Automated Assessment of T2-Weighted MRI to Differentiate Malignant and Benign Primary Solid Liver Lesions in Noncirrhotic Livers Using Radiomics.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Distinguishing malignant from benign liver lesions based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important but often challenging task, especially in noncirrhotic livers. We developed and externally validated a radiomics model to quantitatively assess T2-weighted MRI to distinguish the most common malignant and benign primary solid liver lesions in noncirrhotic livers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data sets were retrospectively collected from three tertiary referral centers (A, B, and C) between 2002 and 2018. Patients with malignant (hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma) and benign (hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia) lesions were included. A radiomics model based on T2-weighted MRI was developed in data set A using a combination of machine learning approaches. The model was internally evaluated on data set A through cross-validation, externally validated on data sets B and C, and compared to visual scoring of two experienced abdominal radiologists on data set C. RESULTS: The overall data set included 486 patients (A: 187, B: 98, and C: 201). The radiomics model had a mean area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 upon internal validation on data set A and a similar AUC in external validation (B: 0.74 and C: 0.76). In data set C, the two radiologists showed moderate agreement (Cohen's κ: 0.61) and achieved AUCs of 0.86 and 0.82. CONCLUSION: Our T2-weighted MRI radiomics model shows potential for distinguishing malignant from benign primary solid liver lesions. External validation indicated that the model is generalizable despite substantial MRI acquisition protocol differences. Pending further optimization and generalization, this model may aid radiologists in improving the diagnostic workup of patients with liver lesions.

A nationwide assessment of hepatocellular adenoma resection: Indications and pathological discordance.

Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign liver tumors associated with bleeding or malignant transformation. Data on the indication for surgery are scarce. We analyzed indications and outcome of patients operated for HCAs < 50 mm compared to HCAs ≥ 50 mm. Changes in final postoperative diagnosis were assessed. We performed a retrospective study that included patients who underwent resection for (suspected) HCAs in the Netherlands from 2014 to 2019. Indication for resection was analyzed and stratified for small (<50 mm) and large (≥50 mm) tumors. Logistic regression analysis was performed on factors influencing change in tumor diagnosis. Out of 222 patients who underwent surgery, 44 (20%) patients had a tumor <50 mm. Median age was 46 (interquartile range [IQR], 33-56) years in patients with small tumors and 37 (IQR, 31-46) years in patients with large tumors ( p  = 0.016). Patients with small tumors were more frequently men (21% vs. 5%, p  = 0.002). Main indications for resection in patients with small tumors were suspicion of (pre)malignancy (55%), (previous) bleeding (14%), and male sex (11%). Patients with large tumors received operations because of tumor size >50 mm (52%), suspicion of (pre)malignancy (28%), and (previous) bleeding (5.1%). No difference was observed in HCA-subtype distribution between small and large tumors. Ninety-six (43%) patients had a postoperative change in diagnosis. Independent risk factors for change in diagnosis were tumor size <50 mm (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.4; p  < 0.01), male sex (aOR, 3.7; p  = 0.03), and lack of hepatobiliary contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) (aOR, 1.8; p  = 0.04). Resection for small (suspected) HCAs was mainly indicated by suspicion of (pre)malignancy, whereas for large (suspected) HCAs, tumor size was the most prevalent indication. Male sex, tumor size <50 mm, and lack of hepatobiliary CE-MRI were independent risk factors for postoperative change in tumor diagnosis.

A proof of concept study on real-time LiMAx CYP1A2 liver function assessment of donor grafts during normothermic machine perfusion.

No single reliable parameter exists to assess liver graft function of extended criteria donors during ex-vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). The liver maximum capacity (LiMAx) test is a clinically validated cytochromal breath test, measuring liver function based on 13CO2 production. As an innovative concept, we aimed to integrate the LiMAx breath test with NMP to assess organ function. Eleven human livers were perfused using NMP. After one hour of stabilization, LiMAx testing was performed. Injury markers (ALT, AST, miR-122, FMN, and Suzuki-score) and lactate clearance were measured and related to LiMAx values. LiMAx values ranged between 111 and 1838 µg/kg/h, and performing consecutive LiMAx tests during longer NMP was feasible. No correlation was found between LiMAx value and miR-122 and FMN levels in the perfusate. However, a significant inverse correlation was found between LiMAx value and histological injury (Suzuki-score, R = - 0.874, P < 0.001), AST (R = - 0.812, P = 0.004) and ALT (R = - 0.687, P = 0.028). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found with lactate clearance (R = 0.683, P = 0.043). We demonstrate, as proof of principle, that liver function during NMP can be quantified using the LiMAx test, illustrating a positive correlation with traditional injury markers. This new breath-test application separates livers with adequate cytochromal liver function from inadequate ones and may support decision-making in the safe utilization of extended criteria donor grafts.

Early Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Risk-Based Selection Strategies for Adjuvant Treatment in Stage II Colon Cancer: The Potential Value of Prognostic Molecular Markers.

BACKGROUND: To explore the potential value of consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) in stage II colon cancer treatment selection, we carried out an early cost-effectiveness assessment of a CMS-based strategy for adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: We used a Markov cohort model to evaluate three selection strategies: (i) the Dutch guideline strategy (MSS+pT4), (ii) the mutation-based strategy (MSS plus a BRAF and/or KRAS mutation or MSS plus pT4), and (iii) the CMS-based strategy (CMS4 or pT4). Outcomes were number of colon cancer deaths per 1,000 patients, total discounted costs per patient (pp), and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) pp. The analyses were conducted from a Dutch societal perspective. The robustness of model predictions was assessed in sensitivity analyses. To evaluate the value of future research, we performed a value of information (VOI) analysis. RESULTS: The Dutch guideline strategy resulted in 8.10 QALYs pp and total costs of €23,660 pp. The CMS-based and mutation-based strategies were more effective and more costly, with 8.12 and 8.13 QALYs pp and €24,643 and €24,542 pp, respectively. Assuming a threshold of €50,000/QALY, the mutation-based strategy was considered as the optimal strategy in an incremental analysis. However, the VOI analysis showed substantial decision uncertainty driven by the molecular markers (expected value of partial perfect information: €18M). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of current evidence, our analyses suggest that the mutation-based selection strategy would be the best use of resources. However, the extensive decision uncertainty for the molecular markers does not allow selection of an optimal strategy at present. IMPACT: Future research is needed to eliminate decision uncertainty driven by molecular markers.

Hepatocellular adenoma in men: A nationwide assessment of pathology and correlation with clinical course.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular adenomas (HCA) rarely occur in males, and if so, are frequently associated with malignant transformation. Guidelines are based on small numbers of patients and advise resection of HCA in male patients, irrespective of size or subtype. This nationwide retrospective cohort study is the largest series of HCA in men correlating (immuno)histopathological and molecular findings with the clinical course. METHODS: Dutch male patients with available histological slides with a (differential) diagnosis of HCA between 2000 and 2017 were identified through the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA). Histopathology and immunohistochemistry according to international guidelines were revised by two expert hepatopathologists. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to confirm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and/or subtype HCA. Final pathological diagnosis was correlated with recurrence, metastasis and death. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients from 26 centres fulfilling the inclusion criteria with a mean (±SD) age of 45.0 ± 21.6 years were included. The diagnosis was changed after expert revision and NGS in 33 of the 66 patients (50%). After a median follow-up of 9.6 years, tumour-related mortality of patients with accessible clinical data was 1/18 (5.6%) in HCA, 5/14 (35.7%) in uncertain HCA/HCC and 4/9 (44.4%) in the HCC groups (P = .031). Four B-catenin mutated HCA were identified using NGS, which were not yet identified by immunohistochemistry and expert revision. CONCLUSIONS: Expert revision with relevant immunohistochemistry may help the challenging but prognostically relevant distinction between HCA and well-differentiated HCC in male patients. NGS may be more important to subtype HCA than indicated in present guidelines.

Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with increased hospital costs in patients with cirrhosis listed for liver transplantation-a retrospective study.

Low skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in liver transplant candidates. We investigated the association between sarcopenia and hospital costs in patients listed for liver transplantation. Consecutive patients with cirrhosis listed for liver transplantation between 2007 and 2014 in a Eurotransplant centre were identified. The skeletal muscle index (SMI, cm2 /m2 ) was measured on CT performed within 90 days from waiting list placement. The lowest sex-spe cific quartile represented patients with sarcopenia. In total, 224 patients were included. Median time on the waiting list was 170 (IQR 47-306) days, and median MELD score was 16 (IQR 11-20). The median total hospital costs in patients with sarcopenia were €11 294 (IQR 3570-46 469) compared with €6878 (IQR 1305-20 683) in patients without sarcopenia (P = 0.008). In multivariable regression analysis, an incremental increase in SMI was significantly associated with a decrease in total costs (€455 per incremental SMI, 95% CI 11-900, P = 0.045), independent of the total time on the waiting list. In conclusion, sarcopenia is independently associated with increased health-related costs for patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. Optimizing skeletal muscle mass may therefore lead to a decrease in hospital expenditure, in addition to greater health benefit for the transplant candidate.

Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with increased hospital expenditure in patients undergoing cancer surgery of the alimentary tract.

BACKGROUND: Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with poor postoperative outcomes in cancer patients. Furthermore, it is associated with increased healthcare costs in the United States. We investigated its effect on hospital expenditure in a Western-European healthcare system, with universal access. METHODS: Skeletal muscle mass (assessed on CT) and costs were obtained for patients who underwent curative-intent abdominal cancer surgery. Low skeletal muscle mass was defined based on pre-established cut-offs. The relationship between low skeletal muscle mass and hospital costs was assessed using linear regression analysis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: 452 patients were included (median age 65, 61.5% males). Patients underwent surgery for colorectal cancer (38.9%), colorectal liver metastases (27.4%), primary liver tumours (23.2%), and pancreatic/periampullary cancer (10.4%). In total, 45.6% had sarcopenia. Median costs were €2,183 higher in patients with low compared with patients with high skeletal muscle mass (€17,144 versus €14,961; P<0.001). Hospital costs incrementally increased with lower sex-specific skeletal muscle mass quartiles (P = 0.029). After adjustment for confounders, low skeletal muscle mass was associated with a cost increase of €4,061 (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Low skeletal muscle mass was independently associated with increased hospital costs of about €4,000 per patient. Strategies to reduce skeletal muscle wasting could reduce hospital costs in an era of incremental healthcare costs and an increasingly ageing population.

Towards a standardised informed consent procedure for live donor nephrectomy: the PRINCE (Process of Informed Consent Evaluation) project-study protocol for a nationwide prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Informed consent is mandatory for all (surgical) procedures, but it is even more important when it comes to living kidney donors undergoing surgery for the benefit of others. Donor education, leading to informed consent, needs to be carried out according to certain standards. Informed consent procedures for live donor nephrectomy vary per centre, and even per individual healthcare professional. The basis for a standardised, uniform surgical informed consent procedure for live donor nephrectomy can be created by assessing what information donors need to hear to prepare them for the operation and convalescence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The PRINCE (Process of Informed Consent Evaluation) project is a prospective, multicentre cohort study, to be carried out in all eight Dutch kidney transplant centres. Donor knowledge of the procedure and postoperative course will be evaluated by means of pop quizzes. A baseline cohort (prior to receiving any information from a member of the transplant team in one of the transplant centres) will be compared with a control group, the members of which receive the pop quiz on the day of admission for donor nephrectomy. Donor satisfaction will be evaluated for all donors who completed the admission pop-quiz. The primary end point is donor knowledge. In addition, those elements that have to be included in the standardised format informed consent procedure will be identified. Secondary end points are donor satisfaction, current informed consent practices in the different centres (eg, how many visits, which personnel, what kind of information is disclosed, in which format, etc) and correlation of donor knowledge with surgeons' estimation thereof. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval for this study was obtained from the medical ethical committee of the Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, on 18 February 2015. Secondary approval has been obtained from the local ethics committees in six participating centres. Approval in the last centre has been sought. RESULTS: Outcome will be published in a scientific journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR5374; Pre-results.

The need for a standardized informed consent procedure in live donor nephrectomy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Informed consent in live donor nephrectomy is a topic of great interest. Safety and transparency are key items increasingly getting more attention from media and healthcare inspection. Because live donors are not patients, but healthy individuals undergoing elective interventions, they justly insist on optimal conditions and guaranteed safety. Although transplant professionals agree that consent should be voluntary, free of coercion, and fully informed, there is no consensus on which information should be provided, and how the donors' comprehension should be ascertained. METHODS: Comprehensive searches were conducted in Embase, Medline OvidSP, Web-of-Science, PubMed, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2014, issue 1) and Google Scholar, evaluating the informed consent procedure for live kidney donation. The methodology was in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Interventional Systematic Reviews and written based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 1,009 hits from which 21 articles fell within the scope of this study. Procedures vary greatly between centers, and transplant professionals vary in the information they disclose. Although research has demonstrated that donors often make their decision based on moral reasoning rather than balancing risks and benefits, providing them with accurate, uniform information remains crucial because donors report feeling misinformed about or unprepared for donation. Although a standardized procedure may not provide the ultimate solution, it is vital to minimize differences in live donor education between transplant centers. CONCLUSION: There is a definite need for a guideline on how to provide information and obtain informed consent from live kidney donors to assist the transplant community in optimally preparing potential donors.

Assessment of surgery residents' operative skills in the operating theater using a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS): a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: With the implementation of competency-based curricula, Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) increasingly is being used for the assessment of operative skills. Although evidence for its usefulness has been demonstrated in experimental study designs, data supporting OSATS application in the operating room are limited. This study evaluates the validity and reliability of the OSATS instrument to assess the operative skills of surgery residents in the operating theater. METHODS: Twenty-four residents were recruited from seven hospitals within a general surgical training region and classified equally into three groups according to postgraduate training year (PGY). Each resident had to perform five different types of operations. Surgical performance was measured using a modified OSATS consisting of three scales: Global Rating Scale, Overall Performance Scale, and Alphabetic Summary Scale. Validity and reliability metrics included construct validity (Kruskal-Wallis test) and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α coefficient). Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between the different scales. RESULTS: Eighteen residents (PGY 1-2 [n = 7]; PGY 3-4 [n = 8]; PGY 5-6 [n = 3]) performed 249 operations. Comparisons of the performance scores revealed that evidence for construct validity depended on the difficulty level of the selected procedures. For individual operations, internal consistency reliability of the Global Rating Scale ranged from 0.93 to 0.95. Scores on the different scales correlated strongly (r = 0.62-0.76, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Assessment of operative skills in the operating theater using this modified OSATS instrument has the potential to establish learning curves, allowing adequate monitoring of residents' progress in achieving operative competence. The Alphabetic Summary Scale seems to be of additional value. Use of the Overall Performance Scale should be reconsidered.

Surgeons' attitude toward a competency-based training and assessment program: results of a multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND: Currently, most surgical training programs are focused on the development and evaluation of professional competencies. Also in the Netherlands, competency-based training and assessment programs were introduced to restructure postgraduate medical training. The current surgical residency program is based on the Canadian Medical Education Directives for Specialists (CanMEDS) competencies and uses assessment tools to evaluate residents' competence progression. In this study, we examined the attitude of surgical residents and attending surgeons toward a competency-based training and assessment program used to restructure general surgical training in the Netherlands in 2009. METHODS: In 2011, all residents (n = 51) and attending surgeons (n = 108) in 1 training region, consisting of 7 hospitals, were surveyed. Participants were asked to rate the importance of the CanMEDS competencies and the suitability of the adopted assessment tools. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale and considered relevant when at least 80% of the respondents rated an item with a score of 4 or 5 (indicating a positive attitude). Reliability was evaluated by calculating the Cronbach's α, and the Mann-Whitney test was applied to assess differences between groups. RESULTS: The response rate was 88% (n = 140). The CanMEDS framework demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.87). However, the importance of the competencies 'Manager' (78%) and 'Health Advocate' (70%) was undervalued. The assessment tools failed to achieve an acceptable reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.55), and individual tools were predominantly considered unsuitable for assessment. Exceptions were the tools 'in-training evaluation report' (91%) and 'objective structured assessment of technical skill' (82%). No significant differences were found between the residents and the attending surgeons. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that, 2 years after the reform of the general surgical residency program, residents and attending surgeons in a large training region in the Netherlands do not acknowledge the importance of all CanMEDS competencies and consider the assessment tools generally unsuitable for competence evaluation.

Cost-effectiveness of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic versus standard laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Live kidney donation has a clear economical benefit over dialysis and deceased-donor transplantation. Compared with mini-incision open donor nephrectomy, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is considered cost-effective. However, little is known on the cost-effectiveness of hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (HARP). This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of HARP versus LDN. METHODS: Alongside a randomized controlled trial, the cost-effectiveness of HARP versus LDN was assessed. Eighty-six donors were included in the LDN group and 82 in the HARP group. All in-hospital costs were recorded. During follow-up, return-to-work and other societal costs were documented up to 1 year. The EuroQol-5D questionnaire was administered up to 1 year postoperatively to calculate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). RESULTS: Mean total costs from a healthcare perspective were $8935 for HARP and $8650 for LDN (P = 0.25). Mean total costs from a societal perspective were $16,357 for HARP and $16,286 for LDN (P = 0.79). On average, donors completely resumed their daytime jobs on day 54 in the HARP group and on day 52 in the LDN group (P = 0.65). LDN resulted in a gain of 0.005 QALYs. CONCLUSIONS: Absolute costs of both procedures are very low and the differences in costs and QALYs between LDN and HARP are very small. Other arguments, such as donor safety and pain, should determine the choice between HARP and LDN.

Is bone scintigraphy indicated in surgical work-up for hepatocellular carcinoma patients?

BACKGROUND: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergo extensive staging investigations when being assessed for surgical resection. The aim of this study was to assess the use and yield of baseline bone scintigraphy in patients with HCC necessitating high-risk surgical resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients diagnosed with HCC between 2000 and 2010 within a tertiary referral center were reviewed. Recurrence and survival rates were compared between patients with and without bone scintigraphy in their preoperative work-up. RESULTS: A total of 366 patients were diagnosed with resectable HCC. In the work-up for resection 137 HCC patients (41%) underwent bone scintigraphy, which showed bone metastases in 3 (2%). There was no significant difference in long-term survival between patients with and without bone scintigraphy. None of the patients with a positive bone scintigraphy died due to skeletal bone metastases. Only one patient had an indication for bone scintigraphy based on clinical suspicion. Two patients were found to have asymptomatic skeletal metastases prior to surgery. Symptomatic skeletal metastases were identified at an estimated cost of €27,008 per case. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically unsuspicious bone lesions turned out to be metastases in two patients, with an estimated cost of €27,008 per case. Recurrence rate and disease-free and overall survival showed no significant difference between patients with and without preoperative baseline bone scintigraphy. There is no justification for routine preoperative bone scintigraphy to detect asymptomatic skeletal metastases in patients with resectable HCC.

