Colangiocarcinoma y hepatocolangiocarcinoma combinado en pacientes con cirrosis / Cholangiocarcinoma and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhotic patients

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary hepatic tumor, frequently found in patients with liver cirrhosis and biliary tract diseases. Its varieties include isolated CCA or "combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma" (cHCC-CCA). The latter is uncommon, with poorly defined diagnostic criteria and natural history. Aim: To characterize patients with cirrhosis with a pathological diagnosis of CCA and cHCC-CCA. Material and Methods: Forty-nine liver biopsies with a pathological diagnosis of CCA were reviewed. The clinical records of patients were reviewed to fetch demographic variables, etiology of cirrhosis and clinical presentation. Results: Eight of the 49 patients had cirrhosis (16% of CCA biopsies reviewed). Their median age was 64 (27-71) years and five were females. Four patients had CCA, three patients cHCC-CCA and one had a bifocal tumor. Patients in the CCA group were more commonly symptomatic. Alpha-fetoprotein and CA 19-9 levels were elevated in one of eight and four of six patients, respectively. Within 12 months from diagnosis, five of eight patients died. Conclusions: In most of these cases, the diagnosis of cHCC-CCA and CCA was made in the liver explant study without previous imaging diagnosis. This reinforces the usefulness of the histological study, in specific cases, prior to liver transplantation and emphasizes the importance of systematic explant exploration in these cases.

Autoimmune Hepatitis with Acute Presentation: Clinical, Biochemical, and Histological Features of 126 Patients.

Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease with a relevant inflammatory component and an unknown etiology. Evidence for clinical characteristics and risk factors in large cohorts of patients with acute AIH (AAIH) is lacking. We clinically characterized patients with AAIH, the prevalence of a combined adverse outcome (death or liver transplantation (LT)), and its risk factors. Methods: A retrospective study of adult patients diagnosed with AAIH at three centers (Santiago, Chile; 2000-2018) was conducted. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were obtained. A liver biopsy was performed for all patients. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used. Results: A total of 126 patients were admitted; 77% were female, 33 (26.2%) had a severe presentation, and 14 (11.1%) had a fulminant presentation. Overall, 24 patients (19.0%) lacked typical autoantibodies, and 26.2% had immunoglobulin G levels in the normal range. The most frequent histological findings were plasma cells (86.5%), interface hepatitis (81.7%), and chronic hepatitis (81.0%). Rosettes were uncommon (35.6%). Advanced fibrosis was present in 27% of patients. Combined adverse outcomes occurred in 7.9% of cases, all fulminant with histological cholestasis. Alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and prothrombin less than 50% were independent risk factors for in-hospital death or LT (p value <0.05). Although corticosteroid treatment was associated with better outcomes (OR 0.095, p value = 0.013), more severe patients were less likely to receive this therapy. Discussion. In this large cohort of patients with AAIH, clinical characteristics differ from those reported in patients with chronic AIH. Fulminant hepatitis, histological cholestasis, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and prothrombin were associated with death/LT.

[Cholangiocarcinoma and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhotic patients]. / Colangiocarcinoma y hepatocolangiocarcinoma combinado en pacientes con cirrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary hepatic tumor, frequently found in patients with liver cirrhosis and biliary tract diseases. Its varieties include isolated CCA or "combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma" (cHCC-CCA). The latter is uncommon, with poorly defined diagnostic criteria and natural history. AIM: To characterize patients with cirrhosis with a pathological diagnosis of CCA and cHCC-CCA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine liver biopsies with a pathological diagnosis of CCA were reviewed. The clinical records of patients were reviewed to fetch demographic variables, etiology of cirrhosis and clinical presentation. RESULTS: Eight of the 49 patients had cirrhosis (16% of CCA biopsies reviewed). Their median age was 64 (27-71) years and five were females. Four patients had CCA, three patients cHCC-CCA and one had a bifocal tumor. Patients in the CCA group were more commonly symptomatic. Alpha-fetoprotein and CA 19-9 levels were elevated in one of eight and four of six patients, respectively. Within 12 months from diagnosis, five of eight patients died. CONCLUSIONS: In most of these cases, the diagnosis of cHCC-CCA and CCA was made in the liver explant study without previous imaging diagnosis. This reinforces the usefulness of the histological study, in specific cases, prior to liver transplantation and emphasizes the importance of systematic explant exploration in these cases.

