The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of the elective-start versus urgent-start use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters using percutaneous radiologic or laparoscopic techniques. Patients having their first peritoneal dialysis catheter placed and used between January 2005 and January 2018 were identified, and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Two groups were identified: elective-start (n = 211) and urgent-start (n = 29). Patient’s demographics were similar between the two groups with the exception of age, which was higher in the elective-start group. The catheter complication rates and catheter removal rates at 3 and 12 months, mean days-to-first complication, mean days-to-catheter removal, and overall patient survival at 12 months were analyzed. Catheter complication rates at 3 and 12 months were similar between the two groups (27.8% and 48.9%, respectively, in the elective-start group versus 35.9% and 54.2%, respectively, in the urgent-start group, p=0.415). The catheter removal rates at 3 and 12 months were also similar between the two groups (p=0.088). Catheter leak was higher in the urgent-start group (13.8% versus 3.3%, respectively, p=0.011). There was no difference between the elective-start and the urgent-start groups in the mean days-to-first complication (95 vs 69, p=0.086), mean days-to-catheter removal (145 vs 127, p=0.757), and overall patient survival at 12 months (100% vs 97%, p=0.41). In conclusion, apart from catheter leak, there were similar rates of catheter complication and removal for PD catheter used for the elective-start compared to the urgent-start PD. Furthermore, the technique of placement did not affect the outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on relapsed metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) after radiotherapy. Methods: From September 2014 to November 2018, 19 patients with 22 MSCC underwent TACE. We targeted the lesions with analgesic-resistant pain and neurologic deficit. The anticancer agents used were epirubicin, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, based on the primary lesion. In all cases, we performed TACE using Embosphere ® (300-500 mm) after intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy. We repeated TACE as needed. Blood flow was altered with microcoils, if necessary. The following endpoints were evaluated for all lesions: pain relief, improvement of neurologic deficit, and objective tumor response. We defined complete symptom relief (CSR) as an achievement of pain relief and improvement of neurologic deficit, partial symptom relief (PSR) as an achievement of pain relief or improvement of the neurologic deficit but not both, and no symptom relief (NSR) as persistent pain and neurologic deficit. We defined the clinical response rate as (CSR + PSR)/(CSR + PSR + NSR). Objective response was estimated as follows: We defined complete response (CR) as a >50% decrease in tumor size, partial response (PR) as a < 50% decrease in tumor size, and stable response (SR) as no change in tumor size at follow-up. We defined the objective response rate as (CR + PR)/(CR + PR + SR). Results: We performed TACE for 45 sessions for 22 lesions. The treatment sites were as follows: 12 thoracic spines, eight lumbar spines, and two cervical spines. The outcomes with TACE were a clinical response rate of 86% (CSR: 10, PSR: 1, and NSR: 3) and an objective response rate of 68% (CR: 3, PR: 12, and SR: 7). We observed no severe adverse events. Conclusion: We recommend TACE for better pain relief and improvement of neurologic deficits from relapsed MSCC after radiotherapy.

questionnaire replies (out of 73 PMT patients) were included in this study (41% return rate). 24/29 patients (83%) suffered from no or mild PTS symptoms, while the overall mean VEINES Sym/ QoL scores were 75% and 76%, respectively. Direct correlation between the poorer PTS and VEINES Sym/QoL scores was observed. No statistically significant difference was seen between patients who were treated with/without stenting and compression stockings, neither their body mass index nor gender. Conclusion: There is a positive outcome in the symptoms of PTS and QoL among IF-DVT patients treated with PMT at long-term followup. Hence, PMT should be considered in this cohort. Improved patient selection factors targeting the most at-risk group should be further investigated.

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