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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly prevalent worldwide and becoming a major cause of liver disease-related morbidity and mortality. The presence of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD is closely related to prognosis, including the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and other complications of cirrhosis. Therefore, assessment of the presence of significant or advanced liver fibrosis is crucial. Although liver biopsy has been considered the “gold standard” method for evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis, it is not suitable for extensive use in all patients with NAFLD owing to its invasiveness and high cost. Therefore, noninvasive biochemical and imaging biomarkers have been developed to overcome the limitations of liver biopsy. Imaging biomarkers for the stratification of liver fibrosis have been evaluated in patients with NAFLD using different imaging techniques, such as transient elastography, shear wave elastography, and magnetic resonance elastography. Furthermore, artificial intelligence and deep learning methods are increasingly being applied to improve the diagnostic accuracy of imaging techniques and overcome the pitfalls of existing imaging biomarkers. In this review, we describe the usefulness and future prospects of noninvasive imaging biomarkers that have been studied and used to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.
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Background/Aims@#We compared the post-treatment overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) between patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class-A and single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by surgical resection (SR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed 391 HCC patients with CTP class-A who underwent SR (n=232) or RFA (n=159) as first-line therapy for single small (≤3 cm) HCC. Survival was compared according to the tumor size (≤2 cm/2–3 cm) and the presence of cirrhosis. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPW) method was used to estimate the average causal effect of treatment. @*Results@#The median follow-up period was 64.8 months (interquartile range, 0.1–162.6). After IPW, the estimated OS was similar in the SR and RFA groups (P=0.215), and even in patients with HCC of ≤2 cm (P=0.816) and without cirrhosis (P=0.195). The estimated RFS was better in the SR group than in the RFA groups (P=0.005), also in patients without cirrhosis (P<0.001), but not in those with HCC of ≤2 cm (P=0.234). The weighted Cox proportional hazards model with IPW provided adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for OS, and the RFS after RFA versus SR were 0.698 (0.396–1.232) (P=0.215) and 1.698 (1.777–2.448) (P=0.005), respectively. @*Conclusions@#SR was similar for OS compared to RFA, but was better for RFS in patients with CTP class-A and single small (≤3 cm) HCC. The RFS was determined by the presence or absence of cirrhosis. Hence, SR rather than RFA should be considered in patients without cirrhosis to prolong the RFS, although there is no OS difference.
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Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) seriously threatens human health. About 820,000 deaths annually are due to related complications such as hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, the use of oral antiviral agents has significantly improved the prognosis of patients with CHB infection and reduced the risk of HCC. However, hepatitis B virus still remains a major factor in the development of HCC, raising many concerns. Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to assess the risk of HCC in patients with CHB infection and many models have been proposed to predict the risk of developing HCC. However, as each study has different models for predicting HCC development that can be applied depending on the use of antiviral agents or the type of antiviral agents, it is necessary to properly understand characteristics of each model when using it for the evaluation of HCC in patients with CHB infection. In addition, because different variables such as host factor, viral activity, and cirrhosis are used to evaluate the risk of HCC development, it is necessary to assess the risk by carefully verifying which variables are used. Recently, studies have also evaluated the risk of HCC using risk prediction models through transient elastography and artificial intelligence (AI) system. These HCC risk predication models are also noteworthy. In this review, we aimed to compare HCC risk prediction models in patients with CHB infection reported to date to confirm variables used and specificity between each model to determine an appropriate HCC risk prediction method.
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Background@#/objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rarely observed in patients without liver cirrhosis (LC). We evaluated the incidence and clinical feature of HCV-associated HCC patients with or without LC. @*Methods@#The medical records of 1,516 patients diagnosed as having primary HCC at our hospital between January 2005 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 154 (10.2%) HCV-associated HCC patients were analyzed. LC was diagnosed histologically or clinically. @*Results@#Seventeen (11.0%) of the 154 patients had non-cirrhotic HCC, and all were of Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A, Among the 17 patients, 88.2% were male, all had nodular type HCC, and only 2 (11.8%) were under HCC surveillance. Median overall survival (OS) of HCV-associated HCC patients with and without LC was 15 months and 37 months, respectively. Cumulative OS rates were not different between non-cirrhotic patients and cirrhotic patients with CTP class A (P=0.229). Cumulative OS rates were significantly higher in non-cirrhotic patients than in cirrhotic patients of CTP class B (P<0.001) or C (P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed serum AST (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01, P=0.003) and AFP levels (HR 1.01, P=0.016), antiviral therapy (HR 0.25, P=0.022), and LC of CTP class B (HR, 5.24, P=0.006) or C (HR 21.79, P<0.001) were significantly associated with prognosis in HCV-associated HCC patients. @*Conclusions@#HCC in a non-cirrhotic liver was found in 11% of HCV-associated HCC patients. OSs of HCV-associated HCC patients were better in those of CTP A, regardless of LC than in those with LC of CTP class B or C.
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Background@#/objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rarely observed in patients without liver cirrhosis (LC). We evaluated the incidence and clinical feature of HCV-associated HCC patients with or without LC. @*Methods@#The medical records of 1,516 patients diagnosed as having primary HCC at our hospital between January 2005 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 154 (10.2%) HCV-associated HCC patients were analyzed. LC was diagnosed histologically or clinically. @*Results@#Seventeen (11.0%) of the 154 patients had non-cirrhotic HCC, and all were of Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A, Among the 17 patients, 88.2% were male, all had nodular type HCC, and only 2 (11.8%) were under HCC surveillance. Median overall survival (OS) of HCV-associated HCC patients with and without LC was 15 months and 37 months, respectively. Cumulative OS rates were not different between non-cirrhotic patients and cirrhotic patients with CTP class A (P=0.229). Cumulative OS rates were significantly higher in non-cirrhotic patients than in cirrhotic patients of CTP class B (P<0.001) or C (P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed serum AST (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01, P=0.003) and AFP levels (HR 1.01, P=0.016), antiviral therapy (HR 0.25, P=0.022), and LC of CTP class B (HR, 5.24, P=0.006) or C (HR 21.79, P<0.001) were significantly associated with prognosis in HCV-associated HCC patients. @*Conclusions@#HCC in a non-cirrhotic liver was found in 11% of HCV-associated HCC patients. OSs of HCV-associated HCC patients were better in those of CTP A, regardless of LC than in those with LC of CTP class B or C.
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Background/Aims@#This study examined the risk factors associated with mortality in cirrhotic patients hospitalized with variceal bleeding, and evaluated the effects of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) on the prognosis of these patients. @*Methods@#This study was retrospectively conducted on patients registered in the Korean acute-on-chronic liver failure study cohort, and on 474 consecutive cirrhotic patients hospitalized with variceal bleeding from January 2013 to December 2013 at 21 university hospitals. ACLF was defined as described by the European Association for the Study of Liver-Chronic Liver Failure Consortium. @*Results@#Among a total of 474 patients, 61 patients were diagnosed with ACLF. The cumulative overall survival (OS) rate was lower in the patients with ACLF than in those without (P<0.001), and patients with higher ACLF grades had a lower OS rate (P<0.001). The chronic liver failure-sequential organ failure assessment (CLIF-SOFA) score was identified as a significant prognostic factor in patients hospitalized with variceal bleeding (hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–1.50; P<0.001), even in ACLF patients with variceal bleeding (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.19–1.46, P<0.001). Concerning the prediction of the mortality risk at 28- and 90-day using CLIF-SOFA scores, c-statistics were 0.895 (95% CI, 0.829–0.962) and 0.897 (95% CI, 0.842–0.951), respectively, and the optimal cut-off values were 6.5 and 6.5, respectively. @*Conclusions@#In cirrhotic patients hospitalized with variceal bleeding, the prognosis was poor when accompanied by ACLF, especially depending upon CLIF-SOFA score. CLIF-SOFA model well predicted the 28-day or 90-day mortality for cirrhotic patients who experienced variceal bleeding.
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No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Humans , Fatty Liver , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Hepatitis, Chronic , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Liver fibrosis is an important prognostic factor for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and accurate evaluation of the stage of liver fibrosis is crucial in establishing management strategies. While liver biopsy is still considered the gold standard for staging liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, transient elastography (TE), a noninvasive means of assessing liver fibrosis, has come to play an increasing role in this process. After extensive validation, TE is now regarded as a reliable surrogate maker for grading the severity of liver fibrosis in CHB patients. It can detect the extent of fibrosis in a patient and can also be used to evaluate longitudinal changes in liver fibrosis over time with or without interventional management, such as antiviral therapy. However, several confounders hinder the effective assessment of liver fibrosis using TE, such as extensive liver necroinflammation, hepatic congestion, and cholestasis. TE has limited use in obese patients or patients with ascites. Although TE has several limitations, due to its accessibility and safety, it is a valuable tool for the initial evaluation and follow-up in patients with CHB.
