Enucleation Sign: A Computed Tomographic Appearance of Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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.

Prognosis and recurrence of spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma treated after hepatectomy: A single institution experience

Spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (srHCC) is a life-threatening disease. The prognosis of patients with srHCC after hepatectomy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prognosis and recurrence after hepatectomy in patients with srHCC. From 2015 to 2020, a retrospective analysis of patients with srHCC who underwent hepatectomy was performed, and compared with patients with unruptured HCC. Among the 86 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy, 11 had srHCC. The median tumor size in the ruptured group was significantly larger than that in the unruptured group (P = .001). The incidence rate of vascular invasion and Glisson capsule invasion in the ruptured group was significantly higher than that in the unruptured group. (P = .012 and P < .001, respectively). The American Joint Committee on Cancer was significantly higher in the ruptured group than in the unruptured group (P < .001). In total, 8 (73%) patients in the ruptured group experienced recurrence, whereas the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) periods in the ruptured group were 15 (11-32) and 23 (17-38) months, respectively. In the unruptured group, 34 (45%) patients experienced recurrence, and the median RFS and OS periods were 20 (8-37, P = .099) and 33 (12-51, P = .394) months, respectively. Patients who developed peritoneal metastases were included in the ruptured group (n = 3). Ruptured HCCs exhibit worse oncological outcomes have poorer survival and higher recurrence rates than unruptured HCCs.

Role of Interventional Radiology (IR) in vascular emergencies among cirrhotic patients

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among patients with liver cirrhosis. Mostly, these patients bleed from the gastroesophageal varices. However, nonvariceal bleeding is also more likely to occur in these patients. Because of frequent co-existing coagulopathy, cirrhotics are more prone to bleed from a minor vascular injury while performing percutaneous interventions. Ultrasound-guided bedside vascular access is an essential procedure in liver critical care units. Transjugular portosystemic shunts (TIPS) with/without variceal embolization is a life-saving measure in patients with refractory variceal bleeding. Whenever feasible, balloon-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) is an alternative to TIPS in managing gastric variceal bleeding, but without a risk of hepatic encephalopathy. In cases of failed or unfeasible endotherapy, transarterial embolization using various embolic agents remains the cornerstone therapy in patients with nonvariceal bleeding such as ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma, gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding, and procedure-related hemorrhagic complications. Among various embolic agents, N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) enables better vascular occlusion in cirrhotics, even in coagulopathy, making it a more suitable embolic agent in an expert hand. This article briefly entails the different interventional radiological procedures in vascular emergencies among patients with liver cirrhosis.

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.

Spontaneously Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Computed Tomography-Based Assessment

Spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (SRHCC) is an uncommon and life-threatening complication in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is usually associated with chronic liver disease and has a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate during the acute phase. SRHCC can cause a severe and urgent condition of acute abdomen disease and requires a correct diagnosis to achieve adequate treatment. Clinical presentation is related to the presence of hemoperitoneum, and abdominal pain is the most common symptom (66–100% of cases). Although the treatment approach is not unique, trans-arterial (chemo)embolization (TAE/TACE) followed by staged hepatectomy has shown better results in long-term survival. A multi-phase contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan is a pivotal technique in the diagnosis of SRHCC due to its diagnostic accuracy and optimal temporal resolution. The correct interpretation of the main CT findings in SRHCC, such as active contrast extravasation and the sentinel clot sign, is fundamental for a prompt and correct diagnosis. Furthermore, CT also plays a role as a post-operative control procedure, especially in patients treated with TAE/TACE. Therefore, a multi-phase CECT scan should be the diagnostic tool of choice in SRHCC since it suggests an immediate need for treatment with a consequent improvement in prognosis.

Surgical Outcomes of Spontaneously Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical and oncological outcomes in ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not well known. The objective of this study was to review and compare survival outcomes and recurrence rates between ruptured and unruptured HCC.

METHODS

Data of patients with ruptured HCC who underwent curative surgical resection between January 2000 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. To compare survival outcomes between ruptured and unruptured HCC, 1:2 individual matching was conducted.

RESULTS

The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 88.8%, 67.0%, and 51.9%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 51.7%, 32.8%, and 25.0%, respectively. OS and DFS rates were significantly lower in the ruptured HCC group than the matched unruptured HCC group. HCC recurred in 63 patients (70.8%), 33 (52.4%) of whom presented with both intrahepatic and extrahepatic recurrences. Mean recurrence interval was 12.6 ± 13.8 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after recurrence were 61.6%, 40.2%, and 33.6%, respectively. Mean survival time after recurrence was 26.4 ± 29.5 months. Incidence of peritoneal seeding (PS) was 18.0%, and eight of them demonstrated solitary lesion. Mean recurrence interval was 5.9 ± 8.2 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates after recurrence were significantly lower in patients with PS (49.7%, 18.7%, and 9.3%, respectively) than in patients without PS.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatectomy in ruptured HCC did show worse survival outcome compared with unruptured HCC and bear a high risk of PS. However, surgical resection combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization could help in achieving acceptable oncological outcomes.

Massive hemoperitoneum and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage following liver rupture secondary to gallbladder perforation: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Available literature states that the common reasons for non-traumatic spontaneous liver rupture are hepatocellular carcinoma, macronodular cirrhosis, hemangioma, and other tumors; gallbladder perforation is not cited as a cause.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient presented with sudden-onset right upper quadrant pain with tarry stool for 3 days after eating with dysphoria and increasing thirst; gradually, hemorrhagic shock developed. He had no history of trauma, no background of chronic hepatitis, and no cirrhosis.

DIAGNOSIS

Hemorrhage secondary to spontaneous rupture of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

INTERVENTIONS

Left hemihepatectomy, cholecystectomy, and common bile duct exploration were performed.

OUTCOMES

The patient was diagnosed with massive hemoperitoneum accompanying upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage following liver rupture secondary to gallbladder perforation. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged after 10 days of hospitalization.

LESSONS

If patients present with non-traumatic spontaneous liver rapture accompanying cholelithiasis and gallbladder hematoma, gallbladder perforation should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Misdiagnosis can lead to incorrect treatment.

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.