scholarly journals Pancreatic Metastasis from Malignant Melanoma: Not All That Glitters Is Gold

2021 ◽  
pp. 131-136
Author(s):  
Jose Vargas-Jiménez ◽  
Jorge Vargas-Madrigal ◽  
Roberto Arias-Mora ◽  
Diana Ulate-Ovares ◽  
Bruno Solis-Ugalde
Keyword(s):  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Fine Needle Biopsy ◽  
Pancreatic Metastasis ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Tissue Acquisition ◽  
History Of ◽  
Head Of The Pancreas ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Solid Lesions

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most common malignancy of the pancreas; on rare occasions, metastatic tumors are present. Differentiating a primary neoplasm from a metastatic one is important for ensuring adequate treatment for the patient. We present a case of metastatic melanoma to the pancreas. A 60-year-old man presented with a history of weight loss, vague abdominal pain, jaundice, and pruritus. Laboratory tests showed increased total bilirubin, with a direct fraction predominance, as well as increased alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase. Imaging studies revealed a mass in the head of the pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle biopsy was performed, and histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. This case report illustrates the invaluable use of EUS-guided tissue acquisition in the study of pancreatic solid lesions to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Melanomas should always be part of a differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with pancreatic masses.

scholarly journals Lifetime duration of lactation and chronic inflammation among middle-aged women with a history of gestational diabetes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001229
Author(s):  
Sylvia H Ley ◽  
Jorge E Chavarro ◽  
Stefanie N Hinkle ◽  
Mengying Li ◽  
Michael Y Tsai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Chronic Inflammation ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
History Of ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase

IntroductionLonger duration of lactation is associated with lower cardiometabolic disease risk, but pathogenic pathways involved in the disease progression are unclear, especially among high-risk women. We aimed to examine the associations of lifetime lactation duration with cardiometabolic biomarkers among middle-aged women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM).Research design and methodsWomen with a history of GDM participating in the Nurses’ Health Study II, a prospective cohort study, were identified and followed through biennial questionnaires beginning in 1991. Lactation history was asked in three follow-up questionnaires to calculate lifetime duration. In 2012–2014, fasting blood samples were collected through the Diabetes & Women’s Health Study to measure inflammatory (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) 6), liver enzyme (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase), and lipid biomarkers (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).ResultsAt follow-up blood collection, women were at median age 58.2 (95% CI 51 to 65) years and 26.3 (95% CI 15.7 to 34.1) years since GDM index pregnancy. After multiple adjustment including prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), longer duration of lactation was significantly associated with lower CRP (least squares (LS) mean 1.90 mg/L (95% CI 1.47 to 2.45) for 0-month lactation, 1.98 mg/L (95% CI 1.68 to 2.32) for up to 12-month lactation, 1.67 mg/L (95% CI 1.42 to 1.97) for 12–24 month lactation, and 1.39 mg/L (95% CI 1.19 to 1.62) for >24-month lactation; p trend=0.003) and IL-6 (1.25 pg/L (95% CI 0.94 to 1.68), 1.19 pg/L (95% CI 0.99 to 1.42), 1.04 pg/L (95% CI 0.87 to 1.25), and 0.93 pg/L (95% CI 0.78 to 1.11); p trend=0.04). Longer duration of lactation was associated with lower risk for chronic inflammation using CRP 3 mg/L cut-off in middle-aged women (OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.940 per 1-year increase) with multiple adjustment.ConclusionsLonger lifetime duration of lactation was associated with favorable inflammatory biomarker concentrations in middle-aged women with a history of GDM. Chronic inflammatory pathways may be responsible for previously reported associations between lactation and long-term risk for cardiometabolic diseases.

scholarly journals Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Atorvastatin in the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 713-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Kiyici ◽  
Macit Gulten ◽  
Selim Gurel ◽  
Selim Giray Nak ◽  
Enver Dolar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ursodeoxycholic Acid ◽  
Treatment Period ◽  
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis ◽  
Liver Steatosis ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Serum Aminotransferase ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Group 1

