Prevalence of sclerosing cholangitis in adults with autoimmune hepatitis: a prospective magnetic resonance imaging and histological study

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: Is qualitative and quantitative 3 T MR imaging useful for the evaluation of disease severity?

Purpose

To analyze the role of qualitative and quantitative 3 T MR imaging assessment as a non-invasive method for the evaluation of disease severity in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Methods

A series of 26 patients, with histological diagnosis of PSC undergoing 3 T MRI and hepatological evaluation, was retrospectively enrolled. All MR examinations included diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2-weighted (T2w) and T1-weighted (T1w) sequences, before and after administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA with the acquisition of both dynamic and hepato-biliary phase (HBP). Qualitative analysis was performed by assessment of liver parenchyma and biliary tract changes, also including biliary excretion of gadoxetic acid on HBP. Quantitative evaluation was conducted on liver parenchyma by measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and relative enhancement (RE) on 3-minute delayed phase and on HBP. Results of blood tests (ALT, ALP, GGT, total and direct bilirubin, albumin, and platelets) and transient elastography-derived liver stiffness measurements (TE-LSM) were collected and correlated with qualitative and quantitative MRI findings.

Results

Among qualitative and quantitative findings, fibrosis visual assessment and RE had the best performance in estimating disease severity, showing a statistically significant correlation with both biomarkers of cholestasis and TE-LSM. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant correlation of gadoxetic acid biliary excretion with ALT and direct bilirubin, as well as of ADC with total bilirubin.

Conclusion

Qualitative and quantitative 3 T MR evaluation is a promising non-invasive method for the assessment of disease severity in patients with PSC.

The Many Faces of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Controversy Abounds

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is notoriously challenging to manage given its heterogeneity with regard to diagnosis, management, and progression. The lack of disease-modifying therapy and variable rate of onset of cirrhosis, portal hypertension-related decompensating events, jaundice, pruritus, biliary complications, and need for liver transplantation is deeply unsettling to clinicians and patients alike. Recent updated practice guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver endeavored to highlight some of these challenges. However, these references only briefly address clinical dilemmas that providers face on a daily basis. This review aims to further discuss these controversial topics, including providing insight into the utility of ursodeoxycolic acid, the significance of alkaline phosphatase normalization, when to consider PSC variants and mimickers, and the implications of continuous hepatobiliary malignancy screening. In particular, there has been a growing body of literature raising concern about repeat exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast. Patients with PSC are potentially at risk for large lifetime exposure to gadolinium related to frequent magnetic resonance imaging scans and whether this carries any negative long-term adverse effects remains unknown.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and overlap features of autoimmune hepatitis: a coming of age or an age-ist problem?

Autoimmune liver diseases are siloed into three syndromes that define clinical practice. These classifiers can, and are, challenged by variant presentations across all ages, something inevitable to disease definitions that rely on interpreting inherently variable semi-quantitative/qualitative clinical, laboratory, pathological or radiological findings. Furthermore this remains premised by an ongoing absence of definable disease aetiologies. Clinicians thus encounter individuals with biochemical, serological, and histological manifestations that are common to both primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), often labelled as 'PSC/AIH-overlap'. In childhood the term 'autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC)' may be used, and some propose this to be a distinct disease process. In this article we champion the concept that ASC and PSC/AIH-overlap are not distinct entities. Rather, they represent inflammatory phases of PSC frequently manifesting earlier in disease course, most notably in younger patients. Ultimately, disease outcome remains that of a more classical PSC phenotype observed in later life. Thus, we argue that it is now time to align disease names and descriptions used by clinicians across all patient subpopulations, to help care become uniform and ageless. This will enhance collaborative studies and contribute ultimately to rational treatment advances.

Open challenges in the management of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a rare autoimmune disease of the liver with many open questions as regards its etiopathogenesis, natural history and clinical management. The classical picture of AIH is chronic hepatitis with fluctuating elevation of serum transaminases and Immunoglobulin G levels, the presence of circulating autoantibodies and typical histological features. However, atypical presentations do occur and are not well captured by current diagnostic scores, with important consequences in terms of missed diagnoses and delayed treatments. AIH is treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs but up to 40% of patients do not achieve full biochemical response and are at risk of progressing to cirrhosis and liver failure. Moreover, standard therapies are associated by significant side-effects which may impair the quality of life of patients living with AIH. However, advances in the understanding of the underlying immunology of AIH is raising the prospect of novel therapies and optimization of existing therapeutic approaches to reduce side-effect burdens and potentially restore immunological tolerance. In this review we outlined the clinical characteristics, etiopathogenesis and management of AIH and current challenges in the diagnosis and management of AIH and provided evidence underlying the evolution of diagnostic and clinical management protocols.

Associations between MRI T1 mapping, liver stiffness, quantitative MRCP, and laboratory biomarkers in children and young adults with autoimmune liver disease

Purpose

Define relationships between quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics and clinical/laboratory data in a pediatric and young adult cohort with autoimmune liver disease (AILD).

Materials and methods

This prospective, cross-sectional study was institutional review board-approved. Patients enrolled in an institutional AILD registry were divided into groups: (1) autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) or (2) primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)/autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). Participants underwent serum liver biochemistry testing and research MRI examinations, including 3D magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and iron-corrected T1 mapping (cT1). MRCP + and LiverMultiScan (Perspectum Ltd., Oxford, UK) were used to post-process 3D MRCP and cT1 data. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess relationships.

Results

58 patients, 35 male, median age 16 years were included; 30 in the AIH group, 28 in the PSC/ASC group. After statistical adjustments for patient age, sex, presence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), specific diagnosis (PSC/ASC vs. AIH), and time from diagnosis to MRI examination, left hepatic bile duct maximum diameter was a statistically significant predictor of whole liver mean cT1, cT1 interquartile range (IQR), and MRE liver stiffness (p = 0.01–0.04). Seven laboratory values were significant predictors of whole liver cT1 IQR (p < 0.0001–0.04). Eight laboratory values and right hepatic bile duct median and maximum diameter were significant predictors of liver stiffness (p < 0.0001–0.03).

Conclusions

Bile duct diameters and multiple laboratory biomarkers of liver disease are independent predictors of liver stiffness and cT1 IQR in pediatric patients with AILD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00261-021-03378-0.

