Prevalence of and risk factors for fatty liver in the general population of Northern Italy: the Bagnacavallo Study.

Background: The estimation of the burden of disease attributable to fatty liver requires studies performed in the general population.

Methods: The Bagnacavallo Study was performed between October 2005 and March 2009. All the citizens of Bagnacavallo (Ravenna, Italy) aged 30 to 60 years as of January 2005 were eligible.

Urea cycle disorders: a case report of a successful treatment with liver transplant and a literature review.

The urea cycle is the final pathway for nitrogen metabolism. Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) include a variety of genetic defects, which lead to inefficient urea synthesis. Elevated blood ammonium level is usually dominant in the clinical pattern and the primary manifestations affect the central nervous system.

Cryoglobulinemia in elderly patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects about 3% of the world's population and often leads to chronic liver disease. In some industrialized countries, HCV prevalence increases with age, but the optimal management of older patients has not been accurately defined. HCV infection can also lead to lymphoproliferative disorders, the most common being mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), and also for this condition that frequently affects elderly patients, the optimal therapeutic strategy is still debated.

Paraparesis induced by extramedullary haematopoiesis.

We describe a case of worsening paraparesis induced by spinal cord compression at T6-T7 levels associated with compensatory extramedullary haematopoiesis from a compound heterozygote for haemoglobin E and for β-thalassemia. An emergency T3-T9 laminectomy was performed with excision of the masses and complete rehabilitation of the patient.

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in primary hepatic lymphoma.

Objective: Ultrasonography is the first examination performed for screening of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can help discriminate between HCC and other lesions. Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL), even if rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions (FLLs). Few data are available in the literature about the role of CEUS in the diagnosis of PHL; we tried to determine whether CEUS could have a role in this setting.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-controlled study.

Background & Aims: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) currently is used as a palliative treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy still is debated. Our aim was to assess the impact of TACE on patient survival and to identify prognostic factors for survival.

Methods: Fifty-six cirrhotic patients with unresectable HCC undergoing at least 1 course of TACE were matched 1:1 for sex, age (in 5-year periods), parameters of Child-Pugh score, Okuda stage, and tumor type with a control group who had received only supportive care.

Suppression of craving for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid by naltrexone administration: three case reports.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is currently used to induce and maintain abstinence from alcohol. Cases of craving and desire to increase doses of GHB have been reported in both clinical trials and nonclinical self-administration. The enhancement of dopamine activity induced by GHB receptor activation might play a role in the euphoric effect and potential craving and the consequent abuse of this drug.