Non-cirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension: associated gut diseases and prognostic factors

Porto-sinusoidal Vascular Disease: Classification and Clinical Relevance

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a well-recognized clinico-pathological entity, which is associated with clinical signs and symptoms, imaging, and endoscopic features of portal hypertension (PHT), in absence of cirrhosis. In patients with NCPH without known risk factors of PHT or extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis, the condition is called idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH). There are multiple infectious, immune related causes, systemic diseases, drug and toxin exposures, haematological disorders, and metabolic risk factors that have been associated with this INCPH. However, the causal pathogenesis is still unclear. The Vascular liver disorders interest group group recently proposed porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) as a syndromic entity, which provides definite histopathological criteria for diagnosis of NCPH (table 1). The three classical histo-morphological lesions specific for PSVD include obliterative portal venopathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and incomplete septal fibrosis. The PSVD definition includes patients with portal vein thrombosis, PVT, and even those without PHT, thus broadening the scope of diagnosis to include patients who may have presented early, prior to haemodynamic changes consistent with PHT. However, this new diagnosis has pros and cons. The cons include mandating invasive liver biopsy to assess the PSVD histological triad in all patients with NCPH, an erstwhile clinical diagnosis in Asian patients. In addition, the natural history of the subclinical forms of PSVD without PHT and linear progression to develop PHT is unknown yet. In this review, we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of INCPH/PSVD, fallacies and strengths of the old and new schema, pathobiology of this disease, and clinical correlates in an Asian context. Although formulation of standardised diagnostic criteria is useful for comparison of clinical cohorts with INCPH/PSVD, prospective clinical validation in global cohorts is necessary to avoid misclassification of vascular disorders of the liver.

Liver manifestation of patients with celiac disease: A single center experience

OBJECTIVES

Characterize the clinicopathologic features of liver biopsies from patients with celiac disease (CD).

METHODS

Single center, retrospective search for liver biopsies from patients with CD.

RESULTS

36 unique patients were included, median age of 46 years (range: 2-75), including 5 pediatric patients, with an overall female predominance (25, 69 %) but in in children a male predominance was seen (p = 0.023). Most cases (75 %) had an underlying condition including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (11 %), AIH/primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) overlap (3 %) and PBC (3 %). The median body mass index was 28, with 4 (11 %) underweight and 22 (61 %) overweight/obese patients. The most common histologic pattern was steatosis (18, 50 %), considered severe in 5 (14 %) and in 7 (19 %) regarded as steatohepatitis. The other histologic patterns included a nonspecific portal and/or lobular inflammation ("celiac hepatitis") in 9 cases (25 %), autoimmune hepatitis (3, 8 %), chronic cholestatic pattern (3, 8 %), chronic hepatitis (1, 3 %), acute lobular hepatitis (1, 3 %) and stablished cirrhosis (1, 3 %). Additionally, 2 of the cases with steatosis show cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The biopsy findings from patients with CD are heterogenous and in most represent a concomitant underlying disease, particularly metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Additionally, CD injury should remain in the differential diagnosis in liver biopsies with a nonspecific portal and/or lobular inflammation.

Porto-sinusoidal Vascular Disease and Portal Hypertension

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is the medical diagnosis for a patient who has portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy. There are several specific histologic findings for PSVD, including obliterative portal venopathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and incomplete septal fibrosis. Epidemiologic reports vary widely among regions; PSVD comprises less than 10% of causes of portal hypertension in Western countries but incidence has been found to be as high as 48% in India. There is an expansive list of etiologies that have been reported to cause PSVD.

Interspecies transcriptomic comparison identifies a potential porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder rat model suitable for in vivo drug testing

BACKGROUND

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) involves a group of rare vascular liver diseases of unknown aetiology that may lead to the development of portal hypertension and its life-threatening complications. Its pathophysiology is not well understood, and animal models described to date do not fully recapitulate human disease.

METHODS

We developed three different PSVD rat models by either immunosensitization (repetitive intraportal LPS or intramuscular spleen extract injections) or toxic (Selfox: combination of FOLFOX and a selenium-enriched diet) treatment and characterized them at haemodynamic, histological, biochemical and transcriptional levels. We compared these results to human data.

RESULTS

All three models developed significant portal hypertension, while only the LPS and the Selfox models displayed PSVD-specific and nonspecific histological alterations in the absence of cirrhosis. Transcriptional comparison between rat models and human data showed that both LPS and Selfox models recapitulate the main transcriptional alterations observed in humans, especially regarding haemostasis, oxidative phosphorylation and cell cycle regulation. Reproducibility and feasibility was higher for the Selfox model.

CONCLUSIONS

The Selfox rat model faithfully reproduces the main alterations described in PSVD. Its use as a preclinical model for drug testing in progressing PSVD can be a significant step forward towards the development of new therapeutic targets for this rare condition.

A Narrative Review on Non-Cirrohotic Portal Hypertension: Not All Portal Hypertensions Mean Cirrhosis

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH), also known as idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) and porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD), is a rare disease characterized by intrahepatic portal hypertension (IPH) in the absence of cirrhosis. The precise etiopathogenesis of IPH is an area of ongoing research. NCPH diagnosis is challenging, as there are no specific tests available to confirm the disease, and a high-quality liver biopsy, detailed clinical information, and an expert pathologist are necessary for diagnosis. Currently, the treatment of NCPH relies on the prevention of complications related to portal hypertension, following current guidelines of cirrhotic portal hypertension. No treatment has been studied that aimed to modify the natural history of the disease; however, transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) placement, shunt and liver transplantation are considerable symptomatic options. In this review, we discuss the heterogeneity of NCPH as well as its etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation and management issues. Starting from the assumption that portal hypertension does not always mean cirrhosis, cooperative studies are probably needed to clarify the issues of etiology and the possible genetic background of this rare disease. This knowledge might lead to better treatment and perhaps better prevention.

