Handgrip strength as a predictor of bone mineral density in outpatients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Osteoporosis is well recognized as a cirrhosis complication; however, most studies assessing this condition included only patients on liver transplantation lists with an elevated rate of bone diseases. While general population studies show that handgrip strength is clearly associated with bone mineral density, until now this tool has not been applied to patients with cirrhosis in relation to their bone condition. This study aimed to evaluate whether handgrip strength, bone, and liver tests may be useful as predictors of bone disease in outpatients with cirrhosis. METHODS: One hundred twenty-nine subjects were included (77 men and 52 women). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was applied to evaluate lumbar-spine and femoral-neck T scores. Osteoporosis/osteopenia rates were 26.3%/35.6% in the lumbar spine and 6.9%/41.8% in the femoral neck, respectively. Model selections were based on backward procedures to find the best predictors of low T scores. RESULTS: For lumbar spine, only low handgrip strength and high parathyroid hormone levels were clearly related to low T scores. For femoral neck, only age was associated with low T scores. CONCLUSIONS: Handgrip strength may serve as an effective predictor of low lumbar spine T score among outpatients with cirrhosis. As cirrhosis affects the lumbar spine more than the femoral neck, these results suggest that handgrip strength should be tested in all patients with cirrhosis as a first indicator of bone health.

Model for establishing a new liver transplantation center through mentorship from a university with transplantation expertise.

BACKGROUND: Setting up new liver transplant (LT) centers is essential for countries with organ shortages. However, good outcomes require experience, because LT learning depends on a high number of surgeries. This study aims to describe how a new center was set up from a partnership between the new center and an experienced one. The step-by-step preparation process, the time needed and the results of the new center are depicted. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mentoring process lasted 40 months, in which half of the 52 patients included on the transplant list received LT. After the mentorship, a 22-month period was also analyzed, in which 46 new patients were added to the waiting list and nine were operated on. RESULTS: The 30-day survival rates during (92.3%) and after (66.7%) the partnership were similar to the other LT centers in the same region, as well as the rates of longer periods. The waiting time on the LT list, the characteristics of the donors and the ischemia times did not differ during or after the mentorship. CONCLUSION: The partnership between universities is a suitable way to set up LT centers, achieving good results for the institutions and the patients involved.

Mixed and disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis after liver transplantation: Case report.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic granulomatous fungal infection rarely associated with solid organ transplantation. We report the second case of PCM in an adult after liver transplantation. A 47-year-old woman who had undergone liver transplantation was hospitalized for flu-like symptoms and multiple erythematous ulcerated skin papules. There was lymphadenopathy, pulmonary compromise, and quickly progression to septic shock. PCM was confirmed by skin biopsy and serologic tests, and a satisfactory response to amphotericin B was achieved.

INCREASE OF LIPIDS DURING HCV TREATMENT: VIRUS ACTION OR MEDICATION?

BACKGROUND: The interaction between serum lipids and C virus infection is well known, as are serum lipid levels in the Peg-IFN / RBV-based treatment. However, with direct action antivirals (DAAs) this behavior is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare serum lipids levels between patients treated with Peg-IFN/RBV and DAAs and to evaluate lipids in sustained virological response (SVR) with DAAs. METHODS: Retro prospective study comparing the behavior of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) serum levels during treatment with DAAs (G-DAAs) and a control historic group Peg-IFN/RBV (G-PR). Coorte, prospective study, to study the behavior of lipids in the SVR with DAAs. Data were collected at the beginning of treatment (baseline: t-base) and at week 12 of treatment (t-12) for G-DAAs and at week 24 (t-24) for G-PR, groups. In the cohort evaluation, the samples at t-base and at week 12 after the end of treatment (t-SVR). Delta lipids: difference between lipids in t-12 / t-24 minus t-base for comparison between G-PR and G-AADs groups and t-SVR minus t-base for lipid analysis in SVR. Analysis with Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon tests to compare the delta lipids of the groups. The P value was 0.05. RESULTS: In the assessment between G-PR and G-DAAs groups, we included 63 and 121 patients, respectively. The groups did not differ one from the other (BMI, sex, genotype, fibrosis, total cholesterol, LDL, and TG) except by age (50.38±10.44 vs 56±9.69, P=0.0006). We observed a decrease in levels of TC and LDL and an increase in TG, in G-PR, and in G-DAAs the opposite (Δ TC -13.9±34.5 vs 4.12±34.3 P=0.0005, Δ LDL -7.16±32 vs 10.13±29.92, P=0.003, Δ TG 4.51±53.7 vs -8.24±49.93, P=0.0025). In the coorte analysis, we included 102 patients, 70% men and 56% F4, 95 of them reached SVR. We observed an increase of TC and LDL and a decrease of TG in both groups (SVR and non SVR), with no statistical difference (Δ TC P=0.68; Δ LDL P=0.69; Δ TG P=0.43). We did not find significant difference in delta evaluation by genotype 1 and 3 (Δ TC +29.7±40.2 vs +13.4±30.3, P=0.06; Δ LDL +21.4±28.6 vs +16.6±31.3, P=0.41; Δ TG -3.6±60.6 vs -0.7±40, P=0.91). CONCLUSION: Serum lipids level differed during treatment with Peg-IFN and DAAs. Treatment with DAAs was associated with an increase of TC and LDL and a decrease of TG, independently of SVR.

