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Adjuvant embolization of varices may reduce rebleeding in patients with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and the risks of adjuvant variceal embolization at TIPS implantation using bucrylate., Patients and Methods: The retrospective study evaluated 104 of 237 cirrhotic patients with TIPS for variceal bleeding who received adjuvant bucrylate embolization. For TIPS creation, bare stents were used in 35 patients (33.7%) and covered stents in 69 patients (66.3%) patients. Isolated gastric varices were seen in 10 patients (9.6%)., Results: Six patients (5.8%) rebled during a median follow-up time of 26 months (1-57 months). Rebleeding occurred in 14% (5/35) of patients with a bare stent but only in 1.4% (1/69) of patients with a covered stent. The 1- and 2-year rebleeding rates of all patients were 0.9 and 2.9% and of patients receiving a bare stent were 2.9 and 8.6%, respectively. Bucrylate migration was seen in 13 patients (12.5%). In 9 of these patients (8.7%), asymptomatic lung embolization occurred. This was rare in patients with esophageal varices (3.1%) but frequent (60%) in patients with isolated gastric varices and a spontaneous splenorenal shunt., Conclusions: Our results suggest that adjuvant embolization using bucrylate is effective and delays variceal rebleeding. The general use of covered stents, however, alleviates the utility of adjuvant bucrylate embolization which may be restricted to patients with a high risk of rebleeding indicated by large varices, active, acute or recent variceal bleeding and advanced cirrhosis. Bucrylate should not be used in isolated gastric varices because it bears a high risk of migration into the lungs.

Bowel ischemia can complicate treatment of type II endoleak with liquid or semiliquid agents such as n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) if nontarget embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) occurs. The current report describes four cases of type II endoleak in which the IMA was the main outflow vessel and was prophylactically occluded with embolization coils before NBCA injection into the endoleak nidus. The purpose was to prevent unintentional embolization of the NBCA into IMA branches. If feasible, protective IMA coil occlusion should be considered in type II endoleaks with IMA outflow in cases of NBCA embolization.

Aims: Comparative histopathological analysis was performed in 47 incompletely embolised and resected cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)., Methods: Thirty-three AVMs were embolised with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBCA), four with iso-butyl-cyanoacrylate (IBCA), seven with polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA), one with a fibrin mixture, one with silicon pellets, and one with microcatheter balloons. Maximum exposure time (MET) of the embolising agent (interval between embolisation and surgery) ranged from <24 hours to 80 months. All AVMs were investigated regarding angionecrosis, angiofibrosis, acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, foreign-body reactions, vascular calcification, blood admixture to embolising cast, and capillary recanalisation within the AVMs. These parameters were correlated with MET, comparing different embolising agents, age, and sex., Results: A typical sequence of events depending on MET is observed in all embolised AVMs: acute inflammation with mural angionecrosis is soon replaced by prominent chronic granulomatous vasculitis, which remains stable and is detectable for a very long time, even in AVMs with a MET of more than 6 years., Conclusion: Capillary recanalisation is always present in incompletely embolised AVMs, detectable after 3 months of MET, irrespective of the embolising agent used. Age and sex does not influence pattern and time course of tissue lesions and recanalisation in incompletely embolised AVMs.

Purpose: To study the results of treatment of corneal perforations with isobutyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive., Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: The charts of 20 patients (22 eyes) with corneal perforation

Background: The use of cyanoacrylate substances as tissue adhesives is of valuable aid in surgery, especially in cases of injuries of the intraabdominal organs, where the haemorrhage is very difficult to control., Materials and Methods: We investigated the efficiency of isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate as a tissue adhesive in the haemostasis and adhesion of different types of wounds in solid and hollow organs. Forty-six dogs underwent single-organ (26 dogs) and combined-organ (20 dogs) procedures; cuneiform excisions of the liver and the spleen, as well as incisions of the small intestine were carried out. The wound surfaces were coated with isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate and approximated., Results: The majority (91.3%) of the surgical operations were uncomplicated, in which a very good macroscopical and histological result was achieved. Histological examination of the surgical injuries, performed 4 months later, confirmed complete wound healing., Conclusion: Isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate proved to be a very effective tissue adhesive for both solid and hollow organs, even for high risk surgical operations.

Translumbar embolization was used to treat 11 type 2 endoleaks in nine patients with the liquid embolic agent n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). Nine of the embolizations were performed with a combination of stainless-steel coils and NBCAJ and the other two were performed with NBCA alone. There was complete occlusion on initial computed tomographic (CT) angiography in six of nine patients (66%), including the two cases treated with NBCA alone. Persistent endoleak on initial CT angiography occurred in three of nine patients (33%). Two of these patients underwent successful repeated embolization with NBCA. Aneurysm size remained unchanged in four patients (44%), decreased in four patients (44%), and increased in one patient (11%). No complications occurred. Initial results with the use of NBCA for endoleak embolization are encouraging.

We present the case of a primary type IA endoleak after deployment of a bifurcated Ancure endograft (Guidant Endovascular Solutions, Menlo Park, Calif) to treat a 9-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm with a short angulated neck. The endoleak was treated unsuccessfully with repeat balloon angioplasty, placement of a Palmaz aortic stent (Cordis Endovascular, Miami, Fla), and deployment of an AneuRx aortic extender cuff (Medtronic AneuRx, Santa Rosa, Calif). The endoleak then was sealed with injection of n-butyl cyanoacrylate into the aneurysm sac at the site of the leak with occlusion of aortic flow. We suggest the use of this liquid embolic agent be considered as an adjunct to control primary type IA endoleaks when other forms of therapy have failed.

Isobutyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (BCTA) was used in the treatment of refractory superficial corneal ulcers in 17 dogs, one cat, and one rabbit, present 2 weeks to 7 months (mean 6.8 weeks +/- 6.1) prior to referral. Little to no sedation was required in the majority of cases, with only topical anesthetic applied prior to debridement and BCTA application. The presence of the tissue adhesive caused mild discomfort for several days after application, as reported by the owners. The ulcers healed, and the tissue adhesive sloughed in approximately 3 weeks (+/- 1 week). Mild neovascularization of the cornea resolved with topical corticosteroids. The use of BCTA offers a simple, safe and noninvasive treatment for refractory corneal ulcers.

Purpose: To describe a technique for stabilizing external eyelid load weights with isobutyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive for the temporary treatment of facial palsies., Methods: This was a nonrandomized, prospective study of six consecutive patients with unilateral facial paralysis treated with external eyelid load weights stabilized with isobutyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive instead of adhesive tape. Follow-up assessment included corneal exposure, patient comfort, amount of artificial tear usage, and complications associated with the weights., Results: Of the six patients studied, five had decreased corneal exposure, decreased artificial tear usage, and increased patient comfort with use of the weights. One patient had no improvement of symptoms. Weights were retained for a mean of 10.7 days. Two patients had difficulty with the weights; one was secondary to dermatochalasis and blepharoptosis obscuring his vision, and the other patient's weight fell off after 1 day. No weights were lost., Conclusions: The use of isobutyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive is a simple, quick, and inexpensive method for placement of external eyelid weights for temporary treatment of ocular exposure associated with facial paralysis and for determining the correct weight for implantation. Furthermore, isobutyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive used to stabilize external eyelid weights is better tolerated and lasts longer than the previously described fixation method with adhesive tape.

