Stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy results for non-palpable breast lesions.

BACKGROUND: The increase in breast cancer awareness and widespread use of mammographic screening has led to an increased detection of (non-palpable) breast cancers that cannot be discovered through physical examination. One of the methods used in the diagnosis of these cancers is vacuum-assisted core biopsy, which prevents a considerable number of patients from undergoing surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to present the results of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy for suspicious breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Files were retrospectively scanned and data on demographic, radiological and pathological findings were recorded for patients who underwent stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy due to suspicious mammographic findings at the Interventional Radiology Centre of the Florence Nightingale Hospital between January 2010, and April 2013. Statistical analysis was carried out using Pearson's Chi-square, continuity correction, and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 47 years (range: 36-70). Biopsies were performed due to BIRADS 3 lesions in 8 patients, BIRADS 4 lesions in 77 patients, and BIRADS 5 lesions in 3 patients. Mammography elucidated clusters of microcalcifications in 73 patients (83%) and focal lesions (asymmetrical density, distortion) in 15 patients (17%). In terms of complications, 1 patient had a hematoma, and 2 patients had ecchymoses (3/88; 3.3%). The histopathologic results revealed benign lesions in 63 patients (71.6%) and malignant lesions in 25 patients (28.4%). The mean duration of the procedure was 37 minutes (range: 18-55). Although all of the BIRADS 3 lesions were benign, 22 (28.6%) of the BIRADS 4 lesions and all of the BIRADS 5 lesions were malignant. Among the malignant cases, 80% were in situ, and 20% were invasive carcinomas. These patients underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In cases where non-palpable breast lesions are considered to be suspicious in mammography scans, the vacuum-assisted core biopsy method provides an accurate histopathologic diagnosis thus preventing a significant number of patients undergoing unnecessary surgical procedures.

A new technique for the reconstruction of complex portal vein anomalies in right lobe living liver donors.

Living donor liver right lobe transplantation using donors with variation of the right sectorial portal vein is considered a challenging procedure in terms of the donor's safety and the complexity of reconstruction in the recipient. We describe an innovative technique to reconstruct double portal vein orifices via a deceased donor iliac vein graft. The postoperative course of the recipient was uneventful. Doppler ultrasound on the fourth postoperative month revealed equivalent flow in both portal vein branches. Reconstruction of double right portal vein branches using a cryopreserved iliac vein is a valuable technique for utilizing right lobe grafts with challenging portal vein anatomy.

Living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a single center analysis of outcomes and impact of different selection criteria.

We examined the outcomes of patients who received living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC comparing the impact of up-to-seven criteria and Asan Criteria (AC) with Milan Criteria (MC). Between July 2004 and July 2009, of 175 consecutive LDLT, there were 45 consecutive patients with HCC. Forty patients who completed 12 months follow-up were enrolled. In search for the highest number of expansion, we selected AC as the extended criteria. Patients were divided into having tumors within MC, beyond MC within AC and Beyond Criteria (BC) groups. With a median follow-up of 46 months, overall 1, 3, and 5 years survival was -90%, -81%, and -70%, respectively. In patients within AC, estimated mean survival was 49.8 vs. 40.5 months for BC group (P = 0.2). Disease-free survival was significantly higher in patients within AC comparing with BC group; 48.0 vs. 38.6 months (P = 0.04). Preoperative AFP level >400 and poor tumor differentiation were factors adversely effecting recipient survival. On multivariate analysis, the presence of poor tumor differentiation (P = 0.018 RR: 2.48) was the only independent predictor of survival. Extension of tumor size and number to AC is feasible, without significantly compromising outcomes; however, the presence of poor tumor differentiation was associated with worse outcomes after LDLT.

Use of middle hepatic vein in right lobe living donor liver transplantation.