INSULIN RESISTANCE REDUCTION AFTER SUSTAINED VIROLOGICAL RESPONSE WITH DIRECT ACTING ANTIVIRAL:NOT EVERY POPULATION IMPROVES.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health problem, that affects approximately 170 million people worldwide. Chronic HCV infection is associated with hepatic insulin resistance and an increased risk of diabetes HCV-infected patients has been well documented. OBJECTIVE: To assess the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in patients treated with direct acting antiviral (DAAs) medication in the sustained virological response (SVR), categorized by the presence or absence of cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. Data were collected at the beginning of treatment (t-base) and in the twelfth week after the completion of treatment (t-SVR12). The inclusion criteria were presence of: HCV infection (RNA-HCV positive), age ≥18 years, completion of DAAs' therapy, and presence of diabetes with use of oral hypoglycemic agents. All samples were collected during the study period. The exclusion criteria were: presence of HBV/HIV co-infection, hepatocellular carcinoma at baseline, diabetic patients taking insulin and transplanted patients (liver/kidney). Fibrosis was assessed by hepatic elastography or biopsy (METAVIR). Cirrhosis was determined by clinical results or imaging. HOMA-IR was calculated as fasting insulin (µU/mL) × fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5) The patients were divided into two groups: the general study population (all patients, including the diabetic patients) and the special population (patients with normal values of HOMA-IR, which is >2.5, and without diabetes). The delta HOMA-IR value was calculated as: HOMA-IR at t-base - HOMA-IR at t-SVR12. For the descriptive statistical analysis, the paired t-test and generalized linear model assuming the log binding function were performed. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We included 150 patients, and 75 were cirrhotic. The mean age was 55.3±9.97 and body mass index was 27.4±5.18. Twenty-two (14.67%) were diabetic patients using oral hypoglycemic agents, and 17 (11%) were cirrhotic. In the general study population, the mean glucose and HOMA-IR values increased at t-SVR12, but insulin decreased. Delta HOMA-IR was negative at t-SVR12, but there was no significant difference. Excluding diabetic patients and those with normal HOMA-IR values (<2.5), mean glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR decreased at t-SVR12. Delta HOMA-IR decreased significantly at t-SVR12 (P: 0.02). CONCLUSION: In the general population, glucose and HOMA-IR values increased at t-SVR12, but insulin decreased. In the special population, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and Delta HOMA-IR decreased at t-SVR12.

Embolization of splenorenal shunt associated to portal vein thrombosis and hepatic encephalopathy.

UNLABELLED: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a cognitive disturbance characterized by neuropsychiatric alterations. It occurs in acute and chronic hepatic disease and also in patients with portosystemic shunts. The presence of these portosystemic shunts allows the passage of nitrogenous substances from the intestines through systemic veins without liver depuration. Therefore, the embolization of these shunts has been performed to control HE manifestations, but the presence of portal vein thrombosis is considered a contraindication. In this presentation we show a cirrhotic patient with severe HE and portal vein thrombosis who was submitted to embolization of a large portosystemic shunt. CASE REPORT: a 57 years-old cirrhotic patient who had been hospitalized many times for persistent HE and hepatic coma, even without precipitant factors. She had a wide portosystemic shunt and also portal vein thrombosis. The abdominal angiography confirmed the splenorenal shunt and showed other shunts. The larger shunt was embolized through placement of microcoils, and the patient had no recurrence of overt HE. There was a little increase of esophageal and gastric varices, but no endoscopic treatment was needed. Since portosystemic shunts are frequent causes of recurrent HE in cirrhotic patients, portal vein thrombosis should be considered a relative contraindication to perform a shunt embolization. However, in particular cases with many shunts and severe HE, we found that one of these shunts can be safely embolized and this procedure can be sufficient to obtain a good HE recovery. In conclusion, we reported a case of persistent HE due to a wide portosystemic shunt associated with portal vein thrombosis. As the patient had other shunts, she was successfully treated by embolization of the larger shunt.

Frequency of various types of neoplasia in a group of acromegalic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of colon cancer, primary hyperparathyroidism, thyroid tumor, and skin cancer in all acromegalic patients in follow-up at the Clinics Hospital - Botucatu Medical School, from 2005 to 2011. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: These patients were evaluated retrospectively for colon cancer, primary hyperparathyroidism, dermatological, and thyroid tumors. RESULTS: Of 29 patients included at the beginning of the study, two were excluded. Among 19 patients submitted to colonoscopy, one presented colon adenocarcinoma (5%). Thyroid nodules were present in 63% of patients, and papilliferous carcinoma was confirmed in two patients (7,7%). Four patients were confirmed as having primary hyperparathyroidism (15%). The most common dermatologic lesions were thickened skin (100%), acrochordons (64%), epidermal cysts (50%), and pseudo-acanthosis nigricans (50%). Only one patient presented basal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Although a small number of acromegalic patients was studied, our findings confirm the high frequency of thyroid neoplasias and primary hyperparathyroidism in this group of patients.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with severe ulcerative colitis in a young man.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic progressive cholestatic liver disease, is the most serious hepatobiliary complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). The authors present the case of a severe and intractable form of UC associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis, in which the diagnosis of this hepatobiliary complication was made during the postmortem examination. A 19-year-old man, with an 8-month diagnosis of UC, was non-responsive to any therapeutic approach. He presented at the emergency care unit severely ill and with cachexia, and subsequently died of septic shock. The postmortem examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of severe UC and disclosed the presence of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Although laboratory tests have shown a typical cholestatic profile with elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, hepatic dysfunction was related to sepsis. This report highlights how challenging the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis can be and shows the value of the postmortem examination to add important information to a medical diagnosis.

Aumento dos lípides durante tratamento para VHC: ação do vírus ou da medicação? / Increase of lipids during hcv treatment: virus action or medication?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The interaction between serum lipids and C virus infection is well known, as are serum lipid levels in the Peg-IFN / RBV-based treatment. However, with direct action antivirals (DAAs) this behavior is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare serum lipids levels between patients treated with Peg-IFN/RBV and DAAs and to evaluate lipids in sustained virological response (SVR) with DAAs. METHODS: Retro prospective study comparing the behavior of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) serum levels during treatment with DAAs (G-DAAs) and a control historic group Peg-IFN/RBV (G-PR). Coorte, prospective study, to study the behavior of lipids in the SVR with DAAs. Data were collected at the beginning of treatment (baseline: t-base) and at week 12 of treatment (t-12) for G-DAAs and at week 24 (t-24) for G-PR, groups. In the cohort evaluation, the samples at t-base and at week 12 after the end of treatment (t-SVR). Delta lipids: difference between lipids in t-12 / t-24 minus t-base for comparison between G-PR and G-AADs groups and t-SVR minus t-base for lipid analysis in SVR. Analysis with Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon tests to compare the delta lipids of the groups. The P value was 0.05. RESULTS: In the assessment between G-PR and G-DAAs groups, we included 63 and 121 patients, respectively. The groups did not differ one from the other (BMI, sex, genotype, fibrosis, total cholesterol, LDL, and TG) except by age (50.38±10.44 vs 56±9.69, P=0.0006). We observed a decrease in levels of TC and LDL and an increase in TG, in G-PR, and in G-DAAs the opposite (Δ TC -13.9±34.5 vs 4.12±34.3 P=0.0005, Δ LDL -7.16±32 vs 10.13±29.92, P=0.003, Δ TG 4.51±53.7 vs -8.24±49.93, P=0.0025). In the coorte analysis, we included 102 patients, 70% men and 56% F4, 95 of them reached SVR. We observed an increase of TC and LDL and a decrease of TG in both groups (SVR and non SVR), with no statistical difference (Δ TC P=0.68; Δ LDL P=0.69; Δ TG P=0.43). We did not find significant difference in delta evaluation by genotype 1 and 3 (Δ TC +29.7±40.2 vs +13.4±30.3, P=0.06; Δ LDL +21.4±28.6 vs +16.6±31.3, P=0.41; Δ TG -3.6±60.6 vs -0.7±40, P=0.91). CONCLUSION: Serum lipids level differed during treatment with Peg-IFN and DAAs. Treatment with DAAs was associated with an increase of TC and LDL and a decrease of TG, independently of SVR.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A interação entre lípides séricos e infecção pelo vírus C já é bem conhecida, assim como o comportamento dos níveis séricos daqueles durante o tratamento com Peg-IFN/RBV. No entanto, com antivirais de ação direta (AADs) este comportamento ainda não está claro. OBJETIVO: Comparar os níveis séricos de lípides entre pacientes tratados com Peg-IFN/RBV e AADs e avaliar os lípides na resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) com AADs. MÉTODOS: Estudo retro prospectivo comparando o comportamento dos níveis séricos de colesterol total (CT), lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL) e triglicérides (TG) durante o tratamento com AADs (G-AADs) e um grupo histórico de controle Peg-IFN/RBV (G-PR). Coorte, estudo prospectivo, para estudar o comportamento dos lípides na RVS com AADs. Os dados foram coletados no início do tratamento (baseline: t-base) e na décima segunda semana de tratamento (t-12) para G-AADs e na vigésima quarta semana de tratamento (t-24) para G-PR para a análise comparativa entre os dois grupos. Na avaliação de coorte, as amostras foram coletadas no t-base e na décima segunda semana após o término do tratamento (t-RVS). Delta lípides: diferença entre lípides em t-12/t-24 menos t-base para comparação entre os grupos G-PR e G-AADs e t-RVS menos t-base para análise de lípides na RVS. A análise estatística descritiva, os testes não paramétricos de Kruskal Wallis e Wilcoxon foram utilizados para comparar o delta lípides dos grupos. O valor de P considerado foi de 0,05. RESULTADOS: Na avaliação entre os grupos G-PR e G-AADs, incluímos 63 e 121 pacientes, respectivamente. Os grupos não diferiram um do outro (IMC, sexo, genótipo, fibrose, colesterol total, LDL e TG), exceto por idade (50,38±10,44 vs 56±9,69, P=0,0006). Observamos uma diminuição nos níveis de CT e LDL e um aumento de TG no G-PR, no G-AADs ocorreu o oposto (Δ CT -13,9±34,5 vs 4,12±34,3 P=0,0005, Δ LDL -7,16±32 vs 10,13±29,92, P=0,003, Δ TG 4,51±53,7 vs -8,24±49,93, P=0,0025). Na análise de coorte, foram incluídos 102 pacientes, 70% homens e 56% F4. Noventa e cinco deles atingiram a RVS. Observamos um aumento de CT e LDL e uma diminuição de TG em ambos os grupos (RVS e não RVS), sem diferença estatística (Δ CT P=0,68; Δ LDL P=0,69; Δ TG P=0,43). Não encontramos diferença significativa na avaliação dos deltas pelos genótipos 1 e 3 (Δ CT +29,7±40,2 vs +13,4±30,3, P=0,06; Δ LDL + 21,4±28,6 vs +16,6±31,3, P=0,41; Δ TG -3,6±60,6 vs -0,7±40, P=0,91). CONCLUSÃO: O nível de lípides séricos diferiu durante o tratamento com Peg-IFN/RBV e AADs. O tratamento com AADs foi associado a um aumento de CT e LDL e uma diminuição de TG, independentemente da RVS.

Redução da resistência à insulina após resposta virológica sustentada com agentes antivirais diretos: nem toda população melhora / Insulin resistance reduction after sustained virological response with direct acting antiviral: not every population improves

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health problem, that affects approximately 170 million people worldwide. Chronic HCV infection is associated with hepatic insulin resistance and an increased risk of diabetes HCV-infected patients has been well documented. OBJECTIVE: To assess the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in patients treated with direct acting antiviral (DAAs) medication in the sustained virological response (SVR), categorized by the presence or absence of cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. Data were collected at the beginning of treatment (t-base) and in the twelfth week after the completion of treatment (t-SVR12). The inclusion criteria were presence of: HCV infection (RNA-HCV positive), age ≥18 years, completion of DAAs' therapy, and presence of diabetes with use of oral hypoglycemic agents. All samples were collected during the study period. The exclusion criteria were: presence of HBV/HIV co-infection, hepatocellular carcinoma at baseline, diabetic patients taking insulin and transplanted patients (liver/kidney). Fibrosis was assessed by hepatic elastography or biopsy (METAVIR). Cirrhosis was determined by clinical results or imaging. HOMA-IR was calculated as fasting insulin (μU/mL) × fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5) The patients were divided into two groups: the general study population (all patients, including the diabetic patients) and the special population (patients with normal values of HOMA-IR, which is >2.5, and without diabetes). The delta HOMA-IR value was calculated as: HOMA-IR at t-base - HOMA-IR at t-SVR12. For the descriptive statistical analysis, the paired t-test and generalized linear model assuming the log binding function were performed. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We included 150 patients, and 75 were cirrhotic. The mean age was 55.3±9.97 and body mass index was 27.4±5.18. Twenty-two (14.67%) were diabetic patients using oral hypoglycemic agents, and 17 (11%) were cirrhotic. In the general study population, the mean glucose and HOMA-IR values increased at t-SVR12, but insulin decreased. Delta HOMA-IR was negative at t-SVR12, but there was no significant difference. Excluding diabetic patients and those with normal HOMA-IR values (<2.5), mean glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR decreased at t-SVR12. Delta HOMA-IR decreased significantly at t-SVR12 (P: 0.02). CONCLUSION: In the general population, glucose and HOMA-IR values increased at t-SVR12, but insulin decreased. In the special population, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and Delta HOMA-IR decreased at t-SVR12.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) é um grave problema de saúde pública, que afeta aproximadamente 170 milhões de pessoas no mundo. A infecção crônica pelo VHC está associada à resistência à insulina hepática e a um risco aumentado de diabetes. Os doentes infetados pelo VHC foram bem documentados. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o modelo de avaliação da homeostase do índice de resistência à insulina (HOMA-IR) em pacientes tratados com medicação antiviral de ação direta na resposta virológica sustentada (RVS), categorizada pela presença ou ausência de cirrose. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo. Os dados foram coletados no início do tratamento (t-base) e na décima segunda semana após o término do tratamento (t-RVS12). Os critérios de inclusão foram presença de: infecção pelo VHC (RNA-VHC positivo), idade ≥18 anos, conclusão da terapia de antivirais de ação direta e presença de diabetes com uso de hipoglicemiantes orais. Todas as amostras foram coletadas durante o período do estudo. Os critérios de exclusão foram: presença de coinfecção VHB/HIV, carcinoma hepatocelular no início do estudo, pacientes diabéticos em uso de insulina e pacientes transplantados (fígado/rim). A fibrose foi avaliada por elastografia hepática ou biópsia (METAVIR). A cirrose foi determinada por resultados clínicos ou exames de imagem. O HOMA-IR foi calculado como insulinemia de jejum (μU/mL) x glicemia de jejum (mmol/L) /22,5). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: a população geral do estudo (todos os pacientes, incluindo os diabéticos) e a população especial (pacientes com valores normais de HOMA-IR, que é <2,5 e sem diabetes). O valor do delta HOMA-IR foi calculado como: HOMA-IR no t-base - HOMA-IR no t-RVS12. Para a análise estatística descritiva, foram utilizados o teste t pareado e o modelo linear generalizado, assumindo a função de ligação logarítmica. Um valor de P<0,05 foi considerado significativo. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 150 pacientes e 75 eram cirróticos. A idade média foi de 55,3±9,97 e o índice de massa corpórea foi de 27,4±5,18. Vinte e dois (14,67%) eram pacientes diabéticos em uso de hipoglicemiantes orais e 17 (11%) eram cirróticos. Na população geral do estudo, os valores médios de glicose e HOMA-IR aumentaram na t-SVR12, mas a insulina diminuiu. O delta HOMA-IR foi negativo em t-SVR12, mas não houve diferença significativa. Excluindo pacientes diabéticos e aqueles com valores normais de HOMA-IR (<2,5), a média de glicose, insulina e HOMA-IR diminuiu no t-RVS12. O delta HOMA-IR diminuiu significativamente em t-RVS12 (P: 0,02). CONCLUSÃO: Na população geral, os valores de glicose e HOMA-IR aumentaram no t-RVS12, mas a insulina diminuiu. Na população especial, glicose, insulina, HOMA-IR e delta HOMA-IR diminuíram no t-RVS12.

Pancreatic paracoccidioidomycosis simulating malignant neoplasia: case report.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic granulomatous disease caused by fungus, and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal tumors in endemic areas. We report a rare case of paracoccidioidomycosis in the pancreas. A 45-year-old man was referred to our institution with a 2-mo history of epigastric abdominal pain that was not diet-related, with night sweating, inappetence, weight loss, jaundice, pruritus, choluria, and acholic feces, without signs of sepsis or palpable tumors. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) showed a solid mass of approximately 7 cm × 5.5 cm on the pancreas head. Abdominal computerized tomography showed dilation of the biliary tract, an enlarged pancreas (up to 4.5 in the head region), with dilation of the major pancreatic duct. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, and the surgical description consisted of a tumor, measuring 7 to 8 cm with a poorly-defined margin, adhering to posterior planes and mesenteric vessels, showing an enlarged bile duct. External drainage of the biliary tract, Roux-en-Y gastroenteroanastomosis, lymph node excision, and biopsies were performed, but malignant neoplasia was not found. Microscopic analysis showed chronic pancreatitis and a granulomatous chronic inflammatory process in the choledochal lymph node. Acid-alcohol resistant bacillus and fungus screening were negative. Fine-needle aspiration of the pancreas was performed under US guidance. The smear was compatible with infection by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We report a rare case of paracoccidioidomycosis simulating a malignant neoplasia in the pancreas head.

Redução do MELD em pacientes na lista de transplante hepático após o uso de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada: relato de caso / Reduction of MELD in patients on the liver transplant list after using chain amino acids: case report

A cirrose hepática (CH) é uma doença com altas taxas de mortalidade e que apresenta, como único tratamento definitivo, o transplante hepático (TH). Infelizmente, nem todos os pacientes têm acesso ao TH e muitos acabam morrendo ainda na lista de transplante. O uso de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (AACR) já é amplamente conhecido como tratamento eficaz para a melhora da qualidade de vida destes pacientes. Neste relato, pela primeira vez, documentou-se uma grande melhora clínica e laboratorial em um paciente após o tratamento com AACR, que permitiu ao paciente sair inclusive da lista de transplante. Além da diminuição do escore MELD, houve reestabilização do peso corporal e melhora da qualidade de vida, documentada pelo questionário SF-36.

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a disease with high mortality rates and its only definitive treatment is the orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Unfortunately, not all patients have access to OLT and many of them end up dying on the transplant waiting list. The use of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) is widely known as an effective treatment for improving the quality of life of these patients. For the first time, in this paper we documented a great improvement of clinical and laboratorial tests of a patient treated with BCAA, which allowed him to be out of the transplant waiting list. In addition to the increase of the MELD score, the patient achieved restabilization of body weight and recovery of the quality of life registered by the SF-36 questionnaire.

