Background: Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a dietary metabolite of tryptophan that is produced in the liver. It is a uremic toxin that facilitates the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We previously observed that equine placental extract (ePE) inhibited IS synthesis in an in vitro inhibition assay using the liver S9 fraction. Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effects of ePE on adenine-induced renal failure in mice at the histological and molecular levels to understand the mechanism of action of ePE. Methods: We assessed this effect through biochemical and histological in vivo analyses using a mouse model of CKD and an adenine diet, which induces renal damage through IS production. Results: ePE significantly suppressed serum, renal, and hepatic IS production in adenine diet-fed mice by inhibiting IS synthesis. Histological and semi-quantitative analyses using the tubulointerstitial injury index revealed that ePE effectively prevented the increase in adenine-induced mesangial-positive cell area. Additionally, ePE administration significantly suppressed adenine-induced renal fibrosis in mice. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that ePE administration reduced the accumulation of F4/80-positive macrophages in the interstitial inflammatory infiltrates. Conclusion: These results suggest that ePE ameliorates IS-associated renal injury in adenine diet-fed mice by reducing IS production in the interstitium of the kidneys.

Preemptive side branch embolization may help prevent type II endoleak, reduce reintervention rates, and promote early aneurysm sac shrinkage after endovascular aneurysm repair. However, evidence of its effectiveness in preventing aneurysm rupture, reducing aneurysm-related mortality, ensuring safety, and maintaining cost-effectiveness is limited. The 2024 European Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines do not recommend routine preemptive embolization due to a lack of high-quality evidence. Concerns about radiation exposure and financial costs remain unresolved. Further research is needed to identify patients who would benefit most from preemptive embolization, as well as to evaluate its long-term impact on clinical outcomes, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

PURPOSE:We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the usefulness of ultralow-dose computed tomography (ULD-CT) with deep-learning reconstruction (DLR) compared with conventional standard-dose CT (SD-CT) for post-endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We prospectively performed post-EVAR surveillance using ULD-CT at a single center in 44 patients after they had received SD-CT. The ULD-CT images underwent DLR, whereas the SD-CT images underwent iterative reconstruction. Three radiologists blinded to the patient information and CT conditions independently measured the aneurysmal sac diameter and evaluated the overall image quality. Bland-Altman analysis and a linear mixed-effects model were used to assess and compare the measurement accuracy between SD-CT and ULD-CT. RESULTS:The mean CT dose index volume and dose-length product were significantly lower for ULD-CT (1.0 ± 0.3 mGy and 71.4 ± 26.5 mGy•cm) than that for SD-CT (6.9 ± 0.9 mGy and 500.9 ± 96.0 mGy•cm; p<0.001). The mean short diameters of the aneurysmal sac measured by the 3 observers were 46.7 ± 10.8 mm on SD-CT and 46.3 ± 10.8 mm on ULD-CT. The mean difference in the short diameter of the aneurysmal sac between ULD-CT and SD-CT was -0.37 mm (95% confidence interval, -0.6 to -0.12 mm). The intraobserver limits of agreement (LOA) for measurements by ULD-CT and SD-CT were -3.5 to 2.6, -2.8 to 1.9, and -2.9 to 2.3 for Observers 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The pairwise LOAs for assessing interobserver agreement, such as for the differences between Observers 1 and 2 measurements in SD-CT, were mostly within the predetermined acceptable range. The mean image-quality score was lower for ULD-CT (3.3 ± 0.6) than that for SD-CT (4.5 ± 0.5; p<0.001). CONCLUSION:Aneurysmal sac diameter measurements by ULD-CT with DLR were sufficiently accurate for post-EVAR surveillance, with substantial radiation reduction versus SD-CT.Clinical ImpactDeep-learning reconstruction (DLR) is implemented as a software-based algorithm rather than requiring dedicated hardware. As such, it is expected to be integrated into standard computed tomography (CT) systems in the near future. The ultralow-dose CT (ULD-CT) with DLR evaluated in this study has the potential to become widely accessible across various institutions. This advancement could substantially reduce radiation exposure in post-endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) CT imaging, thereby facilitating its adoption as a standard modality for post-EVAR surveillance.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate type II endoleak incidence and its outcome in patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair using the EXCLUDER device for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Material and Methods: One hundred sixty-seven patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (96 with patent and 71 with occluded inferior mesenteric artery) between 2008 and 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Type II endoleak incidence and aneurysm enlargement of >5 mm after endovascular aneurysm repair were evaluated. The predictive factors for late type II endoleak identified >6 months after endovascular aneurysm repair and aneurysm enlargement were assessed based on the preoperative patient and anatomical characteristics. Results: Late type II endoleak incidence was higher in the patent inferior mesenteric artery at 42.7% (41/96; 95% confidence interval, 33.3-52.7), compared with 22.5% (16/71; 95% confidence interval, 13.5-34.0) in the occluded inferior mesenteric artery group (p = 0.01). Freedom from aneurysm sac enlargement at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100%, 85.0%, and 68.1% in the patent inferior mesenteric artery and 98.9%, 86.7%, and 73.9% in the occluded inferior mesenteric artery group, respectively (p = 0.22). Freedom from aneurysm sac enlargement at 1, 3, 5 years was 100%, 76.9%, 43.5%, and 99.1%, 90.6% and 87.8% in the patients with and without late type II endoleak (p < 0.01). Patent inferior mesenteric artery (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-8.21) and an increasing number of patent lumbar arteries (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-3.08) were risk factors for late type II endoleak. Conclusions: Patent inferior mesenteric artery was a risk for late type II endoleak without contributing to aneurysm enlargement after endovascular aneurysm repair using the EXCLUDER. Late type II endoleak was associated with aneurysm enlargement. Patent inferior mesenteric artery and an increasing number of patent lumbar arteries were risk factors for late type II endoleak.

