Alteration of laboratory findings after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: relationship to severity of the underlying liver disease and the ablation volume

Background/AimsTo investigate sequential changes in laboratory markers after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship of these changes to the severity of the underlying liver disease.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included 65 patients (44 males, 21 females) who underwent RFA of HCC. Hematologic and biochemical markers were assessed at the pre-RFA period and 1 day, 2-3 days, and 1-2 weeks after RFA. We classified the subjects into two groups: Child-Pugh A (n=41) and Child-Pugh B (n=24). The ablative margin volume (AMV) of each patient was measured. We analyzed the changes in laboratory profiles from the baseline, and investigated whether these laboratory changes were correlated with the AMV and the Child-Pugh classification.ResultsMost of the laboratory values peaked at 2-3 days after RFA. AMV was significantly correlated with changes in WBC count, hemoglobin level, and serum total bilirubin level (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.324-0.453; P<0.05). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level varied significantly over time (P=0.023).ConclusionsMost of the measured laboratory markers changed from baseline, peaking at 2-3 days. The ALT level was the only parameter for which there was a significant difference after RFA between Child-Pugh A and B patients: it increased significantly more in the Child-Pugh A patients

Radiofrequency ablation of very-early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode US: value of fusion imaging with contrast-enhanced US

Background/AimsTo determine the value of fusion imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance (MR) images for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of very-early-stage hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) that are inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode ultrasound (US) and CT/MR images.MethodsThis retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Fusion imaging with CEUS using Sonazoid contrast agent and CT/MR imaging was performed on HCCs (<2 cm) that were inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode US. We evaluated the number of cases that became conspicuous on fusion imaging with CEUS. Percutaneous RFA was performed under the guidance of fusion imaging with CEUS. Technical success and major complication rates were assessed.ResultsIn total, 30 patients with 30 HCCs (mean, 1.2 cm; range, 0.6-1.7 cm) were included, among which 25 (83.3%) became conspicuous on fusion imaging with CEUS at the time of the planning US and/or RFA procedure. Of those 25 HCCs, RFA was considered feasible for 23 (92.0%), which were thus treated. The technical success and major complication rates were 91.3% (21/23) and 4.3% (1/23), respectively.ConclusionsFusion imaging with CEUS and CT/MR imaging is highly effective for percutaneous RFA of very-early-stage HCCs inconspicuous on fusion imaging with B-mode US and CT/MR imaging

Extremely Rare CT and MRI Findings of Peritoneal Leiomyoma Mimicking Hepatic Mass: A Case Report

Leiomyoma is a common benign tumor from smooth muscle cells, mostly in the uterus. Peritoneal leiomyomas (PLs) are extremely rare and mostly reported as disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis. However, to the best of out knowledge, radiologic findings of isolated PL are not reported in English literature. Herein, we introduce the radiologic findings of PL mimicking hepatic mass in a 34-year-old female. CT showed a mass with curvilinear heterogeneous enhancement at the liver’s peripheral area. On MRI, the mass showed gradual and heterogeneous enhancement on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and diffusion restriction. The radiologic diagnosis was a benign hepatic tumor, such as degenerated hemangioma, adenoma, and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor; however, the mass was diagnosed as PL pathologically

Exciton???Scissoring Perfluoroarenes Trigger Photomultiplication in Full Color Organic Image Sensors

We report an unprecedented but useful functionality of perfluoroarenes to enable exciton scissoring in photomultiplication-type organic photodiodes (PM-OPDs). Perfluoroarenes that are covalently connected to polymer donors via photochemical reaction enable us to demonstrate high external quantum efficiency and B-/G-/R-selective PM-OPDs without the use of conventional acceptor molecules. We investigated the operation mechanism of the suggested perfluoroarene-driven PM-OPDs, ???How can covalently bonded polymer donor:perfluoroarene PM-OPDs perform as effectively as polymer donor:fullerene blend-based PM-OPDs????. By employing a series of arenes and conducting steady-state/time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy analyses, we find that interfacial band bending between the perfluoroaryl group and polymer donor is responsible for exciton scissoring and subsequent electron trapping, which induces photomultiplication. Owing to the acceptor-free and covalently interconnected photoactive layer in the suggested PM-OPDs, superior operational and thermal stabilities were observed. Finally, we demonstrated finely patterned B-/G-/R-selective PM-OPD arrays that enable the construction of highly sensitive passive matrix-type organic image sensors