El hepatocarcinoma / Hepatocellular carcinoma

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Radioembolización de tumores hepáticos con 90Y-microesferas / Radioembolization with 90Y-microspheres for liver tumors

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Is liver biopsy necessary in the evaluation of a living donor for liver transplantation?

BACKGROUND: The role of liver biopsy in the evaluation of a candidate for living liver donation is controversial. Some authors suggest doing it routinely, but others do it only in selected cases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of protocol liver biopsy in the evaluation of candidates for living liver donation. METHODS: Ninety potential candidates for living liver donation were evaluated. In 46 cases donation was contraindicated without the need of liver biopsy. In the remaining 44 candidates, liver biopsy was done on a protocol basis. The usefulness of protocol biopsy was compared with the use of biopsy according to the recommendations of the Vancouver Forum. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 44 biopsies were indicated according to the recommendations of the Vancouver Forum. Twelve of them were normal, and 3 had liver steatosis or steatohepatitis. Of the 29 biopsies done per protocol, 28 were normal and 1 showed liver steatosis. Donation was contraindicated according to liver biopsy findings in 3 of the 15 patients with liver biopsy done according to the Vancouver Forum recommendations and in none of the 29 patients with biopsy done per protocol (P = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Protocol liver biopsy has a limited utility in the evaluation of the candidates for living liver donation.

Increased liver stiffness values in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Liver stiffness has been claimed to be increased in patients with heart failure. AIMS: To determine the magnitude of this increase in liver stiffness, and to clarify whether it is related to the degree of heart failure or not. METHODS: Twenty-six patients were prospectively collected, and divided in groups CHF (those with compensated chronic heart failure) and AHF (those with acute decompensated heart failure). Patients underwent routine blood chemistries, pro-BNP determination, echocardiography and transient elastography during outpatient care (group CHF) or at hospital admission (group AHF). Blood chemistries, pro-BNP and transient elastography were repeated in patients in group AHF before being discharged. RESULTS: Correlation between liver stiffness and pro-BNP levels was statistically significant (Rho = 0.747, p = 0.001). Patients in group CHF had lower values of liver stiffness and pro-BNP when compared with patients in group AHF at admission. Median liver stiffness and pro-BNP values were 6.5 vs 14.4 kPa (p = 0.009) and 1511 vs 3535 pg/ml (p = 0.025) respectively. After clinical compensation, liver stiffness decreased in all patients in group AHF. Liver stiffness was 14.4 kPa at admission and 8.2 kPa at discharge (p = 0.008). Pro-BNP values also decreased from a median of 3535 pg/ml to a median of 1098 pg/ml (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with heart failure have increased liver stiffness, that appears to be related with the severity of heart failure.

Efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to prevent total portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients awaiting for liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Complete portal vein thrombosis (PVT) may complicate orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), increasing its technical difficulty and the transfusion requirements and as well as affecting survival in some cases. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) prevents total portal vein occlusion in patients with partial PVT. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of TIPS to prevent total portal vein occlusion among patients listed for OLT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the clinical records of 15 consecutive patients with partial PVT who underwent TIPS before OLT. The control group consisted of 8 transplanted patients without TIPS but partial PVT diagnosed before OLT. Portal vein patency at surgery, ischemia time, and transfusion requirements during OLT, and survival thereafter were compared between both groups. The main complications were also compared: mortality after TIPS (from TIPS placement to OLT), intraoperative technical complications, and technical complications during the 6 months after OLT. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics at the time of OLT were similar between the groups. No relevant complications were observed after TIPS; all patients underwent transplantation. One- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were similar in both groups (92% and 85% in TIPS-group versus 100 and 75% in the control group, respectively). No differences in transfusion requirement, duration of ischemia, and frequency of technical complications during and after OLT were observed between the groups. The portal vein was patent at surgery in all TIPS patients and 4 of 8 (50%) in the control group (P = .008). CONCLUSION: TIPS may prevent PVT in liver transplantation candidates with partial PVT.

Subsequent nonmelanoma skin cancer after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplant recipients have a high risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Some develop multiple NMSC. METHODS: Patients with a follow-up of >1 year have been prospectively followed to detect NMSC. We studied the risk of developing >1 NMSC. RESULTS: After a follow-up of 2658 patient-years (mean, 8.5 years per patient), 59/312 (19%) patients were diagnosed with NMSC. Twenty-five had >1 NMSC. The 5-year risk of developing 1 NMSC, >1 NMSC, and a subsequent NMSC (a new NMSC after a first one) were 15%, 5.5%, and 46.5%, respectively. Age >60 years and transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma were independently associated with a higher risk of developing >1 NMSC. CONCLUSION: NMSC are frequent complications after liver transplantation and they may show a high rate of recurrence. Older age and hepatocellular carcinoma were related to the development of multiple NMSC.

