Synthetic Study of Dragmacidin E: Enantioselective Construction of the Seven-Membered Ring-Fused Indole Skeleton with Contiguous Stereocenters.

We developed an enantioselective synthetic method of constructing a seven-membered ring-fused indole skeleton with contiguous stereocenters for the synthesis of dragmacidin E. Introduction of chirality at the benzylic position was achieved by Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation. After construction of the tricyclic molecular framework using Pd-catalyzed cascade cyclization, the tetrasubstituted carbon center was created using the Ag nitrene-mediated C-H amination reaction. The developed method provided access to the functionalized seven-membered ring-fused indole skeleton with a hydroxymethyl branch in the tetrasubstituted carbon.

Reducing the Volume of Upper Eyelids in East Asians Increases Vertical Palpebral Height.

BACKGROUND: Correcting puffy eyelids is important for improving the first impression. The puffiness is most predictable corrected by tissue resection and fat excision. Fold asymmetry, overcorrection, and recurrence can sometimes occur after levator aponeurosis manipulation. The objective of this study was to introduce a method of volume-controlled blepharoptosis correction (VC) without levator manipulation. METHODS: The medical records of patients who had undergone upper blepharoplasty between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Questionnaires, digital photographs, and charts were used to evaluate the surgical outcomes and complications. The degree of levator function was graded as poor, fair, good, or very good. Levator function must be above good (>8 mm) to employ the VC method. Poor and fair grades of levator function were excluded because they require levator aponeurosis manipulation. The margin to reflex distance (MRD) 1 was assessed preoperatively, 2 weeks postoperatively, and at follow-up visits. RESULTS: Postoperative satisfaction was 4.3 ± 0.8 with no postoperative discomfort (0%), and the duration of swelling was 10.1 ± 2.0 days. Regarding other complications, no fold asymmetry (0%) was observed, although hematoma formation was observed in 1 (2.9%) patient in the VC group. Significant differences were observed in the changes in palpebral fissure height over time (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: VC can effectively correct puffy eyelids and create natural-looking, beautiful, and thin eyelids. Thus, VC is associated with higher patient satisfaction and surgical longevity without serious complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Prediction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition molecular subtype using CT in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a prediction model with computed tomography (CT) images and to build a nomogram incorporating known clinicopathologic variables for individualized estimation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) subtype gastric cancer. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary resection of gastric cancer (GC) and molecular subgroup analysis (n = 451) were reviewed. Multivariable analysis using a stepwise variable selection method was performed to build a predictive model for EMT subtype GC. A nomogram using the results of the multivariable analysis was constructed. An optimal cutoff value of total prognostic points of the nomogram for the prediction of EMT subtype was determined. The predictive model for the EMT subtype was internally validated by bootstrap resampling method. RESULTS: There were 88 patients with EMT subtype and 363 patients with non-EMT subtype based on transcriptome analysis. The patient's age, Lauren classification, and mural stratification on CT were variables selected for the predictive model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.865, and the validated AUC of the bootstrap sample was 0.860. The optimal cutoff value of total prognostic points for the prediction of EMT subtype was 94.622, with 90.9% sensitivity, 67.2% specificity, and 71.8% accuracy. CONCLUSION: A predictive model using patient's age, Lauren classification, and mural stratification on CT for EMT molecular subtype GC was made. A nomogram was built which would serve as a useful screening tool for an individualized estimate of EMT subtype. KEY POINTS: • A predictive model for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) subtype incorporating patient's age, Lauren classification, and mural stratification on CT was built. • The predictive model had high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.865) and was validated (bootstrap AUC = 0.860). • Adding CT findings to clinicopathologic variables increases the accuracy of the predictive model than using only.

