ABSTRACT Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignancy that develops in cirrhotic livers. Its clinical and epidemiological characteristics and mortality rates vary according to geographical region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile, epidemiological characteristics, laboratory parameters, treatment and survival of patients with HCC. Material and methods. Patients with HCC seen between 2000 and 2012 were studied. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis according to variables in question. Results. The study included 247 patients with a mean age of 60 ± 10 years. There was a predominance of males (74%). The main etiologies of HCC were HCV infection (55%), excessive alcohol consumption (12%), and HBV infection (8%). Liver cirrhosis was present in 92% of cases. The mean tumor number and diameter were 2 and 5 cm, respectively. Patients meeting the Milan criteria corresponded to 43% of the sample. Liver transplantation was performed in 22.4% of patients of the Milan subset and in 10% of the whole sample. The overall mean survival was 60 months, with a 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probability of 74%, 40% and 29%, respectively. Lower survival was observed among patients with alcoholic etiology. Survival was higher among patients submitted to liver transplantation (P < 0.001), TACE (P < 0.001), or any kind of treatment (P < 0.001). However, no difference was found for surgical resection (P = 0.1) or sorafenib (P = 0.1). Conclusion. Patients with HCC were mainly older men diagnosed at an advanced stage. Treatment was associated with better overall survival, but few patients survived to be treated.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To describe an animal model for acute liver failure by intraperitoneal d-galactosamine injections in rats and to define when is the best time to intervene through King's College and Clichy´s criteria evaluation. METHODS: Sixty-one Wistar female rats were distributed into three groups: group 1 (11 rats received 1.4 g/kg of d-galactosamine intraperitoneally and were observed until they died); group 2 (44 rats received a dose of 1.4 g/kg of d-galactosamine and blood and histological samples were collected for analysis at 12 , 24, 48 , 72 and 120 hours after the injection); and the control group as well (6 rats) . RESULTS: Twelve hours after applying d-galactosamine, AST/ALT, bilirubin, factor V, PT and INR were already altered. The peak was reached at 48 hours. INR > 6.5 was found 12 hours after the injection and factor V < 30% after 24 hours. All the laboratory variables presented statistical differences, except urea (p = 0.758). There were statistical differences among all the histological variables analyzed. CONCLUSION: King's College and Clichy´s criteria were fulfilled 12 hours after the d-galactosamine injection and this time may represent the best time to intervene in this acute liver failure animal model.

A paracoccidioidomicose e a histoplasmose são infecções fúngicas sistêmicas endêmicas no Brasil. As formas clínicas disseminadas são incomuns em pacientes imunocompetentes. Nós descrevemos dois pacientes HIV-negativos com infecções fúngicas disseminadas, paracoccidioidomicose e histoplasmose, que foram diagnosticadas por biópsias de lesões de supra-renal. Ambos foram tratados por períodos prolongados com antifúngicos orais, evoluindo com boa resposta terapêutica.

Paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are systemic fungal infections endemic in Brazil. Disseminated clinical forms are uncommon in immunocompetent individuals. We describe two HIV-negative patients with disseminated fungal infections, paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis, who were diagnosed by biopsies of suprarenal lesions. Both were treated for a prolonged period with oral antifungal agents, and both showed favorable outcomes.

Contexto - Diferentes fatores são responsáveis pela progressão da fibrose na infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite C, mas o papel dos fatores nutricionais na progressão da doença não está definido. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estado nutricional e o perfil dietético de pacientes com hepatite C crônica candidatos a tratamento e sua associação com achados histopatológicos. Métodos - Foi conduzido um estudo transversal em pacientes com hepatite C crônica genótipo 1 virgens de tratamento, entre 2011 e 2013. Foram analisados, antes do tratamento, os seguintes aspectos: biópsia hepática, medidas antropométricas e análise qualitativa e quantitativa do consumo alimentar. Resultados - Setenta pacientes foram estudados. A maioria dos pacientes apresentava obesidade (34%) ou sobrepeso (20%) de acordo com índice de massa corporal e risco para doenças cardiovasculares de acordo com a circunferência da cintura elevada (79%). Na análise qualitativa do consumo alimentar, 59% apresentavam uma dieta inadequada. Conforme análise quantitativa, 59% tinham consumo insuficiente de calorias, 36% consumo excessivo de proteínas e 63% consumo excessivo de gorduras saturadas. Com relação à histologia, 68% apresentavam grau de atividade inflamatória ≥2, 65% mostraram esteatose hepática e 25% possuíam grau de fibrose >2. Na análise comparativa entre as medidas antropométricas e achados histológicos, somente a circunferência da cintura elevada mostrou associação com esteatose hepática ( P =0,05). Não houve associação entre consumo alimentar qualitativo e quantitativo com parâmetros histológicos. Conclusão - A maioria dos pacientes apresentava consumo alimentar inadequado de acordo com parâmetros qualitativos e consumo excessivo de gordura saturada, além de excesso de gordura abdominal, que esteve associada à esteatose hepática. Portanto, aconselhamento nutricional deveria ser implementado em pacientes candidatos a tratamento para hepatite C crônica visando evitar distúrbios nutricionais que podem impactar negativamente no manejo dos pacientes.

Background - Different factors are responsible for the progression of hepatic fibrosis in chronic infection with hepatitis C virus, but the role of nutritional factors in the progression of the disease is not clearly defined. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary profile among patients with chronic hepatitis C who were candidates for treatment and its association with histopathological features. Methods - A crossectional study was conducted on treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, between 2011 and 2013. The following assessments were performed before treatment: liver biopsy, anthropometric measurements and qualitative/quantitative analysis of food intake. Results - Seventy patients were studied. The majority of patients was classified as obese (34%) or overweight (20%) according to body mass index [BMI] and as at risk for cardiovascular diseases by waist circumference (79%). Unhealthy food intake was presented by 59% according to qualitative parameters and several patients showed an insufficient intake of calories (59%), excessive intake of protein (36%) and of saturated fat (63%), according to quantitative analysis. With respect to histology, 68% presented activity grade ≥2, 65% had steatosis and 25% exhibited fibrosis stage >2. Comparative analysis between anthropometric parameters and histological features showed that elevated waist circumference was the only variable associated to hepatic steatosis ( P =0.05). There was no association between qualitative and quantitative food intake parameters with histological findings. Conclusion - In this study, most of the patients with hepatitis C presented inadequate qualitative food intake and excessive consumption of saturated fat; in addition, excess of abdominal fat was associated to hepatic steatosis. Therefore, nutritional guidance should be implemented prior to treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C, in order to avoid nutritional disorders and negative impact on the management of patients.

As metástases de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) em tiroide são raras e o prognóstico é ruim. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 62 anos de idade atendida em nossa clínica devido a uma massa abdominal levemente dolorida. Naquele momento, a concentração de alta-fetoproteína era muito alta, chegando a 49.831,7 ng/mL. O ultrassom de abdômen mostrou uma massa heterogênea no segmento IV do fígado, que foi diagnosticada como CHC por meio de ressonância magnética. A paciente foi submetida a uma ressecção cirúrgica, e a análise histológica do espécime confirmou o CHC. As metástases na tiroide foram detectadas 17 meses após a ressecção do fígado. Embora a presença de metástases indique doença avançada, a tiroidectomia foi feita porque não foram detectadas outras metástases distantes. De fato, três anos após a tiroidectomia, a paciente está bem e os exames de rotina mostraram não haver recorrência do tumor. A concentração atual de alfa-fetoproteína é de 8 ng/mL. Concluiu-se que as metástases de CHC em tiroide não são comuns e espera-se uma sobrevida curta. Entretanto, deve-se encorajar a ressecção cirúrgica, especialmente no caso de metástases solitárias.

Thyroid metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare, and has poor prognosis. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman seen at our clinic because of the occurrence of a slightly painful abdominal mass. At that time, alpha-fetoprotein concentration was very high, reaching 49,831.7 ng/mL. Abdominal ultrasound showed a heterogeneous mass in segment IV of the liver, which was diagnosed as HCC upon MRI. The patient underwent surgical resection and histological analysis of the specimen confirmed HCC. Metastases to the thyroid were detected 17 months after liver resection. Although the presence of metastases indicates advanced disease, thyroidectomy was performed, since no other distant metastases were detected. In fact, the patient is doing well 3 years after thyroidectomy and regular imaging exams showed no tumor recurrence. Current alpha-fetoprotein concentration is 8 ng/mL. In conclusion, thyroid metastasis from HCC is uncommon and short-term survival is expected. However, surgical resection should be encouraged, especially in the case of solitary metastases.

