Interventional radiological procedures in impaired function of surgically implanted catheter-port systems.
OBJECTIVE
System-related complications in surgically implanted catheter-port systems (CPS) for intraarterial (i.a.) chemotherapy are well known. In most cases of complications, the treatment must be interrupted and the catheter-port system must be repaired surgically. We describe microinvasive interventional radiological procedures to correct some dysfunctions of CPS.


METHODS
Five patients with repetitive dysfunction of CPS were treated with interventional techniques. Two patients presented with perfusion impairment, one patient had a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery, and two patients presented with catheter displacement. Radiological interventions included mechanical recanalization with a guidewire, vascular stenting, and correction of catheter dislocation with a goose-neck snare.


RESULTS
In all cases, correct function of the CPS was restored. No intervention-related complications occurred and surgery was avoided. Chemotherapy could be continued for a period of 4--10 months.


CONCLUSIONS
For some system-related complications, minimally invasive radiological interventions can be used to restore the function of CPS for i.a. chemotherapy.
Herrmann
K A
KA
Institute of Clinical Radiology, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, D-81377 Munich, Germany. herrmann@ikra.med.uni-muenchen.de
Waggershauser
T
T
Heinemann
V
V
Reiser
M
M
D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional