Modified by the Innovative Drugs and Strategies-Pattern of Selected Indications for Pediatric Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LTx) constitutes a major life-saving routine treatment for children with end-stage liver disease. However, the analysis of LTx registries in children provides much information about changes in the indication profiles in the recent years. METHODS: The article provides a comprehensive review about the successes, hopes, and challenges related to changing indications for LTx in children based on the literature review and our own experience. Retrospective review of the indications for LTx at a tertiary referral pediatric hospital was also presented. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the new therapies that have emerged, the need for LTx has decreased in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infection and tyrosinemia type 1. In primary hyperoxaluria type 1, new RNAi-based therapy has eliminated the requirement for LTx (both isolated or combined). There is a hope that introduction of ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) blockers reduces the need for LTx in patients with Alagille syndrome or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. The number of children qualified for LTx with urea cycle disorders (UCDs) as a prophylaxis of neurodevelopmental impairment is increasing.

Simultaneous total internal biliary diversion during liver transplantation for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1: Standard of care?

Patients post liver transplant (LT) with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (PFIC-1) often develop progressive graft steatohepatitis, intractable diarrhea, and growth failure. A total internal biliary diversion (TIBD) during an LT may prevent or reverse these adverse events. Children with PFIC-1 who underwent an LT at our institute were divided into 2 groups, A and B based on the timeline where we started offering a TIBD in association with LT. Pre-LT parameters, intraoperative details, and posttransplant complications like graft steatosis and diarrhea were also analyzed between the 2 groups, and their growth velocity was measured in the follow-up period. Of 550 pediatric LT performed between 2011 and 2022, 13 children underwent LT for PFIC-1. Group A had 7 patients (A1-A7) and group B had 6 (B1-B6). Patients A1, A4, B4, and B5 had a failed partial internal biliary diversion before offering them an LT. Patients A1, A2, and A6 in group A died in the post-LT period (2 early allograft dysfunction and 1 posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder) whereas A3, A4, and A5 had graft steatosis in the follow-up period. A4 was offered a TIBD 4 years after LT following which the graft steatosis fully resolved. In group B, B1, B2, B5, and B6 underwent TIBD during LT, and B3 and B4 had it 24 and 5 months subsequently for intractable diarrhea and graft steatosis. None of the patients in group B demonstrated graft steatosis or diarrhea and had good growth catch-up during follow-up. We demonstrate that simultaneous TIBD in patients undergoing LT should be a standard practice as it helps dramatically improve outcomes in PFIC-1 as it prevents graft steatosis and/or fibrosis, diarrhea, and improves growth catch-up.

Optimal liver transplant procedure in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 treated with biliary diversion or intestinal transplantation: Lessons learned from three cases treated with different approaches.

BACKGROUND: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (PFIC1) is an autosomal recessive cholestatic liver disorder caused by ATP8B1 gene mutations. Although liver transplantation (LT) is indicated for progressive liver disease, postoperative complications, including severe diarrhea and graft steatohepatitis leading to graft loss, have been reported. CASES: The first patient had jaundice, pruritus, diarrhea, and growth retardation (weight z-score: -2.5; height z-score: -3.7). She underwent LT with total internal biliary diversion (TIBD) to the colon at 2 years of age. Graft biopsy at the 7-year follow-up examination revealed microvesicular steatosis (60%). Her diarrhea improved, and her growth failure was recovering (weight z-score: -1.0; height z-score: -1.7). The second patient underwent sequential intestine-liver transplantation at 8 years of age due to end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and short bowel syndrome caused by massive bowel resection for internal hernia after partial external biliary diversion (PEBD) at 21 months of age. She developed severe pancreatitis induced by steroid-bolus therapy for rejection after transplantation. She died 1.7 years after intestinal transplantation due to an uncontrollable pancreatic abscess and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The third patient underwent PEBD at 15 months of age and received LT with TEBD at 15 years of age due to ESLD with hepatic encephalopathy. Throughout the perioperative period, she showed no abdominal symptoms, including diarrhea and pancreatitis. Graft biopsy at the 2-year follow-up examination revealed macrovesicular steatosis (60%) with inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The patients showed different outcomes. Effective therapeutic options to mitigate post-LT complications in patients with PFIC1 must be considered individually.

