A Curious Case of Vanishing Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Spontaneous regression of HCC is rare with few documented cases in literature. The mechanism of this phenomenon is unknown, but tumor hypoxia and systemic inflammatory response have been suggested as possible etiologies. This article aims to shed more light on this rare phenomenon and provides an opportunity to review the proposed pathophysiology of spontaneous HCC regression. In this case report, we describe an interesting case of a 39-year-old male with HCC who underwent spontaneous regression.

Contrasting Strategies in Bouveret's Syndrome: A Series of Two Cases.

Bouveret's syndrome is a rare complication of cholelithiasis, characterized by gastric outlet obstruction caused by a migrated gallstone. Diagnosis of Bouveret's syndrome necessitates urgent treatment as it carries a high mortality rate. The treatment of Bouveret's syndrome has traditionally been surgical. However, there have been increasing reports of successful endoscopic therapy for Bouveret's syndrome. This case series aims to compare and contrast two cases of Bouveret's syndrome. The gallstone was retrieved via endoscopic access in one case while the other was removed with surgery. For each case, we discuss the various factors that contributed to the decision of which treatment modality to use. In addition, we propose an endoscopic technique that may improve the safety and success rate of endoscopic treatment of Bouveret's syndrome.

Steatosis Rates by Liver Biopsy and Transient Elastography With Controlled Attenuation Parameter in Clinical Experience of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/HCV Coinfection in a Large US Hepatitis Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Steatosis contributes to liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV coinfection. Liver biopsy (LB) is the reference standard for grading steatosis and staging fibrosis, yet recent advances in noninvasive modalities have largely supplanted LB, which may limit recognition of steatosis. We evaluated steatosis rates by LB and transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) among HCV-infected and HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in a US clinic. METHODS: Patients with chronic HCV infection during pretreatment evaluation by LB (n = 421; December 2001 through May 2014) and TE with CAP (n = 1157; May 2016 through May 2017) were included. Fibrosis and steatosis rates by LB and TE with CAP were stratified by HCV versus HIV/HCV coinfection status. RESULTS: Steatosis was not reported in 26.1% of LBs. Moderate to severe steatosis (grade ≥S2) was detected more often with CAP than with LB (in 24.0% vs 11.4% of patients, respectively). Median CAP values were higher in patients with HCV monoinfection than in those with coinfection (230 vs 215.5 dB/m, respectively; P < .001). With TE, the rate of advanced fibrosis (values F3-F4) was higher in HCV monoinfection than in coinfection (25.9% vs 14.8%, respectively; P <.001). With both LB and TE, advanced fibrosis (F3-F4) was significantly associated with moderate to severe steatosis (S2-S3) in HCV monoinfection compared with HIV/HCV coinfection (33.3% vs 4.4%, respectively for LB [P = 0.003] and 36.0% vs 29.0% for TE [P = 0.008]). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic HCV undergoing liver fibrosis staging, steatosis was detected more often with CAP than LB, with median CAP values higher in HCV monoinfection than HIV/HCV coinfection. Steatosis severity may be increasing in the modern HCV treatment era.

Utility of confocal laser endomicroscopy in identifying high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel endoscopic technique that has emerged as an important tool in the in-vivo visualization and detailed assessment of the mucosal layer and subcellular structures in Barrett's esophagus. Current guidelines recommend four-quadrant random biopsies for identification of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's esophagus. However, random biopsies are associated with sampling error and inconsistent histopathologic interpretation. CLE, by providing targeted biopsies, could decrease the sampling error and increase the yield of detection of HGD/adenocarcinoma [esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC)]. We carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the CLE-based targeted biopsies in detecting HGD/adenocarcinoma compared with four-quadrant random biopsies. A search using medical subject headings (MeSH) terms and keywords was performed in the MEDLINE and Cochrane review databases and relevant studies were identified. All the studies that compared the diagnostic yield from CLE-based targeted biopsies to detect HGD/adenocarcinoma with a gold standard of histopathology were included and a meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios using Meta-Disc software. There were a total of seven studies with 345 patients and 3080 lesions that were finally included in the meta-analysis. All the studies had reported per-lesion analyses; however, only four of the seven studies had data reported on per-patient analyses. 'Per-lesion' analysis for the diagnosis of HGD/adenocarcinoma yielded a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 68% [95% confidence interval (CI) of 64-73%] and 88% (95% CI of 87-89%), respectively. The pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were 6.56 (95% CI of 3.61-11.90) and 0.24 (95% CI of 0.09-0.63), respectively. Similar numbers were calculated on the basis of 'per-patient' basis, which showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 86% (95% CI of 74-96%) and 83% (95% CI of 77-88%), respectively. The pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were 5.61 (95% CI of 2.00-15.69) and 0.21 (95% CI of 0.08-0.59), respectively. CLE, by providing targeted biopsies, has a good diagnostic accuracy in identifying HGD/EAC; however, the overall prevalence of HGD/EAC in the studies included was much higher than what would be seen in clinical practice and these results should be interpreted with caution. Because of its relatively low sensitivity and negative predictive value, CLE may currently not replace standard biopsy techniques for the diagnosis of HGD/EAC in Barrett's esophagus.

