A retrospective analysis of 1.011 percutaneous liver biopsies performed in patients with liver transplantation or liver disease: ultrasonography can reduce complications?

Objective: In the last decades, liver biopsy was the reference procedure for the diagnosis and follow-up of liver disease. Aim of present retrospective analysis was to assess the prevalence of complications and risk factors after Percutaneous Liver Biopsy (PLB) performed for diagnosis and staging in patients with chronic liver disease and for monitoring the graft in liver transplanted patients Patients and methods: Data were collected from a total of 1.011 PLB performed with the Menghini technique between January 2004 and December 2014 at the Hepatology and Transplant Units of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. The indications for biopsy were: follow-up of liver transplantation, chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), with or without Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and alcohol-related liver disease. Our patients were divided into two groups according to the biopsy indication: follow-up of liver transplantation (Group A) and chronic liver disease (Group B). All the procedures were performed in Day Hospital regimen. After the biopsy, patients remained in bed for about 4-6 hours. In the absence of complications, they were then discharged on the same day. Results: The most frequent complication after biopsy was pain (Group A n. 57, 8.8%; Group B n. 105, 29.0%), hypotension as a result of a vasovagal reaction resolved spontaneously (Group A n. 7, 1.1%; Group B n. 6, 1.7%), and intrahepatic bleeding resolved with conservative therapy (Group A n. 1, 0.2%; Group B n. 6, 1.7%). Two cases of pneumothorax in the Group A (0.3%) were treated with a chest tube. Other complications did not have a significant impact. Also, we did not observe statistically significant differences in patients who underwent PLB without and with ultrasound guidance. Conclusions: Liver biopsy is not a replaceable tool in diagnosis and follow-up of several chronic liver diseases. The Menghini technique with the percutaneous trans costal approach, might be preferred because less traumatic and related with a low occurrence of minor and major complications. According to our case load and comparing our findings with the previous published data, we speculate that ultrasound guidance is not crucial in the prevention of major complications

The T.O.S.C.A. Project: Research, Education and Care

Despite recent and exponential improvements in diagnostic- therapeutic pathways, an existing “GAP” has been revealed between the “real world care” and the “optimal care” of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We present the T.O.S.CA. Project (Trattamento Ormonale dello Scompenso CArdiaco), an Italian multicenter initiative involving different health care professionals and services aiming to explore the CHF “metabolic pathophysiological model” and to improve the quality of care of HF patients through research and continuing medical education

Dual role of bile acids on the biliary epithelium: Friend or foe?

Bile acids are a family of amphipathic compounds predominantly known for their role in solubilizing and absorbing hydrophobic compounds (including liposoluble vitamins) in the intestine. Bile acids also are key signaling molecules and inflammatory agents that activate transcriptional factors and cell signaling pathways that regulate lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism in various human disorders, including chronic liver diseases. However, in the last decade increased awareness has been founded on the physiological and chemical heterogeneity of this category of compounds and their possible beneficial or injurious effects on the biliary tree. In this review, we provide an update on the current understanding of the molecular mechanism involving bile acid and biliary epithelium. The last achievements of the research in this field are summarized, focusing on the molecular aspects and the elements with relevance regarding human liver diseases

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Where do we stand?

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death. Liver transplantation is a key tool for the treatment of this disease in human therefore hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing as primary indication for grafting. Although liver transplantation represents an outstanding therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, due to organ shortage, the careful selection and management of patients who may have a major survival benefit after grafting remains a fundamental question. In fact, only some stages of the disease seem amenable of this therapeutic option, stimulating the debate on the appropriate criteria to select candidates. In this review we focused on current criteria to select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation as well as on the strategies (bridging) to avoid disease progression and exclusion from grafting during the stay on wait list. The treatments used to bring patients within acceptable criteria (down-staging), when their tumor burden exceeds the standard criteria for transplant, are also reported. Finally, we examined tumor reappearance following liver transplantation. This occurrence is estimated to be approximately 8%-20% in different studies. The possible approaches to prevent this outcome after transplant are reported with the corresponding results

Bilio-pancreatic diversion: report of a case involving bone metabolism complications

Prolonged vitamin D deficiency may result in lower calcium absorption and osteoporosis, leading to pathologic fractures. We report the case of a young woman with severe, complicated osteoporosis, which developed several years after biliopancreatic diversion that was performed to treat morbid obesity. Chronic low vitamin D levels provided a continuous stimulus for parathormone secretion, which resulted in parathyroid hyperplasia/adenoma and autonomous production of the hormone

Skin cancer prevention among healthcare professionals: results of a screening campaign in an Italian University Hospital in 2007-2008.

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Skin cancers, especially melanoma, are steadily increasing in incidence, and primary and secondary prevention measures have been proven to be useful in reducing skin cancer mortality.</p><p><strong>Aim</strong>: to promote a screening campaign among healthcare professionals of an Italian University/Hospital in order to detect not only an earlier recognition of potentially dangerous skin lesions, but also to verify if secondary prevention is useful, well-accepted and easy to perform among potentially more alerted people working in a healthcare background.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: The screening campaign was advertised through the Intranet of the Hospital. The screening took place once a week and a mean of 5-6 patients/week were examined. Every patient underwent a full-body skin examination integrated by handheld dermoscope at the Outpatient Clinic, Section of Dermatology, University/ Hospital of San Martino. In the case of clinically or dermoscopically suspicious lesions, an excision and histopathological examination were prescribed.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: 138 patients (100 females and 38 males) were evaluated in the course of 1 year. 11 lesions were referred for excision and, among these, 1 was a melanoma in situ and 1 an atypical fibroxantoma.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: The rate of participation in the screening was low. However 2% of the screened patients presented a malignant lesion. We discuss the low adherence to the screening programme and suggest improving some aspects of communication, but we think that this kind of screening is useful because it can involve a good percentage of people who can undergo a check-up very easily in their own workplace.</p&gt