Alanine aminotransferase and spleno-portal dynamics affect spleen stiffness measured by point shear-wave elastography in patients with chronic hepatitis C in the absence of significant liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Spleen stiffness (SS) has gained a lot of interest in the context of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension stratification. However, there is a paucity of data on confounding factors that may alter SS values. METHODS: Between January 2018 and October 2019, we enrolled 120 healthy subjects and 117 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who did not have significant liver fibrosis (i.e., F0-1). Abdominal ultrasound evaluation was performed on each individual to measure portal vein diameter, portal flow velocity, spleen bipolar diameter, and splenic area. We also performed liver and spleen elastography. RESULTS: HCV patients had higher SS (p < 0.001), portal vein diameter (p = 0.031), portal flow velocity (p = 0.035), spleen bipolar diameter (p = 0.042) and area (p = 0.025), and ALT levels (p < 0.001). Linear regression models showed that SS increased by 3.220 kPa for each mm of portal vein diameter, by 0.7 kPa for each cm/s of portal flow velocity, by 2.239 kPa for each cm of spleen bipolar diameter, and by 0.233 kPa for each cm2 of spleen area. Patients with HCV infection were stratified according to median ALT levels (i.e. 32 IU/L). SS and spleno-portal axis parameters were significantly higher in patients with an ALT level > 32 IU/L. Besides, the relationship between SS and ALT was described by cubic polynomial regression according to the following equation: 11.735 + 0.404 (ALT)1 - 0.002 (ALT)2 + 4.26 × 10-6 (ALT)3. CONCLUSIONS: Our results bring new light to the role of inflammation as a confounding factor for SS measurement. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to serum transaminase for a correct evaluation of spleen elastography.

The Importance of Transaminases Flare in Liver Elastography: Characterization of the Probability of Liver Fibrosis Overestimation by Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Cytolysis.

BACKGROUND: Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is crucial for appropriate fibrosis staging in patients with ongoing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, there is still an ongoing debate on the impact of serum transaminases (aspartate-aminotransferase, AST; alanine-aminotransferase, ALT) on LSM. METHODS: We selected 110 patients undergoing HCV eradication therapy with LSM compatible with significant liver fibrosis. LSM was evaluated prior to therapy and one year after HCV eradication. RESULTS: LSM showed a median decrease of 35% from baseline values, and 67 (61%) patients showed posttreatment values compatible with lower fibrosis stages. We developed two logistic regression models to determine the probability of liver fibrosis overestimation according to serum transaminase. The probability of overestimation of two or more fibrosis grade is equal to (1) 50% for AST of 99 IU/L (2.2 ULN) and ALT of 90.5 IU/L (2 ULN), (2) 80% for AST of 123.5 IU/L (2.74 ULN) and ALT of 101.5 IU/L (2.25 ULN), and (3) reaches 100% for AST of 211 IU/L (4.7 ULN) and ALT of 140 IU/L (3.1 ULN). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the impact of serum transaminases on LSM. We believe that our findings may serve as a reference point for appropriate fibrosis stratification by liver elastography in patients with HCV infection.

Helical tomotherapy: an innovative radiotherapy technique for the treatment of locally advanced oropharynx and inoperable oral cavity carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To report our initial clinical experience of helical tomotherapy (HT) in the treatment of locally advanced oropharynx and inoperable oral cavity cancer. METHODS: Between February 2008 and January 2011, 24 consecutive patients, 15 with oropharyngeal cancer and 9 with oral cavity cancer were treated with exclusive radiotherapy or concomitant chemoradiotherapy. Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in 30 fractions scheme was prescribed to all patients, using Helical Tomotherapy. Doses administered to primary tumor, oropharynx/oral cavity and positive lymph-nodes and negative lymph-nodes were 66-67.5 Gy, 60-63 Gy and 54 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: Complete response rate for the oropharynx and the oral cavity group was 86.7% and 77.8%, respectively. The 1 and 2-year Overall Survival (OS) and Disease Free Survival (DFS) rate for the oropharynx group was 92.9%, 85.1%, 92.9% and 77.4% respectively. For the oral cavity group, 1 and 2-year OS and DFS rates were 55.6%, 55.6%, 75% and 75%, respectively. No patient developed grade ≥3 mucositis, dysphagia or dermatitis. The maximum late-toxicity grade observed was 2, for all the variables examined. CONCLUSIONS: HT appears to achieve encouraging clinical outcomes in terms of response, survival and toxicity rates.