Background/Aims: Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis. We investigated genomic determinants of clinical benefit from gemcitabine, cisplatin, and nab-paclitaxel (GAP) versus gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) in advanced BTC. Methods: Clinical and genomic data using TruSight Oncology 500 were analyzed from patients treated with GAP (N=198) or GC (N=89) as first-line therapy. Results: With a median follow-up of 33.0 months, GAP modestly improved progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.764; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.591–0.989) without significant overall survival (OS) difference compared to GC. Genomic profiling revealed frequent alterations in TP53 (35.2%), KRAS (16.4%), SMAD4 (10.5%), and TNFRSF14 (10.5%), involving RTK/RAS (44.3%), TP53 (41.8%), and PI3K (20.2%) pathways. Single-gene mutations did not predict treatment benefit. However, pathway-level analysis identified PI3K pathway activation as significantly associated with inferior PFS (HR 2.148; 95% CI 1.478–3.124) and OS (HR 2.096; 95% CI 1.413–3.109) in patients receiving GAP, an effect not observed with GC. Importantly, GAP conferred clinical benefit only in patients without PI3K pathway activation, while no survival advantage was seen in those with such alterations (Pinteraction=0.023 for PFS, Pinteraction=0.003 for OS). Similar results were obtained in the independent validation cohort treated with GAP (N=103) or GC (N=64) for BTC. Conclusions Genomic profiling using next-generation sequencing identified PI3K pathway activation as key molecular determinant that differentiates patient outcomes between GAP and GC treatments in advanced BTC.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma is a rare benign tumor that often mimics hepatocellular carcinoma on imaging. Here, we report a rare case of hepatic angiomyolipoma with extensive hemorrhagic degeneration, resulting in a large hemorrhagic component that mimicked a complicated cystic neoplasm. A 43-year-old woman presented with mild abdominal distension, and imaging revealed a 16-cm multiloculated cystic mass in the left hepatic lobe. Computed tomography revealed a thick, enhancing wall and septa with hyperattenuating internal fluid. On gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, arterial enhancement was observed along the thick wall, and a subtle opposedphase signal drop indicated a small fat component that was initially missed. Laparoscopic left lobectomy was performed under suspicion of a malignant cystic neoplasm. Histopathological examination revealed an angiomyolipoma composed of thick-walled vessels, spindle-shaped muscle bundles, and scant adipocytes, with human melanoma black 45 positivity and absence of an epithelial lining, consistent with hemorrhagic degeneration. This case highlights how hemorrhagic degeneration can pose a significant diagnostic challenge by masking the typical features of hepatic angiomyolipoma, leading to diagnostic confusion with complicated cystic tumors.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in orthopedic surgery and has the potential to lead to fatal complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism. However, the precise incidence and risk factors for DVT in the foot and ankle fields remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of DVT and identify its risk factors after foot and ankle surgery. Methods: Between September 2020 and July 2023, screening duplex ultrasonography was performed on 278 patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery and required immobilization. The findings from screening duplex ultrasonography were assessed in conjunction with the symptoms present at the time of diagnosis. Heterogeneous demographic data that could serve as potential risk factors for DVT, including diagnosis, body mass index, and other medical histories, were examined alongside pertinent surgeryrelated data, such as tourniquet time. Results: Among the 278 individuals, DVT occurred in 41 patients (14.7%). Among these, 92.7% originated at the calf level and the majority were asymptomatic. The cases originating above the calf accounted for 3 cases, representing 7.3% of patients diagnosed with DVT (1.1% of the entire screened population). Acute trauma, history of previous DVT, and old age were identified as statistically significant risk factors for DVT occurrence, with odds ratios of 2.44 (p = 0.04), 6.40 (p = 0.02), and 1.16 (p = 0.03), respectively. Conclusions After foot and ankle surgery, DVT occurred in 14.7% of cases. Acute trauma, history of DVT, and old age were identified as risk factors for DVT. These findings highlight the necessity of careful monitoring and appropriate prophylactic interventions for high-risk patients. Further investigation is required to determine effective prophylactic strategies for this patient population.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in orthopedic surgery and has the potential to lead to fatal complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism. However, the precise incidence and risk factors for DVT in the foot and ankle fields remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of DVT and identify its risk factors after foot and ankle surgery. Methods: Between September 2020 and July 2023, screening duplex ultrasonography was performed on 278 patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery and required immobilization. The findings from screening duplex ultrasonography were assessed in conjunction with the symptoms present at the time of diagnosis. Heterogeneous demographic data that could serve as potential risk factors for DVT, including diagnosis, body mass index, and other medical histories, were examined alongside pertinent surgeryrelated data, such as tourniquet time. Results: Among the 278 individuals, DVT occurred in 41 patients (14.7%). Among these, 92.7% originated at the calf level and the majority were asymptomatic. The cases originating above the calf accounted for 3 cases, representing 7.3% of patients diagnosed with DVT (1.1% of the entire screened population). Acute trauma, history of previous DVT, and old age were identified as statistically significant risk factors for DVT occurrence, with odds ratios of 2.44 (p = 0.04), 6.40 (p = 0.02), and 1.16 (p = 0.03), respectively. Conclusions After foot and ankle surgery, DVT occurred in 14.7% of cases. Acute trauma, history of DVT, and old age were identified as risk factors for DVT. These findings highlight the necessity of careful monitoring and appropriate prophylactic interventions for high-risk patients. Further investigation is required to determine effective prophylactic strategies for this patient population.

