Stage migration as a surrogate of survival in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization.

Background Aims: Locoregional therapies, including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), are recommended for the treatment of HCC; however, clinical trials evaluating their effectiveness have been complicated by a lack of validated surrogate outcomes. We aimed to evaluate if stage migration could serve as a potential surrogate of overall survival in patients undergoing TACE.

Approach: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with HCC who underwent TACE as initial therapy from 3 centers in the US from 2008 to 2019.

Long-term clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and chronic liver disease: US multicenter COLD study.

Background: COVID-19 is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs). However, our understanding of the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with CLD is limited.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, observational cohort study of adult patients with CLD who were diagnosed with COVID-19 before May 30, 2020, to determine long-term clinical outcomes.

Liver injury during durvalumab-based immunotherapy is associated with poorer patient survival: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Durvalumab is approved for the treatment of lung cancer, advanced biliary tract cancers, and is also being evaluated in many other solid organ tumors. The aim of our study is to define the incidence, etiology, and outcomes of liver injury in consecutive patients receiving durvalumab-based immunotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Durvalumab treated patients between 1/2016 - 7/2020 were identified from the electronic medical record.

TACE versus TARE for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Overall and individual patient level meta analysis.

Background: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is increasingly used as an alternative to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to perform an overall and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of studies comparing TACE and TARE.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using pre-specified keywords with the aid of an informationist for articles from inception to 3/2020.

Association between sustained virological response and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatitis C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Sustained viral response (SVR) improves survival for patients with hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative treatment; however, the benefit of SVR in those with active HCC with a significant competing risk of mortality is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between SVR and outcomes in patients with active HCC.

Methods: The authors performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including consecutive adults with HCV cirrhosis and treatment-naive HCC diagnosed between 2014 and 2018.

Into the unknown: Diagnosing mysterious brain lesions.

In this inaugural clinicopathological conference, the invited experts discussed the diagnostic approach to central nervous system infections in immunocompromised hosts. The case presented involved a pancreas-kidney transplant recipient with multiple brain abscesses caused by Bartonella henselae. CSF metagenomic next-generation sequencing played a significant role in the diagnosis.

Infrequent liver injury from cemiplimab in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

To describe the incidence and outcomes of liver injury in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) receiving cemiplimab. Charts of cSCC patients receiving cemiplimab between 28 September 2018 and 14 July 2020 were reviewed. Liver injury was determined using laboratory criteria, and causality assessment was completed.

Use of N-Acetylcysteine in Amphetamine-Induced Acute Liver Failure.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a serious complication of many drugs. Amongst recreational drugs, cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) have been known to cause ALF as a complication. However, the true effects and management on the liver of such cases have not been well reported and treatment of such conditions needs prompt action.

Combining K-72 Hepatic Failure with 15 Individual T-Codes to Identify Patients with Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Liver Injury in the Electronic Medical Record.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the utility of combining three K72 codes (hepatic failure) with 15 individual T-Codes (drug toxicity/poisoning) to identify potential DILI cases.

Methods: The EMR was searched for encounters that had a K72 code combined with a T-code that also met minimal liver injury laboratory criteria between 10/1/15 and 9/30/18. After manual chart review, a DILIN expert opinion causality score (1-5) was assigned to each case.

A Case of Ochrobactrum intermedium Bacteremia Secondary to Cholangitis With a Literature Review.

species are gram-negative, non-lactose fermenting, aerobic bacilli closely related to genus. () is an emergent human pathogen that is difficult to differentiate from other species by conventional methods. It is known to infect immunocompromised hosts, has the propensity for abscess formation, and is known for its multidrug resistance.

A Case of A Mesenteric Cyst Mimicking a Biloma.

Mesenteric cysts are a rare entity, with approximately 1,000 cases reported in the literature. Its etiology is unknown but was theorized to be a benign ectopic lymphatic proliferation in the mesentery. Imaging with surgical excision and pathologic microscopic evaluation is needed for diagnosis, but no specific guidelines for its management have been documented.

Hepatic Steatosis Is Associated with Increased Disease Severity and Liver Injury in Coronavirus Disease-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Obesity has been associated with increased disease severity in COVID-19, and obesity is strongly associated with hepatic steatosis (HS). However, how HS alters the natural history of COVID-19 is not well characterized, especially in Western populations.