Low phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome, a not uncommon cause of biliary problems and hospital admissions.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: biliary diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality for patients and a burden for the healthcare system. The genetic syndrome of low phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis (LPAC) is a little known and rare entity whose treatment with bile salts avoids symptoms, admissions and the need for surgery. The aim of this study was to determine its incidence and characteristics in our center. METHODS: prospective study performed between February 2021 and September 2022. LPAC was diagnosed if at least two of the following were present: onset of biliary problems < 40 years of age, recurrence of symptoms after cholecystectomy, ultrasound image of hepatolithiasis (multiple echoic foci, comet-tail images, hepatolithiasis with acoustic shadow). Demographic, clinical, genetic (analysis of MDR3 gene mutations) and ultrasound characteristics and their incidence were analyzed in hospital admissions for biliary causes. RESULTS: thirty-six patients with LPAC were identified. Of these, six were among 237 admissions due to biliary causes in the previous nine months, with an incidence of 2.5 % (95 % CI: 1.17-5.41). By age subgroup, the incidence was 16.7 % in those admitted < 40 years of age and 9.1 % in those < 50. Considering females only, the incidence was 21 % in those admitted < 40 years and 15.8 % in those < 50 years. All patients remained asymptomatic after treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid and there were no new admissions. CONCLUSIONS: LPAC syndrome is not as uncommon as it may appear, especially in women < 50 years of age admitted with biliary problems. Its correct diagnosis based on simple criteria could avoid a significant number of hospital admissions and unnecessary cholecystectomies.

Protocol for acquisition of images and measurement of transabdominal ultrasound pancreatic two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE). / Protocolo de adquisición de imágenes y medición de la elasticidad pancreática mediante elastografía por onda de cizallamiento bidimensional (2D-SWE) transabdominal.

INTRODUCTION: Transabdominal ultrasound (TU) pancreatic 2D-SWE elastography is a developing technique that needs to be protocolized. OBJECTIVES: Establish a protocol for image acquisition and measurement of TU pancreatic - 2D-SWE elastography and estimate the minimum number of measurements to be performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten measurements of pancreatic elasticity were taken in healthy volunteers using TU-2D-SWE, following a strict protocol for image acquisition and measurement. RESULTS: The 70% of the participants were women, with an average age, weight, and BMI of 49.5±15.7 years, 65.9±11.9kg, and 24.5±4.2kg/m2, respectively. Measurements were taken from the body (70%), tail (16.7%), and pancreatic head (13.3%). The median mean velocity and elasticity were 1.46±0.25cm/sec and 6.46±2.87KPa, respectively. The ROI depth was 4.12±1cm and the SP-ROI distance was 5.2mm on average. There were no statistically significant differences between the 10 measurements. The reliability analysis of the measurements showed high internal consistency and repeatability. Taking 5-6 measurements ensured high concordance with the ten reference measurements. The measurements were significantly lower when the SP-ROI values were intermediate (0.3-0.6cm). The measurement accuracy was higher when performed at a depth less than 4.8cm. CONCLUSION: To measure pancreatic elasticity using TU-2D-SWE, we propose a strict protocol for image acquisition and measurement, taking a minimum of 5 measurements in the best visualized and accessible pancreatic portion, and preferably at a depth of less than 4.8cm.

Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis c infection and stage 3 fibrosis after sustained virological response.

Evidence on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with stage 3 liver fibrosis (F3) and SVR is scarce and continues to generate uncertainty. Furthermore, the distinction between F3 and F4 disease is complex. Consequently, the latest international guidelines recommend using the same screening protocol for HCC after SVR in both F3 and F4 patients. However, the risk of HCC in these groups is possibly different and maintaining screening for HCC in this population indefinitely generates an excessive burden for the health system. This editorial aims to review the available evidence on this topic.

Retrieval and treatment of patients with primary biliary cholangitis who are lost in the health system.

INTRODUCTION: hepatitis C patients loss to follow-up in the health care system has been shown to have negative consequences. This study aimed to investigate this issue as regards primary biliary cholangitis. METHODS: the databases (immunology, biochemistry, clinical reports, drug dispensation, appointments) of 4 reference hospitals in Spain (serving a population of 1,450,000 inhabitants) were analyzed. The diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis was based on an antimitochondrial antibody titer ≥ 1:80, chronically elevated alkaline phosphatase, and the absence of other liver disease. Patients were classified as lost in the absence of reports indicating a diagnosis, specific medical follow-up, and/or treatment with bile salts. RESULTS: a total of 1372 patients with antimitochondrial antibody titers ≥ 1:80 were included between January 2010 and June 2019. A total of 697 (50.8 %) were classified as having primary biliary cholangitis, and 100 patients (14.3 %; 95 % CI: 11.8-17.2) were identified as lost. Of these, 30 were contacted and retrieved. The median age was 70 years, 93 % were female, median alkaline phosphatase was 185 IU/L, 10 % had pruritus, and 27 % had a transient elastography value > 9.5 kPa. The disease was confirmed and ursodeoxycholic acid was started in all 30 patients. Death was liver-related in 6 of the 100 patients classified as lost. CONCLUSION: up to 14.3 % of patients (1 out of 7) with a definitive diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis remain undiagnosed, thus preventing monitoring and treatment. More than a quarter are at risk of advanced liver disease and its complications. Patients lost in the system must be identified and retrieved, and searching hospital databases is a suitable approach to meet this goal.

Quality of life study in asymptomatic patients with hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: an observational, longitudinal, prospective study was performed to assess changes in perceived quality of life in asymptomatic patients with hepatitis C under treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Questionnaires SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L were administered to 86 treated patients and 12 controls. RESULTS: there were improvements in several parameters such as physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality and social functioning, particularly when the perceptions were compared before treatment and after treatment completion and following recovery. CONCLUSION: these data support the hypothesis that the hepatitis C virus may worsen quality of life in asymptomatic patients.

Hemodynamic changes after endoscopic variceal ligation: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: there is controversy about the need to maintain vasoconstrictor treatment after adequate haemostasis is achieved through endoscopic band ligation (EBL) in bleeding esophageal varices (BEV). Measuring a "before and after urgent-EBL" hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in acute variceal hemorrhage is very difficult. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine hemodynamic variations after an EBL session. A "before" HVPG (PRE) was performed and another one 24 hours "after-ligation" (POST), in cirrhotic patients undergoing endoscopic band ligation as BEV prophylaxis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: this was a single-center, cohort, prospective study. Patients followed a program of repeated sessions of EBL until eradication of their varices and underwent a basal hepatic venous pressure gradient (PRE HVPG), without changing their usual treatment with beta-blockers. Subsequently, an endoscopic ligation session was performed, following the clinical practices guidelines. A second pressure measurement (POST HVPG) was taken 24 hours after the endoscopic treatment. RESULTS: 30 patients were included. PRE and POST HVPG median results were 16.5 mmHg (14-20) and 19.5 mmHg (17-21), respectively, with a significant increase after the procedure (p < 0.001). Percentage variations in portal pressure, based on the baseline gradient values (12, 16 and 20 mmHg), were higher for patients with a lower basal HVPG versus a higher HVPG for any of the categories compared (p = 0.087, p = 0.016 and p < 0.001, respectively). In our series, 36.7 % of patients showed a ≥ 20 % gradient increase after ligation. CONCLUSION: endoscopic band ligation causes an increase in portal pressure, at least for a transitional period, determined by the hepatic venous pressure gradient.

Patients with hepatitis C lost to follow-up: ethical-legal aspects and search results.

INTRODUCTION: data on the prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis C patients lost to follow-up are lacking. In addition, the identification of this population clashes with data protection regulations. METHODS: the identification and contact protocol was submitted to the Health Care Ethics Committee. The protocol was based on anti-HCV serology test results for 2010-2018, which were obtained from the Microbiology Department. In addition, the situation of the patients in the hospital and regional database was analyzed, based on the following classification: a) chronic hepatitis C, if the last HCV RNA determination was positive; b) cured hepatitis C, if the last HCV RNA determination was negative after 12 weeks of treatment; and c) possible hepatitis C, if anti-HCV antibodies were positive with no result for HCV RNA. Lost patients were defined as those with chronic or possible hepatitis C and no follow-up in the Digestive Diseases or Internal Medicine Departments. The patients were contacted by postal mail and then by telephone, so that they could be offered treatment. RESULTS: the Ethics Committee considered that the protocol fulfilled the bioethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice and that contact was ethically desirable. From 4,816 positive anti-HCV serology results, 677 patients were identified who were lost to follow-up (14.06 %; 95 % CI, 13.2-15.2). The mean age was 54 years, 61 % were male, 12 % were foreign born and 95 % were mono-infected. The study of each serology result took 1.3 minutes. One-quarter (25 %) of the losses corresponded to the Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine Departments. Of the 677 losses, serology testing had only been ordered for 449 patients (66.3 %) and the remaining 228 (33.7 %) also had a positive HCV RNA result. CONCLUSION: a large number of patients with hepatitis C are lost to follow-up. Searching for and contacting these patients is legally and ethically viable.

A solitary fibrous tumor: an entity to consider in the diagnosis of liver masses.

We report the case of a female admitted for abdominal tenderness and palpable mass identifying in abdominal ultrasound a big hyperechogenic lesion with anechogenic areas inside with a nonspecific contrast behaviour pattern that after removing was diagnosed of hepatic solitary fibrous tumor. Solitary fibrous tumor is an infrequent mesenchymal neoplasm, mostly beningn, with infrequent appearance in liver parenchyma. Clinical diagnosis of this entity is difficult because neither the laboratory data nor the radiological characteristics are specific and they are not well defined either, so anatomopathological and immunohistochemical study are needed, usually in the whole tumor because of its size frequently requires surgical removement.

Portosystemic venous shunt: portocaval fistula in a patient with biliary cirrhosis secondary to a right hepatectomy for hydatidosis.

Major intrahepatic venous shunts are rare conditions where a communication between hepatic veins and intrahepatic portal vessels is established. Potential spontaneous development has been proposed in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT).

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy in a patient with isolated autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease.

Isolated polycystic liver disease (IPLD) is a rare genetic condition characterized by the presence of multiple liver cysts with no association with polycystic kidney disease. Most patients are asymptomatic and acute complications (cyst torsion, bleeding, infection) are uncommon.Imaging techniques, including abdominal ultrasounds, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, represent a vital diagnostic modality. They are also useful for therapy support in this disease. Below we report a peculiar case of a female patient recentlydiagnosed with IPLD who, having received treatment with ultrasoundguided percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy for a giant liver cyst, showed symptom and laboratory improvement.

Benefits of rilpivirine for liver stiffness in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.

BACKGROUND: Rilpivirine (RPV) is an antiretroviral drug characterized by good tolerability and a favorable liver safety profile. Recent research has shown that RPV ameliorates liver fibrosis in animal models of various chronic liver diseases. Our study aimed to analyze the effect of RPV on liver fibrosis by assessing changes in liver stiffness using transient elastography. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected patients who were exposed and not exposed to RPV. The change in liver stiffness during the period between two transient elastography measurements was analyzed and compared for patients exposed and not exposed to RPV. RESULTS: We selected 118 RPV-exposed and 118 non-RPV-exposed HIV-infected patients. Median time between transient elastography (TE) measurements was 50 (29-68) months. A repeated-measures general linear model based on the main clinical characteristics revealed a significant decrease in the TE value of -0.8kPa in non-RPV-exposed patients (p=0.254) and -1.6kPa in the RPV-exposed group (p<0.001). The subgroup analysis showed a significant reduction in the TE value only patients cured of hepatitis C (RPV-exposed, -2.8kPa [p<0.001]; non-RPV-exposed, -1.1kPa [p=0.22]). CONCLUSION: RPV-based antiretroviral regimens significantly reduced liver stiffness, as measured by TE, in patients cured of chronic hepatitis C.

Predicting early and sustained virological responses in prior nonresponders to pegylated interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin retreated with peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin and the benefit-risk ratio of retreatment.

