Evaluation of the Efficacy of Lusutrombopag for Chronic Liver Disease Based on Pre-Treatment Platelet Counts: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Background: Oral thrombopoietin receptor agonists are used to treat thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease who are scheduled for invasive procedures. The efficacy of lusutrombopag based on the pretreatment platelet count was investigated.

Methods: Patients treated at nine hospitals from December 2015 to December 2023 were included.

Safety of full bowel preparation and colonoscopy in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis: A real-world multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: The number of elderly patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has been increasing worldwide. Complications are common in elderly patients who undergo colonoscopy, raising doubts about whether colonoscopy should be performed in the same way in this age group as in younger patients. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of full bowel preparation and colonoscopy in elderly patients with UC.

The Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis E Virus Infection-A Condition Affecting Immunocompromised Patients.

Hepatitis E is a zoonosis caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV), which was first discovered 40 years ago. Twenty million HEV infections worldwide are estimated each year. Most hepatitis E cases are self-limiting acute hepatitis, but the virus has been recognized to cause chronic hepatitis.

Endoscopic and video capsule endoscopic observation of enterocolitis.

A woman in her late 20s suffered from epigastralgia following lower abdominal pain with diarrhea. Kampo medicine relieved the complaints, but the pain recurred a month later. She had immigrated from Vietnam to Japan 6 months before the onset of the abdominal pain.

A Marked Eosinophilic Infiltration in Mucosa Could Be a Better Predictive Factor for Intractable Non-Esophageal Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Introduction: Non-esophageal eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (non-EoE EGIDs) are rare, but their prevalence has recently increased. Although it has been reported that one-half of patients with non-EoE EGIDs have intractable clinical courses, their clinical features are not fully understood.

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective study in which 10 institutions in Japan participated.

Two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma successfully treated by carbon ion radiotherapy after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment.

We herein report two cases of huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that were successfully treated by carbon ion radiotherapy after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab treatment. Case 1, an 84-year-old man, was diagnosed with HCC (maximum diameter: 11 cm) with portal invasion and presented HCC rupture. After obtaining hemostasis with transcatheter embolization, three cycles of atezolizumab-bevacizumab therapy were administered, and marked shrinkage of the HCC was confirmed.

Prognosis and incidence of immunological and oncological complications after direct-acting antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Background And Study Aims: The long-term comprehensive prognosis of chronic hepatitis C after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prognosis and incidence of immunological and oncological complications after DAA therapy.

Patients And Methods: The study included a total of 1461 patients who received DAA therapy in our university hospital and affiliated hospitals between September 3, 2014 and September 30, 2018.

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation in a poor-risk patient with chronic renal failure and other complications successfully treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy.

The patient was an 85-year-old man with hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis and chronic renal failure caused by diabetes mellitus under maintenance hemodialysis (HD) who developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after achieving a sustained viral response with direct acting antiviral therapy 1 year and 3 months previously. HCC located near the right hepatic vein was treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) but recurrent disease accompanied by hepatic vein invasion was detected 3 months after RFA. The recurrent HCC was curatively treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Chronic hepatitis E in an elderly immunocompetent patient who achieved a sustained virologic response with ribavirin treatment.

A woman in her late 70 s was diagnosed with liver injury at a health examination. Despite treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid at a nearby hospital, her transaminase levels elevated in two peaks. She was transferred to our hospital 77 days after the health examination.

A prospective analysis of two studies that used the 5-mm interval slices and 5-mm margin-free method for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy.

Background: Breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy is one of standard treatments for early breast cancer. However, it is regarded as an option to treat elderly patients with small hormone receptor-positive breast cancer with breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy without radiotherapy. We conducted two sequential prospective studies to examine the feasibility of breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy since 2002 and present the results.

Case of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with intra-abdominal free air developed during treatment with voglibose.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan (portal phase) at the onset. Emphysema is detected in the ileal wall (b, c: Arrows) and free air is detected in the abdominal cavity (a: Arrowhead). CT scan imaging settings: (a-c) window level (WL) 60 and window width (WW) 300.

Changes of esophageal varices in hepatitis C patients after achievement of a sustained viral response by direct-acting antivirals.

Objectives: The changes in portal hypertension after achieving a sustained viral response (SVR) by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have not been fully elucidated. Consequently, noninvasive and inexpensive predictors need to be investigated. We therefore explored factors associated with the progression of EVs after the achievement of an SVR with DAAs in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Effect of 48-week pemafibrate on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with hypertriglyceridemia, as evaluated by the FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase score.

Background And Aim: This retrospective study investigated the effect of 48-week pemafibrate therapy in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with hypertriglyceridemia, as evaluated by the FibroScan-aspartate aminotransferase (FAST) score.

Methods: A total of 31 NAFLD patients who were treated with pemafibrate in Gunma Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital and Kusunoki Hospital from September 2018 to April 2020 were included in the current study. We used the FAST score, which is a novel index of steatohepatitis that can be calculated based on the AST value, controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), to evaluate the effect of pemafibrate treatment.

Follow-up after Direct-acting Antiviral Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Most Patients Are Followed Appropriately.

