Gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: Hepatocellular carcinoma and mimickers

Gadoxetic acid, a hepatocyte-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, has emerged as an important tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is useful for the evaluation of early-stage HCC, diagnosis of HCC precursor lesions, and highly sensitive diagnosis of HCC. Furthermore, functional information provided by gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI can aid in the characterization of focal liver lesions. For example, whereas lesions lack functioning hepatocytes appear hypointense in the hepatobiliary phase, preserved or enhanced expression of organic anion transporting polypeptides in some HCCs as well as focal nodular hyperplasia lead to hyperintensity in the hepatobiliary phase; and a targetoid appearance on transitional phase or hepatobiliary phase imaging can be helpful for identifying the histopathological composition of tumors. While gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI may improve the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis and provide new insights into the characterization of focal liver lesions, there are many challenges associated with its use. This article reviews the pros and cons of HCC diagnosis with gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and discuss some clues in the radiological differentiation of HCC from HCC mimickers.

Seguimiento de un caso de hiperplasia nodular focal hepática por resonancia magnética con medio de contraste hepatoespecífico / Monitoring of a hydroplasia nodular focal hepatic case for magnetic resonance with hepato-specific contrast medium

La hiperplasia nodular focal (HNF) es el tumor hepático benigno más frecuente después del hemangioma, producto de una respuesta hiperplásica a una anomalía vascular focalizada. A menudo asintomática, la mayor parte de las ocasiones es descubierta incidentalmente. Se presenta más frecuente en mujeres jóvenes de mediana edad con antecedente de ingesta prolongada de anticonceptivos orales. Este tipo de neoformación tiene hallazgos característicos en los diferentes métodos por imágenes. Normalmente tienden a permanecer de las mismas dimensiones e incluso involucionan durante un largo periodo bajo observación. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 46 años que consultó en SOLCA, Guayaquil, en el año 2016, por un tumor hepático detectado por estudio ecográfico particular, luego de lo cual se le realiza estudios por ultrasonido y tomografía computada en los cuales se evidencia proceso neoformativo en segmento VI hepático. Ante la naturaleza de la lesión, se decide valorarla por medio de resonancia magnética (RM) de abdomen con medio de contraste hepatoespecífico, donde se identifica lesión que por sus características y comportamiento, se plantea como primera posibilidad diagnóstica hiperplasia nodular focal, patología de carácter benigno. Al presentar exámenes de laboratorio sin alteraciones y marcadores tumorales negativos, se optó como conducta terapéutica realizar observación y seguimiento de la paciente a través del mismo método de imágenes sin tratamiento farmacológico. En estudio control por ecografía un año después la lesión permanece sin cambios, manteniéndose la conducta expectante hasta el presente año, en el que se realiza RM, sin evidencia de cambios en su morfología y comportamiento, diferenciándola de otro tipo de lesiones hepáticas y de esta manera se evita procedimientos invasivos como la biopsia. La lesión al permanecer sin cambios, demuestra que la conducta ante una paciente con HNF debe ser expectante, por el potencial que posee esta lesión de sufrir una regresión espontánea.

Method: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the most frequent benign liver tumor after hemangioma, it is caused by the hyperplastic response to a focal vascular anomaly. Most of the time asymptomatic is discovered incidentally. It occurs more frequently in young middle-aged women with a history of prolonged oral contraceptive intake. This type of neoformation has characteristic findings in different imaging methods. They usually tend to remain the same size and even involute for a long period under observation. We present the case of a patient with FNH, the diagnosis and monitoring was performed by magnetic resonance with hepatospecific contrast, it is a technique that allows observing its benign behavior, differentiating it from other types of liver lesions and avoids invasive procedures such as biopsy. After 2 years of diagnosis, the lesion remains without changes, demonstrating that the attitude towards a patient with FNH should be observant, since they have the potential for the spontaneous regression.

Tuberculoma hepático que simula metástasis de carcinoma neuroendocrino gástrico / Hepatic tuberculoma simulating metastasis of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma

La tuberculosis es una de las enfermedades infecciosas más frecuentes de distribución mundial, con una amplia presentación clínica. La afectación hepática de la tuberculosis es poco frecuente, pero más infrecuente aún lo es el tuberculoma hepático. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con tuberculoma hepático solitario que simula metástasis hepática secundaria a tumor neuroendocrino

Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases, with worldwide distribution and ample clinical manifestations. Hepatic tuberculosis is rare but hepatic tuberculoma is even rarer. We report an unusual case of a solitary hepatic tuberculoma simulating hepatic metastasis of a neuroendocrine tumor

What is Changing in Indications and Treatment of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia of the Liver. Is There any Place for Surgery?

