The effect of trans arterial chemoembolization in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundA comprehensive re-evaluation on the role of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsA thorough database searching was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies were restricted to comparative studies between TACE and non-TACE cohorts. RevMan5.3 software and Stata 13.0 software were used for statistical analyses. The primary endpoint of our study was long-term survival.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 2036 patients were finally identified. Pooled results revealed that patients receiving TACE had a significantly better overall survival (OS) versus those without TACE (P < 0.05). Subgroup analyses were performed according to different types of TACE. Prophylactic post-surgical TACE (PPTACE) was associated with a significantly better OS versus those without PPTACE (P < 0.05). Palliative TACE (PTACE) also achieved a significantly better OS compared with those with supportive treatment (ST) only (P < 0.00001). However, TACE had no impact on disease-free survival (P = 0.87) and was less effective than surgical resection (P = 0.003).ConclusionPPTACE has a remarkable impact on OS versus those with surgical resections only and should be regularly performed. Regarding patients with unresectable disease, apart from conventional ST, adjuvant PTACE is also recommended. Upcoming prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted for further validation.     

La cafeína atenúa daño hepático y mejora signos neurológicos en un modelo de encefalopatía hepática con ratas

Introduction and aimsCirrhosis is the common outcome of liver diseases. It can be decompensated and lead to the development of complications, such as encephalopathy. Hyperammonemia that develops due to liver dysfunction is etiopathologically related to hepatic encephalopathy. Caffeine increases the activity of the urea cycle in the liver, augmenting ammonia degradation. By antagonizing adenosine receptors, it also has a hepatoprotective effect, impeding the formation of fibrosis, as well as having a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. The present study analyzed the effects of caffeine on the progression of cholestatic liver fibrosis and hepatic encephalopathy.Materials and methodsAn experimental model of cholestatic liver fibrosis, through common bile duct ligature, and of hepatic encephalopathy, through the administration of a high-protein diet, was constructed. Male Wistar rats (n = 32) were equally divided into 4 groups. The experiment lasted 28 days, with the administration of 50 mg/kg/day of caffeine. Laboratory tests, histologic analyses of the liver and encephalon, open field tests (OFTs), and daily behavioral analyses were carried out.ResultsThe ligated animals treated with caffeine had lower mean transaminase levels and improved histologic aspects of the liver and encephalon. The untreated ligated animals were clearly lethargic and apathetic at the last week of the experiment, confirmed by reduced exploratory activity during the OFT.ConclusionCaffeine improved the microarchitecture of the liver and encephalon of the cirrhotic animals and prevented the decrease in exploratory behavior of the animals during the OFT.     

Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) created using covered stents of different diameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to make a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the stent diameter (8 mm vs. 10 mm) that conveys better safety and clinical efficacy for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Materials and methodsFour databases were used to identify clinical trials published from inception until March 2020. Data were extracted to estimate and compare one-year and three-year overall survivals, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal rebleeding, and shunt dysfunction rates between patients with 8 mm covered stents and those with 10 mm covered stents.ResultsFive eligible studies were selected, which included 489 patients (316 men, 173 women). The 8 mm covered stent group had higher efficacy regarding one-year or three-year overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; P = 0.003) and (OR, 1.81; P = 0.04) and lower hepatic encephalopathy (OR, 0.69; P = 0.04) compared with 10 mm covered stent group. There were no significant differences in variceal rebleeding rate (OR 0.80; P = 0.67). However, shunt dysfunction was lower in 10 mm covered stent group (OR, 2.26; P = 0.003).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the use of 8 mm covered stents should be preferred to that of 10 mm covered stents for TIPS placement when portal pressure is frequently monitored.     

Unmasking antibiotic-associated neurological disorders: The underminer in Intensive Care Unit

Psychosis is a common and intractable disorder of hospitalization, especially in patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Along with the widely use of multiple antibiotics in community-acquired infection and hospital-acquired infection, the occurrence of antibiotic-associated neurological disorders has become more frequently. However, antibiotic neurotoxicity is often overlooked or misinterpreted. In this review, we summarized the neurological disorders caused by antibacterial agent usage and firstly systematically formulated the pathogenesis of antibiotic-associated neurotoxic reactions. Precautions of the complications are critical in preventing serious clinical outcome as the inducement is curable. Regular neurological physical examination, electroencephalogram (EEG) examination, lumbar puncture and therapeutic drug monitoring closely are essential for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis.     

Successful management and technical aspects of major liver resection in children: A retrospective cohort study

Optimal treatment of patients with various types of liver tumors or certain liver diseases frequently demands major liver resection, which remains a clinical challenge especially in children.Eighty seven consecutive pediatric liver resections including 51 (59%) major resections (resection of 3 or more hepatic segments) and 36 (41%) minor resections (resection of 1 or 2 segments) were analyzed. All patients were treated between January 2010 and March 2018. Perioperative outcomes were compared between major and minor hepatic resections.The male to female ratio was 1.72:1. The median age at operation was 20 months (range, 0.33–150 months). There was no significant difference in demographics including age, weight, ASA class, and underlying pathology. The surgical management included functional assessment of the future liver remnant, critical perioperative management, enhanced understanding of hepatic segmental anatomy, and bleeding control, as well as refined surgical techniques. The median estimated blood loss was 40 ml in the minor liver resection group, and 90 ml in major liver resection group (P < .001). Children undergoing major liver resection had a significantly longer median operative time (80 vs 140 minutes), anesthesia time (140 vs 205 minutes), as well as higher median intraoperative total fluid input (255 vs 450 ml) (P < .001 for all). Fourteen (16.1%) patients had postoperative complications. By Clavien-Dindo classification, there were 8 grade I, 4 grade II, and 2 grade III-a complications. There were no significant differences in complication rates between groups (P = .902). Time to clear liquid diet (P = .381) and general diet (P = .473) was not significantly different. There was no difference in hospital length of stay (7 vs 7 days, P = .450). There were no 90-day readmissions or mortalities.Major liver resection in children is not associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications or prolonged postoperative hospital stay compared to minor liver resection. Techniques employed in this study offered good perioperative outcomes for children undergoing major liver resections.     

Diagnostic approach to well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma

Well-differentiated hepatocellular mass-lesions in non-cirrhotic livers have a differential diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia, regenerative hepatic pseudotumors, hepatic adenoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and fibrolamellar carcinoma. Despite significant advances in characterizing these pseudotumors and tumors, they remain a diagnostic challenge, especially on needle biopsy. This review focuses on a systematic diagnostic approach, one that allows confident diagnosis of these lesions.     

Efficacy and Safety of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo assess the critical role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), as the data with respect to the safety and outcome of TIPS in patients with BCS are scarce because of the rarity of the disease.Materials and MethodsA comprehensive search of literature of various databases from 2000 to October 2021 was conducted for studies evaluating the outcome of TIPS in patients with BCS. The primary outcomes of the analysis were technical and clinical success, adverse events and mortality associated with TIPS, dysfunction of TIPS, need for TIPS revision, need for liver transplantation (LT), and 1-year survival.ResultsA total of 33 studies (1,395 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled rates and 95% confidence intervals of various outcomes were 98.6% (97.6–99.7) for technical success, 90.3% (86.0–94.6) for clinical success, 10.0% (6.5–13.6) for major adverse events, 0.5% (0.2–1.0) for TIPS-related mortality, 11.6% (7.8–15.4) for post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy (HE), 40.1% (32.5–47.7) for TIPS dysfunction, 8.6% (4.9–12.4) for the need for TIPS revision, 4.5% (2.8–6.2) for the need for LT, and 94.6% (93.1–96.1) for 1-year survival. Publication bias was seen with all outcomes except for post-TIPS HE, TIPS dysfunction, and the need for LT.ConclusionsThe existing literature supports the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of TIPS in the treatment of BCS. Deciding the optimal timing of TIPS in BCS needs further studies.     

Clinical Outcomes and Patency after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Reduction for Overshunting Adverse Events

PurposeTo assess clinical outcomes and patency after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) reduction for overshunting adverse events.Materials and MethodsThis multicenter, retrospective observational study included 33 patients (male-to-female ratio, 20:13; mean age, 59 years; mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD] score, 15) who underwent TIPS reduction between 2007 and 2020. Procedure indications included medically refractory hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (85%), post-TIPS hepatic insufficiency (HI) (12%), and heart failure (3%). The measured outcomes included improvement in HE (classified using the West Haven system) and HI, patency of reduced TIPS, and transplant-free survival (TFS).ResultsTIPS reductions were successfully performed using parallel stent (94%) or other (6%) techniques at a median of 120 days after TIPS creation (HE, median, 164 days; HI, median, 5 days). The portosystemic pressure gradient increased from a mean of 10 to 17 mm Hg (P < .001). The overall HE rate after TIPS reduction was 54%; HE was persistent, improved, and resolved in 21%, 32%, and 46% cases, respectively. In patients with HI, the MELD score increased from a mean of 22 before TIPS to 34 after TIPS (P = .061), but without improvement (0%) in HI after TIPS reduction (mean MELD score, 30; P = .266). Recurrent ascites occurred in 14% of the patients. The median shunt patency was 961 days (95% confidence interval, 476–1,447). The 30-day, 6-month, 1-year, and 3-year shunt patency rates were 92%, 81%, 74%, and 37%, respectively. The median TFS was not reached. The 30-day, 6-month, 1-year, and 3-year survival rates were 97%, 90%, 81%, and 60%, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough TIPS reduction may be an effective and durable approach to treat post-TIPS medically refractory HE, shunt reduction may not achieve meaningful benefit for HI.