Liguo Liu

Characteristics and operative treatment of extremely giant liver hemangioma >20 cm

Background: Giant liver hemangioma >20 cm may cause severe complications; therefore, operative treatment can be highly difficult and risky. No studies have been performed to determine the characteristics of this subgroup. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 141 patients who underwent operative treatment for liver hemangioma. The patients were divided into an extremely giant hemangioma group (>20 cm, 36 cases) and a giant hemangioma group (>10 cm but <20 cm, 105 cases). A comparison was then made between the groups. For patients in the extremely giant hemangioma group, further comparison was also made between liver resection and enucleation. Results: Compared with the giant hemangioma group, patients in the extremely giant hemangioma group had greater rates of leukopenia (P < .001), anemia (P < .001), thrombocytopenia (P < .001), pancytopenia (P < .001), prolonged prothrombin time (P < .001), and Kasabach‐Merritt syndrome (P = .001). Patients in the extremely giant hemangioma group also had greater rates of compression of the hepatic vein (P < .001), inferior vena cava (P < .001), and porta hepatis (P < .001). The extremely giant hemangioma group had more blood loss (P < .001) and autologous transfusion (P < .001), greater rates of blood transfusion (P < .001), and greater postoperative stays (P < .001). Morbidity was greater in the extremely giant hemangioma group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = .076). For patients in the extremely giant hemangioma group, no differences were detected regarding autologous transfusion, blood transfusion, or morbidity between enucleation and liver resection. Conclusion: Extremely giant hemangiomas may cause abnormalities in the hematologic and coagulation systems. Operative treatment may be difficult and risky but can be completed safely.

Co-inhibitory Molecule B7 Superfamily Member 1 Expressed by Tumor-Infiltrating Myeloid Cells Induces Dysfunction of Anti-tumor CD8+ T Cells

SUMMARY The molecular mechanisms whereby CD8+ T cells become “exhausted” in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. Programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) is upregulated on tumor cells and PD‐1‐PD‐L1 blockade has significant efficacy in human tumors; however, most patients do not respond, suggesting additional mechanisms underlying T cell exhaustion. B7 superfamily member 1 (B7S1), also called B7‐H4, B7x, or VTCN1, negatively regulates T cell activation. Here we show increased B7S1 expression on myeloid cells from human hepatocellular carcinoma correlated with CD8+ T cell dysfunction. B7S1 inhibition suppressed development of murine tumors. Putative B7S1 receptor was co‐expressed with PD‐1 but not T cell immunoglobulin and mucin‐domain containing‐3 (Tim‐3) at an activated state of early tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and B7S1 promoted T cell exhaustion, possibly through Eomes overexpression. Combinatorial blockade of B7S1 and PD‐1 synergistically enhanced anti‐tumor immune responses. Collectively, B7S1 initiates dysfunction of tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T cells and may be targeted for cancer immunotherapy. Graphical Abstract Figure. No caption available. HighlightsUpregulated B7S1 expression on APCs correlates with CD8+ T dysfunction in human cancerInhibition of B7S1 promotes CD8+ T cell‐mediated tumor immunity in murine cancer modelsB7S1, via its receptor expressed on early activated CD8+ TILs, drives T cell exhaustionCo‐blockade of B7S1 and PD‐1 can more potently reinvigorate anti‐tumor responses In Brief Mechanisms driving T cell exhaustion have not been understood. Li et al. demonstrate that B7S1 on tumor‐infiltrating myeloid cells initiates exhaustion of activated CD8+ TILs through upregulating Eomes, thus proposing B7S1 as a promising target to enhance the efficacy of anti‐PD‐1 therapy.

A randomized controlled trial for evaluation of lower abdominal laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract Background: To improve minimally invasive outcomes, we designed a new procedure, lower abdominal laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LALC). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of LALC versus classical (CLC) and single-incision (SILC) laparoscopic cholecystectomy on reducing systemic acute inflammatory response, improving cosmesis, and postoperative pain relief. Material and methods: Beginning from July 2014, 105 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to three groups: LALC, CLC, and SILC. The primary endpoint was the determination of systemic inflammatory response to the surgery. Other outcome measures included cosmesis, postoperative pain, and perioperative indices. Results: Each of the three groups consisted of 35 patients. The duration of the operation was significantly longer in the SILC group (p= .005). The rates of adverse events were similar. Changes in interleukin-6 (p =  .001) and tumor-necrosis factor-α (p =  .016) measured before and after surgery differed significantly; patients who underwent LALC had the smallest change in inflammatory response. Cosmesis scores at one (p =  .002) and 12 (p =  .004) weeks after surgery favored LALC and SILC. Significant differences in pain scores at four (p =  .011) and 12 h (p =  .024) postoperatively were also observed. Conclusions: In selected patients, LALC shows more advantages in terms of lower systemic inflammatory response, improved cosmesis, and a favorable postoperative pain profile when compared with CLC and SILC.

