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Heller T, Phiri V, Kumwenda T, Mzumara W, Vinikoor MJ, Rambiki E, Wallrauch C. Point-of-care ultrasound to inform antiviral treatment initiation in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in low-resource settings - the PUSH protocol. Ultrasound J 2024; 16:18. [PMID: 38436778 PMCID: PMC10912069 DOI: 10.1186/s13089-024-00369-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) is prevalent worldwide and most related deaths occur in low-resource settings. Antiviral treatment of CHB is indicated in those with significant liver disease and markers of viral replication. However, recommended diagnostics such as elastography (a non-invasive imaging measure of fibrosis/cirrhosis) or HBV viral load are often lacking in these settings, which creates barriers to treatment. Point-of-care clinical B-mode ultrasound (US) has potential to overcome implementation barriers in HBV care programs in low-resource settings. METHODS We describe a Point-of-care US protocol for Hepatitis ("PUSH") to check for signs of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the liver of people with CHB. We performed a prospective observational study applying the protocol, first by trainee clinicians and then by trainers, in consecutive patients referred to our clinic for CHB treatment eligibility assessment. All patients additionally underwent physical examination, liver function tests (LFTs) and platelet counts. We describe the PUSH training approach and performance of the protocol. RESULTS Four clinicians and 111 adult patients with HBV infection were included in the development of PUSH. Using US, liver complications of HBV were documented in 31 (27.9%) patients; including cirrhosis in 15 patients, HCC with cirrhosis in 13, and HCC without cirrhosis in 3. Patients with sonographic findings had significantly more clinical symptoms also their LFTs were higher and more frequently indicative for HBV treatment. Of 28 patients with sonographic diagnosis of cirrhosis, 23 (82.1%) showed a nodular liver surface, 24 (85.7%) a coarse echotexture, 20 (71.4%) scarce vessels, and 9 (32.1%) an enlarged caudate lobe. Overall concordance of the findings between assessment of trainees and experienced sonographers was high, ranging from 90 to 95%; trainees were not blinded to clinical and laboratory findings. CONCLUSION Ultrasound can facilitate same-day initiation of antiviral therapy for chronic HBV monoinfection in a resource-limited setting and a streamlined protocol-driven liver ultrasound can be feasibly used by front line clinicians managing HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Heller
- Lighthouse Clinic Trust, Lilongwe, Malawi.
- International Training and Education Center for Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | | | | | - Wongani Mzumara
- Directorate of HIV/AIDS, STI and Viral Hepatitis, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Michael Jeffrey Vinikoor
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Velarde-Ruiz Velasco JA, Tapia Calderón DK, Llop Herrera E, Castro Narro G, García Jiménez ES, Cerda Reyes E, Higuera de la Tijera F, Cano Contreras AD, Moreno Alcántar R, Chávez Ramírez RM, Calleja Panero JL. Beyond conventional physical examination in hepatology: POCUS. REVISTA DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA DE MEXICO (ENGLISH) 2023; 88:381-391. [PMID: 37833134 DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmxen.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) refers to the use of ultrasound imaging through pocket-sized sonographic devices at the patient's bedside, to make a diagnosis or direct a procedure and immediately answer a clinical question. Its goal is to broaden the physical examination, not to replace conventional ultrasound studies. POCUS has evolved as a complement to physical examination and has been adopted by different medical specialties, including hepatology. A narrative synthesis of the evidence on the applications of POCUS in hepatology was carried out, describing its usefulness in the diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), decompensated cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. The review also encompasses more recent applications in the hemodynamic evaluation of the critically ill patient with cirrhosis of the liver, patients with other liver diseases, as well as in the ultrasound guidance of procedures. POCUS could make up part of the daily clinical practice of gastroenterologists and hepatologists, simplifying the initial evaluation of patients and optimizing clinical management. Its accessibility, ease of use, and low adverse event profile make POCUS a useful tool for the properly trained physician in the adequate clinical setting. The aim of this review was to describe the available evidence on the usefulness of POCUS in the daily clinical practice of gastroenterologists and hepatologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Velarde-Ruiz Velasco
- Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico; Departamento de Clínicas Médicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - D K Tapia Calderón
- Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, IDIPHISA, Ciberhd, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - E Llop Herrera
- Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, IDIPHISA, Ciberhd, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Castro Narro
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - E S García Jiménez
- Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - E Cerda Reyes
- Servicio de Gineco-Obstetricia, Hospital Central Militar, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - F Higuera de la Tijera
- Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A D Cano Contreras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Médico-Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - R Moreno Alcántar
- Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Hospital de Especialidades CMN SXXI, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R M Chávez Ramírez
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Ginecoobstetricia, UMAE CMNO IMSS, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - J L Calleja Panero
- Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, IDIPHISA, Ciberhd, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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As N, Lakshmanan S, Senthil N, R V. Correlation of Liver Elastography as a Predictor of Esophageal Varices and Its Comparison With Ultrasound Abdomen and Liver Function Tests in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease. Cureus 2023; 15:e41652. [PMID: 37565128 PMCID: PMC10411853 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Variceal haemorrhage is a life-threatening complication that occurs in up to 40% of patients with chronic liver disease including cirrhosis. It is associated with a mortality rate of 20% with each episode of variceal bleeding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the gold standard for the detection of esophageal varices but is an invasive procedure and not very cost-effective. Our study was designed to correlate the presence of esophageal varices on endoscopy with the liver stiffness measurement using liver elastography in patients with chronic liver disease. We also compared various non-invasive predictors like laboratory parameters and ultrasound features and correlated them with the presence of varices in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODOLOGY This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in South India from November 2017 to April 2019. All patients with chronic liver disease were subjected to endoscopy, and the presence of esophageal varices and their grading was noted. The predictive efficacy of ultrasound elastography using Toshiba Aplio 500 ultrasound two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in predicting esophageal varices was calculated and compared with the efficacy of predicting esophageal varices by other non-invasive parameters like laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasound, and liver scores like Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) score, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) score, and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR). RESULTS The study included a total of 168 patients out of which 57% (96 patients) had no varices. About 52 patients (72.2%) had F1/Grade I varices, 9 (12.5%) had F2/Grade II varices, and 11 (15.3%) had F3/Grade III varices. The greatest predictive value for esophageal varices was liver stiffness with a diagnostic accuracy of 81.7%. Ultrasound features like coarse echotexture of the liver (66.7%), splenomegaly (67%), dilated portal vein (78.6%), and presence of moderate ascites (66.7%) had a significant statistical association with the presence of esophageal varices. Laboratory parameters like thrombocytopenia of less than 1.5 lakhs/cu.mm (52.8%), albumin <3 g/dL (60.4%), and reversal of albumin/globulin ratio (52.4%) were significant predictors of esophageal varices. The odds ratio for significant scores in predicting oesophageal varices using binary logistic regression was significant in patients whose liver elastography grade was more than F4, CTP score was B, MELD score was >11, and FIB-4 scores was >3.25 and between 1.46 and 3.25. CONCLUSION Liver elastography is a non-invasive procedure that can be a useful tool in predicting esophageal varices in chronic liver disease. Other non-invasive predictors like ultrasound abdomen and laboratory parameters can also be considered a replacement for repeated invasive endoscopy, thus facilitating early intervention and avoiding unfavourable outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen As
- Internal Medicine, Royal Care Hospital, Coimbatore, IND
| | - Suja Lakshmanan
- Internal Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND
- General Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND
| | - N Senthil
- Internal Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND
| | - Varsha R
- General Medicine, Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai, IND
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Xie Y, Chen S, Jia D, Li B, Zheng Y, Yu X. Artificial Intelligence-Based Feature Analysis of Ultrasound Images of Liver Fibrosis. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:2859987. [PMID: 35942443 PMCID: PMC9356830 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2859987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common liver disease that seriously endangers human health. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing liver fibrosis, but its clinical use is limited due to its invasive nature. Ultrasound image examination is a widely used liver fibrosis examination method. Clinicians can diagnose the severity of liver fibrosis according to their own experience by observing the roughness of the texture of the ultrasound image, and this method is highly subjective. Under the premise that artificial intelligence technology is widely used in medical image analysis, this paper uses convolutional neural network analysis to extract the characteristics of ultrasound images of liver fibrosis and then classify the degree of liver fibrosis. Using neural network for image classification can avoid the subjectivity of manual classification and improve the accuracy of judging the degree of liver fibrosis, so as to complete the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis. Therefore, the following work is done in this paper: (1) the research background, research significance, research status at home and abroad, and the impact of the development of medical imaging on the diagnosis of liver fibrosis are introduced; (2) the related technologies of deep learning and deep convolutional network are introduced, and the indicators of liver fibrosis degree assessment are constructed by using ultrasonic image extraction features; (3) using the collected liver fibrosis dataset to conduct model evaluation experiments, four classic CNN models are selected to compare and analyze the recognition rate. The experiments show that the GoogLeNet model has the best classification and recognition effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youcheng Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China
- The First Clinical Medical School, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Dong Jia
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China
- The First Clinical Medical School, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China
- The First Clinical Medical School, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Xiaohui Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China
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Onwuka C, Famurewa O, Adekanle O, Ayoola O, Adegbehingbe O. Hepatic function predictive value of hepatic venous waveform versus portal vein velocity in liver cirrhosis. J Med Ultrasound 2022; 30:109-115. [PMID: 35832354 PMCID: PMC9272706 DOI: 10.4103/jmu.jmu_91_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This study assessed the hepatic vein waveform (HVW) and mean maximum portal vein velocity (MM-PVV) on Doppler ultrasound in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and compared it with that of age and sex-matched controls. It correlated the degree of HVW abnormality and MM-PVV changes with liver function based on Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) to determine which was more predictive of CTP. Methods: Sixty patients with LC and 60 healthy controls were consecutively recruited into this study. Each patient was classed based on the CTP system after relevant tests. Doppler evaluation of the hepatic vein (HV) and MM-PVV were performed. HVW obtained was classified either into triphasic, biphasic, or monophasic. Results: Sixty cirrhotic and 60 age-matched control subjects aged 19–69 and 18–69 years, respectively, completed this study. All control subjects had a normal HVW pattern while 46 (76.7%) cirrhotic subjects had abnormal HVW (P < 0.001). The MM-PVV was significantly lower in cirrhotic subjects than in controls; 22.8 cm/s versus 33.6 cm/s (P < 0.001). The degree of HVW abnormality among cirrhotics showed a significant positive correlation with CTP (r = 0.283, P = 0.029). MM-PVV on the other hand showed no correlation with CTP class (r = −0.124; P = 0.346). Linear regression showed that HVW was a significant predictor of hepatic dysfunction based on CTP. Conclusion: Changes in the waveform pattern of the HVs are a good predictor of the derangement of hepatic function in patients with LC than changes in PVV. HVW pattern could therefore serve as an adjunct to CTP class in hepatic function assessment.
