Neck transection level and postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective cohort study of 195 patients

International audienceBackground: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the level of neck transection on clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after standard pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with pancreaticojejunostomy.Method: A total of 195 patients with an early postoperative CT scan were retrospectively analyzed and divided into 2 groups (CR-POPF and No CR-POPF) in order to seek potential risk factors for CR-POPF. We focused our analysis on the relationship between CR-POPF and the level of neck transection, defined by measuring the distance between the left side of the portal vein and the remnant pancreatic stump on the postoperative CT scan.Result: CR-POPF occurred in 58 out of 195 PD (29.7%); grade B (17%) and grade C (12.7%). The Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3 morbidity rate was 33% (65/195) and the mortality rate was 2.5% (5/195). Multivariate analysis indicated that a 'right-sided' level of neck transection (P = 0.007), a firm pancreatic texture (P = 0.001), and a PD for non-pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma histology (P = 0.032) were independent risk factors for CR-POPF. A full neck resection with systematic transection ≥7 mm at the left side of the portal vein seems to prevent CR-POPF harboring a protective effect (OR 0.056; 95% CI 0.003 to 0.978; P = 0.039).Conclusion: Here we further consolidate the concept describing the pancreatic neck as a vascular watershed, showing that a long remnant pancreatic neck could be an independent risk factor for CR-POPF after PD (NCT03850236).Trial registration number and agency: The present study was approved by our local ethics committee and was declared on ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT03850236)

Limits of intravascular contrast extravasation on computed tomography scan to define the need for pelvic angioembolization in pelvic blunt trauma: a specific assessment on the risk of false positives

International audienceBACKGROUND: The objective was to assess the predictive performance of different intravascular contrast extravasation (ICE) characteristics for need for pelvic transarterial embolization (TAE) to determine the risk factors of false positives. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in our trauma center between 2010 and 2015. All severe trauma patients with pelvic fracture were included. Pelvic ICE characteristics on computed tomography (CT) scan were studied: arterial (aSICE), portal surface (pSICE), and extension (exSICE) anatomic relationships. The overall predictive performance of ICE surfaces for pelvic TAE was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves. The analysis focused on risk factors for false positives. RESULTS: Among 311 severe trauma patients with pelvic ring fracture (mean age, 42 \textpm 19 years; mean Injury Severity Score, 27 \textpm 19), 94 (30%) had at least one pelvic ICE on the initial CT scan. Patients requiring pelvic TAE had significantly larger aSICE and pSICE than others (p = 0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively). The overall ability of ICE surfaces to predict pelvic TAE was modest (aSICE area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.76 [95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.90]; p = 0.011) or nonsignificant (pSICE and exSICE). The high-sensitivity threshold was defined as aSICE 20 mm or more. Using this threshold, 76% of patients were false positives. Risk factors for false positives were admission systolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater (63% vs 20%; p = 0.03) and low transfusion needs (63% vs 10%; p = 0.009), extravasation in contact with complex bone fracture (78% vs 30%; p = 0.008), or the absence of a direct relationship between extravasation and a large retroperitoneal hematoma (100% vs 38%; p \textless 0.001). CONCLUSION: A significant pelvic ICE during the arterial phase does not guarantee the need for pelvic TAE. Three quarters of patients with aSICE of 20 mm or more did not need pelvic TAE. Several complementary CT scan criteria will help to identify this risk of false positives to determine adequate hemostatic pelvic procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV

A simple CT score to quantify pelvic and retroperitoneal hematoma associated with pelvic fractures predicts transfusion needs, pelvic hemostatic procedures, and outcome

International audienceBACKGROUND:Pelvic and retroperitoneal hematoma (PRH) in case of pelvic fracture may lead to early hemorrhagic shock. Quantifying PRH remains challenging in clinical practice. The goal of this study was to determine the statistical association between a semi-quantitative scoring system for PRH assessed with computed tomography (CT) and transfusion needs, pelvic hemostatic procedures, and outcome.METHODS:All consecutive severe trauma patients with pelvic ring fracture between 2010 and 2015 were included in this retrospective study. PRH was quantified using semi-quantitative analysis on admission CT scan. The pelvis and retroperitoneal cavity was assessed as 10 compartments. Hematoma was counted as 0 (absent), 1 (minimal or moderate), and 2 (large or bilateral) for each compartment (maximum score of 20). The patients were divided into the following 3 groups: no or minimal PRH (score 0-5), moderate PRH (6-9), and large PRH (10-20). These groups were compared in terms of initial transfusion needs, massive transfusion, hemostatic procedures, and outcome. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed.RESULTS:The study included 311 patients with pelvic fracture (mean age 41.9, [SD] 19.9 years; mean ISS 27.4, [SD] 19.4; unstable fractures, 32%; ≥5 units of packed red blood cells, 37%; massive transfusion, 19%; multiple organ failure, 29%; mortality, 13%), divided into no or minimal PRH group (128 (22%)), moderate PRH group (115 (37%)), and large PRH group (68 (22%)). Increasing PRH was found to increase transfusion needs and massive transfusions, with a higher number of pelvic hemostatic procedures, multiple organ failures, increasing need for mechanical ventilation, and prolonged hospitalization; mortality was also increased. These significant statistical associations were confirmed by logistic regression models (odds ratio, 1.2-12.1 for moderate PRH, 3.1-30.2 for large PRH) and ROC curve analysis (area under the ROC curve, 0.59-0.76).CONCLUSION:Semi-quantitative assessment of PRH on admission CT scan allows to predict transfusion needs, hemostatic procedures, and worse outcome of severe trauma patients with pelvic fracture

Uni-, Bi- or Trifocal Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Western Patients: Recurrence and Survival after Percutaneous Thermal Ablation

Multifocality is usually reported as a pejorative factor after percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA) of HCC but little is known in Western series. Recurrence and survival were extracted from a prospective database of all patients who underwent PTA for ≤3 cm HCC. From January 2015 to April 2020, we analyzed 281 patients with unifocal (n = 216), bifocal (n = 46) and trifocal (n = 16) HCC. PTA of bi- and trifocal HCC resulted in a high risk of very early (<6 months) distant recurrence (38.8% and 50%, respectively). Median RFS was 23.3 months (95% CI:18.6–30.4), 7.7 months (95% CI:5.1–11.43, p = 0.002) and 5.2 months (95% CI:3–12.3, p = 0.015), respectively, for uni-, bi- and trifocal HCC groups. In a multivariate analysis, both bifocal (HR = 2.46, p < 0.001) and trifocal (HR = 2.70, p = 0.021) vs. unifocal HCC independently predicted shorter RFS. Median OS in trifocal HCC group was 30.3 months (95 CI:19.3-not reached). Trifocal vs. unifocal HCC independently predicted shorter OS (HR = 3.30, p = 0.008), whereas bifocal vs. unifocal HCC did not (p = 0.27). Naïve patient (HR = 0.42, p = 0.007), AFP > 100 ng/mL (HR = 3.03, p = 0.008), MELD > 9 (HR = 2.84, p = 0.001) and steatotic HCC (HR = 0.12, p = 0.038) were also independent predictors of OS. In conclusion, multifocal HCCs in a Western population have a dramatically increased risk of distant recurrence. OS after PTA of trifocal HCC is significantly below what was expected after a curative treatment

Transarterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Idarubicin-Loaded Tandem Drug-Eluting Embolics

Objective: To describe the responses, toxicities and outcomes of HCC patients treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using idarubicin-loaded TANDEM beads. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two consecutive patients (mean age: 71 years (58–84 years)) with HCC were treated by TACE using idarubicin-loaded TANDEM in a first line, over a five-year period. Most patients (89%) had liver cirrhosis classified as Child–Pugh A (90%). BCLC B classification applied in 85% of cases. Baseline tumor burden was limited to one to three nodules in 92% of cases, unilobar in 88% cases, with a median tumor diameter of 55 mm (range: 13–150 mm). Toxicity was assessed using NCI CTC AE v4.0. Response was assessed using mRECIST criteria. Time-to-treatment failure (TTTF) and overall survival (OS) were also calculated based on Kaplan–Meier method. Result: Of 141 TACE sessions performed with bead sizes of 100 and 75 µm in 42 (29.8%) and 99 (70.2%) sessions, respectively. In 78% of all TACE sessions, the full dose of idarubicin-loaded beads was injected. Grade 3–4 AE were observed after 73 (52%) sessions, most of them being biological. Multi-organ failure was observed three days after the first TACE in a Child B patients, unfortunately leading to death. Overall, the best objective response rate (ORR) was 65%. Median follow-up lasted 14.3 months (95% CI: 11.2–18.8 months). Median TTTF and OS were 14.4 months (95% CI: 7.2–24.6 months) and 34.6 months (95% CI: 24.7—not reached) respectively. Conclusion: In this retrospective study involving well-selected HCC patients, high ORR and long TTTF and OS are observed after TACE using idarubicin-loaded TANDEM. A randomized trial is needed

Deportalization, Venous Congestion, Venous Deprivation: Serial Measurements of Volumes and Functions on Morphofunctional 99mTc-Mebrofenin SPECT-CT

International audienceThe objective was to assess the changes in regional volumes and functions under venous-impaired vascular conditions following liver preparation. Twelve patients underwent right portal vein embolization (PVE) (n = 5) or extended liver venous deprivation (eLVD, i.e., portal and right and middle hepatic veins embolization) (n = 7). Volume and function measurements of deportalized liver, venous-deprived liver and congestive liver were performed before and after PVE/eLVD at days 7, 14 and 21 using 99mTc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy with single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography (99mTc-mebrofenin SPECT-CT). Volume and function progressed independently in the deportalized liver (p = 0.47) with an early decrease in function (median -18.2% (IQR, -19.4--14.5) at day 7) followed by a decrease in volume (-19.3% (-22.6--14.4) at day 21). Volume and function progressed independently in the venous deprived liver (p = 0.80) with a marked and early decrease in function (-41.1% (-52.0--12.9) at day 7) but minimal changes in volume (-4.7% (-10.4-+3.9) at day 21). Volume and function progressed independently in the congestive liver (p = 0.21) with a gradual increase in volume (+43.2% (+38.3-+51.2) at day 21) that preceded a late and moderate increase in function at day 21 (+34.8% (-8.3-+46.6)), concomitantly to the disappearance of hypoattenuated congestive areas in segment IV (S4) on CT, initially observed in 6/7 patients after eLVD and represented 35.3% (22.2-46.4) of whole S4 volume. Liver volume and function progress independently whatever the vascular condition. Hepatic congestion from outflow obstruction drives volume increase but results in early impaired function

Percutaneous thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas located in the hepatic dome using artificial carbon dioxide pneumothorax: retrospective evaluation of safety and efficacy

International audienceIntroduction: The targeting of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in the hepatic dome can be challenging during percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA). The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PTA of HCC in the hepatic dome that cannot be visualized under US, using artificial CO2 pneumothorax and CT-guidance and (2) to compare the results with US-visible HCC located in the liver dome treated under US-guidance.Materials: Over a 32-month period, 56 HCC located in the hepatic dome were extracted from a prospectively maintained database. Twenty-eight cases (US-guidance group) were treated under US-guidance, while the others (n = 28, CT-CO2 group) were treated under CT-guidance using artificial CO2 pneumothorax after lipiodol tagging of the tumor. The primary technical success and complications rates of this technique were retrospectively assessed. Local tumor progression (LTP), intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) were also compared between both groups.Results: Primary technical success was 100% in both groups. No major complications occurred. After a median follow-up of 13.8 months (range, 1–33.4 months), LTP occurred in 10.7% (3/28) in CT-CO2 vs. 25% (7/28) in the US-guidance group (p = NS). IDR occurred in 39.3% (11/28) in CT-CO2 vs. 28.6% (8/28) in the US-guidance group (p = NS). Death occurred in 17.9% (5/28) of patients in both groups. LRFS and OS did not significantly differ using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates.Conclusion: CT-guided PTA after artificially induced CO2 pneumothorax is a safe and efficient technique to treat HCC located in the hepatic dome

Small Steatotic HCC : A Radiological Variant Associated With Improved Outcome After Ablation

International audiencePercutaneous thermal ablation is a validated treatment option for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Steatotic HCC can be reliably detected by magnetic resonance imaging. To determine the clinical relevance of this radiological variant, we included 235 patients (cirrhosis in 92.3%, classified Child-Pugh A in 97%) from a prospective database on percutaneous thermal ablation for  100 ng/mL (P = 0.045), and multifocality (P = 0.015). During the follow-up (median: 28.3 months), overall mortality (3.8% vs. 23.5%; P = 0.001) and HCC-specific mortality (0.0% vs. 14.2%; P = 0.002) rates were lower in patients with steatotic HCC. Early (<2 years) recurrence was also less frequent (32.7% vs. 49.2%; P = 0.041). The mean time to intrahepatic distant recurrence (16.4 vs. 9 months, P = 0.006) and the median time to recurrence and recurrence-free survival (32.4 vs. 18.6 months, P = 0.024 and 30.4 vs. 16.4 months, P = 0.018) were longer in patients with steatotic versus nonsteatotic HCC. The 3-year overall survival was 94.4% and 70.9% in steatotic and nonsteatotic HCC (P = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, steatotic HCC (hazard ratio = 0.12; P = 0.039) and AFP (HR=1.002; P < 0.001) independently predicted overall survival.Conclusion: Small steatotic HCC detected by magnetic resonance imaging is associated with a less aggressive tumor phenotype. In patients with such radiological variant, percutaneous thermal ablation results in improved outcome

Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy and Glass 90Y Radioembolization with Personalized Dosimetry: Dynamic Changes in Treated and Nontreated Liver

International audienceBackground: The functional changes that occur over time in the liver following 90Y-radioembolization (RE) using personalized dosimetry (PD) remain to be investigated.Methods: November 2016–October 2019: we retrospectively included hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated by 90Y-glass RE using PD, who underwent hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) at baseline and at 15 days, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after RE.Results: There were 16 patients with unilobar disease (100%) included, and 64 HBS were performed. Whole liver function significantly decreased over time. The loss was maximal at 2 weeks: −32% (p = 0.002) and remained below baseline at 1 (−15%; p = 0.002), 2 (−25%; p < 0.001), and 3 months (−16%; p = 0.027). No radioembolization-induced liver disease was observed. Treated liver function strongly decreased to reach −64% (p < 0.001) at 2 months. Nontreated liver function decreased at 2 weeks (−21%; p = 0.027) and remained below baseline before reaching +20% (p = 0.002) and +59% (p < 0.001) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Volumetric and functional changes exhibited parallel evolutions in the treated livers (p = 0.01) but independent evolutions in the nontreated livers (p = 0.08).Conclusion: RE using PD induces significant regional changes in liver function over time. As early as 15 days following RE, both the treated and nontreated livers showed a decreased function. Nontreated liver function recovered after 3 months and greatly increased afterwards

Multimodal Percutaneous Thermal Ablation of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Predictive Factors of Recurrence and Survival in Western Patients

International audienceBackground: To identify the predictive factors of recurrence and survival in an unselected population of Western patients who underwent multimodal percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA) for small Hepatocellular Carcinomas (HCCs).Methods: January 2015–June 2019: data on multimodal PTA for 100 ng/mL (OR = 3.027, p = 0.037) and tumor size (OR = 1.06, p = 0.001) independently predicted IDR. Multinodular HCC (HR = 2.67, p 100 ng/mL (HR = 2.767, p = 0.014) independently predicted time-to-IDR. RFS was independently predicted by multinodular HCC (HR = 2.144, p = 0.001), treatment naivety (HR = 0.546, p = 0.004) and AFP > 100 ng/mL (HR = 2.437, p = 0.013). The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score > 2 (HR = 4.273, p = 0.011), AFP (HR = 1.002, p < 0.001), multinodular HCC (HR = 3.939, p = 0.003) and steatotic HCC (HR = 1.81 × 10-16, p < 0.001) independently predicted OS.Conclusions: IDR was associated with tumor aggressiveness, suggesting a metastatic mechanism. Besides AFP association with LTP, IDR, RFS and OS, treatment-naïve patients had longer RFS, and multi-nodularity was associated with shorter RFS and OS. Steatotic HCC, identified on pre-treatment MRI, independently predicted longer OS, and needs to be further explore