Fontan-associated liver disease current status and transplantation consideration / 中华肝脏病杂志

Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) is one of the main complications after the Fontan procedure, manifesting mostly as liver fibrosis and even cirrhosis, with a high incidence rate and a lack of typical clinical symptoms that seriously affect patient prognosis. The specific cause is unknown, although it is considered to be associated with long-term elevated central venous pressure, impaired hepatic artery blood flow, and other relevant factors. The absence of association between laboratory tests, imaging data, and the severity of liver fibrosis makes clinical diagnosis and monitoring difficult. A liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing and staging liver fibrosis. The most important risk factor for FALD is time following the Fontan procedure; therefore, it is recommended to do a liver biopsy 10 years after the Fontan procedure and to be cautious for the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Combined heart-liver transplantation is a recommended choice with favorable outcomes for patients with Fontan circulatory failure and severe hepatic fibrosis.

Biopsia hepática: experiencia en un hospital regional del sur de Chile / Liver biopsy: experience in a regional hospital in southern Chile

Introduction: Liver biopsy is an invasive procedure with a minimal rate of associated complications, which represents a highly useful strategy for the diagnosis of pathologies in the liver, when the etiology cannot be clarified by non-invasive techniques. It provides information that allows determining the progression and prognosis of liver diseases. Objectives: To evaluate the main etiology causes of liver disease in patients undergoing liver biopsy. Material and Methods: Review of the clinical record of 61 patients who underwent this procedure between 2018 and 2020 at the Hernán Henríquez Aravena hospital, demographic variables, diagnosis that motivates its performance, and associated complications. Results: Average age 58 years, of this 66% were female and 34% were male. The diagnoses that motivated this procedure were: autoimmune hepatitis, liver Tumors, and chronic liver damage of unknown etiology. 100% of the case had a satisfactory sample for the analysis and clarification of the cause of liver disease. 91% did not present complications and of the 8% associated with complications, pain was the most common. Conclusion: Liver biopsy is an effective method that allowed establishing etiology, confirming diagnosis suspicions, and evaluating the progression of liver disease with a low rate of complications.

Introducción: La biopsia hepática es un procedimiento invasivo con una tasa mínima de complicaciones asociadas, que representa una estrategia de gran utilidad para el diagnóstico de patologías a nivel del hígado, cuando a través de técnicas no invasivas no se logra esclarecer la etiología. Además, entrega información que permite determinar la progresión y pronóstico de enfermedades hepáticas. Objetivos: Evaluar las principales causas etiológicas de hepatopatías en los pacientes sometidos a biopsia hepática. Material y Método: Revisión de fichas clínicas de 61 pacientes sometidos a este procedimiento entre el año 2018 y 2020 en el hospital Hernán Henríquez Aravena, se analizaron variables demográficas, diagnóstico que motiva su realización, y complicaciones asociadas. Resultados: Edad promedio: 58 años de estos: 66% eran del sexo femenino y 34% al sexo masculino. De los diagnósticos que motivaron a la realización de la biopsia fuero: hepatitis autoinmune, tumores hepáticos y daño hepático crónico de etiología no precisada. El 100% de los casos tuvo una muestra satisfactoria para el análisis y esclarecer la causa de la hepatopatía. El 91% no presentó complicaciones y del 8% de las complicaciones presentadas, el dolor fue la principalmente descrita. Conclusiones: La biopsia hepática es un método eficaz que permitió establecer etiología, confirmar sospechas diagnósticas y evaluar progresión de enfermedades hepáticas con una baja tasa de complicación.

Liver involvement in endocrine diseases / 中华肝脏病杂志

As a secondary endocrine organ, the liver is closely related to the endocrine system. Liver involvement is not uncommon in endocrine diseases, such as hyper/hypothyroidism, diabetes, dysfunction of adrenal and gonadal. It can be manifested in a variety of forms, including hepatocyte injury (elevated transaminase), bile duct injury (cholestasis), hepatocyte steatosis, vascular injury and liver tumor. Direct and indirect liver injury caused by abnormal hormone levels and side effects of drugs for the treatment of endocrine diseases are common pathogenesis. In addition, endocrine diseases can be concomitant with liver diseases, such as autoimmune thyroiditis and autoimmune hepatitis. Systemic diseases can also involve the endocrine system and liver at the same time, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and IgG4 related diseases. For patients with unexplained liver injury, endocrine system diseases should be considered as the differential diagnosis.

Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography on the diagnosis of hemorrhagic complications of liver biopsy and its directed compression hemostasis / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of immediate color Doppler ultrasonography on traumatic hepatic hemorrhage after tissue sampling with ultrasound-guided liver biopsy and the clinical effect of its-directed local compression hemostasis at puncture-site. Methods: 132 hospitalized patients with various liver diseases underwent ultrasound-guided hepatic puncture-biopsies, including 61 cases with diffuse parenchymal and 71 cases with focal liver lesions. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography was performed following liver biopsy. Abnormal blood flow signal was observed at hepatic puncture biopsy site, and if there were hemorrhagic signals, ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis was performed until the bleeding signal disappeared. F-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Immediate color Doppler ultrasonography showed traumatic hemorrhage in 36.1% (22/61) and 40.8% (29/71) cases of diffuse liver disease and focal liver disease group, respectively. All hemorrhagic signals were eventually disappeared after ultrasound-directed local compression hemostasis. The median hemostasis time was 2 min in both groups, and there was no statistically significant difference in bleeding rate and hemostasis time between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no serious complications and deaths. Conclusion: Traumatic hepatic hemorrhage along the needle puncture tract is a common accompanying condition during liver biopsy. Immediate postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography can trace bleeding signals in timely manner and direct effective compression hemostasis, so it should be used routinely to help avoid occurrence of severe hemorrhagic complications.

Analysis of 53 cases of transjugular liver biopsy / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the practicability and safety of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB). Methods: Data of 53 cases with transjugular liver biopsy from June 2015 to June 2020 were collected. LABS-100 was used in all patients who underwent transjugular liver biopsy. Among them, 45 cases and eight were biopsied via hepatic vein and intrahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava. The surgical indications, related complications, and postoperative pathological diagnosis were analyzed and summarized. Results: TJLB was successful in all patients, with an average of 2.8 punctures per case. Satisfactory liver tissue and histopathological diagnosis was obtained in all patients. Two cases developed a cervical hematoma that was improved spontaneously, and one patient developed an intrahepatic hematoma that was improved after conservative treatment. Conclusion: TJLB is a practical and safe method for patients with contraindications to percutaneous liver biopsy.

Clinicopathological features of hepatic fibrinogen storage disease in children / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of hepatic fibrinogen storage disease (FSD) in children. Methods: The clinical, histopathologic, immunophenotypic, ultrastructural and gene sequencing data of 4 FSD cases were collected from September 2019 to January 2021 in the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Retrospective analysis and literature review were conducted. Results: There were 4 cases of FSD, 3 males and 1 female, aged 3 years and 3 months to 6 years (median age, 3 years and 4 months). The clinical manifestations were abnormal liver function and abnormal blood coagulation function, for which 2 cases had family genetic history. Liver biopsies revealed that, besides liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation, there were single or multiple eosinophilic inclusion bodies of various sizes and surrounding transparent pale halo in hepatocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed that the inclusion bodies were positive for anti-fibrinogen. Under the electron microscope, they corresponded to the dilated cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, which were occupied by compactly packed tubular structures and arranged into a fingerprint-like pattern with curved bundles. Gene sequencing revealed that the 2 cases of FGG mutation were located in exon 8 c.1106A>G (p.His369Arg) and c.905T>C (p.Leu302Pro), and 1 case was located in exon 9 c.1201C>T (p.Arg401Trp). No pathogenic variant was detected in the other case. Conclusions: FSD is a rare genetic metabolic disease and clinically manifests as abnormal liver function with hypofibrinogenemia. In the background of liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation, there are eosinophilic inclusions with pale halo in the hepatocytic cytoplasm, which can be identified by anti-fibrinogen immunohistochemical staining. The fingerprint-like structures under electron microscope are helpful for the diagnosis, while FGG sequencing detects the pathogenic mutation of exon 8 or 9 that can clearly explain the phenotype. However, the diagnosis of FSD cannot be completely ruled out if the relevant mutations are not detected.

Hematoma subcapsular del hígado: morfología y resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico / Hepatic subcapsular hematoma: morphology and results of surgical treatment

RESUMEN: El hematoma subcapsular del hígado (HSH), es una entidad poco frecuente. La mayoría de casos reportados se asocian al embarazo, en el contexto de síndrome de recuento bajo de plaquetas, elevación de enzimas hepáticas, y hemólisis. Otras patologías relacionadas son ruptura de carcinoma hepatocelular, adenoma, hiperplasia nodular focal; y amilosis. El objetivo de este artículo fue reportar morfología y resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico observados en una serie de pacientes con HSH, en términos de morbilidad postoperatoria (MPO). Serie de casos retrospectiva de pacientes con HSH intervenidos de forma consecutiva en Clínica RedSalud Mayor Temuco, entre 2004 y 2019. La variable resultado fue MPO. Otras variables de interés fueron edad, sexo, etiología, diámetro, necesidad de transfusión y tiempo de hospitalización. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva. Se trató a 7 pacientes (71,4 % mujeres), con una mediana de edad de 46 años. La mediana del diámetro del HSH, tiempo quirúrgico y estancia hospitalaria fueron 11 cm, 105 min y 5 días, respectivamente. No hubo necesidad de reintervenciones. Con una mediana de seguimiento de 31 meses, no se verificó MPO ni mortalidad. El HSH es una condición poco frecuente, y la evidencia disponible escasa. Puede asociarse a condiciones benignas y malignas. Requiere un alto índice de sospecha para un diagnóstico oportuno.Su pronóstico depende de la etiología.

SUMMARY: Subcapsular hematoma of the liver (SHL) is a rare entity. The majority of cases are associated with pregnancy, in the context of low platelet count syndrome, elevated liver enzymes, and hemolysis. Other related pathologies are ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma, adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and amyloidosis. The aim of this article was to report morphology and results of the surgical treatment observed in a series of patients with SHL, in terms of postoperative morbidity (POM). Retrospective case series of patients with SHL who were intervened consecutively at Clínica RedSalud Mayor Temuco, between 2004 and 2019. The results variable was MPO. Other variables of interest were age, sex, etiology, diameter, need for transfusion, and length of hospitalization. Descriptive statistics were used; 7 patients (71.4% women) were treated with a median age of 46 years. The median diameter of SHL, surgical time, and hospital stay were 11 months, no POM and mortality were verified. SHL is a rare condition, and the available evidence is scarce. It can be associated with benign and malignant diseases. It requires a high index of suspicion for a timely diagnosis. Its prognosis depends on the etiology.

Comparative morphometric evaluation of hepatic hemosiderosis in wild Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) infected with different Plasmodium spp. subgenera / Avaliação morfométrica comparativa da hemossiderose hepática em pinguins-de-Magalhães (Spheniscus magellanicus) de vida livre infectados por diferentes subgêneros de Plasmodium spp

Abstract Avian malaria is one of the most important diseases of captive penguins. We employed morphometric techniques to evaluate hepatic hemosiderosis in rehabilitating wild Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) that were negative (n = 9) or naturally infected by different subgenera of Plasmodium spp. (n = 24), according with: Plasmodium subgenera (Haemamoeba, Huffia, Other lineages, and Unidentified lineages), severity of Plasmodium histopathological lesions, and concurrent diseases, age class (juvenile or adult plumage), sex (male, female or not determined), body score (emaciated, thin, good, excellent, not available), molt, presence or absence of oil contamination upon admission, iron supplementation, and rehabilitation center. The percentage of the area occupied by hemosiderin was called 'Index of Hepatic Hemosiderosis (IHH)'. Plasmodium-positive females presented significantly higher IHH values (17.53 ± 12.95%) than males (7.20 ± 4.25%; p = 0.041). We observed higher levels of congestion (p = 0.0182) and pneumonia (p = 0.0250) severity between Unidentified lineages vs. Huffia. We believe that the hepatic hemosiderosis observed in this study was multifactorial, the result of pathological processes caused by malaria, molting, hemoglobin and myoglobin catabolism during migration, anemia, concomitant diseases, and iron supplementation, all possibly potentiated by decreased liver mass. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of these hypotheses.

Resumo Malária aviária é uma das mais relevantes doenças em pinguins cativos. Foram aplicadas técnicas morfométricas para avaliar a hemossiderose hepática em pinguins-de-Magalhães (Spheniscus magellanicus ) de vida livre em reabilitação negativos (n = 9) e naturalmente infectados por diferentes subgêneros de Plasmodium spp. (n = 24), quanto a: subgênero de Plasmodium (Haemamoeba , Huffia, Outras Linhagens, e Linhagens não identificadas), severidade das lesões histopatológicas causadas por Plasmodium e doenças concomitantes, faixa etária (plumagem juvenil ou adulta), sexo (macho, fêmea, indeterminado), condição corporal (emaciado, magro, bom, excelente, indisponível), muda, presença/ausência de óleo a admissão, suplementação de ferro, e centro de reabilitação. A porcentagem da área ocupada por hemossiderina foi denominada "Índice de Hemossiderose Hepática (IHH)". Fêmeas Plasmodium -positivas apresentaram IHH significativamente mais elevado que machos, respectivamente, 17,53 ± 12,95% e 7,20 ± 4,25% (p = 0,041). Níveis mais elevados de congestão (p = 0,0182) e pneumonia (p = 0,0250) foram observados entre Linhagens não identificadas vs. Huffia. Possivelmente, a hemossiderose hepática observada nesse estudo seja multifatorial, resultado de processos patológicos causados por malária, muda, catabolismo de hemoglobina e mioglobina durante a migração, anemia, doenças concomitantes e suplementação de ferro, potencialmente intensificados por massa hepática reduzida. Estudos complementares são necessários para esclarecer os mecanismos de tais hipóteses.

Effects of different periods of gastric ischemia on liver as a remote organ

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the hepatic changes associated with gastric ischemia. Methods: Thirty male rabbits were studied, distributed in 3 groups (n=10). Group 1: ligature and section of the gastric vasculature and removal of the liver after three hours; Group 2: ligature and section of the gastric vasculature and removal of the liver after 6 hours; Group 3: ligature and section of the gastric vasculature and removal of the liver after 12 hours. Blood samples were collected immediately before surgery and after the determined time of ischemia in each group to evaluate the hepatic function. After the death of the rabbits, the liver was removed for macro and microscopic study. Results: An increase in aminotransferases and bilirubin occurred in groups 2 and 3. Total protein and albumin diminished in all of the animals. All of the rabbits from groups 2 and 3 presented hepatocellular necrosis. Conclusion: The devascularization of the stomach for a period of above three hours is associated with hepatic morphological and functional disorders.

Colonic basidiobolomycosis with liver involvement masquerading as gastrointestinal lymphoma: a case report and literature review

Abstract Basidiobolomycosis is an unusual fungal skin infection that rarely involves the gastrointestinal tract. This study reported a 5-year-old boy with gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis that had been misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal lymphoma. He was treated by surgical resection and a combination of posaconazole and amphotericin B deoxycholate with an acceptable response and no recurrence.

Hypervascular liver lesions in radiologically normal liver / Lesão hepática hipervascular em fígado radiologicamente normal

ABSTRACT Background: The hypervascular liver lesions represent a diagnostic challenge. Aim: To identify risk factors for cancer in patients with non-hemangiomatous hypervascular hepatic lesions in radiologically normal liver. Method: This prospective study included patients with hypervascular liver lesions in radiologically normal liver. The diagnosis was made by biopsy or was presumed on the basis of radiologic stability in follow-up period of one year. Cirrhosis or patients with typical imaging characteristics of haemangioma were excluded. Results: Eighty-eight patients were included. The average age was 42.4. The lesions were unique and were between 2-5 cm in size in most cases. Liver biopsy was performed in approximately 1/3 of cases. The lesions were benign or most likely benign in 81.8%, while cancer was diagnosed in 12.5% of cases. Univariate analysis showed that age >45 years (p< 0.001), personal history of cancer (p=0.020), presence of >3 nodules (p=0.003) and elevated alkaline phosphatase (p=0.013) were significant risk factors for cancer. Conclusion: It is safe to observe hypervascular liver lesions in normal liver in patients up to 45 years, normal alanine aminotransaminase, up to three nodules and no personal history of cancer. Lesion biopsies are safe in patients with atypical lesions and define the treatment to be established for most of these patients.

RESUMO Racional: As lesões hepáticas hipervasculares representam um desafio diagnóstico. Objetivo: Identificar fatores de risco para câncer em pacientes portadores de lesão hepática hipervascular não-hemangiomatosa em fígado radiologicamente normal. Método: Estudo prospectivo que incluiu pacientes com lesões hepáticas hipervasculares em que o diagnóstico final foi obtido por exame anatomopatológico ou, presumido a partir de seguimento mínimo de um ano. Diagnóstico prévio de cirrose ou radiológico de hemangioma foram considerados critérios de exclusão. Resultados: Oitenta e oito pacientes foram incluídos. A relação mulher/homem foi de 5,3/1. A idade média foi de 42,4 anos. Na maior parte das vezes as lesões hepáticas foram únicas e com tamanho entre 2-5 cm. Em aproximadamente 1/3 dos casos foi realizada biópsia hepática. Em 81,8% dos casos as lesões eram benignas ou provavelmente benignas enquanto que em 12,5% dos casos o diagnóstico foi de câncer. A análise univariada mostrou que idade superior a 45 anos (p<0,001), antecedente familiar pessoal de câncer (p=0,020), presença de mais de três nódulos (p=0,003) e elevação da alanina aminotransaminase (p=0,013) foram fatores de risco relevantes para o câncer. Conclusões: È indicado observar lesões hepáticas hipervasculares em fígado normal em pacientes com até 45 anos, alanina aminotransaminase normal, com até três nódulos e sem antecedente pessoal de câncer. Para os demais com lesões atípicas, a biópsia da lesão é segura e define na maior parte dos pacientes o tratamento a ser instituído.

Continued administration of antithrombotic agents during transperineal prostate biopsy

Purpose To determine the safety of continued administration of antithrombotic agents during transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy. Patients and Methods A total of 811 men who underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided TP biopsy from January 2008 to June 2012 at our two institutions were retrospectively analyzed. Among these 811 men, 672 received no antithrombotic agents (group I), 103 received and continued administration of antithrombotic agents (group II), and 36 interrupted administration of antithrombotic agents (group III). Overall complications were graded and hemorrhagic complications were compared (group I with group II) using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Results An overall complication rate of 4.6% was recorded. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 1.8% and they were virtually identical in all the three groups, and no severe hemorrhagic complications occurred. One patient in group III required intensive care unit admission for cerebral infarction. PSM analysis revealed no statistical difference between groups I and II with regard to the incidence of gross hematuria, perineal hematoma, and rectal bleeding. Multiple regression analysis revealed that hemorrhagic complications were associated with lower body mass index (<21 kg/m2, P=0.0058), but not with administration of antithrombotic agents. Conclusions Continued administration of antithrombotic agents does not increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications; these agents are well tolerated during TP biopsy. .

Parenteral Nutritional Support in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases / 대한소화기학회지

Protein-calorie malnutrition and deficiencies of specific nutrients could commonly occur in various types of gastrointestinal diseases. These nutritional problems could delay recovery from diseases, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, and impairment of quality of life. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is one of the methods of nutritional support through which macronutrients (glucose, amino acids, and triglycerides), micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements), water, and electrolytes are administered via peripheral or central venous route. PN could play an important role for patients for whom enteral/oral feeding is contraindicated or cannot meet the patients' requirement for adequate nutrition due to anatomical and/or functional problems. Since insufficient and excessive PN supplement could both be harmful for patients, it is very important to adhere to correct indication, optimal timing, and dosage/composition of PN. In this article, the current role of PN for various gastrointestinal diseases will be reviewed and discussed.

Enteral Nutritional Support in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases / 대한소화기학회지

Nutritional support is important because malnutrition is a major contributor to increased morbidity and mortality, decreased quality of life, increased length of hospital stay, and higher healthcare costs. Patients with gastrointestinal disease are at an increased risk of nutritional deterioration due to therapeutic dietary restriction, fasting for the diagnostic tests, loss of appetite due to anorexia or altered nutritional requirement caused by the disease itself. Therefore, it is important that gastroenterologists are aware of the nutritional status of patients and plan a treatment strategy considering patient's nutritional status. Enteral nutrition is preferred to parenteral nutrition as it is more physiologic, has fewer complications, help to prevent mucosal atrophy and maintain gut barrier function, which decrease intestinal bacterial translocation. Hence, enteral nutrition has been considered to be the most effective route for nutritional support. In this article, we will review enteral nutrition (oral nutritional supplements, enteral tube feeding) as a treatment for the patients with gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic disease at risk of malnutrition.

A Case of Multiple Hypervascular Hyperplastic Liver Nodules in a Patient with No History of Alcohol Abuse or Chronic Liver Diseases / 대한소화기학회지

Up-to-date imaging modalities such as three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (3D CT) and MRI may contribute to detection of hypervascular nodules in the liver. Nevertheless, distinguishing a malignancy such as hepatocellular carcinoma from benign hypervascular hyperplastic nodules (HHN) based on the radiological findings is sometimes difficult. Multiple incidental liver masses were detected via abdominal ultrasonography (US) in a 65-year-old male patient. He had no history of alcohol intake and no remarkable past medical history or relevant family history, and his physical examination results and laboratory findings were normal. 3D CT and MRI showed numerous enhanced nodules with hypervascularity during the arterial phase. After US guided liver biopsy, the pathological diagnosis was HHN. To date, several cases of HHN have been reported in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease or cirrhosis. Herein, we report on a case of HHN in a patient with no history of alcoholic liver disease or cirrhosis.

Benign nodules mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma on gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI

No abstract available.

Clinically Useful Diagnostic Tool of Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography for Focal Liver Masses: Comparison to Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast (SonoVue(R)) enhancement ultrasonography (CEUS) and to compare this method with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating liver masses. METHODS: CEUS (n=50), CT (n=47), and MRI (n=43) were performed on 50 liver masses in 48 patients for baseline mass characterization. The most likely impression for each modality and the final diagnosis, based on the combined biopsy results (n=14), angiography findings (n=36), and clinical course, were determined. The diagnostic value of CEUS was compared to those of CT and MRI. RESULTS: The final diagnosis of the masses was hepatocellular carcinoma (n=43), hemangioma (n=3), benign adenoma (n=2), eosinophilic abscess (n=1), and liver metastasis (n=1). The overall diagnostic agreement with the final diagnosis was substantial for CEUS, CT, and MRI, with kappa values of 0.621, 0.763, and 0.784, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83.3%, 87.5%, and 84.0%, respectively, for CEUS; 95.0%, 87.5%, and 93.8%, respectively, for CT; and 94.6%, 83.3%, and 93.0%, respectively for MRI. After excluding the lesions with poor acoustic sonographic windows, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for CEUS were 94.6%, 87.5%, and 93.3%, respectively, with a kappa value of 0.765. CONCLUSIONS: If an appropriate acoustic window is available, CEUS is comparable to CT and MRI for the diagnosis of liver masses.

Spectrum of Histopathological Findings in Liver Biopsy.

The significance of abnormal liver function tests in the absence of diagnostic serology is unclear. The aim of this prospective study is to report liver biopsy findings in a large group of patients with unexplained abnormal liver biochemistry and correlate them with the clinical features to assess the severity of these diseases. Percutaneous liver biopsy is a relatively safe and accurate method of diagnosing liver disease and should be considered in such cases. A total of 65 liver biopsies were studied, of which, 26.15% (n=17) hepatic tumors, 23.08% (n=15) cirrhosis, 20.00% (n=13) fatty liver and 06.15% (n=4) viral hepatitis were seen. Further, 01.54% case (n=1) each of alcoholic hepatitis, benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis, extrahepatic biliary atresia, granulomatous hepatitis, neonatal hepatitis, Niemann-Pick disease and secondary biliary cirrhosis were also observed. Liver biopsy was non specific in 9.23% (n=6) and inadequate in 4.62% (n=3) cases .The role of histopathological examination of liver biopsy is highlighted in this paper.