Although transcatheter arterial embolization is the first choice treatment for renal arteriovenous malformation. Renal arteriovenous malformation with dilated venous sac can cause venous pulmonary thromboembolism after transcatheter arterial embolization. A woman in her 60s was diagnosed with a left renal arteriovenous malformation and an 8 cm venous sac with renal dysfunction after right renal arteriovenous malformation treatment. We performed a hybrid treatment of transcatheter arterial embolization and sequential vein ligation to reduce the risk of lethal thrombotic complications. After treatment, the left renal arteriovenous malformation disappeared without fatal complications, and the venous sac shrunk with the preservation of renal function as it was before the hybrid treatment. When performing embolization of renal arteriovenous malformation with a huge venous sac, hybrid treatment of arterial embolization and surgical vein ligation may be safe and useful for preventing fatal post-operative thrombotic complications.

Purpose: To investigate the midterm stent patency and patient prognosis after stenting for superior mesenteric artery malperfusion complicating with acute aortic dissection. Material and Methods: Thirteen patients who underwent branch vessel stenting for superior mesenteric artery malp- erfusion between 2011 and 2021 in six institutions were retrospectively reviewed. By comparing pre- and postopera- tive computed tomography scans in the same plane, the length of the stent implanted in the superior mesenteric ar- tery and the stent-to-vessel diameter ratio were measured. The technical and clinical success of stenting, midterm pa- tient prognosis, and stent patency were evaluated. Results: Superior mesenteric artery stenting was technically successful in 12 patients (92.3%). The mean length of the stents implanted in the superior mesenteric artery was 61.3 +/- 39.4 mm (range, 14-127 mm). The mean proximal and distal stent-to-vessel diameter ratios were 1.02 +/- 0.16 and 1.30 +/- 0.42, respectively. A weak correlation was found between the length of the stents implanted in the superior mesenteric artery and the distal stent-to-vessel di- ameter ratio (R22=0.34). Two major complications occurred, one of which resulted in death within 30 days, and 12 (92.3%) were clinically successful. Of these 12 patients, no recurrent intestinal ischemia occurred during the follow- up duration (mean, 45.2 months). Partial occlusion of the stent distal edge without intestinal ischemia was observed in one patient (distal stent-to-vessel diameter ratio=2.33) 42 months after stenting. The overall survival rate and primary stent patency rate were 84.6% and 91.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Midterm stent patency and survival after superior mesenteric artery stenting for malperfusion were ac- ceptable.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pre-emptive transcatheter arterial embolization (P-TAE) of aortic side branches to prevent type II endoleak in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR). Materials and methods: This multicenter, prospective, single-arm trial enrolled 100 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm from nine hospitals between 2018 and 2021. There were 85 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 79.6 +/- 6.0 (standard deviation) years (range: 65-97 years). P-TAE was attempted for patent aortic side branches, including the inferior mesenteric artery, lumbar arteries, and other branches. The primary endpoint was late type II endoleak incidence at 6 months post-repair. Secondary endpoints included changes in aneurysmal sac diameter at 6- and 12 months, complications, re-intervention, and aneurysm-related mortality. Aneurysm sac changes at 6-and 12 months was compared between the late and no-late type II endoleak groups. Results: Coil embolization was successful in 80.9% (321/397) of patent aortic side branches, including 86.3% of the inferior mesenteric arteries, 80.3% of lumbar arteries, and 55.6% of other branches without severe adverse events. Late type II endoleak incidence at 6 months was 8.9% (8/90; 95% confidence interval: 3.9-16.8%). Aneurysm sac shrinkage > 5 mm was observed in 41.1% (37/90) and 55.3% (47/85) of the patients at 6-and 12-months post-EVAR, respectively. Patients with late type II endoleak had less aneurysm sac shrinkage than those without type II endoleak at 12 months (-0.2 mm vs. -6.0 mm; P = 0.040). No patients required re-intervention for type II endoleak, and no aneurysm-related mortalities occurred. Conclusion: P-TAE is safe and effective in preventing type II endoleak, leading to early sac shrinkage at 12 months following EVAR. (c) 2024 Societe fran & ccedil;aise de radiologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

