AIM To explore a method to control splenic embolic volume precisely for partial splenic embolization(PSE) to improve the validity and safety of PSE, and study the portal hemodynamic changes after PSE.METHODS Gelfoam particles of identical standard (2×2×1.6mm) were used as embolic material tomeasure the splenic radiographic parameters SAI (spleen activity index) was measured scanning withradioisotope technetium-99mTc sulfur colloid and splenic embolic volume was calculated with the followingformula: splenic embolic volume = [SAI(pre-PSE)-SAI(post- PSE )]/SAI(pre-PSE)×100%. The regressionequation of gelfoam particles in splenic embolic volume and splenic radiographic parameters was calculatedusing SAS (statistical analysis system) software (version 6.02). Portal hemodynamic changes were examinedby color Doppler ultrasound.RESULTS The amount of gelfoam particles was correlated with splenic embolic volume and top-bottomlength of spleen, regression equation was achieved: Y = 5.77X1 + 15.19X3-164.75, (multi-regression wasused, significant level P = 0.15). Y: number of gelfoam particles used, Xl: splenic embolic volume (%),X3: top-bottom length of spleen (cm). The diameter and blood flow volume of spleen and portal vein and thepeak velocity of spleen vein all decreased after PSE. The decreased parameters were positively correlatedwith splenic embolic volume.CONCLUSION By calculating gelfoam particles for PSE, splenic embolic volume could be controlled withinthe effective and safe limit. PSE could decrease the high dynamic circulating state of portal systemeffectively.

Objective To retrospectively study clinical features and diagnostic imaging of vasculogeneic pulsatile tin-nitus, and the feasibility and efficacy of transvascular interventional treatment for this condition. Methods Data from 82 cases of arterial or venous pulsatile tinnitus were reviewed. DSA characteristics and possible pathophysiological mechanisms of pulsatile tinnitus in these cases were studied. Diagnoses in this group in-cluded intracranial arterovenous fistula (AVF) (n=3), spontaneous skull base dural AVF (n=16), traumatic ca-rotid-cavernous sinus fistula (n=5), subclavian artery stenosis (n=2), internal carotid artery stenosis (n=3), in-tracranial arterial stenosis (n=1), kinked and/or elongated vertebrobasilar artery (n=2), venous sinus divertic-ulum (n=2), venous sinus stenosis on the dominant drainage side (n=46) and occipital sinus stenosis (n=2). Treatments included embolization and stenting using coils, NBCA glue, Balt balloons, self-expansion stents and intracranial micro-stents via either the femoral artery or femoral vein. Results Procedures were suc-cessful in all cases with no surgery-related complications. Tinnitus disappeared within 2 days after the pro-cedure in all cases. Follow up duration was 5-36 months. Recurrence occurred in 4 cases of arterial tinnitus within 3 months following the initial procedure, which improved after revision embolization or symptom management. There was no recurrence in venous tinnitus cases following stent plastic or stent-coiling embo-lization treatments. Conclusions Endovascular intervention provides a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of intractable pulsatile tinnitus. It is also effective in differentiating and studying other types of tinnitus.

Objective To evaluate the mid- and long-term radiological outcomes of cerebral aneurysms with GDCs embolization.Methods One hundred and sixty-two patients with 173 aneurysms embolized with GDCs underwent angiographic follow-up from 1 to 54 months post-operatively and were retrospectively reviewed. Three neuro-radiologists reviewed each angiogram and made a comparison between initial and follow-up angiograms. Morphological outcomes were evaluated as follows: unchanged; progressive thrombosis; and re-opening or re-growth. Results Of 173 aneurysms with GDC embolization, 142 aneutysms had total or nearly total occlusion, 23 subtotal occlusion and 8 partial occlusion shown on initial angiograms. The incidence of re-opening was 17.1% (13/76) in less than 3 months, and 6.2% (6/97) between 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Four aneurysms showed recurrency(2.3%) on second follow-up angiography in one year after procedure and one-year cumulative recurrent rate was 13.3% of 56 aneurysms with the third follow-up angiography in the post-operation period of 12 to 54 months, four showed a little enlargement and the cmnulative recurrent rate so far was 20.2% (35/173). Conclusions The direct and main causes for aneurysmal recurrence are incomplete and loosening packing. The first angiographic follow-up is recommended to be performed at 3 months or earlier after the procedure, especially in aneurysms with initial incomplete occlusion. Re-treatment with balloon- or stent-assisted coil embolization is recommended in re-opening aneurysms. (J Intervent Radiol,2005,14:472-479)

Clinical Value of Interventional Embolization for Sacral Chordoma before Surgical Treatment

Objetive:To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of sacral chordoma,and to explore the choice of embolization timing. Methods:32 patients underwent the posterior approach after TAE of the main arteries that supplied the sacral chordoma. Intraoperative bleeding amount of each patient was recorded and compared between-group differences at different operation times. Results: After embolization, 12 patients were received resection within 24 hours (group A),that of 10 cases between 24 ～ 48h (group B), of another 10 cases between 48～ 72h (group C). All of the 32 tumors were removed intact with intraoperative bleeding about (894±199)ml, without any shock or death,nor injuries on abdominal organs such as rectum and ureter. There was no statistical significance in tumor size among group A,B and C (P＞0.05). Data gave statistical significance in intraoperative blood loss between group A and B (P＜0.01) ,there was no statistical differences between group B and C (P＞0.05), in spite of group B slightly less than group C. Conclusion: Preoperative TAE for excising the sacral tumor can significantly decrease intraoperative blood loss, make the surgical field clear,and facilitate the maximal removal of the sacral chordoma. It would be best to select the embolization timing within 24 hours before surgical operation.