Contrast-enhanced sonographic guidance for local injection of a hemostatic agent for management of blunt hepatic hemorrhage: a canine study

Technological Advances in Diagnostic Imaging in Exotic Pet Medicine

Diagnostic imaging relies on interpretation of interactions between the body tissue and various energies, such as x-rays, ultrasound, and magnetic or nuclear energies, to differentiate normal from abnormal tissues. Major technological improvements regarding emission and detection of the energetic waves, as well as reconstruction and interpretation of the images, have occurred. These advances made possible visualization of smaller structures, quantitative evaluation of functional processes, and development of unique imaging-guided procedures. This article reviews the technological advances that allowed development of cone beam computed tomography, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, which all could have applications in exotic pet medicine.

Early local drug therapy for pancreatic contusion and laceration

OBJECTIVES

To study the therapeutic effect of early local drug therapy on pancreatic contusion and laceration.

METHODS

Twenty pigs were divided into 4 groups: model(PL), 1 ml of saline; medical protein glue (EC), 1 ml of medical protein glue; ulinastatin (UL), 50000U of ulinastatin; combined treatment (UE), 1 ml of medical protein glue and 50000U of ulinastatin. 30 min after model establishment, different groups received different local drug treatments. The pancreatic function, peritoneal effusion and pancreatic pathology were observed.

RESULTS

The UE group got the best therapeutic effect. The changes of pancreatic function and the peritoneal effusion were compared with PL group as follows. 0-6h: amylase (p < 0.01), lipase (p > 0.05), effusion (p < 0.01); 6-12h: amylase (p > 0.05), lipase (p < 0.01), effusion (p < 0.01); 12-24h: amylase (p < 0.01), lipase (p < 0.01), effusion (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Early local drug therapy in pancreatic contusion and laceration could effectively control the development of the disease and improve the prognosis.

Fast hemostasis: a win-win strategy for ultrasound and microwave ablation

Introduction

Hemorrhage is a serious complication following percutaneous biopsy requiring detecting and immediate treatment of active bleeding. This study aimed to explore the potential benefits of ultrasound (US)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) to treat acute hemorrhage in risky locations.

Materials and methods

We present seven patients (four males and three females) aged 19–69 years with solid-organ arterial hemorrhage treated by US-guided MWA and followed up with contrast-enhanced US (CEUS).

Results

All seven cases successfully underwent MWA for hemostasis, and their vital signs subsequently stabilized. During the follow-up from 13 to 36 days, the ablation area decreased slowly in five patients and was still stable in two cases. There were no complications observed in this study after MWA treatment. We also reviewed a total of 12 publications in the past 10 years.

Conclusion

This study suggested that US-guided MWA may be an effective and safe strategy for acute hemorrhage in the emergency setting. To confirm this method and benefit more patients, more prospective studies with larger samples and longer follow-ups are recommended.

Application of COMPONT Medical Adhesive Glue for Tension-Reduced Duraplasty in Decompressive Craniotomy

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of medical adhesive glue for tension-reduced duraplasty in decompressive craniotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 56 cases were enrolled for this study from Jan 2013 to May 2015. All patients underwent decompressive craniotomy and the dura was repaired in all of them with tension-reduced duraplasty using the COMPONT medical adhesive to glue artificial dura together. The postoperative complications and the healing of dura mater were observed and recorded. RESULTS No wound infection, epidural or subdural hematoma, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, or other complications associated with the procedure occurred, and there were no allergic reactions to the COMPONT medical adhesive glue. The second-phase surgery of cranioplasty was performed at 3 to 6 months after the decompressive craniotomy in 32 out of the 56 cases. During the cranioplasty we observed no adherence of the artificial dura mater patch to the skin flap, no residual COMPONT glue, or hydropic or contracture change of tissue at the surgical sites. Additionally, no defect or weakening of the adherence between the artificial dura mater patch and the self dura matter occurred. CONCLUSIONS COMPONT medical adhesive glue is a safe and reliable tool for tension-reduced duraplasty in decompressive craniotomy.

Contrast-enhanced sonographically guided percutaneous 915-MHz microwave ablation therapy compared to local hemostatic drug injection in a renal artery injury model

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to show the contrast-enhanced sonographic features of various levels of renal artery rupture and to validate the therapeutic effects of percutaneous 915-MHz microwave ablation compared to hemostatic drug injection (batroxobin) using an in vivo canine renal artery injury model.

METHODS

Three renal artery hemorrhage models (A, diameter <1 mm, subcapsular artery; B, diameter 1-2 mm, interlobar artery; and C, diameter 2-3 mm, segmental artery) were created in 24 canines for this study. Contrast-enhanced sonography was used to show the bleeding features and guide hemostatic therapies using 915-MHz microwave ablation and local batroxobin injection. Success rates were assessed according to amounts of bleeding, times required for hemostatic action, and volumes of fluid infusion required using pathologic examination as a reference standard.

RESULTS

Contrast-enhanced sonography clearly showed renal artery ruptures with active bleeding at various levels and degrees and was very useful to make diagnoses and guide therapies. The success rate in the microwave treatment group was higher than that in the drug injection group (except group A; P< .05). The time required for hemostasis and the volume of fluid infusion required in the microwave group were notably less than those in the drug injection group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrast-enhanced sonography is a useful imaging method for assessing renal vessel injury and guide interventional therapies. Contrast-enhanced sonographically guided percutaneous 915-MHz microwave ablation is a preferred hemostatic technique for treatment of renal artery injury, with greater effectiveness and less tissue damage compared to local drug injection.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound assessment of muscle blood perfusion of extremities that underwent crush injury: an animal experiment

BACKGROUND

This research aimed to study the assessment of local muscle microcirculation perfusion of extremities that underwent crush injuries by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).

METHODS

A total of 28 New Zealand rabbits were anesthetized by using intramuscular pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg). A balloon cuff device was used to create crush injuries to the left hind leg of each rabbit with a force of 18.6 kPa. CEUS was performed at the 0.5th, 2nd, 6th,24th, and 72nd hour after the release of the crush pressure. Peak intensity (PI) of the crushed regions was compared with those of the uncrushed regions and before the creation of crush injury. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of PI for the crushed region.

RESULTS

During the 72nd hour after the release of the crush pressure, 5 of the 28 rabbits died, and thus, their statistics were eliminated from the experiment. At different time points after the release of the crush pressure, the crushed regions in all 23 survivals showed quick and high enhancement, and their intensities were higher than those of the un crushed region in the arterial phase. The time-intensity curves of the crushed regions all appeared as rapid lift-gradual drop. PIs were obviously higher in the crushed regions than in the uncrushed regions and than those before the creation of crush injury ( p G 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that extremity crush injury was diagnosed by using PI value.

CONCLUSION

CEUS presents that the microcirculation perfusion of the crushed muscle increased obviously after the release of the crush pressure.PIs evaluated quantitatively the microcirculation perfusion changes. It may suggest a potential alternative for evaluating microcirculation abnormality of the muscle crush injury to the extremities.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of active bleeding associated with hepatic and splenic trauma

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging of active bleeding from hepatic and splenic trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred and ninety-two patients with liver or/and spleen trauma (179 liver and 217 spleen injuries), who underwent CEUS examinations following contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), were enrolled in this retrospective study over a period of >4 years. CEUS detected contrast medium extravasation or pooling in 16% (63/396) of liver or spleen lesions in 61 patients, which was confirmed by contrast-enhanced CT. Special attention was paid to observing the presence, location, and characteristics of the extravasated or pooled contrast medium.

RESULTS

The CEUS detection rate for active bleeding was not different from that of contrast-enhanced CT (p=0.333). Information from surgery, minimally invasive treatment and conservative treatment was used as reference standard, and the sensitivities of the two techniques were not different (p=0.122). Of 63 lesions in 61 patients, CEUS showed that 74.6% (47/63) (21 liver lesions and 26 spleen lesions) presented contrast medium extravasation or pooling, both in the organ and out the capsule, in 14.3% (9/63) and only outside the capsule in 11.1% (7/63). CEUS imaging of active bleeding from hepatic and splenic trauma presented various characteristics, and the sizes and shapes of the active bleeding due to contrast medium extravasation or pooling were variable.

CONCLUSIONS

CEUS can show the active bleeding associated with hepatic and splenic trauma with various imaging characteristics, thus making it possible to diagnose active bleeding using CEUS.

Effectiveness and safety of CEUS-guided haemostatic injection for blunt splenic trauma: an animal experiment

The aim of this study was to investigate whether complications occur after haemostatic agents are injected into blunt splenic injuries. After undergoing ultrasound (US), contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) examinations, dogs with grade III-IV injury received the minimally invasive therapy. After treatment, CEUS was performed to observe changes in the regions treated. In the immediate group, dogs underwent laparotomy 30 min after treatment to observe the haemostatic effect. In the survival group, animals underwent CEUS and CECT examinations to observe the short-term healing outcome and complications at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after the injection. After undergoing CEUS and CECT examinations, 12 dogs with grade III-IV injury received the minimally invasive therapy. Before injection, CEUS examinations showed anechoic and/or hypoechoic perfusion defects and active bleeding at the injury sites, and CECT showed traumatic lesions as low-density regions without enhancement. After treatment, CEUS demonstrated the disappearance of active bleeding, and hyperechoic spots emerged at the injury sites. Uneven density regions were displayed on CECT. Treated areas were covered by blood clots and glue membrane in the immediate-group animals. Three weeks later, CEUS showed a decrease of hyperechoic spots in the survival group, and the splenic parenchyma enhanced uniformly on CECT. Laparotomy showed that the greater omentum had moved upwards and partly covered the wound in four animals, and the injury sites had completely healed. Histopathological examination showed that fibrous connective tissue covered the splenic capsule and that the haemostatic glue had degraded. No complication occurred, such as delayed splenic haemorrhage, splenic abscesses, splenic pseudoaneurysms, intestinal obstruction or intestinal adhesions. CEUS-guided haemostatic injection is not only effective in stopping active bleeding immediately, but it is also safe in that no complications occurred during the 3 weeks of follow-up. This study indicates that CEUS-guided percutaneous injection may provide a safe, feasible and effective therapy for blunt splenic trauma.