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Sartoris R, Calandra A, Lee KJ, Gauss T, Vilgrain V, Ronot M. Quantification of Pancreas Surface Lobularity on CT: A Feasibility Study in the Normal Pancreas. Korean J Radiol 2021; 22:1300-1309. [PMID: 33938646 PMCID: PMC8316779 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2020.1049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the feasibility and reproducibility of pancreatic surface lobularity (PSL) quantification derived from abdominal computed tomography (CT) in a population of patients free from pancreatic disease. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 265 patients free from pancreatic disease who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal CT between 2017 and 2019. A maximum of 11 individual PSL measurements were performed by two abdominal radiologists (head [5 measurements], body, and tail [3 measurements each]) using dedicated software. The influence of age, body mass index (BMI), and sex on PSL was assessed using the Pearson correlation and repeated measurements. Inter-reader agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland Altman (BA) plots. Results CT images of 15 (6%) patients could not be analyzed. A total of 2750 measurements were performed in the remaining 250 patients (143 male [57%], mean age 45 years [range, 18–91]), and 2237 (81%) values were obtained in the head 951/1250 (76%), body 609/750 (81%), and tail 677/750 (90%). The mean ± standard deviation PSL was 6.53 ± 1.37. The mean PSL was significantly higher in male than in female (6.89 ± 1.30 vs. 6.06 ± 1.31, respectively, p < 0.001). PSL gradually increased with age (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Inter-reader agreement was excellent (ICC 0.82 [95% confidence interval 0.72–0.85], with a BA bias of 0.30 and 95% limits of agreement of −1.29 and 1.89). Conclusion CT-based PSL quantification is feasible with a high success rate and inter-reader agreement in subjects free from pancreatic disease. Significant variations were observed according to sex, age, and BMI. This study provides a reference for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Sartoris
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM U1149, Centre de Recherche de l'Inflammation (CRI), Paris, France
| | | | - Kyung Jin Lee
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.,Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tobias Gauss
- Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM U1149, Centre de Recherche de l'Inflammation (CRI), Paris, France
| | - Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM U1149, Centre de Recherche de l'Inflammation (CRI), Paris, France.
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Basavarajappa L, Baek J, Reddy S, Song J, Tai H, Rijal G, Parker KJ, Hoyt K. Multiparametric ultrasound imaging for the assessment of normal versus steatotic livers. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2655. [PMID: 33514796 PMCID: PMC7846566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82153-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver disease is increasing in prevalence across the globe. We present here a multiparametric ultrasound (mpUS) imaging approach for assessing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD). This study was performed using rats (N = 21) that were fed either a control or methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet. A mpUS imaging approach that includes H-scan ultrasound (US), shear wave elastography, and contrast-enhanced US measurements were then performed at 0 (baseline), 2, and 6 weeks. Thereafter, animals were euthanized and livers excised for histological processing. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to find a decision plane that classifies normal and fatty liver conditions. In vivo mpUS results from control and MCD diet fed animals reveal that all mpUS measures were different at week 6 (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the H-scan US data contributed the highest percentage to the classification among the mpUS measurements. The SVM resulted in 100% accuracy for classification of normal and high fat livers and 92% accuracy for classification of normal, low fat, and high fat livers. Histology findings found considerable steatosis in the MCD diet fed animals. This study suggests that mpUS examinations have the potential to provide a comprehensive estimation of the main components of early stage NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokesh Basavarajappa
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, BSB 13.929, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jihye Baek
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Shreya Reddy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, BSB 13.929, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jane Song
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, BSB 13.929, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Haowei Tai
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA
| | - Girdhari Rijal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Tarleton State University, Forth Worth, TX, USA
| | - Kevin J Parker
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Kenneth Hoyt
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, BSB 13.929, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA. .,Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Baratta F, Pastori D, Bartimoccia S, Cammisotto V, Cocomello N, Colantoni A, Nocella C, Carnevale R, Ferro D, Angelico F, Violi F, Del Ben M. Poor Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Serum Lipopolysaccharide are Associated with Oxidative Stress in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12061732. [PMID: 32531941 PMCID: PMC7352324 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Factors inducing oxidative stress in NAFLD may be several; however, a relationship with the adherence to Mediterranean Diet (Med-diet) and with serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been poorly investigated in this setting. The aim was to investigate factors associated with impaired oxidative stress in NAFLD, focusing on the potential role of LPS and Med-diet. We enrolled 238 consecutive outpatients from the PLINIO study, in whom we measured the soluble Nox2-derived peptide (sNox2-dp), a marker of systemic oxidative stress, and serum LPS. Adherence to Med-diet was investigated by a nine-item validated dietary questionnaire. Serum sNox2-dp and LPS were higher in patients with NAFLD compared to those without (25.0 vs. 9.0 pg/mL, p < 0.001 and 62.0 vs. 44.9 pg/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). In patients with NAFLD, the highest sNox2-dp tertile was associated with the top serum LPS tertile (Odds Ratio (OR): 4.71; p < 0.001), APRI > 0.7 (OR: 6.96; p = 0.005) and Med-diet-score > 6 (OR: 0.14; p = 0.026). Analyzing individual foods, the daily consumption of wine (OR: 0.29, p = 0.046) and the adequate weekly consumption of fish (OR: 0.32, p = 0.030) inversely correlated with the top sNox2-dp tertile. In conclusion, patients with NAFLD showed impaired oxidative stress. Levels of sNox2 correlated with serum LPS and with low adherence to Med-Diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Baratta
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Daniele Pastori
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Simona Bartimoccia
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Vittoria Cammisotto
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Nicholas Cocomello
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Alessandra Colantoni
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Cristina Nocella
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Roberto Carnevale
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04015 Latina, Italy;
- Mediterranea Cardio Centro, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Domenico Ferro
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Francesco Angelico
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-997-2249
| | - Francesco Violi
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
- Mediterranea Cardio Centro, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Del Ben
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Clinical Internal, Anestesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (F.B.); (D.P.); (S.B.); (V.C.); (N.C.); (A.C.); (C.N.); (D.F.); (F.V.); (M.D.B.)
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Bird JR, Brahm GL, Fung C, Sebastian S, Kirkpatrick IDC. Recommendations for the Management of Incidental Hepatobiliary Findings in Adults: Endorsement and Adaptation of the 2017 and 2013 ACR Incidental Findings Committee White Papers by the Canadian Association of Radiologists Incidental Findings Working Group. Can Assoc Radiol J 2020; 71:437-447. [DOI: 10.1177/0846537120928349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Canadian Association of Radiologists Incidental Findings Working Group consists of both academic subspecialty and general radiologists and is tasked with adapting and expanding upon the American College of Radiology incidental findings white papers to more closely apply to Canadian practice patterns, particularly more comprehensively dealing with the role of ultrasound and pursuing more cost-effective approaches to the workup of incidental findings without compromising patient care. Presented here are the 2020 Canadian guidelines for the management of hepatobiliary incidental findings. Topics covered include initial assessment of hepatic steatosis and cirrhosis, the workup of incidental liver masses identified on ultrasound and computed tomography (with algorithms presented), incidental gallbladder findings (wall thickening, calcification, and polyps), and management of incidental biliary dilatation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery R. Bird
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Gary L. Brahm
- Department of Medical Imaging, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Fung
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sunit Sebastian
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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10
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Baratta F, Pastori D, Tozzi G, D'Erasmo L, Di Costanzo A, Arca M, Ettorre E, Ginanni Corradini S, Violi F, Angelico F, Del Ben M. Lysosomal acid lipase activity and liver fibrosis in the clinical continuum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver Int 2019; 39:2301-2308. [PMID: 31392821 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Recent evidence showed a reduced activity of the lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC). However, the relationship between LAL activity and liver fibrosis has never been investigated. METHODS Cross-sectional study including 575 outpatients referred for the management of cardio-metabolic and liver disease. The absence of liver fibrosis was defined by a FIB-4 < 1.30 and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) <-1.455. LAL activity was measured with dried blood spot technique. RESULTS Overall, 515 patients had a diagnosis of NAFLD (454 NAFL and 61 biopsy-proven NASH) and 60 of CC. The value of LAL activity progressively decreased from healthy subjects to NAFL/NASH patients to CC (P < .001). LAL activity was reduced by 10% in patients with NAFL, by 20% in NASH and by 50% in CC. The prevalence of CC decreased across the tertiles of LAL activity: 22.2% in the lowest, 4.6% in the intermediate and 0.5% in the highest tertile. In NAFLD patients, 69.9% had a FIB4 < 1.30, and 43.1% a NFS <-1.455. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Log (LAL activity) was associated with FIB-4 < 1.30 (Odds ratio [OR] 2.19 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.62, P = .002) and NFS < -1.455 (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.51-3.91, P < .001) after adjustment for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS We found a progressive reduction of LAL activity according to liver disease severity. LAL activity was inversely associated with markers of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Baratta
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Histological, Legal Medical and Locomotor, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Pastori
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Tozzi
- Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, IRCCS "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura D'Erasmo
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Costanzo
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Arca
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Evaristo Ettorre
- Division of Gerontology, Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrologic, Anesthesiologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Violi
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Mediterranea Cardiocentro, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelico
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Del Ben
