ABSTRACT
Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary hepatic tumor, frequently found in patients with liver cirrhosis and biliary tract diseases. Its varieties include isolated CCA or "combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma" (cHCC-CCA). The latter is uncommon, with poorly defined diagnostic criteria and natural history. Aim: To characterize patients with cirrhosis with a pathological diagnosis of CCA and cHCC-CCA. Material and Methods: Forty-nine liver biopsies with a pathological diagnosis of CCA were reviewed. The clinical records of patients were reviewed to fetch demographic variables, etiology of cirrhosis and clinical presentation. Results: Eight of the 49 patients had cirrhosis (16% of CCA biopsies reviewed). Their median age was 64 (27-71) years and five were females. Four patients had CCA, three patients cHCC-CCA and one had a bifocal tumor. Patients in the CCA group were more commonly symptomatic. Alpha-fetoprotein and CA 19-9 levels were elevated in one of eight and four of six patients, respectively. Within 12 months from diagnosis, five of eight patients died. Conclusions: In most of these cases, the diagnosis of cHCC-CCA and CCA was made in the liver explant study without previous imaging diagnosis. This reinforces the usefulness of the histological study, in specific cases, prior to liver transplantation and emphasizes the importance of systematic explant exploration in these cases.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Bile Duct Neoplasms/complications , Bile Duct Neoplasms/diagnosis , Cholangiocarcinoma/complications , Cholangiocarcinoma/diagnosis , Cholangiocarcinoma/pathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology , Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis , Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Liver Cirrhosis/complicationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune cholestatic disease, which can progress to cirrhosis. It mainly affects middle-aged women. Its most frequent form of presentation is asymptomatic with biochemical cholestasis and the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA). AIM: To describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation and treatment for patients with PBC at a clinical hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, observational, retrospective study, carried out between January 2015 and December 2020. Results: 179 patients (158 women) were cared in the study period. At the time of diagnosis, the median age was 54 years (range 24-76), 55% of them were asymptomatic, 45% had fatigue and 28% had pruritus. Positive AMA were present in 65% of patients, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in 51%, and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) in 9%. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) was elevated in 30% of the patients and 50% of patients were biopsied. Splenomegaly and esophageal varices were present in 24 and 22% of patients, respectively. PBC was associated with Sjogren's syndrome in 15%, hypothyroidism in 14%, osteoporosis in 13%, and scleroderma in 8%. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological characteristics of our patients agree with those published abroad. Laboratory cholestasis associated with the presence of AMA, currently allows diagnosis without the need for histological study. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the first-line treatment for patients with PBC. The use of biochemical response criteria is essential to identify patients who require other UDCA alternatives for isolated or combined treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Young Adult , Autoimmune Diseases/drug therapy , Cholestasis , Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/complications , Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/diagnosis , Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/epidemiology , Autoantibodies , Ursodeoxycholic Acid/therapeutic use , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus infection is a major global public health problem. Treatment with direct-acting antivirals is intended to eradicate the chronic form of this infection by 2030. Although uncommon, the acute form of presentation is increasingly recognized, especially in some high-risk populations, such as men who have sex with men without protection. Its virological and serological diagnosis is not standardized, so clinical suspicion is essential. Its early detection allows a timely treatment. We report seven cases of acute HCV hepatitis in a national reference center, its presentation, diagnosis and treatment. We discuss populations at risk and the change in therapeutics with the use of direct-acting antiviral drugs.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Hepatitis C , Hepatitis C, Chronic , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C/diagnosis , Hepatitis C/drug therapy , Homosexuality, Male , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapyABSTRACT
Background: In Chile, organ allocation for liver transplantation (LT) in adults is prioritized according to the MELD-Na score. Exceptions such as Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and other non-HCC exceptions receive a score called Operational MELD score. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of the MELD-Na score and the operational MELD score as a prioritization system for LT in Chile. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of the waiting list (WL) of adult candidates (≥ 15 years) for elective LT in Chile from 2011 to 2017. The probability of leaving the WL, defined by death or contraindication for LT was compared in three groups: 1) Cirrhotic patients prioritized according to their real MELD-Na score (CPM), 2) HCC and 3) other non-HCC exceptions. Results: We analyzed 730 candidates for LT, with a median age of 57 years, 431 (56%) were men. In the study period, 352 LT were performed (48%). The annual exit rate was significantly higher in the CPM group (45.5%) compared to HCC (33.1%) and non-HCC (29.3%), (p < 0.001). Post LT survival was 86% at 1 year and 85% at 5 years, without significant differences between groups. In the CPM group, post-transplant survival was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in patients with MELD-Na ≥ 30 at transplant (81% per year) compared to patients with patients with MELD-Na < 30 (91% per year). Conclusions: MELD-Na score can discriminate very well patients who have a higher risk of death in the short and medium term. However, the assignment of operational scores for situations of exception produces inequities in the allocation of organs for LT and must therefore be carefully adjusted.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Tissue and Organ Procurement , Liver Transplantation , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Severity of Illness Index , Chile/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Waiting Lists , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/surgery , Liver Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