ABSTRACT Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a common benign liver tumor, which occurs in the vast majority of the cases in young women. FNH represents a polyclonal lesion characterized by local vascular abnormalities and is a truly benign lesion without any potential for malignant transformation. A retrospective single institution analysis of 227 FNH patients, treated from 1990 to 2016 and a review of studies reporting surgical therapy of overall 293 patients with FNH was performed. Indications for resection with a focus on diagnostic workup, patient selection, surgical mode and operative mortality and morbidity have been analysed. Ninety three patients underwent elective hepatectomy and 134 patients observation alone, where median follow-up was 107 months. Postoperative complications were recorded in 14 patients, 92% of patients reported an improvement with respect to their symptoms. Overall among 293 patients underwent surgery in the series, included to this review, there was a morbidity of 13%, where median follow-up was 53 months. Systematic follow-up remains the gold standard in asymptomatic patients with FNH. Flowever elective surgery should be considered in symptomatic patients, in those with marked enlargement and in case of uncertainty of diagnosis. Surgery for FNH is a safe procedure with low morbidity and very good long term results as far as quality of life after surgery is concerned and surely an integral part of the modern management of FNH.

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia Presenting in a Young Male Patient / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Clinical evaluation of laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver tumors in Couinaud Ⅰ, Ⅳa, Ⅶ, and Ⅷ / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical experience of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for liver tumors in Couinaud Ⅰ, Ⅳa, Ⅶ, and Ⅷ segment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six patients with tumor in Couinaud Ⅰ, Ⅳa, Ⅶ, or Ⅷ segment underwent LH in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from July 2009 to December 2014.The pathological diagnoses were hepatic hemangioma(5 patients), colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver(4 patients), hepatic adenoma (6 patients), hepatocellular carcinoma(32 patients), focal nodular hyperplasia(8 patients) and liver harmatoma(1 patient). The liver function of all patients was Child-Pugh class A. All patients were followed up by several kinds of methods which included outpatient or inpatient review, telephone and mail until January 2015.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LH was converted to open hepatectomy in one patient, and tumor resection by LH was successful in other patients.The mean diameter of tumor was (5.7±3.4)cm (range 3-9 cm). The mean operative time was (115±46)min (range 55-260 min). And the mean estimated intraoperative blood loss was (181±135)ml (range 20-550 ml). The postoperative hospital stay was (7.1±1.5)days (range 5-10 days). Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients(7.1 percent) and resolved with conservative management. There was no perioperative deaths. At the 1-month follow-up, 47 patients had returned to full-time work. A total of 9 patients had evidence of recurrence after operation. The one-year overall and disease-free survival rates of patients with malignant tumor were 100 percents and 87.5 percents, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LH for tumors in segment Ⅰ, Ⅳa, Ⅶ, and Ⅷ is safe and effective.</p>

Benign hepatocellular nodules of healthy liver: focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma

Owing to the progress of imaging techniques, benign hepatocellular nodules are increasingly discovered in the clinical practice. This group of lesions mostly arises in the context of a putatively normal healthy liver and includes either pseudotumoral and tumoral nodules. Focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma are prototypical examples of these two categories of nodules. In this review we aim to report the main pathological criteria of differential diagnosis between focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma, which mainly rests upon morphological and phenotypical features. We also emphasize that for a correct diagnosis the clinical context such as sex, age, assumption of oral contraceptives, associated metabolic or vascular disturbances is of paramount importance. While focal nodular hyperplasia is a single entity epidemiologically more frequent than adenoma, the latter is representative of a more heterogeneous group which has been recently and extensively characterized from a clinical, morphological, phenotypical and molecular profile. The use of the liver biopsy in addition to imaging and the clinical context are important diagnostic tools of these lesions. In this review we will survey their systematic pathobiology and propose a diagnostic algorithm helpful to increase the diagnostic accuracy of not dedicated liver pathologists. The differential diagnosis between so-called typical and atypical adenoma and well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma will also be discussed.

