Endovenous Iliocaval Revascularization for Transplant Kidney Salvage

Purpose: We report the case of a venous iliocaval recanalization to preserve a transplant kidney. Case Report: A young patient with a nephrotic syndrome caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) underwent a robot-assisted living-donor kidney transplant. The postoperative course was uneventful; serum creatinine at discharge was 1.51 mg/dL (normal range = 0.72–1.17 mg/dL). In the course of the following months, the patient was readmitted repeatedly due to acute kidney failure not related to rejection, recurrent FSGS, or anastomotic stenosis. All episodes started after prolonged standing and renal function improved after bed rest. Several hospital admissions and investigations later, phlebography revealed an occlusion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and both common iliac veins with large collateral vessels through the azygos system. An endovenous recanalization of the iliocaval tract was performed, with subsequent normalization of transplant kidney function. Conclusion: Vascular complications after renal transplantation are an important cause of graft loss. We present an endovenous treatment option for a chronic occlusion of the IVC and common iliac vein with intermittent venous congestion as a cause of transplant failure.

An Anatomical Clue for Minimizing Iliac Vein Injury During the Anterolateral Approach at L5–S1 Level: A Cadaveric Study

Objective: The injury to the common iliac vein (CIV) seems to be the most important concern during the anterior approach to the spine at L5–S1 level. We investigated the anatomy of the L5–S1 vertebral structures related to the CIV through a cadaveric study to find an anatomical clue for safe dissection of CIV.Methods: Ten cadavers were prepared for this study. After removing the peritoneum and the presacral fascia, the section from the lower part of the L5 to the upper part of the S1 vertebral body was removed with the CIV attached. After decalcification, 2 sections in the vertical and horizontal directions were made for histological study.Results: An adipose tissue layer was present between the intervertebral disc and CIV. The adipose tissue layer in 6 cadavers was thin, and in 3 of these cadavers, the CIV was attached to the vertebral body and the disc. In the other 4 cadavers, the CIV was clearly separated from the vertebral body and the disc by the intervening adipose tissue layer (IATL). Under the microscope, a thin layer surrounding the anterior longitudinal ligament, periosteum, and disc was observed, and we named this structure the ‘perivertebral membrane’. The perivertebral membrane was attached to the CIV when there was no IATL, but a potential space was detected under the membrane.Conclusion: There was a thin membrane, perivertebral membrane, between the CIV and L5–S1 disc. In cases with CIV adhesion to the disc due to the absence of IATL, the CIV may be mobilized indirectly through the perivertebral membrane.

A Rare Variation of Retroaortic Left Renal Vein Draining into Left Common Iliac Vein

A 24-year-old woman without underlying disease presented with right lower abdominal pain for a day. The patient’s clinical symptoms were suspected acute appendicitis and underwent multidetector computed tomography. There is diffuse enlarged appendix with diffuse wall thickening and enhancement as well as minimal surrounding fat stranding. Mild thickened peritoneum is also observed. There is no fluid collection or free air. The radiologist diagnosed acute appendicitis without complication. Incidentally, the patient was found a rare anatomical variation of the retroaortic left renal vein draining into left common iliac vein. Patient underwent appendectomy. We would like to present a characteristic imaging of the renal vein variations.

Interdisciplinary Surgical Treatments and Long-Term Outcomes of Lumbar Spinal Tumors With Retroperitoneal Involvements: A Retrospective Case Series Study

PurposeSurgical treatments are technically challenging for lumbar spinal tumor (LST) with extensive retroperitoneal involvements. Our study aimed to report the experience and outcomes concerning interdisciplinary surgical collaborations in managing such LSTs.Patients and MethodsNine patients underwent interdisciplinary surgical treatments which were performed by specialists, namely, spinal, vascular, and urinary surgeries. Data on clinical characteristics were collected, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score (JOAS) were used in the evaluation before and after surgery. The postoperative complications and the long-term outcomes were reported as well.ResultsThe interdisciplinary work included double J catheter indwelling (n = 9), nephrostomy (n = 5), replacement of the common iliac vein (n = 2), abdominal aorta repair (n = 3), and vital vessel repair (n = 8). The early-stage complications included complaints of moderate low back pain and slight implant shift (n = 1, 11.1%) and tardive ureterodialysis (n = 1, 11.1%). The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 76.2 ± 14.8 and 50.8 ± 23.0%, respectively, during the mean follow-up of 34.6 ± 17.9 months (range, 9.5–68.7). Besides this, more blood loss was associated with recurrent and metastatic tumor status (p = 0.043) and surgery time >5 h (p = 0.023). Remarkable pain relief and favorable quality of life were achieved based on the postoperative VAS (3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001) and JOAS (16.6 ± 0.5, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe treatments of LSTs with wide-range retroperitoneal involvements require interdisciplinary surgical collaborations to lower the risks and improve the long-term outcomes. High-quality prospective cohort studies with large samples are warranted to establish general surgical protocols in managing LSTs with extensive retroperitoneal involvements.

Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens: A Life- and Limb-threatening Disease

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare syndrome caused by venous thrombosis and characterised by a triad of limb oedema, cyanosis and pain. It requires early recognition as delay of treatment can cause gangrene, limb amputation and in extreme cases, death. A 67- year-old Chinese lady, with underlying hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia presented to the emergency department with a 2 days history of pain, oedema and bluish discoloration over the entire left leg. She had a history of fall 6 months prior and since then she used a walking stick for mobilization. This patient underwent ultrasound doppler left lower limb , which showed features suggestive of long-segment left lower limb deep vein thrombosis. A diagnosis of PCD was made. Subsequently, she went for a CT angiogram and venography of the left lower limb which confirmed thrombosis of the left calf vein extending to the long segment of the left common iliac vein. She was commenced on intravenous heparin infusion and then underwent inferior vena cava filter insertion and catheter directed thrombolysis. Repeat venogram showed successful catheter directed thrombolysis of the left lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Treatment should be initiated as soon as the diagnosis of PCD is suspected. Currently, guidelines for treatment are lacking however 3 therapeutic options are advocated alone or in combination: anticoagulants, thrombolytic therapy, and venous thrombectomy. An early recognition of PCD and appropriate decision regarding the treatment is essential to preserve the limb.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue-2: 2021 Page: S16

Management of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens Caused by a Giant Leiomyoma

This case is of a young female with a large uterine leiomyoma causing phlegmasia cerulea dolens with thrombosis of the left common and left external iliac veins. She underwent mechanical thrombectomy to temporize the condition until she could be evaluated by gynecology-oncologist to remove the cause of venous obstruction. Prior to hysterectomy, suprarenal inferior vena cava filter was placed. Less than 12 hours post hysterectomy she developed recurrent thrombosis involving the left common and external iliac veins. She underwent repeat mechanical thrombectomy with wall stent placement in the left common iliac vein with resolution of her symptoms.

Combined high-resolution 3D CUBE T1-weighted imaging and non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance venography for evaluation of vein stenosis in May–Thurner syndrome

Purpose To explore the feasibility of high-resolution MRI 3-dimensional (3D) CUBE T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with non-contrast-enhanced (NCE) magnetic resonance venography (MRV) for the assessment of lumen stenosis in May–Thurner syndrome. Methods Twenty-nine patients underwent computed tomography venography (CTV) and high-resolution MRI-CUBE T1, and NCE MRV acquisitions. ANOVA and LSD tests were used to compare the stenosis rate and narrowest and distal diameters of the vessel lumen. Results There were no significant differences in the estimated stenosis rate between CTV, CUBE T1, and NCE MRV (p = 0.768). However, there were significant differences in the measured stenosis diameters of the left common iliac vein (LCIV), with CTV giving the largest mean diameter and CUBE had the smallest mean diameter (p < 0.05). The measured normal LCIV diameters did not significantly differ between MRV and CUBE (p = 0.075) but were significantly larger on CTV than on MRV and CUBE (p < 0.05). Conclusions Compared with CTV, a combination of CUBE and MRV could provide an improved assessment of the degree of lumen stenosis in May–Thurner syndrome and demonstrate acute thrombosis. MRI underestimates the diameter of the vessel in comparison with CTV. MRI can be a substitute tool for Duplex ultrasound and CTV.

Rating the incidence of iatrogenic vascular injuries in thoracic and lumbar spine surgery as regards the approach: A PRISMA-based literature review

Purpose To assess the rate, timing of diagnosis, and repairing strategies of vascular injuries in thoracic and lumbar spine surgery as their relationship to the approach. Methods PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases were utilized for a comprehensive literature search based on keywords and mesh terms to find articles reporting iatrogenic vascular injury during thoracic and lumbar spine surgery. English articles published in the last ten years were selected. The search was refined based on best match and relevance. Results Fifty-six articles were eligible, for a cumulative volume of 261 lesions. Vascular injuries occurred in 82% of instrumented procedures and in 59% during anterior approaches. The common iliac vein (CIV) was the most involved vessel, injured in 49% of anterior lumbar approaches. Common iliac artery, CIV, and aorta were affected in 40%, 28%, and 28% of posterior approaches, respectively. Segmental arteries were injured in 68% of lateral approaches. Direct vessel laceration occurred in 81% of cases and recognized intraoperatively in 39% of cases. Conclusions Incidence of iatrogenic vascular injuries during thoracic and lumbar spine surgery is low but associated with an overall mortality rate up to 65%, of which less than 1% for anterior approaches and more than 50% for posterior ones. Anterior approaches for instrumented procedures are at risk of direct avulsion of CIV. Posterior instrumented fusions are at risk for injuries of iliac vessels and aorta. Lateral routes are frequently associated with lesions of segmental vessels. Suture repair and endovascular techniques are useful in the management of these severe complications.