Translumbar Infusion of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate for the Treatment of Type II Endoleaks

Outcomes of translumbar embolization of type II endoleaks following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

Presence of an endoleak can compromise aneurysm exclusion after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Type II endoleaks (T2Es) are most common and may cause sac expansion. We report outcomes of translumbar embolization (TLE) of T2Es following EVAR.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with T2E after EVAR treated with TLE from 2011 to 2018 at a single academic institution. Treatment indications were the presence of persistent T2E and aneurysm growth ≥5 mm. Sac stabilization was defined as growth ≤5 mm throughout the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Thirty consecutive patients were identified. The majority were men (n = 24), with a mean age of 74.3 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.9-77.6 years). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (83.3%) and coronary artery disease (54.0%). The mean maximal sac diameter at T2E discovery was 5.8 cm (95% CI, 5.4-6.2 cm). The mean time to intervention from endoleak discovery was 33.7 ± 28 months with a mean growth of 0.84 cm (95% CI, 0.48-1.2 cm) during that time period. The mean follow-up time after TLE was 19.1 months (95% CI, 11.1-27.2 months). Twenty-eight patients were treated with cyanoacrylate glue (CyG) alone, and two were treated with CyG plus coil embolization (CE). There was immediate complete endoleak resolution as assessed intraoperatively, and sac stabilization in 15 cases (50.0%). Eleven patients (36.7%) had evidence of persistent T2E on initial imaging after the embolization procedure; additional follow-up revealed eventual sac stabilization at a mean of 21.3 ± 7.2 months, and therefore, these patients did not require further intervention. In the remaining four cases (13.3%), there was persistent T2E after the initial TLE, requiring a second intervention. Repeat TLE stabilized growth in three of these four patients after a mean of 17.6 ± 12.9 months. One patient required open sacotomy and ligation of lumbar vessels due to continued persistence of the T2E and continued aneurysm growth. There were no ischemic complications related to the embolization procedures. Factors associated with persistent endoleak after initial embolization were larger aneurysm diameter at the time of initial endoleak identification (P < .001) and the use of antiplatelet agents (P < .02). The use of anticoagulation was not a significant risk factor for endoleak recurrence or aneurysm growth after TLE.

CONCLUSIONS

TLE of T2E is a safe and effective treatment option for T2E with aneurysm growth following EVAR. Patients taking antiplatelet medication and those with larger aneurysms at the time of endoleak identification appear to be at increased risk for persistent endoleak and need for subsequent procedures following initial TLE. These patients may require more intensive monitoring and follow-up.

Percutaneous Transhepatic and Translumbar Sclerotherapy of a Thoracic Duct Cyst: A Case Report

A 58-year-old male presented with chronic abdominal pain lasting 5 years and a 15 × 6-cm multicystic thoracic duct cyst with three compartments, located in the right retrocrural and retrocardiac regions from T5/T6 to T12/L1. A transhepatic route was selected to sclerose the middle and lower compartments. Subsequent contrast injection showed minimal contrast passage into the upper compartment through a narrow neck, but the guidewire could not pass into this compartment. The contrast-filled upper compartment was punctured with a 22-g Chiba needle using a translumbar approach under cone-beam computed tomography (CT) guidance and ethanol sclerotherapy was performed. Six-month follow-up CT revealed decreased thoracic duct cyst size (5×3 cm) and no pain. This case illustrates successful percutaneous transhepatic and translumbar sclerotherapy for retrocardiac and retrocrural thoracic duct cysts, which are very difficult to remove surgically.

Polypropylene mesh inhibits post-laminectomy compressive scar formation in rabbits: Histopathological and computational morphometric evaluation

We evaluated the effect of polypropylene mesh placement on post-laminectomy compressive scar formation in rabbits. Twenty-two white male New Zealand rabbits were distributed into two groups (n = 11). In the control group, the animals underwent lumbosacral laminectomy, whereas in the mesh group, the rabbits were submitted to lumbosacral laminectomy followed by the attachment of a polypropylene mesh to the vertebrae by the application of N-butyl cyanoacrylate. After eight weeks, the rabbits were euthanized, and the laminectomy area was collected for macro- and microscopic analyses. Macroscopically, we evaluated the (1) vertebral canal height; (2) laminectomy width and (3) length; and (4) fibrosis width, (5) height, and (6) length. Microscopically, we evaluated (7) fibroblasts; (8) the thickness of the dura-mater; and (9) the distance between the dura-mater and the laminectomy area. Macroscopically, there were no differences between the groups regarding vertebral canal height; width and length of the laminectomy; and fibrosis width. However, the height, and length of fibrosis were smaller in the mesh group. Microscopically, there were no differences in dura mater thickness and the distance between the dura mater and laminectomy area, but fewer fibroblasts were observed in the mesh group. This indicated that the polypropylene mesh improved tissue repair, with greater tissue organization. The results demonstrate that the use of a polypropylene mesh in the treatment of post-laminectomy wounds in rabbits reduces the severity of compressive fibrous scar formation. Polypropylene mesh is presented as a good alternative to reduce complications associated with laminectomy surgeries.

Factors Influencing Clinical Success Following Endovascular Treatment of Type II Endoleaks

PURPOSE

To compare long-term outcomes of transarterial (TA) and translumbar (TL) embolization of type II endoleaks (T2E) following EVAR, as well as factors that predict clinical success.