Objective Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection carries a residual risk of hepatocarcinogenesis even after viral elimination, so appropriate follow-up is necessary. The present study investigated the current hospital visits and hepatocarcinogenesis status of patients who received daclatasvir plus asunaprevir treatment (DCV+ASV) to determine whether or not appropriate follow-up was being performed. Methods We retrospectively analyzed hepatocarcinogenesis, the overall survival, and the length of hospital visits in 442 patients who applied for the medical expense subsidy system for viral hepatitis and received DCV+ASV treatment in Gunma Prefecture between October 2014 and December 2015.

Comparison of periarticular multidrug injection versus epidural catheter in 55 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Epidural catheter (EC) and periarticular multidrug injection (PMDI) are widely performed for reducing total hip arthroplasty (THA) postoperative pain. However, the more effective analgesic technique between the two is unclear. Thus, we aimed to answer the following questions: (1) does PMDI contribute to less postoperative pain than EC? (2) is there any difference in side-effect occurrence between the methods? (3) does PMDI provide better functional recovery than EC? (4) is there any difference in inflammatory parameters between the methods?

Hypothesis: PMDI would reduce postoperative pain and side effects, provide better functional recovery, and contribute to lower inflammation compared with EC.

Massive Polycystic Liver with a Poor Performance Status Successfully Treated by ABO-incompatible Adult Living-donor Liver Transplantation While Overcoming Complications.

We encountered a 47-year-old woman with polycystic liver disease (PLD) and severe malnutrition successfully treated by living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Her PLD became symptomatic with abdominal distension and appetite loss. Transcatheter arterial embolization and percutaneous cyst drainage failed to improve her symptoms.

Impact of M2BPGi on the Hepatocarcinogenesis after the Combination Therapy with Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir for Hepatitis C.

The clinical significance of mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) levels based on virological responses due to antiviral therapy has not been fully evaluated. We compared the change before and 24 weeks after the therapy with daclatasvir and asunaprevir (DCV+ASV) of M2BPGi levels with those of other fibrosis markers in 73 chronic hepatitis C cases. Moreover, we examined the association between M2BPGi levels and hepatocarcinogenesis in sustained virological response (SVR) and non-SVR cases.

Spontaneous reactivation of hepatitis B virus with a frameshift mutation in the precore region in an elderly hepatitis B virus carrier with lifestyle-related diseases.

A 76-year-old woman with spontaneous reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) without any immunosuppressants who had been successfully treated with tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) was reported. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of acute exacerbation of the liver function and jaundice. She had been found to have chronic HBV infection with a normal liver function and had been treated for lifestyle-related diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension, for over 10 years at a local clinic.

Efficacy of Zinc Acetate Treatment for Patients with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis Complicated by Hypozincemia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc acetate treatment for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis complicated by hypozincemia. We retrospectively analyzed 49 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis complicated by hypozincemia who received zinc acetate treatment from August 2017 to March 2020. The relationships between serum zinc levels and several parameters including the prognosis, sarcopenia, and immunity were evaluated.

Changes of F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose position-emission tomography findings by the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach.

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is reported to increase F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation in the stomach. The accumulation of FDG by positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the stomach for the voluntary health examinees of cancer checkup was examined before and after the HP eradication.

Subjects And Methods: From March 2013 to October 2015, eighty-one subjects were performed FDG-PET to detect cancer at the health checkup.

Tolvaptan reduces the required amount of albumin infusion in patients with decompensated cirrhosis with uncontrolled ascites : a multicenter retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether tolvaptan treatment reduces the amount of albumin administered, volume of ascites removed, and frequency of paracentesis procedures in patients with decompensated cirrhosis with uncontrolled ascites with conventional diuretics.

Patients And Methods: The control (C) group included patients treated with conventional diuretics. The tolvaptan (T) group included patients treated with both tolvaptan and conventional diuretics.

Prognosis of late elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C after achieving a sustained viral response by direct-acting antivirals.

Background And Aim: We investigated the prognosis of late elderly patients (≥75 years old) after the achievement of a sustained viral response (SVR) by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).

Methods: One hundred and four late elderly patients and 251 young patients (≤74 years old) who had achieved an SVR were included. We compared the cumulative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence rates and survival rates after DAA administration.

The development of broncho-biliary fistula after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: a report of two cases.

Broncho-biliary fistula (BBF) is a rare but severe disorder defined as abnormal communication between the biliary system and bronchial tree. Cases of BBF have occasionally been reported, but no standard treatment has been established. We report two cases of BBF that developed after the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and reviewed the relevant literature.

Successfully Treated Case of Cholangiolocellular Carcinoma with a Poor Hepatic Functional Reserve Reporting with Various Imaging Findings.

Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is a rare primary liver cancer that is difficult diagnose due to a lack of specific imaging findings. We herein report a case of CoCC accompanied by severe alcoholic cirrhosis. Dynamic computed tomography showed a low-density tumor with a faint surrounding enhancement.

Real-world efficacy and safety of 12-week sofosbuvir/velpatasvir treatment for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus infection.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of 12-week sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) treatment for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: A total 72 of patients with Child-Pugh (CP) class B or C were enrolled. We evaluated the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12), adverse events (AEs), and changes in the liver function.