Congenital portal venous system aneurysms associated with caput medusae

Recognizing skin conditions in patients with cirrhosis: a narrative review

Background: The skin is a major target organ for extrahepatic manifestations of liver diseases, and dermatologic abnormalities are common in patients with hepatic disorders. Clinical examination of the skin, nails and hair can allow for appropriate recognition, early diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases, and improvement in the quality of life and life expectancy of affected patients.Methods: We searched 3 databases (Pubmed,Medline and Embase) and selected studies about cirrhosis related skin manifestations and their pathophysiology.Results: A total of 73 articles were included in the review. Studies displayed the spectrum of cutaneous manifestations related to hormonal and vascular changes as well as nail and hair changes in patients with cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension.Conclusion: Cutaneous alterations are important clues or potential indications in the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Familiarity with skin conditions can be promptly diagnosed and appropriate management initiated.KEY MESSAGESManifestations of the liver and skin disorders are interrelated in various ways. Cutaneous changes may be the first clue that a patient has liver disease.The skin is a major target organ for extrahepatic manifestations of liver diseases. A broad range of cutaneous alterations can be present in patients with cirrhosis, such as vascular, nail, hair, hormonal changes, etc.Recognizing these signs is crucial so that potential underlying diseases including liver disease can be promptly diagnosed and appropriate management timely initiated.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in portal venous system aneurysms: A multi-center study

AIM: To investigate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) findings in portal venous system aneurysms (PVSAs).

METHODS: In this multi-center, retrospective, case series study, we evaluated CEUS features of seven cases of PVSAs that were found incidentally on conventional ultrasound in the period 2007-2013. Three Ultrasound Centers were involved (Chieti, Italy, Bad Mergentheim, Germany, and Cluj-Napoca, Romania). All patients underwent CEUS with Sonovue^® (Bracco, Milan, Italy) at a standard dose of 2.4 mL, followed by 10 mL of 0.9% saline solution. The examinations were performed using multifrequency transducers and low mechanical index. We considered aneurysmal a focal dilatation of the portal venous system with a size that was significantly greater than the remaining segments of the same vein, and that was equal or larger than 21 mm for the extrahepatic segments of portal venous system, main portal vein and bifurcation, and 9 mm for the intrahepatic branches.

RESULTS: After contrast agent injection, all PVSAs were not enhanced in the arterial phase (starting 8-22 s). All PVSAs were then rapidly enhanced in the early portal venous phase (starting three to five seconds after the arterial phase, 11-30 s), with persistence and slow washout of the contrast agent in the late phase (starting 120 s). In all patients, CEUS confirmed the presence of a “to-and-fro” flow by showing a swirling pattern within the dilatation in the early portal venous phase. CEUS also improved the delineation of the lumen, and was reliable in showing its patency degree and integrity of walls. In one patient, CEUS showed a partial enhancement of the lumen with a uniformly nonenhancing area in the portal venous and late phases, suggesting thrombosis.

CONCLUSION: In our case series, we found that CEUS could be useful in the assessment and follow-up of a PVSA. Further studies are needed to validate its diagnostic accuracy.