Performance of GPR score for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B Tunisian patients.

INTRODUCTION: Several non-invasive tests (NIT) have been reported for predicting liver fibrosis to avoid percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB). AIM: To evaluate the performance of NIT in Tunisian patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: We calculated the ASAT/platelet ratio index (APRI), GGT-to-platelet ratio (GPR), Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4), and RDW/platelet ratio (RPR). The accuracy of NIT was compared with the Metavir score for the detection of liver fibrosis stage using the area under the ROC curves (AUROC). RESULTS: Seventy-seven CHB patients were included. For predicting significant fibrosis, the AUROC of GPR (0.81; CI95% [0.68-0.93]; P < 0.001) was significantly higher than that of RPR (0.67; CI95% [0.52-0.82]; P = 0.03) and FIB-4 (0.746; CI95% [0.61-0.88]; P = 0.002), but was similar to APRI (0.88; CI95% [0.79-0.97]; P < 0.001). For advanced fibrosis, the AUROC of GPR (0.93; CI95% [0.84-1]; P < 0.001) was higher than that of RPR (0.83; CI95% [0.69-0.97]; P < 0.001) and FIB-4 (0.88; CI95% [0.76-0.99]; P < 0.001), but similar to APRI (0.93; CI95% [0.87-0.99]; P < 0.001). For predicting cirrhosis, the AUROC of GPR (0.98; CI95% [0.95-1]; P < 0.001) was higher than that of APRI (0.95; CI95% [0.90-1]; P = 0.02), similar to RPR (0.99; CI95% [0.98-1]; P < 0.001) but lower than that of FIB-4 (1; CI95% [1-1]; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, APRI (OR = 3.78; P = 0.002) and FIB-4 (OR = 2.65; P = 0.01) were independent predictors of significant fibrosis. GPR was the only independent predictor of advanced fibrosis (OR = 4.64; P = 0.001) and FIB-4 was the independent predictor of cirrhosis (OR = 2.85; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: GPR does not demonstrate significant advantages over APRI, FIB-4, and RPR in identifying liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

A rare cause of spontaneous hemoperitoneum: intra-abdominal vein rupture.

Aim: Ruptures of the intra-abdominal vein causing a spontaneous hemoperitoneum in cirrhotic patients is a rare condition. However, diagnosis must be considered early in cirrhotic patients with hematic ascites as a delayed diagnosis with hemodynamic instability is associated with a poor prognosis. Case report: We present the case of a 54-year-old cirrhotic patient who presented a spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to the rupture of the intra-abdominal vein that was diagnosed during exploratory laparoscopy. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and management of spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to the rupture of intra-abdominal vein helps improve its prognosis.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum is a rare but catastrophic condition caused by the rupture of the liver, spleen or abdominal vessels. In patients with cirrhosis, diagnosis of spotaneous hemoperitoneum is difficult. This is a case report of a 54-year-old cirrhotic man with a spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to the rupture of a vein within the abdomen. The diagnosis was suspected as the patient had signs of blood in the abdomen. To confirm spontaneous hemoperitoneum, the doctors performed a procedure called exploratory laparoscopy, which involves inserting a small camera into the abdomen. The laparoscopy confirmed the presence of blood and thus the diagnosis of spontaneous hemoperitoneum.

Synchronous primary gastric and renal tumors: a case report.

Synchronous multiple primary cancers of the stomach and kidney are very rare, only 45 cases of synchronous multiple primary cancers of the stomach and kidney had been reported in the literature up until 2020. Thus far, no particular risk factors have been identified. We present a case of synchronous multiple primary cancers of the stomach and kidney in a 67-year-old female presenting with a 3-month history of vomiting and abdominal pain. The diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells was confirmed through upper endoscopy with biopsies, while CT-guided biopsies of the renal tumor confirmed the diagnosis of primary kidney neoplasm.

Having more than one cancer at the same time is known as multiple primary malignancies. Having cancers in both the stomach and kidney at the same time is even rarer, with only 45 cases reported in literature. The exact causes of such cancers occurring together are not yet known. We present a 67-year-old woman who was diagnosed with synchronous multiple primary cancers of the stomach and kidney. She presented with vomiting and abdominal pain. The diagnosis of gastric cancer was confirmed through upper endoscopy with biopsies, while biopsies of the renal tumor confirmed the diagnosis of primary kidney cancer.

