Biomarkers as prognostic and predictive factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing radiological oncological interventions.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common malignant liver tumor in adults and thermal ablation and transarterial embolization are important methods of therapy. Thermal ablation can be used in early stages. Methods based on the transarterial approach, especially transarterial chemoembolization, play an important role in intermediate stage diseases. The success of procedures depends not only on the biological nature and the size of the tumor, on the technical design of the procedure and on the patient's response to treatment, but also on the molecular changes associated with these procedures. In addition to classic predictive and prognostic factors including age, patient comorbidities, Child-Pugh score, tumor characteristics, presence of large surrounding vessels, and portal vein thrombosis, molecular prognostic and predictive factors (serum biomarkers) are often mentioned in studies. Currently, only a-fetoprotein is routinely used as a prognostic biomarker; however, there are studies referring to new serum biomarkers that can potentially help to classical markers and imaging methods to determine the cancer prognosis and predict the success of therapy. These biomarkers most often include g-glutamyltranspeptidase, des- g-carboxyprothrombin, some types of microRNAs, inflammatory and hypoxic substances, whose serum levels are changed by the intervention therapies. Evaluation of these molecules could lead to the optimization of the medical intervention (choice of therapy method, timing of treatment) or change the management of patient follow-up after interventions. Although several biomarkers have shown promising results, most serum biomarkers still require validation in phase III studies. PURPOSE: The aim of this work is to present a comprehensive overview of classical and molecular biomarkers that could potentially help in the prognostic stratification of patients and better predict the success and effect of radiological intervention methods.

Case report Ileal diverticulitis with covered perforation complicated by pulmonary embolism - case report.

Diverticulitis of the ileum is an inflammatory complication of diverticulosis. It is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen that can have a very serious course, leading, for example, to intestinal perforation or bleeding. Imaging findings are very often negative and the true cause of the condition is only revealed peroperatively. In this case report, we present a case of perforated ileal diverticulitis in a patient with bilateral pulmonary embolism. This was the main reason for conservative management in the first period of time. After resolution of the pulmonary embolism, resection of the affected bowel segment was performed at the time of the next attack.

Appendiceal mucocele - a radiologists view.

Appendiceal mucocele is an obstructive dilatation of the appendix, which results from the filling of its lumen with mucus. This is a rare condition that is asymptomatic in half of the patients. Its severity depends on the cause of appendiceal dilatation. In a small percentage of cases, the dilated appendix ruptures, leading to the development of serious complication; this is termed as pseudomyxoma peritonei. Due to the possibility of malignant etiology of the mucocele, surgical resection remains an essential part of the treatment.

Experimental model of occluded biliary metal stent recanalization using irreversible electroporation via a tubular catheter.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of irreversible electroporation (IRE) for treating biliary metal stent occlusion in an experimental liver model. METHODS AND MATERIALS: IRE was performed using an expandable tubular IRE-catheter placed in nitinol stents in the porcine liver. A 3-electrode IRE-catheter was connected to an IRE-generator and one hundred 100µs pulses of constant voltage (300, 650, 1000, and 1300 V) were applied. Stent occlusion was simulated by insertion of liver tissue both ex vivo (n = 94) and in vivo in 3 pigs (n = 14). Three scenarios of the relationship between the stent, electrodes, and inserted tissue (double contact, single contact, and stent mesh contact) were studied. Electric current was measured and resistance and power calculated. Pigs were sacrificed 72 h post-procedure. Harvested samples (14 experimental, 13 controls) underwent histopathological analysis. RESULTS: IRE application was feasible at 300 and 650 V for the single and double contact setup in both ex vivo and in vivo studies. Significant differences in calculated resistance between double contact and single contact settings were observed (ex-vivo p ˂ 0.0001, in-vivo p = 0.02; Mann-Whitney). A mild temperature increase of the surrounding liver parenchyma was noted with increasing voltage (0.9-5.9 °C for 300-1000 V). The extent of necrotic changes in experimental samples in vivo correlated with the measured electric current (r2 = 0.39, p = 0.01). No complications were observed during or after the in-vivo procedure. CONCLUSION: Endoluminal IRE using an expandable tubular catheter in simulated metal stent occlusion is feasible. The relationship of active catheter electrodes to stent ingrowth tissue can be estimated based on resistance values.

Synchronous liver metastases of rectal cancer and the possibility of simultaneous resection.

Treatment of metastatic rectal cancer and liver metastases continues to pose a major challenge. Synchronous liver metastases are present in up to one fifth of patients diagnosed with rectal carcinoma. Multidisciplinary cooperation is essential for determination of the consequent diagnostic and therapeutic plan. Only tight collaboration of experts from different medical fields allows for optimal timing of various medical procedures leading to a maximal benefit for the patient. Given the complexity of the problem, different specific methods and combinations thereof are applied in the course of the therapy, making the design of straightforward guidelines impossible. Since open surgery is complicated by the vastly distant locations of the rectum and liver, minimally invasive approach brings more perspectives in simultaneous surgery. A novel possibility of robotic and/or laparoscopic surgery performed by two teams is currently being developed. Despite the progress in surgical technology, optimal strategy has not yet been established.

Chemoembolization for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma - National Registry-Based Analysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate survival benefit in patient undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by national registry data analysis and comparison of regions with unequal usage of interventional radiology procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 4,343 patients with primary diagnosis of HCC between 2010-2016 were extracted from the databases of The Czech National Cancer Registry. The analysis was supported by data from the National Registry of Paid Health Services and the Death Records Database. Primary treatment option was categorized as liver resection, ablation, TACE and chemotherapy. The regional data analysis provided information of interventional radiology procedures frequency for primary treatment of HCC. The 14 main regions were symmetrically divided to group with well-developed interventional radiology service and low-developed interventional radiology service according the frequency of stage adjusted interventional radiology procedure usage (< 15%, > 15%). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used for survival and hazard ratios (HR) analyses. RESULTS: Only 1,730 patients had assessed any primary treatment option, 16.5 % (285) were treated by TACE. Median of survival were significantly different in regions with well and low developed interventional radiology service for whole study population (13.2 vs. 6.5 months, p < 0.001), patients treated in regions with well-developed interventional radiology service had lower risk of death during treatment (HR 0.73; 0.66-0.81). The patient treated by TACE had median of survival 15.8 months (13.5-18.1), while the survival was not significantly different in region groups. CONCLUSION: The usage of anticancer therapies based on interventional radiology procedures is a huge factor influences the survival of HCC patient according population-based data. Studies gathering data from cancer register databases can provide further information on treatment effectiveness. This work was created at Masaryk University in the project „Oncological radiological interventions and their benefit in complex oncological treatment, comparison of dedicated oncological treatment results data of the Czech republic II“ (MUNI/A/1574/2018), supported by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. This publication was additionally suported by Ministry of Health grant No. 15-32484A. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 1. 3. 2019 Accepted: 4. 3. 2019.

Patient with inoperable pheochromocytoma.

Malignant pheochromocytoma is a tumour with a very low incidence that occurs sporadically or in the presence of multiple endocrine neoplasia. We present the case of a woman with a sporadic occurrence of pheochromocytoma diagnosed in the phase of multiple dissemination in the abdominal cavity and overexpressing adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. Local transarterial chemoembolization and systemic treatment with lanreotide resulted in a very good response, a decrease in the production of catecholamines for 12 months and a partial decrease for another 8 months, with stabilization of disease determined by imaging. Systemic treatment with tegafur resulted in disease stabilization lasting 50 months, after which the drug was discontinued because of adverse effects. Maintenance therapy with lanreotide continues, and no disease progression has been observed for 4 months. The treatment algorithm for such patients is multidisciplinary and must always take into account the current scope of the disease, intercurrence, and the general condition of the patient.

Spontaneous duodenal intramural haematoma imitating pancreatic pseudocyst.

Spontaneous intramural duodenal haematoma develops mostly as a complication of anticoagulation therapy. Other causes were reported only as case reports. CT diagnostics has some typical features in an intramural haematoma of the small bowel. This is especially hyperdensity of the bowel wall during the first 10 days from the onset of symptoms (30-80 HU), which could contribute to the differentiation from other infiltrative processes. These features are fully expressed only in a certain part of patients. We reported a 54 year-old female treated for epigastric pain. The patient's history, laboratory data, ultrasonography and CT findings resulted in a mistaken diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, necrosis of the pancreatic body with a subsequent development of pancreatic pseudocyst. The CT guided drainage was performed. The correct diagnosis was made one year later--surgical treatment was indicated for clinical signs of GI obstruction and CT findings of pseudocyst recurrence. During the operation, there was a finding of intramural haematoma in the duodenojejunal border. We performed an evacuation of the haematoma and gastroenteroanastomosis.

[Radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor]. / Radiofrekvencní ablace neuroendokrinního nádoru pankreatu.

BACKGROUNDS: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) include a broad range of neoplasms spanning from relatively benign to malignant. Radical resection has been advocated as the only curative method. Debulking (R2) resection can be indicated for locally unresectable PNETs. Debulking surgery improves the quality of life and prolongs overall survival. The disadvantages of this approach include bleeding, pancreatic fistula and tumor spread. No alternative method that would eliminate these complications has been published yet. Considering the encouraging results of the studies describing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of locally advanced pancreatic cancer, a question arises, whether it might be possible to use RFA as a R2 resection alternative in PNETs. CASE: A 73-year-old gentleman had been admitted due to abdominal pain and hyperglycaemic syndrome. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a tumor of pancreatic head invading portal vein (PV) and superior mesenteric vein (VMS). A surgery was indicated on the basis of EUS-guided FNAB that verified a PNET of uncertain biological behaviour. The surgery confirmed a locally advanced tumor of pancreatic head invading the PV and SMV. Due to the polymorbidity, radical pancreatoduodenectomy with SMV resection was not indicated. Because of the presence of symptoms, RFA of the PNET using ValleyLab generator with cooltip cluster electrode, was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful. Final immunohistochemical examination verified a well-differentiated grade 1 PNET. The patient was regularly monitored during a three-year follow-up. The quality of life was evaluated using standardized EORT QLQ-30 questionnaire. Pain was assessed by a ten-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Ablated area was evaluated annually by contrast-enhanced CT. Postoperatively, abdominal pain ceased (pain decrease from 2 to 0 on VAS). Insulin dose was reduced from 46 IU (international units) to 20 IU of Humulin-R per day. CT verified tumor regression according to RECIST (response evaluation criteria in solid tumors). During the three-year follow-up, no local progression or tumor dissemination was observed. CONCLUSION: We present the first case report of a patient with locally advanced symptomatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor successfully treated by intraoperative radiofrequency ablation. More clinical studies are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of this cytoreductive method in the PNET indication.

Role of imaging methods in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

Diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis is a complex interdisciplinary team problem. Without knowledge of classification and the current opinion of other experts on this disease, the radiologist cannot be an adequate partner in this team. Nonetheless, the radiologist has a very important position, primarily 'thanks to' computed tomography (CT) in diagnosis and fading of the disease and the possibilities offered by minimally invasive treatment of early and late complications of this disease. A turning point from the viewpoint of diagnosing acute pancreatitis was first marked by Balthazar's classification and then establishing the CTSI (severity index for the disease based on CT findings), proposed by Balthazar as well. Radiologists' increasingly more active approach to drainage of acute fluid collections and pseudocysts in patients with acute pancreatitis as well as some possibilities for percutaneous treatment of necroses has led to a reassessment of surgeons' attitudes. A persistent problem is the correct indication and timing of CT scans and the drainage itself. In their concise communication, the authors present data from the literature and summarize their own experience. They highlight the most common mistakes, especially in the indication and timing of individual methods. Finally, they present their views on a practical approach to the use of CT and percutaneous drainage in these patients.

Combined treatment of achalasia - botulinum toxin injection followed by pneumatic dilatation: long-term results.

