Is intraoperative ultrasound still useful for the detection of colorectal cancer liver metastases?

BACKGROUND: Debate on the optimal mode of preoperative imaging in the management of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is ongoing and, despite its longstanding use, the precise role of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) is not well established. This study evaluates the impact of IOUS in the era of high-quality, cross-sectional imaging techniques. METHODS: All patients who underwent liver resection for CRLM in a tertiary care referral centre from January 2006 to December 2013 were included. All patients were submitted to computed tomography (CT) and/or liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery. Intraoperative US was performed mainly to detect previously non-diagnosed tumours that would change the surgical strategy. RESULTS: A total of 225 liver resections were performed. Liver MRI and CT scans were available for 202 patients (89.8%) and 225 patients (100%), respectively. Radiological reports recorded 632 liver tumours in 219 patients (i.e. 2.9 lesions per patient). The median time between preoperative liver MRI and surgical resection was 36 days. Intraoperative inspection, palpation and US found 20 additional lesions in 18 patients (8.0%), in three of whom lesions were diagnosed only on IOUS (1.4%). Overall, only 12 of the 20 lesions were malignant. CONCLUSIONS: Although CT and liver MRI are commonly used, IOUS alone allows the discovery of a few additional lesions that result in a change of surgical strategy in 1.4% of cases.

Coronary artery disease is more severe in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality, but mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate coronary artery calcifications via the coronary calcification score in primary hyperparathyroidism patients, to compare with control subjects, and to identify risk factors for high to intermediate risk coronary calcification scores (coronary calcification score >100). METHOD: Cross-sectional study of primary hyperparathyroidism patients without a history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, or severe, chronic kidney disease. Coronary calcification scores were compared with a cohort of population-based control subjects. RESULTS: The mean coronary calcification score was 120 ± 344 in 130 primary hyperparathyroidism patients. The coronary calcification score was >100 in 27 patients (21%). When compared with control subjects, the percentage of positive coronary calcification scores was similar in primary hyperparathyroidism patients (53% vs 50%); however, positive coronary calcification scores were at the 67th percentile of the control subjects cohort (P < .001). In multivariable regression, patient age (1.1; 1.1-1.2; P < .001), patients in the mild normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism group (5.1; 1.1-22.6; P = .037), and the need for antihypertensive medications (6.1; 1.8-20.9; P < .001) remained independent predictors for a coronary calcification score >100. CONCLUSION: Positive coronary calcification scores were greater in primary hyperparathyroidism patients than in population-based control subjects. These study data may provide new criteria for parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy as an ablative treatment for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To describe efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: The records of 77 consecutive patients treated with SBRT for 97 liver-confined HCC were reviewed. A total dose of 45Gy in 3 fractions was prescribed to the 80% isodose line. Local control (LC), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity were studied. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 12months. The median tumor diameter was 2.4cm. The LC rate was 99% at 1 and 2years. The 1 and 2-year OS were 81.8% and 56.6% respectively. The median time to progression was 9months (0-38). The rate of hepatic toxicity was 7.7% [1.6-13.7], 14.9% [5.7-23.2] and 23.1% [9.9-34.3] at 6months, 1year and 2years respectively. In multivariate analysis, female gender (HR 7.87 [3.14-19.69]), a BCLC B-C stage (HR 3.71 [1.41-9.76]), a sum of all lesion diameters ⩾2cm (HR 7.48 [2.09-26.83]) and a previous treatment (HR 0.10 [0.01-0.79]) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. CONCLUSION: SBRT allows high local control for inoperable hepatocellular carcinomas. It should be considered when an ablative treatment is indicated in Child A patients.