Ultrasonographic scoring system score versus liver stiffness measurement in prediction of cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We compared the cirrhosis-prediction accuracy of an ultrasonographic scoring system (USSS) combining six representative sonographic indices with that of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography, and prospectively investigated the correlation between the USSS score and LSM in predicting cirrhosis. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty patients with chronic liver diseases (187 men, 43 women; age, 50.4+/-9.5 y, mean+/-SD) were enrolled in this prospective study. The USSS produces a combined score for nodularity of the liver surface and edge, parenchyma echogenicity, presence of right-lobe atrophy, spleen size, splenic vein diameter, and abnormality of the hepatic vein waveform. The correlations of the USSS score and LSM with that of a pathological liver biopsy (METAVIR scoring system: F0-F4) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean USSS score and LSM were 7.2 and 38.0 kPa, respectively, in patients with histologically overt cirrhosis (F4, P=0.017) and 4.3 and 22.1 kPa in patients with fibrotic change without overt cirrhosis (F0-F3) (P=0.025). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the USSS score and LSM for F4 patients were 0.849 and 0.729, respectively. On the basis of ROC curves, criteria of USSS > or =6: LSM > or =17.4 had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 89.2%:77.6%, 69.4%:61.4%, 86.5%:83.7%, 74.6%:51.9% and 0.83:0.73, respectively, in predicting F4. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that this USSS has comparable efficacy to LSM in the diagnosis of cirrhosis.

Venous drainage from the tail of the pancreas to the lienal vein and its relationship with the distal splenorenal shunt selectivity / Drenagem venosa da cauda do pâncreas para a veia lienal e sua relação com a seletividade da anastomose esplenorrenal

PURPOSE: To identify the veins draining from the pancreatic tail to the lienal vein and its possible relationship with the loss of the distal splenorenal shunt selectivity. METHODS: Thirty eight human blocks including stomach, duodenum, spleen, colon and pancreas, removed from fresh corpses, were studied with the replenish and corrosion technique, using vinilic resin and posterior corrosion of the organic tissue with commercial hydrochloric acid, in order to study the lienal vein and its tributaries. RESULTS: The number of veins flowing directly to the splenic vein varied from seven to twenty two (14.52 ± 3.53). Pancreatic branches of the pancreatic tail flowing to the segmentary veins of the spleen were found in 25 of the anatomical pieces studied (65.79 percent). These branches varied from one to four, predominating one branch (60 percent) and two branches (24 percent). CONCLUSIONS: In 65.79 percent of the anatomical pieces studied, the veins of the pancreatic tail flowed in segmentary branches of the splenic vein. These branches could be responsible for the loss of distal splenorenal shunt selectivity. The complete disconnection of the pancreatic tail could increase the selectivity in this procedure.

OBJETIVO: Identificar as veias da cauda do pâncreas afluentes da veia lienal e a possível relação destes ramos com a perda de seletividade da derivação esplenorrenal distal. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 38 peças humanas, retiradas de cadáveres, contendo estômago, duodeno, baço, cólon e pâncreas, utilizando-se a técnica de repleção vascular com resina vinílica e posterior corrosão do tecido orgânico com o objetivo de se estudar o molde vascular da veia lienal e seus afluentes. RESULTADOS: O número de veias afluindo diretamente para a veia esplênica variou de sete a vinte dois (MA 14.52±3.53). Ramos pancreáticos da cauda do pâncreas afluindo para as veias segmentares do baço estavam presentes em 25 das peças estudadas (65,79 por cento). Estes ramos variaram de um a quatro, predominando um ramo (60 por cento) e dois ramos (24 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Em 65,79 por cento das peças veias da cauda do pâncreas desembocavam em ramos segmentares da veia esplênica. Estes ramos poderiam ser responsáveis pela perda de seletividade da derivação esplenorrenal distal e a esqueletização completa da cauda do pâncreas poderia aumentar a seletividade neste procedimento.

