Imaging findings of multiple infantile hepatic hemangioma associated with cardiac insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Infantile hepatic hemangioma (IHH) as a benign liver tumor in infancy and childhood is commonly associated with high output cardiac failure. The present study aims to describe the imaging findings in a patient who was diagnosed as having multiple IHH with congestive cardiac insufficiency. METHODS: The imaging findings and clinical manifestations of the patient with multiple IHH associated with cardiac insufficiency were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed multiple intrahepatic lesions with mixed echoes and markedly expanded hepatic veins and the inferior vena cava of the patient. Echocardiography revealed right heart insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed early mild enhancement of lesions and more obvious delayed enhancement. The patient died after combined therapy of surgery and hormone. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging findings of multiple IHH associated with cardiac insufficiency are typical and diagnostic. Early imaging assessment may facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Efficacy of electrocoagulation in sealing the cystic artery and cystic duct occluded with only one absorbable clip during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Even though laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) emerged over 20 years ago, controversies persist with regard to the best method to ligate the cystic duct and artery. We proposed to assess the effectiveness and safety of electrocoagulation to seal the cystic artery and cystic duct after their occlusion with only one absorbable clip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared the clinical data for 635 patients undergoing LC using electrocoagulation to seal the cystic artery and cystic duct that were occluded with only one absorbable clip (Group 1) and 728 patients undergoing LC using titanium clips (Group 2). In parallel, 30 rabbits randomized into six groups underwent cholecystectomy. After cystic duct ligation with absorbable or titanium clips, the animals were sacrificed 1, 3, or 6 months later, and intraabdominal adhesions were assessed after celiotomy. RESULTS: The mean operative time was significantly shorter (41.6 versus 58.9 minutes, P<.01) in Group 1 than in Group 2. No cystic duct leaks occurred in any patients from Group 1, compared with seven leaks among the 728 (0.96%) patients from Group 2 (P<.05). The morbidity was significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (3.43% versus 1.58%). Mean intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization length were not significantly different between the two groups, and no deaths occurred in either group. In animal experiments, adhesion was tighter for absorbable than for titanium clips, but fibrous tissue encapsulation was thinner at the site of titanium clips. CONCLUSIONS: Electrocoagulation of the cystic artery and cystic duct that were occluded with only one absorbable clip is safe and effective during LC. This approach is associated with shortened operative times and reduced leakage, compared with the standard method using metal clips.