A Comparison of the Effects of Alcohol Abstinence and Drinking Habit on the Survival of Patients with Alcohol-related Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objective Abstaining from alcohol improves the outcome of alcohol-related cirrhosis. This study evaluated the effect of alcohol abstinence on the outcomes of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis recruited from a core hospital in Boso Peninsula, Japan. Methods This single-center retrospective study recruited 116 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis who were admitted to our department between April 2014 and October 2022. Taking the day of discharge as day 0, the patients were divided into two groups based on their subsequent behavior (abstinence/non-abstinence from alcohol). The study analysis included 98 patients after excluding 13 who died during hospitalization and 5 for whom follow-up at our hospital ended after discharge. We evaluated differences in the patient survival between the abstaining and drinking groups. Results The abstaining and drinking groups comprised 57 and 41 patients, respectively. We excluded from the analysis 10 and 6 patients with viable hepatocellular carcinoma in the abstaining and drinking groups, respectively. The findings revealed that the survival rate plateaued in the abstaining group from the third year onward, whereas the survival rate in the drinking group gradually decreased with time. Conclusion Our findings suggest that at least two years of alcohol abstinence is required to sustain the survival of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. The data collected by our hospital retrospectively demonstrated the importance of abstinence on a timescale of years of sustained abstinence.

Risk factors of unintentional piecemeal resection in endoscopic mucosal resection for colorectal polyps ≥ 10 mm.

This study aimed to investigate the lesion and endoscopist factors associated with unintentional endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection (uniEPMR) of colorectal lesions ≥ 10 mm. uniEPMR was defined from the medical record as anything other than a preoperatively planned EPMR. Factors leading to uniEPMR were identified by retrospective univariate and multivariate analyses of lesions ≥ 10 mm (adenoma including sessile serrated lesion and carcinoma) that were treated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) at three hospitals. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the number of cases treated by each endoscopist. A learning curve (LC) was created for each lesion size based on the number of experienced cases and the percentage of uniEPMR. Of 2557 lesions, 327 lesions underwent uniEPMR. The recurrence rate of uniEPMR was 2.8%. Multivariate analysis showed that lesion diameter ≥ 30 mm (odds ratio 11.83, 95% confidence interval 6.80-20.60, p < 0.0001) was the most associated risk factor leading to uniEPMR. In the LC analysis, the proportion of uniEPMR decreased for lesion sizes of 10-19 mm until 160 cases. The proportion of uniEPMR decreased with the number of experienced cases in the 20-29 mm range, while there was no correlation between the number of experienced cases and the proportion of uniEPMR ≥ 30 mm. These results suggest that 160 cases seem to be the minimum number of cases needed to be proficient in en bloc EMR. Additionally, while lesion sizes of 10-29 mm are considered suitable for EMR, lesion sizes ≥ 30 mm are not applicable for en bloc EMR from the perspective of both lesion and endoscopist factors.

Addition of Mechanical Lithotripsy to Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilation in Patients with Difficult Common Bile Duct Stones: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation (EPLBD) with and without mechanical lithotripsy (ML) in removing difficult common bile duct stones. Methods: Patients with difficult common bile duct stones treated with EPLBD, with or without ML, at the Eastern Chiba Medical Center between April 2014 and March 2020, were retrospectively evaluated. The rates of cumulative recurrence and complications were compared between the two groups. Results: Overall, 122 patients (n = 44, EPLBD + ML and n = 78, EPLBD) treated by 12 gastroenterologists were included. Patients in the EPLBD + ML group were older (85 years versus 81.5 years) and had larger maximum stone diameter (15 mm versus 12.5 mm) than those in the EPLBD group. Compared with the EPLBD group, the EPLBD + ML group required more endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures (≥2) (86% versus 67%) and longer total ERCP time after reaching the papilla (78.5 minutes versus 25 minutes). Complication rates were not significantly different (9.1% versus 12.8%); however, the cumulative recurrence rates were higher in the EPLBD + ML group than in the EPLBD group (69.4% versus 23.5% at 4 years). Conclusion: Although there were no differences in complication rates, the long-term recurrence rate was higher in the EPLBD + ML group than in the EPLBD group. This study emphasizes the added burden imposed by performing ML during ERCP and suggests that by appropriate case selection, it is possible to treat cases of difficult biliary stones using EPLBD without ML.

Treatment strategy changes for inflammatory bowel diseases in biologic era: results from a multicenter cohort in Japan, Far East 1000.

Many molecular targeted agents, including biologics, have emerged for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but their high prices have prevented their widespread use. This study aimed to reveal the changes in patient characteristics and the therapeutic strategies of IBD before and after the implementation of biologics in Japan, where the unique health insurance system allows patients with IBD and physicians to select drugs with minimum patient expenses. The analysis was performed using a prospective cohort, including IBD expert and nonexpert hospitals in Japan. In this study, patients were classified into two groups according to the year of diagnosis based on infliximab implementation as the prebiologic and biologic era groups. The characteristics of therapeutic strategies in both groups were evaluated using association analysis. This study analyzed 542 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 186 Crohn's disease (CD). The biologic era included 53.3% of patients with UC and 76.2% with CD, respectively. The age of UC (33.9 years vs. 38.8 years, P < 0.001) or CD diagnosis (24.3 years vs. 31.9 years, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in the biologic era group. The association analysis of patients with multiple drug usage histories revealed that patients in the prebiologic era group selected anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents, whereas those in the biologic era group preferred biologic agents with different mechanisms other than anti-TNF-α. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that both patient characteristics and treatment preferences in IBD have changed before and after biologic implementation.

Liver cirrhosis is a risk factor for poor prognosis of acute cholangitis caused by choledocholithiasis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Acute cholangitis, which is characterized by biliary infection and acute liver injury, may impact cirrhosis prognosis. However, the prognosis itself remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study compared the mortality and liver function change between patients with and without cirrhosis who underwent endoscopic treatment for acute cholangitis caused by choledocholithiasis between January 2004 and December 2019. RESULTS: We analyzed 699 patients, 44 of whom had cirrhosis. The cirrhotic group had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate than the noncirrhotic group (14% vs. 1%; P < 0.001). The cirrhotic group also had significantly lower total bilirubin and albumin recovery. However, all patients with cirrhosis who survived achieved total-bilirubin recovery, and 91% achieved albumin recovery within 90 days. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, the independent risk factors for total-bilirubin recovery included cirrhosis (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95%CI, 0.24‒0.58; P < 0.001) and high total-bilirubin level (0.46; 95%CI, 0.34‒0.60; P < 0.001), whereas those for albumin recovery were cirrhosis (0.51; 95%CI, 0.33‒0.79; P = 0.002), high age (0.62; 95%CI, 0.47‒0.82; P < 0.001), organ dysfunction (0.62; 95%CI, 0.39‒0.96; P = 0.03), low albumin level (0.57; 95%CI, 0.36‒0.91; P = 0.02), and high C-reactive protein level (0.73; 95%CI, 0.56‒0.95; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cirrhosis complicated with acute cholangitis had poor prognosis. Recovery of liver function after endoscopic treatment was slow; nevertheless, most patients who survived could recover within 90 days.

Long-term effects of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation in patients with challenging bile duct calculi: A retrospective observational study.

ABSTRACT: Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) can be used to treat challenging common bile duct stones. No previous studies have reported intractable cases treated either by EPLBD or mechanical lithotripter use. We aimed to evaluate and compare the long-term effects of EPLBD with mechanical lithotripter use.This retrospective cohort study reviewed data from 153 patients admitted to the Eastern Chiba Medical Center from April 2014 to March 2020, presenting with common bile duct calculi that could not be removed using a basket or balloon catheter. Patients were divided into groups depending on whether the treatment was performed using a mechanical lithotripter or EPLBD. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate of common bile duct calculi, and the secondary outcome was the rate of postoperative adverse events. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the 2 groups. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.The median age of patients included in the lithotripter and EPLBD groups were 73 years and 83 years, respectively (P = .006), while the sex ratio (male:female) in the groups was 18:13 and 55:67, respectively. The EPLBD group showed a statistically larger median bile duct diameter (13 mm [range: 8-24 mm] vs 11 mm [range: 5-16 mm]; P < .001), larger maximal calculus diameter (median, 13.5 mm [range: 8-25 mm] vs 11 mm [range: 7-16 mm]; P < .001), and shorter median cumulative treatment time after reaching the duodenal papilla (35.5 minutes [range: 10-176 minutes] vs 47 minutes [range: 22-321 minutes]; P = .026) in comparison to the lithotripter group. There was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events between the EPLBD and the mechanical lithotripter groups. The recurrence rate was significantly lower (P = .014) in the EPLBD group.EPLBD increases therapeutic efficacy and reduces treatment duration for patients in whom calculus removal is difficult, without increasing the frequency of adverse events. No serious adverse events were observed. Additionally, EPLBD appears to reduce the risk of long-term recurrence. Future studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes in younger patients.

[Current state of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for chronic liver disease in 91 cases of primary hepatocellular carcinoma].

We retrospectively evaluated the effect of follow-up for chronic liver disease in 91 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Of these patients, 38 (41.8%) were followed-up for chronic liver disease, while 53 patients (58.2%) were not followed-up. Regarding the baseline status of the liver, the proportion of patients with non-viral hepatitis was significantly higher among patients who were not followed-up (p<0.001). Furthermore, the cumulative survival rate was significantly lower among patients who were not followed-up (p=0.013). Among the 53 patients who were not followed-up, 20 (37.7%) patients did not undergo abdominal imaging for hepatic evaluation despite recorded hepatic issues, and 31 patients (58.5%) were treated by a primary care doctor. Our study suggests that the identification of patients with non-viral hepatitis and confirmation that they are followed-up are vital for improving the prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease.

Safety and Efficacy of Early Tube Removal Following Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage: an Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: There are currently no guidelines concerning the advisability and timing of tube removal following percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). The present study aimed to assess the feasibility and risks of early removal of the PTGBD tube under the scenario of subsiding inflammation, patent cystic and common bile ducts, and absence of intraperitoneal leakage. METHODS: Patient background and outcomes were assessed retrospectively in 701 cases of acute cholecystitis treated with PTGBD. The median times until tube removal and tube dislodgement and the cumulative rates of tube dislodgement were calculated. RESULTS: Tube removal was performed in 275 patients after a median time of 16 days (range: 6 to 213 d); biliary peritonitis was observed in 2 patients following tube removal. Tubes were removed in 8 and 35 patients within 7 and 10 days, respectively. Tube dislodgement was observed in 82 patients after a median time of 12 days (range: 1 to 125 d). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that drainage tube removal is safe and effective when performed after a short drainage period of 7 to 10 days if the criteria for the removal of the drainage tube were met.

Suspicion of superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a patient with severe gastric dilatation after catheter ablation.

Catheter ablation is a widely used treatment for atrial fibrillation. Gastric hypomotility due to periesophageal vagal plexus injury is a consequence of the extracardiac penetration of ablative energy. Some affected patients develop severe gastric dilatation requiring hospitalization. However, most previous reports have stated the cause of the subject's condition to be "unknown" or described the symptoms using obscure terms, such as "paralytic" or "gastroparesis." For example, one report stated that a few sites of severe gastric dilatation were secondary to "pyloric spasms;" however, no illustrations were provided in the paper. "Superior mesenteric artery syndrome" is a suspected cause of such dilatation.

The potential of transabdominal 3D color doppler ultrasonography for diagnosis of gastric varices.

GOALS/BACKGROUND: To examine the potential of transabdominal 3-dimensional (3D) color Doppler ultrasonography (3D-US) as a noninvasive tool to characterize gastric varices. STUDY: This was a prospective study in which endoscopy was performed on 107 patients with chronic liver disease. Among these patients, 70 (42 males, 28 females) had gastric varices (46 fundal varices, 24 cardia varices; 30 small, 28 medium, and 12 large), and the 37 patients (25 males, 12 females) without gastric varices served as controls. The 3D-US data and endoscopic findings were compared with respect to grade, location, and similarity of varices. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the 3D-US technique to detect gastric varices were 88.6% (62/70) and 100% (37/37), respectively. Although all fundal varices appeared adjacent to the posterior gastric wall, cardia varices were detected separately from the wall with a mean distance of 21.2 mm. The vascular volumes (mL) were 0.84±0.71 in small varices, 5.52±3.81 in medium varices, and 10.9±6.3 in large varices, with significant differences between different grades. The best cutoff value to detect medium-grade/large-grade gastric varices was 2.0 mL, with 83.3% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity. Seventy-nine percent (55/70) of patients showed partial resemblance or better between the 3D images and the endoscopic findings with good interreviewer agreement. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-US can quantitatively characterize gastric varices noninvasively in terms of grade, location, and appearance. This approach has the potential to improve objectivity and reduce invasiveness in the management of gastric varices.

Effects of inferior mesenteric vein flow in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) is detected in more than 90% of computed tomography images. Little is known about the hemodynamic features of IMV as a collateral vessel in portal hypertension, or its effects in clinical presentation and outcome. We investigated the roles of the IMV in portal hemodynamics, clinical presentation, and outcomes of patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 467 patients with cirrhosis (274 men; age, 64.6 ± 10.9 y). We assessed hemodynamics in the IMV using Doppler sonography and compared these data with patients' clinical presentation and patient outcome. RESULTS: IMV was detected in 94 patients (20.1%); 51 patients had hepatopetal flow, 33 patients had hepatofugal flow, and 10 patients had to-and-fro flow. Those with hepatofugal flow had a significantly greater number of ascites than those with hepatopetal flow, higher Child classification (P = .004), and a higher incidence of decompensated liver (51.5% vs 27.5%; P = .015) and rectal varices (56.3% vs 13.3%; P = .013). The incidence of gastroesophageal varices was lower among those with hepatofugal flow (51.5%; P = .005) or to-and-fro flow (40%; P = .008) than those with hepatopetal flow (80.4%). IMV had similar effects after adjustment for liver function. There were no differences in the cumulative rates of survival during the median 17.2 months of follow-up evaluation, when the patients with and without IMV were stratified by Child classification. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis, hepatofugal flow of the IMV appears to increase the risk of ascites and liver decompensation but reduce the risk for gastroesophageal varices. Although IMV is associated with reduced liver function, it does not affect survival.

The application of transabdominal 3D ultrasound for the diagnosis of gastric varices: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using transabdominal three-dimensional (3D) colour Doppler ultrasound as a non-invasive tool to demonstrate and quantify gastric varices. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A phantom study compared the 3D water flow volume data in a hose with the actual volume inside the hose at three different flow velocities. The prospective clinical study examined the reliability and reproducibility of 3D volume data for gastric varices (mild 28, moderate 26, large 8) in 62 patients. The 3D images were acquired using the colour Doppler with both convex and micro-convex probes. RESULTS: The phantom study showed a 12.4-17.6% difference between the 3D data and the actual volume with no difference between the two types of probes or three velocities. The detectability of gastric varices was identical between the two probes (54/62, 87.1%). However, the scanning efficiency was significantly greater for the micro-convex probe (66.9 ± 14.1%) than the convex probe (57.3 ± 14%, p=0.012). Body mass index was the only factor that had a significant relationship with the detectability of varices. The mean volume (mL) of the 3D signal was 0.82 ± 0.74 for mild varices, 5.48 ± 3.84 for moderate varices, and 10.63 ± 6.67 for large varices with significant differences between different grades. The intra-/inter-rater reliability was excellent. CONCLUSION: The method of 3D colour Doppler ultrasound is reliable and reproducible in the quantitative assessment of vascular volume and is applicable for grading gastric varices. This study may offer a practical usefulness for 3D ultrasonography as an alternative to endoscopy.

Efficacy of lamivudine or entecavir against virological rebound after achieving HBV DNA negativity in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) lead to viral suppression and undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in some individuals infected with HBV, but the rate of virological rebound has been unknown in such patients. We examined the prevalence of virological rebound of HBV DNA among NA-treated patients with undetectable HBV DNA. We retrospectively analyzed 303 consecutive patients [158 entecavir (ETV)- and 145 lamivudine (LAM)-treated] who achieved HBV DNA negativity, defined as HBV DNA < 3.7 log IU/mL for at least 3 months. They were followed up and their features, including their rates of viral breakthrough, were determined. Viral rebound after HBV DNA negativity was not observed in the ETV-group. Viral rebound after HBV DNA negativity occurred in 38.7% of 62 HBe antigen-positive patients in the LAM-group. On multivariate analysis, age was an independent factor for viral breakthrough among these patients (P = 0.035). Viral rebound after HBV DNA negativity occurred in 29.1% of 79 HBe antigen-negative patients in the LAM-group. Differently from LAM, ETV could inhibit HBV replication once HBV DNA negativity was achieved. In contrast, LAM could not inhibit HBV replication even if HBV negativity was achieved in the early phase. Attention should be paid to these features in clinical practice.

Adherence to medication is a more important contributor to viral breakthrough in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with entecavir than in those with Lamivudine.

Viral breakthrough is related to poor adherence to medication in some chronic hepatitis B patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). Our study aimed to examine how adherence to medication is associated with viral breakthrough in patients treated with NAs. A total of 203 patients (135 ETV and 68 LAM) were analyzed in this retrospective analysis. Physical examination, serum liver enzyme tests, and hepatitis B virus marker tests were performed at least every 3 months. We reviewed medical records and performed medical interviews regarding to patients' adherence to medication. Adherence rates <90% were defined as poor adherence in the present study. Cumulative viral breakthrough rates were lower in the ETV-treated patients than in the LAM-treated patients (P<0.001). Seven ETV-treated (5.1%) and 6 LAM-treated patients (8.8%) revealed poor adherence to medication (P=0.48). Among ETV-treated patients, 4 (3.1%) of 128 patients without poor adherence experienced viral breakthrough and 3 (42.8%) of 7 patients with poor adherence experienced viral breakthrough (P<0.001). Only 3 of 38 (7.8%) LAM-treated patients with viral breakthrough had poor adherence, a lower rate than the ETV-treated patients (P=0.039). Nucleoside analogue resistance mutations were observed in 50.0% of ETV- and 94.1% of LAM-treated patients with viral breakthrough (P=0.047). Viral breakthrough associated with poor adherence could be a more important issue in the treatment with especially stronger NAs, such as ETV.

Short- and long-term clinical outcome after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration: is pretreatment portal flow direction a predictive factor?

PURPOSE: To determine whether pretreatment portal flow direction can predict different clinical manifestations or prognosis after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for gastric varices. METHODS: The subjects were 103 cirrhotic patients with medium- or large-grade gastric varices treated by B-RTO. Short- and long-term clinical outcomes were compared among patients with forward portal flow (F group) and those with reversed or to-and-fro portal flow (R group) on color Doppler sonography before B-RTO. RESULTS: Deterioration of liver function reserve 1 year after B-RTO was more frequent in the R group (34.7 %) than in the F group (11.1 %, p = 0.0251). Thrombotic disorders within 1 year after B-RTO were also more frequent in the R group (20.7 %) than in the F group (2.7 %, p = 0.0079). There was no significant difference in cumulative survival rate of Child class A patients between the two groups. In Child class B or class C patients, however, the cumulative survival rate was poorer in the R group (68.7, 30.5, and 30.5 % at 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively) than in the F group (94.9, 58.8, and 37.8 % and 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively; p = 0.0097). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodynamic assessment of portal flow direction is important before B-RTO, and care should be taken to manage thrombotic disorders in the perioperative period in patients with reversed portal flow after B-RTO. Another treatment option might be preferred for gastric varices in Child classes B and C patients with reversed portal flow instead of B-RTO, which may have a poor prognosis.

Magnitude of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography as a noninvasive predictor for hepatic fibrosis: comparison with liver stiffness measurement and serum-based models.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the efficiency of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography alone and in combination with other noninvasive models for grading hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: This prospective study included 74 patients with four grades (F1-F4) of chronic liver disease (17, 20, 18, and 19 patients, respectively). Diagnostic performances of the contrast parameter (time to the maximum intensity ratio between the right portal vein and liver parenchyma from the onset of contrast enhancement in the right portal vein) assessed by ultrasonography, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), FIB-4 test, and type IV collagen 7s were compared with histological findings. RESULTS: Greatest areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (Az) with the single model were 0.83 (95 % confidence interval 0.71-0.91) for marked fibrosis (≥F2) by FIB-4 test; 0.85 (0.73-0.92) for advanced fibrosis (≥F3) by LSM, and 0.92 (0.83-0.96) by type IV collagen 7s for cirrhosis (F4). When combined, Az for marked fibrosis was ≥0.82; the best Az value was 0.87 (0.74-0.94) for the combination of contrast parameter with FIB-4. Similarly, the Az for advanced fibrosis was ≥0.82, and the best Az value was 0.89 (0.78-0.94) for the combination of contrast parameter with LSM. The Az for cirrhosis was ≥0.95, and the best Az was 0.99 (0.97-1.00) for the combination of contrast parameter with LSM. CONCLUSIONS: The contrast parameter is a promising predictor for grading hepatic fibrosis when combined with LSM or FIB-4.

Characterization of hepatic lesions (≤ 30 mm) with liver-specific contrast agents: a comparison between ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: Imaging-based differentiation of hepatic lesions (≤ 30 mm) between well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (w-HCC) and regenerative nodules (RN) presents difficulties. The aim was to compare the diagnostic abilities to differentiate w-HCC from RN using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both with liver-specific contrast agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 67 pathologically proven hepatic lesions (17.5 ± 5.4mm, 54 w-HCCs, 13 RNs) in 56 patients with chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis (male 40, female 16; 29-79y). Hepatic-arterial/liver-specific phase enhancements were assessed quantitatively by ultrasound with perflubutane microbubble agent and MRI with gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine with respect to the histological findings. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of hepatic-arterial phase hyper-enhancement for w-HCC were 59.3%, 100% and 67.2% by ultrasound and 46.3%, 100% and 56.7% by MRI without significant difference. Meanwhile, those of liver-specific-phase hypo-enhancement for w-HCC were 44.4%, 100% and 55.2% by ultrasound and 87.0% (p<0.0001), 46.2% (p=0.0052) and 79.1% (p=0.0032) by MRI. Diagnostic accuracies for w-HCC by area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were higher in the hepatic-arterial phase in ultrasound (0.8316) than MRI (0.6659, p=0.0101) and similar in the liver-specific phase in ultrasound (0.7225) and MRI (0.7347, p=0.8814). CONCLUSIONS: Hypervascularity is a significant feature which distinguishes w-HCC from RN, and ultrasound exerts a beneficial impact better than MRI for such characterization. However, both imaging have comparable abilities in the characterization of non-hypervascular lesions, compensating mutually for the poor sensitivity of ultrasound and the poor specificity of MRI in the liver-specific phase.

Linear enhancement after radio-frequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: is it a sign of recurrence?

This prospective study was performed in 179 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions treated by radio-frequency ablation (RFA) to explore the clinical outcome of "linear enhancement" on contrast-enhanced sonogram. Thirty-three lesions (18.4%) showed linear enhancement, a linear-shaped positive enhancement in the RFA-treated area. Seventeen of them were followed up with no treatment (remaining 16; dropout in eight, additional RFA in six and ineffective treatment in two) and three lesions (3/17, 17.6%) showed local tumor progression corresponding to linear enhancement at 7, 14, 19 months after RFA. Although there was no significant difference in local recurrence rate between the lesions with (3/17) and without linear enhancement (10/35), local tumor progression inside the ablation zone occurred only in the lesions with linear enhancement. In conclusion, linear enhancement inside the RFA-treated area should be followed up within 7 months because it has a risk of local tumor progression. Histology of linear enhancement and its influence on distant recurrence remain to be solved.

Heterogeneous staining in the liver parenchyma after the injection of perflubutane microbubble contrast agent.

This study aimed to characterize the features of heterogeneous staining in the liver after injection of perflubutane microbubble agent (Sonazoid(TM), 0.0075 mL/kg). Digitized hepatic contrast sonograms from 906 subjects were reviewed to assess time-related changes in heterogeneous staining and the possible association between this effect and the clinical backgrounds was analyzed. Heterogeneous staining was found in seven subjects (0.77%) on 15-min phase sonograms. The staining initially appeared as hyper-enhanced circular spots in the liver 10 min or later after the agent injection. The number of spots increased gradually with unequally-spaced distribution. Although the staining pattern did not improve during the examination, there were no abnormal findings in vital signs or symptoms on the day and blood test results or sonograms on the following day. Heterogeneous staining is a side effect that impedes ultrasound examination. However, at present, the precise causes and underlying mechanisms of this event are unknown.