Preparation Regimens to Improve Capsule Endoscopy visualization and diagnostic yield (PrepRICE); a multicentric randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current guidelines recommend bowel preparation before small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). However, the optimal protocol is yet to be defined. To determine the best timing for preparation in SBCE, we compared small-bowel visualization quality (SBVQ), diagnostic yield (DY), and patient-reported outcomes across four purgative regimens. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized (1:1:1:1), multicentric study, patients with suspected small bowel bleeding were randomized into four arms: G1 (1L of polyethylene-glycol + ascorbic acid [Moviprep®] the night before SBCE), G2 (1L in the morning, up to 2 hours before SBCE), G3 (0.5L up to 2 hours before + 0.5L after the capsule reached the duodenum), and G4 (1L after reaching the duodenum). To assess DY, lesions were categorized as having high (P2) or low (P0 or P1) bleeding potential. Small-bowel visualization quality (SBVQ) was assessed using the Brotz score. Transit times (TT) were measured, and patient tolerability was scored from 0 to 5 with higher scores indicating better tolerability. RESULTS: A total of 387 patients were included; 59% female with a median age of 73 years (IQR 23). The exam completion rate was lower in G1 (90%, p<0.001). Small bowel TT was shorter for patients receiving purgative during SBCE (G3 and G4, p=0.001). SBVQ was better in patients receiving purgative after reaching the SB (p<0.001): median of 7 for G1, 8 for G2, and 9 for G3 and G4. The overall DY of patients receiving intra-procedure purgatives (G3 + G4) was superior (42.7 vs 31.3%, p=0.02); significant differences were found in the second and third terciles. Likewise, G3 and G4 had higher angioectasia detection (p=0.04). Patients' satisfaction was significantly superior for G4 (median 4 points, IQR 1). CONCLUSIONS: The group that received the bowel preparation the night before SBCE had poorer outcomes. Intra-procedure purgative regimens reduced SBTT, enhanced visualization, improved DY, and increased angioectasia detection. G4 was the best-tolerated regimen.

Unexpected cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: beyond the typical complications of gallstone disease.

An 88-year-old man presented with haematemesis with haemodynamic stability requiring transfusion of 5 units of blood. Physical examination was unremarkable. Upper endoscopy identified a fistulous opening in the proximal second part of the duodenum (D2) with an oozing bleed and blood clots. A computed tomography (CT)-angiogram revealed a 18mm cystic artery pseudoaneurysm next to a fistulous communication between the gallbladder and D2, allowing the passage of a large stone (Bouveret syndrome). The patient successfully underwent emergent arterial embolization guided by a clip endoscopically-placed near the duodenal fistulous orifice. There were no intercurrences or bleeding recurrence.

Delayed post sphincterotomy bleeding: Hemostatic powder is a safe and effective option.

We present the case of a 72-year-old woman admitted for epigastric pain, elevated inflammatory parameters and liver enzymes, with a total bilirubin of 6mg/dL. Abdominal ultrasound identified cholelithiasis and posteriorly endoscopic ultrasound showed a 5.8mm stone distally in the biliary tract. Due to acute cholangitis, she underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy, successfully removing the stone. Mild self-limited bleeding after sphincterotomy was reported, for which an adrenaline flush of the biliary tract was performed. The following day, she presented melena and hemoglobin dropped 3g/dL, remaining hemodynamically stable. With side-viewing duodenoscopy we identified an adherent clot and an oozing bleed near the pancreatic duct opening. The clot was removed with a snare after adrenalin injection and 3 endoclips of 8mm were positioned in the superior portion of the sphincterotomy. Even then, bleeding persisted. We opted to apply hemostatic powder (Hemospray®) with successful bleeding cessation. Four days later the patient was released without bleeding recurrence or suspected biliary blockage.

When eating becomes a real nightmare.

.We present the case of a 46-year-old female with dysphagia to solids and retrosternal pain that worsened after eating. Due to mediastinal lymphadenopathies, she underwent endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) 3 weeks before, mentioning the complaints started afterwards. On physical examination she had fever (38.3ºC). Gastroscopy revealed three 10-20mm fistulous orifices with purulent discharge at 26-32cm from the incisors and another four partially covered by fibrin in the distal esophagus. EBUS-TBNA report was reviewed, mentioning 6 needle passes through the esophagus, due to failed endotracheal intubation, without immediate complications. A cervicothoracic CT scan identified 2 mediastinal abscesses, the largest with 9cm, communicating with the esophageal fistulas. She was admitted, underwent intravenous antibiotics and endoscopy-guided nasogastric tube placement. The histopathological analysis diagnosed Castleman's disease. There was clinical and imagological improvement during admission. After 16 days she was released. Upper endoscopy was repeated one month later showing complete closure of the fistulous orifices.

Fully laparoscopic left hepatectomy - a technical reference proposed for standard practice compared to the open approach: a retrospective propensity score model.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH) may be an alternative to open (OLH). There are several original variations in the technical aspects of LLH, and no accepted standard. The aim of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the technique developed at Henri Mondor Hospital since 1996. METHODS: The technique of LLH was conceived for safety and training of two mature generations of lead surgeons. The technique includes full laparoscopy, ventral approach to the common trunk, extrahepatic pedicle dissection, CUSA® parenchymal transection, division of the left hilar plate laterally to the Arantius ligament, and ventral transection of the left hepatic vein. The outcomes of LLH and OLH were compared. Perioperative analysis included intra- and postoperative, and histology variables. Propensity Score Matching was undertaken of background covariates including age, ASA, BMI, fibrosis, steatosis, tumour size, and specimen weight. RESULTS: 17 LLH and 51 OLH were performed from 1996 to 2014 with perioperative mortality rates of 0% and 6%, respectively. In the LLH group, two patients underwent conversion to open surgery. Propensity matching selected 10 LLH/OLH pairs. The LLH group had a higher proportion of procedures for benign disease. LLH was associated with longer operating time and less blood loss. Perioperative complications occurred in 30% (LLH) and 10% (OLH) (p = 1). Mortality and ITU stay were similar. CONCLUSION: This technique is recommended as a possible technical reference for standard LLH.

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic ablation therapies for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a single European center experience of 426 patients.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used as a first-line option in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, since percutaneous approach of RFA may be, in some cases, unfeasible by the tumor size and its location, laparoscopic ablation therapies (LATs) were used as an alternative. Objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic ultrasound examination in addition to LATs in the treatment of HCC in patients not eligible for percutaneous RFA or surgical resection. METHODS: Four hundred and twenty-six patients who underwent LATs were analyzed. Laparoscopic approach was offered to patients fulfilling at least one of the following criteria: (a) patients with a single nodule or up to three nodules smaller than 3 cm not suitable for liver transplantation or not eligible for HR because of severe portal hypertension, impaired liver function, or coexistent comorbidities; (b) patients not suitable for percutaneous RFA because of inconvenient tumor location; and (c) short-term recurrence of HCC (<3 months). RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in one session in 396 patients (93 %). One-month mortality and morbidity rates were 0.23 % (1 patient) and 25 % (106 patients), respectively. During a median follow-up of 37.2 months (range 2-193) in the remaining 425 patients, 276 (65 %) developed intra-hepatic recurrence: It appeared as a local tumor progression in 65 cases (15 %). Patients median survival was 39 months (95 % CI 34.8-47.2), while overall survivals at 1, 3, and 5 years were 88, 55, and 34 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of HCC, LATs proved to be a safe and effective technique, as they permit to treat with low-morbidity-rate lesions not manageable by percutaneous approach. Moreover, they allow achieving a more accurate staging of the disease in one-fifth of patients, thus better redefining the prognosis of such individuals.

The Rst-Neph family of cell adhesion molecules in Gallus gallus.

The Rst-Neph family comprises an evolutionarily conserved group of single-pass transmembrane glycoproteins that belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily and participate in a wide range of cell adhesion and recognition events in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In mammals and fish, three Rst-Neph members, named Neph1-3, are present. Besides being widely expressed in the embryo, particularly in the developing nervous system, they also contribute to the formation and integrity of the urine filtration apparatus in the slit diaphragm of kidney glomerular podocytes, where they form homodimers, as well as heterodimers with Nephrin, another immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule. In mice, absence of Neph1 causes severe proteinuria, podocyte effacement and perinatal death, while in humans, a mutated form of Nephrin leads to congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type. Intriguingly, neither Nephrin nor Neph3 are present in birds, which nevertheless have typical vertebrate kidneys with mammalian-like slit diaphragms. These characteristics make, in principle, avian systems very helpful for understanding the evolution and functional significance of the complex interactions displayed by Rst-Neph proteins. To this end we have started a systematic study of chicken Neph embryonic and post-embryonic expression, both at mRNA and protein level. RT-qPCR mRNA quantification of the two Neph paralogues in adult tissues showed that both are expressed in heart, brain, and retina. Neph1 is additionally present in kidney, liver, pancreas, lungs, and testicles, while Neph2 mRNA is barely detected in kidney, testicles, pancreas and absent in liver and lungs. In embryos, mRNA from both genes can already be detected at as early as stage HH14, and remain expressed until at least HH28. Finally, we used a specific antibody to examine the spatial dynamics and subcellular distribution of ggNeph2 between stages HH20-28, particularly in the mesonephros, dermomyotomes, developing heart, and retina.

Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with Child-Pugh's A cirrhosis: is clinical evidence of portal hypertension a contraindication?

BACKGROUND: According to international guidelines [European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)], portal hypertension (PHTN) is considered a contraindication for liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and patients should be referred for other treatments. However, this statement remains controversial. The aim of this study was to elucidate surgical outcomes of minor hepatectomies in patients with PHTN (defined by the presence of esophageal varices or a platelet count of <100,000 in association with splenomegaly) and well-compensated liver disease. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2012, a total of 223 cirrhotic patients [stage A according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification] were eligible for this analysis and were divided into two groups according to the presence (n = 63) or absence (n = 160) of PHTN. The demographic data were comparable in the two patient groups. RESULTS: Operative mortality was not different (only one patient died in the PHTN group). However, patients with PHTN had higher liver-related morbidity (29% versus 14%; P = 0.009), without differences in hospital stay (8.8 versus 9.8 days, respectively). The PHTN group showed a worse survival rate only if biochemical signs of liver decompensation existed. Multivariate analysis identified albumin levels as an independent predictive factor for survival. CONCLUSIONS: PHTN should not be considered an absolute contraindication to a hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients. Patients with PHTN have short- and long-term results similar to patients with normal portal pressure. A limited hepatic resection for early-stage tumours is an option for Child-Pugh class A5 patients with PHTN.

Euglena gracilis ß-Glucans (1,3): Enriching Colostrum of Sow for Enhanced Piglet Immunity.

The effects of supplementing the diet of sows with ßG-(1,3) derived from Euglena gracilis algae were assessed regarding quality and amount of colostrum as well as performance of piglets. A total of 120 sows (first (nulliparous) to sixth parity (multiparous)) from D85 of gestation until weaning were divided into two groups: the control diet group (n = 60) and the ßG-(1,3) diet group (n = 60). Sows receiving ßG-(1,3) exhibited an average increase of 870 g (24.9%) in colostrum production, leading to a 25.17% higher intake of colostrum by piglets. Furthermore, piglets in the ßG-(1,3) group showed significantly superior weight gain of 34 g (50%) compared to the control group 18 h after birth (p < 0.05). Sows fed with ßG-(1,3) produced colostrum with significantly higher concentrations of IgG (5.914 mg/mL, 16.16%) and IgM (0.378 mg/mL, 16.29%) than the control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, serum concentrations of IgG (13.86 mg/mL, 51.25%), IgA (17.16 mg/mL, 120.19%), and IgM (13.23 mg/mL, 144.78%) were significantly higher in sows fed with ßG-(1,3) than in the control group (p < 0.05). Supplementing sows with ßG-(1,3) derived from the Euglena gracilis algae resulted in increased colostrum production and consumption, along with greater weight gain in piglets during the first 18 h after birth. Additionally, both the colostrum produced by the sows and the blood serum of the piglets exhibited higher concentrations of immunoglobulins.

Fhos encodes a Drosophila Formin-like protein participating in autophagic programmed cell death.

Larval tissues undergo programmed cell death (PCD) during Drosophila metamorphosis. PCD is triggered in a stage and tissue-specific fashion in response to ecdysone pulses. The understanding of how ecdysone induces the stage and tissue-specificity of cell death remains obscure. Several steroid-regulated primary response genes have been shown to act as key regulators of cellular responses to ecdysone by inducing a cascade of transcriptional regulation of late responsive genes. In this article, the authors identify Fhos as a gene that is required for Drosophila larval salivary gland destruction. Animals with a P-element mutation in Fhos possess persistent larval salivary glands, and precise excisions of this P-element insertion resulted in reversion of this salivary gland mutant phenotype. Fhos encodes the Drosophila homolog of mammalian Formin Fhos. Fhos is differentially transcribed during development and responds to ecdysone in a method that is similar to other cell death genes. Similarly to what has been shown for its mammalian counterpart, FHOS protein is translocated to the nucleus at later stages of cell death. Fhos mutants posses disrupted actin cytoskeleton dynamics in persistent salivary glands. Together, our data indicate that Fhos is a new ecdysone-regulated gene that is crucial for changes in the actin cytoskeleton during salivary gland elimination in Drosophila.

Hepatic resection for "BCLC stage A" hepatocellular carcinoma. The prognostic role of alpha-fetoprotein.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess the capability of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system in allocating stage A patients to hepatic resection (HR) and the effect on survival. METHODS: We enrolled 132 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) amenable to HR. All patients underwent ultrasound (US)-guided anatomical resection (≤2 segments) and then postoperative results were evaluated. RESULTS: Results showed 95% of patients were Child A, 49% in BCLC A1, 21% in A2, 6% in A3, and 24% in A4. No 30-day mortality occurred. Overall survival got worse from A1 to A4 (P = 0.0271), while no differences were found in Childs A patients with or without portal hypertension (P = 0.1674). Multivariate analysis (Cox model) shows that only AFP (<20 ng/ml) was an independent predictor of survival: If the AFP is incorporated in BCLC staging system (all A1 and A2 patients with abnormal AFP levels were included in A3 subgroup), 5-year survival rate including normal AFP for A1 was 57% and for A2 was 65%, whereas the survival rates impaired in the worst candidates (5-year survival rate including AFP abnormal for A3 and A4 was 36%; P = 0.002). So, introducing AFP in BCLC classification it is possible to simplify the algorithm in only 2 classes, well-separated in survival curves (class 1 [AFP-]: 60%; class 2 [AFP+]: 37%; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our experience stressed the high value of BCLC system in staging of patients with HCC, but underlined that in selected patients (normal AFP) even A2 group may benefit from HR with a good survival.

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma successfully treated with laparoscopic thermal ablation.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive treatment of intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases patients' survival. This study aimed to evaluate laparoscopic thermal ablation (TA) in the treatment of intrahepatic HCC recurrences. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 88 patients (REC group) who underwent laparoscopic TA after prior TA (66 patients.) or partial hepatic resection (HR) (22 patients) as initial local treatment. Another 170 patients with primary HCC tumors (PRIM group) were regarded as the control group. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity rates were similar for the patients with prior TA (18%) and those with prior HR (21%) (nonsignificant difference [NS]). The overall survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (3-year survival rates of 59 and 78%, respectively; P = 0.1662). Moreover, the disease-free survival (DFS) rates did not differ significantly between the patients with prior TA and those with prior HR (3-year DFS of 21 and 8%, respectively; P = 0.1911). The incidences of morbidity in the whole REC (21%) and PRIM (20%) groups were similar (P = NS), and no mortality occurred in either group (0%). The cumulative 3-year survival rate was 63% in the REC group and 59% in the PRIM group (P = 0.5739), whereas the 3-year DFS rate was 17% in the REC group and 22% in the PRIM group (P = 0.5266). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic TA can be performed safely and may be effective for intrahepatic HCC recurrence after prior TA or HR. It leads to survival and DFS rates similar to those obtained using laparoscopic TA for primary HCC without increasing morbidity. Laparoscopic TA could be proposed as first-line treatment of intrahepatic HCC recurrence for selected patients.

Role of Intestinal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Postsurgical Recurrence in Crohn's Disease: Correlation with Endoscopic Findings.

Introduction: Endoscopy remains the exam of choice in the evaluation of activity in Crohn's disease (CD) after surgery (ACD-AS). However, intestinal ultrasound (IUS) may represent a noninvasive alternative. The objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of this modality compared to endoscopy. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, comprising a period of 14 months, carried out in patients with established CD and ileocecal resection due to the disease. IUS (HI-VISION Avius®, Tokyo, Japan) was performed with linear probe B-mode/Doppler prior to ileocolonoscopy. IUS and ileocolonoscopy were performed on the same day by 2 specialists in Gastroenterology dedicated to ultrasound and inflammatory bowel disease, in a double-blind mode. Collected demographic and clinical data (Harvey-Bradshaw Index [HBI]; remission ≤4), serological/fecal inflammatory parameters (leukocytes [4-10 × 109 cells/L], C-reactive protein [≤0.5 mg/dL], and fecal calprotectin [<50 mg/kg]), endoscopy (Rutgeerts score: remission 3 mm and/or Limberg score >1) was abnormal in 61.5% (n = 24) of the cases. Endoscopic remission (Rutgeerts score

