Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma and vascular injury

Comprehensive review of clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) is a life-threatening complication that occurs in 3 % to 15 % of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review aimed to discuss the most recent updates in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis as well as presentation, management, and prognostic factors of rHCC.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted using Medline/PubMed and Web of Science databases with the end of search date being December 1, 2023 regarding rHCC diagnosis, imaging, and management.

RESULTS

Achieving adequate hemostasis and stabilization of the patient remains the primary objective in the management of patients with rHCC. In earlier studies, the mortality rate in the acute phase of rHCC was reported to be 25 % to 75 %. However, more recent studies have demonstrated that transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)/transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) followed by elective hepatectomy in select patients may offer improved survival benefits and decrease perioperative complications compared with TAE/TACE alone or emergent/1-stage hepatectomy.

CONCLUSION

Although the prognosis for rHCC remains the worst among causes of death related to HCC, more recent studies have demonstrated that improved short- and long-term patient outcomes may be achieved through active surveillance efforts for HCC combined with advanced multimodal diagnostic tools and multidisciplinary management strategies.

Transarterial Embolization for Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Caused by Hepatocellular Carcinoma Rupture in the Gallbladder: A Case Report

We report the rare case of an 80-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma that ruptured in the gallbladder, causing a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm and hemobilia. Emergency transarterial embolization (TAE) successfully controlled the bleeding without causing ischemic cholecystitis. Cone-beam computed tomography angiography was useful in identifying the bleeding branch of the selectively embolized cystic artery. Although the patient had poor liver function (Child-Pugh class C) before TAE, it remarkably improved after embolization due to the resolution of coagulopathy and obstructive jaundice caused by hemobilia. TAE was considered useful for this rare clinical condition.

Selective Arterial Embolization of Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma with N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Lipiodol: Safety, Efficacy, and Short-Term Outcomes

The rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) is uncommon but causes sudden life-threatening bleeding. Selective transarterial embolization (STAE) is an effective bleeding-control option. The optimal embolic agent is unknown, and data on the use of cyanoacrylate glue are lacking. The objective of this study was to report the outcomes of cyanoacrylate-lipiodol embolization for rHCC. We retrospectively reviewed the files of the 16 patients (14 males; mean age, 72 years) who underwent emergency cyanoacrylate-lipiodol STAE at a single center in 2012-2023 for spontaneous rHCC. All 16 patients had subcapsular HCC and abundant hemoperitoneum. The technical success rate was 94% (15/16). Day 30 mortality was 19%; the three patients who died had severe hemodynamic instability at admission; one death was due to rebleeding. Liver enzyme levels returned to baseline by day 30. No rebleeding was recorded during the median follow-up of 454 days in the 10 patients who were alive with available data after day 30. Larger prospective studies with the collection of longer-term outcomes are needed to assess our results supporting the safety and effectiveness of cyanoacrylate-lipiodol STAE for rHCC. Randomized trials comparing this mixture to other embolic agents should be performed.

Propensity score matching study of 325 patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

This study aims to find out the possible optimal therapy and assess the prognosis properly for patient with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to study the data from 325 patients with ruptured HCC (RHCC) and 2,291 patients with non-RHCC.

Results

The incidence and hospital mortality of RHCC were 5.1% and 0.8% respectively, with a median overall survival (OS) time of 17 months. There was no difference between ruptured and non-RHCC patients undergoing conservation treatment in terms of OS. Trans-arterial embolization (TAE) was carried out in 69 (21.2%) cases with RHCC, with a median OS of 7 months, which was no difference from that of non-RHCC (pre- and post-PSM). One hundred and sixty-nine (52.0%) RHCC cases underwent one-stage hepatectomy, with a median OS and disease-free survival (DFS) of 30 and 6 months respectively, which were shorter than that of non-RHCC (post-PSM). TAE plus two-stage hepatectomy was performed in 30 RHCC cases, with a median OS and DFS of 28 and 10 months respectively; these outcomes were better than that from RHCC patients undergoing TAE alone or one-stage hepatectomy (post-PSM), which were no difference from that of non-RHCC patients undergoing hepatectomy. The risk of death for RHCC patient undergoing one-stage hepatectomy is 1.545 times higher than that of one undergoing TAE + two-stage hepatectomy.

Conclusions

TAE plus two-stage hepatectomy might be the optimal treatment for RHCC patient. Under the premise of the same pathological properties, there is no difference in prognosis between ruptured and non-RHCC patients if the therapy is appropriate.

Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What Do Interventional Radiologists Need to Know?

Rupture of HCC (rHCC) is a life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and rHCC may lead to a high rate of peritoneal dissemination and affect survival negatively. Treatment for rHCC mainly includes emergency surgery, interventional therapies, and palliative treatment. However, the management of rHCC should be carefully evaluated. For patients with severe bleeding, who are not tolerant to open surgery, quick hemostatic methods such as rupture tissue ablation and TAE/TACE can be performed. We described clinical presentation, prognosis, complication, interventional management, and current evidence of rHCC from the perspective of interventional radiologists. Overall, our review summarized that interventional therapies are necessary for most patients with rHCC to achieve hemostasis, even in some patients with Child–Pugh C. Moreover, TAE/TACE followed by staged hepatectomy is a beneficial treatment for rHCC according to current clinical evidence. TAE/TACE is the first choice for most patients with rHCC, and appropriate interventional treatment may provide staged surgery opportunities for those who are not tolerant to emergency surgery to reach an ideal prognosis.

Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: What Do Interventional Radiologists Need to Know?

