Safety and effectiveness of moderate sedation for radiologic non-vascular intervention

Oncologic outcomes after MRI-assisted image-guided brachytherapy with hybrid interstitial and intra-cavitary applicators under moderate sedation for locally advanced cervix cancer

Purpose

To report outcomes of using image-guided hybrid intra-cavitary/interstitial applicators under moderate sedation for locally advanced cervical cancer patients in our institution.

Material and methods

A total of 69 fractions of brachytherapy with hybrid applicators were performed in 33 patients from January 2017 to April 2021. All patients underwent MRI pelvis 1 week pre-brachytherapy to determine suitability for interstitial brachytherapy and pre-plan needle placement. All insertion of applicators were performed under moderate sedation with midazolam and/or fentanyl. Fifty-eight (84.1%) fractions were planned with CT alone. Clinical outcomes, dose volume parameters, and toxicities were analyzed.

Results

The median follow-up was 28 months. A total of 320 needles (median, 5 needles per fraction) were implanted, with a median insertion depth of 3 cm (range, 1.5-4 cm). The median high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) during initial brachytherapy was 34.5 cc (range, 17.8-74.7 cc). The median total EQD2 D2cc of the rectum, bladder, sigmoid, and small intestine colon was 71.8 Gy, 81.5 Gy, 69 Gy, and 58.3 Gy, respectively. The 2-year local control and overall survival were 80.7% and 77.7%, respectively. Larger volume HR-CTV was significantly associated with worse local control (HR = 1.08, p = 0.005) and overall survival (HR = 1.04, p = 0.015). None of the patients required in-patient admission or blood transfusion post-procedure. Late grade 3 gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities were observed in 4 patients (12.2%).

Conclusions

Hybrid applicators inserted under moderate sedation are feasible and safe. Image-guided interstitial brachytherapy with CT planning aided by MRI performed 1 week pre-brachytherapy is associated with favorable outcomes and modest toxicities.

CT-guided percutaneous drainage of abdominopelvic collections: a pictorial essay

CT-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe and effective procedure that allows minimally invasive treatment of abdominopelvic abscesses and fluid collections. This technique has become an alternative for surgery with lower morbility and mortality rates. In this pictorial essay, we aim at providing an overview of the technical approaches, the main clinical indications and complications of CT-guided percutaneous drainage, in order to provide a practical guide for interventional radiologists, with a review of the recent literature. The focus will be the CT-guidance, preferred when the interposition of viscera, vascular and skeletal structures, counteracts the ultrasound guidance.

Non-anesthetist-administered moderate sedation with midazolam and fentanyl for outpatient MRI-aided hybrid intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy in cervix cancer: a single-institution experience

Purpose

The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of interstitial brachytherapy under non-anesthetist-administered moderate sedation, to identify factors influencing the insertion, and the total procedural time.

Material and methods

A total of 47 insertions with hybrid intracavitary and interstitial applicators were performed in 23 patients from March 2017 to March 2020. Moderate sedation was achieved with intravenous midazolam and fentanyl administered by non-anesthetist. Insertion time and procedural time was recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the impact of different factors on insertion and procedural time.

Results

A total of 238 needles (range, 2-8 per insertion) were implanted, with an average insertion depth of 30 mm (range, 20-40 mm). The mean doses for midazolam and fentanyl were 3 mg (standard deviation [SD] = 1) and 53.3 mcg (SD = 23.9) per insertion, respectively. The median insertion time was 30 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 22-40), and the median total procedural time was 4.3 hours (IQR = 3.6-5.2). First time insertion, insertions performed before 2019, and higher midazolam dose were associated with significantly longer insertion time, whereas longer insertion time, MRI-based planning, and insertions performed before 2019 were associated with significantly longer total procedural time.

Conclusions

Outpatient interstitial brachytherapy with non-anesthetist-administered sedation is achievable and well-tolerated. This method may significantly lessen the burden on hospital resources and has the potential to be cost-effective.

Use of a Laryngeal Mask Airway Decreases Radiation Exposure During Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Glycerol Rhizotomy for Trigeminal Neuralgia

BACKGROUND

We have been using computed tomography (CT) guidance for percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy (PGR) for the last 7 years. As a quality improvement exercise, we recently began using general anesthesia (GA) with the use of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) because of our perception that the procedure went faster and that there was less radiation exposure because of less patient movement. We aim to compare PGR radiation exposure and procedural time between patients receiving local anesthetic with sedation and those receiving GA/LMA.

METHODS

A single-center historical cohort study was performed using patients treated with PGR between 2017 and 2019. Ninety-two surgeries were conducted during the study period: 64 surgeries had local anesthetic with intravenous sedation, and 28 surgeries had deeper anesthetic with LMA. Data analyzed included the number of CT sequences obtained, needle placement time, and total radiation dose.

RESULTS

Use of GA/LMA resulted in a 23% decrease in mean radiation dose (565.5 vs. 436.1 μGy × cm, P = 0.014), number of CT sequences required (7.4 vs. 5.7, P = 0.003), and needle placement time (12.8 vs. 9.8 minutes, P = 0.006). Additionally, 10 patients underwent multiple glycerol rhizotomies during the collection period with both anesthetic types being used at least once. Seven of 10 patients (70.0%) had a reduction in total radiation dose, number of CT sequences obtained, and needle placement time when GA/LMA was used. There were no procedure- or anesthetic-related complications in this patient cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of GA/LMA during PGR is associated with decreased radiation exposure without increased anesthetic complications.

Lumbar puncture under fluoroscopy guidance: a technical review for radiologists

There are many differences in fluoroscopy-guided lumbar puncture (FG-LP) technique among radiologists. Even within the same institution, there are a variety of preferences among proceduralists with individual perspectives based on the literature, training, and/or experience. Our aim is to provide familiarity with various techniques involved in FG-LP and provide insight on how to improve patient outcomes. The pertinent anatomy and physiology, indications, contraindications, patient management, complications of the procedure, and procedural techniques for performing an FG-LP are reviewed in detail. Potentially controversial topics regarding FG-LP are also addressed. There are many differences in fluoroscopy-guided lumbar puncture (FG-LP) technique among radiologists (1). Even within the same institution, there are a variety of individual preferences among physicians with different perspectives based on a combination of literature familiarity, training, and personal experience. Our aim is to provide familiarity with various techniques involved in FG-LP, improve efficiency, and improve patient outcomes. We will also address possible controversial issues regarding FG-LPs using an evidence-based approach.

The management of peri- and postprocedural pain in interventional radiology: a narrative review

Interventional radiology encompasses a wide range of procedures and the degree of associated pain depends predominantly on the procedure being undertaken. Procedures may be painful during but not after the procedure, relatively painless during but painful after the procedure, or relatively painless during and after the procedure. However, there is a lack of good quality publications in interventional radiology that specifically address the subject of peri- and postprocedural pain management. Nevertheless, a variety of more or less complex protocols exist for intraprocedural sedation and for peri- and postprocedural analgesia. While weight-based protocols for procedural sedation have demonstrable benefit, protocols for postprocedural pain relief after major procedures have not been sufficiently rigorously evaluated.

A phase II study on the efficacy and safety of procedural analgesia with fentanyl buccal tablet in cancer patients for the placement of indwelling central venous access systems

Background

Pain in cancer patients is often related to oncologic therapies and diagnostic procedures. The placement of fully implantable venous access systems is a very common procedure in oncology patients. Local anaesthesia is the method most commonly used to overcome pain related to this surgical procedure, but the local anaesthetic may be unable to completely eradicate all pain. This study investigates the effectiveness and safety of fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT), administered by OraVescent® technology, in reducing procedural pain related to the placement of indwelling central venous access systems (Ports) in opioid-naïve cancer patients.

Methods

Inpatients who required an indwelling vascular access (Port) were preoperatively assessed with a self-assessment questionnaire on anxiety and pain. A 100 μg FBT was administered 10 min before preparation of the operating field. A self-assessment scale for pain experienced during the procedure was administered at the end of the procedure. Vital signs and the presence of any side effects or bothersome symptoms were monitored during the procedure, at the end, and 4 h later.

Results

From October 2012 to June 2014, 65 patients were enrolled in the study. A total of 61 (93.9 %) patients perceived no or a little pain during the procedure. Four patients (6.2 %) reported a lot of pain. No patient reported very severe pain. This data is significant in terms of the lower than expected presence of pain (Fisher test p = 0.0018) as assessed in our previous experience without procedural analgesia. The most common side effects of FBT was drowsiness, experienced by 28 patients at the end of the procedure (43.1 %), significantly reduced (p < 0.01) to 8 patients after 4 h (12.5 %). Nausea was present in 6 cases at the end of the procedure (9.2 %) and in 7 cases 4 h later (10.9 %). Vomiting was present in 3 cases at the end (4.7 %) and in 2 other patients after 4 h (7.8 %). No significant change of vital parameters was observed between the baseline and the subsequent measurements in all patients studied.

Conclusions

The significant improvement in the number of patients experiencing little or no pain, accompanied by a lower number of non-severe side effects, suggests that FBT is a valid, practical and safe method of procedural analgesia. It will be necessary to perform further studies, taking into account the need for standard antiemetic pre-medication to minimise the incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Capnography improves detection of apnea during procedural sedation for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage

BACKGROUND

Capnography provides noninvasive monitoring of ventilation and can enable early recognition of altered respiration patterns and apnea.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the detection of apnea and the prediction of oxygen desaturation and hypoxemia using capnography versus clinical surveillance during procedural sedation for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD).

METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients scheduled for PTCD were included in the study. All patients were sedated during the procedure using midazolam and propofol. Aside from standard monitoring, additional capnographic monitoring was used and analyzed by an independent observer.

RESULTS

The mean (± SD) cumulative duration of apnea demonstrated by capnography was significantly longer than the mean cumulative duration of clinically detected apnea (207.5 ± 348.8 s versus 8.2 ± 17.9 s; P=0.015). The overall number of detected episodes of apnea was also significantly different (113 versus seven; P=0.012). There were 15 events of oxygen desaturation (decrease in oxygen saturation [SaO2] ≥ 5%), which were predicted in eight of 15 cases by capnography and in one of 15 cases by clinical observation. There were three events of hypoxemia (SaO2 <90%) that were predicted in three of three cases by capnography and in one of three cases by clinical observation.

CONCLUSION

Capnographic monitoring was superior to clinical surveillance in the detection of apnea and in the prediction of oxygen desaturation during procedural sedation for PTCD.