Ascites, but not hyponatremia, is associated with high intraoperative transfusion and vasopressor requirements during liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that patients with high MELD scores required significantly higher volumes of blood transfusion and vasopressor usage during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) compared with patients with low MELD scores. Now we investigated whether hyponatremia or ascites were associated with increased transfusion and vasopressor requirements during OLT. METHODS: Medical records of 192 OLT patients between January 1, 2004, and May 5, 2005, were retrospectively reviewed. Intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and administration of vasopressors were compared. RESULTS: As expected, patients with high (>30) MELD scores were associated with higher requirements for intraoperative transfusion and vasopressors than those with low ( or 30) MELD plus ascites scores (MELD+A, 4.5 points added to MELD if ascites was present) had higher requirements for transfusion and vasopressors compared with patients with low (

Assessment of tumour response to chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: accuracy of the RECIST criteria.

Evaluation of tumour size modifications in response to treatment is a critical issue in the management of advanced malignancies. In 1981, the World Health Organization (WHO) established guidelines for tumour response assessment. These WHO1981 criteria were recently simplified in a revised version, named RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours), which uses unidimensional instead of bidimensional measurements, a reduced number of measured lesions, withdrawal of the progression criteria based on isolated increase of a single lesion, and different shrinkage threshold for definitions of tumour response and progression. In order to validate these new guidelines, we have compared results obtained with both classifications in a prospective series of 91 patients receiving chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Data from iterative tomographic measurements were fully recorded and reviewed by an expert panel. The overall response and progression rates according to the WHO1981 criteria were 19% and 58%, respectively. Using RECIST criteria, 16 patients were reclassified in a more favourable subgroup, the overall response rate being 28% and the progression rate 45% (non-weighted kappa concordance test 0.72). When isolated increase of a single measurable lesion is not taken into account for progression with the WHO1981 criteria, only 7 patients were reclassified and the kappa test was satisfying, i.e. > or =0.75, for the whole population as well as for each of the responding and progressive subgroups. Since it provides concordant results with a simplified method, the use of RECIST criteria is recommended for evaluation of treatment efficacy in clinical trials and routine practice.

Percutaneous aspiration and drainage of hydatid cysts in the liver.

Percutaneous aspiration of hydatid cysts of the liver was performed in 13 patients, and subsequent percutaneous drainage was performed in three of the 13. Aspiration was performed with ultrasound or computed tomographic guidance with 22-gauge to 19-gauge needles. Analysis of the aspirated specimen established the diagnosis of hydatid cysts in nine of the 13 patients. Fragments of the laminated membrane were seen in seven cases, scolices in two cases, and hooklets in two cases. In the four cases with negative results on aspiration, the diagnosis was established with surgical findings in one case and unequivocal immunologic results in three cases. In two patients, a mild allergic reaction with temporary pruritus was observed. In three patients, percutaneous drainage was performed with a 5-F to 8.3-F catheter, and sterilization of the cyst was achieved by injection of a scolicidal agent. No complications occurred at the time of drainage, and no recurrences developed during 6 months to 1 year after drainage.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: diagnosis by percutaneous fine needle biopsy.

One hundred fifty-nine cases of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were reviewed from a series of 1060 cases of percutaneous fine needle biopsies of the liver. The biopsies were performed under ultrasonic guidance using a 22-gauge needle with a beveled tip. Specimens were obtained from the lesion and from areas of normal-appearing liver for comparison. Two sets of slides were prepared for Papanicolaou and Giemsa staining. In 147 cases (92%), the diagnosis of malignancy was established. In 134 cases (84%), the specific diagnosis of HCC was made. Fifty-four percent of the HCCs were well differentiated without cytonuclear abnormalities. In these cases, the diagnosis was made by comparison of specimens from the tumor with those obtained from the normal liver. Thirty-seven percent of the HCC were moderately differentiated with cytonuclear abnormalities. Nine percent of the HCCs were poorly differentiated, and in these cases, identification of glycogen on periodate-Schiff's procedure staining permitted differentiation from a metastatic tumor. In 9 cases, the aspirate was inadequate: there was insufficient tissue in 3 cases and the lesion was missed in the 6 other cases. In 3 cases, a biopsy of normal liver was not obtained and the diagnosis of HCC could only be suspected. Significant bleeding after biopsy occurred in 4 of 1060 cases, all with HCC.

Pancreatic duct: US-guided percutaneous opacification.

Percutaneous pancreatography was attempted in 28 patients. In 18 cases, the examinations were performed after failure of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); in ten patients, ERCP was not attempted. Under real-time ultrasonic guidance, a 22-gauge needle was inserted into the pancreatic duct, which ranged in size from 3 to 15 mm. After aspiration of pure pancreatic juice, 10-20 ml of contrast medium was injected under fluoroscopic control. The examination was successful in 25 patients. The only significant complication was bile leakage in a patient with obstructive jaundice. Of the six patients who subsequently underwent surgery, evidence of the puncture site was present in only one.

Abdominal lesions: a prospective study of clinical efficacy of percutaneous fine-needle biopsy.

A prospective study was undertaken to assess the contribution of percutaneous fine-needle biopsy (PFNB) to the diagnostic workup and therapeutic management of 112 abdominal lesions in 106 patients (69 hepatic, 27 pancreatic, and 16 nondetermined). In 75% of the patients, PFNB contributed significantly to the diagnosis, in 22% it was of little help, and in 3% it confused the diagnosis. It confirmed a highly suspected diagnosis in 55% of patients and indicated a specific diagnosis that was not suspected in the remaining 45%. Results of PFNB guided treatment in 32% of cases, increased confidence in a previously planned therapy in 39%, and did not alter therapy in 29%. PFNB was instrumental in avoiding 61 planned invasive investigations and 11 surgical explorations, with a cost savings of about 35%. No significant complication was observed after PFNB.

Ultrasonically guided fine-needle biopsy in focal intrahepatic lesions: six years' experience.

We report the results of 322 ultrasonically guided percutaneous fine-needle biopsies of focal intrahepatic lesions. The technique is original in several respects; it is an aspiration of both the lesion and normal-looking liver, and it includes both cytology and histology when the tiny cores are obtained. Cytology included Papanicolaou and Giemsa staining and other special staining when necessary. Sensitivity was 88.6% and specificity was 100% in the diagnosis of malignancy. Out of 141 metastases, 14 false negatives, 5 misclassifications, and 122 correct diagnoses were obtained. Out of 69 hepatomas the correct diagnosis of malignancy was made in 63 patients and of these the correct classification in 49. Complications occurred in six patients and marked hemorrhage in four. This technique is a simple, accurate, safe method for the diagnosis of focal intrahepatic lesions.

Use of large silicone catheters in patients with long-term percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

In 30 patients with inflammatory bile duct stenoses or slow-growing tumors of bile ducts, 12-18 F silicone catheters were placed with a percutaneous transhepatic approach in order to provide a more efficient and comfortable internal-external drainage. The main advantages were the large variety in size, improved flow, and softness of the catheter. However, because of the absence of distal tapering, the tubes had to be inserted several days after the initial drainage, when a tract was formed through the liver.

Percutaneous fine needle biopsy (P.F.N.B.) of intra-abdominal lesions.

Four hundred and seventeen percutaneous fine needle biopsies (P.F.N.B) have been performed in 405 patients. Two hundred and thirteen had a focal lesion of the liver, 116 a lesion of the pancreas, 74 an abdominal mass and 14 miscellaneous lesions. Real-time ultrasound has been used as a method of guidance in 90% of cases, fluoroscopy in 7% and computed tomography (CT) in 3%. The main indication for P.F.N.B. was detection of malignant lesions which represent 70% of the 338 proven cases. In these 338 cases, P.F.N.B. was successful in 310 (92%) and results were non-conclusive in 28 (8%). Sensitivity of P.F.N.B. in detection of malignancy of the liver, pancreas of abdominal masses was respectively 92%, 77% and 85%. Specificity was respectively 100%, 100% and 94%. Non-malignant lesions included benign solid tumours, cystic lesions or abscesses. Three symptomatic complications occurred in the 405 patients (0.75%). P.F.N.B. complements imaging procedures, especially real-time ultrasound, in obtaining a specific diagnosis of focal lesions within the abdomen.

[Real time ultrasonic guidance of percutaneous fine needle biopsies]. / Une technique simple de guidage des ponctions percutanées par l'échographie en temps réel.

Real time ultrasonic guidance of percutaneous fine needle biopsies with a standard transducer is described. This technique is simple, reliable, and cheap to obtain samples in focal liver and pancreatic lesions or abdominal masses.