Consenso chileno de diagnóstico y manejo de neoplasias quísticas pancreáticas. Club de páncreas Chile-SCHGE / Chilean consensus on diagnosis and management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) are frequently detected on abdominal images performed for non-pancreatic indications. Their prevalence in asymptomatic population ranges from 2.7 to 24.8%, and increases with age. There are several types of pancreatic cysts. Some may contain cancer or have malignant potential, such as mucinous cystic neoplasms, including mucinous cystadenoma (MCN) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN). In contrast, others are benign, such as serous cystadenoma (SCA). However, even those cysts with malignant potential rarely progress to cancer. Currently, the only treatment for pancreatic cysts is surgery, which is associated with high morbidity and occasional mortality. The Board of the Chilean Pancreas Club of the Chilean Gastroenterology Society developed the first Chilean multidisciplinary consensus for diagnosis, management, and surveillance of PCN. Thirty experts were invited and answered 21 statements with five possible alternatives: 1) fully agree; 2) partially agree; 3) undecided; 4) disagree and 5) strongly disagree. A consensus was adopted when at least 80% of the sum of the answers "fully agree" and "partially agree" was reached. The consensus was approved by the Board of Directors of the Chilean Pancreas Club for publication.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas - a rare tumor with an uncommon presentation and course: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas (SCP) is a rare type of pancreatic neoplasm, and only a few cases have been described in the literature. Histologically, it is composed mostly of atypical spindle cells with apparent sarcomatous features. CASE SUMMARY: This is a report of a 61-year-old Chilean woman who underwent medical investigation for acute abdominal pain. Computed tomography identified a solid tumor in the tail of the pancreas with features suspicious of malignancy. En-bloc distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed to excise the tumor. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were confirmatory of sarcomatoid carcinoma with lymphovascular invasion. After surgery, the patient did not receive chemotherapy. Previous studies indicate a poor prognosis for this type of malignancy. However, our patient has survived for 35 mo with no recurrence to date. CONCLUSION: The case presented herein is a patient with an SCP with a rare presentation and long-term survival after surgery despite not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Primary malignant hepatic tumors other than hepatocarcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma. A series of cases]. / Tumores hepáticos primarios malignos no hepatocarcinoma ni colangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There are several types of primary malignant hepatic tumors (PMHT) other than hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC): they are infrequent and poorly known. Imaging studies could help characterize the lesions and may guide the diagnosis. However, the definitive diagnosis of PMHT is made by pathology. AIM: To review a registry of liver biopsies performed to diagnose hepatic tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Review of a pathology registry of liver biopsies performed for the diagnosis of liver tumors. Among these, 25 patients aged 57 ± 17 years, 60% males, in whom a liver tumor other than a HCC or CC was diagnosed, were selected for review. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to register their clinical characteristics, imaging and the pathological diagnosis performed during surgery and/ or with the percutaneous liver biopsy. RESULTS: Ten patients (40%) had neuroendocrine tumors, six (24%) had a lymphoma and four (16%) had hepatic hemangioendothelioma. Angiosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma were diagnosed in one patient each. In 22 patients (88%), neither clinical features nor imaging studies gave the correct diagnosis. Four patients (16%) had chronic liver disease. The most frequent symptoms were weight loss in 28% and abdominal pain in 24%. CONCLUSIONS: The most common PMHT other than HCC and CC were neuroendocrine tumors and lymphomas. Imaging or clinical features were not helpful to reach the correct diagnosis.

Tumores hepáticos primarios malignos no hepatocarcinoma ni colangiocarcinoma / Primary malignant hepatic tumors other than hepatocarcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma: a series of cases

Background: There are several types of primary malignant hepatic tumors (PMHT) other than hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC): they are infrequent and poorly known. Imaging studies could help characterize the lesions and may guide the diagnosis. However, the definitive diagnosis of PMHT is made by pathology. Aim: To review a registry of liver biopsies performed to diagnose hepatic tumors. Patients and Methods: Review of a pathology registry of liver biopsies performed for the diagnosis of liver tumors. Among these, 25 patients aged 57 ± 17 years, 60% males, in whom a liver tumor other than a HCC or CC was diagnosed, were selected for review. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to register their clinical characteristics, imaging and the pathological diagnosis performed during surgery and/ or with the percutaneous liver biopsy. Results: Ten patients (40%) had neuroendocrine tumors, six (24%) had a lymphoma and four (16%) had hepatic hemangioendothelioma. Angiosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma were diagnosed in one patient each. In 22 patients (88%), neither clinical features nor imaging studies gave the correct diagnosis. Four patients (16%) had chronic liver disease. The most frequent symptoms were weight loss in 28% and abdominal pain in 24%. Conclusions: The most common PMHT other than HCC and CC were neuroendocrine tumors and lymphomas. Imaging or clinical features were not helpful to reach the correct diagnosis.

Ultrasound Characteristics of the Hair Follicles and Tracts, Sebaceous Glands, Montgomery Glands, Apocrine Glands, and Arrector Pili Muscles.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the capability of very high-frequency ultrasound (US; 50-71 MHz) to detect the normal morphologic characteristics of the hair follicles and tracts, sebaceous glands, Montgomery glands, apocrine glands, and arrector pili muscles. METHODS: A retrospective study, approved by the Institutional Review Board, evaluated the normal US morphologic characteristics of the hair and adnexal structures in a database of very high-frequency US images extracted from the perilesional or contralateral healthy skin of 1117 consecutive patients who underwent US examinations for localized lesions of the skin and 10 healthy individuals from December 2017 to June 2018. These images were matched with their counterparts from the database of normal histologic images according to the corporal region. The Cohen concordance test and regional mean diameters of the hair follicles and adnexal structures were analyzed. RESULTS: The normal hair follicles and tracts, sebaceous glands, Montgomery glands, apocrine glands, and arrector pili muscles were observed on US images and matched their histological counterparts in all the corporal regions. There was significant US concordance (κ = 0.82; P = .0001) among observers. Regional mean diameters (millimeters) of the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and apocrine glands are provided. CONCLUSIONS: The hair follicles and tracts, sebaceous glands, Montgomery glands, apocrine glands, and arrector pili muscles are detectable with very high-frequency US, including some regional and anatomic variants. Knowledge of their normal US appearances is a requisite for detecting subclinical changes, understanding the physiopathologic characteristics, and supporting the early diagnosis and management of common dermatologic diseases.

El polimorfismo rs12979860 C> T en el gen Interferón lambda 4 no está asociado a riesgo de fibrosis hepática en pacientes chilenos con hepatitis crónica por virus C / Interferon Lambda 4 RS12979860 C> T polymorphism is not associated with liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C

Background. Host genetic predispositions may be important determinants of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The association between Interferon-L 4 (IFNL4) rs12979860 C>T polymorphism and risk of liver fibrosis in CHC is contradictory. Aim: To evaluate the impact of IFNL4 rs12979860 polymorphism on the risk of fibrosis in patients with CHC. Material and Methods: One hundred fifty patients with CHC aged 50 ± 11 years (89 females) were genotyped for IFNL4 rs12979860 using real time PCR. Fibrosis present in liver biopsies was assessed using the METAVIR score, comparing patients with either no fibrosis, mild fibrosis, or intermediate fibrosis (F0+F1+F2, n = 96), with patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (F3+F4, n = 54). Results: In F0-F2 patients the distribution of rs12979860 genotypes was 22 CC, 57 CT and 17 TT, whereas in patients F3-F4 the distribution was 10, 29 and 15, respectively. No association between IFNL4 rs12979860 genotype and risk of fibrosis was observed in uni or multivariate analyses. Conclusions: IFNL4 rs12979860 C>T polymorphism is not associated with risk of liver fibrosis in this group of patients with CHC.

Enfermedad de Still del adulto, a propósito de un caso: un desafío diagnóstico / Still disease of the adult, about a case: a diagnostic challenge

La enfermedad de Still del adulto (ESA) es una patología inflamatoria sistémica infrecuente, que se caracteriza por la tríada de fiebre, exantema evanescente y artralgias. Mujer de 57 años con historia de 7 meses de lesiones tipo máculas-habones asalmonadas, en relación a peaks febriles intermitentes. Asocia odinofagia, mialgias y artralgias. En los exámenes destaca anemia leve, VHS, PCR y ferritina elevadas. Estudio viral e inmunológico negativo. La tomografía computada de tórax, abdomen y pelvis (TC-TAP) reveló múltiples adenopatías axilares, pélvicas y esplenomegalia. La biopsia cutánea y de un linfonodo axilar, descartó patología vasculítica y neoplásica respectivamente, apoyando el diagnóstico de ESA. Se trató con prednisona 40 mg/día, con buena respuesta y sin recidivas. La ESA constituye un verdadero desafío diagnóstico, pues su clínica inespecífica y la ausencia de marcadores propician un diagnóstico tardío. Su pronóstico se relaciona con un tratamiento precoz, por lo que es fundamental un diagnóstico oportuno.

Adult-onset Still's disease (ESA) is an infrequent systemic inflammatory pathology, characterized by the triad of febrile syndrome, evanescent rash and arthralgias. A 57-year-old woman with a 7-months history of salmon-colored rash in relation to intermitent febrile peaks, asociated with odynophagia, myalgias and arthralgias. General exams showed mild anemia, elevated ESR, CRP and ferritin. Viral and immunological studies were negative. Computed tomography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis revealed multiple axillary and pelvic lymph nodes and splenomegaly. The skin and axillary lymph node biopsies, ruled out vasculitic and neoplastic pathologies respectively, supporting the diagnosis of ESA. Prednisone 40 mg daily was administered with good response and no evidence of recurrence. No evidence of relapse in subsequent controls. ESA reprsents a great diagnostic challenge, since its nonspecific clinic and the absence of pathognomonic studies lead to a late or erroneous diagnosis. Its prognosis is related to an early treatment; therefore it is essential to make en early diagnosis.

Enfermedad de Hailey- Hailey: reporte de casos entre los años 2001 y 2016 en un hospital universitario y revisión de la literatura / Hailey-Hailey disease: case report among the years 2001 and 2016 in a university hospital and review of the literature

Introducción: La enfermedad de Hailey-Hailey (pénfigo crónico familiar benigno) es una dermatosis ampollar, de evolución crónica, recidivante, autosómica dominante, de penetrancia y expresividad variables, localizada predominantemente en los pliegues. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de la base de datos del Servicio Anatomía Patológica del Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile (HCUCH) entre los años 2001 y 2016 y se complementaron con los antecedentes clínicos extraídos de las fichas clínicas. Resultados: Se obtuvo un total de 6 casos ilustrativos de la patología en estudio. Discusión y conclusiones: La enfermedad de Hailey-Hailey es una genodermatosis poco frecuente cuyo diagnóstico y tratamiento constituyen un desafío para el dermatólogo.

