Importance of Multislice Computed Tomography in Determining the Severity of Chronic Liver Disease State

Non-invasive assessment of cirrhosis using multiphasic dual-energy CT iodine maps: correlation with model for end-stage liver disease score

PURPOSE

To determine whether multiphasic dual-energy (DE) CT iodine quantitation correlates with the severity of chronic liver disease.

METHODS

We retrospectively included 40 cirrhotic and 28 non-cirrhotic patients who underwent a multiphasic liver protocol DECT. All three phases (arterial, portal venous (PVP), and equilibrium) were performed in DE mode. Iodine (I) values (mg I/ml) were obtained by placing regions of interest in the liver, aorta, common hepatic artery, and portal vein (PV). Iodine slopes (λ) were calculated as follows: (I_equilibrium-I_arterial)/time and (I_equilibrium-I_PVP)/time. Spearman correlations between λ and MELD scores were evaluated, and the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) was calculated to distinguish cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients.

RESULTS

Cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients had significantly different λ_{equilibrium-arterial} [IQR] for the caudate (λ = 2.08 [1.39-2.98] vs 1.46 [0.76-1.93], P = 0.007), left (λ = 2.05 [1.50-2.76] vs 1.51 [0.59-1.90], P = 0.002) and right lobes (λ = 1.72 [1.12-2.50] vs 1.13 [0.41-0.43], P = 0.003) and for the PV (λ = 3.15 [2.20-5.00] vs 2.29 [0.85-2.71], P = 0.001). λ_{equilibrium-PVP} were significantly different for the right (λ = 0.11 [- 0.45-1.03] vs - 0.44 [- 0.83-0.12], P = 0.045) and left lobe (λ = 0.30 [- 0.25-0.98] vs - 0.10 [- 0.35-0.24], P = 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between MELD scores and λ_{equilibrium-arterial} for the caudate lobe (ρ = 0.34, P = 0.004) and λ_{equilibrium-PVP} for the caudate (ρ = 0.26, P = 0.028) and right lobe (ρ = 0.33, P = 0.007). AUROC in distinguishing cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients were 0.72 (P = 0.002), 0.71 (P = 0.003), and 0.75 (P = 0.001) using λ_{equilibrium-arterial} for the left lobe, right lobe, and PV, respectively. The λ_{equilibrium-PVP} AUROC of the right lobe was 0.73 (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Multiphasic DECT iodine quantitation over time is significantly different between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients, correlates with the MELD score, and it could potentially serve as a non-invasive measure of cirrhosis and disease severity with acceptable diagnostic accuracy.

A report of a case: unusual portosystemic shunt in a hernia sac who has portal hypertension due to cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Variations in the origin and branching pattern of splenic vein (SV) are relatively rare and asymptomatic. We describe here only the first case in the literature of accessory SV in hernia sac due to previous operation and increased portal pressure because of cirrhosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

This report describes a 66-year-old female, with a history of total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) due to uterine myomatosis, signs of cirrhosis onset due to hepatitis B, who had been presented with recurrent abdominal pain attacks. Ultrasonography (USG) findings were nothing pathologic except a gallstone in the gallbladder without cholecystitis signs. Incisional hernia was found to contain an accessory SV in the hernia sac arising from a branch of main SV in the hilum, ongoing to the subcutaneous fat tissue and draining to the superficial femoral vein on computed tomography (CT). Videoendoscopy showed wide gastritis and multiple ulcers. The patient's symptoms diminished with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment and they then underwent a hernia repair surgery with Prolene mesh patch as elective surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

A thorough knowledge of the normal anatomy, most frequent variations and congenital or acquired anomalies of the spleno-portal axis has great importance for hepatopancreaticobiliary and emergency surgical procedures. It is, therefore, essential for preoperative evaluation of the anatomical details of the spleno-portal venous axis and should be evaluated with imaging methods in detail.

Advances in Imaging of Diffuse Parenchymal Liver Disease

There are >1.5 billion people with chronic liver disease worldwide, causing liver diseases to be a significant global health issue. Diffuse parenchymal liver diseases, including hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, metabolic diseases, and hepatitis cause chronic liver injury and may progress to fibrosis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. As early diagnosis and treatment of these diseases impact the progression and outcome, the need for assessment of the liver parenchyma has increased. While the current gold standard for evaluation of the hepatic parenchymal tissue, biopsy has disadvantages and limitations. Consequently, noninvasive methods have been developed based on serum biomarkers and imaging techniques. Conventional imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging provide noninvasive options for assessment of liver tissue. However, several recent advances in liver imaging techniques have been introduced. This review article focuses on the current status of imaging methods for diffuse parenchymal liver diseases assessment including their diagnostic accuracy, advantages and disadvantages, and comparison between different techniques.