- I Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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11
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Yen YH, Kuo FY, Chen CH, Hu TH, Lu SN, Wang JH, Hung CH. Ultrasound is highly specific in diagnosing compensated cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients in real world clinical practice. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e16270. [PMID: 31277150 PMCID: PMC6635248 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000016270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound is routinely used during the evaluation of liver cirrhosis. Inter-observer variability is considered a major drawback. This retrospective study investigated the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing compensated cirrhosis (i.e., modified Knodell F3, F4) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in real world clinical practice. Consecutive treatment-naive CHC patients who underwent liver biopsy (LB) prior to interferon therapy from 1997 to 2010 were enrolled. Ultrasound was performed by 30 hepatologists prior to LB. Ultrasound-identified cirrhosis was defined as small liver size, nodular liver surface and coarse liver parenchyma. LB was used as a reference, and the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was assessed and compared. Fibrosis was scored according to the modified Knodell classification. A cohort comprising 1738 patients, including 922 men and 816 women with a mean age of 52.5 years, was analyzed in the present study. The distribution of the patients' modified Knodell scores was F0 = 336, F1 = 489, F2 = 165, F3 = 315, F4 = 433. Ultrasound-identified cirrhosis was noted in 283 patients. Using ultrasound-identified cirrhosis to predict compensated cirrhosis, the sensitivity was 34.0%, the specificity was 97.1%, the positive predictive value was 89.8%, the negative predictive value was 66.1%, the positive likelihood ratio was 11.6, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.68. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.66.Despite being affected by inter-observer variability, ultrasound is highly specific in diagnosing compensated cirrhosis in CHC patients in real world clinical practice. However, the sensitivity is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hao Yen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Fang-Ying Kuo
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Sheng-Nan Lu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Jing-Houng Wang
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Chao-Hung Hung
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine
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12
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Putz FJ, Verloh N, Erlmeier A, Schelker RC, Schreyer AG, Hautmann MG, Stroszczynski C, Banas B, Jung EM. Influence of limited examination conditions on contrast-enhanced sonography for characterising liver lesions. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2019; 71:267-276. [DOI: 10.3233/ch-189417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Franz J. Putz
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Verloh
- Department of Radiology and Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Department, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anna Erlmeier
- Department of Radiology and Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Department, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Roland C. Schelker
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas G. Schreyer
- Department of Radiology and Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Department, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Christian Stroszczynski
- Department of Radiology and Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Department, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Banas
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ernst M. Jung
- Department of Radiology and Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Department, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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13
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Loloi J, Patel A, McDevitt P, Bruno MA, Riley T. How Strongly Do Physical Examination Estimates and Ultrasonographic Measurements of Liver Size Correlate? A Prospective Study. Am J Med 2019; 132:103-108. [PMID: 30243506 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver size assessed by physical examination and ultrasound has long been used to gain useful clinical information. The size measurements obtained by these modalities have been difficult to compare as they are measured in 2 different axes (transaxial vs midclavicular). Our objective was to identify a measurement correlation between ultrasound and physical examination liver size findings. We aimed to develop a correction factor whereby the liver size could be translated between the measured transaxial size obtained by ultrasound and physical examination size when measured in the midclavicular line. METHODS We conducted a prospective study including 101 adult patients with liver disease undergoing liver biopsy between April 2008 and November 2008 at Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center. Liver measurements were obtained by physical examination and ultrasound, which were performed by a single hepatologist. RESULTS The average physical examination size using the midclavicular approach was 8.9 cm ± 1.13. On ultrasound, the average transaxial measurement was 14.3 cm ± 1.6. A ratio was made between measurements from the midclavicular line physical examination size and transaxial ultrasound size, and found to have a mean correction factor of 1.6 ± 0.14. The correction factor was applied to the physical examination-determined liver size and compared with ultrasound findings, with 76% of values (77/101) falling within 10% of the ultrasound-determined liver size. CONCLUSION This study proves that a strong correlation exists between physical examination estimates of liver size and the measured size on ultrasonography. Multiplying the percussed liver span by a correction factor consistently yields accurate predictions of the transaxial liver span.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ankit Patel
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
| | - Patrick McDevitt
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael A Bruno
- Division of Radiology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas Riley
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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14
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Amarneh M, Akhter A, Rajput MZ, LaBrecque DR, Abu-Yousef M. Gallbladder Scalloping, Mammillated Caudate Lobe, and Inferior Vena Cava Scalloping: Three Novel Ultrasound Signs of Cirrhosis. Acad Radiol 2018; 25:1374-1380. [PMID: 29602725 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to present three new ultrasound signs-gallbladder scalloping, mammillated caudate lobe, and inferior vena cava scalloping-and determine their accuracy in diagnosing liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 201 consecutive patients with a history of chronic liver disease who had undergone ultrasound imaging and liver biopsy were identified. A senior ultrasound radiologist blindly reviewed the ultrasound examinations. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of diagnosing cirrhosis were calculated for all evaluated ultrasound signs and selected combinations of signs, using the liver biopsy results as the reference standard. RESULTS Of the 201 patients, 152 (76%) had either pathology-proven cirrhosis or significant fibrosis. Caudate lobe hypertrophy was the most specific (88%) and most positive predictor (90%) for cirrhosis, whereas mammillated caudate lobe was the most sensitive (78%). Inferior vena cava scalloping was the most specific (78%) of the three proposed ultrasound signs. When signs were combined, the presence of either gallbladder scalloping or liver surface nodularity was highly sensitive for cirrhosis (87%), whereas the presence of either gallbladder scalloping or inferior vena cava scalloping with caudate lobe hypertrophy was highly specific (93%). CONCLUSIONS Gallbladder scalloping, mammillated caudate lobe, and inferior vena cava scalloping are three novel signs that improve the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing cirrhosis.
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15
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Bane O, Peti S, Wagner M, Hectors S, Dyvorne H, Markl M, Taouli B. Hemodynamic measurements with an abdominal 4D flow MRI sequence with spiral sampling and compressed sensing in patients with chronic liver disease. J Magn Reson Imaging 2018; 49:994-1005. [PMID: 30318674 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The test-retest/interobserver repeatability and diagnostic value of 4D flow MRI in liver disease is underreported. PURPOSE To determine the reproducibility/repeatability of flow quantification in abdominal vessels using a spiral 4D flow MRI sequence; to assess the value of 4D flow parameters in diagnosing cirrhosis and degree of portal hypertension. STUDY TYPE Prospective. SUBJECTS Fifty-two patients with chronic liver disease. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 1.5T/spiral 4D flow acquired in one breath-hold. ASSESSMENT Thirteen abdominal vessels were identified and segmented by two independent observers to measure maximum and time-averaged through-plane velocity, net flow, and vessel cross-section area. Interobserver agreement and test-retest repeatability were evaluated in 15 and 4 cases, respectively. Prediction of the presence and severity of cirrhosis and portal hypertension was assessed using 4D flow parameters. STATISTICAL TESTS Cohen's kappa coefficient, coefficient of variation (CV), Bland-Altman, Mann-Whitney tests, logistic regression. RESULTS For all vessels combined, measurements showed acceptable agreement between observers, with Cohen's kappa = 0.70 (P < 0.001), CV < 21%, Bland-Altman bias <5%, but high limits of agreement ([-75%,75%]). Test-retest repeatability was excellent in large vessels (CV = 1-15%, bias = 1-25%, Bland-Altman limits of agreement [BALA] = [4%,150%]), and poor in small vessels (CV = 7-130%, bias = 10-200%, BALA = [8%,190%]). Average velocity in the right hepatic vein and average area of the splenic vein were higher in cirrhosis (P = 0.027/0.0039). Flow in the middle hepatic vein strongly correlated with Child-Pugh score (ρ = 0.84, P = 0.0238), while flow in the splenic vein (ρ = 0.43, P = 0.032), time-average (ρ = 0.46, P = 0.02) and peak velocity in the superior mesenteric vein (ρ = 0.45, P = 0.032), and peak velocity in the infrarenal IVC (ρ = 0.39, P = 0.032) positively correlated with an imaging-based portal hypertension score. Average area of the splenic vein predicted cirrhosis (P = 0.019; area under the curve AUC [95% confidence interval, CI] = 0.87 [0.71,1.00]) and clinically significant portal hypertension (P = 0.042; AUC [95% CI] = 0.78 [0.57-0.99]). DATA CONCLUSION Spiral 4D flow allows comprehensive assessment of abdominal vessels in one breath-hold, with substantial interobserver reproducibility, but variable test-retest repeatability. 4D flow may potentially reflect vascular changes due to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:994-1005.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavia Bane
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Steven Peti
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mathilde Wagner
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Stefanie Hectors
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hadrien Dyvorne
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Catalyzer, Guilford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michael Markl
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Bachir Taouli
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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16
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Björklund J, Laursen TL, Sandahl TD, Møller HJ, Vilstrup H, Ott P, Grønbæk H. High hepatic macrophage activation and low liver function in stable Wilson patients - a Danish cross-sectional study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2018; 13:169. [PMID: 30241550 PMCID: PMC6150987 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-018-0910-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatic macrophage (Kupffer cell) hyperplasia is often described in Wilson’s disease (WD). In many liver diseases, Kupffer cell activation is related to disease severity, liver function, and fibrosis but the importance in WD is unknown. Kupffer cell activation can be assessed by the P-concentration of soluble (s)CD163, metabolic liver function by the galactose elimination capacity (GEC), and fibrosis by Fibroscan. We investigated the associations between sCD163, selected inflammatory cytokines, GEC, and liver fibrosis in Danish WD patients. Methods In a cross-sectional design, we studied 29 stable and well-treated patients (male/female15/14) with a median age of 35 years (IQR 24–50). P-sCD163 and cytokines were measured by ELISA. The GEC was measured by intra-venous galactose loading. Results The median P-sCD163 value at 2.96 mg/L (1.97–3.93) was high in the normal range (0.7–3.9) and seven patients (24%) had a value above the upper normal value. sCD163 correlated with TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 (rho> 0.50, p < 0.005). A higher sCD163 value was closely associated with a lower GEC (rho = − 0.51, p = 0.02). sCD163 was not related to the liver fibrosis indices. Conclusions Stable WD patients showed various degrees of Kupffer cell activation which was accompanied by loss of metabolic liver function. Neither activation nor liver function was related to liver fibrosis. The findings suggest that in WD inflammatory Kupffer cell activation may be involved in the loss of liver function over time. sCD163 may serve as a non-invasive biomarker of loss of liver function in WD, which the degree of fibrosis evidently may not. This study is registered at clinical trials with name: “sCD163 and sMR in Wilsons Disease - Associations With Disease Severity and Fibrosis”, NCT02702765. Date of registration: 26.02.16. Date of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: 17.03.16. ULR: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02702765.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Björklund
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Tea Lund Laursen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas Damgaard Sandahl
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Holger Jon Møller
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Ott
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henning Grønbæk
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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17
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Polimeni L, Pastori D, Baratta F, Tozzi G, Novo M, Vicinanza R, Troisi G, Pannitteri G, Ceci F, Scardella L, Violi F, Angelico F, Del Ben M. Spleen dimensions are inversely associated with lysosomal acid lipase activity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Intern Emerg Med 2017; 12:1159-1165. [PMID: 28900817 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-017-1746-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fatty liver and splenomegaly are typical features of genetic lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) deficiency. No data in adult patients with non-genetic reduction of LAL activity are available. We investigate the association between spleen dimensions and LAL activity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, in whom a reduced LAL activity has been reported. We include 425 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal ultrasound to evaluate hepatic steatosis and spleen dimensions. LAL activity was measured with dried blood spot method (Lalistat2). NAFLD was present in 74.1% of screened patients. Higher median spleen longitudinal diameter (10.6 vs. 9.9 cm; p < 0.001) and spleen area (SA) (32.7 vs. 27.7 cm2; p < 0.001), together with a higher and proportion of splenomegaly (17.8 vs. 5.5%, p = 0.001), are present in patients with NAFLD compared to those without. In NAFLD patients, median LAL activity is 0.9 nmol/spot/h. LAL activity is lower in 56 patients with splenomegaly, as compared to those without (p = 0.009). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (above median, OR 0.344; p = 0.003), LAL activity (below median, OR 2.206, p = 0.028), and platelets (OR 0.101, p = 0.002) are significantly associated with splenomegaly. NAFLD patients disclose a relatively high prevalence of spleen enlargement and splenomegaly, which are significantly associated with a reduced LAL activity, suggesting that LAL may contribute to spleen enlargement in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licia Polimeni
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Pastori
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Baratta
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Tozzi
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Bambino Gesù", Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Novo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Vicinanza
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory Nephrologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Troisi
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory Nephrologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetano Pannitteri
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory Nephrologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ceci
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, "La Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Scardella
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Violi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelico
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Del Ben
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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18
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Schaffner D, von Elverfeldt D, Deibert P, Lazaro A, Merfort I, Lutz L, Neubauer J, Baumstark MW, Kreisel W, Reichardt W. Phase-contrast MR flow imaging: A tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics in rats with a healthy, fibrotic, or cirrhotic liver. J Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 46:1526-1534. [PMID: 28240794 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To test a magnetic resonance (MR) scanning protocol as a noninvasive tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics and to assess the degree of liver fibrosis in an animal model of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-four male Wistar rats were studied. Thirty-nine received thioacetamide (TAA) in their drinking water for either 12 or 16 weeks. MR measurements were performed using flow-sensitive 2D phase-contrast MRI and a 9.4T preclinical scanner. The following hemodynamic parameters were investigated: portal cross-sectional area, mean portal flow velocity, and portal and aortic flow volume rate. Therefore, rats (n = 46) were divided into three groups: CON (control, n = 13), FIB (fibrosis, n = 25), and CIR (cirrhosis, n = 8). Furthermore, the degree of liver fibrosis was assessed by a self-established MR score and verified by a standardized histological score (n = 48). RESULTS Portal and aortic flow parameters could be reliably detected. A significant decrease in portal flow velocity was found in FIB (FIB vs. CON: -21%, P = 0.006 and CIR vs. CON: -17%, P = 0.105) and in portal flow volume rate in FIB and CIR (FIB vs. CON: -20%, P = 0.009 and CIR vs. CON: -25%, P = 0.024). If the histological score is taken as standard, the self-established MR score enabled discrimination between healthy and diseased livers (sensitivity to identify diseased livers: 89% and specificity to identify healthy livers: 100%). CONCLUSION This MR scanning protocol presents a noninvasive tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics in healthy and diseased rats. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1526-1534.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Schaffner
- Institute for Exercise- und Occupational Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominik von Elverfeldt
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Deibert
- Institute for Exercise- und Occupational Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adhara Lazaro
- Institute for Exercise- und Occupational Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Irmgard Merfort
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Lutz
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Pathology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Neubauer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manfred W Baumstark
- Institute for Exercise- und Occupational Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kreisel
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Reichardt
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Liu X, Song JL, Wang SH, Zhao JW, Chen YQ. Learning to Diagnose Cirrhosis with Liver Capsule Guided Ultrasound Image Classification. SENSORS 2017; 17:s17010149. [PMID: 28098774 PMCID: PMC5298722 DOI: 10.3390/s17010149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This paper proposes a computer-aided cirrhosis diagnosis system to diagnose cirrhosis based on ultrasound images. We first propose a method to extract a liver capsule on an ultrasound image, then, based on the extracted liver capsule, we fine-tune a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model to extract features from the image patches cropped around the liver capsules. Finally, a trained support vector machine (SVM) classifier is applied to classify the sample into normal or abnormal cases. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively extract the liver capsules and accurately classify the ultrasound images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Liu
- School of Computer Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
- School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Jia Lin Song
- Department of ultrasound, Changzheng Hospital Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Shuo Hong Wang
- School of Computer Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jing Wen Zhao
- School of Computer Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yan Qiu Chen
- School of Computer Science, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Equal 3-Year Outcomes for Kidney Transplantation Alone in HCV-Positive Patients With Cirrhosis. Int Surg 2016; 100:142-54. [PMID: 25594655 DOI: 10.9738/intsurg-d-13-00231.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney transplantation alone in clinically compensated patients with cirrhosis is not well documented. Current guidelines list cirrhosis as a contraindication for kidney transplantation alone. This is an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study. We report our experience with a retrospective comparison between transplants in hepatitis C virus-positive (HCV(+)) patients without cirrhosis and HCV(+) patients with cirrhosis. All of the patients were followed for at least a full 3-year period. All of the deaths and graft losses were recorded and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. One- and three-year cumulative patient survival rates for noncirrhotic patients were 91% and 82%, respectively. For cirrhotic patients, one- and three-year cumulative patient survival rates were 100% and 83%, respectively (P = NS). One- and three-year cumulative graft survival rates censored for death were 94% and 81%, and 95% and 82% for the noncirrhosis and cirrhosis groups, respectively (P = NS). Comparable patient and allograft survival rates were observed when standard kidney allograft recipients were analyzed separately. This study is the longest follow-up document in the literature showing that HCV(+) clinically ompensated patients with cirrhosis may undergo kidney transplantation alone as a safe and viable practice.
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Normal main portal vein diameter measured on CT is larger than the widely referenced upper limit of 13 mm. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2016; 41:1931-6. [PMID: 27251734 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-016-0785-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We determined mean main portal vein diameter in healthy patients evaluated with CT, compared this value to the "upper limit of normal" reported previously, and evaluated effects of age, sex, height, and BMI on portal vein diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our cohort of healthy patients underwent abdominal CT as potential renal donors. We excluded patients with evidence of liver or severe cardiac disease. We recorded patients' age, sex, height, weight, and BMI. Patients' main portal vein diameters were measured by fellowship-trained abdominal imagers on non-contrast and post-contrast images in axial and coronal projections at a defined location. A general linear mixed model was used for analysis. RESULTS 191 patients with 679 main portal vein measurements were included in the analysis. Mean main portal vein diameter was 15.5 ± 1.9 mm; this value was significantly different from the upper limit of normal of 13 mm commonly referenced in the literature (95% CI: 2.22-2.69 mm higher, p < 0.0001). Portal vein diameter does not vary significantly when measured on axial vs. coronal images. On average, post-contrast main portal veins were 0.56 mm larger compared to non-contrast, (95% CI: 0.40-0.71 mm, p < 0.0071). Patient height and BMI are positively correlated with MPV diameter. CONCLUSIONS Normal mean portal vein diameter measured on CT was significantly larger (mean 15.5 mm) than the accepted upper limit of 13 mm. Contrast-enhanced main portal veins are significantly larger (0.56 mm) than unenhanced. Sex, height, and BMI significantly affect main portal vein diameter.
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Nasr P, Hilliges A, Thorelius L, Kechagias S, Ekstedt M. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could be a non-invasive method for differentiating none or mild from severe fibrosis in patients with biopsy proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 2016; 51:1126-32. [PMID: 27161854 DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2016.1172336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The gold standard for diagnosing fibrosis stage in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to determine whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with transit time measurements could be a non-invasive alternative for differentiating none or mild from severe fibrosis in NAFLD patients. Various serum markers and clinical variables were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-eight patients with NAFLD underwent CEUS prior to liver biopsy. All patients were also evaluated according to the Göteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI), the AST-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), the NAFLD fibrosis score, and the FIB-4 and BARD score. RESULTS The hepatic vein arrival time (HV) was shorter in patients with severe fibrosis (25.9 ± 4.8 vs 29.5 ± 4.7 s, p = 0.023), and the difference between the hepatic and portal vein (ΔHV-PV) was shorter (2.3 ± 2.8 vs 6.4 ± 2.8 s, p < 0.0001) while the difference in arrival time between the portal vein and hepatic artery (ΔPV-HA) arrival time was significantly longer (6.0 ± 2.2 vs 3.6 ± 1.6 s, p < 0.0001). The area under receiver operating characteristics curve values for HV, ΔHV-PV and ΔPV-HA to separate none or mild from severe fibrosis was 0.71, 0.83 and 0.84, respectively. The corresponding figures for GUCI, APRI, NAFLD fibrosis score, FIB-4 and BARD score were 0.93, 0.92, 0.86, 0.90 and 0.77, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CEUS and non-invasive scoring systems could exclude severe fibrosis in NAFLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Nasr
- a The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical and Health Sciences (IMH) , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Annette Hilliges
- a The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical and Health Sciences (IMH) , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Lars Thorelius
- a The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical and Health Sciences (IMH) , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Stergios Kechagias
- a The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical and Health Sciences (IMH) , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
| | - Mattias Ekstedt
- a The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Medical and Health Sciences (IMH) , Linköping University , Linköping , Sweden
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Abstract
Ultrasonography (US) is a valuable imaging tool for evaluation of different clinical conditions in children, in general and abdominal conditions, in particular. The interest in US derives primarily from the lack of ionizing radiation exposure, low cost, portability, real-time imaging and Doppler capabilities. In addition, US application requires no preparation or sedation, making it particularly attractive in the pediatric population. Because of these advantages, US has been adopted as the primary imaging tool for evaluation of a number of pediatric abdominal conditions that would have involved the use of ionising radiation in the past, e.g., pyloric stenosis, intussusception and various renal and bladder abnormalities, to name a few. Certain limitations, however, are inherent to US including large body habitus, excessive bowel gas, postoperative state and the learning curve. In addition, pediatric US is particularly challenging as the children are frequently unable to co-operate for breath holding and many of them are crying during the scanning. In the present review, the authors discuss the various applications of US in the evaluation of pediatric abdomen.
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Zhang EL, Zhang ZY, Wang SP, Xiao ZY, Gu J, Xiong M, Chen XP, Huang ZY. Predicting the severity of liver cirrhosis through clinical parameters. J Surg Res 2016; 204:274-281. [PMID: 27565061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severity of liver cirrhosis plays a vital role in determining an appropriate surgical strategy for HCC treatment. However, preoperative evaluation of the severity of cirrhosis has not been established in a surgical setting. This study aims to develop a model to predict the severity of cirrhosis. METHODS Overall, 604 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis undergoing liver resection from Jan 2005 to Jun 2013 were randomly divided into either the model building group (n = 304) or the test group (n = 300). The severity of cirrhosis of the resected specimens was pathologically staged according to the Laennec scoring system, which sub-classified cirrhosis into either stage F4A, F4B, or F4C. RESULTS A logistic regression analysis showed that varicosity, portal vein diameter, spleen thickness, and platelet count were significantly associated with the histologic sub-classification of cirrhosis in the model building group. Based on these four parameters, a scoring model for predicting the severity of cirrhosis was established. The model was then verified in the test group, the areas under the ROC (AUROC) for predicting mild (F4A), moderate (F4B), and severe cirrhosis (F4C) were 0.861 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.810-0.911), 0.860 (95% CI, 0.819-0.901), and 0.968 (95% CI, 0.951-0.985), respectively. The accuracy of this model in predicting mild, moderate, and severe cirrhosis is 79.3%, 81.0%, and 85.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS By using this model, the severity of cirrhosis can be reliably staged preoperatively, which will provide more information on cirrhotic livers in surgical settings for the treatment of hepatitis B virus-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Er-Lei Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zun-Yi Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Ping Wang
- Department of Hepatic diseases, The Third people's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang City, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Xiao
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Gu
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Xiong
- Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Chen
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Huang
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Cheung AC, Lapointe-Shaw L, Kowgier M, Meza-Cardona J, Hirschfield GM, Janssen HLA, Feld JJ. Combined ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and fenofibrate in primary biliary cholangitis patients with incomplete UDCA response may improve outcomes. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 43:283-93. [PMID: 26559762 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrates appear to improve biochemistry in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), but it is unclear which factors predict response and whether treatment improves transplant-free survival. AIM To evaluate biochemical profiles, liver-related outcomes and adverse events following fenofibrate therapy in PBC patients with incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary centre. Cox regression was used to compare outcomes between patients treated with fibrates and UDCA (FF) or UDCA alone, adjusted for a propensity score to account for treatment selection bias. RESULTS A total of 120 patients were included (FF group n = 46, UDCA group n = 74, median fenofibrate treatment 11 months); 41% vs. 7% met the Toronto criteria for biochemical response [alkaline phosphatase ≤1.67 times the upper limit of normal] in the FF and UDCA groups, respectively (P = 0.0001). Fenofibrate was also associated with improved decompensation-free and transplant-free survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.09, 95% CI 0.03-0.32, P = 0.0002]. However, only fenofibrate use, not biochemical response, was independently associated with improved outcomes on multivariable analysis (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.17-0.93, P = 0.03). Twenty-two percent discontinued fenofibrate due to adverse events (most common: abdominal pain and myalgias). In cirrhotic patients, bilirubin increased more rapidly in the FF group (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Fenofibrate therapy is associated with significant improvement in alkaline phosphatase, decompensation-free and transplant-free survival in PBC patients with incomplete UDCA response. However, fenofibrate should be used cautiously in cirrhosis, with close monitoring for clinical/biochemical decompensation. Additional studies are required to assess the validity of alkaline phosphatase as an appropriate response criteria for fibrate therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Cheung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto Western and General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - L Lapointe-Shaw
- Mount Sinai Hospital and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - M Kowgier
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto Western and General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - J Meza-Cardona
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Español, Mexico D.F, Mexico
| | - G M Hirschfield
- Centre for Liver Research, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - H L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto Western and General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - J J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto Western and General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Maruyama H, Shiha G, Yokosuka O, Kumar A, Sharma BC, Ibrahim A, Saraswat V, Lesmana CRA, Omata M. Non-invasive assessment of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Hepatol Int 2015; 10:267-76. [PMID: 26696585 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-015-9670-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis are key pathophysiologies with major manifestations in cirrhosis. Although the degree of portal pressure and hepatic fibrosis are pivotal parameters, both are determined using invasive procedures. Ultrasound (US) is a simple and non-invasive technique that is available for use worldwide in the abdominal field. Because of its safety and easy of use, contrast-enhanced US is one of the most frequently used tools in the management of liver tumors for the detection and characterization of lesions, assessment of malignancy grade, and evaluation of therapeutic effects. This wide range of applications drives the practical use of contrast-enhanced US for evaluation of the severity of portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis. The present article reviews the recent progress in contrast-enhanced US for the assessment of portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Maruyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuou-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Gamal Shiha
- Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH), Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuou-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ganga Ram Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (GRIPMER), Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, 110 060, India
| | | | - Alaa Ibrahim
- GI/Liver division, GIT Endoscopy Unit, University of Benha, Banha, Egypt
| | - Vivek Saraswat
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, 226014, India
| | - Cosmas Rinaldi A Lesmana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary Division, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, University of Indonesia, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
| | - Masao Omata
- Yamanashi Hospitals (Central and Kita) Organization, 1-1-1 Fujimi, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi, 400-8506, Japan
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Doppler ultrasonography helps discriminate between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients with viral B and C hepatitis. Diagn Interv Imaging 2015; 97:339-45. [PMID: 26652726 DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2015.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to define the cutoff values between compensated cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic patients with viral hepatitis B and C, using the criteria of the Doppler parameters of liver vascularity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy non-cirrhotic patients with viral hepatitis B and C and 30 cirrhotic patients were included in this prospective study. The diagnostic decisiveness properties of the Doppler values in the pre-determination of liver cirrhosis were evaluated using receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. RESULTS Taking the cutoff value for hepatic vein waveform index as 0.605, a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 77.1% were obtained. The sensitivity was 80%, and the specificity was 68.6% for a mean max portal velocity cutoff value of 18.25cm/s. When the hepatic artery resistivity index cutoff value was taken as 0.705 for the diagnosis of cirrhosis, the sensitivity was 82.5% and the specificity 72.1%. For a hepatic artery pulsatility index cutoff value of 1.295, a sensitivity of 82.5% and a specificity of 72.1% were found. CONCLUSION It is not possible to diagnose cirrhosis with only hemodynamic changes. However, the cutoff values may be helpful in the selection of patients to undergo the procedure of liver biopsy.
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Lurie Y, Webb M, Cytter-Kuint R, Shteingart S, Lederkremer GZ. Non-invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:11567-11583. [PMID: 26556987 PMCID: PMC4631961 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i41.11567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The evaluation and follow up of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis have been traditionally performed by liver biopsy. However, during the last 20 years, it has become evident that this “gold-standard” is imperfect; even according to its proponents, it is only “the best” among available methods. Attempts at uncovering non-invasive diagnostic tools have yielded multiple scores, formulae, and imaging modalities. All are better tolerated, safer, more acceptable to the patient, and can be repeated essentially as often as required. Most are much less expensive than liver biopsy. Consequently, their use is growing, and in some countries the number of biopsies performed, at least for routine evaluation of hepatitis B and C, has declined sharply. However, the accuracy and diagnostic value of most, if not all, of these methods remains controversial. In this review for the practicing physician, we analyze established and novel biomarkers and physical techniques. We may be witnessing in recent years the beginning of the end of the first phase for the development of non-invasive markers. Early evidence suggests that they might be at least as good as liver biopsy. Novel experimental markers and imaging techniques could produce a dramatic change in diagnosis in the near future.
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Gaia S, Campion D, Evangelista A, Spandre M, Cosso L, Brunello F, Ciccone G, Bugianesi E, Rizzetto M. Non-invasive score system for fibrosis in chronic hepatitis: proposal for a model based on biochemical, FibroScan and ultrasound data. Liver Int 2015; 35:2027-35. [PMID: 25495478 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We elaborate a non-invasive score system for liver fibrosis (NISF), exploring its diagnostic performance and comparing its accuracy to FibroScan in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS Clinical, biochemical, elastographic and ultrasound parameters derived from patients with CH (n = 83) or NAFLD (n = 58), undergoing liver biopsy for fibrosis assessment, were prospectively collected as potential predictors of fibrosis. Each parameter was evaluated for its correlation with the liver biopsy (Gold Standard). Candidate predictors with good interobserver agreement and correlation with histological stages were combined into two algorithms (NISF) to predict fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis and NAFLD. RESULTS The CH-NISF included six parameters: bluntness of liver edges, irregularity of left lobe surface, diameter of segment 4, liver stiffness measurement, platelet count and ALT values. The ability of the model to discriminate F3-F4 vs F0-F1 stages and F2 vs F0-F1 was high (AUROC of 0.95 and 0.83 respectively) and better than FibroScan alone, especially in intermediate stages (F2 vs F0-F1), AUROC 0.83 vs 0.57 (P = 0.003). The resulting algorithm is available as mathematical formula, nomogram or free online link. [http://health.mafservizi.it/NISF_Calculator/liver.htm] The NAFLD-NISF included liver stiffness, platelet count and AST levels, had good ability to discriminate F0-F1 vs F2-F3-F4 stages (AUROC 0.86), however, not significantly higher than FibroScan. CONCLUSIONS CH-NISF can be proposed as preliminary and easily available staging tool, superior to FibroScan alone in predicting histological fibrosis, especially in intermediate stages. Further validations are needed to improve NISF accuracy in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gaia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Daniela Campion
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Evangelista
- Department of Epidemiology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Spandre
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Loretta Cosso
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Franco Brunello
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovannino Ciccone
- Department of Epidemiology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Mario Rizzetto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Città della Salute e della Scienza - University Hospital, Turin, Italy
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Yin M, Glaser KJ, Talwalkar JA, Chen J, Manduca A, Ehman RL. Hepatic MR Elastography: Clinical Performance in a Series of 1377 Consecutive Examinations. Radiology 2015; 278:114-24. [PMID: 26162026 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2015142141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the technical success rate and diagnostic performance of liver magnetic resonance (MR) elastography. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board with patient informed consent. A total of 1377 consecutive MR elastography examinations performed between 2007 and 2010 in 1287 patients for clinical indications were included. Medical records were used to retrieve liver stiffness as assessed with MR elastography, histologic analysis, blood work, and other liver disease-related information. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests and analysis of covariance methods were used to evaluate the diagnostic values and relationships of the collected data. RESULTS Hepatic MR elastography had a success rate of 94.4% (1300 of 1377 cases) and yielded reproducible measurements (r = 0.9716, P < .0001) in the study cohort, with a complex patient profile and multiple interpreters. Body mass index had no significant effect on success rate (P = .2). In 289 patients who underwent liver biopsy within 1 year of the MR elastography date, mean liver stiffness as assessed with MR elastography was significantly higher in patients with advanced fibrosis (stages F3, F4) than in those with mild to moderate fibrosis (stages F0, F1, F2) (5.93 kPa ± 2.31 [standard deviation] vs 3.35 kPa ± 1.44, P < .0001). Liver stiffness is associated with many factors other than fibrosis extent, including cause of fibrosis (viral hepatitis C vs nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, P = .025), inflammation (severe vs mild to moderate, P = .03), and hepatic metabolic and synthetic function (no fibrosis vs intermediate fibrosis, P ≤ .01). CONCLUSION In a general clinical practice environment, hepatic MR elastography is a robust imaging method with a high success rate in a broad spectrum of patients. It also shows the complex association between liver stiffness and hepatic pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Yin
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.Y., K.J.G., J.C., A.M., R.L.E.) and Gastroenterology (J.A.T.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Kevin J Glaser
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.Y., K.J.G., J.C., A.M., R.L.E.) and Gastroenterology (J.A.T.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Jayant A Talwalkar
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.Y., K.J.G., J.C., A.M., R.L.E.) and Gastroenterology (J.A.T.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Jun Chen
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.Y., K.J.G., J.C., A.M., R.L.E.) and Gastroenterology (J.A.T.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Armando Manduca
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.Y., K.J.G., J.C., A.M., R.L.E.) and Gastroenterology (J.A.T.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Richard L Ehman
- From the Departments of Radiology (M.Y., K.J.G., J.C., A.M., R.L.E.) and Gastroenterology (J.A.T.), Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905
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Ballestri S, Romagnoli D, Nascimbeni F, Francica G, Lonardo A. Role of ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its complications. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 9:603-27. [PMID: 25694178 DOI: 10.1586/17474124.2015.1007955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We review the role of liver ultrasonography (US) and related techniques as non-invasive tools in predicting metabolic derangements, liver histology, portal hypertension and cardiovascular risk as well as allowing early diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In this setting, US detects fatty changes as low as ≥20% and hepatic steatosis identified ultrasonographically, in its turn, closely mirrors coronary and carotid atherosclerosis burden. Semi-quantitative US indices (to exclude nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) and sonoelastography (to quantify fibrosis) help in predicting liver histology and selecting patients to submit to liver biopsy. Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma conducted through biannual US is mandatory and US has a role in guiding locoregional treatment and in evaluating the efficacy of treatment. High-intensity focused ultrasound can be delivered with precision resulting in coagulative necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma without puncturing the liver. Costs and inconveniences have so far hampered its diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ballestri
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Pavullo - Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda USL, Pavullo, Modena 41126, Italy
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The natural history of cirrhosis from parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease after resolution of cholestasis with parenteral fish oil therapy. Ann Surg 2015; 261:172-9. [PMID: 24374535 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000000445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the natural history of cirrhosis from parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) after resolution of cholestasis with fish oil (FO) therapy. BACKGROUND Historically, cirrhosis from PNALD resulted in end-stage liver disease, often requiring transplantation for survival. With FO therapy, most children now experience resolution of cholestasis and rarely progress to end-stage liver disease. However, outcomes for cirrhosis after resolution of cholestasis are unknown and patients continue to be considered for liver/multivisceral transplantation. METHODS Prospectively collected data were reviewed for children with cirrhosis because of PNALD who had resolution of cholestasis after treatment with FO from 2004 to 2012. Outcomes evaluated included need for liver/multivisceral transplantation, mortality, and the clinical progression of liver disease. RESULTS Fifty-one patients with cirrhosis from PNALD were identified, with 76% demonstrating resolution of cholestasis after FO therapy. The mean direct bilirubin decreased from 6.4 ± 4 mg/dL to 0.2 ± 0.1 mg/dL (P < 0.001) 12 months after resolution of cholestasis, with a mean time to resolution of 74 days. None of the patients required transplantation or died from end-stage liver disease. Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease scores decreased from 16 ± 4.6 to -1.2 ± 4.6, 12 months after resolution of cholestasis (P < 0.001). In children who remained PN-dependent, the Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease score remained normal throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Cirrhosis from PNALD may be stable rather than progressive once cholestasis resolves with FO therapy. Furthermore, these patients may not require transplantation and show no clinical evidence of liver disease progression, even when persistently PN-dependent.
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Göbel T, Schadewaldt-Tümmers J, Greiner L, Poremba C, Häussinger D, Erhardt A. Transient elastography improves detection of liver cirrhosis compared to routine screening tests. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:953-960. [PMID: 25624730 PMCID: PMC4299349 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i3.953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Revised: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the diagnostic significance of transient elastography (TE) in a daily routine clinical setting in comparison to clinical signs, laboratory parameters and ultrasound.
METHODS: TE, ultrasound, laboratory parameters and cutaneous liver signs were assessed in 291 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease of various aetiologies who underwent liver biopsy in daily routine.
RESULTS: Sensitivity of TE for the detection of liver cirrhosis was 90.4%, compared to 80.1% for ultrasound, 58.0% for platelet count and 45.1% for cutaneous liver signs (P < 0.0001 for comparisons with histology). AUROC for TE was 0.760 (95%CI: 0.694-0.825). Combination of TE with ultrasound increased sensitivity to 96.1% and AUROC to 0.825 (95%CI: 0.768-0.882). TE correlated with laboratory parameters of cirrhosis progression like albumin (r = -0.43), prothrombin time (r = -0.44), and bilirubin (r = 0.34; P < 0.001 for each). Particularly, in patients with Child Pugh score A or normal platelet count TE improved sensitivity for the detection of liver cirrhosis compared to ultrasound by 14.1% (P < 0.04) and 16.3% (P < 0.02), respectively.
CONCLUSION: Transient elastography is superior to routine diagnostic tests allowing detection of liver cirrhosis in additional 10%-16% of patients with chronic liver disease that would have been missed by clinical examinations.
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Sharma S, Khalili K, Nguyen GC. Non-invasive diagnosis of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:16820-16830. [PMID: 25492996 PMCID: PMC4258552 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i45.16820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 08/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is a common and growing public health problem globally. The diagnosis of cirrhosis portends an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of cirrhosis and staging of fibrosis. However, despite its universal use, liver biopsy is an invasive and inaccurate gold standard with numerous drawbacks. In order to overcome the limitations of liver biopsy, a number of non-invasive techniques have been investigated for the assessment of cirrhosis. This review will focus on currently available non-invasive markers of cirrhosis. The evidence behind the use of these markers will be highlighted, along with an assessment of diagnostic accuracy and performance characteristics of each test. Non-invasive markers of cirrhosis can be radiologic or serum-based. Radiologic techniques based on ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and elastography have been used to assess liver fibrosis. Serum-based biomarkers of cirrhosis have also been developed. These are broadly classified into indirect and direct markers. Indirect biomarkers reflect liver function, which may decline with the onset of cirrhosis. Direct biomarkers, reflect extracellular matrix turnover, and include molecules involved in hepatic fibrogenesis. On the whole, radiologic and serum markers of fibrosis correlate well with biopsy scores, especially when excluding cirrhosis or excluding fibrosis. This feature is certainly clinically useful, and avoids liver biopsy in many cases.
