Estimating liver weight of adults by body weight and gender

AIM： To estimate the standard liver weight for assessing adequacies of graft size in live donor liver transplantation and remnant liver in major hepatectomy for cancer. METHODS： In this study, anthropometric data of body weight and body height were tested for a correlation with liver weight in 159 live liver donors who underwent donor right hepatectomy including the middle hepatic vein. Liver weights were calculated from the right lobe graft weight obtained at the back table, divided by the proportion of the right lobe on the computed tomography. RESULTS： The subjects, all Chinese, had a mean age of 35.8 ± 10.5 years, and a female to male ratio of 118：41. The mean volume of the right lobe was 710.14 ±131.46 mL and occupied 64.55%±4.47% of the whole liver on computed tomography. Right lobe weighed 598.90±117.39 g and the estimated liver weight was 927.54 ± 168.78 g. When body weight and body height were subjected to multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, body height was found to be insignificant. Females of the same body weight had a slightly lower liver weight. A formula based on body weight and gender was derived： Estimated standard liver weight （g）=218＋BW （kg）× 12.3＋gender×51 （R^2 = 0.48） （female=0, male= 1）. Based on the anthropometric data of these 159 subjects, liver weights were calculated using previously published formulae derived from studies on Caucasian, .lapanese, Korean, and Chinese. All formulae overestimated liver weights compared to this formula. The Japanese formula overestimated the estimated standard liver weight （ESLW） for adults less than 60 kg.CONCLUSION： A formula applicable to Chinese males and females is available. A formula for individual races appears necessary.

Standard liver weight model in adult deceased donors with fatty liver: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Standard liver weight(SLW)is frequently used in deceased donor liver transplantation to avoid size mismatches with the recipient.However,some deceased donors(DDs)have fatty liver(FL).A few studies have reported that FL could impact liver size.To the best of our knowledge,there are no relevant SLW models for predicting liver size.AIM To demonstrate the relationship between FL and total liver weight(TLW)in detail and present a related SLW formula.METHODS We prospectively enrolled 212 adult DDs from West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June 2019 to February 2021,recorded their basic information,such as sex,age,body height(BH)and body weight(BW),and performed abdominal ultrasound(US)and pathological biopsy(PB).The chi-square test and kappa consistency score were used to assess the consistency in terms of FL diagnosed by US relative to PB.Simple linear regression analysis was used to explore the variables related to TLW.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to formulate SLW models,and the root mean standard error and interclass correlation coefficient were used to test the fitting efficiency and accuracy of the model,respectively.Furthermore,the optimal formula was compared with previous formulas.RESULTS Approximately 28.8%of DDs had FL.US had a high diagnostic ability(sensitivity and specificity were 86.2%and 92.9%,respectively;kappa value was 0.70,P<0.001)for livers with more than a 5%fatty change.Simple linear regression analysis showed that sex(R2,0.226;P<0.001),BH(R2,0.241;P<0.001),BW(R2,0.441;P<0.001),BMI(R2,0.224;P<0.001),BSA(R2,0.454;P<0.001)and FL(R2,0.130;P<0.001)significantly impacted TLW.In addition,multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was no significant difference in liver weight between the DDs with no steatosis and those with steatosis within 5%.Furthermore,in the context of hepatic steatosis,TLW increased positively(nonlinear);compared with the TLW of the non-FL group,the TLW of the groups with hepatic steatosis within 5%,between 5%and 20%and more than 20%increased by 0 g,90 g,and 340 g,respectively.A novel formula,namely,-348.6+(110.7 x Sex[0=Female,1=Male])+958.0 x BSA+(179.8 x FLUS[0=No,1=Yes]),where FL was diagnosed by US,was more convenient and accurate than any other formula for predicting SLW.CONCLUSION FL is positively correlated with TLW.The novel formula deduced using sex,BSA and FLUS is the optimal formula for predicting SLW in adult DDs.

Mapping novel genetic loci associated with female liver weight variations using Collaborative Cross mice

Background: Liver weight is a complex trait, controlled by polygenic factors and differs within populations. Dissecting the genetic architecture underlying these variations will facilitate the search for key role candidate genes involved directly in the hepatomegaly process and indirectly involved in related diseases etiology.Methods: Liver weight of 506 mice generated from 39 different Collaborative Cross(CC) lines with both sexes at age 20 weeks old was determined using an electronic balance. Genomic DNA of the CC lines was genotyped with high-density single nucleotide polymorphic markers.Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant(P < 0.05) variation of liver weight between the CC lines, with broad sense heritability(H^2) of 0.32 and genetic coefficient of variation(CV_G) of 0.28. Subsequently, quantitative trait locus(QTL) mapping was performed, and results showed a significant QTL only for females on chromosome 8 at genomic interval 88.61-93.38 Mb(4.77 Mb). Three suggestive QTL were mapped at chromosomes 4, 12 and 13. The four QTL were designated as LWL1-LWL4 referring to liver weight loci 1-4 on chromosomes 8, 4, 12 and 13,respectively.Conclusion: To our knowledge, this report presents, for the first time, the utilization of the CC for mapping QTL associated with baseline liver weight in mice. Our findings demonstrate that liver weight is a complex trait controlled by multiple genetic factors that differ significantly between sexes.

Physical activity support or weight loss counseling for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?

AIM: To determine the clinical effectiveness of intense psychological support to physical activity (PA) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), compared with cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT).

Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging of liver: Principles, clinical applications and recent updates

Diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI), a functional imaging technique exploiting the Brownian motion of water molecules, is increasingly shown to have value in various oncological and non-oncological applications. Factors such as the ease of acquisition and ability to obtain functional information in the absence of intravenous contrast, especially in patients with abnormal renal function, have contributed to the growing interest in exploring clinical applications of DWI. In the liver, DWI demonstrates a gamut of clinical applications ranging from detecting focal liver lesions to monitoring response in patients undergoing serial follow-up after loco-regional and systemic therapies. DWI is also being applied in the evaluation of diffuse liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. In this review, we intend to review the basic principles, technique, current clinical applications and future trends of DW-MRI in the liver.

Diffusion weighted imaging in the liver

Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is an imaging technique which provides tissue contrast by the measurement of diffusion properties of water molecules within tissues. Diffusion is expressed in an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which reflects the diffusion properties unique to each type of tissue. DWI has been originally used in neuroradiology. More recently, DWI has increasingly been used in addition to conventional unenhanced and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in other parts of the body. The reason for this delay was a number of technical problems inherent to the technique, making DWI very sensitive to artifacts, which had to be overcome. With assessment of ADC values, DWI proved to be helpful in characterization of focal liver lesions. However, DWI should always be used in conjunction to conventional MRI since there is considerable overlap between ADC values of benign and malignant lesions. DWI is useful in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in the cirrhotic liver and detection of liver metastases in oncological patients. In addition, DWI is a promising tool in the prediction of tumor responsiveness to chemotherapy and the follow-up of oncological patients after treatment, as DWI may be capable of detecting recurrent disease earlier than conventional imaging.This review focuses on the most common applications of DWI in the liver.

Liver intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging for the assessment of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in children

AIM To evaluate the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) parameters and the degree of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in children.METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. The children(≤ 18 years) who underwent liver IVIM DWI with 8 b-values under the suspicion of hepatic steatosis or fibrosis from February 2013 to November 2016 were included. Subjects were divided into normal, fatty liver(FAT), and fibrotic liver(FIB) groups. The slow diffusion coefficient(D), fast diffusion coefficient(D*), perfusion fraction(f), and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) were measured. MR proton density fat fraction(PDFF), MR elastography(MRE), and IVIM values were compared.RESULTS A total of 123 children(median age of 12 years old, range: 6-18 years) were included, with 8 in the normal group, 93 in the FAT group, and 22 in the FIB group. The D* values were lower in the FIB group compared with those of the normal(P = 0.015) and FAT(P = 0.003) groups. The f values were lower in the FIB group compared with the FAT group(P = 0.001). In multivariate analyses, PDFF value was positively correlated with f value(β = 3.194, P < 0.001), and MRE value was negatively correlated with D* value(β =-7.031, P = 0.032). The D and ADC values were not influenced by PDFF or MRE value.CONCLUSION In liver IVIM DWI with multiple b-values in children, there was a positive correlation between hepatic fat and blood volume, and a negative correlation between hepatic stiffness and endovascular blood flow velocity, while diffusion-related parameters were not affected.

