INTRODUCTIONRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable primary or secondary hepatic malignancies have gained widespread availability and acceptance over the past 5 years. Complication rates have been reported to range from 0% to 27%.

CLINICAL PICTUREWe report a patient with symptomatic right pleural effusion due to a diaphragmatic fistula and another with biliptysis post-RFA, for recurrent hepatoma.

TREATMENTPercutaneous drainage of both the pleural effusion and biloma was performed. However, surgical repair of the diaphragmatic fistula was only required for the former for persistent drainage.

OUTCOMEBoth patients were successfully treated with minimal morbidity.

CONCLUSIONHigh index of suspicion is required for the early diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic fistulas. Simple catheter drainage can potentially obviate the need for surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; Diaphragm ; physiopathology ; Fistula ; etiology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Pleural Effusion ; etiology

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma is extremely rare, and the exact pathogenesis leading to this remarkable phenomenon remains unclear. We describe a case of spontaneous regression of an incidentally discovered hepatocellular carcinoma in a 63-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis. The regression followed a series of events, in particular, an upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Ischaemic insult may be a major pathway leading to tumour regression. As limited data is available in the literature, knowledge and recognition of this rare event will have implications for patient management and may alter treatment. Further, data may be useful to assess if these patients have an altered prognosis with improved survival.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The survival of a recent series of 823 cirrhosis patients who were followed up for a mean of 48 months was analyzed. Cirrhosis was ascribed to alcohol (26%), hepatitis virus B (58%), hepatitis virus C (11%) or both (2%), or was cryptogenic (3%). Features of decompensation were observed in 51% of the patients at entry, and newly developed in 44% of compensated patients within 5 yr. The 5-yr survival after decompensation was 25%. The leading causes of death were liver failure (53%), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, 23%), and variceal bleeding (10%). Early detection of HCC significantly improved the survival of cirrhosis patients. Biannual ultrasonography increased the detection rate of small HCC. Mortality of variceal hemorrhage was much lower in patients with Child-Pugh scores from 5 to 8 than in those with scores above 8 (5% vs. 52%). Endoscopic prophylaxis significantly decreased the incidence of first variceal hemorrhage, but the effect was insufficient to improve the rate of survival. Mortality of first spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was 18%. These data suggest that the mortality of major complications of liver cirrhosis has considerably decreased during the last two decades, while there was no remarkable improvement in long-term survival. More efficient management of etiologic factors would be required.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology/physiopathology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Human ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/*diagnosis/mortality/*physiopathology ; Liver Neoplasms/etiology/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritonitis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; *Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to investigate the prevalence and causative factors of extrahepatic arterial blood supply to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at its initial presentation and during chemoembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 1998 and April 2000, consecutive 479 patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively enrolled into this study. A total of 1629 sessions of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) were performed in these patients (range: 1-15 sessions; mean: 3.4 sessions) until April 2004. For each TACE procedure, we determined the potential extrahepatic collateral arteries (ExCAs) depending on the location of the tumor, and we performed selective angiography of all suspected collaterals that could supply the tumor. The prevalence of ExCAs and the causative factors were analyzed. RESULTS: At initial presentation, 82 (17%) of these 479 patients showed 108 ExCAs supplying tumors. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size (p < 0.01), patient age (p = 0.02), a surface location (p < 0.01), and a bare area location (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with the presence of ExCAs. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only tumor size was predictive of ExCA formation (p < 0.01, odds ratio = 1.737, confidence interval: 1.533 to 1.969). During repeated TACE sessions, 97 additional ExCAs were detected in 70 (14%) patients. The cumulative probability of ExCAs in patients with a large tumor (> or = 5 cm) was significantly higher than that for those patients with a small tumor (< 5 cm) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The presence of ExCAs supplying HCC is rather common, and the tumor size is a significant causative factor for the development of these collateral arteries.
Neovascularization, Pathologic/*etiology/physiopathology/radiography ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Logistic Models ; Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology/*therapy ; Humans ; Female ; Collateral Circulation/drug effects/physiology ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*methods ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology/*therapy ; Angiography ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; Adult

