BACKGROUND: The role of prophylactic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reduction of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is debated. We performed a meta-analysis of all published randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of NSAIDs in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
DATA SOURCES: Searches were conducted in the databases PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Six randomized clinical trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and addressed the clinical questions of this analysis were further assessed. Data were extracted by two independent observers according to predetermined criteria.
RESULTS: The risk of pancreatitis was lower in the NSAID group than in the placebo group (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.65, P<0.0001). Two hours after ERCP, prophylactic administration of NSAIDs was associated with a lower serum amylase level (WMD: -91.09, 95% CI: -149.78 to -32.40, P=0.002), but there was no difference in mean 24-hour serum amylase values (WMD: -379.00, 95% CI: -805.75 to 47.76, P=0.08). No deaths or NSAID-related complications were noted.
CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic administration of NSAIDs can reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis; this administration in patients undergoing ERCP is recommended. Further randomized controlled trials are required before its introduction into routine care.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health issue, and the prognosis of patients with HBV-associated fulminant hepatic failure is extremely poor. The application of antiviral therapies has led to significant improvements in patient outcomes. This article aimed to review the current strategies in antiviral treatment of HBV-associated fulminant hepatic failure.
DATA SOURCES: Literature search was conducted using PubMed on the related subjects. Part of the data was from the most recent work of the authors' laboratory.
RESULTS: Hepatitis B immunoglobulin in prevention of recurrent HBV infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been proven effective. However, its cost is high, and significant side effects have been found to induce viral mutations. Lamivudine has a potent suppression for HBV replication and an excellent safety profile in decompensated cirrhotic patients, but its major drawback is the high rate of drug-resistance. Adefovir is effective for lamivudine-resistance strains in the post-OLT situation, and its drug-resistance rate is relatively low. Combination therapies such as hepatitis B immunoglobulin combined with lamivudine and lamivudine combined with adefovir have been widely adopted for prophylaxis against HBV recurrence of infection after OLT. Entecavir, telbivudine, tenofovir and other newer agents have been widely used in antiviral therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of HBV-associated fulminant hepatic failure is being transformed by developments in antiviral therapy. However, it should be noticed that HBV is controlled but never eliminated, and drug-resistance still remains a major issue. Hopefully, newer strategies may help to solve these problems.

BACKGROUND: The liver plays a key role in the metabolism of plasma apolipoproteins, endogenous lipids and lipoproteins. Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common fatal malignant tumors in China and in other Southeast Asian countries. It has been demonstrated that plasma lipid profiles are changed in liver cancer.
DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE database search was performed to identify relevant articles using the keywords
 "hepatocellular carcinoma" and "lipoprotein(a)". The search was conducted and research articles were reviewed from 1960 to 2008.
RESULTS: Production and homeostasis of lipids, apo-lipoproteins and lipoproteins depend on the integrity of hepatocellular functions, which ensures normal lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in vivo. When hepatocellular injury or liver cancer occurs these processes can be impaired. It has been suggested that plasma levels of apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) and/or lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) may be considered as sensitive markers of hepatic impairment.
CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of apo(a) and Lp(a) display significant correlations with hepatic status. Most studies demonstrated that the plasma levels of apo(a) and Lp(a) can be considered as an additional clinical index of liver function.

BACKGROUND: The discrepancy between available livers and requests for transplantation has forced many centers to use marginal donors in order to expand the donor pool. Many previous studies have demonstrated controversial results of the application of steatotic liver grafts. The aim of the present study was to summarize our experience and evaluate the value of steatotic liver grafts.
METHODS: The clinical and follow-up data of 24 adult patients receiving moderately steatotic liver grafts (30%-60%) from May 2003 to June 2005 (group 1) were analyzed. After matching for age, gender, model for end-stage liver diseases score and cold ischemia time, another 24 patients receiving liver grafts with steatosis less than 30% were chosen as the control group (group 2). The patient and graft outcomes were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: No difference of liver and kidney functions in the first post-transplant week was found between the two groups (P>0.05). Neither the incidence of early allograft dysfunction and acute kidney injury nor the patient survival rates (3 months, 6 months and 1 year) showed differences between groups 1 and 2 (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Moderately steatotic liver grafts provide adequate function in the first phase after transplantation and can be used for transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) used to be a contraindication for liver transplantation (LT). This obstacle has been delt with following the improvement of LT-related techniques and therapeutic approaches to thrombosis. But the effect of PVT on LT outcomes is still controversial. We reviewed retrospectively the outcome of LT patients with PVT as well as risk factors and surgical management according to PVT grades.
