ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: The etiology of extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO) ranges from benign disorders to pancreaticobiliary malignancy. We studied the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic features of young patients with EHBO undergoing Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed one-year data of ERCP procedures performed on adult patients under 40 years of age. The diagnosis was based on a clinical and radiological basis with histopathological confirmation. Results: A total of 180 patients were included with a mean(±SD) age of 33.4(±5.8, range: 15-40) years, and 67.8% being female. Benign (67.2%) findings included choledocholithiasis (57.8%), benign biliary stricture (9.44%, post cholecystectomy stricture 82.3%), and malignant (32.8%) causes were gallbladder carcinoma (24.4%), cholangiocarcinoma (4.4%), periampullary carcinoma (2.8%), pancreatic head carcinoma (1.1%). Clinical presentation included jaundice (66.1%), pain abdomen (59.4%), pruritis (26.1%), weight loss (19.4%), anorexia, fever, and cholangitis (24.44%). Mean bilirubin levels (16.9 ±6.8 vs 4.6 ±4.1 mg/dl) and alkaline phosphatase (1170 ± 260.7 vs 439.3 ± 362.7 IU/mL) were higher in malignant causes, in comparison to benign. Stone retrieval using balloon during ERCP was successful in 79% of cases. Large (>15 mm) or impacted stones or those with biliary stricture failed stone extraction. In gallbladder carcinoma, adequate endoscopic biliary drainage was achieved in 68% of patients. Endoscopic biliary drainage was achieved in 75%, 80%, and 50% cases of cholangiocarcinoma, periampullary carcinoma, and pancreatic head carcinoma, respectively. Conclusion: Choledocholithiasis and gallbladder carcinoma are the most common benign and malignant causes of EHBO in young patients. The successful endoscopic therapeutic intervention could be achieved in most patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Serum vitamin D concentration is proposed to have an important role on outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A few studies have shown an inverse association of vitamin D level with stage of fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to verify whether serum vitamin D level is an independent predictor of significant hepatic fibrosis.Methods: Seventy-two treatment naive chronic HCV subjects and 40 healthy age and sex matched controls were included in the study. A serum vitamin D level was assessed in both HCV subjects and controls, and liver biopsy was performed in all HCV subjects to assess for stage of fibrosis.Results: Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower HCV patients in comparison to age and sex matched controls (18.04±6.92 versus 21.53±8.2, p<0.01). Most common genotype in HCV patients was genotype 3 (62.5%) and blood transfusion was the most common mode of transmission (28%) followed by intravenous drug user (IVDU) (17%). The HCV patients with vitamin D level <20 ng/ml had higher metavir score as compared to vitamin D≥20 ng/ml (1.67±0.66 versus 2.5±0.67, p<0.001). Both univariate and multivariate analysis performed using logistic regression revealed that vitamin D<20 ng/dl is a significant negative predictor of liver fibrosis (p<0.05).Conclusions: Chronic HCV patients had significantly lower vitamin D levels as compared to healthy controls. Serum vitamin D was a negative predictor of stage of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
ABSTRACT
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (family Amarylladaceae) is an endangered rasayana herb which is popularly known as "Kali Musli". The plant is native to India, and holds a special position as a potent adaptogen and aphrodisiac in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic preparations and is considered to have aphrodisiac, immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic activities. Various chemical constituents like mucilage, phenolic glycosides, saponins and aliphatic compounds from the plant have been reported. The plant is also considered as an important component of various herbal preparations of the Chinese and Kampo medicine. The present review is an attempt to enumerate various biologically tested activities and evaluation of different phytochemicals present in this important medicinal plant.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes a spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic infective state to cirrhosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma. The asymptomatic state has highly variable characteristics. METHODS: Sixty-one incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg-positive subjects (IDAHS), in whom HBsAg positivity persisted for > 6 months, were studied for liver biochemistry, HBeAg, anti HBe and HBV DNA levels (in HBeAg-negative subjects). Liver biopsy was done in 29 subjects and scored for histological activity index (HAI) and fibrosis using modified Knodell score. RESULTS: Thirteen (21%) subjects were HBeAg positive. The remaining 48 (79%) were positive for anti HBe, with HBV DNA level of> 105 copies/mL in 15 (31.2%). Transaminase elevation was more frequent in HBeAg-positive subjects (69%; p< 0.05) and in HBV DNA-positive (93%) than in non-replicative (27%) infection. Seroconverted (anti HBe-positive) individuals were a decade older than HBeAg-positive ones and most (93.7%) of them were> 20 years of age. Fifteen of 29 (51.3%) had HAI> 3, more frequently in those with raised ALT (68.4%; p< 0.05) than with normal ALT (20%), but there was no difference in relation to HBeAg status. CONCLUSIONS: Seroconversion to anti HBe was noted in individuals aged 20 years or more. Ongoing liver disease was noted in approximately half of IDAHS, suggesting that a considerable proportion of IDAHS have active infection. In HBeAg-negative subjects, transaminase estimation may be sufficient in planning therapy.