Clinical Factors Associated with Hepatocellular Iron Deposition in End-stage Liver Disease.

Background and Aims: Hepatocellular iron accumulation in patients with chronic liver disease has been linked to adverse outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with hemosiderosis. Methods: A total of 103 consecutive liver transplant recipients were identified, in whom liver biopsy had been performed prior to transplantation. Laboratory and clinical data at biopsy and transplant were abstracted from the medical records and hepatocyte iron was graded in the biopsy and explant. The association of change in iron score from biopsy to transplant, with the time interval between these two events, was examined using linear mixed model analysis for repeated measures. Results: Most subjects had advanced fibrosis (F3-F4) at liver biopsy, which was performed on average about 2.5 years before transplant. Over 80% of patients had no or 1+ hepatocyte iron at biopsy; iron increased between biopsy and transplant in about 40%. The only demographic or clinical feature that correlated with increased iron was the presence of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Increased iron at transplant was associated with higher serum iron and transferrin saturation at biopsy, and with lower hemoglobin level, greater mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, higher ferritin and model for end-stage liver disease score at transplant. Conclusions: The development of hemosiderosis in end-stage liver disease is associated with lower hemoglobin levels and alterations in red blood cell indices that are suggestive of hemolysis. These observations suggest that extravascular hemolysis may play a role in the development of secondary iron overload.

Mirizzi Syndrome in a Cirrhotic Patient After TIPS Resolved by Technetium99m Mebrofenin Hepatobiliary Scan.

Cholestatic pattern on the hepatic panel is common and can be caused by a broad array of etiologies. Although rare, with a prevalence as low as 0.06%, it is imperative to keep Mirizzi syndrome in the differential diagnosis when evaluating cholestasis. Due to the nonspecific presentation and inconsistent radiologic features, a high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose Mirizzi Syndrome. We present an unusual case of a 51-year-old man with worsening cholestatic laboratory tests and a normal ultrasound and abdominal computerized tomography. A technetium99m mebrofenin hepatobiliary acid scan suggested the diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome that was later confirmed during an open cholecystectomy.

Ethanol Values During College Football Season: University Policy Change and Emergency Department Blood Ethanol Values From 2006 Through 2014.

BACKGROUND: Tailgating is popular at many college football games. However, it is known to contribute to binge drinking and alcohol intoxication, which are common public health challenges. OBJECTIVE: To use laboratory data to measure changes in plasma ethanol levels observed in a large state university emergency department after a series of reforms were enacted to reduce binge drinking. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review on all serum ethanol levels measured at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on weekends from 2006 through 2014. Data were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression after controlling for significant covariates. RESULTS: A total of 5437 patients had ethanol levels recorded on weekends. After the implementation of policy changes, there was a significant reduction in the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of ethanol values reported in the severe intoxication range (≥240 mg/dL; AOR = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.92). CONCLUSION: The policy changes implemented in 2009 in an attempt to reduce binge drinking are associated with a decreased likelihood of an ethanol result being in the severe intoxication range.

Increased expression of melanoma stem cell marker CD271 in metastatic melanoma to the brain.

Human melanoma contains multipotent stem cells that express the neural crest stem cell marker CD271. CD271-expressing melanoma cells in murine xenografts give rise to metastatic tumor. However, a comprehensive clinical investigation of its role in different stages of melanomagenesis has not been well studied. We studied CD271 expression with immunohistochemistry in 11 cases of banal melanocytic nevus, 9 cases of primary cutaneous melanoma, 10 cases of primary mucosal melanoma, 5 cases of metastatic melanoma in regional lymph nodes, and 11 cases of metastatic melanoma in the brain. In addition, 9 cases of metastatic, high-grade adenocarcinomas from breast and lung to the brain were studied as controls. The staining was scored based on the number of positive cells and analyzed by student t-test. All banal melanocytic nevi showed negative to equivocal staining. Primary cutaneous melanomas showed variable patterns, mucosal melanomas were mostly negative, and metastases to lymph nodes ranged from negative to moderate positivity. In contrast, all 11 cases of metastatic melanoma to the brain showed moderate (4 cases) to strong positivity (7 cases). Metastases from lung and breast origin were used as controls and showed negative to weakly positive staining in all but one case. Statistically, CD271 has significantly increased expression in metastatic melanoma to the brain when compared to the other groups studied (P < 0.05). The findings suggest that CD271 expression is specifically increased in metastatic melanoma to the brain. Further prospective study for the role of CD271 in prediction of melanoma brain metastasis as well as prognosis assessment will be of great clinical significance.

Metastic melanoma masquerading as disseminated sporotrichosis.

A 66-year-old man presented with diffuse slate-gray skin discoloration and multiorgan failure. Diagnostic workup showed disseminated bone and visceral lesions and positive Sporothrix serology. He was treated with antifungals for disseminated sporotrichosis but he died shortly after. Autopsy revealed metastatic melanoma with diffuse melanosis and no Sporothrix infection.