroup.

Objective: To provide certified athletic trainers, physicians, and other health care and fitness professionals with recommendations based on current evidence regarding the prevention of noncontact and indirect-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in athletes and physically active individuals. Background: Preventing ACL injuries during sport and physical activity may dramatically decrease medical costs and long-term disability. Implementing ACL injury-prevention training programs may improve an individual's neuromuscular control and lower extremity biomechanics and thereby reduce the risk of injury. Recent evidence indicates that ACL injuries may be prevented through the use of multicomponent neuromuscular-training programs. Recommendations: Multicomponent injury-prevention training programs are recommended for reducing noncontact and indirect-contact ACL injuries and strongly recommended for reducing noncontact and indirect-contact knee injuries during physical activity. These programs are advocated for improving balance, lower extremity biomechanics, muscle activation, functional performance, strength, and power, as well as decreasing landing impact forces. A multicomponent injury-prevention training program should, at minimum, provide feedback on movement technique in at least 3 of the following exercise categories: strength, plyometrics, agility, balance, and flexibility. Further guidance on training dosage, intensity, and implementation recommendations is offered in this statement.