Hepatic Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A review.

Hepatic Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by proliferation and accumulation of Langerhans cells in the liver, causing liver dysfunction or forming a mass lesion. The liver can be involved in isolation, or be affected along with other organs. A common clinical hepatic presentation is cholestasis with pruritis, fatigue and direct hyperbilirubinemia. In late stages, there may be hypoalbuminemia. Liver biopsy may be required for the diagnosis of hepatic LCH. Histologic finding may be diverse, including lobular Langerhans cell infiltrate with mixed inflammatory background, primary biliary cholangitis-like pattern, sclerosing cholangitis-like pattern, and even cirrhosis at later stages. Because of its non-specific injury patterns with broad differential diagnosis, establishing a diagnosis of hepatic LCH can be challenging. Hepatic LCH can easily be missed unless this diagnosis is considered at the time of biopsy interpretation. A definitive diagnosis relies on positive staining with CD1a and S100 antigen. Liver involvement is a high risk feature in LCH. The overall prognosis of hepatic LCH is poor. Treating at an early stage may improve the outcome. Systemic chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment and liver transplantation may be offered. New molecular markers involved in pathogenesis of LCH are being explored with a potential for targeted therapy. However, further studies are needed to improve outcome.

Kratom-Induced Cholestatic Liver Injury Mimicking Anti-Mitochondrial Antibody-Negative Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Kratom is an herbal supplement used to relieve chronic pain or opioid withdrawal symptoms. Recent news articles covering adverse effects associated with kratom use have brought attention to its organ toxicities. Reports of kratom-induced hepatic toxicity are limited and only three case reports of kratom-induced liver injury with histopathologic examination of the liver biopsies are available. A 40-year-old female presented with symptoms of mixed cholestatic and hepatocellular liver injury without clear etiology. The laboratory and imaging workup suggested possibilities of autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) overlap syndrome, or drug-induced liver injury. Autoantibodies including anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) were negative. Liver biopsy showed granulomatous hepatitis with prominent duct injury, suggestive of AMA-negative PBC. She subsequently was referred to a hepatologist and a history of recent kratom use was finally revealed. Kratom was discontinued and the symptoms improved. Kratom-induced hepatic toxicity may manifest with variable biochemical and clinical abnormalities. Histologically, it may mimic AMA-negative PBC. Our case highlights the importance of thorough history taking, interdisciplinary approach and communication for optimal patient care.

Prevalence of histological features of idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension in general population: a retrospective study of incidental liver biopsies.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is associated with histologic changes secondary to obliterative portal venopathy without cirrhosis. We studied the prevalence of individual histological features of INCPH in liver biopsies obtained incidentally during unrelated elective procedures and in elective liver biopsies with the diagnosis of fatty liver disease. METHODS: A total of 53 incidental liver biopsies obtained intraoperatively during unrelated elective procedures and an additional 28 elective biopsies with the diagnosis of fatty liver disease without portal hypertension and cirrhosis were studied. Various histologic features of INCPH were evaluated. RESULTS: Shunt vessel (30%), phlebosclerosis (27%), increased number of portal vessels (19%) and incomplete septa (17%) were common in these liver biopsies after confounding factors such as co-existing fatty liver disease or fibrosis were excluded. At least one feature of INCPH was noted in 90% of the biopsies. Eight (10%) biopsies showed 5-6 features of INCPH. In total, 11 (14%) of 81 patients had risk factors associated with INCPH, including hypercoagulability, autoimmune disease, exposure to drugs, and infections. No patient had portal hypertension at the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The histologic features of INCPH are seen in incidental liver biopsies and fatty liver disease without portal hypertension. Ten percent of the biopsies show 5-6 features of INCPH without portal hypertension. Interpreting histologic features in the right clinical context is important for proper patient care.

Histological Spectrum of Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension in Liver Biopsies From Dialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Liver biopsy is performed for various indications in dialysis patients. Being a less-common subset, the hepatic pathology in renal dialysis is not well documented. Idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a clinical entity associated with unexplained portal hypertension and/or a spectrum of histopathological vascular changes in the liver. After encountering INCPH and vascular changes of INCPH in 2 renal dialysis patients, we sought to further investigate this noteworthy association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random search for patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis with liver biopsy was performed. Hematoxylin and eosin, reticulin, trichrome, and CK7 stains were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Histopathological features were reviewed, and the results were correlated with clinical findings. RESULTS: In all, 13 liver biopsies were retrieved. The mean cumulative duration of dialysis was 50 months (range = 17 months to 11 years). All patients had multiple comorbidities. Indications for biopsy were a combination of abnormal liver function tests (6), portal hypertension (4), ascites (3), and possible cirrhosis (3). Two patients with portal hypertension underwent multiple liver biopsies for diagnostic purposes. All (100%) biopsies showed some histological features of INCPH, including narrowed portal venous lumen (9), increased portal vascular channels (8), shunt vessels (3), dilated sinusoids (9), regenerative nodule (5), and features of venous outflow obstruction (3). No cirrhosis was identified. CONCLUSION: Liver biopsies from patients on dialysis demonstrate histopathological vascular changes of INCPH. Some (31%) patients present with portal hypertension without cirrhosis. The histological changes may be reflective of underlying risk factors for INCPH in this group.

Prevalence and risk of colorectal neoplasia in consumers of alcohol in a screening population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although studies suggest a positive association between alcohol consumption and risk for colorectal neoplasia, the impact on screening has not been fully examined. It is also unclear whether all types of alcohol are associated with an increased risk. We performed a cross-sectional study to examine the impact of regular alcohol consumption on the detection of significant colorectal neoplasia in a screening population. METHODS: Data collected for 2,291 patients presenting for screening colonoscopy: known risk factors for colorectal neoplasia and alcohol drinking pattern. Our outcome was the endoscopic detection of significant colorectal neoplasia, which included adenocarcinoma, high-grade dysplasia, villous tissue, adenomas 1 cm or greater and multiple (>2) adenomas of any size. RESULTS: When compared to abstainers, we found an increased risk for significant neoplasia in those patients who consumed more than eight drinks of spirits alcohol (26.3%; OR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.10-4.28; p < 0.01) and those who drank more than eight servings of beer per week (21.7%; OR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.11-5.32; p= 0.02). Consuming one to eight glasses of wine per week was associated with a decreased risk for significant neoplasia (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.34-0.87; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: While there was a more than twofold increased risk of significant colorectal neoplasia in people who drink spirits and beer, people who drank wine had a lower risk. In our sample, people who drank more than eight servings of beer or spirits per week had at least a one in five chance of having significant colorectal neoplasia detected by screening colonoscopy.

Prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in smokers.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking has been linked with colorectal neoplasia. Previous colonoscopy screening studies have omitted smoking and have examined only gender, age, and family history. Our aim was to use a screening population to measure the prevalence of neoplasia in smokers, the anatomic location of these lesions, and the strength of this association relative to other risk factors. METHODS: Data collected from the charts of 1988 screening colonoscopy patients included colonic findings, histology, risk factors for colorectal neoplasia, and smoking pattern. Current smokers were defined as those who had smoked more than 10 pack-years and were currently smoking or who had quit within the past 10 yr. Our outcomes were any adenomatous lesion and significant colonic neoplasia, which included adenocarcinoma, high grade dysplasia, villous tissue, large (>1 cm) adenomas, and multiple (more than two) adenomas. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that current smokers were more likely to have any adenomatous lesion (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.42-2.51; p < 0.001) as well as significant neoplasia (OR = 2.26; 95% CI = 1.56-3.27; p < 0.001) than those who had never smoked. The increased risk for smokers was predominantly for left-sided neoplasia. The risk for significant neoplasia was greater for smokers than for patients with a family history of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 0.75-1.92; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is a significant risk factor for colorectal neoplasia in a screening population, especially for significant left-sided lesions. In our sample population, smoking posed a greater risk than family history of colorectal cancer.

Predictors of proximal neoplasia in patients without distal adenomatous pathology.

BACKGROUND: Previous colorectal cancer screening studies have observed that some patients may have advanced proximal neoplasia without distal findings. Since these studies have included only gender, age, and family history as risk factors, they are limited in their ability to identify predictors of isolated proximal neoplasia. METHODS: Data were collected from the charts of 1,988 patients who presented for colonoscopy. Information gathered included endoscopic findings, histology, known risk factors for colorectal neoplasia, and smoking pattern. Our main outcome was the presence of proximal adenomatous neoplasia in patients who had no distal adenomas. We defined significant neoplasia as adenocarcinoma, high-grade dysplasia, villous polyps, adenomas 1 cm or greater or more than two adenomas of any size. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients had isolated significant proximal neoplasia that would have been missed on a flexible sigmoidoscopy. While patients older than 60 yr had a greater risk for this neoplasia (odds ratio = 3.01: 95% CI = 1.66-4.23; p < 0.001), those who took a daily aspirin had a reduced risk (OR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.30-0.88; p < 0.05). A family history of colorectal cancer increased the patient's risk of having any adenomas (OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.33-3.40; p < 0.01) or villous tissue (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.27-3.51; p < 0.05) in the proximal colon without distal findings. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of large (> 1 cm) isolated proximal tubular polyps (OR = 2.71; 95% CI = 1.64-4.46; p < 0.01) as well as isolated significant proximal neoplasia (OR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.59-3.31; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Age greater than 60 yr, a history of at least 10 pack-years of smoking, and a family history of colorectal cancer increased the risk of finding significant proximal polyps in patients without distal pathology.