Introdução: A endoscopia permanece o exame de eleição na avaliação da atividade da Doença de Crohn (DC) póscirurgia (ADC-PC). No entanto, a ecografia dirigida à parede digestiva (Eco-PD) pode representar uma alternativa não-invasiva. O objetivo do trabalho é determinar a acurácia diagnóstica e concordância desta modalidade comparativamente à endoscopia. Materiais e métodos: Estudo transversal, compreendendo um período de 14 meses, efetuado a doentes com DC estabelecida e resseção ileocecal pela doença. Realizada Eco-PD (HI-VISION Avius®, Tokyo, Japan) com sonda linear em modo-B/Doppler previamente à ileocolonoscopia. A Eco-PD e ileocolonoscopia foram realizadas no mesmo dia por 2 especialistas dedicados a ecografia e doença inflamatória intestinal, de forma duplamente cega. Recolhidos dados demográficos, clínicos (índice Harvey-Bradshaw [HBI; remissão: ≤4]), parâmetros inflamatórios serológicos/fecais (leucócitos [4 < N < 10 × 109 células/L], proteína C reativa [≤0,5 mg/dL], calprotectina fecal [N <50 mg/kg]), endoscópicos (score Rutgeerts: remissão < i2) e ecográficos (espessamento [N ≤ 3mm] e vascularização da parede digestiva pelo score semi-quantitativo de Limberg [ausente = 0; escassa = 1; moderada = 2; marcada = 3]). Resultados: Incluídos 39 doentes (sexo feminino: 64,1%, idade média: 43,5 ± 15,3 anos). Seguimento mediano pós-cirurgia de 9 anos (IQR 9). Classificação Montreal: L1 61,5% (n = 24), L3 38,5% (n = 15), B1 e B2 28,2% (n = 11) e B3 43,6% (n = 17).A maioria estava em remissão clínica (87,2%; n = 34) com HBI médio de 2,1 ± 2,2. Vinte e dois doentes (56,4%) tinham marcadores inflamatórios dentro de parâmetros normais. A Eco-PD (espessamento parede intestinal >3 mm e/ou Limberg >1) foi anormal em 61,5% (n = 24). Remissão endoscópica (Rutgeerts < i2) em 53,8% (n = 21). Comparativamente à endoscopia, a Eco-PD (AUROC 0,75; p = 0,007) mostrou acuidade diagnóstica superior aos parâmetros inflamatórios (AUROC 0,66; p = 0,083) e clínica (AUROC 0,64; p = 0,139). A ecografia mostrou uma moderada concordância com a endoscopia (ĸ = 0,5; p = 0,001), superior aos parâmetros inflamatórios (ĸ = 0,33, p = 0,041) ou clínica (ĸ = 0,29, p = 0,01). Conclusões: A avaliação ecográfica da parede digestiva é uma técnica não invasiva que mostrou uma boa acuidade diagnóstica e uma concordância moderada com a endoscopia, superior à clínica e parâmetros inflamatórios serológicos/fecais.

Relative expression of KLK5 to LEKTI is associated with aggressiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a challenging cancer to treat despite all the advances of the last 50 years. Kallikrein 5 (KLK5) is among the serine proteases implicated in OSCC development. However, whether the activity of KLK5 promotes carcinogenesis is still controversial. Moreover, knowledge regarding the role of the KLK5 cognate inhibitor, Lympho-Epithelial Kazal-Type related Inhibitor (LEKTI), in OSCC is scarce. We have, thus, sought to investigate the importance of KLK5 and LEKTI expression in premalignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity. METHODS: KLK5 and LEKTI protein expression was evaluated in 301 human samples, which were comprised of non-malignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity. Moreover, a bioinformatic analysis of the overall survival rate from 517 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) samples was performed. Additionally, to mimic the uncovered KLK5 to serine peptidase inhibitor (SPINK5) imbalance, the KLK5 gene was abrogated in an OSCC cell line using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The generated cell line was then used for in vivo and in vitro carcinogenesis related experiments. RESULTS: LEKTI was found to be statistically downregulated in OSCCs, with increased KLK5/SPINK5 mRNA ratio being associated with a shorter overall survival (p = 0.091). Indeed, disruption of KLK5 to SPINK5 balance through the generation of KLK5 null OSCC cells led to smaller xenografted tumors and statistically decreased proliferation rates following multiple time points of BrdU treatment in vitro. CONCLUSION: The association of increased enzyme/inhibitor ratio with poor prognosis indicates KLK5 to SPINK5 relative expression as an important prognostic marker in OSCC.