Diffusion-weighted MRI in a liver protocol: Its role in focal lesion detection

AIM: To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the detection of focal liver lesions (FLLs), using a conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. METHODS: Fifty-two patients (22 males, average age 55.6 years, range: 25-82 years), studied using a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner, were retrospectively analyzed; detection of FLLs was evaluated by considering the number of lesions observed with the following sequences: (1) respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted single-shot echo-planar (DW SS-EP) sequences; (2) fat-suppressed fast spin-echo (fs-FSE) T2 weighted sequences; (3) steady-state free precession (SSFP) images; and (4) dynamic triphasic gadolinium-enhanced images, acquired with three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo (3D FSPGR). Two radiologists independently reviewed the images: they were blinded to their respective reports. DW SS-EP sequences were compared to fs-FSE, SSFP and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced acquisitions using a t -test. Pairs were compared for the detection of: (1) all FLLs; (2) benign FLLs; (3) malignant FLLs; (4) metastases; and (5) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was very good (weighted = 0.926, CI = 0.880-0.971); on the consensus reading, 277 FLLs were detected. In the comparison with fs-FSE, DW SS-EP sequences had a significantly higher score in the detection of all FLLs, benign FLLs, malignant FLLs and metastases; no statistical difference was observed in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs). In the comparison with SSFP sequences, DW SS-EP had significantly higher scores (P < 0.05) in the detection of all lesions, benign lesions, malignant lesions, metastases and HCC. All FLLs were better detected by dynamic 3D FSGR enhanced acquisition, with P = 0.0023 for reader 1 and P = 0.0086 for reader 2 in the comparison with DW SS-EP sequences; with reference to benign FLLs, DW SS-EP showed lower values than 3D FSPGR enhanced acquisition (P < 0.05). No statistical differences were observed in the detection of malignant lesions and metastases; considering HCCs, a very slight difference was reported by reader 1 (P = 0.049), whereas no difference was found by reader 2 (P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: In lesion detection, DWI had higher scores than T2 sequences; considering malignant FLLs, no statistical difference was observed between DWI and dynamic gadolinium images.

Graft-to-recipient weight ratio lower to 0.7% is safe without portal pressure modulation in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation with favorable conditions

BACKGROUND: The low graft-to-recipient weight ratio(GRWR) in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(LDLT) is one of the major risk factors affecting graft survival. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the lower limit of the GRWR can be safely reduced without portal pressure modulation in right-lobe LDLT. METHODS: From 2005 to 2011, 317 consecutive patients from a single institute underwent LDLT with right-lobe grafts without portal pressure modulation. Of these, 23 had a GRWR of less than 0.7%(group A), 27 had a GRWR of ≥0.7%, 【0.8%(group B), and 267 had a GRWR of more than and equal to 0.8%(group C). Medical records, including recipient, donor, operation factors, laboratory findings and complications were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The baseline demographics showed low model for end-stage liver disease score(mean 16.3±8.9) and high percentage of hepatocellular carcinoma(231 patients, 72.9%). Three groups by GRWR demonstrated similar characteristics except recipient body mass index and donor gender. For smallforsize syndrome, there were 3(13.0%) in group A, 1(3.7%) in group B, and 2 patients(0.7%) in group C(P【0.001). Hepatic artery thrombosis was more frequently observed in group A than in groups B and C(8.7% vs 3.7% vs 1.9%, P=0.047). However, among the three groups, graft survival rates at 1 year(100% vs 96.3% vs 93.6%) and 3 years(91.7% vs 73.2% vs 88.1%) were not different(P=0.539). In laboratory measurements,there was no group difference in total bilirubin and albumin. However, prothrombin time was longer in group A within postoperative 1 week and platelet count was lower in groups A and B within postoperative 1 month. CONCLUSION: A GRWR lower to 0.7% is safe and does not need to modulate portal pressure in adult-to-adult LDLT using the right-lobe in favorable conditions including low model for end-stage liver disease score.

Living donor liver transplantation with body-weight more or less than 10 kilograms

AIM: To compare the outcomes of pediatric patients weighing less than or more than 10 kg who underwent liver transplantation.METHODS: Data for 196 pediatric patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation between June 1994 and February 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.The information for each patient was anonymized and de-identified before analysis. The data included information regarding the pre-transplant conditions, intraoperative fluid replacement and outcomes for each patient. The 196 patients were divided into two groups: those with body weights of less than 10 kg were included in group 1(G1; n =101), while those with body weights of more than 10 kg were included in group 2(G2; n = 95). For each group, the patients' ages, body weights, heights,pediatric end stage liver disease scores, anesthesia times, and warm and cold ischemic times were analyzed. In addition, between-group comparisons were also made. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare all the variables except for complications and survival rates, which were analyzed using χ 2 tests and Kaplan-Meier tests, respectively.RESULTS: The general medical conditions of the G1patients were worse than those of the G2 patients, as shown by the higher pediatric end stage liver disease scores and poorer Z-scores. In addition, the preoperative Hb and serum albumin levels were all lower for the G1 patients than for the G2 patients. The G1 patients also had significantly more intraoperative blood loss than the G2 patients. In addition, the intraoperative fluid requirements for the G1 patients,including leukocyte poor red blood cell transfusions,5% albumin infusions and crystalloid infusions, were significantly higher than those for the G2 patients. The risk of intraoperative portal vein thrombosis was higher for the patients in G1 than for those in G2. However,the one-year survival rates(95.9% and 96.8% for G1 and G2, respectively) and three-year survival rates(94.9% and 94.6% for G1 and G2, respectively) for both groups were similar.CONCLUSION: Patients weighing less than 10 kg typically have poorer conditions, but their survival rates are comparable to those of children weighing more than 10 kg.

Revisiting acute liver injury associated with herbalife products

In the November 27,2010 issue of the World Journal of Hepatology (WJH),three case reports were published which involved patients who had consumed various dietary supplements and conventional foods generally marketed as weight loss products.The reference to Herbalife products as contaminated and generally com-parable to all dietary supplements or weight loss prod-ucts is not scientifically supported.The authors provided an insufficient amount of information regarding patient histories,concomitant medications and other com-pounds,dechallenge results,and product specifications and usage.This information is necessary to fully assess the association of Herbalife products in the WJH case reports.Therefore,the article does not objectively sup-port a causal relationship between the reported cases of liver injury and Herbalife products or ingredients.

Obesity and liver transplantation

The percentage of overweight and obese patients(OPs) waiting for a liver transplant continues to increase. Despite the significant advances occurred in bariatric medicine, obesity is still considered a relative contraindication to liver transplantation(LT). The main aim of this review is to appraise the literature on the outcomes of OPs undergoing LT, treatments that might reduce their weight before, during or after surgery, and discuss some of the controversies and limitations of the current knowledge with the intent of highlighting areas where future research is needed.

Rescue case of low birth weight infant with acute hepatic failure

We report a case involving a rescued low birth weight infant(LBWI) with acute liver failure. Case: The patient was 1594 g and 32^(3/7) gestational wk at birth. At the age of 11 d, she developed acute liver failure due to gestational alloimmune liver disease. Exchange transfusion and high-dose gamma globulin therapy were initiated, and body weight increased with enteral nutrition. Exchange transfusion was performed a total of 33 times prior to living donor liver transplantation(LDLT). Her liver dysfunction could not be treated by medications alone. At 55 d old and a body weight of 2946 g, she underwent LDLT using an S2 monosegment graft from her mother. Three years have passed with no reports of intellectual disability or liver dysfunction. LBWIs with acute liver failure may be rescued by LDLT after body weight has increased to over 2500 g.

Is there any progress in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Despite the fact that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and its severe clinical form,non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,are becoming increasingly prevalent in the industrialised countries,there are no licensed pharmacological treatments for them.Weight loss and life modifications,antioxidant therapies and insulin-sensitising agents are the current treatment strategies and have all been tested with inconclusive results.Low sample numbers,inadequate treatment duration and invalid surrogate markers for treatment response might all account for these results.As NAFLD is a systemic rather than a liver disease,future trials should address the patient as a whole and also address cardiovascular risk factors.