Rupture of HCC (rHCC) is a life-threatening complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and rHCC may lead to a high rate of peritoneal dissemination and affect survival negatively. Treatment for rHCC mainly includes emergency surgery, interventional therapies, and palliative treatment. However, the management of rHCC should be carefully evaluated. For patients with severe bleeding, who are not tolerant to open surgery, quick hemostatic methods such as rupture tissue ablation and TAE/TACE can be performed. We described clinical presentation, prognosis, complication, interventional management, and current evidence of rHCC from the perspective of interventional radiologists. Overall, our review summarized that interventional therapies are necessary for most patients with rHCC to achieve hemostasis, even in some patients with Child–Pugh C. Moreover, TAE/TACE followed by staged hepatectomy is a beneficial treatment for rHCC according to current clinical evidence. TAE/TACE is the first choice for most patients with rHCC, and appropriate interventional treatment may provide staged surgery opportunities for those who are not tolerant to emergency surgery to reach an ideal prognosis.

Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Status of Research

Background

Ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) is considered a rare and life-threatening manifestation; when it happens, it often requires acute and positive intervention. At present, the mechanism of rHCC development is gradually being understood while there are many kinds of rHCC treatment. From our clinical observation, the prognosis of rHCC patients is not as poor as it is currently believed. It may not be appropriate to include all patients with rHCC in T4.

Main Body

The incidence of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma is now rising. Especially in the Asian region, it can even reach 10% – 15%. The most common symptom of HCC rupture is abdominal pain, and there are now a variety of treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma rupture. With aggressive treatment, rHCC patients can also achieve a better prognosis. The patient’s condition varies on admission, so the treatment methods will also be different. It is critical to identify prognostic factors simultaneously, and rHCC can be effectively managed by focusing on important prognostic factors.

Conclusion

A review was carried out to analyze diagnosis, mechanism, treatment, and prognostic risk factors on this disease condition during the current situation; it is hoped that it will provide better guidance for clinicians. Moreover, patients with rHCC were managed hierarchically to prolong their prognosis.

Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Insights

Background

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a potentially fatal complication and the third leading cause of death in patients with HCC after tumor progression and liver failure. Previous studies suggested that improved HCC surveillance has decreased the incidence of rupture. This study aims to characterize patients with ruptured HCC over time and identify predictors of rupture.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected database of 1451 HCC patients to identify cases with rupture and predictors of rupture. Data were divided into three 9-year eras to compare and trend patient/tumor characteristics and rupture.

Results

Fifty-seven patients (3.9%) presented with spontaneous HCC rupture and the following characteristics: mean age 62.6 years, 73.7% males, 41% cirrhosis, and mean tumor size of 8.0 cm. On multivariate analyses, predictors of rupture included obesity, tumor >5 cm, and single tumors, whereas the presence of cirrhosis was a negative predictor for rupture.Across three eras, there were changes in disease etiology and decreases in tumor size, and more HCCs were found with surveillance. However, more patients were noncirrhotic, and the incidence of spontaneous rupture was unchanged over time.

Conclusion

Despite improved early detection of HCC over time, the incidence of rupture has been unchanged. The persistent incidence of rupture may possibly be attributed to increasing proportion of fatty liver-related HCC patients who lack traditional risk factors for surveillance and may not have cirrhosis. Better identification of fatty liver disease and determining which patients need HCC surveillance may be needed in the future to prevent spontaneous rupture.

Outcome of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) in the management of spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and Objectives:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascular tumor and mortality after spontaneous rupture of HCC remains considerably high. There are no definitive guidelines for the management of ruptured HCC and no fixed protocol has been proposed in the literature. We evaluated the outcome of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) in the management of spontaneously ruptured HCC and factors affecting the outcome of cTACE.

Materials and Methods:

This is a single center retrospective study analyzing the outcome of patients presenting with spontaneous rupture of HCC who received cTACE from January 2014 to June 2017. These patients were followed up periodically for clinical and imaging findings to ascertain the technical effectiveness along with survival.

Results:

Sixteen patients were identified who received cTACE for ruptured HCC. Majority of the patients (81.3%) had abdominal pain, while 25% had hypovolemic shock at initial presentation. Complete response and partial response were seen in 35.7% and 57.1% of patients, respectively. One patient (7.1%) showed progressive disease in form of peritoneal spread along the liver surface. The overall cumulative survival rates at 30 days, 180 days, and at 1 year were 87.5%, 72.2%, and 54.1%, respectively.

Conclusion:

cTACE is safe in patients with spontaneous HCC rupture and it leads to immediate hemostasis along with overall survival advantage. Achieving quick hemostasis may be a key to better outcome.

Preoperative Wilms tumor rupture in children

PURPOSE

According to the guidelines of International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) and National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS), Wilms tumor with preoperative rupture should be classified as at least stage III. Few clinical reports can be found about preoperative Wilms tumor rupture. The purpose of this study was to investigate our experience on the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of preoperative Wilms tumor rupture.

METHODS

Patients with Wilms tumor who underwent treatment according to the NWTS or SIOP protocol from January 2008 to September 2017 in Beijing Children's Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical signs of preoperative tumor rupture were acute abdominal pain, and/or fall of hemoglobin. The radiologic signs of preoperative tumor rupture are as follows: (1) retroperitoneal and/or intraperitoneal effusion; (2) acute hemorrhage located in the sub-capsular and/or perirenal space; (3) tumor fracture communicating with peritoneal effusion; (4) bloody ascites. Patients with clinical and radiologic signs of preoperative tumor rupture were selected. Patients having radiologic signs without clinical symptoms were also selected. The clinical data, treatments and outcomes were analyzed. Meanwhile, patients without preoperative Wilms tumor rupture during the same period were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

565 Patients with Wilms tumor were registered in our hospital. Of these patients, 45 patients were diagnosed with preoperative ruptured Wilms tumor. All preoperative rupture were confirmed at surgery. Spontaneous tumor rupture occurred in 41 patients, the other 4 patients had traumatic history. Of the 45 patients, 41 were classified as stage III, 3 patients with pulmonary metastases were classified as stage IV, and one patient with bilateral tumors were classified as stage V. Of these patients with preoperative tumor rupture at stage III, 30 patients had clinical and radiologic signs of tumor rupture, the other 11 patients had radiologic signs without clinical symptoms. Among the 41 patients at stage III, 13 patients had immediate surgery without preoperative chemotherapy (immediate group), and 28 patients had delayed surgery after preoperative chemotherapy (delayed group). In immediate group, 12 patients had localized rupture, 1 patient underwent emergency surgery because of continuous bleeding. In delayed group, 4 had inferior vena cava tumor embolus (1 thrombus extended to inferior vena cava behind the liver, three thrombi got to the right atrium), 4 crossed the midline with large tumors, 20 had extensive rupture without localization. In immediate group, tumor recurrence and metastasis developed in 2 patients, and no death occurred. In the delayed group, tumor recurrence and metastasis developed in 8 patients, and 7 patients died. During the same period, 41 patients were classified as stage III without preoperative rupture. In the non-ruptured group, tumor recurrence and metastasis developed in 3 patients, and 4 patients died. The median survival time in the ruptured group (both immediate group and delayed group) and non-ruptured group were (85.1 ± 7.5) and (110.3 ± 5.6) months, and the 3-year cumulative survival rates were 75.1% and 89.6%, respectively. The overall survival rate between the ruptured and non-ruptured groups showed no statistic difference (P = 0.256). However, there was significant difference in recurrence or metastasis rate between the ruptured and non-ruptured groups (24.4% vs 7.3%; P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) are of major value in the diagnosis of preoperative tumor rupture, and immediate surgery or delayed surgery are available therapeutic methods. The treatment plan was based on patients' general conditions, tumor size, position and impairment degree of tumor rupture, extent of invasion and experience of a multidisciplinary team (including surgeon and anesthesiologists). In our experience, for ruptured preoperative tumor diagnosed with stage III, the criteria for immediate surgery are as follows: tumor not acrossing the midline, tumor without inferior vena cava thrombus, localized rupture, being capable of complete resection. Selection criteria for delayed surgery after preoperative chemotherapy are as follows: large tumors, long inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, tumors infiltrating to surrounding organs, unlocalized rupture, tumors can not being resected completely. Additionally, patients with preoperative Wilms tumor rupture had an increased risk of postoperative recurrence or metastasis.

Post-transarterial Chemoembolization Tumor Rupture in a Patient with Autoimmune Hepatitis Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a generally well-tolerated and safe procedure that is increasingly being used in the management of intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumor rupture is a rare major complication of TACE. Predisposing factors for tumor rupture include large tumor size and peripherally located tumors; in cases of HCC in cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), tumor rupture may occur more frequently because of the phenomenon of peliosis that occurs in AIH leading to higher propensity to rupture. Management of tumor rupture can be surgical or conservative depending on the individual case. We describe the first documented case of tumor rupture post-TACE in a patient with AIH cirrhosis and HCC.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of 47 cases with ruptured neuroblastoma in children

Background

Neuroblastoma (NB) tumor rupture is a rare oncology emergency with a poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate patient clinical characteristics and risk factors for ruptured NB.

Methods

A retrospective study of 47 patients with confirmed NB rupture between January 2009 and January 2019 at Beijing Children’s Hospital was conducted. To identify tumor rupture risk factors in high-risk NB patients, we included 93 consecutive non-ruptured high-risk NB patients from January 2017 to January 2019.

Results

The median age at presentation was 29 months (adrenal and retroperitoneum origin) for 47 ruptured NB patients. Spontaneous tumor rupture occurred in 22 cases; 18 cases occurred during or after the first chemotherapy cycle, and 7 occurred after core needle biopsy. Five patients died of tumor rupture, and 17 patients’ parents refused further antitumor therapy. Among the 25 remaining patients, 6 survived without disease, 5 received ongoing treatment and achieved stable disease, and 14 died. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, a maximum primary tumor diameter > 13.20 cm and MYCN gene amplification were independent risk factors for tumor rupture within high-risk NB.

Conclusions

Tumor rupture is an uncommon, life-threatening event for NB patients; these patients are most likely to have poor outcomes due to tumor recurrence or rapid progression. Several treatment modalities, including symptomatic support therapy and chemotherapy, are important for saving lives and for developing NB risk-based treatment in the future.

Retrospective analysis of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment for spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

Spontaneous rupture is one of the complications of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with a high mortality rate. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been widely used in patients with ruptured liver tumors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the benefits and safety of conventional TACE and the disease prognosis following TACE and surgery with regard to the progression of spontaneously ruptured HCC. The clinical data of 70 patients diagnosed with spontaneous rupture of HCC were retrospectively reviewed. The majority of adverse reactions that occurred following treatment were Grade 2 or below. Grade 3/4 events occurred in 20 patients (14.3%), which included gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cardiac failure, pulmonary embolism, shock and recurrent tumor rupture. All of these patients recovered and were discharged following symptomatic and supportive treatment, with the exception of two cases of severe hemorrhagic shock and hepatic failure prior to TACE treatment. These patients did not survive during the period of hospitalization. Multivariate analysis identified that a maximum tumor size >10 cm and a high serum total bilirubin level >30 µmol/l were independent factors for determining overall patient survival rate. Additionally, the overall survival rates at 1, 6 and 12 months were 92.3, 53.8 and 46.2% in the TACE group and 100, 87.1 and 54.8% in the surgery group, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1 and 6 months following TACE were lower than those of the surgery group (P<0.05). However, the overall survival rates at 12 months were similar (P>0.05). Patients in the TACE group had a shorter hospital admission compared with those in the resection group (median 7 vs. 13 days; P<0.01). Therefore, the data demonstrated that conventional TACE therapy was safe and effective for the treatment of spontaneously ruptured HCC. In addition, this type of therapy conferred a similar long-term survival rate with that of open surgery.

Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Review of Literature

Approximately 700,000 people die of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) each year worldwide, making it the third leading cause of cancer related deaths. Rupture is a potentially life-threatening complication of HCC. The incidence of HCC rupture is higher in Asia and Africa than in Europe. In Asia approximately 10% of patients with a diagnosis of HCC die due to rupture each year. Spontaneous rupture is the third most common cause of death due to HCC after tumor progression and liver failure. The diagnosis of rupture in patients without history of cirrhosis or HCC may be difficult. The most common symptom of ruptured HCC is abdominal pain (66-100%). Shock at presentation can be seen in 33-90% of cases; abdominal distension is reported in 33%. Abdominal paracentesis documenting hemoperitoneum is a reliable test to provisionally diagnose rupture of HCC, it can be seen in up to 86% of clinically suspected cases. The diagnoses can be confirmed by computed tomography scan or ultrasonography, or both in 75% of cases. Careful pre-treatment evaluation is essential to decide the best treatment option. Management of ruptured HCC involves multi-disciplinary care where hemostasis remains a primary concern. Earlier studies have reported a mortality rate of 25-75% in the acute phase of ruptured HCC. However, recent studies have reported a significant decrease in the incidence of mortality. There is also a decrease in the incidence of ruptured HCC due to improved surveillance and early detection of HCC. Transarterial Embolization is the least invasive method to effectively induce hemostasis in the acute stage with a success rate of 53-100%. Hepatic resection in the other hand has the advantage of achieving hemostasis and in the same go offers a potentially curative resection in selected patients.

Risk Factors and Prognosis of Spontaneously Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Thailand

Objective:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fatal cancer worldwide. Spontaneously Rupture remains important complication of HCC. The incidence of spontaneous HCC rupture was high in ASEAN but limited studies were reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors and overall survival of ruptured HCC in tertiary care center in Thailand.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of HCC patients aged ≥15 years old during January 2012-January 2016 and followed up through June 2016 at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand. All clinical information, laboratory and radiologic findings were collected from reviewing computer data base of medical records.

Results:

333 patients had completely retrievable information. Of which, 51patients (15.3%) had spontaneous ruptured HCC. Clinical symptoms with abdominal discomfort and anemic symptoms were significantly higher in ruptured than non-ruptured HCC groups. (76.47% vs.39.36%: p<0.001, 13.73vs.0.71%, p<0.001). Furthermore, size of tumors, presences of metastasis and serum AFP>200 ng/mL were significantly higher in ruptured than non-ruptured HCC groups (10.29cm. vs. 6.47cm. p<0.001, 17.65% vs. 8.16%, p=0.034, 60.78% vs. 36.88%, p=0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, age, abdominal discomfort, anemic symptoms, Child-Pugh score>6 were independent risk factors of HCC rupture (OR=0.96, 95%CI=0.93-0.99, p=0.02; OR=3.47, 95%CI=1.26-9.6, p=0.016; OR=54.51, 95%CI=7.09-418.89, p<0.001; OR=2.62, 95%CI=1.09-6.31, p=0.031, respectively). 1-year and 2-year survival rates of ruptured HCC were 66.9% and 44.6% respectively.

Conclusions:

Age, abdominal discomfort, anemic symptoms and Child-Pugh score>6 might be predictive factors of spontaneous ruptured HCC. Ruptures of HCC remained a fatal disease with poor survival rate in Thailand. Appropriate treatment in early stage could be effective tool to improve the treatment outcomes

A rare case of a spontaneously ruptured secondary hepatic malignant lymphoma

Background

Although secondary liver involvement of the lymphoma is common and occurs in 50% of patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, liver tumor rupture in malignant lymphoma is extremely rare. We report a case of a spontaneously ruptured secondary liver involvement of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that was successfully treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) to obtain hemostasis, and subsequent hepatectomy and systemic chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of a ruptured hepatic lymphoma.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old man with sudden-onset right shoulder and upper quadrant pain was transferred to our hospital via an ambulance. His vital signs were stable. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a large hypo-enhancing tumor (94 × 81 mm) in the posterior segment of the liver, with intratumoral extravasation and a 12 × 10 mm daughter tumor in segment 5 of the liver. Hemoperitoneum due to rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma with intratumoral hemorrhage was suspected, although the serum alpha-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II levels were within normal range. TAE was used for hemostasis. Extended posterior segmentectomy including tumor resection in segment 5 was performed on day 23 after embolization. The postoperative course was uneventful. Pathological examination of the resected specimens revealed that the ruptured tumor was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Postoperative fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed uptake in the left parotid gland, pancreas, and thoracic vertebra. Based on these findings, the final diagnosis was a ruptured secondary hepatic malignant lymphoma. Complete remission was achieved with chemotherapy. He remains alive 30 months after hepatectomy without evidence of relapse.

