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Abokoura S, Ellaban HS, Aly RA. The role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in distinguishing benign from malignant portal vein thrombosis. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2023; 54:111. [DOI: 10.1186/s43055-023-01058-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2025] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Diagnosis of tumour thrombosis and differentiating it from benign thrombosis are essential for managing patients, planning treatments, and minimising unneeded anticoagulation therapy. Bland thrombi occur in both cancer and non-cancer patients; tumour thrombi and bland can coexist. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) is useful in detecting and diagnosing tumour thrombosis and distinguishing it from benign thrombosis.
Objective
This study’s aim was to assess the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in distinguishing benign from malignant portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis patients.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on 38 patients who had PVT that was histopathologically confirmed and performed 18F-FDG PET/CT scans at our institute between January 2021 and April 2022. For all patients, sociodemographic data, visual analysis, semiqualitative analysis (SUVmax value), and associated hepatic pathology were collected.
Results
The SUVmax values were significantly higher in the tumour thrombosis group (6.26 ± 1.94), compared to the bland thrombosis group (1.79 ± 0.69), (P < 0.001). The ROC curve of semiqualitative analysis (SUVmax) revealed a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 36.4%, at area under curve of 0.827 with SUVmax > 3.5 as the pathological cut-off value to distinguish tumour from bland thrombi.
Conclusions
By using semiqualitative analysis, 18F-FDG PET/CT is a valuable new technique in differentiating between neoplastic and bland PV thrombi, with optimal cut-off SUVmax value > 3.5 as a criterion.
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Hanafy AS, Tharwat EE. Differentiation of malignant from non-malignant portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis: the challenging dilemma. EGYPTIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43066-021-00158-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
PVT is an ultrasonographic finding in up to 8% of patients with liver cirrhosis. Once hepatocellular carcinoma has occurred as the final station in liver cirrhosis, the risk of PVT rises to 40%. Benign and malignant PVT can occur in patients with liver cirrhosis, and it is important to differentiate the nature of PVT as it has a great impact on patient’s management and outcome.
Diagnosis
Confirming portal vein thrombosis and extension by abdominal ultrasound, contrast-enhanced USG, CT, or MRI. Malignant criteria of PVT are pulsatile pattern in Doppler and heterogeneous contrast enhancement, which are especially seen at the arterial phase, neovascularity within PVT, portal vein thrombus with a diameter of > 23 mm while in benign thrombus, PV diameter does not exceed 20 mm. Visible hypervascular tumor is in close proximity to PVT.
Conclusion
It is not uncommon to find portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis, despite the fact that malignant variant is the most frequent, but efforts should be gathered to exclude benign PVT which may change the management of the patients dramatically.
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Gawande R, Jalaeian H, Niendorf E, Olgun D, Krystosek L, Rubin N, Spilseth B. MRI in differentiating malignant versus benign portal vein thrombosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Value of post contrast imaging with subtraction. Eur J Radiol 2019; 118:88-95. [PMID: 31439264 PMCID: PMC6915965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate MR imaging parameters including quantitative multiphasic post-contrast enhancement with subtraction and qualitative diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating benign versus malignant portal venous thrombosis (PVT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHOD Radiology reports over a 6-year period ending February 2016 were searched for key words indicating presence of both HCC and PVT on abdominal MRI. 39 patients were identified with PVT characterized as benign or malignant based on pathologic data or serial imaging growth criteria. Image review was performed by two subspecialized radiologists blinded to the diagnosis and medical chart. Signal intensity for regions of interest were recorded within the portal vein thrombus as well as the portal vein on pre-contrast and dynamic post-contrast phases without and with subtraction. Qualitative parameters for DWI and presence of PV expansion were also evaluated. RESULTS Percent enhancement generated high area under the curve (AUC) for both readers on all non-subtraction phases: arterial (0.95/0.98), portal venous (0.97/0.97) and delayed phase (0.96/0.99) and subtraction phases: arterial (0.91/0.96), portal venous (0.94/0.99) and delayed phases (0.96/0.97). Statistically significant differences were observed between benign and malignant PVT for both readers for PV expansion (p= <0.001/0.006). No qualitative DWI parameter reached statistical significance for both readers. CONCLUSIONS Post-contrast and subtraction MRI can reliably distinguish malignant from benign PVT in patients with HCC using subtracted or non-subtracted images and at arterial, portal venous, or delayed phase timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhee Gawande
- Johns Hopkins University, 601 N Caroline Street, Radiology, JHOC 3235-A, Baltimore, MD, 21287-0010, United States.
| | - Hamed Jalaeian
- Baystate Medical Center, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA, 01199, United States.
| | - Eric Niendorf
- Mayo Healthcare System, Department of Radiology, 1221 Whipple St., Eau Claire, WI, 54703, United States.
| | - Deniz Olgun
- Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Radiology Department, Cerrahpasa Mahallesi Kocamustafapasa, Fatih, İstanbul, 34098, Turkey.
| | - Luke Krystosek
- University of Minnesota Radiology Department, MMC 292, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States.
| | - Nathan Rubin
- Biostatistics Core, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street SE Rm 140-08, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, United States.
| | - Benjamin Spilseth
- University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street S.E. B234, Mayo Memorial Building MMC 292, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States.
