Hepatic Lesions In Patients Research Articles

Phase I study of autolytic immunotherapy of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors using intralesional rose bengal disodium.

4115 Background: Metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (mNEN) originating in the gastrointestinal tract are frequently slow growing yet both symptom and disease control remain important. Treatment options include resection, systemic somatostatin analogues (SSA), and systemic peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Additional options are needed; we have explored intralesional (IL) rose bengal disodium (PV-10), an investigational autolytic immunotherapy that can yield immunogenic cell death and disease-specific functional adaptive immunity. Methods: This phase 1 study evaluated safety, tolerability and impact on symptoms and biochemical markers resulting from IL PV-10 administered percutaneously to hepatic lesions in patients (pts) with progressive mNEN not amenable to resection or other potentially curative therapy. Eligible lesion(s) were 1.0 - 3.9 cm in longest diameter with amount of PV-10 administered proportional to size. Cohort 1 (n = 6 pts) received PV-10 to a single lesion per treatment cycle; Cohort 2 (n = 6) could receive injection to multiple lesions per treatment cycle. Pts could receive further PV-10 ≥6 weeks after prior injection. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) assessed by contrast enhanced CT (RECIST 1.1) and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET, biochemical response (CgA) and patient-reported outcome (EORTC QLQ-C30 and GI.NET21 QOL instruments). Results: Twelve pts were enrolled, 50% male, median age 66 yrs (range 47-79). Primary sites: 7 small bowel, 2 pancreas, 1 caecal, 2 unknown; grade: Gd1 = 5, Gd2 = 7. All pts had received SSA and PRRT as part of previous therapy and all had symptomatic, progressive disease. Median CgA was 1585 (range 35-10370). One lesion was injected per cycle for all 12 pts; none were suitable for multiple injections. One pt received 4 sequential PV-10 treatment cycles, 3 received 2 cycles, and 8 received 1 cycle. Toxicity was consistent with experience in other hepatic malignancies: post-procedure pain was reported by most pts; grade 3 photosensitivity reaction occurred in 1 pt; and grade 1 elevation of hepatic enzymes attributed to PV-10 occurred in 2 pts, resolving by day 7. Additionally, carcinoid flare occurred in 1 pt. ORR of injected lesions was 42%; patient-level disease control was 84%. Estimated PFS was 9.2 months; median OS was 22.5 months. CgA remained stable in 10 pts and upregulation of NK and activated CD4+ T lymphocytes was observed post-injection. QOL data at months 1 and 3 showed stable or improved carcinoid symptoms and global health status in 9 pts. Conclusions: PV-10 elicited no safety concerns with encouraging evidence of both local and systemic disease and symptom control in a heavily pre-treated population. Multiple cycles were delivered safely in suitable patients. Adaptive immune upregulation is consistent with other solid tumors and supports potential systemic benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT02693067.

Role of MRI in Evaluation of Focal Liver Lesions: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The non-invasive diagnosis of liver lesions is usually achieved with contrast material-enhanced computed tomography and Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. Dynamic three dimensional gradient-recalled-echo MR imaging provides dynamic contrast-enhanced thin-section images with fat saturation and a high signal-to-noise ratio and is excellent for the evaluation of various focal hepatic lesions. Aim: To explore the effectiveness and hence the clinical utility of plain and contrast MR characterisation of focal hepatic lesions in patients and their correlation with the histopathological findings. Materials and Methods: The present study was a multicenteric study done on both Inpatients and Outpatients of Department of Radiology of Tertiary care hospitals in Bengaluru, from January 2020 to August 2020. A total of 42 patients diagnosed with focal liver lesions by Ultrasonography were included in this study. Plain MRI study was done by using spin echo technique and contrast MRI study was done after rapid bolus injection (0.1 mmol/kg body weight) of gadolinium dimeglumine. Pathological and post-operative histopathological findings were noted. Microsoft excel software was used for data analysis and tables were prepared for comparison of collected data. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated for diagnostic accuracy of MRI. Results: This study included forty-two patients in total, twenty-five male and seventeen female patients, in age group of 15 to 84 years with a mean age of 48 years. Metastasis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) were most common malignant lesions in liver while Hemangiomas were most common benign lesions followed by simple and complex cysts and hepatic adenoma. The present study calculated the specificity and sensitivity of MRI of focal hepatic lesions and correlated the findings clinically, pathologically and histopathologically. The specificity of MRI for characterisation of focal liver disease was high (90.4%). Specificity of MRI for HCC was found to be 96.7 % and that for metastasis was 97% while sensitivity for Haemangiomas is found to be 100%.MRI is superior compared to other modalities like ultrasound and CT in having high spatial resolution. Multiple sequences like T1, T2 and fat suppression techniques like IN PHASE, OUT OF PHASE helps in demonstrating lesion characters like architecture, margin, haemorrhage, fat component and vascular invasion of the lesions. Conclusion: MRI is valuable for the characterization of focal liver lesions detected on Ultrasonography. Basic MRI sequences along with chemical shift imaging sequences and dynamic contrast imaging has significant role in characterising the focal liver lesions. Despite that, It should be the modality choice for the lesions which are undetected or doubtful on ultrasound and CT examinations.

CT- and ultrasound-characteristics of hepatic lesions in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. A retrospective image review of 25 cases.

IntroductionLiver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome are common (75%) and significantly impairs the prognosis. Characterisation of liver lesions in these patients is challenging, as liver metastases are difficult to differentiate from benign liver lesions such as haemangioma.MethodsIn this study we aimed to characterize the radiological findings of hepatic metastases in MEN patients. The findings of contrast-enhanced CT were considered for the main diagnosis. We retrospectively evaluated 25 patients with MEN-syndrome (10 MEN1/ 15 MEN2) including 11 men and 14 women between 28–62 years of age.ResultsLiver metastases (48%, 12/25) and hemangioma (40%, 10/25) were the most common liver lesions among our patients. The most common primary tumors in our MEN1 and MEN2 patients with liver metastases were of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (70%, 7/10) und medullary thyroid carcinoma (100%, 15/15) origin, respectively. CT-characteristics were grouped into three main categories, depending on contrast dynamics. The majority of hepatic metastases (75%, 14/25) are presented as multiple lesions with a slow growth in an average 5 years of follow-up-period. We were able to find a common CT pattern and categorise these for each MEN-syndrome. Hepatic metastases in MEN1 presented commonly a blurred arterial enhancement with a low portal venous enhancement and less frequently a prominent enhancement in the arterial phase, which mimics the classical haemangioma. In MEN2 the liver metastases exhibited disseminated mixed hyper- and hypo-enhanced lesions in CT-scans. Moreover, lesion calcifications are pathognomonic in MEN2. The main limitation of this study is the missing histopathological confirmation in the majority of cases.ConclusionsIn this retrospective imaging study, we were able to categorise and find a common CT pattern for hepatic lesions in patients with MEN-syndrome. In order to differentiate these lesions sufficiently, a combination of a 3-phasic CT-scan with US is required. Other liver specific imaging modalities (MRI, CEUS, SMS-PET/CT) should complement the diagnosis in individual cases.

The association of US LI-RADS visualization score and diagnostic outcome of US-guided percutaneous biopsy in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinomas

Purpose We aimed to determine the association of ultrasound (US) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) visualization score and diagnostic outcome of US-guided percutaneous biopsy in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods In this retrospective study, we included 156 focal hepatic lesions in 156 patients who underwent US-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy between January and September 2016. According to the US LI-RADS version 2017, we assigned US LI-RADS visualization score (A, B, or C) for each exam. Final diagnoses were determined using pathologic reports and categorized into two groups, i.e., diagnostic and non-diagnostic results. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine the risk factor for non-diagnostic results, including US LI-RADS visualization score and other clinical covariates. Results Of the 156 lesions, 137 (87.8%) were diagnostic and 19 (12.2%) were non-diagnostic results. In the univariate analysis, US LI-RADS visualization score B or C had a significantly higher non-diagnostic result rate than visualization score A (33.3% vs. 3.6%, P Conclusion US-guided percutaneous biopsy resulted in a high diagnostic yield for focal hepatic lesions in patients at risk for HCCs. US LI-RADS visualization score B or C and subcapsular location of a lesion were independent risk factors for non-diagnostic biopsy results.

Subtraction Images of Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced MRI: Effect on the Diagnostic Performance for Focal Hepatic Lesions in Patients at Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of subtraction images of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI on the image interpretation of focal hepatic lesions in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively analyzed 255 malignant nodules from 233 patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis (187 men and 46 women; mean age, 55.2 years) who underwent preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and surgical resection. We compared the detection rate of arterial hypervascularity on visual assessment with that of subtraction images. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the pathologic profile of the lesion (HCC vs non-HCC), the lesion size (≤ 3 vs > 3 cm), and the MRI technique (1.5 vs 3 T). We assessed the effect of subtraction images in diagnosing HCC according to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases guidelines compared with that of visual assessment. After excluding six patients whose images were not of nondiagnostic quality, 249 nodules (215 HCCs, 27 cholangiocarcinomas, and seven combined HCC and cholangiocarcinomas) from 227 patients were analyzed. Subtraction images more sensitively detected the arterial hypervascularity of all of the hepatic lesions than did visual assessment (sensitivity, 89.2% vs 72.4%; p < 0.001). In all of the subgroup analyses, the same tendency was observed (p = 0.001-0.145). Compared with visual assessment only, arterial hypervascularity determined by both subtraction images and the visual enhancement patterns increased sensitivity from 76.5% to 87.5% (p < 0.001) in diagnosing HCCs, with a minimal decrease in specificity from 80.9% to 78.1% (p = 0.332). Adding subtraction images with consideration of visual enhancement patterns can enhance the sensitivity in diagnosing HCC by enhancing the detection of arterial hypervascularity.

Added Value of a Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced Hepatocyte-phase Image to the LI-RADS System for Diagnosing Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

We investigated the added value of the hypointensity on hepatocyte-phase (HP) imaging of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (EOB-MRI) in the 2014 version of the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) for distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from benign hepatic lesions in patients with chronic liver disease. We retrospectively evaluated targeted lesions (111 HCCs, 28 benign hepatic lesions) of 139 patients (101 men, 38 women; aged 18 to 89 years, mean age, 68 ± 11 years) with chronic liver disease. EOB-MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) were performed within 3 months. Two abdominal radiologists independently reviewed 3 imaging datasets: (1) EOB-MRI without an HP image using the LI-RADS system (MR imaging without HP); (2) EOB-MRI with an HP image using a modified version of the LI-RADS system in which hypointensity on the HP image was used as an additional major criterion of malignancy (MR imaging with HP); and (3) dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) images using the LI-RADS system. We evaluated intra- and inter-reader agreement with kappa statistics along with 95% confidence intervals and compared diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the 3 imaging datasets with McNemar's test. The sensitivities of MR imaging were statistically higher with HP (Reader 1, 95% [107/111]; Reader 2, 95% [106/111]) than without HP (Reader 1, 84% [93/111], P = 0.002; Reader 2, 86% [96/111], P = 0.002). Specificity was comparably high between MR imaging with HP (Reader 1, 96% [27/28]; Reader 2, 96% [27/28]) and dynamic CECT (Reader 1, 100% [28/28], P = 0.317; Reader 2, 100% [28/28], P = 0.317) and MR imaging without HP (Reader 1, 96% [27/28], P = 1.00; Reader 2, 100% [28/28], P = 0.317). The use of an HP image from EOB-MRI as an additional major criterion improved the sensitivity of LI-RADS to distinguish HCCs from benign hepatic lesions while retaining high specificity.

P0370 : Role of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the long-term follow-up of small equivocal hepatic lesions in patients with colorectal cancer

P0370 : Role of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the long-term follow-up of small equivocal hepatic lesions in patients with colorectal cancer

Role of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative evaluation of small hepatic lesions in patients with colorectal cancer.

The initial abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) sometimes reveal equivocal hepatic lesions. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of equivocal hepatic lesions found by abdominal CT and the diagnostic accuracy of subsequent liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated data of patients who underwent CRC resection between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Equivocal hepatic lesions of <1 cm in size on preoperative staging CT scans were included in this study. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI was subsequently performed in all patients. Hepatic lesions that grew during the follow-up period (≥ 3 years) were considered potential metastases. Overall, 121 equivocal hepatic lesions were detected on preoperative staging CT in 65 out of 494 patients (13.2 %) who underwent colorectal surgery. Based on subsequent MRI, 11 lesions were classified as definitive metastatic lesions and 100 were classified as definitive benign lesions, including simple cysts or hemangiomas. Findings in the other 10 lesions were still inconclusive even after examining CT and MRI. Of the 11 lesions that were classified as metastatic by MRI and were resected, 10 were pathologically confirmed as metastases and one lesion was a pathologically benign nodule. All 100 benign lesions were stable on follow-up imaging and were classified as benign. Of the 10 equivocal lesions, 6 increased in size during the follow up, suggesting they were early metastases, while 4 were stable. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting liver metastases by gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI of small equivocal hepatic lesions found by CT were 100 % (16/16) and 95.2 % (100/105), respectively, if MRI was equivocal or indicated definite metastasis. The negative predictive value was 100 % (100/100). Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for assessing equivocal hepatic lesions on preoperative CT of CRC patients that allows increased diagnostic accuracy and detection of additional colorectal liver metastasis lesions.

A meta-analysis of liver lesions in hepatitis B patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis therapy

To evaluate the effect of different immune status on the incidence of hepatic lesions in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection undergoing anti-tuberculosis therapy. The PubMed (1966-2013), Embase (1966-2013), Wanfang (1998-2013), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI; 1997-2013), and Chinese Biomedical (CBMdisc; 1860-2013) literature databases were searched for case-control studies of hepatic lesions in patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis therapy with or without concomitant HBV infection. The HBV patients were divided into subgroups according to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity or negativity, all members of the control group were HBsAg⁻. The data from all 7 studies included in the meta-analysis were extracted and analysed using RevMan5.2 soft-ware. Patients with HBV infection who were undergoing anti-tuberculosis therapy had a higher risk factor than the control patients (OR =5.81, 95% CI =[4.26, 7.39]). The HBV patients with HBeAg positivity who were undergoing anti-tuberculosis therapy had a high risk factor than the HBV patients with HBeAg negativity (OR =2.56, 95% CI=[1.90, 3.44]). HBV infection is a risk factor for hepatic lesions when undergoing anti-tuberculosis therapy, and HBeAg-positive status may put a patient at higher risk.

INTRAOPERATIVE ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION OF HILAR CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA /TUMOR OF KLATSKIN /

Purpose: To compare the opportunities of the intraoperative ultrasound examination of the liver with the preoperative imaging methods – Computer tomography (CT), Ultrasound examination (US) in detecting hepatic lesions in patients with tumor of Klatskin (hilar cholangiocarcinoma). Patients and methods: This is a prospective study of 7 patients, which had undergone open operative intervention for tumor of Klatskin. The affecting of the liver by the tumor process was examined preoperatively with Ultrasound examination and Computer tomography with contrast amplification, and by inspection and palpation and intraoperative ultrasound during the operative intervention. Results: The maximum numbers of malignant lesions are found by IOUS - totally 21. Preoperative ultrasound found 5 lesions or 23,80% of the maximum number and preoperative CT – 9 or 33,33%. The information from IOUS changed the operative plan in 2/7 of the patients (28,57%). A biliary stent was placed under the control of IOUS in one patient with a heavy hyperbilirubinemia – 791,6 µmol/l. Conclusions: IOUS is significantly helpful in surgery of tumor of Klatskin. Besides the precise localization and staging of the tumor the information of IOUS changes the surgical strategy in some patients.

Prevalence and significance of subcentimeter hepatic lesions in patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma

PurposeTo determine the prevalence and significance of incidental, subcentimeter hepatic lesions in patients with a new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Materials and MethodsThis Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study included 101 patients [45% men, median age 63 years (34-85)] treated for localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute from January 1999 to December 2007. Initial staging and follow-up computed tomographic scans were reviewed to determine the frequency of liver lesions that were initially too small to characterize and later proved to be metastases. Clinical variables known to be prognostic for patients with pancreatic cancer were also recorded. Using Cox regression, we calculated adjusted hazard ratios to determine the association between presence of liver lesions and overall survival. ResultsA total of 31 patients (30.7%) had subcentimeter hepatic lesions on staging scans. Of these patients, 21 (20.7% of total, 67.7% of patients with lesions) had eventual metastases to the liver. Finally, of this group, 5 patients (5.0% of total, 16.1% of patients with lesions) eventually had a metastatic focus at the specific site of the original lesion. Liver lesions predicted the occurrence of metastatic disease to the liver compared with patients without lesions (67.7% with lesions vs 44.4% without, P = .034). The presence of subcentimeter liver lesions at diagnosis was significantly associated with reduced overall survival (hazard ratio 1.65; 95% confidence interval 1.03-2.64, P = .036). ConclusionsSubcentimeter lesions in the liver are common in patients with a new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Approximately 16% of these lesions represent metastases. The presence of indeterminate liver lesions may be associated with reduced overall survival.

Realce por contraste de lesões hepáticas em pacientes com cirrose: estudo cruzado comparativo de dois agentes de contraste para RM realizado em uma única instituição. Resultados preliminares

OBJETIVO: Comparar, prospectivamente, gadopentato de dimeglumina (Gd-DTPA) e gadobenato de dimeglumina (Gd-BOPTA), ambos em dose plena, na detecção de lesões hepáticas focais, por meio de RM em pacientes com doença hepática crônica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Oito pacientes com cirrose hepática e forte suspeita de um pequeno carcinoma hepatocelular, baseada em RM anterior, foram submetidos a exames de RM contrastada, um com dose plena de Gd-DTPA e outro com dose plena de Gd-BOPTA. Os exames foram realizados com um intervalo de 72 a 108 horas. Dois radiologistas independentes realizaram avaliação às cegas das imagens, considerando número, caracterização e realce das lesões, além de preferências subjetivas. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois exames quanto à detecção e caracterização das lesões. Observou-se um incremento de 18% no realce da lesão dominante pelo Gd-BOPTA, em comparação com o Gd-DTPA. Na maioria dos casos, ambos os observadores cegos subjetivamente preferiram as imagens utilizando Gd-BOPTA àquelas com Gd-DTPA, com base no maior realce e melhor definição das margens das lesões. CONCLUSÃO: Em doses plenas equivalentes, Gd-BOPTA e Gd-DTPA são similares na detecção e caracterização de lesões hepáticas focais em pacientes com doença hepática crônica. Entretanto, o Gd-BOPTA foi superior em relação ao realce da lesão, assim como na preferência subjetiva dos observadores.

Image fusion of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using volume navigation for detection, characterization and planning of therapeutic interventions of liver tumors

To evaluate, whether image fusion of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with CT or MRI affects the diagnosis and characterization of liver lesions or the therapeutic strategy of surgical or interventional procedures compared to the preliminary diagnosis. In a retrospective study the image fusion scans of CEUS with contrast enhanced CT or MRI of 100 patients (71 male, mean age 59 years, 0.3-85 years) with benign or malignant liver lesions were evaluated. Fundamental B-scan, color Doppler imaging and CEUS were performed in all patients by an experienced examiner using a multifrequency convex transducer (1-5 MHz, LOGIQ 9/GE) and volume navigation (Vnav). After a bolus injections of up to 2.4 ml SonoVue® (BRACCO, Italy) digital raw data was stored as cine-loops up to 5 min. In 74 patients, CEUS was fused with a pre-existing ceCT, in 26 patients a ceMRI was used. In all 100 patients (100%) the image quality in all modalities (ceCT, ceMRI and CEUS) was excellent or with only minor diagnostic limitations. Regarding the number of lesions revealed in image fusion of CEUS/ceCT/ceMRI and the preceding diagnostic method, concordant results were found in 84 patients. In 12 patients, additional lesions were found using fusion imaging causing subsequently a change of the therapeutical strategy. In 15 out of 21 patients with either concordant or discordant results regarding the number of lesions, image fusion allowed a definite diagnosis due to a continuous documentation of the microcirculation of the tumor and its contrast enhancement. A significant coherency (p < 0.05) among image fusion with either ceCT or ceMRI and CEUS and a subsequent change of therapeutic strategy was found. Image fusion with volume navigation (VNav) of CEUS with ceCT or ceMRI frequently allows a definite localization and diagnosis of hepatic lesions in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma or metastatic diseases. This might cause a change of the therapeutic strategy in many patients with hepatic lesions.

