Journal of hepatology
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Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl dimeglumine (Gd-EOB-DTPA, Primovist in Europe and Eovist in the USA) is a liver-specific magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent that has up to 50% hepatobiliary excretion in the normal liver. After intravenous injection, Gd-EOB-DTPA distributes into the vascular and extravascular spaces during the arterial, portal venous and late dynamic phases, and progressively into the hepatocytes and bile ducts during the hepatobiliary phase. The hepatocyte uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA mainly occurs via the organic anion transporter polypeptides OATP1B1 and B3 located at the sinusoidal membrane and biliary excretion via the multidrug resistance-associated proteins MRP2 at the canalicular membrane. ⋯ Finally, GD-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging may provide quantitative assessment regarding liver perfusion and hepatocyte function in diffuse liver diseases. The full potential of GD-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging has to be established further. It is already clear that GD-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging provides anatomic and functional information in the setting of focal and diffuse liver disease that is unattainable with magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with non-specific contrast agents.
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Journal of hepatology · Aug 2012
An in situ molecular signature to predict early recurrence in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
To develop an in situ molecular signature to predict postsurgical recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. ⋯ This in situ molecular classifier could provide a novel approach to identify patients who are at greatest risk for postsurgical recurrence of HCC and may benefit from intensive clinical follow-up or chemopreventive strategies.
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Journal of hepatology · Aug 2012
Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as biomarker in the differential diagnosis of impairment of kidney function in cirrhosis.
Impairment of kidney function is common in cirrhosis but differential diagnosis remains a challenge. We aimed at assessing the usefulness of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a biomarker of tubular damage, in the differential diagnosis of impairment of kidney function in cirrhosis. ⋯ uNGAL levels may be useful in the differential diagnosis of impairment of kidney function in cirrhosis. Urinary tract infections should be ruled out because they may increase uNGAL excretion.
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Journal of hepatology · Aug 2012
Visceral adiposity index is not a predictor of liver histology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Visceral adiposity is associated with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The visceral adiposity index (VAI), a novel marker of visceral fat distribution and dysfunction, has been correlated with histology in hepatitis C. We assessed the ability of VAI to predict disease severity in NAFLD and hence its role as a non-invasive marker of liver damage. ⋯ In NAFLD, VAI is not associated with steatosis, inflammation or fibrosis. VAI is no more powerful than WC in discriminating steatosis from steatohepatitis, reflecting limitations of the formula with what is known about the pathogenesis of NAFLD.