Objectives: The use of percutaneous, direct puncture therapeutic embolization (DPTE) of hypervascular head and neck neoplasms is a relatively new modality that may be used to supplement or supplant conventional endovascular transarterial embolization. Although the preliminary clinical experience reported by a single group has been favorable, extensive case series experience is lacking. This prompted us to review our recent clinical experience with these techniques to determine safety, efficacy, and emerging role in the overall neurointerventional therapeutic armamentarium., Study Design: A retrospective analysis of the previous 34 consecutive cases of hypervascular tumors undergoing DPTE referred to our service for therapeutic devascularization was performed., Methods: Complete case record review was undertaken. Twenty-six of 34 cases involved DPTE of head and neck neoplasms. Conventional diagnostic angiography was performed for therapeutic planning and to assist in precise localization. When performed, standard microcatheter transarterial embolization techniques were used either before or after attempted DPTE. Cyanoacrylate embolic mixtures (n-butyl cyanoacrylate [NBCA], lipiodol, powdered tungsten) were used in 21 of 24 cases, and absolute ethanol in 3 of 24. Direct puncture angiography of the targeted tumor neovasculature was always performed before DPTE., Results: Twenty-four of 26 cases had technically successful DPTE. Combined transarterial embolization with DPTE was used in 16 of 24 cases, although for the last 12 cases, 9 were treated predominantly or exclusively by DPTE. There were no major or minor clinical complications, and there was one asymptomatic technical complication. Total or near-total devascularization was achieved in all cases. All preoperative cases had excellent hemostasis within the resected tumor bed., Conclusions: Our results lend further support to the safety and efficacy of DPTE in the management of hypervascular neoplasms of the head and neck. With our increasing experience, this technique is evolving into a primary therapeutic modality for optimal tumor devascularization.

Purpose: To describe a technique to secure a mucous membrane graft to a custom conformer during reconstruction of the conjunctival fornices and socket., Methods: A cyanoacrylate-based tissue glue was used instead of sutures to secure the mucous membrane graft to the conformer., Results: The adhesion between the graft and the conformer weakens over time, permitting easy removal of the conformer from the socket 6 to 12 weeks postoperatively. No complications were encountered in six patients in whom this technique was used., Conclusion: Using a cyanoacrylate-based tissue glue is simpler and quicker than suturing a mucous membrane graft.

Objective: To reduce the risk of surgical resection of giant arteriovenous malformation (AVM) (> 6.0 cm) and prevent normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) for lowering the postoperative mortality., Methods: During the operation under barbiturate anesthesia, the proximal end of the feeding arteries were ligated at first, and 0.5 ml isobutyl 12-cyanoacrylate (IBCA) with 0.5 ml 5% glucose was injected into the vessels towards the AVM, then the malformed vessels were resected totally. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography of the four vessels was performed in all patients., Results: 50 patients with giant AVM survived after operation, only 6 (12.0%) had transient neurological dysfunction and 44 (88.0%) recovered after a follow-up of 6-36 months. No patient suffered from normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB)., Conclusions: The embolization could block the arteriovenous shunts sufficiently to decrease the blood flow away from the normal areas of the brain so as to prevent the incidence of intra- and postoperative rebleeding, especially in NPPB. Therefore, the combination of intraoperative embolization with surgical resection is an effective strategy in the treatment of giant cerebral AVMs, which make it operable for those used to be regarded as inoperable cases.

Root coverage procedures have become an important part of periodontal therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 techniques, 1) guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with a bioabsorbable polylactic acid softened with citric acid ester membrane and 2) the connective tissue graft combined with a coronally positioned pedicle graft without vertical incisions. The GTR procedure produced a mean root coverage of 92.3% and the connective tissue graft combined with a coronally positioned pedicle graft, 95.0%. This difference was not statistically significant. Both procedures produced similar reductions in recession depth, recession width, and probing depth. The connective tissue graft combined with a coronally positioned pedicle graft resulted in a greater increase in the amount of keratinized tissue. Based on this study, both procedures can result in statistically similar amounts of mean root coverage, but the results are not identical. In most cases, the connective tissue with coronally positioned pedicle graft produced a more bulky result than guided tissue regeneration. Therefore, the procedures are not interchangeable.