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Sherman CB, Behr S, Dodge JL, Roberts JP, Yao FY, Mehta N. Distinguishing Tumor From Bland Portal Vein Thrombus in Liver Transplant Candidates With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: the A-VENA Criteria. Liver Transpl 2019; 25:207-216. [PMID: 30246323 PMCID: PMC7103424 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Differentiating tumor versus bland portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is essential in determining liver transplantation (LT) candidacy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to evaluate radiographic and clinical features that could noninvasively distinguish tumor PVT from bland PVT in HCC patients. Of 467 patients with HCC listed for LT from 2004 to 2011, 59 (12.6%) had PVT and 12 of 59 (20.3%) were deemed malignant. When comparing tumor versus bland PVT, thrombus enhancement was seen in 100% versus 8.5%; venous expansion was seen in 91.7% versus 10.6%; neovascularity was seen in 58.3% versus 2.1%; and being adjacent to HCC or prior treatment site was seen in 100% versus 21.3% (all P < 0.001). Combining these 4 imaging characteristics with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >1000 ng/dL, the presence of ≥3 criteria best characterized tumor PVT with 100% sensitivity, 93.6% specificity, 80% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value. No LT recipients with presumed bland PVT had macrovascular invasion on explant. There were no differences in post-LT survival or HCC recurrence with bland PVT versus no PVT. In conclusion, we proposed noninvasive criteria that could accurately differentiate tumor PVT from bland PVT called A-VENA, which is based on the presence of ≥3 of the following: AFP >1000 ng/dL; venous expansion; thrombus enhancement; neovascularity; and adjacent to HCC. Use of the A-VENA criteria can assist in standardizing the evaluation of PVT in patients with HCC being considered for LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney B. Sherman
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Spencer Behr
- Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jennifer L. Dodge
- Transplant Surgery, Departments of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - John P. Roberts
- Transplant Surgery, Departments of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Francis Y. Yao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA,Transplant Surgery, Departments of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Neil Mehta
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA
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Uylas U, Tolan HK, Ince V, Kayaalp C, Yilmaz S. Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Tumor Thrombi. J Gastrointest Cancer 2017; 49:510-512. [PMID: 28353162 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-017-9935-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ufuk Uylas
- Liver Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, Inonu University, 44315, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Huseyin Kerem Tolan
- Liver Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, Inonu University, 44315, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Volkan Ince
- Liver Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, Inonu University, 44315, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Cuneyt Kayaalp
- Liver Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, Inonu University, 44315, Malatya, Turkey.
| | - Sezai Yilmaz
- Liver Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, Inonu University, 44315, Malatya, Turkey
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Characterization of Portal Vein Thrombosis (Neoplastic Versus Bland) on CT Images Using Software-Based Texture Analysis and Thrombus Density (Hounsfield Units). AJR Am J Roentgenol 2016; 207:W81-W87. [PMID: 27490095 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.15.15928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of CT texture analysis and thrombus density (measured in Hounsfield units) in distinguishing between neoplastic and bland portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on portal venous phase CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, 117 contrast-enhanced CT studies of 109 patients were included for characterization of PVT. Assessment of PVT was performed by estimation of CT textural features using CT texture analysis software and measurement of attenuation values. For CT texture analysis, filtered and unfiltered images were assessed to quantify heterogeneity using a set of predefined histogram-based texture parameters. The Mann-Whitney U test and binary logistic regression were applied for statistical significance. ROC curves were used to identify accuracy and optimal cutoff values. RESULTS Of the 117 CT studies, 63 neoplastic thrombi and 54 bland thrombi were identified on the images. The two most discriminative CT texture analysis parameters to differentiate neoplastic from bland thrombus were mean value of positive pixels (without filtration, p < 0.001) and entropy (with fine filtration, p < 0.001). Mean thrombus density values could also reliably distinguish neoplastic (81.39 HU) and bland (32.88 HU) thrombi (p < 0.001). The AUCs were 0.97 for mean value of positive pixels (p < 0.001), 0.93 for entropy (p < 0.001), 0.99 for the model combining mean value of positive pixels and entropy (p < 0.001), 0.91 for thrombus density (p < 0.001), and 0.61 for the radiologist's subjective evaluation (p = 0.037). The optimal cutoffs values were 56.9 for mean value of positive pixels, 4.50 for entropy, and 54.0 HU for thrombus density. CONCLUSION CT texture analysis and CT attenuation values allow reliable differentiation between neoplastic and bland thrombi on a single portal venous phase CT examination.