Background. Host genetic predispositions may be important determinants of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The association between Interferon-L 4 (IFNL4) rs12979860 C>T polymorphism and risk of liver fibrosis in CHC is contradictory. Aim: To evaluate the impact of IFNL4 rs12979860 polymorphism on the risk of fibrosis in patients with CHC. Material and Methods: One hundred fifty patients with CHC aged 50 ± 11 years (89 females) were genotyped for IFNL4 rs12979860 using real time PCR. Fibrosis present in liver biopsies was assessed using the METAVIR score, comparing patients with either no fibrosis, mild fibrosis, or intermediate fibrosis (F0+F1+F2, n = 96), with patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (F3+F4, n = 54). Results: In F0-F2 patients the distribution of rs12979860 genotypes was 22 CC, 57 CT and 17 TT, whereas in patients F3-F4 the distribution was 10, 29 and 15, respectively. No association between IFNL4 rs12979860 genotype and risk of fibrosis was observed in uni or multivariate analyses. Conclusions: IFNL4 rs12979860 C>T polymorphism is not associated with risk of liver fibrosis in this group of patients with CHC.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Interleukins/genetics , Hepatitis C, Chronic/genetics , Liver Cirrhosis/genetics , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Chile , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Interferons/therapeutic use , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Hepatitis C, Chronic/blood , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Genotype , Liver Cirrhosis/bloodABSTRACT
Background: Intraductal stones, ductal abnormalities and pancreatic pseudocysts are part of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The goal of treatment is pain relief, resolution of local complications and relapse prevention. Endoscopic therapy (ET) can be considered in those who do not respond to medical treatment. Aim: To evaluate the indication, immediate and long-term results of ET in CP patients. Patients and Methods: Review of a database of patients with CP analyzing results of ET in 18 patients aged 16 to 60 years (13 males). Demographics, etiology, endoscopic technique, indication for treatment, pain relief, relapses and complications were recorded. Results: The etiology of CP was alcohol consumption in 5, idiopathic in 11, hereditary in one and autoimmune in one case. The follow-up period was 6 months to 14 years. Seven patients had diabetes mellitus type 3c and eight had moderate to severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic papillotomy was performed in all patients, with removal of some stones, without attempting a complete clearance of the pancreatic duct. In addition, a 7-10 French stent was placed in the main pancreatic duct in 15 patients with varying permanence (months to years). The stent was changed guided by recurrence of clinical symptoms. During the follow-up period, 10 patients remained asymptomatic and in three, pain or relapse were significantly reduced. Stenting failed in one patient for technical reasons. Two patients were operated. There were neither immediate nor late complications from ET. Conclusions: Long-lasting improvement of CP was observed in 13 of 18 patients treated with ET, without complications associated with the procedure.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/methods , Pancreatitis, Chronic/surgery , Abdominal Pain/etiology , Abdominal Pain/therapy , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/adverse effects , Follow-Up Studies , Pain, Postoperative , Pancreatitis, Chronic/complications , Postoperative Period , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/adverse effects , Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/methods , Stents/adverse effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus infection is rare, especially after liver transplantation, condition in which recurrence is almost universal. We report two cases in which clearance of the virus was achieved after liver transplantation. We reviewed the literature and described possible mechanisms explaining this phenomenon, with emphasis on therapeutic implications.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Hepatitis C , Liver Transplantation , Remission, Spontaneous , Hepatitis C, Chronic , Hepatitis C/surgery , Hepatitis C/virology , Immunosuppression Therapy/methods , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Background: Hemodialysis patients (HD) display high rates of cardiac disease and mortality. The cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of HD patients is attributable in a significant proportion to endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and vascular calcifications. Aim: To measure vascular reactivity in HD subjects and compare them with healthy volunteers. Material and Methods: Forty eight non diabetic patients aged 58 ± 4.6 years (29 males) on hemodialysis for a mean lapse of 4.8 years were studied. Arterial stiffness was measured in the radial artery. Pulse wave velocity was measured by noninvasive peripheral arterial tonometry in carotid and femoral arteries. Endothelial function was assessed, measuring reactive hyperemia response after a 5 min period of ischemia. As a control, all values were also measured in age and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Results: Arterial stiffness was significantly higher in HD patients than controls (23.9 ± 3.3 and 18.4 ± 3.4% respectively, p < 0.05). HD subjects had an increased pulse wave velocity (10.0 ± 0.8 and 7.6 ± 0.9 m/s respectively, p < 0.05). A reduction in the change in pulse amplitude pressure, as a measure of arterial dysfunction, was only observed in male patients (1.7± 0.4 and2.7 ± 0.4 respectively p < 0.01). Conclusions: Noninvasive assessment of peripheral vascular function may be useful for the identification of patients at risk for late cardiac events.