Echinococcosis or hydatid disease （HD） is a zoonosis caused by the larval stages of taeniid cestodes belong- ing to the genus Echinococcus. Hepatic echinococcosis is a life-threatening disease, mainly differentiated...Echinococcosis or hydatid disease （HD） is a zoonosis caused by the larval stages of taeniid cestodes belong- ing to the genus Echinococcus. Hepatic echinococcosis is a life-threatening disease, mainly differentiated into alveolar and cystic forms, associated with Echinoc- cus multilocularis （E. multi/ocular/s） and Echinococcus granulosus （E. granulosus） infection, respectively. Cys- tic echinococcosis （CE） has a worldwide distribution, while hepatic alveolar echinococcosis （AE） is endemic in the Northern hemisphere, including North America and several Asian and European countries, like France, Germany and Austria. E. granulosus young cysts are spherical, unilocular vesicles, consisting of an internal germinal layer and an outer acellular layer. Cyst expansion is associated with a host immune reaction and the subsequent development of a fibrous layer, called the per/cyst; old cysts typically present internal septa- tions and daughter cysts. E. multilocularis has a tumor-like, infiltrative behavior, which is responsible for tissue destruction and finally for liver failure. The liver is the main site of HD involvement, for both alveolar and cystic hydatidosis. HD is usually asymptomatic for a long period of time, because cyst growth is commonly slow; the most frequent symptoms are fatigue and abdominal pain. Patients may also present jaundice, hepatomegaly or anaphylaxis, due to cyst leakage or rupture. HD diagnosis is usually accomplished with the combined use of ultrasonography and immunodiagnosis; furthermore, the improvement of surgical techniques, the introduction of minimally invasive treatments [such as puncture, aspiration, injection, re-aspiration （PAIR）] and more effective drugs （such as benzoimidazoles） have deeply changed life expectancy and quality of life of patients with HD. The aim of this article is to provide an up-to-date review of biological, diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic aspects of hepatic echinococcosis.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is an increasing health problem, representing the second cause of cancerrelated mortality worldwide. The major risk factorfor HCC is cirrhosis. In developing countries, viral hepatitis re...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is an increasing health problem, representing the second cause of cancerrelated mortality worldwide. The major risk factorfor HCC is cirrhosis. In developing countries, viral hepatitis represent the major risk factor, whereas in developed countries, the epidemic of obesity, diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis contribute to the observed increase in HCC incidence. Cirrhotic patients are recommended to undergo HCC surveillance by abdominal ultrasounds at 6-mo intervals. The current diagnostic algorithms for HCC rely on typical radiological hallmarks in dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging, while the use of α-fetoprotein as an independent tool for HCC surveillance is not recommended by current guidelines due to its low sensitivity and specificity. Early diagnosis is crucial for curative treatments. Surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation and liver transplantation are considered the cornerstones of curative therapy, while for patients with more advanced HCC recommended options include sorafenib and trans-arterial chemoembolization. A multidisciplinary team, consisting of hepatologists, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and pathologists, is fundamental for a correct management. In this paper, we review the diagnostic and therapeutic management of HCC, with a focus on the most recent evidences and recommendations from guidelines.展开更多
AIM:To assess retrospectively the epidemiological and clinical aspects of cystic echinococcosis(CE)and to evaluate follow-up and response to treatment in patients affected by CE.METHODS:From January 2000 to December 2...AIM:To assess retrospectively the epidemiological and clinical aspects of cystic echinococcosis(CE)and to evaluate follow-up and response to treatment in patients affected by CE.METHODS:From January 2000 to December 2010,all patients affected by CE at the Infectious Diseases Units of the University of Catania and of Basilotta Hospital in Nicosia-Enna,were enrolled as participants in the study.Epidemiological,clinical and laboratory data were collected for each patient.Diagnosis of CE was performed using clinical imaging and laboratory parameters.Response to treatment was categorized as follows:"cure"as the disappearance or complete calcification of cyst/s;"improvement"as a reduction in the diameter and/or number of existing cysts;and"impairment"as an increase in the diameter and/or number of existing cyst/s and the onset of relapses(i.e.,the onset of new cyst/s and an increase in the diameter of previously existing cyst/s and/or complications.Immunoglobulin E(IgE)titers and eosinophil percentages were evaluated at diagnosis,at six months after the initiation of treatment and again in the case of relapse.Hyper-eosinophilia was defined as an eosinophil percentage of≥6%.RESULTS:Thirty-two patients were diagnosed with CE in our Unit during the research period,with a malefemale ratio of 2:1.At the time of diagnosis,40%of patients presented a single CE cyst.Sixty percent showed multi-organ involvement.The liver-lung localization ratio was 2:1.Patients below the age of 50 at diagnosis were more likely to have multiple cysts(73.7%vs 35.5%,P<0.05).Regarding treatment,30 patients were treated medically and 16 surgically.Fourteen patients were treated both medically and surgically.Relapses were seen to be less frequent in patients treated with albendazole before and after surgery.Complete cure or an improvement was achieved in 23 patients.Impairment was observed in one patient.Two patients showed no improvement.Relapses were more frequent in those patients treated before 2005.At diagnosis,71%of patients were positive for specific CE IgE,and 56.3%showed an eosinophil percentage of≥6%.Patients who were diagnosed with hyper-eosinophilia developed complications more frequently than the other patients,but did not suffer relapses.CONCLUSION:On the basis of our results,we propose cystic echinococcosis screening for family members of patients,appropriate pre-and post-surgery treatment and the assessment of anti-echinococcus IgE titer or eosinophil percentage as a therapy response marker in settings with limited resources.展开更多
文摘Echinococcosis or hydatid disease （HD） is a zoonosis caused by the larval stages of taeniid cestodes belong- ing to the genus Echinococcus. Hepatic echinococcosis is a life-threatening disease, mainly differentiated into alveolar and cystic forms, associated with Echinoc- cus multilocularis （E. multi/ocular/s） and Echinococcus granulosus （E. granulosus） infection, respectively. Cys- tic echinococcosis （CE） has a worldwide distribution, while hepatic alveolar echinococcosis （AE） is endemic in the Northern hemisphere, including North America and several Asian and European countries, like France, Germany and Austria. E. granulosus young cysts are spherical, unilocular vesicles, consisting of an internal germinal layer and an outer acellular layer. Cyst expansion is associated with a host immune reaction and the subsequent development of a fibrous layer, called the per/cyst; old cysts typically present internal septa- tions and daughter cysts. E. multilocularis has a tumor-like, infiltrative behavior, which is responsible for tissue destruction and finally for liver failure. The liver is the main site of HD involvement, for both alveolar and cystic hydatidosis. HD is usually asymptomatic for a long period of time, because cyst growth is commonly slow; the most frequent symptoms are fatigue and abdominal pain. Patients may also present jaundice, hepatomegaly or anaphylaxis, due to cyst leakage or rupture. HD diagnosis is usually accomplished with the combined use of ultrasonography and immunodiagnosis; furthermore, the improvement of surgical techniques, the introduction of minimally invasive treatments [such as puncture, aspiration, injection, re-aspiration （PAIR）] and more effective drugs （such as benzoimidazoles） have deeply changed life expectancy and quality of life of patients with HD. The aim of this article is to provide an up-to-date review of biological, diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic aspects of hepatic echinococcosis.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is an increasing health problem, representing the second cause of cancerrelated mortality worldwide. The major risk factorfor HCC is cirrhosis. In developing countries, viral hepatitis represent the major risk factor, whereas in developed countries, the epidemic of obesity, diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis contribute to the observed increase in HCC incidence. Cirrhotic patients are recommended to undergo HCC surveillance by abdominal ultrasounds at 6-mo intervals. The current diagnostic algorithms for HCC rely on typical radiological hallmarks in dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging, while the use of α-fetoprotein as an independent tool for HCC surveillance is not recommended by current guidelines due to its low sensitivity and specificity. Early diagnosis is crucial for curative treatments. Surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation and liver transplantation are considered the cornerstones of curative therapy, while for patients with more advanced HCC recommended options include sorafenib and trans-arterial chemoembolization. A multidisciplinary team, consisting of hepatologists, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and pathologists, is fundamental for a correct management. In this paper, we review the diagnostic and therapeutic management of HCC, with a focus on the most recent evidences and recommendations from guidelines.
文摘AIM:To assess retrospectively the epidemiological and clinical aspects of cystic echinococcosis(CE)and to evaluate follow-up and response to treatment in patients affected by CE.METHODS:From January 2000 to December 2010,all patients affected by CE at the Infectious Diseases Units of the University of Catania and of Basilotta Hospital in Nicosia-Enna,were enrolled as participants in the study.Epidemiological,clinical and laboratory data were collected for each patient.Diagnosis of CE was performed using clinical imaging and laboratory parameters.Response to treatment was categorized as follows:"cure"as the disappearance or complete calcification of cyst/s;"improvement"as a reduction in the diameter and/or number of existing cysts;and"impairment"as an increase in the diameter and/or number of existing cyst/s and the onset of relapses(i.e.,the onset of new cyst/s and an increase in the diameter of previously existing cyst/s and/or complications.Immunoglobulin E(IgE)titers and eosinophil percentages were evaluated at diagnosis,at six months after the initiation of treatment and again in the case of relapse.Hyper-eosinophilia was defined as an eosinophil percentage of≥6%.RESULTS:Thirty-two patients were diagnosed with CE in our Unit during the research period,with a malefemale ratio of 2:1.At the time of diagnosis,40%of patients presented a single CE cyst.Sixty percent showed multi-organ involvement.The liver-lung localization ratio was 2:1.Patients below the age of 50 at diagnosis were more likely to have multiple cysts(73.7%vs 35.5%,P<0.05).Regarding treatment,30 patients were treated medically and 16 surgically.Fourteen patients were treated both medically and surgically.Relapses were seen to be less frequent in patients treated with albendazole before and after surgery.Complete cure or an improvement was achieved in 23 patients.Impairment was observed in one patient.Two patients showed no improvement.Relapses were more frequent in those patients treated before 2005.At diagnosis,71%of patients were positive for specific CE IgE,and 56.3%showed an eosinophil percentage of≥6%.Patients who were diagnosed with hyper-eosinophilia developed complications more frequently than the other patients,but did not suffer relapses.CONCLUSION:On the basis of our results,we propose cystic echinococcosis screening for family members of patients,appropriate pre-and post-surgery treatment and the assessment of anti-echinococcus IgE titer or eosinophil percentage as a therapy response marker in settings with limited resources.