METHODS: A total of 465 adult LTs were performed from December 2002 through December 2006. Operative findings and the result of preoperative ultrasonography and imaging were reviewed for PVT grading (Yerdel grading). Comparison of risk factors, variables associated with perioperative period and prognosis between recipients with and without PVT is based on the grades.
RESULTS: In the 465 LTs, 42 were operatively confirmed to have PVT (9.0%) (19 recipients with grade 1, 14 with grade 2, 7 with grade 3, and 2 with grade 4). Increased age and treatment of portal hypertension were associated with PVT. Grade 1 or 2 PVT was treated by direct anastomosis or single thrombectomy. In grade 3 PVT patients, the donor PV was directly anastomosed to the dilated branch of the recipient portal venous system or to the distal open superior mesenteric vein through an interposition vein graft if needed. Grade 4 PVT was managed by our modified cavoportal hemitransposition technique. The comparison between PVT patients and controls showed no significant difference in operative duration and blood transfusion (P>0.05). The flow rate of the PV was lower in the PVT patients (48.881±12.788 cm/s) than in the controls (57.172±21.715 cm/s, P<0.05). The PVT patients had such postoperative complications as renal failure and PV rethrombosis (P<0.05). The 1-year survival rates in PVT and non-PVT patients were 78.6% and 76.4% respectively (P>0.05); the 3-year survival rates were 58.8% and 56.4% respectively (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: PVT is not contraindicated for LT if it is graded. PVT recipients may have post-transplantation complications like renal failure and PV rethrombosis, and operative difficulty and patient survival are similar to those in recipients without PVT. Development of therapeutic approaches and accumulation of experience in dealing with PVT further improve the outcomes of LT in PVT recipients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte apoptosis is a severe form of cell death after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI), and its relief is an important issue in liver transplantation. Hypoxic preconditioning (HP) is considered to have protective effects on HIRI. This study was designed to explore the impact of HP on apoptosis and its possible mechanism during orthotopic liver autotransplantation.
METHODS: A modified orthotopic liver autotransplantation model was used to simulate HIRI. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control, autotransplantation (AT) and HP groups. The HP group was subjected to an 8% oxygen atmosphere for 90 minutes before surgery. At 1, 6 and 24 hours after surgery, the rats were killed and their liver tissue was sampled to assess the expression of Bcl-2 protein. The samples were subjected to blood chemistry study, morphological study under a light or transmission electron microscope, and quantitative study of mitochondria.
RESULTS: The serum levels of ALT and AST in the HP group were lower than those in the AT group at 1, 6 and 24 hours after orthotopic liver autotransplantation (P<0.05). Bcl-2 protein expression was increased in the HP group at each measurement point (P<0.05). Light microscopy showed that hepatic injury in the AT group was much more severe than in the HP group. Hepatocytes in the AT group showed typical apoptosis signs under a transmission electron microscope. The ultrastructural appearance of hepatocytes in the HP group was much better than in the AT group, and the area, perimeter and diameter of the mitochondria were smaller in the HP group than in the AT group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocytes sense and respond to decreased tissue oxygenation. Stimulation by HP relieves apoptosis by upregulating expression of Bcl-2 protein and its protection of mitochondria after orthotopic liver autotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: The indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test (clearance rate (K) and retention rate at 15 minutes (R15)) is a sensitive indicator to evaluate liver function. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score has emerged as a useful tool for estimating the mortality of patients awaiting liver transplantation and has recently been validated on patients with liver diseases of various etiologies and severity. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the ICG clearance test and MELD score of patients with liver cirrhosis.
