We evaluated whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was associated with the presence, severity, and extent of coronary atherosclerotic plaques detected by computed tomography angiography (CTA). We studied 238 patients who underwent dual-source 64-slice CTA for the assessment of coronary artery disease. Coronary arteries were evaluated on 16-segment basis and critical plaque was described as luminal narrowing >50%. In regression analysis, being in the third NLR tertile increased the risk of coronary atherosclerosis (odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.43; P = .023). When the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed, being in the third NLR tertile increased the risk of critical luminal stenosis (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.19-5.69; P = .017). Although plaque morphology was not associated with NLR, the extent of coronary atherosclerosis was increased with higher NLR tertiles (P = .001). Our results suggest that a higher NLR may be a useful additional measure to assess cardiovascular risk in clinical practice.

BackgroundAlthough liver biopsy is an easy procedure for hospitalized patients and outpatients, some complications may occur.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficiency, complications, safety and clinicopathological utility of ultrasonographic-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in diffuse liver disease.Patients and MethodsIn our retrospective study, we evaluated ultrasound-assisted needle biopsies that were performed in outpatients from October 2006 to July 2010. The liver biopsies were performed following one-night fasting using the tru-cut biopsy gun (18-20 gauge) after marking the best seen and hypovascular part of the liver, distant enough from the adjacent organs.ResultsA total of 1018 patients were referred to our radiology department. Most of the patients had hepatitis B (60.6%). The biopsy specimens were recorded and sent to our pathology department for histopathological examination.ConclusionAccording to the results of our series, percutaneous liver biopsy using the tru-cut biopsy gun guided by ultrasonography can be performed safely. We resolve that routine ultrasound of the puncture site is a quick, effective and safe procedure. The complication rate is very low. The US-assisted percutaneous liver biopsy should be used for all cases.

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Background/aim: The Pipeline Flex Embolization Device (PED Flex) is a new updated version of the PED classic that incorporates a new delivery system to allow facilitation of stent deployment, resheathing, and removal of the capture coil. This study evaluated the PED Flex in terms of the technical aspects of the procedure and first-year follow-up results. Materials and methods:This retrospective study involved prospectively collected data from May 2015 to August 2017. The primary endpoint was technical aspects of the procedure, and the secondary endpoint was first-year follow-up results.Results: Forty-nine patients with 59 target intracranial aneurysms were enrolled. Patients' mean age was 52 years (range 21−71 years), and 31 (63.0%) were female. All aneurysms except for three were unruptured. The mean aneurysm diameter was 8 mm. Forty-seven patients with 56 aneurysms were successfully treated. Due to advancement, repositioning, and migration problems, 8 (13.1%) stents were not deployed and discharged. The total aneurysm occlusion rate was 77.0%. The mortality rate was 4.3%. Conclusion: Our experience shows that the applicability and safety of the renewed delivery system provided by PED Flex for improving device apposition and opening has been proven with one-year angiographic and clinical follow-up results.

Objective Transarterial radioembolisation (TARE) is a promising technique for unresectable primary tumours of the liver. We present our clinical experience and the response to treatment and survival data of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who were treated with Y-90 radioembolisation in our hospital’s angiography department. Material and methods The data of all the patients with HCC referred to our department for Y-90 treatment were analysed retrospectively. The patients were selected according to the treatment protocol criteria, and lung shunt fraction was evaluated using macroaggregated albumin scintigraphy before radioembolisation. Patients with compatible blood tests and lung shunt fraction rates were chosen for treatment with Y-90 TARE. Results Twenty-four patients were suitable for Y-90 treatment. The patients were treated with 137 ± 44.6 (80–245) Gy Y-90 glass microspheres. The treatment results were evaluated using modified RECIST criteria, and the partial response, complete response, stable disease and progression rates were found to be 54.2, 16.7, 20.8 and 8.3%, respectively. The median survival rate following treatment was 10 months. Higher alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were related to decreased survival, and posttreatment AFP levels had a significant effect on mortality rates. Higher survival rates were detected in the patients who were treated more selectively than the group treated via a lobar approach. Conclusion Y-90 microsphere radioembolisation is a safe method and may be helpful in treating patients with unresectable hepatocellular tumours. More favourable results were obtained in the patients treated using the more selective approach. AFP levels before and after treatment could predict survival rates.