PURPOSE: The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence must be considered ahead of surgery. This study was undertaken to identify pre-operative risk factors for early intrahepatic recurrence of HCC after curative resection in a large-scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative three-phase multi-detector CT (MDCT) and laboratory data for 240 HCC patients who underwent curative resection; tumor size, number, gross shape, capsule integrity, distinctiveness of tumor margin, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), alpha-fetoprotein level (AFP), and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) levels were assessed. Surgical pathology was reviewed; tumor differentiation, capsule, necrosis, and micro-vessel invasion were recorded. RESULTS: HCC recurred in 61 patients within six months (early recurrence group), but not in 179 patients (control group). In univariate analysis, large tumor size (p = 0.018), shape (p = 0.028), poor capsule integrity (p = 0.046), elevated AFP (p = 0.015), and PIVKA-II (p = 0.008) were significant preoperative risk factors. Among the pathologic features, PVT (p = 0.023), Glisson's capsule penetration (p = 0.033), microvascular invasion (p < 0.001), and poor differentiation (p = 0.001) showed statistical significance. In multivariate analysis, only the histopathologic parameters of microvascular invasion and poor differentiation achieved statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Preoperative CT and laboratory parameters showed limited value, while the presence of microscopic vascular tumor invasion and poorly differentiated HCC correlated with higher risk of early recurrence after curative resection.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism/pathology/*radiography/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/*radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/metabolism/*pathology/*radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; alpha-Fetoproteins/metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of three-phase helical dynamic CT in the detection of hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METFODS: Three-phase helical dynamic CT in 77 patients with advanced liver cirrhosis was evaluated prospectively before orthotopic liver transplantation. The histopathologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinomas in the explanted livers were compared with pretransplantation CT results by one-to-one correlation. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination of the explanted livers revealed 72 hepatocellular carcinomas in 41 patients. The size of the hepatocellular carcinomas was 0.5-14.0 cm (mean, 1.6 cm). The use of helical dynamic CT enabled the detection of 38 of 72 hepatocellular carcinomas (sensitivity, 53%). Fifteen of 35 (43%) hepatocellular carcinomas smaller than 2 cm and 23 of 37 (62%), hepatocellular carcinomas ranging from 2.0 cm to 14.0 cm were detected. Patient sensitivity and specificity in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma were 81% (33/41) and 94% (34/36), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Three-phase helical dynamic CT is insensitive for detection of hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis, especially for hepatocellular carcinomas smaller than 2 cm.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Female ; Human ; Liver/*pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; *Tomography, Spiral Computed

BACKGROUNDFew reports have evaluated the efficacy of re-operation for relapse after initial surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct thrombosis (BDT). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of initial surgery and subsequent re-operation for HCC with BDT, and their effects on prognosis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 880 patients with HCC, including 28 patients with BDT, who underwent radical hepatectomy between 1998 and 2008 in our hospital, were reviewed. The effects of BDT and re-operation on prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 89.3%, 46.4% and 21.4%, respectively, in 28 patients with BDT versus 91.4%, 52.9% and 20.9% in 852 patients without BDT (P>0.05). Six patients with BDT underwent re-operation after disease relapse, and their survival time was significantly longer than those who did not undergo re-operation (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that portal vein invasion and tumor size were independently associated with tumor relapse and prognosis (P<0.05). Univariate analysis and multivariate analyses showed that obstructive jaundice was not significantly correlated with tumor relapse or prognosis (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHepatectomy plus BDT removal is an effective treatment option for HCC with BDT. Obstructive jaundice is not a contraindication for surgery. Re-operation after relapse can provide good outcomes if the cases are appropriately selected.

Adult ; Bile Ducts ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Thrombosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively define which histologic characteristics of small-sized hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) are related to atypical dynamic enhancement on multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients with 83 HCCs (3 cm or less in diameter) were included in this study. All patients underwent 4-phase MDCT imaging and subsequent surgery within eight weeks. Two independent radiologists blinded to the histologic findings retrospectively classified the HCCs as either typical (showing increased enhancement on arterial phase images followed by washout in late phase images) or atypical lesions demonstrating any other enhancement pattern. From the original pathologic reports, various histologic characteristics including gross morphology, nuclear histologic grades, presence of capsule formation, and capsule infiltration when a capsule was present, were compared among the two groups. RESULTS: An atypical enhancement pattern was seen in 30 (36.2%) of the 83 HCCs. The mean size of atypical HCCs (1.71 +/- 0.764) was significantly smaller than that of typical HCCs (2.31 +/- 0.598, p < 0.001). Atypical HCCs were frequently found to be vaguely nodular in gross morphology (n = 13, 43.3%) and to have grade I nuclear grades (n = 17, 56.7%). Capsule formation was significantly more common in typical HCCs (p < 0.001). Capsular infiltration was also more common in typical HCCs (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: HCCs showing atypical dynamic enhancement on MDCT imaging are usually smaller than typical HCCs, vaguely nodular type in gross morphology in most cases, and well-differentiated in nuclear grades, and they lack of capsule formation or capsular infiltration.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Iohexol/analogs & derivatives/diagnostic use ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the outcomes of a simplified technique for the percutaneous placement of a hepatic artery port-catheter system for chemotherapy infusion in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2003 to February 2008, percutaneous hepatic artery port-catheter insertion was performed in 122 patients who had hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion. The arterial access route was the common femoral artery. The tip of the catheter was wedged into the right gastroepiploic artery without an additional fixation device. A side hole was positioned at the distal common hepatic artery to allow the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into the hepatic arteries. Coil embolization was performed only to redistribute to the hepatic arteries or to prevent the inadvertent delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into extrahepatic arteries. The port chamber was created at either the supra-inguinal or infra-inguinal region. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all patients. Proper positioning of the side hole was checked before each scheduled chemotherapy session by port angiography. Catheter-related complications occurred in 19 patients (16%). Revision was achieved in 15 of 18 patients (83%). CONCLUSION: This simplified method demonstrates excellent technical feasibility, an acceptable range of complications, and is hence recommended for the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis.
Angiography ; Antineoplastic Agents/*administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*drug therapy/pathology ; *Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Femoral Artery/surgery ; Fluoroscopy ; *Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Liver Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein/*pathology ; *Radiography, Interventional ; Treatment Outcome

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the most effective therapies for unresectable hepatocelluar carcinoma or metastatic hypervascular tumors. Abscess occurring in the other organs beside the liver after TACE is a complication that often occurs, sometimes potentially fatal. We report a case of spinal epidural abscess occurred after liver abscess complicated by TACE in a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors to the liver. A 67-year-old female underwent TACE first for the metastatic lesions to liver, with a history of pancreatoduodenectomy for the primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Four days after TACE, sudden high fever occurred, and liver abscess was found on abdominal CT. Two days later, back pain and radiating pain to the right leg occurred, and lumbar spine MRI showed spinal epidural abscess. After intravenous antibiotics for 8 weeks and partial laminectomy, the patient recovered and was discharged without complications.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/secondary/*therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Epidural Abscess/*etiology/microbiology/surgery ; Escherichia coli/isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli Infections/drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Liver Abscess/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/secondary/*therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae/microbiology/radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/pathology/surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed