Liver Stiffness by Transient Elastography to Detect Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Liver Disease With Portal Hypertension

Porto-sinusoidal Vascular Disease: Classification and Clinical Relevance

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a well-recognized clinico-pathological entity, which is associated with clinical signs and symptoms, imaging, and endoscopic features of portal hypertension (PHT), in absence of cirrhosis. In patients with NCPH without known risk factors of PHT or extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis, the condition is called idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH). There are multiple infectious, immune related causes, systemic diseases, drug and toxin exposures, haematological disorders, and metabolic risk factors that have been associated with this INCPH. However, the causal pathogenesis is still unclear. The Vascular liver disorders interest group group recently proposed porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) as a syndromic entity, which provides definite histopathological criteria for diagnosis of NCPH (table 1). The three classical histo-morphological lesions specific for PSVD include obliterative portal venopathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and incomplete septal fibrosis. The PSVD definition includes patients with portal vein thrombosis, PVT, and even those without PHT, thus broadening the scope of diagnosis to include patients who may have presented early, prior to haemodynamic changes consistent with PHT. However, this new diagnosis has pros and cons. The cons include mandating invasive liver biopsy to assess the PSVD histological triad in all patients with NCPH, an erstwhile clinical diagnosis in Asian patients. In addition, the natural history of the subclinical forms of PSVD without PHT and linear progression to develop PHT is unknown yet. In this review, we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of INCPH/PSVD, fallacies and strengths of the old and new schema, pathobiology of this disease, and clinical correlates in an Asian context. Although formulation of standardised diagnostic criteria is useful for comparison of clinical cohorts with INCPH/PSVD, prospective clinical validation in global cohorts is necessary to avoid misclassification of vascular disorders of the liver.

Liver disease in germline mutations of telomere-related genes: Prevalence, clinical, radiological, pathological features, outcome, and risk factors

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Germline mutations of telomere-related genes (TRG) induce multiorgan dysfunction, and liver-specific manifestations have not been clearly outlined. We aimed to describe TRG mutations-associated liver diseases.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Retrospective multicenter analysis of liver disease (transaminases > 30 IU/L and/or abnormal liver imaging) in patients with TRG mutations. Main measurements were characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors of liver disease in a TRG mutations cohort. The prevalence of liver disease was compared to a community-based control group (n = 1190) stratified for age and matched 1:3 for known risk factors of liver disease. Among 132 patients with TRG mutations, 95 (72%) had liver disease, with associated lung, blood, skin, rheumatological, and ophthalmological TRG diseases in 82%, 77%, 55%, 39%, and 30% of cases, respectively. Liver biopsy was performed in 52/95 patients, identifying porto-sinusoidal vascular disease in 48% and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis in 15%. After a follow-up of 21 months (12-54), ascites, hepato-pulmonary syndrome, variceal bleeding, and HCC occurred in 14%, 13%, 13%, and 2% of cases, respectively. Five-year liver transplantation-free survival was 69%. A FIB-4 score ≥ 3·25 and ≥1 risk factor for cirrhosis were associated with poor liver transplantation-free survival. Liver disease was more frequent in patients with TRG mutations than in the paired control group [80/396, (20%)], OR 12.9 (CI 95%: 7.8-21.3, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TRG mutations significantly increase the risk of developing liver disease. Although symptoms may be mild, they may be associated with severe disease. Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease and cirrhosis were the most frequent lesions, suggesting that the mechanism of action is multifactorial.

Prospective evaluation of patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: A single centre study

BACKGROUND

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a spectrum of liver diseases, including porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder, with portal hypertension (PH) in the absence of cirrhosis. The natural history and diagnostic approach to NCPH are not well understood.

AIM

We aimed to evaluate disease progression and outcomes in NCPH.

METHODS

Patients with or at risk for NCPH were enrolled in a single centre prospective study; two groups were formed based on the presence of specific features of PH, such as varices, collaterals, portal hypertensive gastropathy or portal hypertensive bleeding. All participants underwent a baseline liver biopsy. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and imaging were repeated every 6-12 months.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients without specific features of PH (Group I), and 35 patients with specific features (Group II) were enrolled. The median follow-up time was 50 months. Group II had higher hepatic venous pressure gradients, non-invasive measures of PH and a lower platelet count (PLT) when compared to Group I. Rates of survival and decompensation were similar in both groups. Patients with PLT ≤100 K/mcL had lower survival compared to those with PLT >100 K/mcL. Patients with LSM ≥10 kPa had lower survival and survival without decompensation when compared to patients with LSM <10 kPa.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients irrespective of specific features of PH had similar survival or survival without decompensation. Patients without specific features are at risk for disease progression and should be monitored closely. Thrombocytopenia and increased LSM are associated with severe forms of liver disease, which are strongly associated with outcomes.

The autoimmune landscape of Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder: What the rheumatologist needs to know

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) encompasses a group of vascular disorders characterized by lesions of the portal venules and sinusoids with clinical manifestations ranging from non-specific abnormalities in serum liver enzymes to clinically overt portal hypertension and related complications. Several reports have documented cases of PSVD in patients with systemic autoimmune conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is of note that these diseases share specific pathophysiological features with PSVD, including endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and molecular signatures. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the association between PSVD and systemic autoimmune diseases, emphasizing the importance of promptly recognizing this condition in the rheumatological practice, and highlighting the key aspects where further research is necessary from both pathogenic and clinical perspectives.

WFUMB Guideline/Guidance on Liver Multiparametric Ultrasound: Part 1. Update to 2018 Guidelines on Liver Ultrasound Elastography

The World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) endorsed the development of this document on multiparametric ultrasound. Part 1 is an update to the WFUMB Liver Elastography Guidelines Update released in 2018 and provides new evidence on the role of ultrasound elastography in chronic liver disease. The recommendations in this update were made and graded using the Oxford classification, including level of evidence (LoE), grade of recommendation (GoR) and proportion of agreement (Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine [OCEBM] 2009). The guidelines are clinically oriented, and the role of shear wave elastography in both fibrosis staging and prognostication in different etiologies of liver disease is discussed, highlighting advantages and limitations. A comprehensive section is devoted to the assessment of portal hypertension, with specific recommendations for the interpretation of liver and spleen stiffness measurements in this setting.

[Portosinusoidal vascular disorder: A paradigm shift]

The term portosinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) refers to a clinical-pathological entity that encompasses those patients with intrahepatic vascular damage without cirrhosis at risk of developing severe complications of portal hypertension. Numerous systemic diseases, genetic disorders, and toxic agents have been associated with this pathology, making its diagnosis an important clinical challenge. The recent description of uniform diagnostic criteria and a better understanding of its pathophysiology will allow for better identification of patients, even in early stages of the disease. Although there is currently no effective etiological treatment available, early diagnosis allows for the development of preventive strategies for some severe complications of portal hypertension.

Abdominal surgery in patients with chronic noncirrhotic extrahepatic portal vein obstruction: A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In patients with noncirrhotic chronic extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO), data on the morbimortality of abdominal surgery are scarce.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 76 patients (78 interventions) with EHPVO undergoing abdominal surgery within the Vascular Disease Interest Group network. Fourteen percent of the patients had ≥1 major bleeding (unrelated to portal hypertension) and 21% had ≥1 Dindo-Clavien grade ≥3 postoperative complications within 1 month after surgery. Fifteen percent had ≥1 portal hypertension-related complication within 3 months after surgery. Three patients died within 12 months after surgery. An unfavorable outcome (ie, ≥1 abovementioned complication or death) occurred in 37% of the patients and was associated with a history of ascites and with nonwall, noncholecystectomy surgical intervention: 17% of the patients with none of these features had an unfavorable outcome, versus 48% and 100% when one or both features were present, respectively. We then compared 63/76 patients with EHPVO with 126 matched (2:1) control patients without EHPVO but with similar surgical interventions. As compared with control patients, the incidence of major bleeding ( p <0.001) and portal hypertension-related complication ( p <0.001) was significantly higher in patients with EHPVO, but not that of grade ≥3 postoperative complications nor of death. The incidence of unfavorable postoperative outcomes was significantly higher in patients with EHPVO than in those without (33% vs. 18%, p =0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with EHPVO are at high risk of major perioperative or postoperative bleeding and postoperative complications, especially in those with ascites or undergoing surgery other than wall surgery or cholecystectomy.

Dissociation in hepatic vein pressure gradient, liver stiffness measurement and complications in histological subtypes of porto-sinusoidal vascular disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Portosinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is a broad term encompassing varied histological patterns with changes in portal tracts and sinusoids without cirrhosis. We aimed to assess whether there is any clinical and pathological difference among the various histological categories of PSVD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included liver biopsy cases classified as PSVD (2020-2022). Clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained from the electronic records. PSVD cases were histologically categorised as obliterative portal venopathy (OPV), OPV with fibrosis (OPV-F), incomplete septal cirrhosis (ISC), nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH), mega sinusoids with fibrosis (MSF) and unclassified. Follow-up complications were recorded.

RESULTS

PSVD categories were OPV (45 (26%)), OPV-F (37 (21.4%)), ISC (20 (11.6%)), NRH (19 (11%)), MSF (19 (11%)) and unclassified (33 (19%)). Elevated hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was noted in OPV-F (10 (IQR: 12-14.7)) and ISC (12 (IQR: 9-14)) mm Hg with higher fibrosis quantity in liver tissue and elevated procollagen III aminoterminal propeptide, which correlated with HVPG. On immunohistochemistry, OPV-F and ISC showed lesser expression of ADAMT13 in liver biopsies (p<0.001). On follow-up, ascites development was more in OPV-F and ISC than in other categories (p=0.001). Higher liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values were recorded in MSF and NRH, compared with other categories, but it did not correlate with fibrosis in liver biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

OPV-F and ISC had higher HVPG, fibrosis, and more ascites development on follow-up than the other categories of PSVD, and all are not the same. In contrast, MSF and NRH have spuriously high LSM.

Role of endoscopy in hepatology

The growing and evolving field of EUS and advanced hepatobiliary endoscopy has amplified traditional upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and unveiled novel options for remaining unsolved hepatobiliary issues, both diagnostically and therapeutically. This conceptually appealing and fascinating integration of endoscopy within the practice of hepatology is referred to as 'endo-hepatology'. Endo-hepatology focuses on the one hand on disorders of the liver parenchyma and liver vasculature and of the hepatobiliary tract on the other hand. Applications hanging under the umbrella of endohepatology involve amongst others EUS-guided liver biopsy, EUS-guided portal pressure measurement, EUS-guided portal venous blood sampling, EUS-guided coil & glue embolization of gastric varices and spontaneous portosystemic shunts as well as ERCP in the challenging context of (decompensated cirrhosis) and intraductal cholangioscopy for primary sclerosing cholangitis. Although endoscopic proficiency however does not necessarily equal in an actual straightforward end-solution for currently persisting (complex) hepatobiliary situations. Therefore, endohepatology continues to generate high-quality data to validate and standardize procedures against currently considered (best available) "golden standards" while continuing to search and trying to provide novel minimally invasive solutions for persisting hepatological stalemate situations. In the current review, we aim to critically appraise the status and potential future directions of endo-hepatology.

The non-invasive evaluation of liver involvement in patients with cystic fibrosis: A prospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) has been described as the prominent pathology in liver explants of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), but data outside the transplant setting are lacking. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of portal hypertension (PH) in CF-associated liver disease (CFLD) and develop an algorithm to classify liver involvement in CF patients.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of consecutive paediatric and adult patients in a tertiary centre between 2018 and 2019, who underwent ultrasound, liver (LSM) and spleen stiffness (SSM) measurement. CFLD was defined according to physical examination, liver tests and ultrasound findings. PSVD was likely if there were PH signs in the absence of advanced chronic liver disease (CF-ACLD, LSM <10 kPa). A historical cohort was used to validate the prognostic significance of the new definitions.

RESULTS

Fifty (27.5%) patients met CFLD criteria. At least one sign of PH was found in 47 (26%) patients, but most (81%) had LSM <10 kPa and were likely to have PSVD; only 9 (5%) had CF-ACLD. PSVD and CFLD (LSM <10 kPa) co-existed in most (23/36) cases. In the historical cohort (n = 599 patients), likely PSVD and CFLD+PH were independently associated with a 2-fold and 3.5-fold increase in mortality compared to patients without PH, respectively. In 34 patients with SSM, values <21 and >50 kPa accurately diagnosed specific signs of PH.

CONCLUSIONS

PSVD is the prevailing cause of PH in CF patients. We developed a new diagnostic algorithm based on clinical and elastosonography criteria to classify liver involvement in patients with CF.

Diagnostic performance of transient elastography in differentiation between porto-sinusoidal vascular liver disease and compensated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The efficacy of transient elastography (TE) in the differential diagnosis between porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) and compensated cirrhosis has not been sufficiently studied. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of TE and identify histological lesions associated with liver stiffness.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients with PSVD and cirrhosis (Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A) and healthy subjects. Both the PSVD and cirrhotic patients had at least one sign of PH. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used for differentiation.

RESULTS

Ninety-two patients with PSVD (median age: 53 years, 33% male), 100 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 101 healthy subjects were included. The median TE-LSM in the PSVD patients (10.0 [7.0-13.0] kPa) was significantly lower than that in the cirrhotic patients (21.0 [15.0-28.0] kPa, p < .001) but was significantly higher than that in the healthy subjects (5.1 [4.6-6.0] kPa, p < .001). The AUROCs of TE-LSM for the discrimination of PSVD from the cirrhosis and healthy subjects were 0.886 (95% CI: 0.833-0.928) and 0.913 (95% CI: 0.864-0.949), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity to discriminate PSVD from compensated cirrhosis were 78.3% and 82.0%, respectively, at a cut-off of 13.6 kPa. Furthermore, portal fibrosis and aberrant cytokeratin 7 expression of centrilobular hepatocytes were significantly associated with higher TE-LSM (≥10.0 kPa).

CONCLUSION

TE-LSM can be used to differentiate PSVD from compensated cirrhosis. Pathological features in association with increased liver stiffness are identified.

A Narrative Review on Non-Cirrohotic Portal Hypertension: Not All Portal Hypertensions Mean Cirrhosis

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH), also known as idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) and porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD), is a rare disease characterized by intrahepatic portal hypertension (IPH) in the absence of cirrhosis. The precise etiopathogenesis of IPH is an area of ongoing research. NCPH diagnosis is challenging, as there are no specific tests available to confirm the disease, and a high-quality liver biopsy, detailed clinical information, and an expert pathologist are necessary for diagnosis. Currently, the treatment of NCPH relies on the prevention of complications related to portal hypertension, following current guidelines of cirrhotic portal hypertension. No treatment has been studied that aimed to modify the natural history of the disease; however, transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) placement, shunt and liver transplantation are considerable symptomatic options. In this review, we discuss the heterogeneity of NCPH as well as its etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation and management issues. Starting from the assumption that portal hypertension does not always mean cirrhosis, cooperative studies are probably needed to clarify the issues of etiology and the possible genetic background of this rare disease. This knowledge might lead to better treatment and perhaps better prevention.

Impact of catheter tip to hepatic vein ostium distance on the validity and prognostication of hepatic venous pressure gradient in cirrhosis

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is an accurate measure of portal hypertension in cirrhosis. However, the effect of catheter tip distance from hepatic vein ostium (HVO) on HVPG is unknown. We performed a retrospective study on 228 patients with 307 HVPGs in our institution. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of catheter position on the validity of HVPG and its prognostication in cirrhosis. In this study, free hepatic vein pressure (FHVP) was considered optimal when difference between FHVP and inferior vena cava pressure was ≤ 2 mmHg. HVPG progressively decreased (p < 0.001) when measured at increasing distance from HVO due to an increasing FHVP (p = 0.036) but an unchanged wedged hepatic vein pressure (p = 0.343). Catheter tip distance > 5 to ≤ 8 cm [odds ratio {OR} 0.16 (95% CI 0.05-0.47), p = 0.001] and > 8 cm [OR 0.14 (95% CI 0.04-0.47), p = 0.002] compared to ≤ 3 cm from HVO were independent predictors of not achieving optimal FHVP. Baseline HVPG ≥ 16 mmHg was strongly associated with deaths due to cirrhosis and liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease compared to HVPG < 16 mmHg when FHVP was optimal (p < 0.001) but not when it was suboptimal (p = 0.359). Our study showed that FHVP is spuriously elevated when measured at > 5 cm from HVO, resulting in inaccurately low HVPG.

Prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatic encephalopathy, (HE) although commonly associated with cirrhosis, has also been reported in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH). The importance of identifying and treating HE in NCPH lies in the fact that many patients may be wrongly diagnosed as having psychiatric or neurologic disorders. Hence, we aimed to systematically review the prevalence of HE in NCPH.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of three databases (Medline, Embase and Scopus) was conducted from inception to November 2022 for studies reporting on the prevalence of minimal HE (MHE) and overt HE (OHE) in patients with NCPH. Results were presented as pooled proportions with their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Total 25 studies (n = 1487) were included after screening 551 records. The pooled prevalence of MHE in NPCH was 32.9% (95% CI: 26.7-39.0) without any difference between adult (32.9%, 95% CI: 23.5-42.3) and pediatric patients (32.6%, 95% CI: 26.1-39.1) (p = 0.941). There was no significant difference in the prevalence between patients with NCPH and compensated cirrhosis with odds ratio of 1.06 (95% CI: 0.77-1.44). The pooled event rate for prior history of OHE in NCPH was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.3-2.1).

CONCLUSION

Around one-third of the patients with NCPH have MHE, irrespective of age group. OHE is extremely rare in NCPH and is usually associated with a precipitating factor.

Advances in Endohepatology

Over the past decade, the number of endoscopic procedures relevant to patients with liver disease not only increased but also altered and expanded in terms of indications and applications. "Endohepatology" refers to the integration of advanced endoscopy within the practice of hepatology with endoscopic ultrasound as one of the main pillars. Current applications under the umbrella of endohepatology focus on advanced diagnostics and oncological, vascular, and metabolic interventions. These involve, among others, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided liver biopsy, EUS-guided portal pressure gradient measurement, and EUS-guided coil and glue embolization of gastric varices. In addition to its conceptually attractive technical and innovative characteristics, endohepatology is also an appealing practical option for daily practice because it can be offered as a "one-stop clinic" intervention where comprehensive endoscopic diagnostic and/or therapeutic testing is performed in a single outpatient visit. In this review, we will discuss current trends and future developments within endohepatology and the remaining hurdles to overcome.

Noninvasive differentiation of porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder from cirrhosis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is one of the common causes of portal hypertension and has overlapping features with early cirrhosis. The differentiation of PSVD from cirrhosis requires a liver biopsy, which is invasive and has potential complications. This systematic review aimed at summarizing the current evidence on the performance of noninvasive modalities for differentiating PSVD from cirrhosis.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of electronic databases of MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus was conducted from 2000 to October 2022 for the studies comparing the elastographic and radiological features of PSVD and cirrhosis, using liver biopsy as the gold standard.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies were included in the systematic review. Transient elastography (TE) as a modality was studied in five studies, MR elastography (MRE) in two, contrast CT in two, Contrast CT and MRI in two, and ARFI in only one. Both TE and MRE showed a significantly lower liver stiffness measurement and a higher splenic stiffness measurement with a higher SSM/LSM ratio with PSVD, compared to cirrhosis. Among the radiological features, focal nodular hyperplasia-like lesions, portal vein abnormalities (intrahepatic and extrahepatic), and a larger spleen size favored a diagnosis of PSVD. In contrast, surface nodularity and atrophy of segment IV with a segment I hypertrophy favored a diagnosis of cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

Elastography and cross-sectional imaging can help differentiate PSVD from early cirrhosis with good accuracy. Further studies are required to assess the diagnostic role of a combination of both modalities.

Austrian consensus on the diagnosis and management of portal hypertension in advanced chronic liver disease (Billroth IV)

The Billroth IV consensus was developed during a consensus meeting of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ÖGGH) and the Austrian Society of Interventional Radiology (ÖGIR) held on the 26th of November 2022 in Vienna.Based on international recommendations and considering recent landmark studies, the Billroth IV consensus provides guidance regarding the diagnosis and management of portal hypertension in advanced chronic liver disease.

Vascular liver diseases: A sex-oriented analysis of the literature

Vascular liver diseases are an heterogenous group of diseases that collectively represent an important health issue in the field of liver diseases. This narrative review was elaborated by the Special Interest Group (SIG) "Gender in Hepatology" of the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF). We aimed to review the current knowledge regarding the potential role of biological sex in patients with vascular liver diseases such as splanchnic vein thrombosis, hepatic vein thrombosis, porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. As vascular liver diseases commonly affect young individuals, including women in childbearing age, we also included a specific section on the management of pregnancy in these challenging patients.

Splenic-hepatic elastography index is useful in differentiating between porto-sinusoidal vascular disease and cirrhosis in patients with portal hypertension

INTRODUCTION

In patients with portal hypertension (PH), the differential diagnosis between porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) and cirrhosis is challenging. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the SSM/LSM index in the diagnosis of PSVD.

METHODS

Prospective study of patients with PH and PSVD or cirrhosis. Transient liver and spleen elastography were performed and the ratio between spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was calculated. The relation of SSM/LSM with the diagnosis of PSVD was evaluated.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients with PSVD and 44 patients with cirrhosis were evaluated. Median age was 57.5 (IQR 49.0-64.5) years, 66.3% were males. In patients with PSVD, median SSM was 59.4 (33.5-77.7) kPa, median LSM was 6.2 (5.2-10.2) kPa and median SSM/LSM was 5.62 (3.15-9.68). In patients with cirrhosis, median SSM was 47.3 (24.3-60.3) kPa, median LSM was 27.8 (17.7-53.9) kPa and median SSM/LSM was 1.55 (1.06-3.24). The SSM/LSM AUROC was 0.940 (p<0.001). Using 2 as a cut-off, we obtained good sensitivity (86.5%), specificity (92.7%), and accuracy (89.7%) for the diagnosis of PSVD.

CONCLUSION

The SSM/LSM index is useful in the differential diagnosis between liver cirrhosis and PSVD. Using the cut-off of 2 we achieved a good sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing PSVD.

Imaging features facilitate diagnosis of porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder

OBJECTIVES

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is a recently defined vascular liver disease. Since diagnosis remains challenging, we aimed to evaluate radiological features that are distinct between PSVD and cirrhosis.

METHODS

Clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters (CT/MRI) of patients with histologically-confirmed PSVD vs. cirrhosis vs. non-cirrhotic parenchymal liver disease were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-three PSVD, 155 cirrhosis, and 41 non-cirrhotic patients were included. As compared to cirrhosis, PSVD patients were younger and had lower HVPG, liver stiffness, and MELD. Routine clinical and imaging findings indicative of portal hypertension were similarly common. Intrahepatic portal tract abnormalities (49% vs. 15%; p < 0.001), FNH-like lesions (30% vs. 1%; p < 0.001), and abnormal liver morphology defined as peripheral parenchymal atrophy and compensatory hypertrophy of central segments (32% vs. 7%; p < 0.001) were significantly more common in PSVD patients. Hypertrophy of segment I (70% vs. 84%; p = 0.019), atrophy of segment IV (24% vs. 47%; p = 0.001), and nodular liver surface (22% vs. 89%; p < 0.001) were more common in patients with cirrhosis. In patients with gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, we identified the distinct imaging feature of "periportal hyperintensity" in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in 42% of patients with PSVD (14/33) vs. 1% in cirrhosis (1/95) vs. 0% in non-cirrhotic controls (0/41); p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of PSVD must be considered in younger patients presenting with clinical features of portal hypertension, portal tract abnormalities, and FNH-like lesions on CT/MRI. 'Periportal hyperintensity' in the HBP of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI was identified as a specific radiological feature of PSVD.

KEY POINTS

• Cross-sectional imaging can provide essential information to identify patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD). • Intrahepatic portal tract abnormalities, FNH-like lesions, and abnormal liver morphology are common in PSVD patients. • Periportal hyperintensity on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI seems to be specific for patients with PSVD.

[Current diagnostics and treatment of portal hypertension]

In industrial nations portal hypertension is mostly a consequence of liver cirrhosis and is a prerequisite for complications, such as esophageal varices and ascites. The pathophysiology of portal hypertension is complex. It is defined as an increase in the hepatovenous pressure gradient to > 5 mm Hg, with complications to be expected at ≥ 10 mm Hg. Measurement of the pressure of the hepatic vein occlusion is the gold standard for estimating portal pressure but this is not very practical. Liver elastography, in particular, has proven to be an effective noninvasive tool to identify patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). Current treatment concepts address the CSPH even before the onset of complications to reduce the likelihood of decompensation. In addition to beta blockers, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is the most important procedure to lower portal vein pressure and enables an improvement in the prognosis of selected patients.

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder

It is well established that portal hypertension can occur in the absence of cirrhosis, as reported in patients with immune disorders, infections and thrombophilia. However, similar histological abnormalities primarily affecting the hepatic sinusoidal and (peri)portal vasculature have also been observed in patients without portal hypertension. Thus, the term porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) has recently been introduced to describe a group of vascular diseases of the liver featuring lesions encompassing the portal venules and sinusoids, irrespective of the presence/absence of portal hypertension. Liver biopsy is fundamental for PSVD diagnosis. Specific histology findings include nodular regenerative hyperplasia, obliterative portal venopathy/portal vein stenosis and incomplete septal fibrosis/cirrhosis. Since other conditions including alcohol-related and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or viral hepatitis, or the presence of portal vein thrombosis may occur in patients with PSVD, their relative contribution to liver damage should be carefully assessed. In addition to histology and clinical diagnostic criteria, imaging and non-invasive tests such as liver and spleen stiffness measurements could aid in the diagnostic workup. The introduction of PSVD as a novel clinical entity will facilitate collaborative studies and investigations into the underlying molecular pathomechanisms encompassed by this term.

Pathological and imaging features of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH), a kind of portal sinus vascular disease with unknown etiology, is characterized by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of portal hypertension (PH) in the absence of liver cirrhosis or known risk factors accountable for PH. It has an extremely high rate of initial misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Liver biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis. Non-invasive modalities, such as CT imaging, are becoming a hot topic of interest in recent years. This article summarizes the pathological and CT/MRI features of INCPH and the key points of differentiation from cirrhosis, to improve clinicians' understanding of INCPH and reduce the rate of initial misdiagnosis and missed diagnoses.

Contrast-enhanced CT and liver surface nodularity for the diagnosis of porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder: A case-control study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is a rare and commonly overlooked cause of portal hypertension. The interest of CT analysis, including quantification of liver surface nodularity (LSN) for PSVD diagnosis has not been established. This study aimed at assessing the performance of LSN and CT features for a PSVD diagnosis in patients with signs of portal hypertension.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