Subject(s)
Humans , Ascites , Biopsy , Cholestasis , Elasticity Imaging Techniques , Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) , Fibrosis , Follow-Up Studies , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Hepatitis, Chronic , Liver , Liver CirrhosisABSTRACT
In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), sorafenib is the only approved systemic chemotherapy, and has been applied for those with advanced HCC especially with systemic metastasis. However, the treatment results are suboptimal leaving many cases with disease progression despite the use of optimum dose. There is no established guideline for those that fail to respond to sorafenib treatment. In this case, a 46-years-old male with metastatic lung cancer from HCC experienced progression despite sorafenib treatment. Then, the patient received surgical resection of the metastatic lung mass followed by radiation therapy and achieved complete remission for 10 months after the surgical treatment and radiation therapy. Alpha-fetoprotein level was normalized and complete remission has been maintained.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , alpha-Fetoproteins , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Disease Progression , Drug Therapy , Lung Neoplasms , Lung , Neoplasm Metastasis , RadiotherapyABSTRACT
Gastric ulcer perforation usually results in panperitonitis, which requires surgical treatment. A peritoneal abscess also can occur with gastric ulcer perforation, but it is not a common complication of peptic ulcer disease. Here, we report a peritoneal abscess that mimicked a tumor and was caused by a gastric ulcer and provide a literature review. A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of an abdominal mass found in another hospital, with no signs of infection. She underwent a left lobectomy of the liver due to choledocholithiasis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous mass attached to the antrum of the stomach. At endoscopy, we confirmed that the gastric ulcer at the antrum of the stomach caused the abscess. After 4 weeks of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitor treatment, she was cured. In a patient with abdominal pain and a peritoneal abscess of unknown cause, the possibility of peptic ulcer perforation should be considered.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Abdominal Abscess , Abdominal Pain , Abscess , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Choledocholithiasis , Endoscopy , Liver , Peptic Ulcer , Peptic Ulcer Perforation , Proton Pumps , Stomach , Stomach UlcerABSTRACT
Gastric ulcer perforation usually results in panperitonitis, which requires surgical treatment. A peritoneal abscess also can occur with gastric ulcer perforation, but it is not a common complication of peptic ulcer disease. Here, we report a peritoneal abscess that mimicked a tumor and was caused by a gastric ulcer and provide a literature review. A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of an abdominal mass found in another hospital, with no signs of infection. She underwent a left lobectomy of the liver due to choledocholithiasis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous mass attached to the antrum of the stomach. At endoscopy, we confirmed that the gastric ulcer at the antrum of the stomach caused the abscess. After 4 weeks of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitor treatment, she was cured. In a patient with abdominal pain and a peritoneal abscess of unknown cause, the possibility of peptic ulcer perforation should be considered.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Abdominal Abscess , Abdominal Pain , Abscess , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Choledocholithiasis , Endoscopy , Liver , Peptic Ulcer , Peptic Ulcer Perforation , Proton Pumps , Stomach , Stomach UlcerABSTRACT
Botulinum toxin has been used to treat various gastrointestinal tract diseases such as achalasia, diabetic gastroparesis, sphincter of oddi dysfunction, and chronic anal fissures. Recently, it has also been used for the treatment of cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction. Several studies have reported that botulinum toxin injections may be a safe and effective treatment. Previously, cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction was treated by mechanical balloon dilation or cricopharyngeal myotomy. Here, we report a case of a 57-year-old man who presented with cricopharyngeal dysphagia due to cerebral infarction and who was successfully treated with endoscopic botulinum toxin injection.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Botulinum Toxins , Cerebral Infarction , Deglutition Disorders , Esophageal Achalasia , Gastrointestinal Tract , Gastroparesis , Muscles , Sphincter of Oddi DysfunctionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lactulose breath test (LBT) has been used as a presumptive surrogate marker for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). However, recent reports suggest that abnormal LBT cannot discriminate patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from the control. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of LBT in IBS. METHODS: LBT from 76 IBS patients, 70 functional bowel disorders (FBD), and 40 controls were examined. LBT was considered positive if (1) baseline breath hydrogen (H2) >20 parts per million (ppm) or rise of breath H2 >20 ppm above the baseline in 10 ppm or rise of breath CH4 >10 ppm above the baseline in <90 mins. The subjects were categorized into predominant hydrogen producers (PHP), predominant methane producers (PMP), combined producer, and both negative group based on LBT. RESULTS: The rate of abnormal LBT in the IBS, FBD, and control group were 44.7%, 41.4%, and 40.0% respectively without significant differences. The rate of PHP or PMP was not significantly different among the IBS, FBD, and control group. When clinical characteristics were analyzed in IBS and FBD according to LBT types, IBS subtypes and symptoms were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: LBT was not useful to discriminate IBS/FBD patients from the control. The assessment of SIBO by LBT in IBS should be revalidated in the future.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Breath Tests/methods , Diagnosis, Differential , Intestine, Small/microbiology , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/diagnosis , Lactulose , Predictive Value of TestsABSTRACT
Carotid artery-internal jugular vein arteriovenous fistula is very rare, but it should be suspected in case of vascular injury by neck trauma because the diagnosis may be missed due to anatomical complexity of neck. We report a 57-year old male who had the carotid artery-jugular vein arteriovenous fistula caused by gunshot injury in the neck 44 years ago.