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Amin MA, Eltomey MA, Abdelazeem MA, Yusif M. Diffusion weighted MRI in chronic viral hepatitis C: Correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient values and histopathological scores. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrnm.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Shin NY, Kim MJ, Lee MJ, Han SJ, Koh H, Namgung R, Park YN. Transient elastography and sonography for prediction of liver fibrosis in infants with biliary atresia. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2014; 33:853-864. [PMID: 24764341 DOI: 10.7863/ultra.33.5.853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of transient elastography and sonography for noninvasive evaluation of liver fibrosis in infants with biliary atresia. METHODS Forty-seven infants with biliary atresia who underwent both transient elastography and sonography before surgery were included in this study. Two types of transient elastographic probes were used: an M probe, which is used for the general adult population; and an S probe, which is specific to children. Transient elastographic measurements and sonographic findings such as triangular cord thickness and hepatic artery and portal vein diameters were compared with the METAVIR histopathologic fibrosis scoring system. RESULTS Only transient elastography (ρ = 0.63; P < .001) was significantly correlated with METAVIR fibrosis stages. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for transient elastography were 0.86 and 0.96 for diagnosis of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis, respectively. The cutoff value of transient elastography for diagnosis of severe fibrosis was greater than 9.6 kPa, with sensitivity of 89.5% and specificity of 75%. The cutoff value of transient elastography for diagnosis of cirrhosis was greater than 18.1 kPa, with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 90.5%. The success rate for the S probe (100%) was significantly higher than that for the M probe (77%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Transient elastography may be a useful noninvasive method for diagnosis of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis and may help predict outcomes before surgery or invasive liver biopsy in infants with biliary atresia. The success rate of transient elastography in infants was improved by using the S probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Young Shin
- Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-ku, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
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Liu GJ, Ji Q, Moriyasu F, Xie XY, Wang W, Wong LH, Lin MX, Lu MD. Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound using perflubutane microbubbles for diagnosing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in rats. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2013; 39:2158-2165. [PMID: 23969165 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2013.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We determined the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using perflubutane microbubbles to diagnose liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in rats using histology as the reference standard. Fibrosis was induced by oral administration of carbon tetrachloride to 32 Wistar rats. Features with baseline ultrasound (US) and enhancement level of liver and spleen with CEUS were obtained. In the post-vascular phase of CEUS, images of normal livers (n = 5) were significantly brighter than images of fibrotic (n = 6) and cirrhotic livers (n = 13) by quantitative analysis (all p < 0.05). The contrast between livers and spleens in rats with cirrhosis was quantitatively greater than that in normal rats and rats with fibrosis (all p < 0.05). Compared with US, CEUS improved sensitivity from 63% to 84% and accuracy from 71% to 88%. Specificity was 100% for both. The increased value of CEUS in diagnosing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in rats supports its evaluation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Jian Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Mondésert B, Marcotte F, Mongeon FP, Dore A, Mercier LA, Ibrahim R, Asgar A, Miro J, Poirier N, Khairy P. Fontan Circulation: Success or Failure? Can J Cardiol 2013; 29:811-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2012.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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Alfaleh FZ, Alswat K, Helmy A, Al-hamoudi W, El-sharkawy M, Omar M, Shalaby A, Bedewi MA, Hadad Q, Ali SM, Alfaleh A, Abdo AA. The natural history and long-term outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 after interferon-based therapy. Liver Int 2013; 33:871-83. [PMID: 23490034 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 (G4) infection is common in the Middle East. Post-treatment long-term outcomes have not been reported in these patients. This study evaluates these outcomes in patients after interferon-based therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 157 patients were followed from June 2001 to February 2012. Descriptive and analytical statistics, cumulative outcomes and the independent predictors of disease progression were calculated. RESULTS The overall age was 48.0 ± 11.8 years, 75 (47.8%) were males and 53 (70.7%) of 75 who were genotyped had G4. The follow-up period was 63.8 ± 32.8 months. Sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 62 (39.5%) and 24 (45.3%) patients in the whole group and the G4 subgroup respectively. Among the whole cohort and the G4 subgroup, disease progressed in 59 (37.6%) and 21 (39.6%), respectively, with less progression in the SVR groups; 15/62 (24.2%) and 3/24 (12.5%) compared with non-responders; 44 (46.3%) and 18 (62.1%) with P = 0.01 and 0.001 respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that having diabetes mellitus (P = 0.03), higher baseline APRI score (P = 0.00) and non-SVR (P = 0.00) were independent predictors of disease progression. G4 patients showed similar results, but 'non-SVR' (P = 0.00) was the only independent predictor of progression. Eight patients died and four developed HCC all among the non-SVR group only. CONCLUSIONS This study describes, for the first time, the natural history and demonstrates the beneficial long-term effects of interferon-based therapy in HCV G4 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faleh Z Alfaleh
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Domenicali M, Tufoni M, Bevilacqua V, Benazzi B, Ricci CS, Tovoli A, Napoli L, Caraceni P, Bernardi M. Dorsal acoustic windows may ameliorate liver ultrasound in patients with chronic liver disease and meteorism/obesity/ascites. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2013; 40:399-408. [DOI: 10.1007/s10396-013-0445-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Ran HT, Ye XP, Zheng YY, Zhang DZ, Wang ZG, Chen J, Madoff D, Gao J. Spleen stiffness and splenoportal venous flow: assessment before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2013; 32:221-228. [PMID: 23341376 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2013.32.2.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To prospectively assess changes in spleen stiffness and splenoportal venous flow before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. METHODS We prospectively evaluated spleen stiffness measured by the mean shear wave velocity with acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and the splenoportal venous velocity with color Doppler sonography in 12 patients (mean age ± SD, 42.6 ± 11.0 years; range, 29-65 years) who underwent TIPS placement for portal hypertension and gastroesophageal bleeding. The mean shear wave velocity and angle-corrected splenoportal venous velocity at the main portal and splenic veins were measured 1 day before and 3 to 9 days after TIPS placement (mean interval, 6.0 ± 1.95 days; range, 4-10 days) and were compared with portal vein pressure measured during the procedure. RESULTS There was a significant difference in portal vein pressure before and after TIPS (25.34 ± 6.21 versus 15.66 ± 6.07 mm Hg; P = .0005). After TIPS, the mean shear wave velocity decreased significantly in all 12 cases (3.50 ± 0.46 versus 3.15 ± 0.39 m/s before and after TIPS; P = .00015). The flow velocity at the main portal vein increased significantly after TIPS (22.21 ± 4.13 versus 47.25 ± 12.37 cm/s; P = .0000051). The splenic vein velocity and spleen index measured 25.57 ± 6.98 cm/s and 55.99 ± 21.27 cm(2), respectively, before TIPS and 35.72 ± 11.10 cm/s and 50.11 ± 21.12 cm(2) after TIPS (P = .0004 and .003). CONCLUSIONS A significant decrease in the mean shear wave velocity and increase in the splenoportal venous velocity occurred with reduced portal vein pressure after TIPS placement. Hence, both parameters can be used as noninvasive quantitative markers for monitoring TIPS function after placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tao Ran
- Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Truncated active human matrix metalloproteinase-8 delivered by a chimeric adenovirus-hepatitis B virus vector ameliorates rat liver cirrhosis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53392. [PMID: 23301066 PMCID: PMC3536652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by progressive displacement of functional hepatocytes by fibrous tissue. The underlying fibrosis is often driven by chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Matrix metalloproteinases including MMP-8 are crucial for excess collagen degradation. In a rat model of liver cirrhosis, MMP-8 delivery by an adenovirus (Ad) vector achieved significant amelioration of fibrosis but application of Ad vectors in humans is subject to various issues, including a lack of intrinsic liver specificity. METHODS HBV is highly liver-specific and its principal suitability as liver-specific gene transfer vector is established. HBV vectors have a limited insertion capacity and are replication-defective. Conversely, in an HBV infected cell vector replication may be rescued in trans by the resident virus, allowing conditional vector amplification and spreading. Capitalizing on a resident pathogen to help in its elimination and/or in treating its pathogenic consequences would provide a novel strategy. However, resident HBV may also reduce susceptibility to HBV vector superinfection. Thus a size-compatible truncated MMP-8 (tMMP8) gene was cloned into an HBV vector which was then used to generate a chimeric Ad-HBV shuttle vector that is not subject to superinfection exclusion. Rats with thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis were injected with the chimera to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS Our data demonstrate that infectious HBV vector particles can be obtained via trans-complementation by wild-type virus, and that the tMMP8 HBV vector can efficiently be shuttled by an Ad vector into cirrhotic rat livers. There it exerted a comparable beneficial effect on fibrosis and hepatocyte proliferation markers as a conventional full-length MMP-8Ad vector. CONCLUSIONS Though the rat cirrhosis model does not allow assessing in vivo HBV vector amplification these results advocate the further development of Ad-HBV vectors for liver-specific gene therapy, including and perhaps particularly for HBV-related disease.
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Estimation of PSD shifts for high-resolution metrology of thickness micro-changes with possible applications in vessel walls and biological membrane characterization. SENSORS 2012. [PMID: 23202216 PMCID: PMC3522969 DOI: 10.3390/s121115394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Achieving accurate measurements of inflammation levels in tissues or thickness changes in biological membranes (e.g., amniotic sac, parietal pleura) and thin biological walls (e.g., blood vessels) from outside the human body, is a promising research line in the medical area. It would provide a technical basis to study the options for early diagnosis of some serious diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis or tuberculosis. Nevertheless, achieving the aim of non-invasive measurement of those scarcely-accessible parameters on patient internal tissues, currently presents many difficulties. The use of high-frequency ultrasonic transducer systems appears to offer a possible solution. Previous studies using conventional ultrasonic imaging have shown this, but the spatial resolution was not sufficient so as to permit a thickness evaluation with clinical significance, which requires an accuracy of a few microns. In this paper a broadband ultrasonic technique, that was recently developed by the authors to address other non-invasive medical detection problems (by integrating a piezoelectric transducer into a spectral measuring system), is extended to our new objective; the aim is its application to the thickness measurement of sub-millimeter membranes or layers made of materials similar to some biological tissues (phantoms). The modeling and design rules of such a transducer system are described, and various methods of estimating overtones location in the power spectral density (PSD) are quantitatively assessed with transducer signals acquired using piezoelectric systems and also generated from a multi-echo model. Their effects on the potential resolution of the proposed thickness measuring tool, and their capability to provide accuracies around the micron are studied in detail. Comparisons are made with typical tools for extracting spatial parameters in laminar samples from echo-waveforms acquired with ultrasonic transducers. Results of this advanced measurement spectral tool are found to improve the performance of typical cross-correlation methods and provide reliable and high-resolution estimations.
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Han JY, Cho JH, Kwon HJ, Nam KJ. Predicting portal hypertension as assessed by acoustic radiation force impulse: correlations with the Doppler ultrasound. Br J Radiol 2012; 85:e404-9. [PMID: 22815421 DOI: 10.1259/bjr/74648924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) for evaluating portal hypertension by correlating the elasticity of liver cirrhosis, as measured by ARFI, with haemodynamic indices measured by Doppler ultrasound. METHODS We evaluated the data of a total of 154 prospectively enrolled patients who underwent both duplex Doppler ultrasound and ARFI imaging. The duplex Doppler ultrasound indices, including the mean portal vein velocity, splenic index (SI) and splenoportal index (SPI) were evaluated to determine the statistical correlation with shear wave velocity (SWV) of ARFI. We also analysed the differences in the correlations between the SI, SPI and SWV of the group who had varices. The correlations were assessed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. RESULTS There was an increase of SWV in parallel with the increase of the SI (ρ=0.409, p<0.01) and SPI (ρ=0.451, p<0.01). In the patient group who did not have varices (n=74), the Doppler indices were found to be more correlated with the SWV (SI: ρ=0.447, SPI: ρ=0.552, p<0.01). However, the group with varices showed no correlation between the SWV and the Doppler parameters. CONCLUSION SWV of ARFI was well correlated statistically with Doppler parameters, but is of limited value in predicting portal hypertension directly owing to great variability of Doppler parameters. By evaluating the correlation between ARFI and Doppler ultrasound, we suggest that the SWV might be a non-invasive supplementary tool for predicting portal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-Y Han
- Department of Radiology, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Ying M, Leung G, Lau TYH, Tipoe GL, Lee EST, Yuen QWH, Huang YP, Zheng YP. Evaluation of liver fibrosis by investigation of hepatic parenchymal perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasound: an animal study. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2012; 40:462-470. [PMID: 22847895 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.21969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the value of assessing the hepatic parenchymal perfusion in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for evaluating liver fibrosis, using an animal model. METHODS Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into experimental (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. In the experimental group, liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. CEUS of the liver was performed at a 2-week interval for 14 weeks. Signal intensity of liver parenchyma was analyzed with time-intensity curves. Histologic examination of liver specimens of the animals was performed to assess the fibrosis stage. RESULTS The peak signal intensity of hepatic parenchymal perfusion in stage 2-3 fibrosis was significantly lower than that in stage 0-1. The time to peak intensity of hepatic parenchymal perfusion was significantly longer in the experimental group than the control group, and in the stage 3 fibrosis than in stages 0-2 fibrosis. Using time to peak intensity of hepatic parenchymal perfusion to distinguish stage 3 fibrosis and stages 0-2 fibrosis, the optimum cutoff was 75,000 milliseconds with the sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This animal study showed that CEUS has the potential to be a complementary imaging tool in the evaluation of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ying
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Cobbold JFL, Patel D, Taylor-Robinson SD. Assessment of inflammation and fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by imaging-based techniques. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012; 27:1281-92. [PMID: 22432836 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2012.07127.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) is a burgeoning global health problem, and the assessment of disease severity remains a clinical challenge. Conventional imaging and clinical blood tests are frequently unable to determine disease activity (the degree of inflammatory change) and fibrotic severity, while the applicability of histological examination of liver biopsy is limited. Imaging platforms provide liver-specific structural information, while newer applications of these technologies non-invasively exploit the physical and chemical characteristics of liver tissue in health and disease. In this review, conventional and newer imaging-based techniques for the assessment of inflammation and fibrosis in NAFLD are discussed in terms of diagnostic accuracy, radio-pathological correlations, and practical considerations. In particular, recent clinical studies of ultrasound (US)-based and magnetic resonance elastography techniques are evaluated, while the potential of contrast-enhanced US and magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques is discussed. The development and application of these techniques is starting to reduce the clinical need for liver biopsy, to produce surrogate end-points for interventional and observational clinical studies, and through this, to provide new insights into the natural history of NAFLD.
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Possible patient early diagnosis by ultrasonic noninvasive estimation of thermal gradients into tissues based on spectral changes modeling. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2012; 2012:275405. [PMID: 22654958 PMCID: PMC3359682 DOI: 10.1155/2012/275405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To achieve a precise noninvasive temperature estimation, inside patient tissues, would open promising research fields, because its clinic results would provide early-diagnosis tools. In fact, detecting changes of thermal origin in ultrasonic echo spectra could be useful as an early complementary indicator of infections, inflammations, or cancer. But the effective clinic applications to diagnosis of thermometry ultrasonic techniques, proposed previously, require additional research. Before their implementations with ultrasonic probes and real-time electronic and processing systems, rigorous analyses must be still made over transient echotraces acquired from well-controlled biological and computational phantoms, to improve resolutions and evaluate clinic limitations. It must be based on computing improved signal-processing algorithms emulating tissues responses. Some related parameters in echo-traces reflected by semiregular scattering tissues must be carefully quantified to get a precise processing protocols definition. In this paper, approaches for non-invasive spectral ultrasonic detection are analyzed. Extensions of author's innovations for ultrasonic thermometry are shown and applied to computationally modeled echotraces from scattered biological phantoms, attaining high resolution (better than 0.1°C). Computer methods are provided for viability evaluation of thermal estimation from echoes with distinct noise levels, difficult to be interpreted, and its effectiveness is evaluated as possible diagnosis tool in scattered tissues like liver.
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Kang J, Kwon H, Cho J, Oh J, Nam K, Yoon S, Kang M, Lee S, Han S. Comparative study of shear wave velocities using acoustic radiation force impulse technology in hepatocellular carcinoma: the extent of radiofrequency ablation. Gut Liver 2012; 6:362-7. [PMID: 22844566 PMCID: PMC3404175 DOI: 10.5009/gnl.2012.6.3.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Revised: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims The purpose of this study was to assess the value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) for predicting the extent of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by correlating the elasticity of HCC and peritumoral parenchyma (as measured by ARFI) with the extent of ablation determined by computed tomography (CT). Methods From September 2009 to June 2011, 158 patients underwent RFA ablation for HCC (single, ≤3 cm). We evaluated the data of a total of 38 prospectively enrolled patients who underwent both ARFI imaging and contrast-enhanced CT after one session of 12 minutes of RFA without a change in needle position. The ARFI imaging indices, including the mean shear wave velocity (SWV) of HCC, mean SWV of the peritumoral parenchyma and tumor size, were evaluated to determine the statistical correlation with RFA extent after one session of 12 minutes of RFA. Results A stiffer liver parenchyma in patients with cirrhosis results in a smaller ablation zone. Conclusions SWV of ARFI in liver parenchyma was well correlated with RFA extent. After evaluating the correlation between ARFI and RFA extent, we suggest that the SWV in liver parenchyma might be a non-invasive supplementary tool for predicting the extent of RFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Kang
- Department of Radiology, Dong-A Medical Center, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
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Leão J, Brock M, Castilho M, Scariot A, Scariot A, Braga W. Non-invasive assessment of fibrosis using color Doppler ultrasound in patients with hepatitis C virus in the Amazon rainforest, Brazil. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012; 86:273-9. [PMID: 22302863 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to correlate morphologic and hemodynamic Doppler ultrasound findings as indicators of the degree of inflammation and fibrosis and to diagnose chronic vital hepatitis complications and progression. A prospective, descriptive study of a case series was conducted that analyzed Doppler ultrasound images of the liver and portal system and used the portal vein congestion index, hepatic and splenic artery impedance indices, and the liver vascular index. Of 50 patients positive for antibodies against hepatitis C virus, morphologic changes highlighted increased hepatic parenchyma echogenicity in 24%, and increased gall blander echogenicity and wall thickness in 4%. The most common hemodynamic changes observed were reduced flow velocity in the portal vein trunk in 26%, congestion index changes in 12%, liver vascular index changes in 16%, and splenic and hepatic artery impedance index changes in 14%. These indices were shown to be associated with alanine aminotransferase levels, which suggested that they are important liver damage indicators in the early phase of infection with hepatitis C virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Leão
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Gerência de Virologia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
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Kim KH, Jang BK, Chung WJ, Hwang JS, Kweon YO, Tak WY, Lee HJ, Lee CH, Suh JI. Peginterferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY 2012; 17:220-5. [PMID: 22102389 PMCID: PMC3304650 DOI: 10.3350/kjhep.2011.17.3.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Pegylated interferon (peginterferon) and ribavirin combination therapy is less effective and associated with a higher frequency of serious complications in chronic hepatitis C patients with cirrhosis than in noncirrhotic patients. This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of peginterferon and ribavirin treatment in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis. METHODS Eighty-six patients with clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis were treated with either peginterferon alpha-2a (n=51) or peginterferon alpha-2b (n=35) plus ribavirin. The sustained virologic response (SVR) and adverse effects were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Of the 86 patients (55 males), 48 patients (55.8%) had HCV genotype 1 infection and 38 (44.2%) had genotype non-1 infection. The overall SVR rate was 34.9% (30/86), and the rates of SVR in the genotype 1 and non-1 patients were 20.8% (10/48) and 52.6% (20/38), respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that having HCV genotype 1 (P=0.003) and high baseline viral load (<8.0×10(5) IU/mL, P=0.012) were the independent predictive factors for SVR failure. In 20.9% (18/86) of the patients, treatment was not completed due to adverse events (27.8%), loss to follow-up (50.0%), and other reasons (22.2%). CONCLUSIONS Peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy was relatively effective and feasible for clinically diagnosed HCV patients, especially in those with genotype non-1 infection and low baseline viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hoon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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