Liver Flashcards
What divides the right lobe of the liver?
The right hepatic vein divides the right lobe into anterior and posterior segments.
What divides the liver into right and left lobes?
The middle hepatic vein divides the liver into right and left lobes. This plane runs from the inferior vena cava to the gallbladder fossa.
-Cantlie’s Line (imaginary): separates R & L lobes of the liver; line between gallbladder fossa and IVC
How does the Falciform ligament divide the left lobe of the liver?
The Falciform ligament divides the left lobe into a medial segment (IV) and a lateral part (segments II and III).
What supplies primary and secondary tumors of the liver?
Primary and secondary tumors of the liver are supplied by the hepatic artery.
Where is the replaced right hepatic artery (RHA) most commonly located?
The replaced RHA from SMA is most commonly located behind the neck of the pancreas, posterior to the portal vein, and located posterior to the cystic duct.
Where is the replaced left hepatic artery (LHA) typically found?
The replaced LHA from left gastric is typically found in the gastro-hepatic ligament (lesser omentum) medially.
-During foregut surgery, take care not to ligate a replaced left traveling in the gastrohepatic ligament.
What segments do the hepatic veins correspond to?
Left: II, III and superior IV
Middle: V and inferior IV- represents an anatomical landmark and creates a resection plan for left and right hepatic resection
Right: VI, VII, VIII
3 hepatic veins -> drain into IVC
-Medial & left hepatic vein usually merge before draining into IVC
What does the ligamentum teres carry?
The ligamentum teres carries the umbilical vein remnant.
What is the rate limiting step for cholesterol synthesis?
HMGCoA reductase is the rate limiting step for cholesterol synthesis.
HMGCoA -> (HMGCoA reductase) -> cholesterol -> (7alpha-hydroxylase) -> bile salts
What does bile contain?
Bile contains 80% bile acids, phospholipids (mainly lecithin), cholesterol, bilirubin, and proteins.
How are primary bile acids conjugated?
Primary bile acids (cholic and chenodeoxycholic) are conjugated with taurine and glycine in hepatocytes -> improves water solubility -> secreted into bile -> goes into intestines
Where are the majority of conjugated bile salts absorbed?
The majority of conjugated bile salts (80%) are absorbed using active transport in the terminal ileum.
Conjugated bile salts only absorbed in terminal ileum); the remainder are deconjugated by bacteria in the colon
Only 5 percent of bile acids escape enterohepatic circulation and end up in the stool
What happens to deconjugated bile acids in the colon?
Deconjugated bile acids form secondary bile acids (deoxycholic and lithocholic) and are absorbed in the colon, returning to the liver.
What is the serum to ascites albumin gradient (SAAG)?
SAAG is calculated as serum albumin minus ascites albumin; > 1.1 indicates portal hypertension.
What is Budd-Chiari syndrome characterized by?
Budd-Chiari syndrome is characterized by a triad of ascites, RUQ pain, and hepatosplenomegaly. Also have Jaundice.
- Post sinusoidal portal HTN
- Classic CT in venous phase show hypertrophy of caudate lobe (that is brighter than the rest of segments) and inhomogeneous enhancement of whole liver
- Dx: Duplex-> No flow in hepatic veins
What is the treatment for Budd-Chiari syndrome?
Acute treatment begins with heparin and percutaneous angioplasty +/- stent.
- There are rare reports of successful thrombolysis, however if used, it is only used in the ACUTE setting
- Subsequent treatment depends on the primary indication for intervention. If portal HTN then TIPS. If liver failure then liver transplant
- Patients will need lifelong anticoagulation
What is the most common cause of cirrhosis worldwide?
The most common cause of cirrhosis worldwide is hepatitis B.
MCC of cirrhosis in US hepatitis C (likely) vs alcohol
What is the most common indication for liver transplantation?
The most common indication for liver transplantation is hepatitis C but shifting to NASH
What are the Milan criteria for liver transplantation for HCC?
Milan Criteria: Single lesion ≤ 5 cm or ≤ 3 lesions with largest < 3 cm with no metastasis.
What is the treatment for simple liver cysts?
Simple liver cyst
- Homogenous, anechoic.
- No septations!
- If any thickening of cyst wall or nodularity, septations, loculations, papillary projections think CA not simple liver cyst
- Will not enhance on CT
Treatment is unroofing fenestration; only perform if symptomatic. Don’t do aspiration, recurs
What is the most common symptom of hepatic cystadenoma?
The most common symptoms are anorexia and abdominal fullness.
Hepatic Cystadenoma
- They are CYSTS!!
- Have ovarian like stroma
- Pre-malignant can progress to cystadenocarcinoma
- Can be serous or mucinous
- If bloody worry about CA
- Dx: Imaging septations, papillary projections, thickened cyst wall = KEY.
- Tx: non-anatomic Surgical hepatectomy OR enucleation
o If it is cystadenocarcinoma hepatectomy!
What is the treatment for cystic intrapapillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct?
Cystic intrapapillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct (Intrahepatic) - similar to ipmn of pancreas
- No ovarian like stroma
- High risk of CA
- Dx: Imaging same as above but have bile duct nodules
- Tx: Surgical hepatectomy. all need IOC.
What is the classic CT finding for Entamoeba histolytica liver abscess?
Entamoeba hystolytica - Contaminated food
Mexico! Southeast Asia, Africa, India
Fecal oral route
Associated with alcoholics
amebic colitis 1st (diarrhea). Reaches liver via portal vein.
Anchovy paste appearance
More likely to only have a SINGLE abscess
Classic CT finding: fluid collection in right lobe with a THICK rim (enhancing) and peripheral edema
Cultures of the collection or stool usually DO NOT grow anything
Dx: CT, but BEST is ELISA combined with indirect hemagglutination
Tx: Flagyl. Aspiration if that fails. Surgery only for free rupture
How does a pyogenic liver abscess differ from an amebic liver abscess?
Pyogenic liver abscess is more likely to have multiple abscesses, while amebic is more likely to have a single abscess.
- Rim enhancing on CT
- Will enhance on CT
- MCC is E. Coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Pyogenic abscess (most common, > 80%)
-2/2 biliary tract infection (E. coli MC), GI source (diverticulitis, appendicitis)
-Tx: percutaneous drain and antibiotics
What is the most common cause of pyogenic liver abscess?
E. Coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
What is the definitive host for Echinococcus (Hydatid disease)?
The dog is the definitive (primary) host, while sheep are the intermediate host.
What are the main causes of cystic disease in humans infected with Echinococcus?
Humans infected: fecal-oral
E. Granulosus and Vogeli.
Alveolar disease Multilocularis does not cause cyst See pseudotumor on CT all need formal hepatic resection
Dx: ELISA + CT. Casoni’s skin test is old gold standard
- Will see mural calcifications or daughter cysts
Pre-op ERCP if jaundiced can cause cholangitis
What is the diagnosis method for Echinococcus?
ELISA and CT. Casoni’s skin test is an old gold standard.
What is the treatment for Echinococcus?
Preoperative albendazole, followed by aspiration, injection of a sclerosing agent, and surgical removal.
Now for large simple cyst: PAIR treatment with transhepatic drain, aspiration, then injection of hypertonic saline/alcohol recommended before surgery
What is the diagnosis for Schistosoma infection?
ELISA and eosinophilia.
Schistosoma – Presinusoidal normal liver, and LFT
Travel to africa
Can cause portal HTN and esophageal varices bleed without cirrhosis
See a maculopapular rash
What is the treatment for Schistosoma infection?
Praziquantel.
What imaging is best for benign liver lesions?
MRI is the best for all benign liver lesions.
What are the characteristics of a hepatic adenoma?
Hypervascular, homogeneous, no Kupfer cells, and no uptake on sulfur colloid.
Risk of rupture/bleeding and malignancy
What is the first step in managing a hepatic adenoma in women?
Stop OCP and weight loss, then get an MRI after 6 months.
- If persistently > 5 cm or if increase in size resection
- If < 5 cm and stable, or decrease in size to < 5 cm yearly MRI
- If found in a male ALL NEED to be resected regardless of size or symptoms. They have a high rate of malignant transformation
If not on OCP or steroids: resect
NEED FORMAL RESECTION with NEGATIVE MARGINS
-Rare; OCP & androgen steroid us; 10% malignant
-Rupture risk inc with size; > 5 cm= 30% risk spontaneous bleeding
-Pain, abdominal fullness, abnormal LFTs, bleeding from rupture
-Imaging:
-CT: arterial enhancement w washout on portal phase; smooth surface w tumor capsule; no central scar
-MRI: mildly hyperintense on T1 & T2
-Tx
-Small lesions= d/c OCPs, may regress
-Larger lesions (> 4 cm) or no regression after d/c OCPs= resect
-Ruptured -> IR embolization, recover, then resect in elective setting
-Negative sulfur colloid uptake = absent Kupffer cells, from hepatocytes -> adenoma
What is the treatment for a bleeding hepatic adenoma?
Angioembolization.
What is the treatment for a ruptured hepatic adenoma?
Definitive management is exploratory laparotomy with resection.
What are the imaging characteristics of a hepatic hemangioma?
CT arterial phase shows peripheral enhancement, centripetal filling in portal venous phase, with retention of contrast in delayed phase.
-Contrast MRI in T1 is hypointense, while T2 is strong hyperintense
-Can use tagged RBC scan to dx
-NOT associated with OCP, don’t need to stop OCP if asymptomatic
-Imaging follow up is not required because its benign
What is the treatment for symptomatic hepatic hemangioma?
Resection or enucleation.
Leave alone if asymptomatic
-If bleeding or ruptured: 1st line is angioembolization
- If kassabach merit syndrome: angioembolization or steroids and vincristine
Hemangioendothelioma (infants, liver hemangomia) can lead to Kasabach-Merritt syndrome
- Arteriovenous shunting causing CHF and consumptive thrombocytopenia. Can cause DIC
- Treatment Embolization and steroids
- Congenital papillary malformation (port of wine stain) pulsed dye laser
What is focal nodular hyperplasia characterized by?
- Hyperintense in arterial phase, hypodense central scar
-CT shows well demarcated lesion with rapid arterial enhancement and central scar. - Venous phase, central scar is hyperintense
- T1 shows no attenuation of central scar, T2 shows hyperintense central scar
- Usually in periphery of liver
- Has Kupfer cells. Hot on sulfur colloid scan
- Caused by embryologic disturbance in liver blood flow
- Associated with OCP use
-The second most common liver tumor, benign, usually asymptomatic.
-2nd MC liver tumor, women 30-50 years old * Completely benign, usually asymptomatic
-Imaging
-CT: well demarcated; rapid arterial enhancement with central stellate scar
-MRI: hypointense with central scar on T1; isointense with hyperintense scar on T2
-Tx: none; no malignant potential, no bleeding risk
-Sulfur colloid uptake = functioning Kupffer cells -> FNH
What is the treatment for symptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia?
Resect only if symptomatic; no need for follow-up imaging. No need to stop OCP.
What is required for resection of colon cancer metastasis to the liver?
Needs a 1 cm margin with resection. Non-anatomical resection
- No evidence to suggest simultaneous liver and colon resection, colon resection 1st, or liver resection 1st superiority
- Simultaneous resection is best for young, favorable operative risk, who do not need major hepatic resection (lobectomy)
- If doing colon resection first, do liver resection after 8 weeks with repeat imaging 1st
- Prognostic indicator for survival after resection of hepatic-colorectal mets:
- Disease free survival > 12 months, negative margin, tumor number < 3, CEA < 200, size < 5 cm, negative nodes
Primary liver tumor – hypervascular. Metastatic hypovascular
Incidental colorectal CA mets to liver during colectomy for CA if amenable and curable with just wedge resection do it
- If needs formal resection just Bx it
What is the most common primary liver tumor?
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
What correlates with tumor size in hepatocellular carcinoma?
AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) correlates with tumor size; higher levels indicate worse prognosis.
MC 2/2 to Chronic liver disease from hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and NASH
RFs: alcoholism, smoking, aflatoxin (from aspergillus, grains), nitrites, hydrocarbons, vinyl chloride, thorotrast, hemochromatosis
All patients with cirrhosis need surveillance US +/- AFP every 6 months to screen for HCC
- If there is a lesion >1 cm or AFP > 20 then this is a positive screen MRI or CT
MRI IS BEST, better than CT- rapid enhancement of homogenous poorly circumscribed mass with rapid wash out in portal venous phase and a psuedocapsule. Has necrotic areas
Diagnosis of HCC CAN be made with only CT/MRI in a patient WITH cirrhosis if the lesion is > 1 cm and consistent with HCC (don’t need biopsy). If doesn’t have cirrhosis, imaging CANNOT diagnose it need biopsy here
Need CT chest to rule out lung mets MC location of mets
What is the first-line treatment for Child A cirrhotic patients with HCC?
Hepatic resection.
-Anatomic resection is treatment of choice with 1 cm margin
-Resection only attempted if negative margin possible, no mets and no vascular invasion
What are the Milan criteria for liver transplantation in HCC?
Single lesion ≤ 5 cm or ≤ 3 lesions with the largest < 3 cm, with no nodes or metastasis.
-If NOT a TXP candidate, child A/B or no cirrhosis then: 1-2 tumors, all < 5 cm, no vascular invasion: Ablation
-If > 3 tumors or any > 5 cm, no vascular invasion: TACE, embolization. Embolization can also be used as bridge to transplant
-If NOT a TXP candidate, Child C: Supportive care
-Metastasis, extrahepatic spread or vascular invasion with preserved liver: sorafenib + transarterial chemo-embolization (TACE); improves survival in patients with non-curable HCC
External beam radiation therapy indicated: unresectable disease not amenable to ablation or TACE due to tumor location.
5-year surival is 65-90% after transplantation
What is the treatment for Child B or C cirrhosis or portal HTN with HCC?
First-line treatment is liver transplantation if the patient is a candidate. No alcohol, other cancers, etc and Milan criteria
What is the treatment for ruptured HCC?
Ligation of the hepatic artery and embolization; do not perform hepatectomy.
What is fibrolamellar carcinoma characterized by?
Occurs in younger patients (median age 25), usually without cirrhosis/hepatitis B/elevated AFP.
Associated with neurotensin levels
-Tumor has central scar area: hard to distinguish from FNH. But central scar does not enhance like FNH does in venous phase
-Prognosis better than HCC
What is the main cause of death in fulminant hepatic failure?
Cerebral edema and high intracranial pressure (ICP).
Correction of cirrhotic hyponatremia
Use tolvaptan (ADH antagonist) (improves mental health scores) OR spironolactone
Coronary veins in portal HTN
Coronary veins – act as collaterals between portal vein and systemic venous system (Azygmous/hemiazygous) of lower esophagus in portal HTN
Cirrhotics and branched chain amino acid
Give Cirrhotics branched chain amino acid: metabolized by skeletal muscle-> Decreases hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal syndrome – vasodilation of splanchnic vessels, release Nitric oxide CO increases, SVR and MAP decreases renal vaso-constriction and activation of RAS decreases sodium secretion
Treatment
- Critically ill (ICU) levophed (or vasopressin) and albumin
- Not critically ill Terlipressin (vasopressin analog decreases splanchnic vasodilation) and albumin
o If terlipressin not available midodrine, octreotide, albumin
- If medical management fails the next step is: TIPS!!!!!!!! Not liver TXP
Hepatorenal syndrome type I – 2 fold increase in Cr > 2.5 in < 2 weeks with oliguria – very severe, leads to death
Umbilical hernia in cirrhotic
Umbilical hernia in cirrhotic with ascites should be repaired – Do not wait, these should be repaired electively
- Do not use mesh if patient has ascites
For elective cases with no overlying skin issues:
- Child Pugh A proceed with elective surgery
- Child B medically optimize first then surgery
- Child C contraindicated
If overlying skin is perforated, infected, or necrotic emergent repair regardless of Child Pugh score primary repair without mesh if patient has ascites
Surgery for both emergent and non-emergent:
- First thing to do preop is remove ascites Give albumin 1 gram for every 100 cc removed, use 25% (low salt) only
- If medical management of ascites fails pre-operatively the patient needs TIPS FIRST before surgery
- Alternative, if the patient is a liver transplant candidate, can repair at time of liver transplant
- Then fix coagulopathy
- Primary closure if infected or perforated
Vasopressin for esophageal varices, in a patient with angina
Also give nitroglycerin
Complication from esophageal varices banding/sclerotherapy
-Stricture
-Tx: dilation
Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG)
Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) = difference in pressure in portal (wedge pressure) and systemic.
- > 5 = portal HTN. > 10 = clinically significant, > 12 = variceal bleeding may occur
- Normal HVPG – 3-4 mmHg