This retrospective case-control study included a learning cohort consisting of 50 patients with histologically proven PSVD, according to VALDIG criteria, and 100 control patients with histologically proven cirrhosis, matched on ascites. All patients and controls had at least one sign of portal hypertension and CT available within 1 year of liver biopsy. Principal component analysis of CT features separated patients with PSVD from patients with cirrhosis. Patients with PSVD had lower median LSN than those with cirrhosis (2.4 vs. 3.1, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified LSN < 2.5 and normal-sized or enlarged segment IV as independently associated with PSVD. Combination of these two features had a specificity of 90% for PSVD and a diagnostic accuracy of 84%. Even better results were obtained in an independent multicenter validation cohort including 53 patients with PSVD and 106 control patients with cirrhosis (specificity 94%, diagnostic accuracy 87%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study that included a total of 103 patients with PSVD and 206 patients with cirrhosis demonstrates that LSN < 2.5 combined with normal-sized or enlarged segment IV strongly suggests PSVD in patients with signs of portal hypertension.

Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease: A Pediatric Study of 30 Patients

OBJECTIVES

Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) refers to a broad spectrum of histological lesions and phenotypic expressions. There are only a few reported pediatric cases in the literature. The primary outcomes of this study were to describe the phenotype of children with PSVD, to specify their mode of presentation and their clinical, biological, histological, and radiological characteristics as well as to identify their underlying etiologies.

METHODS

This is a descriptive, retrospective, and monocentric study of children followed at our reference center for rare vascular liver diseases.

RESULTS

Our study included 30 children ages 2months to 17.4years at the time of diagnosis. in most cases, the diagnosis was made incidentally without manifestation of any clinical symptom but rather on the finding of splenomegaly on physical examination (n = 9) or biological abnormalities (n = 13). In the other cases, the main presenting symptom was an upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 6). At the first visit, liver laboratory values were either normal (37%) or slightly disturbed. Anemia and/or thrombocytopenia associated with hypersplenism were found in 60% of patients. Liver biopsy was necessary for diagnosis. A total of 80% of cases had no identified etiology. After a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 33% had not developed portal hypertension (PHT) and we reported the first pediatric case of hepatocellular carcinoma in PSVD children.

CONCLUSIONS

PSVD is responsible for nonspecific symptomatology with variable evolution sometimes marked by serious complications requiring invasive treatments or even liver transplantation. Regular monitoring is essential to prevent, detect, and treat complications.

Identifying Patients at High Risk of Developing Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension

The term porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) has been recently proposed to replace the term idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) to describe patients with or without signs of portal hypertension and typical histological lesions involving the portal venules or sinusoids in the absence of cirrhosis. According to the new definition, the presence of known causes of liver disease as well as of portal vein thrombosis does not rule out PSVD. Therefore, the patients in whom the diagnosis of PSVD is possible are much more than the patients strictly fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for INCPH. In this setting, the clinical challenge for the hepatologist is to identify patients at risk of developing PSVD and to indicate liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. We describe some possible scenarios in which PSVD should always be suspected, and we provide some tools useful to reach the diagnosis of PSVD.

Idiopathic Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension and Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease: Review of Current Data

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a clinicopathologic disease entity characterized by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms of portal hypertension (PH) in the absence of liver cirrhosis or known risk factors accountable for PH. Multiple hematologic, immune-related, infectious, hereditary and metabolic risk factors have been associated with this disorder. Still, the exact etiopathogenesis is largely unknown. The recently proposed porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) scheme broadens the spectrum of the disease by also including patients without clinical PH who are found to have similar histopathologic findings on core liver biopsies. Three histomorphologic lesions have been identified as specific for PSVD to include obliterative portal venopathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and incomplete septal cirrhosis/fibrosis. However, these findings are often subtle, under-recognized and subjective with low interobserver agreement among pathologists. Additionally, the natural history of the subclinical forms of the disease remains unexplored. The clinical course is more favorable compared to cirrhosis patients, especially in the absence of clinical PH or liver dysfunction. There are no universally accepted guidelines in regard to diagnosis and treatment of INCPH/PSVD. Hence, this review emphasizes the need to raise awareness of this entity by highlighting its complex pathophysiology and clinicopathologic associations. Lastly, formulation of standardized diagnostic criteria with clinical validation is necessary to avoid misclassifying vascular diseases of the liver and to develop and implement targeted therapeutic strategies.