Pretransplantation diagnosis and staging of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis: value of dual-phase helical CT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to prospectively evaluate the results of helical CT in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Eighty-five patients with cirrhosis were studied preoperatively with biphasic helical CT. Arterial, portal, and equilibrium phase images were obtained after injection of 170 mL of contrast material at 5 mL/sec. The prospective CT interpretation was compared with pathologic results on a lesion-by-lesion basis. RESULTS: Pathologic examination found 85 cases of HCC in 51 patients. Helical CT enabled a correct diagnosis of HCC in 67 of 85 lesions for a sensitivity of 78.8%. HCC nodules were hypervascular in the arterial phase and hypovascular in the equilibrium phase in 63.5% (54/85) of patients. The false-negative rate was 21% (n = 18), and the positive predictive value was 88%. We had nine false-positive findings (11.8%) related to hemangiomas, transient hepatic attenuation differences, and regenerative nodules. Helical CT detected 61% (23/38) of lesions smaller than 2 cm and 93.6% (44/47) of lesions 2 cm or larger. CONCLUSION: Helical CT is a useful preoperative imaging technique in cirrhotic patients who are candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation, although it is relatively insensitive for detection of small lesions (< 2 cm).     

Helical CT screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis: frequency and causes of false-positive interpretation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the specificity of helical CT for depiction of hepatocellular carcinoma in a population of patients with cirrhosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Single-detector helical CT screening was undertaken in 1329 patients with cirrhosis who were referred for transplantation. The patients underwent one or more helical CT examinations over 30 months and were followed up for an additional 19 months or until transplantation. We predominantly used unenhanced and biphasic contrast-enhanced techniques with infusions of 2.5-5.0 mL/sec. Four hundred thirty patients underwent transplantation within this period. Liver specimens were sectioned at 1-cm intervals, with direct comparison of imaging and pathologic findings and histologic confirmations of all lesions. Prospective preoperative helical CT reports were used for the primary data analysis. A retrospective unblinded review was undertaken to determine characteristics of false-positive lesions diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (8%) had false-positive diagnoses for hepatocellular carcinoma based on helical CT. Twenty of these patients (5%) showed hypoattenuating lesions seen during one of the three helical CT examination phases. Fifteen patients (3%) had hyperattenuating lesions seen during the arterial phase. Among the 15 hyperattenuating lesions, CT revealed the causes to be transient benign hepatic enhancement (n = 3), hemangiomas (n = 2), fibrosis (n = 2), peliosis (n = 1), volume averaging (n = 1), low-grade dysplastic nodule (n = 1), or undetermined (n = 5). Of the 20 hypoattenuating lesions, the causes were shown to be fibrosis (n = 8), focal fat (n = 4), infarcted regenerative nodules (n = 2), regenerative nodules (n = 1), fluid trapped at the dome of the liver (n = 1), hemangioma (n = 1), or undetermined (n = 3). Follow-up helical CT in 13 (72%) of 18 patients allowed a change in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to a finding of no cancer present. CONCLUSION: Helical CT screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis has a substantial false-positive detection rate. Although most of lesions were hypoattenuating, a few hyperenhancing arterial phase lesions were proven not to be hepatocellular carcinoma. An awareness of imaging characteristics and follow-up imaging can help radiologists avoid a mistaken diagnosis in many patients.     

双标记时间分辨荧光免疫分析检测AFP和AFP-IgM在HCC中的应用

目的建立可同时测定血清甲胎蛋白（AFP）和AFP免疫复合物（AFP-IgM）的快速、灵敏检测方法,探讨其在原发性肝细胞癌（HCC）诊断中的临床价值。方法利用时间分辨免疫荧光分析（TRFIA）技术,分别用Sm^3＋标记鼠抗人IgM单克隆抗体（M94181）,Eu^3＋标记鼠抗人AFP单克隆抗体（M19301）,建立双标记TRFIA（dual-TRFIA）。选择HCC患者118例和肝良性病变（BLD）患者123例（肝硬化60例,慢性肝炎63例）,健康体格检查者286例。分别用该法检测血清AFP和AFP-IgM水平,并用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线进行临床诊断特性分析。采用SASS 6．12软件进行统计学处理。结果dual-TRFIA法检测AFP和AFP-IgM的灵敏度分别为0．41μg／L,10．00U／L,与试剂盒[电化学发光免疫（ECLIA）AFP test和Hepa AFP-IC kit]相关性好（r=0．9987和0．9854,P均〈0．05）。AFP和AFP-IgM在HCC中的诊断灵敏度分别为46．61％（55／118）,63．56％（75／118）,诊断准确性分别为77．10％和77．40％。AFP和AFP-IgM联合检测可将灵敏度提高至72．88％（86／118,χ^2=9．45,P=0．02）,诊断准确性提高至84．10％（χ^2=6．24,P=0．04）。结论AFP-IgM是HCC新型血清标志物,同时检测AFP和AFP-IgM能明显提高对HCC的诊断灵敏度和准确性,有利于肝癌的早期诊断。dual-TR-IMFA法同时检测AFP和AFP-IgM稳定可靠,可以满足临床使用需要。     

Three-dimensional helical CT angiography in renal transplant recipients: a new problem-solving tool.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the use of three-dimensional helical CT angiography for the evaluation of renal transplant recipients presenting with hypertension, graft dysfunction, or both after transplantation by evaluating the native and transplanted renal arteries in a single examination. CONCLUSION: Early results indicate that three-dimensional helical CT angiography of renal transplant recipients presenting with hypertension, graft dysfunction, or both after transplantation yields valuable information that can be used to guide further therapy.     

Large infiltrative hepatocellular carcinomas: treatment with percutaneous intraarterial ethanol injection alone or in combination with conventional percutaneous ethanol injection

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate patients' tolerance and the effectiveness of percutaneous intraarterial ethanol injection (PIAEI), alone or combined with conventional percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neither institutional review board approval nor informed consent was required for this retrospective study; however, all patients had given their consent to be treated with PIAEI. Fourteen men and four women with cirrhosis and HCC who were ineligible for conventional curative treatment (largest tumor diameter, 35-90 mm; mean, 52 mm +/- 16 [standard deviation]) and whose supplying arteries were visible on computed tomographic (CT) and color Doppler ultrasonographic (US) images were treated with US-guided PIAEI-either alone or combined with PEI. Twelve patients had infiltrative tumors, and six had nodular tumors. Four patients had portal venous tumor involvement. Tumor necrosis and recurrence were evaluated with CT, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: In four patients, the main tumor was treated with PIAEI only, and in 14 patients, the main tumor was treated with combined PIAEI and PEI. One patient died of myocardial infarction before CT evaluation. Tumor necrosis was complete in 15 (88%) and incomplete in two (12%) of 17 patients. Results of subsequent surgery performed in three patients confirmed the radiologic findings: complete tumor necrosis in two patients and incomplete necrosis in one patient. Two severe PIAEI-related complications occurred: liver abscess, which resolved, and fatal acute pancreatitis. During the follow-up period (mean, 15 months +/- 6.7), six patients died owing to recurrent HCC, and 10 patients were alive with no detectable tumor after a mean follow-up period of 18 months +/- 11. One- and 2-year survival rates were 76.6% and 44.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: For patients with advanced HCC who are ineligible for other curative options, PIAEI could be an effective treatment, despite the associated risk of severe complications.     

Malignant focal hepatic lesions complicating underlying liver disease: dual-phase contrast-enhanced spiral CT sensitivity and specificity in orthotopic liver transplant patients

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of contrast-enhanced biphasic spiral CT as a screening tool in the preoperative evaluation of orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) patients. Spiral-CT examinations were performed before liver transplantation in 53 patients. Scans were retrospectively reviewed and compared with pathologic findings in fresh-sectioned livers. When findings between spiral CT and pathology were discordant, formalized livers were reexamined with lesion-by lesion evaluation. Fresh pathologic evaluation revealed 23 liver lesions (16 HCC, 7 macro-regenerative nodules). Malignancy was identified in 13 of 53 patients (24.5%). Pre-transplantation spiral CT depicted 27 liver lesions (23 HCC, 4 macro-regenerative nodules). Malignancy was suspected in 14 patients (26.4%). In 10 of 53 (18.9%), spiral CT and pathologic evaluation were discordant. Subsequent retrospective pathologic evaluation showed malignancy in 4 additional patients. Spiral CT compared with the retrospective pathologic findings revealed 36 real-negative, 14 real-positive, 0 false-positive, and 3 false-negative patients with malignancy. Sensitivity and specificity of spiral CT in detection of malignancy was 82 and 100%, respectively. Contrast-enhanced biphasic spiral CT is an accurate technique in the evaluation of patients preceding OLT. Routine fresh-sectioned liver pathologic findings are not as sensitive as previously estimated.     

Detection of hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules in cirrhotic livers: accuracy of helical CT in transplant patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of three-phase helical dynamic CT in the detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules in cirrhotic livers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three-phase helical dynamic CT in 41 patients with liver cirrhosis was evaluated prospectively before orthotopic liver transplantation. The numbers of hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules were assessed in the explanted livers and compared with pretransplantation CT findings. RESULTS: Examination of the explanted livers revealed 21 hepatocellular carcinomas in 15 patients and 23 dysplastic nodules in 10 patients. The size of the hepatocellular carcinomas was 0.6-5. 0 cm (mean, 1.9 cm), and that of the dysplastic nodules was 0.7-2.0 cm (mean, 1.0 cm). The use of helical dynamic CT enabled detection of 15 of 21 hepatocellular carcinomas (sensitivity, 71%) and nine of 23 dysplastic nodules (sensitivity, 39%). Patient sensitivity and specificity in the detection of hepatocellular carcinomas were 80% (12/15) and 96% (25/26), respectively, and for dysplastic nodules, 50% (5/10) and 97% (30/31), respectively. CONCLUSION: Three-phase helical dynamic CT is relatively insensitive for detection of hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules in cirrhotic livers, especially for dysplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas smaller than 2 cm.     

Performance of radiological methods in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma preoperatively in a recipient of living related liver transplantation: comparison with step section histopathology

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) preoperatively in living related liver transplantation (LRLT) recipients with liver cirrhosis and HCC.

Materials and methods

A total of 25 LRLT recipients with 89 pathologically proved HCCs underwent dynamic 4-row MDCT (5 mm collimation) and MRI within 1 month before LRLT. The images were reviewed for the diagnosis of HCC on a tumor-by-tumor basis by three observers independently and randomly using explanted specimens as the gold standard. The diagnostic accuracy of these techniques in the detection of HCC was assessed with alternative free response receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The sensitivity and positive predictive values were evaluated.

Results

The average values of the area under the ROC curve (Az) of MRI images were higher than those obtained with MDCT; however, no significant difference was observed (P > 0.05). The overall sensitivity of HCC with MRI was higher than that with MDCT, especially in the case of HCCs <20 mm.

Conclusion

A better diagnostic performance regarding HCCs in LRLT recipients was achieved with MRI than with MDCT, although no significant difference was observed.     

