[The accuracy of the imaging procedures (sonography, MRT, CT, angio-CT,nuclear medicine) in characterizing liver tumors]

Has laparoscopy increased surgical indications for benign tumors of the liver?

BACKGROUND

We aimed to analyze the risk of an increased surgical indication rate in patients with benign tumors of the liver since the development of laparoscopy. Previous articles have reported increased numbers of laparoscopic procedures in different surgical fields.

METHODS

A literature search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, and The Cochrane Library was carried out. All articles that analyzed benign liver tumors (hemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia, and adenoma) were divided in two groups: group I included all manuscripts with open procedures between 1971 at 1990, and group II included all manuscripts with open or laparoscopic procedures between 1991 and 2010. Group II articles were divided into two subgroups. Subgroup IIA patients were treated by open or laparoscopic procedures between 1991 and 2000, and subgroup IIB patients were treated by open or laparoscopic procedures between 2001 and 2010.

RESULTS

Specific analysis of each kind of tumor observed in the two groups showed fewer surgically treated patients for hepatic hemangioma and hepatic adenoma in group II compared with group I and a greater number of patients for focal nodular hyperplasia. Fewer patients were treated with laparoscopic procedures in subgroup IIA than in subgroup IIB. A chi-square test with Yates' correction gave a P value of <0.001.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy has increased the rate of hepatic resection for benign tumors with doubtful indications.

[Multiple focal liver lesions of a 33 year-old female. Presentation of an unexpected differential diagnosis]

We report the case of a 33 year-old female with a history of 16 years of oral contraception who had been admitted to hospital for further diagnosis of multiple focal liver lesions; laboratory findings showed elevated levels of gamma-GT und AP. Diagnostic procedures showed no primary malignancy as possible reason for metastasis. All further imaging procedures compared with doppler-enhanced ultrasound did not help in diagnosis and lead to inconsistent results. Transcutaneous liver-biopsy showed normal liver histology. In laparoscopic biopsy the result was multifocal adenoma. Because of the rupture risk and potential malignant transformation and no change of sonomorphologic appearance within 12 months a liver-segment resection has been undertaken. Pathology revealed the diagnosis of a multifocal hyperplastic-adenomateous focal-nodular hyperplasia. This case shows that there is no need to use different methods of medical imaging redundantly. We favor a fine-needle double-puncture (lesion and extra-lesion) and tissue examination through an experienced pathologist. A total resection of the lesion is necessary in case of resting uncertainty to characterize its tissue characteristics.

Frequency of benign hepatic lesions incidentally detected with contrast-enhanced thin-section portal venous phase spiral CT

PURPOSE

To evaluate the frequency of benign focal hepatic lesions incidentally detected at contrast-enhanced thin-section portal venous phase spiral CT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 1998 and February 1999, contrast-enhanced hepatic spiral CT examinations were performed in 1,892 patients. Out of these, only 100 patients fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: No underlying malignant disease, no liver cirrhosis, no suspected or known focal liver lesions. Standardized spiral CT parameters were applied. All CT studies were reviewed retrospectively by one radiologist. Any focal lesion was recorded and classified. Lesion size and number were noted.

RESULTS

A total of 108 hepatic lesions were reported in 33 out of 100 patients (80 cysts; 18 hemangiomas; 3 focal fatty infiltrations; 2 focal non-tumorous perfusion defects; 1 calcification; and 4 non-classified lesions). The average lesion size was 9.4 mm (< or =5 mm: n=40; 6-10 mm: n=30; 11-15 mm: n=28; >15 mm: n=10).

CONCLUSION

Benign liver lesions are probably a frequent incidental finding at abdominal spiral CT.

Helical hydro-CT for diagnosis and staging of gastric carcinoma

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to define the accuracy of helical hydro-CT (HHCT) in the diagnosis and staging of gastric carcinoma.

METHOD

One hundred twelve patients with gastric carcinoma were preoperatively imaged by HHCT. Gastric distension was achieved by ingestion of up to 1,500 ml of water. Bolus tracking was performed, and peristalsis was minimized by intravenously administered spasmolytics. Contrast material was then injected, and helical scanning was performed at the time of peak enhancement of the liver. CT images were analyzed for tumor infiltration of the gastric wall, and TNM staging criteria were applied according to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) classification. The results were correlated with histopathologic findings.

RESULTS

One hundred two of 115 (89%) gastric carcinomas were correctly diagnosed by HHCT. Small malignant ulcers (< or =2 cm) that corresponded to early gastric carcinoma were not visible on CT scans. T and N staging accuracies were 51% each; abdominal M staging was correct in 79% of all cases. The positive and negative predictive values of HHCT to foresee curative resection of gastric carcinoma were 75 and 84%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Mural thickening as well as marked contrast enhancement of the gastric wall are firmly related to gastric carcinoma. The accuracy of HHCT is acceptable for M staging but inadequate for local staging of gastric carcinoma. Nonetheless, HHCT is a useful guide for choosing between tumor resection and nonoperative treatment of patients. We therefore recommend HHCT as the method of choice for preoperative imaging of gastric carcinoma.