Discussion of issues related to Budd-Chiari syndrome / 国际外科学杂志

Budd-Chiari syndrome (B-CS) is a rare disease caused by hepatic vein outflow obstruction, and its etiology is complex and inconclusive. Current studies suggest that vascular dysplasia, gut microbiota and trace element imbalance may be related to the pathogenesis of B-CS, and the development of high-throughput sequencing technology may help to clarify the exact pathogenesis of B-CS. The symptoms of B-CS are not specific and rely mainly on imaging methods to establish the diagnosis, so there is an urgent need to find new noninvasive biological diagnostic markers. In addition, there are many pathological types and different criteria of B-CS, which mostly can′t fully reflect the pathophysiological changes of B-CS patients and guide clinical treatment. Therefore, we recommend pathophysiological classification according to the hemodynamic changes and collateral circulation compensation of B-CS, and then develop personalized treatment strategies for stratified management different from the traditional early diagnosis and treatment protocols. This article summarizes and discusses the above contents.

Advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma combined with hepatic vein tumor thrombus / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the common malignant tumors in China, which seriously threatens the life and health of the nation. Hepatic vein tumor thrombosis (HVTT) is one of the common clinical manifestations. The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma combined with HVTT is extremely poor, and there is no unanimous opinion on its treatment in China and abroad. Currently, Asian guidelines recommend multidisciplinary treatment for patients with vascular invasion. This article reviewed the current progress in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma combined with HVTT.

Migração para veia hepática de cateter totalmente implantável para quimioterapia em paciente com carcinoma de mama: relato de caso / Hepatic vein migration of a totally implantable venous access port-a-cath for chemotherapy in a breast carcinoma patient: case report

Resumo O cateter totalmente implantável (CTI) é utilizado na administração da quimioterapia. Em menos de 1% dos casos de complicação, pode ocorrer migração do CTI para quimioterapia para a circulação sistêmica. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever um caso de migração do CTI para a veia hepática. Uma paciente do sexo feminino, de 44 anos de idade, teve diagnóstico de câncer de mama com indicação de quimioterapia neoadjuvante. Realizou-se a implantação de cateter port-a-cath. Durante o procedimento de punção do cateter, houve retorno normal de sangue, e foi realizada infusão de soro fisiológico. Em seguida, houve um aumento de volume no local do port e não retorno de sangue à aspiração. A radiografia de tórax mostrou embolização do cateter em topografia hepática. Retirou-se o cateter pela técnica do laço (sem complicações), e a paciente recebeu alta no dia seguinte. Possíveis alterações no funcionamento do CTI devem chamar atenção da equipe responsável.

Abstract A totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) is used for chemotherapy administration. Venous port migration to the systemic circulation occurs in less than 1% of complications. The aim of this study is to describe a case of TIVAP migration to the hepatic vein. A 44-year-old female patient with breast cancer was prescribed neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A port-a-cath was surgically implanted for chemotherapy. During the port puncture procedure, blood returned normally when aspirated. When the port was first accessed and flushed with saline solution, swelling was observed at the port site and blood could no longer be aspirated. A chest radiography showed catheter embolization in the region of the hepatic vein. The catheter was retrieved using a snare technique (without complications) and the patient was discharged the next day. The care team should be alert to possible TIIVAP malfunction.

Effect of intrahepatic veno-venous communications on the consistency of hepatic venous pressure gradient and portal vein pressure gradient / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:By using balloon occlusive hepatic angiography in cirrhotic portal hypertension to evaluate contrast doses on the detection rate of intrahepatic venous-lateral branch shunt (HVVC), and the effect on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and portal vein pressure gradient (PPG).Methods:From Jan 2018 to Jun 2021, 131 patients received transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) at Beijing Shijitan Hospital.Results:A positive correlation between PVP and weged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) ( r=0.241, P=0.001) was found when only by right hepatic vein approach. Ten ml of iodine contrast medium when compared to 5ml doses found more cases of intrahepatic venous-venous lateral branch shunt. The mean PPG of patients with HVVC was significantly higher than the mean of HVPG( P<0.05).The right hepatic vein was the only reliable vein by which WHVP was measured. Conclusions:Right hepatic vein manometry,adequate ballon occlusion and using 10ml of iodine contrast help get reliable WHVP and found HVVC; HVVC can affect the consistency of HVPG and PPG.