Prognostic significance of sarcopenia in microsatellite-stable gastric cancer patients treated with programmed death-1 inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia has been underscored as a significant predictor of poor prognosis in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of computed tomography (CT)-determined sarcopenia in patients with microsatellite-stable (MSS) gastric cancer (GC) treated with PD-1 inhibitors. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed patients with MSS GC who had been treated with PD-1 inhibitors from March 2016 to June 2019. Pre-treatment sarcopenic status was determined by analyzing L3 skeletal muscle index with abdominal CT. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences in survival probability according to sarcopenic status were compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of PFS and OS. RESULTS: Of 149 patients with MSS GC (mean age, 57.0 ± 12.3 years; 93 men), 79 (53.0%) had sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had significantly shorter PFS than patients without sarcopenia (median, 1.4 months vs. 2.6 months; P = 0.026). Sarcopenia was independently associated with shorter PFS (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-2.93; P = 0.020). Patients with sarcopenia had shorter OS than patients without sarcopenia (median, 3.6 months vs. 4.9 months; P = 0.052), but sarcopenia itself was not a significant prognostic factor for OS (adjusted HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.58-1.75; P = 0.974). CONCLUSIONS: CT-determined sarcopenia is an independent prognostic factor for PFS in patients with MSS GC treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct: Assessment of invasive carcinoma and long-term outcomes using MRI.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Imaging characteristics for discriminating the malignant potential of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) still remain unclear. This study aimed to define the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings that help to differentiate IPNB with an associated invasive carcinoma from IPNB with intraepithelial neoplasia and to investigate their significance with respect to long-term outcomes in patients with surgically resected IPNB. METHODS: This retrospective study included 120 patients with surgically resected IPNB who underwent preoperative MR imaging with MR cholangiography before surgery from January 2008 and December 2017 in two tertiary referral centers. Clinical and MR imaging features of IPNB with intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 34) and IPNB with an associated invasive carcinoma (n = 86) were compared. Regarding significant features for discriminating IPNB with or without an associated invasive carcinoma, recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant MR imaging findings for differentiating IPNB with an associated invasive carcinoma from IPNB with intraepithelial neoplasia were intraductal visible mass, tumor size ≥2.5 cm, multiplicity of the tumor, bile duct wall thickening, and adjacent organ invasion (all p ≤0.002). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates for surgically resected IPNB were 93.8%, 79.1%, and 70.0%, respectively. RFS rates were significantly lower in patients with each significant MR imaging finding of IPNB with an associated invasive carcinoma than in those without significant MR imaging findings (all p ≤0.039). CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging with MR cholangiography may be helpful in differentiating IPNB with an associated invasive carcinoma from IPNB with intraepithelial neoplasia. Significant MR imaging findings of IPNB with an associated invasive carcinoma have a negative impact on RFS. LAY SUMMARY: Significant magnetic resonance imaging findings that differentiated between an intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) with an associated invasive carcinoma and an IPNB with intraepithelial neoplasia were intraductal visible mass, tumor size ≥2.5 cm, multiplicity of the tumor, bile duct wall thickening, and adjacent organ invasion. Significant magnetic resonance imaging findings of invasive IPNB have a negative impact on recurrence-free survival.

Incisional Ptosis Correction with Hidden Double Fold in Asian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Korean males and a few females desire to have larger eyes; however, they often wish to enlarge their eyes and conceal their double eyelids. This paper attempts to describe how to make the eyes bigger and brighter without showing double-fold eyelids. METHODS: The authors performed cosmetic ptosis correction in 121 cases from April 2013 to December 2017. All patients enrolled in this retrospective study underwent surgical procedures at the author's institutions. Patients were included that had mild-to-moderate degrees of ptosis and levator function greater than 5 mm, ages greater than 16 years, and no prior ptosis surgery. RESULTS: A successful outcome was achieved with this surgical approach in 113 (93.4%) patients. Complications potentially associated with ptosis surgery were not observed. DISCUSSION: A refined method of preoperative evaluation for incisional ptosis correction to conceal a double fold with no visible signs of surgery is described. Ptosis correction without the formation of double eyelids will result in skin hooding and visible scarring, and thus, it is recommended to lower the height of the double eyelids. The lower height of double eyelids can cover the incisional scar and make it appear there are no double eyelids. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Biocompatible and Biodegradable Fe3+-Melanoidin Chelate as a Potentially Safe Contrast Agent for Liver MRI.