Background/Aims: Combination immunotherapy, exemplified by atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, has become the standard of care for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the lack of predictive biomarkers and limited understanding of response mechanisms remain a challenge. Methods: Using data from the IMbrave150plus cohort, we applied an immune signature score (ISS) predictor to stratify HCC patients treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab or with sorafenib alone into potential high and low response groups. By applying multiple statistical approaches including a Bayesian covariate prediction algorithm, we refined the signature to 10 key genes (ISS10) for clinical use while maintaining similar predictive power to the full model. We further validated ISS10 in an independent HCC cohort treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Results: The study identified a significant association between the ISS and treatment response. Among patients classified as high responders, those treated with the atezolizumab plus bevacizumab combination exhibited improved overall and progression-free survival as well as better objective response rate compared to those treated with sorafenib. We also observed a significant correlation between ISS10 and response to nivolumab plus ipilimumab treatment. Analysis of immune cell subpopulations revealed distinct characteristics associated with ISS subtypes. In particular, the ISS10 high subtype displayed a more favorable immune environment with higher proportions of antitumor macrophages and activated T-cells, potentially explaining its better response. Conclusions Our study suggests that ISS and ISS10 are promising predictive biomarkers for enhanced therapeutic outcomes in HCC patients undergoing combination immunotherapy. These markers are crucial for refining patient stratification and personalized treatment approaches to advance the effectiveness of standard-of-care regimens.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progresses through multiple stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, with each stage characterized by specific changes in vascular supply, drainage, and microvascular structure. These vascular changes significantly influence the imaging findings of HCC, enabling non-invasive diagnosis. Vascular changes in HCC are closely related to aggressive histological characteristics and treatment responses. Venous drainage from the tumor toward the portal vein in the surrounding liver facilitates vascular invasion, and the unique microvascular pattern of vessels that encapsulate the tumor cluster (known as a VETC pattern) promotes vascular invasion and metastasis. Systemic treatments for HCC, which are increasingly being used, primarily target angiogenesis and immune checkpoint pathways, which are closely intertwined. By understanding the complex relationship between histopathological vascular changes in hepatocarcinogenesis and their implications for imaging findings, radiologists can enhance the accuracy of imaging diagnosis and improve the prediction of prognosis and treatment response.This, in turn, will ultimately lead to better patient care.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in orthopedic surgery and has the potential to lead to fatal complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism. However, the precise incidence and risk factors for DVT in the foot and ankle fields remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of DVT and identify its risk factors after foot and ankle surgery. Methods: Between September 2020 and July 2023, screening duplex ultrasonography was performed on 278 patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery and required immobilization. The findings from screening duplex ultrasonography were assessed in conjunction with the symptoms present at the time of diagnosis. Heterogeneous demographic data that could serve as potential risk factors for DVT, including diagnosis, body mass index, and other medical histories, were examined alongside pertinent surgeryrelated data, such as tourniquet time. Results: Among the 278 individuals, DVT occurred in 41 patients (14.7%). Among these, 92.7% originated at the calf level and the majority were asymptomatic. The cases originating above the calf accounted for 3 cases, representing 7.3% of patients diagnosed with DVT (1.1% of the entire screened population). Acute trauma, history of previous DVT, and old age were identified as statistically significant risk factors for DVT occurrence, with odds ratios of 2.44 (p = 0.04), 6.40 (p = 0.02), and 1.16 (p = 0.03), respectively. Conclusions After foot and ankle surgery, DVT occurred in 14.7% of cases. Acute trauma, history of DVT, and old age were identified as risk factors for DVT. These findings highlight the necessity of careful monitoring and appropriate prophylactic interventions for high-risk patients. Further investigation is required to determine effective prophylactic strategies for this patient population.