Response to radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres may allow surgical treatment with curative intent and prolonged survival in previously unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Occasionally, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who receive radioembolization with palliative intent are downstaged for radical treatments. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the overall survival (OS) in these patients compared with patients of the same baseline stage (UNOS T3), who were not eligible for radical treatment after radioembolization. METHODS: Between September 2003 and August 2010, 118 patients with HCC received radioembolization with yttrium-90 ((90)Y) resin microspheres. Of these, 21 patients with UNOS T3 stage were retrospectively identified and included in this analysis. RESULTS: In total, 6 of 21 patients were downstaged and treated radically between 2 and 35 months post-radioembolization. Three patients were resected, 2 received liver transplantation and 1 was ablated and then resected. Patients treated radically were significantly younger (62 vs. 73 years, p = 0.006) and had higher tumor volume (583 mL vs. 137 mL, p = 0.001) than patients who did not achieve radical treatment. There were no differences between the groups in number of lesions, BCLC stage, previous cirrhosis, activity administered per tumor volume, or median levels of alpha-fetoprotein or total bilirubin. Across the whole series, the median OS was 27.0 months (95% CI 5.0-48.9), varying significantly between those treated radically (OS not reached after a median follow-up of 41.5 months since radical therapy) and those who received palliative treatment only (22.0 months; 95% CI 15.0-30.9). CONCLUSIONS: Radical therapy following tumor downstaging with radioembolization provides the possibility of long-term survival in a select subgroup (UNOS T3 stage) with otherwise limited options.

Informed consent document in gastrointestinal endoscopy: understanding and acceptance by patients.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to know if patients read and understand the informed consent (IC) document used for endoscopic procedures, and to evaluate the readability of IC. METHOD: During two months we gave patients studied in our endoscopy unit an anonymous questionnaire with different items concerning reading degree, knowledge of the technique, complications, sedation used, and information received. We evaluated IC readability using the Flesch index. RESULTS: 309 patients were included (mean age: 53 years, 55% males, 86% outpatients, 50% with basic education); 85% of patients read the IC, 96% considered they understood the exploration technique, 22% were not aware of severe complications, and 82% knew which kind of sedation would be used; 88% of patients received additional information from their doctors. Outpatients read the IC in a greater percentage versus inpatients (p < 0.05); patients with only basic education tended to ignore the possibility of complications (p < 0.05). Doctors gave more information to rural patients (p = 0.08), offered better information about complications to urban patients (p = 0.09), and offered more information on other diagnostic procedures to patients older than 50 years (p < 0.05). With the Flesch index we found that gastroscopy and colonoscopy ICs had a "standard" level of readability, while ERCP ICs were more complex. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of our patients read and understands the IC. Doctors adapt information to patient characteristics. Our IC documents have an acceptable level of readability, but given that 50% of our patients have only a basic educational status, we should attempt to provide an easier IC document.

Estudio del grado de entendimiento y aceptación por nuestros pacientes de los consentimientos informados utilizados para endoscopia / Informed consent document in gastrointestinal endoscopy: understanding and acceptance by patients

Objetivo: conocer si los pacientes estudiados en nuestra unidad de endoscopia leen y comprenden el documento de consentimiento informado. Conocer la legibilidad de dichos consentimientos informados. Método: entregamos a los pacientes estudiados endoscopicamente en nuestra unidad un cuestionario acerca del grado de lectura del consentimiento informado, conocimiento de la técnica endoscópica, complicaciones, sedación utilizada e información recibida. Valoramos la legibilidad de nuestros consentimientos informados mediante el índice de Flesch. Resultados: 309 pacientes fueron incluidos (edad media: 53 años, 55% varones). El 85% de los pacientes se había leído el consentimiento informado, el 96% conocían la técnica endoscópica, 15,2% no conocían el riesgo de complicaciones graves durante la exploración. El 82% sabía qué tipo de sedación iba a recibir. El 88% recibieron información adicional por sus médicos. Los pacientes con estudios básicos tendieron a desconocer la posibilidad de complicaciones (p < 0,05). Los médicos aportaron más información a los pacientes de medio rural (p = 0,08), mejor información sobre las complicaciones a los pacientes de medio urbano (p = 0,09) y más información sobre exploraciones alternativas a los mayores de 50 años (p < 0,05). Los consentimientos informados de gastroscopia y colonoscopia tenían un nivel de legibilidad standard, mientras que el consentimiento informado de ERCP era más complejo. Conclusiones: la mayoría de nuestros pacientes leen y entienden el consentimiento informado. Los médicos tienden a adaptar la información que ofrecen a los pacientes a las características socioculturales de estos. Nuestros consentimientos informados tienen un nivel de legibilidad aceptable, pero esta debería ser mejorada para facilitar una mejor comprensión de los mismos

Objective: we wanted to know if patients read and understand the informed consent (IC) document used for endoscopic procedures, and to evaluate the readability of IC. Method: during two months we gave patients studied in our endoscopy unit an anonymous questionnaire with different items concerning reading degree, knowledge of the technique, complications, sedation used, and information received. We evaluated IC readability using the Flesch index. Results: 309 patients were included (mean age: 53 years, 55% males, 86% outpatients, 50% with basic education); 85% of patients read the IC, 96% considered they understood the exploration technique, 22% were not aware of severe complications, and 82% knew which kind of sedation would be used; 88% of patients received additional information from their doctors. Outpatients read the IC in a greater percentage versus inpatients (p < 0.05); patients with only basic education tended to ignore the possibility of complications (p < 0.05). Doctors gave more information to rural patients (p = 0.08), offered better information about complications to urban patients (p = 0.09), and offered more information on other diagnostic procedures to patients older than 50 years (p < 0.05). With the Flesch index we found that gastroscopy and colonoscopy ICs had a “standard” level of readability, while ERCP ICs were more complex. Conclusions: the majority of our patients read and understands the IC. Doctors adapt information to patient characteristics. Our IC documents have an acceptable level of readability, but given that 50% of our patients have only a basic educational status, we should attempt to provide an easier IC document

[Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma]. / Paraganglioma gangliocítico duodenal.

We present the case of an 85 year old male who was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain and jaundice. Different explorations were performed for this reason, with a mass observed in his 2nd duodenal portion. Histological study showed that it was a duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma. The clinical characteristics of this infrequent tumour are described and we review the diagnosis and treatment.

Paraganglioma gangliocítico duodenal / Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 85 años queingresó por dolor abdominal e ictericia, por lo cual sele realizaron diversas exploraciones, apreciándose en2a porción duodenal una masa cuyo estudio histológicodemostró que se trataba de un paraganglioma gangliocíticoduodenal. Se describen las característicasclínicas de este infrecuente tumor y revisamos su diagnósticoy tratamiento

We present the case of an 85 year old male whowas admitted to hospital with abdominal pain andjaundice. Different explorations were performed forthis reason, with a mass observed in his 2nd duodenalportion. Histiological study showed that it was aduodenal gangliocytic paraganlioma. The clinicalcharacteristics of this infrequent tumour are describedand we review the diagnosis and treatment

[Chronic hepatitis C virus infection]. / Infección crónica por el VHC.

Following acute hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), a significant percentage of patients do not clear the virus and develop a chronic hepatitis C. The symptoms, when they exist, are usually unspecific. Besides, approximately one third of the patients present extrahepatic manifestations of the infection, basically due to the lymphotropism of HCV. Outstanding amongst these, due to their clear association with HCV, are mixed cryoglobulinaemia and the production of autoantibodies (autoAb). Other diseases such as non-Hodgkin lynphoma (NHL) or autoimmune thyroiditis do not have a clearly established association. Although the majority of patients with chronic hepatitis C have slight or moderately high levels and fluctuations of transaminases, as many as one third of those infected can show persistently normal levels of transaminases. The diagnosis of chronic HCV infection is based on serological tests, which detect the presence of antibodies against HCV, and on virological tests that detect RNA of the HCV, which confirm the existence of active infection. Finally, an important topic of chronic HCV infection, following diagnosis, is to ascertain the stage of fibrosis and the degree of inflammation, since both characteristics are very important for predicting the natural evolution and the need for treatment. Nowadays, this information can only be obtained through liver biopsy, which is recommended in patients with chronic HCV infection and high transaminases. Whether liver biopsy should be performed in patients with normal transaminases is still subject of controversy.

[Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection]. / Tratamiento de la infección crónica por el VHC.