GOALS: To evaluate the predictive value of complete early virological response (cEVR) on sustained virological response (SVR) following retreatment with peginterferon alpha-2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin in previous nonresponders to peginterferon alpha-2b (12 kDa). BACKGROUND: In the randomized multinational retreatment with Pegasys in patients not responding to PegIntron therapy study, a 72-week regimen of peginterferon alpha-2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin improved SVR rates over a standard 48-week regimen in previous nonresponders to peginterferon alpha-2b (12 kDa). cEVR, defined as hepatitis C virus RNA <50 IU/mL at treatment week 12, was an important predictor of SVR. STUDY: We conducted an exploratory analysis of the retreatment with Pegasys in patients not responding to PegIntron therapy study data to better define the predictive value of cEVR for SVR in this patient population. RESULTS: In total, 157 of the 942 patients achieved a cEVR (16.7%). SVR rates were higher with 72 versus 48 weeks of retreatment in patients with a cEVR (57% vs. 35%), whereas SVR rates were <5% in patients without cEVR in both groups. The relative adverse event (AE) burden was lower with 72 weeks of treatment (8.1 vs. 10.1 AEs/y of treatment) as was the estimated number of AEs per SVR achieved (55 vs. 100). Cumulative treatment duration required to achieve 1 SVR was lower with 72 weeks of treatment (6.7 vs. 10.0 y/SVR) and lower still assuming that treatment was stopped at week 12 for non-cEVR patients (3.6 vs. 7.1 y/SVR). CONCLUSIONS: cEVR is a reliable predictor of SVR in patients retreated with peginterferon alpha-2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin. Seventy-two-week retreatment has a more favorable benefit-risk ratio than 48 weeks, especially when cEVR is used to identify patients most likely to be cured.

Psoriasis and Liver Damage in HIV-Infected Patients.

Background/objectives: Psoriasis is the most frequent skin disease in HIV-infected patients. Nonalcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is more prevalent in patients with psoriasis. We report the prevalence of psoriasis and NAFLD and investigate risk factors of liver damage in HIV-infected patients with psoriasis. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study. Steatosis was defined as indicative abdominal ultrasound findings, CAP (controlled attenuated parameter by transient elastography) > 238 dB/m, and/or triglyceride and glucose index (TyG) > 8.38. Significant (fibrosis ≥ 2) and advanced liver fibrosis (fibrosis ≤ F3) were studied by transient elastography (TE) and/or FIB-4 using standard cutoff points. FIB-4 (Fibrosis 4 score) results were adjusted for hepatitis C (HCV)-coinfected patients. Results: We identified 80 patients with psoriasis (prevalence, 1.5%; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8). Psoriasis was severe (PASI > 10 and/or psoriatic arthritis) in 27.5% of cases. The prevalence of steatosis was 72.5% (95% CI, 65-85). Severe psoriasis was an independent risk factor for steatosis (OR, 12; 95% CI, 1.2-120; p = 0.03). Significant liver fibrosis (p < 0.05) was associated with HCV coinfection (OR 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1-10.6), total CD4 (OR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99-1), and time of efavirenz exposure (OR 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3). Conclusions: The prevalence of psoriasis in HIV-infected patients was similar to that of the general population. Steatosis is highly prevalent, and severe psoriasis is an independent risk factor for steatosis in HIV-infected patients.

[Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with artificial ascites for hepatocellular carcinoma adjacent to the diaphragm]. / Creación de ascitis artificial para el tratamiento mediante radiofrecuencia percutánea del hepatocarcinoma cercano al diafragma.

Surgical resection is the first-line curative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However most patients are unable to undergo surgical resection because of advanced tumoral stage, severe liver dysfunction or poor clinical status. Therefore, image-guided tumor ablation techniques have been introduced for the treatment of unresectable HCC. Among them, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been demonstrated to be an effective alternative curative therapy. However, local ablative therapy for tumors located close to structures such as the diaphragm or gastrointestinal tract is technically challenging because of the risk of collateral thermal damage to nearby structures or incomplete treatment of the HCC resulting from poor visibility on sonography. The introduction of artificial ascites can separate adjacent organs from the tumor and improve the sonic window. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of RFA with artificial ascites for HCC adjacent to the diaphragm.

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases: experience in Hospital La Paz.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation for patients presenting with non-resectable primary or metastatic liver tumours seems to be a valid therapeutic alternative. In the present study, we show a descriptive list of indications, results and complications of Radiofrequency Ablation Technique for treating non-resectable solid hepatic tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty two patients were included in this study; eleven of them (50%) sustained liver metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma, ten patients (45.5%) had hepatocellular carcinoma and 1 patient had insulinoma. RESULTS: Local recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma was 22.7% and 27.3% for colorectal carcinoma, after a respective median follow-up of 21 and 14 months. Complications rate was 6.9% and technique-associated mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation is an easy to make, safe and useful technique for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumours.