Apparent diffusion coefficient measurements as very early predictive markers of response to chemotherapy in hepatic metastasis: a preliminary investigation of reproducibility and diagnostic value.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reproducibility and diagnostic value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as an early predictor of response to chemotherapy of liver metastasis in routine clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 20 patients with histologically proven primary tumors with liver metastases was undertaken. Diffusion weighted MRI was performed twice before and 12-14 days after the start of treatment. Absolute and liver normalized ADC values were calculated. Bland Altman statistics were used to assess the reproducibility of ADC change for predicting lesion response as measured by RECIST. RESULTS: Nineteen of 31 metastases responded. Significant increases in absolute and normalized ADC values were found in responding (mean +208.7 × 10(-6) m(2)/s and +18% respectively, both P < 0.001) compared with nonresponding lesions (mean +98.6 × 10(-6) m(2)/s and 2%, respectively, P = 0.09 and 0.519). Reproducibility was better using normalized ADC compared with absolute ADC values (within patient coefficient of variability 8.0% and 10.1%, respectively). Using the repeatability threshold of ±22.3% for normalized ADC, only 8 of 19 responding and all but one nonresponding lesions could be prospectively detected. CONCLUSION: Increases in ADC values in responding liver metastases occurred within days after the start of chemotherapy but were of smaller magnitude than the variability of ADC measurement. These preliminary data suggest that the presently used technique is not reliable enough to predict final response at such an early time point in individual lesions.

Spontaneous dissection of the celiac trunk: a rare cause of abdominal pain--case report and review of the literature.

Spontaneous dissection of the celiac trunk is uncommon and rarely considered in patients presenting with acute onset of epigastric pain. We report the case of a 48-year old male, diagnosed with a spontaneous dissection of the celiac trunk extending towards the common hepatic artery. He was treated conservatively and remained asymptomatic after two years of follow-up. Conservative treatment seems justified in the absence of bowel ischemia or signs of hemorrhage. Initial Computed Tomography angiography revealed the presence of a dissection with a pseudoaneurysm that remained stable and regressed towards a normal Computed Tomography angiography after 7 months of follow-up. Radiologic follow-up is warranted as progression of the dissection and/or total occlusion with or without symptoms can occur. The risk factors, the natural course and optimal treatment remain unclear due to the rarity of the disorder. Our patient had no predisposing cardiovascular risk factors. Nevertheless, we observed a hypertrophic ligamentum arcuatum on Computed Tomography, possibly facilitating the evolution towards a dissection. Next to the case report, we provide a review of the available literature.

Clinical impact of capsule endoscopy on further strategy and long-term clinical outcome in patients with obscure bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is highly effective in detecting small-bowel lesions in patients with obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). Little is known about the impact of CE on further management and outcomes in patients with OGIB. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of CE on the management and outcomes of patients with OGIB. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary-referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 92 patients referred for obscure-overt bleeding (N = 36) or obscure-occult bleeding (N = 56). INTERVENTIONS: CE was performed after a negative endoscopic examination of the upper-GI and lower-GI tract. Follow-up was performed by collecting information from the referring physicians. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Need for transfusion, overt bleeding, anemia. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients (52 men, 40 women), with a mean age of 66.5 years (range 22-90 years) and a mean follow-up time of 635.5 days (range 81-1348 days) were studied. Relevant lesions were found in 55 of 92 patients (59.8%). After a CE, invasive small-bowel investigations were more often done in patients with a positive CE result (P = .01). Invasive endoscopic or surgical therapy was far more often performed in patients with a positive CE finding (P < .001). The outcome after a CE was favorable in 61 of 92 patients (66.3%) and was defined by the absence of overt bleeding and a normal Hb value on the latest available laboratory result. In the younger age category, a 100% resolution of OGIB was observed after long-term follow-up. On the contrary, angiodysplasia was a predictor for a less favorable clinical outcome (P = .04). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A CE has an important impact on a further diagnostic workup, therapeutic strategy, and long-term clinical evolution in patients with OGIB, with a favorable outcome in 66.3% of patients after CE-guided therapy.

Detachable balloon embolization of an arterioportal fistula following liver biopsy in a liver transplant recipient: a case report and review of literature.

We report a case of an intrahepatic arterioportal fistula in a 61-year-old female liver transplant recipient. The patient presented with massive ascites 7 months after a percutaneous liver biopsy. A large fistula between the right hepatic artery and the right portal vein was diagnosed on color Doppler ultrasound and confirmed on arteriography. The fistula was successfully embolized with the detachable balloon technique and the ascites resolved. Symptomatic intrahepatic arterioportal fistula in a liver transplant recipient following percutaneous biopsy is rare. Clinical manifestations, surgical or endovascular therapy, and outcome are discussed. The literature on this subject is reviewed.