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Introduction Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) is well associated with the use oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, and represents a spectrum of hepatotoxicity, with nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) representing the most significant degree of injury. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NRH in patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and to determine its impact on outcome. Methods From January 2000 to December 2010, some 978 first primary liver resections were performed for CRLM. A prospectively maintained database was analysed to identify all patients with evidence of NRH in the non-tumour portion of their histopathology specimens. Clinical data of these patients was reviewed and outcomes assessed. Results Five patients exhibited NRH (four males, one female) with a median age of 69 years (range: 35–74). Three patients presented with synchronous hepatic metastases, and two with metachronous lesions. All received at least 6 cycles of oxaliplatin as either adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Only one patient developed a post-operative complication namely transient hepatic failure that required a 4-day stay in the intensive care unit. The median hospital stay was 6 days (range: 6–14 days). There were no 90-day mortalities. One patient is alive and disease free at 55 months, the remaining 4 died of recurrent disease between 37 and 70 months following diagnosis of their primary tumours. Conclusions NRH is not an uncommon finding amongst patients with SOS with all patients having received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Data on outcome would suggest no increased morbidity and mortality associated with the presence of NRH.

To review the current management options in inflammatory pseudotumours via analysis of ten cases from this unit the largest experience of this pathology in a Western series. To assess the medical and operative options available for this condition and the varying outcomes and the lessons learned in this unit over the time period.Data from the ten cases were analysed and a comprehensive review of the published literature to date has detailed 128 case reports with 215 cases of inflammatory pseudotumour of the liver. Data analysed included patient demographics, diagnostic modalities, details of treatment and eventual outcome. The data was tabulated using an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac 2004.Version 11.0). Categorical variables were compared using Pearson's chi(2) test and p values0.05 were defined as statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows (Version 9.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).Emphasis is placed on a preferred medical management initially for this tumour with a good prognosis coupled with regular follow up. There may be a need for surgical resection cases where diagnosis is unclear or the patient is not responding to medical treatment with progression of disease or symptoms.

Background Hepatic resections involving the caudate lobe are technically challenging with results from some centers indicating inferior outcomes. We assessed outcomes following hepatic resection for colorectal metastases involving the caudate lobe in a tertiary care center. Methods Operative and oncological data from a prospectively maintained database were analyzed on 687 patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal metastases between 1993 and 2006. Patients were analyzed as those with caudate lobe metastases (CLM) and compared with those without caudate lobe involvement (NCLM). Results Fifty-two of 687 patients had metastases involving the caudate lobe (8%). Patients with caudate lobe involvement were more likely to require an extended hepatic resection (75% vs 27%, P =0.001), perioperative blood transfusion (29% vs 14%, P =0.002), have a positive resection margin (57% vs 32%, P =0.001) and stay longer in hospital (12 vs 8days, P =0.001). There was no difference in the complication rates (37% vs 29%) or 30-day mortality between the two groups (2% vs 1%). The median disease free (20months vs 21months), and cancer specific survival (42months vs 59months) were also similar in the CLM and NCLM groups. Conclusions Although caudate lobe involvement adds to the technical complexity of hepatic resection, these patients can be offered long term survival, similar to other patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background The aim of this study is assess whether patients with Indian ethnic background are at an increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer (GBC) if they have been diagnosed with ultrasonic abnormalities of the gallbladder. Methods Between January 1998 and July 2006, 137,655 abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. After the exclusion of repeat scans and those performed for renal or pelvic disease, 71,431 reports were included in this analysis. Patients in whom the diagnosis of GBC has been made without histology have been identified from the database of Northern and Yorkshire Cancer Registry and the presence of GBC was correlated with ultrasonic gallbladder abnormalities. Results Gallbladder polyps (GBP) were detected in 3.3% of patients and these were larger than 10 mm in 0.1% of the cases. Age above 60 years, Indian ethnic background, single GBP larger than 10 mm, the presence of gallstones, severe gallbladder wall thickening and irregular thickening were independently associated with the higher odds of developing GBC. The prevalence of malignancy in those with GBP was significantly higher among patients with Indian ethnic background compared to Caucasian patients, 5.5% versus 0.08%, p Conclusions The presence of GBP, irrelevant of size, amongst patients of Indian ethnic decent, is an indication for further investigation and/or cholecystectomy.

Aim To review the experience with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and to determine the results of a radical surgical approach in a UK centre. Methods A 10-year review of all patients treated surgically for proximal bile duct carcinoma at a single surgical unit was conducted. Patient demographics, disease details and histopathology reports were reviewed. From January 1993 through December 2003, 106 patients were admitted with the diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and 61 patients received surgical exploration. Results Tumours were staged as follows (UICC 6th edition): stage IB, n = 10 IIA, n = 9; IIB, n = 20; III, n = 8; IV, n = 14. Out of 61 patients, 44 had a resection (3 bile duct resection alone, 41 liver resection with bile duct resection), 5 were considered unresectable and 12 underwent liver transplantation (LT). The caudate lobe was excised in 34 of the patients and regional lymphadenectomy was systematically carried out. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed in 17 cases. Portal vein resection was needed in 17 and hepatic artery resection was performed in 4 cases. Negative histologic margins (R0) were achieved in 20 patients and microscopic margin involvement (R1) was seen in 16. In the remaining 8 resected patients, localised metastasis were found (peritoneal deposits in 2, liver metastasis in 4 and positive para-aortic lymph nodes in 2); nevertheless the resection was performed and it was considered R2. Overall survival at 3 and 5 years for patients who underwent a resection was 43% and 28% including postoperative deaths. The 1-, 3- and 5-year actuarial survival rates for patients who underwent R0 resection were 78%, 64% and 45% respectively, including the postoperative deaths ( n = 3). The median survival time was 41.1 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year actuarial survival rates for R1 resection and R2 were 60%, 26%, 26% and 25% and 0% respectively, while the median survival time for these groups was 15.4 and 6.8 months respectively. The actuarial survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years for well-differentiated tumours (G1) was 73%, 54% and 40% (median 39.7 months). The figures for G2 were 60%, 48% and 0%. The figures for G3 (poorly differentiated) were 16% and 0% at three years ( p = 0.03).The overall survival at 3 and 5 years for those patients who had a liver transplant was 41% and 20% including early postoperative mortality. The tumour grading (presence of poorly differentiated tumour) was found to be the only independent factor affecting the survival time producing a hazard ratio of 4.3 ( p = 0.0034, 95% confidence interval 0.1007–6.342). Conclusions Radical surgical resection is the best treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. R0 resection provides acceptable 5-year survival, but R1 resection may also provide acceptable palliation. In our experience TNM stage and tumour grade were the main determinants of long-term survival.

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) provides an indicator of inflammatory status. An elevated NLR has been shown to be a prognostic indicator in primary colorectal malignancy. The aim of this study was to establish whether NLR predicts outcome in patients undergoing resection for colorectal liver metastasis.Retrospective analysis of the white cell and differential counts for 440 patients undergoing liver resections for colorectal liver metastasis between January 1996 and January 2006. An NLRor = 5 was considered to be elevated.Two hundred and eighty-nine males and 151 females were included. Seventy-eight patients (18%) had an elevated NLR, 55 of whom died, giving elevated NLR a positive predictive value (PPV) for death of 71%. Sixty of the 78 patients had recurrent disease giving raised NLR an PPV for recurrence of 78%. The 5-year survival for patients undergoing resection with high NLR was significantly worse than that for patients with normal NLR (22% vs. 43%, p0.0001). Univariate analysis of factors affecting survival revealed raised NLR, number of metastases8, tumour size5 cm and age70 significantly affected outcome. All factors except tumour size remained significant predictors of term survival on multivariate analysis (NLR:HR=2.261, CI=1.654-3.129, p0.0001, metastases8:HR=1.611, CI=1.006-2.579, p=0.047, age70:HR=1.418, CI=1.049-1.930, p=0.027). Elevated NLR was found to be the sole positive predictor of recurrence on univariate analysis (HR=4.521, CI=2.475-8.257, p0.0001).Elevated NLR increases both risk of death and the risk of recurrence in patients who undergo surgery for CRLM. Preoperative NLR measurement may therefore provide a simple method of identifying patients with a poorer prognosis.

Thanks to advances in surgical technique, anaesthesia and peri-operative care, hepatic resection has evolved from a rare procedure with an associated mortality rate of up to 20% to a routine surgery carried out in high volume liver units with an operative risk of less than 5%. This review concentrates on the techniques employed in radical hepatic resection, considering in particular: (1) The feasibility of extended hepatic parenchymal resections; (2) The treatment of lesions compromising the hepatic in-flow; and (3) The treatment of lesions compromising the hepatic out-flow. We discuss how these aims can be achieved by: minimizing the blood loss; minimizing the remnant liver parenchymal injury; performing an adequate oncological resection; and creating adequate venous out-flow reconstruction, using case series and case histories to illustrate these points.

With the broadening indications of hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), the exact group of patients who would benefit from surgery is still debatable. The aim of this study was to identify predictors for early recurrence, defined as recurrence within 6 months of CRLM resection, in order to identify those patients who may require further pre-operative radiological staging of the disease prior to surgery.Prospectively collected dataset of patients undergoing curative resection for CRLM during the 10-year period (January 1993-May 2003) were analyzed. Patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and patients who underwent repeat hepatic resections whose primary resection was not performed during the study period were excluded.Four hundred and thirty patients (89%) were included in the analysis. Eighty-six (20%) patients developed early recurrence. Early recurrence was associated with poorer outcome when compared to late recurrences (p0.001). The predictor of early recurrence on multivariable analysis was the presence of eight or more metastases (p=0.036).We have identified a group of patients with multiple metastases who recur early following resection of CRLM. We suggest that these patients should be considered for additional pre-operative radiological workup in the form of PET scanning to identify those patients who would be deemed suitable for resection.

Aims The aim of this study was to report the results of surgery for multiple colorectal liver metastases on patient outcome. Methods This was a review of 484 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for colorectal liver metastases between 1993 and 2003. The cohort was divided into 2 groups, those with 1–3 metastases and those with “multiple” metastases, namely 4 or more lesions. The later group was subdivided into those with less than 8 (“several”) or 8 or more (“numerous”) separate lesions. Main outcome measures: the post-operative hospital stay was calculated and morbidity and mortality were assessed. Results On multivariate analysis the presence of multiple metastases was the only predictor for both poorer overall survival ( p = 0.007) and disease-free survival ( p = 0.031). However, when patients with multiple metastases are analysed in detail this survival disadvantage appears to be only present in patients with numerous (8 or more) lesions. Conclusion Although patients with multiple metastases appear to have a poorer outcome, significant number of patients with multiple metastases survive to 5 years or more and should not be denied surgery. Patients with numerous (8 or more) metastases showed a poorer survival disadvantage. These patients need alternative treatment speculatives.

Aim Our aim was to determine independent predictors of survival after second liver resection and to confirm whether the type of first resection influences survival after repeat resection. Methods Fifty-four patients who underwent a second liver resection for colorectal liver metastases were analyzed. To find independent predictors of survival, possible prognostic factors regarding the primary tumor, and the first and second resections were used in the Cox regression analysis. Results There were three postoperative deaths within 90 days of surgery. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 53% and 46%, respectively. The size of the tumor (>50 mm) ( p = 0.005), serum carcinoembryonic antigen level (>30 μg/L) ( p = 0.002), and the presence of a positive surgical margin at the second resection ( p = 0.006) were independent predictors of poor survival following the second resection. The type of first resection was not associated with survival but was associated with the ability to achieve a histological negative surgical margin at the second liver resection ( p = 0.01). Conclusion Three independent predictors of survival were identified. Major initial liver resection was associated with a reduced ability to achieve surgical clearance at the second resection. For colorectal liver metastases, major resection should only be performed if a negative margin cannot be achieved by minor resection.