Gastroduodenal obstruction is a preterminal event in patients with advanced malignancies of the stomach, pancreas, and duodenum. It severely limits the quality of life in affected patients due to constant emesis and associated malnutrition. Surgical gastrojejunostomy has been the traditional palliative treatment but is associated with a high complication rate, and delayed gastric emptying is a frequent problem. Gastroduodenal stent placement is a very safe and effective palliation method in patients with unresectable malignant tumors causing gastric outlet obstruction, with adequate palliation obtained in most cases. The procedure can be performed under fluoroscopic guidance or with a combination of fluoroscopic and endoscopic techniques. Advantages of gastroduodenal stent placement over surgical palliation include suitability as an outpatient procedure, more rapid gastric emptying, greater cost effectiveness, fewer complications, and improved quality of life. Covered duodenal stents are currently being evaluated and may play an increasingly important role in preventing recurrent obstruction secondary to tumor ingrowth. Moreover, simultaneous palliation of biliary and duodenal malignant strictures is possible with the use of metallic stents. Gastroduodenal stent placement is a promising new alternative for the palliation of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction.
Three patients were seen with acute mesenteric venous thrombosis. With a transhepatic access, percutaneous pharmacologic thrombolysis was performed in one patient with extensive thrombosis of the portal and mesenteric veins, resulting in complete thrombolysis of the portal vein and partial thrombolysis of the superior mesenteric vein. In two patients with focal thrombosis, the use of mechanical devices achieved complete thrombolysis. Percutaneous thrombolysis of portal and mesenteric veins with a transhepatic approach, followed by coil embolization, is a promising endovascular technique for treatment of symptomatic acute mesenteric venous thrombosis.
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