Role of Interventional Radiology (IR) in vascular emergencies among cirrhotic patients.

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among patients with liver cirrhosis. Mostly, these patients bleed from the gastroesophageal varices. However, nonvariceal bleeding is also more likely to occur in these patients. Because of frequent co-existing coagulopathy, cirrhotics are more prone to bleed from a minor vascular injury while performing percutaneous interventions. Ultrasound-guided bedside vascular access is an essential procedure in liver critical care units. Transjugular portosystemic shunts (TIPS) with/without variceal embolization is a life-saving measure in patients with refractory variceal bleeding. Whenever feasible, balloon-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) is an alternative to TIPS in managing gastric variceal bleeding, but without a risk of hepatic encephalopathy. In cases of failed or unfeasible endotherapy, transarterial embolization using various embolic agents remains the cornerstone therapy in patients with nonvariceal bleeding such as ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma, gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding, and procedure-related hemorrhagic complications. Among various embolic agents, N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) enables better vascular occlusion in cirrhotics, even in coagulopathy, making it a more suitable embolic agent in an expert hand. This article briefly entails the different interventional radiological procedures in vascular emergencies among patients with liver cirrhosis.

Is salvage Plug-Assisted Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (PARTO) safe and effective for bleeding gastric varices ?- A preliminary single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Vascular plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO) obliterates the gastric varices and portosystemic shunt, thus resulting in a lower rebleeding rate than endoscopic glue/sclerotherapy. AIMS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of PARTO as salvage therapy in liver cirrhosis with gastric variceal bleed (GVB) after failed endotherapy. We assessed the clinical success rate and changes in liver function at 6- months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent salvage PARTO after failed endotherapy for GVB (between December 2021 and November 2022) were searched and analyzed from the hospital database. Clinical success rate and rebleed rate were obtained at six months. Child-Pugh score (CTP) and Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were calculated and compared between baseline and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (n = 14, Child-Pugh class A/B) underwent salvage PARTO. Nine had GOV-2, and five had IGV-1 varices. The mean shunt diameter was 11.6 ± 1.6 mm. The clinical success rate of PARTO was 100% (no recurrent gastric variceal hemorrhage within six months). No significant deterioration in CTP (6.79 ± 0.98 vs. 6.21 ± 1.52; p = 0.12) and MELD scores (11.5 ± 4.05 vs. 10.21 ± 3.19; p = 0.36) was noted at 6 months. All patients were alive at 6 months. One patient (n = 1, 7.1%) bled from esophageal varices after three days of PARTO and was managed with variceal banding. 21.4% (3/14) patients had progression of esophageal varices at 6 months requiring prophylactic band ligation. Three patients (21.4%) had new onset or worsening ascites and responded to low-dose diuretics therapy. CONCLUSIONS: PARTO is a safe and effective procedure for bleeding gastric varices without any deterioration in liver function even after six months. Patient selection is critical to prevent complications. Further prospective studies with larger sample size are required to validate our findings.

Elevated Expression of DNA Methyltransferases and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 in Helicobacter pylori - Gastritis and Gastric Carcinoma.

AIM: The aim of this study was to study the role of key epigenetic regulators pertaining to DNA methylation and histone-modification systems in Helicobacter pylori (HP)-associated gastritis and gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS: The expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT-1, 3A, and 3B) and the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex-2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2 [EZH2]) in gastric carcinomas (n = 104), mucosa adjacent to carcinoma (n = 104), HP-associated gastritis (n = 95), and histologically normal mucosa (n = 31) was assessed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The expression of all 3 DNMTs and EZH2 was significantly higher in HP-associated gastritis and carcinoma cases than in those with adjacent and normal mucosa. The expression of DNMT-1 and 3B was maximum in HP-associated gastritis. DNMT-3A showed higher expression in carcinoma-adjacent mucosa than in normal mucosa. Interestingly, the expression of EZH2 was higher in cases of HP-associated gastritis with metaplasia than in those without metaplasia and also in cases of intestinal type of adenocarcinoma. Significant positive correlation of EZH2 was identified with DNMT-1, DNMT-3A, and DNMT-3B. However, none of these markers was associated with survival outcome. CONCLUSION: This study establishes an important role of the key epigenetic regulators in the pathogenesis of both HP-associated gastritis and gastric carcinoma. Higher expression of all the epigenetic markers in the gastritis and their persistence in the carcinoma point toward their implications in HP-driven gastric carcinogenesis. Further, an inter-relation between the 2 arms of epigenetics, namely, DNA methylation and histone-modification in the pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma, is also documented. Given the reversibility of epigenetic phenomenon, these molecules may be of important therapeutic use.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy: Preservation of arch of Azygos vein in prone position.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for oesophageal cancer has gained wide popularity in recent years due to its improved morbidity and mortality outcomes. We describe our modified technique of MIE in prone position with preservation of the arch of azygos vein. In our experience with 14 patients, the mean operative duration was 378 min (standard deviation [SD] 378 ± 59 min) and the mean blood loss was 390 ml (SD 390 ± 142 ml). The mean lymph node count was 28 (range 17-54). The Visick score was I in 12 (85.7%) patients and II in 2 (14.3%) patients at follow-up. The preservation of azygos vein arch is a technically feasible procedure and may be associated with a better quality of life outcome.

