Risk of Liver Cancer in MASLD: Role of Genetic Risk Scores
AbstractMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the fastest growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several risk factors have been identified, including older age, male gender, Hispanic ethnicity, metabolic syndrome components, certain medications, tobacco and alcohol use. Genetic polymorphisms, such asPNPLA3,TM6SF2, andMBOAT7 variants, have been associated with increased risk of MASLD-related HCC. More recently, genetic risk scores (GRS) based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have shown potential in predicting HCC risk. So far, there are a few studies that analyzed the impact ...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - December 2, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Diagnosis and Management of Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension
This article aims to provide an update on the pathologic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of this underrecognized disease.Recent FindingsThe diagnosis of PSVD requires a liver biopsy. Specific histology findings include nodular regenerative hyperplasia, obliterative portal venopathy or portal vein stenosis, and incomplete septal fibrosis/cirrhosis. The natural history of PSVD has not been elucidated, and screening guidelines for sequalae such as portal hypertension or portal vein thrombosis and the outcome of liver transplantation in these patients are unclear.SummaryPatients who have signs of portal hyperten...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - November 14, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Obliterative Portal Venopathy
AbstractPurposeof ReviewTo review the clinical and histopathological features of obliterative portal venopathy (OPV).Recent FindingsOPV is one cause of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and is part of the general group of vascular liver diseases termed porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD), along with nodular regenerative hyperplasia and incomplete septal fibrosis/cirrhosis. It is increasingly being found on liver biopsies in patients having abnormal liver tests and is reliably diagnosable only by liver biopsy. Radiologically, patients may appear to have a cirrhotic liver but typically their liver tests are normal or mi...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - November 9, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Interventional Radiology and Surgical Treatment Options for Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension
AbstractPurposeof reviewNoncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) consists of a heterogenous group of disorders that lead to portal hypertension (pHTN) in the absence of cirrhosis and can be best understood by their relationship to hepatic vascular anatomy. Here, we discuss the most common of these: portal vein thrombosis, porto-sinusoidal vascular disease, Budd-Chiari syndrome, and hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome.Recent advancesWe provide a brief overview of each disorder and highlight recent advances in interventional radiology and surgical treatments. Although the former have improved outcomes, the latter may stil...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - November 4, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
What Is in a Name: from NAFLD to MAFLD and MASLD —Unraveling the Complexities and Implications
This article sheds light on the rationale for the proposed change and its potential implications for research, patient management, and public health strategies. (Source: Current Hepatitis Reports)
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - October 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Current Situation of Palliative Care Services Within Hepatology
AbstractPurpose of reviewWe attempt to describe the current situation of palliative care in hepatology.Recent findingsPalliative care aims to alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life of patients with serious illness. Recently, palliative care has begun to develop more outside of oncology and within the context of organ failure. Within the study of end-stage liver disease (ESLD), palliative care has shown benefits for both patient care as well as the health care system as a whole. Despite this, few patients are referred for specialist palliative care, and when referrals do occur, they are frequently in the last d...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - October 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Portal Vein Thrombosis in Adults without Cirrhosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe management of non-cirrhotic, non-tumoral portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has historically been challenging due to a paucity of data. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recommendations from major society guidelines and to highlight emerging evidence from recent years.Recent FindingsWhile direct oral anticoagulants are increasingly used for the treatment of non-cirrhotic PVT, prospective comparison with warfarin or low molecular weight heparin remains uninvestigated in this population. There is growing evidence that optimal treatment requires a tailored approach based on the underlying e...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - August 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Management of Portal Biliopathy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPortal biliopathy or portal cavernoma cholangiopathy is defined by the presence of cholangiographic abnormalities in a patient with portal cavernoma. In this review, we will examine the evaluation and management of symptomatic portal biliopathy in light of the significant breakthroughs that have been made in this field.Recent FindingsThe imaging modality of choice for evaluating portal biliopathy is magnetic resonance cholangiography with portography. Endosonography and cholangioscopy may provide complementary information regarding the etiology of biliary obstruction and should be considered especi...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - July 31, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Evidence-Based Strategies for Micro-elimination of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHepatitis B (HBV) remains a health threat around the world. Hepatitis C is closer to meeting the World Health Organization ’s 2030 elimination goal compared to HBV. To achieve a successful micro-elimination and macro-elimination, there are certain objectives that need to be met.Recent FindingsHBV infects more than 262 million people worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. There have been previous HBV and hepatitis C virus micro-elimination trials with varying success. Micro-elimination programs should be designed to move services forward with a plethora of ...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - July 29, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia
AbstractNodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is a diffuse liver disease characterized by multiple hepatic nodules in the absence of significant fibrosis.Purpose of ReviewTo discuss the etiopathogenesis, imaging features, pathological diagnosis, clinical features, and management of NRH.Recent FindingsNRH may occur in patients with various predisposing systemic conditions, and also post liver transplant. Not all patients are symptomatic, and portal hypertension occurs only in a subset of cases. Imaging features often show overlap with cirrhosis. Transient elastography and magnetic resonance elastography may have a role in ...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - July 28, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Chemoprevention in hepatocellular carcinoma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe number of deaths due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to rise. Chemoprevention may be a useful strategy to prevent HCC.Recent FindingsWe summarize recent clinical and translational studies on the chemoprevention of HCC from the aspects of etiology-specific and generic chemoprevention in the context of contemporary HCC etiologies.SummaryUse of safe and effective HCC chemopreventive agents may reduce the burden of HCC, but more data are required before these can be recommended in routine clinical practice. (Source: Current Hepatitis Reports)
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - July 18, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Perspectives
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe aimed to introduce various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance strategies in high-risk patients from technical to clinical viewpoints and provide guidance on selecting patients who would benefit from MRI-based surveillance.Recent FindingsMRI has recently gained attention as an HCC surveillance tool due to its superior sensitivity in detecting early-stage HCC over ultrasonography (US). However, complete-sequence contrast-enhanced liver MRI has limitations of long scan time and high cost. Abbreviated MRI (AMRI) utilizes only the essential sequences fo...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - July 15, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Non-invasive Assessment of Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension
This article aims to critically review the current literature on non-invasive assessment of CSPH.Recent FindingsThe Baveno VII consensus encouraged non-invasive assessment of CSPH to identify patients at risk and avoid unnecessary screening endoscopies. Novel machine learning and omics-based laboratory scores have been introduced, which can be combined with liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) is an increasingly used novel elastography modality. Elastography and cross-sectional imaging methods have reached similar predictive power, while the accuracy of non-invasive tests can only be improv...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - July 13, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Schistosomiasis: Hepatosplenic Disease and Portal Hypertensive Complications
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSchistosomiasis is an important and often neglected disease in tropical climates and is associated with significant comorbidity due to the complication of periportal fibrosis, termed hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Clinically significant portal hypertension can develop as a complication of periportal fibrosis and is associated with life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding due to the formation of esophagogastric varices. Unfortunately, patients with established infections can be asymptomatic and may not present for evaluation before significant clinical symptoms are identified.Recent FindingsEffect...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - July 8, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Current and Evolving Management of Chronic Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) Infection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review aims to examine the current and evolving management of chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, a severe form of viral hepatitis characterized by accelerated liver disease progression, leading to cirrhosis and its complications. Previously, off-label interferon (IFN) administration was the only treatment option for HDV infection, with limited effectiveness and several side effects.Recent FindingsThe discovery of the entry inhibitor bulevirtide (BLV) has been a breakthrough in HDV treatment, showing high rates of viral suppression in clinical trials and in real-life studies. Other ...
Source: Current Hepatitis Reports - June 28, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
