Enhancing ACLF prediction by integrating sarcopenia assessment and frailty in liver transplant candidates on the waiting list.

Background & Aims: Malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty are prevalent in cirrhosis. We aimed to assess the correlation between assessment tools for malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty in patients on the liver transplant (LT) waiting list (WL), and to identify a predictive model for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) development. Methods: This prospective single-center study enrolled consecutive patients with cirrhosis on the WL for LT (May 2019-November 2021). Assessments included subjective global assessment, CT body composition, skeletal muscle index (SMI), ultrasound thigh muscle thickness, sarcopenia HIBA score, liver frailty index (LFI), hand grip strength, and 6-minute walk test at enrollment. Correlations were analyzed using Pearson's correlation. Competing risk regression analysis was used to assess the predictive ability of the liver- and functional physiological reserve-related variables for ACLF. Results: A total of 132 patients, predominantly with decompensated cirrhosis (87%), were included. Our study revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition (61%), sarcopenia (61%), visceral obesity (20%), sarcopenic visceral obesity (17%), and frailty (10%) among participants. Correlations between the assessment tools for sarcopenia and frailty were poor. Sarcopenia by SMI remained prevalent when frailty assessments were not usable. After a median follow-up of 10 months, 39% of the patients developed ACLF on WL, while 28% experienced dropouts without ACLF. Multivariate analysis identified MELD-Na, SMI, and LFI as independent predictors of ACLF on the WL. The predictive model MELD-Na-sarcopenia-LFI had a C-statistic of 0.85. Conclusions: The poor correlation between sarcopenia assessment tools and frailty underscores the importance of a comprehensive evaluation. The SMI, LFI, and MELD-Na independently predicted ACLF development in WL. These findings enhance our understanding of the relationship between sarcopenia, frailty, and ACLF in patients awaiting LT, emphasizing the need for early detection and intervention to improve WL outcomes. Impact and implications: The relationship between sarcopenia and frailty assessment tools, as well as their ability to predict acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in patients on the liver transplant (LT) waiting list (WL), remains poorly understood. Existing objective frailty screening tests have limitations when applied to critically ill patients. The correlation between sarcopenia and frailty assessment tools was weak, suggesting that they may capture different phenotypes. Sarcopenia assessed by skeletal muscle index, frailty evaluated using the liver frailty index, and the model for end-stage liver disease-Na score independently predicted the development of ACLF in patients on the WL. Our findings support the integration of liver frailty index and skeletal muscle index assessments at the time of inclusion on the WL for LT. This combined approach allows for the identification of a specific patient subgroup with an increased susceptibility to ACLF, underscoring the importance of early implementation of targeted treatment strategies to improve outcomes for patients awaiting LT.

Primeros pasos en el intervencionismo. Lecciones de la práctica diaria / First steps in interventionism. Lessons from daily practice

Resumen Las características del paciente y la localización de la lesión diana pueden hacer más complejo un procedimiento intervencionista. Una adecuada formación basada en el conocimiento de los instrumentos, manejo de técnicas alternativas y complementos hacen que estos procedimientos sean efectivos y seguros. Destacaremos la planificación anticipada, los enfoques seguros, el papel de la integración y la discusión interdisciplinaria. Los elementos descritos aquí y la bibliografía adjunta pueden tomarse como una guía para comenzar una carrera en radiología intervencionista.

Abstract The characteristics of the patient and the location of the target lesion can make an interventional procedure more complex. An adequate training based on the knowledge of instruments, handling of alternative techniques and supplementary tools make these procedures effective and safe. We will emphasize advanced planning, safe approaches, the role of integration, and interdisciplinary discussion. The items described here and the accompanying bibliography can be taken as a guide to starting a career in interventional radiology.

Variaciones anatómicas en la vascularización del colon derecho y su implicancia en la escisión completa del mesocolon con linfadenectomía D3. Estudio de corte transversal / Anatomical variations in right colon vascularization: its implication in complete mesocolic excision with D3 lymphadenectomy. A cross-sectional study

Introducción: La escisión completa del mesocolon con linfadenectomía D3 (CME-D3) mejora los resultados de los pacientes operados por cáncer del colon. Reconocer adecuadamente la anatomía vascular es fundamental para evitar complicaciones. Objetivo: El objetivo primario fue determinar la prevalencia de las variaciones anatómicas de la arteria mesentérica superior (AMS) y sus ramas en relación a la vena mesentérica superior (VMS). El objetivo secundario fue evaluar la asociación entre las distintas variantes anatómicas y el sexo y la etnia de lo pacientes. Diseño: Estudio de corte transversal. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron 225 pacientes con cáncer del colon derecho diagnosticados entre enero 2017 y diciembre de 2020. Dos radiólogos independientes describieron la anatomía vascular observada en las tomografías computadas. Según la relación de las ramas de la AMS con la VMS, la población fue dividida en 2 grupos y subdividida en 6 (1a-c, 2a-c). Resultados: La arteria ileocólica fue constante, transcurriendo en el 58,7% de los casos por la cara posterior de la VMS. La arteria cólica derecha, presente en el 39,6% de los pacientes, cruzó la VMS por su cara anterior en el 95,5% de los casos. La variante de subgrupo más frecuente fue la 2a seguida por la 1a (36,4 y 24%, respectivamente). No se encontró asociación entre las variantes anatómicas y el sexo u origen étnico. Conclusión: Las variaciones anatómicas de la AMS y sus ramas son frecuentes y no presentan un patrón predominante. No hubo asociación entre las mismas y el sexo u origen étnico en nuestra cohorte. El reconocimiento preoperatorio de estas variantes mediante angiotomografía resulta útil para evitar lesiones vasculares durante la CME-D3. (AU)

Background: Complete mesocolic excision with D3 lymphadenectomy (CME-D3) improves the outcomes of patients operated on for colon cancer. Proper recognition of vascular anatomy is essential to avoid complications. Aim: Primary outcome was to determine the prevalence of anatomical variations of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and its branches in relation to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). Secondary outcome was to evaluate the association between these anatomical variations and sex and ethnicity of the patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Material and methods: Two hundred twenty-fivepatients with right colon cancer diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2020 were included. Two independent radiologists described the vascular anatomy of computed tomography scans. The population was divided into 2 groups and subdivided into 6 groups (1a-c, 2a-c), according to the relationship of the SMA and its branches with the SMV. Results: The ileocolic artery was constant, crossing the SMV posteriorly in 58.7% of the cases. The right colic artery, present in 39.6% of the patients, crossed the SMV on its anterior aspect in 95.5% of the cases. The most frequent subgroup variant was 2a followed by 1a (36.4 and 24%, respectively). No association was found between anatomical variants and gender or ethnic origin. Conclusions: The anatomical variations of the SMA and its branches are common, with no predominant pattern. There was no association between anatomical variations and gender or ethnic origin in our cohort. Preoperative evaluation of these variations by computed tomography angi-ography is useful to avoid vascular injuries during CME-D3. (AU)

Sarcopenia HIBA score predicts sarcopenia and mortality in patients on the liver transplant waiting list.

Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition that predicts prognosis in patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT). The gold standard for the diagnosis of sarcopenia is the assessment of the muscular area at L3 with computed tomography (CT) scan (skeletal muscle index [SMI]), but the routine use of CT scan is limited in clinical practice. Thus, we designed a single-center observational study aimed to evaluate the clinical factors associated with the presence of sarcopenia by SMI, and to build a score capable of predicting or excluding the presence of sarcopenia in patients on the LT waiting list (WL). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the factors independently associated with sarcopenia, and the Sarcopenia Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA) score was built from the resulting model after internal validation analysis by bootstrapping and correction for optimism. The predictive capability of mortality on the WL was evaluated with competing risk regression analysis. A total of 215 patients with cirrhosis on the LT WL were included. The independent factors associated with the presence of sarcopenia were male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 6.09, p < 0.001), body mass index (OR: 0.74, p < 0.001), Child Pugh (OR: 1.44, p < 0.001), and the ratio creatinine/Cystatin C (OR: 0.03, p = 0.007). The Sarcopenia HIBA score constructed with these variables showed an area under the curve of 0.862. During follow-up, 77 (36%) patients underwent LT, 46 (21%) died, and 92 (43%) remained alive. After adjusting for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium, Sarcopenia HIBA score was an independent predictor of WL mortality (subhazard ratio: 1.19; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.40; p = 0.042). Sarcopenia HIBA score is an easy-to-use, objective, and reliable diagnostic and predictive tool that can be useful to improve the prognostic evaluation and allow identifying a group of patients with a higher risk of death while awaiting LT.

Cystatin C and Sarcopenia Predict Acute on Chronic Liver Failure Development and Mortality in Patients on the Liver Transplant Waiting List.

BACKGROUND: Cystatin C (CysC) is an early biomarker of renal dysfunction scarcely studied in patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT). Sarcopenia is frequent in cirrhosis and impacts prognosis. We aimed to assess the capability of these factors to predict survival and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in patients awaiting LT, as well as early post-LT outcomes. METHODS: Single-center study that included all cirrhotic patients listed for LT between 2014 and 2017. Competing risk regression analysis was used to evaluate the capability of liver-, kidney-, and global status-related variables at waitlist (WL) inclusion to predict WL mortality and ACLF. Variables associated with post-LT outcomes were evaluated with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-eighty patients were included. Fifty-six (31%) patients developed ACLF, 54 (30%) underwent LT and 35 (19%) died. In the adjusted competing risk regression analysis, CysC ≥ 1.5 mg/L, sarcopenia and MELD-Na were independent predictors of ACLF in the WL, while CysC ≥ 1.5 mg/L, sarcopenia and albumin were independent predictors of mortality. The cumulative incidence of ACLF and mortality at 12 months were 50% and 34% in patients with sarcopenia and CysC ≥1.5 mg/L. An estimated glomerular filtration rate by chronic kidney disease (CKD)-EPI-CysC-creatinine <60 mL/min/1.73 m at WL inclusion was an independent predictor of the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the first month post-LT. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of CysC and sarcopenia are strongly associated with the ACLF and mortality in WL. The assessment of both risk factors may improve the prognostic evaluation and allow identifying a group of patients with a very high risk of poor outcomes while awaiting LT.

[Magnetic resonance and extramural vascular invasion in patients with rectal cancer and liver metastases]. / Resonancia magnética e invasión vascular extramural en pacientes con cáncer rectal y metástasis hepaticas.

BACKGROUND: Extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) in patients with rectal cancer (RC) is associated with more locally advanced tumors, and independently predicts local and distant recurrence and poor overall survival. OBJETIVE: To determine the association between EMVI and synchronous liver metastases in patients with RC. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients with cancer of middle and lower rectum, which were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MRI) for initial staging in the period from January 2011 to January 2012 inclusive. All patients were evaluated with MRI for EMVI and were followed for a year to detect synchronous liver metastases by imaging methods (January 2012 to January 2013 inclusive). Multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression. RESULTS: We included 68 patients. Twenty had liver metastases during the observation period (29.41%), of whom 15 had signs of MRI EMVI (75%). The incidence of synchronous liver metastases had a marginally significant association with the presence of EMVI (RR 3.35, 95% CI: 1.0001-11.2187, P = 0.050). CONCLUSION: The presence of MRI EVMI is a poor prognostic predictor factor of development of synchronous liver metastases in patients with RC.

Medición no invasiva de la fibrosis hepática: elastografía. Experiencia en 1200 estudios / Noninvasive measurement of hepatic fibrosis: elastography. Experience in 1200 tets

Objetivo. Presentar nuestra experiencia sobre 1200 elastografías transicionales hepáticas y correlacionar los resultados con las distintas etiologías y la biopsia hepática. Materiales y Métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con los pacientes que se efectuaron elastografía transicional (ET) en el período 08/2009 - 04/2011, registrándose las variables clínicas e histológicas. Se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) en todos los casos. Consideramos válidos los estudios con una tasa de éxito (SR) > 60% y una variación intercuartil (IQR) < 30%. Se evaluó el grado de acuerdo entre la ET y la histología, y se comparó el número y muestreo de las biopsias con un período previo. Resultados. Se evaluaron 1200 estudios. Etiologías: infección por virus de hepatitis C (HCV) 40%, enfermedad hepática por grasa no asociada a alcohol (NAFLD) 20,8%, infección por virus de hepatitis B (HBV) 10,7%, colestasis 9,1% y otras 19,4%. Se detectó fibrosis significativa (F > 2) en el 32,3% de HCV, 32,1% de HBV, 31,5% de NAFLD y 33,4% de colestasis. En 154 de los 1200 pacientes se constató un IMC > 28 kg/m2, sin embargo en 121 de ellos el estudio fue exitoso. En 34 pacientes no obtuvimos resultados válidos: en 33 por un IMC > 28 kg/m2 más cinturón graso tóracoabdominal > 2,5 cm. Tuvieron biopsia simultánea (diferencia < 6 meses) 388 pacientes con un acuerdo del 77%. Constatamos un descenso del 30% en la realización de biopsias hepáticas difusas en pacientes con HCV, comparando el período 01/2008 - 8/2009 con el comprendido entre 09/2009 - 04/2011. En 21 pacientes trasplantados con HCV el grado de acuerdo fue del 90,4%, y del 100% con medición del gradiente y ET. Conclusión. Obtuvimos resultados similares a la literatura mundial. Observamos excelente correlación con la biopsia en pacientes con HCV trasplantados. La principal limitación fue el cinturón graso tóraco-abdominal > 2,5 cm. El número creciente de estudios y descenso de las biopsias hepáticas difusas reflejan su...

Medición no invasiva de la fibrosis hepática: elastografía. Experiencia en 1200 estudios / Noninvasive measurement of hepatic fibrosis: elastography. Experience in 1200 tests

Objetivo. Presentar nuestra experiencia sobre 1200 elastografías transicionales hepáticas y correlacionar los resultados con las distintas etiologías y la biopsia hepática. Materiales y Métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con los pacientes que se efectuaron elastografía transicional (ET) en el período 08/2009 - 04/2011, registrándose las variables clínicas e histológicas. Se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) en todos los casos. Consideramos válidos los estudios con una tasa de éxito (SR) > 60% y una variación intercuartil (IQR) 2) en el 32,3% de HCV, 32,1% de HBV, 31,5% de NAFLD y 33,4% de colestasis. En 154 de los 1200 pacientes se constató un IMC > 28 kg/m², sin embargo en 121 de ellos el estudio fue exitoso. En 34 pacientes no obtuvimos resultados válidos: en 33 por un IMC > 28 kg/m² más cinturón graso tóracoabdominal > 2,5 cm. Tuvieron biopsia simultánea (diferencia 2,5 cm. El número creciente de estudios y descenso de las biopsias hepáticas difusas reflejan su progresiva incorporación en el algoritmo diagnóstico de hepatopatías crónicas.(AU)

Purpose. To report our experience from 1200 transient elastographies and correlate results with different etiologies and liver biopsy. Materials and Methods. We performed a retrospective study of patients undergoing transient elastography (TE) between 08/2009 and 04/2011. A database was completed considering clinical and histological data. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated in all cases. Tests were considered valid if the success rate was > 60% and the interquartile range (IQR) was 2) was detected in 32.3% of HCV, 32.1% of HBV, 31.5% of NAFLD and 33.4% of cholestasis. In 154 of 1200 patients we found BMI > 28 kg/m², however, the test was valid in 121 patients. In 34 patients, no valid results could be achieved because of BMI > 28 kg/m² and fatty thoracic belt > 2.5 cm in 33 of them. Simultaneous biopsy (within 6 months) was performed in 388 patients, with an overall agreement of 77%. We found a 30% decrease in diffuse liver biopsies in HCV patients when comparing the period 01/2008 - 08/2009 with 09/2009 - 04/2011. In HCV patients who underwent liver transplantation (n=21) agreement was 90.4%; 100% with gradient measurement and TE. Conclusion. We obtained similar results to those reported in the literature. We found an excellent correlation with biopsy in HCV transplanted patients. The main limitation was the fatty thoracic belt > 2.5 cm. The growing number of TE studies and decreased diffuse liver biopsies reflect the progressive incorporation of elastography into the diagnostic algorithm of chronic liver diseases.(AU)

[Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in patients with rectal cancer: our initial experience]. / Resonancia magnética con difusión en pacientes con cáncer de recto: experiencia inicial.

BACKGROUND: Pre-surgical characterization of post-neoadjuvant residual tumor response in patients with rectal cancer by means of an imaging technique could be useful in order to determine the therapeutic strategy or observation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (DWMR) in the determination of residual primary tumor (RPT) or post-neoadjuvant complete pathologic response (CPR) in patients with rectal cancer (RC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients (13 males and 5 females) operated between June 2009 and September 2010 were included. The inclusion criteria were medial and low rectal tumors, with T3-T4- positive lymph nodes, defined by physical examination (rectal tact) and studies by imaging techniques (DWMR and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). All patients received neoadjuvant treatment before surgery. Patients were later reevaluated with DWMR using visual and quantitative scales in order to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The results were compared to pathological anatomy (PA) as gold standard. DWMR was performed on a Siemens Avanto 1.5 T RESULTS: In the PA 15 of 18 patients presented RPT, whereas 3 patients showed a CPR. When the DWMR was used with the visual scale, RPT was detected in 14 of 15 patients, whereas all patients with RPT were detected using the quantitative scale. In those cases with complete CPR by PA, the DWMR and visual scale detected 2 of 3 patients whereas the quantitative scale in ADC detected all three cases. CONCLUSION: DWMR proved to be a useful method in the determination of post-neoadjuvant RPT and CPR in patients with rectal cancer, especially when the quantitative assessment of the ADC was performed, resulting in an improvement of the results obtained by means of the qualitative visual analysis.