The harvesting of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) with the right lobe graft for living-donor liver transplantation allows an optimal venous drainage for the recipient; however, it is an extensive operation for the donor. This is a prospective, nonrandomized study evaluating liver functions and early clinical outcome in donors undergoing right hepatectomy with or without MHV harvesting. From August 2005 to July 2007, a total of 100 donor right hepatectomies were performed with (n = 49) or without (n = 51) the inclusion of the MHV. The decision to take MHV was based on an algorithm that considers various donor and recipient factors. There was no donor mortality in donors in either group. Overall complication rate was higher in MHV (+) donor group, however when remnant liver volume was kept above 30%, complication rates were similar between the groups. The results of this study show that right hepatectomy including the MHV neither affects morbidity nor impairs early liver function in donors when remnant volume is kept above 30%. The decision, therefore, of the extent of right lobe donor hepatectomy should be tailored to the particular conditions considering the graft quality and metabolic demand of the recipient.

Midgut volvulus: value of multidetector computed tomography in diagnosis.

Midgut volvulus is a rare complication of intestinal malrotation in adults. We present a case of intestinal malrotation with surgically proven midgut volvulus. Multidetector computed tomography with postprocessing of imaging data using three-dimensional reconstruction techniques provided better demonstration of the abdomen than other imaging modalities. To our knowledge, this is the first presentation of midgut volvulus on multidetector computed tomography in adults. The literature on midgut volvulus is also reviewed and imaging findings of this disease are discussed.

Donor safety and remnant liver volume in living donor liver transplantation.

Living donor liver transplantation is now a common practice in countries in which the availability of cadaveric organs is limited. The preoperative preparation, intraoperative surgical technique, and postoperative care of donors and recipients have evolved in recent years. We retrospectively compared 67 donors with a remnant liver volume equal to or more than 30% (group 1) with 14 donors who had less than 30% remnant liver volume (group 2) for donor outcomes. All the complications in donors were systematically classified. Donors with less than 30% remnant liver volume showed significantly higher peak aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, international normalized ratio, and bilirubin levels. There were 6 complications in group 1 and 4 complications in group 2. The difference between the 2 groups in terms of donor complications did reach statistical significance (P = 0.043); donors with a remnant liver volume < 30% had a 4 times greater relative risk of morbidity. In conclusion, the use of donors with less than 30% remnant liver volume is highly debatable as donor safety should be of utmost importance in living donor liver transplantation.

Role of contrast-enhanced 3D magnetic resonance portography in evaluating portal venous system compared with color Doppler ultrasonography.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capability of contrast-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) MR portography in detecting abnormal findings associated with the portal venous system compared with the results of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR portography findings were retrospectively compared with the results of CDUS examinations in 161 patients, who were suspected of having portal venous system abnormalities. Portal venous vessels were divided into main 5 groups including the main portal vein, its left and right intrahepatic branches, splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein. Imaging findings were classified as normal, occluded, or partially thrombosed. Results of clinical and imaging follow-up examinations including CDUS, MR portography or angiography, if available, were used as a proof of final diagnosis. The potential sites of varicose veins and collateral vessels were also examined by both imaging methods. RESULTS: Vascular abnormalities were identified in 79 of 161 patients. There was a statistically significant agreement between the results of MR portography and CDUS in evaluating portal venous system (kappa = 0.871, P < 0.05). The sensitivity of MR portography was slightly superior to CDUS in detecting partially thrombosis and occlusion in the main portal venous vessels. In addition, MR portograms were superior to CDUS in the management of patients with portal hypertension by identifying portosystemic collaterals more adequately, and clearly demonstrated portal venous vessels that cannot be visualized at CDUS. CONCLUSION: Results of present study indicates that contrast-enhanced 3D MR portography is well suited and superior to CDUS in the management of patients with portal hypertension.

The value of magnetic resonance cholangiography in the preoperative assessment of living liver donors.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the depiction of biliary anatomy of living liver donors by using intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) as a gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2006, 86 potential adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation donors had preoperative MRC at our institution. Of these, 24 potential donors were excluded due to various clinical factors. A total of 62 of these individuals were selected for liver donation and included in the study. MRC was performed on a 1.5-T scanner with breath-hold, rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) sequence with half-Fourier acquisition (HASTE; Siemens) and free-breathing, three-dimensional turbo spin-echo sequence with respiratory triggering. Thin- and thick-slab imaging techniques were employed with half-Fourier RARE MRC. IOC was performed in all 63 cases. The images of IOC and MRC were classified according to a modified Huang classification, independently. The results of the MRC were then compared with the IOC results. RESULTS: IOC was used as the reference standard; a total of 43 (69.3%) liver donors were considered to have normal biliary anatomy, whereas 19 (30.7%) were considered to have variants of biliary anatomy. Compared with IOC, MRC correctly revealed biliary anatomy in 59 of 62 (95.1%) donors. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MRC in distinguishing normal and any type of variant biliary anatomy were 84.2%, 100%, 100%, and 93.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MRC is an effective imaging technique for the preoperative evaluation of the biliary anatomy in living liver donors. However, MRC and IOC should be considered complementary to one another in order to avoid complications.

Stereological evaluation of liver volume in living donor liver transplantation using MDCT via the Cavalieri method.

In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), obtaining the precise volume of the graft is very important to decrease volume-related postoperative complications, especially in cases with suspected small-for size grafts. We used stereology based on the Cavalieri method (CM), a new method to measure liver graft volume, and compared the results with those obtained through intraoperative measurement (IOM) and through multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) measurement. Liver volumes estimated using the 3 methods were well-correlated with each other (r(2) = 0.94 and P < 0.001 for IOM and CM; r(2) = 0.91 and P < 0.001 for IOM and MDCT, and r(2) = 0.95 and P < 0.001 for CM and MDCT); however, they were different from each other (in descending order, 908 +/- 124 cm(2), 861 +/- 121 cm(2), and 777 +/- 168 cm(2) for MDCT, CM, and IOM, respectively). Although MDCT and CM overestimated the volumes, the results of CM were almost similar to those obtained via IOM. In conclusion, our results suggest that CM measured the liver graft volume more reliably. Thus, its use, particularly in cases with suspected small-for-size graft, may prove useful.

Vascular complications after liver transplantation: evaluation with Doppler US.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the spectral and color Doppler ultrasonography (US) findings that would indicate vascular complications after liver transplantation and to report our single center results of vascular complications detected in liver transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was consisted of 326 patients who underwent liver transplantation procedures between November 1997 and May 2004. The records of all patients were reviewed retrospectively for the details of each patient's post-transplant Doppler US examinations, visceral angiographic examinations, and/or surgical procedures. Doppler US findings were correlated with angiographic results or surgery. Sensitivity and specificity of Doppler US parameters for the diagnosis of vascular complications of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic veins were calculated. RESULTS: Vascular complications occurred in 47 patients (14%). Eight instances of vascular complications were detected intraoperatively by Doppler US at the time of transplantation. For hepatic artery complications, use of a Doppler US criteria resulted in a sensitivity and a specificity of 92% and 97%, respectively. Doppler US parameters also resulted in a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% in detecting portal vein complications, and resulted in a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100% in detecting hepatic vein complications. CONCLUSION: Although it is clear that Doppler US evaluation is an effective choice for diagnosing vascular complications after liver transplantation, we also observed that Doppler US examination plays an important role in detecting vascular complications intraoperatively and improving the patient's chance for a successful outcome.

A rare case of granulomatous prostatitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

We report a rare case of infective granulomatous prostatitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that may be mistaken for prostatic carcinoma, both on clinical examination and transrectal sonography (TRUS). A large hypoechoic mass was detected in the prostate of a 46-year-old man during TRUS and histopathologic examination after TRUS-guided biopsies reported the diagnosis of tuberculous prostatitis. We herein describe the clinical and TRUS findings of this case.

Predictivity of uterine artery, arcuate artery, and intraovarian artery Doppler indices measured on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection on pregnancy outcomes.

The uterine, arcuate, and intraovarian blood flow measurements by transvaginal color doppler ultrasonography on the day of hCG injection in 46 women undergoing treatment by IVF at Aegean University Family Planning and Infertility Research and Treatment Center were evaluated. In the pregnant group, average uterine and arcuate arteries blood flow resistance values were lower than those in nonpregnant women.

Solid and cystic papillary neoplasms of the pancreas: report of four cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this report we present four cases with solid and cystic papillary neoplasms (SCPN) of the pancreas, and discuss the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings with a review of the literature. METHODS: The four cases reported here consisted of three women (ages 20-48, mean: 32) and one man (age: 58). The clinical diagnoses were confirmed with ultrasound (US) and computerized tomography (CT). The surgical management of the tumors included enucleation (1 patient), distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (1) and distal pancreatectomy (2). RESULTS: The tumors were large (mean diameter of the resected tumor was 15 cm), had cystic degenerations between solid areas, and were distributed in the body and the tail of the pancreas. The cystic spaces contained hemorrhagic, necrotic and thrombotic material. The immunohistochemical studies revealed that the four tumors were all positive for a1 antitrypsin and neuron specific enolase, and were all negative for chromogranin. Vimentin and synaptophysin were positive in three different cases. The follow-up of the patients has been uneventful for 2, 1, 7 and 12 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SCPN of the pancreas is an uncommon clinicopathologic entity with a relatively low grade malignant potential. The majority of the cases are young women. Fifty percent of the cases are asymptomatic, and the patients with symptoms generally suffer from an abdominal mass or abdominal pain. In spite of the characteristic macroscopic and microscopic aspects, the immunophenotypical view is nonspecific. Prognosis is excellent after complete surgical resection and recurrence is rarely seen. Metastatic spread is not expected and the tumor usually has a manner of local invasion. Acinar cell carcinoma, pancreatoblastoma and pancreatic endocrine tumor must be considered in the differential diagnosis.

[Primary hepatic actinomycosis: a case of inflammatory pseudotumor (case report)]. / Primer hepatik aktinomikoz: inflamatuar psödotümör olgusu.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic infection in which primary liver involvement accounts for 5% of all actinomycotic infections. Abdominal actinomycosis is a severe and progressive peritoneal infection due to an anaerobic gram-positive bacterium, Actinomyces israelii. The presence of a long-standing intrauterine device (IUD) is a well-known risk factor in young women. Although hepatic lesions are present in 15% of cases of abdominal actinomycotic infection, liver involvement in the majority of these cases is attributable to metastatic spread from other evident intraabdominal sites. Hepatic actinomycosis presents most commonly as a single abscess. However, hepatic actinomycosis can closely mimic a malignant tumor on clinical and radiological examination. Such lesions have been termed inflammatory pseudotumors. Tissue specimens for microscopic examination are necessary for diagnosis. We report a rare case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver caused by actinomycotic infection.

Renal resistive indexes and some renal functions in liver cirrhotic children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate renal vascular resistive changes in children with different stages of liver cirrhosis without obvious renal failure. METHODS: Twenty-nine children (14 girls, 15 boys, mean age 11.6 years) with cirrhosis and 20 healthy children (mean age 10.3 years) were investigated for renal vascular resistance with Doppler ultrasonography, urinary sodium, N-acetyl-beta-D glucosaminidase (NAG) and microalbuminuria excretion. RESULTS: The measurements of renal resistive indexes (RRI) were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than the control group (0.69 +/- 0.07 vs 0.62 +/- 0.02, P < 0.0001). RRI measurement was found to be increased in decompensated cirrhotic patients than in compensated cirrhotic patients (0.73 +/- 0.05 vs 0.67 +/- 0.08, P < 0.0001). A significant positive relationship was observed between RRI and child score (r = 0.53). Urine NAG/Cr ratio was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in the control subjects (P < 0.001). Microalbumin concentrations were increased in the patients with decompensated cirrhosis than in the controls (P = 0.02). Patients with ascites and portal hypertension showed increased RRI values. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that patients with cirrhosis are at risk of renal deterioration, which can not be detected by serum urea, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate. The increase of RRI is associated with the progress of hepatocellular disease, and also the development of ascites and portal hypertension. Elevated urinary sodium excretion, elevated urinary NAG/Cr ratio and microalbuminuria might have a prognostic value especially in patients with Child scores> 6. Hence, monitoring RRI is a non-invasive means of studying early renal hemodynamic alteration in childhood cirrhosis.

