Ching-Yih Lin

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma : a review of 141 Taiwanese cases and comparison with nonrupture cases

We reviewed the records and statistics of 560 patients hospitalized with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over a 5-year period. One hundred and forty-one patients (26%) had spontaneous rupture of their HCCs. Different characteristics of the rupture (R) and nonrupture (NR) groups were compared; there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the size of the tumor (R, 9.83 +/- 4.36 cm, and NR, 7.67 +/- 4.01 cm; p < 0.0001), and the minimal thickness of peritumor liver parenchyma (R, 0.03 +/- 0.20 cm, and NR, 0.30 +/- 0.70 cm; p < 0.001), the presence of the ¿hump sign¿ (R, 87.8%, and NR, 45.7%; p < 0.0001), and the minimal thickness of peritumor liver parenchyma (R, 0.03 +/- 0.20 cm, and NR, 0.30 +/- 0.70 cm; p < 0.001). The percentage of left-lobe tumors was significantly higher in the rupture group than in the nonrupture group (p < 0.05). In addition, the Child-Pughs score and serum transaminase levels were higher, and the prothrombin times more prolonged, in the rupture group. Factors that were not statistically significant included sex, age, etiology of cirrhosis, platelet count, portal vein thrombosis, and the presence of a varix. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the tumor size, the presence of a hump sign, and the Pughs score correlated the best with HCC rupture (p < 0.05). Ninety-four patients from the rupture group died during hospitalization. The mortality rate was 66.7%. We conclude that (a) spontaneous rupture of HCC is a likely sequel of progressive expansion of tumor that finally protrudes outside the liver surface and hemorrhages, (b) left-lobe tumor presents a higher risk of rupture, and (c) portal hypertension does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of tumor rupture.

The natural history (fading time) of stigmata of recent hemorrhage in peptic ulcer disease

From October 1991 to December 1992, 144 patients with bleeding peptic ulcer and stigmata of recent hemorrhage were included in a study designed to investigate, by means of endoscopic examinations repeated at 2-day intervals, the evolutionary development of stigmata of recent hemorrhage, such as visible vessels, and to determine the time required for each type of stigma to fade. Eighty-five patients underwent endoscopic follow-up until the stigmata had disappeared. A visible vessel takes about 4.1 +/- 2.1 days to disappear, requiring significantly more time than an adherent clot or an old stigma, which take 2.4 +/- 0.8 days and 2.4 +/- 1.3 days, respectively (p < .05). Bleeding does not recur after stigmata disappear. Time required for stigmata to fade is not affected by age, sex, smoking, history of peptic ulcer, ulcer location, severe bleeding, underlying systemic disease, or endoscopic local therapy. While healing, stigmata of recent hemorrhage evolve through a sequence of phases: a visible vessel may or may not appear as an adherent clot and then as a red or black flat spot before disappearing.

Wnt-1 protein as a prognostic biomarker for hepatitis B-related and hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery.

Background: Up-regulation of Wnt-1 protein has been reported in hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related and hepatitis C virus (HCV)–related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cell lines. It is known to play a fundamental role in signaling cancer progression, whereas its prognostic role in HCC remains unexplored. Methods: As a prognostic biomarker, this study analyzed Wnt-1 protein expression in 63 histology-verified HCC patients receiving curative resection. In each paired tumor and nontumor specimen, Wnt-1 levels were semiquantitatively measured by Western blotting and expressed by tumor/nontumor ratio. The data were further correlated with quantitative real-time PCR as well as with β-catenin and E-cadherin expression by immunohistochemistry. Cumulative tumor recurrence-free survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Results: The results showed that 26 (group I) and 37 (group II) HCC patients had an expression ratio of Wnt-1 ≥1.5 and <1.5, respectively. The amount of Wnt-1 estimated by tumor/nontumor ratio correlated with the results by quantitative real-time PCR. High tumor Wnt-1 expression correlated with enhanced nuclear β-catenin accumulation, diminished membranous E-cadherin expression, and increased tumor recurrence after curative tumor resection. Conclusions: These results suggest that Wnt-1 may be used as a predisposing risk factor for HCC recurrence. The use of tumor Wnt-1 as prognostic biomarker may identify patients with HBV- and/or HCV-related HCC patients with a high risk of tumor recurrence who may then benefit from further intensive therapy after surgery. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(5):1562–9)

Prediction of Mortality after Emergent Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement: Use of APACHE II, Child-Pugh and MELD Scores in Asian Patients with Refractory Variceal Hemorrhage

Objective This study was designed to determine if existing methods of grading liver function that have been developed in non-Asian patients with cirrhosis can be used to predict mortality in Asian patients treated for refractory variceal hemorrhage by the use of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. Materials and Methods Data for 107 consecutive patients who underwent an emergency TIPS procedure were retrospectively analyzed. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II), Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were calculated. Survival analyses were performed to evaluate the ability of the various models to predict 30-day, 60-day and 360-day mortality. The ability of stratified APACHE II, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores to predict survival was assessed by the use of Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test. Results No patient died during the TIPS procedure, but 82 patients died during the follow-up period. Thirty patients died within 30 days after the TIPS procedure; 37 patients died within 60 days and 53 patients died within 360 days. Univariate analysis indicated that hepatorenal syndrome, use of inotropic agents and mechanical ventilation were associated with elevated 30-day mortality (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that a Child-Pugh score > 11 or an MELD score > 20 predicted increased risk of death at 30, 60 and 360 days (p < 0.05). APACHE II scores could only predict mortality at 360 days (p < 0.05). Conclusion A Child-Pugh score > 11 or an MELD score > 20 are predictive of mortality in Asian patients with refractory variceal hemorrhage treated with the TIPS procedure. An APACHE II score is not predictive of early mortality in this patient population.

