Significance and Clinical Implications of Morphometric and Morphological Variability in Cadaveric Liver.

Background This study aimed to identify morphological variations, conduct morphometry of the liver, and present its clinical implications. Methodology The study was conducted on 35 preserved cadaveric livers without macroscopic abnormalities. Morphological features such as shape and size were studied and variations such as the absence of lobe, accessory fissures, or accessory lobes were noted in all specimens. Results The caudate lobe was absent in one liver, and the quadrate lobe was absent in six livers. Moreover, seven livers had accessory fissures, and accessory lobes were seen in six livers. The left lobe with a lingular process was seen in three livers, and diaphragmatic grooves were present in seven livers. Conclusions The present research is helpful to radiologists, surgeons, and anatomists as it demonstrates the different morphological variations in the liver.

Feasibility of venous cuff using an open round ligament or inferior mesenteric vein around the hepatic vein for a left lobe graft in living-donor liver transplantation.

Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an established treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure, and outflow reconstruction is considered one of the most vital techniques in LDLT. To date, many strategies have been reported to prevent outflow obstruction, which can be refractory to liver dysfunction and can cause life-threatening graft loss or mortality. In addition, in this era of laparoscopic hepatectomy in donor surgery, especially LDLT using a left liver graft, it has been predicted that cutting the hepatic vein with automatic linear staplers will lead to more outflow-related problems than with conventional open hepatectomy because of the short neck of the anastomosis orifice. We herein review 10 cases of venoplasty performed with a novel venous cuff system using a donor's round ligament around the hepatic vein in LDLT with a left lobe graft, which makes anastomosis of the hepatic vein sterically easy for postoperative venous patency.

A comparison of transient elastography with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography for the assessment of liver health in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Baseline results from the TRACER study.

Background: Liver stiffness measurements can be used to assess liver fibrosis and can be acquired by transient elastography using FibroScan® and with Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse imaging. The study aimed to establish liver stiffness measurement scores using FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse in a chronic hepatitis C cohort and to explore the correlation and agreement between the scores and the factors influencing agreement. Methods: Patients had liver stiffness measurements acquired with FibroScan® (right lobe of liver) and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (right and left lobe of liver). We used Spearman's correlation to explore the relationship between FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores. A Bland-Altman plot was used to evaluate bias between the mean percentage differences of FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to assess how factors such as body mass index, age and gender influenced the agreement between liver stiffness measurements. Results: Bland-Altman showed the average (95% CI) percentage difference between FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores was 27.5% (17.8, 37.2), p < 0.001. There was a negative correlation between the average and percentage difference of the FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores ( r (95% CI) = -0.41 (-0.57, -0.21), p < 0.001), thus showing that percentage difference gets smaller for greater FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores. Body mass index was the biggest influencing factor on differences between FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (r = 0.12 (0.01, 0.23), p = 0.05). Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse scores at segment 5/8 and the left lobe showed good correlation (r (95% CI) = 0.83 (0.75, 0.89), p < 0.001). Conclusion: FibroScan® and Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse had similar predictive values for the assessment of liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection; however, the level of agreement varied across lower and higher scores.

Hipoplasia del lóbulo hepático izquierdo asintomático, hallazgo transquirúrgico, tomográfico y patológico. Presentación de una rara entidad / Asymptomatic Hypoplasia of the Left Hepatic Lobe: Surgical Tomographic and Pathological Findings. Presentation of a Rare Entity

Resumen Antecedentes Las anomalías de la morfología hepática son raras, y se dividen en 2 categorías: las que resultan del desarrollo excesivo de tejido hepático, como el lóbulo de Riedel y otros lóbulos accesorios, y las de desarrollo deficiente del hígado, que incluyen agenesia, hipoplasia y aplasia de los lóbulos hepáticos. Presentación del caso Paciente del sexo masculino de 57 años de edad, sometido a plastia inguinal laparoscópica programada, donde se dio el hallazgo de hipoplasia hepática. Conclusión La hipoplasia hepática es poco frecuente, no presenta síntomas, ni repercusiones clínicas a largo plazo, suele ser un hallazgo incidental durante un estudio de imagen o durante un procedimiento quirúrgico abdominal.

Abstract Background: Abnormalities of liver morphology are rare, divided into two categories: those resulting from overgrowth of liver tissue, such as the Riedel lobe and other accessory lobes, and those with poor liver development include agenesis, hypoplasia and aplasia of the hepatic lobes. Presentation of the case 57-year-old man, subjected to laparoscopic programmed inguinal surgery, finding liver hypoplasia. Conclusions Hepatic hypoplasia is rare, has no symptoms or long-term clinical repercussions, is usually an incidental finding during an imaging study or during an abdominal surgical procedure.

