Maria Chiara Ambrosetti1, Giulia A Zamboni2, Roberto Pozzi Mucelli2. 1. Istituto di Radiologia, Policlinico GB Rossi, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, P. le LA Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy. mchiara.ambrosetti@gmail.com. 2. Istituto di Radiologia, Policlinico GB Rossi, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, P. le LA Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the different location of pancreatic adenocarcinoma affects the lobar distribution of metastases to the liver. METHODS: From all patients who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examinations for staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the last 4 years we selected 80 patients (42 men, 38 women; mean age, 60.56 years) with liver metastases and a pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the head (group A, 40 patients; diameter, 32.41 ± 2.28 mm) or body-tail (group B, 40 patients; diameter, 52.21 ± 2.8 mm). We analysed tumour site, diameter, vascular invasion and number of metastases in each lobe of the liver. The total number of metastases was compared between the two groups with an unpaired t-test, while Fisher's test was used to compare the number of metastases within the two lobes. RESULTS: As expected, the number of liver metastases was higher in group B than in group A. The ratio of metastases in the right-to-left hemi-liver was 7.4:1 for group A compared with 3.3:1 for group B (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of liver metastases is higher in the right lobe than in the left lobe in both groups, there is a significant difference in the ratio of metastases between the right and the left hemi-liver. This supports the existence of a streamline phenomenon and a selective lobar distribution of metastases within the liver. KEY POINTS: • Pancreatic adenocarcinoma presents with liver metastases in 40% of cases • The presence of liver metastases disqualifies the patient from curative surgery • The distribution of metastases within the liver depends on the site of pancreatic adenocarcinoma • The distribution of liver metastases is due to the streamline phenomenon.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the different location of pancreatic adenocarcinoma affects the lobar distribution of metastases to the liver. METHODS: From all patients who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) examinations for staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the last 4 years we selected 80 patients (42 men, 38 women; mean age, 60.56 years) with liver metastases and a pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the head (group A, 40 patients; diameter, 32.41 ± 2.28 mm) or body-tail (group B, 40 patients; diameter, 52.21 ± 2.8 mm). We analysed tumour site, diameter, vascular invasion and number of metastases in each lobe of the liver. The total number of metastases was compared between the two groups with an unpaired t-test, while Fisher's test was used to compare the number of metastases within the two lobes. RESULTS: As expected, the number of liver metastases was higher in group B than in group A. The ratio of metastases in the right-to-left hemi-liver was 7.4:1 for group A compared with 3.3:1 for group B (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of liver metastases is higher in the right lobe than in the left lobe in both groups, there is a significant difference in the ratio of metastases between the right and the left hemi-liver. This supports the existence of a streamline phenomenon and a selective lobar distribution of metastases within the liver. KEY POINTS: • Pancreatic adenocarcinoma presents with liver metastases in 40% of cases • The presence of liver metastases disqualifies the patient from curative surgery • The distribution of metastases within the liver depends on the site of pancreatic adenocarcinoma • The distribution of liver metastases is due to the streamline phenomenon.
Authors: Y Hata; T Inoue; Y Une; F Sasaki; H Takahashi; H Ishimura; K Ogasawara; M Nishibe; E Baba; T Namieno; H Shiroto; J Uchino Journal: Oncol Rep Date: 1994-01 Impact factor: 3.906
Authors: Y Hata; M Kondoh; Y Nakajima; F Sasaki; H Shiroto; Y Une; Y Satoh; Y Saji; M Matsushita; N Satoh; K Ogasawara; S Ohsawa; J Uchino Journal: Oncol Rep Date: 1995-07 Impact factor: 3.906