Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization Research Articles

Current Perspectives and Progress in Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization with Stem Cell Augmentation (PVESA).

Portal vein embolization with stem cell augmentation (PVESA) is an emerging approach for enhancing the growth of the liver segment that will remain after surgery (i.e., future liver remnant, FLR) in patients with liver cancer. Conventional portal vein embolization (PVE) aims to induce preoperative FLR growth, but it has a risk of failure in patients with underlying liver dysfunction and comorbid illnesses. PVESA combines PVE with stem cell therapy to potentially improve FLR size and function more effectively and efficiently. Various types of stem cells can help improve liver growth by secreting paracrine signals for hepatocyte growth or by transforming into hepatocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), unrestricted somatic stem cells, and small hepatocyte-like progenitor cells have been used to augment liver growth in preclinical animal models, while clinical studies have demonstrated the benefit of CD133 + bone marrow-derived MSCs and hematopoietic stem cells. These investigations have shown that PVESA is generally safe and enhances liver growth after PVE. However, optimizing the selection, collection, and application of stem cells remains crucial to maximize benefits and minimize risks. Additionally, advanced stem cell technologies, such as priming, genetic modification, and extracellular vesicle-based therapy, that could further enhance efficacy outcomes should be evaluated. Despite its potential, PVESA requires more investigations, particularly mechanistic studies that involve orthotopic animal models of liver cancer with concomitant liver injury as well as larger human trials.

Safety and feasibility of preoperative simultaneous portal vein embolization and biliary drainage in hilar cholangiocarcinoma prior to hepatectomy

Purpose: Evaluate safety and feasibility of simultaneous biliary drainage (BD) and portal vein embolization (PVE) prior to hepatectomy in hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) patients. Methods: From January 2010 to June 2022, patients with potentially surgically resectable HCCA who underwent preoperative PVE and BD were analyzed. Type of initial BD, time interval between BD and PVE, changes in future liver remnant (FLR), time interval between BD, PVE and resection, and complications were recorded. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the BD-PVE interval: Group A: simultaneous BD and PVE or within 7 days (d), n = 6; Group B: d ≥ 7 to ≤ 30, n = 7; Group C: d > 30, n = 14). Primary endpoints were post-PVE complications, FLR change, and resection rate. Secondary endpoints were Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3, Grade B/C Post Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PHLF) and 90 days mortality rate. Results: A total of 27 patients (mean age = 64.4 +/- 11.2 years) underwent both BD and PVE prior to hepatectomy. Mean degree of hypertrophy at 4-6 weeks post-PVE was 10.4 +/- 3.7% with no significant difference between the 3 groups (p > 0.05). Resection was 67% in Group A, and 57% and 36% in groups B and C respectively (p < 0.05). Time to surgery was 38.5 +/- 12 days in Group A, and 60 and 147 days in groups B and C respectively (p = 0.002). No major post PVE SIR complication was reported in group A. Overall rate of Grade III/IV Clavien-Dindo complication was 61.5% with no difference among the three groups (50%, 75%, and 60%; groups A, B and C, respectively). Overall PHLF Grade B/C was reported in 46.2% of patients. No patients in Group A demonstrated Grade B/C PHLF. Conclusion: Simultaneous BD and PVE is safe and reduces the time to surgery, which may help contribute to a higher rate of surgical resection.

Sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization before hepatectomy for the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

R0 resection is the gold standard for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, residual liver deficiency remains a major obstacle to hepatectomy. This article aims to explore the short-term and long-term efficacy of preoperative sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein embolization (PVE) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Multiple electronic literature databases up to February 2022 were searched. Furthermore, clinical studies comparing sequential TACE + PVE with portal vein embolization (PVE) were included. The outcomes included hepatectomy rate, overall survival, disease-free survival, overall morbidity, mortality, posthepatectomy liver failure, the percentage increase in FLR. Five studies included 242 patients who received sequential TACE + PVE and 169 patients received PVE. The sequential TACE + PVE group demonstrated more favorable results in terms of hepatectomy rate (OR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.09-5.11; P = 0.03), overall survival (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.38 to - 0.79; P = 0.001), disease-free survival (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.44-0.83; P = 0.002), and percentage increase in FLR (MD = 4.16%; 95% CI 1.13-7.19; P = 0.007). The pooled results did not demonstrate significant differences in overall morbidity, mortality, and posthepatectomy liver failure between the sequential TACE + PVE and PVE groups. Preoperative sequential TACE + PVE has been shown to be a safe and feasible treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma to improve resectability, and it has been shown to provide better long-term oncological outcomes than PVE.