肝细胞癌肝动脉门静脉分流形成的相关因素分析

目的总结肝细胞癌(HCC)合并肝动脉门静脉分流(APS)、肝动脉肝静脉分流(AVS)的发生率,并探讨影响HCC APS形成的相关因素。方法回顾分析2009年1月-2010年12月经动脉栓塞(TAE)治疗的.497例HCC患者的影像学和病历资料,总结APS、AVS的发生率,采用单因素分析APS的发生与HCC患者性别、年龄、乙型肝炎病史、肝硬化基础、肝癌切除史、甲胎蛋白(AFP)、肿瘤类型、肿瘤数目和门静脉癌栓(PVTT)的相关性,并行多因素Logistic回归分析。结果HCC合并APS的发生率为10.5%(52/497),合并AVS的发生率为1.6%(8/497),同时合并APS与AVS的有3例(0.6%)。单因素分析显示:乙型肝炎病史、肝硬化基础、肿瘤类型、肿瘤数目和门静脉癌栓与HCC患者APS的发生相关;多因素Logistic回归分析显示:肝硬化基础、巨块型肿瘤、肿瘤多发、门静脉癌栓是HCC合并APS发生的危险因素。结论HCC患者有肝硬化基础、巨块型肿块、多发肿瘤、门静脉癌栓会诱发APS的发生     

肝癌高危人群AFP和影像学监测诊断小肝癌的研究

目的提高肝癌高危人群小肝癌的发现率,研究肝癌二级预防价值。方法1994-07～1999-07间,在AFP监测中,发现AFP大于20μg/ml,HBsAg阳性或有慢性肝炎史,首次B超无肝癌灶共427例,随机分为监测组278例,对照组149例,监测组每3个月复查AFP和B超,对照组不作定期检查,随访时间5年。结果监测组检出肝癌92例,检出率33.1%。对照组发生肝癌34例,发生率22.8%。AFP升高,肝癌发生率明显上升。监测组小肝癌的发现率为89.1%,明显高于对照组35.3%（P＜0.005)。监测组B超诊断肝癌准确率66.3%,B超结合CT或/和MRI诊断准确率为89.1%。监测组肝癌的手术切除率为43.5%,明显高于对照组20.6%（P＜0.025)。监测组的生存率分别为1年62.8%,3年45.9%,5年33.3%,高于对照组的38.7%、14.3%和12.3%。监测组中,手术治疗组的生存率高于非手术治疗组。结论①对AFP升高的肝癌高危人群定期监测,能明显提高小肝癌的发现率;②B超结合CT或/和MRI能有效提高小肝癌检出和定性能力;③发现肝癌病例应尽可能作手术切除才能体现二级预防价值。     

18-FDG PET/CT在肝癌治疗后AFP升高患者中的应用

目的 探讨18F-脱氧葡萄糖(FDG)PET/CT检测肝癌治疗后甲胎蛋白(AFP)升高患者肿瘤复发和(或)转移病灶的价值.方法 原发性肝细胞癌治疗后血清AFP升高患者123例,皆行全身18F-FDG PET/CT显像.所有图像经图像融合后,进行PET/CT融合图像、PET图像和CT图像帧对帧对比分析.肿瘤复发和(或)转移病灶根据病理检查结果、多种影像学诊断及临床随访而确诊.随访时间均>6个月.采用SPSS 11.5软件进行统计学处理,进行X2检验.结果 123例患者中,明确诊断肿瘤复发和(或)转移者111例.18F-FDG PET显像诊断肿瘤复发和(或)转移78例,其灵敏度为70.3%(78/111);18F.FDG PET/CT显像诊断肿瘤复发和(或)转移97例,灵敏度提高至87.4%(97/111,χ2=9.744,P=0.002).18F.FDG PET/CT诊断肝癌复发和转移的特异性、准确性、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为83.3%(10/12)、87.0%(107/123)、98.0%(97/99)和41.7%(10/24).9例高分化肝细胞癌患者均确诊为肿瘤复发和(或)转移,18F-FDG PET/CT显像诊断其肿瘤复发和(或)转移5例,灵敏度(5/9)明显低于总体灵敏度(87.4%;χ2=6.616,P=0.01).结论 18F-FDG PET/CT显像在检测原发性肝癌治疗后AFP升高患者肿瘤复发和(或)转移病灶中有较好的应用价值,但高分化肝细胞癌可能出现假阴性.     

