Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen can be safely diagnosed by a core percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) is a rare benign lesion of the spleen. SANT cannot be distinguished from other benign or malignant splenic tumors based on imaging findings. So, diagnosis relies on histopathologic examination. Although splenectomy is frequently considered as an option, core needle biopsy tissue analysis is safe and accurate to avoid surgery.

Spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma on non-cirrhotic liver: A prospective case series.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma is an uncommon complication, and there are scarce data about non-cirrhotic patients. Tumor treatment is not standardized and the risk of peritoneal dissemination is unclear. AIM: we analyzed the treatment and survival in patients with rHCC on non-cirrhotic liver. METHODS: One hundred and forty-one non-cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by histology were included in a multicenter prospective registry (2018-2022). Seven of them (5%) presented with hemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture. RESULTS: Liver disease was associated in three patients (42.9%). A single nodule was detected in three cases (42.9%). One patient had vascular invasion and none extrahepatic spread. Initial hemostatic therapy and sequential treatment was individualized. Patients with single nodule were treated: resection (one case) with recurrence at 4 months treated with TACE and sorafenib. TACE/TAE followed by surgery (two cases) one in remission 43 months later, the other had liver recurrence at 18 months and was transplanted. Patients with multiple lesions were treated: TAE/emergency surgery and subsequent systemic therapy (two cases), one received lenvatinib (1-year survival) and the other sorafenib (5-month survival). TAE and surgery with subsequent systemic therapy (one case). Initial hemostatic surgery, dying on admission (one case). No patient developed intraperitoneal metastasis. All patients with multiple lesions died by tumor. The 3-year survival rate was 42.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Initial hemostasis was achieved in all patients by TAE/TACE or surgery. Subsequent treatment was individualized, based on tumor characteristics, regardless of rupture. Long-time remission could be achieved in single nodule patients.

Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: a rare cause of chronic liver disease with portal hypertension diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound.

Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) is a major cause of chronic liver disease with portal hypertension (pHTN) in Africa, Asia, and America. Abdominal ultrasound is essential for diagnosis.

Is hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral therapy a risk factor for the development and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma? Narrative literature review and clinical practice recommendations.

The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has been a turning point in chronic hepatitis C treatment. With an efficacy rate on viral eradication close to 100% and an excellent safety profile, they have replaced interferon-based treatments as first-line therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Following the encouraging results observed during the first years with these treatments, new publications suggested an unexpectedly high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients previously treated with DAAs as well as a higher HCC recurrence rate in them. The possible interaction between DAAs and HCC and its impact on HCC incidence and recurrence still remains controversial. The aim of the present work is to review the current state of the matter by analyzing studies that evaluate the association between chronic hepatitis C treatment with DAAs and the development of HCC either de novo or as a recurrence. Following this, clinical practice recommendations are done.

Percutaneous and endoscopic ultrasound-guided splenic biopsies are both safe procedures with a high diagnostic accuracy.

Splenic biopsy is a necessary diagnostic procedure. It has been proved that it is a safe procedure with a high diagnostic accuracy. However, the decision of percutaneous or endoscopic ultrasound-guided approach should be assessed taking into consideration patients' characteristics and the experience of each center.

Training in Ultrasound for Resident Physicians in Gastroenterology: a survey and training project by the Spanish Association of Digestive Ultrasound (Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva - AEED).

BACKGROUND: the training program of the gastroenterology specialty that is mandatory for resident physicians, obliges them to be proficient in diagnostic and therapeutic digestive ultrasound tools. METHODOLOGY: the Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva (AEED) performed a survey of the 93 Departments of Gastroenterology with training programs for resident physicians in gastroenterology, in order to assess the exact situation of training in digestive ultrasound in Spain. RESULTS: only 31 of the 93 (33%) Departments of Gastroenterology were able to provide training in Digestive Ultrasound. Moreover, 33% (48 out of 148) of the residents in gastroenterology did not receive specific training in digestive ultrasound. Whereas, 31% (46 out of 148) had received some specific training, but with ample room for improvement. These deficiencies were spread throughout the Spanish regions (Autonomous Communities) in an uneven manner, with almost half totally lacking gastroenterology departments that were capable of providing digestive ultrasound training. CONCLUSIONS: there is a significant deficit of gastroenterology departments capable of providing training in digestive ultrasound to residents, causing a significant training inequality. Until this situation can be reversed, the AEED has designed a training project in digestive ultrasound aimed at providing adequate training to all residents in gastroenterology as required.

Endoscopic resection of rectal granular-cell tumor using elastic band ligation.

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare neoplasm that develops in the gut's submucosal layer. We report the case of a male with a history of surgically excised colon neoplasm where a rectal polyp was identified during a follow-up endoscopy. The lesion, eventually identified as a GCT, was endoscopically removed by band ligation-assisted mucosectomy. This may be the second report of a colorectal GCT successfully managed using band ligation, and the first one on a rectal GCT excised with this technique.

Transarterial chemoembolisation in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Survey on clinical practice in hospitals in the Madrid Region.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), having demonstrated survival benefits, is the treatmentof choice in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, although there is great heterogeneity in its clinical application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was sent to the Madrid Regional hospitals to assess applicability, indications and treatment protocols. The assessment was made overall and according to the type of hospital (groups A vs. B and C). RESULTS: Seventeen out of 22 hospitals responded (8/8 group A, 9/ 14 group B-C). All do/indicate transarterial chemoembolisation, 13/17 at their own facilities. Eight of the 17 hospitals have multidisciplinary groups (5/8 A, 3/9 B-C). Nine hospitals perform > 20 procedures/year (7 group A), and 6 from group B-C request/perform < 10/year. It is performed on an "on-demand" basis in 12/17. In 5 hospitals, all the procedures use drug-eluting beads loaded with doxorubicin. The average number of procedures per patient is 2. The mean time from diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to transarterial chemoembolisation is ≤ 2 months in 16 hospitals. In 11/17 hospitals, response is assessed by computed tomography. Radiological response is measured without specific criteria in 12/17 and the other five hospitals (4 group A) assessed using standardised criteria. CONCLUSION: Uniformity among the Madrid Regional hospitals was found in the indication and treatment regimen. The use of DEB-TACE has become the preferred form of TACE in clinical practice. The differentiating factors for the more specialised hospitals are a larger volume of procedures, decision-making by multidisciplinary committees and assessment of radiological response more likely to be standardised.

Safety and diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy of the spleen: a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the safety and accuracy of ultrasound-guided (USG) percutaneous needle biopsy of the spleen. METHODS: Sixty-two USG needle biopsies performed in 52 patients were retrospectively analyzed: there were 53 biopsies of local lesions and 9 biopsies of diffuse lesions. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in 37 cases and core-needle biopsy (CNB) in 25 cases. The complications and diagnostic accuracy of the 2 types of biopsy were compared. RESULTS: Two patients (3.8%) had postprocedural hemorrhage after CNB; one was minor, and the other severe, requiring splenectomy. No bleeding occurred with FNA. The diagnostic accuracy was similar with FNA (86.5%) and CNB (92%), whereas in patients with lymphoma, accuracy of FNA (80%) tended to be lower than that of CNB (100%), although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: USG needle biopsy is safe and effective for diagnosing both focal and diffuse splenic lesions. The risk of bleeding may be lower with FNA than with CNB.

Randomized prospective study evaluating tenofovir disoproxil fumarate prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus reactivation in anti-HBc-positive patients with rituximab-based regimens to treat hematologic malignancies: The Preblin study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients with resolved HBV infection (HBsAg negative, antiHBc positive) is uncommon, but potentially fatal. The role of HBV prophylaxis in this setting is uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) prophylaxis versus close monitoring in antiHBc-positive, HBsAg-negative patients under treatment with rituximab (RTX)-based regimens for hematologic malignancy. METHODS: PREBLIN is a phase IV, randomized, prospective, open-label, multicenter, parallel-group trial conducted in 17 hospitals throughout Spain. Anti-HBc-positive, HBsAg-negative patients with undetectable HBV DNA were randomized to receive TDF 300 mg once daily (Group I) or observation (Group II). The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients showing HBV reactivation during 18 months following initiation of RTX treatment. Patients with detectable HBV DNA (Group III) received the same dose of TDF and were analyzed together with Group I to investigate TDF safety. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were enrolled in the study, 33 in the TDF treatment group and 28 in the observation group. By ITT analysis, HBV reactivation was 0% (0/33) in the study group and 10.7% (3/28) in the observation group (p = 0.091). None of the patients in either group showed significant differences in liver function parameters between baseline and the last follow-up sample. TDF was generally well tolerated and there were no severe treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: In patients with hematological malignancy and resolved hepatitis B infection receiving RTX-based regimens, HBV reactivation did not occur in patients given TDF prophylaxis.

Diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography with local anesthesia in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common digestive malignancy, remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound with local anesthesia as a diagnostic procedure in HCC. Laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound with local anesthesia was performed in the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit in three patients diagnosed of HCC. Endoscopy staged diffuse liver disease. Laparoscopic ultrasonography identified all liver tumors not visible during endoscopy and guided needle biopsy in one case. No complications happened. In conclusion, laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound, performed as a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure can be a safe and very promising tool in planning therapy of HCC.

[Symptomatic hypercalcemia presenting as a case of isolated splenic tuberculosis]. / Hipercalcemia sintomática como forma de presentación de un caso de tuberculosis esplénica aislada.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe an unusual clinical presentation as isolated splenic tuberculosis. PATIENT AND METHODS: We report a case of isolated splenic tuberculosis, a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient, and, as a peculiarity, debuts in the form of symptomatic hypercalcemia. RESULTS: We deeply report the clinical case and the procedures performed to exclude other diseases. We emphasize the usefulness of fine needle aspiration of the spleen to obtain microbiological samples, and the use of specific polymerase chain reaction for mycobacterias to establish the definitive diagnosis of this entity. In agreement with other authors, we chose initial medical treatment with antituberculous drugs, reserving surgery for refractory cases or in case of spontaneous splenic rupture. CONCLUSION: Hypercalcemia can be a presentation of granulomatous diseases. The isolated involvement of the spleen by mycobacterias is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and more so in immunocompetent patients.