Outcomes of adult patients adopting small-for-size grafts in living donor liver transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Small-for-size graft(SFSG) has emerged as one of the very contentions in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(LDLT) as a certain graft size is related to recipients’ prognosis. Graftto-recipient weight ratio(GRWR)≥0.8% was considered as a threshold to conduct LDLT. However, this also has been challenged over decades as a result of technique refinements. For a better understanding of SFSG in practice, we conducted this meta-analysis to compare the perioperative outcomes and long-term outcomes between patients adopting the grafts with a lower volume(GRWR < 0.8%, SFSG group) and sufficient volume(GRWR ≥ 0.8%, non-SFSG group) in adult-to-adult LDLT. Data sources: The studies comparing recipients adopting graft with a GRWR < 0.8% and ≥ 0.8% were searched by three authors independently in Pub Med, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases until September 2018 and data were analyzed by RevMan 5.3.5. Results: Sixteen studies with a total of 3272 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. In terms of small-for-size syndrome(SFSS), no significant difference was found in subjects enrolled after year 2010(before 2010, OR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.69–5.35, P = 0.0002;after 2010, OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.79–1.90, P = 0.36;P for interaction: 0.02). There was no significant difference in operative duration, blood loss, cold ischemia time, biliary complications, acute rejection, postoperative bleeding, hospitalization time, perioperative mortality, and 1-, 3-and 5-year overall survival rates between two groups. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that adopting SFSG in adult LDLT has comparable outcomes to those with non-SFSG counterparts since 2010.

Liver failure in an obese middle-aged woman after biliointestinal bypass

Obesity is considered an emerging epidemic that is often associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Among the therapeutic options for morbid obesity, bariatric surgery plays an important role when conventional therapies fail. The effects of bariatric surgery on liver function and morphology are controversial in the literature. Liver failure has been reported after jejunoileal bypass(JIB), biliopancreatic diversion and gastric bypass. Biliointestinal bypass(BIB) is considered an effective procedure among recently introduced bariatric surgery techniques. It is a clinically safe, purely malabsorptive operation in which the blind intestinal loop of the JIB is anastomosed to the gallbladder, allowing a portion of bile to transit into excluded intestinal tract. BIB is the only procedure, to our knowledge, to have no liver side effects reported in the literature. We report the case of a young obese woman who developed liver failure 8 mo after BIB. She had a rapid weight loss(70 kg) with a reduction in body mass index of 41% from January to September 2012. Because of a severe hepatic decompensation, she was referred to a transplantation centre. We strongly believe that the most important pathogenetic mechanism involved in the development of liver injury is the rapid weight loss that produced a signif icant fatty liver inf iltration.

Split liver transplantation:What's unique?

The intraoperative management of split liver transplantation(SLT) has some unique features as compared to routine whole liver transplantations. Only the liver has this special ability to regenerate that confers benefits in survival and quality of life for two instead of one by splitting livers. Primary graft dysfunction may result from small for size syndrome. Graft weight to recipient body weight ratio is significant for both trisegmental and hemiliver grafts. Intraoperative surgical techniques aim to reduce portal hyperperfusion and decrease venous portal pressure. Ischemic preconditioning can be instituted to protect against ischemic reperfusion injury which impacts graft regeneration. Advancement of the technique of SLT is essential as use of split cadaveric grafts expands the donor pool and potentially has an excellent future.

鳖甲煎丸对肝癌大鼠黏着斑激酶/雷帕霉素靶蛋白通路的影响

目的:探讨鳖甲煎丸对肝癌模型大鼠肝组织病理特征及FAK/mTORC1通路的影响。方法:HepG2(1×10^(7))细胞注射于大鼠右腋皮下,建立肝癌模型,分为模型组、5-氟尿嘧啶组、鳖甲煎丸低剂量组、鳖甲煎丸高剂量组,另设正常组。各药物组给予相应药物灌胃,持续给药4周,正常组、模型组给予等体积的0.9%氯化钠溶液。实验结束后,测定肝癌组织重量、肝癌组织体积、肝癌组织抑瘤率、肝癌FAK、mTORC1水平、肝癌VEGFR-2、VEGF、IL-4、IL-8、TNF-α蛋白水平。结果:与正常组比较,模型组肝癌组织重量、肝癌组织体积、肝癌组织抑瘤率、VEGFR-2、VEGF、IL-4、IL-8、TNF-α蛋白、肝癌FAK、mTORC1 mRNA和蛋白表达升高(均P<0.05)。与模型组比较,5-氟尿嘧啶组、鳖甲煎丸低剂量组、鳖甲煎丸高剂量组肝癌组织重量、肝癌组织体积、肝癌组织抑瘤率、VEGFR-2、VEGF、IL-4、IL-8、TNF-α蛋白、肝癌FAK、mTORC1 mRNA和蛋白表达降低(均P<0.05)。鳖甲煎丸高剂量组肝癌组织重量、肝癌组织体积、肝癌组织抑瘤率、VEGFR-2、VEGF、IL-4、IL-8、TNF-α蛋白、肝癌FAK、mTORC1 mRNA和蛋白表达低于鳖甲煎丸低剂量组(均P<0.05)。结论:鳖甲煎丸对大鼠肝癌具有明显抑制作用,能减轻大鼠肝癌所致的病理损伤,其机制可能与鳖甲煎丸抑制肝癌FAK、mTORC1表达,诱导肝癌细胞凋亡,降低炎症反应有关。

Splenectomy in living donor liver transplantation and risk factors of portal vein thrombosis

Background:Graft inflow modulation(GIM)during adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)is a common strategy to avoid small-for-size syndrome,and some transplant surgeons attempt small size graft strategy with frequent GIM procedures,which are mostly performed by splenectomy,in LDLT.However,splenectomy can cause serious complications such as portal vein thrombosis and overwhelming postsplenectomy infection.Methods:Forty-eight adult-to-adult LDLT recipients were enrolled in this study and retrospectively reviewed.We applied the graft selection criteria,which routinely fulfill graft-to-recipient weight ratio≥0.8%,and consider GIM as a backup strategy for high portal venous pressure(PVP).Results:In our current strategy of LDLT,splenectomy was performed mostly due to hepatitis C and splenic arterial aneurysms,but splenectomy for GIM was intended to only one patient(2.1%).The final PVP values≤20 mmHg were achieved in all recipients,and no significant difference was observed in patient survival or postoperative clinical course based on whether splenectomy was performed or not.However,6 of 18 patients with splenectomy(33.3%)developed postsplenectomy portal vein thrombosis(PVT),while none of the 30 patients without splenectomy developed PVT after LDLT.Splenectomy was identified as a risk factor of PVT in this study(P<0.001).Our study revealed that a lower final PVP could be risk factor of postsplenectomy PVT.Conclusions:Using sufficient size grafts was one of the direct solutions to control PVP,and allowed GIM to be reserved as a backup procedure.Splenectomy should be avoided as much as possible during LDLT because splenectomy was found to be a definite risk factor of PVT.In splenectomy cases with a lower final PVP,a close follow-up is required for early detection and treatment of PVT.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: Can LI-RADS v2017 with gadoxetic-acid enhancement magnetic resonance and diffusion-weighted imaging improve diagnostic accuracy?

BACKGROUND The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System(LI-RADS), supported by the American College of Radiology(ACR), has been developed for standardizing the acquisition, interpretation, reporting, and data collection of liver imaging examinations in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Diffusionweighted imaging(DWI), which is described as an ancillary imaging feature of LI-RADS, can improve the diagnostic efficiency of LI-RADS v2017 with gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for HCC.AIM To determine whether the use of DWI can improve the diagnostic efficiency of LIRADS v2017 with gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance MRI for HCC.METHODS In this institutional review board-approved study, 245 observations of high risk of HCC were retrospectively acquired from 203 patients who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI from October 2013 to April 2018. Two readers independently measured the maximum diameter and recorded the presence of each lesion and assigned scores according to LI-RADS v2017. The test was used to determine the agreement between the two readers with or without DWI. In addition, the sensitivity(SE), specificity(SP), accuracy(AC), positive predictive value(PPV), and negative predictive value(NPV) of LI-RADS were calculated.Youden index values were used to compare the diagnostic performance of LIRADS with or without DWI.RESULTS Almost perfect interobserver agreement was obtained for the categorization of observations with LI-RADS(kappa value: 0.813 without DWI and 0.882 with DWI). For LR-5, the diagnostic SE, SP, and AC values were 61.2%, 92.5%, and71.4%, respectively, with or without DWI; for LR-4/5, they were 73.9%, 80%, and75.9% without DWI and 87.9%, 80%, and 85.3% with DWI; for LR-4/5/M, they were 75.8%, 58.8%, and 70.2% without DWI and 87.9%, 58.8%, and 78.4% with DWI; for LR-4/5/TIV, they were 75.8%, 75%, and 75.5% without DWI and 89.7%,75%, and 84.9% with DWI. The Youden index values of the LI-RADS classification without or with DWI were as follows: LR-4/5: 0.539 vs 0.679; LR-4/5/M: 0.346 vs 0.467; and LR-4/5/TIV: 0.508 vs 0.647.CONCLUSION LI-RADS v2017 has been successfully applied with gadoxetate-enhanced MRI for patients at high risk for HCC. The addition of DWI significantly increases the diagnostic efficiency for HCC.