Subtotal splenectomy preserving the lower pole in rats: technical, morphological and functional aspects / Esplenectomia subtotal com preservação do pólo inferior em ratos: aspectos técnicos, morfológicos e funcionais

PURPOSE: To assess the possibility of preserving the lower pole of the spleen, supplied by the inferior lobar vessels and segmental vessels, or by vessels of the gastrosplenic ligament, in subtotal splenectomy; to study the viability and function of the lower pole of the spleen. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were used in this study. Said animals weighed 273-390 g ( 355.2 ± 30.5 g ), and were randomly distributed into three groups. Group 1 comprised ten animals which were submitted to exploratory laparotomy with spleen manipulation (sham operation). Group 2 comprised 16 animals which were submitted to total splenectomy. Group 3 comprised ten animals which were submitted to subtotal splenectomy, preserving the lower pole of the spleen. Blood was collected from all animals before and 90 days after surgery to measure the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The animals were sacrificed 90 days after surgery. Spleens and remaining spleens were removed for macroscopic and microscopic examination. RESULTS: Surgery was performed with no complications in all groups. Six animals died in group 2. Spleens of groups 1 and 2, and lower poles of group 3 were macroscopically viable. Apparent white pulp hyperplasia was observed in group 1. In group 3, slight inflammation and capsular fibrosis were observed at the incision site, as well as diffuse hemosiderosis in the red pulp. Average mass of remaining spleen was 35.84 percent ± 4.31 percent. No significant difference was observed between preoperative and late postoperative lipid levels in groups 1 and 3 (p > 0.05). Late postoperative lipid levels significantly increased in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the lower pole of the spleen (supplied by gastrosplenic vessels or inferior lobar vessels and segmental vessels) was possible with subtotal splenectomy. The lower pole was macroscopically and microscopically viable in all cases. Subtotal splenectomy preserving the lower pole prevented changes in...

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a exequibilidade de preservação do pólo inferior suprido por vasos lobares inferiores e segmentares ou por vasos no ligamento esplenogástrico, na esplenectomia subtotal, e estudar a viabilidade e a função desse pólo. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 36 ratos machos, Wistar, com peso entre 273 gramas e 390 gramas (M.A 355,2 ±30,5), distribuídos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos : grupo 1- 10 animais submetidos à laparotomia com manipulação do baço (operação simulada); grupo 2- 16 animais submetidos à esplenectomia total ; grupo 3- 10 animais submetidos à esplenectomia subtotal com preservação do pólo inferior. Em todos os animais foi colhido sangue no pré-operatório e no 90° P.O para dosagem do colesterol e frações e triglicérides. Os animais foram mortos após 90 dias e o baço e o remanescente esplênico foram retirados para estudo macro e microscópico. RESULTADOS: As operações nos três grupos foram realizadas sem dificuldades. Houve 6 óbitos no grupo da esplenectomia total. Os baços dos grupos 1 e 2 e os pólos inferiores do grupo 3 estavam macroscopicamente viáveis. Houve uma aparente hiperplasia da polpa branca no grupo simulação O pólo inferior apresentou áreas discretas de inflamação e fibrose capsular na área da incisão e hemossiderose difusa na polpa vermelha. O percentual médio de massa remanescente do pólo inferior foi 35,84 por cento ± 4,31 por cento. Não houve alterações significantes nos níveis de colesterol e frações e triglicérides no pós-operatório tardio em relação ao pré-operatório (P>0,05) nos grupos 1 e 3. No grupo 2 houve aumento significante do colesterol e frações e triglicérides no pós-operatório tardio. CONCLUSÕES: A preservação do pólo inferior suprido por vasos lobares inferiores e segmentares ou vasos no ligamento esplenogástrico foi exeqüível na esplenectomia subtotal. Esse pólo manteve-se macro e microscopicamente viável em todos os casos. A esplenectomia subtotal com preservação do pólo inferior previne contra as alterações...