Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Liver or Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, That's the Question: A Review of the Literature.

An inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver is a rare tumor-like lesion composed of polymorphous inflammatory cell infiltrates and variable amounts of fibrosis that can often mimic a malignant liver neoplasm. The etiology of inflammatory pseudotumors of the liver is unknown; symptoms are faint and imaging non-specific. Thus, it is often hard to make a diagnosis preoperatively and it is not so rare to over-treat patients with this disease or vice versa. Thus, more profound knowledge is necessary to plan appropriate disease management. We reported our two cases and systematically searched the literature regarding IPTL. We selected articles published in English from four databases, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, and we included only articles with consistent data. Twenty nine papers fulfilling criteria for the review were selected. The analysis of 69 cases published from 1953 confirmed that the risk factors are unclear, the imaging data is not specific, and biopsy is crucial but not so widely used in clinical practice due to the procedure's related risks, and relatively low effectiveness and improvement in imaging analysis. Regarding treatment, surgeons have moved towards a more conservative attitude over the years due to better imaging quality and patient surveillance. However, surgery remains the modality of choice for most cases with an indeterminate diagnosis. Even if an inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver is a benign tumor with a good prognosis, not requiring any treatment in most cases, sometimes it remains challenging to differentiate it from ICC; therefore, there is a solid recommendation to manage this condition with a multidisciplinary team.

Radical cholecystectomy without liver resection for peritoneal side early incidental gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Simple cholecystectomy may be an adequate treatment only for very early disease (Tis, T1a), whereas reoperation is recommended for more advanced disease (T1b and T2). Radical cholecystectomy should have two fundamental objectives: To radically resect the liver parenchyma and to achieve adequate clearance of the lymph nodes. However, recent studies have shown that compared with lymph node dissection alone, liver resection does not improve survival outcomes. The oncological roles of lymphadenectomy and liver resection is distinct. Therefore, for patients with incidental GBC without liver invasion, hepatic resection is not always mandatory.

Detection and Real-Time Surgical Assessment of Colorectal Liver Metastases Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging during Laparoscopic and Robotic-Assisted Resections.

BACKGROUND: The European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) recommends, with strong evidence, the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging combined with intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) to improve identification of superficial liver tumors. This study reports the use of ICG for the detection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) during minimally invasive liver resection. METHODS: A single-center consecutive series of minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) hepatic resections for CRLMs was prospectively evaluated (April 2019 and October 2023). RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were enrolled-11 undergoing laparoscopic and 14 undergoing robotic procedures. The median age was 65 (range 50-85) years. Fifty CRLMs were detected: twenty superficial, eight exophytic, seven shallow (<8 mm from the hepatic surface), and fifteen deep (>10 mm from the hepatic surface) lesions. The detection rates of CRLMs through preoperative imaging, laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS), ICG fluorescence, and combined modalities (ICG and LUS) were 88%, 90%, 68%, and 100%, respectively. ICG fluorescence staining allowed us to detect five small additional superficial lesions (not identified with other preoperative/intraoperative techniques). However, two lesions were false positive fluorescence accumulations. All rim fluorescence pattern lesions were CRLMs. ICG fluorescence was used as a real-time guide to assess surgical margins during parenchymal-sparing liver resections. All patients with integrity of the fluorescent rim around the CRLM displayed a radical resection during histopathological analysis. Four patients (8%) with a protruding rim or residual rim patterns had positive resection margins. CONCLUSIONS: ICG fluorescence imaging can be integrated with other conventional intraoperative imaging techniques to optimize intraoperative staging. Rim fluorescence proved to be a valid indicator of the resection margins: by removing the entire fluorescent area, a tumor-negative resection (R0) is achieved.

Multimodular robotic systems (Hugo RAS and Versius CMR) for pelvic surgery: tasks and perspectives from the bed-side assistant.

The Hugo RAS and Versius are new robotic systems with a multimodular configuration, requiring a dedicated positioning of units, arms and trocars. While promising flexibility and multiquadrant opportunities-with an enhanced range of motion-the presence of multiple units around the patient should be effectively managed by the assistant and requires a new background of tasks. The article represents a practical guide while providing an overview on assistants' perspectives.

Prior Robotic Console Expertise May Improve Basic Skills at the New Hugo RAS Simulator: Results from a Cohort Trial and Implications for Skill Transference Across Platforms.

Background: Robot-assisted surgery ensures minimal invasiveness; since the expiry of the Da Vinci patent, new robotic systems have entered the market. Recently, the Hugo RAS received CE approval for several surgical procedures. However, more is needed to know about skill acquisition at the new simulator. Objective: This study aims to analyse the factors impacting basic surgical skills at the Hugo RAS simulator. Design setting and participants: We present a cross-sectional study involving 71 participants of different backgrounds invited to a hands-on session with the Hugo RAS simulator voluntarily. All of them had no prior expertise with the system. Participants were recruited among medical/nurse students, residents, and laparoscopic and robotic surgeons. Intervention: All participants underwent a hands-on "pick and place" exercise at the Hugo RAS simulator; the metrics of a second-round pick and place exercise were recorded. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Metrics were analysed with regard to the following variables: demographics, videogame use, and prior surgical experience (no surgical expertise, experience with laparoscopy, and experience with robotic console). Results and limitations: All participants completed the test. Of them, 77.5% were naïve to surgery, 8.5% had prior laparoscopic expertise, and 14.1% had prior robotic console experience. The time to complete the pick and place exercise was significantly lower (p < 0.001) among prior robotic surgeons (38 s, interquartile range [IQR] 34-45) compared with both naïve participants (61 s, IQR 53-71) and laparoscopists (93 s, IQR 53-162). The overall score of the exercise decreased with age (p = 0.046); however, the overall scores were significantly and steadily higher among surgeons experienced in robotic consoles across all age groups (p = 0.006). Neither gender (p = 0.7) nor videogame use (p = 0.9) correlated significantly with the metrics. Conclusions: This is the first study analysing factors impacting basic skill acquisition at a new robotic simulator. Experience with robotic consoles may represent a major factor, raising the hypothesis of the transferability of basic robotic skills across different robotic systems. Further studies are required to explore this issue. Patient summary: In the present study, we analysed which characteristics may affect the basic surgical skills at a novel robotic platform.

Utility of near infrared fluorescent cholangiography in detecting biliary structures during challenging minimally invasive cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons can minimize the risk of bile duct injury (BDI) during challenging mini-invasive cholecystectomy through technical standardization by means of a precise anatomical landmark identification (Critical View of Safety) and advanced technology for biliary visualization. Among these systems, the adoption of magnified stereoscopic 3-dimensional view provided by robotic platforms and near infrared fluorescent cholangiography (NIRF-C) is the most promising. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we evaluated all consecutive minimally invasive cholecystectomies (laparoscopic and robotic) performed with NIRF-C between May 2022 and January 2023 at General Surgery Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital (Milan, Italy). Inclusions criteria were as follows: (1) acute cholecystitis (emergency group), (2) history of chronic cholecystitis or complicated cholelithiasis (deferred urgent group), (3) difficult cases (patients affected by cirrhosis, with scleroatrophic gallbladder or BMI > 35 kg/m2). For each group, the detection rate and visualization order of the main biliary structures were reported (cystic duct, CD; common hepatic duct, CHD; common bile duct, CBD; and CD-CHD junction). RESULTS: A total of 101 consecutive patients were enrolled, including 83 laparoscopic and 18 robotic cholecystectomies. All patients were stratified into three subgroups: (a) emergency group (n = 33, 32.7%), (b) deferred urgent group (n = 46, 45.5%), (c) difficult group (n = 22, 21.8%). Visualization of at least one biliary structure was possible in 94.1% of cases (95/101). Interestingly, all four main structures were detected in 43.6% of cases (44/101). The CD was the structure identified most frequently, being recognized in 91/101 patients (90.1%), followed by CBD (83.2%), CHD (62.4%), and CD-CHD junction (52.5%). In the subset of patients that underwent emergency surgery for AC, the CD-CHD confluence was identified in only 45.5% of cases. However, early and precise identification of CBD (75.8%) and CD (87.9%) allowed safe isolation, clipping, and transection of the cystic duct. In the deferred urgent group, the CBD and the CD were easily identified as first structure in a high percentage of cases (65.2% and 41.3% respectively), whereas the CD-CHD junction was the third structure to be identified in 67.4% of cases, the highest value among the three subgroups. In the difficult group, NIRF-C did not prove to be a useful tool for biliary visualization. The rates of failure of visualization were elevated: CBD (27.3%), CD (18.2%), CHD (54.5%), and CD-CHD (68.2%). CONCLUSIONS: NIRF-C is a powerful real-time diagnostic tool to detect CBD and CD during minimally invasive cholecystectomy, especially when inflammation due to acute or chronic cholecystitis subverted the anatomy of the hepatoduodenal ligament.

Ceramide present in cholangiocarcinoma-derived extracellular vesicle induces a pro-inflammatory state in monocytes.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare cancer characterized by a global increasing incidence. Extracellular vesicles (EV) contribute to many of the hallmarks of cancer through transfer of their cargo molecules. The sphingolipid (SPL) profile of intrahepatic CCA (iCCA)-derived EVs was characterized by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The effect of iCCA-derived EVs as mediators of inflammation was assessed on monocytes by flow cytometry. iCCA-derived EVs showed downregulation of all SPL species. Of note, poorly-differentiated iCCA-derived EVs showed a higher ceramide and dihydroceramide content compared with moderately-differentiated iCCA-derived EVs. Of note, higher dihydroceramide content was associated with vascular invasion. Cancer-derived EVs induced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in monocytes. Inhibition of synthesis of ceramide with Myriocin, a specific inhibitor of the serine palmitoyl transferase, reduced the pro-inflammatory activity of iCCA-derived EVs, demonstrating a role for ceramide as mediator of inflammation in iCCA. In conclusion, iCCA-derived EVs may promote iCCA progression by exporting the excess of pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory ceramides.

Laparoscopic Microwave Ablation: Which Technologies Improve the Results.

Liver resection is the best treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when resectable. Unfortunately, many patients with HCC cannot undergo liver resection. Percutaneous thermoablation represents a valid alternative for inoperable neoplasms and for small HCCs, but it is not always possible to accomplish it. In cases where the percutaneous approach is not feasible (not a visible lesion or in hazardous locations), laparoscopic thermoablation may be indicated. HCC diagnosis is commonly obtained from imaging modalities, such as CT and MRI, However, the interpretation of radiological images, which have a two-dimensional appearance, during the surgical procedure and in particular during laparoscopy, can be very difficult in many cases for the surgeon who has to treat the tumor in a three-dimensional environment. In recent years, more technologies have helped surgeons to improve the results after ablative treatments. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the radiological images has allowed the surgeon to assess the exact position of the tumor both before the surgery (virtual reality) and during the surgery with immersive techniques (augmented reality). Furthermore, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging seems to be a valid tool to enhance the precision of laparoscopic thermoablation. Finally, the association with laparoscopic ultrasound with contrast media could improve the localization and characteristics of tumor lesions. This article describes the use of hepatic three-dimensional modeling, ICG fluorescence imaging and laparoscopic ultrasound examination, convenient for improving the preoperative surgical preparation for personalized laparoscopic approach.

Correlation Between Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Patterns and Grade of Differentiation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Western Prospective Cohort Study.

