CORRELATION OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA WITH GRADING OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS

Objective: To determine the relationship of severity of thrombocytopenia with various grades of esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis. Study design: A cross sectional observational study. Place and duration of study: Medicine department of Pakistan Railway General Hospital from 1st September, 2018 to 31st August, 2020. Material and Methods: The record of 100 patients with cirrhosis having concomitant thrombocytopenia and esophageal varices was retrospectively analyzed. The information about clinical, hematological, biochemical, ultrasound and endoscopic findings was retrieved from medical record. On the basis of platelet count, four groups were made. Group I consisted of patients with a platelet count ≤ 20,000/ µl, group II 21,000-49,000/ µl, group III 50,000-99,000/ µl, and group IV 100,000- 149,000/ µl. Esophageal varices were reclassified as small and large varices group depending on the size. Correlation of thrombocytopenia with grading of esophageal varices was calculated using spearman’s correlation. Results: Out of 100 patients, 76% had large varices and 24% had small varices. Thrombocytopenia was more severe in patients with large varices group when compared with small varices group. There was significant negative correlation between thrombocytopenia and grading of esophageal varices (r= -.691; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The severity of thrombocytopenia increased with increase in the size of esophageal varices. Low platelet count can strongly predict large varices in patients with cirrhosis.

Perceptions on the management of varices and on the use of albumin in patients with cirrhosis among GI specialists in Austria

Summary Background Portal hypertension (PH) causes severe complications in patients with liver cirrhosis, such as variceal bleeding and ascites; however, data on the knowledge and perceptions on guideline recommendations for the management of varices and the use of albumin is scarce. Methods We designed two structured surveys on (i) the management of varices and (ii) the use of albumin for Austrian physicians of specialized Gastro-Intestinal (GI) centers. The interviewed physicians were confronted spontaneously and provided ad hoc responses to the questionnaire. Results In total, 158 surveys were completed. Interestingly, many specialists (30%) would recommend a follow-up gastroscopy after 1 year in patients with compensated cirrhosis without varices (i.e., overtreatment). For small varices, 81.5% would use non-selective beta blockers (NSBB) for primary prophylaxis (PP). For PP in patients with large varices, endoscopic band ligation (EBL) plus NSBB was preferred by 51.4% (i.e., overtreatment). Knowledge on the indication criteria for early TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) was reported by 54.3%, but only 20% could report these criteria correctly. The majority (87.1%) correctly indicated a preference to use NSBB and EBL for secondary prophylaxis (SP). The majority of participating gastroenterologists reported no restrictions on the use of albumin (89.8%) in their hospitals. Of the interviewed specialists, 63.6% would use albumin in patients with SBP; however, only 11.4% would use the doses recommended by guidelines. The majority of specialists indicated using albumin at the recommended doses for hepatorenal syndrome (HRS-AKI, 86.4%) and for large volume paracentesis (LVP, 73.3%). The individual responses regarding albumin use for infections/sepsis, hyponatremia, renal impairment, and encephalopathy were heterogeneous. Conclusion The reported management of PH and varices is mostly adherent to guidelines, but endoscopic surveillance in patients without varices is too intense and EBL is overused in the setting of PP. Knowledge on the correct use of early TIPS must be improved among Austrian specialists. Albumin use is widely unrestricted in Austria; however, albumin is often underdosed in established indications.

Thrombosed orbital varix with mild, spontaneously resolving symptoms

Orbital varices are abnormally enlarged, thin walled veins in direct connection with normal orbital vessels. Stooping, bending, coughing or straining increase the venous tension and in this way can cause symptoms, such as bulging of the eyes (proptosis), orbital pain, bleeding, intermittent double vision. Small varices are managed by observation while larger lesions may require surgery. In our case report we demonstrate the case of a 72-year-old female patient with right sided retro-orbital pressure sensation for weeks, and exophthalmos with blurred vision for 1 week. MR investigation proved the presence of a partially thrombosed orbital varix on the right side, and a smaller, non-thrombosed varix on the left side. Observation was agreed, and the symptoms resolved spontaneously after several weeks.

Prediction of Aspartate Aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index with Size of Esophageal Varices in Liver Cirrhosis

Background: Liver cirrhosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. The threatening complication of Liver cirrhosis is variceal bleeding. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy can reduce mortality associated with variceal bleeding. This study is designed to predict the esophageal varices by non-invasive method using aspartate aminotransferase to platelet count ratio index (APRI).Methods: A total of 100 patients were studied between March 2016 and February 2017 with the diagnosis of Liver cirrhosis admitted at Bir Hospital fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional review board of National Academy of Medical Sciences.Results: Out of one hundred patients, 80 were males and 20 females. On endoscopy, small varices were present in 28 (28%) patients and large varices in 51(51%) patients. APRI with a cutoff value of 0.908 has sensitivity of 87.3% and specificity of 71.4%, positive predictive value of 92% and negative predictive value of 60% (p=0.001) for the detection of varices.Conclusions: Aspartate aminotransferase to platelet count ratio index can be a useful tool to indirectly predict esophageal varices in a patient with Liver Cirrhosis.Keywords: Aminotransferase; aminotransferase to platelet ratio index APRI; esophageal varices; liver cirrhosis; platelet count.

Correlation of Grading of Esophageal Varices with Child Turcotte Pugh Class in Patients of Liver Cirrhosis

Background: Majority of cirrhotic patients develop varices over their lifetime and it is anticipated that roughly one third of varices will develop bleeding. Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) class predicts the risk of variceal bleeding and has been used as a prognostic tool inpatients of liver cirrhosis. Objective: To correlate grade of esophageal varices in Upper Gastrointestinal endoscopy with Child Turcotte Pugh class in patients of liver cirrhosis. Material and method: This is a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in thedepartment of medicine of NGMCTH, Kohalpur between December 2017 to November 2018. A total of 97 patients were included inthe study who were diagnosed as cirrhosis of liver clinically and radio logically. Patient were classified into CTP class A, B and According to CTP score. UGI endoscopy was performed and endoscopic grading of esophageal varices were correlated with CTP classand the data were recorded and analysed. Result: Mean of patients was 50 years. Among 97 patients, 30 (30.9%) were in CTP class A,30 (30.9%) in CTP class B and 37 (38.1%) were in CTP class C. 25 (25.8%) had small varices, 50 (51.5%) had large varices with red colorsign, 20 (20.6%) had large varices without red color sign and 2 (2.1%) had no varices. Most of the patients in CTP class B and C hadlarge varices with red color sign whereas CTP class A had small varices. Conclusion: The cirrhotic patients in CTP class B and C havelarge varices with red color sign and have more chances of bleeding. Hence, routine screening is indicated to determine the presenceof varices. Porphylactic therapy after identifying large varices will decrease the incidence of bleeding leading to reduction inmortality rate.

Unusual Bleeding From Hepaticojejunostomy Controlled by Adult Variable Stiffness Colonoscopy: Report of a Case and Literature Review

We herein present a case of a 59-year-old man who had undergone pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymph node dissection prior to episodes of melena. Series of conventional endoscopic investigations failed to identify the bleeding source. Enhanced computed tomography scan revealed complete obstruction of the main portal vein with numerous collateral veins running towards the hepatic hilus. Comprehensively, hemorrhage from the jejunal varices caused by postoperative portal hypertension was highly suspected. As the jejunal loop was out of reach, adult variable-stiffness colonoscope (AVSC) was utilized to solve the Roux-en-Y anatomy. Numerous telangiectasis and small varices at hepaticojejunostomy were observed and in the mean time, bleeding was noticed and endoclips were placed without any delay. Ectopic variceal bleeding in jejunal loop after pancreaticoduodenectomy is difficult to manage. We believe that AVSC is an alternative device when specialized jejunal endoscopy is not available.