MIM for visceral artery aneurysms can be used alone or in combination to effectively treat VAAs in elective or emergent conditions.

ECCAs are uncommon and may be manifested with varying symptoms. All segments of the carotid artery are susceptible, although the internal is most commonly affected. Open surgical intervention was more common in patients with symptoms and with true aneurysms. Patients with pseudoaneurysms were more likely to undergo endovascular intervention. Nonoperative treatment is safe in selected patients.

years) and 125 women (mean age, 70.0 Ϯ 11.2 years; P ϭ NS). Women were more likely to undergo treatment for critical limb ischemia (87.7% vs 77.7%; P ϭ .028) and less likely to have treatment for claudication (12.3% vs 22.3%; P ϭ NS). Women were also more likely to undergo balloon angioplasty (57.5% vs 68.9%; P ϭ .043). However, men were more likely to have coronary disease, history of coronary bypass grafting, and chronic renal insufficiency. TransAtlantic Intersociety Consensus distribution, incidence of smoking, and diabetes were equivalent in both sexes. When adjusted for comorbidities, women had higher 24-month primary patency rates (46.0% Ϯ 6.1% vs 30.4% Ϯ 5.9%; P ϭ .016) and limb salvage rates (87.5% Ϯ 4.1% vs 82.9% Ϯ 5.4%; P ϭ .041) than men for tibial lesions with concurrent proximal disease. The difference in 24-month patency between women and men was more pronounced for isolated tibial lesions (50.1% Ϯ10.1% vs 28.8% Ϯ 10.4%; P ϭ .002). Although the overall complication rates were similar, women had comparatively higher rates of postoperative access site thrombosis than men (8.9% vs 0.6%, P ϭ .001).Conclusions: Overall, endovascular interventions below the knee are safe and effective in women and should be considered the first-line modality for the management of critical tibial occlusive disease. However, further investigation and development of technique to better fit the female anatomy is necessary to improve the gender-related disparity in access site-related complications.

Endovascular repair for IAAA results in successful management with improvement of periaortic inflammation. EVAR should be considered as first-line therapy in which anatomic parameters are favorable.

Background: Lumbar multifidus muscles (LMM) are important for spinal motion and stability. Low back pain (LBP) is often associated with fat infiltration in LMM. An increasing fat infiltration of LMM may lead to lumbar dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between the severity of lumbar dysfunction and the severity of fat infiltration of LMM. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 42 patients with acute or chronic LBP were recruited. Their MRI findings were visually rated and graded using three criteria for fat accumulation in LMM: Grade 0 (0-10%), Grade 1 (10-50%) and Grade 2 (>50%). Lumbar sagittal range of motion, dynamic upright and seated posture control, sagittal movement control, body awareness and self-assessed functional disability were measured to determine the patients' low back dysfunction. Results: The main result of this study was that increased severity of fat infiltration in the lumbar multifidus muscles correlated significantly with decreased range of motion of lumbar flexion (p = 0.032). No significant correlation was found between the severity of fat infiltration in LMM and impaired movement control, posture control, body awareness or self-assessed functional disability. Conclusion: This is the first study investigating the relationship between the severity of fat infiltration in LMM and the severity of lumbar dysfunction. The results of this study will contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms leading to fat infiltration of LMM and its relation to spinal function. Further studies should investigate whether specific treatment strategies are effective in reducing or preventing fat infiltration of LMM.