Pilot study using the ECHO model to enhance linkage to care for patients with hepatitis C in the custodial setting.

Prisoners in most countries have a higher prevalence of HCV than the general population, but their access to treatment is very limited. Our aim was to evaluate a pilot programme using the ECHO model to enhance linkage to care in patients with HCV in 3 Argentinean prisons between October 2018 and January 2020. All inmates were invited to participate, and data were collected through a personal interview. We then estimated HCV prevalence with dried blood spot and performed a logistic regression analysis to identify risk behaviours associated with HCV infection. Finally, HCV management was assessed and monitored through ECHO. Overall, 1141 inmates agreed to participate, representing 39.7% of the total prison population. Anti-HCV prevalence was estimated at 1.58% (CI 0.93; 2.48), being significantly higher in women 2.98% (CI 1.4;5.6) than in men 1.07% (CI 0.5; 2.0); P = .03. Patients with anti-HCV were significantly older than those who tested negative, 42.3 years (CI 37.6;47.1) vs 30.1 years (CI 30.6;31.2), P < .001, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis, identified age OR 1.07 (CI 1.03;1.12, P = .001), history of sexually transmitted disease OR 3.08 (CI 0.97;9.82, P = .057) and intravenous drug use OR 12.6 (CI 3.31;48.53, P < .001) as risk factors associated with anti-HCV. Treatment was initiated in all the patients with specialist physician support utilizing ECHO model. In conclusion, our pilot study reported a low prevalence of anti-HCV in the studied population. Incarceration provides an ideal opportunity for testing and treating HCV. ECHO model arises as a useful tool to support assessment and treatment for inmates with chronic HCV.

LI-RADS 4 or 5 categorization may not be clinically relevant for decision-making processes: A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The liver imaging reporting data system (LI-RADS) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was proposed to standardize and enhance consensus of reporting. However, clinical utility of LI-RADS has not been evaluated in Latin America. We therefore sought to compare LI-RADS categories with histopathology findings in liver transplant (LT) explants in a regional center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study conducted between 2012 and 2018 in a single center from Argentina including patients with HCC listed for LT. LI-RADS definitions were applied to magnetic resonance images (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) abdominal scans at time of listing and at final pre-LT reassessment and compared to explant pathology findings; specifically, major nodule (NOD1). RESULTS: Of 130 patients with HCC listed for LT (96.1% with cirrhosis and 35.6% with hepatitis C virus infection), 72 underwent LT. Overall, 65% had imaging HCC diagnosis based on MRI (n = 84), 26% with CT (n = 34) and 9% (n = 12) with both methods. Among LT patients with pre-transplant imaging at our institution (n = 42/72), 69% of the NOD1 were LR-5, 21% LR-4 and 10% LR-3. Definite HCC diagnosis was 50% in LR-3 NOD1 (CI 18-90); none presented microvascular invasion. In LR-4 NOD1, HCC was confirmed in 89% (CI 59-98), of which 11% showed microvascular invasion; whereas in LR-5 NOD1 77% (CI 64-87) had confirmed HCC, 17% with microvascular invasion. CONCLUSIONS: LI-RADS was useful to standardize reports; however, no significant differences were observed between LR-4 and LR-5 HCC probability when compared to explant pathology.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes related with neurological events after liver transplantation in adult and pediatric recipients.

Controversy exists whether NE after LT are more frequently observed in children or adults. We aimed to compare the incidence and outcomes for NE after LT in pediatric and adult recipients. A single-center cohort study, including all LT between 2001 and 2013, was performed. Definition of NE included impaired consciousness, delirium, seizures, focal neurologic deficit, visual impairment, or slurred speech. A cohort of 443 consecutive LT recipients was included: 307 adults and 136 children. Cumulative incidence of NE was similar between adults 15% (n = 41) and children 16% (n = 20; P = .73) with a complete neurological recovery in 62% and 95% of the patients, respectively (P < .0001). Adults with NE had significantly lower survival (70% vs 76%; P = .015) with a HR of 2.36; this was similarly observed in children (45% vs 66%; HR 2.05, CI 0.66; 6.34). Independent risk factors for NE in adults were pre-LT ascites, delta sodium, and post-LT hypomagnesemia, whereas in children pre-LT encephalopathy ≥II and serum albumin were associated with NE. Although a similar incidence of NE after LT was observed, children were more likely to achieve neurological recovery. Risk factors for the development of NE are difficult to assess in both populations.

Predicting early discharge from hospital after liver transplantation (ERDALT) at a single center: a new model.

BACKGROUND & RATIONALE: Limited information related to Liver Transplantation (LT) costs in South America exists. Additionally, costs analysis from developed countries may not provide comparable models for those in emerging economies. We sought to evaluate a predictive model of Early Discharge from Hospital after LT (ERDALT = length of hospital stay ≤ 8 days). A predictive model was assessed based on the odds ratios (OR) from a multivariate regression analysis in a cohort of consecutively transplanted adult patients in a single center from Argentina and internally validated with bootstrapping technique. RESULTS: ERDALT was applicable in 34 of 289 patients (11.8%). Variables independently associated with ERDALT were MELD exception points OR 1.9 (P = 0.04), surgery time < 4 h OR 3.8 (P = 0.013), < 5 units of blood products consumption (BPC) OR 3.5 (P = 0.001) and early weaning from mechanical intubation OR 6.3 (P = 0.006). Points in the predictive scoring model were allocated as follows: MELD exception points (absence = 0 points, presence = 1 point), surgery time < 4 h (0-2 points), < 5 units of BPC (0-2 points), and early weaning (0-3 points). Final scores ranged from 0 to 8 points with a c-statistic of 0.83 (95% CI 0.77-0.90; P < 0.0001). Transplant costs were significantly lower in patients with ERDALT (median $23,078 vs. $28,986; P < 0.0001). Neither lower patient and graft survival, nor higher rates of short-term re-hospitalization and acute rejection events after discharge were observed in patients with ERDALT. In conclusion, the ERDALT score identifies patients suitable for early discharge with excellent outcomes after transplantation. This score may provide applicable models particularly for emerging economies.

Neurological events after liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

The aim of this study was to identify potential risk factors linked to neurologic events (NE) occurring after liver transplantation (LT) and use them to construct a model to predict such events. From odds ratios (OR) of risk factors, a scoring system was assessed using multivariate regression analysis. Forty-one of 307 LT patients presented NE (13.3%), with prolonged hospital stay and decreased post-LT survival. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with NE included: severe pre-LT ascites OR 3.9 (1.80-8.41; P = 0.001), delta sodium ≥12 mEq/l OR 3.5 (1.36-8.67; P = 0.01), and post-LT hypomagnesemia OR 2.9 (1.37-5.98; P = 0.005). Points were assigned depending on ORs as follows: ascites 4 points, and hypomagnesemia and delta sodium ≥12 mEq/l, 3 points each (score range = 0-10 points). ROC curve analysis suggested good discriminative power for the model, with a c-statistic of 0.72 (CI 0.62-0.81; P < 0.0001), best performance for a cutoff value >3 points (71% sensitivity, 60% specificity). NE risk increased progressively from 6.4%, to 10.3%, 12.8%, 31.5% and 71.0% as scores rose from 0 to 3, 4, 6-7 and 10 cumulative points, respectively. The score described helps to identify patients potentially at risk for neurologic events, and its prevention would decrease morbidity and mortality after LT.

Successful orthotopic liver transplantation and delayed delivery of a healthy newborn in a woman with fulminant hepatic failure during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Severe liver dysfunction during pregnancy implies a serious risk for both mother and fetus, and represents a technical and ethical challenge for treating physicians. We report a case of a previously healthy 32-year old woman who was admitted to our hospital with idiopathic fulminant hepatic failure and underwent successful orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) at gestation week 21. Patient's and fetus' immediate postoperative course were relatively uneventful until week six after OLT, when the mother developed oligohydramnios and preeclampsia. At pregnancy week 27, after inducing baby's lung maturation, a cesarean section was performed with the delivery of an otherwise healthy girl. After 3 years of follow-up, mother and child are leading normal lives with no complications related either to pregnancy or to OLT. We describe the case of a successful emergency liver transplant in a woman during the second trimester of pregnancy, demonstrating that OLT can be a viable option to preserve the life of the mother and an otherwise unviable fetus. Intrauterine baby's growths until the attainment of a viable gestational age was feasible despite the mother's fulminant hepatic failure and liver transplant surgery.

Resecciones por hepatocarcinoma en pacientes con hepatopatía crónica subyacente / Resections by hepatocarcinoma in patients with underlying chronic hepatopatía

Antecedentes: Algunos factores que generan una alta morbilidad de hapatectomías en pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular sobre hepatopatías crónicas pueden modificarse para aumentar la aplicabilidad y reducir la morbilidad. Objetivo: Analizar las estrategias utilizadas en la selección de pacientes candidatos a la resección, su evaluación funcional y el manejo preoperatorio. Lugar: Unidad de cirugía hepatobiliar. Diseño: Coherte retrospectivo. Población: 42 pacientes con CHC sobre hepatopatía crónica (11 fibrosis, 31 cirrosis) que recibieron 44 hepatectomías entre 1995 y 2005. Método: Se analizaron los criterios de selección, tipos de resección, manejo anestésico, requerimientos transfusionales, morbilidad y supervivencia alejada. Análisis estadísticos con log-rank test y Kaplan Meier. Resultados: De las 44 resecciones, 33 (75%) fueron hepatectomías menores. de ellas, 20 (60%) resecciones segmento-orientadas. Sólo 25% de los casos recibió sangre de banco. La morbilidad fue de 23% y la mortalidad 2,3%. La supervivencia actuarial a 1 y 5 años fue de 85 y 50% respectivamente, 72 y 50% libre de enfermedad. Conclusiones: Una correcta selección y racional manejo anestésico y de táctica quirúrgica permite obtener resultados alentadores con morbimortalidad similar a las hepatectomías en pacientes con fusión hepática normal.

Gallbladder metastases from ductal papillary carcinoma of the breast.

Breast cancer occurs primarily in women aged 25 years or older. Breast carcinoma has the potential for widespread dissemination, such as metastasis to axillary lymph nodes, bone, lung, pleura, brain, and soft tissues. Liver, gastrointestinal, and biliary tract involvement are infrequent. We report a patient, a 62-year-old woman, with symptomatic cholelithiasis. The patient proceeded to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She had a previous history of mastectomy with axillary lymphadenectomy, performed for a breast ductal papillary carcinoma, 10 years prior to the cholecystectomy. The gallbladder was hydropic; the wall was thickened, with a focal broad-based lesion on the mesenteric face of the body. Histopathological evaluation of the focal broad-based lesion of the gallbladder revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma infiltration, without mucosal involvement. Subsequent immunohistochemical examination showed the lesion to be cytokeratin 7(CK7)-positive and cytokeratin 20 (CK20)-negative. Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) were positive. The final pathological diagnosis was breast ductal papillary carcinoma metastases to the gallbladder. Mammography of the other breast was normal. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain, chest, abdomen, and pelvis was performed, without any pathological findings. Bone Tc-99 scintigraphy was normal. Six months after the surgery positron emission tomography (PET) showed no evidence of metastatic disease. Two years after the surgery, the patient died, in the absence of recurrence. A literature review revealed only a few more cases of metastasic breast carcinoma to the gallbladder.