Small hepatocellular carcinoma associated with Wilson's disease.

We report a 66-year-old male patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with Wilson's disease. The patient presented with unresolving abnormal liver function test, decreased serum ceruloplasmin levels and increased 24-hour urine copper excretion. Liver biopsy specimen revealed the presence of increased levels of copper and features suggestive of Wilson's disease.

Spontaneous closure of intrahepatic portovenous shunt in a noncirrhotic patient with recurrent encephalopathy.

A 70-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with recurrent encephalopathy. Liver function tests, abdominal computerized tomography, ultrasonography, angiography, and laparoscopy revealed an intrahepatic portovenous shunt in a noncirrhotic liver. During follow-up, the intrahepatic portovenous shunt closed spontaneously.

Influencing factors for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a new local therapy, has recently been developed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we have checked for the factors influencing the recurrence of HCC following RFA. We gave special emphasis to complete coagulation.

Chronological changes of causes of death and distant metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The diagnostic approaches, mode of therapies, frequencies of distant metastasis and causes of death in 139 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between 1976 and 1998 were studied by dividing the total study duration into three periods. The period between 1976-1980 (period I) was characterized by the absence of periodic follow-up of the patients with chronic liver diseases, and operation was the only therapeutic choice for HCC. During 1981-1986 (period II), periodic screening of patients with chronic liver diseases was started using ultrasonography, and transarterial embolization became a second choice of therapy along with operation.