ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of intermittent Pringle (IP) and continuous hemi-hepatic vascular inflow occlusion (CHVIO) on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated with cirrhosis in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).MethodsRetrospective analysis of consecutive 107 LLR patients with HCC complicated with liver cirrhosis at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2015 and December 2017 was performed. Patients were divided into an IP group and a CHVIO group according to the method of hepatic vascular occlusion, intraoperative and postoperative outcome indicators and short-term prognosis were compared between the two groups.ResultsPatients in the IP group had shorter operative time [(237+90) min vs (285+118) min, P=0.041] and less blood loss [(279+24) mL vs (396+35) mL, P=0.012], without a significant increase in postoperative liver function [including ALT, AST, TBIL, and ALB], postoperative complications, induced flow, 1-year disease-free survival, and1-year survival (P>0.05).ConclusionsIP can reduce the operative time and blood loss in patients with HCC complicated with cirrhosis in LLR, and will not lead to deterioration of liver function, it is a recommended hepatic inflowocclusion method.
ObjectiveTo analyze and compare the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) and liver cirrhosis (LC), so as to provide a reference for reducing misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. MethodsThe patients who underwent liver biopsy in the Department of Infectious Diseases in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2008 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical, biochemical, imaging, and liver biopsy pathological data of the patients with PSVD and LC were compared. ResultsA total of 45 patients with PSVD and 48 patients with LC were included. The males to females ratio in the patients with PSVD and LC was 25∶20 and 21∶27, respectively, and the average age of the patients with PSVD was younger than that of the patients with LC (P<0.001). The patients with PSVD had overall better liver function, although the proportion of the patients with the Child-Pugh class B in the two groups was all higher, the proportion of patients with the Child-Pugh class B and the end stage liver disease model score ≥10 points in the patients with PSVD was lower (nearly three times) than those in the patients with LC (P<0.05). The initial diagnosis rate of the patients with PSVD was lower than that of the patients with the LC (6.7% vs. 95.8%, χ2=74.0786, P<0.001). The imaging findings of the patients with PSVD as compared with LC showed that the proportion of the portal hypertension was higher (33.3% vs. 39.6%) in both, but the flow velocity of the portal vein was faster (P=0.039), and the extrahepatic bile duct diameter was smaller (P=0.001). The main specific manifestations of liver biopsy histopathology in the patients with PSVD were the portal occlusion [19 (42.2%)], nodular regenerative hyperplasia [1 (2.2%)], and incomplete septal cirrhosis or fibrosis [14 (31.1%)], as well as the non-specific manifestation was the fine bile duct reaction [8 (17.8%)]. And the proportion of the patients with the liver tissue inflammatory activity grading (G) and liver fibrosis staging (S) ＞G2S2 in the patients with PSVD was lower as compared with the patients with LC [12 (26.7%) vs. 48 (100%), χ2=54.560, P<0.001]. ConclusionThe diagnosis of PSVD and LC should “seek common ground while reserving differences”, and it is necessary that a routine examination in combination with imaging manifestation and liver pathology, and should focus on a liver vascular abnormality so as to reduce a rate of misdiagnosis.
ObjectiveTo understand the current research progress on the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in liver diseases. MethodThe relevant literature on the role of H2S in the liver diseases published in recent years was retrieved and reviewed. ResultsCurrent research focused primarily on exploring the mechanisms of H2S in various liver diseases. Studies had shown that H₂S played an important role in the occurrence and development of liver diseases through mechanisms such as antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, angiogenesis, and cell death. ConclusionsBy supplementing exogenous H2S, adjusting the gut microbiota, or inhibiting key enzymes involved in H₂S synthesis, the concentration of H2S in the body can be modulated, providing new strategies for treating liver diseases. However, the related mechanisms are still controversial. Future research should further investigate the specific role of H2S in different liver diseases and how to precisely control its level in the body to achieve targeted drug delivery.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of CT related to esophageal varices of cirrhotic patients complicated with portal hypertension.MethodsRelevant CT literatures of esophageal varices of cirrhotic patients complicated with portal hypertension were collected to make an review,then summarized the research status and progress of CT in the diagnosis and evaluation of lower esophageal varices.ResultCT had a good correlation with endoscopic diagnosis of esophageal varices, and CT was of great value in evaluating the presence, degree, and risk of esophageal varicose veins, especially in predicting the risk of esophageal varicose veins, which could be used as an effective modality to assist endoscopic examination to a certain extent.ConclusionsCT is an important examination method for esophageal varices, which has important value in diagnosis and evaluation. In the future, more further researches can be carried out to provide more strong and accurate support for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal varices.
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism affecting liver cirrhosis by splenectomy. MethodsBy subcutaneous administration of 20% carbon tetrachloride(CCl4), liver cirrhosis models were established in splenectomy and nonsplenectomy groups. After HE staining, special staining and immunohistochemical staining, mast cell, Kupffer’s cell and Ito cell were counted under optical microscope. Liver pathological sections and the dynamic changes of these cells in mice were studied respectively in comparison with the normal group.ResultsThe incidence of liver cirrhosis in nonsplenectomy group was significantly higher than that in splenectomy group after the 16th injection of CCl4 (P＜0.05). The count of mast cell was much higher than that in splenectomy group after the 4th and the 8th injection (P＜0.05). Kupffer’s cell and Ito cell significantly increased after the 12th and the 16th injection in nonsplenectomy group compared with splenectomy group (P＜0.05). ConclusionSplenectomy may decline the incidence of hepatic cirrhosis caused by multifactors. In the early stage, splenectomy influences the migration, maturation and accumulation of mast cell. In the middle and late stage, it influences the proliferation of Kupper’s cell and cytokine secretion, thus the Ito cells are activated and proliferation is inhibited, in which extracellular matrix decreases in amount and the degree of hepatic fibrosis is reduced.
Objective To investigate predictive value of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with liver cirrhosis ascites. Methods The clinical data of 140 patients with liver cirrhosis ascites treated in our hospital from January 2012 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the presence of SBP, these patients were divided into SBP group and non-SBP group. The clinical data were compared between these two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess their sensitivities and specificities of PCT and CRP for diagnosis of SBP. Results The PCT and CRP levels of the SBP group were significantly higher than those of the non-SBP group (P<0.05). The differences of serum ALT, AST and white cell count between the SBP group and the non-SBP were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve of PCT and CRP were 0.895 and 0.926, their corresponding cut-off value 2.1 μg/L and 24.8 mg/L, the sensitivities were 86.9% and 89.5%, the specificities were 85.1% and 83.5%, respectively. Conclusion Abnormally elevated PCT and CRP levels might have an important detective value for SBP in patients with liver cirrhosis ascites.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress on the role of exosomes derived from different sources in hepatic stellate cells.MethodThe experimental studies and clinical applications of exosomes from different cell sources effected on hepatic stellate cells were reviewed.ResultsIn the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis pathological physiological process, the activation, proliferation, migration, apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells played the important roles on the development of liver fibrosis. In recent years, the study found that the exosomes derived from different sources contained active protein, mRNA, microRNA, long noncoding RNA, and lipid components involved in the biological function of hepatic stellate cells, realized the communication between cells, which played the important regulatory role in the formation of liver fibrosis.ConclusionsExosomes derived from different sources and their contents play an important regulatory role in occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. In the future, exosomes might become a new non-invasive diagnostic method for liver fibrosis to help its early diagnosis, and might also be used as a biological active carrier to achieve its targeted therapy for targeted tissues and cells.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic performance of parameters of arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) based on enhanced CT with histogram analysis in the severity of liver cirrhosis.MethodsThe patients with liver cirrhosis clinically confirmed and met the inclusion criteria were included from January 2016 to December 2018 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, then them were divided into grade A, B, and C according to the Child-Pugh score. Meanwhile, the patients without liver disease were selected as the control group. All patients underwent the upper abdomen enhanced CT scan with three-phase and the biochemical examination of liver function. The parameters of AEF histogram were obtained by using the CT Kinetics software, and the aspartic aminotransferase and platelet ratio index (APRI) was calculated. The differences of parameters of AEF histogram and APRI among these patients with liver cirrhosis and without liver disease were analyzed. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by using the area under curve (AUC) of receivers operating characteristic curve.ResultsEighty-five patients with liver cirrhosis were included in this study, including 25, 41, and 19 patients with grade A, B, and C of Child-Pugh score, respectively, and there were 20 patients in the control group. The consistencies in measuring the parameters of AEF histogram twice for the same observer and between the two observers were good (intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.938 and 0.907, respectively). The mean, median, and kurtosis of AEF histogram and the APRI among the grade A, B, C of Child-Pugh score, and control group had significant differences (all P<0.001) and these indexes were positively correlated with the severity of liver cirrhosis (rs=0.811, P<0.001; rs=0.827, P<0.001; rs=0.731, P<0.001; rs=0.711, P<0.001). The AUC of the mean, median, kurtosis, and APRI in diagnosing grade A of liver cirrhosis was 0.829, 0.841, 0.747, and 0.718, respectively; which in diagnosing grade B of liver cirrhosis was 0.847, 0.734, 0.704, and 0.736, respectively; in diagnosing grade C of liver cirrhosis was 0.646, 0.825, 0.782, and 0.853, respectively.ConclusionThe mean and median of AEF histogram parameters based on enhanced CT with three-phase and serological APRI are useful in diagnosis of grage A, B, and C of liver cirrhosis, respectively.
ObjectiveTo explore it's advantages and disadvantages through analyzed the data of associating liver partition with portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) operation in 3 cases of liver cancer patients with cirrhosis. MethodsThe data of 3 patients perfomed ALPPS operation were retrospectively analyzed, through the preoperative evaluation, intraoperative and postoperative treatment points analyzed to explore the pros and cons. ResultsOne case died of hepatic failure, and the remaining two cases were still alive. The highest score of MELD of liver failure in death case was 18.8 scores, and the other cases of MELD score were decreased after second operation. The average increased volume of liver was 225 mL, and the liver volume was significantly increased (P=0.002). ConclusionsALPPS make a portion of huge liver cancer patients combining with cirrhosis having a chance to surgery. But it is necessary to consider in patients with preoperative state, surgical risk, prognosis and economic conditions,in order to determine whether patients can benefit from ALPPS.
ObjectiveTo summarize experience of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy common bile duct exploration for patients with schistosomiasis liver cirrhosis with common bile duct stones. MethodThe clinical data of 45 patients with schistosomiasis liver cirrhosis combined with common bile duct stones (liver function Child-Pugh grade A and B) admitted in this hospital from September 2012 to September 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsTwenty cases were successfully treated by laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy (laparoscope group), 25 cases were treated by conventional open common bile duct exploration (laparotomy group). Two cases were converted to laparotomy due to bleeding during laparoscopic operation. The mean operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postopera-tive hospitalization time, and postoperative total complications rate had no significant differences between these two groups (P>0.05). There were 2 cases of pulmonary infection and 1 case of incision infection in the laparoscope group, and 1 case of grade A bile leakage and 1 case of pulmonary infection in the laparotomy group, there was no common bile duct stone residual in these two groups. ConclusionAlthough laparoscopic surgery is more difficult for schistosomiasis liver cirrhosis combined with common bile duct stones patients, it is safe and feasible. Appropriate perioperative management and precise laparoscopic and choledochoscopic operation are key to success of operation.