Transcatheter embolization was a safe and effective treatment for PCS. Lower limb symptoms, urinary urgency, and varicosities were associated with incomplete clinical success.

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The purpose of this study is to describe 10 cases of symptomatic isolated spontaneous celiac trunk dissection (ISCTD) in order to evaluate the initial clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment modalities and outcomes. A retrospective search was performed from 2009 to 2014 and 10 patients with ISCTD were included in the study. Patients with associated aortic and/or other visceral artery dissection were excluded. The following information was collected from each case: sex, age, associated risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic method, anatomic dissection pattern, treatment modality and outcome. Most patients were male (90%), with an average age of 44.8 years, and the most common symptom was abdominal pain (100%). Hypertension and vasculitis (polyarteritis nodosa) were the most frequent risk factors (40% and 30%, respectively). Diagnosis was made in all patients with computed tomography. Dissection was limited to the celiac trunk in three patients and extended to celiac branches in the other seven. Initial conservative treatment was attempted in every case and was successful in nine patients. In one case, initial conservative treatment was unsuccessful and arterial stenting with coil embolization of the false lumen was performed. After successful initial treatment, late progression of the dissection to aneurysmal dilatation was observed in two patients and it was decided to perform endovascular treatment. Mean follow-up was 19 months, ranging from 2 to 59 months. In conclusion, initial conservative treatment seems adequate for most patients with ISCTD. Long-term follow-up is mandatory, owing to the risk of later progression to aneurysm.

BACKGROUNDProspective study of 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that underwent liver transplant (LT) after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for downstaging versus bridging. Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated, eligibility for LT, time on the waiting list and radiological response were compared. After TACE, only patients within Milan Criteria (MC) were transplanted. More patients underwent LT in bridging group. Five-year post-transplant overall survival, recurrence-free survival has no difference between the groups. Complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group. Patients in DS group can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability, at five years, just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.AIMTo determine long-term outcomes of patients with HCC that underwent LT after DEB-TACE for downstaging vs bridging.METHODSProspective cohort study of 200 patients included from April 2011 through June 2014. Bridging group included patients within MC. Downstaging group (out of MC) was divided in 5 subgroups (G1 to G5). Total tumor diameter was ≤ 8 cm for G1, 2, 3, 4 (n = 42) and was > 8 cm for G5 (n = 22). Downstaging (n = 64) and bridging (n = 136) populations were not significantly different. Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Additionally, eligibility for LT, time on the waiting list until LT and radiological response were compared.RESULTSAfter TACE, only patients within MC were transplanted. More patients underwent LT in bridging group 65.9% (P = 0.001). Downstaging population presented: higher number of nodules 2.81 (P = 0.001); larger total tumor diameter 8.09 (P = 0.001); multifocal HCC 78% (P = 0.001); more post-transplantation recurrence 25% (P = 0.02). Patients with maximal tumor diameter up to 7.05 cm were more likely to receive LT (P = 0.005). Median time on the waiting list was significantly longer in downstaging group 10.6 mo (P = 0.028). Five-year post-transplant overall survival was 73.5% in downstaging and 72.3% bridging groups (P = 0.31), and recurrence-free survival was 62.1% in downstaging and 74.8% bridging groups (P = 0.93). Radiological response: complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group (P = 0.004).CONCLUSIONTumors initially exceeding the MC down-staged after DEB-TACE, can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability, at five years, just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.