METHODS: From June 2007 to March 2008, 52 patients with liver cirrhosis admitted to our center were classified into Child-Pugh class A (8 patients), B (14) and C (30). The ICG clearance test (K value and R15) was performed by ICG pulse spectrophotometry (DDG-3300K), and the MELD scores of patients were calculated.
RESULTS: As the Child-Pugh classification of liver function gradually deteriorated, the K value decreased, while R15 and MELD score increased. There were significant statistical differences in K value, R15 and MELD score in patients with different Child-Pugh classifications. Significant correlations were found between the parameters of the ICG clearance test (K value and R15) and MELD score. A negative correlation was observed between K value and MELD score (r=-0.892, P<0.05), while a positive correlation was observed between R15 and MELD score (r=0.804, P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The ICG clearance test and MELD score are good parameters for evaluating liver function. Moreover, K value and R15 have significant correlations with MELD score, especially the K value, which may be a convenient and appropriate indicator to evaluate liver function of patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is common in Bangladesh. Acute viral E hepatitis is sporadically encountered in this country each year, with a rising incidence in the rainy season. This study aimed to identify the etiology of ACLF in Bangladesh.
METHODS: In this retrospective study, 69 ACLF patients were included. They presented to our department at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka. History of diseases was recorded and appropriate investigations were conducted in all patients.
RESULTS: Acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection was positive in 21.7% (15/69) of the patients, while 14.5% (10/69) had septicemia. Upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage was seen in 4.3% of the patients (3/69), while another 4.3% (3/69) had a positive history for alcohol or drugs. None of the patients tested positive for hepatitis A virus infection and no evidence of hepatitis B virus flare was found in any patient. No specific cause for ACLF could be identified.
CONCLUSIONS: Acute HEV infection is a leading cause of ACLF in Bangladesh. Many patients were thought to have decompensation of cirrhosis, but subsequently were recognized as having ACLF by a retrospective review according to the definition of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver Working Party Meeting on ACLF in New Delhi in early 2008.

BACKGROUND: Urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) inhibits the inflammatory response and protects against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The inflammatory response is mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and its related target genes and products such as vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule and CXC chemokines. We aimed to assess the roles of those mediators in a UTI-treated mouse model of hepatic I/R injury.
METHODS: Treatment group 1 (UTI given 5 minutes prior to liver ischemia), treatment group 2 (UTI given 5 minutes after the anhepatic phase) and a control group were investigated. Blood and liver samples were obtained and compared at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hours after reperfusion.
RESULTS: Attenuation of pathological hepatocellular damage was greater in the treatment groups than in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the UTI treatment groups showed significantly lower serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, decreased myeloperoxidase activity, and reduced NF-κB activation. Also downregulated was the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 at the mRNA level. P-selectin protein and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 protein expression were also downregulated. In addition, the treatment group 1 showed a better protective effect against I/R injury than the treatment group 2.
CONCLUSIONS: UTI reduces NF-κB activation and downregulates the expression of its related mediators, followed by the inhibition of neutrophil aggregation and infiltration in hepatic I/R injury. The protective role of UTI is more effective in prevention than in treatment.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver fibrosis, but the mechanisms underlying HBV-related fibrogenesis are still unknown. Although the roles of HBV X protein (HBx) remain poorly understood, it is thought to play an important role in the regulation of cellular growth and hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of HBx in liver fibrogenesis by studying the effect of HBx on the proliferation and expression of fibrosis-related molecules in the human hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2.
METHODS: We established an in vitro co-culture system with LX-2 cells and a stable QSG7701-HBx cell line which had been transfected with the HBx gene. 3H-TdR incorporation and flow cytometry were used to determine the effects of HBx on the proliferation of LX-2 cells. α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), transforming growth factor-β receptor Ⅱ (TGF-βRⅡ), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in LX-2 cells were analyzed by Western blotting. In addition, the expression levels of collagen type Ⅰ (ColⅠ) from the co-cultured media were measured by ELISA.
