Utilización práctica del laboratorio en las enfermedades hepáticas / Practical use of the laboratory in hepatic diseases

RESUMEN El médico asistencial debe evaluar a diario las pruebas hepáticas en personas con afecciones del hígado, o en los llamados controles a personas supuestamente normales. El objetivo fue facilitar la reflexión práctica en la interpretación de las pruebas hepáticas. Se realizó una revisión de las publicaciones más importantes en base de datos como MEDLINE, EMBASE y Scielo en los últimos años para facilitar la interpretación de las pruebas de laboratorio en el estudio de las lesiones del hígado. En la práctica diaria la elevación de las aminotransferasas, ha sido asociada con un incremento en la mortalidad total y está relacionada con disfunción hepática. Los estudios imagenológicos al igual que la biopsia hepática pueden ser considerados cuando las pruebas hepáticas no definen el diagnóstico, para estudiar al enfermo o cuando los posibles diagnósticos sean múltiples, por lo que definir el valor de la elevación de los niveles de alanino aminotransferasas, aspartato aminotransferasas, junto a la los niveles de fosfatasa alcalina y bilirrubina en la lesión colestática, unidas al uso de pruebas que miden el metabolismo celular en la enfermedad hepatocelular o la colestasis son de vital importancia la práctica médica diaria (AU).

SUMMARY The physician providing health care should daily evaluate hepatic testes in persons with liver diseases, or in the so-called controls to persons supposedly healthy. The aim of this work was facilitating practical reflection in the interpretation of hepatic testes. The most important works published in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scielo during the last years were reviewed for understanding laboratory tests in the study of hepatic lesions. In the regular practice the increase of aminotransferases has been associated to a growth of total mortality, and this one related to hepatic dysfunction. The imaging studies and also hepatic biopsy should be taking into consideration when hepatic testes do not define the diagnosis, to study the patient, or when there are many possible diagnoses; therefore defining the growth of the alaninotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels together with the levels of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin in the cholestasis lesion and the use of testes measuring the cell metabolism in the hepatocellular disease or cholestasis are very important in the day-to-day medical practice (AU).

Risk of bleeding complications in percutaneous biliary drainage: the paradox of the normal hemostasis / Risco de complicações de sangramento na drenagem biliar percutânea: o paradoxo da hemostase normal

ABSTRACT Background: Percutaneous biliary drainage is a safe procedure. The risk of bleeding complications is acceptable. Frequently, patients with biliary obstructions usually have coagulation disorders thus increasing risk of bleeding. For this reason, patients should always fit the parameters of hemostasis. Aim: To determine whether the percentage of bleeding complications in percutaneous biliary drainage is greater in adults with corrected hemostasis prior to the procedure regarding those who did not require any. Methods : Prospective, observational, transversal, comparative by independent samples (unpaired comparison). Eighty-two patients with percutaneous biliary drainage were included. The average age was 64±16 years (20-92) being 38 male and 44 female. Patients who presented altered hemostasis were corrected and the presence of bleeding complications was evaluated with laboratory and ultrasound. Results: Of 82 patients, 23 needed correction of hemostasis. The approaches performed were: 41 right, 30 left and 11 bilateral. The amount of punctures on average was 3±2. There were 13 (15.8%) bleeding complications, 12 (20%) in uncorrected and only one (4.34%) in the corrected group with no statistical difference. There were no differences in side, number of punctures and type of drainage, but number of passes and the size of drainage on the right side were different. There was no related mortality. Conclusion: Bleeding complications in patients requiring hemostasis correction for a percutaneous biliary drainage was not greater than in those who did not require any.

RESUMO Racional: A drenagem biliar percutânea é procedimento seguro. O risco de complicações hemorrágicas é aceitável. Frequentemente, os pacientes com obstruções biliares apresentam distúrbios de coagulação, aumentando o risco de sangramento. Por esse motivo, eles devem sempre ser adequados aos parâmetros da hemostasia. Objetivo: Determinar se a porcentagem de complicações hemorrágicas na drenagem biliar percutânea é maior em adultos com hemostasia corrigida antes do procedimento em relação àqueles que necessitaram nenhuma. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, transversal, comparativo por amostras independentes (comparação não pareada). Oitenta e dois pacientes foram submetidos à drenagem biliar percutânea. A idade média foi de 64±16 anos (20-92), 38 eram homens e 44 mulheres. Os pacientes que apresentaram hemostasia alterada foram corrigidos, e a presença de complicações hemorrágicas foi avaliada com exames laboratoriais e ultrassonográficos. Resultados: Dos 82 pacientes, 23 necessitaram de correção da hemostasia. O acesso à direita foi em 41 casos, 30 à esquerda e 11 bilaterais. A quantidade de punções em média foi de 3±2. Houve 13 (15,8%) complicações hemorrágicas, 12 (20%) no grupo não corrigido e apenas uma (4,34%) no corrigido sem diferença estatística. Não houve diferenças no lado, no número de perfurações e no tipo de drenagem, mas o número de passagens e o tamanho da drenagem no lado direito foram diferentes. Não houve mortalidade. Conclusão: As complicações hemorrágicas em pacientes que necessitam de correção da hemostasia antes da drenagem biliar percutânea não são maiores do que naqueles que não a requerem.

El comportamiento del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa e interleucina 6 en lesiones de vías biliares postcolecistectomía / Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels among patients suffering a bile duct injury during cholecystectomy

Background: During cholecystectomy, the bile duct may be injured. When this complication occurs, Kupffer cells are activated and produce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL6) to phagocyte toxic products Aim: To measure serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 among patients that suffered a bile duct injury after a cholecystectomy. Patients and Methods: Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured prior to the bile-enteric derivation and after one year of follow up, in 31 patients that had a complete bile duct obstruction after open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy and in 5 healthy controls. Results: At baseline TNF-α levels in healthy subjects and patients with bile duct injury were 0 and 43.9 ± 2.9 ng/mL, respectively (p < 0.01). At one year of follow up, TNF-á became undetectable among patients. At baseline, the values for IL-6 among healthy controls and patients were 3.0 ± 2.0 and 72.0 ± 94.7 pg/mL respectively, (p < 0,004). After one year of follow up, IL-6 levels decreased to 6.4 ± 0.3 pg/mL among patients. Conclusions: TNF-α and IL-6 levels were elevated before bile-enteric derivation among patients with bile duct injury and became normal one year later.

Colestasis: enfoque actual / Cholestasis: current approach

La colestasis, tiene incidencia de 1:60-375 ictéricos a las 2 semanas de edad, es potencialmente grave, presentan riesgos inmediatos como coagulopatías por hemorragia severa ante el déficit de la absorción de la vitamina K, y con su diagnóstico precoz, se identifican patologías que tienen tratamiento, incluso, trasplante hepático. Como consecuencia de la colestasis, hay retención de sales biliares, daño celular hepático, y descenso de la bilis a nivel intestinal, que ocasionan mala digestión de grasas y proteínas, con defectos en las vitaminas liposolubles. Existen hepatopatías primariassecundarias a una serie de entidades genéticas y metabólicas, y colestasis secundarias a otros problemas, que en el adulto generan enfermedad hepática. Es necesario establecer protocolos deidentificación del niño con ictericia.

Cholestasis has 1:60-375 incidence of jaundice at 2 weeks of age, are potentially serious, immediateand present risk of severe bleeding coagulopathy to the shortfall in the absorption of vitamin K, andearly diagnosis, identify diseases that are treatable, even liver transplantation.As a result of cholestasis, there is retention of bile salts, liver cell damage and decrease of bile in the intestine, causing poor digestion of fats and protein, with defects in soluble vitamins. There are primaryliver disease secondary to a variety of metabolic and genetic entities, and cholestasis secondary toother problems, generated in the adult liver disease. It is necessary to establish protocols for the identification of children with jaundice.

Diagnostic evaluation of infantile cholestasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of some important clinical manifestations and different investigations in infantile cholestasis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Infants diagnosed with prolong conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and admitted to Chiang Mai University Hospital between Jan 1999 and Feb 2003. Demographic and clinical data were recorded Routine biochemical tests, and serology for TORCHS infections were carried out. An abdominal ultrasonography, DISIDA scan and percutaneous/open liver biopsy were performed. Hyperechoic band at the level of portal bifurcation, named triangular cord (TC) sign was blindly assessed on ultrasonography by the same radiologist. The patients were diagnosed as BA if either operative findings of atretic common bile duct/ gallbladder or evidence of bile duct obstruction demonstrated by intraoperative cholangiography was noted RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were diagnosed as BA (n = 31) and NH (n = 30) with an average age at diagnosis of 88.6 and 63.1 days respectively. Concerning clinical presentations, only the presence of acholic stool was significantly different between BA and NH (p = 0.006). The GGT level of greater than 500 IU/L was significantly found in BA (p < 0.001). The acholic stool and GGT level more than 500 IU/L were highly specific for BA at 100 and 96.6% respectively. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of US-TC and DISIDA scan were 87.4, 100 and 89. 7, 92.0% respectively. The accuracy for diagnosis of BA were highest by DISIDA scan (96.3) followed by US-TC (86.9), GGT level of > 500 IU/L(81.0) and acholic stool (80.3) in order CONCLUSION: There was no single laboratory investigation that could precisely make a definite diagnosis of BA. The acholic stool and GGT level of higher than 500 IU/L were highly specific for BA. The TC in ultrasound is noninvasive and easily available tests when combined with acholic stool and the GGT level is suggested plan of management.

Histological study of the liver and biochemistry of the blood of Wistar rats following ligature of right hepatic duct

PURPOSE: To observe the histological alterations in the liver and biochemistry in the blood that can happen in Wistar rat, after the ligature of right hepatic duct. METHODS: In this study were used rats (n=46) of Wistar pedigree. The animal groups (n=46) were distributed in 6 experimented sub-groups (n=6). It was held a ligature surgery of the right hepatic duct and euthanasia in 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 and 90 days and the biochemistry control group (n=10), that animals had 2ml of their blood taken by cardiac puncture for biochemistry study with value analyses of bilirubins, transaminasis, lactic desidrogenasis, alkaline phophatase and gamma-glutamil-transferase. Given the expected time of each group, the animals were submitted to anesthesia procedure and cavity re-opening, being held intra-cardiac puncture and with 2ml blood collected for biochemistry analyses. It was proceeded the liver resection, being the liver putted in formol solution to 10 percent for a period of 24 hours and taken to the histology. RESULTS: It was not possible to identify results that express significant differences as the existence of alterations histological and biochemistrily between the different groups. CONCLUSION: At the end of the study, it was not possible to identify histological and biochemistrily alterations that express significant differences between livers of the animals from the right linked hepatic duct and the animals of the control group.

INTRODUÇÃO: a colestase é uma situação grave e geralmente letal. Habitualmente a obstrução do fluxo da secreção biliar ocorre por lesão iatrogênica. Cerca de 80 por cento das lesões das vias OBJETIVO: Observar as alterações histológicas que possam ocorrer no fígado e bioquímicas no sangue de ratos Wistar, após ligadura do ducto hepático direito. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo foram utilizados ratos (n=46) da linhagem Wistar. O grupo de animais (n=46) foi dividido em 2 grupos: A experimento (n=36) e B controle bioquímico (n=10), sendo o grupo A subdividido em 6 subgrupos experimento (n=6). Foi realizada cirurgia para a ligadura do ducto hepático direito e eutanásia em 7, 14, 21, 28, 60 e 90 dias. No grupo B controle bioquímico (n=10), os animais tiveram 2ml de seu sangue retirado por punção cardíaca para estudo bioquímico com análise dos valores de bilirrubinas, transaminases, desidrogenase láctica, fosfatase alcalina e gama-glutamil-transferase. Dado o prazo de espera de cada grupo, os animais foram submetidos a procedimento anestésico e reabertura da cavidade, sendo realizada punção intracardíaca, com coleta de 2ml de sangue para análise bioquímica. Foi realizada a retirada do fígado, sendo o fígado fixado em solução de formol a 10 por cento por um período de 24 horas e encaminhado ao laboratório de histologia. RESULTADOS: Não foram encontrados resultados estatisticamente significantes quanto a existência de alterações histológicas e bioquímicas entre os diversos grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Ao final do estudo não se conseguiu identificar histológica e bioquimicamente, alterações que expressassem diferenças significativas entre os animais do grupo com o ducto hepático direito ligado e os animais do grupo controle.

Colestasis gravídica: asociación entre la elevación de billirrubina total y peso al nacer mensor que 2.500 gramos / Cholestasis in pregnancy: association among the total bilirubin elevation and birth weight under 2500 grams

La colestais intrahepática del embarazo (CG) es la segunda causa de ictericia durante la gestación, luego de la hepatitis viral. Presenta una prevalencia variable según área geográfica y se la relaciona con potencial morbimortalidad perinatal y materna. En diversas revisiones realizadas por nuestro grupo en el Servicio de Obstetricia del Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sardá, hemos observado un claro rol diagnóstico para el valor de fosfatasa alcalina, pero a su vez esta enzima no aumenta su valor en asociación con complicaciones perinatales. Como contrapartida, en una revisión durante 1995 pareció observarse una relación entre complicaciones perinatales e incremento en los valores de bilirrubina total. Estas obvservaciones sugieren que la fosfatasa alcalina retiene un clave rol diagnçostico para CG, pero se insinúa una asociación entre complicaciones perinatales y elevación de los valores de bilirrubina total

The effect of lethal endotoxaemia on the liver glycogen metabolism in guineapigs with common bile duct obstruction.

The effect of hepatocellular trauma due to bile reflux and endotoxaemia on liver glycogen metabolism was studied in guineapigs with common bile duct obstruction. Considerable drops in basal glycogen levels of hepatocytes from bile duct ligated (BDL) animals were recorded in comparison with the sham operated (SHAM) ones. However, the regurgitation of bile did not affect the basal blood glucose concentrations of BDL guineapigs. The circulating glucose was consumed, mainly reflecting the level of energy requirement of the peripheral tissues in the endotoxaemic SHAM pair-fed animals and the BDL group. The hepatic glycogen stores failed to prevent the SHAM group from becoming hypoglycaemic at the end of the eighth hour after endotoxin administration. Enhancement in glucose consumption and diminished liver glycogen indicated the necessity of glucose intake in the early phase of extrahepatic bile duct obstruction. It was concluded that both endogenous and exogenous glucose have limited value in improving energy metabolism in lethal endotoxaemia following bile duct obstruction.

Ictericia por metimazol / Jaundice due to methimazole

Se presentan 3 pacientes de sexo femenino que bajo tratamiento con metimazol instituido a raíz de hipertiroidismo presentaron un cuadro caracterizado por ictericia, intenso prurito e hipocolia. Ninguna de las pacientes presentó antecedentes de alcoholismo o ingesta de drogas potencialmente hepatotóxicas. El laboratorio se caracterizó en todos los casos por una elevación de la bilirrubina con un máximo de 14.5 mg% a predominio de la fracción conjugada, aumento de la fosfatasa alcalina y de la gamma glutamil transpeptidasa con una sola moderada movilización de las aminotransferasas no superando el nivel sérico de 10 veces su valor normal. Los marcadores virales fueron reiteradamente negativos para los virus A y B de hepatitis en las tres pacientes. La biopsia hepática reveló en todos los casos una intensa colestasis con reacción inflamatória de grado moderado en los campos portales. La ictericia apareció aproximadamente al mes de instituído el tratamiento y desapareció al cabo de la suspensión del mismo en forma lenta, demorando en un caso hasta un año

Sensibilidad de las fosfatasas alcalinas como examen auxiliar en el diagnóstico de la colestasia gravídica / Sensibility of the alkaline phosphatase as test for the diagnosis of cholestasis of pregnancy

Los niveles séricos de las fosfatasas alcalinas no han sido considerados como un buen método auxiliar en el diagnóstico de la colestasia gravíca. Esta baja sensibilidad puede deberse a una utilización inadecuada de valores de referencia normales. Para estudiar esta hipotesis se construyó una curva normal a través del embarazo, la que fue utilizada como referencia para evaluar la sensibilidad de esta enzima en 36 mujeres embarazadas de 32 a 27 semanas, con diagnóstico clínico de colestasia gravídica. Se observó que los niveles séricos de fosfatasas alacalinas aumentan progresivamente durante la gestación, alcanzando a las 38 semanas valores de 3,5 veces mayores que las de mujeres no embarazadas. El 94,4% de mujeres con colestasia gravídica se situaron sobre una desviación estandar y el 70% sobre 2 desviaciones estandar del promedio observado en embarazaos normales de igual edad gestacional. Concluimos que si se dispone de una curva de refeencia de fosfatasas alcalinas en embarazadas normales, se puede mejorar la sensibilidad diagnóstica de este examen en el estudio de pacientes con sospecha clínica de colestasia gravídica