A case of spontaneous rupture of a simple hepatic cyst.

We describe the spontaneous rupture of a simple hepatic cyst associated with a benign course. A 64-year-old woman was admitted for right upper quadrant pain. The patient denied a history of abdominal trauma. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a huge solitary hepatic cyst (diameter, 10 cm) in the right lobe. Part of the cyst surface was irregular, and the interior was heterogeneous on ultrasonography. Fluid retention was detected under the liver capsule. Spontaneous rupture of a nonparasitic hepatic cyst was suspected. The patient was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Examination of the abdomen revealed right upper quadrant pain but no signs or symptoms of peritonitis. One week after admission, CT revealed that the volume of fluid retained under the liver capsule had decreased. Percutaneous puncture was performed with a needle and an 8-French pigtail catheter under ultrasonographic guidance. Serous, brown fluid was aspirated. After percutaneous aspiration, the patient's symptoms resolved. Minocycline hydrochloride was given daily by intravenous injection for 7 days. The catheter was then removed. There has been no evidence of recurrence after 1 year.

Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Repeat Hepatectomy for Recurrent Liver Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic liver cancer from colorectal cancer after surgical resection have traditionally been treated with conventional open surgery. However, recent technical advances have facilitated laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy (LapRH), which has advantages over open laparotomy. We describe the results of LapRH at our institution and retrospectively compare short-term outcomes after LapRH and initial laparoscopic partial liver resection (LapPLR). METHODS: From April 2010 through December 2017, 24 patients (16 men, 8 women; median age, 69 years) underwent LRH for cancer recurrence or metastasis after initial partial hepatectomy at our institution. LapRH involved partial hepatectomy in 21 patients and lateral segmentectomy in 3 patients. Short-term outcomes (operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay) for these 24 patients were compared with those for 117 patients who underwent initial LapPLR during the same period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the LapPLR and LapRH groups in baseline characteristics, including patient age and underlying disease. No LapRH procedure required conversion to open surgery. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in median operation time (268 min for LapPLR, 294 min for LapRH; p = 0.55), blood loss (224.0 mL for LapPLR, 77.5 mL for LapRH; p = 0.76), or length of hospital stay (11.0 days for LapPLR, 10.2 days for LapRH; p = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: LapRH for recurrent liver cancer yielded satisfactory outcomes when compared with those of initial hepatectomy. Further studies are needed, however, to confirm the present results.

Diagnosis and initial management of cholangiocarcinoma with obstructive jaundice.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary hepatic cancer. Despite advances in diagnostic techniques during the past decade, cholangiocarcinoma is usually encountered at an advanced stage. In this review, we describe the classification, diagnosis, and initial management of cholangiocarcinoma with obstructive jaundice.

Peritoneovenous shunts for palliation of malignant ascites.

BACKGROUND: Malignant ascites may produce a cluster of symptoms that include abdominal distention, early satiety, respiratory embarrassment, impaired mobility, and lethargy, and relief of these symptoms is often difficult to achieve. We report on the placement of peritoneovenous shunts (PVSs) in a group of patients with malignant ascites, with particular reference to the effectiveness and complications of the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHOD: PVSs were inserted in 9 patients with malignant ascites after obtaining their informed consent. The patients were 6 men and 3 women with a median age of 59 years. All had previously been treated with vigorous diuretic therapy or repeated paracentesis or both. Shunt insertion was carried out via a percutaneous approach under local anesthesia. RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated by all patients. The abdominal distention resolved in all patients, and urine volume increased significantly, demonstrating that the PVS did not affect renal function. The platelet count was reduced, and prothrombin time was prolonged. Two patients had the complication of shunt occlusion, and both patients underwent shunt replacement. There were no lethal complications. Median survival time after PVS placement was 21 days (range, 10 approximately 90 days), and the shunt was functioning at the time of death with good control of ascites in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant ascites produces troublesome symptoms for patients, who may live for some time. Placement of a PVS is a well-tolerated, relatively minor surgical procedure that can provide excellent control of ascites in most patients selected. The selection of optimal patients requires further study.

Abdominal incisional hernia repair using the Composix Kugel Patch: two case reports.

We describe two patients with abdominal incisional hernias, which occurred after appendectomy and replacement of an artificial blood vessel. Both were treated by operative hernial repair with the Composix Kugel Patch (C.R. Bard Inc.), a composite mesh that combines polypropylene mesh and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex). The mesh has various beneficial characteristics. It is a reinforcing material for the abdominal wall; even when in direct contact with the intestinal tract it is minimally adherent to the intestinal tract. The mesh expands readily and is easily fixed to the abdominal wall because it has a shape-memory ring. The long-term results of operative repair with this mesh have not yet been reported, but it is hoped that the aforementioned characteristics will yield favorable outcomes.

Bleeding portal-hypertensive gastropathy managed successfully by partial splenic embolization.

