Agreement of Gallbladder Reporting and Data System for Gallbladder Wall Thickening at Ultrasonography: A Multireader Validation Study.

Objective: This article aims to evaluate the intrareader and interreader agreement of ultrasound (US) gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) and validate the risk of malignancy in each GB-RADS category. Materials and methods: This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with nonacute gallbladder wall thickening who underwent US evaluation between January 2019 and December 2022. Three radiologists independently read the static US images and cine-loops for GB-RADS findings and assigned GB-RADS categories. The intraobserver (static images) and interobserver (static images and cine-loops) agreement was calculated using kappa statistics and Krippendorff's alpha. Another radiologist assigned a consensus GB-RADS category. The percentage of malignancy in each GB-RADS category was calculated. Results: Static US images of 414 patients (median age, 56 years; 288 women, benign = 45.6% and malignant = 54.4%) and cine-loops of 50 patients were read. There was weak to moderate intrareader agreement for most GB-RADS findings and moderate intrareader agreement for the GB-RADS category for all readers. On static images, the interreader agreement was acceptable for GB-RADS categories. On cine-loops, the interreader agreement for GB-RADS findings and categories was better than static images. The percentage of malignancy was 1.2%, 37%, 71.1%, and 89.1% in GB-RADS 2, 3, 4, and 5 categories. Conclusion: GB-RADS has moderate intrareader for GB-RADS categories. As originally proposed, the risk of malignancy is negligible in GB-RADS 2 category and highest in GB-RADS 5 category. However, the discriminatory performance of GB-RADS 3 and 4 categories is low. Larger multicenter studies with more readers must assess the reader agreement and validate the GB-RADS systems for wider clinical utilization.

Efficacy of Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolisation in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Experience With Hybrid Angio-Computed Tomography and Glass Microspheres.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Transarterial radioembolisation (TARE) involves selective intra-arterial administration of microspheres loaded with a radioactive compound like Yttrium-90 (Y-90). Conventionally, C-arm-based cone-beam computed tomography has been extensively used during TARE. However, angio-computed tomography (CT) is a relatively new modality which combines the advantages of both fluoroscopy and fCT. There is scarce literature detailing the use of angio-CT in Y90 TARE. Methods: This was a retrospective study of primary liver cancer cases in which the TARE procedure was done from November 2017 to December 2021. Glass-based Y-90 microspheres were used in all these cases. All the cases were performed in the hybrid angio-CT suite. A single photon emission computed tomography-computed comography (SPECT-CT) done postplanning session determined the lung shunt fraction and confirmed the accurate targeting of the lesion. Postdrug delivery, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was obtained to confirm the distribution of the Y-90 particles. The technical success, median follow-up, objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Results: A total of 56 hepatocellular carcinoma patients underwent TARE during this period, out of which 36 patients (30 males and 6 females) underwent Y90 TARE. The aetiology of cirrhosis included non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (11), hepatitis C (HCV) (11), hepatitis B (HBV) (9), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD) (2), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) (1), cryptogenic (1), and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (1). The technical success was 100 % and the median follow-up was 7 months (range: 1-32 months). The median OS was 15 months (range 10.73-19.27 months; 95 % CI) and the median local PFS was 4 months (range 3.03-4.97 months; 95 % CI). The ORR (best response, CR + PR) was 58 %. No major complications were seen in this study. Conclusion: TARE is a viable option for liver cancer in all stages, but more so in the advanced stages. The use of angio-CT in TARE aids in the precise delivery of the particles to the tumour and avoids non-target embolisation.