Do Natural Portosystemic Shunts Need to Be Compulsorily Ligated in Living Donor Liver Transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Natural portosystemic shunt ligation practices in liver transplant vary widely across transplant centres and are frequently undertaken to prevent the serious consequence of portal steal phenomenon. No concrete indications have so far been convincingly identified for their management in living donor liver transplant. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the outcome of 89 cirrhotic patients who either did (n = 63) or did not (n = 25) undergo shunt ligation during living donor liver transplantation between 2017 and 2020. RESULTS: The incidence of early allograft dysfunction/nonfunction (P = 1.0) and portal venous complications (P = 0.555) were similar between the two groups. Although overall complications, biliary complications, and the composite of Grade III and IV complications were significantly higher in the nonligated group (P = 0.015, 0.052 and 0.035), 1- year graft and patient survival were comparable between them (P = 0.524). CONCLUSION: We conclude that shunt ligation in living donor liver transplantation may not always be necessary if adequate portal flow, good vascular reconstruction, and good graft quality have been ensured.

Accentuated 123ImIBG uptake by the left lobe of the liver - A clue to nowhere.

A 57-year-old male was imaged with 123I mIBG for left sided suprarenal mass. The planar and SPECT-CT acquisitions revealed features consistent with a left sided pheochromocytoma. There was physiological and high uptake in the hypertrophied left lobe of the liver which was normal at both MRI and non-contrast CT. Asymmetrical increased 123I mIBG uptake in the left lobe of the liver as compared to the right lobe is a known physiological finding with no obvious cause or significance.

Left Hepatic Lobe Agenesis With Ectopic Gallbladder.

An ectopically located gallbladder is a rare entity. Here, we present a case of an ectopic gallbladder with left hepatic lobe agenesis. In this study, we describe the case of a 56-year-old male who was a known diabetic patient. He presented with abdominal pain, which started two weeks prior. Computed tomography (CT) abdomen with contrast was advised by the primary team, which showed an incidental ectopic gallbladder along the right posterior-inferior margins of the liver. Associated with it, there was complete agenesis of the left hepatic lobe, including absent segments II, III, and IV. Most of the commonly encountered ectopic positions include intrahepatic, transverse, retrohepatic, retroperitoneal, suprahepatic, falciform ligament, or under the left liver lobe. Ectopic gallbladders have clinical significance as they alter the clinical presentation of cholecystitis. They create technical challenges during cholecystectomy and other biliary operations and cause misdiagnosis in imaging. A thorough inspection of the biliary tract in patients undergoing surgery is suggested before electrocoagulation. A radiologist must always inform the clinician about the existence of an aberrant gallbladder.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation in a Paediatric Patient With Citrullinaemia Type 2.

Citrullinaemia is a urea cycle defect that results from a deficiency of the enzyme arginosuccinate synthetase. Type 1 disease is diagnosed in childhood, whereas type 2 disease is adult onset. But, we report the outcome in a boy (13 years) with citrullinaemia type 2 who received a live donor liver transplant (LDLT) at our centre. One advantage of LDLT over deceased donor liver transplantation is the opportunity to schedule surgery, which beneficially affects neurological consequences. In conclusion, transplantation should be considered to be the definitive treatment for citrullinaemia type 2 at this stage, although some issues remain unresolved.

Right lobe donor hepatectomy: is it safe? A retrospective study.

Donor safety is utmost important in Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Small for size syndrome in some recipients with left lobe donors led to the evolution of right lobe LDLT. The aim of the study was to analyze the safety of large series of right lobe (RL) donor hepatectomies and compare outcomes with left lobe (LL) and left lateral segment (LLS) donations. A consecutive cohort of 726 donors from January 2011 to January 2014 were studied; RL (n = 641, 88.3%), LL (n = 36, 4.9%) or LLS (n = 49, 6.8%) depending on the type of donation. The mean age was 34.6 ± 10 years. The overall complication rate was 22.3%. Most were Clavien grade I and II. Clavien grade IIIa, IIIb, IV and V were noted in 4.2% donors. The incidence of these major complications were comparable among RL (n = 28, 4.2%), LL (n = 1, 2.7%) and LLS (n = 2, 4.08%) (P = 0.89). Bile leak was seen in 20 donors (2.7%) and 13 were managed conservatively with prolonged or additional intra-abdominal drainage. Seven underwent re-exploration for bile leak. In centres experienced in right lobe LDLT, morbidity after RL donation is similar to that of LL donation; and with adequate GRWR, same 1-year recipient outcomes.

Outcomes of right-lobe and left-lobe living-donor liver transplantations using small-for-size grafts.

AIM: To analyze the outcomes of living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using left-lobe (LL) or right-lobe (RL) small-for-size (SFS) grafts. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of adult patients who underwent LDLT at our hospital in the period from January 2003 to December 2013 were reviewed. The patients were divided into the RL-LDLT group and the LL-LDLT group. The two groups were compared in terms of short- and long-term outcomes, including incidence of postoperative complication, graft function, graft survival, and patient survival. A SFS graft was defined as a graft with a ratio of graft weight (GW) to recipient standard liver volume (RSLV) (GW/RSLV) of < 50%. The Urata formula was used to estimate RSLV. RESULTS: Totally 218 patients were included for analysis, with 199 patients in the RL-LDLT group and 19 patients in the LL-LDLT group. The two groups were similar in terms of age (median, 53 years in the RL-LDLT group and 52 years in the LL-LDLT group, P = 0.997) but had significantly different ratios of men to women (165:34 in the RL-LDLT group and 8:11 in the LL-LDLT group, P < 0.0001). The two groups were also significantly different in GW (P < 0.0001), GW/RSLV (P < 0.0001), and graft cold ischemic time (P = 0.007). When it comes to postoperative complication, the groups were comparable (P = 0.105). Five patients died in hospital, 4 (2%) in the RL-LDLT group and 1 (5.3%) in the LL-LDLT group (P = 0.918). There were 38 graft losses, 33 (16.6%) in the RL-LDLT group and 5 (26.3%) in the LL-LDLT group (P = 0.452). The 5-year graft survival rate was significantly better in the RL-LDLT group (95.2% vs 89.5%, P = 0.049). The two groups had similar 5-year patient survival rates (RL-LDLT: 86.8%, LL-LDLT: 89.5%, P = 0.476). CONCLUSION: The use of SFS graft in LDLT requires careful tailor-made surgical planning and meticulous operation. LL-LDLT can be a good alternative to RL-LDLT with similar recipient outcomes but a lower donor risk. Further research into different patient conditions is needed in order to validate the use of LL graft.

Agenesis of the left hepatic lobe undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Agenesis of the left hepatic lobe is a rare anomaly. It is defined as the absence of liver tissue to the left of the gallbladder fossa. Additionally, agenesis of the left hepatic lobe accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma is quite rare. We experienced the case of a patient with agenesis of the left hepatic lobe, undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy for HCC. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old man was referred to our department with epigastralgia. Abdominal computed tomography revealed agenesis of the left hepatic lobe, accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma in segments 7 and 8. He underwent laparoscopic partial hepatectomy of segments 7 and 8. The operative findings revealed complete agenesis of the liver to the left of the falciform ligament. The patient had a favorable clinical course without liver dysfunction or any complications. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a case with agenesis of the left hepatic lobe undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy for HCC. Awareness of such anomaly is important for surgeons to avoid postoperative complications.

Living donor liver transplantation in the USA.

Living donor liver transplant (LDLT) accounts for a small volume of the transplants in the USA. Due to the current liver allocation system based on the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), LDLT has a unique role in providing life-saving transplantation for patients with low MELD scores and significant complications from portal hypertension, as well as select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Donor safety is paramount and has been a topic of much discussion in the transplant community as well as the general media. The donor risk appears to be low overall, with a favorable long-term quality of life. The latest trend has been a gradual shift from right-lobe grafts to left-lobe grafts to reduce donor risk, provided that the left lobe can provide adequate liver volume for the recipient.

A rare congenital liver anomaly: Hypoplasia of left hepatic lobe.

Morphologic anomalies of liver, as opposed to many other visceral organs, are very rare. Hypoplasia or agenesis of left lobe of the liver is defined as the absence of liver tissue on the left side of liver without previous disease or surgery. It is usually an incidental finding revealed by imaging exams or during abdominal surgery. A 44-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain and discomfort. Physical examination revealed no specific abnormality. Routine laboratory tests were normal. Imaging studies showed the absence of the left hepatic lobe. She had no history of surgery, trauma or liver disease and was diagnosed as having congenital hypoplasia of left hepatic lobe. Anomalies of hepatic morphology are due to developmental defects during embryogenesis and are rarely seen. They are generally diagnosed incidentally based on imaging techniques. Early diagnosis of such an anatomical anomaly is necessary for surgical planning, for appropriate evaluation of intraoperative surgical findings, and for the design of the postoperative approach to therapy.

The effect of applied transducer force on acoustic radiation force impulse quantification within the left lobe of the liver.

Introduction: Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Quantification measures shear wave velocities (SWVs) within the liver. It is a reliable method for predicting the severity of liver fibrosis and has the potential to assess fibrosis in any part of the liver, but previous research has found ARFI quantification in the right lobe more accurate than in the left lobe. A lack of standardised applied transducer force when performing ARFI quantification in the left lobe of the liver may account for some of this inaccuracy. The research hypothesis of this present study predicted that an increase in applied transducer force would result in an increase in SWVs measured. Methods: ARFI quantification within the left lobe of the liver was performed within a group of healthy volunteers (n = 28). During each examination, each participant was subjected to ARFI quantification at six different levels of transducer force applied to the epigastric abdominal wall. Results: A repeated measures ANOVA test showed that ARFI quantification was significantly affected by applied transducer force (p = 0.002). Significant pairwise comparisons using Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons showed that with an increase in applied transducer force, there was a decrease in SWVs. Conclusion: Applied transducer force has a significant effect on SWVs within the left lobe of the liver and it may explain some of the less accurate and less reliable results in previous studies where transducer force was not taken into consideration. Future studies in the left lobe of the liver should take this into account and control for applied transducer force.

Unidirectionally progressive resection of lower left lung carcinoma under video-associated thoracoscopy.

General anesthesia is adopted through double-lumen endotracheal intubation, one-lung ventilation on the contralateral, and intravenous injection. The patient took a 90 degree decubitus on his contralateral side. The operative incisions: the observation port was made in the mid-axillary line of the 7(th) intercostal section, a second horizontal incision of 4 cm as the main operation port at the 4(th) intercostal space between the anterior axillary line and the midclavicular line, and a 3(rd) incision of 1.5 cm as the secondary operation hole at the 9(th) intercostal space between the axillary line and the bottom scapular line. The surgeons were on the ventral side of the patient, and operated with endoscope apparatus in front of the monitor screen.

An unusual association of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver and dorsal pancreatic agenesis presenting as reversible portal hypertension: a case report.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of liver although a rare entity is an important differential diagnosis of hepatic space occupying lesions as well as an important cause of portal hypertension, commonly mimicking malignant tumors on imaging and histology. We report a case of a 25-year-old postpartum female who presented to our emergency with seizures and altered sensorium and was found to be having uncontrolled hyperglycemia and metabolic encephalopathy. She had a 2 month history of low grade fever and pain in right hypochondrium. Examination revealed an enlarged, tender, left lobe of the liver, splenomegaly and ascites. CT scan of the abdomen revealed an ill-defined mass lesion in left lobe of the liver with dilated intrahepatic biliary radicles along with dorsal pancreatic agenesis and evidence of portal hypertension in the form of ascites and splenomegaly. Histopathology confirmed the presence of inflammatory pseudotumor in left lobe of the liver. Conservative management of the patient resulted in reduction of the tumor size and regression of splenomegaly and ascites in 1 month. Present case highlights inflammatory pseudotumor of liver as a rare entity, it's resemblance to malignant conditions, pancreatic agenesis as a previously unreported association as well as a potentially reversible cause of portal hypertension by conservative treatment only.

Unidirectionally progressive resection of left upper pulmonary lobe under video-assisted thoracoscopy.

The case is a nodule in the upper left lobe, and intraoperative frozen section pathological diagnosis on the removed nodule confirmed well differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma. Unidirectionally progressive resection of the left upper pulmonary lobe under video-assisted thoracoscopy is selected as the surgical method. Right below the operation hole, surgeons gradually advanced in one direction, and dissociated and divided in such order: the upper left pulmonary vein, the upper left lobe bronchus, the upper left pulmonary arterial branches and the fissures. Endoscopic linear cutters and hem-o-lok clip applicator were used to deal with the blood vessels, bronchus, and under-differentiated fissures. At last, the removed upper left lobe was put into a size eight sterile glove and taken out through the main operation hole. General anesthesia with double-lumen endotracheal intubation is used. The patient took a 90 degree decubitus on his contralateral side. The surgeons were on the ventral side of the patient, and operated with endoscope apparatus under the monitor.

Left lobe liver transplants.

Despite its vast potential, concerns about donor safety continue to limit the expansion of living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in Western countries. In light of the technical refinements, relatively lower risk of complications with left lobe (LL) LDLT with comparable outcomes, and the overriding concern for donor safety, there is renewed interest in using LL allograft as the first choice for LDLT; thereby, fundamentally shifting the risks of LDLT from the donor to the recipient. There is ample evidence that LL LDLT when performed with graft inflow modification where indicated, has long-term outcomes as good as cadaveric LT.

Totally laparoscopic full left hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation in adolescents and adults.

In recent years different minimal access strategies have been designed in order to perform living donor liver surgery for adult recipients with less morbidity. Techniques involve shortening the length of the incision with or without previous laparoscopic mobilization of the liver. Herein we present two cases of totally laparoscopic living donor left hepatectomy, with and without removal of the middle hepatic vein, respectively. We describe in detail the anatomical and technical aspects of the procedure focusing on relevant points to enhance safety.