Orientador: Márjorie de Assis Golim / Resumo: O vírus da hepatite C (VHC) é responsável por causar hepatite C nas formas aguda ou crônica, sendo a fibrose hepática uma possível consequência da evolução da lesão. Na avaliação da fibrose o método considerado padrão ouro é a biópsia hepática. Com a necessidade de se desenvolver metodologias alternativas à biópsia hepática, escores utilizando biomarcadores séricos têm sido validados, de modo que possam servir para o acompanhamento de indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da hepatite C. Realizou-se estudo retrospectivo, incluindo 94 pacientes portadores crônicos do VHC, genótipo 1, pré-tratamento (naive) ou retratados. Os pacientes foram separados em grupos conforme os resultados da classificação METAVIR dos graus de fibrose (F0 à F4), seja por biópsia hepática ou por elastografia hepática por quantificação de ponto. Além disso, os pacientes foram classificados em grupos de fibrose leve G1 (F1-F2) e fibrose avançada G2 (F3-F4). Metodologias não-invasivas como FIB-4 e APRI foram comparadas ao método denominado FibMaster desenvolvido neste estudo através de análises multivariadas e aprendizado de máquina para elaborar um modelo preditivo de fibrose hepática baseado em variáveis sanguíneas possivelmente associadas ao dano hepático. Os parâmetros estatisticamente mais significantes foram alfa-fetoproteína (AFP), apresentando AUROC de 0.890 para a classificação de fibrose F3-F4 e 0.772 para classificação dos grupos G1-G2, ureia com AUROC de 0.723 para fibrose F2-F3, FIB-4 (AUROC de 0.8... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is responsible for causing both acute hepatitis C and chronic form, where the last is commonly associated with liver fibrosis. The evaluation of fibrosis is currently performed mainly through liver biopsy, which is the methodology considered as gold standard in the classification of fibrosis stages. With the necessity of developing new alternative methodologies to hepatic biopsy, scores using serum biomarkers have been validated, thus they can be used to monitor infected individuals with the hepatitis C virus. A retrospective study was carried out including 94 chronic HCV, genotype 1, pre-treatment (naive) or retreated patients. Patients were separated into groups according to the METAVIR classification of degrees of fibrosis (F0 to F4), either by hepatic biopsy or point shear wave-elastography exam. Moreover, patients were classified into groups of mild fibrosis G1 (F1-F2) and advanced fibrosis G2 (F3- F4). Non-invasive methodologies such as FIB-4 and APRI were compared to the method named FibMaster, which was proposed in this study through multivariate analyzes and machine learning, in order to elaborate a predictive model for hepatic fibrosis based on blood biomarkers possibly associated with hepatic injury. The most statistically significant parameters were alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), presenting AUROC of 0.890 for fibrosis classification F3-F4 and 0.772 for the classification of groups G1- G2, urea with an AUROC of 0.723 for fibrosis F2-F3, FIB-4 (AUR... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Μελετήθηκαν επιδηµιολογικές, κλινικές, βιοχηµικές, ιολογικές και ανοσολογικές παράµετροι σε ασθενείς αιµοκαθαιρόµενους για χρόνια νεφρική ανεπάρκεια µε HCV λοίµωξη και συγκρίθηκαν µε τις αντίστοιχες παραµέτρους HCV µολυνθέντων ασθενών µε φυσιολογική νεφρική λειτουργία. 1) Η µελέτη µας έδειξε ότι οι αιµοκαθαιρόµενοι ασθενείς µε HCV λοίµωξη είχαν σηµαντικά µικρότερες τιµές αµινοτρανσφερασών από αυτούς που είχαν φυσιολογική νεφρική λειτουργία. Από αυτό συµπεραίνεται ότι στους αιµοκαθαιρόµενους, για να εκτιµηθούν οι αµινοτρανσφεράσες σαν βιοχηµικοί δείκτες της ηπατίτιδας C θα πρέπει να διορθώνονται όσον αφορά την υποαµινοτρανσφερασαιµία των αιµοδιυλιζοµένων. 2) Οι αιµοδιυλιζόµενοι είχαν χαµηλότερο ιικό φορτίο από τους ασθενείς µε φυσιολογική νεφρική λειτουργία, σε αντίθεση µε άλλους ανοσοκατεσταλµένους ασθενείς που παρουσιάζουν υψηλότερο ιικό φορτίο από τους ανοσοϊκανούς µε HCV λοίµωξη. Με το χαµηλότερο ιικό φορτίο πιθανώς συσχετίζεται ο µικρότερος βαθµός νεκροφλεγµονώδους δραστηριότητας που ανευρέθη στην βιοψία του ήπατος αυτών των ασθενών. 3) Η συχνότητα κρυοσφαιριναιµίας των αιµοκαθαιροµένων ασθενών δεν διέφερε από αυτών µε φυσιολογική νεφρική λειτουργία, αλλά οι αιµοκαθαιρόµενοι παρουσίαζαν µικρότερες τιµές κρυοκρίτη και κανείς εξ αυτών δεν εµφάνισε κλινικό σύνδροµο κρυοσφαιριναιµίας. Επίσης η συχνότητα ανευρέσεως θετικού ρευµατοειδούς παράγοντος ήταν µικρότερη ενώ τα επίπεδα του C4 κλάσµατος του συµπληρώµατος ήταν υψηλότερα στους αιµοκαθαιρόµενους ασθενείς. Αυτά τα ευρήµατα υποδηλώνουν σχετική ανεπάρκεια του µηχανισµού δηµιουργίας αυτοαντισωµάτων και ανοσοσυµπλεγµάτων στους αιµοκαθαιρόµενους ασθενείς. 4) Οι αιµοδιυλιζόµενοι ασθενείς µε HCV λοίµωξη παρουσίαζαν ξηρά κερατοεπιπεφυκίτιδα σε παρόµοιο ποσοστό µε τους HCV ασθενείς µε φυσιολογική νεφρική λειτουργία, αλλά η ανοσολογική αντίδραση των δακρυικών αδένων έναντι του ιού της ηπατίτιδας C ήταν µάλλον µικρότερη. Η ξηρά κερατοεπιπεφυκίτιδα στους ασθενείς µε HCV λοίµωξη έδειξε να συνδυάζεται µε µεγάλη ηλικία και µεγαλύτερο στάδιο ηπατικής ίνωσης. 5) Τέλος, οι αιµοκαθαιρόµενοι ασθενείς ανευρέθησαν να έχουν µικρότερο βαθµό νεκροφλεγµονώδους δραστηριότητας και ίνωσης από τους ασθενείς µε φυσιολογική νεφρική λειτουργία και πιθανώς µάλιστα ηπιώτερη νόσο όσον αφορά όλες τις παραµέτρους αυτής. / We studied epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, virological and immunological characteristics of HCV infected patients on chronic hemodialysis for end stage renal failure and we compared them to those of otherwise normal patients with chronic HCV infection. 1) Our study showed that the mean values of aminotransferases were significantly lower in hemodialysis patients compared to patients with normal renal function. Our data suggest that in patients undergoing hemodialysis aminotransferases levels should be interpreted, for evaluation of hepatitis C activity, after correction for hypoaminotransferasemia of the hemodialysis population. 2) HCV viral load was found significantly lower in patients on maintenance hemodialysis than in the group with normal renal function. This contrasts with the high HCV viral load that is usually found in other immunocompromised patients. The lower grading of necroinflammatory activity, which was found in liver biopsy samples of hemodialysis patients, is possibly related to the lower viral load in these patients. 3) Prevalence of cryoglobulinemia in HCV-infected hemodialysis patients was not different from that of patients with normal renal function, but hemodialysis patients had lower cryocrit values and none of them presented a cryoglobulinemic syndrome. Rheumatoid factor positivity rate was also lower in hemodialysis group, while complement C4 levels were higher in these patients. These findings denote less efficient mechanism of creating autoantibodies and immune complexes in this population. 4) Patients on hemodialysis infected with HCV have a similar percentage of keratoconjunctivitis sicca with normal renal function HCV patients. Nevertheless hepatitis C virus appears to incite lower immunologic response to lacrimal glands in uremic as opposed to otherwise normal patients. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in patients with chronic HCV infection was associated with older age and higher staging score of fibrosis in liver biopsy. 5) Finally, hemodialysis patients were found to have lower grading and staging score than those with normal renal function and possibly less severe disease from every aspect.

