Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Treatment-Naive Hepatocellular Carcinoma Has Different Treatment Effects Depending on Central or Peripheral Tumor Location

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treatment-naive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to tumor location and burden.

Methods

Between 2010 and 2019, consecutive patients who underwent TACE as the first treatment were enrolled. Tumors were classified into two categories based on their location, as central or peripheral tumors. Tumors in the central zone, which is within 1 cm of the main trunk or the first branch of the portal vein, were classified as central tumors, while those located in the peripheral zone were classified as peripheral tumors. Patients were grouped according to the HCC location and up-to-7 criteria. Patients with central tumors were classified into the central arm and those with only peripheral tumors were classified into the peripheral arm. Patients within and beyond the up-to-7 criteria were classified into the up-to-7 in and up-to-7 out-groups, respectively. Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared per nodule (central tumor vs. peripheral tumor) and per patient (central arm vs. peripheral arm), respectively. The prognostic factors of LRFS and PFS were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 174 treatment-naive patients with 352 HCCs were retrospectively enrolled. Ninety-six patients and 130 lesions were selected by propensity score matching. Median LRFS was longer for peripheral tumors than central tumors (not reached vs. 3.3 months, p < 0.001). Median PFS was 17.1 months (8.3-24.9) in the peripheral arm and up-to-7 in, 7.0 months (3.3-12.7) in the peripheral arm and up-to-7 out, 8.4 months (4.0-12.6) in the central arm and up-to-7 in, and 3.0 months (1.2-4.9) in the central arm and up-to-7 out-groups. The peripheral arm and up-to-7 in-groups had significantly longer PFS than the other three groups (p = 0.013, p = 0.015, p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the central zone and central arm were associated with high adjusted hazard ratios for tumor recurrence or death (2.87, p < 0.001; 2.89, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Treatment-naive HCCs in the peripheral zone had a longer LRFS and PFS following TACE compared to those in the central zone.

Benign liver tumors in pediatric patients - Review with emphasis on imaging features

Benign hepatic tumors are commonly observed in adults, but rarely reported in children. The reasons for this remain speculative and the exact data concerning the incidence of these lesions are lacking. Benign hepatic tumors represent a diverse group of epithelial and mesenchymal tumors. In pediatric patients, most benign focal liver lesions are inborn and may grow like the rest of the body. Knowledge of pediatric liver diseases and their imaging appearances is essential in order to make an appropriate differential diagnosis. Selection of the appropriate imaging test is challenging, since it depends on a number of age-related factors. This paper will discuss the most frequently encountered benign liver tumors in children (infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma, mesenchymal hamartoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and hepatocellular adenoma), as well as a comparison to the current knowledge regarding such tumors in adult patients. The current emphasis is on imaging features, which are helpful not only for the initial diagnosis, but also for pre- and post-treatment evaluation and follow-up. In addition, future perspectives of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in pediatric patients are highlighted, with descriptions of enhancement patterns for each lesion being discussed. The role of advanced imaging tests such as CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging, which allow for non-invasive assessment of liver tumors, is of utmost importance in pediatric patients, especially when repeated imaging tests are needed and radiation exposure should be avoided.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia: Evolving concepts on underdiagnosed cause of portal hypertension

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is a rare liver condition characterized by a widespread benign transformation of the hepatic parenchyma into small regenerative nodules. NRH may lead to the development of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. There are no published systematic population studies on NRH and our current knowledge is limited to case reports and case series. NRH may develop via autoimmune, hematological, infectious, neoplastic, or drug-related causes. The disease is usually asymptomatic, slowly or non-progressive unless complications of portal hypertension develop. Accurate diagnosis is made by histopathology, which demonstrates diffuse micronodular transformation without fibrous septa. Lack of perinuclear collagen tissue distinguishes NRH from typical regenerative nodules in the cirrhotic liver. While the initial treatment is to address the underlying disease, ultimately the therapy is directed to the management of portal hypertension. The prognosis of NRH depends on both the severity of the underlying illness and the prevention of secondary complications of portal hypertension. In this review we detail the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of NRH.