Liver Venous Deprivation Using Amplatzer Vascular Plug-Assisted N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate Embolization of the Portal and Hepatic Veins: How Do I Do it?

Liver resection can be curative in a select group of patients with primary and secondary hepatobiliary malignancies.[1] For these patients, the size and function of the future liver remnant (FLR) must be carefully considered to limit the potential for posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), a predominant cause of mortality.[1] [2] [3] [4] Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) has been shown to increase the volume of the FLR, allowing more patients to become surgical candidates and improving postoperative outcomes.[1] [2] [5] [6] [7] PVE occludes the portal venous branches supplying the lobe of the liver to be resected and redirects blood flow toward the FLR, leading to compensatory hypertrophy.[2] [8]

Abstract No. 546 Pre-Operative Portal Vein Embolization to Promote Primary and Secondary Liver Tumor Resection

Abstract No. 546 Pre-Operative Portal Vein Embolization to Promote Primary and Secondary Liver Tumor Resection

Portal Vein Embolization: Rationale, Techniques, and Outcomes to Maximize Remnant Liver Hypertrophy with a Focus on Contemporary Strategies.

Hepatectomy remains the gold standard for curative therapy for patients with limited primary or metastatic hepatic tumors as it offers the best survival rates. In recent years, the indication for partial hepatectomy has evolved away from what will be removed from the patient to the volume and function of the future liver remnant (FLR), i.e., what will remain. With this regard, liver regeneration strategies have become paramount in transforming patients who previously had poor prognoses into ones who, after major hepatic resection with negative margins, have had their risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure minimized. Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) via the purposeful occlusion of select portal vein branches to promote contralateral hepatic lobar hypertrophy has become the accepted standard for liver regeneration. Advances in embolic materials, selection of treatment approaches, and PVE with hepatic venous deprivation or concurrent transcatheter arterial embolization/radioembolization are all active areas of research. To date, the optimal combination of embolic material to maximize FLR growth is not yet known. Knowledge of hepatic segmentation and portal venous anatomy is essential before performing PVE. In addition, the indications for PVE, the methods for assessing hepatic lobar hypertrophy, and the possible complications of PVE need to be fully understood before undertaking the procedure. The goal of this article is to discuss the rationale, indications, techniques, and outcomes of PVE before major hepatectomy.

Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization: Basics Interventional Radiologists Need to Know

One of the major reasons for unresectability of the liver is that the remnant liver volume is insufficient to support postoperative liver function. Post-hepatectomy liver insufficiency is one of the most serious complications in patients undergoing major hepatic resection. Preoperative portal vein embolization is performed with the aim of inducing hypertrophy of the future liver remnant and is thought to reduce the risk of liver insufficiency after hepatectomy. We, interventional radiologists, are required to safely complete the procedure to promote future liver remnant hypertrophy as possible and understand portal vein anatomy variations and hemodynamics, embolization techniques, and how to deal with possible complications. The basic information interventional radiologists need to know about preoperative portal vein embolization is discussed in this review.

Indocyanine green plasma clearance rate and 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin single-photon emission computed tomography evaluated preoperative remnant liver.

