Imaging findings after liver resection by using radiofrequency parenchymal coagulation devices: initial experiences. 2008

John P McGahan, and Vijay P Khatri
Departments of Radiology and Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, 4501 X St, Suite 3010, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively evaluate the imaging features and potential pitfalls in interpreting the findings at the site of surgery in patients undergoing hepatic resection by using the InLine and TissueLink radiofrequency devices for parenchymal coagulation prior to transection. METHODS This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the Institutional Review Board with waiver of informed consent. Twenty-six patients (14 men, 12 women; mean age, 56 years), in whom intraoperative Inline and TissueLink devices were used for resection of hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic liver disease or other liver tumors, were identified. Information such as tumor characteristics, diagnostic studies, surgical therapy, and surveillance methods were reviewed. All computed tomographic (CT) and positron emission tomographic (PET) scans and the single magnetic resonance and ultrasonographic images of the abdomen were retrospectively reviewed by a radiologist and compared with the initial interpreting physician's report. RESULTS Of 35 CT scans, 33 revealed a hypodense line of demarcation (mean thickness, 13.2 mm) between the surgical resection clips and the normal liver parenchyma. This demarcation was interpreted as "could not exclude site recurrence" in three cases and "recurrence or probable recurrence" in five cases. In two CT scans, the hypodense demarcation was not present. In all seven PET scans, the uniform hypermetabolic activity associated with the demarcation was labeled as a recurrence. At follow-up CT (median, 12.5 months), marginal recurrence was not detected in 25 patients, though in one case there was a recurrence in close proximity to the surgical site. CONCLUSIONS The use of InLine and TissueLink devices during hepatectomy is associated with a linear hypodense demarcation at the surgical margin that also demonstrates a symmetrical rimlike hypermetabolic activity seen on PET scans.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008113 Liver Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the LIVER. Cancer of Liver,Hepatic Cancer,Liver Cancer,Cancer of the Liver,Cancer, Hepatocellular,Hepatic Neoplasms,Hepatocellular Cancer,Neoplasms, Hepatic,Neoplasms, Liver,Cancer, Hepatic,Cancer, Liver,Cancers, Hepatic,Cancers, Hepatocellular,Cancers, Liver,Hepatic Cancers,Hepatic Neoplasm,Hepatocellular Cancers,Liver Cancers,Liver Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Hepatic,Neoplasm, Liver
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D003287 Contrast Media Substances used to allow enhanced visualization of tissues. Radiopaque Media,Contrast Agent,Contrast Agents,Contrast Material,Contrast Materials,Radiocontrast Agent,Radiocontrast Agents,Radiocontrast Media,Agent, Contrast,Agent, Radiocontrast,Agents, Contrast,Agents, Radiocontrast,Material, Contrast,Materials, Contrast,Media, Contrast,Media, Radiocontrast,Media, Radiopaque
D003952 Diagnostic Imaging Any visual display of structural or functional patterns of organs or tissues for diagnostic evaluation. It includes measuring physiologic and metabolic responses to physical and chemical stimuli, as well as ultramicroscopy. Imaging, Diagnostic,Imaging, Medical,Medical Imaging
D005260 Female Females
D006498 Hepatectomy Excision of all or part of the liver. (Dorland, 28th ed) Hepatectomies
D006528 Carcinoma, Hepatocellular A primary malignant neoplasm of epithelial liver cells. It ranges from a well-differentiated tumor with EPITHELIAL CELLS indistinguishable from normal HEPATOCYTES to a poorly differentiated neoplasm. The cells may be uniform or markedly pleomorphic, or form GIANT CELLS. Several classification schemes have been suggested. Hepatocellular Carcinoma,Hepatoma,Liver Cancer, Adult,Liver Cell Carcinoma,Liver Cell Carcinoma, Adult,Adult Liver Cancer,Adult Liver Cancers,Cancer, Adult Liver,Cancers, Adult Liver,Carcinoma, Liver Cell,Carcinomas, Hepatocellular,Carcinomas, Liver Cell,Cell Carcinoma, Liver,Cell Carcinomas, Liver,Hepatocellular Carcinomas,Hepatomas,Liver Cancers, Adult,Liver Cell Carcinomas
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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