Frequency of various types of neoplasia in a group of acromegalic patients / Frequência de neoplasia de diversos tipos em um grupo de pacientes acromegálicos

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of colon cancer, primary hyperparathyroidism, thyroid tumor, and skin cancer in all acromegalic patients in follow-up at the Clinics Hospital - Botucatu Medical School, from 2005 to 2011. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: These patients were evaluated retrospectively for colon cancer, primary hyperparathyroidism, dermatological, and thyroid tumors. RESULTS: Of 29 patients included at the beginning of the study, two were excluded. Among 19 patients submitted to colonoscopy, one presented colon adenocarcinoma (5%). Thyroid nodules were present in 63% of patients, and papilliferous carcinoma was confirmed in two patients (7,7%). Four patients were confirmed as having primary hyperparathyroidism (15%). The most common dermatologic lesions were thickened skin (100%), acrochordons (64%), epidermal cysts (50%), and pseudo-acanthosis nigricans (50%). Only one patient presented basal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Although a small number of acromegalic patients was studied, our findings confirm the high frequency of thyroid neoplasias and primary hyperparathyroidism in this group of patients.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a frequência de câncer de cólon, hiperparatireoidismo primário, tumores de tireoide e pele em todos os acromegálicos em seguimento no Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu de 2005 a 2011. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Esses pacientes foram avaliados retrospectivamente quanto a presença de câncer de cólon, hiperparatiroidismo primário, tumores da tiroide e pele. RESULTADOS: Dos 29 pacientes incluídos no início do estudo, dois foram excluídos. Dentre os 19 pacientes submetidos à colonoscopia, um apresentou adenocarcinoma de cólon (5%). Nódulos de tireoide estiveram presentes em 65% dos pacientes e carcinoma papilífero, em dois deles (7,7%). Quatro pacientes apresentaram hiperparatireoidismo primário (15%). A maioria das lesões de pele foram: espessamento (100%), acrochordons (64%), cistos epidérmicos (50%), pseudoacantose nigricans (50%) e apenas um paciente apresentou carcinoma basocelular. CONCLUSÃO: O tamanho da amostra é pequeno, mas nossos achados confirmam a alta frequência da neoplasia da tireoide e hiperparatireroidismo neste grupo de pacientes.

Pancreatic hemangioma manifesting as varicela gastroesophageal bleeding during pregnancy: case report / Hemangioma pancreático, manifestando com hemorragia digestiva alta varicosa durante gestação: relato de caso

There are only 10 reported cases of pancreatic hemangiomas in adults, only one of them causing digestive bleeding. We present a case of variceal bleeding and portal hypertension caused by a pancreatic hemangioma. The patient had 19 year-old and was received at her 16th week of pregnancy. She had massive hematemesis, controlled after variceal band ligation. Her image exams revealed a cystic lesion of 164 cm³ in the pancreas tail and signs of portal hypertension. Two months after, the ultrassonographic exam documented the lesion growth, achieving 200 cm³ at that time. The patient was submitted to distal pancreatectomy, and the histopathological analysis revealed a pancreatic hemangioma of 11x9x8cm. Therefore, we report the second case of digestive bleeding caused by a pancreatic hemangioma, which had a well documented growth during the pregnancy. Additionally, we review the previous reports of pancreatic hemangiomas and discuss the hypothesis of hormonal influence on the natural history of these tumors.

Os pseudotumores inflamatórios são um conjunto de lesões raras, caracterizadas histologicamente por proliferação de fibroblastos e células inflamatórias permeadas por estroma fibroso. Nos casos de localização hepática, estas massas são difíceis de diferenciar de outras lesões, especialmente de neoplasias primárias ou secundárias. Descrevemos um caso em que os achados clínicos-laboratoriais e as imagens da ultrassonografia e da tomografia computadorizada de abdome não foram suficientes para afastar uma neoplasia, e só foi possível estabelecer o diagnóstico através da biópsia direta, mediante ressecção cirúrgica da lesão. Diante de um paciente sem antecedentes dignos de nota, com massa hepática e marcadores tumorais negativos, o pseudotumor inflamatório de fígado deve ser lembrado sempre como um possível diagnóstico diferencial.