Intraoperative ultrasound patterns predict recurrences after surgical treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma

IntroductionHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a high incidence of postoperative recurrence, despite high rates of complete necrosis with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and curative hepatic resections (HR). The aim of this study was to identify intraoperative ultrasound patterns observed during HR or RFA that predicting intrahepatic HCC recurrence.Materials and methodsFrom January 1997 through August 2008, we treated 377 patients with HCC (158 with HR and 219 with surgical RFA). All patients underwent intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) examination. Primary HCCs was classified according to diameter, HCC pattern (nodular or infiltrative), echogenicity (hyper- or hypo-), echotexture (homogeneous or inhomogeneous), capsular invasion, mosaic pattern, nodule-in-nodule appearance, and infiltration of portal vessels. Number of HCC nodules was also considered. Comparisons between the groups of possible factors for intrahepatic recurrence of treated tumors were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.ResultsPatients were followed for 9–127 months (median: 18.6 months), and intrahepatic recurrence was observed in 198 (52.5%). In 138 patients (36.5%), recurrences were located in different segments with respect to the primary tumor. In 60 HCC tumors (16%), local recurrences were found in the same segment as the primary tumor. At univariate analysis, primary HCC echogenicity and mosaic pattern were the only factors not significant associated with intrahepatic recurrences.ConclusionIOUS is an accurate staging tool for use during “surgical” resection or RFA. This study shows that IOUS patterns can also be used to estimate the risk of post-treatment HCC recurrence. In patients at high risk for this outcome, closer follow-up and use of adjuvant therapies could be useful.     

低频超声终止妊娠Ⅰ:胚胎宫内心电模型建立和分析

目的：建立胚胎宫内心电模型并进行分析。方法：采用引导兔胚胎宫内心电及直视下引导胚胎心电的方法，记录了妊娠１５天至２５天的４０只兔胚胎心电。结果：兔胚胎心电具有Ｐ波。ＱＲＳ波群。４０只胚胎宫内记录的心率为１８２．８±３０．６ｂｐｍ，Ｒ波电压幅度为３３１．５±１５０．６μｖ，剖开子宫保留胎盘血循环并保持羊膜完整，按头端负极、左腿为正极的二导联方式引出的胚胎心电频率为１８９．２±２０．７ｂｐｍ，Ｒ波电压幅度为２２０．６±６２．５μｖ。此外还分析了胚胎宫内心电的波型及出现频率。结论：该模型为兔胚胎的急性损伤监测提供了较好的生理指标。     

Imaging Features on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Clinical Characteristics of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Combined Hepatocellular–Cholangiocarcinoma: Comparison with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The objective of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and imaging features on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related combined hepatocellular–cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thirty-one pathologically proven CHCs were included and 31 HCCs were randomly selected as controls. Elevated carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 alone and simultaneous elevation of α-fetoprotein and CA19-9 were more frequent in CHC than in HCC patients (p = 0.004 and 0.029, respectively). On CEUS, homogeneous, heterogeneous and peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement was illustrated in 8 (25.8%), 12 (38.7%) and 11 (35.5%) CHCs and in 6 (19.4%), 23 (74.1%) and 2 (6.5%) HCCs, respectively (p = 0.007). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed CA19-9 elevation (p = 0.011, odds ratio [OR] = 6.545) and peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement on CEUS (p = 0.017, OR = 7.718) were independent variables. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted and the area under the curve was 0.740. CHC should be watched for in HBV-infected patients with liver tumor manifesting peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement on CEUS, accompanied by CA19-9 elevation.     

Detection of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma on post-operative surveillance: comparison of MDCT and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI

Objective

To compare the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of intrahepatic tumor recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and methods

Fifty-six patients who underwent MDCT and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for postoperative surveillance after resection of HCC were retrospectively analyzed; 26 patients had a recurrence (36 lesions) and 30 patients did not. Recurrent HCCs were confirmed by histological examinations in two, typical dynamic imaging findings on CT and/or MRI in 28, and by demonstration of growth or tumor staining on angiography on six. Two reviewers graded the confidence for the presence of recurrence on CT and MRI, using a five-point scale. The jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic method was used to compare diagnostic performance. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated.