RESULTS: 3H-TdR incorporation increased significantly in LX-2 cells co-cultured with QSG7701-HBx cells compared to those cultured with QSG7701-pcDNA3 and QSG7701 (non-tumorigenic human liver cell line). Cell cycle results revealed that HBx accelerated the progression of G1 to S in LX-2 cells. The expressions of α-SMA, TGF-β1, TGF-βRⅡ, CTGF and ColⅠ were significantly increased in the co-cultures of LX-2 cells with stable QSG7701-HBx cells.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HBx may facilitate liver fibrosis by promoting hepatic stellate cell proliferation and upregulating the expression of fibrosis-related molecules.

BACKGROUND: Gadolinium-enhanced   multi-phase dynamic imaging has improved the accuracy of the diagnosis of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but using gadolinium-enhanced dynamic imaging alone is problematic in evaluating hypovascular HCC. This work aimed at evaluating the combined use of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced and gadolinium set in distinguishing HCCs from regenerative nodules (RNs) in a rat model induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN).
METHODS: DEN-induced HCC model rats (n=40) and control rats (n=10) were studied. From weeks 16 to 19 after DEN administration, 4 animals were scanned every week. The hepatic changes were tested with a 1.5 Tesla magnet, and MR images of SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set were obtained. According to the pathologic changes, the tumorigenesis was divided into HCC and RN (diameter of nodules ≥3 mm). Diagnostic accuracy of the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set and the gadolinium set alone was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic curves. Sensitivity and specificity of the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set and the gadolinium set alone were calculated.
RESULTS: The listed tests were completed in 29 rats (21 treated and 8 controls). One hundred and six nodules (82 HCCs, 24 RNs) were analyzed. The Az value and sensitivity with the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set (Az 0.94, sensitivity 0.96) were higher than those with the gadolinium set alone (Az 0.92, sensitivity 0.89). Using the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set led to detection of 6 nodules which were negative in the gadolinium set alone and 3 nodules were correctly characterized.
CONCLUSION: Using the combined SPIO-enhanced and gadolinium set improved the detectability of HCCs and the SPIO-enhanced imaging compensated for the gadolinium set in differentiating HCCs from RNs in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma (IBC) is a low-incidence disease which is often misdiagnosed because of insufficient recognition. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
METHOD: The clinical data of 4 IBC patients treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS: The 4 patients complained of right upper abdominal pain and mass or masses. One patient presented with moderate fever and chills, and two had moderately impaired liver function. The levels of carbohydrate antigens (CA125 and CA19-9) were significantly elevated and the level of carcinoembryonic antigen was slightly elevated in 3 patients. The level of serum transaminase was elevated in 2 patients, and the level of serum total bilirubin elevated in 2. Intrahepatic cystic masses ranging from 5.0 to 20.5 cm in diameter were found in all patients by ultrasound and CT/MR scan. Three of the 4 patients were misdiagnosed on admission as having hepatic cyst and one as having hepatic abscess. Radical removal of masses was performed in three patients after pathological diagnosis. One patient died from tumor recurrence 7 years after operation, 2 were followed up for 12 and 17 months without evidence of recurrence. The high risk patients who received palliative therapy were closely followed up.
CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of IBC without specific clinical features mainly depends on imaging and pathological examination. Increased levels of serum CA125 and CA19-9 might contribute to the diagnosis and prognosis of some IBC patients. Radical excision is the only effective treatment.

BACKGROUND: Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a physical method applied to the study of cellular changes at the molecular level in various normal and diseased human tissues, including cancer. This study was undertaken to establish a cellular basis for the diagnosis of carcinoma tissue, using FT-IR spectroscopy to study a carcinoma cell line and investigating the specific spectral features of the cell line.
METHODS: The FT-IR spectra of cultured gallbladder carcinoma cells (GBC-SD) smeared on a BaF2 window were measured with a Nicolet Magna750-Ⅱ FT-IR spectrometer. A comparative study was subsequently carried out between the spectra of cultured gallbladder carcinoma cells and those of corresponding carcinoma tissue.
RESULTS: Several infrared spectral features were obtained, and the results suggest that the spectral features of the carcinoma cell line reflect those of carcinoma tissue, though the latter are more complex, probably due to the intrinsic complexity of the tissue.
CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of carcinoma tissue by FT-IR spectroscopy has a sufficient cellular basis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with an increasing incidence. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data on diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma, and analyzed the factors affecting prognosis of the disease.
METHODS: The data of 189 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma treated from September 1, 1995 to August 31, 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Ninety-four patients treated from September 1, 2000 to August 31, 2005 were followed up in April 2008. The median survival time (MST) and 1- to 5- year cumulative survival rates of the patients were calculated by the life table method and the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression was used to screen out significant risk factors.
RESULTS: 96.9% of the patients were more than 40 years old, and the male/female ratio was 1.63. The detection rate of transabdominal ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), and serum tumor marker CA19-9 were 82.0%, 93.1%, 94.7% and 79.8%, respectively. The MST of patients with pancreatic head carcinoma was 360±60 days. The 1- to 5-year cumulative survival rates were 50.0%, 19.2%, 12.1%, 9.4% and 4.7%, respectively. However, patients with unresectable tumor survived for a shorter time (183±18 days). Their 1- to 2-year cumulative survival rates were 28.3% and 0.0%. Cox regression analysis showed that in pancreatic head carcinoma, the independent predictors for prognosis included tumor size, invasion of the superior mesenteric vessel, and radical resection. The MST of patients with pancreatic head carcinoma after radical resection was 510 days, significantly longer than that of patients undergoing non-specific treatment and palliative therapy (225 days). In addition, patients with slight jaundice survived for the longest time (533±51 days), compared with patients with severe jaundice (236±43 days) and without jaundice (392±109 days).
CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic head carcinoma is easily misdiagnosed, and is usually found to be advanced when tumor size is too large (above 4 cm in diameter) with local spread or metastatic disease. In these cases, surgical resection is usually not feasible, and its prognosis is usually very poor. Therefore, careful attention should be paid to these high-risk patients, especially, males, more than 40 years old, and presenting slight jaundice. Then imaging examination (US, CT and EUS) and serum tumor marker examination (CA19-9) are used to detect this disease earlier, and perform curative resection earlier. In this way, it is possible to cure the patients with a longer survival time and better quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) features fatal pathogenetic conditions and high mortality rate. The study of SAP complicated with multiple organ injuries is of important significance. In this study, we explored the protective effect of baicalin on multiple organs of SAP rats and compared it with that of octreotide through light and electron microscopic observations of the pathological changes.
METHODS: The improved Aho method was used to prepare SAP rat models. These rats were then randomly divided into a sham-operated group (n=45), a model control group (n=45), baicalin-treated group (n=45) and octreotide-treated group (n=45). Based on the difference in time points after operation, these groups were subdivided into 3, 6 and 12 hour subgroups (n=15). At the corresponding time point after operation, the mortality rate of rats was recorded, and then the rats were humanely killed to take samples of multiple organs that were subsequently examined for pathological changes under light and electron microscopy.
RESULTS: At 12 hours after operation, the mortality rate of rats in the baicalin- and octreotide-treated groups was lower than that in the model control group (P<0.05). Compared to the model control group, the pathological changes and pathological scores in the baicalin- and octreotide-treated groups were mitigated and relieved to varying degrees. The pathological changes under electron microscopy were also improved.
CONCLUSIONS: Both baicalin and octreotide show good protective effects on multiple organs of SAP rats. Baicalin as a new drug has good prospects in the treatment of SAP.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic tumors located in the neck region usually require pancreaticoduodenectomy or splenopancreatectomy. For small benign tumors enucleation is not usually feasible due to their size and localization; then pancreatectomy is often needed. Central pancreatectomy consists of a limited resection of the midportion of the pancreas and can be offered in benign and low-grade malignant tumors of the neck of the pancreas. The study aimed to evaluate whether central pancreatectomy has a place in pancreatic surgery.
METHODS: In this study, which covered a period of 14 months, we performed central pancreatectomy in four selected patients. Preoperative evaluation and operative frozen section biopsy in indicated cases allowed proper selection for the procedure. Operative details, complications and follow-up were recorded.
