PurposePulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are the direct communications between the pulmonary arteries and veins. These malformations can cause serious complications, and most of these patients should be treated. Herein we present our experience in the treatment of 18 cases of PAVM, treated with endovascular embolisation.Material and methodsEighteen patients with PAVMs underwent endovascular embolisation during a five-year period. Eight were male and 10 were female, with ages ranging from 16 to 65 years. Standard steel coils and vascular plug were used for embolisation.ResultsEmbolisation was successful in 17 of 18 patients. Coiling was used in 10 patients, vascular plug in five, and both materials in two patients. All symptomatic patients with successful embolisation lost all their symptoms after treatment. Control angiography after embolisation showed a closure of AV shunt without migration of embolic material in all patients. Post-embolisation syndrome developed in four patients and late onset of pleural pain in three patients. There was no connection between pleural reaction and type of PAVM and embolic material.ConclusionsEndovascular PAVM treatment is a minimally invasive, highly successful method with a low rate of only transitory complications.

SummaryBackgroundTo retrospectively analyze the outcomes of interventional radiology treatment of patients with hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) after liver transplantation at our Institution.Material/MethodsHepatic artery stenosis was diagnosed and treated by endovascular technique in 8 (2.8%) patients, who underwent liver transplantation between July 2007 and July 2011. Patients entered the follow-up period, during which we analyzed hepatic artery patency with Doppler ultrasound at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after percutaneous endovascular treatment (PTA), and every six months thereafter.ResultsDuring the 12-month follow-up period, 6 out of 8 patients (75%) were asymptomatic with patent hepatic artery, which was confirmed by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography, or color Doppler (CD) ultrasound. One patient had a fatal outcome of unknown cause, and one patient underwent orthotopic liver retransplantation (re-OLT) procedure due to graft failure.ConclusionsOur results suggest that HAS angioplasty and stenting are minimally invasive and safe endovascular procedures that represent a good alternative to open surgery, with good 12-month follow-up patency results comparable to surgery.

The aim of this study was to test the value of computed tomography (CT)-guided endoscopy in the scientific study of mummified remains and the recovery of unidentified objects from ancient mummified remains. CT-guided endoscopy was performed on an Egyptian mummy from the Late Period to help retrieve an unidentified object from its skull. The combined use of CT and endoscopy facilitated the recovery of the object, minimizing further damage to the remains and to the object itself. The successful recovery of the brittle object allowed detailed analysis of the item to be performed in an attempt to determine the nature of its presence in the cranial cavity. It was confirmed that the object was a monocotyledon stem fragment. Relying on the existing literature on mummification and excerebration methods in ancient Egypt, we concluded that the stick was probably used for transnasal removal of the brain. The results of this study demonstrate the great potential of CT-guided endoscopy for minimally invasive recovery of small unidentified items from mummies that could yield important information about mummification procedures and the materials used to preserve bodies.

Ureteritis cystica is a rare benign condition. In this report, we have presented the case of a patient with a left upper back pain. The CT scan showed multiple irregular filling defects in the upper left ureter and the left renal pelvis. During the ureteroscopy, multiple yellow cystic lesions were seen in the proximal part of the left ureter and in the renal pelvis. The pathology report described cystic structures coated with single line cubic metaplastic epithelium. Ureteritis cystica should be considered in a differential diagnosis, in case of atypical radiological findings. No active treatment is required when confirmed.

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