Risk of metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hepatitis C is associated with several metabolic abnormalities including diabetes and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome, a major cardiovascular risk factor, may represent an additional risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with viral hepatitis C. AIM: To assess the risk of metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic hepatitis C and its impact on liver fibrosis. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, including a group of exposed patients with untreated chronic hepatitis C and a group of unexposed patients with negative hepatitis C serology. We compared the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between the two groups and evaluated the association between metabolic syndrome and advanced fibrosis in the exposed patients. RESULTS: Forty exposed and 40 unexposed were included. The two groups were matched for age, sex and anthropometric data. Fibrosis was significant in 67.5% of the exposed group. The exposed group had a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance compared to the unexposed group (37.5% VS 15%; p=0.02 VS 67.5% , 37.5%; p=0.02 VS 67.5%, 37.5%; p=0.007, respectively). The relative risk of metabolic syndrome in the exposed group was 2.5. Metabolic syndrome was not associated with significant fibrosis (p=0.7).

Tunisian consensus on the management of Helicobacter Pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common infectious disease worldwide. It is associated with duodenal and gastric ulcer disease and the risk of gastric neoplasia. The management of helicobacter pylori infection currently represents a real challenge for clinicians, given the ever-increasing rate of resistance of Helicobacter pyolori to various antibiotics. In this consensus document, we present recommendations adapted to the Tunisian context, including indications for the detection of helicobacter pylori infection, indications for the use of different diagnostic methods, and a therapeutic strategy for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection.

[Predictors of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with severe acute liver injury]. / Facteurs prédictifs de l'encéphalopathie hépatique au cours de l'atteinte hépatique aiguë sévère.

Introduction: severe acute liver injury (SALI) formerly known as severe acute hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver with markers of liver injury (elevated transaminases) and signs of hepatocellular failure (jaundice and INR greater than 1.5) according to the latest definition of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). An important prognostic factor in SALI is the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and thus its progression to acute liver failure (ALF), formerly known as acute severe hepatitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors predicting the development of hepatic encephalopathy during SALI. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of patients treated for SALI between January 2000 and December 2019. We divided patients into two groups depending on whether hepatic encephalopathy occurred. We performed an analytical study comparing the two groups according to their epidemiological, biological and evolutionary data. Results: data from the medical records of fifty-nine patients were collected. A virus was the most frequent cause (63%). Hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 15 patients (25.4%). Factors predicting the development of HE in univariate analysis were a delay in consultation of more than 9 days, an INR level of more than 2.45, a bilirubin level of more than 230 µmol/l, creatinine greater than 60.5 µmol/l, urea greater than 5.5 mmol/l and MELD score greater than 26.5 (p=0.023, p=0.017, p=0.0001, p=0.049, p=0.0001, p=0.0001 respectively). Autoimmune hepatitis and an undetermined cause were associated with the development of HE (p=0,003 and p=0,044, respectively). In multivariate analysis, autoimmune aetiology and a urea level above 5.5 mmol/l were significantly associated with the occurrence of HE. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to age, sex and diabetes. Conclusion: SALI is a rare disease, mainly due to a virus in our country. Predictive factors of HE are important for early identification of patients at risk of adverse outcomes.

Osteopetrosis: a rare case of portal hypertension.

Osteopetrosis is a rare genetic bone disorder characterized by a defect in osteoclasts recruitment and function. Its manifestations are numerous and they mainly include skeletal and dental deformities, cranial nerve entrapment and infections. Over time, osteoclastic expansion invades bone marrow leaving little space for hematopoietic cells. As a result, extramedullary hematopoiesis takes place in the reticular system mainly in the spleen and liver. In these patients, portal hypertension can occur as a result of extramedullary hematopoiesis associated splenomegaly. We are reporting in this article a rare case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with portal hypertension in a patient with osteopetrosis.

Fatal invasive gastric mucormycosis: Two case reports.

Mucormycosis is a fungal infection affecting most commonly immunocompromised patients. Hereby, we report two cases: the first one is about a 61-year-old female with diabetes who presented with vomiting. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a budding grayish process which corresponded to an invasive mucormycosis in histology. As laboratory tests showed renal dysfunction, conventional amphotericin B was started at low doses since liposomal form was unavailable in Tunisia. Evolution was marked by a worsening of renal function leading to drug therapy withdrawal. Total gastrectomy was delayed because of a pulmonary embolism and was practiced 2 months later. The patient passed away 10 days after surgery. The second patient was a 59-year-old man who presented with vomiting and fast worsening of general state. At admission, he had a septic shock. Explorations revealed an invasive gastric mucormycosis. He died few days after admission. Thus, prompt diagnosis of mucormycosis and rapid initiation of treatment based on amphotericin B and surgical debridement is necessary to improve prognosis.

Esophageal tuberculosis as an unusual cause of dysphagia: a case report.