Morning-only polyethylene glycol is noninferior but less preferred by hospitalized patients as compared with split-dose bowel preparation.

GOALS: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of morning-only polyethylene glycol (PEG) with split-dose preparation in hospitalized patients scheduled for colonoscopy. BACKGROUND: Morning-only colonoscopy preparation may improve efficiency by allowing patient preparation and colonoscopy to be performed on the same day. There are limited data comparing morning-only with split-dose preparation, and more studies are needed before morning-only preparation can be routinely recommended. STUDY: A single-center, prospective, endoscopist-blinded study was conducted, in which hospitalized patients scheduled to undergo diagnostic colonoscopy were randomly assigned to receive 4 L of PEG either on the morning of colonoscopy or as a split-dose (evening-morning). The primary endpoint was efficacy of bowel preparation measured by the Ottawa scale. Secondary endpoints were patient compliance and tolerance. RESULTS: A total of 120 hospitalized patients scheduled for diagnostic colonoscopy were randomized. The mean total Ottawa score was slightly superior for the morning-only arm, and the upper bound of 95% confidence interval (CI) for difference between arms was less than our prespecified noninferiority margin of 1.5 (difference=-0.23; 95% CI, -1.72 to 1.25). The percentage of patients with good bowel preparation was similar for all colonic segments. There was a trend toward more side effects among patients in the morning-only compared with the split-dose arm (71% vs. 54%; P=0.08). Compared with morning-only preparation, more patients in the split-dose arm were willing to undergo similar preparation for future colonoscopies (71% vs. 89%; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Morning-only PEG is not inferior to split-dose preparation regarding bowel cleansing efficacy for colonoscopy in hospitalized patients. However, split-dose preparation was preferred by patients because of less side effects.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography under moderate sedation and factors predicting need for anesthesiologist directed sedation: A county hospital experience.

AIM: To evaluate variables associated with failure of gastroenterologist directed moderate sedation (GDS) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and derive a predictive model for use of anesthesiologist directed sedation (ADS) in selected patients. METHODS: With institutional review board approval, we retrospectively analyzed consecutive records of all patients who underwent ERCPs between July 1, 2009 to October 1, 2011 to identify patient related and procedure related factors which could predict failure of GDS. For patient related factors, we abstracted and analyzed data regarding the age, gender, ethnicity, alcohol and illicit drug use habits. For procedure related factors, we abstracted data regarding initial or repeat procedures, indication for performing ERCP, the interventions performed during ERCP, and the grade d difficulty of cannulation as defined in the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines. Our outcome of interest was procedural success. If the procedure was not successful, the reasons for failure of procedures were recorded along with immediate post procedure complications. Multivariate analysis was then performed to define factors associated with failure of GDS and a model constructed to predict requirement of ADS. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of patients undergoing GDS could not complete the procedure due to intolerance and 2% due to cardiovascular complications. Substance abuse, male gender, black race and alcohol use were significant predictors of failure of GDS on univariate analysis and substance abuse and higher grade of procedure remained significant on multivariate analysis. Using our predictive model where the presence of substance abuse was given 1 point and planned grade of intervention was scored from 1-3, only 12% patients with a score of 1 would require ADS due to failure of GDS, compared to 50% with a score of 3 or higher. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ERCP under GDS is safe and effective for low grade procedures, and ADS should be judiciously reserved for procedures which have a higher risk of failure with moderate sedation.