Relevance of liver surface nodularity for preoperative risk assessment in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of liver surface nodularity (LSN) on routine preoperative CT images allows detection of cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension. This study aimed to assess the relevance of LSN in preoperative assessment of operative risks for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: All patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC between 2012 and 2017 were analysed retrospectively. LSN was assessed at the liver-fat interface on the left liver lobe on preoperative CT images. The feasibility of LSN quantification was assessed. The association between LSN and outcomes (severe complications and posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF)) was evaluated by multivariable analysis and after propensity score matching. RESULTS: Among 210 patients, LSN measurement was successful in 187 (89·0 per cent). Among these, the median LSN score was 2·42 (i.q.r. 2·21-2·66) and 52·9 per cent had severe fibrosis, including 33·7 per cent with cirrhosis. LSN score increased with hepatic venous pressure gradient (P = 0·048), severity of steatosis (P = 0·011) and fibrosis grade (P = 0·001). LSN score was independently associated with severe complications (odds ratio (OR) 5·25; P = 0·006) and PHLF (OR 6·78; P = 0·003). After matching with respect to model for end-stage liver disease, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis-4 score, patients with a LSN score of 2·63 or higher retained an increased risk of PHLF (OR 5·81; P = 0·018). In the subgroup of patients without severe fibrosis, LSN was accurate in predicting severe complications (P = 0·005). Patients with (P = 0·039) or without (P = 0·018) severe fibrosis with increased LSN score had a higher comprehensive complication index score. Among patients with cirrhosis who had clinically significant portal hypertension, a LSN value below 2·63 ruled out the risk of PHLF. CONCLUSION: LSN measurement represents a practical tool that may allow improvement in the preoperative evaluation and management of patients with HCC.

ANTECEDENTES: La cuantificación de la nodularidad de la superficie hepática (liver surface nodularity, LSN) en las imágenes de la tomografía computarizada (TC) de rutina preoperatoria permite detectar la cirrosis y la hipertensión portal clínicamente significativa (clinically significant portal hypertension, CSPH). Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la relevancia de la LSN en la evaluación preoperatoria del riesgo quirúrgico en pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular resecable (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC). MÉTODOS: Todos los pacientes sometidos a hepatectomía por HCC entre 2012 y 2017 fueron analizados de forma retrospectiva. La LSN se evaluó en la interfase hígado-grasa en el lóbulo hepático izquierdo en la TC preoperatoria. Se evaluó la viabilidad de la cuantificación de la LSN. La asociación entre la LSN y los resultados (complicaciones graves e insuficiencia hepática poshepatectomía (post-hepatectomy liver failure, PHLF) se analizó en un análisis multivariable y después del método de emparejamiento por puntaje de propensión. RESULTADOS: Del total de 210 pacientes, la medición de la LSN fue exitosa en 187 (89,0%). En estos pacientes, la mediana de LSN fue de 2,42 (rango intercuartílico 2,21-2,66) y el 53,0% tenía fibrosis severa, incluyendo un 33,7% con cirrosis. La LSN aumentó con el gradiente de presión venosa hepática (P = 0,048), la gravedad de la esteatosis (P = 0,011) y el grado de fibrosis (P = 0,001). La LSN se asoció de forma independiente con complicaciones graves (razón de oportunidades, odds ratio, OR = 5,25; P = 0,006) y PHLF (OR = 6,78; P = 0,003). Después de emparejar para el modelo de enfermedad hepática terminal, el índice de relación aspartato amino transferase-plaquetas y el grado de fibrosis-4, los pacientes con LSN ≥ 2,63 mantuvieron un mayor riesgo de PHLF (OR = 5,81; P = 0,018). Dentro del subgrupo de pacientes sin fibrosis severa, la LSN fue precisa en predecir complicaciones graves (P = 0,005). Los pacientes con (P = 0,039) y sin (P = 0,018) fibrosis severa con aumento de la LSN tuvieron un índice de complicación global más alto. De los pacientes cirróticos con CSPH, un valor de LSN de 2,63 descartó el riesgo de PHLF. CONCLUSIÓN: La LSN representa una herramienta práctica, que puede permitir mejorar la evaluación preoperatoria y el manejo de pacientes con HCC.

Structure, Single Crystal EPR Spectra, and Exchange Interactions in [Cu(L-proline)(2)](2).5H(2)O and Cu(D,L-proline)(2).2H(2)O.

A new copper(II) compound, [Cu(L-proline)(2)](2).5H(2)O (C(20)Cu(2)H(42)N(4)O(13)) (called compound I) was synthesized and crystallized, and its structure was solved using X-ray methods. It is monoclinic, space group P2(1), with a = 11.187(1) Å, b = 12.172(3) Å, c = 11.661(1) Å, beta = 114.96(1) degrees, and Z = 2. There are two chemically different copper molecules (labeled A and B), both with the copper atom in a N(2)O(2) square planar coordination. Molecule type A has one water molecule in an apical position. Molecule B has water molecules in each of the two apical positions. Single-crystal EPR measurements have been performed in I and also in Cu(D,L-proline)(2).2H(2)O (compound II). From the similar angular variations of the position of the single resonance observed in both compounds, we evaluated the molecular g tensors. Interpretation of the molecular g tensors resulted in d(x)()()2(-)(y)()()2 orbital ground states. From the angular variations of the line width we calculated the magnitude of the exchange interactions coupling neighbor copper ions in each compound. In I copper ions type A at 7.25 Å are arranged in chains coupled through axial-equatorial bonds. The exchange coupling within these chains is |J/k| = 118 mK. The coupling between copper ions type B is weaker. However, the interactions between copper ions type A and B generate a three-dimensional magnetic network. Our data in compound II indicate that a superexchange pathway containing a weak hydrogen bond C-H- - -O is the path for an exchange interaction with |J'/k| = 48 mK between coppers in neighbor layers at 9.75 Å.