Liver transplantation for congenital hepatic fibrosis

Congenital hepatic fibrosis with negative endoscopic evaluation of esophageal and gastric varices: A case report

RATIONAL

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease, which is often diagnosed in children and young adults. The clinical manifestations of CHF were lack of specificity, mainly including portal hypertension related symptoms and signs, and normal or mildly abnormal liver function. When no obvious varices are indicated under endoscope, it can easily lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. We report this case in the hope of raising awareness of this disease.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 31 years old male patient with major clinical manifestations of unexplained thrombocytopenia for 5 years.

DIAGNOSES

Results of ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography portal venography (CTV) showed that patient had liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and liver biopsy revealed CHF.

INTERVENTION

Patient received ursodeoxycholic acid tablets, fuzheng huayu capsule, ganshuang granule, etc for liver protection treatment.

OUTCOMES

The condition of patient stabilized after symptomatic treatment. Spleen resection will be considered during follow-up.

LESSONS

This case reminds us that in case of patients with negative endoscopic evaluation, ultrasonic, computed tomography (CT) and MRI examination should be performed at the same time to determine whether patients have portal hypertension. When patients with normal or mildly abnormal liver function had unexplained liver cirrhosis complicated with portal hypertension, the possibility of CHF should be considered.

Nephronophthisis 13 caused by WDR19 variants with pancytopenia: case report

We present a case of nephronophthisis 13 that resulted from WDR19 variants. The patient, a nine-year-old Japanese boy, had detection of mild proteinuria during a school urine screening. Urinalysis revealed mild proteinuria without hematuria. Blood tests indicated pancytopenia, mild elevation of liver enzymes, and kidney dysfunction. Ultrasound examination disclosed hepatosplenomegaly. Abdominal computed tomography and bone marrow assessments ruled out malignant tumors. Subsequent kidney and liver biopsies suggested nephronophthisis and congenital hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, comprehensive genetic analysis through next-generation sequencing revealed compound heterozygous variants in WDR19 (NM_025132.4), including the previously reported c.3533G > A, p.(Arg1178Gln), and c.3703G > A, p.(Glu1235Lys) variants, confirming the diagnosis of nephronophthisis 13. There is potential need for liver and kidney transplantation in patients with nephronophthisis and hepatic fibrosis. Early diagnosis is therefore crucial to mitigate delays in treating complications associated with kidney and hepatic insufficiency and to facilitate preparation of transplantation. To achieve early diagnosis of nephronophthisis, it is imperative to consider it as a differential diagnosis when extrarenal symptoms and kidney dysfunction coexist, particularly when mild proteinuria is observed through opportunistic urinalysis. Genetic testing is important because nephronophthisis manifests as diverse symptoms, necessitating an accurate diagnosis. Next-generation sequencing was shown to be invaluable for the genetic diagnosis of nephronophthisis, given the numerous identified causative genes.

Case report: Rare genetic liver disease - a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis in adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is considered to be a rare autosomal recessive hereditary fibrocystic liver disease, mainly found in children. However, cases of adult CHF with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) caused by PKD1 gene mutation are extremely rare. We report a 31-year-old female patient admitted for esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding. Physical examination revealed significant splenomegaly, biochemical tests showed a slight increase in liver enzymes, and a decrease in platelet count. Imaging examinations showed significant dilatation of the common bile duct and intrahepatic bile ducts, as well as multiple renal cysts. Liver biopsy revealed enlarged portal areas, bridging fibrosis, and numerous variably shaped small bile ducts. Genetic testing identified two unique mutations in the PKD1 gene, identified as biallelic mutations compound heterozygous mutations composed of a mutation inherited from the father (c.8296 T > C) and one from the mother (c.9653G > C). Based on multiple test results, the patient was diagnosed with the portal hypertension type CHF associated with ADPKD. During her initial hospital stay, the patient underwent endoscopic treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding. To date, the patient has recovered well. Moreover, a significant reduction in varices was observed in a gastroscopy examination 18 months later.

A clinical review of congenital hepatic fibrosis diagnosed in adulthood: presentation, complications, and outcomes

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a rare condition characterized by biliary tract changes and a geographic pattern of liver fibrosis. Liver biopsy is essential to confirm its diagnosis. The absence of specific clinical indicators in adults often leads to delays in diagnosis and management, while the natural history has not been well described. We sought to define the presentation and outcomes of adults with biopsy-proven CHF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients diagnosed with CHF by liver biopsy. Continuous variables were summarized with the sample median and range. Categorical variables were summarized with number and percentage of patients.

RESULTS

We identified 24 patients evaluated over a 20-year period, with a median age of 51 years (range 22-72 years) at initial presentation; 14 were male. The most common imaging findings were renal cysts (91.3%), splenomegaly (69.6%), and a cirrhotic-appearing liver (60.9%). The most commonly treated liver-related complications were cholangitis (45.8%), varices (45.8%), and hepatic encephalopathy (25%). Two patients died with a median length of follow-up of 2.9 years (range: 0.0-20.0 years). Two patients underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement to manage bleeding esophageal varices. Eight patients underwent liver transplantation (LT), the most common indication being decompensated disease (50%).

CONCLUSIONS

CHF should be considered when patients present with cholangitis and/or complications of portal hypertension and have a cirrhotic appearing liver and renal cysts on imaging. Depending upon the disease severity, interventions such as TIPS or LT may be required.

An update on ductal plate malformations and fibropolycystic diseases of the liver

A variety of cystic and fibrocystic lesions can occur in the liver, which may be single or multiple and etiologically can be acquired or have genetic underpinnings. Although the morphology of ductal plate development and various associated malformations has been well described, the genetic etiologies of many of these disorders are still poorly understood. Multiple clinical phenotypes in the liver are proposed to originate from ductal plate malformations: congenital hepatic fibrosis, Caroli's disease, Von Meyenburg complex, and the liver cysts of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney and liver diseases. Although many of the patients with these disorders, particularly with isolated liver involvement remain asymptomatic, some develop portal hypertension or symptoms from cyst enlargement. Development of hepatocellular malignancy is a risk in a small subset. Recent advances have made it now possible for some of these phenotypes to be genetically defined, and intriguingly animal models of adult polycystic liver disease suggest that abnormal organ development is not required. This review describes the current understanding, genetic underpinning, and key clinicopathologic and imaging features of these fibropolycystic liver diseases.

Placental Immune Tolerance and Organ Transplantation: Underlying Interconnections and Clinical Implications

The immune system recognizes and attacks non-self antigens, making up the cornerstone of immunity activity against infection. However, during organ transplantation, the immune system also attacks transplanted organs and leads to immune rejection and transplantation failure. Interestingly, although the embryo and placenta are semi-allografts, like transplanted organs, they can induce maternal tolerance and be free of a vigorous immune response. Also, embryo or placenta-related antibodies might adversely affect subsequent organ transplantation despite the immune tolerance during pregnancy. Therefore, the balance between the immune tolerance in maternal-fetal interface and normal infection defense provides a possible desensitization and tolerance strategy to improve transplantation outcomes. A few studies on mechanisms and clinical applications have been performed to explore the relationship between maternal-fetal immune tolerance and organ transplantation. However, up to now, the mechanisms underlying maternal-fetal immune tolerance remain vague. In this review, we provide an overview on the current understanding of immune tolerance mechanisms underlying the maternal-fetal interface, summarize the interconnection between immune tolerance and organ transplantation, and describe the adverse effect of pregnancy alloimmunization on organ transplantation.