British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults.

Deaths from the majority of cancers are falling globally, but the incidence and mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in the United Kingdom and in other Western countries. HCC is a highly fatal cancer, often diagnosed late, with an incidence to mortality ratio that approaches 1. Despite there being a number of treatment options, including those associated with good medium to long-term survival, 5-year survival from HCC in the UK remains below 20%. Sex, ethnicity and deprivation are important demographics for the incidence of, and/or survival from, HCC. These clinical practice guidelines will provide evidence-based advice for the assessment and management of patients with HCC. The clinical and scientific data underpinning the recommendations we make are summarised in detail. Much of the content will have broad relevance, but the treatment algorithms are based on therapies that are available in the UK and have regulatory approval for use in the National Health Service.

The clinical value of the hepatic venous pressure gradient in patients undergoing hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with or without liver cirrhosis.

The role of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement in risk stratification before liver resection is an ongoing area of debate. This study examines the impact of preoperative HVPG levels on overall survival (OS)/time to recurrence (TTR) and postoperative complications after hepatic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thirty-eight HCC patients undergoing HVPG measurement before liver resection at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust between January 2014 and April 2022 were retrospectively analysed. Statistical analysis comprised univariable/multivariable Cox/logistic regression to identify risk factors of reduced OS/TTR or 90-day post-resection complications and Kaplan-Meier estimator, log-rank, chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U test, or Student's t-test for survival/subgroup analysis. The median HPVG was 6 (range: 0-14) mmHg. The HVPG was an independent risk factor for poorer TTR in the overall cohort (cut-off: ≥7.5 mmHg (17.18/43.81 months; P = 0.009)). In the subgroup analysis of cirrhotic patients (N = 29 (76%)), HVPG was additionally an independent risk factor for lower OS (cut-off: ≥8.5 mmHg [44.39/76.84 months; P = 0.012]). The HVPG had no impact on OS/TTR in non-cirrhotic patients (N = 9 (24%)), nor was it associated with postoperative complications in any cohort. In conclusion, preoperative HVPG levels are useful predictors for TTR and OS in cirrhotic HCC patients undergoing hepatic resection.

Clinical Performance Status and Technical Factors Affecting Outcomes from Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Interventions; A Multicentre, Prospective, Observational Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of a 'Modified Karnofsky Scoring System' on outcomes and provide real-world data regarding the UK practice of biliary interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective multi-centred cohort study was performed. The pre-procedure modified Karnofsky score, the incidence of sepsis, complications, biochemical improvement and mortality were recorded out to 30 days post procedure. RESULTS: A total of 292 patients (248 with malignant lesions) were suitable for inclusion in the study. The overall 7 and 30 day mortality was 3.1% and 16.1%, respectively. The 30 day sepsis rate was 10.3%. In the modified Karnofsky 'high risk' group the 7 day mortality was 9.7% versus 0% for the 'low risk' group (p = 0.002), whereas the 30 day mortality was 28.8% versus 13.3% (p = 0.003). The incidence of sepsis at 30 days was 19% in the high risk group versus 3.3% at the low risk group (p = 0.001) CONCLUSION: Percutaneous biliary interventions in the UK are safe and effective. Scoring systems such as the Karnofsky or the modified Karnofsky score hold promise in allowing us to identify high risk groups that will need more careful consideration and enhanced patient informed consent but further research with larger studies is warranted in order to identify their true impact on patient selection and outcomes post biliary interventions.

Cholangiocyte organoids can repair bile ducts after transplantation in the human liver.

Organoid technology holds great promise for regenerative medicine but has not yet been applied to humans. We address this challenge using cholangiocyte organoids in the context of cholangiopathies, which represent a key reason for liver transplantation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we show that primary human cholangiocytes display transcriptional diversity that is lost in organoid culture. However, cholangiocyte organoids remain plastic and resume their in vivo signatures when transplanted back in the biliary tree. We then utilize a model of cell engraftment in human livers undergoing ex vivo normothermic perfusion to demonstrate that this property allows extrahepatic organoids to repair human intrahepatic ducts after transplantation. Our results provide proof of principle that cholangiocyte organoids can be used to repair human biliary epithelium.

Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolization for Chemotherapy-Refractory Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Prospective, Observational Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of unresectable, chemotherapy-refractory intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). METHODS: A prospective, observational study was carried out in 10 centers between 2013 and 2017. TARE plus standard care was delivered to patients with unresectable, chemotherapy-refractory or chemotherapy-intolerant ICC. Primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included safety, progression-free survival (PFS), and liver-specific progression-free survival (LPFS). RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were treated with TARE. Patients were 53% male; median age was 64 years; 91% had performance status 0/1; 92% had received prior chemotherapy; and 59% had no extrahepatic disease. Median follow-up was 13.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.6-18.1). Overall survival was 8.7 months (95% CI, 5.3-12.1), and 37% of patients survived to 12 months. PFS was 2.8 months (95% CI, 2.6-3.1), and LPFS was 3.1 months (95% CI, 1.3-4.8). One severe complication (abdominal pain) occurred at the time of the TARE procedure. Thirty patients experienced a total of 49 adverse events, of which 8% were grade ≥3; most common were grade 1-2 fatigue and abdominal pain. A total of 77 abnormal laboratory value events were recorded, of which 4% were grade ≥3. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced ICC have limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. This prospective study examined the survival of patients with unresectable, chemotherapy-refractory primary ICC treated with TARE in real-world practice. The results demonstrate that this treatment merits further investigation in this patient cohort in a larger study, including collection of patient-reported outcomes.

Renal transplant complications: diagnostic and therapeutic role of radiology.

Kidney was the first and is the most frequently transplanted organ. Despite improved surgical techniques and transplantation technology, complications do occur and, if left untreated, may lead to catastrophic consequences. Renal transplantation complications may be vascular (eg, renal artery and vein stenosis and thrombosis, arteriovenous fistula, and pseudoaneurysms); urologic (eg, urinary obstruction and leak, and peritransplantation fluid collections, including hematoma, seroma, lymphocele, and abscess formation); and nephrogenic, including acute tubular necrosis, graft rejection, chronic allograft nephropathy, and neoplasm. Early diagnosis and treatment of these complications are paramount to prevent graft failure and other significant morbidities to the patients. Radiology plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of these complications, with minimally invasive percutaneous techniques. In this article, we reviewed renal transplantation anatomy, a wide range of complications that may occur after renal transplantation surgery, typical imaging appearances of the complications on varies imaging modalities, and percutaneous interventional techniques that are used in their treatment.

Extra-hepatic portal vein aneurysm: A case report, overview of the literature and suggested management algorithm.

INTRODUCTION: Portal venous aneurysms are a rare finding. The reported incidence is on the rise with increasing use of modern imaging techniques in clinical practice. However, there is still much to be elicited regarding their aetiology, natural history, and management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 80-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and nausea. Investigations showed a hypoechoic area in the region of the head of pancreas on ultrasound, which was found to be a portal venous aneurysm on CT. In view of her multiple comorbidities, a conservative approach was taken. DISCUSSION: Portal venous aneurysms represent approximately 3% of all venous aneurysms with a reported prevalence of 0.43%. They may be congenital, due to failure of complete regression of the right vitelline vein, or acquired secondary to portal hypertension. The primary presentation of portal vein aneurysm is abdominal pain, followed by incidental detection on imaging, with a minority of patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding. Complications of PVA include thrombosis, biliary tract obstruction, inferior vena cava obstruction, and duodenal compression. On the whole PVAs are stable and have a low risk of complications with 88% of patients showing no progression of aneurysm size or complications on subsequent follow up scans. CONCLUSION: We recommend that portal venous aneurysms be assessed using colour Doppler ultrasonography in the first instance with CT scans reserved for indeterminate cases or symptomatic patients. Due to the slow progression of such aneurysms, surgery is recommended only for symptomatic patients or those with complications secondary to portal venous aneurysms.

Impact of calcification and intraluminal thrombus on the computed wall stresses of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Increased biomechanical stresses within the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall contribute to its rupture. Calcification and intraluminal thrombus can be commonly found in AAAs, but the relationship between calcification/intraluminal thrombus and AAA wall stress is not completely described. METHODS: Patient-specific three-dimensional AAA geometries were reconstructed from computed tomographic images of 20 patients. Structural analysis was performed to calculate the wall stresses of the 20 AAA models and their altered models when calcification or intraluminal thrombus was not considered. A nonlinear large-strain finite element method was used to compute the wall stress distribution. The relationships between wall stresses and volumes of calcification and intraluminal thrombus were sought. RESULTS: Maximum stress was not correlated with the percentage of calcification, and was negatively correlated with the percentage of intraluminal thrombus (r = -0.56; P = .011). Exclusion of calcification from analysis led to a significant decrease in maximum stress by a median of 14% (range, 2%-27%; P < .01). When intraluminal thrombus was eliminated, maximum stress increased significantly by a median of 24% (range, 5%-43%; P < .01). CONCLUSION: The presence of calcification increases AAA peak wall stress, suggesting that calcification decrease the biomechanical stability of AAA. In contrast, intraluminal thrombus reduces the maximum stress in AAA. Calcification and intraluminal thrombus should both be considered in the evaluation of wall stress for risk assessment of AAA rupture.

Transjugular renal biopsy: our experience and technical considerations.

The purpose of this study was to describe the indications for and technique of transjugular renal biopsy (TJRB) and evaluate the efficacy and complications of this method. We performed a retrospective review of 59 patients who underwent TJRB using the Quick-core needle biopsy system (Cook, Letchworth, UK) over a 4-year period. The indications for obtaining renal biopsy included acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, and proteinuria with or without other associated disease. Indications for the transjugular approach included coagulopathy, biopsy of a solitary kidney or essentially single functioning kidney, simultaneous renal and hepatic biopsy, morbid obesity, and failed percutaneous biopsy. All but four cases were performed via the right internal jugular vein. The right, left, or both renal veins were cannulated in 41, 14, and 4 cases, respectively. Combined liver and renal biopsies were obtained in seven cases. Diagnostic biopsy specimens were obtained in 56 of 59 patients (95%). The number and size of tissue cores ranged from 1 to 9 mm and from 1 to 20 mm, respectively. The mean numbers of glomeruli per procedure on light microscopy and electron microscopy were 10.3 and 2.6, respectively. Specimens for immunohistology were acquired in 49 cases, of which 40 were adequate. Of the 56 successful TJRB procedures, 34 (61%) were associated with isolated capsular perforation (19), contained subcapsular leak (10), isolated collecting system puncture (1), and concurrent collecting system and capsular perforation (4). There was a significant increase in capsular perforation with six or more needle passes, although no significant correlation was seen between number of needle passes and complication. Six patients had minor complications defined as hematuria or loin pain. Seven patients developed major complications, of whom five received blood transfusion alone. Two required intervention: in one an arteriocalyceal fistula was embolized and the patient was temporarily dialyzed; the remaining patient required ureteric stenting. In conclusion, TJRB provides an adequate yield for diagnosis. Complication rates are relatively high, but patients are also at high risk from the conventional percutaneous approach. Patient selection and optimization are critical to avoid major complications.

Targeting liver lesions for radiofrequency ablation: an experimental feasibility study using a CT-US fusion imaging system.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and validity of real-time guidance using a fusion imaging system that combines ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) in the targeting and subsequent radiofrequency (RF) ablation of a liver target inconspicuous on US. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study was designed as an experimental ex vivo study in calf livers with radiopaque internal targets, inconspicuous at US, simulating a focal liver lesion. The study included 2 phases. The initial phase was to examine the feasibility of matching preprocedural volumetric CT data of the calf livers with real-time US using a commercially available multimodality fusion imaging system (Virtual Navigator System, Esaote SpA, Genoa, Italy), and to assess the accuracy of targeting using a 22 gauge cytologic needle. The second phase of the study was to validate such a technique using a 15 gauge RF multitined expandable needle (RITA Medical Systems, Mountain View, CA) and to examine the accuracy of the needle placement relative to the target. The tip of the trocar of the RF needle had to be placed 1 cm from the target and then the hooks had to be deployed to 3 cm. Unenhanced CT of the liver and multiplanar reconstructions were performed to calculate accuracy of positioning, ie, the lateral distance between the needle and the target, the distance between the tip of the trocar of the RF electrode and the target, and the lateral distance between the central tine of the RF electrode and the target. RESULTS: All calf livers underwent successful CT-US registration with a mean registration error of 3.0 +/- 0.1 mm and 2.9 +/- 0.1 mm in the initial and second phase of the study, respectively. In the initial phase an overall number of 24 insertions were performed after the US-CT guidance. The mean needle to target distance was 1.9 +/- 0.7 mm (range, 0.8-3.0 mm). In the second phase an overall number of 12 ablations were performed. The mean target-trocar distance was 10.3 +/- 2.6 mm. The mean target-central tine lateral distance was 3.9 +/- 0.7 mm (range, 2.9-5.1 mm). After the dissection of the specimen the target was found unchanged in the center of the ablation zone in all cases. CONCLUSION: Real-time registration and fusion of preprocedure CT volume images with intraprocedure US is feasible and accurate. The study was however conducted in an ideal experimental setting, without patient movements and breathing, and further studies are warranted to validate the system under clinical conditions.

Left gastric artery aneurysm: successful embolization with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx).

Patients with left gastric artery aneurysms present with hemorrhagic shock due to rupture or occasionally it is an incidental finding on abdominal CT examinations. Due to the increased morbidity and mortality from this condition, adequate diagnosis and treatment are essential. In this article we present a patient with a left gastric artery aneurysm treated with a new embolization agent, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx).