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Background and aims: Baveno VI and Expanded-Baveno VI Criteria were validated to rule out high-risk esophageal varices (HRV) and to prevent unneeded endoscopies in compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) mainly related to viral hepatitis. We aim to assess these criteria to rule out low- and high- risk varices in patients with cACLD secondary to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 2016 to 2020. Inclusion criteria were: NAFLD and /or ALD related cACLD, a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 10 kPa and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) within 12 months. Exclusion criteria were: use of non cardioselective β-blockers, hepatic decompensation, previous variceal bleeding, portal thrombosis, liver cancer, or liver transplant. Results: One hundred and ninety-four patients were included in this study. Eighty-one patients (42%) met Baveno VI criteria and 103 (53%) met Expanded-Baveno VI criteria. Baveno VI criteria yielded a high negative predictive value (NPV ≥ 95%) for detecting HRV and varices of any size. Expanded-Baveno VI criteria yielded a high NPV ≥ 95% only for detecting HRV: the miss rate for varices of any size was 8%. Expanded-Baveno VI criteria could avoid more endoscopies than the original Baveno VI criteria to rule out HRV (53% versus 42%). Conclusion: In this study, both criteria showed high NPV to rule out HRV but only original Baveno VI criteria yielded a satisfactory high NPV to rule out varices of any size. Expanded-Baveno VI criteria could avoid more endoscopies to exclude HRV.

Background and study aim: Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis have a poor short-term prognosis. We aimed to determine whether the 5-year mortality of alcohol-related cirrhosis has changed over the past two decades in our institution. Patients and methods: From January 1995 to December 2014, 932 cirrhotic patients who attended the hepatology outpatient’s clinics of our institution were consecutively listed in a registry. From this registry, 565 patients had alcohol-related cirrhosis and were the subject of this study. 16 patients were excluded because they were loss to follow-up and 114 patients were excluded because the diagnosis of cirrhosis was made more than 2 years before the inclusion in the registry. We separated the 435 remaining patients into two cohorts collected during two similar period of 10-year duration, but 10 years apart: the cohort 1, patients included in the registry from 1995 to 2004 (n = 206) and the cohort 2, patients included from 2005 to 2014 (n = 229). The 5-year mortality was assessed in both cohorts and the precipitating events leading to death were compared. Results: From the 206 patients in the cohort 1, 80 died within 5 years after the diagnosis of cirrhosis (Group A) compared to 83 patients from the 229 patients in the cohort 2 (Group B) (Cohort 1: 39 % vs Cohort 2: 36 %, p = 0.6). Patients in Group A died more often from gastrointestinal bleeding than patients in Group B (Group A: 30 % vs Group B: 9 %, p = 0.003). Patients in Group A died less by sepsis than patients in Group B (Group A: 1.5 % vs Group B: 14 %, p = 0.009). Conclusions: The 5-year mortality rate in patients with alcoholrelated cirrhosis has not changed however, the circumstances of death have changed.

The epidemiology of cirrhosis is evolving over the past decades in Western countries. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the epidemiology of cirrhosis in our region by comparing two cohorts of patients diagnosed 15 years apart.From the outpatient's liver clinics of our hospital and from January 1995 to December 2017, we consecutively recorded all patients with cirrhosis. From this registry, the current study compared two cohorts of patients diagnosed 15 years apart. Epidemiologic data and liver-related mortality were compared between both cohorts with a 3 to 8-year follow-up.During a 23-year period, 1151 patients consented to be included in the cirrhosis registry. The current study compared 197 patients with cirrhosis diagnosed from 1995 to 1999 (cohort C1) with 237 patients with cirrhosis diagnosed from 2010 to 2014 (cohort C2). Our results showed that in the cohort C2, compared with the cohort C1, the prevalence of NAFLD-related cirrhosis increased (C1 : 3% vs C2 : 16%, p0.0001) while the prevalence of HCV-related cirrhosis decreased (C1 : 22% vs C2 : 10%, p0.0001). In the more recent cohort, liver biopsy was less frequently performed (C1 : 65% vs C2 : 20%, p0.0001). An intriguing finding was the increasing age at cirrhosis diagnosis for patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (C1 : 52±11 years vs C2 : 57±10 years, p0.0001).The epidemiology of cirrhosis has changed over time. Effective prevention strategies are needed to reduce the burden of liver disease.

The aim of this study was to determine the mortality and re-bleeding rates, and the risk factors involved, in a cohort of patients with previous diverticular bleeding (DB).In 2007, data on 2462 patients with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding were collected prospectively at several French hospitals. We studied the follow-up of patients with DB retrospectively. The following data were collected: age, mortality rates and re-bleeding rates, drug intake, surgery and comorbidities.Data on 365 patients, including 181 women (mean age 83.6 ± 9.8 years) were available. The median follow-up time was 3.9 years (IQR 25-75: 1.7-5.4). Of these, 148 patients died (40.5%). Among the 70 patients (19.2%) who had at least one re-bleeding episode, nine died and three underwent surgical procedures. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy was discontinued in 70 cases (19.2%). The independent risk factors contributing to mortality were age 80 years (HR = 3.18 (2.1-4.9);In this cohort, the rates of mortality and DB re-bleeding after a median follow-up time of 3.9 years were 19.2% and 40.5%, respectively. The majority of the deaths recorded were not due to re-bleeding.

No data have been reported yet on treatment outcome in persons who inject drugs (PWID) infected with hepatitis C virus treated with boceprevir or telaprevir in combination with peginterferon (Peg IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). Additionally, there are concerns about the safety of boceprevir and telaprevir in some subgroups of patients with hepatitis C (HCV). In a cohort of HCV patients infected with genotype 1 in Belgium, treatment outcome of patients infected due to IV drug use was analyzed and compared with patients who have no history of substance use. The study population consisted of 179 patients: 78 PWID and 101 controls treated with boceprevir (n = 79) or telaprevir (n = 100) additional to Peg IFN and RBV; 53 (30%) had advanced disease (F3, F4) and 79 (44%) had an antiviral therapy previously. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between both groups, except that PWID patients were more frequently infected with genotype 1a (67% vs 21%), were younger and were predominantly male. Psychiatric complaints during follow-up occurred more frequently in the PWID patients: 24% versus 11% (P = .02). Treatment failure for other reasons than absence of viral response was 70% and 64% in PWID and non-PWID respectively. The sustained viral response (SVR) rates were similar in both groups (71% in PWID vs 72% in non-PWID); with a non-inferiority test with -5% margin there is a difference of -1% (95% CI [-15%, 13%]) and P = 0.30. There are no reasons to exclude PWID from treatment with boceprevir, telaprevir and novel antiviral therapies.

This was an observational, non-interventional, multicenter, phase IV study, in patients with genotype 1/4/5/6 chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The primary objectives were to evaluate SVR in patients with no or minimal fibrosis (METAVIR F0-F1) versus well established fibrosis (F2-F4), and to estimate response on Weeks 12, 24 and 48 on treatment in previously untreated patients with genotypes 1/4/5/6 CHC.538 patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2b 1.5 mcg/kg in combination with ribavirin 800-1200 mg/day were enrolled in 55 sites in Belgium and Luxembourg, 505 being considered for the analysis. 40% of the patients were female and 60% male, the average age was 47.5 years, 10.5% were 65 or older.SVR was observed in 35% of the patients, EVR in 68%, of which pEVR in 33% and cEVR in 35%. SVR was observed in 43% of the low fibrosis group (F0, F1) and 30% of the high fibrosis group (F2, F3, F4) (p = 0.005). SVR rates were 34% for genotype 1, 37% for genotype 4, and 47% for genotype 5 (NS). Multivariate analysis showed that EVR and baseline METAVIR score are independent prognostic factors for SVR.This trial confirms that fibrosis stage and early viral response are the most important key-factors to predict sustained response, suggesting that the earlier patients are treated, the better the outcome. Non-invasive techniques enable us to closely monitor progression of fibrosis, allowing a better selection of patients for antiviral treatment in the DAA-era.

Strip casting technology has many advantages, both technical and economical. In the Eurostrip project, this technology is applied to stainless steel at Krefeld (KTN) and to carbon steel at Terni (AST). The latest achievements of this technology are presented in this paper. Positive results are reported with respect to casting width, in-line hot rolling, in combination with in-line inductive heating. The technology is ready for industrial application.

The COSTEP experiment on SOHO forms part of the CEPAC complex of instruments that will perform studies of the suprathermal and energetic particle populations of solar, interplanetary, and galactic origin. Specifically, the LION and EPHIN instruments are designed to use particle emissions from the Sun for several species (electrons, protons, and helium nuclei) in the energy range 44 keV/particle to > 53 MeV/n as tools to study critical problems in solar physics as well as fundamental problems in space plasma and astrophysics. Scientific goals are presented and a technical description is provided of the two sensors and the common data processing unit. Calibration results are presented which show the ability of LION to separate electrons from protons and the ability of EPHIN to obtain energy spectra and achieve isotope separation for light nuclei. A brief description of mission operations and data products is given.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS The mortality rate from upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains high, at 5 % - 10 %. The aim of the current study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics, prognostic factors, and actual practice in a cohort of patients with UGIB admitted to French general hospitals. METHODS From March 2005 to February 2006, a prospective multicenter study was conducted at 53 French hospitals. A total of 3298 patients admitted for UGIB were enrolled consecutively. Patient data were collected up to the date of discharge from hospital. RESULTS Data were available for 2130 men and 1073 women (mean age 63 ± 18 years), one-third of whom were taking drugs that would increase the risk of UGIB. The two main causes of bleeding were peptic ulcers (38 %) and esophagogastric varices (EGV) or portal hypertensive gastropathy (24.5 %). Mean Rockall score was 5.0 ± 2.3. Endoscopy was performed on 96 % of patients (within 24 hours in 79 %), and 66 % of those with ulcers and 62.5 % of the EGV patients underwent hemostatic therapy when indicated. Rebleeding occurred in 9.9 % of the patients, and 8.3 % died. Independent predictors of rebleeding were: need for transfusion (odds ratio [OR] 19.1; 95 % confidence interval [95 %CI] 10.1 - 35.9); hemoglobin < 10 g/dL (OR: 1.7; 95 %CI 1.1 - 3.3); Rockall score (OR: 1.4 for each 1 point score increase; 95 %CI 1.0 - 1.9), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (OR: 1.9; 95 %CI 1.4 - 2.5), and signs of recent bleeding (OR: 2.4; 95 %CI 1.7 - 3.5). Independent predictors of mortality were: Rockall score (OR: 2.8; 95 %CI 2.0 - 4.0), co-morbidities (OR: 3.6 for each additional co-morbidity; 95 %CI 2.0 - 6.3), and systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (OR: 2.1; 95 %CI 1.8 - 2.8). Rockall score, blood pressure and co-morbidities were taken as continuous variables meaning that the OR was 1.4 for every point increase, it was the same for blood pressure. CONCLUSION UGIB still occurs mainly as a result of peptic ulcers and portal hypertension in France, and causes significant rates of mortality. There is scope for improvement via better prevention (better use of UGIB-facilitating drugs), endoscopic therapy, and management of co-morbidities.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognised as a source of liver related morbidity and mortality. Hard data on epidemiology and natural history are scarce.To study demographic and metabolic characteristics of the NAFLD patients seen by Belgian hepatologists.Belgian hepatologists filled in a questionnaire for every newly diagnosed NAFLD patient between January 1st and December 31st 2004. Liver biopsy was advised if ALT1.5 x ULN and if 3/5 of the criteria for the metabolic syndrome (MS) (ATPI-II) were present, but was not mandatory. Biopsy was scored using the Brunt classification.230 patients were prospectively included in 9 centres; 54% were males; mean age was 49.4 +/- 13.9 y; mean BMI was 30.6 +/- 4.6 kg/m2. The MS was present in 53%. In 16% formerly undiagnosed diabetes was discovered. 51% had a liver biopsy: 25% met the criteria, 26% did not. Grading did not differ between patients with or without MS. Staging was significantly more severe in patients with MS (2.43 +/- 1.25 vs. 1.73 +/- 1.18, p0.001). A subgroup of patients with GGT5 x ULN were significantly older (55.9 vs. 47.64 y, p = 0.02), more frequently diabetic (53% vs. 23%, p = 0.01) and had more advanced fibrosis (3.42 vs. 1.08, p = 0.008). ALT levels were variable.The MS is highly prevalent in Belgian NAFLD patients and is associated with more severe disease. Mild to moderate fibrosis is frequent, and the proposed criteria for liver biopsy are not accurate in selecting these patients. Patients with elevated GGT constitute a subgroup with more advanced disease.

