Nuclear imaging of solid hepatic masses

Tc-99m Sulfur Colloid Scintigraphy in Differentiating Fat Sparing from Lymphomatous Involvement of Liver-Old Wine in New Bottle

Hepatic mass lesions and focal fat sparing in a fatty liver may be difficult to differentiate on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT. Tc-99m Sulfur colloid (SC) scintigraphy has been used in the assessment of solid hepatic masses. Liver metastases will appear as focal photopenic defects due to the loss of Kupffer cell function. However, focal fatty infiltration or fat sparing of the liver does not affect Kupffer cell function and thereby leading to normal tracer uptake. Despite several advances in imaging modalities, Tc-99m SC scintigraphy is still a reliable armamentarium in the characterization of hepatic mass lesions.

Care of cancer patients with liver and bone metastases - the place of pharmaceutical care in a balanced plan, focused on the patient's needs and goals

Metastatic cancer, especially in the growing population of geriatric patients, presents a big challenge to these patients, as well as to treatment teams and the entire health care system. This article describes some common medical problems faced by patients with metastases to liver and bone, and presents a diagnostic approach, and therapeutic management of various symptoms, relevant to advanced stages of the malignant disease. The article highlights the importance of patient education on various aspects of metastatic cancer, and underscores the unique position of pharmacists practicing pharmaceutical care, which is particularly beneficial in this group of patients with advanced malignancy. Also, this paper emphasizes that achieving a proper balance between managing the malignant disease and maintaining the patients' quality of life, especially in the elderly population, should involve coordinated efforts of the oncology treatment team, primary care physicians, pharmacists, therapists and nurses, as well as patients, their families and caregivers.

Characteristics of common solid liver lesions and recommendations for diagnostic workup

Due to the widespread clinical use of imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), previously unsuspected liver masses are increasingly being found in asymptomatic patients. This review discusses the various characteristics of the most common solid liver lesions and recommends a practical approach for diagnostic workup. Likely diagnoses include hepatocellular carcinoma (the most likely; a solid liver lesion in a cirrhotic liver) and hemangioma (generally presenting as a mass in a non-cirrhotic liver). Focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatic adenoma should be ruled out in young women. In 70% of cases, MRI with gadolinium differentiates between these lesions. Fine needle core biopsy or aspiration, or both, might be required in doubtful cases. If uncertainty persists as to the nature of the lesion, surgical resection is recommended. If the patient is known to have a primary malignancy and the lesion was found at tumor staging or follow up, histology is required only when the nature of the liver lesion is doubtful.

Distinguishing benign from malignant liver tumours

Liver masses are very common and most are benign. It is therefore important to avoid unnecessary interventions for benign lesions, while at the same time ensuring accurate diagnosis of hepatic malignancies. Many cancer patients, like the general population, have incidental benign liver lesions. In planning treatment for cancer patients, it is critical to avoid inappropriate treatment decisions based on misdiagnosis of a benign lesion as a metastasis or primary liver malignancy. This article describes the salient imaging features of the common benign liver masses and outlines a general approach to distinguishing between benign and malignant hepatic lesions.

Diagnosis and management of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign tumor of the liver, after hemangioma. It is generally found incidentally and is most common in reproductive-aged women, but it also affects males and can be diagnosed at any age. Patients are rarely symptomatic, but FNH sometimes causes epigastric or right upper quadrant pain. The main clinical task is to differentiate it from other hypervascular hepatic lesions such as hepatic adenoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, or hypervascular metastases, but invasive diagnostic procedures can generally be avoided with the appropriate use of imaging techniques. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is more sensitive and specific than conventional ultrasonography (US) or computed tomography (CT), but Doppler US and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) can greatly improve the accuracy in the diagnosis of FNH. Once a correct diagnosis has been made, in most cases there is no indication for surgery, and treatment includes conservative clinical follow-up in asymptomatic patients.

Benign Neoplasms of the Liver

Tumors of the liver often are discovered incidentally in asymptomatic individuals during diagnostic imaging or exploratory laparotomy performed for alternative reasons. Hemangiomas are the most common benign liver tumors, followed in prevalence by focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH); other benign tumors are rare. The growth and development of hemangiomas, FNH, and hepatic adenomas especially, have been linked to hormonal (eg, estrogen) stimulation. Differentiating between benign and malignant neoplasms of the liver can be challenging. Radiologic imaging is essential for preliminary identification and classification of hepatic tumors, but tissue biopsy or surgical excision sometimes is required for a definitive diagnosis. Individuals with hemangioma or FNH usually are asymptomatic, have a benign course, and can be managed conservatively. In contrast, hepatic adenomas need to be followed more carefully and often are excised to provide symptomatic relief, remove the risk of rupture, and avoid potential malignant transformation. Liver transplantation in patients with benign hepatic neoplasms is exceedingly uncommon, and is recommended only when alternative methods of treatment are not feasible or have failed to control significant symptoms.

Tl-201 positive, Ga-67 negative hepatoblastoma: a case report of a 12-year-old boy

Hepatoblastoma is a primary liver neoplasm in which prompt diagnosis and resection are critical to long-term survival. Nuclear scintigraphy plays an important role in the characterization of hepatic masses. The authors present an unusual case of hepatoblastoma in a 12-year-old boy in whom Ga-67 scintigraphy and serum alpha-fetoprotein were negative. Positive Tl-201 scintigraphy pointed toward the true malignant nature of the mass and should be considered in the investigation of hepatic masses in childhood.