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Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital anomaly that is frequently complicated by atherosclerotic changes, such as occlusion and aneurysmal formation. This report describes a case of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of a unilateral, complete-type PSA in the right thigh of a 74-year-old woman that was treated successfully with endovascular angioplasty and stent placement. Within 3 months, however, a PSA aneurysm developed in the gluteal region. This aneurysm was repaired endovascularly through placement of a stent graft. To the authors’ knowledge, rapid formation of a PSA aneurysm and successful endovascular treatment of both CTO of a PSA and of a PSA aneurysm have not been reported previously.

The MRI features of small renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with histology in 24 patients. MRI features on both T1‐ and T2‐weighted images were classified into hypointensity, isointensity, and hyperintensity. Each tumor was pathologically classified into four types: alveolar, papillary, tubular, and cystic. These findings were correlated with MR signal intensities. Alveolar tumors showed hypointensity to isointensity on T1‐weighted image and isointensity to hyperintensity on T2‐weighted image. In contrast, all papillary tumors showed hypointensity on T2‐weighted image. Four of six tumors with hypointensity on T2‐weighted image were caused by hemosiderin deposition, hemorrhage, and necrosis. However, there were two papillary RCCs that showed hypointensity on T2‐weighted image despite no hemosiderin deposition and no hemorrhage. We conclude that papillary RCC is associated with T2‐hypointense appearance as well as hemosiderin deposition, hemorrhage, and necrosis.

Summary The experimental and pharmacological characteristics of various formulations of an anticancer agent (epirubicin, EPI) and lipiodol were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Three forms of EPI-lipiodol, i.e., an oil-in-water type of emulsion (O/W type), a water-in-oil type of emulsion (W/O type), and a suspension (S type), were prepared and investigated for their stability. An O/W-type emulsion using a stock solution of Iopamidol as the solvent for EPI was the most stable form in the stationary state in vitro. In 16 patients with malignant liver tumors (14 hepatocellular carcinomas and 2 liver metastases), the three forms of EPI-lipiodol were injected into the proper hepatic artery. The plasma EPI level was monitored periodically and analyzed pharmacokinetically. No significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of EPI was detected among the O/W, W/O, and S types.

The CT and ultrasound features of retained sponges (gossypibomas) are described in six patients. They are well-circumscribed cystic masses without surrounding edema. The retained sponges or towels were correctly identified in only three cases. In the other three cases retained sponges were organized and lost their original configuration. Gas was seen in one case and calcification in two cases. Gossypibomas should be included in the differential diagnosis in all patients with a well-circumscribed cystic mass in the abdomen and with a history of previous laparotomy.