Currently, most MRI probes available for clinical use contain gadolinium, which is a high-risk paramagnetic metal that can cause severe side effects (e.g., nephrogenic systemic fibrosis). To limit such side effects and improve diagnostic efficacy, we developed a novel biocompatible MRI contrast agent using glucose, glycine, and paramagnetic iron ion. Glucose and glycine were polymerized into melanoidin by the nonenzymatic Maillard reaction, and Fe3+ was chelated stably with the melanoidin during polymerization. The Fe3+-melanoidin chelate had biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique contrast effects on both T1- and T2-weighted MRI, depending on the pH and oxidative environments. The administration of the Fe3+-melanoidin chelate to a mouse model of liver cancer showed highly enhanced liver-to-tumor contrasts on both T1- and T2-weighted MRI.

Mass-forming Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Diffusion-weighted Imaging as a Preoperative Prognostic Marker.

Purpose To assess the value of diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging as a prognostic marker in preoperative evaluation of patients with mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the informed consent requirement was waived. A total of 91 patients who underwent hepatic resection and DW imaging for mass-forming ICC were included. Two radiologists evaluated the degree of diffusion restriction of the tumors by using qualitative (visual) interpretation combined with quantitative analysis by volumetric evaluation of the whole tumor on DW images. Patients were classified into two groups: those in whom less than one-third of the tumor showed diffusion restriction (group 1) and those in whom more than one-third of the tumor showed diffusion restriction (group 2). Imaging findings in tumors were compared with pathology findings. Disease-free and overall survival rates were compared between the two groups by using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Results There were 43 patients in group 1 and 48 patients in group 2. The 1- and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 30% and 16%, respectively, in group 1 and 75% and 64%, respectively, in group 2 (P < .001). The 1- and 3-year overall survival rates were 77% and 26%, respectively, in group 1 and 92% and 67%, respectively, in group 2 (P = .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that diffusion restriction (P = .024), differentiation (P = .030), and intrahepatic metastasis (P = .001) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion The degree of diffusion restriction on DW images may be a prognostic marker in preoperative evaluation of patients with mass-forming ICC. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Hepatic enhancement of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced 3 Tesla MR imaging: Assessing severity of liver cirrhosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MR imaging in assessing the severity of cirrhosis and liver function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 120 patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced 3 Tesla (T) MR imaging (normal liver, n = 30; Child-Pugh class A, n = 30; B, n = 30; and C, n = 30). Groups were matched for underlying disease, age (±5 years), gender, and creatinine (±0.05 mg/dL). Contrast enhancement index (CEI) was calculated and compared between normal and cirrhosis groups. We analyzed the correlation between hepatic function parameters and CEI at hepatobiliary phase (HP). RESULTS: The degree and time course of hepatic enhancement significantly differed between normal and each cirrhosis group (P < 0.001). Mean CEI at HP constantly and significantly decreased as the severity of cirrhosis increased (P < 0.001). Total bilirubin (P = 0.022), albumin (P < 0.001), platelet count (P = 0.04), and Model for End Stage Liver Disease score (P = 0.01) were independent predictors of hepatic enhancement at HP. CONCLUSION: The degree of hepatic enhancement on Gd-EOB-DTPA indicates the severity of cirrhosis and is correlated with hepatic function parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1339-1345.

Safety of Percutaneous Biopsy for Hepatic Angiosarcoma: Results of a Multicenter Korean Survey.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of severe bleeding and mortality associated with percutaneous biopsy for hepatic angiosarcoma in a multicenter retrospective cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 33 patients with biopsy-proven hepatic angiosarcoma (29 male; median age, 57 y; age range, 24-96 y) was performed at seven tertiary academic hospitals between January 1998 and March 2015. The mean maximum tumor size was 5.5 cm (range, 1.7-20 cm). An 18-gauge automated cutting biopsy needle was used with a freehand technique in all patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy on an inpatient basis. The incidences of severe bleeding and procedure-related mortality were evaluated per Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) guidelines. RESULTS: There was a mean of 2.8 needle passes per patient during the procedure (range, 1-6). The overall incidence of severe bleeding events (SIR grade C/D) was 9.1% (3 of 33). Two patients were managed with blood transfusion, and one patient underwent embolization for bleeding control. No other major complications were encountered. There were no cases of mortality associated with the biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Severe bleeding was not a frequent complication after percutaneous biopsy for hepatic angiosarcoma. The majority of bleeding complications could be controlled with conservative management.

Iterative reconstruction: comparison of techniques for reduced-dose liver computed tomography following transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) algorithms have the potential to reduce dose while maintaining image quality. Purpose To compare computed tomography (CT) image quality and diagnostic performance among three reconstruction techniques - ASIR, MBIR, and filtered back projection (FBP) - after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Material and Methods Of 60 patients that underwent initial TACE for HCCs, half underwent dynamic liver CT with conventional scanning protocol, and the other half with dose reduction to approximately 60% of conventional exposure. All images were reconstructed using three algorithms: FBP, ASIR, and MBIR. For objective analysis, image noise and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were compared. For subjective analysis, three radiologists independently assessed image quality. Ability to detect viable HCCs was also evaluated. Results MBIR and ASIR produced images with less noise and higher SNR compared with FBP regardless of radiation dosage ( P < 0.017). However, in terms of subjective parameters, such as image blotchiness, artifacts, and overall quality, MBIR was inferior to FBP and ASIR ( P < 0.001). Regarding diagnostic performance, there were no significant differences among reviewers in the detection of viable HCCs depending on the reconstruction algorithm, regardless of the dose reduction protocol ( P > 0.017). Conclusion Although subjective evaluations suggest that MBIR images are of lower quality compared with FBP and ASIR regardless of radiation dosage, there were no significant differences among reconstruction algorithms in diagnosis of viable HCC after TACE.

Correlation of quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with microvascular density in necrotic, partial necrotic, and viable liver tumors in a rabbit model.

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with microvessel density (MVD) in necrotic, partial necrotic, and viable tumors using a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model. Nine rabbits were used for this study. The complete necrotic area (CNA), partial necrotic area (PNA), and viable tumor area (VTA) of liver tumors were experimentally induced by radiofrequency ablation (RFA). DCE-MRI data were processed based on the extended Kety model to estimate Ktrans, ve and vp parameters. The boundaries among CNA, PNA, and VTA were delineated based on H&E stain images, and MVD was assessed for each subregion of each VX2 tumor based. There were no correlations between ph-parameters (Ktrans, ve, and vp) and MVD for CNA. For PNA, the Ktrans values were positively correlated with the MVD (r = 0.8124, p < 0.001). For VTA, we found a positive correlation between Ktrans values and the MVD (r = 0.5743, p < 0.05). Measuring from both the PNA and the VTA, mean Ktrans values were positively correlated with mean MVD (r = 0.8470, p < 0.0001). In a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model, Ktrans values correlated well with MVD counts of PNA and VTA in liver tumors.

Foreign body reaction from anti-adhesion material during follow-up of gynaecological malignancies: Mimicking local recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Gynaecological surgery techniques and instruments have advanced and there is increasing effort to reduce operative complications by preventing adhesion complications after surgery. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible limitation of the Surgi-Wrap(®) anti-adhesion material during clinical follow-up of surgically managed gynaecological malignancies. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records and imaging findings of 92 patients who received the Surgi-Wrap(®) anti-adhesion material. RESULTS: Nine of the 92 patients had local recurrence based on the imaging findings. The positive imaging findings showed focal, isolated and small pelvic lesions without other distant metastasis or recurrence and normal tumour marker levels. Laparoscopic exploration and biopsy were performed in six patients and close clinical follow-up was performed for the other three patients, who had a strong diagnostic impression of a foreign body reaction mimicking a focal recurrence of the tumour. The histological findings of the six laparoscopically-explored patients revealed a foreign body reaction without malignancy in five and recurrence in one case. The rate of foreign body reaction, mimicking a local recurrence, was 5/92 (5.4% of histologically confirmed cases) and 8/92 cases had ambiguous findings between a foreign reaction and local recurrence (8.7% of clinically suspected cases). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to avoid confusion between benign and recurrent conditions during follow-up for gynaecological malignancies. We suggest avoiding use of Surgi-wrap(®) during cancer surgeries and a need for further studies on the safety of Surgi-wrap(®) in patients with cancer.

Nonhypervascular Hypointense Nodules at Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced MR Imaging in Chronic Liver Disease: Diffusion-weighted Imaging for Characterization.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features, including those on diffusion-weighted (DW) and T2-weighted images, in differentiating between hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and dysplastic nodules seen as hypointense nodules at hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived the need to obtain informed patient consent. There were 53 patients (39 men and 14 women; age range, 32-75 years) with histologically proven hypovascular HCCs (n = 25) and/or dysplastic nodules (n = 31) who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging at 3.0-T between March 2011 and January 2014. Images of 25 HCCs and 31 dysplastic nodules were analyzed for nodule size; signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted, portal venous phase, and DW (b value = 800 sec/mm(2)) images; and intralesional fat. Correlations between the hyperintensity grade of lesions and the liver-to-lesion signal intensity ratio at T2-weighted and DW imaging were determined by means of analysis with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Hyperintensity at T2-weighted and DW imaging and hypointensity in the portal venous phase were significant features for differentiating hypovascular HCCs from dysplastic nodules (P < .05). The sensitivity of DW imaging tended to be higher than that of T2-weighted imaging (72.0% [18 of 25] vs 40.0% [10 of 25]; P = .008 for grade 2 and 3 hyperintensity). Use of the parameter of hyperintensity similar to or slightly lower than the signal intensity of the spleen on DW images (b value = 800 sec/mm(2)) yielded a specificity of 100% (31 of 31) for the diagnosis of hypovascular HCC by differentiating it from a dysplastic nodule. CONCLUSION: Hyperintensity at DW imaging could be a useful MR imaging feature for differentiating hypovascular HCCs from dysplastic nodules seen as hypointense nodules at gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging.

Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Radiofrequency Ablation versus Nonanatomic Resection--Propensity Score Analyses of Long-term Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare radiofrequency (RF) ablation with nonanatomic resection (NAR) as first-line treatment in patients with a single Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0 or A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate the long-term outcomes of both therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. The requirement for informed consent was waived. Data were reviewed from 580 patients with HCCs measuring 3 cm or smaller (BCLC stage 0 or A) who underwent ultrasonographically (US) guided percutaneous RF ablation (n = 438) or NAR (n = 142) as a first-line treatment. Local tumor progression, intrahepatic distant recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were analyzed by using propensity score matching to compare therapeutic efficacy. In addition, major complications and length of postoperative hospital stay were compared. RESULTS: Before propensity score matching (n = 580), the 5-year cumulative rates of local tumor progression for RF ablation and NAR (20.9% vs 12.7%, respectively; P = .093) and overall survival rates (85.5% vs 90.9%, respectively; P = .194) were comparable, while the 5-year cumulative intrahepatic distant recurrence rates (62.7% vs 36.6%, respectively; P < .001) and disease-free survival rates (31.7% vs 61.1%, respectively; P < .001) in the NAR group were significantly better than those in the RF ablation group. After matching (n = 198), there were no significant differences in therapeutic outcomes between the RF ablation and NAR groups, including 5-year cumulative intrahepatic distant recurrence (47.0% vs 40.2%, respectively; P = .240) and disease-free survival rates (48.9% vs 54.4%, respectively; P = .201). RF ablation was superior to NAR for major complication rates and length of postoperative hospital stay (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In patients with one BCLC stage 0 or A (≤ 3 cm) HCC who received RF ablation or NAR as first-line treatment, there were no significant differences in long-term therapeutic outcomes; however, RF ablation was associated with fewer major complications and a shorter hospital stay after treatment.

Pancreatic duct "Icicle sign" on MRI for distinguishing autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in the proximal pancreas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine reliable MRI features of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) in the proximal pancreas that could allow its differentiation from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with AIP and 61 patients with PDAC in the proximal pancreas underwent MRI. Two observers analyzed MRI for lesion morphology, hypointensity degree on T1-weighted images, enhancement pattern during dynamic phases, capsule-like rim, presence of cysts and duct penetrating sign, morphology of bile duct, and icicle appearance and tortuosity of the upstream pancreatic duct. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of AIP were calculated for each category or combined. RESULTS: When isointensity on the portal and late phase of MRI and/or the icicle sign of pancreatic duct are applied, 100 % sensitivity for the diagnosis of AIP in the proximal pancreas was achieved. Applying both mild T1 hypointensity similar to the spleen and the icicle sign enabled 100 % specificity for the diagnosis of AIP by differentiating it from PDAC. CONCLUSION: The combination of the icicle sign in the upstream pancreatic duct and mild T1 hypointensity or isointensity on portal and late phase of dynamic MRI could be reliable MR features for the diagnosis of AIP in the proximal pancreas by allowing its differentiation from PDAC. KEY POINTS: • The icicle sign of the pancreatic duct is useful for diagnosing AIP. • Mild T1 hypointensity similar to the spleen is useful for diagnosing AIP. • Isointensity on portal and late phases MRI is useful for diagnosing AIP.

Renal function impairment in liver cirrhosis: preliminary results with diffusion-weighted imaging at 3 T.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) at 3 T for assessing renal function impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent both DWI at 3 T and renal function testing were retrospectively included. Twenty-two patients had moderate or severe renal function impairment (group A, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and 42 had good renal function or mild renal function impairment (group B, eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). Cortical and medullary apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of both kidneys were measured. AUC was assessed for predicting group A with ADC. The correlation between renal ADC and eGFR or serum creatinine was analyzed. The reproducibility of ADC measurement was investigated. RESULTS: Both cortical and medullary ADCs were lower in group A than in group B, (both, p < 0.05). In all patients, AUCs were 0.784 and 0.737 with cortical and medullary ADCs, respectively, for predicting group A. Both cortical and medullary ADCs had linear correlation with eGFR or serum creatinine (both, p < 0.05). The reproducibility of measurement was excellent for cortex (intraclass coefficient [ICC] = 0.808) and good for medulla (ICC = 0.692), with 1.6% or less variability. CONCLUSION: DWI may have potential for assessing renal function impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Frequency, CT findings, and fate of multiple infarcted regenerative nodules in liver cirrhosis after variceal bleeding or septic shock.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency, CT findings, and fate of multiple infarcted regenerative nodules in patients with liver cirrhosis after variceal bleeding or septic shock. METHODS: During a recent 3-year period, 492 patients with hematemesis or melena (n = 445) and septic shock (n = 47) in liver cirrhosis visited our hospital. After applying the exclusion criteria, 136 patients with active variceal bleeding and 29 patients with septic shock were finally included in the study. We diagnosed multiple infarcted regenerative nodules based on the findings of the first follow-up (within 30 days) CT after events. We evaluated the shape, number, size, margin, location, and distribution of the infarcted regenerative nodules. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were diagnosed with multiple infarcted regenerative nodules (20.6% [34/165]): 29 among 136 patients with variceal bleeding (21.3% [29/136]) and 5 among 29 patients with septic shock (17.2% [5/29]). Most of the infarcted regenerative nodules were round in shape, more than ten in number (79.4%), measured 1 cm or less (76.3%), had well-defined margins (61.8%), were present in the periphery (67.6%), and had a clustered distribution (67.6%). Almost all of the infarcted regenerative nodules disappeared on the second follow-up CT (88.9% [16/18]). CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhotic patients, multiple infarcted regenerative nodules were not rare (they were found in about one-fifth of the patients) on the first follow-up CT after variceal bleeding or septic shock. Majority of the infarcted regenerative nodules were more than ten in number, measured 1 cm or less, were located in the periphery, and had a clustered distribution.