Giant liver hemangioma with adult Kasabach-Merritt syndrome: Case report and literature review

Rationale: Adult Kasabach-Merritt syndrome associated with giant liver hemangioma is rare; to date, most reports have been single-case reports, and no multi-case reports or literature reviews are available. Diagnoses: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 5 cases of adult Kasabach-Merritt syndrome associated with giant liver hemangioma treated at our hospital between 2011 and 2016. All 5 patients had varying severities of leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, prolonged prothrombin time, and hypofibrinogenemia. Interventions: All the patients underwent surgery: 2 patients had left hemihepatectomy; 1 had enucleation; 1 had a right hemihepatectomy; and 1 had a left trisectionectomy. Outcomes: The 5 patients had an average operative time of 6.9 hours and an average blood loss of 3200 mL. One patient developed a biliary fistula (grade II) after the operation. There was no mortality among 5 patients. The white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, platelets, and prothrombin times of all 5 patients returned to normal after the operation. To date, a total of 11 cases of adult Kasabach-Merritt syndrome associated with giant liver hemangioma have been reported, of which 8 patients underwent surgery, and their platelets and coagulation returned to normal after the operation. Lessons: Adult Kasabach-Merritt syndrome associated with giant liver hemangioma is uncommon, and surgical treatment is risky. However, resection of the tumor corrected the abnormalities in hematological and coagulative systems.

Patient age affects the growth of liver haemangioma

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of liver haemangioma and describe growth rates by age. METHODS A retrospective study of people undergoing a health examination. The collected data included gender, age, presence or absence and size of liver haemangioma. A second database of liver haemangioma patients with a minimum follow up period of 5 years was analysed. The collected data included gender, initial age at diagnosis, follow-up period, initial and final size. RESULTS Patients were divided into four age groups: 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years and ≥50 years. Patients in the 20-29 years group had the lowest prevalence of liver haemangioma (1.78%) and the smallest size (1.3 ± 0.7 cm), while 40-49 years group had the highest prevalence (3.94%) and largest size (1.9 ± 1.3 cm). Patients between 30 and 39 years had the greatest increase in haemangioma size (4.0 cm, (3.0, 6.0) cm), while patients of ≥50 years had the least (1.4 cm (0.5, 3.8) cm). The proportion of patients without an increase in haemangioma size increased with age (P = 0.031). CONCLUSION Age is an important factor affecting the prevalence and growth rate of liver haemangioma.

Long-term result of transcatheter arterial embolization for liver hemangioma

Abstract Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a method for the treatment of liver hemangioma, but fewer studies reported the long-term result. Retrospective study was conducted to liver hemangioma patients who received TAE. The inclusion criteria included the following: the period of follow-up was more than 5 years; and patients were followed up for less than 5 years, but received surgical treatment due to the enlargement of tumor or severe complications of TAE. The collected data included sex, age, size of the tumor, times of TAE, complications, period of follow-up, long-term result, and whether or not surgery was finally performed. Fifty-five patients were included, and the average age was 43.1 ± 8.6 years. The average size of liver hemangioma was 9.0 ± 4.3 cm. Four patients (7.3%) had severe complications after TAE, including 2 cases of biloma which were cured by surgery. The tumor size was smaller or the same in 19 patients after 5 years follow-up, and the long-term effective rate was 35.8%. The size of tumor became larger in the other 34 patients (64.2%), and 29 patients (54.7%) received surgery finally. The long-term effective rate for patients with ≥10 cm tumor and <10 cm tumor were 12.5% and 45.9%, respectively, and the difference was significant (P = .019). The long-term result of TAE for liver hemangioma was not satisfying, and the treatment had the risk of severe complication. For patients with asymptomatic liver hemangioma, TAE should not be conducted.

Intraoperative portal vein insulin assay combined with occlusion of the pancreas for complex pancreatogenous hypoglycemia: Two cases report.

AbstractIntraoperative localization and confirmation of complete resection of the hypersecreting tissue are the 2 main challenges in the management of pancreatogenous hypoglycemia. Here, we report our experience with intraoperative portal vein insulin assay combined with occlusion of the pancreas in the management of pancreatogenous hypoglycemia. Clinical courses of 2 patients with biochemical evidence of a pancreatogenous hypoglycemia were studied. The preoperative diagnosis was multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN-1) and nesidioblastosis, respectively. Rapid intraoperative portal vein insulin assay combined with occlusion of the pancreas was used to localize and confirm complete excision of the hypersecreting tissue. Hypoglycemia was successfully treated in both the patients. In the MEN-1 patient, 2 small tumors in the head of pancreas were not resected, as they were deemed noninsulin secreting by intraoperative portal vein insulin assay, thus avoiding a total pancreatectomy. In the patient with nesidioblastosis, using intraoperative portal vein insulin assay combined with occlusion of the pancreas, an appropriate amount of pancreatic tissue was resected thereby avoiding recurrence and diabetes. This technique may be of particular value in patients with complex conditions such as MEN-1 and nesidioblastosis, to localize and achieve complete resection of hypersecreting pancreatic tissue.