Utility of ultrasound in the diagnostic approach to lymphoma with splenic involvement.

This paper describes the clinical case of a patient diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with splenic involvement, focusing on the role of abdominal ultrasound (US) in this context. The patient experienced dyspepsia and progressive asthenia over several months so an abdominal US was performed. The US showed multiple heterogeneous and hypoechogenic focal splenic lesions together with a moderate left pleural effusion.

Hospital-based screening outperforms primary care screening as a means of achieving hepatitis C virus micro-elimination.

Aim: To assess the respective performances of a HCV screening program in a hospital setting and a HCV screening model applied concomitantly in a primary care centre.

Methods: Adult patients consecutively admitted to hospital for ambulatory surgery were screened for anti-HCV antibodies (hospital screening cohort, HPSC), as were patients receiving blood tests for medical reasons in a primary care centre (primary care screening cohort, PCSC). Serum anti-HCV and HCV RNA levels were tested by ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively.

From metastasis to the primary tumor: Giant liver metastasis from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

We present the case of a 37-years old male, who consulted for an extended history of intermittent nausea and vomiting. Laboratory tests showed moderate elevated bilirubin (1.30 mg/dL) and GGT (106 U/L).

Hepatocellular carcinoma risk in hepatitis C stage-3 fibrosis after sustained virological response with direct-acting antivirals.

Background & Aims: Patients with chronic hepatitis C and stage 3 fibrosis are thought to remain at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained virological response. We investigated this risk in a large cohort of patients with well-defined stage 3 fibrosis.

Methods: We performed a multicentre, ambispective, observational study of chronic hepatitis C patients with sustained virological response after treatment with direct-acting antivirals started between January and December 2015.

Interferon-related genetic markers of necroinflammatory activity in chronic hepatitis C.

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide which often leads to progressive liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CHC displays heterogeneous progression depending on a broad set of factors, some of them intrinsic to each individual such as the patient's genetic profile. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of certain genetic variants of crucial interferon alpha and lambda signaling pathways to the hepatic necroinflammatory activity (NIA) grade of CHC patients.

Intrahepatic angiopoietin-2 correlates with chronic hepatitis C progression and is induced in hepatitis C virus replicon systems.

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and angiogenesis is closely related to the pathogenesis and progression of different chronic liver diseases (CLD). Thus, the intrahepatic expression of angiopoietins 1 and 2 (Ang1 and Ang2), as relevant mediators of pathological angiogenesis in several CLD, was investigated. In addition, the differential influence of structural and non-structural genomic regions of HCV on the expression of angiopoietins and the possible signalling involved were studied.

Angiopoietin-2/angiopoietin-1 as non-invasive biomarker of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of peripheral blood concentrations of angiopoietins (Ang) as cirrhosis biomarkers of chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods: Ang1 and Ang2 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in samples from 179 cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic CHC patients, classified according to the METAVIR system. Groups were compared by non-parametric Mann-Whitney test.

Transarterial chemoembolisation in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Survey on clinical practice in hospitals in the Madrid Region.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), having demonstrated survival benefits, is the treatmentof choice in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, although there is great heterogeneity in its clinical application.

Material And Methods: A survey was sent to the Madrid Regional hospitals to assess applicability, indications and treatment protocols. The assessment was made overall and according to the type of hospital (groups A vs.

Angiopoietin-2 Serum Levels Improve Noninvasive Fibrosis Staging in Chronic Hepatitis C: A Fibrogenic-Angiogenic Link.

Aims: Accurate liver fibrosis staging is crucial for the management of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The invasiveness and cost burden of liver biopsy have driven the search for new noninvasive biomarkers of fibrosis. Based on the link between serum angiopoietin-1 and 2 levels and CHC progression, we aimed to determine the value of these angiogenic factors as noninvasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis.

Long-term outcome of chronic hepatitis C patients with sustained virological response to peginterferon plus ribavirin.

Aim: To assess the clinical, biochemical and virological long-term outcome in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with a sustained virological response (SVR) after peginterferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin combination therapy.

Methods: One hundred and fifty three patients with a SVR after treatment with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin were included in a 5-year follow-up study in a single Spanish center, based on standard clinical practice. Clinical anamnesis, biochemical analysis, hepatitis C virus RNA and alpha-fetoprotein measurement, ultrasonography and transient elastography were performed annually.

[Potential impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the study of focal liver lesions].

Ultrasonography is the first choice for screening patients with suspected liver lesions. However, due to lack of contrast agents, ultrasonography is less sensitive and specific compared with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The advent of microbubble contrast agents increases both sensitivity and specificity dramatically.