Benign hepatocellular nodules of healthy liver: focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma

Owing to the progress of imaging techniques, benign hepatocellular nodules are increasingly discovered in the clinical practice. This group of lesions mostly arises in the context of a putatively normal healthy liver and includes either pseudotumoral and tumoral nodules. Focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma are prototypical examples of these two categories of nodules. In this review we aim to report the main pathological criteria of differential diagnosis between focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma, which mainly rests upon morphological and phenotypical features. We also emphasize that for a correct diagnosis the clinical context such as sex, age, assumption of oral contraceptives, associated metabolic or vascular disturbances is of paramount importance. While focal nodular hyperplasia is a single entity epidemiologically more frequent than adenoma, the latter is representative of a more heterogeneous group which has been recently and extensively characterized from a clinical, morphological, phenotypical and molecular profile. The use of the liver biopsy in addition to imaging and the clinical context are important diagnostic tools of these lesions. In this review we will survey their systematic pathobiology and propose a diagnostic algorithm helpful to increase the diagnostic accuracy of not dedicated liver pathologists. The differential diagnosis between so-called typical and atypical adenoma and well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma will also be discussed.

Diagnosis and treatment of benign liver nodules: Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) recommendations

ABSTRACT Space-occupying lessions of the liver may be cystic or solid. Ultrasonography is an extremely useful method for initial screening, and suffices for diagnosis of simple hepatic cysts. Complex cysts and solid masses require computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for confirmation. Wide surgical excision is indicated in cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma. Clinical and epidemiological data are important, as nodules in noncirrhotic livers are more likely to be benign. Hemangiomas, the most common benign tumors, require no follow-up after diagnostic confirmation if they are small and asymptomatic. Patients with giant, symptomatic hemangiomas or compression of adjacent structures should be referred to hepatobiliary centers for potential surgery. The genetic heterogeneity of hepatocellular adenoms and their epidemiology and prognosis prompted classification of these tumors into four subtypes based on histology and immunohistochemistry. The major complications of hepatocellular adenoms are rupture with bleeding and malignant transformation. Rupture occurs in approximately 30% of cases. The main risk factors are tumors size >5 cm and inflammatory subtype. Hepatocellular adenoms may enlarge during pregnancy due to marked hormonal stimulation. As oral contraceptive pills and anabolic steroids have associated with hepatocellular adenoms growth, particularly of the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alfa subtype, these drugs should be discontinued. Focal nodular hyperplasia is the second most common benign tumor of hte liver. It is most frequent in women aged 20 to 60, and 70% to 90% of cases are asymptomatic. In the adsence of a central scar and/or other hallmarks of Focal nodular hyperplasia, with uncertainty between this diagnosis and hepatocellular adenoma, liver-specific contrast agentes are indicated.

RESUMO As lesões que ocupam espaço no fígado podem ser císticas ou sólidas. A ultrassonografia é extremamente útil como rastreamento inicial, bastando como método diagnósticos em casos de cistos simples. Em cistos complexos e em nódulos sólidos é necessária a complementação diagnóstica com tomografia computadorizada ou ressonância magnética. Em casos de cistadenoma ou cistadenocarcinoma, a ampla retirada cirúrgica está indicada. Dados clínico-epidemiológicos são importantes, já que nódulos em fígados não-cirróticos têm maiores probabilidades de serem benignos. Para os hemangiomas, tumores benignos mais frequentes, após a confirmação diagnóstica não existe necessidade de acompanhamento sistemático quando os nódulos são pequenos e assintomáticos. Hemangiomas gigantes sintomáticos ou comprimindo órgãos vizinhos devem ser encaminhados a centros de referência para avaliação de intervenção cirúrgica. A heterogeneidade genética nos adenomas hepatocelulares bem como características epidemiológicas e prognósticas motivou sua classificação em quatro subtipos, com base em achados histológicos e de imunohistoquímica. As principais complicações que ocorrem com o adenomas hepatocelulares são ruptura com hemorragia e transformação carcinomatosa. A primeira ocorre em cerca de 30% dos casos e o principal fator de risco para esta complicação são tumores maiores do que 5 cm, do subtipo hiperplasia nodular focal 1A, esses medicamentos devem ser suspensos. A hiperplasia nodular focal é o segundo tumor benigno mais frequente, mais comum nas mulheres entre 20 e 60 anos, sendo assintomáticos em 70% a 90% dos casos. Na ausência de lesão cicatricial central e/ou outros sinais sugestivos de hiperplasi nodular focal, havendo dúvida diagnóstica com adenoma hepatocelular, o uso de contraste hepatespecíficos está indicado.

