Novelties in Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Hepatology

A special issue of Gastroenterology Insights (ISSN 2036-7422). This special issue belongs to the section "Liver".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 9871

Special Issue Editors

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Interests: liver stiffness; portal hypertension; hepatocellular carcinoma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Radiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40133 Bologna, Italy
Interests: magnetic resonance imaging; chemoembolization; radiomics; angiography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Liver diseases are a globally recognized cause of morbidity and mortality. The burden of these diseases has rapidly changed over the last decade due to the introduction in clinical practice of new antiviral agents for hepatitis C virus. Therefore, hepatologists’ are now facing the burden of other pathological entities, such as metabolic-associated and hematological-associated liver diseases. A multidimensional diagnostic work-up is needed to ensure optimal management of these patients. Furthermore, novel techniques and drugs are under investigation for the treatment of advanced stages of liver disease which are complicated by portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Within this Special Issue, we will summarize the most updated and cutting-edge research on these fields. 

Dr. Giovanni Marasco
Dr. Matteo Renzulli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • portal hypertension
  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • imaging
  • liver diseases

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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11 pages, 687 KiB  
Article
EncephalApp Stroop Test as a Screening Tool for the Detection of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Cirrhosis—Single-Center Experience
by Marko Vojnovic, Ivana Pantic, Goran Jankovic, Milos Stulic, Milica Stojkovic Lalosevic, Nina Pejic and Tamara Milovanovic
Gastroenterol. Insights 2024, 15(1), 237-247; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/gastroent15010017 - 12 Mar 2024
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Abstract
Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the mildest form of hepatic encephalopathy. One of the neuropsychological tests that detects MHE is the Stroop test (via EncephalApp). The aim was to evaluate the Stroop test for the screening and diagnosis of MHE. Methods: This [...] Read more.
Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the mildest form of hepatic encephalopathy. One of the neuropsychological tests that detects MHE is the Stroop test (via EncephalApp). The aim was to evaluate the Stroop test for the screening and diagnosis of MHE. Methods: This prospective case–control study was performed at the Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, and included patients with cirrhosis and MHE and healthy controls. In all patients, the presence of MHE was confirmed using the animal naming test. The Stroop test was performed on each participant, and the results were compared between the two groups. The test has two components, the “OFF” and “ON” states. Results: A total of 111 participants were included. The median OFF time did not differ between the two groups, 106.3 and 91.4, p > 0.05. However, in patients with MHE, the median values of ON time and total time were significantly higher, with 122.3 vs. 105.3 and 228.0 vs. 195.6, respectively, p < 0.05. Statistical significance between patients and controls in examined parameters was detected in younger participants and the group with higher educational levels. Conclusions: The Stroop test displayed limited sensitivity in Serbian patients. Age and education affect time measurements and test performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novelties in Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Hepatology)
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9 pages, 2137 KiB  
Article
Point Shear Wave Elastography and 2-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography as a Non-Invasive Method in Differentiating Benign from Malignant Liver Lesions
by Emiliya Lyubomirova Nacheva-Georgieva, Daniel Ilianov Doykov, Vladimir Nikolov Andonov, Katya Angelova Doykova and Silviya Bogdanova Tsvetkova
Gastroenterol. Insights 2022, 13(3), 296-304; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/gastroent13030030 - 10 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2148
Abstract
Non-invasive, ultrasound-based methods for visualizing and measuring tissue elasticity are becoming more and more common in routine daily practice. An accurate diagnosis of malignant and benign tumors is essential for determining the appropriate treatment. Despite the wide use of imaging techniques, the investigation [...] Read more.
Non-invasive, ultrasound-based methods for visualizing and measuring tissue elasticity are becoming more and more common in routine daily practice. An accurate diagnosis of malignant and benign tumors is essential for determining the appropriate treatment. Despite the wide use of imaging techniques, the investigation for assessing the elasticity of focal liver lesions and their differentiating is still continuing. Aim: To investigate the value of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant focal liver lesions. Materials and Methods: A total of 125 adult patients were included from the Clinic of Gastroenterology of University Hospital Kaspela, Plovdiv city, Bulgaria, in the period from January 2021 to July 2022. Participants were divided into two groups—with benign (hemangiomas) and malignant focal liver lesions (hepatocellular carcinoma). The group with benign lesions included 63 patients and the group with malignant focal liver lesions (FLLs)—62 patients. Point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) integrated in the same ultrasound machine (Esaote MyLab™ 9Exp) were performed for each lesion. Results: Malignant FLLs have significantly higher stiffness in both pSWE (2.52–4.32 m/s, 90% CI: 2.37 to 2.68, 90% CI: 4.19 to 4.55) and 2d-SWE (2.52–4.43 m/s, 90% CI: 2.31 to 2.65, 90% CI: 4.27 to 4.61). Conclusion: 2D-SWE and pSWE could provide complementary data about FLLs. They enable us to conveniently and easily obtain accurate stiffness information of FLLs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novelties in Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Hepatology)
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11 pages, 2710 KiB  
Article
Radiological Features of Microvascular Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
by Matteo Renzulli, Anna Pecorelli, Nicolò Brandi, Giovanni Marasco, Francesco Adduci, Francesco Tovoli, Bernardo Stefanini, Alessandro Granito and Rita Golfieri
Gastroenterol. Insights 2022, 13(3), 275-285; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/gastroent13030028 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2216
Abstract
Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence and the prognostic value of the radiological signs of microvascular invasion (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2017, [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence and the prognostic value of the radiological signs of microvascular invasion (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2017, all patients (91 patients) with de novo HCC or HCC recurrence occurring at least 2 years after the last treatment in NAFLD (36 patients) or with hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease (55 patients) were included. Each HCC was treated with liver resection and transplantation to obtain the anatomopathological confirmation of MVI. All patients had at least one available computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed no more than one month prior to the treatment. The clinical data of each patient, tumor burden (diameter, margins, two-trait predictor of venous invasion (TTPVI), and peritumoral enhancement), the recurrence rate (RR) after a 1-year follow-up, and the time to recurrence (TTR) were collected. Results: The NAFLD–HCC nodules were larger as compared to HCV–HCC (51 mm vs. 36 mm, p = 0.004) and showed a higher prevalence of TTPVI (38.9 vs. 20.0%, p = 0.058). At multivariate analysis, nodule diameter >50 mm was found to be the only independent prognostic factor of TTPVI (hazard ratio: 21.3, 95% confidence interval: 4.2–107.7, p < 0.001), and the presence of TTPVI was confirmed to be the only independent prognostic factors of recurrence (hazard ratio: 2.349, 95% confidence interval: 1.369–4.032, p = 0.002). No correlations were found between TTR and irregular tumor margins or peritumoral enhancement. Conclusion: The NAFLD–HCC patients had larger tumors at diagnosis and showed a more frequent presence of radiological signs of MVI as compared to the HCV–HCC patients. The MVI was related to a more rapid recurrence after curative treatments, demonstrating the prognostic value of this radiological diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novelties in Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Hepatology)
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10 pages, 295 KiB  
Article
Correlation between the Lymphocyte-To-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) and Child–Pugh and MELD/MELDNa Scores in Vietnamese Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
by Diem Thi Nguyen, Nhan Huu Kha, Nhung Thi Hong Thai, Trang Diem Kha, Phuong Kim Bo, Khoa Tran Dang Dang, Hao Yen Tran and Thang Nguyen
Gastroenterol. Insights 2022, 13(2), 182-191; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/gastroent13020019 - 31 May 2022
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Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to determine cirrhotic patients’ clinical and laboratory characteristics, thereby examining the correlation between lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and Child–Pugh and MELD/MELDNa scores. Methods: A cross-sectional study with an analysis of 153 patients admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology–Clinical Hematology at Can [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aims to determine cirrhotic patients’ clinical and laboratory characteristics, thereby examining the correlation between lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and Child–Pugh and MELD/MELDNa scores. Methods: A cross-sectional study with an analysis of 153 patients admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology–Clinical Hematology at Can Tho Central General Hospital. Data were collected via patient interviews and medical records. Results: The included patients were more likely to be male (66.7%) and were ≥60 years old (51.6%). Excessive alcohol consumption and hepatitis B were the dominant causes of cirrhosis (35.3% and 34.0%). The clinical and laboratory characteristics were similar to previous studies in cirrhotic patients. The mean Child score was 9.3 ± 2.1, including 9.8% of patients with Child A, 44.4% for Child B, and 45.8% for Child C. The mean MELD and MELDNa scores were 16.9 ± 7.1 and 19.4 ± 8.1, respectively. The mean lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is 2.0 ± 2.2 (from 0.09 to 25.3), being negatively correlated with the other scores (Pearson correlation coefficients were −0.238; −0.211 and −0.245, respectively, all p-values < 0.01). Patients with LMR below 3.31 were more likely to be classified as Child–Pugh B and C. Conclusion: The correlation between LMR with Child–Pugh, MELD, and MELDNa scores was weak and negative. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novelties in Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Hepatology)

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6 pages, 921 KiB  
Case Report
Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma Mimicking Acute Onset of Cholestatic Hepatitis in a Young Immunocompetent Man: A Case Report
by Flavio Metelli, Riccardo Solimando, Luigina Vanessa Alemanni, Roberta Gafà and Giovanni Marasco
Gastroenterol. Insights 2022, 13(3), 258-263; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/gastroent13030026 - 09 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2181
Abstract
We herein report a case of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) incidentally found in a 30-year-old man who came to the emergency department after an ankle trauma. At admission, laboratory tests revealed abnormal liver enzymes and pancytopenia, and imaging showed mild hepatosplenomegaly. During hospitalization, [...] Read more.
We herein report a case of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) incidentally found in a 30-year-old man who came to the emergency department after an ankle trauma. At admission, laboratory tests revealed abnormal liver enzymes and pancytopenia, and imaging showed mild hepatosplenomegaly. During hospitalization, the patient’s clinical condition worsened rapidly, with a concomitant increase in cholestatic enzymes, severe jaundice, and the worsening of pancytopenia. Causes of liver injury, including many infectious diseases, were explored until the diagnosis of HSTCL was made by liver and bone marrow biopsies. Subsequently, the patient underwent six cycles of chemotherapy with a CHOP (cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin and prednisone or prednisolone) regimen and one with Hyper-CVAD (fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone) but, despite this aggressive treatment, died due to disease progression 2 months after diagnosis. This rare disease should be considered in the diagnostic workup of acute cholestatic hepatitis presenting with concomitant hepatosplenomegaly and cytopenia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novelties in Diagnostics and Therapeutics in Hepatology)
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