The treatment of isolated left-sided hepatolithiasis.

Background/aims: It has been over 20 years since percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCSL) or left lateral segmentectomy with postoperative cholangioscopy (POC) was applied in treating isolated left-sided hepatolithiasis (ILH). However, their efficacy in treating ILH is not elucidated clearly in the literature.

Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted in 59 patients with ILH undergoing either PTCSL or left lateral segmentectomy with POC during the past 22 years.

Prevalence and etiology of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase level in an adult population in Taiwan.

Background: The prevalence and etiologies of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have geographic variations and they are rarely reported in Taiwan. Through a population-based screening study, the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population of Taiwan were assessed.

Methods: A cross-sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3260 Chinese adults (age >or=18 years) undergoing ultrasonography (US), blood tests, and interviews with a structured questionnaire.

Prevalence and risk factors of gallstone disease in an adult population of Taiwan: an epidemiological survey.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of gallstone disease (GSD) in an adult population of Taiwan through a population-based screening study.

Methods: A cross-sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3333 Chinese adults (aged > or = 18 years) undergoing ultrasonography. A questionnaire on personal history was completed to ascertain whether the removed gallbladder contained stones in all cholecystectomized subjects, the dietary habits (vegetarian/non-vegetarian diet), the history of GSD in the participant's first-degree relatives, the history of gastrointestinal surgery (vagotomy, gastrectomy for peptic ulcer disease, or ileal resection), parity, and use of oral contraceptives.

Prevalence and risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in an adult population of taiwan: metabolic significance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in nonobese adults.

Background: The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rarely reported in Taiwan.

Goals: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in an adult population of Taiwan.

Study: The cross-sectional community study examined 3245 adults in a rural village of Taiwan.

Relation of hepatolithiasis to helminthic infestation.

Background And Aim: The relation of helminthic infestation to hepatolithiasis is a subject of dispute. This case-control study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of helminthiasis in hepatolithiasis patients and to compare the clinicopathological features of hepatolithiasis between patients with and without helminthiasis.

Methods: The prevalence of ascariasis or clonorchiasis was evaluated using ELISA in 131 patients with hepatolithiasis who were treated at Show-Chwan Memorial Hospital and 121 subjects who constituted a control group.

Long-term outcome of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy for hepatolithiasis.

Objectives: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCSL) for the treatment of hepatolithiasis is particularly suited for those patients who are poor surgical risks or who refuse surgery and those with previous biliary surgery or stones distributed in multiple segments. However, hepatolithiasis is characterized by high rates of treatment failure and recurrence. We examined the long-term results of 245 patients with hepatolithiasis treated by PTCSL.