Background: The Hailey-Hailey disease (familial benign chronic pemphigus) is a bullous dermatosis, with chronic and recurrent evolution, autosomal dominant with variable penetrance and expressivity, localized predominantly in the folds. Methods: A review of the database of the Anatomic Pathology Service of the Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile (HCUCH) between 2001 and 2016 was carried out and supplemented with the clinical history extracted from the clinical records. Results: A total of 6 illustrative cases of the pathology under study were obtained. Discussion and conclusions: Hailey-Hailey's disease is a rare genodermatosis whose diagnosis and treatment is a challenge for the dermatologist.

Síndrome de nevo de Becker con características ictiosiformes / Becker's nevus syndrome with ichthyosiformes features

El nevo de Becker, es un hamartoma cutáneo benigno de etiología desconocida, que se presenta como una mácula hiperpigmentada de bordes geográficos. Por lo general, se ubica en la región torácica superior y su compromiso tiende a ser unilateral. Ocasionalmente el nevo de Becker se asocia a anomalías en el tejido óseo, muscular o cutáneo, siendo la ictiosis una característica muy infrecuente. La presencia de alguna de estas anomalías asociadas a un Nevo de Becker determina el síndrome del Nevo de Becker. Paciente de sexo masculino de 18 años, que consultó por un cuadro iniciado en la infancia, caracterizado por la aparición de manchas cafés, escamosas, pruriginosas que inicialmente se ubicaron en las extremidades inferiores y con el tiempo fueron apareciendo en tronco, región lumbar y glútea. Mediante la correlación clínico-patológica se llegó al diagnóstico de Nevo de Becker, con características ictiosiformes. Se realizaron estudios complementarios con ecocardiograma Doppler y radiografía de tórax, que resultaron normales y una ecotomografía Doppler color de tórax anterior que mostró una leve ginecomastia bilateral con discreto aumento del botón mamario derecho y una leve hipoplasia del pectoral mayor derecho diagnosticándose Síndrome de Nevo de Becker. La mayoría de los reportes de Síndrome de nevo de Becker describen anomalías como escoliosis o hipoplasia unilateral de la mama, con escasos reportes sobre ictiosis. Se reporta este caso por su presentación atípica con múltiples nevos de Becker, compromiso de hemicuerpo inferior y su asociación ictiosiforme poco descrita en la literatura.

Becker's nevus is a benign cutaneous hamartoma of unknown etiology; it appears as a hyperpigmented macula with geographical borders. Usually it is located in the upper thoracic region, unilaterally. Occasionally Becker nevus is associated with abnormalities in the bony, muscle or skin tissue, being ichthyosis an unusual feature. The presence of some of these anomalies associated with Becker´s nevus determine the Becker´s nevus syndrome. Male patient of 18 years old who had a clinical history that begun in childhood, characterized by the appearance of brown, scaly, itchy patch that initially were located in the lower extremities and eventually were appearing in the trunk, lumbar and gluteal area. The clinical-pathological correlation led us to the diagnosis of Becker´s nevus with ichthyosiform features. Additional studies were performed such as Doppler echocardiography and chest radiograph, both normal. Color Doppler ultrasonography of anterior chest showed a slight bilateral gynecomastia with discrete increase of the right breast and a slight hypoplasia of the right major pectoral, determining a Becker´s nevus syndrome. Most reports of Becker´s nevus syndrome described abnormalities such as scoliosis or unilateral breast hypoplasia, few cases have been reported with ichthyosis. This case is reported for its atypical presentation with multiple Becker´s nevus, compromise of the lower body and its ichthyosiform association, rarely described in the literature.