We report a case of a life-threatening ruptured renal angiomyolipoma (AML) that did not meet the criteria for prophylactic treatment (tumor >4 cm or intratumoral aneurysm >5 mm) during follow-up. A woman in her 70s was followed up for a 2.5-cm AML with a rich vascular component. An intratumoral aneurysm >5 mm was not identified for 2 years. She complained of a sudden abdominal pain with hypotension, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a retroperitoneal hematoma with contrast media extravasation from an intratumoral aneurysm. Emergency transcatheter arterial embolization was successfully performed using N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue. Rupture can occur in small AMLs or in AMLs not identified with intratumoral aneurysms during follow-up. AMLs with a rich vascular component at the kidney surface are more likely to rupture.

PurposeThe occurrence of endoleaks, particularly type 2 endoleaks (EL2), is the primary cause of poor long-term prognosis after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preemptive transcatheter arterial embolization (P-TAE) for aortic side branches (ASBs) to prevent EL2 before EVAR using the Excluder stent-graft system (EXCLUDER).Materials and methodsIn this prospective, multicenter study, 80 patients (mean age, 79.1±6.7 years; 85.0% male patients; mean aneurysmal sac diameter, 48.4±7.4 mm) meeting the eligibility criteria were prospectively enrolled from nine hospitals. Before EVAR, p-TAE was performed to embolize the patent ASBs originating from the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed at 1 month and 6 months after EVAR. The primary endpoint was EL2 incidence at 6 months, and the secondary endpoints were aneurysmal sac diameter changes at 6 and 12 months, P-TAE outcomes, complications related to P-TAE, re-intervention, and aneurysm-related mortality.ResultsAll patients successfully underwent P-TAE without serious complications. Coil embolization was successful in 81.6% of ASBs. EL2 incidence at 6 months was identified in 18/70 (25.7%) patients. Aneurysmal sac diameter shrinkage (≥5 mm) was observed in 30.0% of patients at 6 months and in 40.9% at 12 months. Only one patient required re-intervention for EL2 within 1 year of EVAR; aneurysm-related deaths were not observed.ConclusionP-TAE for ASBs before EVAR using EXCLUDER is a safe and effective strategy. It aids in achieving early aneurysmal sac shrinkage and reduces EL2 re-intervention at 1 year after EVAR.

Splenic injury is one of the most common abdominal parenchymal organ injuries. Since the spleen is a parenchymal organ with abundant blood flow, its injury can easily result in hemorrhagic shock. Therefore, prompt and appropriate management for hemostasis is critical. Management of splenic injury is determined by the hemodynamic status and the grade of injury. Splenectomy is the primary choice in cases with unstable hemodynamics, but splenic repair or non-operative management, including conservative treatment or transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), may be chosen to preserve the spleen if time permits. Non-operative management has advantages over operative management in terms of complications and medical economics. TAE also plays a significant role in non-operative management by contributing to the improvement of patient outcomes.

The present study analyzed the outcomes of our experience with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair over 20 years using endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) with commercially available devices or open aortic repair (OAR) and reviewed our surgical strategy for AAA. From 1999 to 2019, 1077 patients (659 OAR, 418 EVAR) underwent AAA repair. The OAR and EVAR groups were compared retrospectively, and a propensity matching analysis was performed. EVAR was first introduced in 2008. Our strategy was changed to an EVAR-first strategy in 2010. Beginning in 2018, this EVAR-first strategy was changed to an OAR-first strategy. After propensity matching, the overall survival in the OAR group was significantly better than that in the EVAR group at 10 years (p = 0.006). Two late deaths due to AAA rupture were identified in the EVAR group, although there were no significant differences between the OAR and EVAR groups with regard to the freedom from AAA-related death at 10 years. The rate of freedom from aortic events at 10 years was significantly higher in the OAR group than in the EVAR group (p < 0.0001). The rates of freedom from AAA-related death in both the OAR and EVAR groups were favorable, and the rate of freedom from aortic events was significantly lower in the EVAR group than in the OAR group. Close long-term follow-up after EVAR is mandatory.

Abstract Background Golimumab (GLM) is an anti-TNF-α drug approved for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Although its efficacy and safety were well established in clinical trials, real-world evidence was still limited. In the present study, we evaluated 52-week effectiveness and safety of GLM treatment for UC based on post-marketing surveillance data. Methods The prospective, post-marketing study was conducted in 393 patients from 163 medical facilities. Patients who had been prescribed GLM were enrolled between May 2017 and September 2019 in Japan. In accordance with Japanese indication, patients received subcutaneous injections of GLM, 200 mg at week 0, 100 mg at weeks 2 and 6, followed by 100 mg every 4 weeks. Clinical remission (partial Mayo score ≤2), predictors of remission, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and predictors of ADR development were determined at week 52. Results Of 393 enrolled patients, 391 and 386 were included in safety and efficacy analysis set, respectively (Table 1). Overall, clinical remission in the intention-to-treat population was 13.0%, 53.9%, 52.6%, 48.2%, and 43.3% at baseline (BL) and at week 6, 22, 36, and 52, respectively (Table 2). In biologic naïve group, clinical remission was 9.2%, 59.1%, 61.0%, 52.4%, and 47.0% at BL and week 6, 22, 36, and 52, respectively, while in biologic experienced group, it was 15.8%, 50.0%, 46.4%, 45.0%, and 40.5% at BL and week 6, 22, 36, and 52, respectively. At week 52, clinical remission rate in the patients who concomitantly used corticosteroid (CS) at BL was significantly lower than that in the patients who did not receive CS (p=0.017, 37.3% vs 49.2%) (Fig. 1). No significant difference in remission rate was observed between immunomodulator (IM) users and IM non-users at baseline. From multivariate analysis, concomitant use of CS (p=0.001, odds ratio [OR] =0.488, 95% CI [confidence interval] 0.314–0.759) and partial Mayo remission at BL (p<0.001, OR=4.329, 95% CI 2.056–9.115) were identified as independent factors associated with clinical remission. ADRs occurred in 71 patients (18.2%). The most common ADR was rash, reported in 9 patients (2.3%). Serious ADRs occurred in 40 patients (10.2%). The most frequent serious ADR was UC, reported in 8 patients (2.0%). In multivariate analysis, the presence of comorbidities was associated with ADR incidence (OR=2.000, 95% CI 1.183–3.380). Conclusion From the Japanese post-marketing data, the real-world effectiveness of GLM treatment was confirmed in both biologic naïve and experienced populations. Safety profile was generally consistent with previous findings, and no additional safety signals were identified. Concomitant use of CS, but not IM, may be likely to affect outcome of GLM therapy.

