Successful aspiration and ethanol sclerosis of a large,symptomatic, simple liver cyst:Case presentation and review of the literature

Simple liver cysts are congenital with a prevalence of 2.5%-4.25%. Imaging, whether by US, CT or MRI, is accurate in distinguishing simple cysts from other etiologies, including parasitic, neoplastic, duct-related, and traumatic cysts. Symptomatic simple liver cysts are rare, and the true frequency of symptoms is not known. Symptomatic simple liver cysts are predominantly large （〉 4 cm）, right-sided, and more common in women and older patients. The vast majority of simple hepatic cysts require no treatment or follow-up, though large cysts （〉 4 cm） may be followed initially with serial imaging to ensure stability. Attribution of symptoms to a large simple cyst should be undertaken with caution, after alternative diagnoses have been excluded. Aspiration may be performed to test whether symptoms are due to the cyst; however, cyst recurrence should be expected. Limited experience with both laparoscopic deroofing and aspiration, followed by instillation of a sclerosing agent has demonstrated promising results for the treatment of symptomatic cysts. Here, we describe a patient with a large, symptomatic, simple liver cyst who experienced complete resolution of symptoms following cyst drainage and alcohol ablation, and we present a comprehensive review of the literature.

Liver transplantation for metastatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report and review of the literature

Neuroendocrine tumors are divided into gastrointestinal carcinoids and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The WHO has updated the classification of these lesions and has abandoned the term ＂carcinoid＂. Both types of tumors are divided into functional and non-functional tumors. They are characterized by slow growth and frequent metastasis to the liver and may be limited to the liver for long periods. The therapeutic approach to hepatic metastases should consider the number and distribution of the liver metastases as well as the severity of symptoms related to hormone production and tumor bulk. Surgery is generally considered as the first line therapy. In patients with unresectable liver metastases, alternative treatments are dependent on the type and the growth rate. Initial treatments consist of long acting somatostatin analogs and/or interferon. Streptozocin-based chemotherapy is usually reserved for symptomatic patients with rapidly advancing disease, but generally the therapy is poorly tolerated and its effects are short-lived. Locoregional therapy directed such as hepatic-artery embolization and chemoembolization, radiofrequency thermal ablation and cryosurgery, is often used instead of systemic therapy, if the disease is limited to the liver. However, liver transplantation should be considered in patients with neuroendocrine metastases to the liver that are not accessible to curative or cytoreductive surgery and if medical or Iocoregional treatment has failed and if there are life threatening hormonal symptoms. We report a case of liver transplantation for metastatic neuroendocrine tumor of unknown primary source and provide a detailed review of the world literature on this controversial topic.

Predictive factors associated with carcinoid syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors

AIM To discover unknown factors associated with carcinoid syndrome(CS) with the goal of earlier diagnosis of CS.METHODS In this retrospective case-control study using United States administrative claims, patients(≥ 18 years) newly-diagnosed with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors(GI NETs) without CS(controls) were exactly matched to patients with CS(cases) based on NET diagnosis date at a 3-to-1 ratio. Study index date was first CS diagnosis(controls: same distance from NET diagnosis as cases). The most observed conditions, excluding CS-associated symptoms/diagnoses, during the year before index date were assessed. Forwardstepwise logistic regression models were used to derive predictors, and were validation within another claims database. RESULTS In the development database, 1004 patients with GI NETs were identified; 251(25%) had CS and 753(75%) were controls. In the validation database, 724 patients with GI NETs were identified; 181(25%) had CS and 543(75%) were controls. A total of 33 common diagnoses(excluding conditions already known to be associated with CS) in the development database were entered in forward step-wise logistic regression models. In the final, validated logistic regression model, three factors prior to CS diagnosis were found consistently associated with higher risks for CS, including liver disorder [odds ratio(95%CI): 3.38(2.07-5.51)], enlargement of lymph nodes [2.13(1.10-4.11)], and abdominal mass [3.79(1.87-7.69)].CONCLUSION GI NET patients with CS were 2-4 times as likely to have preexisting diagnoses(i.e., liver disorder, enlarged lymph nodes, abdominal mass) than non-CS patients.