Natural History of Small, “Indeterminate” Hepatic Lesions in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

The initial staging CT scan for patients with colorectal cancer may reveal small, "indeterminate" hepatic lesions. The significance of these lesions is often unknown at the time of diagnosis. Surveillance of these lesions is often recommended because they may have an impact on the subsequent management of these patients. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and significance of small (<1 cm on CT scan), indeterminate liver lesions detected preoperatively in patients with colorectal cancer and to determine whether further surveillance imaging of these patients is required. Data were collected retrospectively, from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005. All colorectal cancer patients with small, indeterminate liver lesions on their initial staging CT scan were included. These lesions were formally reported as being too small to be characterized. All subsequent surveillance images of the liver were reviewed to assess the natural history of these lesions. Four hundred nineteen patients with colorectal cancer had staging CT performed. Seventy patients (16.7%) had small liver lesions on their initial CT that could not be definitely characterized. Forty-six (65.7%) underwent subsequent imaging of their liver lesions. Forty-one (89.1%) of these were shown to be stable lesions that were likely benign. Only five patients (10.9%) showed progression on subsequent liver imaging, suggestive of early metastases and consistent with their clinical picture. Small, indeterminate liver lesions may occur in up to 16.7% of patients with colorectal cancer. Although most of these lesions remain quiescent, surveillance imaging is recommended because a small but not insignificant proportion of patients with such lesions actually harbor early metastases.

1307: Ultrasonographic Atlas of Hyperechoic Focal Liver Lesions

Characterization of hyperechoic focal liver lesions in the abdominal ultrasound has always been a challenge for the radiologist. In this exhibit, we discuss and illustrate the sonographic features and differential diagnosis of various focal hepatic lesions which show hyper-echogenicity on ultrasound images. These include (1) malignant primary or secondary neoplasms (hepatocellular carcinoma, metastases), (2) benign neoplastic lesions (hepatic adenoma, hemangioma, angiomyolipoma), (3) non-neoplastic lesions (small hyperechoic hepatic lesions in patients with cirrhosis, benign regenerative nodules in Budd-Chiari syndrome and other vascular disorders of the liver, and inflammatory lesions).

Imaging detection of new HCCs in cirrhotic patients treated with different techniques: Comparison of conventional US, spiral CT, and 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced US with the Navigator technique (Nav 3D CEUS)

Introduction The commercially available Navigator system © (Esaote, Italy) allows easy 3D reconstruction of a single 2D acquisition of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) imaging of the whole liver (with volumetric correction provided by the electromagnetic device of the Navigator ©). The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of this panoramic technique (Nav 3D CEUS) with that of conventional US and spiral CT in the detection of new hepatic lesions in patients treated for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methods From November 2006 to May 2007, we performed conventional US, Nav 3D CEUS, and spiral CT on 72 cirrhotic patients previously treated for 1 or more HCCs (M/F: 38/34; all HCV-positive; Child: A/B 58/14) (1 examination: 48 patients; 2 examinations: 20 patients; 3 examinations: 4 patients). Nav 3D CEUS was performed with SonoVue © (Bracco, Milan, Italy) as a contrast agent and Technos MPX © scanner (Esaote, Genoa, Italy). Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) were evaluated. Differences between the techniques were assessed with the chi-square test (SPSS release-15). Results Definitive diagnoses (based on spiral CT and additional follow-up) were: 6 cases of local recurrence (LocRecs) in 4 patients, 49 new nodules >2 cm from a treated nodule (NewNods) in 34 patients, and 10 cases of multinodular recurrence consisting of 4 or more nodules (NewMulti). The remaining 24 patients (22 treated for 1–3 nodules, 2 treated for >3 nodules) remained recurrence-free. Conventional US correctly detected 29/49 NewNods, 9/10 NewMultis, and 3/6 LocRecs (sensitivity: 59.2%; specificity: 100%; diagnostic accuracy: 73.6%; PPV: 100%; NPV: 70.1%). Spiral CT detected 42/49 NewNods plus 1 that was a false positive, 9/10 NewMultis, and all 6 LocRecs (sensitivity: 85.7%; specificity: 95.7%; diagnostic accuracy: 90.9%; PPV: 97.7%; NPV: 75.9%). 3D NAV results were: 46N (+9 multinodularN and 6 LR), 3 false-negatives, and one false-positive (sensitivity: 93.9; specificity: 97.9%; diagnostic accuracy: 95.6; PPV: 97.9; NPV: 93.9). Conclusions 3D Nav CEUS is significantly better than US and very similar to spiral CT for detection of new HCCs. This technique revealed the presence of lesions that could not be visualized with spiral CT.

Sparing of Fatty Infiltration Around Focal Hepatic Lesions in Patients with Hepatic Steatosis: Sonographic Appearance with CT and MRI Correlation

Sparing of Fatty Infiltration Around Focal Hepatic Lesions in Patients with Hepatic Steatosis: Sonographic Appearance with CT and MRI Correlation

Effets du tabagisme sur la thyroïde, le tube digestif, le rein et l’os

In addition to being a major cardiovascular risk factor, smoking promotes or worsens thyroid, digestive, renal and bone diseases. Smoking is positively associated with hyperthyroidism. It is associated with Graves' disease and it especially increases the risk of the development of severe exophthalmos. In contrast, smoking might exert a protective action for thyroid carcinoma. Smoking increases the severity of hepatic lesions in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Smoking accelerates the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Smoking increases risk of both hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps. While Crohn's disease is associated with smoking, ulcerative colitis is largely a disease of non smokers. Smoking increases risk of development of both renal cell carcinoma and chronic nephropathies, particularly in types 1 and 2 diabetes. Smoking is a risk factor for decreased bone density and is associated with a significantly increased risk of fracture. Smoking is related to the development of rheumatoid arthritis and may adversely influence its severity. Smoking might be considered a risk factor for the development of several thyroid, digestive, renal and bone diseases. Consequently, smoking prevention and cessation programs must be strongly encouraged among the patients concerned.

Single focal hepatic lesion in patient with colorectal cancer: what imaging is better?

Purpose: To evaluate the relative roles of ultrasound (US) and helical computed tomography (CT) in the definition of nature of single focal hepatic lesions in patients with colorectal cancer.

Visualization of Hypervascular Liver Lesions During TACE: Comparison of Angiographic C-Arm CT and MDCT

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and scan coverage of flat-detector C-arm CT compared with that of biphasic MDCT for depicting malignant hepatic lesions in patients with hypervascular liver tumors before they undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Fifteen patients with either hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 8) or hypervascular liver metastases from uveal melanoma (n = 7) underwent arterial and portal venous C-arm CT of the liver using intraarterial contrast media administration directly before TACE. The number and location of their hepatic malignancies were compared with those on MDCT. The scan coverage was documented and the liver diameter measured on MDCT. Compared with MDCT, the sensitivity and specificity for segmental tumor involvement were 97% (76/78) and 85% (28/33), respectively, for reader 1, and 99% (77/78) and 79% (24/29), respectively, for reader 2. Complete scan coverage of the liver was obtained in five of the 15 patients with C-arm CT. In patients with incomplete scan coverage on C-arm CT, the craniocaudal liver diameter was significantly larger than in those patients with complete scan coverage (mean [95% CI], 22.7 [19.5-25.9] cm vs 20.2 [15.4-25.0] cm, p = 0.0193). Biphasic arterial and portal venous C-arm CT showed a high sensitivity for the detection of malignant liver lesions. However, the liver could not be visualized completely in two thirds of the patients. Therefore, the current scan range limitations need to be overcome to make C-arm CT a valuable adjunct to MDCT for preprocedure evaluation and postprocedure follow-up imaging.