Noninvasive assessment of liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Duplex-Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive method for the assessment of hepatic hemodynamics beyond conventional gray-scale imaging. The clinical value of the method for the grading and staging of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the prediction of hepatic steatosis still has to be determined. This study aimed to compare Duplex-Doppler and ultrasound with the histologic staging and the estimation of hepatic steatosis in chronic HCV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and nineteen consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection underwent both liver biopsy and ultrasound with Duplex-Doppler. Maximum portal venous blood flow velocity, portal venous flow undulation, hepatic venous flow pattern and spleen size were assessed and compared with histologic findings. Histologic grading and staging was performed according to the modified HAI and hepatic steatosis was estimated. RESULTS: Doppler ultrasound was unable to discriminate between different degrees of fibrosis. Sensitivity/specificity of portal venous flow and undulations for the diagnosis of hepatic cirrhosis was 74.5%/53% and 76.5%/100%. The PPV and NPV of reduced undulations was 100% and 96.2%. Mono- or biphasic hepatic venous flow indicated advanced hepatic steatosis (sensitivity 88.2%, specificity 74.5%, PPV 36.6%, NPV 97.5%). Spleen size was significantly enlarged both in patients with cirrhosis and steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although Duplex-Doppler of the portal and hepatic veins is not a substitute for histologic grading and staging, portal vein undulations can predict liver cirrhosis with considerable accuracy. Moreover, triphasic patterns of hepatic venous flow virtually exclude significant fatty liver disease. Additional studies should perform intraindividual follow-up investigations to further define the role of Duplex-Doppler ultrasound in chronic HCV infection.

Frequency of colorectal polyps in patients with sporadic adenomas or adenocarcinomas of the papilla of vater--an age-matched, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial tumors of the papilla of Vater are rare neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. The carcinogenesis of these tumors seems to be fairly analogous to the genetic mechanisms which have been described for colorectal carcinoma. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis bear a particularly increased risk for periampullary tumors. Data on whether the prevalence of colorectal tumors is increased in patients with sporadic ampullary neoplasms are scarce. METHODS: 26 consecutive patients (16 women, 10 men; median age 59 years) with sporadic adenomas (n = 19) or adenocarcinomas (n = 7) of the ampulla of Vater were retrospectively evaluated. The study patients were compared with 104 age-matched asymptomatic controls. All patients had undergone total colonoscopy. RESULTS: Neoplastic colorectal polyps were present in a similar proportion (23%) of patients of the study group compared with 26% in the control group (p > 0.05). Overall, 16 polyps were found among patients with ampullary tumors and 40 in asymptomatic controls (p > 0.05). Colonoscopy detected rectal carcinoma in 2 patients (8%) of the study group. Patients with and without colorectal polyps differed neither significantly by age nor by ampullary histological findings. 50% of the colonic polyps in patients with ampullary neoplasms were located in the ascending colon. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of colorectal polyps in patients with ampullary tumors did not exceed the risk in the control group. However, the finding of 2 rectal carcinomas among patients with ampullary neoplasms supports the place of screening colonoscopy for the diagnostic work-up of ampullary tumors. Prospective multicenter studies should address this issue to provide a broad basis for future recommendations.

Staging of abdominal metastases in pancreatic carcinoma by diagnostic laparoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Different noninvasive and invasive techniques are available for the detection of abdominal metastases in pancreatic carcinoma. Since small hepatic or peritoneal metastases are a crucial problem which precludes resection, accurate detection is mandatory. We compared laparoscopic staging of abdominal metastases in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with MRI. METHODS: 55 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma had been screened and 49 entered the retrospective study. All patients had undergone MRI of the upper abdomen with concomitant MR-cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and diagnostic laparoscopy under conscious sedation. Patients without histologic proof of abdominal metastases underwent laparotomy. RESULTS: In 6/10 patients, metastases were correctly detected by laparoscopy, yielding a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 92%.MRI predicted metastases in 6/10 patients with 60% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Laparoscopy showed metastases in 3 patients that were missed by MRI, but failed to identify metastases in 3 of 6 patients with metastases on MRI. Though only one patient showed previously undetected metastases during laparotomy, 3 patients with abdominal metastases underwent unnecessary laparotomy due to a lack of histologic proof of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas diagnostic laparoscopy is sensitive for the detection of small metastases and offers histologic verification, intrahepatic alterations are not detectable by sole visual inspection.MRI may compensate for this deficiency, but histologic proof of malignancy may be problematic. To date, no definite decision in favor of one of the presented procedures for the staging of abdominal metastases can be given.

[Diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma. An update]. / Diagnostik kolorektaler Karzinome. Aktueller Stand.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent tumors in western countries. More than 50% of all CRC are diagnosed at an advanced stage which precludes curative treatment. For this reason, early detection of CRC is mandatory to improve longterm outcome. Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) once per year and subsequent colonoscopy (if the FOBT is positive) provides up to 30% decrease in mortality from CRC. Due to the fact that current data indicate a 60% reduction in CRC-associated mortality, colonoscopy has recently been approved for CRC screening by german public health insurance companies. Yet efforts in screening largely depend on patient compliance, particularly in view of cost-effectiveness. Introduction of new imaging techniques (CT-/MRI-colonography) may increase general acceptance, but clinical benefit and costs still remain to be determined in larger studies.

Feasibility and diagnostic impact of fluorescence-based diagnostic laparoscopy in hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

Fluorescence-based diagnostic techniques are an evolving field in the staging of hepatologic and gastroenterologic malignancies. The method aims at improved accuracy in the detection of locoregional and distant metastases. In hepatocellular carcinoma, detection of metastases is of utmost importance, because advanced tumors preclude curative surgical therapy. We present here our first experience of fluorescence-based diagnostic laparoscopy in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed diagnostic laparoscopy in a 76-year-old woman who presented with a tumor of the liver and increased serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein. For photosensitization, 5-aminolevulinic acid (20 mg/kg bodyweight, p.o.) was used 6 hours prior to laparoscopy, which was performed with a prograde 0 degree telescope suitable for fluorescence-based laparoscopy. The D-Light AF system was used as a light source. Laparoscopy was carried out according to common guidelines in the white-light as in the blue-light mode. The main tumor and the satellite metastases clearly showed intense fluorescence compared with unaffected liver parenchyma and other abdominal organs. Fluorescence-based laparoscopy identified several small metastases which had been missed during conventional white-light illumination. Hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed by the histological examination of several biopsies drawn from suspicious areas. Fluorescence-based laparoscopy provided additional information in the staging of hepatocellular carcinoma. The technique can further improve diagnostic accuracy in the staging of hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in patients potentially suitable for partial liver resection or transplantation.