Conclusions

We report the first case describing a hepatic tumor rupture as the first presentation of a primary or secondary hepatic malignant lymphoma. The patient was successfully treated with TAE, hepatectomy, and subsequent systemic chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Multiplanar Computed Tomography of Vascular Etiologies of Acute Abdomen: A Pictorial Review

Acute abdomen is a common presentation in the emergency department and radiologic imaging plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of such patients. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is the most commonly utilized radiologic investigation in such patients as it can be performed fairly rapidly and has excellent accuracy for diagnosing various causes of an acute abdomen. Additionally, MDCT may also reveal clues towards an alternative diagnosis that was not even suspected on the basis of a history and physical examination. Consequently, it is indispensable for radiologists to be able to accurately and efficiently recognize imaging features of disorders that may present as an acute abdomen. While gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and genitourinary causes account for most cases of acute abdomen, vascular etiologies may also be implicated in a small-but significant-proportion of cases. Therefore, in this pictorial review, we describe the typical MDCT imaging features of various vascular etiologies that may present as an acute abdomen.

Enucleation Sign: A Computed Tomographic Appearance of Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a catastrophic complication, which carries high mortality. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of HCC, diagnosis of which was considered on clinical presentation and confirmed on computed tomographic (CT) scan. On CT scan, characteristic 'enucleation sign' was observed on arterial phase imaging, where a hypervascular peripheral mass showing central necrosis was seen protruding from liver surface with discontinuity of hepatic parenchyma associated with high attenuation ascites.

A retrospective analysis of long term outcomes in patients undergoing hepatic resection for large (>5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM

The treatment of large (>5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to report short and long term outcomes and analyze the factors associated with long term survival for patients who underwent hepatic resection for large HCC.

METHODS

All patients who underwent hepatic resection for large HCC at the department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between August 2005 and December 2011 were identified and included for analysis. Demographic and operative data, pathological findings and post-operative outcomes were entered into a computer database. Prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine patients were included for analysis. Two patients died within 30 days of surgery secondary to hepatic failure. The 1-, 3-, 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates following hepatic resection were 67%, 49%, 37% and 77%, 56%, 43%, respectively. Poor histological grade was the only independent predictor of a reduced 5-year disease-free survival. Spontaneous tumor rupture and tumor recurrence were independent predictors of a reduced 5-year overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

For selected patients with large HCC, hepatic resection can be performed safely and effectively with moderate expectation of long term survival. True cure however remains rare.

Protrusion of hepatocellular carcinoma is a predictor of early recurrence in hepatectomy patients after spontaneous rupture

PURPOSE

The factors related to early-onset tumor recurrence in patients with spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy remain unclear. The aims of the present study were to compare characteristics between early and late recurrence groups in spontaneously ruptured HCC patients who received curative hepatectomy and to identify risk factors for mortality.

METHODS

We selected 19 patients who had been diagnosed with spontaneously ruptured HCC and who were treated with curative liver resection between 1998 and 2013. The 19 patients were divided into 2 groups: the early recurrence group of patients who experienced tumor recurrence within 12 months after hepatectomy, and the late recurrence group of patients who experienced recurrence after 12 months or who did not experience recurrence.

RESULTS

The median tumor size was 7.4 cm, and there were no cases of postoperative mortality. Patient survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 78.9%, 58.6%, and 58.6%, respectively. The incidence of tumor protrusion in the early recurrence group was higher than that in the late recurrence group (100% vs. 30%, respectively, P = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences in other factors between the 2 groups. Multivariate analysis showed that greater than 30% protrusion of the tumor was a predictor of patient survival.

CONCLUSION

The results from the present study suggests that spontaneously ruptured HCC patients with protrusion should be frequently monitored after hepatectomy in order to achieve early detection of tumor recurrence and improve survival.

Spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising worldwide. Spontaneous rupture of HCC occasionally occurs, and ruptured HCC with intraperitoneal hemorrhage is potentially life-threatening. The most common symptom of ruptured HCC is acute abdominal pain. The tumor size in ruptured HCC is significantly greater than that in non-ruptured HCC, and HCC protrudes beyond the original liver margin. In the acute phase, hemostasis is the primary concern and tumor treatment is secondary. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) can effectively induce hemostasis. The hemostatic success rate of TAE ranges 53-100%. A one-stage surgical operation is a treatment modality for selected patients. Conservative treatment is usually given to patients in a moribund state with inoperable tumors and thus has poor outcomes. Patients with severe ruptures of advanced HCC and poor liver function have high mortality rates. Liver failure occurs in 12-42% of patients during the acute phase. In the stable phase, tumor treatment, such as transarterial chemoembolization or hepatic resection should be concerned. The combination of acute hemorrhage and cancer in patients with ruptured HCC requires a two-step therapeutic approach. TAE followed by elective hepatectomy is considered an effective strategy for patients with ruptured HCC.

Spontaneous hepatic haemorrhage: a review of pathogenesis, aetiology and treatment

BACKGROUND

A spontaneous hepatic haemorrhage (SHH) is a rare condition that presents acutely to both hepatobiliary and general surgeons. Management of the condition is challenging because of the emergent presentation requiring immediate intervention, the presence of underlying chronic liver disease and the multiple potential underlying aetiological conditions.

METHODS

A literature search on a spontaneous hepatic haemorrhage was instituted on Medline (1966-2014), Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE (1947-2014), PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The specific topics of interest were causes - including rare causes, pathophysiological mechanisms and management options. A narrative review was planned from the outset.

RESULTS

After 1546 abstracts were reviewed, 74 studies were chosen for inclusion. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the commonest cause of a spontaneous haemorrhage with 10% of HCC presenting with bleeding. Other causes are benign hepatic lesions (hemangioma, adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, biliary cystadenoma and angiomyelolipoma), malignant hepatic tumours (angiosarcoma, haemangioendothelioma, hepatoblastoma and rhabdoid sarcoma), peliosis hepatis, amyloid, systemic lupus erythematosis, polyarteritis nodosa, HELLP syndrome and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Treatment practice emphasizes arterial embolization to obtain haemostasis with a hepatectomy reserved for tumour-bearing patients after staging and assessment of liver function.

CONCLUSION

A spontaneous hepatic haemorrhage is an acute presentation of a spectrum of conditions that requires early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management.

Hepatocellular carcinoma rupture following transarterial chemoembolization

As the incidence of primary and metastatic liver cancer increases, minimally invasive treatment methods such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) have gained momentum as their efficacy and safety profile have been validated. Complications of TACE are rare and typically well tolerated. A unique complication is tumor rupture with hemorrhage. Reports of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rupture after TACE are limited. It is critical to recognize this complication and understand the treatment options, which range from conservative to surgical management. This report describes a case of HCC rupture following TACE successfully managed with coil embolization.

Risk factors and surgical outcomes for spontaneous rupture of BCLC stages A and B hepatocellular carcinoma: A case-control study

AIM: To investigate the risk factors and surgical outcomes for spontaneous rupture of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages A and B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: From April 2002 to November 2006, 92 consecutive patients with spontaneous rupture of BCLC stage A or B HCC undergoing hepatic resection were included in a case group. A control arm of 184 cases (1:2 ratio) was chosen by matching the age, sex, BCLC stage and time of admission among the 2904 consecutive patients with non-ruptured HCC undergoing hepatic resection. Histological confirmation of HCC was available for all patients and ruptured HCC was confirmed by focal discontinuity of the tumor with surrounding perihepatic hematoma observed intraoperatively. Patients with microvascular thrombus in the hepatic vein branches were excluded from the study. Clinical data and survival time were collected and analysed.

RESULTS: Sixteen patients were excluded from the study based on exclusion criteria, of whom 3 were in the case group and 13 in the control group. Compared with the control group, more patients in the case group had underlying diseases of hypertension (10.1% vs 3.5%, P = 0.030) and liver cirrhosis (82.0% vs 57.9%, P < 0.001). Tumors in 67 (75.3%) patients in the case group were located in segments II, III and VI, and the figure in the control group was also 67 (39.7%) (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, hypertension (HR = 7.38, 95%CI: 1.91-28.58, P = 0.004), liver cirrhosis (HR = 6.04, 95%CI: 2.83-12.88, P < 0.001) and tumor location in segments II, III and VI (HR = 5.03, 95%CI: 2.70-6.37, P < 0.001) were predictive for spontaneous rupture of HCC. In the case group, the median survival time and median disease-free survival time were 12 mo (range: 1-78 mo) and 4 mo (range: 0-78 mo), respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates were 66.3%, 23.4% and 10.1%, and 57.0%, 16.8% and 4.5%, respectively. Only radical resection remained predictive for overall survival (HR = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.08-0.61, P = 0.015) and disease-free survival (HR = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.01-0.73, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION: Tumor location, hypertension and liver cirrhosis are associated with spontaneous rupture of HCC. One-stage hepatectomy should be recommended to patients with BCLC stages A and B disease.

Non-bleeding Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not uncommon and most ruptured HCC present with hemoperitoneum and hemorrhagic shock. Management of ruptured HCC is different than non-ruptured one. Short- and long-term mortality increases following rupture of HCC with increasing chances of tumor dissemination. We describe a case with non-bleeding spontaneous rupture of HCC. A 62-year-old male patient was admitted to our institute hospital with mild to moderate pain in the right upper part of the abdomen. He lost appetite and weight. Ultrasonography of the abdomen was performed and it suggested HCC and ascites. Triple phase computer tomography revealed HCC in segments 6 and 7 of liver with typical radiological characteristics. Portal vein was thrombosed. No extravasation of dye was seen. Ruptured of tumor through liver capsule was seen with necrosis and hemorrhage in the center of the tumor. Non-bleeding ruptured HCC has not been reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge. We herein describe this rare case.

Surgical resection of ruptured fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLH) is a rare primary tumor of the liver, which typically arises from noncirrhotic livers and affects patients below the age of 35. We report on a 29-year-old male patient who presented with a ruptured FLH and was treated with surgical resection. Options for treatment and review of the management are described.

Predictors and clinical outcomes for spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To determine the risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rupture, and report the management and long-term survival results of patients with spontaneous rupture of HCC.

METHODS: Among 4209 patients with HCC who were diagnosed at Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from April 2002 to November 2006, 200 (4.8%) patients with ruptured HCC (case group) were studied retrospectively in term of their clinical characteristics and prognostic factors. The one-stage therapeutic approach to manage ruptured HCC consisted of initial management by conservative treatment, transarterial embolization (TACE) or hepatic resection. Results of various treatments in the case group were evaluated and compared with the control group (202 patients) without ruptured HCC during the same study period. Continuous data were expressed as mean ± SD or median (range) where appropriate and compared using the unpaired t test. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test with Yates correction or the Fisher exact test where appropriate. The overall survival rate in each group was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and a log-rank test.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, more patients in the case group had underlying diseases of hypertension (7.5% vs 3.0%, P =0.041) and liver cirrhosis (87.5% vs 56.4%, P < 0.001), tumor size >5 cm (83.0% vs 57.4%, P < 0.001), tumor protrusion from the liver surface (66.0% vs 44.6%, P < 0.001), vascular thrombus (30.5% vs 8.9%, P < 0.001) and extrahepatic invasion (36.5% vs 12.4%, P < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, underlying diseases of hypertension (P = 0.002) and liver cirrhosis (P < 0.001), tumor size > 5 cm (P < 0.001), vascular thrombus (P = 0.002) and extrahepatic invasion (P < 0.001) were predictive for spontaneous rupture of HCC. Among the 200 patients with spontaneous rupture of HCC, 105 patients underwent hepatic resection, 33 received TACE, and 62 were managed with conservative treatment. The median survival time (MST) of all patients with spontaneous rupture of HCC was 6 mo (range, 1-72 mo), and the overall survival at 1, 3 and 5 years were 32.5%, 10% and 4%, respectively. The MST was 12 mo (range, 1-72 mo) in the surgical group, 4 mo (range, 1-30 mo) in the TACE group and 1 mo (range, 1-19 mo) in the conservative group. Ninety-eight patients in the control group underwent hepatic resection, and the MST and median disease-free survival time were 46 mo (range, 6-93 mo) and 23 mo (range, 3-39 mo) respectively, which were much longer than that of patients with spontaneous rupture of HCC undergoing hepatic resection (P < 0.001). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates and the 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates in patients with ruptured HCC undergoing hepatectomy were 57.1%, 19.0% and 7.6%, 27.6%, 14.3% and 3.8%, respectively, compared with those of 77.1%, 59.8% and 41.2%, 57.1%, 40.6% and 32.9% in 98 patients without ruptured HCC undergoing hepatectomy (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Prolonged survival can be achieved in selected patients undergoing one-stage hepatectomy, although the survival results were inferior to those of the patients without ruptured HCC.

One stage resection of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma in the triangular ligament with diaphragm invasion: case report and review of the literature

A spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can lead to extensive hemorrhage and is a rare but life-threatening event. A 58-year-old male patient with no history of trauma presented at our institution with severe epigastric pain and abdominal distension for 6 h. His blood pressure was a 60/40 mmHg, and pulse rate was 132/min. Abdominal contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a ruptured mass under the left diaphragm and fluid collection in the upper abdomen, flanks and pelvic cavity. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the presence of an active bleeding tumor in the triangular ligament invading into the diaphragm. The tumor was resected with an appropriate diaphragm margin. The resected tumor was 5 cm in diameter and pathologically identified as hepatocellular carcinoma with a negative surgical margin. This case report shows that ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-traumatic hemoperitoneum. And it is necessary to set a surgical plan for unpredictable HCC rupture with direct diaphragm invasion.

Combined approach for spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

Ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare, emergency occurrence in western countries with high mortality risk. A number of hypotheses have been formulated in order to explain the precise mechanism that leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rupture: sub-capsular location, dimensions, portal hypertension, tumour necrosis, local increase of venous pressure due to the outflow reduction caused by neoplastic invasion, and the presence of a previous vascular injury which might predispose to HCC rupture. There is still a debate in the literature concerning the best approach in cases of HCC rupture. Surgery is the first option for treatment of acute abdominal bleeding. However the advent of endovascular treatments widens the range of possible therapies for acute bleeding control and subsequent ablation purposes. We report a case of hemoperitoneum from spontaneous rupture of undiagnosed HCC, that was treated successfully by emergency surgical resection followed by transarterial chemo-embolization for local recurrence.

Cyst-like extension of hepatic subcapsular bleeding caused by ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma into the bursa omentalis

An 81-year-old man, who experienced upper abdominal pain after shoveling snow, was admitted to a local hospital where a computed tomography (CT) showed a cystic lesion adjoining the pancreas. He was transferred to our department for detailed investigations and treatment. On ultrasonography, a tumor of the caudate lobe of the liver, with which the cystic lesion was continuous, was seen. The tumor of the caudate lobe of the liver was enhanced in the early phase of the CT but was washed out in the delayed phase. Subsequently, T(1)-weighted and T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images showed a low intensity and a high intensity, respectively. Because the cystic lesion was continuous with the tumor of the caudate lobe of the liver, its CT value was higher than that of water, and both the T(1)-weighted and T(2)-weighted MRI images showed a high intensity, which was attributed to a hematoma. Examination of the image suggested that rupture of a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might have caused intracavitary hemorrhage. After the HCC was treated by transcatheter arterial embolization therapy, the patient was discharged. Subsequently, tumor enlargement was confirmed, and surgical removal of the tumor was conducted at the hospital where the patient had originally presented. On histology, moderately differentiated HCC was diagnosed, but the cyst-like lesion was confirmed to be a hepatic subcapsular hematoma extending into the bursa omentalis. Although ruptured HCC often causes intraperitoneal bleeding, this rare case showed a cyst-like imaging finding in the form of a subcapsular hematoma within the bursa omentalis.

The various manifestations of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: CT imaging findings

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a tendency to rupture spontaneously which leads to a life-threatening condition. Disruption of the tumor surface or a tear in a parasitic feeding artery can cause HCC rupture leading to hemoperitoneum. When evaluating patients with a ruptured HCC, CT can detect tumors, determine tumor extent, define the presence of tumor bleeding, and show serial hematoma density changes. Thus, familiarity with the various CT findings of ruptured HCCs is essential to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. In this pictorial essay, the authors illustrate the usual and unusual manifestations of ruptured HCCs, as visualized by CT, and include some angiographic correlations. CT findings predictive of HCC rupture are also discussed.

Proteolytic enzyme activity as a result of aging

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes constant dynamic changes; proteolytic enzymes, particularly the serine proteases plasmin, trypsin and elastase, catalyze critical functions in these processes. Notably, ECM degradation disorders have been reported in various morbid conditions, including cardiac infarction, atheromatosis, and neoplastic diseases, indicating a physiological requirement for proper ECM maintenance. Here we define the role of proteolytic enzymes in the development of aging by assessing changes in proteolytic enzyme activity in serum during aging in rats.

METHODS

The activities of trypsin, elastase and plasmin in rat serum were determined by the fluorometric method using AMC-labeled substrates in 34Wistar rats divided into four age groups: 3 month-olds (n=8), 9 month-olds (n=8), 15 month-olds (n=8) and 24 month-olds (n=10).

RESULTS

Analysis of proteolytic enzyme activity in four age-dependent groups revealed that in comparison to their 3, 9, and 24 month-old counterparts, the 15 month-old rats exhibited a statistically significant increase in average elastase activity. In accordance with previous studies, a statistically significant increase in trypsin levels was found in the 3 month-old rats, suggesting that trypsin activity decreases with age. Average plasma plasmin activity in the 24 month-old rats was, moreover, statistically significantly higher than that in the other three age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of combined proteolytic activity indicates that age-dependent patterning of blood serine protease enzyme activity may be related to age-related diseases.

Diffuse intraperitoneal metastasis after spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

Rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a fatal complication. Intraperitoneal metastasis after rupture of HCC is rare. We report a case of diffuse intraperitoneal metastases after rupture of HCC. A previously asymptomatic 32-year-old man was admitted because of massive ascites due to ruptured HCC. Poor liver reserve limited the therapeutic options. Transarterial chemoembolization was performed to stop tumor bleeding. Abdominal computed tomography demonstrated multiple large peritoneal metastases 3 months after the rupture episode. Echo-guided fine needle aspiration from the suprapubic area was performed. Cytology was positive for HCC. It is rare for HCC to develop intraperitoneal metastases in as short as 3 months.

Multidisciplinary management of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a dramatic presentation of the disease. Most published studies are from Asian centers, and North American experience is limited. This study was undertaken to review the experience of ruptured HCC at a North American multidisciplinary unit. Thirty patients presenting with ruptured HCC at a tertiary care center from 1985 to 2004 were studied retrospectively and analyzed according to the demographics, clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, treatment, and outcome in four treatment groups: emergency resection, delayed resection (resection after angiographic embolization), transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), and conservative management. Ten, 10, 7, and 3 patients underwent emergency resection, delayed resection, TAE, and conservative treatment, respectively. The mean age of all patients was 57 years, and the mean Child-Turcotte-Pugh score was 7 +/- 2. Cirrhosis was present in 57% of the patients. Seventy percent of tumors were greater than 5 cm in diameter, and 68% of patients had multiple tumors. There was a trend toward higher 30-day mortality in the emergency resection group than in the delayed resection group. One-year survival was significantly better in the delayed resection group. In selected patients, the multidisciplinary approach of angiographic embolization and delayed resection affords better short-term survival than emergency resection.

Tumoral angiogenesis and tissue factor expression during hepatocellular carcinoma progression in a transgenic mouse model

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The hypervascularity described in hepatocellular carcinoma varies according to the progression and the differentiation of the tumor, suggesting an angiogenic switch during tumor development.

METHODS

We used a transgenic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by the expression of SV40-T antigen, in which male mice developed hepatic tumors at various temporal and histological stages, whereas female mice remained tumor-free. We analyzed, by immunostaining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, factors involved in tumoral angiogenesis.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that tumoral angiogenesis occurred before the development of diffuse hepatocarcinoma. We showed that some SV40-T-positive cells with an endothelial phenotype are involved in angiogenic processes, suggesting a partial vasculogenic mimicry. This tumoral angiogenesis is associated with platelet activation due to tissue factor expression in endothelial cells and invading macrophages. Normal and transgenic livers exhibited different pattern of expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

This model of hepatocellular carcinoma displays marked tumoral angiogenesis, with proliferation, remodeling and arterialization of hepatic sinusoids, probably associated with a partial vasculogenic mimicry. Abnormal angiogenesis observed in hepatocarcinoma was associated with platelet activation by tissue factor (TF) produced by endothelial cells and invading macrophages. In this transgenic model, HIF-1alpha, VEGF, and TF play a crucial role in tumoral angiogenesis.

Etiology and management of hemmorrhage in spontaneous liver rupture: a report of 70 cases

AIM: To analyze the causes and management of hemorrhage in spontaneous liver rupture.

METHODS: Seventy cases of spontaneous liver rupture were retrospectively analyzed for causes of hemorrhage and therapeutic effects of surgical approaches.

RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the causes of spontaneous liver rupture were primary liver cancer in 60 cases (85.7%), cirrhosis in 3 cases (4.3%), liver angioma in 2 cases (2.9%), liver adenoma in 4 cases (5.7%),and secondary liver cancer in 1 case (1.4%). Hemostasis was achieved with surgical approaches in 68 cases (97.1%) and non-surgical approaches in 2 cases (2.9%). Surgical interventions included suture, ligation of hepatic artery, hepatic artery chemoembolization and partial hepatic resection.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that surgical intervention is still the main therapeutic method and the best procedure that should be selected according to causes of disease and patient’s condition and history.

Ultrastructural study of the vascular endothelium of patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common in Asia and Africa, although the mechanism is unclear. In our previous study, we found that vascular injury exemplified by collagenase synthesis and collagen degradation in small arteries was related to the HCC rupture.

METHODS

In this study, transmission electron microscopy was used to study 22 specimens from ruptured HCC and non-ruptured HCC.

RESULTS

In nine specimens of ruptured HCC, there was evidence of vascular injury with fewer cell junctions and larger fenestrae in vascular endothelial cells. The phenomenon of increased endothelial protein synthesis was also present. In the specimens of non-ruptured HCC, evidence of vascular injury was found in only two cases (p < 0.01). Fewer cell junctions and larger fenestrae could increase the permeability of the vascular wall. Increased protein synthesis in endothelial cells correlates with the phenomenon that more collagenase is expressed in these cells. The resulting breakdown of collagen could render the blood vessels weak; hence, these blood vessels are more prone to splitting/breakage.

CONCLUSION

We conclude from our study that this vascular injury may result in HCC rupture.