Racial differences in prevalence and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The aim of this review is to assess the evidence regarding racial differences in the prevalence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We reviewed the published literature that reported prevalence, severity, and genetic associations of NAFLD in different ethnic groups. The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with NAFLD, but each component of the MetS is present in various races in different percentages and their effect on NAFLD appears to be dissimilar.

Persistent Encephalopathy in a Noncirrhotic Patient: Do not Shun This Shunt.

A portosystemic venous shunt is the formation of an abnormal connection between the portal vein and a systemic vein, allowing blood to bypass the liver. Portosystemic shunts are usually believed to be due to portal hypertension in the setting of underlying hepatic disease. We report a case of large, spontaneous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a noncirrhotic patient contributing to recurrent hepatic encephalopathy, also known as type B encephalopathy.

Ileal artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleed.

Aorto-enteric fistulas are life-threatening conditions that occur commonly between the aorta and duodenum. Our case describes a fistula between the ileal artery and small bowel. To our knowledge, ileal artery fistulas are more commonly described in surgical cases, unlike our case.

The Effects of Hepatic Steatosis on the Natural History of HBV Infection.

Fatty liver prevalence is increasing and becoming a global health burden. Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is one of the most common chronic viral infections. Steatosis in CHB patients increases risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.