OBJECTIVES: Despite increasing interest, prospective data on the use of degradable starch microsphere-transarterial chemoembolization (DSM-TACE) in the management of patients with unresectable HCC are still scarce. The objective of the HepaStar study was to collect prospective safety and effectiveness data in a prospective multicenter observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and December 2022, consecutive participants with unresectable or recurrent HCC treated with DSM-TACE as standard of care at 6 participating centers in Europe were enrolled. Tumor response was evaluated according to the mRECIST criteria. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events (AEs) were assessed by using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5. Liver function deterioration was assessed by monitoring changes in liver blood tests during the follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-nine participants (median age, 69 years (IQR, 51-87 years); 67 men (85%)) were enrolled and treated. The median follow-up time was 18 months (IQR 9.5-38.0 months). The estimated median OS and PFS for the entire cohort was 32 months (CI, 95% 21-NaN) and 9 months (CI, 95% 7-NaN), respectively. Eleven (13.9%) participants experienced at least one grade 3 or 4 AE. The most frequent grade 3-4 AE was elevated bilirubin (2.2%, 5 of 79). Deterioration of bilirubin, AST, ALT, and albumin were observed in 24.1%, 23.7%, 19%, and 24% of participants, respectively. CONCLUSION: DSM-TACE achieves promising survival in patients with unresectable or recurrent HCC. This technique shows a favorable safety profile both in terms of treatment-related AEs and liver function deterioration. KEY POINTS: Question Although degradable starch microspheres transarterial chemoembolization is widely used in clinical practice across Europe, prospective data on its application in hepatocellular carcinoma patients remains limited. Findings Degradable starch microspheres transarterial chemoembolization results in promising survival rates, good tumor response rates, and low rates of treatment-related adverse events. Clinical relevance In patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, degradable starch microspheres transarterial chemoembolization represents a safe and effective alternative to more well-established chemoembolization techniques like conventional transarterial chemoembolization and drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization.

• MeSH
• chemoembolizace * metody   MeSH
• hepatocelulární karcinom * terapie   mortalita   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrosféry MeSH
• nádory jater * terapie   mortalita   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• škrob * aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH

PURPOSE: TACE induces variable systemic effects by producing factors that promote inflammation, oncogenesis, and angiogenesis. Here we compare concentrations of microRNAs (miR-21, miR-210 and miR-34a) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing TACE with degradable (DSM) and nondegradable (DEB) particles and potential use of these biomarker changes for prediction of patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 52 patients with HCC treated with DSM TACE (24 patients) and DEB TACE (28 patients) were included in this prospective study. Concentrations of studied biomarkers were measured from blood plasma preprocedurally, immediately (< 90 min) postprocedurally, and 24-h after TACE. Levels were compared between DSM and DEB TACE and correlated with treatment response six and 12 months after the first TACE. RESULTS: Both DSM and DEB TACE elevated plasma levels of miR-21, miR-34a, and miR-210 at 24 h post-procedure compared to baseline levels (FC 1.25-4.0). MiR-34a elevation immediately after TACE was significantly associated with nonprogressive disease compared to those with progressive disease at both six months (FCa: p = 0.014) and 12 months (FCa: p = 0.029) post-TACE. No significant biomarker changes were found between the embolization particle groups. However, VEGF levels showed a decrease only in the DSM TACE group (FC24: p = < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Embolization particle type did not significantly impact miRNA or VEGF changes post-TACE. However, miR-34a elevation immediately after the procedure predicts better patient outcome and may prove useful as a biomarkers for the monitoring of clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Prospective cohort study.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• chemoembolizace * metody   MeSH
• hepatocelulární karcinom * terapie   krev   genetika   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikro RNA * krev   MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery * krev   MeSH
• nádory jater * terapie   genetika   krev   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor A * krev   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Úvod: Obstrukce žlučových cest je závažným stavem spojeným s vysokou morbiditou a mortalitou, vyžadující přesnou diagnostiku a vhodně indikovanou terapii. Cílem prospektivní studie bylo zhodnotit proveditelnost a senzitivitu perkutánní endobiliární kryobiopsie ve srovnání s klešťovou biopsií u pacientů se stenózou žlučových cest podstupujících perkutánní drenáž žlučových cest. Metodika: Klešťová biopsie i kryobiopsie byly provedeny během jednoho zákroku a jejich pořadí bylo randomizováno. Byl hodnocen technický úspěch, velikost vzorků, jejich kvalita a diagnostická přesnost. Výsledky: Celkem bylo získáno 90 vzorků (n = 47 biopsie kleštěmi, n = 43 kryobiopsie) od sedmi pacientů. Kryobiopsie poskytla signifikantně větší celkovou plochu mikroskopických vzorků (medián: 2,67 mm2 pro kryobiopsii vs. 0,44 mm2 pro kleště; p < 0,01) a signifikantně větší plochu vzorků bez artefaktů (medián: 1,47 mm2 vs. 0 mm2; p < 0,01). Počet nehodnotitelných vzorků kvůli artefaktům byl u kryobiopsie významně nižší (11,63 % vs. 53,19 %; p < 0,01). Medián hmotnosti vzorků z kryobiopsie byl rovněž signifikantně vyšší než u vzorků z biopsie kleštěmi (7,6 mg vs. 3,5 mg; p = 0,015). Při hodnocení histopatologické kvality na Likertově škále dosáhly vzorky z kryobiopsie významně lepších výsledků než vzorky z biopsie kleštěmi (medián 4 vs. 1; p < 0,01), a to i v podílu vzorků hodnocených jako kvalitní (Likert > 2) (74,42 % vs. 29,79 %; p < 0,01). Adenokarcinom byl prokázán u pěti pacientů, benigní etiologie stenózy u dvou pacientů. Kryobiopsie úspěšně diagnostikovala všech pět případů adenokarcinomu (5/5), zatímco biopsie kleštěmi odhalila pouze dva z těchto pěti případů. Závěr: Získané výsledky naznačují, že kryobiopsie představuje efektivní a přesnou metodu pro diagnostiku malignit žlučových cest, s potenciálním přínosem pro včasnou diagnostiku a cílenou terapii.

Introduction: Obstruction of the bile ducts is a serious condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, requiring accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapy. The goal of this prospective study is to assess the feasibility and sensitivity of percutaneous endobiliary cryobiopsy in comparison with forceps biopsy in patients with billiary duct stenosis. Methods: Both forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy were performed during a single proce- dure, the order of sampling was randomized. Technical success, sample size, quality, and diagnostic accuracy were evaluated. Results: A total of 90 samples were collected (n = 47 conventional forceps biopsy, n = 43 cryobiopsy). Cryobiopsy provided a significantly larger total sample area of microscopic specimen (median 2,67 vs. 0,44 mm2 ; p < 0,01), artefact-free sample area (median 1,47 vs. 0 mm2 ; p < 0,01), smaller number of samples non-evaluable for artefacts (11,6 % vs. 53,2 %; p < 0,01). Median weight of cryobiopsy samples was significantly greater than that of forceps biopsy (7,6 vs. 3,5 mg; p = 0,015). In quality assessment cryobiopsy samples achieved significantly better results than the forceps biopsy both in terms of the median Likert scale value (4 vs. 1; p < 0.01) and in terms of the frequency of quality samples rated as Likert > 2 (74,42 vs. 29,79%; p < 0.01). Biopsy proved adenocarcinoma in 5 patients, 5/5 of them in set of cryobiopsy samples, while only 2/5 in forceps biopsy samples. Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that cryobiopsy could represent an effective and accurate method for diagnosing bile duct malignancies, with potential benefits for early diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Strategie watch-and-wait (WW) nabízí u vybraných pacientů s distálním adenokarcinomem rekta alternativu k radikální resekci s totální mezorektální excizí (TME) po dosažení kompletní klinické odpovědi (complete clinical response – cCR) na neoadjuvantní terapii. Tento přístup je založen na intenzivním sledování, kdy je multidisciplinární tým, zejména chirurg, konfrontován s náročným follow-up režimem zahrnujícím opakované anorektoskopie, per rectum vyšetření a magnetické rezonance. Problematická je především predikce patologické kompletní odpovědi v případě cCR. Klíčovým faktorem je riziko recidivy (regrowth) u cCR, která se vyskytuje u 26–36 % pacientů zejména během prvních 3 let sledování a zvyšuje riziko vzniku metastáz. Včasná salvage R0 resekce je indikována při detekci regrowth a je proveditelná ve více než 90 % případů. WW nabízí u compliantních pacientů srovnatelné onkologické výsledky a lepší funkční výsledky ve srovnání s TME u pacientů s pCR.

Watch-and-wait (WW) strategy offers an alternative to radical resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) in selected patients with distal rectal adenocarcinoma after achieving complete clinical response (cCR) to neoadjuvant therapy. This approach is based on intensive follow-up, where a multidisciplinary team, especially the surgeon, is confronted with a demanding follow-up regimen including repeated anorectoscopies, per rectum examinations and magnetic resonance imaging. The prediction of pathological complete response in cCR is particularly problematic. The risk of recurrence (regrowth) in cCR is a key factor, which occurs in 26–36% of patients, especially during the first 3 years of follow-up, and increases the risk of metastasis. Early salvage R0 resection is indicated when regrowth is detected and is feasible in more than 90% of cases. WW offers comparable oncologic outcomes in compliant patients and better functional outcomes compared to TME in patients with pCR.

• MeSH
• klinické rozhodování MeSH
• léčba šetřící orgány metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metastázy nádorů MeSH
• nádory rekta * chirurgie   diagnostické zobrazování   komplikace   terapie   MeSH
• neoadjuvantní terapie metody   MeSH
• pozorné vyčkávání * metody   MeSH
• recidiva MeSH
• riziko MeSH
• statistika jako téma MeSH
• výběr pacientů MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH

Biliary drainage is then one of the necessary procedures to help patients suffering from icterus to reduce serum bilirubin levels and relieve symptoms. The aim of this study was identifying risk factors for survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and to develop a simple scoring system predicting survival from PTBD insertion. This single-centre retrospective study included 175 consecutive patients undergoing PTBD for extrahepatic CCA (perihilar and distal). Prognostic factors affecting survival of patients with CCA treated with PTBD were analysed. A multivariate analysis showed that mass forming tumor with mass larger than 5 cm and presence of metastasis at the time of PTBD served as a negative prognostic factor (p = 0.002), better survival was associated with lower preprocedural bilirubin and lower CRP (p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis identified two significant risk factors for 3-month mortality: mass-forming tumors and bilirubin levels exceeding 185 μmol/L. A simple scoring system was developed to predict 3-month mortality after PTBD in patients with advanced CCA, demonstrating 86.3% negative predictive value and 43.2% positive predictive value.

• MeSH
• bilirubin krev   MeSH
• cholangiokarcinom * mortalita   terapie   patologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• drenáž * metody   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory žlučových cest * mortalita   terapie   patologie   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

In contrast to conventional diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multi-b-value diffusion MRI methods are able to separate the signal from free water, pseudo-diffusion, and non-Gaussian components of water molecule diffusion. These approaches can then be utilised in so-called intravoxel incoherent motion imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging. Various parameters provided by these methods can describe additional characteristics of the tissue microstructure and potentially help in the diagnosis and classification of various pathological processes. In this review, we present the basic principles and methods of analysing multi-b-value diffusion imaging data and specifically focus on the known possibilities for its use in the diagnosis of brain lesions. We also suggest possible directions for further research.

• MeSH
• difuzní magnetická rezonance * metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie metody   MeSH
• mozek diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• nemoci nervového systému * MeSH
• pohyb těles MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• voda MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare the diagnostic power of [18F]FLT-PET with ceMRI in patients with brain tumours or other focal lesions. METHODS: 121 patients with suspected brain tumour or those after brain tumour surgery were enroled in this retrospective study (61 females, 60 males, mean age 37.3 years, range 1-80 years). All patients underwent [18F]FLT-PET/MRI with gadolinium contrast agent application. In 118 of these patients, a final diagnosis was made, verified by histopathology or by follow-up. Agreement between ceMRI and [18F]FLT-PET of the whole study group was established. Further, sensitivity and specificity of ceMRI and [18F]FLT-PET were calculated for differentiation of high-grade vs. low-grade tumours, high-grade vs. low-grade tumours together with non-tumour lesions and for differentiation of high-grade tumours from all other verified lesions. RESULTS: [18F]FLT-PET and ceMRI findings were concordant in 119 cases (98%). On closer analysis of a subset of 64 patients with verified gliomas, the sensitivity and specificity of both PET and ceMRI were identical (90% and 84%, respectively) for differentiating low-grade from high-grade tumours, if the contrast enhancement and [18F]FLT uptake were considered as hallmarks of high-grade tumour. For differentiation of high-grade tumours from low-grade tumours and lesions of nontumorous aetiology (e.g., inflammatory lesions or post-therapeutic changes) in a subgroup of 93 patients by visual evaluation, the sensitivity of both PET and ceMRI was 90%, whereas the specificity of PET was slightly higher (61%) compared to ceMRI (57%). By receiver operating characteristic analysis, the sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 74%, respectively, when the threshold of SUVmax in the tumour was set to 0.9 g/ml. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a generally very high correlation of [18F]FLT accumulation with contrast enhancement visible on ceMRI and a comparable diagnostic yield in both modalities for differentiating high-grade tumours from low-grade tumours and lesions of other aetiology.

• MeSH
• dideoxynukleosidy MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• gadolinium * farmakokinetika   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• kontrastní látky MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie * metody   MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• multimodální zobrazování metody   MeSH
• nádory mozku * diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• pozitronová emisní tomografie * metody   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• radiofarmaka MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• Publikační typ
• abstrakt z konference MeSH

• Publikační typ
• abstrakt z konference MeSH

PURPOSE: To evaluate the contribution of F-18 FDG-PET/MRI in the search for the etiology of the inflammation of unknown origin (IUO) and fever of unknown origin (FUO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 104 patients who underwent F-18 FDG-PET/MRI for IUO or FUO. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values of the PET/MRI findings in relation to the final diagnosis of IUO/FUO were evaluated. A five-point Likert scale was used to semiquantitatively assess the probability of the cause of IUO/FUO based on PET/MRI finding. Furthermore, clinical (fever, arthralgia, weight loss, night sweats, age) and laboratory (C-reactive protein, leukocytes) parameters were monitored and compared with the true positivity rate of PET/MRI. RESULTS: In patients with definitively identified etiology of FUO and IUO, FDG-PET/MRI achieved a sensitivity of 96 %, specificity of 82 %, and positive and negative predictive values of 92 and 90 %. The cause of the IUO was determined in 71 patients (68.3 %). In 33 (31.7 %) patients, the etiology of IUO/FUO remained unknown, while in 25 (75.8 %) of them the symptoms resolved spontaneously and in 8 (24.2 %) patients they persisted without explanation even after 12 months of the follow-up. The most significant parameter in relation to subsequent PET/MRI finding was increased level of CRP, which was present in 96 % of true positive PET/MRI and normal CRP level was present in 56 % of true negative PET/MRI. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, FDG-PET/MRI is a suitable alternative for the investigation of IUO/FUO, this imaging technique has a very high sensitivity and negative predictive value.

• MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein metabolismus   MeSH
• fluorodeoxyglukosa F18 * MeSH
• horečka neznámého původu * etiologie   komplikace   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pozitronová emisní tomografie metody   MeSH
• radiofarmaka MeSH
• zánět komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH