ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a two-stage strategy that may increase hepatic tumour resectability and reduce postoperative liver failure rate by inducing rapid hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR). Pathophysiological mechanisms after the first stage of ALPPS are poorly understood. METHODS: An ALPPS model was established in rabbits with liver VX2 tumour. The pathophysiological mechanisms after the first stage of ALPPS in the FLR and tumour were assessed by multiplexed positron emission tomography (PET) tracers, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and histopathology. RESULTS: Tumour volume in the ALPPS model differed from post-stage 1 ALPPS at day 14 compared to control animals. 18F-FDG uptake of tumour increased from day 7 onwards in the ALPPS model. Valid volumetric function measured by 18F-methylcholine PET showed good values in accurately monitoring dynamics and time window for functional liver regeneration (days 3 to 7). DCE-MRI revealed changes in the vascular hyperpermeability function, with a peak on day 7 for tumour and FLR. CONCLUSION: Molecular and functional imaging are promising non-invasive methods to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of ALPPS with potential for clinical application.