Fusion Navigation Technique for Management of Difficult to Access Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single Center Experience

Introduction: Sonography is the most universally used imaging technique for planning and performing thermal ablation in Hepatocellular carcinoma patients due to its efficiency and safety. However, the presence of HCC nodules that are hardly visible on traditional sonography is a major drawback to its use during thermal ablation. Real-time image fusion (fusion imaging) or real-time virtual sonography is a new technology that has been developed. Aim: To determine the value of fusion/navigation guided percutaneous thermal ablation in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma that has poor conspicuity at conventional sonography. Subjects and Methods: This study included 70 HCC patients (BCLC A and B). Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was done via real-time image fusion for 14 patients with poorly visible HCC nodules (study group), while Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was done via traditional sonography for 56 patients with HCC nodules (control group). Results: The median time to reach the tumor was significantly shorter by using fusion navigation technique (P = 0.034). By using fusion navigation technique 92% of the lesions were completely ablated while 55% only were completely ablated by using ultrasonography (P = 0.014). One year after the procedure , by using fusion navigation technique 92% of the patients had complete response and only 55% of the patients had complete response by using conventional ultrasonography (P = 0.011). The survival distributions for both interventions were statistically significantly different, χ2 = 10.12, P = 0.001. Conclusion: Fusion imaging-guided percutaneous RFA is a reasonable and efficient treatment of patients with HCC undetectable by traditional ultrasonography.

Hepatic and gastrointestinal disturbances in Egyptian patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019: A multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND Various liver and gastrointestinal involvements occur in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)at variable prevalence.Most studies report mild liver function disturbances correlated with COVID-19 severity,though liver failure is unusual.AIM To study liver and gastrointestinal dysfunctions in Egyptian patients with COVID-19 and their relation to disease outcomes METHODS This multicentre cohort study was conducted on 547 Egyptian patients from April 15,2020 to July 29,2020.Consecutive polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 cases were included from four quarantine hospitals affiliated to the Egyptian ministry of health.Demographic information,laboratory characteristics,treatments,fibrosis-4(FIB-4)index,COVID-19 severity,and outcomes were recorded and compared according to the degree of liver enzyme elevation and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms.Follow-ups were conducted until discharge or death.Regression analyses were performed to determine the independent factors affecting mortality.RESULTS This study included 547 patients,of whom 53(9.68%)died during hospitalization and 1 was discharged upon his request.Patients’mean age was 45.04±17.61 years,and 21.98%had severe or critical COVID-19.Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were available for 430 and 428 patients,respectively.In total,26%and 32%of patients had elevated ALT and AST,respectively.Significant liver injury with ALT or AST elevation exceeding 3-fold was recorded in 21(4.91%)and 16(3.73%)patients,respectively.Male gender,smoking,hypertension,chronic hepatitis C,and lung involvement were associated with elevated AST or ALT.AST was elevated in 50%of patients over 60-years-old.FIB-4 was significantly higher in patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU),those with more severe COVID-19,and non-survivors.The independent variables affecting outcome were supplementary vitamin C intake(1 g daily capsules)[odds ratio(OR):0.05,95%confidence interval(CI):0.008–0.337];lung consolidation(OR:4.540,95%CI:1.155–17.840);ICU admission(OR:25.032,95%CI:7.110–88.128);and FIB-4 score>3.25(OR:10.393,95%CI:2.459-43.925).Among 60(13.98%)patients with gastrointestinal symptoms,52(86.67%)had diarrhoea.Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were predominantly females with higher body mass index,and 50(83.40%)patients had non-severe COVID-19.CONCLUSION Few Egyptian patients with COVID-19 developed a significant liver injury.The independent variables affecting mortality were supplementary vitamin C intake,lung consolidation,ICU admission,and FIB-4 score.

Evaluation of GALAD Score in Diagnosis and Follow-up of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Local Ablative Therapy

Background and Aims:Strategies for detection of early hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)are still limited.The GALAD score is a serum biomarker-based model designed to predict the probability of having HCC.We aimed to assess the ability of GALAD score to diagnose early HCC and its validity to follow patients after local ablation therapy.Methods:This multicenter prospective study included 108 patients in two groups,58 HCC patients(67 focal lesions)with local ablative therapy(study group),and a control group of 50 patients with liver cirrhosis.The GALAD scores of the study and control groups,and of the HCC patients before and after ablative therapy were compared.Results:Most patients were men(74.1%in study group and 76%in controls)with hepatitis C virus infection(98.30%in the study group,and 94%in controls).GALAD scores were significantly higher in HCC patients than in those with benign cirrhosis(2.65 vs.−0.37,p=0.001).Ablative therapy was successful in 94.4%of focal lesions<2 cm,and in 86.10%of 2–5 cm lesions.The GALAD score was also significantly lower at 1 month after ablation in patients with well-ablated tumors(2.19 vs.0.98,p=0.001).The best cutoff values of GALAD score for diagnosis of early HCC,and for prediction of well ablation of HCC were 0.74 and≤3.31(areas under the curve of 0.92 and 0.75,sensitivities of 84.48%and 76.19%,specificities of 89.13%and 83.33%,positive predictive values of 90.74%and 94.1%,and negative predictive values of 82%and 35.7%respectively).Conclusion:The GALAD score was effective for the diagnosis of early HCC and for followup after ablative therapy.