Little girl who conquered the "ALPPS’’

An insufficient future liver remnant(FLR)is associated with post-hepatectomy liver failure.Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for stage hepatectomy(ALPPS)has been shown to be effective for the induction of rapid FLR hypertrophy so as to improve the resectability in patients with insufficient FLR.We hereby report our experience of this novel approach for a 6-year-old patient with hepatoblastoma.Computed tomography showed a hepatoblastoma measuring12.5 cm×9.9 cm×11.7 cm in the right liver(Couinaud segmentⅣ,ⅤandⅧ).Volumetric assessment of the FLR i.e.,left lateral section was 112.6 mL i.e.,21.2%of the estimated total liver volume.In view of the small-for-size FLR,ALPPS was contemplated.An anterior approach was adopted for the in-situ parenchymal split without mobilisation of the right liver.FLR volumetry on the seventh postoperative day was 160.7 mL,which represented a 46.1%gain in volume,and a FLR/ESLV ratio of 30.2%.A right trisectionectomy was performed on the eighth postoperative day.Postoperative recovery was uneventful.Patient was discharged on day 16 after the first operation.To our knowledge,this was the first report that showed the applicability of ALPPS to a paediatric patient.     

Acute portal vein thrombosis in noncirrhotic patients – different prognoses based on presence of inflammatory markers: a long-term multicenter retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a partial or complete thrombotic occlusion of the portal vein and is rare in noncirrhotic patients.

Patients and methods: 78 adult patients with noncirrhotic acute PVT without known malignity were evaluated. Patients with initial CRP level 61–149?mg/l were excluded.

Results: Patients were divided into two groups – the first one (33 patients) was characterized with signs of inflammation and CRP over 149?mg/l. The second group (45 patients) was without signs of inflammation and CRP level less than 61?mg/l. The frequency of prothrombotic hematologic factors was statistically significantly different in levels of factor VIII and MTHFR 677?C mutation. All patients from both groups underwent the same oncologic and hemato-oncologic screening which was positive in 23 patients (51.1%) in the group without signs of inflammation. In the group of patients with clinical and laboratory signs of inflammation oncologic and hemato-oncologic screening was positive only in 1 patient (3.0%). Complete portal vein recanalization was achieved in 19.2%, partial recanalization in 26.9%.

Conclusions: Patients with clinical signs of inflammation and acute PVT have a low risk of malignancy in contrast to patients without signs of inflammation and acute PVT, which have a high risk of oncologic or hemato-oncologic disease. Patients with negative hemato-oncologic screening should be carefully observed over time because we expect they are at higher risk for the development of hemato-oncologic disease, independent from the presence and number of procoagulation risk factors.     

A short history of portal hypertension and of its management

The aim of our study was to review the changing trends in the treatment of complications from portal hypertension. A short history of portal hypertension and of the treatment of its complications is reported, underlying the most important achievements and changes.     

Oral Anticoagulation in Patients With Liver Disease

Patients with liver disease are at increased risks of both thrombotic and bleeding complications. Many have atrial fibrillation (AF) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) necessitating oral anticoagulant agents (OACs). Recent evidence has contradicted the assumption that patients with liver disease are “auto-anticoagulated” and thus protected from thrombotic events. Warfarin and non–vitamin K–antagonist OACs have been shown to reduce thrombotic events safely in patients with either AF or VTE. However, patients with liver disease have largely been excluded from trials of OACs. Because all currently approved OACs undergo metabolism in the liver, hepatic dysfunction may cause increased bleeding. Thus, the optimal anticoagulation strategy for patients with AF or VTE who have liver disease remains unclear. This review discusses pharmacokinetic and clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of OACs in patients with liver disease and provides a practical, clinically oriented approach to the management of OAC therapy in this population.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt versus open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization for portal hypertension with recurrent variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascu-larization (OSED) are widely used to treat patients with portal hypertension and recurrent variceal bleeding (PHRVB). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness between TIPS and OSED for the treatment of PHRVB.METHODS: The data were retrospectively retrieved from 479 cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh A or B class) with PHRVB, who had undergone TIPS (TIPS group) or OSED (OSED group) between January 1, 2010 and October 31, 2014.RESULTS: A total of 196 patients received TIPS, whereas 283 underwent OSED. Within one month after TIPS and OSED, the rebleeding rates were 6.1% and 3.2%, respectively (P=0.122). Significantly lower incidence of pleural effusion, splenic vein thrombosis, and pulmonary infection, as well as higher hepatic encephalopathy rate, shorter postoperative length of hospital stay, and higher hospital costs were ob-served in the TIPS group than those in the OSED group. Dur-ing the follow-up periods (29 months), significantly higher incidences of rebleeding (15.3% vs 4.6%, P=0.001) and hepatic encephalopathy (17.3% vs 3.9%, P=0.001) were observed in the TIPS group than in the OSED group. The incidence of in-stent stenosis was 18.9%. The survival rates were 91.3% in the TIPS group and 95.1% in the OSED group. The long-term liver function did not worsen after either TIPS or OSED.CONCLUSION: For the patients with liver function in the Child-Pugh A or B class, TIPS is not superior over OSED in terms of PHRVB treatment and rebleeding prevention.     

北京地区居民健康门户使用情况调查与分析

目的:通过调查分析北京地区居民对健康门户使用情况的认知和功能需求,为统筹规划、科学设定北京地区居民健康门户奠定基础。方法:利用问卷星设计电子调查问卷对居民进行匿名式网络抽样调查,以北京居民为调查对象,进行功能需求调查研究,共调查对象246名。调查内容包括居民的基本信息;居民对健康门户的使用习惯、推送方式、使用内容等;居民从健康门户上最希望获得服务内容的意愿;居民对健康门户的意见和建议。结果:获得快捷的便民服务成为健康门户使用的第一大需求,选择便捷的沟通渠道、及时的服务咨询和最新的政策信息人数过半,预约挂号、检查检验报告查询和支付缴费仍是首选功能需求,政府从业人员选择居民健康门户最优先考虑的因素是安全性与隐私保护。结论:此次调查为统筹考虑北京地区居民健康门户明确了建设模式和发展方向,以围绕居民需求,推进便捷服务,提升用户体验为宗旨,加强顶层设计,打造集中共享、便民惠民、安全规范的居民健康门户。     

乙型肝炎患者肝门区淋巴结肿大的超声诊断价值

目的探讨病毒性肝炎(乙型)患者肝门区淋巴结肿大的诊断及临床意义。方法常规超声检查37例住院乙肝患者,被检者肝门区清晰显示肿大淋巴结后,观察并记录肿大淋巴结数目、大小、分布范围及内部血流信号,测量胆囊壁厚度,并摄片保存。结果超声显示淋巴结肿大1个(5例),2个(16例),3个(10例),4个及以上(6例)。淋巴结长径14～30 mm,平均18 mm,位于门脉主干、肝动脉周围及肝胃韧带间,以门脉主干周围多见;淋巴结呈卵圆形,包膜完整,边界清晰,以低回声为主,回声欠均匀,比较孤立,内见少量点状血流信号。结论病毒性肝炎(乙型)可以引起肝门区淋巴结肿大,且与血清肝功能变化及病变程度有一定关系,可作为病毒性肝炎肝外系统声像图改变的又一观察指标。     

A multidisciplinary approach to designing and evaluating Electronic Medical Record portal messages that support patient self-care

We describe a project intended to improve the use of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) patient portal information by older adults with diverse numeracy and literacy abilities, so that portals can better support patient-centered care. Patient portals are intended to bridge patients and providers by ensuring patients have continuous access to their health information and services. However, they are underutilized, especially by older adults with low health literacy, because they often function more as information repositories than as tools to engage patients. We outline an interdisciplinary approach to designing and evaluating portal-based messages that convey clinical test results so as to support patient-centered care. We first describe a theory-based framework for designing effective messages for patients. This involves analyzing shortcomings of the standard portal message format (presenting numerical test results with little context to guide comprehension) and developing verbally, graphically, video- and computer agent-based formats that enhance context. The framework encompasses theories from cognitive and behavioral science (health literacy, fuzzy trace memory, behavior change) as well as computational/engineering approaches (e.g., image and speech processing models). We then describe an approach to evaluating whether the formats improve comprehension of and responses to the messages about test results, focusing on our methods. The approach combines quantitative (e.g., response accuracy, Likert scale responses) and qualitative (interview) measures, as well as experimental and individual difference methods in order to investigate which formats are more effective, and whether some formats benefit some types of patients more than others. We also report the results of two pilot studies conducted as part of developing the message formats.