The occurrence of creeping attachment has been documented with epithelialized autogenous masticatory mucosa grafts (free gingival grafts) and suggested in other root coverage techniques. The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not creeping attachment occurred after a connective tissue with partial-thickness double pedicle graft had been performed. This study examined 22 defects, in 19 patients, treated where less than complete root coverage was obtained at 4 weeks postoperative. Creeping attachment occurred in 21 of the 22 defects (95.5%), in 18 of the 19 patients (94.7%). Complete root coverage occurred in 17 of the 22 defects (77.3%), in 15 of 19 patients (78.9%). The mean creeping attachment obtained was 0.8 mm. Additionally, it was the goal of this study to see if any factor could be associated with creeping attachment. This study did not find any factors that could be associated with the amount of creeping attachment seen. Creeping attachment seems to occur commonly, but complete root coverage is not predictable.

Endovascular therapeutic embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain was performed in 72 patients between October 1986 and March 1993. From October 1986 to May 1991, 38 patients in this series were treated with isobuty1-2-cyanoacrylate (IBCA) glue. After June 1991, in the remaining 34 patients the embolic materials used included surgical silk (5-0), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethanol, and estrogen. After treatment, 29 patients (40.3%) had complete angiographic obliteration of AVM, 15 (21%) transient neurologic postembolization deficit, and 3 (4%) permanent deficit without death. Embolic agents and procedures are discussed as to their curative effects, safety, normal perfusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) problem, with silk mixture fluid being considered preferable.

For further research on endovascular embolization treatment of AVMs, 54 patients with AVMs treated with embolization were observed. It was found that embolization was an effective procedure for the treatment of AVMs. Combined treatment of AVMs with presurgical embolization and direct surgery could reduce the complications resulting from large and high flow AVMs with lone surgical removal.

BACKGROUND Perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are abnormal vascular connections between medullary arteries and veins without an intervening nidus. It is thought to be difficult to treat Type II AVFs which have multiple feeding branches. We performed intraoperative transvenous embolization to treat Type II AVFs. CASE REPORT A 30-year-old man with Type II perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), present at the level of the L-1 vertebral body, underwent surgical and endovascular treatment. The patient displayed slight motor weakness (4/5) and slight hypesthesia in the right lower extremity. Angiograms demonstrated that an anterior spinal artery and posterior spinal arteries were feeding arteries for the perimedullary AVFs. The patient underwent surgical occlusion of the fistulas three times. Fistulas present on the dorsal surface of the spinal cord were occluded with hemoclips, while those located on the ventral and ventolateral aspect of the spinal cord were occluded transvenously with isobuthyl-2-cyanoacrylate (IBCA) during surgery. Total occlusion of the perimedullary AVFs was achieved with these procedures, and no change was noted postsurgically in the patient's symptoms. CONCLUSIONS In summary, Type II perimedullary AVFs are sometimes difficult to treat using either embolization or open surgery. In such cases, both open surgery and intraoperative transvenous embolization should be performed in order to obtain occlusion of multiple fistulas.

Reported are two cases of dental trauma with lip lesions and a deep wound through the muscular structures. The aim of this paper was to show that using an easy method with isobutyl cyanoacrylate that suturing small to deep lip wounds can be achieved without conventional sutures that require more time, and possibly may cause cheloid healing.

We report on 2 patients (ages 21 and 33 years) with high flow priapism secondary to arteriocavernous fistula produced by perineal injury. Both cases were satisfactorily resolved by super-selective embolization of the fistula with bucrylate. Diagnosis was based on the results of gasometry in cavernous blood, color Doppler ultrasound and arteriography. Erectile function after 24 and 30 months of treatment, respectively, was normal in both patients. Review of the literature revealed that only 13 patients have been managed with arterial embolization. To our knowledge our report represents the first in which intracavernous bucrylate embolization produced detumescence with preservation of erectile function.

The authors report their experience with surgical resection of 108 previously embolized arteriovenous malformations (AVM's). Embolization was performed via only transfemoral catheterization in 70 lesions and via the surgical exposure of feeding vessels in 32. The remaining six patients were referred for resection following silicone sphere embolization elsewhere. Materials used included polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam, platinum microcoils, detachable silicone balloons, surgical silk, a mixture of 33% ethanol and microfibrillar collagen, and isobutyl cyanoacrylate (IBCA). It is believed that proximal arterial occlusion with balloons is an inferior choice for preresection embolization, because the technical difficulty of placement is high and the nidus of the AVM is unaffected. Vascular coagulation and section and AVM retraction are more difficult with IBCA; therefore, this is also considered an inferior choice. Among the materials studied, the combination of PVA for distal occlusion and microcoils for proximal occlusion appears to be the superior choice. Fewer complications (stroke or hemorrhage) are seen when intraarterial Amytal (amobarbital) testing is used to guide the embolization. Data regarding toxicity, oncogenicity, and vascular metabolism or recanalization associated with PVA, IBCA, and n-butyl cyanoacrylate are reviewed.

Facial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) occasionally involves the orbit, and surgery for the orbital portion is complicated by its hypervascularity. We successfully embolized the orbital branches of the ophthalmic artery to decrease intraoperative bleeding of a facial AVM, sparing the ocular branches. There has been only one report dealing with embolization of the orbital branches of the ophthalmic artery.

Between 1984 and 1988, 52 brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were embolized in the Radiology Department of the Toronto Western Hospital. 9 were localized in the occipital lobe. There was angiographic follow-up ranging from one to four years. Two embolized AVMs, both occipital, showed revascularisation at 6 months and two years respectively. In one case the embolization had resulted in a complete obliteration of the AVM. In the other, the nidus was reduced by 95%. It is suggested that the occipital lobe, because of its rich vascularity, is more prone than other parts of the brain to produce intense collateralization leading indirectly to resupply of embolized AVMs. Existence of these collaterals may also explain the rarity of visual defects in occipital AVMs. These cases confirm the need for post therapeutic angiographic controls to assess the stability of the results obtained.

Forty-six patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) were selected for embolization with bucrylate. These patients were assigned to three different groups. Group I consisted of 22 patients with nonresectable AVM's who were selected for embolization with a Silastic calibrated-leak ballon. In 16 or these patients, embolization was achieved, with partial obliteration of the AVM in 14 and complete obliteration in two. Five patients had subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by the balloon bursting and concomitant dissection of the feeding vessel. Four of these patients recovered completely and one died of a brain-stem hemorrhage. A permanent field defect was noted in five cases, and two patients had a transient mild neurological deficit. Group II consisted of 13 patients treated by intraoperative embolization. Complete obliteration by embolization was obtained in four cases, and complete surgical resection after embolization in five. Partial embolization with no surgical resection was achieved in five cases. Three of these patients had a permanent mild neurological deficit and two had transient deficits. There was no mortality in this group. Group III consisted of 11 patients treated by embolization with bucrylate using a new latex calibrated-leak balloon. This balloon has a higher malleability, and takes on the exact configuration of the feeder, with no risk of dissection. This balloon also permits delivery of the faster and larger injection of bucrylate to the arterial feeders of the AVM. Two AVM's were completely obliterated, and embolization was only partially successful in the other cases. Neurological complications consisted of incomplete field defects in two cases, slight memory loss in one case, and transient clumsiness of the arm and face in one case. Two patients have a catheter permanently glued in the malformation, with no neurological complication. There was no mortality in this group.

An in vivo evaluation of isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate as an osseous adhesive was performed to determine its effect on bone healing. Oblique cortical fractures were induced at the tibial-fibular junctions of adult rabbits. Forty-eight fractures were repaired by the use of isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate and a full cerclage wire. The opposite control fracture was repaired with a full cerclage wire only. One hundred percent of the glued fractures were not united through the glue interface, although normal periosteal new bone formation (secondary bone healing) took place around the glue. One hundred percent of the nonglued fractures healed by secondary bone union. Reactions were not seen in the bone or soft tissue adjacent to the adhesive material.

There is controversy as to the possible toxic effects of isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate (bucrylate) when this substance is used for purposes of therapeutic embolization. Two cases are presented in which cerebral arteriovenous malformations were resected, one 42 days and the other a year after bucrylate embolization. In both, pathological examination revealed a brisk intimal foreign-body giant-cell reaction wherever bucrylate was present in a vessel, along with chronic inflammation in the vessel walls and adjacent brain parenchyma. The findings are discussed in the light of other observations on the histotoxicity of bucrylate.

Percutaneous transcatheter embolization of the renal artery in clear cell carcinoma was performed in nine patients. The occlusive material used was a suspension of 1 ml of isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate in 3 ml of Lipiodol. Six patients were operated on 2-5 days after the embolization, and in three patients the procedure was palliative. In one of the latter, follow-up arteriography 4 months later showed that the artery was still occluded. There were no complications attributed to the glue or to oil emboli in this series.

Embolization treatment of 16 patients with dominant-hemisphere arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is described. This group was selected from 50 patients with brain AVMs embolized with isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate (IBC-2) over a period of 3 years. All 16 AVMs were cortical in location; six involved the rolandic and speech areas, and four had a deep component. Ten AVMs were embolized through a transfemoral approach, an intraoperative approach was used for four cases, and a combined transfemoral/intraoperative approach was used in two cases. Complete obliteration of the AVM was obtained in one case. Partial obliteration and complete surgical resection was obtained in three cases. Obliteration of 70%-95% of the AVM was obtained in six cases and 45%-70% of the AVM was obliterated in six cases. IBC-2 embolization of the venous drainage was observed in three cases. After embolization, eight patients remained neurologically unchanged. Three patients had mild neurologic deficits that resolved completely within 48 hr; one had a deficit that cleared up 1 week later; and one had a deficit that disappeared within 6 months. In three patients a mild permanent neurologic deficit was evident 6 months after embolization.

The local clinical and histological reactions resulting from the use of a tissue adhesive, isobutylcyanoacrylate, were studied in the oral cavity of dogs. In each of 4 animals, 6 pairs of parallel incisions were made in the buccal mucosa. One incision in each pair was closed with adhesive material while the other incision was sutured with silk. The wounds were studied clinically and histologically at intervals ranging from 2 to 21 days. Clinically there were differences in the healing between gland glued and sutured incisions during the first 11 days. After 11 days the healing reactions were approximately the same in both groups. Histologically, the adhesive caused a delayed and disturbed healing of both the epithelium and connective tissue compared with that observed when sutures were used. As a result of this investigation, isobutylcyanoacrylate is not recommended for use instead of conventional and modern suturing materials when closing intraoral wounds.

Experimental catheter obstruction of the left gastric (coronary) vein was explored in 10 dogs. Using a transjugular approach, the liver was punctured and the portal vein catheterized. Coaxially introduced catheters were then used to catheterize selectively and produce an intravascular obstruction (tamponade) of the gastric coronary vein. Ballon catheters were used for a temporary occlusion. Injection of a tissue adhesive, isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate, was used for a definitive obliteration. The achieved results show the anatomical feasibility of this approach and give good perspective for development of a clinical method for percutaneous intravascular tamponade of the bleeding gastroesophageal varices in cirrhotics.

This study evaluated the long-term angiographic results in large cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) partially embolized with isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Preembolization, immediate postembolization, and long-term follow-up angiograms were performed in 30 large, partially embolized brain AVMs. Particular attention was paid to the relative size of the residual AVM nidus and the embolized arterial feeders, to recruitment of new feeders, to the size of residual draining veins, and to the speed of arteriovenous shunt. Nine cases with less than 50% AVM nidus obliteration showed no significant morphologic changes. In 18 cases with 50-75% obliteration of the AVM nidus, 11 (61.1%) showed no significant changes, six (33.3%) showed enlargement of the AVM nidus, and one (5.5%) evolved to complete angiographic obliteration. In three cases with 75-99% AVM nidus obliteration, one remained unchanged, one showed an increase in the size of the AVM nidus, and one evolved to complete obliteration. Evaluation by plain film, CT, and cerebral angiography of the isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate deposits showed that when the polymer was positioned predominantly in arterial feeders there was invariably reconstitution of the AVM nidus through leptomeningeal, deep medullary, and/or dural collaterals. This phenomenon did not occur when the isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate was deposited mainly in the AVM nidus.

Isobutyl-2 cyanoacrylate (IBC) was used to embolize the bronchial arteries of 14 patients with severe hemoptysis. The site of bleeding was supplied by a bronchial artery from the aorta in 11 cases and from a right bronchointercostal trunk in three. IBC was injected after previous reduction of the blood flow in the artery by embolization with particles of dura mater. In all cases, bleeding stopped immediately after occlusion and no spinal cord complications were observed. The results indicate that IBC may be a valuable occluding agent in severe hemoptysis, since it produced virtually permanent occlusion of both the distal and proximal parts of the artery. In 13 patients, bleeding did not recur throughout follow-up periods of 2-17 months. In one patient, it recurred 12 months after embolization but stopped after occlusion of another bronchial artery with IBC. It should be noted, however, that immediately after embolization, five patients experienced violent transient retrosternal burning, and one patient experienced dysphagia and fever for 2 days. Since mediastinal ischemia cannot always be avoided, this procedure must be reserved for cases of severe hemoptysis for which surgical treatment is contraindicated.

The intravascular use of the rapidly polymerizing acrylic compound isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate in four patients with carotid-cavernous fistulas is described. The monomer was injected into the cavernous sinus at craniotomy after the intraoperative angiographic identification of the fistula site and the origin of its venous drainage. All patients had postoperative angiographic documentation of fistula closure and confirmed carotid artery patency. There was no operative mortality or permanent neurological morbidity. Two patients (50%) suffered transient dysfunction in the immediate postoperative period of one of the cranial nerves that transit the cavernous sinus.

Cyanoacrylate is a satisfactory material for therapeutic embolization, but it has the disadvantage of not being radiopaque and polymerizing within 1 sec after contact with ionic materials. Its behavior was modified with varying concentrations of iophendylate and were able to satisfactorily control its polymerization from 1 to 30 sec. This control should allow penetration of arteriovenous malformations, which is necessary if cure is to result. The iophendylate adds radiopacity and seems to enhance the suspension of tentalum, another opacifying agent. Preliminary experience in dogs is encouraging, but too few humans have been treated with this method to recommend it as more than an experimental procedure at this time.

Bilateral vertical incisions were made in the maxillary and mandibular labial mucosa of eight young green vervet monkeys. Incisions were closed with either interrupted 4-0 black silk sutures or by the application of isobutyl cyanoacrylate. Mucosal specimens containing the incisions were examined histologically and scored for degree of inflammation at 1, 3, 10, and 20 weeks. The results showed that cyanoacrylate and sutures did not produce similar inflammatory responses.

The effects of long-term occlusion of branches of the celiac and renal arteries were studied in 13 pigs, using isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate (ibc), the Gianturco-Anderson-Wallace wool coil, and lvalon. IBC permanently occluded 2- to 8-cm lengths of both vessels, including their branches so that collateral circulation was not able to preserve the tissue supplied by the occluded artery. Gastric ulcers, splenic and hepatic infarcts, and large, sterile biliary cysts were observed on postmortem examination. Permanent occlusion was also observed with the wool coil and lvalon, but the pathological results were much less deleterious. The authors conclude that IBC is presently unsafe for use in branches of the celiac artery.

Transcatheter occlusive therapy was performed with isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate (Bucrylate) in 14 patients with a variety of genitourinary abnormalities. Bucrylate was found to be a valuable agent when used to: (1) occlude vessels with very slow flow; (2) occlude vessels in patients with coagulopathies; (3) occlude high flow arteriovenous fistulas; (4) perform superselective vessel occlusion; and (5) produce permanent vessel obliteration. Bucrylate was used effectively in this group of patients and was used without complications or evidence of histotoxicity.

With reference to 4 treated patients, the possibilities of embolization are discussed. Gelfoam is the substance that can be used most easily, but it has only limited possibilities of application because of the chance of resorption. On several of the patients discussed, other substances were used, which appeared to have had a favorable effect on the result. To prevent nerve failure due to embolization, the vascularization of the nerves involved should be borne in mind.

A case of a large inoperable hypernephroma in a 69-year-old man is presented. Recurrent life-threatening hematuria was controlled successfully by transcatheter embolization and infarction of the tumor using a tissue adhesive called isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate. The patient remained without hematuria for 18 months until death from extensive metastatic diseases. The advantages and disadvantages of tissue adhesive as an embolization material are discussed.

A series of 20 patients with giant arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) managed with staged embolization and surgical resection is presented. Complete excision was accomplished in 18 of these patients. There were no deaths and only three complications, of which one was disabling. Further evidence for the presence of low perfusion surrounding the AVM, emphasizing the risk of normal perfusion pressure breakthrough, is provided by cortical perfusion pressure, cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF), and stable xenon computerized tomography CBF measurements. The staged approach to giant AVM management is a proposed method to render AVM's that were previously considered inoperable or marginally operable into totally excisable lesions, while maintaining an acceptable level of morbidity and mortality.

Percutaneous transhepatic portography was performed in 22 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. All patients had bled or were bleeding from presumed esophageal varices. One or more veins feeding esophageal varices were occluded with bucrylate. Follow-up examination in eight patients 1-12 months later showed recanalization of previously obliterated veins in six; however, these veins were markedly smaller than before the procedure. In patients where veins were still occluded, new veins had opened up and carried blood to the esophageal varices, which were filled to a lesser degree than before. In our experience, bucrylate is superior to Gelfoam, thrombin, and Etolein in producing venous occlusion.

Monkey incisor teeth were pulpotomized in groups of 10. After physiological hemostasis, the pulps of group I were covered with isobutyl cyanoacrylate, and those of groups II and III with calcium hydroxide for 10 and 60 minutes, respectively, whereafter this compound was washed away and the wound surfaces covered with Teflon. In group IV, calcium hydroxide was used as a positive control, and Teflon as a negative control in group V. The animals were killed after 12 weeks and the teeth removed in tissue blocks. The material was processed and evaluated histologically with respect to location and continuity of a hard tissue barrier, type of newly formed hard tissue, state of the pulp, and presence of stainable bacteria in the coronal cavity. Seven of nine teeth in group I showed a hard tissue barrier. The corresponding figure for group II was eight out of 10 teeth. All teeth in groups III and IV had a barrier. The incidence of a continuous barrier increased from group I through group IV, as did the incidence of its location below the level of the original wound surface. The condition of the pulp was related to the presence of bacteria and the continuity of the barrier to the presence of inflammation. There was no bridging in group V. The results support the theory that a low-grade irritation is responsible for the formation of a hard tissue barrier in exposed pulps.

Five patients with Child's class C alcoholic cirrhosis and actively bleeding gastroesophageal varices underwent transhepatic portal venography and selective obliteration of varices with isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate (Bucrylate). Temporary control of bleeding was obtained in four patients and complete control in one. This new technique is best utilized to stop active variceal hemorrhage in patients who are not candidates for portasystemic shunt surgery or to control bleeding while the patient's general medical condition is improved to decrease the risk of subsequent shunt surgery.

We report 3 cases of renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney treated by selective tumor embolization. Embolization resulted in occlusion of the majority of the vascular supply of the tumor, with preservation of normal renal parenchyma and sufficient renal function. Selective tumor embolization is a good therapeutic alternative in patients in whom partial nephrectomy cannot be performed. Owing to the limited availability of bucrylate, absolute ethanol is recommended as the preferred embolic agent.