Transient steatosis assessed by magnetic resonance imaging predicts outcome after extended hepatectomy in mice

Am J Surg. 2018 Oct;216(4):658-665. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.07.017. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Abstract

Rationale and objectives: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains challenging to diagnose and difficult to treat. The extent of transient regeneration-associated steatosis (TRAS) differs between successful liver regeneration and PHLF. This study aims to quantify TRAS by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after hepatectomy in mice.

Materials and methods: Mice (C57BL/6) underwent either extended hepatectomy (EH) or standard hepatectomy (SH). Serial MRI on postoperative days 1-7 was used to compare TRAS and liver remnant growth between groups. Survival was also assessed.

Results: EH was associated with decreased survival and impaired proliferation when compared to SH (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03). MRI showed increased TRAS 48 h after EH compared to SH (11.8 ± 6% vs. 4.3 ± 2%, p < 0.001). Compared to EH survivors, death after EH was associated with increased TRAS 48 h postoperatively (16.4 ± 6% vs. 9.2 ± 5%, p = 0.02).

Conclusions: EH is associated with increased TRAS and inferior outcomes when compared to SH. MRI may help to predict PHLF after hepatectomy.

Keywords: Hepatectomy; Liver regeneration; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mice; Posthepatectomy liver failure; Transient regeneration-associated steatosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Fatty Liver / mortality
  • Hepatectomy / adverse effects
  • Hepatectomy / methods*
  • Hepatectomy / mortality
  • Liver Failure / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Failure / etiology
  • Liver Failure / mortality
  • Liver Regeneration
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / mortality