Esophageal tuberculosis is a rare cause of infectious esophagitis, even in countries with endemic tuberculosis. This impairment is often secondary. We report a case of secondary esophageal tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient, clinically revealed by dysphagia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a large ulcer in the middle third of the esophagus with a fistula opening in the center of the ulcer. Histopathological examination of multiple esophageal tissue biopsies revealed epithelioid cell granulomas without caseous necrosis. We completed with Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the chest which revealed a fistula of the middle third of the esophagus, multiple mediastinal necrotic adenopathies and diffuse pulmonary micronodules suggesting miliary tuberculosis. Sputum examination for acid-fast-bacilli was positive. Anti-tuberculosis treatment resulted in a good response with complete remission. It is therefore important to recognize and include this entity in the differential diagnosis of patients with dysphagia particularly in countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis.

Jejunal diverticulitis as a rare cause of abdominal pain: a case report.

Jejunal diverticulitis is an uncommon and underdiagnosed condition. Due to the rarity of This disease, diagnosis is often difficult and delayed. Medical treatment is usually sufficient for jejunal diverticulitis without peritonitis. Surgery is required in case of generalized peritonitis or voluminous abscess complicating diverticulitis. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who suffered from recent abdominal pain. Diagnosis of uncomplicated jejunal diverticulitis was based on computed tomography (CT) scan. The evolution was favorable after antibiotic treatment. Jejunal diverticulitis have to be evoked among the differential diagnosis of patients with abdominal pain especially in the elderly and it is important for clinicians and radiologists to have awareness about this disease.

Solitary gastric Peutz-Jeghers polyp: a case report.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is an inherited condition that is characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation and hamartomatous polyposis in the gastrointestinal tract. It increases significantly the risk for developing of several cancers such as breast, colon, rectum, pancreas and stomach. Solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyp is defined as a unique hamartomatous polyp having the same histological features as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome polyps without associated intestinal polyposis, mucocutaneous pigmentation and family history of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Gastric solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyp is extremely rare. We found only 13 cases in the literature. We report a new case of solitary gastric Peutz-Jeghers polyp associated with a branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm revealed by an acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography of the abdomen found a branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with a pedicled polypoid formation in the greater gastric curvature. Endoscopic resection was performed without complications. Histologic examination showed Peutz-Jeghers hamartomatous polyp. The risk of cancer remains unclear in this entity. Therefore, the follow-up of these patients is necessary because of the possible risk of malignancy.

Acquired double pylorus presenting as a gastrointestinal bleeding.

We present the case of a 65-year-old man without a past medical history who was admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding. The case shows an acquired double pylorus due to probable pre pyloric ulcer.

Preoperative endoscopic treatment for the management of concomitant gallstones and common bile duct stones.

BACKGROUND: The combination of gallbladder stone and main biliary stone is seen in 10-25% of cases. Its management with the combination of endoscopic and surgical treatment is increasingly adopted. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative retrograde endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the treatment of concomitant gallstones and common bile duct stones. METHODS: Retrospective study including patients with concomitant gallstones and common bile duct stones and who had preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The rate of clearance from the main bile duct and the rate of complications were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients aged 57.4±2.7 years were included on average. The rate of catheterization of the main bile duct was 90%. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was unnecessary in 34.1%. Main bile duct clearance was obtained in 95.5% of patients who presented lithiasis during the procedure. The endoscopic treatment was efficient in 53,3% of cases Post endoscopic retrograde post cholangio-pancreatography acute panreatitis occurred in 1.6% of cases with an overall complication rate of 6.6%. CONCLUSION: Preoperative endoscopic treatment of concomitant gallstones and common bile duct stones is effective with good safety.

Association of De Novo RNF213 Variants With Childhood Onset Moyamoya Disease and Diffuse Occlusive Vasculopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that de novo genetic variants are responsible for moyamoya disease (MMD) in children with unaffected relatives, we performed exome sequencing of 28 affected children and their unaffected parents. METHODS: Exome sequencing was performed on 28 trios of affected patients with MMD and unaffected parents. RESULTS: We identified 3 novel rare de novo RNF213 variants, 1 in the RING domain and 2 in a highly conserved region distal to the RING domain (4,114-4,120). These de novo cases of MMD present at a young age with aggressive MMD and uniquely have additional occlusive vascular lesions, including renal artery stenosis. Two previously reported cases had de novo variants in the same limited region and presented young with aggressive MMD, and 1 case had narrowing of the inferior abdominal aorta. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a novel syndrome associated with RNF213 rare variants defined by de novo mutations disrupting highly conserved amino acids in the RING domain and a discrete region distal to the RING domain delimited by amino acids 4,114 to 4,120 leading to onset of severe MMD before 3 years of age and occlusion of other arteries, including the abdominal aorta, renal, iliac, and femoral arteries.

The risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: The role of hepatitis C virus in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease has been suggested by several studies. AIM: To assess the association between subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: 40 patients infected with chronic hepatitis C and 40 control cases were evaluated by anthropometric and metabolic measurements. The risk of subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by ultrasound measurement of carotid intima-media thickness. A high cardiovascular risk atherosclerosis was defined by carotid intima-media thickness > 75th percentile. RESULTS: The carotid intima-media thickness and the prevalence of high cardiovascular risk atherosclerosis were significantly higher in the group infected with hepatitis C compared to the control group (0.68 VS 0.60, p=0.02) and (82.5% vs. 40%; 0.001) respectively. In multivariate studies, activity ≥ A2 and age> 40 years were the independent factors associated with the carotid intima-media thickness and hepatitis C was the only independent factor associated with high cardiovascular risk atherosclerosis (OR=4.81 CI at 95%: 1.6-14.42). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, chronic hepatitis C was associated with a high risk of carotid atherosclerosis.

Performance of FIB4 and APRI scores for the prediction of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of hepatic fibrosis is essential in the therapeutic management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The development of non-invasive tests for liver fibrosis assessement has allowed to avoid liver biops in some cases. AIM: To assess the performance of the scores APRI and FIB-4 in the assessment of significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. METHODS: Evaluation study, including patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who had a liver biopsy. The accuracy of APRI and FIB4  for the detection of significant fibrosis was compared with  the liver biopsy data. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients were included. Significant fibrosis was found in 10.9% of patients. For a cut-off value of 0.49, the APRI score predicted significant fibrosis with a sensitivity of 54%, a specificity of 93% and a negative predictive value of 94%. For a cut-off value of 1.01, the FIB-4 score predicted significant fibrosis with a sensitivity of 64%, a specificity of 84% and a negative predictive value of 95%. Performance of both scores was influenced by age, the body mass index, and cytolysis. CONCLUSION: The APRI and FIB-4 scores had a good accuracy to exclude significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs): A descriptive study on 29 cases.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, originating from Cajal cells in different sites of the digestive tract. The aim of the study is to report on epidemiological, clinical, histological, and therapeutic characteristics of GISTs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of 29 cases of GIST in gastroenterology and general surgery departments of Mohamed Tahar Maamouri Hospital (Nabeul, Tunisia) was conducted from January 2005 to March 2012. RESULTS: Among the 29 patients, there were 18 males (62%) and 11 females (38%) with a median age of 63 years (range, 30-96years). The main symptoms were abdominal pain (40%) and weight loss (28%). The tumour was revealed by a complication in 5 cases (17%). Six patients (20.7%) had metastatic lesions. The most common sites were the stomach (41.4%) and the small intestine (17.3%). The median tumour size was 9.5cm (range, 1-30cm). Spindle cell tumours were the main histological type (62%). KIT was positive in the majority of cases (75%). Twenty-one patients with primary disease (72%) underwent a surgical resection. Imatinib was prescribed in 7 patients (24%). Sunitinib malate was indicated in 3 patients who had tumour progression under imatinib. Median survival was 17 months (range, 1-69months). Ten patients died. CONCLUSION: The management of GISTs has considerably evolved during the last years. Surgical resection, which remains the mainstay of treatment, was indicated in the majority of patients. Imatinib treatment has not improved overall survival in metastatic and/or inoperable cases.

[Surgical management of sacroiliac joint lesions in unstable pelvic ring fractures using percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation]. / Traitement chirurgical des lésions sacro-iliaques dans les fractures instables de l'anneau pelvien par vissage sacro-iliaque percutané.

Pelvic fractures, usually are multiple, unstable fractures occuring most frequently due to violent traumatic events. Orthopedic treatment of these lesions is often distressing both to patients and medical personnel since it requires bed discharge or sometimes tractions which can have a duration up to 45 days and can compromise the static and the walking mechanisms; open operative management is difficult, carrying a significant burden in terms of morbidity and associated with vascular (venous plexus), nervous (sacred roots) or septic risk to take into account. For this reason it is generally reserved for patients with neurologic and strongly displaced forms. Percutaneous fixation under fluoroscopy in unstable type B and type C pelvic fractures allows the synthesis of posterior lesions causing instability by fixing the hip bone to S1 or S2 body, a rapid recovery and rehabilitation of walking.