Application of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography in the decision-making about hepatocellular carcinoma operation

AIM:To evaluate the detection and differentiation ability of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography(CE-IOUS) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) operations.METHODS:Clinical data of 50 HCC patients were retrospective analyzed.The sensitivity,specificity,false negative and false positive rates of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(CE-MRI),IOUS and CEIOUS were calculated and compared.Surgical strategy changes due to CE-IOUS were analyzed.RESULTS:Lesions detected by CE-MRI,IOUS and CEIOUS were 60,97 and 85 respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,false negative rate,false positive rate of CEMRI were 98.2%,98.6%,98.6%,60.0%,respectively;for IOUS were 50.0%,90.9%,1.8%,1.4%,respectively;and for CE-IOUS were 1.4%,40.0%,50.0%,9.1%,respectively.The operation strategy of 9(9/50,18.0%) cases was changed according to the results of CE-IOUS.CONCLUSION:Compared with CE-MRI,CE-IOUS performs better in detection and differentiation of small metastasis and regenerative nodules.It plays an important role in the decision-making of HCC operation.

Intraoperative ultrasonography in hepatobiliary surgery

Objective: To assess the value of intraoperative ultra- sonography in hepatobiliary surgery. Methods: Aloka-650 and Aloka-500 with a 3.5 MHz probe were used in preoperative uitrasonography and those with 5 MHz or 7.5 MHz probes in intraopera- tive ultrasonography. All patients with carcinoma were confirmed pathologically. Results: In 44 patients with liver cancer (76 tumors), the diagnostic rate of intraoperative ultra- sonography was 97% (74/76), which was markedly higher than 84% (64/76) of preoperative ultra- sonography (P<0.05). The diagnostic rate (92%; 22/24) of intraoperative ultrasonography for tumors ≤2 cm in diameter was markedly higher than that (54%; 13/24) of preoperative ultrasonography (P< 0.01). The diagnostic rate (94%; 16/17) of intra- operative ultrasonography for tumor embulus of the vein was also markedly higher than that (53%; 9/ 17) of preoperative ultrasonography (P<0.01). The diagnostic rates of intraoperative and preoperative ultrasonography for cholelithiasis were 99% (108/ 109) and 97% (106/109) respectively (P>0.05). Yet the diagnostic rate (100%; 12/12) of intraopera- tive ultrasonography for gallbladder carcinoma was markedly higher than that (66.7%; 8/12) of pre- operative ultrasonography (P<0.05). The diagnos- tic rates of intraoperative ultrasonography for chole- docholith and biliary tract cancer were all 100%, markedly higher than those (83%; 20/24 and 75%; 12/16) of preoperative ultrasonography (P<0.05). Conclusions: Intraoperative ultrasonography can raise the detective rate of the liver occupying lesions comparing with that of preoperative untrasonogra- phy. It is of valuable in selecting operative scheme and locating small lesions.

Intraoperative ultrasound assistance in resection of intracranial meningiomas

Objective： Intracranial meningiomas, especially those located at anterior and middle skull base, are difficult to be completely resected due to their complicated anatomy structures and adjacent vessels. It＇s essential to locate the tumor and its vessels precisely during operation to reduce the risk of neurological deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraoperative ultrasonography in displaying intracranial meningioma and its surrounding arteries, and evaluate its potential to improve surgical precision and minimize surgical trauma. Methods： Between December 2011 and January 2013, 20 patients with anterior and middle skull base meningioma underwent surgery with the assistance of intraoperative ultrasonography in the Neurosurgery Department of Shanghai Huashan Hospital. There were 7 male and 13 female patients, aged from 31 to 66 years old. Their sonographic features were analyzed and the advantages of intraoperative ultrasonography were discussed. Results： The border of the rneningioma and its adjacent vessels could be exhibited on intraoperative ultrasonography. The sonographic visualization allowed the neurosurgeon to choose an appropriate approach before the operation. In addition, intraoperative ultrasonography could inform neurosurgeons about the location of the tumor, its relation to the surrounding arteries during the operation, thus these essential arteries could be protected carefully. Conclusions： Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful intraoperative technique. When appropriately applied to assist surgical procedures for intracranial meningioma, it could offer very important intraoperative information （such as the tumor supplying vessels） that helps to improve surgical resection and therefore might reduce the postoperative morbidity.

Simultaneous colorectal and parenchymal-sparing liver resection for advanced colorectal carcinoma with synchronous liver metastases:Between conventional and mini-invasive approaches

The optimal timing of surgery in case of synchronous presentation of colorectal cancer and liver metastases is still under debate.Staged approach,with initial colorectal resection followed by liver resection(LR),or even the reverse,liver-first approach in specific situations,is traditionally preferred.Simultaneous resections,however,represent an appealing strategy,because may have perioperative risks comparable to staged resections in appropriately selected patients,while avoiding a second surgical procedure.In patients with larger or multiple synchronous presentation of colorectal cancer and liver metastases,simultaneous major hepatectomies may determine worse perioperative outcomes,so that parenchymal-sparing LR should represent the most appropriate option whenever feasible.Mini-invasive colorectal surgery has experienced rapid spread in the last decades,while laparoscopic LR has progressed much slower,and is usually reserved for limited tumours in favourable locations.Moreover,mini-invasive parenchymal-sparing LR is more complex,especially for larger or multiple tumours in difficult locations.It remains to be established if simultaneous resections are presently feasible with mini-invasive approaches or if we need further technological advances and surgical expertise,at least for more complex procedures.This review aims to critically analyze the current status and future perspectives of simultaneous resections,and the present role of the available miniinvasive techniques.

Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography for cerebral arteriovenous malformations compared with angiography

Background Intraoperative Doppler sonography has been used in the neurosurgical operating room for the localization and description of cerebral arteriovenous malformations （AVMs）. This study aimed to investigate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography, including its ability to assess the location and identify of feeding arteries in patients with AVMs and to compare this method with angiography.Methods Twenty-three patients with cerebral AVMs who were diagnosed using angiography, were examined with contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography. As an echo-enhancing agent, Sulphur Hexafluoride Microbubbles for Injection （＂SonoVue＂） was administered intravenously in all patients. Sonogram results were reviewed and correlated with angiographic findings. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied.Results Angiography identified 20 AVM lesions in the anterior or middle fossa and 3 in the posterior fossa.Contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler was somewhat less sensitive for only detecting 21/23 （91.3%） of the AVM lesions. Additionally, contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler slightly underestimated AVM size compared with angiographic findings but showed feeding arteries with sufficient acoustic properties. In 15 patients, angiography revealed a coincidental blood supply from another intracranial vessel, which was missed by contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography.Conclusions In a limited group of patients with AVMs, contrast-enhanced intraoperative Doppler sonography was a less sensitive but useful and simple method for the detection of AVMs in contrast to angiography. No specific untoward effects were attributed to the use of ＂SonoVue＂ as a contrast-enhancing substance.

Circumferential decompression via the posterior approach for the surgical treatment of multilevel thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligaments： a single institution comparative study

Background The treatment strategies for multilevel thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligaments （T-OPLL） were rarely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes and complications of circumferential decompression for multilevel T-OPLL and compare two different methods in the management of the OPLL （resection or floating）. Methods Data of sequentially treated patients who received surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis caused by multilevel T-OPLL from January 2005 to February 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the surgical approaches applied, the patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted the patients who received posterior decompression and group B consisted the patients who received circumferential decompression via the posterior approach. Group B was further divided into two subgroups： subgroup 1 （the resection group） where the OPLL was completely resected and subgroup 2 （the floating group） where the OPLL was floated. Results A total of 49 patients were included in the study. Fourteen patients with single posterior decompression were included in group A and 35 patients who received circumferential decompression were included in group B. In group B, 29 patients had complete resection of the ossified posterior longitudinal ligaments, while the other six underwent a flotation procedure. The follow-up data were available in 39 patients. Mean JOA scores improved from 5.4 ± 1.8 to 7.5 ± 2.8 in group A and from 3.7 ± 1.8 to 7.9 ± 2.4 in group B. The main complications included cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） leakage and postoperative neurelogic deterioration （ND）. Twenty-three of the 25 cases with postoperative CSF leakage achieved a complete recovery at the last follow-up and 12 of the 15 cases with ND achieved some neurological improvement at the last follow-up. Conclusions Circumferential decompression via the posterior approach is an effective surgical method for thoracic spinal stenosis caused by multilevel OPLL of the thoracic spine. Patients who receive complete resection of the ossified posterior longitudinal ligaments may have better recovery rate than the ＂floating＂ group.