Case of Ectopic Variceal Bleed Managed With Percutaneous Transhepatic Portal Vein Recanalization.

A variety of complications and associated clinical presentations may be seen in patients with cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. We present one such case of Upper GI hemorrhage from ectopic duodenal varices in a case of pre-hepatic portal hypertension due to Extrahepatic Portal Venous Obstruction (EHPVO). The case was managed successfully with endovascular Portal Vein Recanalization (PVR) and metallic stent deployment. With adequate technical success, improved symptoms, and laboratory parameters, the patient was discharged on long-term anticoagulation and interval follow-up.

Alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric cancer with divergent differentiation: Report of a rare case with review of literature.

ABSTRACT: Alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer is a rare variant of gastric adenocarcinoma. This tumor is likely to be misdiagnosed, particularly in patients with liver metastasis. This rare subgroup of gastric carcinoma may show divergent differentiation on histology and may pose a diagnostic challenge to the pathologist. They have an aggressive course with a dismal prognosis.

2023 Update of Indian National Association for Study of the Liver Consensus on Management of Intermediate and Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Puri III Recommendations.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents significant treatment challenges despite considerable advancements in its management. The Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL) first published its guidelines to aid healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC in 2014. These guidelines were subsequently updated in 2019. However, INASL has recognized the need to revise its guidelines in 2023 due to recent rapid advancements in the diagnosis and management of HCC, particularly for intermediate and advanced stages. The aim is to provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based recommendations tailored to the Indian context. To accomplish this, a task force was formed, and a two-day round table discussion was held in Puri, Odisha. During this event, experts in their respective fields deliberated and finalized consensus statements to develop these updated guidelines. The 2023 INASL guidelines offer a comprehensive framework for the diagnosis, staging, and management of intermediate and advanced HCC in India. They represent a significant step forward in standardizing clinical practices nationwide, with the primary objective of ensuring that patients with HCC receive the best possible care based on the latest evidence. The guidelines cover various topics related to intermediate and advanced HCC, including biomarkers of aggressive behavior, staging, treatment options, and follow-up care.

Hepatic Vascular Variants in Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia: Imaging findings.

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by vascular dysplasia. Hepatic vascular malformations (VMs) range from small telangiectases to significant vascular shunting. Here we report two cases of HHT. Case 1 had diffuse ectasia of the hepatic artery along its intrahepatic and extrahepatic course with a hepatic arterial aneurysm. Case 2 presented with ileal and hepatic telangiectases. Knowledge of these vascular variants is indispensable for clinicians and radiologists in aiding diagnosis and surgical and interventional management.

INASL-SAASL Consensus Statements on NAFLD Name Change to MAFLD.

There is an ongoing debate on the change of terminology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Experts from the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) and the South Asian Association for Study of the Liver (SAASL) involved in diagnosing, managing, and preventing NAFLD met in March 2022 to deliberate if the name change from NAFLD to MAFLD is appropriate, as proposed by a group of experts who published a "consensus" statement in 2020. Proponents of name change to MAFLD opined that NAFLD does not reflect current knowledge, and the term MAFLD was suggested as a more appropriate overarching term. However, this "consensus" group which proposed the name change to MAFLD did not represent the views and opinions of gastroenterologists and hepatologists, as well as perceptions of patients across the globe, given the fact that change of nomenclature for any disease entity is bound to have multidimensional impact on all aspects of patient care. This statement is the culmination of the participants' combined efforts who presented recommendations on specific issues concerning the proposed name change. The recommendations were then circulated to all the core group members and updated based on a systematic literature search. Finally, all the members voted on them using the nominal voting technique as per the standard guidelines. The quality of evidence was adapted from the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) at Admission Predicts Mortality in Patients With Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis (SAH).