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Ahn JH, Yu JS, Cho ES, Chung JJ, Kim JH, Kim KW. Diffusion-Weighted MRI of Malignant versus Benign Portal Vein Thrombosis. Korean J Radiol 2016; 17:533-40. [PMID: 27390544 PMCID: PMC4936175 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2016.17.4.533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To validate the diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) for differentiation of benign from malignant portal vein thrombosis. Materials and Methods The Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective study and waived informed consent. A total of 59 consecutive patients (52 men and 7 women, aged 40–85 years) with grossly defined portal vein thrombus (PVT) on hepatic MRI were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, liver cirrhosis was found in 45 patients, and hepatocellular carcinoma in 47 patients. DWI was performed using b values of 50 and 800 sec/mm2 at 1.5-T unit. A thrombus was considered malignant if it enhanced on dynamic CT or MRI; otherwise, it was considered bland. There were 18 bland thrombi and 49 malignant thrombi in 59 patients, including 8 patients with simultaneous benign and malignant PVT. Mean apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of benign and malignant PVTs were compared by using Mann-Whitney U test. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results The mean ADC ± standard deviation of bland and malignant PVT were 1.00 ± 0.39 × 10-3 mm2/sec and 0.92 ± 0.25 × 10-3 mm2/sec, respectively; without significant difference (p = 0.799). The area under ROC curve for ADC was 0.520. An ADC value of > 1.35 × 10-3 mm2/sec predicted bland PVT with a specificity of 94.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 84.9–98.9%) and a sensitivity of 22.2% (95% CI: 6.4–47.6%), respectively. Conclusion Due to the wide range and considerable overlap of the ADCs, DWI cannot differentiate the benign from malignant thrombi efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhii-Hyun Ahn
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul 06273, Korea
| | - Jeong-Sik Yu
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul 06273, Korea
| | - Eun-Suk Cho
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul 06273, Korea
| | - Jae-Joon Chung
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul 06273, Korea
| | - Joo Hee Kim
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul 06273, Korea
| | - Ki Whang Kim
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul 06273, Korea
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Jian J, Yang H, Zhao X, Xuan R, Zhang Y, Li D, Hu C. Visualization of microvasculature and thrombi by X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography in hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2016; 23:600-605. [PMID: 26917149 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577516001016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Visualization of the microvascular network and thrombi in the microvasculature is a key step to evaluating the development of tumor growth and metastasis, and influences treatment selection. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) is a new imaging technique that can detect minute changes of density and reveal soft tissues discrimination at micrometer-scale resolution. In this study, six human resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues were investigated with PCCT. A histological stain was added to estimate the accuracy of PCCT. The results showed that the fine structures of the microvasculature (measuring 30-100 µm) and thrombi in tiny blood vessels were displayed clearly on imaging the HCC tissues by PCCT. Moreover, density distributions of the thrombi were obtained, which could be reliably used to distinguish malignant from benign thrombi in HCC. In conclusion, PCCT can clearly show the three-dimensional subtle structures of HCC that cannot be detected by conventional absorption-based computed tomography and provides a new method for the imageology of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Jian
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Yang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruijiao Xuan
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongyue Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300203, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
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Rathi S, Dhiman RK. Hepatobiliary Quiz (Answers)-15 (2015). J Clin Exp Hepatol 2015; 5:269-71. [PMID: 26628847 PMCID: PMC4632104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Radha K. Dhiman
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
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Hu S, Zhang J, Cheng C, Liu Q, Sun G, Zuo C. The role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in differentiating malignant from benign portal vein thrombosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 39:1221-7. [PMID: 24913670 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-014-0170-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In this retrospective study, we evaluated the role of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in differentiating malignant from benign portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with known malignant tumors. METHODS Seventy-two patients with histologically or clinically confirmed PVT and who had undergone (18)F-FDG PET/CT were included. Visual and semiquantitative analyses of PET/CT scans were performed. Metabolic activity was measured using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) by drawing the region of interest at the site of thrombosis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to identify the optimal cutoff of SUVmax for detecting neoplastic thrombosis. Malignancy was defined using the following criteria: (1) visual analysis and (2) SUVmax >3.35. PET/CT results were confirmed with histopathological results and clinical and imaging follow-up. RESULTS The SUVmax of tumor thrombus (6.37 ± 2.67) was significantly higher than that of bland thrombus (2.87 ± 1.47; P < 0.01). The sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies for the two criteria were 91.5 % and 93.6; 64.0 and 80.0 %; and 81.9 % and 88.9 %, respectively. CONCLUSION (18)F-FDG PET/CT is a promising new method for distinguishing between portal venous neoplastic thrombosis and bland thrombosis using semiquantitative analysis, with the optimal cutoff value of SUVmax >3.35 as a criterion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengping Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, YangPu, Shanghai, 200433, China,
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Rodríguez-Castro KI, Antonello A, Ferrarese A. Spontaneous bleeding or thrombosis in cirrhosis: What should be feared the most? World J Hepatol 2015; 7:1818-1827. [PMID: 26207163 PMCID: PMC4506939 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i14.1818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The more modern and accurate concept of a rebalanced hemostatic status in cirrhosis is slowly replacing the traditional belief of patients with cirrhosis being “auto-anticoagulated”, prone only to bleeding complications, and protected from thrombotic events. With greater attention to clinical thrombotic events, their impact on the natural history of cirrhosis, and with the emergence and increased use of point-of-care and global assays, it is now understood that cirrhosis results in profound hemostatic alterations that can lead to thrombosis as well as to bleeding complications. Although many clinical decisions are still based on traditional coagulation parameters such as prothrombin (PT), PT, and international normalized ratio, it is increasingly recognized that these tests do not adequately predict the risk of bleeding, nor they should guide pre-emptive interventions. Moreover, altered coagulation tests should not be considered as a contraindication to the use of anticoagulation, although this therapeutic or prophylactic approach is not at present routinely undertaken. Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding continues to be one of the most feared and deadly complications of cirrhosis and portal hypertension, but great progresses have been made in prevention and treatment strategies. Other bleeding sites that are frequently part of end-stage liver disease are similar to clinical manifestations of thrombocytopenia, with gum bleeding and epistaxis being very common but fortunately only rarely a cause of life-threatening bleeding. On the contrary, manifestations of coagulation factor deficiencies like soft tissue bleeding and hemartrosis are rare in patients with cirrhosis. As far as thrombotic complications are concerned, portal vein thrombosis is the most common event in patients with cirrhosis, but venous thromboembolism is not infrequent, and results in important morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis, especially those with decompensated disease. Future studies and the more widespread use of point-of-care tests in evaluating hemostasis will aid the clinician in decision making when facing the patient with bleeding or with thrombotic complications, with both ends of a continuum being potentially fatal.
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Umar NK, Badshah MB, Sandrasegaran K, Ghabril M, Agarwal S, Tann M, Lacerda M, Kwo PY. The Presence of Portal Vein Thrombosis Alters the Classic Enhancement Associated with Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Dig Dis Sci 2015; 60:2196-200. [PMID: 25777258 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-015-3587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To determine whether the presence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) where venous flow within the liver may be altered may delay the diagnosis of HCC and be associated with more advanced disease. We characterized the incidence and imaging characteristics of patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in a cohort of patients with PVT compared with those without PVT. METHODS This is a single-center retrospective study of a subset of HCC patients who underwent dynamic imaging for HCC screening and were found to have PVT. Data abstracted included demographic data, TNM stage, number/type of scans, AFP level, MELD score, and time to diagnosis. RESULTS Eighty-two patients newly diagnosed with HCC on screening were reviewed, of which 37 % (30/82) were found to have portal vein thrombosis. Patients with PVT had higher rates of atypical imaging associated with HCC compared with those without PVT (83 vs 56 %, p = 0.01) and had lower rates of portal venous washout (23 % vs 50 %, p = 0.018). Patients with PVT and HCC were also diagnosed at later TNM stage than those without PVT (70 vs 23 %, p < 0.001) and were significantly less likely to receive orthotopic liver transplant (3.6 vs 42 %, p < 0.001). Fourteen patients had preexisting PV clot without HCC; 16 developed PVT during screening or at diagnosis. Those with preexisting PVT were older (63. vs 55 years) and had higher rates of diagnosis of HCC using MRI (79 vs 21 % with CT, p = 0.01), compared with those without preexisting PVT. CONCLUSION The presence of PVT found on dynamic imaging was associated with advanced stage of HCC at the time of diagnosis. Clinicians should have a high suspicion for HCC diagnosis in new liver lesions with atypical enhancement in the setting of PVT. In this setting, MRI was more frequently associated with HCC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia K Umar
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 975W. Walnut, IB 327, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5121, USA
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Differentiating malignant from benign thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: contrast-enhanced ultrasound. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 39:153-61. [PMID: 24002440 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-013-0034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in differentiating malignant and benign venous thrombosis complicating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Fifty patients (M:F = 41:9; age range 46-83 years) with HCC and venous thrombosis [portal vein (PV) in 45 and hepatic vein (HV) in 5] detected on CT or MR scan were evaluated with CEUS. Reference standard of malignant and benign thrombosis was based on serial clinicoradiologic follow-up (n = 43) or pathology (n = 7). Two independent, blinded readers retrospectively recorded the enhancement features of the venous thrombosis and diagnosed as benign or malignant thrombosis with a five-point confidence scale. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic performance of CEUS in differentiating malignant from benign thrombosis. Confidence level ratings were also used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for the diagnosis of malignant thrombosis. Inter-reader agreement was calculated using κ statistics in each assessed finding. Gray scale and Doppler characteristics of primary tumor and thrombosis were also assessed. RESULTS Of the 50 patients, 37 were malignant (33 with PV thrombosis and 4 with HV thrombosis) and 13 were benign (12 with PV thrombosis and 1 with HV thrombosis). In ROC curve analysis for differentiating malignant from benign thrombosis, Az was 0.947 (CI 0.841-0.991) for reader 1 and 0.958 (CI 0.861-0.995) for reader 2 with excellent inter-reader agreement (κ = 0.86). When the confidence level ratings of 1 or 2 were considered malignant thrombosis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV in differentiating malignant from benign thrombosis were 100%, 83%, 95%, and 100% for reader 1 and 100%, 92%, 97%, and 100% for reader 2. CONCLUSION CEUS is useful to differentiate malignant and benign venous thrombosis associated with HCC with high diagnostic accuracy.
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Abstract
Portal vein thrombosis is an important cause of portal hypertension. PVT occurs in association with cirrhosis or as a result of malignant invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma or even in the absence of associated liver disease. With the current research into its genesis, majority now have an underlying prothrombotic state detectable. Endothelial activation and stagnant portal blood flow also contribute to formation of the thrombus. Acute non-cirrhotic PVT, chronic PVT (EHPVO), and portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis are the three main variants of portal vein thrombosis with varying etiological factors and variability in presentation and management. Procoagulant state should be actively investigated. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy for acute non-cirrhotic PVT, with supporting evidence for its use in cirrhotic population as well. Chronic PVT (EHPVO) on the other hand requires the management of portal hypertension as such and with role for anticoagulation in the setting of underlying prothrombotic state, however data is awaited in those with no underlying prothrombotic states. TIPS and liver transplant may be feasible even in the setting of PVT however proper selection of candidates and type of surgery is warranted. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy have some role. TARE is a new modality for management of HCC with portal vein invasion.
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Key Words
- ACLA, anti-cardiolipin antibody
- AFP, alpha feto protein
- BCS, Budd-Chiari syndrome
- CDUS, color doppler ultrasonography
- CT, computed tomography
- CTP, Child Turcotte Pugh
- EHPVO, extra hepatic portal venous obstruction
- EST, endoscopic sclerotherapy
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HVPG, hepatic venous pressure gradient
- IGF-1, insulin like growth factor-1
- IGFBP-3, insulin like growth factor binding protein-3
- INR, international normalized ratio
- JAK-2, Janus kinase 2
- LA, lupus anticoagulant
- LMWH, low molecular weight heparin
- MELD, model for end stage liver disease
- MPD, myeloproliferative disorder
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MTHFR, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
- MVT, mesenteric vein thrombosis
- OCPs, oral contraceptive pills
- PAI-1 4G-4G, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1- 4G/4G genotype
- PNH, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
- PV, portal vein
- PVT
- PVT, portal vein thrombosis
- PWUS, Pulsed Wave ultrasonography
- RFA, radio frequency ablation
- SMA, superior mesenteric artery
- SMV, superior mesenteric vein
- TAFI, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor
- TARE, Trans arterial radioembolization
- TB, tuberculosis
- TIPS, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
- UFH, unfractionated heparin
- acute and chronic
- anticoagulation
- imaging
- prothrombotic
- rtPA, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh K. Chawla
- Department of Hepatology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
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15
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Usefulness of conventional MRI sequences and diffusion-weighted imaging in differentiating malignant from benign portal vein thrombus in cirrhotic patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2014; 201:1211-9. [PMID: 24261359 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.12.10171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to determine the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and conventional MRI (non-DWI sequences) in differentiating benign portal vein thrombus (PVT) from malignant PVT in cirrhotic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective search of the department of radiology's MRI database of examinations performed from October 2006 through December 2010 for "portal vein thrombosis" and "cirrhosis" and "hepatocellular cancer" was performed. Patients who underwent diagnostic DWI and had thrombus shown to be rapidly (< 3 months) increasing in size despite anticoagulation therapy were considered to have malignant PVT (n = 16 cases) and patients with MRI findings showing stability or reduction in the extent of thrombus over a 12-month follow-up were considered to have benign PVT (n = 20 cases). Two blinded and independent reviewers analyzed the DW images and conventional MR images. RESULTS There was no difference in the distribution of patients by age (p = 0.25) or sex (p = 0.68) between the benign and malignant PVT groups. On multivariate analysis, the only parameter to predict the type of PVT was the size of HCC (p = 0.05); other parameters were excluded from the model. There was substantial overlap in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and PVT/liver ADC ratios of benign PVT and malignant PVT. The presence of at least two of the three following MRI findings had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 90% for the diagnosis of malignant PVT: distance from tumor to PVT of less than 2 cm, HCC size of greater than 5 cm, and arterial enhancement of PVT. CONCLUSION Signal-intensity characteristics on DWI and measured ADC values do not reliably differentiate benign PVT from malignant PVT. On the other hand, careful assessment of conventional MRI findings may allow this distinction, thus obviating biopsy.
