Chronic liver disease is a major disorder worldwide. A better understanding of anatomy, blood flow, and pathophysiology may be a key issue for their proper management. Ultrasound (US) is a simple and non-invasive diagnostic tool in the abdominal field. Doppler mode offers real-time hemodynamic evaluation, and the contrast-enhanced US is one of the most frequently used modalities for the detailed assessment. Further development in digital technology enables three-dimensional (3D) visualization of target images with high resolution. This article reviews the wide ranges of application in the abdominal US and describes the recent progress in the diagnosis of chronic liver diseases.
Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Hemodynamics ; Hypertension, Portal ; Liver Diseases ; Liver ; Ultrasonography

In patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without both macrovascular invasion and extrahepatic metastasis, the initial treatment choice recommended is transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Before sorafenib came into wide use, TACE had been pointlessly carried out repeatedly. It was in the early 2010s that the concept of TACE refractory was advocated. Two retrospective studies from Japan indicated that conversion from TACE to sorafenib the day after patients were deemed as TACE refractory improved overall survival compared with continued TACE, according to the definition by the Japan Society of Hepatology. Nowadays, phase 3 trials have shown clinical benefits of several novel molecular target agents. Compared with the era of sorafenib, sequential treatments with these molecular target agents have gradually prolonged patients’ survival and have become major strategies in patients with HCC. Taking these together, conversion from TACE to systemic therapies at the time of TACE refractory, compared with before, may have a greater impact on survival and may be considered deeper in the decisions-making process in patients with unresectable HCC who are candidate for TACE. Up-to-date information on the concept of TACE refractory is summarized in this review. We believe that the survival of patients with unresectable HCC without both macrovascular invasion and extrahepatic metastasis may be dramatically improved by optimal timing of TACE refractory and switching to systemic therapies.

Histiocytic sarcoma in the liver is an extremely rare hematological malignancy. Herein, we reported the case of a 68-year-old woman who presented with characteristic wedge-shaped abnormality bounded by hepatic veins on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the liver. In the wedge-shaped area, decreased portal flow and the deposition of iron were observed. These imaging findings are consistent with intrasinusoidal tumor cell infiltration. A liver biopsy was performed, and histiocytic sarcoma was confirmed histopathologically.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Female ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Hepatic Veins ; Histiocytic Sarcoma* ; Humans ; Iron ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

Background/Aims: Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) contribute to the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the causes of EMDs and their impact on gastroesophageal reflux disease-associated symptoms remain unknown. This study aims to elucidate clinical features associated with various types of EMDs in patients with heartburn symptoms. Methods: Of the 511 patients who underwent high-resolution manometry, 394 who were evaluated for heartburn symptoms were examined. Patients subjected to high-resolution manometry were classified into 4 groups: outflow obstruction group, hypermotility group, hypomotility group, and normal motility group. Symptoms were evaluated using 3 questionnaires. Patient characteristics and symptoms for each EMD type were compared with those of the normal motility group. Results: Of the 394 patients, 193 (48.9%) were diagnosed with EMDs, including 71 with outflow obstruction, 15 with hypermotility, and 107 with hypomotility. The mean dysphagia score was significantly higher in each of the 3 EMD groups compared with those with normal motility. The mean acid reflux and dyspepsia scores were significantly lower in the outflow obstruction group (P < 0.05). The mean body mass index and median Brinkman index were significantly higher in the hypermotility group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively), whereas the mean diarrhea and constipation scores were significantly lower in the hypomotility group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of our study indicate that different EMDs have distinct characteristics. Cigarette smoking and high body mass index were associated with esophageal hypermotility. Assessment of the dysphagia symptom scores may help identify patients with EMDs.

Background/Aims: Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) contribute to the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the causes of EMDs and their impact on gastroesophageal reflux disease-associated symptoms remain unknown. This study aims to elucidate clinical features associated with various types of EMDs in patients with heartburn symptoms. Methods: Of the 511 patients who underwent high-resolution manometry, 394 who were evaluated for heartburn symptoms were examined. Patients subjected to high-resolution manometry were classified into 4 groups: outflow obstruction group, hypermotility group, hypomotility group, and normal motility group. Symptoms were evaluated using 3 questionnaires. Patient characteristics and symptoms for each EMD type were compared with those of the normal motility group. Results: Of the 394 patients, 193 (48.9%) were diagnosed with EMDs, including 71 with outflow obstruction, 15 with hypermotility, and 107 with hypomotility. The mean dysphagia score was significantly higher in each of the 3 EMD groups compared with those with normal motility. The mean acid reflux and dyspepsia scores were significantly lower in the outflow obstruction group (P < 0.05). The mean body mass index and median Brinkman index were significantly higher in the hypermotility group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively), whereas the mean diarrhea and constipation scores were significantly lower in the hypomotility group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of our study indicate that different EMDs have distinct characteristics. Cigarette smoking and high body mass index were associated with esophageal hypermotility. Assessment of the dysphagia symptom scores may help identify patients with EMDs.

