[INTRODUCTION - The correlation between biochemical parameters and sonographic appearance of the liver in children and young adults receiving cytostatic therapy was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS - 104 (54 male, 50 female) patients at the hemato-oncologic unit of 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University Budapest were enrolled into this prospective, single-blind, uncontrolled study: patients’ ages were between 2.0 and 32.7 years (mean 12.2 yrs, ± SD 5.7). 69 patients received chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 35 patiens for osteogenic osteosarcoma (OSC). The time interval between the initiation of the cytostatic therapy and the examination was between 1 month and 16 years (mean 3.9 yrs). Ultrasonography was performed after 5-8 hours of fasting, without sedation. Echogenicity, distal attenuation of liver parenchyma and Doppler waveforms of the hepatic vein branches were evaluated. Alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity were measured in peripheric blood samples. Statistical correlation was analysed between sonographic appearance and biochemical parameters of the liver. RESULTS - 35 patients had at least one sonographic abnormality: of these, 9 had elevated enzyme activity. Among the 69 patients with normal ultrasound findings, only 2 had increased enzyme activity (Chi square test, p=0.001). When tested against enzyme activity, echogenicity and attenuation showed significant (p=0.002 and p=0.01, respectively), Doppler waveform in the hepatic vein branches showed marginally significant correlation (p=0.05). All three ultrasound parameters had low sensitivity regarding the elevation of enzyme levels, however attenuation and hepatic vein waveform proved to be specific (both 94%) for enzyme level elevation and all three showed high negative predictive values (96%, 93% and 92%, respectively). When combining all three sonographic parameters in a single variable, correlation was even higher (p=0.001), sensitivity became acceptable (82%) and negative predictive value increased further to 97%. CONCLUSIONS - The authors conclude that a correlation exists between three simple sonographic indicators (echogenecity, distal attenuation, Doppler waveforms of the HVs) and liver injury detected by biochemical parameters. Due to the low sensitivity of the ultrasound parameters to confirm of the presence of diffuse liver injury is not possible. However, the combined use of the ultrasound and biochemical parameters a good negative predictive power can be achieved and therefore this is a useful tool in the follow-up for hepatic status.]

[In the past years, the prevention of micro- and macrovascular complications has been the main target of diabetes treatment. Its unfavourable effects on the liver have been forgotten: the accelerated progression of the liver diseaeses and the increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The multimetabolic syndrome leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (steatosis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis). On he other hand some types of liver cirrhosis (for example the common alcoholic form) are worsening the insulin resistance, so they may due to a hepatogenous diabetes mellitus, that’s treatment is different and needs more regard, than type 2 diabetes.]

[As acute or chronic liver diseases progress, liver failure and related hepatic encephalopathy may develop. The latter occurs in more than 70% of patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Because of declining cognitive functions, sleep disturbances, memory problems and impaired motion coordination, this condition can - even in mild form - limit the patient's self-sufficiency and activity and can lead to a decreased quality of life and ability to work. Its most advanced stage, hepatic coma is one of the leading causes of liver-related mortality. These conditions generate a substantial healthcare costs. Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy involves dietary restrictions, prevention and treatment of precipitating factors, inhibition of the production and absorption of toxic substances (especially ammonia) and restoration of the amino acid balance. In addition to the traditionally used treatment with disaccharids (lactulose, lactitol), evidence has been accumulating regarding the efficacy and safety of a nonabsorbable antibiotic compound, rifaximin, which targets enteral pathogen bacteria, both in treatment and in prevention of hepatic encephalopathy. Artificial liver support therapies have been also introduced in Hungary. This review summarises the experience regarding treatment of hepatic encephalography for physicians involved in the management of patients with hepatic diseases.]

[INTRODUCTION - Liver cirrhosis has two serious consequences: hepatic failure and portal hypertension. Portal hypertension has two important clinical appearances: variceal bleeding and therapy resistant ascites. Variceal bleeding can be recurrent and resistant to endoscopic treatment. These complications can be prevented by implantation of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS). CLINICAL CASE - A 59 year old male with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C, was hospitalized in our department in April 2004 with variceal bleeding. We tried to control the bleeding twice by band ligation, once by sclerotherapy and with the use of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, but bleeding continued for three weeks despite the endoscopic treatment. The patient needed intensive care therapy and was treated with more than forty units of packed red cells and plasma. At that point we decided to implant a TIPS, which was carried out succesfully. After TIPS implantation no rebleeding occured and the shunt had good patency. Moderate hepatic encephalopathy was observed, which is a well known phenomenon, but it could be treated with pharmacologic therapy. CONCLUSIONS - In case of portal hypertension TIPS implantation can prevent from variceal rebleedings and may caus significant improvement in the quality of life.]