Utility of a 3D Roadmap During Balloon-occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Gastric Varices

We describe our initial clinical experience regarding the use of a 3D roadmap during balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) in three patients.

Between June 2016 and July 2016, three BRTO procedures were performed in three patients with gastric varices. Preprocedural intravenous dynamic CT was performed, and portal venous phase CT images were postprocessed to obtain volume rendering (VR) images. A 3D roadmap was developed by overlaying the VR images onto the real-time X-ray fluoroscopy images. This 3D roadmap was used for interventional guidance during the BRTO procedure.

Using a 3D roadmap, the catheterization of the gastrorenal shunt was successfully accomplished. In addition, in all three patients, the sclerosant could reach the gastric varices without the administration of iodinated contrast medium. Fluoroscopy time and the iodinated contrast dose administered in the present cohort were also substantially lower than in our previous cohorts that did not use a 3D roadmap.

Using a 3D roadmap during BRTO enables easier and faster catheter manipulation, thereby helping to reduce both radiation exposure and the need to administer iodinated contrast medium.