P-L01 Newly detected liver nodules with a history of colorectal cancer: are they metastasis?

Background The diagnosis of newly detected liver nodules in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is crucial for determining prognosis and treatment. Accurate identification of benign nodules can help avoid unnecessary therapy. The aim of our study was to retrospectively review CRC patients who underwent liver resection for newly detected liver nodules in our institution. Methods We went over all patients with a history of CRC, who underwent liver resection from January 2012 to December 2019 in our institution. We specifically focused on nodules pathologically confirmed benign. Clinicopathological characteristics of these patients were collected. Results From 2012 to 2019, a total of 2632 CRC patients received liver resection for liver nodules, among which 2584 cases were proved to be malignant, and 48 cases were benign. Among these 48 cases, 24 were pathologically confirmed as focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 10 were inflammatory lesions, 9 were peliosis, and 5 were hemangioma. At least one pre-operative imaging examination (MRI, US, or PET-CT) indicated CRLM, while no one underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. The median size of nodule was 2.0 cm (range, 0.4-8.0 cm). For therapy, ten patients received laparoscopic surgery, and 38 patients received open surgery; ten patients received chemotherapy after discovery of liver nodules. Conclusions Newly detected liver nodules with a history of colorectal cancer could be benign. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI should be considered especially for indeterminate liver nodules that would be mimicker of colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

Tumor size-based validation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver imaging reporting and data system (CEUS LI-RADS) 2017 for hepatocellular carcinoma characterizing

Objectives: To validate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) and its major features in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of different sizes in high-risk patients. Methods: Between January 2014 and December 2015, a total of 545 untreated liver nodules were included. These liver nodules were divided into two groups (<20 mm and ≥20 mm). Each nodule was classified based on CEUS LI-RADS. The diagnostic performance comparison was assessed by the chi-square test, with pathology results as the golden criterion. Results: The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of CEUS LR-5 criteria in <20 mm group vs ≥20 mm group in diagnosing HCC were 60.5% vs 59.8%, 55.6% vs 57.6%, 85.7% vs 88.6 and 95.2% vs 98.5%, respectively, without significant difference (all p > 0.05). The accuracy, sensitivity and PPV of LR5/M for malignancy in <20 mm group were lower than in ≥20 mm group, with values of 79.1% vs 95.0%, 84.2% vs 95.7 and 91.4% vs 99.2%, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The CEUS LI-RADS has a comparable performance for diagnosing HCC between lesions ≥ 20 mm and <20 mm. For diagnosing malignancy including HCC, it has a higher efficacy for lesions ≥ 20 mm than <20 mm. Advances in knowledge: 1.For diagnosing HCC, CEUS LI-RADS has comparable performances between lesions ≥ 20 mm and <20 mm. 2. For diagnosing malignancy including HCC, CEUS LI-RADS has a higher efficacy for lesions ≥ 20 mm than <20 mm.

Liver nodules after the Fontan operation: role of the computerised tomography scan

Currently, there is an increasing prevalence of liver nodules in patients following the Fontan operation. The appropriate non-invasive modalities have been applied to assess a diagnosis of Fontan-associated liver disease. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and associated factors for the presence of liver nodules using CT scan. A cross-sectional study of 34 patients older than 15 years of age was recruited. Ultrasound upper abdomen, ultrasound liver elastography, and CT scan of the upper abdomen were performed after the Fontan operation. The median age of patients was 20 years (range 14–36 years). The median age at the Fontan operation was 7 years (range 5–17 years) and the duration after the Fontan operation was 12 years (range 4–22 years). The prevalence of liver nodules was 62% as detected by CT scans. Hepatic vein pressure in patients with liver nodules was significantly higher than in those without liver nodules. Hepatic vein pressure above 13 mmHg was a factor associated with liver nodules. There was little agreement between the ultrasound of the upper abdomen and CT scan of the upper abdomen in the evaluation of liver nodules. Hepatic pressure was the only associated factor for the occurrence of liver nodules in patients following the Fontan operation. The prevalence of liver nodules was very high after the Fontan operation. The upper abdomen CT scan should be performed for the surveillance of liver nodules in every Fontan patient over the age of 15 years.

CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 vs. CEUS LI-RADS v2017—Can Things Be Put Together?

Different LI-RADS core documents were released for CEUS and for CT/MRI. Both documents rely on major and ancillary diagnostic criteria. The present paper offers an exhaustive comparison of the two documents focusing on the similarities, but especially on the differences, complementarity, and added value of imaging techniques in classifying liver nodules in cirrhotic livers. The major diagnostic criteria are defined, and the sensitivity and specificity of each major diagnostic criteria are presented according to the literature. The existing differences between techniques in assessing the major diagnostic features can be then exploited in order to ensure a better classification and a better clinical management of liver nodules in cirrhotic livers. Ancillary features depend on the imaging technique used, and their presence can upgrade or downgrade the LI-RADS score of an observation, but only as far as LI-RADS 4. MRI is the imaging technique that provides the greatest number of ancillary features, whereas CEUS has fewer ancillary features than other imaging techniques. In the final part of the manuscript, some recommendations are made by the authors in order to guidephysicians as to when adding another imaging technique can be helpful in managing liver nodules in cirrhotic livers.

Feasibility and safety of fine positioning needle-mediated breathing control in CT-guided percutaneous puncture of small lung/liver nodules adjacent to diaphragm

To assess the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of a separate inserted positioning fine needle-mediated breathing-control technique applied to computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous puncture for biopsy or microwave ablation (MWA) of small lung/liver nodules near diaphragm. Total 46 patients with pulmonary/liver small nodules (≤ 3 cm in size) near diaphragm(nodule within 1 cm distance to the diaphragm)were undergone percutaneous biopsy ( n = 15) or MWA (n = 31) under the guidance of CT, and a separate positioning fine needle-mediated breathing-control technique was applied for the precise punctures. CT plain scan was performed to monitor the complications after the procedure. The patient baseline data, operation details, successful rate, major complications as well as radiation dose during the procedure were recorded and analyzed. With the assistance of a fine positioning needle insertion for controlling the breathing, the puncture success rate for biopsy or MWA reached 91.30% (42/46). For biopsy, the mean nodule diameter, nodule distance to the diaphragm, puncture time and radiation dose during CT scan were 2.27 cm ± 0.74, 0.61 cm ± 0.24, 18.67 min ± 6.23, 28.84 mSv ± 6.99, respectively; For MWA, the mean nodule diameter, nodule distance to the diaphragm, puncture time and CT radiation dose were 2.35 cm ± 0.64, 0.69 cm ± 0.23, 38.71 min ± 13.65, 33.02 mSv ± 8.77, respectively. Totally, there were three and four cases found minimal puncture-related hemoptysis and pneumothorax needed no additional treatments, respectively. We recently developed and verified a feasible, safe and highly effective puncture technique with reasonable radiation dose for CT-guided biopsy or MWA for small nodules abutting diaphragm, therefore worthy of extensive application to similar clinical situations.

Development of Novel Deep Multimodal Representation Learning-based Model for the Differentiation of Liver Tumors on B-Mode Ultrasound Images

Recently, multimodal representation learning for images and other information such as numbers or language has gained much attention due to the possibility of combining latent features using a single distribution. The aim of the current study was to analyze the diagnostic performance of deep multimodal representation model-based integration of tumor image, patient background, and blood biomarkers for the differentiation of liver tumors observed using B-mode ultrasonography (US). First, we applied supervised learning with a convolutional neural network (CNN) to 972 liver nodules in the training and development sets (479 benign and 493 malignant nodules), to develop a predictive model using segmented B-mode tumor images. Additionally, we also applied a deep multimodal representation model to integrate information about patient background or blood biomarkers to B-mode images. We then investigated the performance of the models in an independent test set of 108 liver nodules, including 53 benign and 55 malignant tumors. Using only the segmented B-mode images, the diagnostic accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) values were 68.52% and 0.721, respectively. As the information about patient background such as age or sex and blood biomarkers was integrated, the diagnostic performance increased in a stepwise manner. The diagnostic accuracy and AUC value of the multimodal DL model (which integrated B-mode tumor image, patient age, sex, AST, ALT, platelet count, and albumin data) reached 96.30% and 0.994, respectively. Integration of patient background and blood biomarkers in addition to US image using multimodal representation learning outperformed the CNN model using US images. We expect that the deep multimodal representation model could be a feasible and acceptable tool that can effectively support the definitive diagnosis of liver tumors using B-mode US in daily clinical practice.

A Puzzling Case of Biliary Stricture with Calcified Liver Nodules

Tuberculous (TB) biliary stricture with calcified liver nodules rendering obstructive jaundice is a rare clinical phenomenon. Recently, we encountered a young patient with obstructive jaundice who was investigated in a general hospital. He was sent to our hospital for subsequent management after undergoing a series of investigations and biliary stenting. The radiological imagings performed revealed multiple calcified lesions in the liver with proximal bile duct strictures. Blood investigations, tumor markers and tuberculous work up were not remarkable. Subsequently, he underwent laparotomy and biliary reconstruction. Postoperatively, he was discharged well. Histopathological examination of the hepatoduodenal nodes showed chronic infections and granulomatous lymphadenitis, suspicious of a mycobacterium infection.