Transcatheter arterial embolization using imipenem Cilastatin sodium for tendinopathy and enthesopathy refractory to nonsurgical management

Published: May 2nd, 2013

The World’s First Treatment Report of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization

Title: Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Using Imipenem/Cilastatin Sodium for Tendinopathy and Enthesopathy Refractory to Nonsurgical Management

This research paper is the world’s first report of transcatheter arterial embolization written by me, Yuji Okuno in 2013.

This research was submitted to JVIR, the most famous journal of catheterization in radiology in the United States.

The idea of using catheter to reduce problem blood vessels that increased due to pain or inflammation to improve lesions had never been considered before, and thus this was published along with “Thinking Outside the Box,” a review of this research paper.

Originally, the basic idea of catheter arterial embolization was conceived around 2007, but after conducting basic research to prepare for implementation in patients. We began to apply this treatment to patients in 2012 as “clinical research”.

A clinical study means that the treatment is provided to patients and investigated the safety and effectiveness of the treatment

This research paper reports the result of the clinical study.

In case of this new treatment, a small number of patients (7 patients in this study) had the treatment, and we checked the effects and whether the side effect occurs.

This image shows the first case of angiogram of a patient with the heel pain (plantar fasciitis). As you can see from the image, there are problem blood vessels in the heel.

This patient had the treatment in 2012 and we still follow his progress. His pain area has been very improved and last time we met him in 2019, he told us that “still in good shape. I would ask the same doctor again if other part hurts.”

The other six people were very pleased with the results and were satisfied with their participations in this study.

Although it is a small scaled report, the study has significant meaning as it demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment that had not previously existed.

I have a deep attachment to this research as well.