MRI in addition to CT in patients scheduled for local therapy of colorectal liver metastases (CAMINO): an international, multicentre, prospective, diagnostic accuracy trial.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines are inconclusive on whether contrast-enhanced MRI using gadoxetic acid and diffusion-weighted imaging should be added routinely to CT in the investigation of patients with colorectal liver metastases who are scheduled for curative liver resection or thermal ablation, or both. Although contrast-enhanced MRI is reportedly superior than contrast-enhanced CT in the detection and characterisation of colorectal liver metastases, its effect on clinical patient management is unknown. We aimed to assess the clinical effect of an additional liver contrast-enhanced MRI on local treatment plan in patients with colorectal liver metastases amenable to local treatment, based on contrast-enhanced CT. METHODS: We did an international, multicentre, prospective, incremental diagnostic accuracy trial in 14 liver surgery centres in the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, and Italy. Participants were aged 18 years or older with histological proof of colorectal cancer, a WHO performance status score of 0-4, and primary or recurrent colorectal liver metastases, who were scheduled for local therapy based on contrast-enhanced CT. All patients had contrast-enhanced CT and liver contrast-enhanced MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging and gadoxetic acid as a contrast agent before undergoing local therapy. The primary outcome was change in the local clinical treatment plan (decided by the individual clinics) on the basis of liver contrast-enhanced MRI findings, analysed in the intention-to-image population. The minimal clinically important difference in the proportion of patients who would have change in their local treatment plan due to an additional liver contrast-enhanced MRI was 10%. This study is closed and registered in the Netherlands Trial Register, NL8039. FINDINGS: Between Dec 17, 2019, and July 31, 2021, 325 patients with colorectal liver metastases were assessed for eligibility. 298 patients were enrolled and included in the intention-to-treat population, including 177 males (59%) and 121 females (41%) with planned local therapy based on contrast-enhanced CT. A change in the local treatment plan based on liver contrast-enhanced MRI findings was observed in 92 (31%; 95% CI 26-36) of 298 patients. Changes were made for 40 patients (13%) requiring more extensive local therapy, 11 patients (4%) requiring less extensive local therapy, and 34 patients (11%) in whom the indication for curative-intent local therapy was revoked, including 26 patients (9%) with too extensive disease and eight patients (3%) with benign lesions on liver contrast-enhanced MRI (confirmed by a median follow-up of 21·0 months [IQR 17·5-24·0]). INTERPRETATION: Liver contrast-enhanced MRI should be considered in all patients scheduled for local treatment for colorectal liver metastases on the basis of contrast-enhanced CT imaging. FUNDING: The Dutch Cancer Society and Bayer AG - Pharmaceuticals.

Primær skleroserende kolangitt.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a severe liver disease and a leading cause of liver transplantation in Scandinavia. This clinical review article examines recently revised recommendations on diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of patients with this disease. Treatment of symptoms, assessment of fibrosis and monitoring for the development of cancer in the liver and bowel are central.

Hemodynamic effects of monomeric nonionic contrast media in pulmonary angiography in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic safety of the monomeric nonionic contrast agent iomeprol for selective pulmonary angiography in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTPH), and to investigate the effect of periinterventional oxygen administration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Selective pulmonary digital subtraction angiography was performed in 94 patients with CTPH using six bolus injections of iomeprol (posteroanterior, oblique, and lateral projections; both pulmonary arteries; iomeprol, 25 mL at 13 mL/s). Hemodynamics were obtained with Swan-Ganz catheters, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAsyst) was classified into one of three groups: 30 mm Hg or less (control group), greater than 30 but less than or equal to 60 mm Hg (group 1, moderate pulmonary hypertension), and greater than 60 mm Hg (group 2, severe pulmonary hypertension). RESULTS: At baseline, values for PAsyst were 21.4 +/- 2.3 (control group, n = 8), 49.8+/- 8.5 (group 1, n = 18), and 86.5 +/- 18.9 (group 2, n = 68) mm Hg (p < 0.001). Pulmonary vascular resistance indexes (PVRI) were 222 +/- 105 (control), 703 +/- 364 (group 1), and 1,582 +/- 562 (group 2) dyne x s x cm(-5) x m2 (p < 0.001). The mean cardiac indexes were 3.1 (control), 2.8 (group 1), and 2.3 (group 2) L/min/m2 (p < 0.05). Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCw) indicated healthy left heart function. Periinterventional oxygen inhalation improved oxygen saturation in all groups and slightly reduced pulmonary artery pressure and heart rate. Online measurement of pulmonary artery pressure during contrast bolus injection for angiography showed only a minor increase, predominantly in severe pulmonary hypertension (triangle up [difference] PAsyst: 1.3 +/- 1.9 [control], 2.9 +/- 3.4 [group 1], and 3.8 +/- 4.5 [group 2] mm Hg [p < 0.001]). After completion of angiography, right atrial pressure (RAP) and PAsyst were moderately increased: triangle up RAP: 1.4 (control), 2.6 (group 1, p < 0.001), and 3.0 (group 2, p < 0.001) mm Hg; triangle up PAsyst: 3.2 (control), 7.7 (group 1, p < 0.01), and 8.5 (group 2) mm Hg (p < 0.001). PVRI was significantly higher in group 2 (triangle up PVRI: 188 dyne x s x cm(-5) x m2, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Selective pulmonary angiography using iomeprol is safe without critical pressure peaks during selective contrast bolus injection or significant hemodynamic derangement in severe CTPH. Periinterventional oxygen inhalation improved pulmonary circulation.