Frequency and predictors of de novo hepatocellular carcinoma in patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation during the model for end-stage liver disease era.

In the current system of allocation, patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remain at risk of developing de novo hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and removal from the waiting list. Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, we calculated the rate and identified predictors of de novo HCC in patients listed for OLT between February 2002 and December 2004. Among 8566 patients, 1167 (13.6%) developed de novo HCC. Predictors of increased odds of de novo HCC were older age, male gender, Asian race, other race, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B. A sensitivity analysis of 2067 patients waiting at least 6 months found that 16.2% developed de novo HCC. Older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 1.07], male gender (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.49, 2.71), Asian race (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.20, 4.76), other race (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.40, 2.68), hepatitis C (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.76, 3.16), and hepatitis B (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.19, 3.23) remained predictors of increased odds of de novo HCC, and alcoholic liver disease (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.06, 1.86) emerged as a predictor of increased odds of de novo HCC. A significant proportion of patients listed for OLT develop de novo HCC. Identifying predictors of HCC in these patients may facilitate timely HCC screening and diagnosis.     

Endoscopic stenting of the gallbladder for symptomatic gallbladder disease in patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation.

Cholecystectomy in patients with advanced cirrhosis is associated with excessive morbidity and mortality. Because open cholecystectomy in patients with Child's class C cirrhosis has a reported mortality rate as high as 83%, symptomatic gallbladder disease in patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) poses a unique clinical problem. The goal of this study is to determine whether the treatment of symptomatic gallbladder disease with endoscopic stenting of the gallbladder effectively reduces biliary symptoms and complications or the need for cholecystectomy. Thirteen patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease with and without cholelithiasis and advanced cirrhosis who were candidates for OLT underwent placement of a biliary stent from the gallbladder to the duodenum at endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. In each patient, biliary symptoms and complications ceased after stent placement. Seven patients underwent successful OLT 1 to 24 months after the procedure. One patient subsequently became a noncandidate for OLT and died of diabetes complications 3 years after the procedure. Five others are awaiting OLT (6 to 28 months postprocedure). One patient had recurrent pericholecystic fluid collection requiring percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy 8 months after the procedure. No patient has had recurrent symptoms, and currently all patients are free of complications. None required surgical intervention of the gallbladder or biliary tree. We conclude that endoscopic stenting of the gallbladder is the preferred treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease in patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting OLT. This approach is noninvasive, safe, and effective in preventing potential morbidity and mortality.     

初步构建基于我国肝癌肝移植受者的生存评估模型

目的 初步构建我国肝癌肝移植受者的术后生存评估模型,验证所用建模方法是否具有可行性。方法 收集1999年2月至2005年6月符合纳入标准的130例接受肝移植的肝癌患者,以COX风险比例回归为媒介,筛选影响肝癌肝移植受者术后生存的因素,构建评估模型,并比较新模型与终末期肝病模型（MELD）何者更适用于我国肝移植受者。结果 经COX模型筛选．肝癌受者术前碱性磷酸酶、甲胎蛋白、血清Na^＋浓度、肿瘤结节数与术后生存有显著相关性;构建得到的新模型对受者术后生存具有评估效能,而MELD模型则未体现出评估能力。结论 构建得到的新模型对肝癌肝移植受者具备一定的评估能力。     

终末期肺病患者等待肺移植期间的临床分析

目的 总结单中心终末期肺病患者等待肺移植期间的临床结局及其影响因素,探讨等待期患者排序的参考因素.方法 回顾性分析自2003年1月至2013年1月83例等待肺移植的终末期肺病患者的临床资料.结果 22例(26.5％)患者死于等待期,41例(49.4％)接受同种异体肺移植,20例(24.1％)仍在等待供肺.相对于慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者,特发性肺纤维化(IPF)患者等待期间死亡率较高,死亡率分别为39.1％和15.6％(P=0.09).存活患者的等待期存活时间为(377.5±527.6)d,死亡患者的等待期存活时间为(181.7±196.9)d(P=0.016).存活的患者的平均肺动脉压力为(38.8±14.1)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),死亡患者的平均肺动脉压力为(54.3±25.9)mm Hg(P=0.08).死亡病例中,IPF患者的存活时间为(137.8±199.6)d,其他疾病患者为(212.1±196.9)d(P=0.397).等待期需要常规氧疗和无创正压通气的患者的死亡率为23.9％,接受机械通气患者的死亡率为41.7％(P=0.287).结论 原发疾病的类型、肺动脉高压和机械通气可能是影响终末期肺病患者等待期预后的主要因素,拟定肺移植等待排序时应综合考虑上述因素.     

Determination of the optimal model for end-stage liver disease score in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing loco-regional therapy.

The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) has been a prevailing system to prioritize cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. An "exceptional" MELD score of 20 and 24 points is assigned for stage T1 and T2 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), respectively. However, this strategy is based on scarce data and the optimal score for these patients remains uncertain. We investigated 238 patients with small HCC who were candidates for liver transplantation and underwent arterial chemoembolization or percutaneous injection therapy using acetic acid or ethanol. Tumor stage (P = .001) and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class (P < .001) were independent risk factors predicting tumor progression or death in survival analysis. The risk of disease progression in HCC patients stratified by tumor stage was mapped and equated with the risk of mortality of 456 cirrhotic patients without HCC. The 6- and 12-month rates of disease progression were 4% and 6%, respectively, for stage T1 HCC patients (n = 50; mean MELD: 9.5). These rates were close to and no higher than the mortality rate in MELD category 8-12 at the corresponding time period (7.1% and 11.3%, respectively; n = 141). For stage T2 patients (n = 188; mean MELD: 9.3), the corresponding rates were 5.3% and 13.8%, respectively, which were close to and no higher than the mortality rate in MELD category 10-14 (9.0% and 13.9%, respectively, n = 166). In conclusion, the risk of disease progression is quite low for selected HCC patients undergoing loco-regional therapy. A lower MELD score may be suggested to be equivalent to the risk of short- and mid-term mortality in the cirrhosis group.     

Adult living donor liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: extending UNOS priority criteria

INTRODUCTION: For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in particular, living donor liver transplant (LDLT) improves access to transplant. We report our results in 36 patients with HCC who underwent LDLT with a median follow-up >1 year. METHODS Underlying diagnoses included: hepatitis C (24), hepatitis B (9), cryptogenic cirrhosis (1), hemochromatosis (1), and primary biliary cirrhosis (1). Patients with tumors >or= 5 cm received IV doxorubicin intraoperatively and 6 cycles of doxorubicin at 3-week intervals. Patients were followed with CT scan and alpha-fetoprotein levels every 3 months for 2 years posttransplant. Mean waiting time, pretransplant treatment, tumor variables, and survival were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were done to analyze tumor variables; Kaplan-Meier and log rank were used to compare survivals. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Mean wait for LDLT was 62 days, compared with 459 days in 50 patients with HCC transplanted with cadaveric organs during the same time period (P = 0.0001). At median follow-up of 450 days, there have been 10 deaths due to non-tumor-related causes and 3 deaths from recurrence; recurrence has also been observed in 3 other patients. On univariate and multivariate analysis, bilobar distribution was the only significant tumor variable (P = 0.03, log rank = 0.02). Fifty-three percent of patients exceeded UNOS priority criteria. One- and two-year patient survivals were 75% and 60%, respectively. Freedom from recurrence at 365 and 730 days was 82% and 74%, respectively. Overall and in patients with HCC > 5 cm (n = 12), there were no statistically significant differences in survival or in freedom from recurrence between recipients of living donor and cadaveric grafts. CONCLUSION Although one third of patients had tumors > 5 cm, the incidence of recurrence as well as patient survival and freedom from recurrence are comparable to results after cadaveric transplant. LDLT allows timely transplantation in patients with early or with large HCC.     