Injection of botulinum toxin (BT) and pneumatic dilatation are available methods in nonsurgical treatment of achalasia. Authors anticipate beneficial effect of prior BT injection on the success of pneumatic dilatation and duration of its effect. There are no long-term data available to assess efficacy of combined treatment. From 1998 to 2007, 51 consecutive patients (20 men and 31 women, age 24-83) with achalasia were included and prospectively followed up. Each patient received injection of 200 IU of BT into the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) during endoscopy and 8 days later pneumatic dilatation (PD) under X-ray control was performed. The follow-up was established every 3 months first year and then annually. The efficacy was evaluated by a questionnaire concerning patient's symptoms and manometry. Results were compared with 40 historical controls (16 men and 24 women, age 26-80) treated by PD alone using the same method and follow-up. Fifty-one patients underwent combined treatment. Four patients failed in follow-up and were not included for analysis. The mean duration of follow-up was 48 months with range 12-96 months. Thirty-four of forty-seven (72%) patients were satisfied with results with none or very rare and mild troubles at the time of the last visit. Forty-one patients were followed up more than 2 years. Effect of therapy lasted in 75% (31/41) of them. In 17 patients, more than 5 years after treatment, effect lasted in 12 (70%). Mean tonus of LES before therapy was 29 mm Hg (10-80), 3 months after therapy decreased to 14 mmHg (5-26). The cumulative 5 years remission rate (+/-95% CI) in combined treated patients 69% +/- 8% was higher than in controls 50% +/- 9%; however it, was not statistically significant (P= 0.07). In control group 1, case of perforation (2.5%) occurred. Eight patients (17%) with relapse of dysphagia were referred to laparoscopic Heller myotomy with no surgical complication. The main adverse effect was heartburn that appeared in 17 patients (36%). Initial injection of BT followed by PD seems to be effective for long-term results with fewer complications. But the combined therapy is not significantly superior to PD alone.

[Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of pancreatic tumors]. / Radiofrekvencní ablace tumoru pankreatu.

UNLABELLED: The authors refer about their first experience with radiofrequency ablation of locally advanced pancreatic tumors. They put forward the prospective study of five patients (four with ductal adenocarcinoma of the head and one with malignant neuroendocrine tumor of pancreatic body), who either because of local advanced disease or performance status, were not able to undergo radical curative surgery. All patients underwent peroperative radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic tumors. In the case of pancreatic head localization, posterior retrocolic gastro-enterostomy and hepatico-jejunostomy to Y Roux jejunal loop were performed. There was no perioperative mortality. In one case duodenal leak apeared in the fourth postoperative day. This was healed conservatively by drainage. At one patient the subfascial absces developed. This was solved by drainage reoperation at the fourteenth postoperative day. After consolidation, all patients were released to home care. CONCLUSION: According to our early experience, radiofrequency ablation of inoperable pancreatic tumors is relatively save cytoreductive procedure.

Small bowel ultrasound in patients with celiac disease. Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Celiac disease (CD) is a common, lifelong disease with small bowel malabsorption based on genetically conditioned gluten intolerance. The clinical manifestation could be very heterogeneous. The proof of celiac disease is now based mainly on clinical and laboratory (antibodies and enterobiopsy) signs, which are in some cases problematic and inconvenient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study we have examined 250 patients with suspection or with proven celiac disease and we evaluated specific ultrasound small bowel changes in this group. In the next step, we chose 59 patients with laboratory proved celiac disease and we statistically compared ultrasound, other laboratory and clinical findings in different forms and stages of the disease. RESULTS: Specific small bowel pathologies in patients with celiac disease (like changes of intestinal villi in different parts of small bowel, abnormal peristalsis and mesenterial lymphadenopathy) can be well visualized by ultrasound and in combination with clinical and laboratory signs ultrasound examination could have an important role in screening, determination of diagnosis and monitoring of patients with different forms of celiac disease.

[Spontanneous intramural hematoma of the duodenojejunal junction mistaken for acute pancreatitis]. / Spontánní intramurální hematom duodenojejunálního prechodu zameneý za akutní pankreatitidu.