Accumulation of unfavorable clinical and socioeconomic factors precludes living donor kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In the past 30 years, the number of living donor kidney transplantations has increased considerably and nowadays outnumbers the deceased donor transplantations in our center. We investigated which socioeconomic and clinical factors influence who undergoes living or deceased donor kidney transplantation. METHODS: This retrospective study included all 1338 patients who received a kidney transplant between 2000 and 2011 in the Erasmus MC Rotterdam. Clinical and socioeconomic variables were combined in our study. Clinical variables were recipient age, gender, ethnicity, original disease, retransplants, ABO blood type, panel-reactive antibody, previous treatment, and transplantation year. Each recipient's postcode was linked to a postcode area information data base, to extract demographic information on urbanization level, percentage non-Europeans in the area, income, and housing value. Chi-square, analysis of variance, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the recipients of a living versus deceased donor kidney transplantation. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, 10 variables had a significant influence on the chance of receiving living donor kidney transplantation. Clinical and socioeconomic factors had an independent influence on this chance. Patients with ABO blood type O and B have smaller chances. Highly sensitized and elderly patients have smaller chances especially when combined with a collection of other unfavorable factors. Accumulation of unfavorable factors in non-Europeans prevents their participation in living donation programs. CONCLUSION: Both clinical and socioeconomic factors are associated with participation in living or deceased donor kidney transplantation. This study highlights the populations that would benefit from educational intervention regarding living donor transplantation.

Comparison of macroscopic pathology measurements with magnetic resonance imaging and assessment of microscopic pathology extension for colorectal liver metastases.

PURPOSE: To compare pathology macroscopic tumor dimensions with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements and to establish the microscopic tumor extension of colorectal liver metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a prospective pilot study we included patients with colorectal liver metastases planned for surgery and eligible for MRI. A liver MRI was performed within 48 hours before surgery. Directly after surgery, an MRI of the specimen was acquired to measure the degree of tumor shrinkage. The specimen was fixed in formalin for 48 hours, and another MRI was performed to assess the specimen/tumor shrinkage. All MRI sequences were imported into our radiotherapy treatment planning system, where the tumor and the specimen were delineated. For the macroscopic pathology analyses, photographs of the sliced specimens were used to delineate and reconstruct the tumor and the specimen volumes. Microscopic pathology analyses were conducted to assess the infiltration depth of tumor cell nests. RESULTS: Between February 2009 and January 2010 we included 13 patients for analysis with 21 colorectal liver metastases. Specimen and tumor shrinkage after resection and fixation was negligible. The best tumor volume correlations between MRI and pathology were found for T1-weighted (w) echo gradient sequence (r(s) = 0.99, slope = 1.06), and the T2-w fast spin echo (FSE) single-shot sequence (r(s) = 0.99, slope = 1.08), followed by the T2-w FSE fat saturation sequence (r(s) = 0.99, slope = 1.23), and the T1-w gadolinium-enhanced sequence (r(s) = 0.98, slope = 1.24). We observed 39 tumor cell nests beyond the tumor border in 12 metastases. Microscopic extension was found between 0.2 and 10 mm from the main tumor, with 90% of the cases within 6 mm. CONCLUSIONS: MRI tumor dimensions showed a good agreement with the macroscopic pathology suggesting that MRI can be used for accurate tumor delineation. However, microscopic extensions found beyond the tumor border indicate that caution is needed in selecting appropriate tumor margins.

Can a decision-making model be justified in the management of hepatocellular adenoma?

During recent years, there was a great development in the area of hepatocellular adenomas (HCA), especially regarding the pathological subtype classification, radiological imaging and management during pregnancy. This review discusses the current knowledge about diagnosis and treatment modalities of HCA and proposes a decision-making model for HCA. A Medline search of studies relevant to epidemiology, histopathology, complications, imaging and management of HCA lesions was undertaken. References from identified articles were hand-searched for further relevant articles.

Donor conversion rates depend on the assessment tools used in the evaluation of potential organ donors.