Liver transplantation in septuagenarians receiving model for end-stage liver disease exception points for hepatocellular carcinoma: the national experience

Current liver allocation policy in the United States grants liver transplant candidates with stage T2 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) a priority Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 22, regardless of age. Because advanced age may portend an increase in all-cause mortality after transplantation for any diagnosis, the aim of this study was to examine overall posttransplant survival in elderly patients with HCC versus younger cohorts. Based on Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data, Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival rates were compared. Recipients undergoing primary liver transplantation were stratified into cohorts based on age (<70 or ≥ 70 years) and the receipt of MELD exception points for HCC. Log-rank and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical comparisons. In 2009, 143 transplants were performed for patients who were 70 years old or older. Forty-two percent of these patients received a MELD exception for HCC. Regardless of the diagnosis, the overall survival rate was significantly attenuated for the septuagenarians versus the younger cohort. After 5 years of follow-up, this disparity exceeded 10% to 15% depending on the populations being compared. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 88.4%, 83.2%, 79.6%, 76.1%, and 72.7%, respectively, for the patients who were younger than 70 years and 81.1%, 73.8%, 67.1%, 61.9%, and 55.2%, respectively, for the patients who were 70 years old or older. Five-year survival was negatively affected for patients with HCC who were younger than 70 years; this disparity was not observed for patients with HCC who were 70 years old or older. In conclusion, although patients who are 70 years old or older compose a small fraction of transplant recipients in the United States, patients in this group undergoing transplantation for HCC form an even smaller subset. Overall, transplantation in this age group yields outcomes inferior to those for younger cohorts. However, unlike patients who are less than 70 years old and receive MELD exception points, overall liver transplant survival is not affected by HCC at an advanced age.     

Selection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) plays a pivotal role in the management of selected patients with initial hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After disappointing early results and a shortage of cadaveric grafts, patients are currently selected for OLT on the basis of tumour size and number. Limitations of these criteria and the advent of living donation have prompted their re-evaluation. The principal aims of this review were to define the limitations of current transplant criteria for HCC, and to identify potential areas for improvement. METHODS: A Medline search using the terms 'liver transplantation' and 'hepatocellular carcinoma' was conducted. Additional references were sourced from key articles. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In patients with HCC, biological properties of the tumour are more accurate than radiological criteria in determining outcome after transplantation. Despite the risks of tumour biopsy, which may have been previously overstated, histological evaluation before transplantation may have a role and warrants further study. By expanding the donor pool and eliminating waiting times, live donor liver transplantation is a valuable resource that has yet to fulfil its potential because of unresolved ethical issues concerning the safety of the donor. The availability of long-term outcome data may help to clarify this in the near future.     

Increasing disparity in waitlist mortality rates with increased model for end-stage liver disease scores for candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma versus candidates without hepatocellular carcinoma

Candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria (MC) receive standardized Model for End-Stage LIver Disease (MELD) exception points because of the projected risk of tumor expansion beyond the MC. Exception points at listing are meant to be equivalent to a 15% rusj if 90-day mortality, with additional points granted every 3 months, equivalent to a 10% increased morality risk. We analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing database (January 1, 2005 to May 31, 2009) to compare the 90-day waitlist outcomes of HCC candidates and non-HCC candidates with similar MELD scores. Two hundred fifty-nine HCC candidates (4.1%) who were initially listed with 22 MELD exception points were removed because of death or clinical deterioration within 90 days of listing, whereas 283 non-HCC candidates (11.0%) with initial laboratory MELD scores of 21 to 23 were removed. Ninety-three HCC candidates (4.6%) with 25 exception points (after 3-6 months of waiting) were removed because of death or clinical deterioration within 90 days, whereas 805 non-HCC candidates (17.3%) with laboratory MELD scores of 24 to 26 were removed. Twenty HCC candidates (3.0%) with 28 exception points (after 6-9 months of waiting) were removed for death or clinical deterioration within 90 days, whereas 646 non-HCC candidates (23.6%) with laboratory MELD scores of 27 to 29 were removed. In multivariate logistic regression models, HCC candidates had significantly lower 90-day odds of waitlist removal for death or clinical deterioration (P < 0.001). Over time, the risk of waitlist removal for death or clinical deterioration was unchanged for HCC candidates (P = 0.17), whereas it increased significantly for non-HCC candidates. The current allotment of HCC exception points should be re-evaluated because of the stable risk of waitlist dropout for these candidates.     