Anticoagulation therapy may be complicated by spontaneous onset of an intramural hematoma of the duodenum and small intestine. Other causes were published only as case reviews. Radiological literature describes typical findings, which are fundamental for the diagnostics. However, only a fraction of patients present with them. This article describes a case of a female patient, treated for stomach pains. Based on her history, laboratory findings, ultrasound and CT findings, the condition was mistaken for acute pancreatitis and the pancreatic body necrosis with pseudocysts, drained under the CT control. The correct diagnosis was established a year later. Surgical revision indicated for a cystoid relaps and difficulties with intestinal passage revealed an old intramural hematoma within the duodenojejunal junction wall, the hematoma was evacuated and gastroenteroanastomosis performed.

[An inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver surrounding a foreign object]. / Zánetlivý pseudotumor jater kolem cizího telesa.

The authors present a rare case of the fish bone migration from the upper GIT into the liver parenchyma. Furthermore, a possibility of the diagnostics and management of its rare complication- an inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver is presented. Based on the literature data, other possible complications of foreign objects in the liver parenchyma are listed, including their diagnostic and treatment options.

Epidermoid tumor of the pons.

Epidermoid tumors originating from the brainstem are extremely rare. The authors report a patient with an intraaxial epidermoid tumor of the pons. The tumor involved most of the pons and had a small exophytic component.

Dermoid tumor with involvement of the frontal lobes.

Intraparenchymal location of a dermoid tumor is extremely rare, and there are only four reports in the literature. This article presents a patient with a dermoid tumor with trilobulated components; an extra-axial component in the basal frontal/ethmoidal region, and two intra-axial components located in each frontal lobe. In addition, two small fat-density lesions anterior to the component in the left frontal lobe were present, probably due to partial intraparenchymal rupture of the tumor. The pathogenesis of intra-axial locations is still controversial, and this article proposes that in at least some cases intraparenchymal rupture of dermoids can cause intra-axial dermoids.

[Percutaneous treatment of malignant stenoses of the biliary tract]. / Perkutánní resení maligní stenózy zlucových cest.

Experience with treatment of more than 800 patients with malignant stenosis of the biliary tract is reviewed. The significance of complex treatment using simple internal or external drainage, stent introduction, brachytherapy, percutaneous actinotherapy and locoregional chemotherapy is presented. Advantages of individual percutaneous methods are compared and indications for using metallic stent in patients with malignant stenosis of the biliary tract are evaluated. Significance and indications for the percutaneous treatment is discussed and its advantages are compared with the endoscopic approach.

[Interventional methods in the treatment of malignant conditions of the liver]. / Intervencní metody v lécbe maligních procesu jater.

The article overviews vascular and percutaneous interventional methods used in the locoregional chemotherapy of liver tumors. It is based on experience from the treatment of 248 patients on the Radiodiagnostic clinic of the Teaching hospital in Brno (Bohunice department). Chemoembolization includes precisely aimed administration of cytostatics and a total ischaemization of the malignant tissue. Another method of locoregional chemotherapy is the administration of high doses of cytostatics into the afferent artery. Positive effect can be achieved only when the cytostatic perfuses all liver segments. Preoperative embolization of the portal vein represents an effective preliminary treatment of patients before the liver ablation. Percutaneous thermal ablation and the use of percutaneous ethanol injections are limited by the costs of treatment, by the number, size and location of tumors. Percutaneous ethanol injections are indicated in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the cirrhotic tissue. Percutaneous thermal ablation can effectively destroy foci in the liver up to the size of 5 cm without impairment of the surrounding tissue. Locoregional and percutaneous therapy of malignant liver processes represent alternative methods and individual approaches should be combined. Indication has to be carefully thought about by an interdisciplinary committee. It is necessary to realise that the aim is not to perform "technically precise operation" gut the lengths and quality of the patient's life.

Laparoscopic resection of surface metastases in liver--description of the technique.

Recently, the laparoscopic approach has been used more frequently for liver resection. The authors describe the method of laparoscopic resection of surface as well as subcapsulary metastases, which had previously been destroyed by radiofrequency ablation. This technique provides relatively easy, complete removal of the tumorous tissue. The disadvantages of the described technique are limited use (it is suitable only for surface lesions) and increased financial costs.