Background. Most of the available evidence on the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence in clinical practice consists of articles published by surgeons of the Asian-Pacific area. We performed a prospective cohort study to assess the patterns of ICG fluorescence in Western hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) counterparts.Methods. From April 2019 to January 2022, a total of 31 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for superficial HCC were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent laparoscopic staging with both laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) and ICG fluorescence imaging.Results. A total of 38 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were enrolled: 23 superficial (surfacing at the liver's Glissonian capsule), 5 exophytic, 5 shallow (<8 mm from the hepatic surface) and 5 deep (>10 mm from the hepatic surface). The detection rate with preoperative imaging (abdominal CT/MRI), LUS, ICG fluorescence and combined modalities (ICG and LUS) was 97.4%, 94.9%, 89.7% and 100%, respectively. The five deep seated lesions underwent ultrasound-guided laparoscopic thermal ablation. The other 33 HCCs were treated with minimally invasive liver resection. Intraoperative ultrasound patterns were registered for each single nodule resected. The ICG fluorescence pattern was classified in two types: total fluorescence (all the tumoral tissue showed strong and homogeneous fluorescence), n = 9/33 (27.3%), and non-total fluorescence (partial and rim fluorescence), n = 24/33 (72.7%). There was a statistical correlation between ICG patterns and grade of differentiation. Almost all lesions with uniform fluorescence pattern were well-differentiated HCCs (G1-G2), while partial and rim-type fluorescence pattern were more common among moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs (G3-G4) (88.9% vs 11.1%, 37.5% vs 62.5%, P = .025, respectively).Conclusions. ICG fluorescence imaging could be used to identify early the grade of HCC, ie intraoperatively, thus influencing the intraoperative treatment.

Laparoscopic Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green fluorescence (ICG) is one of the first fluorophore that found a clinical application in medicine. In the liver, ICG fluorescence is due to the preserved uptake but impaired washout of the dye from hepatocellular cells into the bile ducts. Therefore, some hepatobiliary surgeons proposed the technique of intravenous ICG injection before surgery for the detection of superficial hepatocarcinomas (HCCs) and colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). Little evidence exists regarding the use of ICG to identify other hepatic tumors, such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). We report two patients affected by ICC who underwent laparoscopic liver resection with lymphadenectomy, the ICG staining was routinely performed not only to evaluate the site of the hepatic lesions but also to guide the extension of liver resection. METHODS: It was injected intravenously a single dose of ICG dye (0.5 mg/kg) during liver function tests 5 days before scheduled surgery. All patients underwent laparoscopic staging with both laparoscopic ultrasound and ICG fluorescence imaging. RESULTS: It was identified two different patter of ICG imaging: rim and segmental fluorescence for mass forming and mixed ICC subtype respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of the ICC subtype before definitive histological examination may have an impact on the surgical plan.

Defective DNAM-1 Dependent Cytotoxicity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Infiltrating NK Cells.

BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in immune surveillance and response to tumors, their function regulated by NK cell receptors and their ligands. The DNAM-1 activating receptor recognizes the CD155 molecule expressed in several tumor cells, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to investigate the role of the DNAM-1/CD155 axis in mediating the NK cell response in patients with HCC. METHODS: Soluble CD155 was measured by ELISA. CD155 expression was sought in HCC cells by immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and flow cytometry. DNAM-1 modulation in NK cells was evaluated in transwell experiments and by a siRNA-mediated knockdown. NK cell functions were examined by direct DNAM-1 triggering. RESULTS: sCD155 was increased in sera from HCC patients and correlated with the parameters of an advanced disease. The expression of CD155 in HCC showed a positive trend toward better overall survival. DNAM-1 downmodulation was induced by CD155-expressing HCC cells, in agreement with lower DNAM-1 expressions in tumor-infiltrating NK (NK-TIL) cells. DNAM-1-mediated cytotoxicity was defective both in circulating NK cells and in NK-TIL of HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence of alterations in the DNAM-1/CD155 axis in HCC, suggesting a possible mechanism of tumor resistance to innate immune surveillance.

MICA/B-targeted antibody promotes NK cell-driven tumor immunity in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

The major histocompatibility complex-class I chain related proteins A and B (MICA/B) is upregulated because of cellular stress and MICA/B shedding by cancer cells causes escape from NKG2D recognition favoring the emergence of cancers. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare, though increasingly prevalent, primary liver cancer characterized by a late clinical presentation and a dismal prognosis. We explored the NKG2D-MICA/B axis in NK cells from 41 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). The MICA/B-specific 7C6 mAb was used for ex vivo antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) experiments using circulating, non tumor liver- and tumor-infiltrating NK cells against the HuCCT-1 cell line and patient-derived primary iCCA cells as targets. MICA/B were more expressed in iCCA than in non-tumoral tissue, MICA transcription being higher in moderately-differentiated compared with poorly-differentiated cancer. Serum MICA was elevated in iCCA patients in line with higher expression of ADAM10 and ADAM17 that are responsible for proteolytic release of MICA/B from tumor. Addition of 7C6 significantly boosted peripheral, liver- and tumor-infiltrating-NK cell degranulation and IFNγ production toward MICA/B-expressing established cell lines and autologous iCCA patient target cells. Our data show that anti-MICA/B drives NK cell anti-tumor activity, and provide preclinical evidence in support of 7C6 as a potential immunotherapeutic tool for iCCA.

Role of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging in Minimally Invasive Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging is an easy and reproducible method to detect hepatic lesions, both primary and metastatic. This review reports the potential benefits of this technique as a tactile mimicking visual tool and a navigator guide in minimally invasive liver resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for studies reporting the use of intravenous injection of ICG before minimally invasive surgery for CLRM. The search was performed for publications reported from the first study in 2014 to April 2021. The final review included 13 articles: 6 prospective cohort studies, 1 retrospective cohort study, 3 case series, 1 case report, 1 case-matched study, and 1 clinical trial registry. The administered dose ranged between 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg, while timing ranged between 1 and 14 days before surgery. CRLM detection rate ranged between 30.3% and 100% with preoperative imaging (abdominal computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging), between 93.3 and 100% with laparoscopic ultrasound, between 57.6% and 100% with ICG fluorescence, and was 100% with combined modalities (ICG and laparoscopic ultrasound) with weighted averages of 77.42%, 95.97%, 79.03%, and 100%, respectively. ICG fusion imaging also allowed to detect occult small-sized lesions, not diagnosed preoperatively. In addition, ICG is effective in real-time assessment of surgical margins by evaluating the integrity of the fluorescent rim around the CRLM.

Impact of Platelet Count on Perioperative Bleeding in Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Surgical Treatments of Liver Cancer.

In patients with cirrhosis with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count [PC] <50 × 109 /L) and undergoing invasive procedures, it is common clinical practice to increase the PC with platelet transfusions or thrombopoietin receptor agonists to reduce the risk of major periprocedural bleeding. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between native PC and perioperative bleeding in patients with cirrhosis undergoing surgical procedures for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively evaluated 996 patients with cirrhosis between 1996 and 2018 who underwent surgical treatments of HCC by liver resection (LR) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) without prophylactic platelet transfusions. Patients were allocated to the following three groups based on PC: high (>100 × 109 /L), intermediate (51-100 × 109 /L), and low (≤50 × 109 /L). PC was also analyzed as a continuous covariate on multivariable analysis. The primary endpoint was major perioperative bleeding. The overall event rate of major perioperative bleeding was 8.9% and was not found to differ significantly between the high, intermediate, and low platelet groups (8.1% vs. 10.2% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.48). On multivariable analysis, greater age, aspartate aminotransferase, lower hemoglobin, and treatment with LR (vs. RFA) were found to be significant independent predictors of major perioperative bleeding, with associations with disease etiology and year of surgery also observed. After adjusting for these factors, the association between PC and major perioperative bleeding remained nonsignificant. Conclusion: Major perioperative bleeding was not significantly associated with PC in patients with cirrhosis undergoing surgical treatment of HCC, even when their PC was <50 × 109 /L. With the limit of a retrospective analysis, our data do not support the recommendation of increasing PC in patients with severe thrombocytopenia in order to decrease their perioperative bleeding risk.

COVID-19 outbreak and acute cholecystitis in a Hub Hospital in Milan: wider indications for percutaneous cholecystostomy.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Italian National Health Care system at many different levels, causing a complete reorganization of surgical wards. In this context, our study retrospectively analysed the management strategy for patients with acute cholecystitis. METHODS: We analysed all patients admitted to our Emergency Department for acute cholecystitis between February and April 2020 and we graded each case according to 2018 Tokyo Guidelines. All patients were tested for positivity to SARS-CoV-2 and received an initial conservative treatment. We focused on patients submitted to cholecystostomy during the acute phase of pandemic and their subsequent disease evolution. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were admitted for acute cholecystitis (13 grade I, 16 grade II, 8 grade III). According to Tokyo Guidelines (2018), patients were successfully treated with antibiotic only, bedside percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 29.7%, 21.6% and 48.7% of cases respectively. Therapeutic strategy of three out of 8 cases, otherwise fit for surgery, submitted to bedside percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (37.5%), were directly modified by COVID-19 pandemic: one due to the SARS-CoV-2 positivity, while two others due to unavailability of operating room and intensive care unit for post-operative monitoring respectively. Overall success rate of percutaneous cholecystostomy was of 87.5%. The mean post-procedural hospitalization length was 9 days, and no related adverse events were observed apart from transient parietal bleeding, conservatively treated. Once discharged, two patients required readmission because of acute biliary symptoms. Median time of drainage removal was 43 days and only 50% patients thereafter underwent cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous cholecystostomy has shown to be an effective and safe treatment thus acquiring an increased relevance in the first phase of the pandemic. Nowadays, considering we are forced to live with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, PC should be considered as a virtuous, alternative tool for potentially all COVID-19 positive patients and selectively for negative cases unresponsive to conservative therapy and unfit for surgery.

Micronvasive behaviour of single small hepatocellular carcinoma: which treatment?

BACKGROUND: Microinvasion (MI), defined as infiltration of the portal or hepatic vein or bile duct and intrahepatic metastasis are accurate indicators of a poor prognosis for mall hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). A previous study showed that intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) definition of MI-HCC had a high concordance with histological findings. Aim of this study is to evaluate overall survival and recurrence patterns of patients with MI-HCC submitted to hepatic resection (HR) or laparoscopic ablation therapies (LAT). METHODS: A total of 171 consecutive patients (78 h; 93 LAT) with single, small HCC (< 3 cm) with a MI pattern at IOUS examination were compared analyzing overall survival and recurrence patterns using univariate and multivariate analysis and weighting by propensity score. RESULTS: Overall recurrences were similar in the 2 groups (HR: 51 patients (65%); LAT: 66 patients (71%)). The rate of local tumor progression in the HR group was very low (5 pts; 6%) in comparison to LAT group (22 pts; 24%; p = 0.002). The overall survival curves of HR are significantly better than that of the LAT group (p = 0.0039). On the propensity score Cox model, overall mortality was predicted by the surgical treatment with a Hazard ratio 1.68 (1.08-2.623) (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: If technically feasible and in patients fit for surgery, HR with an adequate tumor margin should be preferred to LAT in patients with MI-HCC at IOUS evaluation, to eradicate MI features near the main nodule, which are relatively frequent even in small HCC (< 3 cm).

Application of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence as an Adjuvant to Laparoscopic Ultrasound in Minimally Invasive Liver Resection.