Prognostic impact of model for end-stage liver disease score in patients undergoing liver transplantation with suboptimal livers

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze the prognostic impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score in patients undergoing liver transplantation (OLT) with suboptimal livers. METHODS: Between January 2002 and January 2006, 160 adult patients with liver cirrhosis received a whole liver for primary OLT at our institution including 81 with a suboptimal liver (SOL group) versus 79 with an optimal liver (group OL). The definition of suboptimal liver was: one major criterion (age >60 years, steatosis >20%) or at least two minor criteria: sodium >155 mEq/L, Intensive Care Unit stay >7 days, dopamine >10 microg/kg/min, abnormal liver tests, and relevant hemodynamic instability. RESULTS: Baseline recipients characteristics were comparable in the two study groups. The SOL group had a significantly greater number of early graft deaths (<30 days) than the OL group, while the 3-year Kaplan-Meier patient survivals were similar. Using logistic regression, MELD score was significantly related to patient death only in the SOL group (P = .01), and the receiver operator characteristics curve method identified 17 as the best MELD cutoff with the 3-year survival of 93% versus 85% for MELD < or =7 versus >17, respectively (P > 05). In comparison, it was 94% and 72% in the SOL group (P < .05). Similarly, MELD >17 was significantly associated with early graft death rates only in the SOL group. CONCLUSION: This study advised surgeons to not use suboptimal livers for patients with advanced MELD scores, thus supporting a donor-recipient matching policy.     

以西罗莫司为主的免疫抑制方案在肝癌肝移植受者中的应用

目的 探讨肝癌肝移植受者术后采用以西罗莫司联合两剂激素为主的免疫抑制方案的安全性和有效性.方法 2004年3月至2006年10月间,共为92例超出米兰标准的中晚期肝癌患者施行了肝移植.其中89例纳入研究.前54例患者采用以他克莫司为主的免疫抑制方案,后35例患者采用以西罗莫司为主的新免疫抑制方案.术后对两组受者均进行了随访.随访时检测受者的肝肾功能、血糖和血脂水平等生化指标,监测受者感染、急性排斥反应、肿瘤复发、存活率及药物副作用等表现,并对两组免疫抑制方案的效果进行了分析和比较.结果 两组间1年肿瘤复发率、3个月内感染发牛率、术后1个月高血糖发生率及术后1年肾功能损害和高脂血症发生率的比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);其它指标的比较,无显著性差异.结论 肝癌肝移植受者采用以西罗莫司联合两剂激素为主的免疫抑制方案是安全和有效的.该方案在有效抑制排斥反应的同时可显著降低受者的肿瘤复发率,还可减少感染发生率、高血糖及.肾功能损害,但增加了高脂血症发生率.     

Expanded criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for patients with cirrhosis and unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without extrahepatic dissemination. Since criteria for transplantation in HCC are controversial, we evaluated our early results of liver transplantation for unresectable HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three women and 14 men (age range, 1.1 to 64 years) with preoperatively diagnosed or incidentally discovered HCC underwent liver transplantation. Six grafts were obtained from cadaveric donors, and each of the remaining 11 grafts from a living related donor. Criteria for participation, independent of tumor size and number of tumor nodules, were no invasion of major vascular structure and no evidence of extrahepatic disease. In nine patients, tumors were beyond the Milan criteria. Twelve patients (86.7%) received tacrolimus and 2 (13.30%), rapamycin monotherapy with early withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy. Two patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoembolization before transplantation; none received adjuvant chemotherapy. Seven patients with hepatitis B virus infection underwent antiviral prophylaxis with antibody to hepatitis B surface antigens and lamivudine. RESULTS: During follow-up (range, 1 to 17 months), all patients exhibited excellent graft function. Imaging studies revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence and no elevation of alpha fetoprotein or carcinoembryonic antigen levels. DISCUSSION: Low-dose immunosuppressive therapy and expanded criteria for liver transplantation in patients with HCC, especially when donation from a living related donor is possible, appear to inhibit disease recurrence and improve outcomes.     

Angiogenesis soluble factors as hepatocellular carcinoma noninvasive markers for monitoring hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Physiological angiogenesis occurs during liver regeneration, leading to the formation of new functional sinusoids. Pathological angiogenesis occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to evaluate the expression of angiogenic factors in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HCC tissues and the utility of angiogenesis soluble factors as noninvasive markers of HCC and tumor growth. METHODS: Thirty-eight HCV-HCC tumors with 10 corresponding nontumor cirrhotic tissues, as well as 42 independent HCV cirrhotic and 6 normal liver tissues were studied using high-density oligonucleotide arrays. Human angiogenesis microarray was used for the protein detection of EGF, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, HGF, angiopn-1, angiopn-2, VEGF-A, IP-10, PDGF, KGF, angiogenin, VEGF-D, ICAM-1, and FGF in plasma samples from 40 patients (30 HCCs and 10 HCV cirrhosis). RESULTS: From the gene expression analysis of the HCV-HCC tumors compared to normal livers, we found an important number of genes related to angiogenesis differentially expressed (alpha=0.01), including VEGF, PDGF, AGPTL2, ANG, EGFL6, EGFR, angiopn-1, angiopn-2, ICAM2, TIMP-2, among others. Moreover, angiogenic genes were also differentially expressed when HCV-HCC samples were compared to HCV cirrhotic tissues (alpha=0.01; VEGF, EGFL3, EGFR, VEGFB, among others). Ten out of 14 angiogenic proteins analyzed were statistically differentially expressed between HCV cirrhosis and HCV-HCC groups (TIMP-1, TIMP-2, HGF, angiopn-1, angiopn-2, VEGF-A, IP-10, PDGF, KGF, and FGF; P<0.05). In addition, we observed that angiopn-2 was the most significant predictor (area under the curve: 0.83). CONCLUSION: Differentially expressed angiogenesis genes were observed between HCV patients with and without HCC. Soluble angiogenic factors might be useful for monitoring high-risk HCV patients.     

Radiofrequency ablation of small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: Determine the histologic response-rate (complete versus partial tumor extinction) after single radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising in cirrhosis. Investigate possible predictors of response and assess efficacy and safety of RFA as a bridge to liver transplantation (OLT). BACKGROUND: RFA has become the elective treatment of local control of HCC, although histologic data supporting radiologic assessment of response are rare and prospective studies are lacking. Prognostic impact of repeated RFA for HCC persistence is also undetermined. METHODS: Percentage of RFA-induced necrosis and tumor persistence-rate at various intervals from treatment was studied in 60 HCC (median: 3 cm; Milan-Criteria IN: 80%) isolated in 50 consecutive cirrhotic patients undergoing OLT. Single-session RFA was the only treatment planned before OLT. Histologic response determined on explanted livers was related to 28 variables and to pre-OLT CT scan. RESULTS: Mean interval RFA-->OLT was 9.5 months. Post-RFA complete response rate was 55%, rising to 63% for HCC 3 cm (P = 0.05). Post-RFA tumor persistence probability increased with time (12 months: 59%; 18 months: 70%). Radiologic response rate was 70%, not significantly different from histology. Major post-RFA morbidity was 8%. No mortality, Child deterioration, patient withdrawal because of tumor progression was observed. Post-OLT 3-year patient/graft survival was 83%. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is a safe and effective treatment of small HCC in cirrhotics awaiting OLT, although tumor size (>3 cm) and time from treatment (>1 year) predict a high risk of tumor persistence in the targeted nodule. RFA should not be considered an independent therapy for HCC.     

Air transportation of patients with end-stage liver disease to distant liver transplantation centers.

The Israeli population does not meet its transplantation organ needs. Therefore, liver transplantation (LTX) candidates are sometimes transported to centers abroad. We aimed to assess the demographic and clinical issues concerning this policy. Records of all candidates transported (2000-2004) were retrospectively reviewed. Data included etiology, disease severity, outcome, distances traveled and destinations, and medical complication arising en route. Forty-three candidates were transported overseas: 12 patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and 31 with cirrhosis. Average MELD score was 19.94, and the APACHE II score for patients with FHF was 20.5. Destinations included the United States, Colombia, Belgium, Germany, China, and Italy. Average distance traveled was 4,660 miles. Two patients were intubated and sedated during flight. All patients safely reached their destinations: 8 died prior to transplantation, 5 died after transplantation, 3 are awaiting transplantation, 3 recovered spontaneously, and the rest successfully underwent transplantation and returned home. In conclusion, our results suggest that long-distance transportation of patients awaiting liver transplantation is safe and technically feasible provided precaution measures are taken. Therefore, allocation regions may be broadened to include larger and more distant populations.     

Recovery from liver failure after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: meaning of the model for end-stage liver disease

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis is followed by an impairment of liver function that can lead to patient death. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) is considered an index of hepatic functional reserve, and its assessment on postoperative course may properly identify individuals at risk of liver failure. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred hepatectomies for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis were reviewed. Irreversible postoperative liver failure was defined as an impairment of liver function after hepatectomy that led to patient death or required transplantation. The MELD scores at postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5, and 7 were calculated and kinetics of changes investigated with t-test; logistic regression was applied to identify predictive variables of postoperative liver failure. RESULTS: Kinetics of postoperative MELD score showed an impairment of liver function between PODs 1 and 3; 185 patients in whom postoperative liver failure did not develop showed a considerable decrease in MELD score between PODs 3 and 5 (11.9+/-2.8 and 10.6+/-2.4, respectively, p<0.001). On the contrary, 15 patients, who experienced the event, showed an increase in MELD score between PODs 3 and 5 (18.2+/-3.9 and 18.3+/-3.6, respectively; p=0.845). Multivariate analysis showed preoperative MELD score (p<0.001), major hepatectomy (p=0.028), and MELD score increase between PODs 3 and 5 (p=0.011) as independent predictors of irreversible postoperative liver failure. Scores are reported as mean+/-SD. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery from liver impairment after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis starts from POD 3; MELD scores increasing between PODs 3 and 5 may identify patients at risk of liver failure and represents the trigger for beginning intensive treatment or evaluating salvage transplantation.     

Positron emission tomography for detecting occult hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C cirrhotics awaiting for liver transplantation

Patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis may sometimes have persistently elevated alpha feto protein (AFP) despite a lack of evidence for disease by ultrasound or computed tomography (CT). While this pattern may represent a benign manifestation of hepatitis C cirrhosis (HCC), it raises concern for the possibility of an occult hepatocellular carcinoma. It has previously been shown that positron emission tomography (PET scan) may detect occult cholangiocarcinoma in high-risk patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. We hypothesized that PET scanning might similarly serve for occult HCC in hepatitis C cirrhotics. PET scanning was performed on eight hepatitis C cirrhotics who were on the liver transplantation list and displayed persistently elevated AFP (>100 ng/mL) but no detectable lesions on abdominal CT scan. The results of PET detection of occult HCC were compared to those obtained with lipiodol-enhanced CT scanning and with histologic examination of the live explant. Explant histology or prolonged clinical follow-up showed two subjects to have conclusive evidence of HCC; the remainder, no evidence of malignancy. Although PET imaging did not reveal abnormal lesions in any subject; lipiodol-enhanced CT scans revealed abnormal lipiodol retention in both subjects with HCC. These preliminary findings suggest that PET has no role in detecting occult HCC in high-risk patients. Additionally, these data suggest that some hepatitis C cirrhotics with persistently elevated AFP but no detectable lesions by conventional CT scan may show occult HCC using lipiodol-enhanced CT scans.     

活体肝移植治疗终末期肝病

目的 探讨活体肝移植(1iving donor liver transplantation,LDLT)供、受者术前评估和手术方式的选择.方法 回顾性分析1995年1月至2007年10月我中心95例LDLT患者的临床资料.良性终末期肝病92例,其中Wilson病45例;肝脏恶性肿瘤3例.结果 供肝切取不带肝中静脉右半肝31例,带肝中静脉右半肝3例,带肝中静脉左半肝51例,不带肝中静脉左半肝或左外叶10例.所有供者术后顺利恢复,均未出现严重并发症.受者随访1～86个月,良性终末期肝病受者1、3、5年累积生存率分别为89%(82例)、78%(71例)和73%(67例),其中Wilson病受者1、3、5年累积生存率分别为92%(42例)、89%(40例)和76%(34例).3例肝脏恶性肿瘤患者死亡2例,1例长期生存.供、受者铜代谢均恢复正常.结论 建立供者安全保障体系是LDLT开展的先决条件,选择合理的手术方式是提高受者生存率的关键.亲体肝移植是治疗Wilson病的有效手段.