Diagnostics (Mar 2022)

Segmental Distribution of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Livers

  • Matteo Renzulli,
  • Nicolò Brandi,
  • Anna Pecorelli,
  • Luigi Vincenzo Pastore,
  • Alessandro Granito,
  • Giuseppe Martinese,
  • Francesco Tovoli,
  • Mario Simonetti,
  • Elton Dajti,
  • Antonio Colecchia,
  • Rita Golfieri

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12040834
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 4
p. 834

Abstract

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Background: To evaluate the segmental distribution of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to Couinaud’s anatomical division in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Between 2020 and 2021, a total of 322 HCC nodules were diagnosed in 217 cirrhotic patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of suspicious nodules (>1 cm) detected during ultrasound surveillance. For each patient, the segmental position of the HCC nodule was recorded according to Couinaud’s description. The clinical data and nodule characteristics were collected. Results: A total of 234 (72.7%) HCC nodules were situated in the right lobe whereas 79 (24.5%) were detected in the left lobe (p n = 88, 27.4%) and least common in segment 1 (n = 9, 2.8%). No significant differences were found in the frequencies of segmental or lobar involvement considering patient demographic and clinical characteristics, nodule dimension, or disease appearance. Conclusions: The intrahepatic distribution of HCC differs among Couinaud’s segments, with segment 8 being the most common location and segment 1 being the least common. The segmental distribution of tumour location was similar to the normal liver volume distribution, supporting a possible correlation between HCC location and the volume of hepatic segments and/or the volumetric distribution of the portal blood flow.

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