Zaid Mahdi1, Mark G Ettel2, Raul S Gonzalez3, John Hart4, Lindsay Alpert4, Jiayun Fang5, Natalia Liu5, Suntrea T Hammer6, Nicole Panarelli7, Jerome Cheng5, Joel K Greenson5, Paul E Swanson8, Maria Westerhoff9. 1. Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2. Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA. 3. Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. 4. Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. 5. Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Faculty Suite Rm. 36-1221-65 2800 Plymouth Rd, Building 35, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 6. Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. 7. Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA. 8. Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. 9. Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Faculty Suite Rm. 36-1221-65 2800 Plymouth Rd, Building 35, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. mwesterh@med.umich.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Metastases are common in non-cirrhotic livers but are considered unlikely in the setting of cirrhosis. However, the degree of fibrosis in cirrhosis may vary; thus metastases may still access the liver vasculature and present as a mass in cirrhotic livers. This possibility may affect pathologists' diagnostic algorithms when faced with a liver mass biopsy. METHODS: We hypothesized that metastases can occur in cirrhotic livers if fibrous remodeling is not severe or abnormal veno-arterial shunting exists to override an obstructed portal system. We searched departmental archives for cirrhotic livers with masses, categorizing fibrosis by Laennec staging: 4A = mild cirrhosis, 4B = moderate, 4 C = severe. RESULTS: Of 1453 cirrhotic livers with masses, 1429 were primary tumors and 24 were metastases (1.7 %). Of livers with metastases, most had 4A or 4B cirrhosis by Laennec staging (n = 17; 71 %). Eleven patients were evaluated by ultrasound Doppler; 2 of 5 with Laennec 4 C had reversal of portal vein flow, but all 4A & 4B patients had patent portal veins without reversed flow. Echocardiograms (13 patients) showed no ventricular or atrial septal defects or arteriovenous shunts. CONCLUSIONS: Metastases are uncommon in cirrhotic livers, accounting for 1.7 % of masses. Most involved livers had mild or moderate cirrhosis (Laennec 4A/4B) and patent portal veins; however, as some Laennec 4 C cases also contained metastases, obstructed portal access may not be enough to deter metastatic access.
OBJECTIVES:Metastases are common in non-cirrhotic livers but are considered unlikely in the setting of cirrhosis. However, the degree of fibrosis in cirrhosis may vary; thus metastases may still access the liver vasculature and present as a mass in cirrhotic livers. This possibility may affect pathologists' diagnostic algorithms when faced with a liver mass biopsy. METHODS: We hypothesized that metastases can occur in cirrhotic livers if fibrous remodeling is not severe or abnormal veno-arterial shunting exists to override an obstructed portal system. We searched departmental archives for cirrhotic livers with masses, categorizing fibrosis by Laennec staging: 4A = mild cirrhosis, 4B = moderate, 4 C = severe. RESULTS: Of 1453 cirrhotic livers with masses, 1429 were primary tumors and 24 were metastases (1.7 %). Of livers with metastases, most had 4A or 4B cirrhosis by Laennec staging (n = 17; 71 %). Eleven patients were evaluated by ultrasound Doppler; 2 of 5 with Laennec 4 C had reversal of portal vein flow, but all 4A & 4B patients had patent portal veins without reversed flow. Echocardiograms (13 patients) showed no ventricular or atrial septal defects or arteriovenous shunts. CONCLUSIONS:Metastases are uncommon in cirrhotic livers, accounting for 1.7 % of masses. Most involved livers had mild or moderate cirrhosis (Laennec 4A/4B) and patent portal veins; however, as some Laennec 4 C cases also contained metastases, obstructed portal access may not be enough to deter metastatic access.
Authors: Seung Up Kim; Hyun Jung Oh; Ian R Wanless; Sarah Lee; Kwang-Hyub Han; Young Nyun Park Journal: J Hepatol Date: 2012-05-19 Impact factor: 25.083