Imaging features of subcentimeter hypointense nodules on gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary phase MR imaging that progress to hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), many subcentimeter hepatic nodules have been frequently detected in patients with chronic liver disease, and the prediction of subcentimeter nodules that progress to hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is important. PURPOSE: To reveal the imaging features of subcentimeter hypointense nodules on gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary phase MR images in patients with chronic liver disease that may be related with progression to hypervascular HCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 109 patients with 135 subcentimeter hypointense nodules (103 hepatocellular carcinomas [HCCs] and 32 benign nodules) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary phase. For each subcentimeter nodule, the following imaging features were analyzed: (i) hyperintensity on T2-weighted (T2W) image or DWI; (ii) arterial hypervascularization; and (iii) hypointensity on a portal or late phase. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of those imaging features for predicting subcentimeter nodules that progressed to hypervascular HCC were evaluated. Volume doubling time (VDT) of subcentimeter nodules that progressed to hypervascular HCC was compared to that of growing benign nodules. RESULTS: Arterial hypervascularization with washout yielded the highest specificity (90.6%) and PPV (95.4%) for prediction of subcentimeter nodules that progressed to hypervascular HCC. Combining hyperintensity on T2W image or DWI and arterial hypervascularization with washout did not raise the specificity (90.6%) for prediction of subcentimeter nodules that progressed to hypervascular HCC. Mean VDT (112.2 ± 106.3 days) of subcentimeter nodules that progressed to hypervascular HCC during follow-up was significantly shorter than those of benign subcentimeter nodules (1258 ± 766.5 days, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Arterial hypervascularization with washout in subcentimeter hypointense nodules on gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary phase in patients with chronic liver disease is strongly related with progression to hypervascular HCC.

Transarterial chemoembolization as first-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinomas infeasible for ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation: a retrospective cohort study of 116 patients.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently infeasible even for very early or early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to various reasons such as inconspicuous tumors or absence of a safe electrode path and the infeasibility rate is reportedly as high as 45%. In such cases, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a commonly practiced alternative. PURPOSE: To analyze long-term outcomes including tumor progression patterns and factors contributing to survival of patients who received TACE as the first line of therapy for very early or early stage HCC infeasible for US-guided RFA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2006 through October 2009, 116 patients with very early or early stage HCCs underwent the first-line therapy TACE after their tumors were deemed infeasible for RFA. Long-term survival rates were calculated and prognostic factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The patterns and rates of tumor progression or recurrence were also evaluated. RESULTS: The 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates of the whole cohort were 94.7%, 68.4%, and 47.2% with a mean overall survival of 53.1 months (95% CI: 48.2-58.0). Preserved liver function with Child-Pugh class A was the only independent factor associated with longer survival. The most common first tumor progression pattern was intrahepatic distant recurrence. The cumulative rates of local tumor progression and intrahepatic distant recurrence at 1, 3, and 5 years were 33% and 22%, 52% and 49%, and 73% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TACE is a viable first-line treatment of HCC infeasible for RFA, especially when liver function was preserved.