Results

For 36 recurrent lesions, the figure of merit was significantly higher for MRI than MDCT for detecting recurrence for both reviewers (p < 0.005 for both reviewers). In lesion-by-lesion analysis, the sensitivity was significantly higher on MRI (100% for reviewer 1 and 97% for reviewer 2) than on MDCT (44.4% and 66.6%) for both reviewers (p < 0.005 for both reviewers). Also in patient-by-patient analysis, sensitivity was significantly higher on MRI (100% and 96.1%) than on MDCT (57.6% and 76.9%) for both reviewers (p < 0.05 for both reviewers).

Conclusion

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is superior to MDCT for detecting intrahepatic recurrence after curative resection of HCC.     

Dynamic enhancing vascular pattern of intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma on contrast-enhanced ultrasound: the influence of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis

Purpose

To analyse the dynamic enhancing features by real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Materials and methods

CEUS was performed by using contrast pulse sequencing (CPS) imaging with mechanical index of <0.2 after injection of 2.4 mL of contrast agent. CEUS images of histologically confirmed ICC in 54 patents (15 patents with chronic hepatitis B, 16 patents with cirrhosis, and 23 patents with normal underlying liver) were analyzed.

Results

Heterogeneous hyperenhancement was more frequently identified in ICC with chronic hepatitis (9 of 15, 60.0%, p = 0.000) and cirrhosis (8 of 16, 50.0%, p = 0.010) than in patients with normal liver (6 of 23, 26.1%) during arterial phase. The majority of ICC in patients with normal liver displayed peripheral hyperenhancement (13 of 23, 56.5%), than in patients with chronic hepatitis (4 of 15, 26.7%, p = 0.000) and cirrhosis (5 of 16, 31.3%, p = 0.001). Intense contrast uptake during the arterial phase (heterogeneous hyperenhancement or global hyperenhancement) followed by washout in venous phases was more frequently displayed in ICC patients with chronic hepatitis (11 of 15, 73.3%, p = 0.000) and in patients with cirrhosis (11 of 16, 68.8%, p = 0.000) than in ICC patients with normal underlying liver (8 of 23, 34.8%).

Conclusion

The enhancing vascular pattern of ICC on CEUS in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis is different from that in ICC without underlying liver disease. The enhancing vascular pattern is indistinguishable from HCC on CEUS in most ICC patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.     

Intraoperative ultrasound score to predict recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after radical treatments

Despite the high complete necrosis rate of radio-frequency ablation (RFA) or the complete removal following curative hepatic resection (HR), recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant problem. The aim of the study is to identify some intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) patterns, predicting intrahepatic recurrences. From January 1997 to July 2009, 410 patients with HCC were treated (162 HR and 248 RFA through a surgical access). All patients were submitted to IOUS examination: 148 IOUS were performed during the laparotomic access while 262 IOUS were performed during the laparoscopic access. Primary HCC was classified according to diameter, HCC pattern (nodular or infiltrative), echogenicity (hyper- or hypo-echoic), echotexture (homogeneous or inhomogeneous), capsular invasion, mosaic pattern, nodule in nodule aspect and infiltration of portal vessels. Number of HCC nodules was also considered. Multivariate analysis (Cox model) was performed to determine features associated with recurrent HCC using IOUS patterns that independently predicted recurrent HCC, a IOUS score was developed. The patients were followed for 3-127 months, (median follow-up: 21.5 months). In 220 patients (54%), intrahepatic recurrences occurred. In 155 patients (38%), distant intrahepatic recurrences arose in different segments at the primary tumor site. In 65 HCC cases (16%), local recurrences were found. At multivariate analysis, multiple nodules, HCC diameter (>20 mm), HCC pattern (infiltrative), hyperechoic nodule and portal infiltration were statistically significant for risk factor of intrahepatic recurrences. Therefore, a IOUS scoring system was calculated on the basis of multivariate analysis and identified three risk categories of patients: in group 1 recurrences occurred in 37%, group 2 in 46% and group 3 in 66% (p = 0.0001). IOUS is an accurate staging tool during “surgical” procedures. This study showed an added value of IOUS: it permitted to identify ultrasound patterns, which can predict the risk of HCC recurrences. The calculated IOUS score permits to intraoperatively evaluate the actual surgical choice and to program the best treatment strategies during the follow-up period. (E-mail: rsantambrogio@mclink.it)     

An N-terminal truncated carboxypeptidase E splice isoform induces tumor growth and is a biomarker for predicting future metastasis in human cancers

Metastasis is a major cause of mortality in cancer patients. However, the mechanisms governing the metastatic process remain elusive, and few accurate biomarkers exist for predicting whether metastasis will occur, something that would be invaluable for guiding therapy. We report here that the carboxypeptidase E gene (CPE) is alternatively spliced in human tumors to yield an N-terminal truncated protein (CPE-ΔN) that drives metastasis. mRNA encoding CPE-ΔN was found to be elevated in human metastatic colon, breast, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. In HCC cells, cytosolic CPE-ΔN was translocated to the nucleus and interacted with histone deacetylase 1/2 to upregulate expression of the gene encoding neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated gene 9 (Nedd9)--which has been shown to promote melanoma metastasis. Nedd9 upregulation resulted in enhanced in vitro proliferation and invasion. Quantification of mRNA encoding CPE-ΔN in HCC patient samples predicted intrahepatic metastasis with high sensitivity and specificity, independent of cancer stage. Similarly, high CPE-ΔN mRNA copy numbers in resected pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PHEOs/PGLs), rare neuroendocrine tumors, accurately predicted future metastasis or recurrence. Thus, CPE-ΔN induces tumor metastasis and should be investigated as a potentially powerful biomarker for predicting future metastasis and recurrence in HCC and PHEO/PGL patients.     

不同病理分型混合型肝癌的超声造影特征分析

目的 探究混合型肝癌（CHC）的临床特点及超声造影特征，并探讨不同病理分型混合型肝癌的超声造影表现差异。方法 回顾性分析经手术病理确诊为CHC患者的临床病理及超声图像，总结其超声造影特点并对不同病理分型CHC的超声造影表现进行比较。结果 灰阶超声上，CHC病灶内部以低回声为主（79.6%），多表现为边界不清、形态不规则的实质性肿块。超声造影上，CHC病灶动脉期增强方式表现为整体均匀增强20例（40.8%），整体不均匀增强23例（46.9%），环状增强6例（12.2%）。53.1%表现为显著消退，32.7%为轻度消退。以HCC成分为主的病灶多表现为整体均匀（57.1%，12/21）或不均匀增强（42.9%，9/21），而以ICC为主要成分的病灶多呈整体不均匀增强（48.0%，12/25）或环状增强（24.0%，6/25）。经典型CHC病灶平均消退时间早于伴干细胞特征型CHC（P0.05），两者其余超声造影表现差异无统计学意义。结论 CHC的超声造影表现与HCC、ICC存在部分相似特点。不同细胞成分CHC病灶超声造影增强模式存在差异，经典型CHC与伴干细胞特征型CHC造影剂消退时间有统计学差异，CHC的超声造影表现与病理特点存在相关性。     

甲状腺乳头状癌患者术前超声造影与临床病理特征及预后的相关性

目的 研究甲状腺乳头状癌患者术前超声造影(CEUS)与临床病理特征及预后的相关性.方法 回顾性选择2015年2月至2018年4月在朝阳市第二医院接受甲状腺全切除+颈部淋巴结扩大清扫的78例甲状腺乳头状癌患者,术前进行CEUS检查,根据淋巴结转移、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)2及MMP9表达评价临床病理特征,随访无复发生存情...     

超声造影定量分析鉴别富血供转移性肝癌与肝细胞肝癌

目的 探讨CEUS定量分析在鉴别诊断富血供转移性肝癌与肝细胞癌(HCC)中的作用。 方法 回顾分析经病理证实的25例富血供转移性肝癌及 82例HCC患者资料,对其CEUS结果进行比较和定量分析。 结果 富血供转移性肝癌的流出时间(WT)为(26.59±9.34)s,增强持续时间(EDT)为(10.60±3.58)s,HCC的WT为(61.99±50.97)s,EDT为(46.42±50.45)s,差异均有统计学意义(t=3.93、-3.54,P均<0.01)。以WT为28.5 s及EDT为15.5 s区分转移性肝癌与HCC,约登指数最大,敏感度和特异度分别为87.36%、75.01%,85.37%、92.03%。富血供转移性肝癌及HCC在造影剂到达时间、达峰时间等方面差异无统计学意义。 结论 根据定量分析参数WT和EDT,CEUS可以简便、无创地对富血供转移性肝癌和HCC进行鉴别诊断。     