The use of partial splenic embolization to decrease portal pressure and reduce gastric bleeding from portal-hypertensive gastropathy, a complication of liver cirrhosis, is described. A 62-year-old man with hepatic cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C and documented portal hypertension was admitted with hypersplenism and bleeding esophageal varices. Endoscopic ligation successfully controlled acute bleeding, but blood loss continued over the next 45 days. Bleeding secondary to portal-hypertensive gastropathy was diagnosed endoscopically. The patient's poor surgical status precluded a portosystemic shunt procedure, so partial splenic embolization was performed radiologically by the injection of Gelfoam squares. Splenic volume decreased 50% following partial embolization. Over 3 weeks, the hemoglobin concentration increased from 8.5 g/dL to 9.8 g/dL, and the platelet count increased from 41,000 to 90,000/microL. Repeat endoscopy found no gastric bleeding 18 days post-procedure. Partial splenic embolization is a radiologic procedure which can be performed safely in patients too ill to undergo portosystemic shunt. This report documents its successful use to manage hypersplenism and reduce portal pressure in a cirrhotic patient with portal-hypertensive gastropathy and hypersplenism.

Comparison of characteristics of recurrent esophageal varices after endoscopic ligation versus endoscopic ligation plus sclerotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The characteristics of recurrent esophageal varices after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) plus endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) versus EVL alone, including the number of additional treatments and patterns of recurrence have been compared. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-four patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices were treated by EVL alone (EVL group), and 46 patients were treated by EVL followed by extravariceal injection sclerotherapy (EVL+extraEIS group). RESULTS: Fewer treatment sessions were needed (p<0.005), and more O-rings were required (p<0.0001) in the EVL group than in the EVL+extraEIS group. The 1- and 3-year cumulative recurrence rates were higher in the EVL group (81.3% and 93.8%) than in the EVL+extraEIS group (62.8% and 91.5%) (p<0.05). Endoscopic examination at first recurrence showed varices of a more severe form (p<0.001), but less frequently having the red color sign (p<0.0001), and intramucosal venous dilatation (p<0.0001) in the EVL group than in the EVL+extraEIS group. The number of rehospitalizations for additional treatment was lower (p<0.0001) and more patients could be managed with only endoscopic treatment for recurrent varices in the EVL group than in the EVL+extraEIS group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Even if the overall rate of variceal recurrence was higher, fewer treatment sessions were needed, and the number of rehospitalizations for these additional treatments was lower in the EVL group than in the EVL+extraEIS group. Multiple sessions of EVL are an effective strategy for the treatment of esophageal varices.

Endoscopic scleroligation is a superior new technique for preventing recurrence of esophageal varices.

This study compared a new method, endoscopic scleroligation, intravariceal injection sclerotherapy followed by ligation plus extravariceal injection sclerotherapy, with ligation plus extravariceal injection sclerotherapy. Fifty-nine patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices were treated by endoscopic scleroligation (ESL group, n = 28) or ligation plus extravariceal injection sclerotherapy (EVL + extraEIS group, n = 31). The demographics and clinical characteristics of the two treatment groups were similar, as was the rate of complete eradication with initial treatment. However, the 1- and 3-year cumulative recurrence rates in the ESL group (3.8% and 22.4%) were very significantly lower than those in the EVL + extraEIS group (48.3% and 81.0%) (p < 0.0001). The overall survival rates in the two groups were similar. In conclusion, endoscopic scleroligation is superior to ligation plus extravariceal injection sclerotherapy in preventing variceal recurrence. The efficacy of intravariceal injection sclerotherapy before ligation is believed to arise from the eradication of feeder vessels.

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with situs inversus totalis.

We report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with situs inversus totalis treated by hepatectomy. A 70-year-old asymptomatic female with hepatocellular carcinomas in segments 5, 6 and 8 underwent transarterial embolization in the department of medicine. However, hepatocellular carcinoma in segment 8 relapsed, and she was referred to the department of surgery. Laboratory tests revealed elevation of serum PIVKA2 level (4,690 ng/mL). Angiography revealed tumor stain in segment 8, 3 cm in diameter. No aberrant vessels were detected on angiography. The operator stood on the patient's left, and partial hepatectomy could be performed safety after careful examination of the anatomy. Although aberrant vessels are detected in many patients with situs inversus totalis, operations can be performed safely on them with sufficient understanding of the anatomy.

Hepatic pseudoaneurysm ruptured into the jejunal limb after hepatectomy for the treatment of gall bladder carcinoma.

A 74-year-old woman with advanced carcinoma of the gall bladder underwent anterior and medial segmentectomies, extrahepatic bile duct resection, lymph node dissection, and hepaticojejunostomy with retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage. On the sixteenth postoperative day, bleeding was noted through the biliary drain, but it stopped spontaneously. Two days later, the biliary drain showed bleeding again. Ultrasonography revealed mild dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct. Cholangiography via the drain disclosed a defect in the jejunal limb. Emergency angiography revealed an aneurysm, 2 cm in diameter, in the posterior branch of the right hepatic artery. Contrast medium demonstrated extravasation into the jejunal limb. The pseudoaneurysm was embolized with coils. No further hemorrhage was noted, and the patient was discharged 30 days after operation.

Treatment modalities for bleeding esophagogastric varices.

Bleeding from esophageal varices (EVs) or gastric varices (GVs) is a catastrophic complication of chronic liver disease. In this paper, we review the management of bleeding EVs and GVs. DIAGNOSIS OF EVS AND GVS: The grading system for esophagogastric varices proposed by the Japan Society for Portal Hypertension classifies GVs into those involving the cardia (Lg-c), the fundus (Lg-f), and both the cardia and the fundus (Lg-cf). In this review, we divide GVs into 2 categories: Lg-c (cardiac varices: CVs) and Lg-cf or Lg-f (fundal varices: FVs). TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR EVS AND GVS: Treatment modalities for EVs and GVs include placement of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, pharmacologic therapy, surgery, interventional radiology, and endoscopic treatment. MANAGEMENT OF BLEEDING EVS AND GVS: In Japan, endoscopic treatment has recently become the therapy of choice for bleeding EVs or GVs. In other countries, especially the United States, vasoactive drugs and endoscopic treatment are routinely used to manage variceal hemorrhage. BLEEDING EVS: Endoscopic variceal ligation is useful for controlling bleeding from EVs. However, confirmation of ligation precisely at the site of bleeding is usually difficult in patients with massive variceal bleeding. The site of acute bleeding can generally be identified by means of water instillation and suction. Ligation is then performed at the bleeding point. If endoscopic hemostasis is unsuccessful, a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is used as a temporary bridge to other treatments. Transportal obliteration is useful for blocking variceal blood flow. BLEEDING GVS: Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with a tissue adhesive, such as N-butyl-cyanoacrylate or isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate, is effective for acute bleeding from GVs. However, bleeding from the GV injection site and rebleeding from the rupture point have been reported in patients receiving endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. If endoscopic hemostasis is unsuccessful, a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is used as a temporary bridge to other treatments. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration and transportal obliteration are useful for the treatment of uncontrolled bleeding from GVs. PREVENTION OF RECURRENT VARICEAL HEMORRHAGE: Given the high recurrence rate, survivors of an acute variceal hemorrhage should receive treatment to prevent recurrence. Complete eradication of EVs or GVs and maintenance of low portal venous pressure are essential for preventing recurrence of variceal hemorrhage.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma with a giant hemangioma.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma is a rare hepatic mesenchymal tumor. We report a case of hepatic angiomyolipoma that was successfully resected along with a giant hemangioma. A 53-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of a liver tumor in segment 4. The tumor was detected on positron emission tomography during a health check-up. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a well-defined mass of mixed echogenicity, 1.5 cm in diameter, in segment 4, and a giant hemangioma of mixed echogenicity, 7 cm in diameter, in segment 7. On enhanced computed tomography, the tumor in segment 4 showed hyperattenuation in the early phase and hypoattenuation in the delayed phase. On magnetic resonance imaging, the tumor in segment 4 showed hypointensity on T1-weighted images, hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, and hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted images. On angiography, the tumor in segment 4 appeared as a circumscribed hypervascular mass in the early phase and a slightly hypovascular mass in the delayed phase. The imaging findings suggested a primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient consented to resection of the tumor in segment 4 along with the giant hemangioma in segment 7. These tumors were resected with tumor-free surgical margins by partial resection of segments 4 and 7 of the liver. The cut surface of the resected specimen of segment 4 showed a yellowish tumor consisting of mature adipose tissue. The histopathological diagnoses of the resected specimens were angiomyolipoma in segment 4 and cavernous hemangioma in segment 7. The tumor in segment 4 consisted of mature lipocytes with angiomatous and small lymphocytic components, but no mitotic figures. The tumor showed immunoreactivity to smooth muscle antigen and homatropine methylbromide 45 and no immunoreactivity to AE/E3. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remains well 1 year after the operation.

Low-pressure continuous suction of bile and pancreatic juice from the hepatic duct and jejunal limb after major hepatectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy.

We describe an effective technique for the low-pressure continuous suction of bile and pancreatic juice from the hepatic duct and jejunal limb after major hepatectomy with pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). After hepatectomy and PD, reconstruction is performed by a modification of Child's method. A pancreaticojejunostomy is completed with interrupted sutures between the pancreatic duct and mucosa, without inserting a stent. During hepaticojejunostomy, a 10-F silicone drain with side channels (Blake Silicone Drain; Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) is placed within the hepatic duct via the stump of the jejunal limb to drain bile and pancreatic juice. The drain is connected to a continuous suction device and low suction pressure is started. We found that the low-pressure continuous suction of bile and pancreatic juice from the hepatic duct and jejunal limb was very effective after major hepatectomy with PD.