MRI Findings of Long-term Survivals after Kasai Portoenterostomy

The purpose of this study is to analyse clinical impact of specific MRI findings in liver in patients of long-term survivors after Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). Twenty-eight patients who were underwent KPE were followed up more than 5 years. Macro-regenerative nodule (MRN) and beaded-duct dilatation (BDD) were considered as important findings in liver MRI. The association between these findings in MRI and clinical indicator, serum bilirubin level and history of cholangitis were evaluated. Sixteen patients (57.1%) were shown MRN in liver MRI. There were 14 patients(50%) whose MRI showed BDD. Serum total and direct bilirubin were 3.6mg/dL and 1.8mg/dL respectively in positive MRN group whereas 1.4mg/dL and 0.7mg/dL in negative MRN group (p 0.427). Serum total and direct bilirubin level were 4.2mg/dL and 2.1mg/dL in patients with BDD negative group compare to 1.1mg/dL and 0.5mg/dL in BDD positive group (p 0.281). The odds ratio to have cholangitis in the patient with MRN was 2.3 and 0.53 in patient with BDD in their MRI findings. MRN in liver MRI may suggest high bilirubin level and more chance to have cholangitis, but the findings of BDD may related to low bilirubin level and less change to have cholangitis.

Cirrhotic liver explants: regenerative nodule, dysplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence

The detection of hepatic nodules by imaging techniques in cirrhotic patients has increased and the growing consensus that these lesions may be premalignant increases their clinical importance and demands precise diagnostic criteria. The prevalence of macroscopic suspect hepatic nodule (MSHN) in cirrhotic livers was analyzed to identify macroregenerative nodule (MRN), dysplastic nodule and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate an association between MSHN and HCC. Hepatic nodules larger than 1cm and different from the surrounding nodules of the cirrhosis in color and texture were considered MSHN. Sixty-one cirrhotic liver explants were serially sectioned into 0.5 to 0.7cm slices and MSHN and protocol samples were examined histologically. Ninety-four MSHN were identified in 26 livers (histologically 11 were cirrhotic nodules, 61 MRN, 12 dysplastic nodules, and ten HCC). HCC was identified macroscopically in one liver and by light microscopy within MSHN in six other livers. The relation between HCC and MSHN, specifically MRN, was statistically significant. These findings suggest an association between MRN and MSHN with HCC in cirrhotic livers and reinforce the practical importance of histological classification of hepatic nodules in cirrhosis in order to guide the management of patients who are waiting for liver transplant or surgical treatment.

A detecção de nódulos hepáticos por técnicas de imagem em pacientes com cirrose tem aumentado, e o consenso de que essas lesões podem ser pré-malignas aumenta sua importância clínica e demanda critério diagnóstico preciso. A prevalência de nódulos hepáticos macroscopicamente suspeitos (NHMS) em fígados com cirrose foi analisada para identificar macronódulo regenerativo (MNR), nódulo displásico e carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) e para avaliar a associação de NHMS e CHC. Nódulos hepáticos maiores que 1cm com cor e textura diferentes dos demais nódulos da cirrose em cada peça foram definidos como NHMS. Sessenta e um fígados explantados por cirrose foram seccionados em fatias de 0,5 a 0,7cm e NHMS e amostras de áreas aleatórias do fígado foram examinadas histologicamente. Noventa e quatro NHMS foram identificados em 26 fígados (à histologia 11 foram nódulos típicos da cirrose; 61, MNR; 12, nódulos displásicos; e dez, CHC). O CHC foi identificado macroscopicamente em um fígado e pela microscopia óptica em NHMS em seis outros. A relação entre CHC e NHMS, especificamente MNR, foi estatisticamente significante. Esses achados sugerem associação entre MNR e NHMS com o CHC em fígados com cirrose e reforçam a importância prática da classificação histológica dos nódulos na cirrose, com o propósito de orientar a conduta médica no manuseio de pacientes que estão à espera de transplante hepático ou de tratamento cirúrgico.