Background Spinal fractures rarely cause hemothorax, and no treatment consensus has been reached. Conservative treatment is generally selected in cases without arterial injury, but there have been some reports of uncontrolled bleeding. Here we report a case of hemothorax caused by spinal fracture without arterial injury treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Case presentation An 88-year-old Japanese woman with back pain was diagnosed with hemothorax due to bleeding from an unstable fracture of the tenth thoracic vertebra. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed no obvious arterial injury. We performed transcatheter arterial embolization of the bilateral tenth intercostal arteries to prevent rebleeding. The hemothorax did not worsen until surgical spinal fixation 9 days post-transcatheter arterial embolization, and she was discharged 30 days after admission. Conclusion Transcatheter arterial embolization for hemothorax caused by spinal fractures without obvious arterial injury may be a useful bridge to spinal fixation.

Background Human hepcidin, produced by hepatocytes, regulates intestinal iron absorption, iron recycling by macrophages, and iron release from hepatic storage. Recent studies indicate that hepcidin deficiency is the underlying cause of the most known form of hereditary hemochromatosis. Case presentation A 44-year-old Asian man who developed type 2 diabetes mellitus had elevated serum ferritin levels (10,191 ng/mL). Liver biopsy revealed remarkable iron deposition in the hepatocytes and relatively advanced fibrosis (F3). Chromosomal analysis confirmed the presence of transferrin receptor type 2 mutations (c.1100T>G, c.2008_9delAC, hereditary hemochromatosis type 3 analyzed by Kawabata). The patient received intravenous infusions of Laennec (672 mg/day, three times/week) or oral administration with Porcine (3.87 g/day) for 84 months as an alternative to repeated phlebotomy. At the end of the treatment period, serum ferritin level decreased to 428.4 ng/mL (below the baseline level of 536.8 ng/mL). Hemoglobin A1c levels also improved after treatment with the same or lower dose of insulin (8.8% before versus 6.8% after). Plural liver biopsies revealed remarkable improvements in the grade of iron deposition and fibrosis (F3 before versus F1 after) of the liver tissue. Conclusion The discovery of hepcidin and its role in iron metabolism could lead to novel therapies for hereditary hemochromatosis. Laennec (parenteral) and Porcine (oral), which act as hepcidin inducers, actually improved iron overload in this hereditary hemochromatosis patient, without utilizing sequential phlebotomy. This suggests the possibility of not only improving the prognosis of hereditary hemochromatosis (types 1, 2, and 3) but also ameliorating complications, such as type 2 diabetes, liver fibrosis, and hypogonadism. Laennec and Porcine can completely replace continuous venesection in patients with venesection and may improve other iron-overloading disorders caused by hepcidin deficiency.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (TR-MRA) for patency after coil embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and identify factors affecting patency. Methods Data from the records of 205 patients with 378 untreated PAVMs were retrospectively analyzed. Differences in proportional reduction of the sac or draining vein on CT between occluded and patent PAVMs were examined, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of CT using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the definitive diagnostic modality. The accuracy of TR-MRA was also assessed in comparison to DSA. Potential factors affecting patency, including sex, age, number of PAVMs, location of PAVMs, type of PAVM, and location of embolization, were evaluated. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of CT were 82%, 81%, 77%, 85%, and 82%, respectively, when the reduction rate threshold was set to 55%, which led to the highest diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of TR-MRA were 89%, 95%, 89%, 95%, and 93%, respectively. On both univariable and multivariable analyses, embolization of the distal position to the last normal branch of the pulmonary artery was a factor that significantly affected the prevention of patency. Conclusions TR-MRA appears to be an appropriate method for follow-up examinations due to its high accuracy for the diagnosis of patency after coil embolization of PAVMs. The location of embolization is a factor affecting patency. Key Points • Diagnosis of patency after coil embolization for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) is important because a patent PAVM can lead to neurologic complications. • The diagnostic accuracies of CT with a cutoff value of 55% and TR-MRA were 82% and 93%, respectively. • The positioning of the coils relative to the sac and the last normal branch of the artery was significant for preventing PAVM patency.

OBJECTIVE:Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and subsequent fibrosis. Previously, we demonstrated that placental extract ameliorates fibrosis in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In this study, we evaluated whether placental extract influences EMT and fibrosis through cytokine-induced EMT in the retinal pigment epithelial cells, in vitro.RESULTS:Placental extract did not inhibit EMT, but it suppressed excessive mesenchymal reactions and the subsequent fibrosis. These results suggest that placental extract effectively ameliorates EMT-associated fibrosis in PVR. This beneficial effect could be partially attributed to the suppression of excessive mesenchymal reactions.

