Objective The usefulness of measurement of nuclear DNA content elevation for diagnosis of early hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated by a study of 186 patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods Nuclear DNA content was measured using an automatic image analysis system.Results ①Hepatocellular carcinoma was found in 37 patients during 10 years follow-up, the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 19.89%. ②The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma increased with the increase of the patterns of α-fetoprotein (AFP), 5c exceeding rate (5cER), FORM PE, but positive predictive value of 5cER was the highest of three parameters, the difference among all groups was significant by the χ2 test (Ｐ＜0.05). ③When 5cER joined AFP for monitoring development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 72.00%, which was significantly higher than that of 5cER or AFP alone, the difference between groups was highly significant (Ｐ＜0.01). Conclusion Patients who had 5cER levels of 3%-5% or more, who had transient increases in 5cER or who had both, should be treated as being in a super-highrisk group for hepatocellular carcinoma. Frequent and careful examination by ultrasonography of such patients is recommended. It is important that measurement of 5cER join with AFP in cirrhotic patients monitored for early development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Objective To introduce the clinical significance and pathophysiologic aspects of the circulatory and cardiac complications in terminal stage cirrhosis. Methods Recently relevant literatures were reviewed and summarized. Results Haemodynamic changes in cirrhosis arose on the basis of combined humoral and nervous dysregulation, with abnormalities in cardiovascular regulation, volume distribution and cardiac performance. Conclusion Comprehending the mechanisms of cardiovascular complications will contribute a lot for the treatment of terminal stage cirrhosis.
Objective To explore the clinical value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid （Gd-EOB-DTPA） enhanced magnetic resonance （MR） imaging for cirrhosis-related nodules. Methods Nineteen patients who were suspected cirrhosis with lesions of liver were prospectively included for Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MR imaging test between Nov. 2011 and Jan. 2013. The hepatobiliary phase （HBP） images were taken in 20 minutes after agents’ injection. The images were diagnosed independently in two groups： group A， including the plain phase and dynamic phase images； group B， including plain phase， dynamic phase， and HBP phase images. The signal intensity （SI） of lesions in HBP images， background liver SI， and background noise standard deviation were measured by using a circular region of interest， then the lesion signal to noise ratio （SNR） and contrast signal to noise ratio （CNR） were calculated. Results Nineteen patients had 25 tumors in all， including 18 hepatocelluar carcinoma （HCC） and 7 regenerative nodule （RN） or dysplastic nodule （DN）， with the diameter ranged from 0.6 cm to 3.2 cm （average 1.3 cm） . Sixteen HCC manifested hypo SI relative to the normal liver， while 2 HCC manifested hyper SI at HBP. Five HCC had cystic necrosis with the necrotic area， and there were no enhancement in artery phase， while performed flocculent enhancement at HBP. Six RN or DN showed hyper SI while another 1 showed iso SI to background liver at HBP. The diagnostic accuracy rates of group A and group B were 80.0% （20/25） and 92.0% （23/25）. SNR of RN or DN at HBP was 132.90±17.21， and of HCC was 114.35±19.27， while the CNR of RN or DN was 19.47±8.20， and of HCC was 112.15±33.52. Conclusion Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MR imaging can improve the diagnosis capacity of cirrhosis-related nodules， so as to develop more accurate and reasonable treatment options.
Objective To evaluate the efficiency and security of physical exercise with low intensity against malnutrition and sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Methods Between December 2014 and October 2015, 37 patients with cirrhosis were divided into two groups according to their willings, with 19 in the exercise group and 18 in the control group. Endurance of the exercise for 3 months were recorded. Mid-arm circumference, " up and go” time, width of portal vein and Child-Pugh score were compared before and after the research between the two groups. Results Three months later, the mid-arm circumference and the " up and go” time of the exercise group [(33.99±2.15) cm, (9.17±0.35) s] were better than those before the exercise [(32.09±2.58) cm, (9.77±0.46) s] and those in the control group [(31.93±2.04) cm, (9.76±0.30) s], and the differences above were all statistically significant (P<0.05). The change of the width of portal vein was positively correlated with pre-exercise body mass index in overweight patients (r=0.93, P=0.007). Conclusions Physical exercise with low intensity is safe and effective against malnutrition and sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Overweitht patiens or malnutrition at the early stage may benefit more.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) and open hepatectomy (OH) on the hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched online to collect the cohort studies of LHvs.OH on hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis from inception to November 31st, 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 15 cohort studies involving 1 720 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: compared with OH, LH had less blood loss (MD=–226.94, 95%CI –339.87 to –114.01, P<0.000 1), lower transfusion rate (OR=0.48, 95%CI 0.27 to 0.83,P=0.009), less occurrence of complications (OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.45, P<0.000 01), shorter postoperative hospital stay (MD=–3.66, 95%CI –5.19 to –2.14,P<0.000 01), lower mortality rate (OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.24 to 0.92,P=0.03), wider surgical margin (OR=0.78, 95%CI 0.20 to 1.36, P=0.009), higher 1, 3 and 5-year survival rate (OR=2.47, 95%CI 1.35 to 4.51, P=0.003; OR=1.62, 95%CI 1.11 to 2.36, P=0.01; OR=1.58, 95%CI 1.19 to 2.10, P=0.002, respectively) and 1-year disease free survival rate (OR=1.69, 95%CI=1.20 to 2.39, P=0.003). There were no significant differences in operation time (MD=28.64, 95%CI –7.53 to 64.82, P=0.12), tumor size (MD=–0.37, 95%CI –0.75 to 0.02, P=0.06), 3-year disease free survival rate (OR=1.14, 95%CI 0.86 to 1.51, P=0.36) and 5-year disease free survival rate (OR=0.99, 95%CI 0.77 to 1.28, P=0.97) between the two groups.ConclusionsThe perioperation and short-term postoperative outcomes of LH are significant in HCC patients with cirrhosis, and which have good long-term prognosis. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
Objective To investigate the effect of vitamin K1 in the function of blood coagulation state, intraopera- tive blood loss, and hemoglobin content of liquid in postoperative drainage in patients with cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension before and after splenectomy combined with the hydrodynamic vein cut-out surgery. Methods In total of 143 cases of cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension who treated in our hospital from January 2010 to October 2015 were prospectively collected, and randomly divided into 3 group, including 51 cases of vitamin K1 group, 45 cases of carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group, and 47 cases of control group. Drug was used form 1 week before surgery to 5 days after surgery (vitamin K1 group: vitamin K1, 0.03 g, intravenous drip; card collaterals sodium sulfonic group: card collaterals sulfonic sodium, 80 mg, intravenous drip; control group: normal saline, 250 mL, intravenous drip). Prothrombin time of patients in 3 groups was detected at 1 week before surgery, 3 days before surgery, 1 day before surgery, 1 day after surgery, 3 days after surgery, and 5 days after surgery; hemoglobin content of liquid in postoperative drainage was detected on 1, 3, and 5 days after surgery. Results In terms of prothrombin time, there was no significant difference at 1 week before surgery and 5 days after surgery (P>0.05); prothrombin time of vitamin K1 group was lower than those of carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group and control group on 3 days and 1 day before surgery (P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference between carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group and control group on 3 days and 1 day before surgery (P>0.05); prothrombin time of vitamin K1 group and carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group was both lower than that of control group on 1 day and 3 days after surgery (P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference between carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group and vitamin K1 group on 1 day and 3 days after surgery (P>0.05). In terms of intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood loss of vitamin K1 group was lower than those of carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group and control group (P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference between carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group and control group (P>0.05). In terms of hemoglobin content of liquid in postoperative drainage, it was lower in vitamin K1 group and carbazochrome sodium sulfonate group than that of control group on 1 day and 3 days after surgery (P＜0.05), but there was no significant difference among 3 groups on 5 days after surgery (P>0.05). Conclusion Vitamin K1 is helpful to improve function state of blood coagulation before and after surgery in patients with cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension (from 1 week before surgery to 3 days after surgery), and reduce the intraoperative blood loss; carbazochrome sodium sulfonate can improve function status of postoperative blood coagulation to 3 days after surgery and postoperative blood loss, but has no obvious improvement in the function status of preoperative blood coagulation and introperative blood loss.
ObjectiveTo investigate impact of splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization on liver hemodynamics and liver function for liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension. MethodsThe internal diameter, maximum velocity, minimum velocity, mean velocity, and flow volume of portal vein and hepatic artery of 42 cases of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension were measured by Doppler ultrasonic instrument on day 1 before operation and on day 7 after operation. The free portal pressures at different phases (after open abdomen, after splenic artery ligation, after splenectomy, and after devasculanrization) were read from the disposable pressure sensor. Twenty-four healthy people through physical examination were selected as control. Results① The free portal pressure of liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension was decreased from (29.12±1.40) mm Hg after open abdomen to (22.71±1.21) mm Hg after splenic artery ligation, and further decreased to (21.32±1.12) mm Hg after splenectomy, but increased to (22.42±1.15) mm Hg after devasculanrization, the difference was statisticly different (all P < 0.01). ② Compared with the healthy people, for the liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, the internal diameter, maximum velocity, minimum velocity, and flow volume of portal vein were significantly enlarged (all P < 0.01), which of hepatic artery were significantly reduced (all P < 0.01) on day 1 before operation; On day 7 after operation, the internal diameter of portal vein was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), the maximum velocity, minimum velocity, and mean velocity of portal vein were significantly enlarged (all P < 0.01), but the internal diameter of hepatic artery was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), the maximum velocity, minimum velocity, mean velocity, and flow volume of hepatic artery were significantly enlarged (all P < 0.01). For the liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, compared with the values on day 1 before operation, the internal diameter and the flow volume of portal vein were significantly reduced (all P < 0.01) on day 7 after operation; the internal diameter, maximum velocity, minimum velocity, mean velocity, and flow volume of hepatic artery were significantly enlarged (all P < 0.01) on day 7 after operation. ③ The Child-Pugh classification of liver function between before and after surgery had no significant difference (χ2=1.050, P > 0.05). ④ No death and no hepatic encephalopathy occurred, no thrombosis of splenic vein or portal vein was observed on day 7 after surgery. Conclusionsplenectomy plus pericardial devascularization could decrease portal vein pressure and reduce blood flow of portal vein, while increase blood flow of hepatic artery, it doesn't affect liver function.
ObjectiveTo study the application value of multi-slice CT portography (MSCTP) in the diagnosis and evaluation of esophageal and gastric varices (EGV) caused by cirrhosis. MethodsPatients with cirrhosis diagnosed between September 2009 and December 2012 were screened in this study. And the consistency of MSCTP and digestive endoscopy in the diagnosis, classification and grading of EGV in cirrhosis were evaluated. ResultsA total of 78 patients were included in this study, and there were 55 patients with EGV diagnosed by endoscopy, including 35, 16 and 4 patients with GOV1, GOV2 and IGV1 respectively by Satin type standards; and the number of patients with mild, moderate and severe EGV by general grading standards was 2, 15, and 37, respectively. In this cohort, the findings of MSCTP examination also showed that 58 patients had EGV, including 36, 17, 4 and 1 patients with GOV1, GOV2, IGV1 and IGV2 by Satin type standards; and the number of patients with grade I,Ⅱ andⅢ EGV by Kim grading standards was 5, 16 and 37, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there was a high consistency between endoscopy and MSCTP in the diagnosis (Kappa=0.712, P=0.000), typing (Kappa=0.732, P=0.000) or grading (Kappa=0.863, P=0.000) of EGV. ConclusionMSCTP has a high application value in the diagnosis and severity evaluation of EGV in patients with cirrhosis.
Objective To evaluate hepatic functional reserve and investigate the clinical value through measuring hepatic functional blood flow by D-sorbitol clearance rate and liver volume changes with CT. Methods Ninety-two patients with portal hypertension due to posthepatic cirrhosis were investigated (cirrhosis group). Twenty healthy volunteers were used as control group. D-sorbitol was infused intravenously at a steady rate. Blood and urine were collected and recorded once before infusion and at 120, 150 and 180 min after infusion, and their concentrations of D-sorbitol were examined by enzyme spectrophotometry. From pharmacokinetic equations, hepatic clearance rate of D-sorbitol (CLH) was calculated. Total hepatic blood flow (QTOTAL) was measured by Doppler sonography, intrahepatic shunt rate (RINS) was obtained. The liver volume change rate was obtained in patients with cirrhosis through the abdominal CT scan. The relations among the indicators, Child classification and postoperative complications were studied. Results After D-sorbitol was infused intravenously for 120 min, the plasma concentration was at the steady state. The plasma concentration was (0.189±0.05) mmol/L in control group and (0.358±0.06) mmol/L in cirrhosis group (Plt;0.01). CLH was (1 248.3±210.5) ml/min in control group and (812.7±112.4) ml/min in cirrhosis group (Plt;0.01). Although QTOTAL in cirrhosis group was declined, compared with the control group 〔(1 280.6±131.4) ml/min vs. (1 362.4±126.9) ml/min〕, Pgt;0.05, while RINS increased markedly 〔(36.54±10.65)% vs. (8.37±3.32)%, Plt;0.01〕. In cirrhosis group, the mean liver volume of Child A, B and C patients were (1 057±249) cm3, (851±148) cm3 and (663±77) cm3 respectively. There were significant differences among the mean liver volume (Plt;0.05). The liver volume was significantly smaller in Child B and C patients than that in Child A (Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01). When CLH was less than 600 ml/min, and liver volume decreased by more than 40%, postoperative complications increased significantly. CLH and the liver volume change rate were not in absolutely good accordance with Child classification. Conclusion The hepatic clearance of D-sorbitol and the quantitative determination of the liver volume with CT can be an objective evaluation of the liver metabolism of the inherent capacity and the hepatic functional blood flow changes. It contributes to the correct understanding of the hepatic functional reserve and lay the foundation for determining a reasonable treatment plan, surgical methods and time.
Variceal bleeding in cirrhosis is one of the most challenging problems in gastroenterology. Bleeding from gastro-oesophageal varices is a main cause of early death (approximately 30%-50% at the first bleeding) in cirrhosis. The aim of our therapy is to locate the place of bleeding, control active bleeding and prevent rebleeding, but it is difficult sometimes. A number of treatment strategies, such as somatostain analogs, vasopressin, endoscopic therapy, transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt (TIPS) have evolved over time, but which is better? New evidence of therapy for variceal haemorrhage will be introduced in Cirrhosis that includes: 1.Somatostatin, vasopressin, ligation, schlerotherapy and balloon tamponade for acute variceal bleeding; 2.β-blockers, ligation, schlerotherapy and shunt surgery for prophylaxis of primary variceal bleeding; 3.β-blockers, ligation, schlerotherapy, shunt surgery and TIPS for prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding; 4. Antibiotic prophylaxis for cirrhosis with gastrointestinal bleeding.