Biliary reconstructions and complications encountered in 50 consecutive right-lobe living donor liver transplantations.

Biliary complications appear to be the leading cause of postoperative complications after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this study is to analyze the complications, treatment modalities, and outcomes of biliary anastomoses in a series of 50 consecutive right-lobe LDLTs. Median patient age was 45 years, and median right-lobe graft volume was 740 g. Graft-recipient weight ratio was 0.69 to 1.80. Median follow-up time was 15 months (range, 2 to 38 months). Eleven of 50 patients died, resulting in an overall allograft and patient survival rate of 78%. In biliary reconstruction, a duct-to-duct (D-D) anastomosis or a standard Roux-en-Y (R-Y) anastomosis was performed. Twenty-nine grafts (58%) had a single duct for anastomosis. Seventeen grafts (34%) had two bile duct orifices, and four grafts (8%) had three bile duct orifices. A D-D anastomosis was performed in 36 cases (72%), whereas R-Y reconstruction was preferred in 14 cases (28%). The overall incidence of biliary anastomotic complications was 30% in this series. Five patients developed biliary leaks, presumably from the cut surface, and all of them healed spontaneously. Two bilomas were drained percutaneously. Anastomotic strictures occurred in 8 patients (16%) and were significantly greater than in the R-Y group (P =.03). Although strictures seemed to develop more frequently in allografts with multiple bile ducts, this did not reach statistical significance (P =.05). All strictures were managed by nonsurgical measures initially. Restenosis occurred in 2 patients, both of whom had an R-Y anastomotic stricture. These anastomoses were revised surgically, giving a reoperation rate of 4% for biliary problems. No graft or patient was lost because of biliary problems. Our data suggest that D-D anastomosis is a safe and feasible method of biliary reconstruction in LDLT by preserving physiological bilioenteric continuity and allowing easy access through endoscopic techniques.

Color Doppler imaging of choroidal circulation in patients with asymmetric age-related macular degeneration.

We aimed at evaluating the possible role of choroidal perfusion abnormalities in the development of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Twenty-six patients who had non-exudative AMD in the first eye and CNV secondary to AMD in the fellow eye were enrolled. Blood flow velocities, vessel pulsatilities and resistivities were measured from ophthalmic artery, nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries using colour Doppler imaging. Systolic and diastolic velocities were lower in eyes with CNV for all vessels, except for the systolic velocity of the nasal posterior ciliary artery (p >0.05). Pulsatility and resistivity indices were higher in eyes with CNV for all vessels. This difference was statistically significant for the resistivity index of the nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries (p = 0.032 and p = 0.021, respectively) and the pulsatility index of the nasal posterior ciliary artery (p = 0.035). We have shown that in patients with AMD choroidal blood flow is more impaired in the eyes with CNV than in the fellow eyes.

Intraovarian stromal artery Doppler indices in predicting ovarian response.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of ovarian stromal artery Doppler indices in the prediction of ovarian response in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five cases were involved in the study. Following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and detection of at least three follicles > 17 mm in diameter by transvaginal sonography in both ovaries, human chorionic gonadotropin was administered and follicle aspiration performed at the 34th-36th hour. The patients were separated into two groups according to the number of oocytes collected. Group I consisted of 8 (18%) patients who had three or fewer oocytes (low-responder cases); group II consisted of 37 (82%) patients who had 4 or more oocytes (good-response cases). RESULTS: A significant negative correlation was found between both the stromal ovarian artery pulsatility index and the number of aspirated follicles (r = -.31, P = .04) and number of oocytes collected (r = -.32, P = .03). Although there was no significant correlation between the resistance index and number of aspirated follicles (r = .24, P = .12), a significant negative correlation was determined between the resistance index and number of oocytes collected (r = -.30, P = .04). Pulsatility and resistance indices were significantly different between the two groups (1.6 +/- 0.5 and 1.2 +/- 0.5, P = .02, versus 0.7 +/- 0.08 and 0.6 +/- 0.08, P = .03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Blood flow in the vessels that supply blood to the follicles in the ovaries in the early follicular phase correlates significantly with ovarian response.