The purpose is to investigate the major and minor complications of the pancreas after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for bleeding from pancreatic arteries. Thirty-three patients who underwent TAE using NBCA for acute bleeding from pancreatic arteries and their parent arteries followed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) were evaluated retrospectively. Complications and risk factors were assessed using Mann–Whitney U test or Fisher’s exact test for the univariate analysis. Patients’ characteristic, embolized artery, procedure details, and clinical outcomes were examined as possible risk factors. TAE was performed successfully in all patients. Minor pancreatic complications occurred in 10 patients (30%), including acute mild pancreatitis (n = 4) and focal lack of pancreatic parenchymal enhancement on CE-CT without pancreatitis (n = 6). No cases of major pancreatic complications, such as moderate/severe pancreatitis, were reported. Embolized artery was the only significant risk factor. The rate of complications per embolized artery were 15% (three out of 20 patients) in the arteries of the pancreatic head and 54% (seven out of 13 patients) in the arteries of pancreatic body and tail (p = 0.025). TAE using NBCA for acute bleeding from pancreatic arteries is efficacious and safe. Mild pancreatic complications were observed more frequently in case of embolization of the pancreatic body and tail region than the pancreatic head.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) treatment is reported to have an antitumor effect owing to the improvement in intratumoral hypoxia. Previous studies were based on histological analysis alone. In the present study, the improvement in intratumoral hypoxia by percutaneous CO2 treatment in vivo was determined using 18F-fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FMISO PET-CT) images. Twelve Japanese nude mice underwent implantation of LM8 tumor cells in the dorsal subcutaneous area 2 weeks before percutaneous CO2 treatment and 18F-FMISO PET-CT scans. Immediately after intravenous injection of 18F-FMISO, CO2 and room air were administered transcutaneously in the CO2-treated group (n=6) and a control group (n=6), respectively; each treatment was performed for 10 minutes. PET-CT was performed 2 h after administration of 18F-FMISO. 18F-FMISO tumor uptake was quantitatively evaluated using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), tumor-to-liver ratio (TLR), tumor-to-muscle ratio (TMR), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) of the tumor volume was not significantly different between the two groups (CO2-treated group, 1.178±0.450 cm3; control group, 1.368±0.295 cm3; P=0.485). Mean ± SEM of SUVmax, TLR, MTV (cm3) and TLG were significantly lower in the CO2-treated group compared with the control group (0.880±0.095 vs. 1.253±0.071, P=0.015; 1.063±0.147361 vs. 1.455±0.078, P=0.041; 0.353±0.139 vs. 1.569±0.438, P=0.015; 0.182±0.070 vs. 1.028±0.338, P=0.015), respectively. TMR was not significantly different between the two groups (4.520±0.503 vs. 5.504±0.310; P=0.240). In conclusion, 18F-FMISO PET revealed that percutaneous CO2 treatment improved intratumoral hypoxia in vivo. This technique enables assessment of the therapeutic effect in CO2 treatment by imaging, and may contribute to its clinical application.

To evaluate the efficacy of superselective transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for intractable postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to genital tract trauma (GTT) after vaginal delivery. We evaluated 27 patients who underwent TAE for intractable PPH due to GTT after vaginal delivery at our institution between January 2008 and December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to TAE procedure; TAE performed as close as possible to the bleeding point, at least more peripherally than the second branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery, was defined as superselective TAE (S-TAE). TAE performed from the proximal segment of the internal iliac artery was defined as proximal TAE (P-TAE). Patient characteristics, pre-procedural contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT), procedure details, technical/clinical success, and complications were evaluated separately for the S-TAE and P-TAE groups. The combined technical/clinical success rate was 92%. No major procedure-related complications were seen (mean follow-up: 6.12 ± 3.93 days). The combined technical/clinical success rate of S-TAE was 100% and of P-TAE was 67% (p = 0.04). S-TAE was performed more frequently in patients with pre-procedural CE-CT (p = 0.01) and use of permanent embolic materials (p = 0.003). S-TAE is safe and effective for intractable PPH due to GTT. Pre-procedural CE-CT may be useful for detecting the culprit artery and be helpful in performing S-TAE.