Added value of hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk patients

AIM:To determine the added value of hepatobiliary phase(HBP)gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in evaluating hepatic nodules in high-risk patients.METHODS:The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived the requirement for informed consent.This study included 100 patients at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and 105hepatic nodules that were larger than 1 cm.A blind review of two MR image sets was performed in a random order:set 1,unenhanced(T1-and T2-weighted)and dynamic images;and set 2,unenhanced,dynamic20-min and HBP images.The diagnostic accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)were compared for the two image sets.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on the MR characteristics utilized to diagnose HCC.RESULTS:A total of 105 hepatic nodules were identified in 100 patients.Fifty-nine nodules were confirmed to be HCC.The diameter of the 59 HCCs ranged from1 to 12 cm(mean:1.9 cm).The remaining 46 nodules were benign(28 were of hepatocyte origin,nine were hepatic cysts,seven were hemangiomas,one was chronic inflammation,and one was focal fat infiltration).The diagnostic accuracy significantly increased with the addition of HBP images,from 88.7%in set 1to 95.5%in set 2(P=0.002).In set 1 vs set 2,the sensitivity and NPV increased from 79.7%to 93.2%and from 78.9%to 91.8%,respectively,whereas the specificity and PPV were not significantly different.The hypointensity on the HBP images was the most sensitive(93.2%),and typical arterial enhancement followed by washout was the most specific(97.8%).The multivariate analysis revealed that typical arterial enhancement followed by washout,hyperintensity on T2-weighted images,and hypointensity on HBP images were statistically significant MRI findings that could diagnose HCC(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The addition of HBP gadoxetic acidenhanced MRI statistically improved the diagnostic accuracy in HCCs larger than 1 cm.Typical arterial enhancement followed by washout and hypointensity on HBP images are useful for diagnosing HCC.

Risk factors for pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective study in a Thai tertiary center

AIM To analyze the risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy in a Thai tertiary care center.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 179 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at our hospital from January 2001 to December 2016. Pancreatic fistula were classified into three categories according to a definition made by an International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula. The risk factors for pancreatic fistula were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Pancreatic fistula were detected in 88/179 patients(49%) who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Fifty-eight pancreatic fistula(65.9%) were grade A, 22 cases(25.0%) were grade B and eight cases(9.1%) were grade C. Clinically relevant pancreatic fistula were detected in 30/179 patients(16.7%). The 30-d mortality rate was 1.67%(3/179 patients). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that soft pancreatic texture(odds ratio = 3.598, 95%CI: 1.77-7.32) was the most significant risk factor for pancreatic fistula. A preoperative serum bilirubin level of > 3 mg/d L was the most significant risk factor for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula according to univariate and multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION Soft pancreatic tissue is the most significant risk factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula. A high preoperative serum bilirubin level(> 3 mg/d L) is the most significant risk factor for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula.