The Comparison between Single Shot Turbo Spin Echo and B-FFE (Balanced Turbo Field-echo) in the Differentiation of Focal Liver Lesions

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of four different sequences : moderately T2 weighted, two heavily T2-weighted single shot turbo spin-echo sequence and breath-hold axial-2D balanced turbo field-echo sequence(bFFE) for characterization of focal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the 3-month period between June and August 2005, seventy-six patients were proved to have ninety-three focal hepatic lesions on MR imaging. The patients consisted of 49 men and 27 women (age range, 15-75 years; mean age, 56.23 years). All MR images were acquired on a 1.5-T MR using the following sequences: 1. A breath-hold axial T2-weighted single shot turbo spin-echo sequence, 2. a breath-hold axial-2D balanced turbo field-echo sequence. Two radiologists performed quantitative analysis. Another radiologist measured the lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio at the region-of-interest in the four sequences. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in inter-observer variability between the four sequences. The accuracy for both cyst and malignancy of moderate T2 weighted MRI (echo time: 80 msec) was also highest. There was significant difference for lesion characterization between moderate T2 weighted MRI and balanced steady state procession (p-value: 0.004) in the second reader. For longer echo time, the CNR of cystic lesions were markedly increased in comparison to lesions of other component. CONCLUSION: The accuracy and inter-observer variability of single shot turbo spin echo T2 weighted sequence was higher than bFFE. Although there was no statically significant difference, moderate T2 weighted MRI (echo time: 80 msec) was more accurate than heavily T2 weighted sequence (echo time: 300 msec). If the results for lesion characterization is equivocal in TE 80, the addition of heavily T2 weighted MRI (echo time: 180 msec) can be helpful.

Effects of Nutritional Supplementation on Nutirtional Status in Patients with Nonalcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

Severe protein-calorie malnutrition, common in patients with advanced liver disease, can seriously undermine the capacity for regeneration and functional restoration of liver. Nutritional supplementation for these patients can improve biochemical and hormonal abnormalities. However, these effects were not identified in patient with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. To determine effects of nutritional supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, 77 subjects aged 29 to 69 years participated in this study for 12 weeks and were subdivided into three groups; normal diet group (Control group, n=16), branched-chain amino acid supplementation group (BCAA group, n=31), nutritional supplementation group (NS group, n=30). Anthropometric parameters, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood cell counts, serum levels of lipids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acid composition, and plasma amino acids were examined. The mean values of age and height, and the initial values of weight and body mass index (BMI) were not different among all groups. After 12 weeks, there were no significant changes in these values in Control group. Only NS group showed significant increases in weight, lean body mass, midarm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness. Serum transferrins were increased both in BCAA and NS groups. Plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids, urea amino acids and glutamic acid were also significantly increased in these groups, but plasma levels of ammonia, serum LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index were decreased. However, there were no significant changes in serum levels of vitamin and mineral and composition of fatty acids in phospholipids in these groups. These results showed that the nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis can more improve nutritional status in these people together with increases of weight, body fat and lean body mass, compared to only BCAA supplementation. To ascertain and investigate the appropriate nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, further studies are necessary.

Combined Therapy involving Hepatic Arterial Chemoinfusion through a Percutaneously Implanted Port, and External Irradiation for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy involving intra-arterial hepatic chemoinfusion through a percutaneously implanted port and external irradiation for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (12 males and 3 females; mean age=47.5 years) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma localized in one lobe and with portal vein thrombosis (stage IVa) were included in this study. To permit chemoinfusion through the hepatic artery, a Chemoport(R); was implanted percutaneously in the right inguinal area via the femoral artery. Initial external radiation therapy lasted five weeks (44 Gy in a daily fraction of 1.8 Gy), with concurrent intra-arterial hepatic infusion of 5-fluorouracil. This initial treatment was followed by five cycles of intra-arterial hepatic infusion of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for three consecutive days every month. Two and six months after treatment was begun, the patients underwent CT scanning and angiography, and their response was assessed in terms of change in tumor size and vascularity, the degree of portal vein thrombosis and arterio-portal shunt, and alpha-fetoprotein levels. Any complications arising from this combined therapy and the clinical status of each patient were also followed up during the treatment period. RESULTS: The response rates at months 2 and 6 were 60% and 33.3%, respectively. One patient (6.7%) showed complete remission, and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased significantly in all patients who responded. In five of the twelve patients, the thrombi in the main portal vein showed marked regression. The one-year survival rate was 30% and the median survival period was 10.6 (range, 3.7 to 28) months. The complications arising after treatment involved the catheter-port system (n=2) or were due to gastroduodenitis (n=9). CONCLUSION: In these patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein thronbosis, combined therapy involving hepatic arterial chemoinfusion through a Chemoport(R) and external irradiation achieved favorable results. Further controlled studies aimed at evaluating the prognostic factors involved are, however, required.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in chronic liver disease / 대한내과학회지

The insulin resistance and the altered glucose metabolism in chronic liver disease increase the alteration of glucose intolerance and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of DM is higher in advanced cirrhosis than in early cirrhosis and higher in C-viral hepatitis or alcoholic liver disease than in B-viral hepatitis. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of DM in chronic liver disease in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 417 patients with chronic liver disease who visit the Yonsei University Sevrance Hospital from January 1994 to March 1998. We examined fasting blood sugar, biochemical study and abdominal ultrasonography. DM was defined on the basis of fasting hyperglycemia (fasting blood sugar exceeding 140 mg/dl) at least two consecutive samples or active treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. RESULTS:1) The DM prevalence was 16.8%(70 cases) in total patients and 25.0% (56 cases) in cirrhotic patients. 2) According to sex, there was no statistically significant difference in DM prevalence(16.8% in men and 18.1% in women P=0.78). 3) The DM prevalence was increased with increasing of age(0% in below 30 years, 4.9% in 31-40, 19.6% in 41-50, 22.9% in 51-60, 21.3% in 61-70 and 44.4% in over 71 years, p<0.01). 3) According to severity of liver disease, the DM prevalence was higher in uncompensated cirrhosis than in compensated cirrhosis(2.3% in chronic viral carrier, 8.8% in chronic hepatitis, 17.9% in cirrhosis Child class A, 33.9% in class B, 29.5% in class C). 4) According to cause of liver disease, the DM prevalence was higher in C-viral hepatitis and alcoholics than in B-viral hepatitis(12.1% in B-viral hepatitis, 35.1% in C-viral hepatitis, 40.0% in alcoholics). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetes in the patients with chronic liver disease is much higher than in general population. And the DM prevalence is increased in advanced cirrhosis and C-viral or alcoholic hepatitis. The early diagnosis and treatment of DM in chronic liver disease patients are important.

Alcoholic Type Cirrhosis Following Side to Side Ileo-Transverse Colon Anastomosis

A case of micronodular cirrhosis of the alcoholic type developed following an intestianl bypass surgery in a 47 year-old nonalcoholic male patient is presented. The patient denied any drug use of a long duration and had no diabetes mellitus. Five years before, a side to side ileo-transverse colon anastomosis had been performed for perforated intestinal tuberculosis at 1 m proximal to the ileocecal valve, bypassing a short segment of ileum (about 1.5 m) and transverse colon. The ileum distal to the perforated site had been found completely stenosed. He was severely lean with evidences of nutritional deficiency such as low serum levels of the albumin and vitamin B12. The liver biopsy showed a fatty change, Mallory bodies and perihepatocellular collagenosis within the cirrhotic nodules. The present case suggests that, when there are blind loop formation and nutritional deficiency, hepatic changes identical to those following jejunoileal bypass could develop even by reduction of a shore segment of the small intestine.