Utility of MRCP in surveillance of primary sclerosing cholangitis associated hepatobiliary malignancy: 15 year experience at a single institution in Ontario, Canada

OBJECTIVE

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is used for the surveillance of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and its associated complications. The time interval gap for subsequent follow-up MRCP is variable depending on clinical practice patterns, therefore this study was done to assess the MRCP follow-up strategy used in our institution for screening PSC-associated hepatobiliary malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort included MRCP studies in adult patients, with clinical and radiological diagnosis of PSC over the past 15-year period between January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2018. The study population was grouped based on the presence and absence of PSC-associated malignancy. The frequency of MRCP follow-up was compared between the groups to look for MRI ordering trends in surveillance for PSC-associated complications.

RESULTS

The overall median interval follow-up with MRCP was 14 months. The median follow-up interval in cases with PSC-associated malignancy was 6.0 months, compared to 13.1 months in the PSC group without malignancy (p 0.013). During the study period, the PSC-associated malignancy group had a median number of 7.5 scans, while the no malignancy group had a median number of 4 scans. Three patients (3/10, 30%) developed hepatobiliary malignancies within the first year of clinical diagnosis of PSC. The most common malignancy associated with PSC was cholangiocarcinoma (4.6%,7/10). Other PSC-associated malignancies included carcinoma gallbladder (1.3%,2/10), and hepatocellular carcinoma (0.6%,1/10). The median age of PSC associated malignancies was 56 (IQR 15) and higher compared to median age of PSC group without malignancies 46 (IQR 25.5), p 0.035.

CONCLUSION

The median interval for subsequent follow-up MRCP in our study cohort was 14 months. One-third of PSC-associated hepato-biliary malignancies developed within the first year of clinical diagnosis of PSC, and the risk of PSC-associated hepato-biliary malignancy is constant after the first year.

Autoimmune Sclerosing Cholangitis in Children: A Prospective Case-Control Study

PURPOSE

In children overlap of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary sclerosing cholangitis is labelled as autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). The only prospective pediatric study showed a high prevalence of ASC by using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Aims of our study were to find the prevalence of ASC by using magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in AIH and in non-AIH cirrhosis and to compare clinical presentation and outcome of AIH and ASC.

METHODS

Prospectively we did MRC in 38 children with AIH (cases) and 19 disease controls (Wilson disease). Multiple biliary strictures with proximal dilatation on MRC were taken as definitive changes of ASC. Detail clinical, laboratory parameters, liver histopathology and treatment outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

The median age of cases was 11.5 (3-18) years, 22 (57.9%) were girls and 28 (73.7%) were diagnosed as type 1 AIH. MRC was done in 11 children (28.9%) at the time of diagnosis and in 27 (71.1%) after a median follow-up of 2.5 (0.3-10) years. Abnormal MRC changes were seen in 14/38 (36.8%) of AIH and 8/19 (42.1%) of controls. However, definite changes of ASC were present in four (10.5%) children in AIH and none in controls. None of the clinical, laboratory, histological parameters and treatment response were significantly different between ASC and AIH groups.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of ASC in children with AIH was just 10.5%. We suggest MRC in select group with cholestatic features, inflammatory bowel disease and in those who showed poor response to immunosuppression instead of all children with AIH.

Autoimmune hepatitis in practice, from diagnosis to complications: What is the role of imaging? A clinicoradiological review

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease of unknown origin that can lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplantation or death. The diagnosis is performed upon a multifactorial score. Treatment is based on the combination of immunosuppressants and aims at clinical, laboratory and histological remission, the latter being the most difficult to be achieved and proven. The absence of liver inflammation, defined by biopsy, is the main determinant in remission or therapeutic modification. Imaging exams have a limited role in this clinical management and the main findings are those related to chronic liver disease. Imaging's relevance, therefore, lies mainly in helping to exclude overlapping syndromes and in assessing complications related to cirrhosis, such as in screening for HCC. In recent years, however, the radiological literature has been witnessing increasing advances with regard to imaging biomarkers in liver disease, leading some authors to consider a future of virtual liver biopsy performed by magnetic resonance imaging. The present study aims to review the role of imaging in the management of AIH in the light of recent advances in the current literature and to provide an illustrated guide with the main findings described in the disease.

Prevalence and long-term outcome of sub-clinical primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is closely associated with inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis (UC), with an increased risk of biliary and colorectal malignancy. We sought to clarify the prevalence, characteristics and long-term outcome of sub-clinical PSC diagnosed by magnetic resonance cholangiogram (MRC) in patients with UC and normal liver biochemistry, with or without colorectal dysplasia (CRD).

METHODS

In this prospective case-control study, 70 patients with UC and normal liver function (51 extensive UC, 19 CRD), 28 healthy volunteers (negative controls) and 28 patients with PSC and cholestasis (positive controls) underwent MRC and blood evaluation. MRC scans were interpreted blindly by two radiologists who graded individually, the scans as definitive for PSC, possible for PSC or normal. Clinical outcome was assessed by blood monitoring, abdominal imaging and endoscopic surveillance.

RESULTS

7/51 (14%) with extensive UC and 4/19 (21%) with CRD had biliary abnormalities on MRC consistent with PSC. 7/11 (64%) with sub-clinical PSC had isolated intrahepatic duct involvement. Sub-clinical PSC was associated with advanced age (P = .04), non-smoking (P = .03), pANCA (P = .04), quiescent colitis (P = .02), absence of azathioprine (P = .04) and high-grade CRD (P = .03). Inter-observer (kappa = 0.88) and intra-observer (kappa = 0.96) agreement for MRC interpretation was high. No negative controls were assessed as definite PSC, 4/28 were considered on blinding as possible PSC. During follow-up of sub-clinical PSC (median 10.1(3.1-11.9) years), four patients developed abnormal liver biochemistry, two had radiological progression of PSC and seven developed malignancy, including two biliary and one colorectal carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of sub-clinical PSC appears high in patients with extensive UC and normal liver biochemistry, with or without CRD. Disease progression and malignancy were identified on long-term follow-up. MRC should be considered for all patients with extensive UC or CRD to stratify surveillance.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis With Features of Autoimmune Hepatitis: Exploring the Global Variation in Management

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) frequently manifest features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). We sought to understand factors affecting expert management, with the goal of facilitating uniformity of care. A Survey Monkey questionnaire with four hypothetical cases suggesting a potential AIH/PSC variant was sent to hepatologists spanning global practices. Eighty responses from clinicians in 23 countries were obtained. Most of the respondents would request a liver biopsy, and stated that the cases presented could not be appropriately managed without a biopsy. Despite the fact that histology did not unequivocally support an AIH/PSC variant in three of the four cases, this diagnosis was reached by most of the respondents for all cases, except case 1, in which 49% were diagnosed with AIH/PSC. There was a wide variation of suggested medical treatment. For three cases, the most commonly chosen treatment options did not exceed 35%, indicating a lack management consensus. Most respondents would treat with ursodeoxycholic acid, despite current American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases guidelines, either alone or in combination with immunosuppression. European clinicians recommended ursodeoxycholic acid more frequently than their counterparts in North America (P < 0.05 in three out of four cases), who advocated the use of immunosuppression alone more commonly than Europeans (P = 0.005 in case 2). Conclusions: We document a wide variation in clinical decision making in the context of managing patients with a potential AIH/PSC variant. Guidance, likely based on systematic studies arising from prospective registries, is needed to better address this difficult clinician problem.

Autoimmune Hepatitis-Immunologically Triggered Liver Pathogenesis-Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a severe liver disease that arises in genetically predisposed male and female individuals worldwide. Diagnosis of AIH is made clinically applying diagnostic scores; however, the heterotopic disease phenotype often makes a rapid determination of disease challenging. AIH responds favorably to steroids and pharmacologic immunosuppression, and liver transplantation is only necessary in cases with acute liver failure or end-stage liver cirrhosis. Recurrence or development of de novo AIH after transplantation is possible, and treatment is similar to standard AIH therapy. Current experimental investigations of T cell-mediated autoimmune pathways and analysis of changes within the intestinal microbiome might advance our knowledge on the pathogenesis of AIH and trigger a spark of hope for novel therapeutic strategies.

British Society of Gastroenterology and UK-PSC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of primary sclerosing cholangitis

These guidelines on the management of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were commissioned by the British Society of Gastroenterology liver section. The guideline writing committee included medical representatives from hepatology and gastroenterology groups as well as patient representatives from PSC Support. The guidelines aim to support general physicians, gastroenterologists and surgeons in managing adults with PSC or those presenting with similar cholangiopathies which may mimic PSC, such as IgG4 sclerosing cholangitis. It also acts as a reference for patients with PSC to help them understand their own management. Quality of evidence is presented using the AGREE II format. Guidance is meant to be used as a reference rather than for rigid protocol-based care as we understand that management of patients often requires individual patient-centred considerations.

Variant and Specific Forms of Autoimmune Cholestatic Liver Diseases

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are the main autoimmune cholestatic liver diseases. IgG4-associated sclerosing cholangitis is another distinct immune-mediated cholestatic disorder of unknown aetiology that is frequently associated with autoimmune pancreatitis or other IgG4-related diseases. Although the majority of PBC and PSC patients have a typical presentation, there are common and uncommon important variants or specific subgroups that observed in everyday routine clinical practice. In this updated review, we summarize the published data giving also our own experience on the variants and specific groups of autoimmune cholestatic liver diseases. Actually, we give in detail the underlining difficulties and the rising dilemmas concerning the diagnosis and management of these special conditions in the clinical spectrum of autoimmune cholestatic liver diseases including the IgG4-associated sclerosing cholangitis highlighting also the uncertainties and the potential new eras of the research agenda.

Grand round: Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is a corticosteroid-responsive liver disease arising consequent to immunogenetic and environmental risk factors. The clinical course reflects relapsing and remitting, hepatocyte targeted immunologic damage, which is countered by reparative responses to cell injury. Appropriate and timely immunosuppressive therapy drives the disease into remission, albeit with inevitable side effects. Many challenges faced in the clinic reflect practice that must capture a heterogeneous disease presentation, course, and treatment response, as well as treatment tolerability. In this Grand Round we appraise the evidence supporting current treatment approaches, address the impact of autoimmune liver disease 'crossover or overlap' presentations, explore important clinical correlates to immune-serological classifiers, and discuss the factors influencing choice of alternative therapy in difficult-to-treat situations.

Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver Clinical Practice Guidelines: Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a relatively rare acute or chronic liver disease of unknown etiology characterized by large heterogeneity. Its distribution is global, covering all ages, both sexes and all ethnic groups. The aim of the present Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) of the Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver was to provide updated guidance and help to gastroenterologists, hepatologists, internists and general practitioners for AIH diagnosis and management. AIH diagnosis is based on clinicopathological characteristics: namely, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, particularly of immunoglobulin G (IgG), circulating autoantibodies, interface hepatitis on liver histology, absence of viral hepatitis, and a favorable response to immunosuppression. Clinical manifestations at disease onset are variable, ranging from asymptomatic to the acute/severe form. Aminotransferase and bilirubin levels vary, while the presence of hepatitis at the histological level is a prerequisite for diagnosis. Autoantibodies are the hallmark for AIH diagnosis; therefore, the CPG describe the appropriate serological algorithm for their detection. AIH therapy should aim to achieve complete biochemical (normalization of IgG and aminotransferases) and histological remission. All patients who have active disease, even those with cirrhosis, should be treated with individualized and response-guided induction therapy using prednisolone in combination with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil as first-line therapy. Immunosuppression should be given for at least 3 years and for at least 2 years after the achievement of complete biochemical response, while a liver biopsy should be recommended before treatment discontinuation. Current CPG are also provided for several specific conditions and difficult-to-treat patients.

Spectrum of Pediatric Autoimmune Liver Disease and Validation of Its Diagnostic Scores in Indian Children

OBJECTIVES

There is limited literature on the spectrum of pediatric autoimmune liver disease (AILD, encompassing both autoimmune hepatitis/AIH and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis [ASC]) in Asian populations and its diagnostic scores similarly require further validation. This work thus aimed to study the clinical characteristics, and to validate available diagnostic criteria in the local pediatric AILD cohort.

METHODS

A review of all pediatric AILD cases, presenting over a 6-year (2011-2017) period was done, along with comparison of the available diagnostic scores: original (1999), simplified (2008) score, and new proposed (2017) score.

RESULTS

A total of 85 subjects (AIH = 70 and ASC = 15) were diagnosed as having AILD. Majority of the cases in both groups presented with advanced hepatic disease (portal hypertension and/or hepatic decompensation). Overall 38 (44.7%) subjects had extrahepatic autoimmune disorders. Good outcome (survival with native liver with medically controllable disease), was seen in 80% AIH subjects, while poor outcome (death/need for liver transplantation or LT) was seen in 13% subjects, with similar results in the ASC cohort. All the 3 available scores had area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves exceeding 0.9 suggestive of excellent discrimination of AILD (to non-AILD patients), with no statistical difference between them (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In Indian subcontinent, pediatric AILD subjects usually present with advanced hepatic disease, but may have a good outcome if timely therapy can be instituted. Associated autoimmune disorders should be carefully screened. There is no difference in the predictive value of the available diagnostic scores for pediatric AILD.