Hipertensão portal idiopática e suas alterações ultrassonográficas / Idiopathic portal hypertension and related ultrasound findings

Objetivo: caracterizar clínica e pela ultrassonografia (US) a hipertensão portal idiopática. Pacientes e métodos: foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, por US com doppler colorido, 60 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de hepatopatia crônica e hipertensão portal, de janeiro de 1996 a janeiro de 2006, em clínica privada, encontrando dois casosde hipertensão portal idiopática. Comentários: em jovens com esplenomegalia, hematêmese recorrente, anemia, ascite, funções hepáticas normais e hipertensão portal sem evidência de cirrose, foram observados à US fígado de tamanho usual, textura heterogênea e superfície lisa, ausência de deformidades das ramificações das veias portais intra-hepáticas, espessamento da parede da veia porta maior ou igual a 3 mm e estreitamento abrupto das veias portais secundárias intra-hepáticas acompanhado de esplenomegalia.

Objective: to characterize idiopathic portal hypertension clinically and by ultrasound (US). Patients and methods: 60 patients with clinical diagnosis of chronic liver disease and portal hypertension were retrospectively assessed by color Doppler US, from January 1996 to January 2006, in a privately owned clinic. Two cases of idiopathic portal hypertension were found. Comments: in young patients with splenomegaly, recurring hematemesis, anemia, ascites, normal liver function and portal hypertension without evidence of cirrhosis, US revealed livers of usual size, heterogeneous texture and flat surface, without deformities in the branches of the intra-hepatic portal veins. The portal vein walls were also thickened starting at 3 mm and marked by an abrupt narrowing of the secondary intra-hepatic portal veins, accompanied by splenomegaly.

Repercussão hepática da carcinogênese colorretal induzida pelo azoximetano / Hepatic repercussions of azoxymethane-induced colorectal carcinogenesis

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as repercussões hepáticas da carcinogênese colônica induzida por diferentes doses e tempos de exposição ao azoximetano em ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e quatro ratos foram distribuídos em quatro grupos. Os animais tinham oito semanas no início do experimento. No grupo 1, receberam 1.0mL de solução salina intraperitonealmente uma vez por semana por duas semanas. No grupo 2, receberam 15 mg/kg de azoximetano intraperitonealmente uma vez por semana por duas semanas. Esses animais foram mortos na 15ª semana do experimento. Os animais do grupo 3 receberam solução salina intraperitonealmente uma vez por semana por duas semanas. Os animais do grupo 4 receberam 20mg/kg de azoximetano intraperitonealmente uma vez por semana por duas semanas. Esses animais foram mortos na 26ª semana do experimento. Os fragmentos de tecido hepático foram corados pela hematoxilina e eosina e avaliadas microscopicamente. RESULTADOS: Grupo 1 e grupo 2 diferiram significantemente em relação a esteatose, mas não houve diferença entre o grupo 3 e o grupo 4. No entanto, no grupo 4 foram observadas lesões pré-neoplásicas (focos de células alteradas, claras, vacuoladas, basofílicas, anfofílicas, tigróides, oncocíticas, pequenas ou acidófilas, espongioses e pelioses) e lesões neoplásicas (colangiomas e adenomas) contendo hepatócitos atípicos de permeio, não identificados no grupo 3. CONCLUSÃO: No modelo de carcinogênese colorretal, lesões hepáticas pré-neoplásicas e neoplásicas aparecem e evoluem na proporção do tempo e dose de exposição ao azoximetano.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hepatic effects of colonic carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane at different doses and times of exposure in rats. METHODS: Forty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The animals were eight weeks at the beginning of the experiment. group 1 received 1.0ml of saline intraperitoneally once a week for two weeks. Group 2 received 15 mg/kg of azoxymethane intraperitoneally once a week for two weeks. These animals were killed at the 15th week of the experiment. The animals of group 3 received saline intraperitoneally once a week for two weeks. Group 4 animals received 20mg/kg of azoxymethane intraperitoneally once a week for two weeks. These animals were killed at the 26th week of the experiment. The fragments of liver tissue were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and evaluated microscopically. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 differed significantly in relation to steatosis, no difference having been found between group 3 and group 4. However, in group 4 we observed pre-neoplastic lesions (foci of altered, clear, vacuolated, basophilic, amphophilic tigroid, oncocytic, small or acidophilus cells, spongiosis and peliosis) and neoplastic lesions (adenomas and colangiomas) containing atypical hepatocytes in between, not identified in group 3. CONCLUSION: In the model of colorectal carcinogenesis, preneoplastic and neoplastic hepatic lesions appear and evolve in proportion to the time of exposure and dose of azoxymethane.