Partial External Biliary Diversion for Severe Diarrhea After Liver Transplant in Patients with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1.

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive disorders, and liver transplant is the only curative treatment. A biliary diversion operation for disruption of enterohepatic circulation in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 without cirrhosis is another option. We present a pediatric patient with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 who underwent liver transplant due to end-stage liver disease. After transplant, diarrhea and growth retardation complications resolved after partial external biliary diversion surgery.

Case report of pure single-port robotic left lateral sectionectomy using the da Vinci SP system.

INTRODUCTION: Since its first appearance in the early 1990s, laparoscopic hepatic resection has become increasingly accepted and recognized as safe as laparotomy. The recent introduction of robotic surgery systems has brought new innovations to the field of minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopic surgery. The da Vinci line of surgical systems has recently released a true single-port platform called the da Vinci SP system, which has 3 fully wristed and elbowed instruments and a flexible camera in a single 2.5 cm cannula. We present the first case of robotic liver resection using the da Vinci SP system and demonstrate the technical feasibility of this platform. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS: A 63-year-old woman presented with elevated liver function test results and abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed multiple intrahepatic duct stones in the left lateral section and distal common bile duct stones near the ampulla of Vater. INTERVENTIONS: The docking time was 8 minute. The patient underwent successful da Vinci SP with a total operation time of 135 minute. The estimated blood loss was 50.0 ml. No significant intraoperative events were observed. OUTCOMES: The numerical pain intensity score was 3/10 in the immediate postoperative period and 1/10 on postoperative day 2. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 after verifying that the CT scan did not show any surgical complications. CONCLUSION: We report a technique of left lateral sectionectomy, without the use of an additional port, via the da Vinci SP system. The present case suggests that minor hepatic resection is technically feasible and safe with the new da Vinci SP system in select patients. For the active application of the da Vinci SP system in hepatobiliary surgery, further device development and research are needed.

A Report of 2 Infant Siblings with Progressive Intrahepatic Familial Cholestasis Type 1 and a Novel Homozygous Mutation in the ATP8B1 Gene Treated with Partial External Biliary Diversion and Liver Transplant.

BACKGROUND Current treatment options for progressive intrahepatic familial cholestasis type 1 (PFIC-1) comprise ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), partial external biliary diversion (PEBD), and liver transplantation (LTx). The role and timing of LTx in PFIC-1 remains debated. We present 2 case reports of male siblings with PFIC-1 who benefited from different treatments. CASE REPORT Both siblings harbored a homozygous truncating mutation in ATP8B1 characteristic for PFIC-1 and both underwent PEBD after unsuccessful UDCA treatment at the age of 7 and 5 months, respectively. The older brother, after initial improvement of symptoms, developed severe pruritus, cholestasis, and diarrhea 9 months after PEBD and underwent LTx at the age of 16 months. Chronic diarrhea and abnormal transaminases activity appeared soon after transplantation. A liver biopsy was performed 3 months after LTx and showed severe macrovesicular steatosis (95%). Sixteen months after LTx, total biliary diversion was performed, with rapid relief from diarrhea and significant regression of graft steatosis by <30%. In his brother we observed persistent severe pruritus and cholestasis after PEBD, but we decided to postpone LTx due to lack of a living related donor and risk of graft steatosis. Eight months after PEBD, bilirubin and bile acids significantly decreased and pruritus disappeared completely. Currently, in 5-year follow-up, liver function is stable and he has no pruritus. CONCLUSIONS The good effect of PEBD may be delayed in PFIC-1, even in severe mutation; thus, the decision to perform LTx should be made cautiously. Total biliary diversion is an efficient procedure in case of persistent symptoms after LTx and can reverse graft steatosis in children with PFIC-1.