Objective: The purposes of this trial were to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the hybrid of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy (HBT) for locally advanced cervical cancer patients in the phase I/II prospective clinical trial. Methods: Patients with FIGO stage IB2-IVA uterine cervical cancer pretreatment width of which was ≥5 cm measured by magnetic resonance imaging were eligible for this clinical trial. The protocol therapy included 30–30.6 Gy in 15–17 fractions of whole pelvic radiotherapy concurrent with weekly CDDP, followed by 24 Gy in 4 fractions of HBT and pelvic radiotherapy with a central shield up to 50–50.4 Gy in 25–28 fractions. The primary endpoint of phase II part was 2-year pelvic progression-free survival (PPFS) rate higher than historical control of 64%. Results: Between October 2015 and October 2019, 73 patients were enrolled in the initial registration and 52 patients proceeded to the secondary registration. With the median follow-up period of 37.3 months (range, 13.9–52.9 months), the 2- PPFS was 80.7% (90% confidence interval [CI]=69.7%–88%). Because the lower range of 90% CI of 2-year PPFS was 69.7%, which was higher than the historical control ICBT data of 64%, therefore, the primary endpoint of this study was met. Conclusion The effectiveness of HBT were demonstrated by a prospective clinical study. Because the dose goal determined in the protocol was lower than 85 Gy, there is room in improvement for local control. A higher dose might have been needed for tumors with poor responses.

Inhaled corticosteroids should be taken continuously. As the methods of inhalation vary depending on the pharmaceutical preparations of inhaled corticosteroids, satisfactory effects cannot be expected without proper inhalation. This paper deals with the assessment of inhalational skills with the use of a manual of corticosteroid inhalation and a check sheet of patients’ performance. The effective inhalation as judge by the combination of the speed and the time needed for inhalation was assessed with the help of the training device for inhalation of each inhaled corticosteroid. The average scores of inhalational skills were increased significantly as follow ; aerosol : from 3.8 to 4.9 (p=0.035), Turbuhaler: from 2.6 to 3.0 (p=0.003), discus: from 4.9 to 6.0 (p<0.001). Among 7 in patients (38.9%) who were insufficient in inhalational ability, except for 1 patient who interrupted medication, 4 and 2 patients were improved in the speed and the time needed for inhalation, respectively. It was suggested to advise physicians to dispense alternative preparations of inhaled corticosteroids depending on the repeated evaluation of the inhalational ability.

Inhaled corticosteroids should be taken continuously. As the methods of inhalation vary depending on the pharmaceutical preparations of inhaled corticosteroids, satisfactory effects cannot be expected without proper inhalation. This paper deals with the assessment of inhalational skills with the use of a manual of corticosteroid inhalation and a check sheet of patients’ performance. The effective inhalation as judge by the combination of the speed and the time needed for inhalation was assessed with the help of the training device for inhalation of each inhaled corticosteroid. The average scores of inhalational skills were increased significantly as follow ; aerosol : from 3.8 to 4.9 (p=0.035), Turbuhaler: from 2.6 to 3.0 (p=0.003), discus: from 4.9 to 6.0 (p<0.001). Among 7 in patients (38.9%) who were insufficient in inhalational ability, except for 1 patient who interrupted medication, 4 and 2 patients were improved in the speed and the time needed for inhalation, respectively. It was suggested to advise physicians to dispense alternative preparations of inhaled corticosteroids depending on the repeated evaluation of the inhalational ability.

The patient was a 52-year-old woman who had undergone laparoscopic colectomy with lymph node dissection and inferior mesenteric artery preservation for cancer of the descending colon. Functional end-to-end anastomosis was performed using a linear stapler. Colonoscopy at the 1-year follow-up revealed a type 2 tumor at the anastomotic site. She was diagnosed with anastomotic recurrence. We performed laparoscopic high anterior resection with inferior mesenteric artery dissection. Rectal resection preceded mobilization of the mesocolon because of severe adhesion around the anastomotic site. Laparoscopic surgery for anastomotic site recurrence is an option under the condition that the initial surgery was laparoscopic.

Objective: To describe the case of a patient with intraperitoneal bleeding from the gastroepiploic artery by endoscopic ultrasound who was successfully treated with transcatheter arterial coil embolization.Patient and Methods: An 87-year-old man was referred to our hospital for examination of a gallbladder tumor. Endoscopic ultrasonography was performed using an oblique-view echoendoscope. After the endoscopic ultrasound, the patient went into shock. Computed tomography revealed a huge intraperitoneal hematoma and an aneurysm in the right gastroepiploic artery that were not seen on previous computed tomography images. Thus, urgent catheter angiography was performed, which showed a pseudoaneurysm of the right gastroepiploic artery and extravasation of the contrast medium from the pseudoaneurysm.Results: Transcatheter arterial coil embolization was subsequently performed, and the bleeding stopped. Thereafter, his hemodynamics stabilized and his general condition improved. The patient was discharged 22 days post-treatment with an uneventful course.Conclusion: Observation-only endoscopic ultrasound without invasive procedures can cause intraperitoneal bleeding due to a ruptured splanchnic artery. Thus, endoscopic ultrasonography should be performed more carefully in elderly patients.