Albumin-Bilirubin Grade as a Valuable Predictor of Recurrence and Prognosis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Radiofrequency Ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an important local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of tumor recurrence after RFA and analyze predictors of tumor recurrence and survival in patients with HCC. We retrospectively reviewed data from treatment-naïve patients with HCC who underwent RFA for HCC treatment between 2008 and 2017 at four tertiary hospitals in South Korea.

Early extrahepatic recurrence as a pivotal factor for survival after hepatocellular carcinoma resection: A 15-year observational study.

Background: Surgical resection is one of the most widely used modalities for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Early extrahepatic recurrence (EHR) of HCC after surgical resection is considered to be closely associated with poor prognosis. However, data regarding risk factors and survival outcomes of early EHR after surgical resection remain scarce.

Simple parameters predicting extrahepatic recurrence after curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Extrahepatic recurrence (EHR) after curative hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis. We investigated the features of EHR and identified its predictive factors. This retrospective study included 398 treatment-naive patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC at two tertiary hospitals.

Changing Trends in Liver Cirrhosis Etiology and Severity in Korea: the Increasing Impact of Alcohol.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis in South Korea. However, alcoholic liver disease has shown an increasing trend. Although the clinical implications surrounding liver cirrhosis have been changing over the years, few studies have recently examined cirrhosis epidemiology.

Endoscopic repair of delayed stomach perforation caused by penetrating trauma: A case report.

Background: Primary endoscopic closure of a perforated gastric wall during endoscopic procedures is mostly effective and well-tolerated; however, there are very few studies on the efficacy of endoscopic management of delayed traumatic gastric perforation. Herein, we report a novel case of a patient who was successfully treated for delayed traumatic stomach perforation using an alternative endoscopic modality.

Case Summary: A 39-year-old woman presented with multiple penetrating traumas in the back and left abdominal cavity.

Correction to: A rare case of pericarditis and pleural empyema secondary to transdiaphragmatic extension of pyogenic liver abscess.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Minimally invasive surgical strategy for refractory hepatic hydrothorax.

Objectives: Treatment of refractory hepatic hydrothorax, a complication of liver cirrhosis, is complex. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of the '4-step approach', which is a minimally invasive surgical strategy combining 4 therapeutic modalities: (i) pneumoperitoneum to localize diaphragmatic defects; (ii) thoracoscopic pleurodesis; (iii) postoperative positive-pressure ventilation; and (iv) peritoneal drainage for abdominal decompression.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 12 patients with hepatic hydrothorax who underwent surgical treatment using the 4-step approach from January 2013 to December 2017.

Pneumocystis pneumonia after use of corticosteroids in a man with severe alcoholic hepatitis: A case report.

Rationale: Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) has a very high mortality rate. Current guidelines recommend oral corticosteroids as first-line agents in individuals with severe AH to reduce short-term mortality. However, systemic corticosteroids have serious adverse effects.

A case report of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir-induced severe hyperbilirubinemia in a patient with compensated liver cirrhosis.

Rationale: Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, a pan-genotypic and ribavirin-free direct acting antiviral agent regimen, has shown significant efficacy and very few serious complications. However, as the drug metabolizes in the liver, it is not recommended in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Herein, we report the case of a patient with compensated liver cirrhosis who developed severe jaundice after glecaprevir/pibrentasvir medication.

Various Treatment Modalities in Hepatic Hydrothorax: What Is Safe and Effective?

Purpose: Hepatic hydrothorax is a complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis that is difficult and complex to manage. Data concerning the optimal treatment method, other than liver transplantation, are limited. This study aimed to compare the clinical features and outcomes of patients treated with various modalities, while focusing on surgical management and pigtail drainage.

A Review of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Elderly Patients Focused on Management and Outcomes.

Recent studies report a significant age-specific increase in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development among persons over 75 years old. Therefore, there is an urgent need to determine the optimal treatment strategy in elderly patients with HCC. This systemic review examines the clinical characteristics, efficacy, and safety of first-line treatment modalities.

Comparison of the Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes between Leprosy-Affected Persons in Sorokdo and the General Population Affected by Chronic Hepatitis C in Korea.

Background/aims: Patients with Hansen's disease are the most vulnerable to hepatitis C. However, no data on the treatment efficacy of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are available in this group. Therefore, we elucidated the prevalence and clinical outcomes of hepatitis C in persons affected by leprosy in Sorokdo, Jeollanam-do, Korea.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Extreme Elderly Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma in South Korea.

Background/aim: The number of elderly patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been increasing. But there is no proper management based on age stratification in elderly patients. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly HCC patients more than 75 years old in South Korea.

Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 2 in Korea: What's the optimal dosage of ribavirin in real-world setting?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 infection and to determine the optimal ribavirin dosage.

Methods: From May 2016 to March 2017, 199 patients received sofosbuvir plus ribavirin treatment for HCV genotype 2 infection at four centers in Jeollanam-do Province, Korea. After excluding patients lost to follow-up and those with insufficient data, we retrospectively assessed the data for 194 patients.

Risk Factors and On-site Rescue Treatments for Endoscopic Variceal Ligation Failure.

Background/aims: The success rate of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is about 85-94%. There is only a few studies attempting to determine the cause of EVL failure, and to date, on-site rescue treatments remains unestablished. This study aimed to elucidate the risk factors for EVL failure and the effectiveness of on-site rescue treatment.

What Are the Clinical Features and Etiology of Eosinophilic Liver Infiltration?

Background/aims: Although eosinophilic liver infiltration (ELI) is not rare, few data exist regarding its clinical characteristics and etiology. Therefore, we evaluated these aspects to better understand the clinical implications of this lesion type, which is reasonably common in Korea.

Methods: Patients suspected of having ELI, based on abdominal computed tomography results obtained between January 2010 and September 2017, were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Complete response of hepatocellular carcinoma with right atrium and pulmonary metastases treated by combined treatments (a possible treatment effect of natural killer cell): A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with metastases to the right atrium (RA) and lungs are rare, with a poor prognosis. Furthermore, the treatment outcomes in patients with advanced HCCs remain unsatisfactory.

Patient Concerns: A 46-year-old man presented to our hospital for dyspnea on exertion and abdominal pain.

Self-expandable metal stents for choledocholithiasis in Billroth II gastrectomy patients.

Background: Efficient ampullary intervention is essential for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with a prior Billroth II gastrectomy. We retrospectively evaluated the safety and effectiveness of ampullary intervention using fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) for the management of common bile duct (CBD) stones in a subset of patients with a history of Billroth II gastrectomy.

Methods: This retrospective analysis involved patients with a prior Billroth II gastrectomy who underwent ampullary intervention with FCSEMSs for the management of CBD stones.

Key lime () inhibits the growth of triple drug resistant .

Background: Eradication rate for () has decreased due to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, new strategies are needed to enhance eradication, especially for with high antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to evaluate anti- activities of constituents from key lime () and their possible inhibitory effects on urease activity of

Methods: strain ATCC 43526 and triple drug resistant (TDR) strains were used in this study.

Effects of Virologic Response to Treatment on Short- and Long-term Outcomes of Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Decompensated Cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the effects of antiviral therapy on short- and long-term survival of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related decompensated cirrhosis. We aimed to determine whether a maintained virologic response (MVR, defined as persistent undetectable HBV DNA during therapy) associates with short-term (6 mo) and long-term (6-120 mo) survival of patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: We performed a 10-year observation analysis using data from the Epidemiology and Natural History of Liver Cirrhosis study of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis in Korea.

Successful Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt with Embolization Subsequent to Endoscopic Variceal Band Ligation for Bleeding Anorectal Varices.

Anorectal variceal bleeding is a rare occurrence; however, in such event, it could be fatal due to large size and high blood flow rate of varices. However, to date, there is no standardized treatment modality. Although endoscopic treatment can be provided, in cases of recurrent anorectal variceal bleeding, other therapeutic modalities for hemostasis are necessary.

Restoration of common bile duct diameter within 2 weeks after endoscopic stone retraction is a preventive factor for stone recurrence.

Background: Little information is available about the relationship between restoration of common bile duct (CBD) diameter after endoscopic stone retraction and recurrence of CBD stones in elderly patients. The present study was to determine whether restoration of CBD diameter is a preventive factor for CBD stone recurrence in elderly patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Methods: From January 2006 to December 2010, 238 patients underwent the first and the second session of ERCP for the removal of CBD stones.

A rare case of pericarditis and pleural empyema secondary to transdiaphragmatic extension of pyogenic liver abscess.

Background: Transdiaphragmatic extension of pyogenic liver abscess is the rarest cause of pericarditis and pleural empyema. It is a rapidly progressive and highly lethal infection with mortality rates reaching 100% if left untreated. However, the transmission route, treatment methods and prognosis have not been well studied.

Incidental, Small (< 3 cm), Unilocular, Pancreatic Cysts: Factors That Predict Lesion Progression during Imaging Surveillance.

Objective: To explore the features that predict size increase and development of potential malignant features in incidentally detected, unilocular cystic pancreatic lesions (CPLs) less than 3 cm in diameter, during subsequent follow-up.

Materials And Methods: We retrieved data of patients diagnosed with unilocular CPLs less than 3 cm in diameter during the period from November 2003 through December 2014, using a computerized search. All serial CT and MR images were analyzed to identify the number, size, and location of CPLs; dilatation of the main pancreatic duct; and occurrence of worrisome features and high-risk stigmata of malignancy in the lesion.

Intrahepatic Pancreatic Pseudocyst Complicated by Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a common complication of acute pancreatitis. Pseudocysts are commonly observed in the lesser sac and retroperitoneum; they are rarely seen in the liver. Herein, we report a case of intrahepatic pseudocyst, complicated by asymptomatic groove pancreatitis, that has successfully been treated with hepatic resection.