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Taru MG, Lupsor-Platon M. Exploring Opportunities to Enhance the Screening and Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) through Risk Stratification Algorithms Incorporating Ultrasound Elastography. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4097. [PMID: 37627125 PMCID: PMC10452922 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), has emerged as a significant public health concern, affecting over 30% of the global population. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a complication associated with both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic NAFLD, has shown a significant increase in incidence. A substantial proportion of NAFLD-related HCC occurs in non-cirrhotic livers, highlighting the need for improved risk stratification and surveillance strategies. This comprehensive review explores the potential role of liver ultrasound elastography as a risk assessment tool for HCC development in NAFLD and highlights the importance of effective screening tools for early, cost-effective detection and improved management of NAFLD-related HCC. The integration of non-invasive tools and algorithms into risk stratification strategies could have the capacity to enhance NAFLD-related HCC screening and surveillance effectiveness. Alongside exploring the potential advancement of non-invasive tools and algorithms for effectively stratifying HCC risk in NAFLD, we offer essential perspectives that could enable readers to improve the personalized assessment of NAFLD-related HCC risk through a more methodical screening approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina-Gabriela Taru
- Hepatology Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Octavian Fodor”, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Monica Lupsor-Platon
- “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Medical Imaging Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Octavian Fodor”, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Platz Batista da Silva N, Scharf G, Lürken L, Verloh N, Schleder S, Stroszczynski C, Jung EM, Haimerl M. Different Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Techniques as Novel Imaging-Based Approaches for Quantitative Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis-Preliminary Findings. Tomography 2023; 9:681-692. [PMID: 36961013 PMCID: PMC10037607 DOI: 10.3390/tomography9020054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modern ultrasound (US) shear-wave dispersion (SWD) and attenuation imaging (ATI) can be used to quantify changes in the viscosity and signal attenuation of the liver parenchyma, which are altered in hepatic steatosis. We aimed to evaluate modern shear-wave elastography (SWE), SWD and ATI for the assessment of hepatic steatosis. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the US data of 15 patients who underwent liver USs and MRIs for the evaluation of parenchymal disease/liver lesions. The USs were performed using a multifrequency convex probe (1-8 MHz). The quantitative US measurements for the SWE (m/s/kPa), the SWD (kPa-m/s/kHz) and the ATI (dB/cm/MHz) were acquired after the mean value of five regions of interest (ROIs) was calculated. The liver MRI (3T) quantification of hepatic steatosis was performed by acquiring proton density fat fraction (PDFF) mapping sequences and placing five ROIs in artifact-free areas of the PDFF scan, measuring the fat-signal fraction. We correlated the SWE, SWD and ATI measurements to the PDFF results. RESULTS Three patients showed mild steatosis, one showed moderate steatosis and eleven showed no steatosis in the PDFF sequences. The calculated SWE cut-off (2.5 m/s, 20.4 kPa) value identified 3/4 of patients correctly (AUC = 0.73, p > 0.05). The SWD cut-off of 18.5 m/s/kHz, which had a significant correlation (r = 0.55, p = 0.034) with the PDFF results (AUC = 0.73), identified four patients correctly (p < 0.001). The ideal ATI (AUC = 0.53 (p < 0.05)) cut-off was 0.59 dB/cm/MHz, which showed a significantly good correlation with the PDFF results (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION Hepatic steatosis can be accurately detected using all the US-elastography techniques applied in this study, although the SWD and the SWE showed to be more sensitive than the PDFF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregor Scharf
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Lürken
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Verloh
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Stephan Schleder
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merciful Brothers Hospital St. Elisabeth, 94315 Straubing, Germany
| | - Christian Stroszczynski
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ernst Michael Jung
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Haimerl
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hospital Wuerzburg Mitte, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
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Tovo CV, de Mattos AZ, Coral GP, Sartori GDP, Nogueira LV, Both GT, Villela-Nogueira CA, de Mattos AA. Hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis without cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:343-356. [PMID: 36687125 PMCID: PMC9846942 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i2.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cirrhosis is an emerging major cause of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), up to 50% of patients with HCC had no clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis. It is currently challenging to propose general recommendations for screening patients with NAFLD without cirrhosis, and each patient should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on the profile of specific risk factors identified. For HCC screening in NAFLD, a valid precision-based screening is needed. Currently, when evaluating this population of patients, the use of non-invasive methods can guide the selection of those who should undergo a screening and surveillance program. Hence, the objective of the present study is to review the epidemiology, the pathophysiology, the histopathological aspects, the current recommendations, and novel perspectives in the surveillance of non-cirrhotic NAFLD-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Valle Tovo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90050170, RS, Brazil
| | - Angelo Zambam de Mattos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90050170, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Perdomo Coral
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90050170, RS, Brazil
| | - Giovana D P Sartori
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90050170, RS, Brazil
| | - Livia Villela Nogueira
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fundação Técnico Educacional Souza Marques, RJ 21491-630, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Tovo Both
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas 92425-350, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Angelo A de Mattos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre 90050170, RS, Brazil
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Zhong X, Chen L, Long H, Zheng R, Su L, Duan Y, Xie X, Lin M. The "stiff rim" sign of hepatocellular carcinoma on shear wave elastography: correlation with pathological features and potential prognostic value. ABDOMINAL RADIOLOGY (NEW YORK) 2022; 47:4115-4125. [PMID: 35962810 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03628-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the pathologic basis, the influencing factors and potential prognostic value of the stiff rim sign in two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS HCC patients who underwent tumor 2D-SWE examination before resection were prospectively enrolled. The stiff rim sign was defined as increased stiffness in the peritumoral region. Interobserver and intraobserver variability of the stiff rim sign was assessed. The correlation between the stiff rim sign and pathological characteristics was analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed to examine clinical and radiological factors influencing the appearance of stiff rim sign. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between recurrence-free survival (RFS) and the stiff rim sign. RESULTS The stiff rim sign on 2D-SWE was present in 44.7% of HCC lesions. Interobserver agreement and intraobserver agreement for the stiff rim sign were substantial (κ = 0.772) and almost perfect (κ = 0.895), respectively. Pathologically, the stiff rim sign was associated with capsule status, capsule integrity, capsule thickness, proportion of peritumoral fibrous tissue, and peritumoral fibrous arrangement. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size was an independent clinical predictor for the appearance of stiff rim sign (OR 1.201, p = 0.008). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed RFS was significantly poorer in the stiff rim sign (+) group than the stiff rim sign (-) group in solitary tumors smaller than 5 cm (p = 0.007) and solitary tumors with intratumoral stiffness less than 33.7 kPa (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION The stiff rim sign on 2D-SWE was mainly correlated with peritumoral fibrous tissue status and was a poor prognostic indicator for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhong
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lili Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Haiyi Long
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ruiying Zheng
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Liya Su
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yu Duan
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiaoyan Xie
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Manxia Lin
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Coombs PR, Warsa M, Hailu T, Agedew E, Tsegaye B. Establishing an Ultrasound Screening Protocol for Chronic Liver Disease with a Handheld Device: A Pilot Project in Southern Ethiopia. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:702-710. [PMID: 35105496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) poses significant challenges in the developing world. The prevalence of this problem and the health burden on local health services are not well understood. The diagnosis and monitoring of CLD are difficult in these settings because of limited access to expensive imaging with limited mobility and/or liver biopsy. The aim of this project was to develop and implement an efficient evidence-based robust ultrasound protocol for the assessment of chronic liver disease using a hand-held ultrasound device that could be effectively used in the developing world. A protocol was established using scoring systems that have established accuracy for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatic steatosis. Included in the protocol was the identification of hepatic masses, portal venous enlargement, hepatic size and splenic size. Hepatic steatosis was common, identified in 46 of 94 participants (49%). Hepatic fibrosis was observed in only 13 of 94 participants (14%). A significant limitation of the methodology was the inability to validate the results with biopsy or other forms of cross-sectional imaging. The protocol was successfully implemented in a community in a rural setting in South Ethiopia with a mean examination time of around 6 min. It is feasible to use handheld ultrasound for the screening of CLD in remote settings. This project provides an evidence-based framework for further studies in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Robert Coombs
