Preservation of the round ligament to accommodate transient portal hypertension after major hepatectomy.

PURPOSE: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains a leading cause of death after extensive liver resection. Apart from the size and function of the remaining liver remnant, the development of postresection portal hypertension (pHT) plays a crucial role in the development of PHLF. We hypothesize that the umbilical vein in the preserved round ligament (RL) may recanalize in response to new-onset pHT after extended hepatectomy, thus providing a natural portosystemic shunt. METHODS: In this exploratory study, RL was preserved in 10 consecutive patients undergoing major liver resection. Postoperative imaging was pursued to obtain evidence of reopened umbilical vein in the RL. The postoperative course, including the occurrence of PHLF, as well as the rate of procedure-specific complications were recorded. RESULTS: None of the 10 cases presented with an adverse event due to preservation of the RL. In 6 cases, postoperative imaging demonstrated reopening of the umbilical vein with hepatofugal flow in the RL. The rates of procedure-related surgical complications were lower than would be expected in this population; in particular, the rate of occurrence of PHLF as defined by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) was low. CONCLUSION: Our results support the theoretical concept of portosystemic pressure relief via a preserved umbilical vein after major liver surgery. As preservation of the RL is easily done, we suggest keeping it intact in extended hepatectomy cases and in patients with preexistent pHT.

[The (severely) injured pregnant patient from the perspective of radiology]. / Die (schwer) verletzte schwangere Patientin aus Sicht der Radiologie.

Trauma is one of the leading causes of mortality in pregnant women and significantly increases the likelihood of an unwanted termination of pregnancy. Particularly in severe trauma with an increased risk of significant maternal injuries, computed tomography (CT) remains the imaging modality of choice as it is comprehensively available, quick to carry out and has a high diagnostic accuracy in the detection and classification of life-threatening trauma-associated pathologies compared to other imaging techniques. Considering the radiation-associated risks, it is unlikely that a single, monophasic CT in the emergency trauma room will exceed the threshold of deterministic radiation damage; therefore, fetal malformations or fetal loss are not to be expected; however, there is a low stochastic risk for the delayed occurrence of radiation-induced cancer both for the child and the mother that can be considered small in comparison to missed or delayed diagnoses after severe trauma. Intravenous, nonionic iodinated contrast agents are not contraindicated during pregnancy and should be administered whenever their use would also be considered appropriate in a nonpregnant patient; however, unnecessary scans and, if possible, multiple contrast agent phases should be avoided in order to reduce radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a major role in the subacute setting and constitutes an excellent problem solver for specific questions, such as the evaluation of discoligamentous injuries of the spine. Its use is deemed acceptable at any stage of pregnancy when the required information is considered important for the management of further treatment. Due to potential teratogenic effects of MRI contrast media containing gadolinium on the fetus, including an increased likelihood of fetal loss, they should only be administered with great caution and under strictly defined indications.