Tumor mixto cutáneo apocrino, un desafío diagnóstico a considerar / A mixed cutaneous apocrine tumors, a diagnostic challenge to to consider

El tumor mixto cutáneo es una neoplasia se aparición inusual al que se ha denominado también siringoma condroide. Se reporta un caso de Tumor mixto benigno apocrino en una paciente de 63 años. Paciente mujer de 63 años, con lesión tumoral de un año de evolución en zona frontal, asintomática. La ecografía de partes blandas fue compatible con lesión quística y el estudio histológico mostró la presencia de una neoplasia mixta benigna epitelial estromal, correspondiente a un tumor mixto benigno apocrino. Los tumores mixtos benignos apocrinos son neoplasias poco frecuentes, localizadas en las glándulas sudoríparas. Se caracterizan por presentarse como un nódulo subcutáneo o intradérmico, solitario, que puede alcanzar hasta 3 cm. de diámetro. Son asintomáticos y de crecimiento lento. Su principal ubicación corresponde a la cabeza y cuello y predominan en pacientes de sexo masculino, de edad media. El diagnóstico de certeza es histopatológico, encontrándose a la microscopía un patrón epitelial compuesto por estructuras tubulares, ductales, túbulo-alveolares o áreas sólidas con diferenciación pilo-sebácea focal, en un estroma que puede ser mixoide o condroide Se presenta este caso por ser un tumor de baja frecuencia, cuyo diagnóstico es esencialmente histopatológico y cuya terapia resolutiva es la extirpación quirúrgica completa.

Apocrine mixed tumor of the skin: a diagnosis challenge to consider. Cutaneous mixed tumor is an uncommon, benign adnexal neoplasm arising from apocrine or eccrine glands of the dermis. Apocrine mixed tumors often exhibit decapitation secretion, a feature of apocrine epithelium, but they may exhibit a wide range of metaplastic changes and differentiation in the epithelial, the myoepithelial, and the stromal components. We present two clinical cases of Apocrine mixed tumour of the skin in two different patients who have seen in our Department.

Dermatosis purpúrica pigmentaria, variante granulomatosa, a propósito de un caso / Granulomatous variant of chronic pigmented purpuric dermatosis: case report

La dermatosis purpúrica pigmentaria (DPP) corresponde a un grupo de enfermedades caracterizadas clínicamente por petequias y coloración bronce de la piel. Generalmente se localiza en las extremidades inferiores y se describen varios tipos, dentro de los cuales se encuentra la variante granulomatosa. Se trata de una dermatopatía benigna, poco frecuente, de etiología aún no precisada y de difícil manejo. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 48 años, sexo femenino, sin antecedentes mórbidos, que es derivada a dermatología desde reumatología, con el diagnóstico clínico de vasculitis, por la aparición de lesiones maculares y papulares eritematovioláceas, confluentes y pruriginosas en extremidades. Presenta todos sus exámenes normales. Se planteó, entonces, una acroangiodermatitis o liquen plano. Sin embargo, fue necesario llegar al estudio histopatológico para llegar al diagnóstico de dermatosis purpúrica pigmentaria, variante granulomatosa. Si bien se considera que la DPP granulomatosa es una entidad poco frecuente, la literatura sugiere que es una entidad subdiagnosticada. Se debe plantear como diagnóstico diferencial de lesiones cutáneas en extremidades inferiores, lo que determina la importancia de realizar el estudio histopatológico. De esta forma, la DPP granulomatosa será cada vez más común y se plantearán alternativas de tratamiento mejores a las actuales.

The pigmented purpuric dermatoses are a group of diseases characterized clinically by petechiae and bronze skin color, usually affecting the lower extremities. Several types are described and one of them is the granulomatous variant. This is a still rare and benign skin disease of unknown etiology. We present the case of a 48 years old female, previously healthy, derived from rheumatology to dermatology, with the clinical diagnosis of vasculitis due to the presence of confluent erythematous macular and papular lesions, mildly pruritic in lower extremities. Her tests were all in normal ranges. Therefore, an acroangiodermatitis or lichen planus were considered. However, it was necessary to perform a histopathology study to reach the final diagnosis of granulomatous pigmented purpuric dermatosis. It is considered that Granulomatous DPP is a rare entity, but the literature suggests that it is underdiagnosed. It should always be considered as a differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions located in lower extremities, which determines the importance of histopathology. Thus, the granulomatous DPP will become more common and will be posible to propose better treatment alternatives.