[en] Objective: To analyze the angiographic findings of refractory cryptogenic hemoptysis (CH) and to assess the value of embolization therapy. Methods: From January 2002 through June 2012, 17 patients underwent bronchial artery embolization (BAE) for treatment of refractory CH. Bilateral bronchial arteries were embolized with PVA particles (500-700 μm) and gelatin sponge chippings. All patients were followed up for 0.5-10 years. Results: Ground-glass opacities were noted on the preoperative contrast-enhanced CT in 11 patients. Angiography showed a total of 40 abnormal bronchial arteries causing CH. After BAE, the hemoptysis ceased immediately in 13 patients and hemoptysis was diminished in 4 patients. No severe complication occurred and no recurrent hemoptysis was observed during the 0.5-10 year follow-up. Conclusions: Bronchial arteries are the main vessels responsible for CH and BAE is an effective treatment for refractory CH. (authors)

[en] Objective: To discuss the therapeutic effect of selective uterine artery chemoembolization (UACE) for the treatment of placenta accreta. Super-selective catheterization of bilateral uterine arteries was accomplished one after another, which was followed by transcatheter infusion of Methotrexate 25 mg and subsequent injection of Gelfoam particles into each side. The efficacy, complications and prognoses were observed. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results: In all cases the blood human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was restored to normal within 2-4 weeks after the chemoembolization. The bleeding was stopped immediately after the procedure in 5 cases with postpartum hemorrhage. No recurrent hemorrhage or severe complications occurred in all cases. All patients were followed up for one year and normal menstrual cycle was regained in all cases. Conclusion: Selective uterine artery chemoembolization is an effective, minimally-invasive method for the treatment of placenta accreta. (authors)

[en] Objective: To compare long-term (5 years) therapeutic effect of thyroid arterial embolization with surgical thyroidectomy in treating Graves' disease. Methods: A total of 54 patients with Graves' disease, who were encountered during the period from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2010 and received thyroid arterial embolization treatment, were collected and were used as interventional group. While 40 patients with Graves' disease, who were encountered during the same period and received surgical thyroidectomy, were used as surgical group. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year cure rates and efficiency rates (improved and cure) were calculated and the results were compared between the two groups. Results: The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year cure rates of the interventional group were 68.52%, 61.18% and 47.88%, respectively. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year cure rates of the surgical group were 97.50%, 78.54% and 69.48%, respectively. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year efficiency rates in the interventional group and in the surgical group were 98.15%, 80.48%, 60.90% and 97.50%, 76.42%, 67.60%, respectively. By using Ridit analysis, statistically significant difference in the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year cure rates and efficiency rates existed between the interventional group and the surgical group (P<0.05%), while no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hypothyroidism existed between the two groups (P>0.05%). Conclusion: For the treatment of Graves' disease, thyroid arterial embolization has satisfactory short-term and mid-term result, although its long-term result is less effective than that of thyroidectomy. (authors)