PURPOSE: It is desirable to identify a potential organ donor (POD) as early as possible to achieve a donor conversion rate (DCR) as high as possible which is defined as the actual number of organ donors divided by the number of patients who are regarded as a potential organ donor. The DCR is calculated with different assessment tools to identify a POD. Obviously, with different assessment tools, one may calculate different DCRs, which make comparison difficult. Our aim was to determine which assessment tool can be used for a realistic estimation of a POD pool and how they compare to each other with regard to DCR. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with a subarachnoid haemorrhage, traumatic brain injury or intracerebral haemorrhage. We applied three different assessment tools on this cohort of patients. RESULTS: We identified a cohort of 564 patients diagnosed with a subarachnoid haemorrhage, traumatic brain injury or intracerebral haemorrhage of whom 179/564 (31.7%) died. After applying the three different assessment tools the number of patients, before exclusion of medical reasons or age, was 76 for the IBD-FOUR definition, 104 patients for the IBD-GCS definition and 107 patients based on the OPTN definition of imminent neurological death. We noted the highest DCR (36.5%) in the IBD-FOUR definition. CONCLUSION: The definition of imminent brain death based on the FOUR-score is the most practical tool to identify patients with a realistic chance to become brain dead and therefore to identify the patients most likely to become POD.

Hepatocellular adenoma: cost-effectiveness of different treatment strategies.

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness, costs, and cost-effectiveness of strategies for the management of hepatocellular adenoma (HA) in women who are otherwise healthy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Markov model was developed to estimate the quality-adjusted life expectancy (in quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]), lifetime costs (in 2007 U.S. dollars), and net health benefits (QALY equivalent) of surgery, transarterial embolization (TAE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and watchful waiting. Model parameters and their distributions were derived from the literature and the hospital database. RESULTS: In patients with HA tumors suitable for RFA, RFA had the highest effectiveness (23.89 QALYs) and lowest costs ($2965). The treatment decision was sensitive to RFA-related mortality. In patients with tumors unsuitable for RFA, watchful waiting combined with TAE in cases of hemorrhage had the highest effectiveness (23.83 QALYs) and lowest costs ($8493). The treatment decision was sensitive to probability of tumor growth, probability of hemorrhage, and hemorrhage-related mortality. CONCLUSION: According to the model results, the most favorable treatment strategy for patients with small HAs was RFA. In patients with HA unsuitable for RFA, watchful waiting was the optimal strategy.

On chain lengths, domino-paired and unbalanced altruistic kidney donations.

Kidney transplantations with living related and unrelated donors are the optimal option for patients with end-stage renal disease. For patients with a willing--but blood-type or HLA incompatible donor--a living-donor kidney exchange program could be an opportunity. In Asia, the United States and Europe, kidney exchange programs were developed under different conditions, with different exchange algorithms, and with different match results. The easiest way to organize a living-donor kidney exchange program is to enlist national or regional cooperation, initiated by an independent organization that is already responsible for the allocation of deceased donor organs. For logistic reasons, the optimal maximum chain length should be three pairs. To optimize cross-match procedures a central laboratory is recommended. Anonymity between the matched pairs depends on the culture and logistics of the various countries. For incompatible donor-recipient pairs who have been unsuccessful in finding suitable matches in an exchange program, domino-paired kidney transplantations triggered by Good Samaritan donors is the next alternative. To expand transplantations with living donors, we advise integrating such a program into a national exchange program under supervision of an independent allocation authority. If no Good Samaritan donors are available, an unbalanced kidney paired-exchange program with compatible and incompatible pairs is another strategy that merits future development.

Avoiding the issue: patients' (non)communication with potential living kidney donors.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney transplantation with a living donor has proved to be an effective solution for kidney patients on the waiting list for transplantation. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to find a living kidney donor. The purpose of this explorative study is to investigate how kidney transplant candidates may, or may not, find a living donor in the Netherlands. METHODS: We compared a group of 42 patients who did not find a living donor with a group of 42 patients who did, using semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: We found that, although almost all patients recognized the advantages of living kidney donation and were willing to accept the offer of a living kidney donor, many found it very difficult to ask a potential donor directly. This was true for both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients may gain from professional support to deal with this situation in ways that balance their medical needs and their personal relationships. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Support programs should be developed to assist patients in developing strategies for discussing living kidney donation with potential donors.