肝癌根治性切除术后早期复发时限和模式的确定及其对预后的影响

目的:明确肝癌根治性切除术后早期复发的时限、模式及其对患者预后的影响。方法:回顾性分析166例于我院临床诊断为原发性肝癌并接受根治性切除手术患者的临床资料及随访结果。结果:至随访终点,共计120例患者发生肝癌复发,其中单纯肝内复发111例;患者术后1～5年逐年复发率分别为43.3%、25.2%、27.1%、24.3%、0%。术后1年内复发患者的生存率与1年之后复发患者相比差异有显著性(P<0.05);术后1年内复发以Ⅲ型(肿瘤肝内弥漫性复发)为主,而1年之后复发以Ⅰ型(切缘复发)和Ⅱ型(邻近肝段复发)为主,复发模式差异有显著性(P<0.05)。术后1年内复发患者中,Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型两组之间复发后生存率差异无显著性,Ⅲ型无3年存活者,复发后生存率与前两组比较差异存在显著性(P<0.01)。结论:肝癌根治性切除术后第1年肿瘤复发率最高、患者预后更差,确定早期复发的时限以术后1年为宜;早期复发的模式以肿瘤肝内弥漫性复发为主,是导致早期复发患者整体预后差的主要原因。     

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Features of Histopathologically Proven Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Non-cirrhotic Liver: A Multicenter Study

Current literature on the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-cirrhotic patients is limited. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to analyze CEUS features of histologically proven HCC in patients with non-cirrhotic liver. In this multicenter study, 96 patients from eight medical institutions with histologically proven HCC lesions in non-cirrhotic liver were retrospectively reviewed regarding SonoVue-enhanced CEUS features. Two ultrasound experts assessed the CEUS enhancement pattern and came to a consensus using the World Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guideline criteria. The mean size of HCC lesions included was 60.3 ± 37.8 mm (mean ± standard deviation). Most of the lesions were heterogeneous but predominantly hypo-echoic on B-mode ultrasound (64.5%, 62/96), with ill-defined margins and irregular shapes. During the arterial phase of CEUS, most of the HCC lesions in non-cirrhotic liver exhibited heterogeneous hyperenhancement (78.1%, 75/96) compared with the surrounding liver parenchyma. Almost 30% of HCC lesions (28.1%, 27/96) exhibited early wash-out (<60 s). All lesions exhibited wash-out and hypo-enhancement in the late phase. CEUS features of HCC lesions in non-cirrhotic patients typically include hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and relatively rapid wash-out in the portal venous phase, which is different from HCC in cirrhotic livers and more similar to liver metastasis.     

Intrabile duct metastasis from colonic adenocarcinoma without liver parenchyma involvement: contrast enhanced ultrasonography detection

It is well-known that biliary duct invasion with intraluminal growth is one of the developmental patterns of primary liver tumors, and macroscopic intrabiliary growth of liver metastases in colorectal cancer is found with high frequency. Surgical treatment is the only potential curative therapy. However, many patients die of intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic recurrence after the resection. One of the causes of high recurrence rate after resective surgery, particularly surgical margin recurrences, is the invasion of biliary ducts mainly due to intraluminal tumor growth. We describe the first recorded case of a metastasis from colorectal cancer involving solely the common hepatic biliary duct, without invasion of contiguous liver parenchyma. A correct diagnosis was obtained by means of contrast enhanced ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy.     

Enhancement Patterns of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: Correlation with Clinicopathologic Findings and Prognosis

To evaluate the correlations between the enhancement pattern of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and clinicopathologic findings and prognosis, a retrospective study was performed on 197 patients with mass-forming ICC who underwent pre-operative CEUS and surgical resection. The contrast medium we employed in CEUS was SonoVue, which contains microbubbles consisting of sulfur hexafluoride bubbles within a phospholipid shell. This study was approved by the institutional review board with informed consent waived. Patients were classified into an arterial rim-like enhancement group or an arterial non-rim-like enhancement group, and arterial enhancement patterns were correlated with clinicopathologic factors. Overall survival (OS) times were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and differences between groups were compared with the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models for OS were used to evaluate the independent prognostic factors. The mean and range of ICC tumor size of the arterial rim-like group (59.41 ± 22.09 mm, 20–100 mm) were similar to those of the arterial non-rim-like group (59.82 ± 30.35 mm, 14–162 mm, p?=?0.914). Arterial enhancement patterns were correlated with chronic viral hepatitis or cirrhosis, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and single/multiple tumors. A total of 78 patients (39.6%) exhibited arterial rim-like enhancement, and the other 119 patients (60.4%) exhibited arterial non-rim-like enhancement. Arterial enhancement pattern (p?=?0.045), vascular invasion (p?=?0.005), lymph node metastasis (p?=?0.000) and number of tumors (p?=?0.001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. The arterial non-rim-like enhancement pattern of ICC on CEUS is an independent prognostic factor for better OS and may offer new information for predicting the prognosis of ICC patients before surgical resection.     

Evaluation of malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma using the ultrasonic B-mode method: clinical significance of extracapsular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma using ultrasonography

Purpose To determine the influence of capsule formation or presence of capsular invasion on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods The patient group consisted of 70 patients with 74 HCC lesions who had been examined by US and undergone surgical tumor resection at our institution. For these patients, we conducted the following comparative studies: (a) comparison between halo findings on US and microscopic capsular results; (b) comparison between halo findings on US and tumor diameter, tumor histological differentiation, and serum value of each tumor marker; and (c) comparison between halo findings on US and tumor recurrence. Results (a) The corresponding value between sonographic halo and histological capsule was 90.1%, and that between presence of extracapsular invasion on US and that seen by histology was 88.0%. (b) There was no relation between US images and histological differentiation of tumors. (c) Presence of extracapsular invasion on US was a predisposing factor for the development of tumor recurrence. Conclusion (1) Globally speaking, sonographic halo corresponded to the histological tumor capsule. (2) In patients with extracapsular invasion, tumor recurrence after treatment increased. Thus, a better understanding of sonographic halo findings helps determine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in HCC patients.     

Two patterns of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid<Superscript>®</Superscript> in spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a report of four cases

Spontaneous rupture is a life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Detecting active bleeding is critical. Color Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Levovist^® are reported to be useful for detecting active bleeding. A few reports have described using Sonazoid^® to detect bleeding in ruptured HCC. This report describes two distinctive patterns of bleeding from ruptured HCC observed in CEUS with Sonazoid^®. Four patients with suspected HCC rupture were examined by gray-scale ultrasonography (US) and then CEUS with Sonazoid^®. Two patterns of bleeding were observed with CEUS: jet-like extravasation (n = 2) and bubble leakage (n = 2). While contrast-enhanced computed tomography and angiography revealed active bleeding in only one patient, CEUS detected active bleeding and enabled the bleeding site to be estimated in all patients. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed based on the findings of CEUS, and hemostasis was achieved in all patients. CEUS using Sonazoid^® could demonstrate active bleeding as two patterns, and these findings enabled us to detect the rupture site of HCC more confidently than with other modalities.     

Fucoidan-induced ID-1 suppression inhibits the in vitro and in vivo invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a fast growing tumor associated with a high tendency for vascular invasion and distant metastasis. Recently, we reported that fucoidan displays inhibitory effect on proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastatic effect of fucoidan on HCC cells and the key signal that modulates metastasis. The anti-metastatic effect of fucoidan was evaluated in vitro using an invasion assay with human HCC cells (Huh-7, SNU-761, and SNU-3085) under both normoxic (20% O₂ and 5% CO₂, at 37 °C) and hypoxic (1% O_2, 5% CO₂, and 94% N_2, at 37 °C) conditions. Complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis was performed to find the molecule which is significantly suppressed by fucoidan. In vivo study using a distant metastasis model by injecting SNU-761 cells into spleen via portal vein was performed to confirm the inhibitory effect by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. Immunoblot analyses were used to investigate the signaling pathway. Fucoidan significantly suppressed the invasion of human HCC cells (Huh-7, SNU-761, and SNU-3085). Using cDNA microarray analysis, we found the molecule, ID-1, which was significantly suppressed by fucoidan treatment. Downregulation of ID-1 by siRNA significantly decreased invasion of HCC cells, both in vitro and in vivo (both P < 0.05) in a NDRG-1/CAP43-dependent manner. In immunoblot assay, downregulation of ID-1 by siRNA decreased the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers including CK19, vimentin, MMP2, and fibronectin. Immunofluorescence study also revealed that actin rearrangement was inhibited when ID-1 was down-regulated in HCC cells. Interestingly, in SNU-761 cells, the ID-1 expressions under hypoxic conditions were lower as compared to those under normoxic conditions. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1α up-regulated NDRG-1/CAP43, while HIF-2α down-regulated ID-1, which might be a compensatory phenomenon against hypoxia-induced HCC invasion. In conclusion, NDRG-1/CAP43-dependent down-regulation of ID-1 suppressed HCC invasion both in vitro and in vivo, which was modulated by fucoidan treatment. Moreover, the compensatory down-regulation of ID-1 against hypoxia-induced HCC invasion was observed. ID-1 is a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of metastatic HCC.     