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in a patient with Talaromyces marneffei infection: a case report

BACKGROUND

The etiopathogenesis of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is so far poorly understood. Altered immunity, blood diseases, infections, congenital defects and drug exposure have been documented in a part of patients with INCPH owing to increased recognition of the disorder in patients with HIV, or various haematological disorders or autoimmune diseases. We aim to discuss the possible etiopathogenesis of INCPH.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported that a patient with intestinal infection of T. Marneffei and hyper-IgE syndrome, a group of rare primary immunodeficiency disorders, was finally diagnosed with INCPH for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding. The diagnosis was mainly based on histopathological features. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was performed and there was no recurrence of melena during the six-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In the context of immunodeficiency, INCPH may associated with intestinal infections. Thus, screening for enterogenic infection and immunological disorders in patients with unexplained portal hypertension is necessary.

Portal vein thrombosis, hepatic decompensation, and survival in patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disease and portal hypertension

BACKGROUND

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is a novel nomenclature to describe non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and characteristic histology without portal vein thrombosis (PVT). It is a more inclusive definition than the previously well-recognized entity idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. There is a paucity of data on PSVD patients.

METHODS

A total of 33 patients diagnosed with PSVD and portal hypertension (PH) between 2005 and 2021 were included. Data were retrieved from electronic medical record system and analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 33 patients, 6 (18%) occurred in post-transplant allograft liver. After a median follow-up of 96 months (interquartile range, IQR [52, 139]), 14 deaths occurred (42%), 4 directly related to decompensated liver disease. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 94%, 87% and 58%. PVT occurred in 10 patients (30%). The Nelson-Aalen cumulative risk estimate for PVT at 1, 5 and 10 years were 16%, 25% and 48%. The median model for end-stage liver disease and Child-Pugh score at initial presentation were 8 (IQR [7-12]) and 5 [5-6], and increased to 13 [8, 18] and 7 [5, 8], respectively, at the end of follow-up. Of the 11 patients who presented with splenomegaly and no specific sign of PH, 7 (64%) developed varices and 3 (27%) ascites at a median follow-up of 100 months.

CONCLUSIONS

PSVD with PH is not a benign entity. Mortality, PVT and hepatic decompensation are common. Patients with PSVD must be closely monitored, including those who only have non-specific clinical signs (e.g., splenomegaly) of PH.

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder

It is well established that portal hypertension can occur in the absence of cirrhosis, as reported in patients with immune disorders, infections and thrombophilia. However, similar histological abnormalities primarily affecting the hepatic sinusoidal and (peri)portal vasculature have also been observed in patients without portal hypertension. Thus, the term porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) has recently been introduced to describe a group of vascular diseases of the liver featuring lesions encompassing the portal venules and sinusoids, irrespective of the presence/absence of portal hypertension. Liver biopsy is fundamental for PSVD diagnosis. Specific histology findings include nodular regenerative hyperplasia, obliterative portal venopathy/portal vein stenosis and incomplete septal fibrosis/cirrhosis. Since other conditions including alcohol-related and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or viral hepatitis, or the presence of portal vein thrombosis may occur in patients with PSVD, their relative contribution to liver damage should be carefully assessed. In addition to histology and clinical diagnostic criteria, imaging and non-invasive tests such as liver and spleen stiffness measurements could aid in the diagnostic workup. The introduction of PSVD as a novel clinical entity will facilitate collaborative studies and investigations into the underlying molecular pathomechanisms encompassed by this term.

Hepatobiliary manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease: A practical approach

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are associated with various hepatobiliary disorders. They can occur at any moment in the course of the disease or associated with the treatment. The prevalence of liver dysfunction can reach up to 50% in different studies. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is considered the most common hepatobiliary complication in IBD, while primary sclerosing cholangitis is the most specific. Management of hepatic manifestations in IBD involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes a high index of suspicion and joint management with hepatologists. The medical confrontation with abnormal liver tests must include an exhaustive study to determine if these patterns can be related to IBD, associated diseases or to the therapies used.

Prediction of esophagogastric varices associated with oxaliplatin administration

Background

Oxaliplatin is a key drug for the chemotherapy of colorectal cancer; however, it is also known to cause non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension. We aimed to identify the characteristics of patients who developed esophagogastric varices (EGVs) after treatment with oxaliplatin.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed patients with colorectal cancer who were treated with chemotherapy including oxaliplatin between 2010 and 2016. All patients were evaluated by contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CE‐CT) every 3 months both during and after treatment; and endoscopy was performed when appearance of portal hypertension was suspected.

Results

A total of 106 patients were divided into two groups: EGV formation (n = 6) and EGV non‐formation (n = 100). In the EGV group, platelet counts decreased and the size of the spleen calculated by CT (CT spleen index; CT‐SI) increased markedly. The highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the change in platelet counts was 0.81 (80% sensitivity and 83% specificity) at 3 months post treatment, and the maximum AUC for CT‐SI was 0.89 (79% sensitivity and 83% specificity) at 6 months post treatment.

Conclusions

EGV formation could be predicted by the assessment of platelet counts and spleen size. If progressive splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia are observed not only during but also after completion of the oxaliplatin‐containing chemotherapy, EGVs should be confirmed by endoscopy for avoiding subsequent rupture.

Idiopathic Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension and Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease: Review of Current Data

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a clinicopathologic disease entity characterized by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of portal hypertension (PH) in the absence of liver cirrhosis or known risk factors accountable for PH. Multiple hematologic, immune-related, infectious, hereditary and metabolic risk factors have been associated with this disorder. Still, the exact etiopathogenesis is largely unknown. The recently proposed porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) scheme broadens the spectrum of the disease by also including patients without clinical PH who are found to have similar histopathologic findings on core liver biopsies. Three histomorphologic lesions have been identified as specific for PSVD to include obliterative portal venopathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and incomplete septal cirrhosis/fibrosis. However, these findings are often subtle, under-recognized and subjective with low interobserver agreement among pathologists. Additionally, the natural history of the subclinical forms of the disease remains unexplored. The clinical course is more favorable compared to cirrhosis patients, especially in the absence of clinical PH or liver dysfunction. There are no universally accepted guidelines in regard to diagnosis and treatment of INCPH/PSVD. Hence, this review emphasizes the need to raise awareness of this entity by highlighting its complex pathophysiology and clinicopathologic associations. Lastly, formulation of standardized diagnostic criteria with clinical validation is necessary to avoid misclassifying vascular diseases of the liver and to develop and implement targeted therapeutic strategies.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt in the management of portal hypertension

These guidelines on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPSS) in the management of portal hypertension have been commissioned by the Clinical Services and Standards Committee (CSSC) of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) under the auspices of the Liver Section of the BSG. The guidelines are new and have been produced in collaboration with the British Society of Interventional Radiology (BSIR) and British Association of the Study of the Liver (BASL). The guidelines development group comprises elected members of the BSG Liver Section, representation from BASL, a nursing representative and two patient representatives. The quality of evidence and grading of recommendations was appraised using the GRADE system. These guidelines are aimed at healthcare professionals considering referring a patient for a TIPSS. They comprise the following subheadings: indications; patient selection; procedural details; complications; and research agenda. They are not designed to address: the management of the underlying liver disease; the role of TIPSS in children; or complex technical and procedural aspects of TIPSS.

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease: proposal and description of a novel entity

Portal hypertension in the absence of portal vein thrombosis and without cirrhosis, but with mild or moderate alterations of liver histology (eg, obliterative venopathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, or incomplete septal cirrhosis) is being increasingly recognised. Owing to the heterogeneity of causes and histological findings, a substantial number of terms have been used to describe such idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Patients with the same clinical and histological features exist, but without portal hypertension at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, improved criteria are needed to define this form of liver disease. Here, we propose the term porto-sinusoidal vascular disease, since all lesions found involve the portal venules or sinusoids. The definition of this entity is based on the characteristic absence of cirrhosis with or without signs of portal hypertension or histological lesions. The presence of known causes of liver disease does not rule out porto-sinusoidal vascular disease, but specific causes of vascular liver disease are excluded from its definition. The diagnosis of porto-sinusoidal vascular disease is based on liver biopsy and might include signs specific for portal hypertension with normal or mildly elevated liver stiffness values and no complete portal vein thrombosis. We provide simple diagnostic criteria, because agreement on a uniform nomenclature is an essential requirement for future collaborative studies.

What makes non-cirrhotic portal hypertension a common disease in India? Analysis for environmental factors

In India, an unexplained enteropathy is present in a majority of non-cirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH) patients. Small intestinal bacterial contamination and tropical enteropathy could trigger inflammatory stimuli and activate the endothelium in the portal venous system. Groundwater contaminated with arsenic is an environmental factor of epidemic proportions in large areas of India which has similar consequences. Von Willebrand factor (a sticky protein) expressed by activated endothelium may promote formation of platelet microthrombi and occlusion of intrahepatic portal vein branches leading to NCIPH. Environmental factors linked to suboptimal hygiene and sanitation, which enter through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, predispose to platelet plugging onto activated endothelium in portal microcirculation. Thus, NCIPH, an example of poverty linked thrombophilia, is a disease mainly affecting the lower socio-economic strata of Indian population. Public health measures to improve sanitation, provide clean drinking water and eliminate arsenic contamination of drinking water are urgently needed. Till such time as these environmental factors are addressed, NCIPH is likely to remain 'an Indian disease'.

Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease Associated to Oxaliplatin: An Entity to Think about It

Portal sinusoidal vascular disease is a presinusoidal cause of portal hypertension (PHT) of unknown etiology, characterized by typical manifestations of PHT (esophageal varices, ascites, portosystemic collaterals), plaquetopenia and splenomegaly with a gradient of portal pressure slightly increased, according to the presinusoidal nature of the PHT. A few cases in the literature have shown a relationship between oxaliplatin and the development of presinusoidal portal hypertension, years after the chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (therefore, different to sinusoidal obstruction syndrome). There are three mechanisms through which oxaliplatin can cause sinusoidal damage: (1) damage at the level of endothelial cells and stimulates the release of free radicals and depletion of glutathione transferase, with altering the integrity of the sinusoidal cells. The damage in the endothelial sinusoidal cells allows to erythrocytes to across into the Dissé space and formation of perisinusoidal fibrosis, (2) the appearance of nodular regenerative hyperplasia is favored by the chronic hypoxia of the centrilobular areas and, finally, (3) oxaliplatin can generate an obliteration of the blood capillaries and zones of parenchymal extinction. These three facts can develop, in a minority of cases, the appearance of a presinusoidal increase of portal pressure, which typically appears years after the completion of chemotherapy and sometimes is underdiagnosed until variceal bleeding, ascites or encephalopathy appear. The knowledge of this pathology is essential to be able to perform an early diagnostic and consult to the hepatologist.

Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension: Current and Emerging Perspectives

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) are prototype noncirrhotic causes of portal hypertension (PHT), characterized by normal hepatic venous pressure gradient, variceal bleeds, and moderate to massive splenomegaly with preserved liver synthetic functions. Infections, toxins, and immunologic, prothrombotic and genetic disorders are possible causes in IPH, whereas prothrombotic and local factors around the portal vein lead to EHPVO. Growth failure, portal biliopathy, and minimal hepatic encephalopathy are long-term concerns in EHPVO. Surgical shunts and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt resolve the complications secondary to PHT. Meso-Rex shunt is now the standard-of-care surgery in children with EHPVO.

Clinical features of idiopathic portal hypertension in China: A retrospective study of 338 patients and literature review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) refers to a relatively rare condition characterized by intrahepatic portal hypertension in the absence of underlying disease such as liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 338 patients with IPH that were diagnosed at the pathological consultation center of our hospital.

RESULTS

The ratio of male to female patients was 1:1. Mean age at onset was 35.1 ± 16.5 years; male patients on average were 12 years younger than female patients at onset. The median duration from onset to IPH diagnosis was 12 months. In 50 patients, medication use may have been an etiological factor. The most common clinical manifestations were splenomegaly (91.3%) and hypersplenism (68.9%); 57.0% patients presented varicosis, while 25.1% patients had a history of variceal bleeding. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia was found in 22.2% liver biopsies. Among patients for whom laboratory data were available, 65.0%, 50.3%, and 71.4% patients presented leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism. Liver function was mostly in the compensated stage. Female patients showed worse leukopenia and anemia, while male patients were more likely to have abnormal serum transaminase and bilirubin levels. Sixty-seven patients received surgical or interventional treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

High-quality liver biopsy, detailed clinical information, and expert pathologist are necessary for diagnosis of IPH. IPH can occur concurrently with other liver disease such as hepatitis and drug-induced liver injury. Medication appears to be an important etiological factor for IPH in China. Management approach was largely focused on treatment of portal hypertension and its complications.