A large multicenter trial to compare the efficacy of peginterferon alfa-2a with interferon alfa-2a, in combination with ribavirin, in chronic hepatitis C patients. Efficacy data for prior relapsers are reported because treatment recommendations for this patient population are not well defined.This study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response in naive patients (n = 348) and relapsers (n = 95).Sustained virologic response rates were similar in naïve patients and relapsers, both for non-pegylated and pegylated interferon (respectively 27 and 26% and 54 and 43%). Pegylated interferon given for 48 weeks did not improved the relapse rate: 15.9 and 27.3% for non-pegylated and 16.7 and 30.4% for pegylated interferon, naïve vs relapsers respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between slow response (detectable HCV RNA at week 12 and undetectable at week 24) and relapse in patients with an end-of-treatment response (55% versus 13% respectively; p = 0.02; odds ratio = 6.07).This trial confirms the value of using peginterferon alfa-2a in both naïve and relapsed patients and provides support for a more tailored approach to treatment for relapsers and particulary for patients with a slow viral response.

Hypoxic (ischemic) hepatitis generally requires the concurrence of an underlying condition which chronically exposes the liver to some degree of hypoxia (for example, congestive heart failure) combined with a triggering event (for example, arrhythmia) which further decreases the oxygen supply. We report a case of hypoxic hepatitis in which hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber's disease) constituted this underlying condition and gastrointestinal hemorrhage was the triggering event. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hypoxic hepatitis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with the exception of therapeutic ligation or embolization of the hepatic artery so as to decrease shunting of liver blood. Hemodynamic mechanisms are proposed to explain this particular outcome.

SummaryObesity is associated either with hepatic steatosis, a well known and inocuous entity or with nonalcoholic steatohepatilis. This latter lesion has been recently individualized. It affects mainly middle-aged, obese women, with diabetes and/or hyperlipidaemia. It is morphologically very similar to alcoholic hepatitis. We review the literature considering I) histologic hepatic lesions of the obese, 2) epidemiologic, clinical and biological characteristics of the non alcoholic steatohepatilis, 3) evolutivity and treatment of the non alcoholic steatohepatilis and 4) present physiopathological considerations. Weconcludc by considering the clinician’s attitude in front of an obese potentially afflicted by a non alcoholic steatohepatilis.

There is a lack of epidemiological data on hepatitis C (HCV) infected patients in Belgium. Therefore our purpose was to address this important question and to evaluate the feasibility of a national HCV observatory.From November 2003 to November 2004, every new patient prospectively seen for HCV antibody positivity in 9 Belgian hospital centres was recorded and a standardised 10-items questionnaire was completed during the consultation, including a Quality of Live (QOL) visual analogue scale.Three hundred and eighteen consecutive patients were recruited. Fifty five percent were male with a median age of 45 y (11-87 y). The main risk factors for infection were IV drug use (27%), blood transfusion (23%), and invasive medical procedure (11%). On the QOL scale, ranging from 0 and 100, mean value was 61 +/- 31. Transaminases were abnormal in 66% with a median elevation 2 times above normal value. HCV RNA was positive in 87% with a viral load above 800 000 IU/ml in 42%. Genotype 1 was predominant (59%), followed by genotypes 3 (19%) and 4 (14%). A liver biopsy was performed in 190 patients, with minimal fibrosis (METAVIR F0-F1) in 43%, moderate fibrosis (F2) in 35% and advanced stages (F3-F4) in 22%. Antiviral treatment was not considered in 53% because of normal ALT (30%), old age (7%), minimal histological stage (6%) or patient refusal (4%).This study highlights the feasibility of a national HCV survey using a simple questionnaire. This pilot study could be generalised throughout Belgium, and, if repeated, could allow a regular assessment of the changes in epidemiology and management of HCV infection in our country.

The Low Energy Telescope (LET) experiment on board the Phobos 1 and 2 spacecraft measures the flux, energy spectra and elemental composition of solar energetic particles and cosmic ray nuclei from hydrogen up to iron in the energy range ≈1 to ≈75 MeV/n. The LET sensor system comprises a double dE/dX vs E solid-state detector telescope surrounded by a cylindrical plastic scintillator anticoincidence shield, and the instrument is equipped with a comprehensive particle identifier and even priority system that enables rare nuclei to be analysed in preference to the more common species. Isotope separation for light nuclei such as He is also achieved. The sensor is mounted on a rotating platform to enable coarse anisotropy measurements of low energy protons to be made.

Epidemiological data concerning hepatitis B are scarce in France.To describe epidemiological, clinical, virological and histological features of HBsAg-positive patients followed at non-academic hospitals in France.Clinical, biological, virological and histological data of all HBsAg-positive consecutive patients observed from April 1, 2001 to May 31, 2002 in participating centres were recorded prospectively. Multivariate analyses of factors associated with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were performed.Nearly 1166 HBsAg-positive patients were seen in the 58 centres: 671 males and 495 females from metropolitan France (32%) and from outside metropolitan France (68%); mean age 41 +/- 15 years. Twenty-nine percent of patients were probable HBsAg inactive carriers, while 50% had chronic hepatitis; 43% of these were HBeAg-positive and 57% HBeAg-negative. Liver biopsy had been performed in 558 (51%) patients; 205 (17.6%) patients had cirrhosis. By multivariate analysis, factors associated with significant fibrosis were: age40 years (P0.05), HBeAg-negative status (P0.02) and histological activity (P0.0001). Factors associated with cirrhosis: age (P0.0001), platelet count150 000/mm(3) (P0.0001) and viral co-infection (P0.03).HBV infection represents a significant workload for hepatogastroenterologists at non-academic hospitals in France.

Due to a rise in HCV induced liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma becomes more prevalent in Western European countries. The HepCar registry is an initiative in which patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, their treatment and follow up are registered.Belgian physicians were asked to report all new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma which were seen between January 2003 and December 2003. Reporting was done on a voluntary basis. Data reported were: demographic figures, the nature of the underlying liver disease, presentation characteristics of the tumour, laboratory findings and choice of therapy. Every six months, a reminder was sent to determine survival.131 patients (94 male/37 female) were reported. Mean age was 63 years +/- 13. Underlying liver disease was HCV (n = 54, 41%), HBV (n = 22, 17%), alcoholic liver disease (n = 39, 30%) and miscellaneous (n =16, 12%). Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was made by surveillance in 47 (36%) patients. After logistic regression, survival was 5 times better for patients inside the Milan criteria (one lesion less than 5 cm in diameter or less than 3 nodules each less than 3 cm in the absence of vascular invasion and metastasis).Tumours inside the Milan criteria have a better survival. The majority of the patients have an underlying cirrhosis as background for the development of a HCC.

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents an important public health problem and is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic hepatitis C is a heterogeneous disease. Many patients have mild disease at presentation but not all of them will develop advanced liver disease. However, the identification of these patients with mild hepatitis C who will show progressive disease is difficult and is based on histological criteria and the assessment of co-factors (age, alcohol intake, steatosis). In addition, serum transaminases that are persistently normal on several occasions during 18 months may point to a more benign course. Patients with mild hepatitis C should not be excluded "a priori" from the possibility of being treated, as treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is safe and effective in this group. Overall, the decision to initiate therapy should be individualized and based on the severity of the disease by liver biopsy, the potential of serious side effects, the probability of response and the motivation of the patient.