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a serious disorder with the potential to gradually progress to cirrhosis. It is generally associated with obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Currently, there is no established therapy for NASH. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of atorvastatin and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the treatment of NASH.METHODS: This prospective study included 44 adult patients (24 men, 20 women) with a mean age of 48.90±7.69 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.40±3.82. Ten patients had a history of diabetes. Serological markers for viral hepatitis were negative in all patients and there was no history of alcohol or drug abuse. Patients who had autoimmune hepatitis were excluded from the study. Liver biopsy was performed before therapy to confirm the diagnosis. Among NASH patients, 17 normolipidemic cases received UDCA 13 to 15 mg/kg/day (group 1), while hyperlipidemic cases (n=27) received atorvastatin 10 mg/day (group 2) for six months. The BMI, serum lipids, liver function tests and liver density, assessed by computerized tomography, were evaluated before and after the treatment period. The BMI, serum aminotransferase levels, histological parameters (steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis scores) and liver densities were not statistically different between the groups at the beginning of therapy.RESULTS: The BMI, serum glucose, and triglyceride levels did not change in either group after the treatment period. In group 1, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) levels reduced significantly, and in group 2, serum cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and GGT levels reduced significantly. Liver densities increased only in group 2, probably as a result of diminishing fat content of liver. The normalization of transaminases was also more prevalent in group 2. Liver steatosis was closely correlated with liver density, but inflammation and fibrosis were not.CONCLUSIONS: The use of atorvastatin in NASH patients with hyperlipidemia was found to be both effective and safe. The benefit of statin and UDCA therapy in normolipidemic patients with NASH requires confirmation with further placebo-controlled trials.

scholarly journals Macroscopic onsite evaluation using endoscopic ultrasound fine needle biopsy as an alternative to rapid onsite evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
pp. E189-E194 ◽  
Author(s):  
En-Ling Leung Ki ◽  
Anne-Isabelle Lemaistre ◽  
Fabien Fumex ◽  
Rodica Gincul ◽  
Christine Lefort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoscopic Ultrasound ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Needle Biopsy ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Fine Needle Biopsy ◽  
Fine Needle ◽  
Tissue Acquisition ◽  
Site Evaluation ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Solid Lesions

Abstract Background and aims This study aimed to evaluate the performance of Macroscopic On-site Evaluation (MOSE) using a novel endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine needle biopsy (FNB) needle (22-G Franseen-tip needle, Acquire, Boston Scientific Incorporated, Boston, Massachusetts, United States), and without using Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE). Method Between May 2016 and August 2016, all consecutive patients referred to our center for EUS tissue acquisition (TA) for solid lesions underwent EUS-FNB with the 22-G Franseen-tip needle unless contra-indicated. The operator performed MOSE. If no macroscopic core was visualized, a second pass was performed. The final diagnosis was defined as unequivocal histology from EUS-TA with compatible 18 months follow-up, surgical resection, or both. We retrospectively analyzed the performance of MOSE. Results A total of 46 consecutive patients was included, and 54 solid lesions were biopsied. The endosonographer visualized core tissue in 93 % (50/54) of targets with a single pass, of which the pathologist confirmed histologic core fragments in 94 % (47/50). Four lesions required two passes, and the overall correlation between MOSE and histologic core fragments was 94 % (48/51). Diagnostic adequacy was 98 % (53/54) with one biliary target biopsied without significant material. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 94 %. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for malignancy were 92 %, 100 %, 100 %, and 81 %, respectively. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that MOSE using the 22-G Franseen-tip needle could limit needle passes by accurately estimating histologic core fragments. It also demonstrated that high diagnostic adequacy and accuracy of > 90 % could be achieved without ROSE.

scholarly journals Hepatic Cyst: An Unusual Suspect of Syncope

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Mohammad K. Choudhry ◽  
Bei Xiong ◽  
Antony Anandaraj ◽  
John Trillo
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Total Bilirubin ◽  
Hepatic Cyst ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Serous Fluid ◽  
Lower Quadrant ◽  
Hepatic Cysts ◽  
History Of ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Right Lower Quadrant

The patient is a 75-year-old man with history of diabetes and hypertension who presented with syncope after experiencing sharp, 10/10 right flank and abdominal pain worsening over three weeks associated with decreased appetite. Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly and right lower quadrant (RUQ) tenderness, negative for peritoneal signs. Bloodwork showed leukocytosis (13 K/mcl), alkaline phosphatase (141 U/L), total bilirubin (2.0 mg/dL), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (172 U/L). Computed Tomography (CT) revealed multiple hepatic cysts with the largest measuring 17 × 14 × 18 cm (Figure 1). Parenteral opiates provided minimal relief. Cardiac and neurologic etiologies of syncope were ruled out. The patient’s course was complicated by opioid-induced delirium as his abdominal pain progressively worsened despite escalating doses of parenteral and oral analgesics. Gastroenterology and interventional radiology consulted to evaluate for Glisson’s capsular stretch. Therapeutic aspiration yielded 2.5 L of serous fluid, which alleviated the patient’s pain. Cytology was negative for malignancy. Opiates were titrated down. Repeat CT (Figure 2) showed cysts that were significantly reduced in size. The patient showed complete resolution of symptoms and was subsequently discharged. We present a rare case of a large hepatic cyst causing syncope. In the appropriate clinical setting, syncope with RUQ tenderness and hepatomegaly should raise the index of suspicion for hepatic cysts.

scholarly journals High Concentration of Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase in Older Underweight People: Results of the Kanagawa Investigation of the Total Check-Up Data from the National Database-2 (KITCHEN-2)

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibata ◽  
Nakajima ◽  
Higuchi ◽  
Iwane ◽  
Sugiyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Aspartate Aminotransferase ◽  
Past History ◽  
National Database ◽  
Muscle Pathology ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
History Of ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase

Background: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is pivotal in amino acid metabolism. However, the serum activity of AST, which leaks from multiple organs, including liver and skeletal muscle, is unknown in older underweight people, who are at high risk of skeletal muscle mass loss. Therefore, we measured the serum activities of AST and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a liver-specific transaminase, in a large, community-based cross-sectional study. Methods: Clinical parameters and lifestyles were characterized in 892,692 Japanese people with a wide range of body mass indexes (BMIs; 13–39.9 kg/m2), aged 40–74 years old, who were undergoing a medical checkup. A general linear model was used to calculate the estimated mean of serum AST (EM-AST) in each BMI category after adjustment for confounding factors, including past history of cardiovascular disease and waist circumference. Results: Severe underweight (BMI 13–14.9 kg/m2) was present in 910 subjects (0.1%). Raw serum AST showed a J-shaped relationship with BMI, which was blunted in older subjects (60–74 years), and similar, but less curved relationships were identified for raw serum ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase. These J-shaped relationships in serum AST were not altered when subjects were classified by sex, past history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and habitual exercise. EM-AST showed a U-shaped relationship, with a minimum at BMI 21–22.9 kg/m2, regardless of age and waist circumference. Conclusions: High serum AST but normal serum ALT is highly prevalent in older underweight people and might reflect skeletal muscle pathology.

scholarly journals A great mimicker of primary biliary cholangitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 527
Author(s):  
B Zwaenepoel ◽  
E Padalko ◽  
A Hoorens ◽  
S Vanooteghem ◽  
P Hindryckx
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Total Bilirubin ◽  
Primary Biliary Cholangitis ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Aortic Sinus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Cachectic Patient ◽  
Biochemical Features

A 59 year-old man without past medical history was referred with biochemical features of cholestasis (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 117 U/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 83 U/L, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) 1307 U/L, alkaline phosphatase (AP) 1803 U/L, total bilirubin 0,7 mg/dL), a strongly positive antimitochondrial M2 antibody (AMA-M2) titer (88 U), weight loss and abdominal pain since several months. He did not take any medications, nor there was a history of alcohol abuse or sexual risk behavior. Upon presentation, clinical examination showed a rather cachectic patient (body mass index 19 kg/m²), without further abnormalities. As primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) was suspected, treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid had been initiated but did not improve the cholestasis nor the pain. Additional investigations didn’t reveal any other irregularities, except for a mildly dilated aortic sinus root of 42 mm. The histopathological findings of a liver biopsy are shown below (Figure 1). This showed granulomas with cholangitis and increased presence of neutrophils, which raised suspicion for an infectious cause.

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