Idiopathic Portal Hypertension

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is a rare disorder characterized by clinical portal hypertension in the absence of a recognizable cause such as cirrhosis. Laboratory tests often reveal a preserved liver function with anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia due to splenomegaly. Imaging studies reveal signs of portal hypertension, whereas liver stiffness and portal pressure values are usually normal or slightly elevated. Liver biopsy is considered mandatory in order to rule out other causes of portal hypertension, mainly cirrhosis. Liver histology may only show subtle or mild changes, and the definite diagnosis of IPH often requires an expert pathologist and a high-quality specimen. The most frequent clinical presentation is variceal bleeding. Ascites is rarely observed initially, although it may occasionally appear during follow-up. Typical histological findings associated with IPH have been described in patients without portal hypertension, probably representing early stages of the disease. Although the pathophysiology of this entity remains largely unknown, it is frequently associated with underlying immunological disorders, bacterial infections, trace metal poisoning, medications, liver circulatory disturbances, and thrombotic events. The long-term prognosis of patients with IPH, where ascites and the underlying condition are important prognostic factors, is better than in patients with cirrhosis. Treatments that modify the natural history of the disease remain an unmet need, and management of IPH is frequently restricted to control of portal hypertension-related complications.

Natural history of patients with non cirrhotic portal hypertension: Comparison with patients with compensated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

The knowledge of natural history of patients with portal hypertension (PH) not due to cirrhosis is less well known than that of cirrhotic patients.

AIM

To describe the clinical presentation and the outcomes of 89 patients with non-cirrhotic PH (25 with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, INCPH, and 64 with chronic portal vein thrombosis, PVT) in comparison with 77 patients with Child A cirrhosis.

METHODS

The patients were submitted to a standardized clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and endoscopic follow-up. Variceal progression, incidence of variceal bleeding, portal vein thrombosis, ascites and survival were recorded.

RESULTS

At presentation, the prevalence of varices, variceal bleeding and ascites was similar in the 3 groups. During follow-up, the rate of progression to varices at risk of bleeding (p < 0.0001) and the incidence of first variceal bleeding (p = 0.02) were significantly higher in non-cirrhotic then in cirrhotic patients. A PVT developed in 32% of INCPH patients and in 18% of cirrhotics (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In the patients with non-cirrhotic PH variceal progression is more rapid and bleeding more frequent than in cirrhotics. Patients with INCPH are particularly prompt to develop PVT. This observational study suggests that the management of patients with non-cirrhotic PH should take into consideration the natural history of portal hypertension in these patients and cannot be simply derived by the observation of cirrhotic patients.

Spleen and Liver Volumetrics as Surrogate Markers of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient in Patients With Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension

Noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a rare disease that may lead to serious clinical consequences. Currently, noninvasive tools for the assessment of NCPH are absent. We investigated the utility of spleen and liver volumetrics as a marker of the presence and severity of portal hypertension in this population. A cohort of NCPH patients evaluated between 2003 and 2015 was retrospectively studied. The association of spleen and liver volumes with the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) level was evaluated using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing curves. A cohort of patients with viral hepatitis-related liver disease was used as controls. Of the 86 patients with NCPH evaluated during the study period, 75 (mean age, 35 ± 17; 73% males) were included in the final analysis. Patients with portal hypertension had significantly higher spleen and liver to body mass index (BMI) ratios compared to patients with HVPG <5 mm Hg (39.5 ± 27.9 versus 22.8 ± 10.6 cm3/kg/m2, P = 0.003; 91.1 ± 40.1 versus 71.4 ± 16.7 cm3/kg/m2, P = 0.014, for spleen/BMI and liver/BMI, respectively). In contrast to the patients with viral hepatitis, a positive linear correlation was observed in the NCPH cohort between spleen/BMI and liver/BMI (above a cutoff of 25 and 80 cm3/kg/m2, respectively) and HVPG level. Additionally, only in the NCPH cohort was an increase in spleen/BMI range quartile predictive of a higher prevalence of portal hypertension and clinically significant portal hypertension (trend, P = 0.014 and 0.031, respectively). Conclusion: Spleen and liver volumetrics may have utility in the assessment of NCPH as a noninvasive biomarker that can be performed using routine radiologic examinations. Further studies are needed to validate these findings. (Hepatology Communications 2018; 00:000-000).

Idiopathic portal hypertension and extrahepatic portal venous obstruction

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) are non-cirrhotic vascular causes of portal hypertension (PHT). Variceal bleed and splenomegaly are the commonest presentations.

AIM

The present review is intended to provide the existing literature on etiopathogenesis, clinical profile, diagnosis, natural history and management of IPH and EHPVO.

RESULTS

IPH and EHPVO are both characterized by normal hepatic venous pressure gradient, moderate to massive splenomegaly with preserved liver synthetic functions. While the level of block in IPH is presinusoidal, in EHPVO it is at prehepatic level. Infections, autoimmunity, drugs, immunodeficiency and prothrombotic states are possible etiological agents in IPH. Contrastingly in EHPVO, prothrombotic disorders and local factors around the portal vein are the incriminating factors. Diagnosis is often clinical, supported by simple radiological tools. Natural history is defined by episodes of variceal bleed and symptoms related to enlarged spleen. Growth failure, portal biliopathy and minimal hepatic encephalopathy are additional concerns in EHPVO. Long-term survival is reasonably good with endoscopic surveillance; however, parenchymal extinction leading to decompensation is seen in a minority of patients in both the disorders. Surgical shunts revert the complications secondary to PHT. Meso-Rex shunt has become the standard surgery in children with EHPVO.

CONCLUSION

This review gives a detailed summary of these two vascular conditions of liver-IPH and EHPVO. Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis and natural history of these disorders.

To screen or not to screen? Celiac antibodies in liver diseases

Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic immune-mediated disorder triggered by dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The typical symptoms are anemia, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain. CD has been reported in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, aminotransferase elevations, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. We evaluate recommendations for active screening for CD in patients with liver diseases, and the effect of a gluten-free diet in these different settings. Active screening for CD is recommended in patients with liver diseases, particularly in those with autoimmune disorders, steatosis in the absence of metabolic syndrome, noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension, cryptogenic cirrhosis, and in the context of liver transplantation. In hepatitis C, diagnosis of CD can be important as a relative contraindication to interferon use. Gluten-free diet ameliorates the symptoms associated with CD; however, the associated liver disease may improve, remain the same, or progress.

Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with coeliac disease: case report and literature review

We report a case of Budd-Chiari syndrome occurring in a patient with coeliac disease, who presented with symptoms of increased abdominal girth, right upper quadrant pain and shortness of breath for three weeks prior to admission. Initial assessment revealed the presence of moderate ascites, hepatosplenomegaly and right-sided pleural effusion. Further diagnostic work-up established a diagnosis of chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome. Interestingly, complete screening for pro-thrombotic factors was negative. A review of the literature on this association disclosed only 28 similar cases, with the majority of them describing individuals of North African origin. Interestingly, in the majority of cases no specific thrombotic factor could be identified, suggesting that coeliac disease may play a role in this thrombotic disorder.

Idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension: current perspectives

The term idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) has been recently proposed to replace terms, such as hepatoportal sclerosis, idiopathic portal hypertension, incomplete septal cirrhosis, and nodular regenerative hyperplasia, used to describe patients with a hepatic presinusoidal cause of portal hypertension of unknown etiology, characterized by features of portal hypertension (esophageal varices, nonmalignant ascites, porto-venous collaterals), splenomegaly, patent portal, and hepatic veins and no clinical and histological signs of cirrhosis. Physicians should learn to look for this condition in a number of clinical settings, including cryptogenic cirrhosis, a disease known to be associated with INCPH, drug administration, and even chronic alterations in liver function tests. Once INCPH is clinically suspected, liver histology becomes mandatory for the correct diagnosis. However, pathologists should be familiar with the histological features of INCPH, especially in cases in which histology is not only requested to exclude liver cirrhosis.

Role of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in the management of severe complications of portal hypertension in idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension

Idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis. The efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in this population are unknown. The charts of patients with idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension undergoing TIPS in seven centers between 2000 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-one patients were included. Indications for TIPS were recurrent variceal bleeding (n = 25) and refractory ascites (n = 16). Patients were categorized according to the presence (n = 27) or absence (n = 14) of significant extrahepatic comorbidities. Associated conditions were hematologic, prothrombotic, neoplastic, immune, and exposure to toxins. During follow-up (mean 27 ± 29 months), variceal rebleeding occurred in 7/25 (28%), including three with early thrombosis of the stent. Post-TIPS overt hepatic encephalopathy was present in 14 patients (34%). Eleven patients died, five due the liver disease or complications of the procedure and six because of the associated comorbidities. The procedure was complicated by hemoperitoneum in four patients (10%), which was fatal in one case. Serum creatinine (P = 0.005), ascites as indication for TIPS (P = 0.04), and the presence of significant comorbidities (P = 0.01) at the time of the procedure were associated with death. Mortality was higher in patients with significant comorbidities and creatinine ≥100 μmol/L (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In patients with idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension who have normal kidney function or do not have severe extrahepatic conditions, TIPS is an excellent option to treat severe complications of portal hypertension. (Hepatology 2016;64:224-231).

Arsenicosis, possibly from contaminated groundwater, associated with noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Idiopathic noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH), a chronic microangiopathy of the liver caused by arsenicosis from use of contaminated groundwater, was reported from Asia. This study aimed to see, if in the twenty-first century, arsenicosis was present in NCIPH patients at our hospital and, if present, to look for groundwater contamination by arsenic in their residential locality.

METHODS

Twenty-seven liver biopsy proven NCIPH patients, 25 portal hypertensive controls with hepatitis B or C related cirrhosis and 25 healthy controls, matched for residential locality, were studied. Eighty-four percent to 96 % of study subjects belonged to middle or lower socioeconomic category. Arsenicosis was looked for by estimation of arsenic levels in finger/toe nails and by skin examination. Arsenic levels in nails and in ground water (in NCIPH patients with arsenicosis) was estimated by mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Nail arsenic levels were raised in five (10 %) portal hypertensive study subjects [two NCIPH patients (both had skin arsenicosis) and three portal hypertensive controls]. All of these five patients were residents of West Bengal or Bangladesh. Skin arsenicosis was noted in three NCIPH patients (11 %) compared to none of disease/healthy controls. Ground water from residential locality of one NCIPH patient with arsenicosis (from Bangladesh) showed extremely high level of arsenic (79.5 μg/L).

CONCLUSIONS

Arsenicosis and microangiopathy of liver, possibly caused by environmental contamination continues in parts of Asia. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of such 'poverty-linked thrombophilia'.

Celiac disease-related hepatic injury: Insights into associated conditions and underlying pathomechanisms

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease (CD) is the most common autoimmune enteropathy. Clinical manifestations may range from a typical malabsorption syndrome to several apparently unrelated extra-intestinal symptoms.

AIM

Here we specifically focus on the spectrum of CD-related liver disorders and the underlying pathomechanisms.

METHODS

A computer-based search up to August 2015 was completed using appropriate keywords. References from selected papers were also reviewed and used if relevant.

RESULTS

An unexplained hypertransaminasemia with nonspecific histologic hepatic changes is the most common hepatic presentation. CD however can coexist with a number of liver disorders such as Autoimmune Hepatitis, Autoimmune Cholangitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis requiring a specific treatment in addition to gluten-free diet. CD has also been associated with Viral Hepatitis, Fatty Liver, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and some severe cryptogenic hepatopaties in the liver transplantation list. Pathomechanisms underlying hepatic injury in CD are multiple, appear still not completely defined and may probably co-occur.

CONCLUSIONS

An ever-increasing number of CD-related liver injuries exist, probably representing a continuum of a same disorder where genetic predisposition, timing, and duration of previous gluten exposure might influence the reversibility of liver damage. Evidences, although not conclusive, support therefore testing for CD also in cryptogenic hepatobiliary conditions where the relationship with CD has not yet been fully investigated.

Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension: An Appraisal

Idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension is a poorly defined clinical condition of unknown etiology. Patients present with signs and symptoms of portal hypertension without evidence of cirrhosis. The disease course appears to be indolent and benign with an overall better outcome than cirrhosis, as long as the complications of portal hypertension are properly managed. This condition has been recognized in different parts of the world in diverse ethnic groups with variable risk factors, resulting in numerous terminologies and lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. Therefore, although the diagnosis of idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension requires clinical exclusion of other conditions that can cause portal hypertension and histopathologic confirmation, this entity is under-recognized clinically as well as pathologically. Recent studies have demonstrated that variable histopathologic entities with different terms likely represent a histologic spectrum of a single entity of which obliterative portal venopathy might be an underlying pathogenesis. This perception calls for standardization of the nomenclature and formulation of widely accepted diagnostic criteria, which will facilitate easier recognition of this disorder and will highlight awareness of this entity.

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: a review

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a rare disease characterized of intrahepatic portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis or other causes of liver disease and splanchnic venous thrombosis. The etiology of INCPH can be classified in five categories: 1) immunological disorders (i.e. association with common variable immunodeficiency syndrome, connective tissue diseases, Crohn’s disease, etc.), 2) chronic infections, 3) exposure to medications or toxins (e.g. azathioprine, 6- thioguanine, arsenic), 4) genetic predisposition (i.e. familial aggregation and association with Adams-Oliver syndrome and Turner disease) and 5) prothrombotic conditions (e.g. inherited thrombophilias myeloproliferative neoplasm antiphospholipid syndrome). Roughly, INCPH diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and the formal exclusion of any other causes of portal hypertension. A formal diagnosis is based on the following criteria: 1) presence of unequivocal signs of portal hypertension, 2) absence of cirrhosis, advanced fibrosis or other causes of chronic liver diseases, and 3) absence of thrombosis of the hepatic veins or of the portal vein at imaging. Patients with INCPH usually present with signs or symptoms of portal hypertension such as gastro-esophageal varices, variceal bleeding or splenomegaly. Ascites and/or liver failure can occur in the context of precipitating factors. The development of portal vein thrombosis is common. Survival is manly limited by concomitant disorders. Currently, treatment of INCPH relies on the prevention of complications related to portal hypertension, following current guidelines of cirrhotic portal hypertension. No treatment has been studied aimed to modify the natural history of the disease. Anticoagulation therapy can be considered in patients who develop portal vein thrombosis.

Investigation into celiac disease in Indian patients with portal hypertension

BACKGROUND

There is limited data on celiac disease in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis or idiopathic noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH). Our objective was to evaluate for celiac disease in patients with portal hypertension in India.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with portal hypertension having cryptogenic chronic liver disease (cases) and hepatitis B- or C-related cirrhosis (controls) were prospectively enrolled. We studied tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody and duodenal histology in study patients.

RESULT

Sixty-one cases (including 14 NCIPH patients) and 59 controls were enrolled. Celiac disease was noted in six cases (including two NCIPH patients) as compared to none in controls. In a significant proportion of the remaining study subjects, duodenal biopsy showed villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and lamina propria inflammation, not accompanied by raised intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs); this was seen more commonly in cases as compared to controls. An unexpectedly high rate of tTG antibody positivity was seen in study subjects (66 %) of cases as compared to 29 % in controls (p-value < 0.001), which could indicate false-positive test result.

CONCLUSION

In this study, 10 % of patients with unexplained portal hypertension (cryptogenic chronic liver disease) had associated celiac disease. In addition, an unexplained enteropathy was seen in a significant proportion of study patients, more so in patients with cryptogenic chronic liver disease. This finding warrants further investigation.

Seroprevalence of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Prevalence data of celiac disease (CD) in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are scarce. We investigated the relationship between AIH and CD by assessing the prevalence of IgA tissue antitransglutaminase antibodies (TGA) and antiendomysium antibodies (EMA) in a large cohort of AIH patients.

METHODS

The frequency of CD was determined by TGA antibody serology in a cohort of 460 AIH patients. In case of TGA positivity, patients were further tested for EMA serology. Retrospective data on previously diagnosed CD and patient characteristics were retrieved from computerized or written medical records. Findings were compared with archival data on the prevalence of CD in the Netherlands (n=1440).

RESULTS

Six patients had a known history of CD and were currently in remission as determined by negative TGA serology. In addition, 10 of the 460 AIH patients (2.2%) had positive IgA TGA. Diagnosis of CD was further substantiated by positive EMA antibodies in these patients. Combined, CD was found in 3.5% of AIH patients compared with 0.35% in the general Dutch population (P<0.001). When excluding patients with either a primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis overlap, in 11 (2.8%) AIH patients, CD was found.

CONCLUSION

This is the largest serological study on the association between AIH and CD and demonstrates that the presence of CD in AIH patients is more common compared with the general population; yet, it is not as high as described in some previous small studies. The possibility of concurrent CD should be considered in all AIH patients.

Idiopathic Non-Cirrhotic Intrahepatic Portal Hypertension (NCIPH)-Newer Insights into Pathogenesis and Emerging Newer Treatment Options

Chronic microangiopathy of portal venules results in idiopathic non-cirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH). Recent data suggest a role for vasoactive factors of portal venous origin in the pathogenesis of this 'pure' vasculopathy of the liver. Enteropathies (often silent), are an important 'driver' of this disease. NCIPH is under-recognized and often mis-labeled as cryptogenic cirrhosis. Liver biopsy is needed to prove the diagnosis of NCIPH. In these patients, with advancing disease and increased porto-systemic shunting, the portal venous vasoactive factors bypass the liver filter and contribute to the development of pulmonary vascular endothelial disorders-porto-pulmonary hypertension and hepato-pulmonary syndrome as well as mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis. Prognosis in NCIPH patients is determined by presence, recognition and management of associated disorders. With better understanding of the pathogenesis of NCIPH, newer treatment options are being explored. Imbalance in ADAMTS 13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13): vWF (von-Willebrand factor) ratio is documented in NCIPH patients and may have a pathogenic role. Therapeutic interventions to correct this imbalance may prove to be important in the management of NCIPH.

ADAMTS13 deficiency, despite well-compensated liver functions in patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension

BACKGROUND

We have reported A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) deficiency in noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH) patients of European origin with preserved liver function. We aimed to study ADAMTS13-von Willebrand factor (vWF) imbalance in Indian patients with NCIPH.

METHODS

Twenty-nine cases with NCIPH [22 males; 29 years (13-58); Child's A, 23; B, 6], 22 disease controls with cryptogenic chronic liver disease [15 males; 46 years (18-74); Child's A, 9; B, 9; C, 4] and 17 healthy controls [14 males; 32 years (27-45)] were enrolled in the study. We measured ADAMTS13 antigen and activity (by collagen binding assay (CBA) and by fluorescence resonance energy transfer [FRET] assay), and vWF antigen levels in plasma of study patients.

RESULTS

ADAMTS13 activity by CBA in NCIPH patients (32 %, 5 % to 100 %; median, range; p-value <0.001) and disease controls (36 %, 5 % to 144 %; p = 0.001) was significantly lower than in healthy controls (87 %; 60 % to 148 %). ADAMTS13 antigen and activity by FRET assay were also lower in cases and disease controls. ADAMTS13 activity (by CBA) to antigen ratio was lower in NCIPH and disease controls than in healthy controls. Of 29 NCIPH patients, 3 (all in Child's A) had severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (<10 % ADAMTS13 activity), and 8 (Child's A, 7; B, 1) had moderate ADAMTS13 deficiency (10 % to 25 % activity). Conversely, vWF antigen and vWF:ADAMTS13 ratio were higher in patients with NCIPH and in disease controls than in healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study validates the finding of ADAMTS13 deficiency in NCIPH despite preserved liver functions in an Indian population suggesting its involvement in pathogenesis of NCIPH.

Idiopathic portal hypertension: natural history and long-term outcome

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is a rare cause of intrahepatic portal hypertension. Data on natural history and prognosis of IPH are limited. We sought to describe the complications and long-tem outcome of IPH by retrospectively studying 69 biopsy-proven cases of IPH. Mean duration of follow-up was 6.7 ± 4.6 years. All patients had evidence of portal hypertension (PH) at diagnosis, and 42% were symptomatic. Variceal bleeding (VB) was the most common manifestation. In those without bleeding at diagnosis, 74% had varices at first endoscopy. In those with large varices, the 1-year probability of first bleeding despite primary prophylaxis was 9%. The 1-year probability of rebleeding was 22%. Ascites and hepatic encephalopathy was documented in 26% and 7% of patients, respectively, at least once during the clinical course. The 1-year probability of developing portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was 9%, and 53% of patients receiving anticoagulation achieved recanalization. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and VB at diagnosis were the independent predictors of PVT. Seven patients died (6 as a result of an IPH-related cause) and 2 were transplanted. Probability of liver transplantation-free survival was 82% at 10 years. Presence of a severe associated disorder and ascites as a presenting symptom were associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSION

Variceal bleeding is a major complication of IPH. Using, in IPH patients, the same management approach for PH as in cirrhosis is safe and maintains a low incidence of first bleeding and rebleeding in IPH patients. PVT is a frequent complication, particularly in those with HIV infection. Despite several complications, overall survival of patients with IPH is considerably good.

The role of celiac disease in severity of liver disorders and effect of a gluten free diet on diseases improvement

CONTEXT

Celiac disease (CD) is defined as a permanent intolerance to ingested gluten. The intolerance to gluten results in immune-mediated damage of small intestine mucosa manifested by villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia. These abnormalities resolve with initiationa gluten-free diet.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed, Ovid, and Google were searched for full text articles published between 1963 and 2012. The associated keywords were used, and papers described particularly the impact of celiac disease on severity of liver disorder were identified.

RESULTS

Recently evidence has emerged revealingthat celiac disease not only is associated with small intestine abnormalities and malabsorption, but is also a multisystem disorder affecting other systems outside gastrointestinal tract, including musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Some correlations have been assumed between celiac and liver diseases. In particular, celiac disease is associated with changes in liver biochemistry and linked to alter the prognosis of other disorders. This review will concentrate on the effect of celiac disease and gluten-free diets on the severity of liver disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Although GFD effect on the progression of CD associated liver diseases is not well defined, it seems that GFD improves liver function tests in patients with a hypertransaminasemia.

Obliterative portal venopathy: a clinical and histopathological review

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is characterized by the elevation of the portal pressure in the absence of cirrhosis. Obliterative portal venopathy (OPV) as a cause of NCPH is being increasingly diagnosed, especially after recent reports of its occurrence in patients with HIV using didanosine. Patients usually present with episodes of variceal hemorrhage and other features of portal hypertension including jaundice, ascites, encephalopathy and hepatopulmonary syndrome. Hepatic synthetic function is typically well preserved and the laboratory evaluation in OPV patients typically reveals only mild nonspecific hematological abnormalities chiefly related to hypersplenism. Its diagnosis remains a challenge and patients are often mistakenly diagnosed as having cirrhosis. Despite the increasing recognition of OPV, its etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. A number of etiologies have been proposed including genetic predisposition, recurrent bacterial infections, HIV infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy, an altered immune response, hypercoagulability, and exposure to chemicals and certain medications. Histopathological evaluation remains critical in excluding cirrhosis and other causes of portal hypertension, and is the only way of definitively establishing the diagnosis of OPV. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for OPV in patients who present with variceal bleeding and splenomegaly and who do not have other features of cirrhosis. The purpose of this review is to summarize the known etiologies for OPV and its associated clinical aspects and correlations, and to also provide ample histophotomicrographs of OPV to aid in the diagnosis. It will also help raise awareness of this entity amongst pathologists and clinicians alike.

The current clinical aspects of idiopathic portal hypertension

IDIOPATHIC PORTAL HYPERTENSION (IPH) COMPRISES DISORDERS DEVELOPING INCREASED PORTAL PRESSURE IN THE ABSENCE OF CIRRHOSIS: the clear mechanisms to explain this disease are still not well recognized. IPH usually suggests a benign prognosis, but sometimes is complicated with severe hemorrhage due to ruptured esophageal varices, or massive splenomegaly. Conventional treatments for those complications for patients with cirrhosis usually works when diverted to patients with IPH, although some of those patients might require liver transplantation if the treatment fails. However, there are few consistent treatment strategies for IPH itself, its complications or the indications for liver transplantation. In this mini review, we summarize the clinical manifestations and several potential theories to explain the etiology, as well as the current treatment options for IPH.

Metabolomics discloses potential biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of idiopathic portal hypertension

OBJECTIVES

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is a rare cause of portal hypertension that lacks a specific diagnostic test. Requiring ruling-out other causes of portal hypertension it is frequently misdiagnosed. This study evaluates whether using high-throughput techniques there is a metabolomic profile allowing a noninvasive diagnosis of IPH.

METHODS

Thirty-three IPH patients were included. Matched patients with cirrhosis (CH) and healthy volunteers (HV) were included as controls. Metabolomic analysis of plasma samples was performed using UPLC-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. We computed Student's P-values, corrected by multiple comparison and VIP score (Variable Importance in the Projection). The metabolites were selected with an adjusted Benjamini Hochberg P value <0.05. We use markers with a greater VIP score, to build partial least squares projection to latent structures regression with discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) representative models to discriminate IPH from CH and from HV. The performance of the PLS-DA model was evaluated using R(2) and Q(2) parameter. An additional internal cross-validation was done.

RESULTS

PLS-DA analysis showed a clear separation of IPH from CH with a model involving 28 metabolites (Q(2)=0.67, area under the curve (AUC)=0.99) and a clear separation of IPH from healthy subjects with a model including 31 metabolites (Q(2)=0.75, AUC=0.98). After cross-validation, both models showed high rates of sensitivity (94.8 and 97.5), specificity (89.1 and 89.7), and AUC (0.98 and 0.98), reinforcing the strength of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

A metabolomic profile clearly differentiating patients with IPH from CH and healthy subjects has been identified using subsets of 28 and 31 metabolites, respectively. Therefore, metabolomic analysis appears to be a valuable tool for the noninvasive diagnosis of IPH.

Porto-pulmonary hypertension exacerbated by platelet transfusion in a patient with ADAMTS13 deficiency

We propose that porto-pulmonary hypertension (PPH) may arise as a consequence of deficiency of ADAMTS13 (a plasma metalloprotease that regulates von Willebrand factor size and reduces its platelet adhesive activity) and provide a clinical case history to support our hypothesis. A patient with non-cirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH), ulcerative colitis and celiac disease developed symptoms of PPH, which had advanced beyond levels which would have made her an eligible candidate for liver transplantation (mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) 49 mm Hg). She was known to have severe ADAMTS13 deficiency, which we considered to be causative of, or contributory to her NCIPH. We postulated that increasing porto-systemic shunting associated with advancing portal hypertension would make the next encountered vascular bed, the lung, susceptible to the pathogenic process that was previously confined to the portal system, with pulmonary hypertension as its consequence. Her pulmonary artery pressures fell significantly during the next year on weekly replacement of plasma ADAMTS13 by infusions of fresh frozen plasma and conventional drug treatment of her pulmonary hypertension. Her pulmonary artery pressures had fallen to acceptable levels when, in response to platelet infusion, it rose precipitously and dangerously. The sequence strongly supports our hypothesis that PPH is a consequence of ADAMTS13 deficiency and is caused by platelet deposition in afferent pulmonary vessels.

Use of serum vitamin B12 level as a marker to differentiate idiopathic noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension from cryptogenic cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH) is often mis-diagnosed as cryptogenic cirrhosis. Serum vitamin B12 levels can be raised in cirrhosis, probably because of excess release or reduced clearance. Because NCIPH is characterised by long periods of preserved liver function, we examined whether serum B12 level could be used as a marker to differentiate NCIPH from cryptogenic cirrhosis.

METHODS

We analysed serum B12 levels in 45 NCIPH and 43 cryptogenic cirrhosis patients from January 2009 to September 2011.

RESULTS

Serum B12 levels were significantly lower in NCIPH patients than in cryptogenic cirrhosis patients (p < 0.001) and were useful in differentiating the two disorders (area under ROC: 0.84; 95% C.I: 0.76-0.93). Low serum B12 level (≤250 pg/ml) was noted in 25/72 (35%) healthy controls, 14/42 (33%) NCIPH patients, and 1/38 (3 %) cryptogenic cirrhosis patients. In patients with intrahepatic portal hypertension of unknown cause, serum B12 level ≤ 250 pg/ml was useful for diagnosing NCIPH (positive predictive value: 93 %, positive likelihood ratio 12.7), and serum B12 level >1,000 pg/ml was useful in ruling out NCIPH (negative predictive value: 86 %, negative likelihood ratio: 6.67). Low serum B12 levels (≤250 pg/ml) correlated with diagnosis of NCIPH after adjusting for possible confounders (O.R: 13.6; 95% C.I:1.5-126.2). Among patients in Child's class A, serum B12 level was ≤250 pg/ml in 14/35 NCIPH patients compared with 1/21 cryptogenic cirrhosis patients (O.R: 13.3; 95% C.I: 1.6-111).

CONCLUSION

Serum vitamin B12 level seems to be a useful non-invasive marker for differentiation of NCIPH from cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension is associated with poor survival: results of a long-term cohort study

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a rare disease in the Western world. As a result, little is known about the clinical characteristics and outcome of these patients. Survival in these patients is considered to be similar to that of the general population.

AIM

To investigate the clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, outcome and determinants of survival in Western INCPH patients.

METHODS

Multicentre cohort study of INCPH patients.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients were followed for a median time of 90 months (range 24-310). Initial manifestations leading to the diagnosis of INCPH were related to portal hypertension in 82% of the patients. Histological signs of portal blood supply disturbances were present in nearly all patients. During follow-up, 12 of 62 patients developed liver decompensation, of which four were considered for liver transplantation. One patient died in the context of variceal bleeding. Hepatocellular carcinoma was not observed during follow-up. A total of 23 patients died during follow-up, only four of them due to liver related mortality. The Kaplan-Meier estimates for overall survival were 100% (95% CI 95-100%), 78% (95% CI 67-89%) and 56% (95% CI 40-72%) at 1, 5 and 10 years respectively. Survival for INCPH was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) compared to survival of the general population. Ascites was an independent predictor of poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison to the general population, survival in INCPH patients is poor. Mortality is related to associated disorders and medical conditions occurring at older age. Patients rarely die due to liver related complications. Patients with ascites have a poor prognosis.