Background & aims: Severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH) is a grave condition, and the presence of acute kidney injury (AKI) further jeopardizes patient survival. However, the impact of AKI on survival in SAH has not been assessed from this region of Asia. Materials and methods: This study was conducted on consecutive alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) patients hospitalized in Gastroenterology Department, SCB Medical College, Cuttack, India, between October 2016 and December 2018. On diagnosis of SAH (mDF score ≥32), demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were recorded, and survival was compared between patients with and without AKI (AKIN criteria). In addition, survival was compared among SAH patients defined by other criteria and prognostic models in the presence and absence of AKI. Results: 309 (70.71%) of ALD patients had SAH, and 201 (65%) of them had AKI. SAH patients with AKI had higher total leucocyte count, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, serum urea, INR, MELD (UNOS), MELD (Na+), CTP score, mDF score, Glasgow score, ABIC score, and increased prevalence of acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) as per EASL-CLIF Consortium criteria (P < 0.001). Further, they had prolonged hospital stay, and increased death during hospitalization, at 28 days as well as 90 days (P < 0.001). Significant differences in survival were also seen in SAH (as per MELD, ABIC, and GAHS criteria) patients above the marked cut offs in respect to AKI. Conclusions: Over two-thirds of ALD patients had SAH, and about two-thirds had AKI. Patients with SAH and AKI had an increased prevalence of ACLF, longer hospital stay, and increased mortality during hospitalization at 28 days and 90 days. Lay summary: SAH is a critical condition, and the presence of AKI negatively affects their survival. Hence, early identification of SAH and AKI, as well as early initiation of treatment, is crucial for better survival. Our study from the coastal part of eastern India is the first to demonstrate the prevalence of SAH among patients with ALD along with the prevalence of AKI among SAH patients in this region. This knowledge will be helpful in managing these patients from this region of world.

Comparison of Clinical, Biochemical, and Histopathologic Profiles between NAFLD in Asian-Indians and United States Adults.

Background and aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is very common in both Asian and Western countries. Geographic variation leads to differences in epidemiological and demographic characters of NAFLD patients. Studies conducted upon different ethnic groups in the United States (US) show a higher prevalence of NAFLD in Hispanics and African-Americans. There is however, a paucity of studies involving Asians. It has been observed that Asian-Indian NAFLD patients have unique characteristics compared to their counterparts in the West. This study is the first attempt at comparing the characteristics of Asian-Indian and US NAFLD patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical, biochemical, and histological data was performed for 633 Asian-Indian NAFLD patients and 451 US NAFLD patients. Clinical parameters [age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension, etc.], biochemical tests (liver function tests, lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar), hepatic ultrasound and hepatic histology were compared between the two cohorts. Results: Eighty-two percent of US NAFLD patients were more than 40 years of age compared to 51.3% of Asian-Indian patients (p <0.01). US (male 56.3%) and Asian-Indian (male 81.7%) (p <0.01) patients differed from each other as regards gender prevalence. Rates of obesity were greater in the US patients compared to Asian-Indians (BMI 32.6 ± 5.3 kg/m2 vs 26.2 ± 3.4 kg/m2). There was a higher prevalence of both diabetes and hypertension (diabetes 42.1% vs 33%, and hypertension 56.8% vs 29.7%, p ≤0.01) in US patients. ALT levels were also significantly higher in US NAFLD patients compared to Asian-Indians (ALT 82.78 ± 71.30 vs 53.66 ± 37, p ≤0.01). A higher proportion of US patients were found to have the more advanced liver disease at the time of diagnosis compared to Asian-Indians (Stage 3 fibrosis 10.42% vs 0%, and Stage 4 fibrosis 2.66% vs 0%, p <0.01). Conclusion: Asian-Indian and US NAFLD patients differ significantly on several parameters. Further studies need to be carried out to understand the mechanistic basis of these differences better. How to cite this article: Singh SP, Panigrahi MK, Patel A, et al. Comparison of Clinical, Biochemical, and Histopathologic Profiles between NAFLD in Asian-Indians and United States Adults. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2022;12(Suppl 1):S15-S18.

Management of portal hypertensive upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Report of the Coorg Consensus workshop of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Task Force on Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Portal hypertensive bleeding is a major complication of portal hypertension (PHT) with high morbidity and mortality. A lot of advances have been made in our understanding of screening, risk stratification, and management strategies for portal hypertensive bleeding including acute variceal bleeding leading to improved overall outcomes in patients with PHT. A number of guidelines on variceal bleeding have been published by various societies in the past few years. The Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) Task Force on Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (UGIB) felt that it was necessary to bring out a standard practice guidance document for the use of Indian health care providers especially physicians, gastroenterologists, and hepatologists. For this purpose, an expert group meeting was convened by the ISG Task Force to deliberate on this matter and write a consensus guidance document for Indian practice. The delegates including gastroenterologists, hepatologists, radiologists, and surgeons from different parts of the country participated in the consensus development meeting at Coorg in 2018. A core group was constituted which reviewed all published literature on portal hypertensive UGIB with special reference to the Indian scenario and prepared unambiguous statements on different aspects for voting and consensus in the whole group. This consensus was produced through a modified Delphi process and reflects our current understanding and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of portal hypertensive UGIB in Indians. Intended for use by the health care providers especially gastroenterologists and hepatologists, these consensus statements provide an evidence-based approach to risk stratification, diagnosis, and management of patients with portal hypertensive bleeding.

Diagnostic Nuances and Surgical Management of Arrested Hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus is characterized by the increased volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with enlarged cerebral ventricles. In nearly 50% of the patients, if left untreated, the balance between CSF production and absorption is achieved, resulting in arrested hydrocephalus (AH). However, 15% of them who are diagnosed as arrested can progress over a period of time. Importantly, a large fraction of patients with hydrocephalus in India, may not have access to tertiary level care. Therefore, both progressive hydrocephalus and insidious progression of AH with related mortality and morbidity could be higher in India. The pathophysiology behind AH and insidious progression of AH are poorly established. Unfortunately, there are no established clinical or radiological parameters identifying or predicting AH from progressive hydrocephalous. Diagnosis is often based on a combination of neurological, psychometric, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) and telemetric ICP measurement is increasingly helping surgeons to detect insidious progressive AH in the early stages. In patients with AH, surgery may not be always necessary and a conservative approach is often adopted. On the contrary, AH that becomes progressive may require intervention. Surgical intervention should not be delayed and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is preferable over shunt placement. Importantly, comprehensive counseling and the appropriate selection of patients are pivotal in improving outcomes and reducing complications.

Current Status of Surgery in Management of Prolactinomas.

Prolactinomas are a complex neuroendocrine challenge for the neurosurgeon. Management of prolactinoma patients requires centres that include neuroendocrinologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists. Although dopamine agonists are the current mainstay of management of prolactinomas, surgery was often preferred management option prior to 1980, before the advent of dopamine agonists. Importantly, all patients with neurologic symptoms suspected due to the lesion, and those risk of adverse effects of medical management, treatment failure, resistance to dopamine agonists and those planning pregnancy, should be referred to a neurosurgeon at the earliest possible. When selected after meticulous evaluation, in patients with neurological deficits like acute visual loss, intolerance to medical therapy, or treatment failures, surgical intervention could come to rescue. Encouragingly, when carefully selected, surgical remission rates are high. In the current review, we review the existing literature and share the experience at our centre in the surgical management of prolactinomas.

Overexpression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signalling pathway in human meningioma.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor and involved in tumorigenesis of many cancers. However there are no reports on AHR in human meningioma. Therefore we examined the status of the AHR and its signalling molecules in human meningioma by using tumor biopsy samples and autopsy control meninges. We report the up regulation of AHR pathway genes like aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), aldehyde dehydrogenase1family memberA3 (ALDH1A3), cytochrome P450, family1, subfamily A polypeptide1 (CYP1A1) and TCCD induced poly ADP ribose polymerase (TIPARP) gene expression in human meningioma. Further, AHR protein expression was found to be up regulated in all grades of human meningioma. We found that AHR localized in the nucleus for high grade anaplastic meningioma through immunohistochemical analysis. Since AHR signalling pathway was known to involve in inhibition of apoptosis in cancer cells, we evaluated the cyclophilin D levels which maintains mitochondrial permeability transition pore a critical event during apoptosis. We report that cyclophilin D levels were upregulated in all grades of human meningioma compared to control meninges. Finally we also evaluated c-Fos protein levels as its levels were regulated by AHR. Here we report that c-Fos protein levels were down regulated in all grades of human meningioma compared to control meninges. To sum-up we found that AHR signalling pathway components were upregulated, as the grade of the meningioma progresses from low to high grade, suggesting an important role of AHR signalling pathway in human meningioma.

Predictors of visual outcome with transsphenoidal excision of pituitary adenomas having suprasellar extension: A prospective series of 100 cases and brief review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the factors influencing the visual outcome following trans-sphenoidal excision of pituitary adenomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients of pituitary adenomas with suprasellar extension (SSE) were operated by trans-sphenoidal approach from July 2003 to December 2006. There were 52 male and 48 female patients with a mean age of 42.47 years. The visual impairment score, which was used to evaluate the visual outcome was produced by adding the scores for visual acuity and visual field defects of each patient (from the tables of the German Ophthalmological Society). The mean diameter, the SSE and the parasellar extension of the lesion were noted in the magnetic resonance imaging study. The average follow-up was 43.5 months. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the tumor was 32.97 mm, and the mean SSE was 14.95 mm. The parasellar extension was present in 27 patients. The vision improved in 61 of the 71 patients (85.91%). The shorter the duration of visual symptoms and smaller the size of the lesion resulted in better visual outcome. The age and the preoperative visual impairment did not show any correlation with the visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with visual symptoms of <1-year duration (P < 0.01) and adenomas of <36.5 mm diameter (P < 0.009) have better visual outcome.

Histological Evaluation of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Its Correlation with Different Noninvasive Scoring Systems with Special Reference to Fibrosis: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Although liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD], many non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis have recently been proposed and assessed as surrogates of liver biopsy. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis by different non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems and to compare each non-invasive fibrosis scoring system with histological fibrosis stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consists of consecutive patients with biopsy proven NAFLD. Complete medical history was taken and physical examination was done in all patients along with appropriate biochemical evaluations. NAFLD fibrosis score, BARD score, BAAT score and APRI score were calculated and each score was compared with histological fibrosis staging. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 60 patients having mean age 39.73 years (SD 9.62, range 17-63 years) including 51 (85%) males and 9 (15%) females. On histology fibrosis was present in 68.3% (41/60) patients. Out of 60 patients 41 had fibrosis and among them 17, 22, 2 patients had grade 1, 2, 3 fibrosis respectively and no one had grade 4 fibrosis. 61.67% (37/60) had definite NASH. Comparing the fibrosis of histology with the noninvasive scoring systems, the sensitivity and specificity of NAFLD fibrosis score were 5.56% and 100% respectively. BARD score had 45.83% sensitivity and 80.55% specificity. The sensitivities of BAAT score and APRI score were 0% and 29.16% respectively and the specificities were 100% and 97.22% respectively. CONCLUSION: The noninvasive scoring systems like NFS, BARD, BAAT, and APRI are not sensitive enough to detect fibrosis but highly specific to include fibrosis if scores are more than cut-off values in our cohort, however they cannot replace liver biopsy. Newer more efficient non-invasive scoring systems have to be devised for the Indian NAFLD population.

Morphometric analysis of posterior fossa in Indian CP angle acoustic schwannoma patients.

AIM: To study the morphometry of posterior fossa in Indian CP angle schwannoma patients in order to know its influence on the extent of excision of the CP angle acoustic schwannomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred cases of cerebellopontine angle schwannomas treated surgically by the senior author and 20 controls between January 2006 and June 2011 were consecutively investigated with computed tomography (CT) using the high-resolution CT bone windows before surgery. Evaluation of anatomic parameters of the petrous bone and posterior fossa cavity were done in all patients and controls. Data were entered in Excel software and were analyzed using NCSS software. All possible regression analysis was done to select the important variables to be included in the model to predict the excision of tumor with these variables. A prediction model was developed defining the binary outcome as total excision or subtotal excision as dependent variable and the morphometric data and grading of tumor as independent variables. RESULTS: Interpetrous distance (IP) is the distance between the two petrous apices. Sigmoid distance (IS) distance is the distance between the two sigmoid points. Sigmoid point is the point at which the scalloped impression of the sigmoid sinus straightens to join the occipital bone posteriorly. SAG is the distance between the mid IP point and the mid-point on the inner wall of the occipital bone. The PM angle was 47.8±4.14 degrees (38-58), the PA angle was 42.68±4.47 degrees (34-53), the IP distance was 2.07±0.13 cm (1.5-2.8), the sagittal diameter of posterior fossa was 6.22±0.73 cm (5.1-9.8) and the intersigmoid distance was 9.45±0.73 cm (7.4-11). There was no significant gender difference in the posterior fossa morphometry between patients and controls. Inter-sigmoid distance and the petrous-apex angle were more in the Indians when compared to the European population mentioned in the Mathies and Samii study. CONCLUSIONS: The posterior fossa morphological parameters of the Indian and European population differ significantly. Inter-sigmoid distance and the petrous-apex angle were more in the Indians when compared to the Europeans. There is no significant gender difference in the morphometry of the Indians. There is no significant difference between the patients and the control groups. In our study the adhesions with surrounding structures along with the posterior fossa morphometry significantly affect the extent of excision.

Risk Factors Associated With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Indians: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: NAFLD has today emerged as the leading cause of liver disorder. There is scanty data on risk factors associated with NAFLD emanating from India. The present study was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with NAFLD. METHODS: 464 consecutive NAFLD patients and 181 control patients were subjected to detailed questionnaire regarding their lifestyle and dietary risk factors. Anthropometric measurements were obtained and biochemical assays were done. Comparison of different variables was made between NAFLD patients and controls using principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: NAFLD patients had higher BMI [26.25 ± 3.80 vs 21.46 ± 3.08 kg/m(2), P = 0.000], waist-hip ratio [0.96 ± 0.12 vs 0.90 ± 0.08, P = 0.000] and waist-height ratio [0.57 ± 0.09 vs 0.50 ± 0.06, P = 0.000] compared to controls. Fasting blood sugar [101.88 ± 31.57 vs 90.87 ± 10.74 mg/dl] and triglyceride levels [196.16 ± 102.66 vs 133.20 ± 58.37 mg/dl] were significantly higher in NAFLD group. HOMA-IR was also higher in NAFLD group [2.53 ± 2.57 vs 1.16 ± 0.58, P = 0.000]. Majority (90.2%) of NAFLD patients were sedentary. Family history of metabolic syndrome (MS) was positively correlated with NAFLD. Dietary risk factors associated with NAFLD were non-vegetarian diet [35% vs 23%, P = 0.002], fried food [35% vs 9%, P = 0.000], spicy foods [51% vs 15%, P = 0.001] and tea [55% vs 39%, P = 0.001]. Diabetes, hypertension, snoring and sleep apnoea syndrome were common factors in NAFLD. On multivariate PCA, waist/height ratio and BMI were significantly higher in the NAFLD patients. CONCLUSION: The risk factors associated with NAFLD are sedentary lifestyle, obesity family history of MS, consumption of meat/fish, spicy foods, fried foods and tea. Other risk factors associated with NAFLD included snoring and MS.