This study was aimed at investigating adverse and beneficial long-term effects of jejunoileal bypass (JIB) sugery in obese patients. The JIB was the first widly used surgical procedure for treatment of morbid obesity. The weight loss was remarkable, but the procedure was declared not appropiate for obesity surgery in the late 1970's. Serious late adverse effects such as liver cirrhosis and malignancies, have been postulated. Unexpectedly few studies have adressed these problems. In the long-term follow-up of 87 uniformly operated patients, several persisting beneficial effects were found. The mean Body Mass Index was 41.5 kg/m2 at the time of operation and 29.7 kg/m2 sixteen years after the operation. Diabetes type II and hyperlipidemia, common in an obese population, was not found in this group. Reversals were performed in 3% of the patients in contrast to 20-30% in many earlier studies. Revisions performed in 8% of the patients due to excessive weight loss could have contributed to the good long-term outcome. Percutaneous liver biopsies from 44 patients taken 14-20 (mean 17) years after JIB revealed normal or fatty liver, a lower degree of histological abnormalities than in 11 biopsies taken at the time of operations 1-14 (mean 6) years postoperatively. Liver cirrhosis seen early in one patient could not be found in the late biopsies. Reduced activity of the fibrinolytic system has been shown to be a new cardiovacular risk factor. In 45 patients studied 14-20 years after JIB, the levels of both plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) were significantly lower than in a control group of 10 morbidly obese patients ( PAI-1: 8.4 vs 32 U/mL, tPA: 7.2 vs 12 pg/L). Bile acids are regarded as cofactors in the carcinogenesis in the colon and experimentally an increased frequency of malignant tumors has been demonstated after JIB in carcinogen-induced rats. In 30 of the operated patients, colonoscopy with biopsy was performed 11-17 yeras after the operation. No evidence for malignant transformation was found as reflected by an abscense of polyp formation, histologic dysplasia or aneuploidia in flow cytometric DNA analysis. Eight hundred and thirty patients from 10 hospitals subjected to JIB were compared to 1660 controls with respect to malignant diagnosis over a 20 years period. No significantly increased risk for colorectal carcinoma could be demonstrated. However the overall risk for malignant disease was increased in the operated patients. The frequency of endometrial carcinoma was significantly elevated up to five years after the operation but was normal after that time. In conclusion the postulated progress of serious adverse effects of JIB such as liver cirrhosis and malignant disease has not been possible to demonstrate. Several beneficial effects such as weight loss and reduction of cardiovascular risk factors have been found a long time after the operation. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1995, härtill 5 uppsatser.</p> / digitalisering@umu

O diagnóstico de cirrose em pacientes portadores de hepatopatia crônica é fundamental para o manejo dos pacientes. Estudos demonstraram que o uso de sinais clínicos, laboratoriais e/ou ultra-sonográficos subestimam a presença de cirrose. Através do diagnóstico histológico exclusivo também é possível subestimar a presença de cirrose em até 32% dos casos. Avaliar o valor da laparoscopia no diagnóstico da cirrose hepática e a segurança deste procedimento: a)medir a taxa de acréscimo no diagnóstico de cirrose proporcionada pela laparoscopia. b)determinar a concordância inter-observador no diagnóstico macroscópico de cirrose pela laparoscopia. c)determinar a influência do tamanho do fragmento obtido na biópsia hepática laparoscópica no diagnóstico de cirrose. d)descrever a prevalência das principais complicações da laparoscopia e biópsia hepática laparoscópica. Foram incluídos pacientes portadores de hepatite crônica submetidos à biópsia hepática laparoscópica. As laparoscopias foram realizadas com sedação consciente e a biópsia hepática feita com agulha 14G. Dois examinadores independentes, sem conhecimento dos dados dos pacientes, definiram a conclusão da laparoscopia em 4 classes: normal, aspecto inespecífico, hepatopatia crônica e cirrose hepática. O diagnóstico histológico de cirrose foi definido pela presença de fibrose &#8805; 5 pela classificação de Ishak, por um patologista, sem o conhecimento dos dados dos pacientes. Foram determinados valores de sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, valor preditivo positivo (VPP) e negativo (VPN) da laparoscopia e histologia no diagnóstico da cirrose hepática. Foram incluídos 84 pacientes, 55% do sexo masculino, 85% portadores de hepatite crônica C e média de idade de 47 11 anos. A média do tamanho do fragmento de biópsia foi de 2,9 1,0 cm e do número de espaços-porta foi de 12 5. Em comparação com o diagnóstico histológico, a análise do aspecto macroscópico por laparoscopia mostrou sensibilidade de 71% x 89%, valor preditivo negativo de 83% x 92%, e acurácia de 88% x 95%. O índice de concordância Kappa no diagnóstico de cirrose hepática na laparoscopia entre os dois examinadores foi de 0,80. Os pacientes cirróticos apresentaram amostras mais fragmentadas (p = 0,048) e maiores (p = 0,05). Já os portadores de fibrose leve na histologia (F0-F2) apresentaram menor quantidade de espaços-porta (8 4 x 13 4 p< 0,001) e fragmentos menores (p = 0,036) em comparação com os portadores de fibrose moderada e grave (F3-F6). Não houve complicações precoces da laparoscopia. O sangramento no sítio da biópsia hepática foi a única complicação observada em 6% dos pacientes. Tivemos 9,6% de complicações tardias, diretamente relacionadas à laparoscopia e ao surto de micobacteriose atípica que acometeu o estado do Rio de Janeiro durante o estudo. Houve acréscimo de 5% proporcionado pela visão laparoscópica ao diagnóstico de cirrose obtido pela histologia, porém o fragmento hepático tem grande influência no estadiamento da fibrose, com fragmentos maiores favorecendo a histologia. A concordância inter-observador no diagnóstico macroscópico de cirrose pela laparoscopia foi excelente. A biópsia hepática laparoscópica é um procedimento seguro. / The diagnosis of hepatic cirrhosis is very important in the management of patients with chronic liver diseases. Retrospective series reported percutaneous liver biopsy to miss cirrhosis in about 30%. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of liver descriptions made during laparoscopy with liver histology found by laparoscopic biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis. We also described the complications rates of the laparoscopic liver biopsy, estimated the influence of the length of liver fragment and the Kappas índice in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. Consecutive patients were prospectively submitted to laparoscopic liver biopsy (14G needle) by two independent investigators blind to clinical, laboratorial and ultra-sonographic findings. Liver specimens were assessed blindly according to the modified Ishak score. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were evaluated for the laparoscopy and histology in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Eighty-four patients were included, 55% male sex, 85% with chronic HCV infection, median age 47 11 years. The median length of the biopsy sample and the numbers of portal tracts was 2.9 1,0 cm and 12 5, respectively. The histological sensitivity (89% x 71%), negative predictive value (92% x 83%) and accuracy (95% x 88%) were better in comparison with laparoscopy in cirrhosis diagnosis. The Kappas indices for cirrhosis diagnosis between the two investigators was 0.80. Cirrhotic patients had more fragmented (p= 0,048) and bigger samples (p=0.05) than non-cirrhotics. Patients with mild disease in microscopic analysis (F &#8804; 2) had less numbers of portal tracts (8 4 x 13 4 p<0.001) and smaller samples size (p=0.036) than those with moderate/severe disease. There were no earlier complications related to the laparoscopy and 9.6% of late complications, all of that associated with a endemic outbreak of atypical micobacteriosis that happened in Rio de Janeiro during this study. There were 6% of hepatic biopsys minor complications, all bleeding at the biopsy site controlled during the laparoscopy. There were no major complications. There was 5% of gain made by liver laparoscopic evaluation in the cirrhosis diagnosis. The length of the hepatic fragment, however, had great influence in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. Probably our big sample size (2,9 1,0 cm) surpass the problem of understaging of the liver biopsies. The Kappas indices between the investigators were excellent. The laparoscopic liver biopsy is a safe procedure.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-09T12:28:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-02-24Bitstream added on 2015-04-09T12:47:50Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000814094.pdf: 952039 bytes, checksum: 7cbe158a1aeeb3f66a56a385d6b5591d (MD5) / As doenças hepáticas são bastante comuns nos animais pecuários e responsáveis por inúmeras perdas econômicas, associadas não apenas à morte como também à diminuição da produção e do rendimento e aos gastos com exames diagnósticos e tratamentos. Em equinos as afecções hepáticas são bastante frequentes, acometendo animais de todas as idades e raças, tanto machos quanto fêmeas. O diagnóstico das afecções hepáticas em animais domésticos é feito por análises bioquímicas, exame radiográfico e ultrassonográfico e exame histopatológico de fragmento do orgão colhido por meio de biópsia hepática. O objetivo com o presente estudo é avaliar as possíveis alterações clínicas e laboratoriais induzidas pela realização da técnica de biópsia hepática percutânea guiada por ultrassom em equinos. Para tanto foram utilizados oito equinos sem raça definida (SRD) adultos, machos ou fêmeas, entre 5 e 10 anos de idade, alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos experimentais, cada grupo sendo composto por quatro animais. O modelo experimental utilizado foi o “crossing over”, assim os grupos experimentais foram invertidos após um período de descanso de seis meses. Os animais do primeiro grupo, denominado G1, foram submetidos à biópsia hepática, enquanto os animais do grupo denominado G2 serviram como grupo controle, sendo submetidos a todos os procedimentos, exceto à biópsia hepática. Foram realizadas colheitas de sangue e de fluido peritoneal para análise hematimétrica, leucométrica e bioquímica, além de exames físicos diários. As variáveis analisadas não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os grupos Controle e Biópsia, com excessão da coloração do fluido peritoneal que se tornou avermelhado após a biópsia. Conclui-se que a técnica de biópsia ... / Liver diseases are very common in livestock animals and are responsible for numerous economic losses, associated not only with death but also with low production rates and expenses with diagnostic exams and treatments. Hepatic diseases in horses are relatively frequent and it can harm animals of all ages, sex and breeds. The diagnosis of liver affections in domestic animals is made with biochemical analyses, x-ray and ultrasound exams, and histopathological exam of liver fragment obtained by a liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible clinical and laboratorial changes induced by the percutaneous liver biopsy technique guided by ultrasound in horses. Eight adult horses, male or female, ages ranged from 5 to 10 years, were used in this study. The animals were divided into two experimental groups: control group and biopsy group. Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were collected for hematimetric, leucometric and biochemicanalysis, besides the daily physical exams. The analyzed variables did not differ statistically in between the two groups, regardless the peritoneal fluid color witch became reddish after the biopsy was done. In conclusion, the Tru-cut liver biopsy technique is safe and efficient; its use for diagnoses purposes of hospital routine of liver diseases in horses ...