Neoplasias hepáticas benignas: variantes histológicas, problemas diagnósticos y diagnóstico diferencial / Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis Problems with Histological Variants of Benign Liver Neoplasms

Un principio básico de la patología es que las neoplasias se diferencian según sus células de origen y en el hígado semejan sus constituyentes, sean las células hepáticas, del epitelio biliar, endoteliales, mesenquimales o una combinación de estas. Es importante recordar aquí que son las metástasis el tumor maligno más frecuente del hígado, con una relación de 30:1 en pacientes sin enfermedad hepática crónica o cirrosis subyacente; es rara la presencia de las mismas en hígados cirróticos. Las neoplasias gastrointestinales del colon, páncreas, vía biliar extrahepática, estómago, tumores neuroendocrinos y GIST, o extraintestinales del pulmón, mama, melanoma o tumores de cabeza y cuello, son las más frecuentes (1). En este artículo solo revisaremos las más frecuentes. Iniciaremos con las neoplasias benignas y las lesiones pseudotumorales haciendo especial énfasis en aquellas con dificultades diagnósticas, en la utilidad de estudios especiales de inmunohistoquímica o moleculares para su adecuada clasificación y diagnóstico diferencial.

A basic principle of pathology is that neoplasms differ according to their cells of origin. Neoplasms of the liver resemble its constituent liver, biliary, epithelial, endothelial, mesenchymal cells or some combination of these different types of cells. It is important to remember here that metastases are the most frequent malignant liver tumor occurring at ratio of 30: 1 in patients without underlying chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Metastases are rare in cirrhotic livers. The most common primary sites are the colon, pancreas, common bile duct, stomach, neuroendocrine tumors and GIST, or extraintestinal tumors from the lung, breast, head, neck and skin (1). In this article we review only the most frequent benign neoplasms and tumor-like lesions with particular emphasis on diagnostic difficulties, special studies, and the usefulness of immunohistochemical or molecular studies for proper classification and differential diagnosis.

A Case of Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia of the Liver Combined with Toxic Hepatitis / 대한소화기학회지

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is an uncommon liver condition characterized by diffuse transformation of the hepatic parenchyma into regenerative nodules without fibrosis. Portal vasculopathy caused by abnormal hepatic venous flow may induce hepatocyte hyperplasia, which forms regenerative nodules. Underlying diseases or certain drugs may also be the cause of NRH. This condition is often underdiagnosed as the patients remain asymptomatic until development of portal hypertension, and histopathologic confirmation by liver biopsy is the only way of making a definite diagnosis. The management mainly involves prevention and treatment of the complications of portal hypertension. The frequency of diagnosis of NRH has increased rapidly in recent years, however, only a few cases have been reported in Korea. Here, we report on a case of NRH of the liver combined with toxic hepatitis.

Development of multifocal nodular lesions of a liver mimicking hepatic metastasis, following resection of an insulinoma in a child / 소아과

Insulinoma, which arises from insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, is a rare tumor in children. Only 5%-10% of insulinomas are malignant and undergo metastasis. We report a case of an 11-year-old girl who experienced hypoglycemia-related seizures induced by an insulinoma; after resection of the primary tumor, she developed hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Laboratory test results indicated marked hypoglycemia with hyperinsulinemia. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography results were normal; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a solid mass in the pancreatic tail. Therefore, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed. Two months after the surgery, an abdominal MRI revealed multiple nodular lesions in the liver. An US-guided liver biopsy was then performed, and histological examination revealed FNH without necrosis or mitotic activity. The patient has been free of hypoglycemia for 2 years, and recent MRI studies showed a decrease in the size of FNH lesions, without any evidence of metastasis. Even though no metastatic lesions are noted on imaging, close observation and follow-up imaging studies are required in a child with insulinoma that has malignant potential on histopathologic findings.

