24- Hepatobiliary Explains Flashcards
What is the global ranking of hepatocellular carcinoma as a cause of cancer deaths?
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer deaths globally.
What is the survival rate for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Unfortunately, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma approximates the death rate, resulting in few long-term survivors.
How many cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are reported annually?
Up to 750,000 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are reported annually.
Who is at the highest risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma?
Hepatocellular carcinoma occurs most commonly in individuals with chronic hepatitis and established liver cirrhosis.
What is a recognized risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in an otherwise healthy liver?
The presence of adenomas in an otherwise healthy liver is a recognized risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.
How should individuals with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis be screened for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Individuals with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis should be closely screened for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma with serum AFP testing and liver ultrasound every 6-12 months.
What are the diagnostic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Rising AFP levels and a liver ultrasound showing a nodule greater than 1cm in diameter make hepatocellular carcinoma much more likely, and further evaluation with MRI scanning is recommended.
What is the Barcelona Clinic Liver Classification used for?
The Barcelona Clinic Liver Classification system is used to categorize the extent of the disease, guide treatment decisions, and predict prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma.
What are the key factors to consider when determining the ideal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma?
When determining the ideal treatment modality for hepatocellular carcinoma, the key factors to consider are disease extent, functional state of the liver, and overall patient condition.
What is the aim in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma?
The aim is to avoid unnecessary percutaneous biopsy. Radiologically, on CT, the classical feature of hepatocellular carcinoma is a suspicious lesion that is highlighted during the arterial phase with washout during the venous phase, reflecting the hypervascularity of the lesions.
What are the features and treatment options for Stage 0 hepatocellular carcinoma?
Features: Single lesion (less than 2cm), normal portal pressures. Treatment: Resection (40-70% survival).
What are the features and treatment options for Stage A hepatocellular carcinoma?
Features: Single nodule greater than 3cm or multiple nodules (no more than 3), Child Pugh A/B. Treatment: Radiofrequency ablation if associated disease, transplantation if no associated disease (up to 70% survival in some cases).
What are the features and treatment options for Stage B hepatocellular carcinoma?
Features: Multiple nodules, Child Pugh A/B. Treatment: Transarterial chemoembolization (usually with doxorubicin) (26% survival at 3 years).
What are the features and treatment options for Stage C hepatocellular carcinoma?
Features: Advanced tumors, invasion of portal vein, Child Pugh A/B. Treatment: Sorafenib (usually survive 10.7 months).
What are the features and treatment options for Stage D hepatocellular carcinoma?
Features: Child Pugh stage C, advanced tumors. Treatment: Best supportive care (less than 6 months survival).
What are the recommended treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma in selected patients?
In selected patients, the best outcomes are achieved with surgical resection or transplantation (when surgical resection is not possible). Anatomical resections with minimum 2cm margins provide the best outcomes.
What is the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment?
At present, there is no evidence to recommend treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy.
What is sorafenib and what is its role in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment?
Sorafenib is an oral multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is the only drug currently demonstrated to extend survival in individuals with advanced hepatocellular cancer. It improves median survival from 7 months to 10 months.
What is the prevalence of gallstones in women and men?
Up to 24% of women and 12% of men may have gallstones.
What percentage of patients who undergo surgery for gallstones will have stones in the common bile duct?
12% of patients who undergo surgery for gallstones will have stones in the common bile duct.
What is the most common composition of gallstones?
The majority of gallstones are of mixed composition (50%), with pure cholesterol stones accounting for 20% of cases.
How does the etiology of common bile duct stones differ between the Western and Eastern parts of the world?
In the West, most common bile duct stones result from migration. In the East, a higher proportion of stones arise de novo in the common bile duct.
What are the classical symptoms of gallstones?
The classical symptoms of gallstones include colicky right upper quadrant pain that occurs after eating.
When are the symptoms of gallstones usually the worst?
The symptoms are usually worst following a fatty meal when cholecystokinin levels are highest and gallbladder contraction is maximal.
What are the standard diagnostic tests for suspected gallstones?
The standard diagnostic workup for suspected gallstones includes abdominal ultrasound and liver function tests.
What percentage of patients with stones in the bile duct will have abnormal liver function test results?
60% of patients with stones in the bile duct will have at least one abnormal result on liver function tests.
60% of patients with stones in the bile duct will have at least one abnormal result on liver function tests.
The options for imaging when stones are suspected in the bile duct are magnetic resonance cholangiography and intraoperative imaging.
When is preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiography a better option than intraoperative imaging?
Preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiography is a better option than intraoperative imaging when the surgeon is unsure about proceeding with bile duct exploration and making therapeutic decisions.
What are the features of biliary colic?
Colicky abdominal pain, worsens after eating, especially after fatty foods.
What is the recommended management for biliary colic?
If imaging shows gallstones and the history is compatible, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended.
What is the recommended management for acute cholecystitis?
Imaging (ultrasound) and cholecystectomy (ideally within 48 hours of presentation).
What are the features of acute cholecystitis?
Right upper quadrant pain, fever, positive Murphy’s sign on examination, occasionally mildly deranged liver function tests (especially if Mirizzi syndrome is present).
What are the features of gallbladder abscess?
Usually prodromal illness and right upper quadrant pain, swinging pyrexia, patient may be systemically unwell, generalized peritonism is not present.
What is the recommended management for gallbladder abscess?
Imaging with ultrasound +/- CT scanning, ideally surgery (subtotal cholecystectomy may be needed if Calot’s triangle is hostile). In unfit patients, percutaneous drainage may be considered.
What are the features of cholangitis?
Patient severely septic and unwell, jaundice, right upper quadrant pain.
What is the recommended management for cholangitis?
Fluid resuscitation, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, correction of any coagulopathy, early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
What are the features of gallstone ileus?
Patients may have a history of previous cholecystitis and known gallstones, small bowel obstruction (may be intermittent).
What is the recommended management for gallstone ileus?
Laparotomy and removal of the gallstone from the small bowel. The enterotomy should be made proximal to the site of obstruction and not at the site of obstruction. The fistula between the gallbladder and duodenum should not be interfered with.
What are the features of acalculous cholecystitis?
Patients with intercurrent illness (e.g., diabetes, organ failure), patient is systemically unwell, gallbladder inflammation in the absence of stones, high fever.
What is the recommended management for acalculous cholecystitis?
If the patient is fit, cholecystectomy is recommended. If the patient is unfit, percutaneous cholecystostomy may be considered.
What is the management approach for asymptomatic gallstones?
Asymptomatic gallstones, which rarely cause symptoms (less than 2% per year), may be managed expectantly.
What is the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones?
The treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones is cholecystectomy, typically performed laparoscopically.
What is the alternative treatment option for very frail patients with symptomatic gallstones?
For very frail patients, there may be a role for selective use of ultrasound-guided cholecystostomy.
During the cholecystectomy procedure, what additional diagnostic tests may be performed by some surgeons?
Some surgeons may routinely perform intraoperative cholangiography or laparoscopic ultrasound to confirm anatomy or exclude common bile duct (CBD) stones.
If CBD stones are found during the procedure, what are the treatment options?
The options for treatment include early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) within a day or two after surgery or immediate surgical exploration of the bile duct.
What is the preferred approach if CBD stones are found during the procedure and ERCP is not necessary?
If ERCP is not necessary, the preferred approach is transcystic exploration, which adds minimal morbidity and results in faster recovery.
What should be taken into consideration when exploring small ducts during the procedure?
Exploration of ducts smaller than 8mm is challenging and should be avoided.
What are the risks associated with ERCP?
The risks of ERCP include bleeding (0.9%, rising to 1.5% if sphincterotomy is performed), duodenal perforation (0.4%), and cholangitis (1.1%).
What is the recommended management for small gallstones measuring less than 5mm?
Small stones measuring less than 5mm can be safely left, as most will pass spontaneously.
What has traditionally been used for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis?
Traditionally, hyperamylasemia with amylase levels elevated three times the normal range has been utilized for the diagnosis.
What are the limitations of using amylase for diagnosis?
Amylase may give both false positive and negative results, and serum lipase is considered more sensitive and specific.
Do serum amylase levels correlate with disease severity?
No, serum amylase levels do not correlate with disease severity.
What are the differential causes of hyperamylasemia?
Hyperamylasemia can be caused by acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, mesenteric infarct, perforated viscus, acute cholecystitis, and diabetic ketoacidosis.
What scoring systems are used to assess the severity of pancreatitis?
The Glasgow, Ranson, and APACHE II scoring systems are commonly used for assessing the severity of pancreatitis.
What are some features that may predict a severe attack of pancreatitis within 48 hours of admission?
Features that may predict a severe attack within 48 hours of admission include clinical impression of severity, body mass index >30, pleural effusion, APACHE score >8.
What are some features that may predict a severe attack of pancreatitis 24 hours after admission?
Features that may predict a severe attack 24 hours after admission include APACHE II >8, Glasgow score of 3 or more, persisting multiple organ failure, CRP >150.
What are some features that may predict a severe attack of pancreatitis 48 hours after admission?
Features that may predict a severe attack 48 hours after admission include Glasgow score of >3, CRP >150, and persisting or progressive organ failure.
What is the role of nutrition in the management of pancreatitis?
There is reasonable evidence to suggest that the use of enteral nutrition does not worsen the outcome in pancreatitis. Feeding helps prevent bacterial translocation from the gut, which can contribute to the development of infected pancreatic necrosis.
Do UK surgeons commonly administer antibiotics to patients with acute pancreatitis?
Yes, many UK surgeons administer antibiotics to patients with acute pancreatitis.
Is there strong evidence to support the use of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis?
No, there is very little evidence to support the use of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis.
What does a recent Cochrane review suggest about the use of Imipenem in patients with established pancreatic necrosis?
A recent Cochrane review highlights the potential benefits of administering Imipenem to patients with established pancreatic necrosis to prevent the progression to infection.
What are the concerns regarding the administration of antibiotics in mild attacks of pancreatitis?
There are concerns that administering antibiotics in mild attacks of pancreatitis will not affect the outcome and may contribute to antibiotic resistance and increase the risks of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
What is the recommended surgical approach for patients with acute pancreatitis due to gallstones?
Patients with acute pancreatitis due to gallstones should undergo early cholecystectomy.
What is the recommended surgical approach for patients with an obstructed biliary system due to stones?
Patients with an obstructed biliary system due to stones should undergo early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
What is the recommended approach for patients with extensive necrosis where infection is suspected?
Patients with extensive necrosis where infection is suspected should usually undergo fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for culture.