A complexa interação entre infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C, homeostase do ferro e resposta ao tratamento antiviral permanece controversa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da concentração hepática de ferro (CHF) na resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) à terapia antiviral na hepatite C crônica. Foram incluídos 50 pacientes que foram submetidos à biopsia hepática pré-tratamento com determinação da CHF por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com forno de grafite e tratados posteriormente com interferon/peginterferon e ribavirina. Pacientes com alcoolismo, história de múltiplas transfusões sanguíneas, doença renal crônica, anemia hemolítica e terapia com ferro parenteral foram excluídos. O perfil de ferro sérico e a CHF foram comparados entre aqueles que atingiram RVS e os não-respondedores (NR). A média de idade dos pacientes foi 45,7 anos e não houve diferença na proporção de homens e mulheres entre os grupos RVS e NR. A mediana do ferro sérico foi 138 and 134 µg/dL (p = 0.9), a mediana da ferritina sérica foi 152,5 e 179,5 ng/mL (p = 0,87) e a CHF mediana foi 9,9 e 8,2 µmol/g de tecido seco (p = 0,51), para pacientes com RVS e NR, respectivamente. Concluindo, a concentração hepática de ferro, determinada por um método quantitativo confiável, não foi um fator preditivo negativo de RVS em pacientes com hepatite C crônica e acúmulo de ferro hepático leve a moderado.

The complex interaction between hepatitis C virus infection, iron homeostasis and the response to antiviral treatment remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of hepatic iron concentration (HIC) on the sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. A total of 50 patients who underwent pretreatment liver biopsy with assessment of HIC by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and were subsequently submitted to antiviral treatment with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin were included in the study. Patients with alcoholism, history of multiple blood transfusion, chronic kidney disease, hemolytic anemia and parenteral iron therapy were excluded. The iron related markers and HIC were compared between those who achieved an SVR and non-responders (NR) patients. The mean age was 45.7 years and the proportion of patients' gender was not different between SVR and NR patients. The median serum iron was 138 and 134 µg/dL (p = 0.9), the median serum ferritin was 152.5 and 179.5 ng/mL (p = 0.87) and the median HIC was 9.9 and 8.2 µmol/g dry tissue (p = 0.51), for SVR and NR patients, respectively. Thus, hepatic iron concentration, determined by a reliable quantitative method, was not a negative predictive factor of SVR in patients with chronic hepatitis C presenting mild to moderate hepatic iron accumulation.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da infecção pelo vírus GB-C em marcadores laboratoriais e parâmetros histológicos em pacientes HIV soropositivos coinfectados com VHC. Menor grau de lesão hepática foi observado nos pacientes com tripla infecção em comparação aos pacientes coinfectados com VIH-VHC negativos para GBV-C RNA.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GB virus C on laboratory markers and histological parameters among HIV-seropositive patients coinfected with HCV. Lower degrees of hepatic lesions were observed in the triple-infected patients, in comparison with HIV-HCV coinfected patients who were negative for GBV-C RNA.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O infarto hepático é definido como necrose isquêmica do parênquima hepático envolvendo pelo menos dois ácinos. Trata-se de evento considerado raro devido ao duplo suprimento sangüíneo, arterial e venoso. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de paciente não sabidamente diabética que desenvolveu extensas áreas isquêmicas de infarto hepático, após quadro de descompensação aguda da diabete. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 67 anos, hipertensa, procurou o Pronto Socorro com queixas de polidipsia, poliúria, turvação visual, náuseas e vômitos, dificuldade para deambular, havia aproximadamente 10 dias. Ao exame físico foi observado desidratação, palidez cutânea, cianose periférica, hipotermia, taquicardia, hipotensão, dor abdominal leve e difusa. Exames laboratoriais mostraram: leucócitos: 16800, creatinina (Cr): 3,7, uréia (Ur): 167, Na: 133, K: 6.9, glicose: 561; gasometria arterial (cateter de oxigênio: 2 L/min): pH: 6.93, pCO2: 12.1, pO2: 107, BE: -28,8, HCO3: 2,4, Sat 91,3%, lact: 79; urina I: pH: 6,0; leucócitos: 13; densidade: 1015; eritrócitos: 19; proteína: ++; glicose: +++; bilirrubina: negativa; corpos cetônicos: + denotando cetonemia. Eletrocardiograma com onda T apiculada, bloqueio de ramo direito. A paciente foi tratada com insulina, hidratação, bicarbonato de sódio e introduzido antibioticoterapia. Após o tratamento inicial, os exames laboratoriais mostraram: Cr: 2,2, Ur: 122, Na: 162, K: 4,3, Ca: 6,4, glicose: 504, pH: 7,01, HCO3: 7.1, BE: - 22. Um dia após, a paciente apresentou importante dor abdominal acompanhada de irritação peritoneal, além de sonolência e dificuldade para falar; exames laboratoriais mostraram: pH: 7,4, pCO2 : 31, pO2: 68, BE: -4,4, HCO3: 19, Sat.O2: 93,5%; Ur: 95; Cr: 1,4, albumina: 2,4, Ca: 0,95, Na: 166, K:4, bilirrubina: 0,5, bilirrubina D/I: 0,2/0,3, amilase: 1157, Gama-GT: 56, AST 7.210, ALT: 2.470, VHS: 15, lipase: 84. Ultrasonografia abdominal não apresentou alterações significativas. Evoluiu com importante piora clínica, parada cardiorrespiratória e óbito. A necrópsia evidenciou múltiplas áreas de infarto hepático, trombose vascular, infarto esplênico, congestão visceral e aterosclerose de aorta e seus ramos e pâncreas normal. CONCLUSÕES: Os mecanismos de infarto hepático e esplênico neste caso não foram bem elucidados. Alguns fatores devem ter contribuído, tais como: desidratação e hipotensão devido a episódios de vômitos e febre que contribuem para diminuição do fluxo sanguíneo da veia porta e artéria hepática; o nível elevado de catecolaminas que ocorre em estado de hiperglicemia e cetoacidose metabólica pode induzir à vasoconstrição; aterosclerose difusa que é comumente vista em pacientes diabéticos e hipertensos. Este caso enfatiza a necessidade de investigar infarto hepático em pacientes diabéticos com cetonemia e com aumento de enzimas hepáticas. Anticoagulantes devem ser prontamente instituídos se houver trombose vascular.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatic infarction is characterized by parenchyma ischemic necrosis involving at least two acinis. It is extremely uncommon due to the arterial and portal venous blood supply. We report a case of a patient not know to have diabetes who developed massive areas of ischemic infarcts of the liver after episode of acutely diabetes decompensated. CASE REPORT: A 67 year-old hypertensive female who has been presenting, for the last 10 days, polydipsia, high urinary volume, visual and gait impairment, nausea and vomiting was admitted to the emergency room (ER). During the physical examination it was observed dehydration, skin discoloration, peripheral cyanosis, hypothermia, tachycardia, hypotension and mild diffuse abdominal pain. Admissional laboratory exams demonstrated total leukocytes: 16.800, Cr: 3.7, Ur: 167, Na: 133, K: 6.9, glucose: 561; arterial gasometry (O2 catheter: 2 L/min): pH: 6.93, pCO2: 12.1, pO2: 107, B.E.: -28.8, HCO3: 2.4, Sat 91.3%, lactato: 79; urinalysis: pH: 6; leukocytes: 13; density: 1015; erythrocytes: 19; protein: ++; glucose: +++; bilirubin: negative; ketonic bodies: + denote ketonemia. EKG: sharp T wave, right branch block. Patient was treated with intravenous insulin, hydration, sodium bicarbonate and ceftriaxone. After initial treatment, the laboratory exams showed Cr: 2.2, Ur: 122, Na: 162, K: 4.3, Ca: 6.4, glucose: 504, pH: 7.01, HCO3: 7.1, B.E.: -22. One day after admission the patient presented with important abdominal pain and peritoneal irritation, followed by difficulty for talking and somnolence; routine laboratory exams showed arterial gasometry: pH: 7.4, pCO2: 31, pO2: 68, BE: -4.4, HCO3: 19, SatO2: 93.5%; Ur: 95,Cr: 1.4, albumin: 2.4, Ca: 0.95, Na: 166, K:4, bilirubin: 0.5, bilirubin D/I: 0.2/0.3, Amylase: 1157, Gamma-GT: 56, AST 7.210, ALT: 2.470, SR (sedimentation rate): 15, Lipase: 84. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. Patient respiratory function and conscience level worsened, requiring intubation. Despite all resuscitation efforts, she died. Necropsy showed multiple ischemic infarcts of the liver with vascular thrombosis, splenic infarcts, generalized visceral congestion and atherosclerosis of aorta and its branches. Pancreas was normal. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms of hepatic and splenic infarctions in this case were unclear. The following factors may have contributed to necrosis: vomiting and fever should be considered to induce dehydration and hypotension, which further decreased portal and hepatic arterial inflows; elevated level of catecholamine in hyperglycemic states might induce vasoconstriction effects; widespread atherosclerosis is commonly seen in diabetic and hypertensive patients. This case underlies the importance of searching for hepatic necrosis or infarction in any diabetic patient with elevated liver enzymes. Anticoagulation therapy should be instituted promptly upon recognition of vascular thromboses.

CONTEXTO: Adenocarcinomas vesicais primários são incomuns, o habitual é o comprometimento por contigüidade ou via hematogênica de outros adenocarcinomas como colorretal, próstata e trato ginecológico. O padrão histológico correspondente ao mucinoso e com células em anel de sinete é mais raro e, muitas vezes, há dificuldade em distingui-lo morfologicamente do adenocarcinoma colorretal metastático. RELATO DE CASO: Apresentamos e discutimos um caso de adenocarcinama mucinoso com células em anel de sinete primário da bexiga em um paciente masculino, de 57 anos. Foram excluídos outros sítios primários do tumor e, na ausência de tumor do trato digestivo e para confirmação de tumor vesical primário realizou-se estudo imunoistoquímico.

CONTEXT: Primary adenocarcinomas of the bladder are uncommon and usually occur by contiguity with or hematogenic dissemination of other adenocarcinomas such as colorectal, prostate and gynecological tract carcinomas. Mucinous and signet-ring cell histological patterns are even rarer and it is often difficult to morphologically distinguish them from metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. CASE REPORT: We present and discuss a rare case of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the bladder with signet-ring cells in a 57-year-old male patient. Other primary sites for the tumor had been excluded and, in the absence of digestive tract tumor and for confirmation that it was a primary bladder tumor, an immunohistochemistry study was performed.

CONTEXTO: O melanoma maligno é responsável por aproximadamente 1% de todas as mortes causadas por câncer nos EUA e apenas 3% de todas as doenças malignas cutâneas. Embora considerada uma patologia rara, representa 65% de todos os óbitos por câncer de pele. O fígado e o baço raramente são os primeiros sítios de metástases de melanoma. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Relato de caso. RELATO DE CASO: Este artigo relata o quadro de um paciente portador de melanoma maligno evoluindo para óbito com metástases hepática e esplênica. Por ser uma apresentação atípica da doença, o diagnóstico definitivo ocorreu somente após a análise histopatológica das lesões de pele e do fígado.

CONTEXT: The diagnosis of primary melanoma is easily confirmed after histological analysis of the lesion, whereas it is rarely diagnosed when the patient even has distant metastases. DESIGN: Case report CASE REPORT: Malignant melanoma is responsible for about 1% of all deaths caused by cancer in the USA and only 3% of all malig-nant skin diseases. Malignant melanoma is a rare disease, although it corresponds to 65% of all deaths caused by skin cancer. The liver and spleen are rarely the first sites of melanoma metastases. This paper reports on the clinical picture of a patient with fatal malignant melanoma and hepatic and spleen metastases. As this was an un-usual presentation, the melanoma diagnosis could only be made after pathological analysis of the skin and hepatic lesions.