Abstract: A 73-year-old female patient with a history of type 2 DM for seven years was admitted to our out-patient clinic with a complaint of frequent hypoglycemic episodes. She was receiving basal- bolus insulin treatment. She underwent liver transplantation 20 months ago due to end stage liver disease caused by HCV infection genotype 1b. While she was still on tacrolimus for liver transplantation, she received direct acting antiviral agents including fix dose ledipasvir-sofosbuvir with ribavirin. Biochemical analysis showed fasting plasma glucose of 105 mg/dl and postprandial glucose of 200 mg/dl, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c of 4.8%, and c-peptide of 3.17 ng/ml. After achieving successfully virologic response with antiviral therapy, the patient stayed euglycemic and was no longer in need to any medication including insulin and the patient was followed only by dietary regulation. Achievement of the virological response in treatment of HCV infection can improve not only the liver status, but also the extrahepatic manifestations including type 2 DM. PubDate: Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:21:13 +000
Abstract: Historically used as an anesthetic, chloroform is a halogenated hydrocarbon that is associated with central nervous system depression, arrhythmias, and hepatotoxicity. It is no longer used clinically, but accidental and intentional poisonings still occur. We report a case of chronic chloroform abuse leading to severe hepatotoxicity in a 26-year-old male graduate student. The patient presented to the emergency department with a three-day history of abdominal pain, dehydration, and scleral icterus. He drank several beers the night before the onset of symptoms, but denied taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other drugs. An extensive work-up revealed an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 13,527 U/L and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of 8,745 U/L, but the cause of his liver injury could not be determined. It was not until many months later that the patient admitted to inhaling chloroform in the weeks leading up to his illness. PubDate: Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Leptospirosis is a common bacterial disease in tropical regions of the world due to greater exposure to rodents and domestic animals; however, this condition can also occur in US urban areas, though it often goes unrecognized. Gastrointestinal symptoms are very commonly seen, and icteric leptospirosis is often confused for other conditions resulting in delayed diagnosis and worse outcomes. As mortality increases with more extensive hepatic involvement, gastroenterologists should be aware of the constellation of gastrointestinal symptoms related to leptospirosis, as it can occur in the absence of classic exposure history. PubDate: Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:56:32 +000
Abstract: Targeted cancer treatments offer the prospect of precise inhibition of tumor growth without the untoward off-target toxicity of traditional chemotherapies. Still, unintended, often idiosyncratic side effects, such as drug-induced liver injury, can occur. We discuss the case of a 26-year-old female with a history of ROS1-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma, undergoing treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib, who presented to our hospital with abdominal pain and scleral icterus. Liver chemistries were notable for hyperbilirubinemia (5 mg/dL total) and marked transaminasemia (AST 1736 U/L, ALT >3500 U/L); liver biopsy demonstrated acute hepatitis with extensive necrosis. There was no evidence of an infectious or autoimmune etiology. It was discovered that the patient was taking a 500 mg once daily dose of crizotinib, in lieu of the intended dose of 250 mg twice daily. After immediate cessation of crizotinib therapy upon hospital admission, there was complete biochemical resolution of the hepatitis. This case highlights the potential reversibility of fulminant crizotinib-associated hepatoxicity, possibly related to supratherapeutic dosing, when managed with abrupt stoppage of the drug and initiation of supportive care. PubDate: Sun, 05 Aug 2018 07:08:29 +000
Abstract: Liver abscesses are the most common types of visceral abscesses. Pyogenic liver abscesses, a particular type of liver abscesses, are uncommonly encountered. We present a rare case of pyogenic liver abscess caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in a young man. A 21-year- old man presented from prison to the hospital with fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain for five days. Labs were significant for leukocytosis with predominant neutrophilia and elevated liver enzymes. CT abdomen with contrast revealed an 8.4 cm multiloculated right hepatic mass extending to the kidney. Patient was started on broad spectrum antibiotics, given septic presentation. Peripheral blood cultures returned positive for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The culture from percutaneous drainage also revealed MSSA. He received a total of four weeks of IV Nafcillin therapy along with drainage of his abscess via percutaneous catheter. Follow-up revealed clinical resolution. This case highlights the importance of obtaining an aspirate from the liver abscess to better guide treatment strategy. Clinicians must consider broadening antibiotic coverage to include gram-positive organisms if the patient presents with severe illness and risk factors for Staphylococcus aureus infections. PubDate: Tue, 19 Jun 2018 09:17:52 +000
Abstract: Introduction. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the first-line therapy for patient with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although TACE is a generally safe procedure, major complications can be occurred. We describe a patient with rupture of HCC after TACE followed by gastric bleeding. Case Presentation. An 81-year-old man presented with worsening epigastric pain. He had been diagnosed with multiple HCC with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and underwent TACE 19 days previously. A contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen showed rupture of an HCC. He was treated nonoperatively and discharged on hospital day 18. Five weeks after TACE, he was emergently admitted with massive hematochezia and shock. A contrast enhanced CT scan demonstrated extrinsic gastric compression by an HCC lesion with extravasation of contrast into the stomach. Emergent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a bleeding gastric ulcer with extraluminal compression which was successfully controlled by hypertonic saline-epinephrine injection. Due to tumor progression, he was discharged for palliative care and died six weeks after TACE. Conclusion. Rupture of HCC is a life-threatening complication after TACE with mortality rates up to 50%. After treatment of a ruptured HCC, extragastric compression and bleeding can occur due to direct compression by a primary lesion or intraperitoneal dissemination. PubDate: Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:08:34 +000
Abstract: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a genetic disease associated with progressive iron overload, eventually leading in some cases to damage of parenchymal organs, such as the liver, pancreas, and heart. Although the gene had been identified (HFE), HH pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. We report here, for the first time, a case of inadvertent transplantation of a liver from a donor with C282Y/H63D compound heterozygosity into a nonhemochromatotic 19-year-old Caucasian male recipient with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Progressive iron overload occurred over 1.5 years, as observed in liver biopsies and iron studies, after ruling out secondary causes of iron overload. This case strengthens the hypothesis that the liver, rather than the small intestine, plays a primary role in the maintenance of iron homeostasis. PubDate: Thu, 31 May 2018 08:07:45 +000
Abstract: Objectives. To describe the clinical characteristics of patients presenting with fulminant liver failure after varying periods of exposure to Efavirenz containing antiretroviral medications. Methods. We report a series of 4 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who were admitted with acute liver failure (ALF) over a 6-month period. All these patients had been treated with a range of Efavirenz containing antiretroviral regimens and were negative for hepatitis A, B, and C infections as well as other opportunistic infections, all were negative for autoimmune hepatitis, and none had evidence of chronic liver disease or use of alcohol or herbal medications. Information on patient clinical characteristics, current antiretroviral regimen, CD4 count, HIV-1 RNA levels, and clinical chemistry parameters was collected. Informed consent was provided. Results. During a 6-month period, four patients without other known risk factors for acute hepatitis presented with symptomatic drug-induced liver injury with varying symptoms and outcomes. The pattern of liver injury was hepatocellular for all the 4 cases. Liver biopsies were done for all the four cases and the results showed a heavy mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with eosinophils. For three patients withdrawal of Efavirenz from their antiretroviral regimen was sufficient to restore transaminase levels to normal and led to improvement of clinical symptoms. For one patient his clinical course was characterized by fulminant liver failure and fluctuating episodes of hepatic encephalopathy which ultimately resulted in his death. Conclusion. Hepatotoxicity of Efavirenz is not as rare as previously described in the literature and does actually present with fatal outcomes. The key message to note is that frequent monitoring of liver enzymes should be done at initiation of antiretroviral therapy and should continue throughout the treatment period. PubDate: Thu, 10 May 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Meningiomas are slow growing neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS). Most of the tumors are benign and distant metastasis from a benign meningioma is rare. Metastasis to the liver, although rare, usually presents with hypoglycemia or occurs in conjunction with a clinical history of an intracranial meningioma or following the resection of a prior CNS meningioma, thus making clinical diagnosis relatively easy. Here we present an unusual case of metastatic meningioma to the liver in a 54-year-old female who presented with an incidental liver mass by ultrasound. Her clinical history and physical examination were unremarkable. A partial hepatectomy revealed a meningioma on histology. Further investigation by imaging studies showed a frontal parasagittal dural mass which was confirmed to be a World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 meningioma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a clinically silent metastatic meningioma to the liver without either a concurrent or a previous history of meningioma. Precise diagnosis of this challenging case requires high clinical suspicion, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. PubDate: Mon, 07 May 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: We report on a rare case of refractory hepatic hydrothorax in an individual with Scleroderma/CREST syndrome and noncirrhotic portal hypertension. Portal pressure measurements revealed a normal transjugular hepatic venous portal pressure gradient, mild pulmonary hypertension, and an unremarkable liver biopsy except for mild sinusoidal dilation. Pulmonary hypertension, cardiac diastolic dysfunction, and chronic kidney disease were determined to be the causes of his refractory pleural effusions and ascites. Over the year, he underwent 50 thoracenteses and 20 paracenteses averaging 10–12 liters/week. Repeat pulmonary evaluation determined his pulmonary pressures to be normal and a secondary review of the “unremarkable” liver biopsy noted mild venous outflow obstruction and possibly Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia (NRH). Repeat portal pressures indirectly and directly confirmed the existence of presinusoidal portal hypertension that has been associated with NRH. A transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt (TIPS) was placed and he has not required thoracentesis or paracentesis over the past 18 months. PubDate: Mon, 30 Apr 2018 06:15:33 +000
Abstract: Glycogenic hepatopathy is a rare but potentially reversible condition characterized by hepatomegaly and elevated liver enzymes occurring in poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus patients and often requires a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. We present the case of a young man who was admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis in the setting of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus type 1 and was noted to have significantly elevated transaminases that continued to worsen despite appropriate treatment of the diabetic ketoacidosis. A liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of glycogenic hepatopathy and the patient improved with diabetes control. The aim of this report is to shed light on possible causes of significant elevation of liver enzymes in patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis. In addition, we would like to raise awareness about the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of glycogenic hepatopathy and how to differentiate it from other hepatic conditions that have a similar presentation. PubDate: Sun, 15 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Tubulocystic carcinoma of the bile duct is extremely rare and has not been reported in the literature. We reported a case of cystic neoplasm of the liver with distinct histopathological features that could not be clearly classified as of either mucinous or intraductal papillary neoplasm. A 68-year-old Japanese patient had a multicystic biliary tumor within the liver. This tumor was detected on follow-up of polymyalgia rheumatica. The exophytic, multicystic, 35 × 50 mm mass was composed of complex tubulocystic structures. We initially suspected cystadenocarcinoma of the liver and performed radical operation. However, pathology ultimately showed it to be very rare tubulocystic carcinoma that derived from the bile duct. We reviewed the literature and describe the process of our differential diagnosis. PubDate: Sun, 01 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: The use of herbal and dietary supplements for weight loss is becoming increasingly common as obesity is becoming major health problem in the United States. Despite the popularity of these natural supplements, there are no guidelines for their therapeutic doses and their safety is always a concern. Garcinia cambogia extract with its active ingredient “hydroxycitric acid” is a component of many weight loss regimens. It suppresses fatty acid biosynthesis and decreases appetite. However, its prolonged use in weight maintenance is unknown. Here we describe a case of acute hepatitis after the use of Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. PubDate: Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Giant cell hepatitis (GCH) is commonly reported in neonatal and infantile liver diseases but rarely in adults where the term postinfantile GCH (PIGCH) is used. PIGCH is associated with many diseases, including drugs toxicity, viruses, and autoimmune liver diseases, with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) being the most prevalent. We present a case of PIGCH in a 76-year-old female without known history of liver disease who suffered from an acute severe episode of hepatitis. After careful exclusion of other hepatitis causes by imaging, virological, immunological, and microbiological investigations, a diagnosis of acute severe AIH (AS-AIH) was established. The patient was started on corticosteroids but she did not respond and died 3 days later because of advanced acute liver failure. Postmortem liver biopsy showed typical PIGCH lesions. Physicians must keep this catastrophic entity in mind in cases of unexplained acute liver injury as, contrary to our case, prompt rescue therapy with corticosteroids may be life-saving. PubDate: Sun, 11 Mar 2018 09:59:46 +000
Abstract: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an uncommon cancer and accounts only for 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. In this report, we present a case of an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma masquerading as acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). A 38-year-old female who is 36-week pregnant presented with a 1-week history of headache, nausea, vomiting, and right upper abdominal pain, along with hepatomegaly. Laboratory investigations were remarkable for mild leukocytosis, hyperbilirubinemia, proteinuria, and elevated transaminases and prothrombin time. Ultrasound of the liver revealed hepatomegaly, fatty infiltration, and a right hepatic lobe mass. Based on the overall picture, AFLP was suspected, and the patient underwent delivery by Cesarean section. However, bilirubin and liver enzyme levels gradually increased after delivery. MRI revealed a large dominant hepatic mass along with multiple satellite lesions in both lobes. Biopsy revealed the presence of intrahepatic CCA. CCA presenting during pregnancy is extremely rare with only 9 other cases reported in the literature. Therefore, the signs and symptoms can be easily confused with other more common disorders that occur during pregnancy. PubDate: Mon, 26 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Isolated hyperbilirubinemia as a manifestation of alcoholic liver disease without significant liver abnormalities is seen very rarely. We report such a case where a patient with chronic alcoholism presented to the ER with acute jaundice with bilirubin of 24.8 mg/dl, predominantly conjugated in nature along with mild elevation of AST (76 IU/L). There were no other abnormalities of the liver function. The patient underwent extensive laboratory and imaging tests that excluded extrahepatic cholestasis, viral and autoimmune hepatitis, ischemic hepatitis, and so forth. Liver biopsy excluded hemochromatosis, dysplasia, or malignancy and other differentials. Bilirubin gradually trended down to 7.3 mg/dl when alcohol consumption was stopped. PubDate: Mon, 12 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: A 59-year-old male with a history of hepatitis C cirrhosis and history of hepatitis B exposure presented 8 months after orthotopic liver transplant (LT) with fever, fatigue, myalgia, night sweats, nonproductive cough, and shortness of breath. Bone marrow biopsy for pancytopenia was positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA. Lymph node biopsy for lymphadenopathy on imaging showed human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) associated Castleman’s disease. Treatment included valganciclovir, rituximab, and prednisone taper with eventual discontinuation. Quantitative HHV8 DNA was initially 611,000 DNA copies/mL and was later undetectable at 6 months following treatment and remained undetectable at 3-year follow-up. PubDate: Sun, 28 Jan 2018 08:01:25 +000
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