Surgical resection versus laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and Child-Pugh class a liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: This study compared two homogeneous groups of patients submitted to either surgical resection (HR) or laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). When compatible with the liver functional reserve, HR remains the treatment of choice for HCC, while LRFA seems to be a promising, less invasive alternative. We thus compared HR or LRFA for short- and long-term outcomes in patients with a single HCC nodule and Child-Pugh class A liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We enrolled 152 cirrhotic patients out of 372 cases consecutively evaluated for HCC. Enrolled patients with similar baseline characteristics underwent HR (n = 78) or LRFA (n = 74), in both cases with intraoperative ultrasonography, and they were then followed for similar durations (mean +/- standard deviation, 36.2 +/- 23.5 months for HR vs. 38.2 +/- 28.4 for LRFA). Outcomes included short- and long-term morbidity, HCC recurrence, and overall survival. RESULTS: Short-term morbidity was far higher in the HR group while, during follow-up, HCC recurrence (mainly local) was more frequent in patients treated with LRFA. More importantly, baseline alfa-fetoprotein levels and early HCC recurrence after treatment greatly influenced overall survival, while the use of HR or LRFA did not predict it. On the other hand, HCC recurrence was found to be determined by the surgical approach and ultrasound characteristics of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Our data were obtained from a large number of HCC cases and support similar survival rates after HR or LRFA for single HCC nodules on Child-Pugh class A liver cirrhosis, despite a marked increase in HCC recurrence rates after LRFA.

Liver transplantation for spontaneous intrapartum rupture of a hepatic adenoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular adenomas can rupture during pregnancy with high fetal and maternal associated mortality. CASE: A primipara underwent an emergency cesarean delivery at 37 weeks of gestation for abruptio placentae. A few hours later she developed hemorrhagic shock, and laparotomy revealed the rupture of the right lobe of the liver. Bleeding was controlled with perihepatic gauze packing and she was transferred to a transplant center for emergency orthotopic liver transplantation. Histologic examination revealed the presence of an intrahepatic hematoma caused by the rupture of a 12-cm hepatocellular adenoma. At 48 months after transplantation she and her infant were both in good condition. CONCLUSION: Emergency orthotopic liver transplantations performed for acute rupture of an hepatocellular adenoma represents a valid therapy provided that bleeding can be controlled long enough to locate a suitable donor.

Offer of primary care services and detection of tuberculosis incidence in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between the health services offered by primary care teams and the detection of new tuberculosis cases in Brazil. METHODS This was an ecological study covering all Brazilian municipalities that registered at least one new tuberculosis case (diagnosed between 2012 to 2014 and notified in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases) and with at least one primary care team evaluated by the second cycle of the National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB). The variables of the PMAQ-AB were classified as proximal or distal, according to their relation with the tuberculosis diagnosis. Then, they were tested hierarchically in multiple models (adjusted by States) using negative binomial regression. RESULTS An increase of 10% in the primary health care coverage was associated with a decrease of 2.24% in the tuberculosis detection rate (95%CI -3.35- -1.11). Regarding the proximal variables in relation to diagnosis, in the multiple model, the detection of tuberculosis was associated with the proportion of teams that conduct contact investigation (increase in Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR] = 2.97%, 95%CI 2.41-3.53), carry out tuberculosis active case finding (increase in IRR = 2.17%, 95%CI 1.48-2.87), and request culture for mycobacteria (increase in IRR = 1.87%, 95%CI 0.98-2.76). CONCLUSIONS The variables related to the search actions were positively associated with the detection of new tuberculosis cases, which suggests a significant contribution to the strengthening of the sensitivity of the surveillance system. On the other hand, primary care coverage was inversely associated with the tuberculosis detection rate, which could represent the overall effect of the primary care on transmission control, probably from the identification and early treatment of cases.