[Spontaneous splenic vein rupture complicating liver cirrhosis: an autopsy case report].

A 70-year-old woman, who had hepatitis-C related liver cirrhosis died suddenly. Autopsy showed a massive retroperitoneal hematoma and ruptured splenic vein, as well as densely bloody ascites. This suggested that chronic and unnoticed retroperitoneal leak from the ruptured vein preceded the acute and fatal outcome of the intra-abdominal bleeding.

[Investigation of simplified international diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis].

The simplified international diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), re-revised by the International AIH Group in 2008, were investigated in 114 patients with AIH from 15 centers in Japan. While applying of the criteria, we had to pay attention to anti-nuclear antibody measurement methods, and liver histology scoring. Definite and probable AIH were diagnosed in 83 and 22 patients, respectively.

[A case of rapid-onset antimitochondrial antibody-positive autoimmune hepatitis possibly triggered by a urinary tract infection].

A 54-year-old woman suffered acute hepatitis after she acquired cystitis. Laboratory results on admission showed: AST 925, ALT 1171, ALP 623, gamma-GTP127 IU/l, T-Bil 5.0 mg/dl, antinuclear antibodies negative, smooth muscle antibodies 80, antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) 80, antimitochondrial M2 antibody (AMA-M2) 117 index, IgG 2210 mg/dl.

Disappearance of intraglomerular lipoprotein thrombi and marked improvement of nephrotic syndrome by bezafibrate treatment in a patient with lipoprotein glomerulopathy.

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a hereditary disorder characterized by intraglomerular lipoprotein thrombi and increased serum apolipoprotein (apo) E. Patients with LPG usually manifest with nephrotic syndrome, and some progress to renal failure; however, no effective therapeutic regimen has been established for this disease. We experienced a patient with LPG for whom bezafibrate treatment was very effective.

Autoimmune pancreatitis successfully treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.

A 51-year-old woman with autoimmune pancreatitis is reported in whom treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was beneficial. Complaining of epigastric discomfort, she presented with liver dysfunction of the cholestatic type, and diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic imaging revealed a diffuse swelling of the body, an irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, and a terminal stricture of the common bile duct.