With the increased temporal resolution available in dynamic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hepatic arterioportal shunts are now more frequently encountered than in the past. The condition occurs in various hepatic diseases in which portal or hepatic venous flow is compromised. The underlying mechanism and the degree of shunt affect its appearance at dynamic imaging. The dynamic CT and MRI findings have been summarized as early enhancement of peripheral portal veins, and wedge-shaped transient parenchymal enhancement during the hepatic arterial phase. Recognition of arterioportal shunt can suggest the presence of a previously unsuspected disorder and avoids false-positive diagnosis or overestimation of a hepatic disease. Familiarity with the pathophysiology of arterioportal shunt also allows investigation of the hepatic hemodynamic changes occurring in various hepatic diseases.
Arteriovenous Fistula/*diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects ; *Hepatic Artery ; Human ; Liver Circulation/physiology ; Liver Diseases/complications ; Liver Neoplasms/complications ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Portal System/physiology ; *Portal Vein ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

INTRODUCTIONThe 2005 American Association for Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) diagnostic criteria allow non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on their enhancement pattern but we have observed a high incidence of atypical enhancement characteristics in HCC associated with portal vein thrombosis. This study seeks to examine the radiological features of this particular subgroup.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients with HCC and portal vein thrombosis who underwent pre-treatment multiphasic CT imaging were drawn from a surgical database. The arterial, portal venous and delayed phase images were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively (with region of interest [ROI] analysis) for lesion hypervascularity and washout. The background enhancement of the left and right lobes of the liver was also quantifi ed by ROI analysis.

RESULTSTwenty-fi ve lesions in 25 patients were selected for analysis. Qualitative analysis showed that 10/25 (40%) lesions demonstrated arterial hypervascularity while 16/25 (64%) lesions showed washout. Ten out of 25 (40%) lesions demonstrated both arterial hypervascularity and washout. Quantitative analysis showed that the average absolute lesion enhancement from precontrast to arterial phases was 49.1 (± 17.1) HU for hypervascular lesions compared to 23.8 (± 16.6) HU for non-hypervascular lesions (P <0.01). The mean absolute enhancement of the background liver parenchyma in the arterial phase was 13.79 (± 7.9) HU for hypervascular lesions compared to 36.6 (± 30.6) HU for non-hypervascular lesions (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONA large proportion of HCC with portal vein thrombosis lack characteristic arterial hypervascularity, which may be secondary to compensatory increased arterial supply to the background liver. This is a potential pitfall when applying imaging criteria for diagnosis of HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hemodynamic changes of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) evolved from hepatic cirrhosis using CT perfusion imaging.

METHODSThirty-two patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma evolved from virus-induced fibrosis or cirrhosis underwent dynamic CT scanning of the target slices for 60 min. The perfusion parameters of the hepatic parenchyma and HCC including the blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), permeability-surface area product (PS), hepatic arterial fraction (HAF), IRF time of arrival (IRF TO) were obtained. Paired-sample t test was used to determine the differences in the perfusion parameters between the hepatic parenchyma and the primary HCC mass.

