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Büyük M, Berker N, Bakkaloğlu DV, Şenkal İV, Önal Z, Güllüoğlu M. Evaluation of the histologic and immunohistochemical (CD34, glutamine synthetase) findings in idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH). Hepatol Int 2024; 18:1011-1019. [PMID: 38536628 PMCID: PMC11126445 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10654-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
AIM Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a vascular disorder of uncertain origin. Diagnosis can be challenging on liver biopsy. Despite diverse histomorphologic findings documented in literature, studies on the frequency of these findings are lacking. This study aims to assess both the histomorphologic features and the immunoexpression patterns of CD34 and glutamine synthetase (GS) in liver biopsies and searched for their contribution to the pathologic diagnosis of INCPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hematoxylin-eosin, CD34, and GS-stained liver needle biopsy sections of 16 patients clinically diagnosed with INCPH were retrospectively analyzed. Histologic findings such as portal vein narrowing, obliteration, or loss were grouped as major findings, while portal vein herniation, hypervascularized portal tracts, and periportal abnormal vessels were grouped as minor findings, and their frequency were evaluated. Periportal endothelial CD34 stained areas were measured via ocular micrometer. The distribution of GS immunoexpression was evaluated. Eighteen healthy liver donor biopsies were evaluated as controls. RESULTS In INCPH cases, 58% of portal tracts showed major findings, compared to 15% in the control group (p < 0.001). Minor findings were observed in 16% of INCPH cases and 7% of controls (p = 0.014). The number of portal tracts with histologic findings is significantly higher in INCPH than in control liver biopsies. Abnormal portal tract distribution, like being close to each other, was seen in 75% of INCPH cases but not in controls (p < 0.001). Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) was present in 31% of cases. Periportal CD34 expression was higher in INCPH, and affected areas were larger than in controls (p < 0.001). Irregular GS staining, i.e. GS staining with patchy distribution in zone 3, and/or periportal and zone 2 hepatocytes, was found in 62% of INCPH cases, while controls showed the usual pattern (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION In the biopsy diagnosis of INCPH, in addition to the presence of major histologic findings and the amount of portal tracts displaying these features, the expression of endothelial CD34 in periportal areas, and irregular hepatocellular GS expression can also be considered as supporting feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melek Büyük
- Department of Pathology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Neslihan Berker
- Department of Pathology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Doğu Vurallı Bakkaloğlu
- Department of Pathology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Volkan Şenkal
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zerrin Önal
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Department, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mine Güllüoğlu
- Department of Pathology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
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Jafari P, Evaristo G, Du XA, Sharma AE, Marcus V, Liu X, Zhao L, Westerhoff M, Hart J. Portosinusoidal Vascular Disorder: A Heretofore Unrecognized Manifestation of Sickle Cell Disease? Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100351. [PMID: 37820763 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Portosinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is a recently proposed histopathologic entity that encompasses a spectrum of often subtle hepatic microvascular lesions and related microarchitectural abnormalities. Clinical manifestations may arise years after histologic diagnosis and include extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension. While the histopathologic features of PSVD have been associated with numerous clinical conditions, most notably prothrombotic/vasculopathic disorders, PSVD has not yet been described in sickle cell disease. This gap is striking given the central role of microvascular dysfunction in sickle cell disease and well-described patterns of hepatic injury and dysfunction in this population. This case series is the first to explore the prevalence and pathogenesis of PSVD in sickle cell disease. Forty-one diagnostically adequate liver biopsies from patients with sickle cell disease were identified across the archives of 5 tertiary medical centers. All biopsies exhibited at least 1 histopathologic feature associated with PSVD (mean 3.8 features/case). Overall, 90.2% of patients met the criteria for a diagnosis of PSVD based on the presence of specific histopathologic and/or clinical findings. Immunohistochemical stains for von Willebrand factor, CD34, and glutamine synthetase were performed on 36 cases (87.8%). Aberrant (centrilobular sinusoidal) CD34 and von Willebrand factor staining was present in 97.2% and 86.1% of cases, respectively. Glutamine synthetase reactivity was at least mildly decreased in zone 3 hepatocytes in 52.8% of cases. We posit that chronic erythrocyte sickling results in dysfunction and remodeling of the portal microvasculature, culminating in regression of zone 3 hepatocytes. The presence of PSVD may explain, at least in part, the hepatic dysfunction observed in this patient population. These patients may also benefit from extended clinical surveillance for portal hypertension and other complications. While subtle and prone to overdiagnosis, the features of PSVD should be carefully considered when interpreting liver biopsies from patients with sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pari Jafari
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Gertruda Evaristo
- Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xiaotang Alison Du
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Aarti E Sharma
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Victoria Marcus
- Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xiuli Liu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Westerhoff
- Department of Pathology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - John Hart
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Isidro RA, Zhao L. Evolving Understanding of Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension. Surg Pathol Clin 2023; 16:549-563. [PMID: 37536888 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Although cirrhosis is one of the most common causes of portal hypertension, noncirrhotic portal hypertension can result from hemodynamic perturbations occurring in the prehepatic, intrahepatic, and posthepatic circulation. Intrahepatic portal hypertension can be further subclassified relative to the hepatic sinusoids as presinusoidal, sinusoidal, and postsinusoidal. For many of these differential diagnoses, the etiology is known but the cause of idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension, recently included in porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD), remains poorly understood. Herein, we discuss the diagnostic pathological features of noncirrhotic portal hypertension, with an emphasis on PSVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond A Isidro
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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De Gottardi A, Sempoux C, Berzigotti A. Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1124-1135. [PMID: 35690264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Gottardi
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Christine Sempoux
- Service of Clinical Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department for Visceral Medicine and Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Tan MJ, Liu H, Ding HG. Pathological and imaging features of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2022; 30:729-734. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v30.i16.729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Jie Tan
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing You'An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You'An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Hui-Guo Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing You'An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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Kmeid M, Liu X, Ballentine S, Lee H. Idiopathic Non-Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension and Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease: Review of Current Data. Gastroenterology Res 2021; 14:49-65. [PMID: 34007347 PMCID: PMC8110235 DOI: 10.14740/gr1376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Kmeid
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Xiuli Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida at Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Samuel Ballentine
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hwajeong Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
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