The question of screening for hepatocellular carcinoma and particularly the surveillance of patients with cirrhosis remains hotly debated. Indeed, even if well defined groups at risk and accurate tools of early diagnosis exist, the impact of screening on the survival improvement has not yet been completely demonstrated. Moreover, the prevalence of hepatocarcinoma and the aetiologies of cirrhosis differ according to regions resulting in recommendations that should be adapted to each country. The purpose of this review is to summarise the data of the literature and to provide adapted recommendation for our country.

In this article we review recent worldwide epidemiological data of coeliac disease (CD). An emphasis is made on adult figures as there is reduction of infants cases that is counterbalanced by the increase of CD in older children or adults. We review data from Europe, USA, South America, Australia, Asia and Africa. Studies in mixed population and in patients undergoing endoscopy are also mentioned. The prevalence of the disease varies between 1/100-500 in different continents. It is possible that the low incidence of CD in some regions is due to the decrease of the prevalence of classic form of the disease.

In a consecutive series of 411 patients with cirrhosis attending the outpatient liver clinics of 3 general hospitals located in the southern part of Belgium, hepatitis C virus infection accounted for 20% of the cases, far behind alcohol (63%). However, in a consecutive series of 57 hepatocarcinoma superimposed on cirrhosis, hepatitis C virus infection was the main aetiological factor accounting for 44% of the cases.

For the last decade, numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that the main part of liver injury caused by low or no flow states does not occur at the time of hypoxia, but during reperfusion. These experimental studies have a crucial clinical impact, because ischemia/reperfusion injury is involved in situations such as temporary vascular exclusion during liver surgery for trauma or tumors, preservation injury before liver transplantation, and liver cell necrosis observed in hypoxic (ischemic) hepatitis. The aim of the present review is to clarify the sequence of pathophysiological events responsible for ischemia/reperfusion injury of the liver, and to examine the potential contribution of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury to the syndrome of human hypoxic hepatitis.

We report two cases of lymphocytic colitis with severe diarrhea in patients treated by lansoprazole for six weeks. Complete remission occurred rapidly after lansoprazole withdrawal.

Surveillance for early detection of hepatocarcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis is widely accepted. In a cohort of 141 patients with cirrhosis collected during the year 1995, we conducted a surveillance program by performing liver ultrasonography and blood alpha-foetoprotein measurement every 6 months. The median follow-up was 34 months. This study addressed to two questions: the compliance to the surveillance schedule according to the aetiology of cirrhosis and the results in terms of emergence of HCC and outcome. Aetiology of cirrhosis was alcohol-induced in 86 (61%), HCV-related in 30 (21%) and from other origins in 25 (18%). Compliance to the program schedule was good in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis (29/30--97%) and patients with cirrhosis of "other origins" (20/25--80%) but was poor in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (45/86--52%). The lack of compliance was significantly linked to the failure to achieve alcohol abstinence. During follow-up, 6 HCC lesions were observed in 6 male patients with median age of 68 years. All 6 HCC were single nodule, less than 4 cm and accessible to percutaneous acetic acid injection. Nevertheless, the outcome was disappointing, four patients dying 3-15 months later (median: 8 months), two of them with extensive HCC. One of the two patients still alive developed extensive HCC, 36 months after percutaneous acetic acid injection.

In a clinical setting of cardiac or circulatory failure, the diagnosis of hypoxic (ischaemic) hepatitis is easy and can be elicited on mere clinical and biochemical features. We report two cases of hypoxic hepatitis where cardiomyopathy remained unrecognized at admission due to the lack of conventional signs of congestive heart failure and where the increase in liver enzymes activities followed an atypical pattern, characterized by only moderate elevation of serum aminotransferases activities, low ASAT/ALAT ratio and elevated ALAT/LDH ratio. This atypical pattern not suggestive of hypoxic hepatitis, could be explained by a delay between the onset of hypoxic injury of the liver and admission to hospital. Moreover one case was complicated by frank jaundice, an unusual feature in hypoxic hepatitis. Consequently, diagnosis and appropriate inotropic treatment were delayed resulting in progressive deterioration and eventually death of both patients. The report of these two cases and the review of other similar cases previously published, enlighten some atypical features of hypoxic hepatitis.

We report 2 cases of severe nontyphoidal salmonellosis (Salmonella enteritidis), occurring 4 and 5 weeks after starting a treatment with Omeprazole (20 mg a day). No other member of the families was sick, and none of the 2 patients took any meals outside home during the two weeks preceding the first symptoms. Gastric hypochlorhydria is a major risk factor for Salmonella enteritidis, and several cases of severe infection have been described with this condition. After a review of the literature we conclude that patients with diminished gastric acid run an increased risk of developing Salmonella infection and often with a more serious clinical course.

Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma arising in cirrhosis has been recommended for a long time. However, the results of this screening have been disappointing mainly because of poor health status and liver function in patients with cirrhosis. Indeed, when an hepatocellular carcinoma is discovered by screening, surgical resection can rarely be performed. Recently, percutaneous ethanol injection has emerged as an efficient and well acceptable therapeutic procedure. In this review, we report our personnal opinion on the regained interest for screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in the light of percutaneous ethanol injection.

Early distinction between acute alcoholic pancreatitis is important, because of possible emergency endoscopic sphincterotomy in case of biliary pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of L/A ratio in the diagnosis of acute alcoholic pancreatitis. From 1990 to end 1993, 133 patients with acute pancreatitis were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were: 1) abdominal pain, 2) pathological serum amylase or serum lipase on admission or within 24 hours after beginning or abdominal pain, 3) acute pancreatitis at the echography or CT scan within 48 hours after admission. 60 patients met the inclusion criteria (31 alcoholic pancreatitis, 19 biliary pancreatitis and 10 pancreatitis of other causes). L/A ratio was studied in terms of delay from beginning of abdominal pain. There was no statistical difference between alcoholic and biliary pancreatitis at any time of the study, with the exception of admission. AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase were higher in biliary pancreatitis than in alcoholic pancreatitis. AST and ALT were the best biochemical tests to diagnose biliary pancreatitis. Blamey's criteria can also contribute to diagnose biliary pancreatitis. These biochemical tests are the most helpful if they are collected very soon in the evolution of acute pancreatitis. It is concluded that L/A ratio is not helpful in the diagnosis of alcoholic acute pancreatitis.

To analyze the role of the liver function on the serum levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a lipoprotein considered to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis.To measure the Lp(a) levels in patients with liver disease (n = 68) due to various causes and in patients with no liver disease and of similar age and sex-ratio (n = 62) and to analyze the relationship between Lp(a) levels on one hand and liver function and lipid and apoprotein levels on the other hand.Patients with liver disease had significantly lower levels of Lp(a). Lp(a) levels were significantly lower in patients with more severe liver disease (Child Turcotte classification) and significantly correlated with liver function tests, in particular those related to the microsomal function and the synthetic capacity of the liver (albumin, coagulation tests, apoprotein A-II). In patients with liver disease, mean Lp(a) levels were not significantly different between those with and those without chronic alcohol intake.Patients with liver disease have low levels of Lp(a) that are related to reduced synthetic capacity of this organ and are not linked to a specific cause of liver disease, in particular excess alcohol intake.

A mysterious complication of cirrhosis is the progressive development of a hyperdynamic circulatory state characterized by high cardiac output and low peripheral and splanchnic arterial resistance. This particular hemodynamic state plays a major role in the progress of portal hypertension and sodium renal retention observed in cirrhosis. In this review, we try to better define the clinical impact and the etiopathogenic mechanism of the hyperdynamic state of cirrhosis.

We report a case of association between genetic haemochromatosis and mixed gonadal dysgenesis. To our knowledge, this case is the first reported in the literature. We discuss the mechanisms of hypogonadism observed in this patient.

All cirrhotic patients admitted on a medical intensive care unit, were included in a randomized trial of selective intestinal decontamination provided there was no infection on admission. The selective intestinal decontamination consisted of a regimen of 3 oral, nonabsorbable antibiotics for the 74 first patients (Neomycin 1 gr, Colistin 1.500.000 U, Nystatin 1.000.000 U, every 6 hours), then of norfloxacin, 400 mg BID for the following patients. The duration of treatment was at least 5 days. Of the 120 patients, initially randomized to receive or not the treatment, 26 were ultimately excluded, mainly (18 cases) because of infection present but unrecognized at the time of admission. Ninety four patients were thus compared for the efficiency of the treatment, 45 in the treated group and 49 in the not treated group. The results showed a significant reduction of the episodes of septicemia in the treated group (4 versus 12, P = 0.044). This reduction was evident only for septicemia due to gram negative germs. Mortality was unaffected. When the risk factors were studied, bacterial infection was linked to the degree of hepatic failure. We recommend selective intestinal decontamination for cirrhotic patients admitted on intensive care unit, particularly when hepatic function is poor.

Introduction Les progres recents concernant l’hemostase endoscopique des ulceres gastro-duodenaux hemorragiques ont conduit a l’elaboration de recommandations de pratique clinique. Le but de notre travail etait d’evaluer la prise en charge endoscopique des hemorragies digestives hautes d’origine ulcereuse et son impact sur le pronostic. Patients et Methodes Une etude prospective multicentrique incluant exhaustivement les patients admis pour une hemorragie digestive haute a ete menee en 2005-2006 par l’Association Nationale des hepato-Gastroenterologues des Hopitaux generaux de France. Les donnees concernant les patients ayant une hemorragie ulcereuse ont ete extraites et les comptes-rendus des patients ayant eu une hemostase endoscopique ont ete recuperes afin de completer la base de donnees. Une analyse univariee et multivariee (regression logistique) des facteurs predictifs de recidive hemorragique et de deces a ete effectuee. Resultats Mille cent quarante patients avaient ete admis pour une hemorragie digestive haute d’origine ulcereuse. Deux cent soixante-huit patients (23,5 %) ont eu un traitement endoscopique a visee hemostatique. Deux cent quatorze patients (79,9 %) ont eu un traitement endoscopique faisant appel a une seule methode d’hemostase : injection de serum adrenaline (n = 190 ; 70,9 %), mise en place de clips (n = 15 ; 5,6 %), ligature (n = 4 ; 1,5 %), coagulation au plasma argon (n = 3 ; 1,1 %), electrocoagulation bipolaire (n = 2 ; 0,8 %). Cinquante-deux patients (19,4 %) ont eu une association de 2 methodes d’hemostase : injection de serum adrenaline et clips (n = 41 ; 15,3 %), injection et electrocoagulation bipolaire (n = 7 ; 2,6 %), injection et coagulation au plasma argon (n = 4 ; 1,5 %). Deux patients (0,8 %) ont eu un traitement endoscopique associant 3 methodes : injection de serum adrenaline, clips et coagulation au plasma argon. La quantite moyenne d’adrenaline injectee etait 8,7 ± 5 mL (min = 1 ; max = 30). Lorsqu’il existait un caillot adherent (n = 188), celui-ci a ete le plus souvent laisse en place (n = 171 ; 91 %). Trois cent quarante-neuf patients avaient une indication validee de traitement endoscopique : hemorragie active (Forrest Ia et Ib) et aspect endoscopique de vaisseau visible non hemorragique (Forrest IIa). Parmi eux, 209 (59,9 %) ont eu une hemostase endoscopique. Il s’agissait le plus souvent d’une monotherapie (n = 158 ; 75,6 %), plus rarement d’une bitherapie endoscopique (n = 50 ; 23,9 %). En analyse multivariee, le risque de recidive hemorragique etait diminue lorsque l’endoscopiste disposait d’une aide specialisee (OR = 0,632 ; p = 0,033 ; IC = 0,414-0,964) et il existait une tendance a une diminution de la mortalite lorsqu’un geste d’hemostase endoscopique etait realise (OR = 0,506 ; p = 0,096 ; IC = 0,227-1,127). Conclusion Il faut intensifier les efforts destines a favoriser la diffusion et l’application des recommandations de pratique clinique. La presence d’une aide specialisee et la realisation d’un geste d’hemostase lors de l’endoscopie initiale sont associes a une diminution respectivement du risque de recidive et de deces.