In the past 20 years, peripheral artery disease (PAD) has been increasingly recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. PAD has traditionally been identified as a male-dominant disease; however, recent population trends and studies in PAD suggest that women are affected at least as often as men. Women comprise a larger population of the elderly than men, as well as an increasing proportion of patients with PAD. Much of the existing research on PAD has focused on whole populations, and gender-specific data on PAD is sparse. This review focuses on gender-specific differences in presentation, management, and outcomes of PAD intervention that are important considerations for the interventional radiologist.

BackgroundChest CT is more sensitive than a chest X-ray (CXR) in diagnosing rib fractures; however, the clinical significance of these fractures remains unclear.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the added diagnostic use of chest CT performed after CXR in patients with either known or suspected rib fractures secondary to blunt trauma.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of blunt trauma patients with rib fractures at a level I trauma center that had both a CXR and a CT chest. The CT finding of ≥ 3 additional fractures in patients with ≤ 3 rib fractures on CXR was considered clinically meaningful. Student’s t-test and chi-square analysis were used for comparison.ResultsWe identified 499 patients with rib fractures: 93 (18.6%) had CXR only, 7 (1.4%) had chest CT only, and 399 (79.9%) had both CXR and chest CT. Among these 399 patients, a total of 1,969 rib fractures were identified: 1,467 (74.5%) were missed by CXR. The median number of additional fractures identified by CT was 3 (range, 4 - 15). Of 212 (53.1%) patients with a clinically meaningful increase in the number of fractures, 68 patients underwent one or more clinical interventions: 36 SICU admissions, 20 pain catheter placements, 23 epidural placements, and 3 SSRF. Additionally, 70 patients had a chest tube placed for retained hemothorax or occult pneumothorax. Overall, 138 patients (34.5%) had a change in clinical management based upon CT chest.ConclusionsThe chest X-ray missed ~75% of rib fractures seen on chest CT. Although patients with a clinical meaningful increase in the number of rib fractures were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, there was no associated improvement in pulmonary outcomes.

Percutaneous renal biopsy is widely used for diagnosis, prognosis, and management of nephropathies. Complications may arise after renal biopsy, most commonly in the form of bleeding. Efforts should be taken to optimize modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy prior to the procedure. Unmodifiable risk factors such as poor renal function, gender, and underlying histologic diagnosis may be used to identify high-risk patients. Delayed presentation of bleeding complications is common, and close clinical follow-up is crucial.

In the last 20 years, peripheral artery disease (PAD) has been increasingly recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The endovascular treatment of PAD has seen a marked rise as minimally invasive techniques and devices have been refined. Two newer devices, drug-eluting stents and drug-eluting balloons, are on the forefront of the battle against limb loss from PAD. This review focuses on the data backing the use of drug-eluting technologies for use in the peripheral arterial system.

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) have various causes, including osteoporosis, neoplasms, and acute trauma. As painful VCFs may contribute to general physical deconditioning, management of painful VCFs has the potential for improving quality of life and preventing superimposed medical complications. Various imaging modalities can be used to evaluate a VCF to help determine the etiology and guide intervention. The first-line treatment of painful VCFs has been nonoperative or conservative management as most VCFs show gradual improvement in pain over 2 to 12 weeks, with variable return of function. There is evidence that vertebral augmentation (VA) is associated with better pain relief and improved functional outcomes compared to conservative therapy for osteoporotic VCFs. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for the management of painful pathologic VCFs, with management strategies including medications to affect bone turnover, radiation therapy, and interventions such as VA and percutaneous thermal ablation to alleviate symptoms.