Role of Computed Tomography Perfusion in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: There is a lack of data on computed tomography (CT) perfusion parameters in patients with cirrhosis and the vascular changes that occur with increasing severity of cirrhosis, as well as changes that can occur in the remote/background liver parenchyma when hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops. This study aimed to evaluate the association between CT perfusion parameters in the background liver parenchyma in cirrhotic patients with and without HCC. Methods: This prospective study comprised consecutive patients with cirrhosis with or without HCC. A CT perfusion scan of the whole liver was done on a 128-detector row CT scanner in the four-dimensional spiral mode. Arterial liver perfusion (ALP), portal venous perfusion (PVP), hepatic perfusion index (HPI), blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), and time to peak (TTP) were assessed. The perfusion parameters of the background liver parenchyma (bALP, bPVP, bHPI, bBF, bBV, and bTTP) were compared between the patients with cirrhosis (group I) and cirrhosis with HCC (group II). Perfusion parameters were also compared between the background liver parenchyma and the HCC in group II. Results: Of the 93 patients evaluated during the study period, 60 patients (30 in group I and 30 in group II, mean age, 54.5 years, 53 men) were included in the analysis. Among the perfusion parameters in the background parenchyma, bPVP was lower and bHPI was higher in group II, suggesting increased hepatic arterial perfusion of even the remote background liver parenchyma in patients with HCC (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively). Perfusion parameters were significantly altered with increasing severity of cirrhosis (based on Child-Pugh class) both within and between groups. Additionally, there were significant differences in all the perfusion parameters between HCC and the background cirrhotic liver. Conclusion: HPI and PVP of background liver parenchyma were significantly different in cirrhosis with and without HCC and also showed a worsening trend with increasing grades of cirrhosis.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Clinical Response to Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage in Acute Cholangitis.

Background: Predicting response to biliary drainage is critical to stratify patients with acute cholangitis. Total leucocyte count (TLC) is one of the criteria for predicting the severity of cholangitis and is routinely performed. We aim to investigate the performance of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting clinical response to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in acute cholangitis. Patients and methods: This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with acute cholangitis who underwent PTBD and had serial (baseline, day 1, and day 3) TLC and NLR measurements. Technical success, complications of PTBD, and clinical response to PTBD (based on multiple outcomes) were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors significantly associated with clinical response to PTBD. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of serial TLC and NLR for predicting clinical response to PTBD were calculated. Results: Forty-five patients (mean age 51.5 years, range 22-84) met the inclusion criteria. PTBD was technically successful in all the patients. Eleven (24.4%) minor complications were recorded. Clinical response to PTBD was recorded in 22 (48.9%) patients. At univariate analysis, the clinical response to PTBD was significantly associated with baseline TLC (P = 0.035), baseline NLR (P = 0.028), and NLR at day 1 (P=0.011). There was no association with age, the presence of comorbidities, prior endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, admission to PTBD interval, diagnosis (benign vs. malignant), severity of cholangitis, organ failure at baseline, and blood culture positivity. At multivariate analysis, NLR-1 independently predicted the clinical response. Area under the curve of NLR at day 1 for predicting clinical response was 0.901. NLR-1 cut-off value of 3.95 was associated with sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 78%, respectively. Conclusion: TLC and NLR are simple tests that can predict clinical response to PTBD in acute cholangitis. NLR-1 cut-off value of 3.95 can be used in clinical practice to predict response.

Role of Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage as an Adjunct to Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Background: There is limited literature on the role of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) as an adjunct to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This study evaluates the role of PTBD in patients with failed ERCP or post-ERCP cholangitis. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of clinical and intervention records of patients with biliary obstruction referred for PTBD following failed ERCP or post-ERCP cholangitis was performed. The cause of biliary obstruction, baseline serum bilirubin, white blood cell (WBC) count, serum creatinine, and procalcitonin were recorded. Technical success and clinical success (resolution of cholangitis, reduction in bilirubin levels, WBC count, creatinine, and procalcitonin) were assessed. Results: Sixty-three patients (35 females, mean age 51.4 years) were included. Indications for ERCP included malignant causes in 47 (74.6%) cases and benign causes in 16 (25.4%) cases. Indications for PTBD were failed ERCP in 21 (33.3%) and post-ERCP cholangitis in 42 (66.7%). PTBD was technically successful in all patients. Clinical success rate was 68.2% in the overall group. Mild hemobilia was noted in five (7.9%) patients. There were no major complications or PTBD related mortality. Cholangitis and acute kidney injury resolved following PTBD in 63.1% and 80% of the patients, respectively. Total serum bilirubin reduced by 47.8% and 69.4% after one week and one month of the PTBD, respectively. The average fall in procalcitonin was 5.17 ng/mL after one week of the PTBD. Conclusion: PTBD is an important adjunctive drainage procedure in patients with ERCP failure or post-ERCP cholangitis.

Percutaneous Cryoablation of Liver Tumors: Initial Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in India.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ablation is an important part of management strategy for liver tumors. While radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation are the most widely used ablative techniques, cryoablation (CA) has several technical advantages but has been underused till recently. In this study, we report the initial experience with percutaneous CA of liver tumors. METHODS: This was a retrospective evaluation of consecutive patients with liver tumors who underwent percutaneous CA between October 2018 and August 2019. The ablation procedures were performed under combined ultrasound and computed tomography guidance using argon-helium-based CA systems. The baseline tumor characteristics (including size and location), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, and Child-Pugh score were recorded. Each patient underwent a follow-up after 1 month and at 3 months subsequently. Technical success, complete response, local tumor progression, and overall survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Nine patients (mean age, 62.4 years, median age, 66 years, five men and four women) with 10 liver tumors (mean size, 2.22 cm) underwent CA. Seven (77.8%) patients had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 2 patients had solitary liver metastasis. One patient with HCC had two lesions, while the rest had only one lesion. Of the two metastatic lesions, one was from carcinoma of the cervix and the other was from jejunal neuroendocrine tumor. Five tumors were located adjacent to the gallbladder, two lesions were adjacent to the right portal vein, two lesions were subcapsular, and one lesion was adjacent to the stomach. Technical success was achieved in all the patients. Complete response was achieved in 7 (77.8%) patients. The median follow-up period was 7 months (range, 3-12 months). There was no local tumor progression and no death during the follow-up period. No procedure-related complication was seen. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous CA of hepatic tumors is technically feasible and is a safe and effective ablative technique.

Comparison of Elastography Point Quantification with Transient Elastography in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Pilot Study.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to compare diagnostic accuracy of elastography point quantification (ElastPQ) with transient elastography (TE) and liver histology for measuring liver stiffness in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Thirty-two patients with chronic liver disease (CVH and NAFLD) were evaluated by ElastPQ and TE within 7 days of liver biopsy. Within the CVH group, subgroup analysis was carried out in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and without ESRD. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were calculated for ElastPQ and TE. RESULTS: There were 15 patients with CVH and 17 patients with NAFLD. In the CVH group, there were 8 patients with ESRD and 7 patients without ESRD. Taking liver histopathology as the gold standard, liver stiffness measurement by ElastPQ (ρ = 0.826;P < 0.0001) and TE (ρ = 0.649; P < 0.0001) correlated significantly with the stage of fibrosis. AUROCs of ElastPQ and TE for the diagnosis of any fibrosis (F ≥ 1), significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2), and advanced fibrosis (F ≥ 3) were 0.907, 0.959, 0.926 and 0.870, 0.770, 0.881, respectively, in both CVH and NAFLD groups. However, the accuracy of both these techniques was poor in patients with CVH and ESRD (AUROCs for ElastPQ and TE of 0.667 and 0.167 for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis, respectively, and 0.429 and 0.143 for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis, respectively). The diagnostic accuracy of both ElastPQ and TE for detecting significant fibrosis was excellent in patients with NAFLD (AUROC of 1.000 and 0.936, respectively). ElastPQ was superior to TE in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in the combined analysis (P = 0.0149) and in the CVH group (P = 0.0391), while both modalities were comparable in patients of the NAFLD group (P = 0.2539). CONCLUSION: ElastPQ may be equally accurate as Fibroscan, and large prospective studies are required to validate the same.

Focal hepatic lesions characterisation by different sonographic techniques: a prospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound is usually the first diagnostic investigation for the assessment of liver lesions. Apart from conventional sonography (CS), new grey-scale sonographic techniques have been developed which have increased the application of ultrasound in liver imaging. The present study was undertaken to compare image quality of CS, real-time compound sonography (RTCS), tissue harmonic sonography (THS) and tissue harmonic compound sonography (THCS) in focal liver lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 patients with focal hepatic lesions were enroled. Lesions were divided into solid and cystic group. Solid lesions were evaluated for lesion conspicuity and elimination of artefacts. For cystic lesions, lesion conspicuity, posterior acoustic enhancement and internal echoes within the lesion were evaluated. Grading was done using 3-5-point scales. Overall image quality was assessed depending on the total points. RESULTS: 78 solid and 22 cystic liver lesions were included. THCS showed superior results for lesion conspicuity, elimination of artefacts and overall image quality in solid lesions. RTCS showed similar results as THCS for lesion conspicuity and overall image quality in solid lesions. THS gave better results in cystic lesions for all imaging parameters. Results of THCS though slightly inferior, showed no significant difference from THS, in cystic lesions. CS was found to have least diagnostic value in characterisation. CONCLUSIONS: For evaluation of focal hepatic lesions, a combination of compound and harmonic sonography, i.e. THCS, is the preferred sonographic technique.

Role of tissue harmonic imaging in characterization of cystic renal lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of tissue harmonic imaging in evaluating cystic renal lesions and to compare these findings with conventional ultrasound guidance (USG) and CT. METHODS: Thirty patients, detected with cystic renal lesions on routine USG (over a period of 18 months from July 2004 to December 2005 at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India) were included in this study. All patients underwent a conventional gray scale ultrasound study (GSI), followed by tissue harmonic imaging (THI) sonography on the same machine (advance technology limited high definition imaging 5000). Computed tomography of abdomen was carried out within one week of the ultrasound examinations. All images were evaluated for size, number, and location of lesions. The findings of THI sonography, conventional USG and CT of abdomen were recorded in their respective proformas. The images obtained by GSI, THI, and contrast enhanced CT were also evaluated for image quality, lesion conspicuity, and fluid-solid differentiation. RESULTS: Tissue harmonic imaging showed better image quality in 27 of 34 lesions, improvement in lesion conspicuity was found in 27 of 34 cystic lesions, and an improved solid-fluid differentiation in 30 of 34 lesions when compared to GSI. The THI provided additional information as compared to GSI in 8 patients. The grading of CT scan was significantly higher in overall image quality (p=0.007) and lesion conspicuity (p=0.004), but was non-significant for fluid-solid differentiation (p=0.23). CONCLUSION: Tissue harmonic imaging provides better image quality, lesion delineation, and superior characterization than conventional gray scale sonography.

High resolution sonography for analysis of meniscal injuries.

High resolution ultrasonography was done prospectively in 51 adult patients with clinically suspected meniscal injuries to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography as a primary diagnostic tool and to see if it was possible to evaluate the site, extent and size of the tear. All cases were confirmed arthroscopically; ultrasonographic examination revealed inhomogenecity in 45 cases and this was accurate in 40 cases; in 3 cases ultrasonography gave a false positive result and in 2 cases the wrong meniscus was shown to be torn. The six cases with no findings on ultrasonography were proven to have no meniscal tear. The sensitivity of ultrasonography as a screening test to rule out meniscal injuries was thus 100%; on the other hand the specificity (false positive screening test) was 54%. It was no possible to determine the site, size or extent of the tear by the ultrasonographic examination. Even though magnetic resonance imaging is more accurate in giving an exact diagnosis, ultrasonography is an excellent primary diagnostic tool which is inexpensive with no side-effects, is readily available and has very good sensitivity and a reasonable specificity.