Liver Abscess due to Streptococcus constellatus in an Immunocompetent Adult: A Less Known Entity.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) are an uncommon, but potentially life threatening infection. We report a case of PLA due to Streptococcus constellatus, a member of the Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) bacteria, commonly found as commensals of the oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal and genitourinary flora. CASE: The patient, a 42-year-old man with no premorbidities, non-smoker and non-alcoholic, presented to our hospital with high-grade fever associated with chills and rigors and right upper quadrant pain of one month duration. Culture of the ultrasound-guided liver aspirate yielded a pure growth of S. constellatus subspecies constellatus identified by conventional biochemical tests. In a standard antimicrobial disk-diffusion test, the isolate was susceptible to cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, vancomcyin, levofloxacin, clindamycin and linezolid. Treatment with parenteral ceftriaxone alongwith appropriate surgical management led to resolution of the abscess with no recurrence of infection at three months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenic potential of SAG has generally been disregarded because of the commensal nature of these microorganisms; however, streptococci belonging to this group have been increasingly reported as relevant pathogens in abscesses and blood cultures. An underlying condition, such as diabetes, cirrhosis or cancer or some medical manipulation, such as dental extraction, acupuncture, or hemorrhoidectomy is associated with the majority of patients with SAG abscess. However, the present case highlights the need to include S. constellatus and other members of the SAG while investigating for etiology of PLA, even in immunocompetent adults.

Unusual calvarial tumour-oncogenic osteomalacia.

Hypophosphatemic mesenchymal tumour of the skull is a rare tumour occurring in the calvaria, complete excision of the tumour reverts the biochemical abnormality and clinical symptoms. Here, we report a rare case of oncogenic osteomalacia of the occipital bone. Patient underwent complete surgical excision of the tumour after which he recovered completely.

Biochemical Profile of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients in Eastern India with Histopathological Correlation.

Aminotransferase assay is often used as a screening test as well as an endpoint for resolution of disease in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship of transaminase level with metabolic variables and histology in NAFLD. Single center observational study was conducted in a gastroenterology clinic at Cuttack in coastal Odisha. Subjects were consecutive patients presenting with functional bowel disease and undergoing abdominal sonography. All participants were evaluated for the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS), insulin resistance, liver function test and lipid profile. Various parameters were compared between NAFLD subjects and controls. 53.5 % of NAFLD had normal serum transaminases, whereas 20.8 % of healthy controls had transaminitis. NAFLD patients had significantly higher BMI, fasting plasma glucose, serum transaminases, serum triglycerides, serum insulin and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) IR than controls. NAFLD patients who had transaminitis had significantly higher incidence of MS and higher mean HOMA IR than those without. There was no significant difference in histopathological features between NAFLD with and without transaminitis. To conclude, over half of NAFLD subjects do not have transaminitis while transaminitis is present in a fifth of healthy people without fatty liver. Hence serum transaminase should not be used as screening test for NAFLD. NAFLD patients with transaminitis had a higher incidence of MS and insulin resistance than those without. However, there was no significant difference in histopathological features between these two groups.

Third ventricular cavernous malformation: an unusual lesion.

Cavernomas constitute 5-10% of all the vascular malformations of the CNS. They commonly present during the 2nd and 5th decades of life. Intraventricular cavernomas constitute rare pathological entity, constituting 2.5-10.8% of cerebral cavernomas. (1) The natural history of intraventricular cavernomas remains undefined to some extent. Those in third ventricle are different in biological nature and need more aggressive therapy. These cavernomas appear to have the ability to grow very rapidly, resulting in significant morbidity. It is not known whether waiting after acute hemorrhage from an intraventricular cavernoma improves our ability to remove the lesion safely or if waiting unnecessarily increases the risk of hydrocephalus, additional bleeding, or further lesion growth.

Efficacy and outcomes of perioperative anesthetic management of extracranial to intracranial bypass for complex intracranial aneurysm in the absence of advanced neurological monitoring.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anesthetic management of extracranial to intracranial (EC-IC) bypass for complex intracranial aneurysms is challenging as the goals involve balancing the cerebral perfusion during parent artery clamping and avoiding factors that predispose to rupture of the unsecured aneurysm. There is very sparse literature available on anesthetic management for this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of 20 patients undergoing EC-IC bypass was performed with an objective of assessing the efficacy and outcomes of anesthetic management in the absence of advanced neurological monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients underwent EC-IC bypass as an adjunct cerebral revascularization in the management of complex intracranial aneurysms. Intraoperatively normotension and normocarbia were maintained. During the EC-IC bypass, when the temporary clamp was applied, mild hypertension (increase from baseline by 20%) and hypervolemia (central venous pressure increased to 12 mmHg) were maintained. Cerebral protection during temporary clipping of intracranial vessel was provided using moderate hypothermia to 34°C and intravenous thiopentone. Temporary clip time ranged from 15 min to 54 min (mean-25 min). All patients except one were extubated post-operatively (19/20 = 95%). None of the patients had rupture of aneurysm in the peri-operative period. Three patients developed neurologic events (3/20 = 15%). One patient had cerebral vasospasm and two patients developed cerebral infarction. Two patient subsequently improved and one succumbed to the neurological deterioration (mortality 1/20 = 5%). CONCLUSION: Adherence to the principal goals for the procedure, avoidance of hemodynamic fluctuations such as hypotension and hypertension, maintenance of normocarbia, and cerebral protection, result in favorable neurological outcome even in the absence of advanced neuromonitoring.

Impact of nutritional status on the outcome of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with cirrhosis: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition and sarcopenia have been reported to adversely affect the outcome of patients with cirrhosis of the liver. There is an emerging body of evidence suggesting malnutrition and sarcopenia increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The current systematic review aims to determine whether the body of evidence supports an association between nutritional status and post-TIPS outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched from inception to June 3, 2023, for studies analysing the effect of nutritional status on post-TIPS outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. RESULTS: A total of 22 studies were included in the systemic review. Assessment of sarcopenia was done by skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the L3 level, transversal psoas muscle thickness, psoas muscle density, malnutrition as per ICD, relative sarcopenia with excess adiposity, lipid profile, controlling nutritional status score, body composition analysis, hospital frailty risk score, and visceral and subcutaneous fat area index. Ten out of 12 studies in this systematic review showed a significant association with the incidence of post-TIPS HE. Thirteen out of 14 studies reported that the presence of malnutrition was associated with increased odds of mortality following TIPS. One study reported sarcopenia as an independent predictor of liver failure, and another study reported that Pre-TIPS SMI was an independent predictor of substantial improvement in post-TIPS SMI. CONCLUSIONS: The current systematic review shows that the presence of pre-TIPS malnutrition or sarcopenia is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes after TIPS. Incorporating these parameters into present prediction models can provide additional prognostic information. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Nutritional assessment should be part of the evaluation of patients planned for TIPS for prediction of adverse events after the procedure.

Interventions in Budd-Chiari syndrome: an updated review.

Budd Chiari syndrome is a potentially treatable disease, and imaging is the key to its diagnosis. Clinical presentations may vary, ranging from asymptomatic to fulminant disease. Subacute BCS is the most common type encountered in clinical practice, characterized by ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, dilated abdominal wall veins, and varicosities in the lower limb and scrotum. While hepatic vein thrombosis is the leading cause in the West, membranous and short segmental occlusion are predominant in the Asian populations. These geographical variations have an impact on the treatment algorithm in managing BCS. Anticoagulation alone often fails to prevent disease progression, demanding further interventional therapy. Interventional therapy carries a lower morbidity and mortality than surgery. Anatomical recanalization and portosystemic shunting form the basis of endovascular management. Membranous or short-segment occlusion are best treated by angioplasty, which restores the physiological venous outflow and possibly disease reversal. Suboptimal results with angioplasty require stenting. Transjugular intrahepatic shunt (TIPS) or direct IVC to portal vein shunt (DIPS) decompresses the portal pressure and reduces the sinusoidal congestion, which in turn diminishes hepatocellular damage and hepatic fibrosis. Despite its ability to modify the disease course, TIPS carries several procedure and shunt-related complications, mainly hepatic encephalopathy. Thus, anatomical recanalization precedes TIPS in the traditional step-up approach in managing BCS. However, this concept is challenged by some authors, necessitating future reseach. TIPS is a valid bridge therapy in BCS with acute live failure awaiting liver transplantation. Despite all, interventional therapies fail in a subset of BCS patients, leaving them with only option of liver transplantation.

Outcome of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Patients with Cirrhosis and Refractory Hepatic Hydrothorax: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Around 5% of patients with cirrhosis of the liver develop hepatic hydrothorax (HH). For patients with refractory HH (RHH), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been investigated in small studies. Hence, the present meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current data on the outcome of TIPS in patients with RHH. Methods From inception through June 2023, MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus were searched for studies analyzing the outcome of TIPS in RHH. Clinical response, adverse events (AEs), mortality, and shunt dysfunction were the primary outcomes assessed. The event rates with their 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random-effects model. Results A total of 12 studies ( n = 466) were included in the final analysis. The pooled complete and partial response rates were 47.2% (35.8-58.5%) and 25.5% (16.7-34.3%), respectively. The pooled incidences of serious AEs and post-TIPS liver failure after TIPS in RHH were 5.6% (2.1-9.0%) and 7.6% (3.1-12.1%), respectively. The pooled incidences of overall hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and severe HE nonresponsive to standard treatment after TIPS in RHH were 33.2% (20.0-46.4%) and 3.6% (0.4-6.8%), respectively. The pooled 1-month and 1-year mortality rates were 14.0% (8.3-19.6%) and 42.0% (33.5-50.4%), respectively. The pooled incidence of shunt dysfunction after TIPS in RHH was 24.2% (16.3-32.2%). Conclusion RHH has a modest response to TIPS in patients with cirrhosis, with only half having a complete response. Further studies are required to ascertain whether early TIPS can improve the outcome of patients with cirrhosis and HH.