Computed tomography and angiographic interventional features of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: pictorial essay.

Spontaneous rupture is an uncommon and potentially fatal complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), occurring in approximately 15% of patients with HCC in Asia and 3% in the United Kingdom.3 The prognosis for hemorrhage of HCC is poor, particularly in those patients with underlying cirrhosis and severe coagulopathy. Computed tomography (CT) rather than angiography is the first-line modality for the detection of rupture. CT can confirm the diagnosis of ruptured HCC and can also help in assessing other organs if the diagnosis is not clear prior to imaging. It allows for an assessment of the entire liver, including the portal vein, which aids in determining the feasibility of embolization and resection. Since the rate of bleeding must normally exceed 1 mL/min before it can be detected on angiography and the extravasation of contrast is present in less than 20% of cases, CT is a more helpful modality. The optimal CT protocol for this condition is triphasic: the precontrast phase allows for assessment of ethiodized oil (lipiodol) uptake, the arterial phase demonstrates enhancement of the mass, and the portal venous phase allows for assessment of the portal veins. Various treatment options have been proposed: transarterial catheter embolization (TACE), emergency liver resection, and delayed resection. Surgical treatment is difficult, if not impossible. In most cases, rupture is a result of diffuse intrahepatic spread of the tumour and underlying liver cirrhosis. Many authors have concluded that a multidisciplinary management that includes TACE as the primary procedure followed by a delayed resection is the preferred treatment. This pictorial essay reviews the radiologic features of spontaneously ruptured HCC on CT imaging and of treatment by angiography.     

动态观察肝炎、肝硬化病人甲胎蛋白升高的临床意义

目的探讨动态检测和观察甲胎蛋白(AFP)在急、慢性肝炎、重型肝炎及肝炎后肝硬化中的意义。方法对184例肝炎及肝硬化患者用放免法检测AFP。初次发现AFP升高者分别作B超、CT检查,排除肝癌者每3个月复查1次AFP、肝功、B超,连续进行5年追踪随访。结果初次检测184例中除6例重型肝炎外,其他178例AFP均升高。随访中发现AFP稳定上升的3例均发展为肝癌;反复波动和持续低浓度的患者发生肝癌率分别4.2%和6.6%;一过性升高者均未出现肝癌。重症肝炎患者AFP越高病死率越低。结论AFP升高的肝炎与肝硬化患者动态检测观察AFP的变化,对早期发现肝癌有重要价值。     

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: percutaneous radiofrequency ablation after hepatectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the liver after hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with 53 recurrent HCC tumors in the liver underwent percutaneous RF ablation with ultrasonographic guidance. All patients had a history of hepatic resection for HCC. The mean diameter of recurrent tumors was 2.1 cm (range, 0.8-4.0 cm). All patients were followed up for at least 10 months after ablation (range, 10-40 months; mean, 23 months). Therapeutic efficacy and complications were evaluated with multiphase helical computed tomography (CT) at regular follow-up visits. Overall and disease-free survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: At follow-up CT after initial RF ablation, 11 (21%) of 53 ablated HCC tumor sites showed residual tumor or local tumor progression. After additional RF ablation, complete ablation of 46 (87%) of 53 tumors was attained. Also at initial follow-up CT, before either additional RF ablation or other treatment was performed, 21 (47%) of 45 patients were found to have 41 new HCC tumors at other liver sites. Of these, nine tumors in eight patients were treatable with a second application of RF ablation. Overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 82%, 72%, and 54%, respectively. No deaths or complications requiring further treatment occurred as a result of RF ablation. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous RF ablation is an effective and safe method for treating recurrent HCC in the liver after hepatectomy, with a good overall patient survival rate.     

Diffuse perfusion abnormality of the liver parenchyma on angiography-assisted helical CT in relation to cirrhosis and previous treatments: a potential diagnostic pitfall for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma

We evaluated diffuse perfusion abnormality of the liver parenchyma in relation to cirrhosis and previous treatments and estimated its potential limitation in detecting hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) on CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA). Sixty-one patients of liver cirrhosis with or without HCC received both CTAP and CTHA. Irregular defects of enhancement of the liver parenchyma on CTAP were noted in 37 of 61 patients (60.7%) and compensatory arterial perfusion in these defects on CTHA was noted in 30 of 37 patients (81.1%). Most patients had segmental or mixed patterns of enhancement. In patients with severe cirrhosis, irregular enhancement was often noted. The irregularity was also more often in patients who had had previous treatments. Four of 40 HCC nodules in 18 patients with severe irregular perfusion were not detected on CTAP and CTHA. Diffuse perfusion abnormalities of the liver parenchyma on CTAP and CTHA would decrease the accuracy of tumor detection in HCC patients.     

Advanced dynamic flow imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the evaluation of tumor vascularity in liver tumors

To examine the usefulness of advanced dynamic flow imaging in diagnosing hepatic tumor and in assessing therapeutic effects in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic hepatic tumor, we performed contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) with Levovist, a microbubble contrast agent. Twenty-two patients of 35 HCC nodules infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and six patients with metastatic liver nodules were studied. They were diagnosed as having HCC or metastasis with helical dynamic computed tomography (CT) and/or celiac angiography. Tumor vascularities in the early arterial and postvascular phases were assessed by real-time scanning of advanced dynamic flow imaging and intermittent interval-delay scanning of contrast pulse subtraction imaging with a wide-band power Doppler technology. All patients showed hypervascular enhancement of HCC on contrast-enhanced US and/or dynamic CT. The advanced dynamic flow could be obtained as vascular and perfusion images of hepatic tumors. Tumor vascularities, including tumor vessels and parenchymal flow, were able to demonstrate in 27 of 29 nodules including 17 patients with 27 HCC nodules and 2 patients with 2 metastatic nodules before radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment by the advanced dynamic flow on contrast-enhanced harmonic US. Two nodules gave insufficient dynamic flow which were located approximately 12 cm in depth from the body surface. The advanced dynamic flow, which was done 7-10 days after RFA, indicated disappearance of the tumor vessels in 27 of visible 27 nodules. The study on early phase of helical dynamic CT revealed the same results as noted in early vascular phase of dynamic flow US. No major complication of RFA procedure was noted. The results indicated that contrast-enhanced advanced dynamic flow imaging on US clearly depicted intratumoral vascularity in real time and thus it is useful to diagnose and assess therapeutic efficacy in patients with HCC and metastatic liver tumor.     

Spectrum of hepatocellular carcinoma on triple phase helical CT: a pictorial essay

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic malignancy. With the availability of a variety of treatment options for HCC, it is essential to detect, localize and stage HCC comprehensively. Recent application of helical computed tomography (CT) using the triple phase technique, along with optimized rapid delivery of contrast material has significantly improved the diagnostic confidence of the radiologist in not only detection and characterization of HCC, but also in defining the extent of the tumor. In this pictorial essay, we present a spectrum of findings in HCC as evaluated by triple phase helical CT. A variety of imaging features are described, and the utility of the technique in localization and characterization of HCC is emphasized.     

组织多肽特异性抗原在肝癌诊断中的价值

为探讨组织多肽特异性抗原（TPS）在肝癌诊断中的价值,分别选择肝癌患者（96例）、肝硬化患者（30例）、肝炎患者（20例）及正常健康人（20名）,测定各自血清TPS、AFP水平,以病理诊断标准为依据进行诊断效果的评价。结果表明,诊断灵敏度TPS为89．6％,AFP为73．0％,两者差异显著（P＜0．01）。表明TPS较AFP有较高的诊断灵敏度。     

Radiofrequency Ablation Assisted by Real-Time Virtual Sonography and CT for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undetectable by Conventional Sonography

Real-time virtual sonography (RVS) is a diagnostic imaging support system, which provides the same cross-sectional multiplanar reconstruction images as ultrasound images on the same monitor screen in real time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiofrequency ablation (RFA) assisted by RVS and CT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undetectable with conventional sonography. Subjects were 20 patients with 20 HCC nodules not detected by conventional sonography but detectable by CT or MRI. All patients had hepatitis C-induced liver cirrhosis; there were 13 males and 7 females aged 55–81 years (mean, 69.3 years). RFA was performed in the CT room, and the tumor was punctured with the assistance of RVS. CT was performed immediately after puncture, and ablation was performed after confirming that the needle had been inserted into the tumor precisely. The mean number of punctures and success rates of the first puncture were evaluated. Treatment effects were evaluated with dynamic CT every 3 months after RFA. RFA was technically feasible and local tumor control was achieved in all patients. The mean number of punctures was 1.1, and the success rate of the first puncture was 90.0%. This method enabled safe ablation without complications. The mean follow-up period was 13.5 month (range, 9–18 months). No local recurrence was observed at the follow-up points. In conclusion, RFA assisted by RVS and CT is a safe and efficacious method of treatment for HCC undetectable by conventional sonography.     

MRI of hepatocellular carcinoma: an update of current practices

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and liver transplantation is the optimal treatment for selected patients with HCC and chronic liver disease (CLD). Accurate selection of patients for transplantation is essential to maximize patient outcomes and ensure optimized allocation of donor organs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool for the detection, characterization, and staging of HCC. In patients with CLD, the MRI findings of an arterial-enhancing mass with subsequent washout and enhancing capsule on delayed interstitial phase images are diagnostic for HCC. Major organizations with oversight for organ donor distribution, such as The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), accept an imaging diagnosis of HCC, no longer requiring tissue biopsy. In patients that are awaiting transplantation, or are not candidates for liver transplantation, localized therapies such as transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation may be offered. MRI can be used to monitor treatment response. The purpose of this review article is to describe the role of imaging methods in the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of HCC, with particular emphasis on established and evolving MRI techniques employing nonspecific gadolinium chelates, hepatobiliary contrast agents, and diffusion weighted imaging. We also briefly review the recently developed Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) formulating a standardized terminology and reporting structure for evaluation of lesions detected in patients with CLD.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major worldwide health concern; it is the sixth most common cancer and third leading cause of overall cancer-related mortality. HCC frequently presents as a rapidly growing tumor and has historically been associated with poor prognosis and outcomes. However, tumor screening protocols in high risk patients can lead to an earlier detection of treatable disease. Screening for HCC has resulted in significant improvements in the one-year cause-specific survival rates for new patients (1), and this is directly attributed to improved survival through the detection of early stage tumor.The five-year cumulative risk of HCC ranges from 4%–30% in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and cirrhosis (2–3). Multiple therapeutic strategies are available for the treatment of HCC, including medical therapy, percutaneous tumor ablation, transarterial embolic therapy, surgical resection, and liver transplantation. Of all the available methods, liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for early HCC because this method removes not only the tumor but also the entire cirrhotic liver, which is at an increased risk for developing metachronous tumors. The effectiveness of liver transplantation depends upon detecting early stage disease within specific criteria. A seminal paper by Mazzaferro et al. (4), published in 1996, established the “Milan criteria” as the most widely used guidelines for transplant eligibility. The Milan transplant criteria has shown good outcomes in patients with a single tumor <5 cm, or up to three tumors but with none greater than 3 cm, without extrahepatic spread or signs of vascular invasion. These criteria yield overall and recurrence-free survival rates of 85% and 92%, respectively, at four years after orthotopic liver transplantation (4). These survival rates are similar to patients transplanted for nonmalignant indications at four years following surgery; thus, accurate staging is mandatory for proper inclusion in the transplant list.Numerous studies have been performed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this review, we discuss MRI acquisition methodology, reporting methods and provide a discussion of the varied appearance of HCC.