Orientador: José Corrêa de Lacerda Neto / Banca: Julio Carlos Canola / Banca: Gesiane Ribeiro Leão Ferraz / Resumo: As doenças hepáticas são bastante comuns nos animais pecuários e responsáveis por inúmeras perdas econômicas, associadas não apenas à morte como também à diminuição da produção e do rendimento e aos gastos com exames diagnósticos e tratamentos. Em equinos as afecções hepáticas são bastante frequentes, acometendo animais de todas as idades e raças, tanto machos quanto fêmeas. O diagnóstico das afecções hepáticas em animais domésticos é feito por análises bioquímicas, exame radiográfico e ultrassonográfico e exame histopatológico de fragmento do orgão colhido por meio de biópsia hepática. O objetivo com o presente estudo é avaliar as possíveis alterações clínicas e laboratoriais induzidas pela realização da técnica de biópsia hepática percutânea guiada por ultrassom em equinos. Para tanto foram utilizados oito equinos sem raça definida (SRD) adultos, machos ou fêmeas, entre 5 e 10 anos de idade, alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos experimentais, cada grupo sendo composto por quatro animais. O modelo experimental utilizado foi o "crossing over", assim os grupos experimentais foram invertidos após um período de descanso de seis meses. Os animais do primeiro grupo, denominado G1, foram submetidos à biópsia hepática, enquanto os animais do grupo denominado G2 serviram como grupo controle, sendo submetidos a todos os procedimentos, exceto à biópsia hepática. Foram realizadas colheitas de sangue e de fluido peritoneal para análise hematimétrica, leucométrica e bioquímica, além de exames físicos diários. As variáveis analisadas não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os grupos Controle e Biópsia, com excessão da coloração do fluido peritoneal que se tornou avermelhado após a biópsia. Conclui-se que a técnica de biópsia ... / Abstract: Liver diseases are very common in livestock animals and are responsible for numerous economic losses, associated not only with death but also with low production rates and expenses with diagnostic exams and treatments. Hepatic diseases in horses are relatively frequent and it can harm animals of all ages, sex and breeds. The diagnosis of liver affections in domestic animals is made with biochemical analyses, x-ray and ultrasound exams, and histopathological exam of liver fragment obtained by a liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible clinical and laboratorial changes induced by the percutaneous liver biopsy technique guided by ultrasound in horses. Eight adult horses, male or female, ages ranged from 5 to 10 years, were used in this study. The animals were divided into two experimental groups: control group and biopsy group. Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were collected for hematimetric, leucometric and biochemicanalysis, besides the daily physical exams. The analyzed variables did not differ statistically in between the two groups, regardless the peritoneal fluid color witch became reddish after the biopsy was done. In conclusion, the Tru-cut liver biopsy technique is safe and efficient; its use for diagnoses purposes of hospital routine of liver diseases in horses ... / Mestre

O diagnóstico de cirrose em pacientes portadores de hepatopatia crônica é fundamental para o manejo dos pacientes. Estudos demonstraram que o uso de sinais clínicos, laboratoriais e/ou ultra-sonográficos subestimam a presença de cirrose. Através do diagnóstico histológico exclusivo também é possível subestimar a presença de cirrose em até 32% dos casos. Avaliar o valor da laparoscopia no diagnóstico da cirrose hepática e a segurança deste procedimento: a)medir a taxa de acréscimo no diagnóstico de cirrose proporcionada pela laparoscopia. b)determinar a concordância inter-observador no diagnóstico macroscópico de cirrose pela laparoscopia. c)determinar a influência do tamanho do fragmento obtido na biópsia hepática laparoscópica no diagnóstico de cirrose. d)descrever a prevalência das principais complicações da laparoscopia e biópsia hepática laparoscópica. Foram incluídos pacientes portadores de hepatite crônica submetidos à biópsia hepática laparoscópica. As laparoscopias foram realizadas com sedação consciente e a biópsia hepática feita com agulha 14G. Dois examinadores independentes, sem conhecimento dos dados dos pacientes, definiram a conclusão da laparoscopia em 4 classes: normal, aspecto inespecífico, hepatopatia crônica e cirrose hepática. O diagnóstico histológico de cirrose foi definido pela presença de fibrose &#8805; 5 pela classificação de Ishak, por um patologista, sem o conhecimento dos dados dos pacientes. Foram determinados valores de sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, valor preditivo positivo (VPP) e negativo (VPN) da laparoscopia e histologia no diagnóstico da cirrose hepática. Foram incluídos 84 pacientes, 55% do sexo masculino, 85% portadores de hepatite crônica C e média de idade de 47 11 anos. A média do tamanho do fragmento de biópsia foi de 2,9 1,0 cm e do número de espaços-porta foi de 12 5. Em comparação com o diagnóstico histológico, a análise do aspecto macroscópico por laparoscopia mostrou sensibilidade de 71% x 89%, valor preditivo negativo de 83% x 92%, e acurácia de 88% x 95%. O índice de concordância Kappa no diagnóstico de cirrose hepática na laparoscopia entre os dois examinadores foi de 0,80. Os pacientes cirróticos apresentaram amostras mais fragmentadas (p = 0,048) e maiores (p = 0,05). Já os portadores de fibrose leve na histologia (F0-F2) apresentaram menor quantidade de espaços-porta (8 4 x 13 4 p< 0,001) e fragmentos menores (p = 0,036) em comparação com os portadores de fibrose moderada e grave (F3-F6). Não houve complicações precoces da laparoscopia. O sangramento no sítio da biópsia hepática foi a única complicação observada em 6% dos pacientes. Tivemos 9,6% de complicações tardias, diretamente relacionadas à laparoscopia e ao surto de micobacteriose atípica que acometeu o estado do Rio de Janeiro durante o estudo. Houve acréscimo de 5% proporcionado pela visão laparoscópica ao diagnóstico de cirrose obtido pela histologia, porém o fragmento hepático tem grande influência no estadiamento da fibrose, com fragmentos maiores favorecendo a histologia. A concordância inter-observador no diagnóstico macroscópico de cirrose pela laparoscopia foi excelente. A biópsia hepática laparoscópica é um procedimento seguro. / The diagnosis of hepatic cirrhosis is very important in the management of patients with chronic liver diseases. Retrospective series reported percutaneous liver biopsy to miss cirrhosis in about 30%. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of liver descriptions made during laparoscopy with liver histology found by laparoscopic biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis. We also described the complications rates of the laparoscopic liver biopsy, estimated the influence of the length of liver fragment and the Kappas índice in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. Consecutive patients were prospectively submitted to laparoscopic liver biopsy (14G needle) by two independent investigators blind to clinical, laboratorial and ultra-sonographic findings. Liver specimens were assessed blindly according to the modified Ishak score. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were evaluated for the laparoscopy and histology in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Eighty-four patients were included, 55% male sex, 85% with chronic HCV infection, median age 47 11 years. The median length of the biopsy sample and the numbers of portal tracts was 2.9 1,0 cm and 12 5, respectively. The histological sensitivity (89% x 71%), negative predictive value (92% x 83%) and accuracy (95% x 88%) were better in comparison with laparoscopy in cirrhosis diagnosis. The Kappas indices for cirrhosis diagnosis between the two investigators was 0.80. Cirrhotic patients had more fragmented (p= 0,048) and bigger samples (p=0.05) than non-cirrhotics. Patients with mild disease in microscopic analysis (F &#8804; 2) had less numbers of portal tracts (8 4 x 13 4 p<0.001) and smaller samples size (p=0.036) than those with moderate/severe disease. There were no earlier complications related to the laparoscopy and 9.6% of late complications, all of that associated with a endemic outbreak of atypical micobacteriosis that happened in Rio de Janeiro during this study. There were 6% of hepatic biopsys minor complications, all bleeding at the biopsy site controlled during the laparoscopy. There were no major complications. There was 5% of gain made by liver laparoscopic evaluation in the cirrhosis diagnosis. The length of the hepatic fragment, however, had great influence in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. Probably our big sample size (2,9 1,0 cm) surpass the problem of understaging of the liver biopsies. The Kappas indices between the investigators were excellent. The laparoscopic liver biopsy is a safe procedure.

