Preoperative Portal Vein Embolisation Research Articles

Accidental Microcoil Migration into Right Atrium during Portal Vein Embolisation: A Case Report

With the advancement of technology in the field of medicine, minimally invasive vascular procedures are widely utilised for therapeutic effects. Embolisation is a minimally invasive approach to occlude a vessel for therapeutic benefit. However, these procedures are associated with a small percentage of complications, one of which is the migration of the embolising agent. Migration refers to the movement of the embolisation agent (mostly a coil) from the original placement site to an unwanted location. A 59-year-old male presented with complaints of abdominal pain lasting 2-3 months. A Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen revealed an ill-defined infiltrative lesion arising from the neck and body of the gallbladder. Curative surgery was planned in the form of an extended right hepatectomy; however, the Future Liver Remnant (FLR) calculated was not optimal (19%). The patient was therefore referred for preoperative Portal Vein Embolisation (PVE). During the procedure, there was an accidental microcoil migration to the right heart post-PVE, which was managed by minimally invasive techniques. The importance of multimodality imaging techniques used to identify the location and multidisciplinary approaches to aid management has also been highlighted.

Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer for occlusion of specific portal branches during preoperative portal vein embolisation with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) injection for selective occlusion of portal branches considered at risk for non-target embolisation during preoperative portal vein embolisation (PVE). Twenty-nine patients (mean age, 57 ± 17 years) submitted to PVE with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and additional EVOH for selected portal branches were retrospectively analysed. Indications for the use of EVOH and the selected portal branches were evaluated. Degree of hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR) and kinetic growth were assessed by CT volumetry performed before and 3-6 weeks after PVE. Clinical outcome and histopathological analysis of portal veins occluded with EVOH were reviewed. EVOH was indicated intraoperatively for embolisation of selected portal branches that the operator reported at risk to provoke non-target embolisation with NBCA. Indications for the use of EVOH were embolisation of segment IV (n = 21), embolisation of segmental portal branches with early bifurcation (n = 7) and PVE in a 1-year-old girl with cystic hamartomas. All targeted portal branches were successfully embolised. There were no cases with non-target embolisation by EVOH. The degree of hypertrophy of the FLR was 14.3 ± 8.1% and the kinetic growth rate was 2.7 ± 1.8% per week. EVOH is safe and effective for embolisation of selected portal vein branches considered at risk for non-target embolisation. • EVOH is another effective liquid embolic agent for preoperative PVE. • EVOH is relatively simple to handle with a minimal risk of non-target embolisation. • During PVE, some portal branches considered complicated to occlude with NBCA may be efficiently embolised with EVOH.

Embolización portal hepática preoperatoria con lipiodol y gelatina absorbible

ObjectiveTo evaluate outcomes of preoperative hepatic portal vein embolisation with lipiodol and absorbable gelatin in order to generate liver hypertrophy and enable right hepatectomy in selected patients with liver tumours and future insufficient residual liver. Materials and methodsPortal vein embolisation (PVE) with lipiodol and absorbable gelatin sponge mixed with iodine based contrast was performed in 18 patient candidates for right hepatectomy between March 2002 and April 2014. The pre-embolisation liver volume evaluations were performed by computed tomography with intravenous contrast. Patients underwent an ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture, followed by angiography. The controls of hypertrophy and volume estimation were performed in the 4th week after portal embolisation. The patients were followed-up on an outpatient basis or by using their medical records. ResultsThe median age was 58 years, with a 1:0.8 male: female ratio. The total estimated liver volume, excluding the tumour, of all patients evaluated prior to surgery was 1587.75 cm3 (median). The previous estimated liver volume and its relation to the future remaining portion before PVE was 19.9%. The absolute median growth of future residual liver parenchyma post-PVE was 306.2 to 475.2 cm3, being an increase of 43.5%, and the mean growth of liver volume and remaining portion ratio post-PVE was 8.5% (P<.001). Complications were one haematoma and one aseptic necrosis. ConclusionThe selection of patients is of paramount importance, and PVE with lipiodol and absorbable gelatin in our environment is a safe and effective procedure.

The Surgical Management of Klatskin Tumours: Has Anything Changed in the Last Decade?

Surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinomas requires complex pre-, intra- and post-operative decision-making. Despite the significant progress in liver surgery over the years, several issues such as the role of pre-operative biliary drainage, portal vein embolisation, staging laparoscopy and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy remain unresolved. Operative strategies such as vascular resection, caudate lobe resection and liver transplant have also been practiced in order to improve R0 resectability and improved survival. The review aims to consolidate evidence from major studies in the last 11 years. Survival data were only included from studies that reported the results in at least 30 patients with 1-year follow-up. A significant number of patients may be prevented an unnecessary laparotomy if they underwent a staging laparoscopy. There remain no guidelines as to when portal vein embolisation or pre-operative biliary drainage should be employed but most studies agree with pre-operative biliary drainage being an absolute indication if portal vein embolisation is performed. Concomitant hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy increases R0 resection but vascular resection cannot be routinely recommended. Liver transplant at specialised centres in selective patients has had impressive results. Guidelines are required for pre-operative biliary drainage and portal vein embolisation and randomised trials are required in order to define the role of vascular resection in achieving a R0 resection and increasing survival.

Increase in left liver lobe function after preoperative right portal vein embolisation assessed with gadolinium-EOB-DTPA MRI

To prospectively evaluate the early development of regional liver function after right portal vein embolisation (PVE) with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in patients scheduled for extended right hemihepatectomy. Ten patients who received a PVE before an extended hemihepatectomy were examined before and 14days after PVE using Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI of the liver. In these sequences representative region of interest measurements were performed in the embolised right (RLL) and the non-embolised left liver lobe (LLL). The volume as well as hepatic uptake index (HUI) was calculated independently for each lobe. Relative enhancement 14days after PVE decreased in the RLL and increased significantly in the LLL (P < 0.05). Average hepatic uptake index (HUI) for RLL was significantly lower 14days after PVE than before PVE (P < 0.05) and significantly higher for LLL (P < 0.05). A significant shift of contrast uptake from the right to the left liver lobe can be depicted as early as 14days after right PVE by using Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI, which could reflect the redirected portal venous blood flow and the rapid utilisation of a hepatic functional reserve. • Preoperative portal vein embolisation (PVE) is widely performed before right-sided hepatic resection. • PVE increases intravenous contrast medium uptake in the left lobe of liver. • The hepatic uptake index for the left liver lobe increases rapidly after PVE. • Left liver lobe function increase may be visualised by Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

Biliary cancer: ESMO Clinical Recommendation for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

Biliary cancer: ESMO Clinical Recommendation for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

Preoperative right portal vein embolisation: indications and results

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of right portal vein embolisation (PVE) in inducing contralateral liver hypertrophy before extended hepatectomy. Twenty-six consecutive patients, 14 with liver metastases (ten from colorectal cancer; four from carcinoid tumours) and 12 with biliary cancers (ten Klatskin tumours; one gallbladder tumour; one intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma) with insufficient predicted future remnant liver (FRL) underwent right PVE to induce hypertrophy of the contralateral hemiliver prior to surgical resection. Total liver volume, tumour volume and FRL volume were calculated on a 3D workstation. The ratio of the FRL to the total functional liver volume was <30% in all patients. The FRL volume increased by 5%-25% (15% on average) after right PVE in patients with liver metastases and by 9%-19% (14% on average) in patients with biliary cancers. In all patients, the ratio of FRL to functional liver volume was >or=30% after right PVE. No postoperative deaths due to severe liver failure occurred in the 20 patients who underwent extended hepatectomy. Right PVE extends the indications for hepatectomy in patients with liver metastases and those with biliary cancers who have an insufficient potential hepatic functional reserve.

Effect of portal vein embolisation on the growth rate of colorectal liver metastases

Portal vein embolisation (PVE) is used to increase the remnant liver volume before major liver resection for colorectal metastases. The resection rate after PVE is 60–70%, mainly limited by disease progression. The effect of PVE on tumour growth rate has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to compare the growth characteristics of resected colorectal liver metastases in patients undergoing pre-operative PVE with those of matched controls who had not undergone PVE. There were 22 patients who had undergone preoperative PVE and 20 matched controls. Tumour growth rate was calculated by the change in tumour volume (CT/MRI volumetric assessment) from diagnosis to resection. Resected histological specimens were examined by two histopathologists independently for cell differentiation, percentage tumour cell necrosis and mitotic rate. Immunochemical staining with Ki67 was carried out using the MIB-1 monoclonal antibody and quantified using a Glasgow cell-counting graticule. The groups were comparable in demographics, stage of primary disease, volume of liver metastases at presentation and chemotherapy received. The tumour growth rate calculated from imaging was more rapid in the PVE group compared with that in controls (control: 0.05±0.25 ml day−1, PVE: 0.36±0.68 ml day−1, P=0.06). Histology showed no difference in the degree of differentiation, extent of necrosis or apoptosis between the two groups. However, mitotic rate was higher post PVE, as was the proliferation index Ki67 (P=0.04). This study has confirmed that tumour growth rate increased following PVE and that this is related to increased tumour cell division.

Long-Term Survival and Disease Recurrence Following Portal Vein Embolisation Prior to Major Hepatectomy for Colorectal Metastases

Portal vein embolisation (PVE) can be used to increase the remnant liver parenchyma volume before major hepatectomy but may stimulate tumour growth. The pattern of disease recurrence and long-term survival has not been adequately addressed. Over a period of 7 years 36 patients underwent preoperative PVE before resection of four or more liver segments for colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases. PVE was performed when the future liver remnant (FLR) assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan volumetry was less than 30%. Disease-free and overall survival was compared with a control group (65 patients) undergoing extended right/right hepatectomy for CRC metastases without PVE during the same time period. PVE was successful in all patients. PVE increased the median FLR volume by 37% [295 ml (22%) to 404 ml (32%), p < 0.0001]. 61% of patients undergoing PVE proceeded to liver resection (n = 22). Twelve patients (33%) developed disease progression following PVE. The 5-year survival after liver resection with PVE was 25%, compared with 50% without PVE. The 5-year disease-free survival was 30% post PVE and 50% without PVE. We conclude that PVE significantly increases the future liver remnant. Only two-thirds of patients proceed to resection because of disease progression. Long-term survival is less than in patients who do not require PVE. The effect of PVE on tumour growth requires investigation.

Main complications after major liver resections and possible waysof prevention

Results of 325 major liver resections were investigated. The common indications were malignant and benign lesions, hydatid cysts, purulent cholangitis, posttraumatic liver necrosis. The main complications after liver resections were massive intraoperative bleedings and acute postoperative liver failure. The main causes of blood loss and liver failure were discovered. The most effective means to prevent bleeding was anatomical liver resection. Lobe vascular occlusion is essential for minimal blood loss. Postoperative liver failure was strong associated with the small volume of the remnant liver and decrease in functional liver capacity. Precision selection of patients and preoperative portal vein embolisation lead to decrease the rate of liver failure (5,4%).

Percutaneous portal vein embolisation in preparation for extended hepatic resection of primary nonresectable liver tumours.

In patients with malignant primary and secondary liver tumours or proximal bile duct carcinoma radical surgery is superior to all other therapeutic modalities in terms of survival and quality of life. Radical resection, however, often requires the removal of a large amount of liver parenchyma, resulting in a marked reduction of functional liver tissue with the risk of liver failure. Preoperative partial portal vein embolisation induces hypertrophy of the controlateral liver and thereby increases the safety of extended liver resections. Between January 1997 and February 2001 we applied this strategy in 19 patients with primary and secondary nonresectable hepatobiliary malignancies, in whom the estimated amount of the remnant liver was < or =25% of the liver volume. The increase in volume ranged between 7 and 245%. Radical extended liver resection was performed in 13 patients (68%) without mortality. After a mean observation time of 22 months patient survival was 19 months with six tumour-related deaths during the second year after surgery. The remaining seven patients are alive and well with tumour recurrence in one. Preoperative partial portal vein embolisation allows more patients with previously unresectable liver tumours to benefit from a potentially curative resection.

Embolisation portale avant hépatectomie. Techniques, indications et résultats

Postoperative liver failure is a severe complication of major hepatectomies, in particular in patients with a chronic underlying liver disease. Preoperative interruption of the portal flow in the liver territories planned to be removed, induces their atrophy and the compensatory hypertrophy of the segments spared by the resection. This interruption can be induced by the surgical ligation of the portal branches or by the percutaneous intraportal injection, under ultrasound guidance, of glues or sclerosing agents. Preoperative portal vein embolisation is usually indicated when the remnant liver accounts for less than 25–40% of the total liver volume. Feasibility is close to 100 % and the risk comparable to that of a percutaneous liver biopsy. It is well tolerated and the biological impact is minimal in patients without liver failure. Compensatory hypertrophy of the non-embolised segments is maximal during the first 2 weeks and persists, although to a lesser extent during approximately 6 weeks. The magnitude of hypertrophy is correlated with the volume of parenchyma embolised, and is reduced in diabetic or jaundiced patients or when there is an active chronic liver disease. Liver resection is performed 2 to 6 weeks after embolisation. Retrospective studies and one prospective study suggest that patients so prepared have a reduced perioperative risk and that their long term carcinologic results are not impaired.