Posttreatment 13C-Urea Breath Test Is Predictive of Antimicrobial Resistance to H. pylori After Failed Therapy

AbstractOBJECTIVE: We tested whether a 13C-urea breath test can predict antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). METHODS: Seventy patients who had failed triple eradication therapy and 108 untreated H. pylori-infected patients were given a 13C-urea breath test, endoscopy for culture of H. pylori, and assessment of clarithromycin resistance. The patients who had failed triple therapy then received 1 week of quadruple therapy to eradicate residual H. pylori. RESULTS: The posttreatment value of the 13C-urea breath test expressed as excessive δ13CO2 per ml (ECR) was higher in patients with residual H. pylori with clarithromycin resistance than in those without (23.8 vs 10.6; P<.0001). With a cutoff of ECR >or<-15, the 13C-urea breath test was 88.6% sensitive and 88.9% specific in predicting clarithromycin resistance of residual H. pylori. The H. pylori eradication rate of the rescue regimen was higher for patients with a posttreatment ECR of the 13C-urea breath test≤15 than for those with a value >15 (93.8% vs 73.3%; P<.05). In contrast, in treatment-naive H. pylori-infected patients, the pretreatment value of the 13C-urea breath test did not differ between patients infected with clarithromycin-resistant or-sensitive isolates (P>.05). CONCLUSION: The posttreatment value of the 13C-urea breath test is predictive of clarithromycin resistance in residual H. pylori after failed triple therapy and predicts efficacy of the rescue regimen. The value of the noninvasive test is promising for primary care physicians who need to select a rescue regimen without invasive H. pylori culture.

Pancreas divisum with early pancreatic cancer--presenting as chronic obstructive pancreatitis.

A 61-year-old man experienced four bouts of pancreatitis in 1 year. Detailed history taking and a series of examinations, including sonography, computed tomography scan, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), revealed pancreas divisum on the first admission. He was treated conservatively. However, repeated ERCP on the fourth admission, 1 year later, showed a small filling defect in the tail of the pancreatic duct. A distal pancreatectomy was carried out. Pathological studies revealed a small papillary adenocarcinoma (1.5 × 1.0 × 0.5 cm) confined to the pancreatic duct grossly with minimal parenchymal invasion microscopically. He has been free from cancer and pancreatitis for 13 months since the operation.

Endoscopic variceal ligation versus conservative treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and bleeding esophageal varices

BACKGROUND Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is currently a favored treatment for control of bleeding from esophageal varices. However, little is known about the treatment of bleeding varices in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS EVL was performed in 16 patients with bleeding esophageal varices due to concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment results were compared with those of another 23 patients who were conservatively treated. RESULTS Comparing the two groups, ligation significantly reduced the risk of fatal bleeding (44% vs 70%; P < 0.05). Significantly fewer patients in the ligation group died at the time of the index hemorrhage (11% vs 52%; P < 0.05). Rebleeding occurred in 44% of the ligation group and 73% in the control group (P > 0.05). The mean days of survival were 40 +/- 20 (range, 7 to 103) in the ligation group and 20 +/- 30 (range, 1 to 136) in the control group (P = 0.08). In the absence of portal vein thrombosis, ligation significantly reduced the rebleeding rate (17% vs 50%, P < 0.05) and the mortality rate (0% vs 100%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION EVL is a good choice for palliation in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aggressive use of EVL may be tried in those patients without portal venous thrombosis.

Decrease in seroprevalence of Hepatitis A after the implementation of nationwide disposable tableware use in Taiwan

BackgroundTaiwan is an endemic area of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, which is transmitted mainly from the fecal-oral route. In order to reduce the transmission through food intake, the government implemented a policy of nationwide disposal tableware use in public eating places in 1982. We conducted a study to estimate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A in a group of workers in Taiwan in 2005, determine the risk factors, and compare seroprevalence to published estimates in Taiwan to evaluate changes in the seroprevalence after the implementation of the nationwide disposal tableware use.MethodsWe recruited workers of an industrial park during their annual health examinations in 2005 and measured their anti-hepatitis A virus IgG titer using microparticle enzyme immunoassay. We compared the seroprevalence across different birth cohorts within the study population and also analyzed data from previous studies.ResultsThe overall sero-positive rate was 22.0% in the 11,777 participants. The rate was much lower among those who were covered by the program since birth (born after 1982) in comparison with those who were not (2.7% vs. 25.3%, p < 0.001). From the analyses of data from pervious studies, we found the age-specific rates were similar in cohorts born in or after 1982 across studies conducted in different time periods but decreased with the calendar year in cohorts born before 1982. In particular, the age-specific seroprevalence dropped to less than one third in a three-year period among those who were born around 1982.ConclusionsData from both the current and previous studies in different time periods supported the effectiveness of disposal tableware in preventing the transmission of hepatitis A.

Erythrocyte Lewis (A+B-) host phenotype is a factor with familial clustering for increased risk of Helicobacter pylori-related non-cardiac gastric cancer

Background:  The purpose of the present study was to test whether host erythrocyte Lewis phenotypes correlated with the risk of gastric cancers. Because of the association of gastric cancer with familial clustering, cancer relatives were investigated as to whether they had unique distribution of Lewis phenotypes.

Choledocholithiasis treated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid infusion through an endoscopic nasobiliary catheter.

A 64 year old man was admitted to the National Cheng Kung University Hospital for obstructive jaundice. He had received cholecystectomy 5 years previously. Sonography revealed common bile duct stones. He was treated with endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) for 5 days for concomitant cholangitis. The muddy pigment stones disappeared completely after 10 days of infusion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) via the ENBD tube. There were no adverse effects, and he was stone‐free 4 months later.