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging has been extensively used in a variety of applications in visceral surgery. In minimally invasive liver resections, the detection of small superficial hepatic lesions using an intravenous injection of ICG before surgery represents a promising application. Methods: We analyzed 18 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection for superficial malignant tumors, namely 11 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 5 patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), 1 patient with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and 1 patient with thyroid cancer metastasis, using ICG fluorescence as an adjuvant tool to intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS). Results: An optimal ICG 15-minute clearance retention rate (R15 < 10%) and ICG plasma disappearance rate (<18%/minute) were present in 11 patients (61.1%) and in 14 patients (77.7%), respectively. Liver tumors were 29 in total, including 14 HCCs (48.3%), 13 CRLMs (44.8%), 1 ICC (3.4%), and 1 thyroid cancer metastasis (3.4%). Twenty-nine tumors (100%) were correctly visualized with ICG/fluorescence, as compared with 21 tumors identified with LUS (72.4%). After complete liver mobilization, ICG staining allowed to identify more superficial lesions (early HCC and small CRLM) in posterolateral segments (Segments 6 and 7) as compared with LUS (14 versus 10 lesions). In addition, in segments usually treated laparoscopically (e.g., left lateral segments), ICG was superior to LUS (10 versus 6 lesions) to identify superficial early HCC in patients with macronodular cirrhosis. Conclusions: ICG visual feedback might substitute the tactile feedback of the hand and might in some cases act as a "booster" of LUS for superficial hepatic lesions.

Management of Leaks Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Using Specifically Designed Large Covered Metal Stents.

BACKGROUND: Leaks are the major complication associated with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of specifically designed large covered metal stents for the management of post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy leaks. METHODS: Prospectively collected databases from three Italian Endoscopy Units were reviewed. The primary outcome of the study was to evaluate the clinical success of stents placement, defined as complete resolution of clinical and laboratory signs of sepsis with radiological evidence of leak closure. Secondary outcomes were stent-related adverse events and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (67% females, mean age 45 years) were included in the study and a total of 26 stents were placed. Technical success of stent placement was achieved in all cases (100%). Clinical success was observed in 85.5% of patients. Stent-related adverse events occurred in 9 patients (43%), with stent migration as the most frequent complication (33%). Adverse events were more frequently observed in patients who had undergone bariatric surgery prior to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy compared to patients without previous surgery (83% et al. 27%, p=0.018). CONCLUSION: The placement of specifically designed covered metal stents appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy leaks. Stent migration can be a frequent complication.

LI-RADS to categorize liver nodules in patients at risk of HCC: tool or a gadget in daily practice?

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of liver reporting and data system (LI-RADS) to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to retrospectively evaluate its impact on the adopted therapeutic strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative imaging of 40 of 350 patients (median age 66, 31 M/9 F) submitted to liver resection for suspected HCC, between January 2008 and August 2019, has been retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists with different expertise, according to CT/MRI LI-RADS® v2018, both blinded to clinical and pathological results and untrained to using aforementioned scoring system. RESULTS: The perfect agreement between the readers was about 62.5% (25/40) (Cohen k: 0.41), better for LR-5 category (16/25) and higher in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations (68%; 13/19), which has been demonstrated the modality of choice for diagnosis of high probable and certain HCC, with arterial phase hyperenhancement as the most sensitive and accurate major feature. Compared to final histology, LR4 and LR5 scores assigned by senior radiologist reached sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, PNV) and diagnostic accuracy of 90,9%, 29,0%, 93,8%, 62,5% and 87,5%, respectively, slightly higher than junior's ones. Misdiagnosis of HCC was done by both radiologists in the same two patients: 1 primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) and 1 regenerative liver nodule (RLN). If LI-RADS would have been applied at the time of pre-surgical imaging, treatment planning would be modified in 10% of patients (4/40); the patient scheduled as LR-3 and finally resulted a focal nodular hyperplasia would have avoided liver resection. CONCLUSIONS: Application of LI-RADS, especially on MRI, may provide a more accurate evaluation of suspected HCC. PHL and RLN are the Achille's heels according to our experience.