Evolving Practice and Changing Phenotype in Pediatric Autoimmune Liver Disease: Outcomes From an Australian Center

OBJECTIVES

Autoimmune liver disease (AILD) incorporates primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). ASC is a condition that includes overlap of AIH and PSC. We investigate changes in practice in relation to diagnosis and phenotype over 2 time periods.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2000 to 2016. Data were divided into two 8-year cohorts, CI and C2.

RESULTS

Data were collected in 75 children, 29 in 2000-2007 (C1) and 46 in 2008-2016 (C2). Presenting AILD type was AIH in 59%, ASC in 10%, and PSC in 31%. Final AILD type was AIH in 53%, ASC in 16%, and PSC in 31%. When comparing C1 to C2, those with AIH decreased (65% vs 45%) and those with ASC increased (14% vs 18%). Use of magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography increased from 34% in C1 to 65% in C2. Advanced liver disease on biopsy was noted in 53% of all children at presentation. Only 5 female children progressed to liver transplant (3 ASC-IBD [inflammatory bowel disease]; 1 PSC-IBD; 1 AIH). Colonoscopy performance increased from 48% in C1 to 63% in C2 with diagnosis of AILD-IBD increasing from 31% to 52%. Right-sided disease was present in 46% and macroscopic rectal sparing in 36% of those with ulcerative colitis (UC). Colectomy was required in 3 children with large duct PSC-IBD.

CONCLUSIONS

PSC and ASC are increasing in relevance along with IBD and reflect increasing performance of magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography and colonoscopy. Large duct PSC and ASC with IBD are risk factors for colectomy and along with female gender, for liver transplant.

Association of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Objective

To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters T2 signal, contrast enhancement (CE), and relative liver enhancement (RLE) of extracellular gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA)-enhanced MRI as a marker for hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Methods

3.0-Tesla MRI scans and liver biopsies of 40 patients (41.2 ± 17.1 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Biopsies were obtained within a mean time of 54 ± 55 days to MRI scans and specimens were categorized according to Ishak modified hepatic activity index (mHAI) and Scheuer staging of fibrosis. T2 signal (N = 40), CE alterations (N = 29), and RLE (N = 29) were assessed by two raters. Mixed-effects regression models were applied to estimate the association between histopathology and MRI parameters.

Results

No significant association was observed between T2 signal or CE alterations with stages of fibrosis or mHAI grading. Regression models revealed significant positive associations of portal venous phase RLE with mHAI grade ≥ 7 points [β = 25.5; 95% CI (2.53; 48.62); p = 0.04] and delayed phase RLE with stages of fibrosis [stage 2: β = 35.13; 95% CI (11.35; 58.87); p = 0.007; stage 3/4: β = 69.24; 95% CI (45.77; 92.75); p < 0.001]. The optimal cut-off value of 66.6% delayed phase RLE distinguished fibrosis stages 0–2 from 3–4 with a sensitivity of 0.833 and specificity of 0.972. Inter-rater reliability (IRR) for quantification of RLE was ‘excellent’ (r = 0.90–0.98). IRR was ‘substantial’ for detection of T2 signal in the right liver lobe (RL) (Kappa = 0.77) and ‘almost perfect’ for T2 signal of the left liver lobe (LL) and CE of both lobes (Kappa = 0.87–1.0).

Conclusion

The simple and reproducible method of RLE quantification on standard extracellular GBCA-enhanced MRI may provide a correlate measure of advanced stages of hepatic fibrosis and potentially also inflammation in PSC patients, if validated in larger cohorts.

Autoimmune Hepatitis Overlap Syndromes and Liver Pathology

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may have an atypical serum alkaline phosphatase elevation, antimitochondrial antibodies, histologic features of bile duct injury/loss, or cholangiographic findings of focal biliary strictures and dilations. These manifestations characterize the overlap syndromes. Patients can be classified as having AIH with features of primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, or a cholestatic syndrome. The gold standard of diagnosis is clinical judgment. Histologic evaluation is a major diagnostic component. Treatment is based on algorithms; outcomes vary depending on the predominant disease component. Combination therapy has been the principal recommendation.

Two Cases of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Overlapping with Autoimmune Hepatitis in Adults

Overlap syndrome between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is extremely rare in Japan. We herein report two adult patients with PSC-AIH overlap syndrome. They were diagnosed with PSC-AIH overlap syndrome based on the findings of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and liver biopsy, and using the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group scoring system. In both cases, PSC preceded AIH, and combination therapy with steroid and ursodeoxycholic acid was effective. Because there are few reported cases in Japan, it is important to study more cases to shed light on the clinical and pathological features of PSC-AIH overlap syndrome.

Imaging of autoimmune hepatitis and overlap syndromes

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an uncommon, chronic inflammatory, and relapsing liver disease of unknown origin that may lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, or death. AIH occurs in all age groups and races but can frequently manifest as acute fulminant hepatitis. Clinical presentation of AIH can have features similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and these diseases may coexist leading to overlap syndromes. Although histological diagnosis is necessary, imaging features often can demonstrate characteristics that may be helpful to distinguish these diseases. Imaging features of AIH are those of chronic liver disease, and imaging plays important role in detection of complications and ruling out other possible causes of chronic liver disease. Emerging techniques such as elastography provide non-invasive options for diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis during clinical follow-up as well as assessment of response to treatment. In this study, we will describe imaging findings in AIH and overlap syndromes.

[Functional MR imaging of the liver]

The diagnostics of diffuse liver disease traditionally rely on liver biopsies and histopathological analysis of tissue specimens. However, a liver biopsy is invasive and carries some non-negligible risks, especially for patients with decreased liver function and those requiring repeated follow-up examinations. Over the last decades, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has developed into a valuable tool for the non-invasive characterization of focal liver lesions and diseases of the bile ducts. Recently, several MRI methods have been developed and clinically evaluated that also allow the diagnostics and staging of diffuse liver diseases, e.g. non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis. The sequelae of diffuse liver diseases, such as a decreased liver functional reserve or portal hypertension, can also be detected and quantified by modern MRI methods. This article provides the reader with the basic principles of functional MRI of the liver and discusses the importance in a clinical context.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Multiple Phenotypes, Multiple Approaches

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a heterogeneous, idiopathic, inflammatory disorder frequently associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. PSC patients may be classified into several subphenotypes. Investigations of pediatric, nonwhite, and female PSC patients have revealed distinguishing features. The natural history of PSC is variable in progression with numerous possible clinical outcomes. PSC patients may suffer bacterial cholangitis, cholangiocarcinoma, or colorectal adenocarcinoma. Treatments focusing on bile acid therapy and immunosuppression have not proven beneficial. Interest in PSC and international collaboration has led to improved understanding of the heterogeneity and the genetic structure and introduced possible effective therapeutics.