3D-reconstruction and heterotopic implantation of reduced size monosegment or left lateral segment grafts in small infants: A new technique in pediatric living donor liver transplantation to overcome large-for-size syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Monosegmental grafts and reduced left lateral segment grafts have been introduced to overcome the problems of large-for-size grafts in pediatric living donor liver transplantation. Here, we introduce a new method of reduced size monosegment or left lateral segment grafts transplanted in the right diaphragmatic fossa heterotopically in small infants. METHODS: There were 4 infants who underwent living donor liver transplantation with heterotopically implanted reduced monosegmental or left lateral segment grafts at our center. The demographic, operative, postoperative, and follow-up data of these infants were collected from our prospectively designed database and reviewed. Technical details of the donor and recipient operation are shared and a supplemental provided. RESULTS: The mean recipient age was 7.5 ± 0.9 months (range: 5-10 months), and body weight was 5.9 ± 0.7 kg (range: 4.6-7.8). Primary diagnoses of the recipients were biliary atresia (n:3) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (n:1). Mean graft-recipient weight ratio was 3.3 ± 0.2. Reduced monosegment III grafts were used in 2 cases, and reduced left lateral segment grafts were used in the other 2 patients. Bile duct reconstruction was done by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in 3 patients and duct-to-duct anastomosis in the remaining patient. All patients recovered from the liver transplantation operation and are doing well at a mean follow-up of 8 months. CONCLUSION: Living donor liver transplantation with heterotopically implanted reduced monosegmental or left lateral segment seems feasible for the treatment of neonates and extremely small infants. Further accumulation of cases and long-term follow-up are necessary to collect data for the establishment of this treatment modality.

A nomogram based on combining systemic and hepatic inflammation markers for predicting microscopic bile duct tumour thrombus in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct invasion is a relatively rare event and is not well characterised in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It remains very difficult to diagnose HCC with bile duct tumour thrombus (BDTT) before surgery. Increasing evidence has revealed that inflammation plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to develop nomograms based on systemic and hepatic inflammation markers to predict microscopic BDTT (micro-BDTT) before surgery in HCC. METHODS: A total of 723 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy as initial therapy between January 2012 and June 2020 were included in the study. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for micro-BDTT. The nomograms were constructed using significant predictors, including α-fetoprotein (AFP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin (DB), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The prediction accuracies of the nomograms were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: AFP, ALP, DB, PNI, and γ-GT/ALT were independent risk factors for predicting micro-BDTT (P = 0.036, P = 0.004, P = 0.013, P = 0.012, and P = 0.006, respectively), which were assembled into the nomograms. The area under the ROC curve of the nomograms combining PNI and γ-GT/ALT for predicting micro-BDTT was 0.804 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.730-0.878). The sensitivity and specificity values when used in predicting micro-BDTT before surgery were 0.739 (95% CI: 0.612-0.866) and 0.781 (95% CI: 0.750-0.813), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram based on combining systemic and hepatic inflammation markers is suitable for predicting micro-BDTT before surgery in HCC patients, leading to a rational therapeutic choice for HCC.

Long-term outcome following cholecystocolostomy in 41 patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis.

PURPOSE: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a cohort of autosomal recessive syndromes which presents with jaundice, severe pruritus and liver derangement. Without treatments, patients progress to liver failure in early childhood. Biliary diversion strategies have been deployed to interrupt enterohepatic circulation to alleviate symptoms and delay progression to cirrhosis. Cholecystocolostomy has been the diversion method of choice at our institution and we aim to evaluate its long-term outcome. METHODS: All patients with PFIC who underwent cholecystocolostomy between August 2003 to May 2019 were included. PFIC diagnosed by clinical course, serum liver biochemistry and genotyping excluding other causes of cholestasis. All patients received ursodeoxycholic acid prior to biliary diversion. Those without long-term follow-up were excluded. Long-term follow-up conducted with physical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, liver function tests, contrast enema studies and colonoscopies. Outcome analysis was performed with patients divided into three groups according to their postoperative responses. RESULTS: 58 children underwent cholecystocolostomy, 41 were included in the study. Overall survival rate was 73.2% without a liver transplant. Survival improved to 81.1% in those without cirrhosis. 83.3% of those without a transplant was to no longer need any medication after their cholecystocolostomy. Recurrent cholestasis was seen in those with constipation (n = 8), ascending cholangitis (n = 10), intrahepatic reflux from Y-loop (n = 3) and cystic duct stenosis (n = 4). CONCLUSION: Cholecystocolostomy is a safe and effective technique for treatment of cholestasis in PFIC patients without cirrhosis. Careful monitoring and proactive management of postoperative constipation and ascending cholangitis is required to prevent stenosis of the cystic duct leading to recurrent cholestasis.

Impact of Genotype, Serum Bile Acids, and Surgical Biliary Diversion on Native Liver Survival in FIC1 Deficiency.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mutations in ATPase phospholipid transporting 8B1 (ATP8B1) can lead to familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (FIC1) deficiency, or progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1. The rarity of FIC1 deficiency has largely prevented a detailed analysis of its natural history, effects of predicted protein truncating mutations (PPTMs), and possible associations of serum bile acid (sBA) concentrations and surgical biliary diversion (SBD) with long-term outcome. We aimed to provide insights by using the largest genetically defined cohort of patients with FIC1 deficiency to date. APPROACH AND RESULTS: This multicenter, combined retrospective and prospective study included 130 patients with compound heterozygous or homozygous predicted pathogenic ATP8B1 variants. Patients were categorized according to the number of PPTMs (i.e., splice site, frameshift due to deletion or insertion, nonsense, duplication), FIC1-A (n = 67; no PPTMs), FIC1-B (n = 29; one PPTM), or FIC1-C (n = 34; two PPTMs). Survival analysis showed an overall native liver survival (NLS) of 44% at age 18 years. NLS was comparable among FIC1-A, FIC1-B, and FIC1-C (% NLS at age 10 years: 67%, 41%, and 59%, respectively; P = 0.12), despite FIC1-C undergoing SBD less often (% SBD at age 10 years: 65%, 57%, and 45%, respectively; P = 0.03). sBAs at presentation were negatively associated with NLS (NLS at age 10 years, sBAs < 194 µmol/L: 49% vs. sBAs ≥ 194 µmol/L: 15%; P = 0.03). SBD decreased sBAs (230 [125-282] to 74 [11-177] µmol/L; P = 0.005). SBD (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.28-1.03, P = 0.06) and post-SBD sBA concentrations < 65 µmol/L (P = 0.05) tended to be associated with improved NLS. CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of patients with FIC1 deficiency reach adulthood with native liver. The number of PPTMs did not associate with the natural history or prognosis of FIC1 deficiency. sBA concentrations at initial presentation and after SBD provide limited prognostic information on long-term NLS.

Disease Course and Treatment Response of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases in Children With Liver Transplantation: Long-Term Follow-Up.

INTRODUCTION: To describe the clinical and laboratory profile, natural course, treatment outcome, and risk factors of posttransplant esophageal and nonesophageal eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs). METHODS: All children (aged <18 years) who underwent liver transplantation, between 2011 and 2019, in a single transplant center with a follow-up period of 1 year or more posttransplant and with a history of posttransplant endoscopic evaluation were included in this study. RESULTS: During the study period, 89 children met the inclusion criteria. Patients were followed for a median of 8.0 years. A total of 39 (44%) patients were diagnosed with EGID after transplantation. Of these, 29 (33%) had eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and 10 (11%) had eosinophilic gastritis, gastroenteritis or enterocolitis. In comparison with the non-EGID group, patients with EGID were younger at transplant (P ≤ 0.0001), transplanted more frequently due to biliary atresia (P ≤ 0.0001), and had higher rates of pretransplant allergy (P = 0.019). In the posttransplant period, they had higher rates of mammalian Target of Rapamycin inhibitor use (P = 0.006), Epstein-Barr virus viremia (P = 0.03), post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (P = 0.005), and allergen sensitization (P ≤ 0.0001). In regression analysis, young age at transplant, age at diagnosis, pretransplant atopic dermatitis, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease were associated with an increased risk of EGID or EoE. Laboratory abnormalities such as anemia (P = 0.007), thrombocytosis (P = 0.012), and hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.031) were more commonly observed in the eosinophilic gastritis, gastroenteritis or enterocolitis group than in the EoE group. Following treatment, most patients had symptomatic resolution at 3 months and histologic resolution at 6 months postdiagnosis. Among the patients who had 5 years of follow-up, none recurred. DISCUSSION: EGID is a common posttransplant diagnosis, which seems to affect patients who are transplanted earlier and who have pretransplant atopy. Posttransplant EGID is responsive to treatment, but as histologic remission occurs after symptomatic resolution, the decision to perform control endoscopy should be delayed.

Partial Biliary Diversion May Promote Long-Term Relief of Pruritus and Native Liver Survival in Children with Cholestatic Liver Diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Rare cholestatic liver diseases may cause debilitating pruritus in children. Partial biliary diversion (PBD) may relieve pruritus and postpone liver transplantation which is the only other alternative when conservative treatment fails. The aim was to report long-term outcome after PBD in a population of 26 million people during a 25-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an international, multicenter retrospective study reviewing medical journals. Complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients, 14 males, underwent PBD at a median of 1.5 (0.3-13) years at four Nordic pediatric surgical centers. Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis was the most common underlying condition. Initially, all patients got external diversion, either cholecystojejunostomy (25 patients) or button placed in the gallbladder or a jejunal conduit. Early complications occurred in 14 (42%) patients, of which 3 were Clavien-Dindo grade 3. Long-term stoma-related complications were common (55%). Twenty secondary surgeries were performed due to stoma problems such as prolapse, stricture, and bleeding, or conversion to another form of PBD. Thirteen children have undergone liver transplantation, and two are listed for transplantation due to inefficient effect of PBD on pruritus. Serum levels of bile acids in the first week after PBD construction were significantly lower in patients with good relief of pruritus than in those with poor effect (13 [2-192] vs. 148 [5-383] µmol/L; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: PBD may ensure long-term satisfactory effect on intolerable pruritus and native liver survival in children with cholestatic liver disease. However, stoma-related problems and reoperations are common.

Long-term Outcomes of Living-donor Liver Transplantation for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1.

OBJECTIVES: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (PFIC-1), an autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by cholestasis, jaundice, and refractory pruritus. In some patients with PFIC-1, liver cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease develop and lead to liver transplantation (LT). In this observational study, we sought to clarify the long-term outcomes of LT for PFIC-1 and predictors of favorable outcomes. METHODS: The study cohort constituted 12 patients with PFIC-1 who had undergone living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) during the previous 3 decades (1990-2019). We compared the clinical manifestations and type of ATP8B1 mutations between patients in whom LDLT had been successful and those in whom it had been unsuccessful. RESULTS: LDLT failed in 5 of the 12 patients and the 25-year survival rate was 58%. Comparison of physical growth after LDLT revealed significant retardation of stature in patients in whom LDLT had been unsuccessful; these patients developed severe and persistent diarrhea. ATP8B1 genotypic analysis revealed that frameshifting, splicing, and large deletion mutations occurred more commonly in successful cases, whereas missense mutations occurred more frequently in unsuccessful cases. No mutations were identical in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an association between post-LT outcomes and extrahepatic manifestations, especially intestinal function. Further investigation of correlations between ATP8B1 genotypes and intestinal function could help to identify patients with PFIC-1 who will achieve favorable post-LT outcomes.

Surgical diversion of enterohepatic circulation in pediatric cholestasis.

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) and Alagille syndrome (AS) are conditions caused by either an autosomal recessive or an autosomal dominant genetic defect, and they are both characterized by cholestasis, jaundice, and severe debilitating pruritus refractory to medical management. Before the advent of liver transplantation, most PFIC patients would die from end-stage liver disease in the first decade of life. Although liver transplantation has led to patients' survival, disease recurrence (PFIC-2) and severe extra-hepatic manifestations of the disease (PFIC-1) occurred post transplant. In the late 1980s, Whitington described the use of partial external biliary diversion in PFIC and AS patients as a successful way to improve symptoms and decrease circulating bile acid serum concentrations. Since then, other diversion techniques have been described (ileal exclusion and partial internal biliary diversion). These techniques have the benefit of avoiding a stoma, but equivalent results have not been demonstrated (recurrence of cholestasis after ileal exclusion, limited follow up after internal biliary diversion). Overall, studies have showed that biliary diversions in children with cholestasis are safe procedures with low morbidity and mortality, and that they can reduce inflammation and ongoing liver injury, therefore delaying or avoiding the need for liver transplantation in some patients.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Partial External Biliary Diversion in Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed available data on impact of partial external biliary diversion (PEBD) surgery on clinical outcomes in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review (PubMed) and meta-analysis to evaluate relationships between liver biochemistry parameters (serum bile acids, bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) and early response (pruritus improvement) or long-term outcomes (need for liver transplant) in patients with PFIC who underwent PEBD. RESULTS: Searches identified 175 publications before September 2018; 16 met inclusion criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis examined ability of liver biochemistry parameters to discriminate patients who demonstrated early and long-term response to PEBD from those who did not. Regarding pruritus improvement in 155 included patients in aggregate, 104 (67%) were responders, 14 (9%) had partial response, and 37 (24%) were nonresponders. In ROC analyses of individual patient data, post-PEBD serum concentration of bile acids, in particular, could discriminate responders from nonresponders for pruritus improvement (area under the curve, 0.99; P < 0.0001; n = 42); to a lesser extent, this was also true for bilirubin (0.87; P = 0.003; n = 31), whereas ALT could not discriminate responders from nonresponders for pruritus improvement (0.74; P = 0.06; n = 28). Reductions from pre-PEBD values in serum bile acid concentration (0.89; P = 0.0003; n = 32) and bilirubin (0.98; P = 0.002; n = 18) but not ALT (0.62; P = 0.46; n = 18) significantly discriminated decreased aggregate need for liver transplant. CONCLUSION: Changes in bile acids seem particularly useful in discriminating early and long-term post-PEBD outcomes and may be potential biomarkers of response to interruption of enterohepatic circulation in patients with PFIC.

Variants in ABCB4 (MDR3) across the spectrum of cholestatic liver diseases in adults.

The ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4) gene on chromosome 7 encodes the ABCB4 protein (alias multidrug resistance protein 3 [MDR3]), a P-glycoprotein in the canalicular membrane of the hepatocytes that acts as a translocator of phospholipids into bile. Several variants in ABCB4 have been shown to cause ABCB4 deficiency, accounting for a disease spectrum ranging from progressive familial cholestasis type 3 to less severe conditions like low phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy or drug-induced liver injury. Furthermore, whole genome sequencing has shown that ABCB4 variants are associated with an increased incidence of gallstone disease, gallbladder and bile duct carcinoma, liver cirrhosis or elevated liver function tests. Diagnosis of ABCB4 deficiency-related diseases is based on clinical presentation, serum biomarkers, imaging techniques, liver histology and genetic testing. Nevertheless, the clinical presentation can vary widely and clear genotype-phenotype correlations are currently lacking. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the most commonly used medical treatment, but its efficacy has yet to be proven in large controlled clinical studies. Future pharmacological options may include stimulation/restoration of residual function by chaperones (e.g. 4-phenyl butyric acid, curcumin) or induction of ABCB4 transcription by FXR (farnesoid X receptor) agonists or PPARα (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α)-ligands/fibrates. Orthotopic liver transplantation remains the last and often only therapeutic option in cirrhotic patients with end-stage liver disease or patients with intractable pruritus.