RESULTSCompared with hepatic BF (117.13-/+31.05 ml/100 mg/min), BV (14.73-/+3.91 ml/100 mg), PS (31.93-/+5.91 ml/100 mg/min), HAF (25.02-/+8.19%), MTT (12.79-/+3.31 s), IRF TO (3.14-/+1.09 s), the primary HCC mass showed significant increments in the BF (239.69-/+96.07 ml/100 mg/min), BV (20.26-/+6.73 ml/100 mg), PS (37.50-/+9.50 ml/100 mg/min), HAF (68.97-/+15.22%) with decreased MTT (7.17-/+1.38 s) and IRF TO (2.42-/+0.94 s). Significant differences were found in all the perfusion parameters between the hepatic parenchyma and HCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLiver perfusion parameters can represent the hemodynamic changes in the HCC derived from hepatic cirrhosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatitis ; complications ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion ; methods ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic damage during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a critical complication in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from its role in preventing HBV reactivation, there is some evidence for the benefits of preemptive antiviral therapy in TACE. This study evaluated the effect of preemptive antiviral therapy on acute hepatic deterioration following TACE. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included a prospectively collected cohort of 108 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent TACE between January 2007 and January 2013. Acute hepatic deterioration following TACE was evaluated. Treatment-related hepatic decompensation was defined as newly developed encephalopathy, ascites, variceal bleeding, elevation of the bilirubin level, prolongation of prothrombin time, or elevation of the Child-Pugh score by ≥2 within 2 weeks following TACE. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing treatment-related decompensation. Preemptive antiviral therapy involves directing prophylaxis only toward high-risk chronic hepatitis B patients in an attempt to prevent the progression of liver disease. We regarded at least 6 months as a significant duration of preemptive antiviral treatment before diagnosis of HCC. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 30 (27.8%) patients received preemptive antiviral therapy. Treatment-related decompensation was observed in 25 (23.1%) patients during the follow-up period. Treatment-related decompensation following TACE was observed more frequently in the nonpreemptive group than in the preemptive group (29.5% vs. 6.7%, P=0.008). In the multivariate analysis, higher serum total bilirubin (Hazard ratio [HR] =3.425, P=0.013), hypoalbuminemia (HR=3.990, P=0.015), and absence of antiviral therapy (HR=7.597, P=0.006) were significantly associated with treatment-related hepatic decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that preemptive antiviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of acute hepatic deterioration. Preventing hepatic deterioration during TACE by applying such a preemptive approach may facilitate the continuation of anticancer therapy and thus improve long-term outcomes.
Aged ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Bilirubin/blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology ; Guanine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B/complications/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia/etiology ; Incidence ; Liver/physiopathology ; Liver Diseases/epidemiology/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEBy clarifying the natural history of chronic hepatitis B, to evaluate its long-term therapeutic outcome, antiviral drugs efficacy and economic significance.

METHODSA cohort of 183 (mean age of 31.75?.03 years, male/female ratio: 152:31) chronic hepatitis B patients with biopsy-proven and 247 cases of general population as control were followed up by retrospective cohort study. The follow-up time was 11.81?.08 years. This study was focused on long-term clinical outcome including the rate of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and death, the long-term effect of antiviral drugs and prognostic factors.

RESULTSIn chronic hepatitis B patients, 22 (12.02%) developed liver cirrhosis, 12 (6.56%) hepatocellular carcinoma, and 20 (10.93%) died. The cumulative survival probabilities were 97.27%, 91.62%, and 84.47% in 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. The cumulative probabilities of HCC were 0.00%, 3.19%, and 11.56% in 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. In 247 control subjects, 6 (2.43%) died, none of them developed cirrhosis or HCC. The rates of death, liver cirrhosis, and HCC in hepatitis B patients were markedly different (P<0.005) compared with controls. The overall mortality of hepatitis B patients was 4.50 folds of the general population. Cox multiple regression analysis showed that old age, severe histological injury, and the positive HBeAg were closely related to liver cirrhosis, while old age, severe histological injury, and male were major factors leading to death. The independent variable of predicted HCC was not found.

CONCLUSIONSThe long-term outcome of hepatitis B is poor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aging ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Liver Failure ; physiopathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex ; Survival Rate

INTRODUCTIONLarge, recent population-based data for evaluating the predictors of oesophageal variceal bleeding (OVB) among cirrhotic patients is still lacking. This study aimed to determine the cumulative incidence of OVB among cirrhotic patients and identify the predictors of OVB occurrence.

METHODSPatient information on 38,172 cirrhotic patients without a history of OVB, who were discharged between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007, was obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database for this study. All patients were followed up for three years. Death was the competing risk when calculating the cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) of OVB.

RESULTSOVB was present in 2,609 patients (OVB group) and absent in 35,563 patients (non-OVB group) at hospitalisation. During the three-year follow-up period, the cumulative incidence of OVB was 44.5% and 11.3% in the OVB and non-OVB group, respectively (p < 0.001). Modified Cox regression analysis showed that the HR of OVB history was 4.42 for OVB occurrence (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.13-4.74). Other predictors for OVB occurrence included hepatocellular carcinoma (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09-1.24), young age (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.98-0.98), ascites (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.37-1.56), alcohol-related disorders (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.12-1.28), peptic ulcer bleeding (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13-1.41) and diabetes mellitus (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.23).

CONCLUSIONCirrhotic patients have a fourfold increased risk of future OVB following the first incidence of OVB.

Adult ; Aged ; Alcoholism ; complications ; Ascites ; complications ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; Databases, Factual ; Diabetes Complications ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer ; complications ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk ; Taiwan