METHODS

129 (mean age, 71.4y; range, 53-95) with T2E referred for embolization from August-2003 to December-2017 were retrospectively reviewed. One-hundred-eighty procedures were performed via TA (n = 139) and TL (n = 41) approaches, with 37 patients undergoing 51 reinterventions. Clinical success was defined as absence of endoleak and/or absence of aneurysm sac enlargement on follow-up imaging. Medical comorbidities, procedural data, embolic agents used, presence of successful sac embolization, and 30-day morbidity and mortality data were collected.

RESULTS

TL approaches had higher technical success (41/41 vs.122/139, p = .014). Clinical success rates were 52% (N = 58/111) and 62% (N = 23/37) for TA and TL procedures respectively (p = .34). Looking at all procedures, sac embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate glue had higher clinical success compared to other embolic agents (p = .017-.037). Successful sac access was a strong predictor of success for TA procedures (46/78 vs.12/33, p = .0379). 30-day complication rates were similar between TA (5.8%) and TL (4.9%) approaches. There was 1 death secondary to graft infection following TA embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall clinical success of TA and TL embolization when considering re-interventions is high. n-butyl cyanoacrylate glue had significantly higher success than other embolic agents (p = .017-.037). Successful sac access was associated with success for TA procedures.

Comparison of Cost and Efficacy of Trufill® vs Histoacryl® n-Butyl Cyanoacrylate for Translumbar Type 2 Endoleak Embolization

PURPOSE

The study aimed to compare the cost and efficacy of translumbar approach type 2 endoleak repairs using either Trufill® or Histoacryl® n-BCA liquid embolic.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

This was a retrospective review of patients who had translumbar approach type 2 endoleak repairs using either Trufill® or Histoacryl®. Patients were included if they underwent a technically successful type 2 endoleak repair via a translumbar approach with Trufill® or Histoacryl® n-BCA. A multivariable analysis was performed with the primary clinical outcome of percent change in aneurysm diameter per month compared. Procedure cost was calculated based on typical materials used.

RESULTS

20 Trufill® and 14 Histoacryl® patients were included. The mean procedure cost was higher for Trufill® ($5,757.30 vs. $1,586.09, p ≤ 0.001). There was no significant difference between Trufill® or Histoacryl® patients for age at first embolization, gender, total number of embolizations, number of feeding branches, aneurysm sac size prior to embolization, or residual endoleak at first follow-up. Trufill® patients had more coils used (12.0 vs. 4.3, p = 0.0007), less glue used (0.9 vs. 2.1 mL, p < 0.001), longer follow-up duration (33.5 vs. 13.2 months, p = 0.002), more follow-up CT angiograms (CTA) (3.7 vs. 1.9, p = 0.01), and larger excluded aneurysm sac size at most recent CTA (7.1 cm vs. 5.9 cm, p = 0.04). Percent change in sac diameter per month was not significantly different between Trufill® and Histoacryl® (0.21% vs. -0.25%/month, p = 0.06, respectively). There were no complications.

CONCLUSION

Use of Histoacryl® over Trufill® n-BCA resulted in significantly less procedural cost while maintaining safety and efficacy.

Type 2 Endoleak Management

Type 2 endoleaks are the most common endoleak type following endovascular aneurysm repair. The natural history of these endoleaks can vary, with some demonstrating a self-limited or indolent course, while others can contribute to aneurysm sac enlargement and rupture. A variety of embolization techniques, including transarterial catheterization and direct sac puncture techniques, have been developed for the treatment of type 2 endoleaks. In this article, the authors review the indications, techniques, and outcomes of current treatment strategies for type 2 endoleaks.

Does Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Repair Change Psoas Muscle Volume?

BACKGROUND

Because endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR) lowers the lumbar arterial blood flow, we hypothesized that the volume of the psoas muscle decreases after surgery. When internal iliac artery (IIA) embolization is performed, the lumbar arterial blood flow further decreases; therefore, we also hypothesized that the decrease in the volume of the psoas muscle becomes more significant. This study was performed to assess the volume change in the psoas muscle after EVAR.

METHODS

Fifty-three consecutive patients who underwent EVAR from January 2016 to December 2016 were included. The psoas muscle volume was measured by preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT). Postoperative CT scans were performed 6-12 months after EVAR. Axial CT images with a 2-mm slice thickness were used to measure the psoas muscle volume. Data were transferred to a 3-dimensional workstation, and the psoas muscle volume was measured.

RESULTS

In the EVAR group, the volume of the psoas muscle decreased by an average of 5.8 mL (4.6%) from 114.8 ± 32.0 mL preoperatively to 109.0 ± 30.3 mL postoperatively (P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the change in the psoas muscle volume between patients with and without IIA embolization (embolization group: preoperative 118.1 ± 31.0 mL, postoperative 107.5 ± 29.2 mL, mean volume change rate -8.8%; nonembolization group: preoperative 114.0 ± 32.3 mL, postoperative 109.4 ± 30.7 mL, mean volume change rate -3.6%; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The psoas muscle volume is reduced with EVAR. Moreover, when the IIA is embolized, the psoas muscle volume is further reduced.