Effects of patent accessory hepatic vein in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic vein occlusion / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical significance of patent accessory hepatic vein (AHV) in treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with hepatic vein occlusion.Methods:The clinical data of 21 BCS patients treated from Jan 2010 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent AHV and IVC venography.Results:Angiography showed that the diameter of AHV was 6-13mm after the procedure, the angle between AHV and the distal end of IVC was (106.9±27.7)°, and 57.1% of the AHV were opened at the right side of IVC, 9.5% at the front, and 1.4% at the left side, respectively. The technical success rate was 100%. Thirteen patients with AHV disease underwent balloon dilatation angioplasty, and their preoperative AHV pressure dropped from (41.6±6.4) cm H 2O to (22.2±5.5) cm H 2O ( t=11.966, P<0.01). The preoperative AHV and intrahepatic IVC pressure decreased from (29.1±3.3) cm H 2O to (19.1±8.8) cm H 2O ( t=8.136, P<0.01) and from (25.5±6.1) cm H 2O to (13.8±4.0) cm H 2O ( t=5.536, P<0.01), respectively. All patients were of no symptom during follow up for 6 months and ultrasound showed that the patency rate of original lesion was 100%. Conclusion:A patent AHV helps alleviate the symptoms and blood congestion of BCS patients with hepatic vein obstruction.

A prospective observational study of branching pattern of middle hepatic vein on contrast enhanced computed tomography

Background: The main purpose of pre-operative imaging in liver transplantation is to expose the arterial and venous vascular map. Prior to transplantation it is necessary to image the vascular structures property due to complex nature of liver vascular anatomy and its frequent variations. CT is a useful method not only in the determination of hepatic arterial anatomy, hepatic venous anatomy, accessory hepatic veins and portal veins variations.Methods: This was a prospective observational study performed at the department of surgery, Gandhi Medical College Bhopal and study of CECT was carried out in the department of radiodiagnosis with approval from college ethical committee on 100 patients during a period of 2 years from 2017 to 2019.Results: In study of 100 cases were studied. The study mainly done on the MHV mainly its length, width draining segments of liver by MHV and accessory hepatic veins. In overall cases maximum cases had drainage from segment IVb, V and segment VIII. The segment 5 accessory vein is the most common single accessory vein found in the study.Conclusions: Many parameters of MHV have studied in the study and understanding of these parameters is undoubtedly important for operating surgeon its anatomical draining patterns, draining liver segments and has got the presence of the various accessory veins in the liver. Recognition of these accessory hepatic veins is important because some of these accessory veins may become useful in segmental liver transplantation.

Comparative study on selective hepatic vascular exclsion and total hepatic vascular exclusion for hepatic trauma with major hepatic vein injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To compare the effect of selective hepatic vascular exclsion ( SHVE) and total hepatic vascular exclusion ( THVE ) in the treatment of hepatic trauma with major hepatic vein injury. Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 42 patients with hepatic trauma accompanied by hepatic vein injury admitted to multiple centers from April 2000 to December 2017. There were 30 males and 12 females, aged 14-65 years [(40. 2 ± 18. 8)years]. Blood flow exclusion was operated through HVE in 22 patients ( SHVE group ) and through THVE in 20 patients (THVE group). SHVE group included 22 patients (16 males and six females), aged (40. 1 ±19. 4)years. There were 10 patients with grade IV and 12 with grade V according to American Association of Traumatic Surgery ( AAST) classification of liver injury. In terms of the hepatic vein injury, there were 13 patients with type I, eight with type III, and one with type IV. THVE group included 20 patients (14 males and six females), aged (39.9 ±18.2)years. There were nine patients with grade IV and 11 with grade V according to AAST classification of liver injury. In terms of the hepatic vein injury, there were 11 patients with type I, seven with type III, and two with type IV. The operation approach, operation time, hepatic warm ischemia time, blocking time of hepatic vein blood flow, amount of abdominal hemorrhage, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, intraoperative infusion, total blood transfusion, length of ICU stay after operation, length of hospital stay after operation, function of liver and kidney after operation, incidence of complications and mortality were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the amount of abdominal hemorrhage, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, perioperative blood transfusion, surgical procedure, and postoperative liver and kidney function between the two groups (P>0. 05). The THVE group had significantly longer operation time, hepatic warm ischemia time, hepatic venous blood flow blocking time, postoperative ICU time and postoperative hospital stay than the SHVE group (P<0. 05). The amount of infusion in the SHVE group was less than that in the THVE group (P <0. 05). The incidence of complications in SHVE group was 27％ (6/22), lower than that in THVE group [60％ (12/20)] (P<0. 05). The mortality of SHVE group was 14％ (3/22), lower than that of THVE group [45％ (9/20)] (P<0. 05). Conclusions SHVE and THVE can effectively control bleeding in the treatment of hepatic trauma with main hepatic vein injury. SHVE has more advantages over THVE in shortening operation time, warm ischemia time of liver, blocking time of hepatic vein blood flow, ICU stay after operation, hospital stay after operation and reducing intraoperative infusion volume, and can reduce the incidence of complications and mortality.