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16
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Fouzas I, Paul A, Becker C, Vernadakis S, Treckmann JW, Máthé Z, Gerken G, Sotiropoulos GC. Orthotopic liver transplantation in patients with portal vein thrombosis in the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Transplant Proc 2013; 44:2734-6. [PMID: 23146508 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation (OLT) in the setting of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been a matter of controversy in the past. We herein report our experience with OLT for PVT in the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data from patients undergoing OLT for end-stage liver disease, having a documented PVT before OLT, were reviewed. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were included for the period July, 2003 to December, 2009. There were 20 men and 5 women of median age 57 years. Median values for waiting time and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were 150 days and 18, respectively. PVT was classified as grade II (n = 6), IIIa (n = 7), IIIb (n = 9), or IVa (n = 3). Partial portal vein resection/reconstruction, operative thrombectomy, and eversion thromboendovenectomy were performed in 2, 16, and 7 instances, respectively. After a median follow-up of 18 months, 14 patients are alive. Survival rates at 3, 6, 9, and 12, months and 3 years post-OLT were 68%, 64%, 61%, 61%, and 61%, respectively. PVT grade was a negative predictor of survival by Cox proportional hazard analysis (P = .0253). CONCLUSION Despite the technical innovations in recent years, PVT grade correlated with poor patient survival irrespective of the surgical technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Fouzas
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
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17
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Sotiropoulos GC, Tagkalos E, Fouzas I, Vernadakis S, Mathé Z, Treckmann J, Paul A. Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma using extended criteria donor grafts. Transplant Proc 2013; 44:2730-3. [PMID: 23146507 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation (OLT) represents the treatment of choice for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in patients with end-stage liver disease. However, because of organ scarcity, alternative options must be explored, such as the use of extended criteria donor (ECD) grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed data of transplanted HCC patients using ECD grafts. Statistical analysis included uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression and survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. RESULTS Over a 6-year period, we transplanted 53 HCC patients with ECD grafts. The 38 men and 15 women showed a mean age of 56.3 ± 8.26 years. Thirty-four patients underwent a bridging treatment before OLT. Thirty-eight patients (72%) were outside the Milan criteria. The median value for alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level was 30.7 ng/dL. Pathologic tumor grade was G1 (n = 4), G2 (n = 32), G3 (n = 6), or Gx (n = 11). Median follow-up time was 23 months (range, 9-75). Overall 3- and 5- year patient survivals were 79% and 74%, respectively. The 5-year survivals for patients within or outside the Milan criteria were 87% versus 69%, respectively (P = .3728). Donor transaminases and post-OLT hemodialysis were prognostic factors for patient survival upon mutivariate regression analysis (P = .0043 and P = .0003, respectively). CONCLUSION OLT with ECD grafts constitutes an additional option for patients with HCC and cirrhosis, particularly subjects outside the Milan criteria. The risk- benefit ratio in these instances should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C Sotiropoulos
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hosiptal Essen, Essen, Germany.
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18
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Suh YJ, Kim MJ, Choi JY, Park MS, Kim KW. Preoperative prediction of the microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma with diffusion-weighted imaging. Liver Transpl 2012; 18:1171-8. [PMID: 22767394 DOI: 10.1002/lt.23502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) could be useful in predicting the microvascular invasion (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sixty-seven surgically proven HCCs from 65 patients (54 men and 11 women with an age range of 35-75 years and a mean age of 56.0 years) were retrospectively analyzed. The signal intensities (SIs) of the lesions on preoperative diffusion-weighted (DW) images were visually categorized as isointense or hyperintense in comparison with the adjacent liver. We also quantitatively measured SIs and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) by drawing regions of interest in HCCs and livers on DW images with b values of 50, 400, and 800 second/mm(2) and on ADC map images. Logistic regression analyses were performed so that we could identify independent predictors of MVI among laboratory and DWI findings. A univariate analysis showed that a histological grade of 3, a larger tumor size, a higher SI ratio on DW images, and a lower ADC value were significantly associated with MVI. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a histological grade of 3 and the ADC value were independent predictors of MVI. With a cutoff of 1.11 × 10(-3) mm(2)/second, the ADC value provided a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 72.2% for the prediction of MVI with an odds ratio of 24.5 (95% confidence interval = 4.14-144.8, P < 0.001). In conclusion, lower ADC values (1.11 × 10(-3) mm(2)/second or less) can be a useful predictor of MVI during the preoperative evaluation of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Joo Suh
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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19
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Mergental H, Adam R, Ericzon BG, Kalicinski P, Mühlbacher F, Höckerstedt K, Klempnauer JL, Friman S, Broelsch CE, Mantion G, Fernandez-Sellez C, van Hoek B, Fangmann J, Pirenne J, Muiesan P, Königsrainer A, Mirza DF, Lerut J, Detry O, Le Treut YP, Mazzaferro V, Löhe F, Berenguer M, Clavien PA, Rogiers X, Belghiti J, Kóbori L, Burra P, Wolf P, Schareck W, Pisarski P, Foss A, Filipponi F, Krawczyk M, Wolff M, Langrehr JM, Rolles K, Jamieson N, Hop WCJ, Porte RJ. Liver transplantation for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in normal livers. J Hepatol 2012; 57:297-305. [PMID: 22521348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2012.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The role of liver transplantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in livers without fibrosis/cirrhosis (NC-HCC) is unclear. We aimed to determine selection criteria for liver transplantation in patients with NC-HCC. METHODS Using the European Liver Transplant Registry, we identified 105 patients who underwent liver transplantation for unresectable NC-HCC. Detailed information about patient, tumor characteristics, and survival was obtained from the transplant centers. Variables associated with survival were identified using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS Liver transplantation was primary treatment in 62 patients and rescue therapy for intrahepatic recurrences after liver resection in 43. Median number of tumors was 3 (range 1-7) and median tumor size 8 cm (range 0.5-30). One- and 5-year overall and tumor-free survival rates were 84% and 49% and 76% and 43%, respectively. Macrovascular invasion (HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.34 to 4.86), lymph node involvement (HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.28 to 5.28), and time interval between liver resection and transplantation < 12 months (HR 2.12, 95% CI 0.96 to 4.67) were independently associated with survival. Five-year survival in patients without macrovascular invasion or lymph node involvement was 59% (95% CI 47-70%). Tumor size was not associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest reported series of patients transplanted for NC-HCC. Selection of patients without macrovascular invasion or lymph node involvement, or patients ≥ 12months after previous liver resection, can result in 5-year survival rates of 59%. In contrast to HCC in cirrhosis, tumor size is not a predictor of post-transplant survival in NC-HCC.
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20
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Jelic S, Sotiropoulos GC. Hepatocellular carcinoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol 2010; 21 Suppl 5:v59-64. [PMID: 20555104 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdq166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Jelic
- Institute of Oncology and Radiology, Belgrade, Serbia
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21
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Piscaglia F, Gianstefani A, Ravaioli M, Golfieri R, Cappelli A, Giampalma E, Sagrini E, Imbriaco G, Pinna AD, Bolondi L. Criteria for diagnosing benign portal vein thrombosis in the assessment of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2010; 16:658-67. [PMID: 20440775 DOI: 10.1002/lt.22044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Malignant portal vein thrombosis is a contraindication for liver transplantation. Patients with cirrhosis and early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may have either malignant or benign (fibrin clot) portal vein thrombosis. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively whether well-defined diagnostic criteria would enable the nature of portal vein thrombosis to be established in patients with HCC under consideration for liver transplantation. Benign portal vein thrombosis was diagnosed by the application of the following criteria: lack of vascularization of the thrombus on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, absence of mass-forming features of the thrombus, absence of disruption of the walls of veins, and, if uncertainty persisted, biopsy of the thrombus for histological examination. Patients who did not fulfill the criteria for benign thrombosis were not placed on the transplantation list. In this study, all patients evaluated at our center during 2001-2007 with a diagnosis of HCC in whom portal vein thrombosis was concurrently or subsequently diagnosed were discussed by a multidisciplinary group to determine their suitability for liver transplantation. The outcomes for 33 patients who met the entry criteria of the study were as follows: in 14 patients who were placed on the transplantation list and underwent liver transplantation, no malignant thrombosis was detected when liver explants were examined histologically; 5 patients who were placed on the transplantation list either remained on the list or died from causes unrelated to HCC; in 9 patients, liver transplantation was contraindicated on account of a strong suspicion, or confirmation, of the presence of malignant portal vein thrombosis; and 5 patients who were initially placed on the transplantation list were subsequently removed from it on account of progression of HCC in the absence of evidence of neoplastic involvement of thrombosis. In conclusion, for a patient with HCC and portal vein thrombosis, appropriate investigations can establish whether the thrombosis is benign; patients with HCC and benign portal vein thrombosis are candidates for liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Piscaglia
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Digestive Disease and Internal Medicine, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
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Correlation Between Imaging and Pathologic Findings in Explanted Livers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cases. Transplant Proc 2010; 42:830-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2010.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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An aggressive approach leads to improved survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2010; 137:139-49. [PMID: 20340033 PMCID: PMC3015200 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-010-0868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Accepted: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many physicians express a relatively nihilistic approach to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Consensus among surgeons regarding the indications for an aggressive approach has not been reached. Current study was aimed to determine whether an aggressive approach, with an extended resection with thrombectomy and adjuvant therapy, would lead to an improved survival for HCC patients with PVTT. METHODS A retrospective review of 116 HCC patients with PVTT admitted from 1996 to 2006 was conducted. Patients were divided into 2 time-period (TP) cohorts, of them, 51 cases in the first 5 years (TP1) and 65 in the last 5 years (TP2). RESULTS Surgical operations were performed on 68 patients. Twenty-one surgical resections were performed in TP1 and forty-seven in TP2. The extent of liver resections, as well as the frequency of thrombectomy, was greater in TP2 (P = 0.039). During both time-periods, an aggressive therapy was associated with improved survival (P < 0.02 TP1, P < 0.001 TP2). Overall survival of all patients in TP2 was significantly greater than in TP1 (P < 0.001), with a median survival of 15 months in TP2, whereas in TP1, the survival was only 9 months. The median 1-, 3-year survivals in TP2 (54 and 34%, respectively) were also greater than that in TP1 (31 and 7%, respectively). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that radical resection and adjuvant therapy were the independent predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS An aggressive approach, combining extended liver resection with thrombectomy and adjuvant therapy, leads to an improved survival in the HCC patients with PVTT.
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Catalano OA, Choy G, Zhu A, Hahn PF, Sahani DV. Differentiation of malignant thrombus from bland thrombus of the portal vein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: application of diffusion-weighted MR imaging. Radiology 2010; 254:154-62. [PMID: 20032150 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.09090304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the utility of diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging in distinguishing bland thrombus from neoplastic thrombus in the portal vein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective institutional review board-approved HIPAA-complaint study, the imaging results in 25 patients (16 men [average age, 62.3 years; range, 35-75 years] and nine women [average age, 58.4 years; range, 32-69 years]; overall average age, 60.1 years; range, 32-75 years) with HCC and portal vein thrombosis who were examined with both contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were reviewed. Axial echo-planar two-dimensional DW imaging was performed by using b values of 50, 400, and 800 sec/mm(2). A thrombus was considered neoplastic if it expanded the vessel or enhanced on the dynamic CT and MR images; otherwise it was considered bland. The signal intensity (SI) of the thrombus and HCC lesions in the same patients was compared on DW images. The results were evaluated by using the Fisher exact test. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of HCC and thrombus were used to compute the ratio of the ADC of the thrombus to the ADC of the tumor. RESULTS On DW images, 15 of 19 neoplastic thrombi demonstrated same SI and four showed lower SI than the primary HCC. Each of the six bland thrombi had lower SI than the primary HCC (P < .001). The mean ADC of HCC and thrombus in the neoplastic thrombus group was 0.87 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec and 0.88 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, respectively (P = .45). The ADC of the bland thrombus was 2.89 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, significantly higher than the ADC of the HCC (1.0 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec, P < .0003). The ratio of the ADC of the thrombus to the ADC of the tumor in the bland thrombus group was 2.9 compared with 0.998 in the neoplastic group (P = .0003). CONCLUSION DW imaging enables discrimination between bland and neoplastic portal vein thrombi when the ratio of the ADC of the thrombus to the ADC of HCC was lower than 2 and when the thrombi showed similar SI as the primary HCC when qualitative analysis was performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onofrio A Catalano
- Department of Abdominal and Interventional Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, WHT 270, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an important cause of portal hypertension. It may occur as such with or without associated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Information on its management is scanty. AIM To provide an update on the modern management of portal vein thrombosis. Information on portal vein thrombosis in patients with and without cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is also updated. METHODS A pubmed search was performed to identify the literature using search items portal vein thrombosis-aetiology and treatment and portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS Portal vein thrombosis occurs because of local inflammatory conditions in the abdomen and prothrombotic factors. Acute portal vein thrombosis is usually symptomatic when associated with cirrhosis and/or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Anticoagulation should be given for 3-6 months if detected early. If prothrombotic factors are identified, anticoagulation should be given lifelong. Chronic portal vein thrombosis usually presents with well tolerated upper gastrointestinal bleed. It is diagnosed by imaging, which demonstrates a portal cavernoma in place of a portal vein. Anticoagulation does not have a definite role, but bleeds can be treated with endotherapy or shunt surgery. Rarely liver transplantation may be considered. CONCLUSION Role of anticoagulation in chronic portal vein thrombosis needs to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Chawla
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
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Pleguezuelo M, Germani G, Marelli L, Xiruochakis E, Misseri M, Manousou P, Arvaniti V, Burroughs AK. Evidence-based diagnosis and locoregional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008; 2:761-84. [PMID: 19090737 DOI: 10.1586/17474124.2.6.761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Early identification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is crucial to improving the results of therapy and for patients to be eligible for liver transplantation. Recent advances in noninvasive imaging technology include various techniques of harmonic ultrasound, new ultrasound contrast agents, multislice helical computed tomography and rapid high-quality magnetic resonance. The imaging diagnosis relies on the hallmark of arterial hypervascularity with portal venous washout. Since the use of better radiological techniques has improved the accuracy of noninvasive diagnosis, the role of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of HCC has declined. With recent advances in genomics and proteomics, a great number of potential markers have been identified and developed as new candidate markers for HCC. Locoregional therapies currently constitute the best options for early nonsurgical treatment of HCC. Percutaneous ethanol injection shows similar results to resection surgery for single tumors less than 3 cm in diameter. Radiofrequency ablation is superior to percutaneous ethanol injection in terms of local recurrence. Transarterial chemoembolization is currently the most common approach for the management of HCC without curative options since it improves patient survival, but the optimal embolizing agent, length of interval between sessions and whether the chemotherapeutic agent has any effect have not yet been determined. Combining transarterial chemoembolization with antiangiogenic agents, as well as with other techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation, may improve the results. Injection of radioisotopes such as yttrium-90, via the hepatic artery, may be particularly useful in patients with portal vein thrombosis. Comparisons with other transarterial techniques are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pleguezuelo
- The Royal Free Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.
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