BACKGROUNDPreoperative evaluation of future remnant liver reserves is important for safe hepatectomy. If the remnant is small, preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is useful. Liver volume analysis has been the primary method of preoperative evaluation, although functional examination may be more accurate. We have used the functional evaluation liver using the indocyanine green plasma clearance rate (KICG) and 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin single-photon emission computed tomography (99mTc-GSA SPECT) for safe hepatectomy.AIMTo analyze the safety of our institution’s system for evaluating the remnant liver reserve.METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 23 patients who underwent preoperative PVE. Two types of remnant liver KICG were defined as follows: Anatomical volume remnant KICG (a-rem-KICG), determined as the remnant liver anatomical volume rate × KICG; and functional volume remnant KICG (f-rem-KICG), determined as the remnant liver functional volume rate based on 99mTc-GSA SPECT × KICG. If either of the remnant liver KICGs were > 0.05, a hepatectomy was performed. Perioperative factors were analyzed. We defined the marginal group as patients with a-rem-KICG of < 0.05 and a f-rem-KICG of > 0.05 and compared the postoperative outcomes between the marginal and not marginal (both a-rem-KICG and f-rem-KICG > 0.05) groups.RESULTSAll 23 patients underwent planned hepatectomies. Right hepatectomy, right trisectionectomy and left trisectionectomy were in 16, 6 and 1 cases, respectively. The mean of blood loss and operative time were 576 mL and 474 min, respectively. The increased amount of f-rem-KICG was significantly larger than that of a-rem-KICG after PVE (0.034 vs 0.012, P = 0.0273). The not marginal and marginal groups had 17 (73.9%) and 6 (26.1%) patients, respectively. The complications of Clavian-Dindo classification grade II or higher and post-hepatectomy liver failure were observed in six (26.1%) and one (grade A, 4.3%) patient, respectively. The 90-d mortality was zero. The marginal group had no significant difference in postoperative outcomes (prothrombin time/international normalised ratio, total bilirubin, complication, post-hepatectomy liver failure, hospital stay, 90-d, and mortality) compared with the not-marginal group.CONCLUSIONFunctional evaluation of the remnant liver enabled safe hepatectomy and may extend the indication for hepatectomy after PVE treatment.

Tumors located in the central column of the liver are associated with increased surgical difficulty and postoperative complications following open liver resection for colorectal metastases.

To assess the impact of difficult location (based on preoperative computed tomography) of liver metastases from colorectal cancer (LMCRC) on surgical difficulty, and occurrence of severe postoperative complications (POCs). A retrospective single-centre study of 911 consecutive patients with LMCRC who underwent hepatectomy by the open approach between 1998 and 2011, before implementation of laparoscopic surgery to obviate approach selection bias.LMCRC with at least one of the following four features on preoperative imaging: tumor invading the hepatocaval confluence or retro-hepatic inferior vena cava, centrally located (Segments 4,5,8) and >10 cm in diameter, abutting the supra-hilar area, or involving the paracaval portion or caudate process of Segment 1; were considered as topographically difficult (top-diff). Independent predictors of surgical difficulty assessed by number of blood units transfused, duration of ischemia, and number of sessions of pedicle clamping during surgery and of severe POCs were identified by multivariate analysis before, and after propensity score matching. Top-diff tumor location independently predicted surgical difficulty. Severe POCs were associated with the tumor location [top-diff vs. topographically non difficult (non top-diff)], preoperative portal vein embolization, and variables related to surgical difficulty. LMCRC in difficult location independently predicts surgical difficulty and severe POCs.

Portal vein embolization with absolute ethanol to induce hypertrophy of the future liver remnant

BackgroundPreoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is widely used prior to major liver resection to reduce the risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of PVE using absolute ethanol.MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing preoperative PVE between February 2003 and February 2020 at a high-volume tertiary institution were retrospectively reviewed. Hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR) was determined by comparing volumetric data using semi-automated software on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging before and after PVE. Efficacy of absolute ethanol was evaluated by the percentage increase in the FLR volume and the ratio of the FLR to the total liver volume (TLV). Technical success and complications following PVE were evaluated. Feasibility of hepatectomy following PVE and the incidence of PHLF were determined.ResultsSixty-two patients underwent preoperative PVE using absolute ethanol. The technical success rate was 95.2%. Median time interval between PVE and follow-up imaging was 34 days (range 6–144 days). The mean increase in FLR volume and ratio of the FLR to TLV were 43.6 ± 34.4% and 12.3 ± 7.7% respectively. Major adverse events occurred in 3 cases (4.8%) and did not preclude consideration of surgery. Forty-two patients (67.8%) proceeded to surgery for intended hepatectomy of which 36 patients (58.1%) underwent liver resection. Major post-operative complications occurred in 4 patients (11.1%) and there were no cases of PHLF.ConclusionPreoperative PVE with absolute ethanol is effective and safe in inducing hypertrophy of the FLR before partial hepatectomy to prevent PHLF.

A Case of Complete Necrosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced by Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization

A Case of Complete Necrosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced by Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization

Evidence on Indications and Techniques to Increase the Future Liver Remnant in Children Undergoing Extended Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data

BackgroundTechniques to increase the future liver remnant (FLR) have fundamentally changed the indications and criteria of resectability in adult liver surgery. In pediatric patients however, these procedures have rarely been applied and the potential benefit or harm as well as suited indications are unclear.MethodsA systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CENTRAL was conducted. Based on a PRISMA-compliant, predefined methodology, all studies reporting pediatric patients (< 18y) undergoing liver resection with either associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for stages hepatectomy (ALPPS) or preoperative portal vein embolization or ligation (PVE/PVL) were included. Baseline data, periinterventional morbidity, increase of FLR and outcomes were analyzed.Results15 studies reporting on 21 pediatric patients with a mean age of 4 years and 7 months (range 1.8 months – 17 years) were included. 12 ALPPS procedures, 8 PVE and 1 PVL were performed. The applied criteria for performing ALPPS or PVE were heterogenous and thresholds for minimally acceptable FLR varied. Mean FLR [% of total liver volume] before the intervention was 23.6% (range 15.0 – 39.3%) in the ALPPS group and 31.4% (range 21.5 – 56.0%) in the PVE group. Mean increase of FLR before stage 2 resection was 69.4% (range 19.0 – 103.8%) for ALPPS and 62.8% (range 25.0 – 108.0%) after PVE. No postoperative death occurred, one early intrahepatic recurrence after an ALPPS procedure was reported. Overall postoperative morbidity was 23.8%.ConclusionValidated criteria for minimal FLR in pediatric liver resection are lacking and so are clear indications for ALPPS or PVE. In special cases, ALPPS and PVE can be valuable techniques to achieve complete resection of pediatric liver tumors. However, more data are needed, and future studies should focus on a definition and validation of posthepatectomy liver failure as well as the minimally needed FLR in pediatric patients undergoing extended hepatectomy.Systematic Review Registration[www.clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021274848].

Preoperative portal vein embolization: a comparison of ethanol and coils versus ethanol alone

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) with ethanol and coils versus ethanol alone. Material and methods Between April 2014 and May 2019, 45 patients underwent right preoperative PVE with ethanol and coils (n = 19; EthCo group) or ethanol alone (n = 26; Eth group). Results The change in % future liver remnant (FLR) was not significantly different between the EthCo and Eth groups (11.2 ± 4.3% versus 11.3 ± 4.1%, p = .98). Less ethanol was used in the EthCo group (9.7 ± 3.5 mL versus 11.9 ± 4.4 mL, p = .02). Recanalization was observed in eight patients only in the Eth group (p < .01). There were no differences in the pre-/post-PVE laboratory data between the two groups, except for post-PVE albumin. The volume of ethanol used was positively correlated with the post-PVE total bilirubin (p = .01), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < .01) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < .01) levels. Conclusion The efficacy of PVE did not differ between the EthCo and Eth groups. The use of ethanol and coils was associated with less recanalization and liver damage compared with ethanol alone.

Prediction with functional liver volume assessment to achieve the resection limit after portal vein embolization in patients scheduled major hepatectomy.

Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) stimulates liver hypertrophy and improves the safety of major hepatectomy. It is essential to predict the future remnant liver volume (FRLV) and resection limit following PVE. Previously, we reported that evaluating functional FRLV (fFRLV) using EOB-MRI could predict post-hepatectomy liver failure. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of fFRLV in predicting the achieving of adequate resection limit for safe hepatectomy following PVE. We included 55 patients who underwent PVE and were scheduled for major hepatectomy. We calculated the liver-to-muscle ratio in the remnant liver and fFRLV using EOB-MRI. We investigated the pre-PVE variables in determining the nonachievement of the resection limit. The median observation period between PVE and the first evaluation was 21 days, and the median growth rate of FRLV was 26.4%. In 54.5% of patients, the resection limit of fFRLV (615mL/m2) was achieved. In logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic analyses, pre-PVE fFRLV (p<0.001, area under the curve: 0.852) was the reliable predictor of achieving the resection limit; the cutoff value of pre-PVE fFRLV was 446mL/m2. Pre-PVE fFRLV can be useful in predicting the achievement of adequate resection limit following PVE.

Effects of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Administration on Liver Hypertrophy After Portal Vein Embolization in a Rabbit Model

Background: Postoperative liver failure is one of the most frequent causes of perioperative mortality in hepatectomy patients, even with preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE). However, recent research has found that administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) improves liver function and increases the survival rate of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to determine the effects of G-CSF administration on liver hypertrophy after PVE in a rabbit model.

Morbidity Analysis of Left Hepatic Trisectionectomy for Hepatobiliary Disease and Live Donor

Introduction: Despite remarkable advances in surgical techniques and perioperative management, left hepatic trisectionectomy (LHT) remains a challenging procedure with a somewhat higher postoperative morbidity compared with less-extensive resections. The aims of this study were to analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of LHT and to identify factors associated with postoperative morbidity of this technically demanding surgical procedure. Method: The medical records of 52 patients who underwent LHT between June 2005 and October 2019 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common indication for surgery (n=21), followed by hilar cholangiocarcinoma (n=14), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n=9), and other pathologies (including colorectal liver metastasis, hepatolithiasis, gallbladder cancer, living donor, hemangioma, and multilocular biliary cyst; n=8). The rates of postoperative morbidities of Clavian-Dindo grade 3 or higher and 90-day mortality were 38.5% and 1.9%, respectively. The overall 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates were 80.8%, 62.6%, and 45.5%, respectively. Preoperative portal vein embolization (p=0.017), an American Society of Anesthesiologists fitness grade > II (p=0.008), operation time (p=0.014), extent of surgery by concomitant extrahepatic bile duct resection (p=0.043) and lymphadenectomy (p=0.005), and the number of tumors (p=0.012) were independent predictors of postoperative morbidity on multivariable analysis. Conclusions: The success of LHT is dependent on a reliable preoperative evaluation of liver function and the anatomic features of right posterior portal vein variants and hepatic veins toward the posterior sector, active and appropriate preoperative management for obstructive cholangitis and compensatory hypertrophy of the future remnant posterior sector, and the experience of the surgeon.

Zoom Resection

“Zoom resection” (ZR) was reported in 2018 by our surgical team. It is a two-step wedge liver resection technique to resect deep tumors near vascular pedicles. Small tumors are sometimes located in places where their resection entails a great sacrifice of normal liver parenchyma. As is known, this situation usually implies the implementation of strategies to increase the future liver remnant, such as “preoperative portal vein embolization”, “Two-staged hepatectomy” or “ALPPS”. Moreover, in multiple and bilateral metastatic disease, where normal parenchyma is scarce, this could be synonymous with irresectability. Consequently, if we are looking to increase the chances of one-staged hepatectomy or turn an irresectable disease into a resectable one, a parenchyma sparing strategy is essential. Regarding the ZR technique itself, it simply consists in resecting a cylindrical piece of normal liver parenchyma above a deep tumor prior to removing it. This way, we can "superficialize" the deep tumor. The main advantages of this procedure are the clear sight and vascular control that can be achieved in cases in which the tumor is lodged close to vascular pedicles. As a result, the bigger the chance of preserving vascular pedicles, the bigger the chance of sparing parenchyma as well. We employ IOUS to plan and guide both steps of the procedure.

Gallbladder carcinoma and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Gallbladder carcinoma and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma Abstract. In this article, we focus on three entities of malignant biliary tumors: gallbladder carcinoma, distal and perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Those are rare malignant tumors which require an extensive interdisciplinary expertise in the treatment of hepato-pancreato-biliary conditions in order to provide an appropriate diagnostic work-up, correctly assess resectability and come up with a clear-cut multimodal treatment plan. Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin-tumour) usually requires the most complex evaluation of resectability, which involves not only the assessment of vascular in- and outflow and an adequate biliary drainage, but also aims to ensure that enough functional liver tissue is left after resection. To this end, preoperative portal vein embolization may be used to increase the size the future liver remnant. In highly selected, unresectable cases of perihilar cholangiocarinoma, or if a primary sclerosing cholangitis is present, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by liver transplantation can be evaluated as a curative option. Distal cholangiocarcinomas usually are treated by a partial pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple operation). The surgical treatment of gallbladder cancer ranges from simple cholecystectomy to major liver resection with complex biliary and vascular reconstruction, dependent on tumour stage. The surgical treatment is usually followed by an adjuvant regimen of Capecitabine which can significantly improve survival, while a combination Cisplatin and Gemcitabine is used in the palliative setting.

Current Surgical Management of Peri-Hilar and Intra-Hepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Simple SummaryThe treatment of peri-hilar (h-CCA) and intrahepatic (i-CCA) cholangiocarcinoma is an evolving field in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. Continuous development of radiological and surgical techniques currently offers different treatment strategies, ranging from traditional hepatectomies to complex approaches involving preoperative portal vein embolization or associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy. Recent advances in perioperative chemo-radiotherapy have improved patient survival and have been incorporated into transplant protocols, yielding excellent results. We report a comprehensive review of current surgical and multimodal approaches to h-CCA and i-CCA treatment.Cholangiocarcinoma accounts for approximately 10% of all hepatobiliary tumors and represents 3% of all new-diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (i-CCA) accounts for 10% of all cases, perihilar (h-CCA) cholangiocarcinoma represents two-thirds of the cases, while distal cholangiocarcinoma accounts for the remaining quarter. Originally described by Klatskin in 1965, h-CCA represents one of the most challenging tumors for hepatobiliary surgeons, mainly because of the anatomical vascular relationships of the biliary confluence at the hepatic hilum. Surgery is the only curative option, with the goal of a radical, margin-negative (R0) tumor resection. Continuous efforts have been made by hepatobiliary surgeons in order to achieve R0 resections, leading to the progressive development of aggressive approaches that include extended hepatectomies, associating liver partition, and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, pre-operative portal vein embolization, and vascular resections. i-CCA is an aggressive biliary cancer that arises from the biliary epithelium proximal to the second-degree bile ducts. The incidence of i-CCA is dramatically increasing worldwide, and surgical resection is the only potentially curative therapy. An aggressive surgical approach, including extended liver resection and vascular reconstruction, and a greater application of systemic therapy and locoregional treatments could lead to an increase in the resection rate and the overall survival in selected i-CCA patients. Improvements achieved over the last two decades and the encouraging results recently reported have led to liver transplantation now being considered an appropriate indication for CCA patients.

Hepatocellular uptake index obtained with gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment future liver remnant function after major hepatectomy for biliary malignancy.

BackgroundFunctional assessment of the future liver remnant (FLR) after major hepatectomy is essential but often difficult in patients with biliary malignancy, owing to obstructive jaundice and portal vein embolization. This study evaluated whether a novel index using gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI (EOB-MRI) could predict posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) after major hepatectomy for biliary malignancy.MethodsThe remnant hepatocellular uptake index (rHUI) was calculated in patients undergoing EOB-MRI before major hepatectomy for biliary malignancy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the accuracy of rHUI for predicting PHLF grade B or C, according to International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria. Multivariable logistic regression analyses comprised stepwise selection of parameters, including rHUI and other conventional indices.ResultsThis study included 67 patients. The rHUI accurately predicted PHLF (area under the curve (AUC) 0.896). A cut-off value for rHUI of less than 0.410 predicted all patients who developed grade B or C PHLF. In multivariable analysis, only rHUI was an independent risk factor for grade B or C PHLF (odds ratio 2.0 × 103, 95 per cent c.i. 19.6 to 3.8 × 107; P < 0.001). In patients who underwent preoperative portal vein embolization, rHUI accurately predicted PHLF (AUC 0.885), whereas other conventional indices, such as the plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green of the FLR and FLR volume, did not.ConclusionThe rHUI is potentially a useful predictor of PHLF after major hepatectomy for biliary malignancy.