RESULTS: Four patients, two with serous cystadenoma, and one with an islet cell tumor, and one with a hydatid cyst, were identified for the procedure. The mean tumor size was 3 cm, the mean operative time was 217.5 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 382.5 ml. There was no morbidity or mortality in this series. No endocrine or exocrine deficiency was observed in any patient during a mean follow-up of 22.7 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Central pancreatectomy is a procedure that offers excellent results in benign and low-grade malignant tumors. It preserves functional elements (endocrine and exocrine) of the pancreas and also eliminates the infective and hematological effects of splenectomy. Thus, central pancreatectomy should be included in the armamentarium of pancreatic surgery, and in order to obtain good results, proper indications and adequate experience are recommended.

BACKGROUND: Invasive pancreatic carcinoma generally appears as poorly defined mass reflecting the infiltrative growth. We aimed to identify the histological and immunohistochemical features in a rare case of pancreatic carcinoma showing exophytic growth.
METHODS: A 67-year-old woman presented with a mass of 5.0 cm in diameter in the pancreatic head. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a well-demarcated, primarily solid mass with a central low-density area. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed neither encasement nor dilation of the main pancreatic duct. An incorrect preoperative diagnosis was made of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas. Elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and abnormal FDG positron emmission tomography accumulation suggested that the tumor had malignant potential requiring a pancreatoduodenectomy.
RESULTS: The head of the pancreas contained a well-circumscribed encapsulated mass of 5.0 cm in diameter, comprising 50% adenocarcinoma, with mucinous carcinoma in the center and anaplastic carcinoma at the periphery. The anaplastic carcinoma comprised pleo-morphic cells (PCs) and pleomorphic giant cells (PGCs). The PGCs phagocytozed mononuclear PCs and lymphocytes adjacent to the capsule without infiltrating the capsule itself. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the anaplastic carcinoma cells including PGCs were positive for the tumor antigen Mucin 1 and CEA but negative for vimentin.
CONCLUSION: Our observations suggest anaplastic carcinoma components in the present tumor have a ductal origin and that the exophytic tumor growth is associated with the phagocytotic activity of PGCs.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CC), the most common biliary tract malignancy, is frequently seen in advanced unresectable stages and is typically localized extrahepatically. Early diagnosis is unusual because of nonspecific symptoms. Painless jaundice is usually the first sign of tumor.
METHOD: We present a patient with a CC (Klatskin tumor) with a complete biliary drainage by an aberrant bile duct without jaundice.
RESULTS: A 67-year-old woman presented with persisting elevation of liver parameters. Diagnostic tests showed a Klatskin tumor type Ⅱ. A curative right hepatic trisegmentectomy was performed after liver volume augmentation by preoperative vein embolization.
CONCLUSIONS: A direct drainage of the right posterior bile duct into the common bile duct as an aberrant hepatic duct is a rare variation and is present in less than 5% of the population. In case of persistently perturbed liver function tests, an aberrant bile duct can cover up severe intrahepatic cholestasis and even obscure the diagnosis of a Klatskin tumor. Up to now it has not been described in the literature.

BACKGROUND: Glycogen storage disease (GSD) is an inherited metabolic disorder in which the concentration and/or structure of glycogen in tissues is abnormal. Essentially, abnormalities in all known enzymes involved in the synthesis or degradation of glycogen and glucose have been found to cause some type of GSD. Liver and muscle have abundant quantities of glycogen and are the most common and seriously affected tissues. This study was to assess reduced-size liver transplantation for the treatment of GSD.
METHODS: The clinical data from one case of GSD type Ⅰ with hepatic adenoma was retrospectively analyzed. The clinical manifestations were hepatomegaly, delayed puberty, growth retardation, sexual immaturity, hypoglycemia, and lactic acidosis, which made the young female patient eligible for reduced-size liver transplantation.
RESULTS: The patient recovered uneventfully with satisfactory outcome, including 12 cm growth in height and 5 kg increase in weight during 16 months after successful reduced-size liver transplantation. She has been living a normal life for 4 years so far.
CONCLUSIONS: Reduced-size liver transplantation is an effective treatment for GSD with hepatomegaly and hepatic adenoma. Delayed puberty, growth retardation, hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis can be cured by surgery.