Image Monitoring of the Impaired Phagocytic Activity of Kupffer Cells and Liver Oxygen Saturation in a Mouse Cholangitis Model Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging and Photoacoustic Imaging

Bile duct ligation (BDL) can cause cholangitis, which is known to induce impaired Kupffer cell (KC) function and increased oxygen consumption in a mouse model. It is important to monitor changes in KC function and tissue oxygen saturation, both of which are critical factors in the progression of cholangitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impaired phagocytic activity of KC and liver oxygen saturation (sO₂) in a mouse cholangitis model using contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUS) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI). A mouse cholangitis model was created by ligation of the common bile duct (CBDL, n = 20), and the left intrahepatic bile duct (BDL-L, n = 19), both of which were compared with the non-ligation groups—right lobe measurement group after left intrahepatic bile duct ligation (BDL-R, n = 19) and the control group (n = 14). The echogenicity and sO₂ were measured by CEUS and PAI and the KC fraction was assessed at 1, 2 and 4 wk after ligation. We found a significantly lower echogenicity of the Kupffer phase in the CBDL and BDL-L groups compared with that in the control and BDL-R groups at 2 wk (p < .01). The CBDL and BDL-L groups showed a lower echogenicity than that of the BDL-R group at 4 wk (p < .01). We found a significantly lower sO₂ of the CBDL and BDL-L groups compared with that of the control and BDL-R groups at 4 wk (p < .01). The CBDL and BDL-L groups showed a higher KC fraction than that of the BDL-R and control groups at each time point (p < .01). In conclusion, our study suggests that the Sonazoid CEUS and PAI could be a useful tool for monitoring impaired KC phagocytic activity and the liver hypoxic state.     

超声造影联合Lemur-酪氨酸激酶3水平诊断甲状腺乳头状癌及预测其颈部淋巴结转移的价值

目的 探讨超声造影（CEUS）联合Lemur-酪氨酸激酶3(LMTK3)水平诊断甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）及预测其颈部淋巴结转移的价值。方法 选取我院经手术病理证实的92例甲状腺结节患者,根据病理结果分为良性组42例和PTC组50例,其中PTC组根据有无颈部淋巴结转移进一步分为转移组28例和非转移组22例,术前均行甲状腺CEUS检查和LMTK3水平检测,比较良性组与PTC组、转移组与非转移组CEUS特征和LMTK3水平的差异。绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评估CEUS和LMTK3水平单独及联合应用诊断PTC及预测其颈部淋巴结转移的效能。结果 PTC组CEUS等增强、低增强、非均匀增强、灌注缺损、增强时边界不清晰占比及达峰时间（TTP）、CEUS量化值、LMTK3水平均高于良性组,峰值强度（PI）低于良性组,差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.001）。转移组CEUS等增强、高增强、非均匀增强、灌注缺损、增强时边界不清晰占比及TTP、PI、CEUS量化值、LMTK3水平均高于非转移组,差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,与CEUS和LMTK3水平单独应用比较,...     

Evidence of diagnostic enhancement pattern in hepatocellular carcinoma nodules ≤2 cm according to the AASLD/EASL revised criteria

Purpose

To define the percentage of small (≤2 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules showing the diagnostic enhancement pattern at CEUS, computed tomography (CT), and gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA)—enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Methods

42 cirrhotic patients (26 male, 16 female; 67 ± 12 years) with 46 biopsy-proven HCCs ≤2 cm were included. Each HCC was scanned by CEUS, contrast-enhanced CT, and Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MR imaging. Nodule enhancement was evaluated by two readers. Independent analysis was followed by consensual analysis and the proportion of HCCs with the diagnostic enhancement pattern (nodule hyperenhancing on hepatic arterial phase and hypoenhancing on portal venous—late phase) on CEUS, CT, and MR imaging was compared by chi-square test.

Results

Very good inter-reader agreement was observed on hepatic arterial phase and portal venous—late phase: CEUS, k = 0.89 and 0.85; CT, k = 0.91 and 0.88; MR imaging, k = 0.96 and 0.94. CEUS and CT did not differ in the percentage of HCC nodules with a diagnostic enhancement pattern (18/46 and 16/46; P = 0.66), while MR imaging revealed the diagnostic pattern in higher percentage of nodules (29/46; P = 0.012) in comparison to CEUS and CT.

Conclusions

CEUS and contrast-enhanced CT did not differ in the percentage of small HCC nodules with diagnostic enhancement pattern, while Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MR imaging revealed the diagnostic pattern in a higher nodule number in comparison to CEUS and CT.