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Spectrum of Fontan-associated liver disease assessed by MRI and US in young adolescents
PURPOSE: Patients with Fontan circulation are at risk of developing hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. The mechanisms and disease development are unclear and early secondary liver cancer is a concern. This study will describe hepatic imaging findings in a national cohort of adolescents with Fontan circulat...
Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , |
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Formato: | Online Artículo Texto |
Lenguaje: | English |
Publicado: |
Springer US
2021
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Materias: | |
Acceso en línea: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8215034/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33688987 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00261-021-02994-0 |
Sumario: | PURPOSE: Patients with Fontan circulation are at risk of developing hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. The mechanisms and disease development are unclear and early secondary liver cancer is a concern. This study will describe hepatic imaging findings in a national cohort of adolescents with Fontan circulation. METHODS: The patients prospectively underwent abdominal contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion-weighted imaging. Images were assessed for criteria of fibrosis/cirrhosis including characterization of hepatic nodules. These nodules were in addition, assessed by ultrasonography (US). Nodules ≥ 1 cm were investigated and monitored to evaluate malignant transformation. Clinical and hepatic serological data were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-six patients, median age of 16.5 years (15.4–17.9 years) were enrolled. All patients underwent US examination and MRI was performed in 35/46 patients. On MRI, 60% had hepatomegaly and 37% had signs of fibrosis/cirrhosis. Seven patients had together 13 nodules ≥ 1 cm in diameter. Only 4/13 (17%) where seen on US. Nodules had variable MRI signal characteristics including hepatobiliary contrast enhancement and two nodules revealed portal venous phase ‘wash-out’ on the first examination. No further imaging signs of malignancy were revealed during the follow-up period of median 24.4 (7–42) months. CONCLUSION: The majority of adolescents with Fontan circulation had imaging findings of fibrosis/cirrhosis of varying severity. US had low detection rate of hepatic nodules compared to MRI. The imaging work-up before transition to adult cardiology care did not reveal findings suggestive of malignancy. However, the high prevalence of Fontan-associated liver disease calls for surveillance strategies even in childhood. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00261-021-02994-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
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