An Incidental Finding of a Cecal Lymphangioma Managed Conservatively.

Colonic lymphangiomas are rare and mostly incidental findings found on colonoscopy. It is important to be able to differentiate them from other lesions, such as lipomas. Furthermore, when in close proximity to the appendiceal orifice, such as cecal lesions, they must be differentiated from mucocele and carcinoid tumors. We present a case of a cecal lymphangioma that was managed conservatively. By using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and computed tomography to better characterize the cecal mass, it was unnecessary to perform a biopsy or polypectomy. This case highlights that biopsy and/or removal of lymphangiomas are not warranted in all cases of colonic lymphangiomas, especially when lesions are less than 2 cm.

Nailed it: endoscopic retrieval of an abnormally shaped nail from a toddler's esophagus.

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Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Secondary to Cholecystitis: A Rare Cause of Hemobilia.

Cystic artery pseudoaneurysm (CAP) is usually seen as a complication of cholecystectomy. Infrequently, CAP can develop in the setting of cholecystitis and can present as hemobilia when the aneurysm ruptures. Here, we present the case of an 88-year-old male with hemobilia secondary to CAP which was successfully managed by embolization after an initial biliary stent placement.

Clinical indicators for progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to cirrhosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a disease spectrum characterized by fat accumulation in hepatocytes presenting as hepatic steatosis to advance disease with active hepatic inflammation, known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Chronic steatohepatitis will lead to progressive hepatic fibrosis causing cirrhosis and increased risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fatty liver disease prevalence has increased at alarming rates alongside obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome to become the second most common cause of cirrhosis after alcohol related liver disease worldwide. Given this rise in prevalence, it is becoming increasingly more important to find non-invasive methods to diagnose disease early and stage hepatic fibrosis. Providing clinicians with the tools to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of NAFLD will help prevent known complications such as cirrhosis and HCC and improve quality of life for the patients suffering from this disease. This article discusses the utility of current non-invasive liver function testing in the clinical progression of fatty liver disease along with the imaging modalities that are available. Additionally, we summarize available treatment options including targeted medical therapy through four different pathways, surgical or endoscopic intervention.

Evidence-Based Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2002-2020).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with a rapidly changing landscape of treatments. In the past 20 years, numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have aimed at improving outcomes across disease stages. We aimed to analyze the current evidence and identify potential factors influencing response to therapies. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of phase III RCTs (2002-2020) across disease stages. A meta-analysis was designed to examine the relationship between etiology and outcome after systemic therapies with either tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI)/antiangiogenic or immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. RESULTS: Out of 10,100 studies identified, 76 were phase III RCTs. Among them, a rigorous screening algorithm identified 49 with high quality including a total of 22,113 patients undergoing adjuvant (n = 7) and primary treatment for early (n = 2), intermediate (n = 7), and advanced (first-line, n = 21; second-line, n = 12) stages of disease. Nine of these trials were positive, 6 treatments have been adopted in guidelines (sorafenib [2 RCTs], lenvatinib, atezolizumab+bevacizumab, regorafenib, cabozantinib and ramucirumab), but 2 were not (adjuvant CIK cells and sorafenib plus hepatic arterial infusion with FOLFOX). Meta-analysis of 8 trials including 3739 patients revealed ICI therapy to be significantly more effective in patients with viral hepatitis compared with nonviral-related HCC, whereas no differences related to etiology were observed in patients treated with TKI/anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. CONCLUSIONS: Among 49 high-quality RCTs conducted in HCC during 2002-2020, 9 resulted in positive results. A meta-analysis of systemic therapies suggests that immunotherapies may be more effective in viral etiologies.

Surgical Treatments of Hepatobiliary Cancers.

Hepatobiliary cancers which include hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tract cancers (i.e., cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality based on the stage of the disease at presentation. With improved screening for hepatobiliary malignancies in patients with risk factors and with widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hepatobiliary malignancies, including incidental diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma, are on the rise. Definitive treatment of hepatobiliary malignancies include surgical resection, ablation, and liver transplantation. However, management of these cancers is challenging due to the complex hepatobiliary anatomy and the need for meticulous perioperative management especially in patients with advanced liver disease. The management and prognosis of hepatobiliary malignancies vary widely based on the stage of presentation, with surgical options providing the possibility of definitive cure in patients presenting with early-stage disease. Surgical resection for HCC results in good outcomes if performed in ideal candidates. For patients with early HCC who are not candidates for surgical resection, ablation and liver transplantation should be considered. Similarly, surgical resection is also the definitive treatment for biliary tract cancers, and liver transplantation can be curative in selected patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The role of routine adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy is not clearly established, but adjuvant therapies can offer better outcomes in patients with advanced disease at presentation. Outcomes of surgical management of hepatobiliary cancers seem to be improving. Given the complex decision-making process involved, multidisciplinary evaluation is essential to provide and coordinate the best treatments for these patients.

Efficacy of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir in direct-acting antiviral experienced patients with hepatitis C virus.

AIMS: Report the real-world experience of the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients who have previously experienced a direct-acting antiviral (DAA) containing regimen. METHODS: Consecutive patients who have previously failed or did not tolerate a DAA containing regimen for chronic HCV who was treated with SOF/VEL/VOX were studied. Baseline clinical and laboratory data including NS5A RAS mutation testing were collected. RESULTS: SOF/VEL/VOX resulted in an end of treatment undetectable HCV viral load in all patients and a sustained virologic response 12 rate of 100% despite the presence of NS5A RAS mutation, HIV infection, and cirrhosis. Treatment with SOF/VEL/VOX was well tolerated and there were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: SOF/VEL/VOX is well tolerated and effective in treating patients who have been exposed to prior DAA therapy outside of clinical trials. SOF/VEL/VOX should be considered as the first-line regimen in HCV infected patients who have experienced prior DAA failure.

The Importance of Recognizing Wandering Spleen as a Cause of Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis.

Wandering spleen, as its name suggests, is a rare condition where the spleen wanders in the abdomen and is most commonly found in the inferior quadrant as a palpable mass. It can have varying presentations and commonly presents as splenic torsion and very rarely as acute pancreatitis. It is imperative not to miss this diagnosis as it can lead to life-threatening complications in the form of splenic torsion/infarction. Here we describe a rare manifestation of wandering spleen where a young female presented with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis.