We describe the case of a 67-year-old woman with an anomalous systemic arterial supply to the basal segment of the lung, which was managed successfully by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with microcoils. Her chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed diffuse ground-glass opacity in the left lower lobe, no bronchial abnormalities, and blood supply from an anomalous artery originating from the descending thoracic aorta, with drainage to the normal pulmonary vein. We successfully performed TAE under balloon occlusion of the anomalous artery, without complications. TAE is a minimally invasive, safe, and valuable method, and could be used as first-line treatment in such cases.
The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical usefulness of Gianturco-Z stent (G-Z stent) for the management of malignant and benign tracheobronchial stenosis. Seventy-three stents were used in 30 patients. In 20 cases, we used the so-called "stent-in-stent" method. Twenty-four patients were grade 5, and 6 were grade 4 according to the Hugh-Jones classification of respiratory status. The technical success rates, clinical condition, respiratory status, blood gas analysis, survival rate, and complications were reviewed on the basis of the patients'medical records and radiographs. All stents were successfully placed in the appropriate position. After the procedure, respiratory status improved in 97% (29/30) of the patients. PaO(2) increased statistically (p<0.05), and PaCO(2) decreased one week after the treatment. Mean survival of 30 patients after stent placement was 123 days. Mean survival in 9 malignant patients treated in combination with radiotherapy (182 days) was statistically longer (p<0.01) than in those treated without radiotherapy (65 days, n=20). The tracheobronchial burn patient who received a combination of stent placement and post operative radiotherapy survived 540 days. No major complications were encountered during or after the procedure. Only 3 minor complications were observed: 1 stent migration, 1 partial rupture of the stent, and 1 stent deformation. G-Z stent treatment with the "stent-in-stent" technique is useful for palliation of malignant and benign tracheobronchial stenosis, and should contribute to improving the quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.
In the present report, we describe a case of a patient with an asymptomatic aneurysm in the arc of Bühler (AOB), which was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization. The patient presented with severe stenosis of the celiac trunk, which was suspected to be due to median arcuate ligament syndrome. Arteriography of the superior mesenteric artery indicated a rapid stream in an aneurysm in the AOB. Hence, embolization was carefully performed using detachable coils and microcoils. An arteriography performed after embolization did not show any aneurysm, and the hepatic artery and splenic artery could be detected via the pancreatic arcade, originating from the superior mesenteric artery. The AOB is a persistent embryonic ventral anastomosis present between the superior mesenteric artery and the celiac artery. This anastomotic artery is independent of the gastroduodenal artery and the dorsal pancreatic artery, and is extremely rare, with an incidence of <4%. Aneurysms of the AOB are even more uncommon, and such cases have been reported in association with stenosis or occlusion of the celiac trunk. Open surgical aneurysmectomy, with or without reconstruction, is the conventional treatment for such aneurysms. However, rapid advances in interventional radiology have enabled the safe and effective treatment of visceral aneurysms via transcatheter arterial embolization. Based on the current findings, we believe that transcatheter arterial embolization is a minimally invasive and valuable method that may serve as an initial treatment option for aneurysms of the AOB.
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