Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting more than 30% of the global population, and is associated with increased liver-related morbidity and mortality, and extrahepatic complications. With the increasing prevalence of MASLD, there is an urgent need for accessible, non-invasive methods to detect hepatic steatosis. Currently, liver biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction are considered reference standards for diagnosing hepatic steatosis; however, their invasiveness and limited accessibility limit their widespread use. Ultrasonography (US) is a promising alternative owing to its cost-effectiveness and widespread accessibility. Recently, quantitative US techniques have been developed and commercialized by several vendors to measure steatosis by detecting changes in various acoustic properties associated with hepatic steatosis, making it readily accessible. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), which evaluates hepatic steatosis using the attenuation of the US beam, is the most widely studied algorithm as a non-imaging technique. Several other algorithms are also available on B-mode ultrasound systems, and their diagnostic performance is comparable to or better than that of the CAP. Therefore, we aimed to review current US-based methods for detecting and grading hepatic steatosis, discussing their diagnostic performance and utilization.

Background/Aims: Current evidence suggests that liver cirrhosis (LC) causes severe psychological stress and depression, which are risk factors for suicide. Although previous studies reported the association between LC and suicidal thoughts, little is known of its effect on suicidal deaths. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of new-onset LC on suicide. Methods: From the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort of South Korea, 5,809 incident LC patients and 11,618 risk-set controls matched by propensity score were selected for follow-up. The incidence rate of suicide was estimated using a generalized estimating equation with a Poisson distribution. Effect size was presented as a hazard ratio (HR) using Cox’s proportional hazards model. Results: The incidence rate of suicide was 143.3 cases per 100,000 person years (95% confidence interval [CI], 100.2–205.1) among the LC cohort. The LC patients were 2.37 times more likely to commit suicide compared with matched controls (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.44–3.88). Increased suicide risk was evident within the first 2 years of the follow-up period (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.20–5.60) and among the 18–49-year-old age group (HR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.45–9.56). Conclusions Our study found increased risk of suicide in patients with new onset LC, especially during the early period following diagnosis and in younger patients. To decrease this suicide risk, a regular and continuous social support system is required.

Background/Aims: Current evidence suggests that liver cirrhosis (LC) causes severe psychological stress and depression, which are risk factors for suicide. Although previous studies reported the association between LC and suicidal thoughts, little is known of its effect on suicidal deaths. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of new-onset LC on suicide. Methods: From the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort of South Korea, 5,809 incident LC patients and 11,618 risk-set controls matched by propensity score were selected for follow-up. The incidence rate of suicide was estimated using a generalized estimating equation with a Poisson distribution. Effect size was presented as a hazard ratio (HR) using Cox’s proportional hazards model. Results: The incidence rate of suicide was 143.3 cases per 100,000 person years (95% confidence interval [CI], 100.2–205.1) among the LC cohort. The LC patients were 2.37 times more likely to commit suicide compared with matched controls (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.44–3.88). Increased suicide risk was evident within the first 2 years of the follow-up period (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.20–5.60) and among the 18–49-year-old age group (HR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.45–9.56). Conclusions Our study found increased risk of suicide in patients with new onset LC, especially during the early period following diagnosis and in younger patients. To decrease this suicide risk, a regular and continuous social support system is required.

Hepatic hydrothorax is a transudative pleural effusion that complicates advanced liver cirrhosis. Patients refractory to medical treatment plus salt restriction and diuretics are considered to have refractory hepatic hydrothorax and may require transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or liver transplant. Successful antiviral therapy reduces the incidence of some complications of cirrhosis secondary to HCV infection. We report a case of hepatic hydrothorax in a 55-year-old female patient with HCV cirrhosis, which exhibited a spontaneous decrease in pleural effusion after direct antiviral agent (DAA) therapy. In cases of HCV cirrhosis, DAAs are worth administering before treatment by TIPS or liver transplantation.
Antiviral Agents ; Diuretics ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Hydrothorax ; Incidence ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical

Gastric schwannoma, a rare mesenchymal tumor originating from the schwann cells of peripheral nerves, rarely occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. It accounts for only 0.2% of all gastric tumors and 2~6% of gastric mesenchymal tumors. Gastric schwannoma is observed as a subepithelial tumor on endoscopy; it is covered with normal mucosa, rendering its preoperative differential diagnosis difficult. An asymptomatic 43-year-old woman visited our hospital after a 7-cm ulcerofungating mass was detected in the lesser curvature of the gastric body on gastroscopy. Abdominal CT revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes, and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET demonstrated a subtle uptake of FDG, suggestive of advanced gastric cancer. After three failed attempts of endoscopic biopsy, the patient underwent total gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy and was subsequently diagnosed with gastric schwannoma. Herein, we report this case with a literature review.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Mucous Membrane ; Neurilemmoma ; Peripheral Nerves ; Schwann Cells ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a surgical clip is used to control the cystic duct and cystic artery. In the past, metallic clips were usually used, but over recent years, interest in the use of Hem-o-lok clips has increased. Surgical clip migration into the common bile duct (CBD) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy has rarely been reported and the majority of reported cases involved metallic clips. In this report, we describe the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain caused by migration of a Hem-o-lok clip into the CBD. The patient had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy 10 months previously. Abdominal CT revealed an indistinct, minute, radiation-impermeable object in the distal CBD. The object was successfully removed by sphincterotomy via ERCP using a stone basket and was identified as a Hem-o-lok clip.
Abdominal Pain* ; Arteries ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Common Bile Duct ; Cystic Duct ; Female ; Foreign-Body Migration ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Instruments ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Spontaneous gastric perforation is a rare complication of gastric lymphoma that is potentially life threatening since it can progress to sepsis and multi-organ failure. Morbidity also increases due to prolonged hospitalization and delay in initiating chemotherapy. Therefore prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment is critical to improve prognosis. A 64-year-old man presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Chest X-ray showed free air below the right diaphragm. Abdominal CT scan also demonstrated free air in the peritoneal cavity with large wall defect in the lesser curvature of gastric lower body. Therefore, the patient underwent emergency operation and primary closure was done. Pathologic specimen obtained during surgery was compatible to diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Fifteen days after primary closure, the patient received subtotal gastrectomy and chemotherapy was initiated after recovery. Patient is currently being followed-up at outpatient department without any particular complications. Herein, we report a rare case of gastric lymphoma that initially presented as peritonitis because of spontaneous gastric perforation.
Abdominal Pain ; Antigens, CD20/metabolism ; Antigens, CD45/metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation/diagnostic imaging ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/drug therapy/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon tumor that originates from various organs, including uterus, kidney, retroperitoneum, and soft tissues. In particular, leiomyosarcoma of the stomach is extremely rare. Only 9 cases have been reported worldwide since the discovery of KIT-activating mutation. A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal discomfort and generalized weakness. Upon detection of multiple nodules in both lung on chest posterior-anterior radiograph taken at the time of admission, chest CT was performed and it revealed multiple mass lesions in the lung, liver, and pancreas along with multiple lymph node metastases. On endoscopic examination, a 2.0 cm sized ulcerofungating mass lesion was found on the stomach body. Biopsy was performed and the mass lesion proved to be leiomyosarcoma confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Chemotherapy was thus initiated, but the patient died after one year due to tumor progression. Our experience suggests that leiomyosarcoma can manifest aggressive behavior in its early stage. Herein, we report a case of gastric leiomyosarcoma with multiple metastases along with review of relevant literature.
Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology/secondary ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology/secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology/secondary ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite sexual function making an important contribution to the quality of life, data on erectile function are relatively scant in patients with chronic liver disease. We evaluated the prevalence of and risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with liver disease related to hepatitis B, especially among those with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) or early-stage cirrhosis. METHODS: In total, 69 patients (35 with CHB and 34 with hepatitis-B-related liver cirrhosis [HBV-LC]) aged 40-59 years were analyzed. Child-Pugh classes of A and B were present in 30 (88.2%) and 4 (11.8%) of the patients with HBV-LC, respectively. The erectile function of the patients was evaluated using the Korean version of IIEF-5. RESULTS: The prevalence of any ED was 24.6% for all patients, and 8.6% and 41.2% for those with CHB and HBV-LC, respectively (P=0.002). While there was only one (2.9%) CHB patient for each stage of ED, mild, moderate, and severe ED stages were seen in three (8.8%), one (2.9%), and ten (29.4%) of the HBV-LC patients, respectively. Multiple regression analysis identified the type of liver disease (P=0.010), hypertension (P=0.022), score on the Beck Depression Inventory (P =0.044), and the serum albumin level (P=0.014) as significant independent factors for the presence of ED. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ED was significantly higher in patients with early-stage HBV-LC than in those with CHB. Therefore, screening male patients with early viral cirrhosis for ED and providing appropriate support are needed, especially when the cirrhosis is accompanied by hypertension, depression, or a depressed level of serum albumin.
Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction/*diagnosis/epidemiology/*etiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension/complications ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications/diagnosis/*etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin/analysis ; Severity of Illness Index

No abstract available.
Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemophilia A/*complications ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Polyethylene Glycols/*therapeutic use ; Ribavirin/*therapeutic use