- Ultrasound Department, Monash Health Imaging, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Mengistu Warsa
- Ultrasound Department, Arba Minch Hospital, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Tadiwos Hailu
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | | | - Behailu Tsegaye
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
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Zhou H, Zhou Y, Ding J, Chen Y, Wen J, Zhao L, Zhang Q, Jing X. Clinical evaluation of grayscale and linear scale hepatorenal indices for fatty liver quantification: a prospective study of a native Chinese population. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022; 47:1321-1332. [PMID: 35150314 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepato-renal index (HRI) has been investigated extensively in various clinical studies. New linear scale HRI (LS-HRI) is proposed as an alternative to conventional grayscale HRI (GS-HRI) that suffers from lack of a widely accepted cut-off value for differentiation of fatty from normal livers. To investigate the diagnostic performance of conventional GS-HRI and new LS-HRI for a relatively large Chinese population with NAFLD using a well-established ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator (US-FLI) as the reference standard for steatosis grades. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 106 patients with various stages of NAFLD were prospectively enrolled. All ultrasound images for these patients were first acquired by a highly experienced ultrasound doctor and their US-FLI scores then obtained by the same doctor. Both GS-HRI and LS-HRI values were measured off-line by two additional ultrasound doctors. Four steatosis grades were determined from US-FLI scores for steatosis detection and staging. RESULTS Inter-observer agreements for both GS-HRI and LS-HRI were excellent with the respective concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0.900 for GS-HRI and 0.822 for LS-HRI. A linear correlation to US-FLI for LS-HRI (R = 0.74) was substantially superior to that for GS-HRI (R = 0.46). LS-HRI had a sensitivity of 85.9% and a specificity of 96.3% to differentiate steatosis from the normal liver (AUROC: 95.5%) while GS-HRI had a sensitivity of 85.9% and a specificity of 92.6% to distinguish steatosis from the normal liver (AUROC: 94.7%). CONCLUSIONS Both GS-HRI and LS-HRI measurements are reproducible between two ultrasonographic clinicians and are evidently effective for steatosis detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases/Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, China/Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases/Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, China/Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Jianmin Ding
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases/Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, China/Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases/Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, China/Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases/Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, China/Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases/Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, China/Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Xiang Jing
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases/Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, China/Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China.
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin, Tianjin, China, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China.
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Florea M, Serban T, Tirpe GR, Tirpe A, Lupsor-Platon M. Noninvasive Assessment of Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients Using Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10122575. [PMID: 34200885 PMCID: PMC8230562 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Surveillance of these patients is an essential strategy in the prevention chain, including in the pre/post-antiviral treatment states. Ultrasound elastography techniques are emerging as key methods in the assessment of liver diseases, with a number of advantages such as their rapid, noninvasive, and cost-effective characters. The present paper critically reviews the performance of vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) in the assessment of HCV patients. VCTE measures liver stiffness (LS) and the ultrasonic attenuation through the embedded controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), providing the clinician with a tool for assessing fibrosis, cirrhosis, and steatosis in a noninvasive manner. Moreover, standardized LS values enable proper staging of the underlying fibrosis, leading to an accurate identification of a subset of HCV patients that present a high risk for complications. In addition, VCTE is a valuable technique in evaluating liver fibrosis prior to HCV therapy. However, its applicability in monitoring fibrosis regression after HCV eradication is currently limited and further studies should focus on extending the boundaries of VCTE in this context. From a different perspective, VCTE may be effective in identifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). An emerging prospect of clinical significance that warrants further study is the identification of esophageal varices. Our opinion is that the advantages of VCTE currently outweigh those of other surveillance methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Florea
- Community Medicine Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Teodora Serban
- Medical Imaging Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - George Razvan Tirpe
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, County Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Alexandru Tirpe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Monica Lupsor-Platon
- Medical Imaging Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Medical Imaging Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
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Polygenic risk score: A promising predictor for hepatocellular carcinoma in the population with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol 2021; 74:1493-1494. [PMID: 33476746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Is There a Place for Elastography in the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma? J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10081710. [PMID: 33921086 PMCID: PMC8071375 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Elastography can provide information regarding tissue stiffness (TS). This study aimed to analyze the elastographic features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the factors that influence intratumoral elastographic variability in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: This prospective study included 115 patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma evaluated between June 2016–November 2019. A total of 88 HCC nodules visualized in conventional abdominal ultrasound (US) met the inclusion criteria and underwent elastographic evaluation. Elastographic measurements (EM) were performed in HCC and liver parenchyma using VTQ (Virtual Touch Quantification), a point shear wave elastography (pSWE) technique. In all patients, we performed contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and the final diagnosis of HCC was established by contrast-enhanced-CT or contrast-enhanced-MRI. Results: The mean VTQ values in HCCs were 2.16 ± 0.75 m/s. TS was significantly lower in HCCs than in the surrounding liver parenchyma 2.16 ± 0.75 m/s vs. 2.78 ± 0.92 (p < 0.001). We did not find significant differences between the first five and the last five EM, and the intra-observer reproducibility was excellent ICC: 0.902 (95% CI: 0.87–0.950). However, the tumor size, heterogeneity, and depth correlated with higher intralesional stiffness variability (p < 0.001). Conclusions: VTQ brings additional information for HCC characterization. Intra-observer reproducibility for both HCC and liver parenchyma was excellent. Knowing the stiffness of HCC’s might endorse an algorithm-based approach towards focal liver lesions (FLLs) in liver cirrhosis.
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Ultrasound Methods in the Evaluation of Atherosclerosis: From Pathophysiology to Clinic. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9040418. [PMID: 33924492 PMCID: PMC8070406 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a key pathological process that causes a plethora of pathologies, including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and ischemic stroke. The silent progression of the atherosclerotic disease prompts for new surveillance tools that can visualize, characterize, and provide a risk evaluation of the atherosclerotic plaque. Conventional ultrasound methods—bright (B)-mode US plus Doppler mode—provide a rapid, cost-efficient way to visualize an established plaque and give a rapid risk stratification of the patient through the Gray–Weale standardization—echolucent plaques with ≥50% stenosis have a significantly greater risk of ipsilateral stroke. Although rather disputed, the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) may prove useful in identifying subclinical atherosclerosis. In addition, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) allows for a better image resolution and the visualization and quantification of plaque neovascularization, which has been correlated with future cardiovascular events. Newly emerging elastography techniques such as strain elastography and shear-wave elastography add a new dimension to this evaluation—the biomechanics of the arterial wall, which is altered in atherosclerosis. The invasive counterpart, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), enables an individualized assessment of the anti-atherosclerotic therapies, as well as a direct risk assessment of these lesions through virtual histology IVUS.
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Performance of Ultrasound Techniques and the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in the Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040790. [PMID: 33672827 PMCID: PMC7918928 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Global statistics show an increasing percentage of patients that develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even in the absence of cirrhosis. In the present review, we analyzed the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) in the non-invasive evaluation of NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC, as well as possibilities of optimizing US diagnosis with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) assistance. To date, US is the first-line examination recommended in the screening of patients with clinical suspicion of NAFLD, as it is readily available and leads to a better disease-specific surveillance. However, the conventional US presents limitations that significantly hamper its applicability in quantifying NAFLD and accurately characterizing a given focal liver lesion (FLL). Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are an essential add-on to the conventional B-mode US and to the Doppler US that further empower this method, allowing the evaluation of the enhancement properties and the vascular architecture of FLLs, in comparison to the background parenchyma. The current paper also explores the new universe of AI and the various implications of deep learning algorithms in the evaluation of NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC through US methods, concluding that it could potentially be a game changer for patient care.
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