Endoscopic revision efficacy after clinically successful bilateral metal stenting for advanced malignant hilar obstruction.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIM: Multiple insertions of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) for advanced malignant hilar obstruction (MHO) are now considered to be an effective palliative method for adequate drainage of liver volume. However, the efficacy of endoscopic reintervention in technically and clinically successful bilateral SEMS is limited. This study investigated the endoscopic revision efficacy in patients who underwent bilateral SEMS in MHO. METHODS: Primary endoscopic revision using plastic or metal stents or an alternative percutaneous approach followed by secondary endoscopic revision was performed in patients who underwent clinically successful deployment of bilateral SEMS. The primary outcome was a technical success. Secondary outcomes were clinical success, adverse events, and patency duration after reintervention. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (83.3%) out of 66 enrolled patients underwent reintervention: primary endoscopic reintervention (n = 47) and secondary endoscopic revision following percutaneous drainage (n = 8). Intended technical success rates of primary and secondary endoscopic reintervention were 93.6% (44/47) and 87.5% (7/8), respectively (P = 0.47). Clinical success rates were 72.3% and 50%, respectively (P = 0.23). Stent malfunction rate after reintervention was 48.9% (23/47) and 37.5% (3/8) (P = 0.70) during follow up, and median cumulative stent patency duration was 119 and 55 days, respectively (log-rank P = 0.68). Stent patent rate after reintervention was not different according to the time interval. In univariate and multivariate analysis for stent patency duration-related factors after reintervention, there were no meaningful factors. CONCLUSION: Primary endoscopic reintervention for bilateral SEMS in MHO was feasible technically and clinically. However, there were no statistically meaningful factors for stent patency duration after reintervention.

Nasobiliary drainage prior to surgical biliary diversion in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type II.

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) can cause intense pruritus that is refractory to medical therapy. Surgical biliary diversion techniques, including partial internal biliary diversion (PIBD), have been developed over the years to relieve pruritus without requiring liver transplantation. No clinical or genetic features can currently predict postoperative pruritus response. We present three PFIC type 2 (PIFC 2) patients who underwent transient endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (NBD) prior to PIBD surgery. Two patients repeatedly responded to NBD and presented with complete pruritus resolution after subsequent PIBD. NBD failed technically in the third patient, and PIBD was partially successful. Mild post-endoscopic biological pancreatitis occurred in 2/6 NBD procedures and resolved spontaneously. The only adverse effect observed within 7 years post-PIBD was very mild transient osmotic diarrhea.Conclusion: Our limited data suggest that NBD is a safe and effective way to predict pruritus response before performing permanent biliary diversion surgery in PFIC patients. What is Known: • Surgical biliary diversion techniques have been developed to relieve intractable pruritus in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). • No clinical or genetic features can currently predict pruritus response to surgery. What is New: • Our data suggest that nasobiliary drainage could be a safe and effective tool to predict pruritus response to biliary diversion and avoid unnecessary surgery in PFIC patients.

Effects of partial internal biliary diversion on long-term outcomes in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: experience in 44 patients.

PURPOSE: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a hereditary disease characterized by cholestasis, which may cause jaundice, severe pruritus, and cirrhosis in the later stages. By the invention of biliary diversion methods, these patients were prevented from undergoing liver transplant. Using biliary diversion techniques, the entero-hepatic cycle was interrupted. This lowers the bile acid pool and resolves the pruritus. Herein, we report 44 cases of PFIC who underwent partial internal biliary diversion (PIBD) and long-term follow-up of these children. This comprises the largest case series of PIBD. METHODS: All patients were diagnosed by liver biopsy as PFIC before the operation. All underwent cholecysto colic bypass by jejunal interposition due to severe pruritus unresponsive to medication. Laboratory blood tests, sonography, and physical exam were done before and after the operation once every 3 months. Besides, a questionnaire was designed to ask the patients about the symptoms after the operation, and a pruritus score was measured using the 5D-itch scale. RESULTS: 44 children (25 boys, 19 girls), between 1.75 and 27.5 years (at the time of this study) were followed for a median period of 54 months. Age at operation ranged from 2 months to 18 years, with a median of 29 months. Of these children, 14 were lost to follow up. Results showed a significant decrease in pruritus and sleep disturbance after the surgery (p < 0.001). Also, jaundice decreased from 82.1 before to 7.1% following the surgery. 50% of the patients became medication-free at follow-up. CONCLUSION: PIBD is a safe procedure which helps non-cirrhotic children preserve their liver function. Therefore, PIBD prevents them from undergoing liver transplant. Effective results were achieved in terms of severe pruritus and jaundice, and children were able to regain their sleep patterns. It also avoided external stoma, which is more convenient from the patient's point of view.