Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42349784›Full record

SynthesisJHEP reports : innovation in hepatology2026

Perineural invasion in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Meta-analysis of prevalence, association with tumor features, and impact on survival.

Johannes Kolck, Timo Alexander Auer, Camilla Winther Pedersen, Clarissa Hosse, Jana Ihlow, Felix Krenzien, Wenzel Schöning, Uli Fehrenbach, Dominik Geisel

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in JHEP reports : innovation in hepatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Johannes KolckCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Radiology, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: Johannes.kolck@charite.de.
Timo Alexander AuerCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Radiology, Berlin, Germany.
Camilla Winther PedersenCaritas Klinik - Pankow, Department of Gastroenterology, Berlin, Germany.
Clarissa HosseCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Radiology, Berlin, Germany.
Jana IhlowCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pathology, Berlin, Germany.
Felix KrenzienCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Surgery CCM / CVK, Berlin, Germany.
Wenzel SchöningCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Surgery CCM / CVK, Berlin, Germany.
Uli FehrenbachCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Radiology, Berlin, Germany.
Dominik GeiselCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Radiology, Berlin, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND &

aimsPerineural invasion (PNI) is a recognized marker of tumor aggressiveness in several malignancies, but its prevalence and prognostic significance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of PNI and evaluate its association with overall survival (OS) in ICC.

methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched through August 2025. The PNI prevalence was pooled using a random-effects model. Where available, multivariable hazard ratios for OS were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed and potential moderators were explored using meta-regression. Pairwise ecological correlations between PNI and other tumor features were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

resultsWe analyzed 61 studies including 15,502 patients. The pooled prevalence of PNI was 36.0% (95% CI 31.0-41.0%), with substantial heterogeneity (I

conclusionsPNI occurs in approximately one-third of patients with ICC, is associated with poorer outcomes, and clusters with lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion, reflecting aggressive tumor biology. Despite the heterogeneity of the available data, its adverse prognostic impact is consistent. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a proposed marker of tumor aggressiveness in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC); however, its prevalence and prognostic significance have remained uncertain, warranting systematic evaluation. This study provides the most comprehensive synthesis to date of PNI in ICC demonstrating that PNI occurs in approximately one-third of ICC cases and clusters with adverse pathological features, although its independent impact on survival remains debatable. These findings are relevant for clinicians and researchers involved in ICC management, as they suggest that PNI may contribute to more refined risk stratification, particularly in early-stage disease. In practice, PNI assessment could support clinical decision-making and patient counseling. However, future standardized and prospective studies are needed to clarify its prognostic value and potential role in guiding treatment strategies.

Indexed as

Bile Duct NeoplasmsCholangiocarcinomaHumansLymphatic MetastasisNeoplasm InvasivenessPeripheral NervesPrevalencePrognosisBiliary tract cancerBiomarkerCurative resectionHazard ratioHepatobiliary malignancyIntraductal growthLarge-duct typeLiver malignancyMass-formingNerve sheath invasionNode-negative diseaseOutcomePeriductal-infiltratingPrevalencePRISMAPrognosisSmall-duct typeSubtypesSystematic reviewTumor biology

Identifiers

PMID42349784
PMCPMC13524604

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.