The use of fully covered self-expandable metal stents in the endoscopic treatment of portal cavernoma cholangiopathy.

Background And Aims: There are different therapeutic approaches for biliary strictures and reducing portal hypertension in patients with symptomatic portal cavernoma cholangiopathy (PCC). Endoscopic treatment includes endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST), dilation of stricture with a biliary balloon, placement of plastic stent(s) and stone extraction. Fully covered self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) is placed as a rescuer in case of haemobilia seen after EST, dilation of stricture and removal of plastic stent rather than the stricture treatment itself.

Comparison of the Locking Intramedullary Nailing, Single Plate and Double Plate Osteosynthesis in Treatment of Humerus Shaft Fractures.

Objective: To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes between patients treated with single plate osteosynthesis, double plate osteosynthesis, and antegrade locked intramedullary nailing (IMN) in treatment of humerus diaphyseal fractures.

Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital, Adiyaman, Turkey, between 2014 and 2020.

Psychometric tests, critical flicker frequency, and inflammatory indicators in covert hepatic encephalopathy diagnosis.

Background And Aim: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent complication of liver diseases. Systemic inflammation is key for HE pathogenesis. The main goal of the study was to investigate the role of psychometric tests, critical flicker frequency (CFF), and comparative evaluation of inflammatory indicators for the diagnosis of covert HE (CHE).

A single-center experience: Liver biopsy results during a year.

Background And Aim: Liver biopsy is the gold standard method for the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the results of liver biopsies performed in a year in our clinic. In addition, we also aimed if these liver biopsies could reveal the etiology of liver disease in patients with elevations of transaminases or/and alkaline phosphatase levels or liver masses.

Baseline characteristics associated with survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and most lethal cancers worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between basal parameters and survival characteristics in patients with HCC.

Materials And Methods: The records of 1447 HCC patients of a tertiary center during the period 2000-2017 were screened retrospectively.

Predictive value of FibroScan in detecting liver fibrosis in HBeAg negative patients with chronic hepatitis B whose HBV DNA 2000-20000 IU/ml with ALT 1-2 times the upper limit of normal and those with HBV DNA >20000 IU/ml and normal ALT.

Objective: In hepatitis B infection, it is difficult to make a treatment decision in patients with slightly elevated transaminases and HBV DNA level between 2000 and 20000 IU/ml, and in those with normal ALT, despite high levels of HBV DNA. Objectives: In HBeAg negative patients whose HBV DNA levels were between 2000 and 20000 IU/ml with ALT 1-2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and those with HBV DNA >20000 IU/ml and normal ALT, the concordance between liver fibrosis in biopsy and liver stiffness measured by transient elastography with FibroScan (FS) was investigated, and diagnostic value of FS to predict the liver fibrosis was tested.

Methods: The patients were selected from the outpatient hepatology clinics between the dates of November 2014 and October 2016 among those who were taken liver biopsy.

Prognosis and risk factors of ERCP pancreatitis in elderly.

Post Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis is one of the most serious complications of ERCP. Our study aims to investigate the risk, predisposing factors and prognosis of pancreatitis after ERCP in elderly patients. Patients referred to the ERCP unit between April 2008 and 2012 and admitted to the hospital at least 1 day after the ERCP procedure were included to the study.

Significance of detectable hepatitis B virus DNA in liver allograft tissue in long-term follow-up of liver transplant recipients.

Background And Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the liver grafts of liver transplant patients who received hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) plus oral antiviral hepatitis B virus prophylaxis and had negative HBV serum markers.

Materials And Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older who underwent liver transplantation for HBV-related liver disease, had negative serum viral markers, and had a liver biopsy at least 3 years after liver transplantation were eligible for this study. Clinical, serological, and pathological data were retrospectively obtained from medical records.

Real-life experience of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir single-tablet regimen among chronic hepatitis C patients in Turkey.

Background/aims: Ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF) as single-tablet regimen (STR) has been approved for treatment of chronic HCV infection (CHC) for treatment-naïve or experienced cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic patients. Our aim was to analyse the effectiveness and safety of 12-24 weeks treatment of LDV/SOF (90mg/400 mg)±ribavirin in a real-life setting in Turkey.

Materials And Methods: Between May-Dec 2016, 104 treatment-naïve or experienced adult patients with CHC and with or without cirrhosis (including decompensated cirrhosis) were included in this observational study.

Paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir treatment in renal transplant patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Background/aims: The Social Security System of our country reimburses only paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir (PrOD) regime in treatment-naive patients with hepatitis C regardless of kidney disease. Most of our renal transplant (RT) recipients were treated with PrOD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of PrOD in RT patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a single center real-life experience.

Changing patterns of upper gastrointestinal bleeding over 23 years in Turkey.

Background/aims: This study aimed to compare the causes of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGB), demographics, risk factors, and outcomes of patients during two periods between 1993 and 2016 in a tertiary health-care center in Turkey.

Materials And Methods: We compared the causes of NVUGB and clinical outcomes in 421 patients hospitalized between January 1993 and December 1995 with those of 231 patients with NVUGB hospitalized between January 2015 and September 2016. We also compared epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, and the rates of endoscopic hemostatic procedures.

Low recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma following ledipasvir and sofosbuvir treatment in a real-world chronic hepatitis C patients cohort.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) with or without ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in patients with advanced liver disease and to analyse whether the use of LDV/SOF treatment is associated with a new occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during and after LDV/SOF treatment. The Turkish Early Access Program provided LDV/SOF treatment to a total of 200 eligible CHC patients with advanced liver disease. The median follow-up period was 22 months.

Magnetic compression anastomosis for patients with a disconnected bile duct after living-donor related liver transplantation: a pilot study.

Background And Study Aim: We present the use of the magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) technique for treatment of disconnected bile duct after living-donor related liver transplantation (LDLT) using the recently introduced through-the-scope magnet.

Patients And Methods: The MCA technique was used in patients with disconnected bile duct who could not be treated with either percutaneous or endoscopic procedures. All patients already had a percutaneous external biliary drainage catheter before the procedure.

Telbivudine in liver transplant recipients: Renal protection does not overcome the risk of polyneuropathy and myopathy.

The recently reported benefit of telbivudine for renal function has not been systematically studied in long-term liver transplantation (LT) recipients who are at high risk for renal impairment. We aimed to examine whether switching lamivudine therapy to telbivudine could improve renal function in LT recipients who have impaired renal function. This single-center, prospective cohort study enrolled LT recipients who were on lamivudine for hepatitis B virus (HBV) prophylaxis and who had renal impairment for at least 1 year.

Nonradiation ERCP with endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy plus papillary balloon dilation for the treatment of choledocholithiasis during pregnancy.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is currently the treatment of choice for symptomatic choledocholithiasis in pregnant patients. We aimed to present our experience with pregnant patients who underwent nonradiation ERCP and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new technique.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of nonradiation ERCP in 22 pregnant patients with symptomatic choledocholithiasis between January 2002 and December 2013 was performed.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A,B, and C viruses in Turkish alcoholic cirrhotics and the impact of hepatitis B on clinical profile.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to detect the seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, and C viruses in Turkish alcoholic cirrhotics, and to evaluate the impact of hepatitis B infection on clinical profile at first admittance.

Methodology: Serological markers for hepatitis A, B, and C viruses in 300 alcoholic cirrhotics diagnosed between January 1994 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 148 eligible patients were divided into group 1 (HBsAg positive, n = 43) and group 2 (HBsAg and anti-HBc negative, n = 105).

Diagnostic value of the JAK2 V617F mutation for latent chronic myeloproliferative disorders in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome and/or portal vein thrombosis.

Background/aims: The diagnosis of an underlying myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is often problematic in patients with Budd Chiari syndrome (BCS) or portal vein thrombosis (PVT). This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of the JAK2 gene V617F gain-of-function mutation for MPN in splanchnic vein thrombosis patients.

Materials And Methods: One hundred eleven patients (80 with PVT, 27 with BCS, and 4 with BCS and PVT) were investigated.

Diurnal changes of critical flicker frequency in patients with liver cirrhosis and their relationship with sleep disturbances.

Background: We aimed to measure the diurnal changes of critical flicker frequency in healthy subjects and cirrhotic patients and to investigate their relationship with sleep disturbance.

Methods: Cirrhotic patients and healthy volunteers were included. All groups completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a simple sleep questionnaire.

Sleep disorders in cirrhotics; how can we detect ?

Background & Aims: Sleep disorders (SDs) are common in cirrhotics and are often associated with hepatic encephalopathy. SDs negatively affect patients' daily activities and work efficiency. For this reason, early diagnosis is important.