Brazilian society of hepatology recommendations for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases of the liver

ABSTRACT In order to draw evidence-based recommendations concerning the management of autoimmune diseases of the liver, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology has sponsored a single-topic meeting in October 18th, 2014 at São Paulo. An organizing committee comprised of seven investigators was previously elected by the Governing Board to organize the scientific agenda as well as to select twenty panelists to make a systematic review of the literature and to present topics related to the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and their overlap syndromes. After the meeting, all panelists gathered together for the discussion of the topics and the elaboration of those recommendations. The text was subsequently submitted for suggestions and approval of all members of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology through its homepage. The present paper is the final version of the reviewed manuscript organized in topics, followed by the recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology.

Overlap syndromes of autoimmune hepatitis: diagnosis and treatment

Some patients with autoimmune liver disease have characteristics of cholestasis, as well as of autoimmune hepatitis. Despite the fact that this is a relatively frequent clinical condition seen in referral centers for liver diseases, there is little evidence as regards the clinical management of these syndromes due to their low prevalence and the lack of standardized definitions and diagnostic criteria. This is relevant, given that published studies report that there is a lower therapeutic response and poorer outcome in patients with overlap syndrome than in those presenting solely with autoimmune hepatitis. Whether overlap syndromes are distinct entities or the presence of 2 concurrent diseases is still a subject of debate. They should be suspected in autoimmune hepatitis patients that present with signs of cholestasis, as it is known that overlap behavior tends to be more aggressive, with higher rates of cirrhosis and the need for liver transplantation. Treatment response is also poorer and should be directed at the predominant component. Standardized definitions are necessary so that these syndromes can be studied in controlled clinical trials.

Diagnosis and management of overlap syndromes

Overlapping features between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and cholestatic disorders (primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), or indeterminate cholestasis), so-called overlap syndromes, usually have a progressive course toward cirrhosis and liver failure without adequate treatment. The diagnosis of overlap syndrome requires the prominent features of classic AIH and secondary objective findings of PBC or PSC. Empiric treatment for patients with AIH-PBC overlap is immunosuppressive therapy plus ursodeoxycholic acid. Empiric treatment for patients with AIH-PSC and AIH-cholestatic overlap is immunosuppressive therapy with or without ursodeoxycholic acid. Liver transplantation is indicated for patients who have end-stage liver disease.

Diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by increased serum aminotransferase levels, autoantibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, and interface hepatitis. Presentation can be acute, severe (fulminant), asymptomatic, or chronic. Diagnosis requires multiple findings and exclusion of similar diseases. Treatment with prednisone or prednisolone with azathioprine is recommended. Budesonide with azathioprine has normalized laboratory test with few side effects, but histologic resolution, durability of response, and target population are uncertain. Progressive worsening, incomplete improvement, drug intolerance, and relapse after drug withdrawal are suboptimal outcomes. Calcineurin inhibitors and mycophenolate mofetil are salvage agents in small series and liver transplantation is effective for liver failure.

Autoimmune hepatitis, one disease with many faces: Etiopathogenetic, clinico-laboratory and histological characteristics

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an unresolving progressive liver disease of unknown etiology characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibodies detection and interface hepatitis. Due to the absence of specific diagnostic markers and the large heterogeneity of its clinical, laboratory and histological features, AIH diagnosis may be potentially difficult. Therefore, in this in-depth review we summarize the substantial progress on etiopathogenesis, clinical, serological and histological phenotypes of AIH. AIH has a global distribution affecting any age, both sexes and all ethnic groups. Clinical manifestations vary from asymptomatic to severe or rarely fulminant hepatitis. Hypergammaglobulinemia with selective elevation of IgG is found in most cases. Autoimmune attack is perpetuated, possibly via molecular mimicry, and favored by the impaired control of T-regulatory cells. Histology (interface hepatitis, emperipolesis and hepatic rosette formation) and autoantibodies detection although not pathognomonic, are still the hallmark for a timely diagnosis. AIH remains a major diagnostic challenge. AIH should be considered in every case in the absence of viral, metabolic, genetic and toxic etiology of chronic or acute hepatitis. Laboratory personnel, hepato-pathologists and clinicians need to become more familiar with disease expressions and the interpretation of liver histology and autoimmune serology to derive maximum benefit for the patient.

Cholestatic phenotypes of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis can have cholestatic features that are outside the codified diagnostic criteria. These features have uncertain effects on the clinical presentation and progression of disease. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis can have antimitochondrial antibodies and coincidental bile duct injury or loss (2%-13% of patients), focal biliary strictures and dilations based on cholangiography (2%-11%), or histologic changes of bile duct injury or loss in the absence of other features (5%-11%). These findings probably represent atypical manifestations of autoimmune hepatitis or variants of primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis, depending on the predominant findings. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase, histologic features of bile duct injury, and findings from cholangiography are associated with responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy and individualized alternative treatments. Corticosteroid therapy, in combination with low-dose ursodeoxycholic acid, has been promulgated by international societies, but these recommendations are not based on strong evidence. The frequency, variable outcomes, and uncertainties in diagnosis and management of the cholestatic phenotypes must be addressed by a collaborative investigational network. This network should define the genetic and pathologic features of these disorders, standardize their nomenclature, and establish a treatment algorithm. In this review, the different cholestatic phenotypes of autoimmune hepatitis, mechanisms of pathogenesis, current management strategies and outcomes, and opportunities for improving understanding and therapy are presented.

Diagnosis and management of the overlap syndromes of autoimmune hepatitis

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hepatitis may have cholestatic features that are outside the classical phenotype and that resemble findings in other immune-mediated liver diseases. These cholestatic phenotypes have been designated 'overlap syndromes'.

OBJECTIVES

To recognize the overlap syndromes in adults and manage them appropriately.

METHODS

The MEDLINE database was reviewed for published experiences from 1984 to 2013.

RESULTS

Patients with autoimmune hepatitis may exhibit features of primary biliary cirrhosis (7% to 13%), primary sclerosing cholangitis (6% to 11%) or a cholestatic syndrome without other diagnostic features (5% to 11%). These mixed phenotypes may represent classical autoimmune hepatitis with atypical features, transition states in the evolution of classical cholestatic syndromes, concurrent separate diseases or pathogenically distinct disorders. The 'Paris criteria' have been endorsed for the diagnosis of the overlap syndrome with primary biliary cirrhosis, and treatment with conventional immunosuppressive therapy alone or in combination with low-dose ursodeoxycholic acid can be guided by the serum alkaline phosphatase level. The overlap syndrome with primary sclerosing cholangitis or with cholestasis without diagnostic features is commonly treated with immunosuppressive therapy and ursodeoxycholic acid. Responses are variable and commonly incomplete (20% to 100% improvement) depending on the degree of cholestasis.

DISCUSSION

The overlap syndromes are clinical descriptions rather than pathological entities, and the dominant component of the disease determines its designation and therapy. Cholestatic findings in autoimmune hepatitis influence the response to immunosuppressive therapy.

CONCLUSION

The overlap syndromes must be considered in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and cholestatic findings, concurrent inflammatory bowel disease or steroid-refractory disease.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is the classic hepatobiliary manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease and is generally chronic and progressive. Patients frequently present with asymptomatic, anicteric cholestasis, but many develop progressive biliary strictures with time, leading to recurrent cholangitis, biliary cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease. Medical treatment does not slow the progression of disease, and many patients need liver transplantation, after which recurrent disease is a risk. The increased incidence of hepatobiliary cancer, which is not related to the underlying severity of biliary fibrosis, is of particular concern. Risk of colorectal cancer is also increased in patients with coexistent inflammatory bowel disease. Mechanistic insights have arisen from studies of secondary sclerosing cholangitis, in which a similar clinical profile is associated with a specific cause, and genomic studies have elucidated potential disease-initiating pathways in the primary form. The close association between inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis underscores the need to further understand the role of environmental factors in generation of lymphocytes that are postulated to be retargeted, deleteriously, to the biliary tree. Treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis is confined to supportive measures, but advances in pathobiology suggest that new stratified approaches will soon be available.

Cholestatic liver disease overlap syndromes

Primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis share some clinical features with autoimmune hepatitis, but when features of autoimmune hepatitis are present, prognosis can be affected and immunosuppressive treatment warranted. The presence of severe interface hepatitis in primary biliary cirrhosis portends a worse prognosis and should prompt evaluation for possible autoimmune hepatitis overlap and treatment with immunosuppression. Specific models to identify which subjects benefit most from the addition of immunosuppression need to be developed. Drug-induced liver injury and IgG4 disease may masquerade as autoimmune hepatitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis and are important to consider in the differential diagnosis of the overlap or variant syndromes.

MR imaging of primary sclerosing cholangitis: additional value of diffusion-weighted imaging and ADC measurement

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a cholestatic liver disease with chronic inflammation and progressive destruction of biliary tree. Magnetic resonance (MR) examination with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) allows analysis of morphological liver parenchymal changes and non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis. Moreover, MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), as a part of standard MR protocol, provides insight into bile duct irregularities.

PURPOSE

To evaluate MR and MRCP findings in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and to determine the value of DWI in the assessment of liver fibrosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The following MR findings were reviewed in 38 patients: abnormalities in liver parenchyma signal intensity, changes in liver morphology, lymphadenopathy, signs of portal hypertension, and irregularities of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was calculated for six locations in the liver for b = 800 s/mm(2).

RESULTS

T2-weighted hyperintensity was seen as peripheral wedge-shaped areas in 42.1% and as periportal edema in 28.9% of patients. Increased enhancement of liver parenchyma on arterial-phase imaging was observed in six (15.8%) patients. Caudate lobe hypertrophy was present in 10 (26.3%), while spherical liver shape was noted in 7.9% of patients. Liver cirrhosis was seen in 34.2% of patients; the most common pattern was micronodular cirrhosis (61.5%). Other findings included lymphadenopathy (28.9%), signs of portal hypertension (36.7%), and bile duct irregularities (78.9%). The mean ADCs (x10(-3)mm(2)/s) were significantly different at stage I vs. stages III and IV, and stage II vs. stage IV. No significant difference was found between stages II and III. For prediction of stage ≥II and stage ≥III, areas under receiver-operating characteristic curves were 0.891 and 0.887, respectively.

CONCLUSION

MR with MRCP is a necessary diagnostic procedure for diagnosis of PSC and evaluation of disease severity. Moreover, DWI could be used in continuation with standard MR sequences for the evaluation of liver fibrosis stage and distribution.

The overlap syndromes of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis has two major variant phenotypes in which the features of classical disease are co-mingled with those of primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. These overlap syndromes lack codified diagnostic criteria, established pathogenic mechanisms, and confident management strategies. Their clinical importance relates mainly to the identification of patients who respond poorly to conventional corticosteroid treatment. Scoring systems that lack discriminative power have been used in their definition, and a clinical phenotype based on pre-defined laboratory and histological findings has not been promulgated. The frequency of overlap with primary biliary cirrhosis is 7-13 %, and the frequency of overlap with primary sclerosing cholangitis is 8-17 %. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis and features of cholestatic disease must be distinguished from patients with cholestatic disease and features of autoimmune hepatitis. Variants of the overlap syndromes include patients with small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis, antimitochondrial antibody-negative primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis, and immunoglobulin G4-associated disease. Conventional corticosteroid therapy alone or in conjunction with ursodeoxycholic acid (13-15 mg/kg daily) has been variably effective, and cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and budesonide have been beneficial in selected patients. The key cholestatic features that influence the prognosis of autoimmune hepatitis must be defined and incorporated into the definition of the syndrome rather than rely on designations that imply the co-mingling of different diseases with manifestations of variable clinical relevance. The overlap syndromes in autoimmune hepatitis are imprecise, heterogeneous, and unfounded, but they constitute a clinical reality that must be accepted, diagnosed, refined, treated, and studied.

PSC, AIH and overlap syndrome in inflammatory bowel disease

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive, cholestatic disorder characterised by chronic inflammation and stricture formation of the biliary tree. Symptoms include pruritus, fatigue and in advanced cases ascending cholangitis, cirrhosis and end-stage hepatic failure. Patients are at an increased risk of malignancy arising from the bile ducts, gallbladder, liver and colon. The majority (>80%) of Northern European patients with PSC also have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), usually ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD commonly presents before the onset of PSC, although the opposite can occur and the onset of both conditions can be separated by many years. The colitis associated with PSC is characteristically mild although frequently involves the whole colon. Despite the majority of patients having relatively inactive colonic disease, paradoxically the risk of colorectal malignancy is substantially increased. Patients may also develop dominant, stenotic lesions of the biliary tree which may be difficult to differentiate from cholangiocarcinoma and the coexistence of IBD may influence the development of this complication. Ursodeoxycholic acid may offer a chemoprotective effect against colorectal malignancy and improve liver biochemical indices. Evidence of any beneficial effect on histological progression of hepatobiliary disease is less clear. High doses (∼25-30 mg/kg/d) may be harmful and should be avoided. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is less common in patients with IBD than PSC, however, an association has been observed. A small subgroup may have an overlap syndrome between AIH and PSC and management should be individualised dependant on liver histology, serum immunoglobulin levels, autoantibodies, degree of biochemical cholestasis and cholangiography.

Review article: overlap syndromes and autoimmune liver disease

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) all nestle within the family of autoimmune liver diseases, whereby the result of immune-mediated liver injury gives rise to varied clinical presentations. Some patients demonstrate a phenotype whereby there is evidence of either PBC or PSC together with overlapping features of AIH. Due to an absence of well-validated diagnostic criteria and a lack of large therapeutic trials, treatment of overlap conditions is empiric and extrapolated from data derived from the primary autoimmune liver diseases.

AIMS

To review overlaps in the context of autoimmune liver diseases.

METHODS

General and specific review of published articles using PubMed, Medline and Ovid search engines, alongside pre-existing clinical management protocols, guidelines, and the authors' own knowledge of the published literature.

RESULTS

The challenges in diagnosis, clinical presentation, determining natural history and outcome of overlaps are presented, as well as present-day management suggestions, some based on evidence, others on consensus and opinion.

CONCLUSIONS

Overlapping autoimmune features, be they clinical, serological, histological or radiological are not infrequent, but appropriate diagnosis remains hindered by a lack of standardised diagnostic criteria. Optimum care for those with suspected overlap should thus focus on attention to detail over the fundamental aspects of timely secure diagnosis of the dominant disease entity. Clinicians should counsel patients carefully with regard to the risks and benefits of treatment, bearing in mind the paucity of randomised and controlled outcome data for medical interventions.

Investigative MRI cholangiopancreatography for primary sclerosing cholangitis-type lesions in children with IBD

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)-type lesions in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by means of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and to investigate the association between a series of easily applicable data on the one hand and the presentation of such lesions at MRCP on the other hand.

METHODS

Collected demographic, laboratory, and magnetic resonance enterography data from the records of 73 children with IBD were cross-sectionally related to the MRCP-based diagnosis.

RESULTS

Around the time of MRCP, the distribution of IBD subtypes was 64.4%, 24.7%, and 11% for Crohn disease, indeterminate colitis, and ulcerative colitis, respectively. A total of 11 patients (15.1%) were identified with PSC-type lesions. Demographic and magnetic resonance enterography data were unrelated to the MRCP outcome. Biochemical abnormalities were of low prevalence (<50%) among patients with PSC. The abnormality prevalences of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and γ-glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in the PSC group, both at initial diagnosis of IBD and at the time of MRCP. Less-consistent results were documented for bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, especially at initial diagnosis of IBD.

CONCLUSIONS

The abnormality prevalences of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and γ-glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in the PSC group. Nevertheless, PSC-type lesions frequently occur in pediatric IBD, even if the biochemical profile is hardly indicative of this probability.

The indications for liver biopsy

BACKGROUND

Despite improvements in serological and radiological techniques, liver biopsy remains the most reliable way to diagnose diffuse hepatic disease and hepatic nodules. The indications for this invasive technique must be weighed against the small, but not negligible, risk of a complication.

METHODS

The indications for liver biopsy are summarized on the basis of a selective review of the literature, including the published recommendations and position statements of specialty societies in Germany and abroad. The conclusions are supplemented with an evaluation of the authors' own experience.

RESULTS

The success of liver biopsy depends not only on the selection of the puncture method and on due attention to the relative and absolute contraindications, but also on the experience of the person carrying out the procedure. For patients with hepatitis of various etiologies, liver biopsy is used not only to establish the cause of the disorder, but also to assess the degree of inflammatory activity (grading) and the extent of fibrosis (staging).

CONCLUSION

Liver biopsy enables the reliable diagnosis of hepatic lesions and is an important aid to treatment planning and prognostication.

Overlap syndrome of autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis complicated with hepatocellular carcinoma

Development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with autoimmune liver disease is less common than in those with other types of chronic liver disease. Here we report a rare case of overlap syndrome consisting of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) that was subsequently complicated with HCC. A 72-year-old man was initially diagnosed as being in the cirrhotic stage of AIH on the basis of blood chemistry tests and histological examinations. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiography 20 months later showed diffuse stricturing of the intrahepatic bile duct with dilatation of the areas between the strictures, compatible with the findings of PSC, which resulted in a diagnosis of AIH/PSC overlap syndrome. The level of serum protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II increased 22 months later, and HCC was diagnosed by radiological examinations. Four cycles of transarterial infusion therapy with cisplatin were performed, but the patient died one year later. Sequential overlap of PSC may have played a part in accelerating AIH disease progression, leading to the development of HCC in this patient. Therefore, HCC surveillance may be important in advanced stages of autoimmune disease, especially in the cirrhotic stage.

[Autoimmune hepatitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis overlap syndrome in adults: report of three cases]

Overlap syndromes are cases of liver diseases that share clinical, serological, histological and radiological criteria of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). No definitions have been fully established and therefore there is no solid evidence on the diagnosis and treatment. This article presents the cases of three adult patients with overlapping features of AIH and PSC. Orthotopic liver transplantation was considered the best therapeutic alternative due to advanced disease progression in one patient, while medical treatment was provided in the remaining two patients.

Autoimmune hepatitis in special patient populations

Autoimmune hepatitis has diverse clinical phenotypes that challenge conventional diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies. The goals of this review are to characterize these special populations and provide guidelines for their management. Patients with acute or acute severe (fulminant) presentations may have centrilobular zone 3 hepatic necrosis, but they can respond to conventional corticosteroid therapy. Asymptomatic mild disease warrants corticosteroid treatment because spontaneous resolution is uncertain and 10-year survival is less than expected. Male gender or the absence of conventional autoantibodies does not preclude the diagnosis or need for treatment, and patients with cholestatic changes warrant cholangiography and possible combination therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid. Different ethnic groups commonly have advanced hepatic fibrosis, rapidly progressive disease, or cholestatic features, and elderly patients typically respond well to corticosteroid therapy. Pregnancy is usually well-tolerated by mother and foetus but requires protection against postpartum exacerbation. Special populations must be recognized and treated with tailored regimens.

Cryptogenic chronic hepatitis and its changing guise in adults

Cryptogenic chronic hepatitis is a disease that is unexplained by conventional clinical, laboratory and histological findings, and it can progress to cirrhosis, develop hepatocellular carcinoma, and require liver transplantation. The goals of this review are to describe the changing phenotype of cryptogenic chronic hepatitis in adults, develop a diagnostic algorithm appropriate to current practice, and suggest treatment options. The frequency of cryptogenic hepatitis is estimated at 5.4%. Cryptogenic cirrhosis is diagnosed in 5-30% of patients with cirrhosis, and it is present in 3-14% of adults awaiting liver transplantation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been implicated in 21-63% of patients, and autoimmune hepatitis is a likely diagnosis in 10-54% of individuals. Viral infections, hereditary liver diseases, celiac disease, and unsuspected alcohol or drug-induced liver injury are recognized infrequently in the current cryptogenic population. Manifestations of the metabolic syndrome heighten the suspicion of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and the absence of hepatic steatosis does not discount this possibility. The diagnostic scoring system of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group can support the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis in some patients. Certain genetic mutations may have disease-specificity, and they suggest that some patients may have an independent and uncharacterized disease. Corticosteroid therapy is effective in patients with autoimmune features, and life-style changes and specific therapies for manifestations of the metabolic syndrome are appropriate for all obese patients. The 1- and 5-year survivals after liver transplantation have ranged from 72-85% to 58-73%, respectively.

Systematic review: management options for primary sclerosing cholangitis and its variant forms - IgG4-associated cholangitis and overlap with autoimmune hepatitis

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remains a challenging disease to manage. The main goals are prevention of disease progression and reduction of the increased cancer risk.

AIMS

To review the management strategies for PSC and its variant forms based on published studies.

METHODS

Publications were identified using Pubmed, Medline and Ovid search engines.

RESULTS

Distinguishing PSC from variants, such as IgG4-associated cholangitis, and overlap with autoimmune hepatitis is essential to guide treatment decisions. There is no proven efficacious medical treatment for PSC. Ursodeoxycholic acid has been disappointing in low and moderate doses, and potentially dangerous in higher doses, although its role and optimal dose in chemoprevention requires investigation. The novel bile acid, 24-norursodeoxycholic acid, has shown promise in mouse models; human trials are in progress. Dominant strictures are optimally managed by dilatation and stenting to relieve obstructive complications, although exclusion of biliary malignancy is essential. Liver transplantation is the only proven therapy for those with advanced disease. Cholangiocarcinoma remains the most unpredictable and feared complication. In highly selected groups, neo-adjuvant chemoradiation with liver transplantation seems promising, but requires further validation. Screening for inflammatory bowel disease and surveillance for colorectal carcinoma should not be overlooked.

CONCLUSIONS

The effective management of PSC and its variants is hindered by uncertainties regarding pathogenesis of disease and factors responsible for its progression. Genome studies may help to identify further targets for drug therapy and factors leading to malignant transformation.

Overlap syndromes: the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) position statement on a controversial issue

Some patients present with overlapping features between disorders within the spectrum of autoimmune liver diseases (i.e. autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)) and are commonly classified as having an "overlap syndrome". Standardized definitions of "overlap syndromes" are lacking. The aim of this report by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) is to evaluate if there are important reasons to classify conditions with overlapping features between autoimmune liver diseases as separate diagnostic entities. Definition of diagnostic criteria for overlap conditions can only be arbitrary. The IAIHG scoring system for diagnosis of AIH has been widely used to diagnose "overlap syndromes", but was not intended for such use and has not proven to be an efficient tool for this purpose. Some patients with overlapping features between a cholestatic and hepatitic disorder appear to benefit from treatment with a combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and immunosuppressants, but this strategy is not evidence-based, and it seems unjustified to define new diagnostic groups in this regard. The IAIHG suggests that patients with autoimmune liver disease should be categorized according to the predominating feature(s) as AIH, PBC, and PSC/small duct PSC, respectively, and that those with overlapping features are not considered as being distinct diagnostic entities. The IAIHG scoring system should not be used to establish subgroups of patients. Patients with PBC and PSC with features of AIH should be considered for immunosuppressive treatment. Due to the low prevalence of such "overlap syndromes", prospective interventional therapeutic trials cannot be expected in the foreseeable future.

Treatment options for primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of intra-/extrahepatic bile ducts, leading to multifocal strictures. Primary sclerosing cholangitis exhibits a progressive course resulting in cirrhosis and the need for liver transplantation over a median period of 12 years. The disease is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease and carries an increased risk of colorectal cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. Despite extensive research, there is currently no effective medical treatment. Multiple drugs are shown to be ineffective in halting disease progression, including ursodeoxycholic acid, the most widely evaluated drug. High-dose ursodeoxycholic acid (28-30 mg/kg/day) was recently shown to increase the adverse events rate. Endoscopic or radiological dilatation of a 'dominant' stricture may lead to symptomatic and biochemical improvement. However, liver transplantation is the only life-prolonging treatment for patients with end-stage disease. Studies with promising drugs, such as antibiotics, antifibrotic agents and bile acid derivatives, are eagerly awaited.

Difficult treatment decisions in autoimmune hepatitis

Treatment decisions in autoimmune hepatitis are complicated by the diversity of its clinical presentations, uncertainties about its natural history, evolving opinions regarding treatment end points, varied nature of refractory disease, and plethora of alternative immunosuppressive agents. The goals of this article are to review the difficult treatment decisions and to provide the bases for making sound therapeutic judgments. The English literature on the treatment problems in autoimmune hepatitis were identified by Medline search up to October 2009 and 32 years of personal experience. Autoimmune hepatitis may have an acute severe presentation, mild inflammatory activity, lack autoantibodies, exhibit atypical histological changes (centrilobular zone 3 necrosis or bile duct injury), or have variant features reminiscent of another disease (overlap syndrome). Corticosteroid therapy must be instituted early, applied despite the absence of symptoms, or modified in an individualized fashion. Pursuit of normal liver tests and tissue is the ideal treatment end point, but this objective must be tempered against the risk of side effects. Relapse after treatment withdrawal requires long-term maintenance therapy, preferably with azathioprine. Treatment failure or an incomplete response warrants salvage therapy that can include conventional medications in modified dose or empirical therapies with calcineurin inhibitors or mycophenolate mofetil. Liver transplantation supersedes empirical drug therapy in decompensated patients. Elderly and pregnant patients warrant treatment modifications. Difficult treatment decisions in autoimmune hepatitis can be simplified by recognizing its diverse manifestations and individualizing treatment, pursuing realistic goals, applying appropriate salvage regimens, and identifying problematic patients early.