DOUBLE-MICROCATHETER TECHNIQUE THROUGH TORTUOUS ANATOMY FOR COIL EMBOLIZATION OF A SACCULAR SPLENIC ANEURYSM: A TECHNICAL REPORT
TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE AT UNISA
Authors: Panagrosso, M.; De Gregorio, C.; Peluso, A.; Venetucci, P.; Buono, G.; Bracale, U. M.
Abstract
We report on a case of an asymptomatic splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) with a large neck in a 53-year-old female with an extreme vessel tortuosity which was treated with a Double Microcatheter Technique. This endovascular procedure consists of embolization of the aneurysm using detachable coils with no application of any glue, stent or balloon. At the end of procedure, no complications occurred. At the three-month follow-up an MRI showed the aneurysm's complete exclusion and patency of the splenic artery.
Physiological and psychological stress in pregnant women with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease: A pilot study using salivary biomarkers
JGH OPEN
Authors: Khil, Jennifer; Picardo, Sherman; Seow, Cynthia H.; Leung, Yvette; Metcalfe, Amy; Afshar, Elnaz E.; Sharifi, Nastaran; Campbell, Tavis; Letourneau, Nicole; Dewey, Deborah; Giesbrecht, Gerald F.
Abstract
Background Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely than the general pregnant population to experience adverse maternofetal outcomes, especially if the disease is active at the time of conception and during pregnancy. Elevated stress is often seen in patients with chronic diseases and could account for these outcomes. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase (sAA) are novel biomarkers of stress, reflecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system, respectively. Our aim in this pilot study was to assess stress differences between pregnant women with inactive IBD and matched controls using psychometric questionnaires and salivary biomarker measures. Methods Thirteen pregnant women with quiescent IBD (6 Crohn's disease, 7 ulcerative colitis) were matched (1:3) to 39 expectant mothers without IBD by parity and gestational age. Participants completed several psychometric questionnaires assessing stress, and salivary cortisol and sAA were collected as objective biomarkers of stress during pregnancy. Results Pregnant women with quiescent IBD did not demonstrate significant differences on any psychometric measures of stress or salivary biomarker measures when compared with controls (allP > 0.05). Pregnant women with quiescent IBD demonstrated similar cortisol and sAA awakening responses (bothP > 0.05) and total levels of cortisol and sAA production (bothP > 0.05) when compared with controls. Conclusions Pregnant women with well-controlled IBD do not experience demonstrable differences in psychological stress or dysregulation of salivary stress biomarkers when compared with non-IBD controls. The effect of chronic disease may be evaluated in future studies by including a comparative group of pregnant women with active IBD.