Abbreviations: QTL, quantitative trait locus; SSR, simple sequence repeat.

The abdominal aorta was dilated with a pair of 9-mm balloon catheters in a patient with Leriche syndrome. The bilateral pressure gradient, initially 60 mm Hg, disappeared even after papaverine was injected. Balloon dilatation of the abdominal aorta may be an effective, safe nonsurgical technique, particularly in localized, noncalcified atheromata, and does not carry the risk of impotence seen with surgical endarterectomy or bypass.

Two benign leiomyomas are described together with their radiographic and sonographic appearance, and the literature is reviewed. In large, asymptomatic renal masses, which are well circumscribed on angiography, a benign intrarenal leiomyoma may be considered. Nonechogenicity and relatively good through-transmission seem to substantiate the diagnosis.

Two cases of percutaneous transfemoral embolization of facial hemangiomas and arteriovenous (AV) malformations are reported. In both cases, Ivalon shavings were injected through a percutaneously placed catheter to permanently occlude peripheral feeders of the AV malformation. In one case, because of the size of the large venous sacs associated with the malformation, a steel coil was introduced to form a baffle, over which several additional strands of surgical silk were introduced to obliterate these sacs. These cases emphasize the need for embolization of small feeding arteries to prevent recurrence by collateral channels. To achieve this, specific-sized emboli are necessary; Ivalon is a suitable embolic material.

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