Atypical Image of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia: Central Defect on Hepatobiliary Phase of Liver Magnetic Resonance Imaging / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Multiple Hypervascular Hyperplastic Liver Nodules in a Patient with No History of Alcohol Abuse or Chronic Liver Diseases / 대한소화기학회지

Up-to-date imaging modalities such as three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (3D CT) and MRI may contribute to detection of hypervascular nodules in the liver. Nevertheless, distinguishing a malignancy such as hepatocellular carcinoma from benign hypervascular hyperplastic nodules (HHN) based on the radiological findings is sometimes difficult. Multiple incidental liver masses were detected via abdominal ultrasonography (US) in a 65-year-old male patient. He had no history of alcohol intake and no remarkable past medical history or relevant family history, and his physical examination results and laboratory findings were normal. 3D CT and MRI showed numerous enhanced nodules with hypervascularity during the arterial phase. After US guided liver biopsy, the pathological diagnosis was HHN. To date, several cases of HHN have been reported in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease or cirrhosis. Herein, we report on a case of HHN in a patient with no history of alcoholic liver disease or cirrhosis.

Study on the morphological features, pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (WD-HCC), and to find clues for its pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-three cases of WD-HCC were studied with clinical data analysis, gross and microscopic examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 73 cases, the prevalence of HBV (+) and/or HCV (+) was 94.5% (69/73), liver cirrhosis was 80.8% (59/73), increased hepatic cell density was 95.9% (70/73), dilated and irregular hepatic sinus was 89.0% (65/73), prominent trabecularism was 89.0% (65/73), increased cytoplasmic eosinophilia or basophilia was 90.4% (66/73), glandular-like structure was 16.4% (12/73, and fatty degeneration was 42.4% (31/73) .</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There are important clinicopathologic features associated with WD-HCC. These features are useful in the differential diagnosis of WD-HCC with dysplastic nodule (DN), focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenoma.</p>

Recurrence of Multiple Focal Nodular Hyperplasia in a Young Male Patient / 대한소화기학회지

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign hepatic tumor that is usually found in women. Diagnosis of FNH mainly depends on imaging studies such as color Doppler flow imaging, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. It is characterized by the presence of stellate central scar and is nowadays incidentally diagnosed with increasing frequency due to advances in radiologic imaging technique. FNH typically presents as a single lesion in 70% of cases and generally does not progress to malignancy or recur after resection. Herein, we report a case of a young male patient with recurrent multiple FNH who underwent surgical resection for presumed hepatic adenoma on computed tomography.

A case of focal nodular hyperplasia with growth progression during pregnancy

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign solid tumor of the liver and is usually found in young females. In FNH, spontaneous bleeding or rupture rarely occurs and malignant transformation is unlikely. The etiology of FNH is unclear, but because of female predominance and young age at onset, it seems that female hormone has an important role for the development of FNH. Although the development and the complications of hepatocellular adenomas have been related to the use of oral contraceptives and pregnancy, the influence of oral contraceptives and pregnancy on the growth and complications of FNH is controversial. Most FNH are stable in size and rarely complicated during pregnancy. We describe here a case of FNH with growth progression during pregnancy in a 27-year-old female. Her course of pregnancy and delivery was uneventful. Two months after delivery, the size of FNH was decreased.

Trombosis venosa portal e hiperplasia nodular regenerativa hepática; posible efecto adverso asociado a bevacizumab y oxaliplatino / Portal vein thrombosis and nodular regenerative hyperplasia associated with the use of bevacizumab and oxaliplatin. Report of one case

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) consists in diffuse transformation of the hepatic parenchyma into small regenerative nodules without fibrosis, secondary to vascular occlusion and flow alterations. This gives a nodular appearance to theliver, as there is atrophy and compensatory hypertrophy of hepatocytes. We reporta 69-year-old male who suffered of colon cancer and was treated with Oxaliplatin (OX) and Bevacizumab (B). During treatment with B the patient presented a partial thrombosis of the portal vein, that one year later became permeable. Esophageal varices were found in an upper digestive endoscopy. Hepatic tests were normal. Aliver biopsy was performed and informed nodular regenerative hyperplasia. Thus, the different factors that could explain this pathology are analyzed. B, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, reduces the anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and survival effects produced by this factor, affecting the vascular protection of the endothelial cell. On the other hand, OX activates metalloproteinasesand depletes sinusoidal glutathione producing sinusoidal lesions. Thus, (OX) would be associated with sinusoidal obstruction and NRH sporadically. It is important to discuss the possible etiologic factors that can cause NRH reviewing the hepatotoxic effects caused by both drugs.