At present the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection is based on the combination of pegylated interferon (PEG-INF) and rivabirin (RBV) and basically attempts to eradicate the viral infection (sustained viral response). The pattern depends above all on the viral genotype, hence, patients with genotype 1, 4 and 5 require 48 weeks of treatment and high doses of RBV, while those with genotype 2 and 3 require 24 weeks of treatment and low doses of RBV. All patients with chronic C infection are possible candidates for antiviral therapy. However, given that the response to treatment is variable, that the treatment has secondary effects and supposes a high economic cost, it is recommendable in patients with hypertransaminasemia and moderate-severe chronic hepatitis in the histological study, as long as there are no counter-indications. This does not exclude other groups of patients who should be evaluated individually. In those patients with compensated hepatic cirrhosis, treatment can stabilise the disease and reduce the risk of complications appearing, although the rate of response is lower and some adverse effects are more frequent. In patients who have received previous antiviral treatment with standard interferon, alone or in association with RBV, without response to this or with response but later relapse, the decision on treatment must be individual. In patients with coinfection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), special attention must be paid to the degree of evolution of the disease due to HCV and to HIV, as well as the possible hepatoxicity of the antiretroviral treatment and the risk of secondary effects.

[Isotretinoin and ulcerous colitis]. / Isotretinoína y colitis ulcerosa.

Isotretinoin is a drug obtained from retinoid acid, often used for the treatment of different types of acne. The way it acts on the dermo-epidermis has not been clearly described. Different studies reporting a relation, proportional or inverse, between isotretinoin and the occurrence or reactivation of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been found in the literature. Although there are several hypotheses about how this substance can affect the bowel mucous in the pathogenesis of the disease, none of them are definitive. We present a new case where the mentioned relation was evident. Therefore we suggest that when a patient treated with this isomer presents symptoms suggesting IBD, an endoscopic procedure should be performed in order to rule out inflammatory mucous changes.

Isotretinoína y colitis ulcerosa / Isotretinoin and ulcerous colitis

La isotretinoína (Roacután®), fármaco derivado del ácido retinoico, es utilizado en dermatología como tratamiento para diversos tipos de acné. Su mecanismo de acción a nivel dermo-epidérmico aún no ha sido completamente esclarecido. Existen en la literatura actual diversos estudios en los que se ha documentado una relación, proporcional o inversa, entre la toma de isotretinoína y el debut o reactivación de una enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. Aunque se han propuesto diversas hipótesis por las cuales este fármaco podría actuar sobre la mucosa intestinal en la patogénesis de la enfermedad, ninguna de ellas ha sido concluyente. Presentamos aquí un nuevo caso en el que pudo evidenciarse la mencionada relación, por lo que creemos conveniente recordar que ante un paciente con síntomas sospechosos de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en tratamiento activo con este isómero, debe realizarse un procedimiento endoscópico para descartarla (AU)

Infección crónica por el VHC / Chronic Hepatitis C virus infection

Tras la infección aguda por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC), un porcentaje importante de pacientes no aclara el virus y desarrollan una hepatitis crónica C. Los síntomas, cuando existen, suelen ser inespecíficos. Aproximadamente un tercio de los pacientes presentan además manifestaciones extrahepáticas de la infección, debidas fundamentalmente al linfotropismo del virus C. De éstas destacan, por su clara asociación con el VHC, la crioglobulinemia mixta y la producción de autoanticuerpos (autoAc). Otras enfermedades como el linfoma no Hodgkin (LNH) o la tiroiditis autoinmune no tienen una asociación claramente establecida. Aunque la mayoría de los pacientes con hepatitis crónica C tienen niveles ligeros o moderadamente elevados y fluctuantes de transaminasas, hasta un tercio de los infectados pueden presentar niveles persistentemente normales de transaminasas. El diagnóstico de la infección crónica por el VHC se basa en pruebas serológicas, que detectan la presencia de anticuerpos frente al VHC, y en pruebas virológicas que detectan RNA del VHC, que confirman la existencia de infección activa. Por último, un aspecto importante en la infección crónica por el VHC, tras el diagnóstico, es establecer el estadio de fibrosis y el grado de inflamación, ya que ambas características son muy importantes para predecir la evolución natural y la necesidad de tratamiento. Hoy en día esta información sólo puede obtenerse mediante biopsia hepática, que está indicada en pacientes con infección crónica por el VHC y transaminasas elevadas. Su indicación en pacientes con transaminasas normales permanece todavía controvertida (AU)