Search

Introduction Liver biopsy remains the gold standard to evaluate fibrosis. However, it is invasive and uncomfortable as well as associated with complications. Transient elastography (FibroScan) is a simple and noninvasive method to assess liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness in kilopascals. Body mass index (BMI) greater than 28 is associated with high rates of invalid tests. Liver transplant patients show increased rates of obesity. We do not yet have many data about the usefulness of FibroScan in liver transplantation. Aims To analyze the applicability of FibroScan to assess fibrosis in liver transplantation and study the association between obesity and valid tests. Material and Methods We prospectively assessed the performance of transient elastography in 29 liver transplant patients from February to May 2008. We prospectively studied the success rate, the elasticity (stiffness) in kilopascals, and the BMI. Results The BMI was greater than 30 kg/m 2 in four patients; 25 to 30 kg/m 2 in eight; and 17 had BMI 2 . The overall success of FibroScan was 24/29 (82.7%). However, among patients with BMI > 30 kg/m 2 , it was 2/4 (50%), whereas for BMI 2 it climbed to 100%. The average duration of the procedure was 211.52 seconds for BMI 2 ; 236 seconds for BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m 2 ; and 361 seconds in patients with a BMI > 30 kg/m 2 —differences that were statistically significant. Conclusions FibroScan seemed to be a promising approach to assess liver fibrosis.BMI is a limiting factor toward achieving a valid test; FibroScan had limited usefulness in obese patients.

Background Biliary complications, a major source of morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), are increasingly being treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Endoscopic management has been shown to be superior to percutaneous therapy and surgery. Covered self-expandable metal stents (CSEMSs) may be an alternative to the current endoscopic standard treatment with periodic plastic stent replacement. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of temporary CSEMS insertion for biliary complications after OLT. Methods From November 2001 to December 2009, the 242 OLT performed in 226 patients included 67 cases that developed post-OLT leaks or strictures (29.6%), excluding ischemic biliary complications. CSEMSs were used in 22 patients (33%), 18 male and 4 female, with an overall median age of 55 years (range, 29–69). In-house OLT patients underwent an index ERCP at 26 days (range, 8–784) after OLT. Their records were reviewed to determine ERCP findings, technical success, and clinical outcomes. Results ERCP with sphincterotomy was performed in all 22 patients, revealing 18 with biliary strictures alone (82%), 3 with strictures and leaks (14%), and 1 with strictures and choledocholithiasis (4%). All strictures were anastomotic. All patients had 1–2 plastic stents inserted across the anastomosis (11 had prior balloon dilation); stones were successfully removed, for an initial technical success rate of 100% (22/22). CSEMSs, were placed at the second ERCP in 14 patients, at the third in 7, and at the fourth in 1. With a median follow-up of 12.5 months (range, 3–25) after CSEMS removal, 21/22 patients (95.5%) remain stricture free and one relapsed, requiring repeat CSEMS insertion. Four patients experienced pain after CSEMS insertion. At CSEMS removal, migration was noted in 5 cases, into either the distal duodenum (n = 4) or the proximal biliary tree (n = 1), and embedding was seen in 1 case. There were no serious complications; no patients needed hepatojejunostomy. Conclusions ERCP is a safe first-line approach for post-OLT biliary complications. It was highly successful in a population with anastomotic leaks and strictures. The therapeutic role of ERCP to manage biliary complications after OLT in the long term is not well known. In our experience, the high rate (close to 95%) of efficacy and its relative safety allowed us to use CSEMS to manage refractory biliary post-OLT strictures. CSEMS insertion may preclude most post-OLT hepatojejunostomies.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe, efficient technique with minimal complications, and a useful diagnostic tool for the pediatric population. Under ideal conditions endoscopies for children should be performed by experienced pediatric endoscopists. In this study we report our experience with pediatric endoscopy at the general adult endoscopy unit in our hospital. Our goal is to quantify the number of endoscopies performed in children, as well as their indications and findings, the type of sedation or anesthesia used, and the time waiting for the test to occur. Our experience demonstrates that endoscopists in a general adult gastroenterology department, working together with pediatricians, may perform a relevant number of endoscopies in children in a fast, safe, effective manner.