Extracellular volume fraction using contrast-enhanced CT is useful in differentiating intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate whether tumor extracellular volume fraction (fECV) on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) aids in the differentiation between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In this retrospective study, 113 patients with pathologically confirmed ICC (n = 39) or HCC (n = 74) who had undergone preoperative contrast-enhanced CT were enrolled. Enhancement values of the tumor (Etumor) and aorta (Eaorta) were obtained in the precontrast and equilibrium phase CT images. fECV was calculated using the following equation: fECV [%] = Etumor/Eaorta × (100 - hematocrit [%]). fECV values were compared between the ICC and HCC groups using Welch's t-test. The diagnostic performance of fECV for differentiating ICC and HCC was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. fECV and the CT imaging features of tumors were evaluated by two radiologists. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting a diagnosis of ICC. Results: Mean fECV was significantly higher in ICCs (43.8% ± 13.2%) than that in HCCs (31.6% ± 9.0%, p < 0.001). The area under the curve for differentiating ICC from HCC was 0.763 when the cutoff value of fECV was 41.5%. The multivariate analysis identified fECV (unit OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.21; p < 0.05), peripheral rim enhancement during the arterial phase (OR: 17.0; 95% CI: 1.29-225; p < 0.05), and absence of washout pattern (OR: 235; 95% CI: 14.03-3933; p < 0.001) as independent CT features for differentiating between the two tumor types. Conclusions: A high value of fECV, peripheral rim enhancement during the arterial phase, and absence of washout pattern were independent factors in the differentiation of ICC from HCC.

[Early and late operative results of simultaneous aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement].

Thirty-four patients of ascending aortic aneurysm associated with aortic regurgitation were treated with simultaneous aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement utilizing composite graft, until December 1990. Twenty-four patients of the group were diagnosed as Marfan's syndrome and 17 had aortic dissection. For the operative procedure, Bentall's technique were employed in 25 patients and other modifications in nine. Operative death was observed in three cases (8.8%) due to low output syndrome, caused by coronary ostium abnormality, all in Marfan's syndrome. Late death was observed in six including 2 hospital deaths of cerebro-vascular disturbance and sepsis. Other causes of death were rupture of residual aneurysm (in 3) and LOS at reoperation (in 1). Hospital survivors remarkably improved in NYHA class and in cardiac size. Actuarial survival in 3, 5, 7, and 10 years were 78%, 72%, 72%, and 62% respectively. Therefore, surgical result of composite graft technique in our institution proved to be reasonable as others. However, long term result of the procedure should be carefully evaluated, because of the anatomical and histopathological peculiarity of the disease.