Sparks Sparks

Dr. Sparks Sparks


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 September 2024 in Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
LCLucas Cusumano
Lucas Cusumano
SSSparks Sparks
Sparks Sparks
KMKara E. Masterson
Kara E. Masterson
SGScott J. Genshaft
Scott J. Genshaft
APAdam N. Plotnik
Adam N. Plotnik
SPSiddharth A. Padia
Siddharth A. Padia
To report the 24-month outcomes and subgroup analysis evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the genicular artery embolization (GAE) for the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Forty participants with symptomatic moderate to severe knee OA from a single-center, single-arm prospective trial of GAE were included in this study. Abnormal genicular artery neovascularity was identified at the subject's focal knee pain with digital subtraction angiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Embolization was performed with 100-μm microspheres. The primary end point was treatment effectiveness as measured by sustained improvement in OA symptoms at 24 months, quantified using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Treatment success was defined as ≥50% decrease in WOMAC relative to baseline. Clinical outcomes were assessed with mean age of 66.0 ± 8.1 years and BMI of 30.1 ± 6.2 kg/m2. Two of the forty (5.0%) patients were lost to follow up. Overall, 18 of 38 (47.4%) patients demonstrated ≥50% reduction in WOMAC at 24 months. In the subset of patients with initial clinical success at 12 months, 18 of 25 (72.0%) reported sustained clinical success at 24 months. Seven of 25 (28.0%) had symptom recurrence between 12 and 24 months and were determined to be clinical failures. All treatment-related adverse events occurred within 12 months following GAE, without additional events after 12 months. GAE is effective in achieving sustained symptom relief related to moderate to severe knee OA for up to 24 months with an acceptable safety profile.

23 January 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SMSipan Mathevosian
Sipan Mathevosian
SSSparks Sparks
Sparks Sparks
LCLucas Cusumano
Lucas Cusumano
DRDustin Geldrich Roberts
Dustin Geldrich Roberts
SMShamaita Majumdar
Shamaita Majumdar
JMJustin McWilliams
Justin McWilliams
Embolization of de novo pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) using high-volume detachable non-fibered (HVDNF) coils was compared to traditional non-HVDNF coils. Persistent-occlusion rates were evaluated. A total of 272 de novo (previously untreated) PAVM treatments were retrospectively stratified into those treated with non-HVDNF coils only (n = 192) and those treated with HVDNF coils with or without other coils (n = 80). Propensity score matching, followed by survival analysis and cost analysis, was performed. The overall persistent-occlusion rate was 86.0% (234/272). Persistent occlusion was achieved in 81.8% of PAVMs using non-HVDNF coils, compared with 96.3% using HVDNF coils (p = 0.0017). The mean follow-up was 30.7 ± 31.9 months versus 14.7 ± 13.4 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). Propensity-matched survival analysis demonstrated PAVMs treated with HVDNF coils recurred significantly less frequently than PAVMs treated with non-HVNDF coils (p = 0.023). The use of HVDNF coils was more expensive than standard coils, however not significantly different for the treatment of complex PAVMs. The use of high-volume detachable non-fibered coils was associated with higher persistent-occlusion rates when compared with non-HVDNF coils. HVDNF coils were more expensive on average; however, cost was similar between groups for the treatment of complex PAVMs.

12 August 2025 in Bioengineering
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
XLXinyi Li
Xinyi Li
TNTu Nguyen
Tu Nguyen
SSSparks Sparks
Sparks Sparks
Kyung Hyun SungKyung Hyun Sung
Kyung Hyun Sung
JCJason Chiang
Jason Chiang
Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is emerging as a valuable tool for assessing tumor and parenchymal perfusion in the liver, playing a developing role in locoregional therapies (LRTs) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review explores the conceptual underpinnings and early investigational stages of DCE-MRI for LRTs, including thermal ablation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and transarterial radioembolization (TARE). Preclinical and early-phase studies suggest that DCE-MRI may offer valuable insights into HCC tumor microvasculature, treatment response, and therapy planning. In thermal ablation therapies, DCE-MRI provides a quantitative measurement of tumor microvasculature and perfusion, which can guide more effective energy delivery and estimation of ablation margins. For TACE, DCE-MRI parameters are proving their potential to describe treatment efficacy and predict recurrence, especially when combined with adjuvant therapies. In 90Y TARE, DCE-MRI shows promise for refining dosimetry planning by mapping tumor blood flow to improve microsphere distribution. However, despite these promising applications, there remains a profound gap between early investigational studies and clinical translation. Current quantitative DCE-MRI research is largely confined to phantom models and initial feasibility assessments, with robust retrospective data notably lacking and prospective clinical trials yet to be initiated. With continued development, DCE-MRI has the potential to personalize LRT treatment approaches and serve as an important tool to enhance patient outcomes for HCC.

14 May 2024 in Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SSSparks Sparks
Sparks Sparks
JRJohann Rink
Johann Rink
ARAbinaya Ramakrishnan
Abinaya Ramakrishnan
Kyung Hyun SungKyung Hyun Sung
Kyung Hyun Sung
JNJason Ni
Jason Ni
JCJason Chiang
Jason Chiang
Purpose: To characterize the relationship between ablation zone volume (AZV) and microwave ablation (MWA) energy in an in vivo porcine liver model following arterial embolization. Materials and Methods: With Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval, 11 female swine underwent either right (n = 5) or left (n = 6) hepatic artery embolization under fluoroscopic guidance. Subsequently, ultrasound (US)- guided MWA was performed in each liver segment (left lateral, left medial, right medial, and right lateral) at either 30 W (n = 4 lobes), 60 W (n = 4), 65 W (n = 20), 90 W (n = 8), 120 W (n = 4), or 140 W (n = 4) continuously for 5 minutes. Postprocedural volumetric segmentation was performed on standardized multiphase T1 magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences. Results: Mean AZVs in embolized lobes (15.8 mL +/- SD 10.6) were significantly larger than those in nonembolized lobes (11.2 mL +/- SD 6.5, P < .01). MWA energy demonstrated significant positive linear correlation with both embolized (R-2 = 0.66, P < .01) and nonembolized (R-2 = 0.64, P < .01) lobes. The slope of the linear models corresponded to a 0.95 mL/kJ (SD +/- 0.16) and 0.54 mL/kJ (SD +/- 0.09) increase in ablation volume per applied kilojoule of energy (E) in embolized and nonembolized lobes, respectively. In the multivariate model, embolization status significantly modified the relationship between E and AZV as described by the following interaction term: 0.42*E*(embolization status) (P P = .031). Conclusions: Linear models demonstrated a near 1.8-fold increase in ratio of AZV per unit E, R(AZV:E), when applied to embolized lobes relative to nonembolized lobes. Absolute AZV differences between embolized and nonembolized lobes were greater at higher-power MWA.

25 June 2025 in International Journal of Gastrointestinal Intervention
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SSSparks Sparks
Sparks Sparks
MSMegan J. Sue
Megan J. Sue
SSSammy Saab
Sammy Saab
SKSue Kim-Saechao
Sue Kim-Saechao
SLSilvi Lybbert
Silvi Lybbert
ELEdward Wolfgang Lee
Edward Wolfgang Lee
Hiro D. Sparks, Megan J. Sue, Sammy Saab, Sue Kim-Saechao, Silvi Lybbert, Jessie Wong, and Edward Wolfgang Lee. Int J Gastrointest Interv -0001;0:. https://doi.org/10.18528/ijgii250002