BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatobiliarypancreatic tuberculosis (HBPTB) is a less common form of tuberculosis that often presents as malignancy or lithiasis. Advances in diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures have led to the detection of more patients with milder forms of TB requiring surgical management. Due to the low incidence rates and lack of standardized approaches, additional studies are needed to improve patient outcomes. This study examined the risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatments for HBPTB patients at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021.

This retrospective descriptive study utilized our institutional database to identify patients who underwent a surgical procedure for HBPTB and their associated risk factors. Inclusion criteria required biopsy or microbiologic proof of tuberculous involvement of the biliary tract or nearby structures.

Among a total of 45 patients, the most common admitting diagnosis were HBP tuberculosis (37.8%) and malignancy (35.6%). 47.6% of patients had a previous or concurrent TB exposure. Sixty percent had subclinical malnutrition indicated by normal weight and low albumin. The liver (37.8%) and the bile ducts (33.3%) were the most common organs involved. The most common surgical procedures done were ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, biliary enteric anastomosis, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without stenting (ERCP).

This study provides additional data for clinicians to tailor diagnostic and treatment plans accordingly. Striking a balance between surgical procedures and appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) is essential for successful treatment. Local data can be useful to help identify tuberculosis patterns unique to Filipinos and highlight socio-economic factors contributing to this rare presentation of TB.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a three-dimensional (3D) visualization-based classification of the left hepatic portal vein (LHPV) and left hepatic vein (LHV) systems using 3D reconstruction technology to facilitate precise segmental/subsegmental resection of left liver lesions. METHODS: Thin-slice contrast-enhanced CT datasets from 244 patients were reconstructed using MI-3DV Works software. The spatial anatomy (origins, branching patterns, and spatial relationships) of the LHPV and LHV branches was analyzed to determine their 3D classifications and segmental liver divisions for guiding surgical planning for anatomical left liver resections. RESULTS: The 3D models of the third- and fourth-order branches of the LHPV and LHV were successfully reconstructed for all the 244 patients. Two types of the LHPV system were identified, where the LHPV either had independent origins [242 cases (99.1%)] or had right anterior portal branches arising from the LHPV trunk [2 cases (0.9%)]. 3D classifications identified two types of the Segment II of the LHPV (based on branch number), 3 types of the Segment III (by spatial distribution of the branches), compact vs dispersed types of the left lateral lobe (determined by Segment II/III branches proximity), 3 types of the Segment IV (by branch number and origin), and 3 types the fourth hilar vessels (transverse branches of the left portal vein) for their supplied segments. The LHV system had two drainage types into the inferior vena cava, and the umbilical fissure veins were classified into 3 types by drainage patterns and distance to the venous roots. These classifications combined with liver segmentations allowed individualized surgical planning for segment-specific resections. CONCLUSIONS The 3D classification of the LHPV and LHV provides valuable clinical guidance for precise anatomical resections of left liver lesions using liver segments or subsegments as anatomical units to enhance surgical accuracy and improve the outcomes of hepatobiliary surgery.
Humans ; Hepatectomy/methods* ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Hepatic Veins/anatomy & histology* ; Portal Vein/anatomy & histology* ; Liver/surgery* ; Liver Neoplasms/blood supply* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Female

This study aims to improve the quality of clinical treatment and nursing care to standardize perioperative management for patients with liver tumors undergoing co-ablation system therapy. The Committee of Ablation Therapy in Oncology, China Anti-Cancer Association; the Expert Committee on Ablation Therapy; Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO); and the Committee of Interventional, Perioperative, and Interventional Physician Branch of Chinese Medical Doctors Association organized medical and nursing experts in China. Based on the clinical practice of co-ablation system therapy in China and relevant domestic literature, an expert consensus about perioperative management was developed. The expert consensus included the key points of perioperative management, prevention, and care of complications; discharge guidance; and follow-up management for patients undergoing co-ablation system therapy of liver tumors. The consensus on the perioperative management of co-ablation system therapy for liver tumors has finally been formulated, serving as a reference and application for medical personnel in relevant fields based on hospital and patient conditions in clinical work.
Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Perioperative Care ; Consensus ; Catheter Ablation

Image-guided thermal ablation (IGTA) has been widely used in the treatment of liver tumors. MRI-guided thermal ablation of liver tumors offers several advantages, including the absence of ionizing radiation; excellent soft-tissue contrast; multi-parametric and multiplanar imaging; non-invasive, real-time temperature monitoring of the thermal field during the procedure; and accurate post-procedural assessment of therapeutic efficacy. To standardize and promote MRI-guided thermal ablation for liver tumors in China, advance the technological development of IGTA for tumor treatment, and enhance the efficacy of "precision ablation" for hepatic tumors, this expert consensus (2025 edition) was collaboratively developed by national experts from multiple societies and committees through multidisciplinary discussions. The contributing groups included the Society of Tumor Ablation Therapy of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Ablation Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), the Tumor Ablation Subgroup of the National Health Commission Comprehensive Interventional Therapy Quality Control Center, the Expert Group on Tumor Ablation Therapy of the Chinese Medical Doctors Association, and the Tumor Ablation Committee of the Chinese College of Interventionalists. The main contents of the consensus include: (1) indications, contraindications, and characteristics of MRI-guided thermal ablation for liver tumors; (2) MRI magnets, guidance sequences, and MRI-compatible thermal ablation equipment and instruments; and (3) protocols for MRI-guided thermal ablation of liver tumors, efficacy assessment, and the prevention and management of complications.
Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Consensus ; China ; Catheter Ablation/methods* ; Ablation Techniques/methods* ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatobiliarypancreatic tuberculosis (HBPTB) is a less common form of tuberculosis that often presents as malignancy or lithiasis. Advances in diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures have led to the detection of more patients with milder forms of TB requiring surgical management. Due to the low incidence rates and lack of standardized approaches, additional studies are needed to improve patient outcomes. This study examined the risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatments for HBPTB patients at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021.

This retrospective descriptive study utilized our institutional database to identify patients who underwent a surgical procedure for HBPTB and their associated risk factors. Inclusion criteria required biopsy or microbiologic proof of tuberculous involvement of the biliary tract or nearby structures.

Among a total of 45 patients, the most common admitting diagnosis were HBP tuberculosis (37.8%) and malignancy (35.6%). 47.6% of patients had a previous or concurrent TB exposure. Sixty percent had subclinical malnutrition indicated by normal weight and low albumin. The liver (37.8%) and the bile ducts (33.3%) were the most common organs involved. The most common surgical procedures done were ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, biliary enteric anastomosis, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without stenting (ERCP).

This study provides additional data for clinicians to tailor diagnostic and treatment plans accordingly. Striking a balance between surgical procedures and appropriate anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) is essential for successful treatment. Local data can be useful to help identify tuberculosis patterns unique to Filipinos and highlight socio-economic factors contributing to this rare presentation of TB.

To address the limitations of traditional minimally invasive thermal ablation technology such as poor conformability, carbonization and electromagnetic radiation, this paper proposes a steam thermal ablation technology that uses saturated steam internal energy to replace the traditional electromagnetic radiation energy. Through the steam thermal ablation system and the steam thermal ablation needle designed based on simulation, the ex vivo pig liver experiments were carried out. The results have the characteristics of the maximum ablation axis ratio (short diameter / long diameter) and non-carbonization with the same type of thermal ablation technology. Based on the near-infrared light, in this paper the curative effect of the reduced scattering coefficient of the steam thermal ablation results was evaluated. The reduced scattering coefficients of the coagulation area all exceeded 16, reaching the completely damaged state, which verified that the steam thermal ablation can effectively inactivate the tumor cells.
Steam ; Animals ; Swine ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Ablation Techniques/methods* ; Liver/surgery* ; Equipment Design

BACKGROUND: After major liver resection, the volume status of patients is still undetermined. However, few concerns have been raised about postoperative fluid management. We aimed to compare gut function recovery and short-term prognosis of the patients after laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) with or without inferior vena cava (IVC) respiratory variability-directed fluid therapy in the anesthesia intensive care unit (AICU). METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled 70 patients undergoing LLR. The IVC respiratory variability was used to optimize fluid management of the intervention group in AICU, while the standard practice of fluid management was used for the control group. The primary outcome was the time to flatus after surgery. The secondary outcomes included other indicators of gut function recovery after surgery, postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS), liver and kidney function, the severity of oxidative stress, and the incidence of severe complications associated with hepatectomy. RESULTS: Compared with patients receiving standard fluid management, patients in the intervention group had a shorter time to anal exhaust after surgery (1.5 ± 0.6 days vs. 2.0 ± 0.8 days) and lower C-reactive protein activity (21.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 11.9-36.7] mg/L vs. 44.8 [95%CI: 26.9-63.1] mg/L) 24 h after surgery. There were no significant differences in the time to defecation, serum concentrations of D -lactic acid, malondialdehyde, renal function, and frequency of severe postoperative complications as well as the LOS between the groups. CONCLUSION: Postoperative IVC respiratory variability-directed fluid therapy in AICU was facilitated in bowel movement but elicited a negligible beneficial effect on the short-term prognosis of patients undergoing LLR. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR-INR-17013093.
Humans ; Hepatectomy ; Vena Cava, Inferior/surgery* ; Liver ; Laparoscopy ; Fluid Therapy

In order to standardize CT-guided local ablation as treatment of liver cancer in China, integrate advanced concepts of "precision medicine", adopt the image guided thermal ablation (IGTA) technique, and improve multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of liver cancer, experts from the Society of Tumor Ablation Therapy of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Ablation Expert Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), and the Expert Group on Tumor Ablation Therapy of the Chinese Medical Doctors, discussed and developed a consensus on CT-guided percutaneous thermal ablation therapy for primary liver cancer, based on current treatment guidelines in ablation therapy. This was an attempt to standardize and develop clinical practice related to CT-guided thermal ablation treatment in patients with primary liver cancer.
Humans ; Consensus ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; China ; Catheter Ablation/methods*

The liver has a complex cellular composition and a remarkable regenerative capacity. The primary cell types in the liver are two parenchymal cell populations, hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, that perform most of the functions of the liver and that are helped through interactions with non-parenchymal cell types comprising stellate cells, endothelia and various hemopoietic cell populations. The regulation of the cells in the liver is mediated by an insoluble complex of proteins and carbohydrates, the extracellular matrix, working synergistically with soluble paracrine and systemic signals. In recent years, with the rapid development of genetic sequencing technologies, research on the liver's cellular composition and its regulatory mechanisms during various conditions has been extensively explored. Meanwhile breakthroughs in strategies for cell transplantation are enabling a future in which there can be a rescue of patients with end-stage liver diseases, offering potential solutions to the chronic shortage of livers and alternatives to liver transplantation. This review will focus on the cellular mechanisms of liver homeostasis and how to select ideal sources of cells to be transplanted to achieve liver regeneration and repair. Recent advances are summarized for promoting the treatment of end-stage liver diseases by forms of cell transplantation that now include grafting strategies.
Humans ; Liver/surgery* ; Hepatocytes/transplantation* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Liver Diseases/surgery*

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary malignant tumor in the liver after hepatocellular carcinoma. Its incidence and mortality rates have increased worldwide in recent years. Surgical resection is the best treatment modality for ICC;however,the overall prognosis remains poor. Accurate evaluation of post operative prognosis allows personalized treatment and improved long-term outcomes of ICC. The American Joint Commission on Cancer TNM staging manual is the basis for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of ICC;however,the contents of stage T and stage N need to be improved. The nomogram model or scoring system established in the analysis of commonly used clinicopathological parameters can provide individualized prognostic evaluation and improve prediction accuracy;however,more studies are needed to validate the results before clinical use. Meanwhile,imaging features exhibit great potential to establish the post operative prognosis evaluation system for ICC. Molecular-based classification provides an accurate guarantee for prognostic assessment as well as selection of populations that are sensitive to targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Therefore,the establishment of a prognosis evaluation system,based on clinical and pathological characteristics and centered on the combination of multidisciplinary and multi-omics,will be conducive to improving the long-term outcomes of ICC after surgical resection in the context of big medical data.
Humans ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology* ; Cholangiocarcinoma/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery* ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/pathology*