A colelitíase é uma doença frequente na população geral. Um dos seus fatores de risco é a diabetes melitus tipo 2, relacionada à anormalidades metabólicas associadas a sobrepeso, obesidade, resistência à insulina, hipertrigliceridemia e hábitos dietéticos. Fatores de risco semelhantes são encontrados na doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA). A DHGNA engloba um espectro de condições patológicas que pode evoluir da esteatose, para esteato-hepatite (EHNA), fibrose, cirrose e neoplasia hepática. A distinção entre esteatose e EHNA é de grande relevância na prática clínica, em virtude de a primeira ser uma condição benigna e reversível, enquanto que a segunda apresenta potencial evolutivo para cirrose e carcinoma hepatocelular. Somente a biópsia hepática pode classificar e estadiar a DHGNA. A DHGNA e a colelitíase têm similaridade quanto à patogênese e aos fatores de risco, o que nos motivou a realizar este estudo. Os objetivos do trabalho foram: a) Definir a frequência da esteatose hepática e da EHNA em pacientes com colelitíase submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica. b) Avaliar as alterações histopatológicas da DHGNA nos pacientes com colelitíase. c) Avaliar a acurácia dos exames de imagem-ultrassonografia abdominal (US) e tomografia computadorizada (TC) no diagnóstico da DHGNA. d) Relacionar aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e de imagem com diagnósticos histopatológicos de esteatose e EHNA em portadores de colelitíase. e) Analisar variáveis preditivas da DHGNA na indicação da biópsia hepática para os pacientes com colelitíase a serem submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica. Método: Foi realizado estudo prospectivo sequencial de pacientes portadores de colelitíase com indicação cirúrgica que assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. Foram analisados 161 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica e à biópsia hepática. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto ao sexo, à idade, história clínica e aos antecedentes pessoais, com ênfase nas comorbidades relacionadas à síndrome metabólica. Foram realizadas as seguintes medidas antropométricas: peso (kg), altura (m) e circunferência abdominal (cm), sendo calculado o Índice de Massa Corpórea (IMC). Além da avaliação bioquímica, foram avaliados parâmetros metabólicos através da dosagem da glicemia e insulinemia de jejum, índice de HOMA IR e perfil lipídico. Os pacientes foram submetidos a dois USs em momentos distintos, nos quais foram avaliados a vesícula biliar, as vias biliares e os possíveis diagnósticos qualitativo e quantitativo da esteatose hepática. Na tomografia abdominal, foram medidos os coeficientes de atenuação hepática e esplênica. O diagnóstico de esteatose foi determinado através de dois índices: TC1 (e-h) calculado pela diferença entre o valor da atenuação esplênica e hepática e o TC2 (h/e) medido pela fração da atenuação hepática sobre a esplênica. Antes da colecistectomia laparoscópica com exploração de vias biliares, foi realizada biópsia hepática com agulha de tru-cut no mesmo tempo cirúrgico. Os parâmetros histopatológicos utilizados para avaliar as biópsias hepáticas foram: esteatose macrovesicular, esteatose microvesicular, infiltrado inflamatório acinar e portal, balonização hepatocelular, corpúsculos hialino de Mallory, alterações ductulares e fibrose perissinusoidal, perivenular, portal, sobrecarga de ferro e pseudoinclusão nuclear de glicogênio. Para o diagnóstico de EHNA, foi utilizado o escore de atividade da doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (NAS). Os 161 pacientes foram distribuídos em três grupos formados a partir do resultado da histopatologia hepática: Grupo A - colelitíase sem esteatose (n = 98), Grupo B - colelitíase com esteatose (n = 51) e Grupo C - colelitíase com esteatohepatite (n = 12). Resultados: Entre os 161 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia com biópsia hepática, 63 (39,1%) eram portadores de DHGNA, dentre eles, 12/161 (7,4%) com EHNA. Cento e trinta e sete (85%) pacientes eram do sexo feminino; 125 (78%) eram brancos. A idade média global foi de 45 anos. A hipertensão arterial sistêmica esteve presente em 40 (25%), diabetes mellitus tipo 2 em 17 (11%) e a síndrome metabólica em 39 (24%). Os aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e comorbidades que apresentaram diferença estatística significantes entre o grupo A e os grupos B e C foram: idade, IMC, circunferência abdominal, glicemia em jejum, ALT. A síndrome metabólica, a resistência insulínica, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, AST e o colesterol total registraram diferença estatisticamente significante apenas entre os grupos A e C. Não existiram aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais ou de comorbidades que diferenciaram os portadores de esteatose e EHNA. Os exames de US I e II nas duas ocasiões revelaram sensibilidade de 57% e 59%, especificidade de 91% e 90%, respectivamente, e em ambos USs a acurácia foi de 78%. No exame de TC, o índice e o nível de corte de maior sensibilidade (50%), especificidade, (90,72%) e acurácia (74,53%) foi o índice TC 2 (h/e), com nível de corte menor que 1,0 para o diagnóstico da DHGNA. Os parâmetros histopatológicos que apresentaram diferença estatística significante entre os grupos A e C e entre os grupos B e C foram: corpúsculos hialino de Mallory, infiltrado inflamatório portal e fibrose perivenular, perissinusoidal e portal. Houve maior grau de intensidade do infiltrado inflamatório portal nos pacientes do grupo C. Houve diferença estatística significante entre os grupos B e C com relação à esteatose microvesicular e a pseudoinclusão nuclear de glicogênio. Pela regressão logística, foi avaliada a probabilidade de os pacientes portadores de colelitíase apresentarem DHGNA. Os fatores preditivos foram: aumento da glicemia, HOMA-IR, colesterol total, circunferência abdominal e esteatose ao US. Na presença de três ou quatro destes fatores de risco a probabilidade de DHGNA foi de 91%. Conclusão: A prevalência de EHNA em pacientes com colelitíase foi de 7,4% neste grupo de pacientes Assim, é de fundamental importância o reconhecimento dos fatores de risco para a DHGNA em pacientes com colelitíase que serão submetidos à intervenção cirúrgica. Assim sendo, a biópsia hepática durante o procedimento cirúrgico deve ser preconizada na vigência de fatores preditivos, pois é o único método para diferenciar esteatose de EHNA / Cholelithiasis is a very common disease in the population at large, and one of the risk factors is type II diabetes mellitus, which is related to metabolic disorders associated with overweight, obesity, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and dietary abnormalities. Similar risk factors are found in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD covers a spectrum of pathological conditions that can range from steatosis to steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. The distinction between steatosis and NASH is of great importance in clinical practice because the former is a benign, reversible condition whereas the latter can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Only a liver biopsy, however, can be used to classify and stage NAFLD. NAFLD and cholelithiasis have similar pathogenesis and risk factors, a fact which led us to undertake this study, the aims of which were: a) to define the frequency of hepatic steatosis and NASH in patients with cholelithiasis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy; b) to assess the accuracy of abdominal ultrasound imaging (US) and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of NAFLD; c) to assess histological alterations caused by NAFLD in patients with cholelithiasis; d) to relate clinical, laboratory and imaging findings to histopathological diagnoses of steatosis and NASH in cholelithiasis; and e) to analyze predictors of NAFLD used when referring patients with cholelithiasis already scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for liver biopsy as well. Methods: We performed a prospective sequential study of patients with cholelithiasis who had been referred for surgery and had signed a voluntary informed-consent form. A total of 161 patients were analyzed after they had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver biopsy. Besides sex and age, clinical and medical history were recorded, with emphasis being placed on comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome. The anthropometric measurements weight (kg), height (m) and abdominal circumference (cm) were recorded during the physical examination and the body mass index was calculated. Biochemical and metabolic assessment parameters, including fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin, which were used to calculate the HOMA-IR index, and fasting lipid profile, were evaluated. Patients had two ultrasounds at different times to assess the gallbladder and bile ducts as well as the quantitative and qualitative diagnosis of hepatic steatosis. In the abdominal tomography, the attenuation coefficients of the liver and spleen were measured for diagnosis of steatosis based on two indices: CT1 (S-L), given by the difference between spleen and liver attenuations, and CT2 (L/S), given by the attenuation of the liver divided by the attenuation of the spleen. Before laparoscopic cholecystectomy with bile duct exploration, a liver biopsy with a tru-cut was performed. The following histological parameters were used to evaluate the liver biopsies: macrovesicular steatosis, microvesicular steatosis, acinar and portal inflammatory infiltrate, hepatocellular ballooning, Mallory bodies, ductal changes, perisinusoidal, perivenular and portal fibrosis, iron overload and glycogenated nuclei. The NAFLD activity score was used to diagnose NAFLD in the steatosis or NASH phases. A comparative analysis of the 161 patients was carried out after they had been divided into three groups according to the results of the liver histopathology: group A cholelithiasis without steatosis (n=98), group B - cholelithiasis with steatosis (n=51) and group C - cholelithiasis with NASH (n=12). Results: Of the 161 patients subjected to cholecystectomy with a liver biopsy, 63 (39.1%) had NAFLD, of whom 12 (7.4%) also had NASH. A total of 137 (85%) of the patients were female, and 125 (78%) were Caucasian. Average age was 45 years. Arterial hypertension was observed in 40 (25%) patients, 17 (11%) had diabetes mellitus and 39 (24%) had metabolic syndrome. The clinical and laboratory findings with a statistically significant difference between group A and/or groups B and C were age, BMI, abdominal circumference, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, ALT and AST. Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus only exhibited a statistically significant difference between groups A and C. There were no clinical or laboratory findings or image abnormalities that differentiated steatosis from NASH. The first and second ultrasounds, which were carried out at different times, had sensitivities of 57% and 59% and specificities of 91% and 90%, respectively; both had accuracies of 78%. In the computed tomography, the index with the greatest sensitivity (50%), specificity (90.72%) and accuracy (74.53%) was CT2 (L/S), with a cutoff level of 1.0 for diagnosis of NAFLD. The histopathological parameters with statistically significant differences between the group without steatosis and group C and between groups B and C were Mallory bodies, portal inflammation and perivenular, perisinusoidal and portal fibrosis. Portal inflammation was more intense in patients in group C. There was a statistically significant difference in the intensity of macrovesicular steatosis between groups B and C; this was mild in 42 (82.4%) of the patients in the former group and in only 2 (3.9%) in the latter. There was a statistically significant difference in microvesicular steatosis and glycogenated nuclei between groups B and C. Logistic regression revealed that the associated risk factors for determining the probability of patients with cholelithiasis having NAFLD are increased values of blood glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol abdominal circumference and steatosis on ultrasound. In the presence of three or four risk factors the probability of NAFLD was 91%. Conclusion: The prevalence of NASH in cholelithiasis patients was 7.4%, indicating that NAFLD is a serious problem in this group of patients. It is therefore very important to determine the risk factors for NAFLD in cholelithiasis patients who will be submitted to surgery in order to decide whether a liver biopsy should be performed, as this is the only diagnostic method for differentiating between steatosis and NASH

A colelitíase é uma doença frequente na população geral. Um dos seus fatores de risco é a diabetes melitus tipo 2, relacionada à anormalidades metabólicas associadas a sobrepeso, obesidade, resistência à insulina, hipertrigliceridemia e hábitos dietéticos. Fatores de risco semelhantes são encontrados na doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA). A DHGNA engloba um espectro de condições patológicas que pode evoluir da esteatose, para esteato-hepatite (EHNA), fibrose, cirrose e neoplasia hepática. A distinção entre esteatose e EHNA é de grande relevância na prática clínica, em virtude de a primeira ser uma condição benigna e reversível, enquanto que a segunda apresenta potencial evolutivo para cirrose e carcinoma hepatocelular. Somente a biópsia hepática pode classificar e estadiar a DHGNA. A DHGNA e a colelitíase têm similaridade quanto à patogênese e aos fatores de risco, o que nos motivou a realizar este estudo. Os objetivos do trabalho foram: a) Definir a frequência da esteatose hepática e da EHNA em pacientes com colelitíase submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica. b) Avaliar as alterações histopatológicas da DHGNA nos pacientes com colelitíase. c) Avaliar a acurácia dos exames de imagem-ultrassonografia abdominal (US) e tomografia computadorizada (TC) no diagnóstico da DHGNA. d) Relacionar aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e de imagem com diagnósticos histopatológicos de esteatose e EHNA em portadores de colelitíase. e) Analisar variáveis preditivas da DHGNA na indicação da biópsia hepática para os pacientes com colelitíase a serem submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica. Método: Foi realizado estudo prospectivo sequencial de pacientes portadores de colelitíase com indicação cirúrgica que assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. Foram analisados 161 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica e à biópsia hepática. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto ao sexo, à idade, história clínica e aos antecedentes pessoais, com ênfase nas comorbidades relacionadas à síndrome metabólica. Foram realizadas as seguintes medidas antropométricas: peso (kg), altura (m) e circunferência abdominal (cm), sendo calculado o Índice de Massa Corpórea (IMC). Além da avaliação bioquímica, foram avaliados parâmetros metabólicos através da dosagem da glicemia e insulinemia de jejum, índice de HOMA IR e perfil lipídico. Os pacientes foram submetidos a dois USs em momentos distintos, nos quais foram avaliados a vesícula biliar, as vias biliares e os possíveis diagnósticos qualitativo e quantitativo da esteatose hepática. Na tomografia abdominal, foram medidos os coeficientes de atenuação hepática e esplênica. O diagnóstico de esteatose foi determinado através de dois índices: TC1 (e-h) calculado pela diferença entre o valor da atenuação esplênica e hepática e o TC2 (h/e) medido pela fração da atenuação hepática sobre a esplênica. Antes da colecistectomia laparoscópica com exploração de vias biliares, foi realizada biópsia hepática com agulha de tru-cut no mesmo tempo cirúrgico. Os parâmetros histopatológicos utilizados para avaliar as biópsias hepáticas foram: esteatose macrovesicular, esteatose microvesicular, infiltrado inflamatório acinar e portal, balonização hepatocelular, corpúsculos hialino de Mallory, alterações ductulares e fibrose perissinusoidal, perivenular, portal, sobrecarga de ferro e pseudoinclusão nuclear de glicogênio. Para o diagnóstico de EHNA, foi utilizado o escore de atividade da doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (NAS). Os 161 pacientes foram distribuídos em três grupos formados a partir do resultado da histopatologia hepática: Grupo A - colelitíase sem esteatose (n = 98), Grupo B - colelitíase com esteatose (n = 51) e Grupo C - colelitíase com esteatohepatite (n = 12). Resultados: Entre os 161 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia com biópsia hepática, 63 (39,1%) eram portadores de DHGNA, dentre eles, 12/161 (7,4%) com EHNA. Cento e trinta e sete (85%) pacientes eram do sexo feminino; 125 (78%) eram brancos. A idade média global foi de 45 anos. A hipertensão arterial sistêmica esteve presente em 40 (25%), diabetes mellitus tipo 2 em 17 (11%) e a síndrome metabólica em 39 (24%). Os aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e comorbidades que apresentaram diferença estatística significantes entre o grupo A e os grupos B e C foram: idade, IMC, circunferência abdominal, glicemia em jejum, ALT. A síndrome metabólica, a resistência insulínica, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, AST e o colesterol total registraram diferença estatisticamente significante apenas entre os grupos A e C. Não existiram aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais ou de comorbidades que diferenciaram os portadores de esteatose e EHNA. Os exames de US I e II nas duas ocasiões revelaram sensibilidade de 57% e 59%, especificidade de 91% e 90%, respectivamente, e em ambos USs a acurácia foi de 78%. No exame de TC, o índice e o nível de corte de maior sensibilidade (50%), especificidade, (90,72%) e acurácia (74,53%) foi o índice TC 2 (h/e), com nível de corte menor que 1,0 para o diagnóstico da DHGNA. Os parâmetros histopatológicos que apresentaram diferença estatística significante entre os grupos A e C e entre os grupos B e C foram: corpúsculos hialino de Mallory, infiltrado inflamatório portal e fibrose perivenular, perissinusoidal e portal. Houve maior grau de intensidade do infiltrado inflamatório portal nos pacientes do grupo C. Houve diferença estatística significante entre os grupos B e C com relação à esteatose microvesicular e a pseudoinclusão nuclear de glicogênio. Pela regressão logística, foi avaliada a probabilidade de os pacientes portadores de colelitíase apresentarem DHGNA. Os fatores preditivos foram: aumento da glicemia, HOMA-IR, colesterol total, circunferência abdominal e esteatose ao US. Na presença de três ou quatro destes fatores de risco a probabilidade de DHGNA foi de 91%. Conclusão: A prevalência de EHNA em pacientes com colelitíase foi de 7,4% neste grupo de pacientes Assim, é de fundamental importância o reconhecimento dos fatores de risco para a DHGNA em pacientes com colelitíase que serão submetidos à intervenção cirúrgica. Assim sendo, a biópsia hepática durante o procedimento cirúrgico deve ser preconizada na vigência de fatores preditivos, pois é o único método para diferenciar esteatose de EHNA / Cholelithiasis is a very common disease in the population at large, and one of the risk factors is type II diabetes mellitus, which is related to metabolic disorders associated with overweight, obesity, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and dietary abnormalities. Similar risk factors are found in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD covers a spectrum of pathological conditions that can range from steatosis to steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. The distinction between steatosis and NASH is of great importance in clinical practice because the former is a benign, reversible condition whereas the latter can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Only a liver biopsy, however, can be used to classify and stage NAFLD. NAFLD and cholelithiasis have similar pathogenesis and risk factors, a fact which led us to undertake this study, the aims of which were: a) to define the frequency of hepatic steatosis and NASH in patients with cholelithiasis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy; b) to assess the accuracy of abdominal ultrasound imaging (US) and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of NAFLD; c) to assess histological alterations caused by NAFLD in patients with cholelithiasis; d) to relate clinical, laboratory and imaging findings to histopathological diagnoses of steatosis and NASH in cholelithiasis; and e) to analyze predictors of NAFLD used when referring patients with cholelithiasis already scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for liver biopsy as well. Methods: We performed a prospective sequential study of patients with cholelithiasis who had been referred for surgery and had signed a voluntary informed-consent form. A total of 161 patients were analyzed after they had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver biopsy. Besides sex and age, clinical and medical history were recorded, with emphasis being placed on comorbidities related to metabolic syndrome. The anthropometric measurements weight (kg), height (m) and abdominal circumference (cm) were recorded during the physical examination and the body mass index was calculated. Biochemical and metabolic assessment parameters, including fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin, which were used to calculate the HOMA-IR index, and fasting lipid profile, were evaluated. Patients had two ultrasounds at different times to assess the gallbladder and bile ducts as well as the quantitative and qualitative diagnosis of hepatic steatosis. In the abdominal tomography, the attenuation coefficients of the liver and spleen were measured for diagnosis of steatosis based on two indices: CT1 (S-L), given by the difference between spleen and liver attenuations, and CT2 (L/S), given by the attenuation of the liver divided by the attenuation of the spleen. Before laparoscopic cholecystectomy with bile duct exploration, a liver biopsy with a tru-cut was performed. The following histological parameters were used to evaluate the liver biopsies: macrovesicular steatosis, microvesicular steatosis, acinar and portal inflammatory infiltrate, hepatocellular ballooning, Mallory bodies, ductal changes, perisinusoidal, perivenular and portal fibrosis, iron overload and glycogenated nuclei. The NAFLD activity score was used to diagnose NAFLD in the steatosis or NASH phases. A comparative analysis of the 161 patients was carried out after they had been divided into three groups according to the results of the liver histopathology: group A cholelithiasis without steatosis (n=98), group B - cholelithiasis with steatosis (n=51) and group C - cholelithiasis with NASH (n=12). Results: Of the 161 patients subjected to cholecystectomy with a liver biopsy, 63 (39.1%) had NAFLD, of whom 12 (7.4%) also had NASH. A total of 137 (85%) of the patients were female, and 125 (78%) were Caucasian. Average age was 45 years. Arterial hypertension was observed in 40 (25%) patients, 17 (11%) had diabetes mellitus and 39 (24%) had metabolic syndrome. The clinical and laboratory findings with a statistically significant difference between group A and/or groups B and C were age, BMI, abdominal circumference, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, ALT and AST. Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus only exhibited a statistically significant difference between groups A and C. There were no clinical or laboratory findings or image abnormalities that differentiated steatosis from NASH. The first and second ultrasounds, which were carried out at different times, had sensitivities of 57% and 59% and specificities of 91% and 90%, respectively; both had accuracies of 78%. In the computed tomography, the index with the greatest sensitivity (50%), specificity (90.72%) and accuracy (74.53%) was CT2 (L/S), with a cutoff level of 1.0 for diagnosis of NAFLD. The histopathological parameters with statistically significant differences between the group without steatosis and group C and between groups B and C were Mallory bodies, portal inflammation and perivenular, perisinusoidal and portal fibrosis. Portal inflammation was more intense in patients in group C. There was a statistically significant difference in the intensity of macrovesicular steatosis between groups B and C; this was mild in 42 (82.4%) of the patients in the former group and in only 2 (3.9%) in the latter. There was a statistically significant difference in microvesicular steatosis and glycogenated nuclei between groups B and C. Logistic regression revealed that the associated risk factors for determining the probability of patients with cholelithiasis having NAFLD are increased values of blood glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol abdominal circumference and steatosis on ultrasound. In the presence of three or four risk factors the probability of NAFLD was 91%. Conclusion: The prevalence of NASH in cholelithiasis patients was 7.4%, indicating that NAFLD is a serious problem in this group of patients. It is therefore very important to determine the risk factors for NAFLD in cholelithiasis patients who will be submitted to surgery in order to decide whether a liver biopsy should be performed, as this is the only diagnostic method for differentiating between steatosis and NASH

Background: Dogs with acquired chronic liver disease often have hemostatic derangements. It is currently unknown whether dogs with acquired chronic liver disease have decreased platelet function and alterations in von Willebrand factor (vWF) that may contribute to hemostatic abnormalities. Hypothesis: Dogs with chronic liver disease have prolonged platelet closure time (CT), assessed with the PFA-100®, and buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), and increased vWF concentration compared to healthy dogs. Animals: Eighteen dogs with chronic acquired liver disease undergoing ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the liver or laparoscopic liver biopsy and eighteen healthy age-matched control dogs. Methods: Prospective study. BMBT, CT using the PFA-100®, and vWF antigen were measured in dogs with chronic liver enzyme elevation undergoing ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the liver or laparoscopic liver biopsy. After undergoing ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, dogs were monitored for hemorrhage with serial packed cell volume measurements and focused assessment with sonography. An unpaired t-test was used for normally distributed data and the Mann-Whitney test was used when non-Gaussian distribution was present. The level of significance was set at P <0.05. Results: The CT was not different between the two groups (P = 0.27). The BMBT was significantly longer in the liver disease group compared to the control group (P = 0.019). There was no difference in the mean vWF antigen of the two groups (P = 0.077). Conclusions and clinical relevance: These results demonstrate mild impairment of primary hemostasis in dogs with chronic liver disease based on prolongation of BMBT. / Master of Science / Background: Dogs with chronic liver disease often have abnormal blood clotting activity. It is currently unknown whether dogs with chronic liver disease have decreased platelet function and alterations in von Willebrand factor (vWF) that may contribute to blood clotting abnormalities. Platelet function can be assessed using the PFA-100®, which measures platelet closure time (CT), and buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT). The PFA-100 simulates blood in circulation to assess platelet function. BMBT is a crude but readily available test to assess platelet function in practices without sophisticated methods of assessing platelet function. Hypothesis: Dogs with chronic liver disease have prolonged CT and BMBT, which both suggest platelet dysfunction. Additionally, dogs with chronic liver disease have increased vWF concentration compared to healthy dogs. Animals: Eighteen dogs with chronic acquired liver disease undergoing ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the liver or laparoscopic liver biopsy and eighteen healthy age-matched control dogs. Methods: Prospective study. BMBT, CT, and vWF antigen were measured in dogs with chronic liver disease undergoing ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the liver or laparoscopic liver biopsy. After undergoing ultrasound-guided needle biopsy, dogs were monitored for hemorrhage. Results: The CT was not different between the two groups but the BMBT was significantly longer in the liver disease group compared to healthy dogs. There was no difference in the mean vWF antigen between the two groups. Conclusions and clinical relevance: These results demonstrate mild impairment of blood clotting activity in dogs with chronic liver disease based on prolongation of BMBT compared to healthy dogs. Prolongation of BMBT compared to healthy dogs is suggestive of endothelial dysfunction and/or platelet dysfunction in dogs with chronic liver disease.