Automatic 3D modeling of liver segments including segmental branches of portal triad and hepatic vein based on the sectioned-images / Modelado 3D automático de segmentos hepáticos, con las ramas segmentarias de la tríada portal y la vena hepática basadas en las imágenes seccionadas

SUMMARY: The liver dimensional (3D) models, consists of eight segments including portal triad (portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct), are necessary because it is difficult to dissect a liver and its inner structures. But it is difficult to produce 3D models from high resolution and color sectioned-images. This study presents automatic and accurate methods for producing liver 3D models from the sectionedimages. Based on the sectioned-images and color-filled-images of the liver, a 3D model including both the portal triad and hepatic vein was made. Referring to the 3D model, 3D models of liver's eight segments including the segmental branches of the portal triad and hepatic vein were completed and saved as STL format. All STL files were combined and saved as Liver-3D in PDF format for the common user. By functional subdivision of liver, the Liver-3D was divided into left (segments II, III, and, IV) and right (segments V, VI, VII, and VIII) liver in bookmark window of the PDF file. In addition, in Liver-3D, the primary to tertiary segmental branches of the portal triad could be shown in different colors. Owing to the difficulty of 3D modeling of liver including eight segments and segmental branches of the portal triad and hepatic, we started this research to find automatic methods for producing 3D models. The methods for producing liver 3D models will assist in 2D selection and 3D modeling of other complicated structures.

RESUMEN: Los modelos hepáticos dimensionales (3D) consisten en ocho segmentos que incluyen la tríada portal (vena porta, arteria hepática y conducto biliar), y son necesarios ya que es difícil disecar un hígado y sus estructuras internas. Sin embargo, es difícil producir modelos 3D a partir de imágenes en alta resolución e imágenes seccionadas en color. Este estudio presenta métodos automáticos y precisos para producir modelos 3D de hígado a partir de las imágenes seccionadas. Sobre la base de las imágenes seccionadas y las imágenes del hígado llenas de color, se realizó un modelo 3D que incluía tanto la tríada portal como la vena hepática. En referencia al modelo 3D, se completaron modelos 3D de los ocho segmentos del hígado que incluían las ramas segmentarias de la tríada portal y la vena hepática y se guardaron como formato STL. Todos los archivos STL fueron combinados y guardados como Liver-3D en formato PDF para el usuario común. Por subdivisión funcional del hígado, el hígado-3D se dividió en hígado izquierdo (segmentos II, III y IV) y derecho (segmentos V, VI, VII y VIII) en la ventana de marcador del archivo PDF. Además, en Liver-3D, las ramas segmentarias primarias a terciarias de la tríada portal podrían mostrarse en diferentes colores. Debido a la dificultad del modelado 3D del hígado, incluidos ocho segmentos y ramas segmentarias de la tríada portal y hepática, comenzamos esta investigación para encontrar métodos automáticos para producir modelos 3D. Los métodos para producir modelos 3D de hígado ayudarán en la selección 2D y el modelado 3D de otras estructuras complicadas.

Accessory Hepatic Veins and Their Surgical Implication

Vascular variations regarding the hepatic veins are well explored in the literature. Many of these variations possess clinical and surgical relevance due to the fact that liver transplants, hepatectomies, and tumors resection of the liver are still a challenge to medical professionals. Furthermore, a great number of diseases affect the vascular dynamic of such organ. During regular dissection of a male cadaver fixed with a 10% formalin solution, we found a rareanatomical variation wherethree veins emerged from the parenchyma of the visceral side of the fifth portal hepatic lobe and drained into the inferior vena cava above the renal vein confluence. We report this rare vascular anomaly and assess its clinical and surgical significance

Long-term outcomes after stent insertion in patients with early and late hepatic vein outflow obstruction after living donor liver transplantation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the long-term effects of stenting in patients with hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO), who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2009, 622 adult patients underwent LDLT at our hospital, and of these patients, 21 (3.3%) were diagnosed with HVOO; among these patients, 17 underwent stenting. The patients were divided into early or late groups according to the time of their HVOO diagnoses (cutoff: 60 days after liver transplantation). RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 54.2 months (range, 0.5–192.4 months). Stent insertion was successful in 8 of 10 patients in the early group and 6 of 7 in the late group. The 5-year primary patency rates were 46% and 20%, respectively. In both groups, patients with recurrent HVOO at the beginning showed kinking confirmed by venography. Patients who carried their stents for more than 3 years maintained long-term patency. There was no significant difference in spleen size between groups; however, when the groups were compared according to whether they maintained patency, spleens tended to be smaller in the patency-maintained group. CONCLUSION: Unlike stenosis, if kinking is confirmed on venography, stenting is not feasible in the long term for patients with LDLT.

Technical advancement in surgical treatment of portal hypertension / 中华肝脏病杂志

Recently, there have been many developments and improvements in portal hypertension surgery, but there are still many controversies regarding the surgical indications, the timing of surgery, and the choice of surgical procedures. Minimally invasive laparoscopy and robotics are the leading direction for the development of surgical techniques for portal hypertension. Surgical selection procedures should be based on evidence-based, but guidelines should not be blindly followed. Surgical development needs to strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation, and surgical reform is the driving force for surgical development.

CT Angiography and Ultrasound in Evaluating Blood Vessels Before Liver Transplantation: A Comparative Study / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To discuss the value of phase III CT angiography (CTA) and ultrasound in evaluating the preoperative vascular anatomical variation and the lumen patency of the patients with liver transplantation. Materials and Methods The clinical and imaging data of 126 patients with liver transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were collected. CT scan in arterial phase, portal venous phase, venous phase and CTAreconstruction and ultrasound examination were performed before surgery. CTA images included volume rendering (VR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), curve plane reformation (CPR), and multi-plane reformation (MPR). The anatomical variations and lumen patency of the hepatic artery, the portal vein system, the hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava were observed. The accuracy of CTA and ultrasound of the evaluation of blood vessels in patients with liver transplantation was compared with the criteria of intraoperative exploration and postoperative pathological results. Results Among 126 patients with liver transplantation, all the hepatic artery lumen was unobstructed, with 98 cases of normal anatomical structure and 28 cases (22.2％) of anatomical variation, including Michel type II 7.1％ (9/126), type III 6.3％ (8/126), type IV 3.2％ (4/126), type V 2.4％ (3/126), type VI 0.8％ (1/126); 2.4％(3/126) of Michel classification was not included. The diagnostic accuracy of CTA for arterial anatomical variations was 100.0％, and the patency diagnosis of the lumen was consistent with the operation, and the anatomical variation cannot be evaluated. In 126 patients, there were 94 cases of portal vein patency, and 32 cases of portal vein embolus, including 21 cases with thrombus and 11 cases with tumor embolus. The diagnostic accuracy of CTA and ultrasound for portal vein embolus was 93.7％ and 96.0％, respectively; and there was no statistical significance (P>0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of them for thrombosis was 96.0％ and 91.3％, respectively; and there was statistical significance (P<0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of them for the tumor thrombus was 97.6％ and 92.1％, respectively; and there was statistical significance (P<0.05), CTA could show the collateral circulation around the portal vein. The diagnostic accuracy of CTA and ultrasound for venous patency was both 99.3％. The diagnostic accuracy of CTA and ultrasound for the anatomy of hepatic venous trunk was 99.2％ and 95.2％, respectively; and there was no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusion CTA can accurately evaluate the hepatic artery variation of liver transplantation. It has a high accuracy rate for the qualitative diagnosis of portal vein emboli, and can display collateral circulation. Its overall preoperative diagnostic value is better than that of ultrasound.

Laparoscopic anatomical left hepatectomy guided by milddle hepatic vein approach: a clinical analysis of 21 cases / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic anatomical left hepatectomy by guided middle hepatic vein approach.Methods The clinical data of 21 patients undergone anatomical left hepatectomy from Oct.2015 to Jul.2018 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the 21 cases,the primary hepatocellular carcinoma were found in 4 patients (19.1％),the cholangiocarcinoma in 1 patients (4.8％),the giant hepatic hemangioma in 1 patients (4.8％),the hepatolithiasis in 15 patients (71.3％).All 21 patients were operated under laparoscopy and recovered.The operative time was 160-380 min,the average operative time was(248 ± 56)min,the intraoperative blood loss was 100-700 ml.The average blood loss was (250 ± 40)ml,the average length of hospital stay of the patients was 8-14 (10 ± 2)d.Conclusions Laparoscopic anatomical left hepatectomy guided by middle hepatic vein approach is a safe and effective operation.

Two-Surgeon Technique for laproscopic anatomical hepatectomy / 中国医师杂志

Laproscopic anatomical hepatectomy (LAH) is a highly-demanding procedure.Single-surgeon technique,which is widely adopted in open hepatectomy,can no longer meet the demands of LAH very well.Our department is one of the first hepatobiliary surgery centers which routinely applied Two-Surgeon Technique when performing LAH.Two-Surgeon Technique means having two skillful and experienced surgeons cooperate LAH,the two surgeons exchange their duty of Surgeon or Assistant as needed during the operation.Two-surgeon Technique can better guarantee the safety of LAH,as well as enhance the efficiency and quality of procedures.

Measuring Intrahepatic Vascular Changes Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography to Predict the Prognosis of Alcoholic Hepatitis Combined with Cirrhosis: A Prospective Pilot Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute hepatic dysfunction combined with alcoholic hepatitis (AH) in alcoholic cirrhosis is related to hepatic hypo-perfusion secondary to intrahepatic necroinflammation, neoangiogenesis, and shunt. The hepatic vein arrival time (HVAT) assessed by microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is closely correlated with the severity of intrahepatic changes. We investigated the usefulness of HVAT to predict short-term mortality of AH in cirrhosis. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (27 males) and AH were prospectively enrolled. HVAT study was performed within 3 days after admission using ultrasonic contrast (SonoVue®). The primary outcome was 12-week mortality. RESULTS: Twelve-week mortality developed in nine patients. HVAT was significantly different between the mortality and survival groups (9.3±2.0 seconds vs 12.6±3.5 seconds, p=0.002). The odds ratio of a shortened HVAT for 12-week mortality was 1.481 (95% confidence interval, 1.050–2.090; p=0.025). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of HVAT for 12-week mortality was 0.787 (p=0.010). The combination of MDF and HVAT ≥11.0 seconds resulted in an 87.5% survival rate even if the MDF score ≥32; however, HVAT < 11.0 seconds was related with mortality despite a MDF score < 32. CONCLUSIONS: HVAT using microbubble CEUS could be a useful additional index to predict short-term mortality in patients with AH and cirrhosis.

The role of communicant veins between hepatic veins in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome with liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective Budd-Chiari syndrome is apt to be misdiagnosed,so we explore its diagnosis and treatment by liver transplantation.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of two patients who underwent liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome.One patient was misdiagnosed before the transplantation and another was diagnosed correctly.Results Both patients were grouped to Child C category with decompensated liver cirrhosis.Patient 1 was diagnosed as recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma,but the etiology of liver disease was first unknown then suspected to be schistosomiasis.This patient underwent piggyback liver transplantation.Because there was significant swelling in the perineum and lower extremities after liver transplantation,we re-reviewed the preoperative imaging data and found communicant veins between hepatic veins,which proved that the patient was actually suffered from Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic vein and suprahepatic vena cava occlusion before the transplantation.After conservative treatment,the swelling of the lower body was alleviated,however,the long-term survival of the patient would be compromised.Learning from the first case,we found communicant veins between hepatic veins in imaging data of patient 2,resulting in correct diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatic vein and retrohepatic vena cava diseases before the transplantation,so the patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation,in which the liver and retrohepatic vena cava were resected,and recovered uneventfully.Liver function was normal during the follow up period of 7 months.Conclusion We should consider the possibility of Budd-Chiari syndrome in patients with unexplained end-stage liver diseases.Communicant veins between the hepatic veins shown in thin CT or MRI image are the characteristic sign for diagnosing Budd-Chiari syndrome.Simultaneously hepatic vein or cava vena disease determines the choice of various technique of liver transplantation.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic thrombolysis for treatment of portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation / 中国医师杂志

Objective To evaluate the effective and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous portal vein guide wire placement adjunct to thrombolytic catheter,which treating portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation.Methods From Jan 2012 to Dec 2015,a total of 6 patients (5 male,1 female,average age 50.6 years old,age range 41-65 years old) with portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation were retrospectively studied.The diagnosis was confirmed by contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with hypoechonic and no enhancement in portal vein.With ultrasound-guided a 18-guage guide wire was placed in right branch of portal vein,and a guidewire was placement.After exchanging the catheter,the thrombosis was confirmed again by venography.A thrombolytic catheter was placed and local thrombolysis therapy was performed.Results The guidewires were successfully placed in 6 patients.The thrombolytic catheters were successfully placed in 5 patients (day 2-60 after operation),and failed in 1 patient (9 years after operation).With 5-11 days urokinase injection,the patency of portal vein was found in 5 patients,of which 4 patients was treated by angioplasty and stent placement.With 16-31 months follow-up,the patency of portal vein was maintained.Neither server complication nor related-death was occurred.Conclusions Ultrasound-guided percutaneous portal vein guide wire placement adjuncts thrombolytic catheter is effective and safety for treating portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation.

Percutaneous transhepatic hepatic venous stenting after extracorporeal hepatic resection and autotransplantation: A case report

We report a case of percutaneous transhepatic stent placement for the treatment of hepatic venous outflow obstruction after extracorporeal hepatic resection and autotransplantation. A 63-year-old woman with a large mass in the liver was asymptomatic with no hepatic virus infection. Because the tumor was unresectable by conventional means, we used extracorporeal hepatic resection and autotransplantation for operation. Two days after surgery, hepatic venous outflow obstruction of the right and right inferior hepatic veins was suspected on computed tomography. After failure of the transjugular approach, hepatic venous stenting was performed successfully via the percutaneoustranshepatic approach.

Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of hepatic vein in dogs with tricuspid regurgitation

This study was performed to identify the relationships between hepatic vein (HV) measurements, including flow velocity and waveform, using pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler ultrasonography, and the severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in dogs. The study included 22 dogs with TR and 7 healthy dogs. The TR group was subdivided into 3 groups according to TR jet profile obtained by echocardiography. The hepatic venous waveform was obtained and classified into 3 types. A variety of HV measurements, including the maximal velocities of the atrial systolic, systolic (S), end ventricular systolic, and diastolic (D) waves and the ratio of the S- and D- wave velocities (S/D ratio), were acquired. TR severity was significantly correlated with the S- (r = −0.380, p = 0.042) and D- (r = 0.468, p = 0.011) wave velocities and the S/D ratio (r = −0.747, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the highest sensitivity and specificity for the S/D ratio (89% and 75%, respectively) at a threshold of 0.97 with excellent accuracy (AUC = 0.911, p < 0.001). In conclusion, PW Doppler ultrasonography of the HV can be used to identify the presence of significant TR and to classify TR severity in dogs.

Application of three dimensional visualization techniques in the research of hepatic venous anatomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Hepatic veins as the only hepatic drainage veins are the important functional part of liver anatomy in the field of surgery.With the development of imaging technology,especially the application of three-dimensional visualization technology,it can provide precise and comprehensive information in the study of hepatic veins.And thus this paper comprehensively reviewed the recent researches on the three dimensional visualization technology for observign the hepatic veins.