Identification of Glisson's Capsule Invasion During Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography Using Perflubutane.

BACKGROUND: Glisson invasion by CLM is associated with a risk of margin-positive resection, leading to poor long-term outcomes after hepatectomy. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) for the diagnosis of Glisson's capsule invasion by colorectal liver metastasis (CLM). METHODS: This prospective study involved 50 consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy for CLM. Preoperatively, all patients had undergone gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI). During hepatectomy, a contrast agent (perflubutane) was intravenously injected and Glisson invasion was estimated based on three characteristic findings: a tumor thrombus, peripheral dilatation, and border irregularity/caliber change. The diagnostic abilities of the preoperative and intraoperative imaging studies were evaluated based on pathological examinations of resected specimens. RESULTS: Among 187 CLMs resected, pathological examinations proved Glisson invasion in 24 tumors (13%). IOUS revealed a tumor thrombus in 3 tumors (1.6%), peripheral dilatation in 4 (2.1%), and border irregularity and/or caliber change in 24 (12.8%). The sensitivity and specificity of IOUS with any of the above three findings for diagnosis of Glisson invasion was 79% and 96%, respectively, while preoperative EOB-MRI detected Glisson invasion in only four tumors (sensitivity/specificity, 17%/100%). The cutoff value of caliber change for diagnosis of Glisson invasion was set at 140% by receiver operating characteristic analysis. The R0 resection rates were not significantly different between patients with (82%) and without (85%) Glisson invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of characteristic findings (tumor thrombus, peripheral dilatation, and border irregularity/caliber change) by contrast-enhanced IOUS is useful for the prediction of Glisson invasion by CLM.

Significance of Glisson's capsule invasion in patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing resection.

BACKGROUND: Significance of Glisson's capsule invasion in colorectal liver metastases (CLM) patients undergoing resection has been little investigated. METHODS: CLM patients (244) with curative resection (2011-2016) were divided into two groups: patients with (Group 1; n = 49 [20%]) and without (Group 2; n = 195 [80%]) histologically-proven Glisson invasion. Eight (16%) Group 1 patients were identified by pre- or intra-operative findings. We compared characteristics between Groups 1 and 2 and determined independent prognosticators. RESULTS: Group 1 was more commonly associated with right-sided primary, CLM>5 cm, and R1 resections. Independent factors on reduced OS in entire cohort were pre-surgical chemotherapy [hazard ratio (HR): 2.68, P = 0.001], CLM>5 cm (HR: 4.39, P = 0.002), moderate or poor differentiation (HR: 2.38, P = 0.004), and R1 resection (HR: 1.92, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: CLM Glisson invasion was significantly associated with R1 resection. Advancements in determining Glisson invasion pre- or intra-operatively might produce benefits for CLM patients undergoing resection by reducing R1 resection.

Contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound in the resection of colorectal liver metastases with intrabiliary growth.

A 68-year-old male who had undergone low anterior resection for primary rectal cancer 19 months ago presented with multiple CLM at Couinaud's segments IV, V, and VIII. There was no apparent macroscopic intrabiliary growth on preoperative computed tomography and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI). However, the hepatobiliary phase of EOB-MRI revealed peritumoral low signal intensity in lesions in segments V and VIII, which indicates vascular invasion around hepatocellular carcinoma. Contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) clearly determined the extent of macroscopic glissonean growth from lesions in segments V and VIII, and more extensive resection was performed than was planned. Analysis of the resected specimens from segments V and VIII confirmed the presence of macroscopic intrabiliary growth with microscopic portal vein invasion. All three CLM were histopathologically diagnosed as well-to-moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and R0 resection was verified. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was alive without evidence of recurrence 12 months after hepatic resection. CE-IOUS should be considered at the time of CLM resection, as it might enable more accurate detection of macroscopic intrabiliary growth of CLM, and enable resection with safer margins.

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix in which contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was useful for assessing blood flow in a focal nodular lesion in the tumor cavity: A case report.

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with pain in the right lower quadrant. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a 60-mm cystic mass at a site corresponding to the appendix. The mass wall on the appendicular ostium was thickened and enhanced by contrast, while calcification was observed in the mass wall on the appendicular tip. No projection was observed in the mass cavity. On abdominal ultrasonography (US), the mass wall on the appendicular ostium was thickened and projections were observed at two sites in the mass cavity. On contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), only one of these projections was enhanced. Based on the thickened and contrast-enhanced wall of the mass on the appendicular ostium on CT and US, as well as the contrast enhancement of a projection on US, the mass was diagnosed as mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix. Ileocecal resection was subsequently performed on day 10. A detailed examination of the surgical specimen revealed carcinoma cells in the mass wall on the appendicular ostium. The contrast-enhanced projection was identified as granulation tissue that had grown to come into contact with the tumor, while the non-contrast-enhanced projection was identified as solidified mucus. US enabled successful visualization of projections in the mass cavity that were not visible on abdominal CT. CEUS also proved useful for assessing blood flow in these projections.

Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis caused by alkaptonuria.

We report a case of aortic stenosis associated with ochronosis in a 70-year-old man who underwent biologic aortic valve replacement. Intraoperative findings included ochronosis of a severely calcified pigmented aortic valve along with pigmentation of the intima of the aorta.