-
Liver International : Official Journal... Feb 2020Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis, which develops in 5%-10% of patients per year. Its management is based on symptomatic measures including... (Review)
Review
Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis, which develops in 5%-10% of patients per year. Its management is based on symptomatic measures including restriction of sodium intake, diuretics and paracentesis. Underlying liver disease must always be treated and may improve ascites. In some patients, ascites is not controlled by medical therapies and has a major impact on quality of life and survival. TIPS placement and liver transplantation must therefore be discussed. More recently, repeated albumin infusions and Alfapump have emerged as new therapies in ascites. In this review, the current data on these different options are analysed and an algorithm to help the physician make clinical decisions is suggested.
Topics: Ascites; Diuretics; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Transplantation; Paracentesis; Quality of Life
PubMed: 32077614
DOI: 10.1111/liv.14361 -
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology Jan 2023The development of refractory ascites in approximately 10% of patients with decompensated cirrhosis heralds the progression to a more advanced stage of cirrhosis. Its... (Review)
Review
The development of refractory ascites in approximately 10% of patients with decompensated cirrhosis heralds the progression to a more advanced stage of cirrhosis. Its pathogenesis is related to significant hemodynamic changes, initiated by portal hypertension, but ultimately leading to renal hypoperfusion and avid sodium retention. Inflammation can also contribute to the pathogenesis of refractory ascites by causing portal microthrombi, perpetuating the portal hypertension. Many complications accompany the development of refractory ascites, but renal dysfunction is most common. Management starts with continuation of sodium restriction, which needs frequent reviews for adherence; and regular large volume paracentesis of 5 L or more with albumin infusions to prevent the development of paracentesisinduced circulatory dysfunction. Albumin infusions independent of paracentesis may have a role in the management of these patients. The insertion of a covered, smaller diameter, transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic stent shunt (TIPS) in the appropriate patients with reasonable liver reserve can bring about improvement in quality of life and improved survival after ascites clearance. Devices such as an automated low-flow ascites pump may be available in the future for ascites treatment. Patients with refractory ascites should be referred for liver transplant, as their prognosis is poor. In patients with refractory ascites and concomitant chronic kidney disease of more than stage 3b, assessment should be referred for dual liver-kidney transplants. In patients with very advanced cirrhosis not suitable for any definitive treatment for ascites control, palliative care should be involved to improve the quality of life of these patients.
Topics: Humans; Ascites; Quality of Life; Liver Cirrhosis; Albumins; Hypertension, Portal; Sodium; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; Paracentesis
PubMed: 35676862
DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0104 -
Canadian Respiratory Journal 2020Symptomatic malignant pleural effusion is a common clinical problem. This condition is associated with very high mortality, with life expectancy ranging from 3 to 12... (Review)
Review
Symptomatic malignant pleural effusion is a common clinical problem. This condition is associated with very high mortality, with life expectancy ranging from 3 to 12 months. Studies are contributing evidence on an increasing number of therapeutic options (therapeutic thoracentesis, thoracoscopic pleurodesis or thoracic drainage, indwelling pleural catheter, surgery, or a combination of these therapies). Despite the availability of therapies, the management of malignant pleural effusion is challenging and is mainly focused on the relief of symptoms. The therapy to be administered needs to be designed on a case-by-case basis considering patient's preferences, life expectancy, tumour type, presence of a trapped lung, resources available, and experience of the treating team. At present, the management of malignant pleural effusion has evolved towards less invasive approaches based on ambulatory care. This approach spares the patient the discomfort caused by more invasive interventions and reduces the economic burden of the disease. A review was performed of the diagnosis and the different approaches to the management of malignant pleural effusion, with special emphasis on their indications, usefulness, cost-effectiveness, and complications. Further research is needed to shed light on the current matters of controversy and help establish a standardized, more effective management of this clinical problem.
Topics: Catheters, Indwelling; Drainage; Humans; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Thoracentesis
PubMed: 33273991
DOI: 10.1155/2020/2950751 -
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) Oct 2019Tuberculous effusion is a common disease entity with a spectrum of presentations from a largely benign effusion, which resolves completely, to a complicated effusion... (Review)
Review
Tuberculous effusion is a common disease entity with a spectrum of presentations from a largely benign effusion, which resolves completely, to a complicated effusion with loculations, pleural thickening and even frank empyema, all of which may have a lasting effect on lung function. The pathogenesis is a combination of true pleural infection and an effusive hypersensitivity reaction, compartmentalized within the pleural space. Diagnostic thoracentesis with thorough pleural fluid analysis including biomarkers such as adenosine deaminase and gamma interferon achieves high accuracy in the correct clinical context. Definitive diagnosis may require invasive procedures to demonstrate histological evidence of caseating granulomas or microbiological evidence of the organism on smear or culture. Drug resistance is an emerging problem that requires vigilance and extra effort to acquire a complete drug sensitivity profile for each tuberculous effusion treated. Nucleic acid amplification tests such as Xpert MTB/RIF can be invaluable in this instance; however, the yield is low in pleural fluid. Treatment consists of standard anti-tuberculous therapy or a guideline-based individualized regimen in the case of drug resistance. There is low-quality evidence that suggests possible benefit from corticosteroids; however, they are not currently recommended due to concomitant increased risk of adverse effects. Small studies report some short- and long-term benefit from interventions such as therapeutic thoracentesis, intrapleural fibrinolytics and surgery but many questions remain to be answered.
Topics: Adenosine Deaminase; Antitubercular Agents; Body Fluids; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Interferon-gamma; Pleural Effusion; Thoracentesis; Tuberculosis, Pleural
PubMed: 31418985
DOI: 10.1111/resp.13673 -
Current Cardiology Reports Jul 2021Pericardial effusion is a challenging pericardial syndrome and a cause of serious concern for physicians and patients due to its potential progression to... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Pericardial effusion is a challenging pericardial syndrome and a cause of serious concern for physicians and patients due to its potential progression to life-threatening cardiac tamponade. In this review, we summarize the contemporary evidence of the etiology; diagnostic work-up, with particular emphasis on the contribution of multimodality imaging; therapeutic options; and short- and long-term outcomes of these patients.
RECENT FINDINGS
In recent years, an important piece of information has contributed to put together several missing parts of the puzzle of pericardial effusion. The most recent 2015 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases are a valuable aid for a tailored approach to this condition. Actually, current guidelines suggest a 4-step treatment algorithm depending on the presence or absence of hemodynamic impairment; the elevation of inflammatory markers; the presence of a known or first-diagnosed underlying condition, possibly related to pericardial effusion; and finally the duration and size of the effusion. In contrast to earlier perceptions, based on the most recent evidence, it seems that in the subgroup of asymptomatic patients with large (> 2-cm end-diastolic diameter), chronic (> 3 months) C-reactive protein negative, idiopathic (without an apparent cause) pericardial effusion, a conservative approach is the most reasonable option. At present there is an increasing interest in the pericardial syndromes in general and pericardial effusions in specific, which has consistently expanded our knowledge in this "hazy landscape." Apart from general recommendations applied to all cases, an individualized, etiologically driven treatment is of paramount importance.
Topics: Cardiac Tamponade; Cardiology; Hemodynamics; Humans; Pericardial Effusion; Pericardiocentesis
PubMed: 34196832
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-021-01539-7 -
European Review For Medical and... Dec 2022Pleural effusion affects gas exchange, hemodynamic stability, and respiratory movement, thereby increasing the failure rate of intensive care unit discharge and... (Review)
Review
Pleural effusion affects gas exchange, hemodynamic stability, and respiratory movement, thereby increasing the failure rate of intensive care unit discharge and mortality. Therefore, it is especially important to diagnose pleural effusion quickly to make the appropriate treatment decisions. The present review discusses the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis and puncture/drainage of pleural effusions and highlights the importance of lung ultrasound techniques in this patient population. We searched on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for articles from establishment to October 2022 using the following keywords: "lung ultrasound", "pulmonary ultrasound", "pleural effusion", "ultrasound-guided" and "thoracentesis". Lung ultrasound not only helps clinicians visualize pleural effusion but also to identify its different types and assess pleural effusion volume. It is also very important for thoracentesis, not only to increase safety and reduce life-threatening complications, but also to monitor the amount of fluid after drainage of pleural effusion. Lung ultrasound is a simple, noninvasive bedside technique with good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusions.
Topics: Humans; Pleural Effusion; Thoracentesis; Exudates and Transudates; Lung; Ultrasonography; Drainage
PubMed: 36524495
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202212_30548 -
Dental and Medical Problems 2022Ultrasound (US) is a widely available, low-cost, non-invasive, and safe medical imaging method that enables real-time observation. Ultrasound offers several advantages... (Review)
Review
Ultrasound (US) is a widely available, low-cost, non-invasive, and safe medical imaging method that enables real-time observation. Ultrasound offers several advantages for dentomaxillofacial images, such as portability, the possibility of dynamic and repeated examinations, patient comfort, and availability. It is a useful tool for recognizing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) structures and their involvement during the course of different pathological processes, such as articular disk displacement, joint effusion and cortical erosion. In addition to its diagnostic use, US has been proposed as an auxiliary tool in minimally invasive procedures for arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMD) to achieve an accurate puncture, recognize joint spaces and reduce surgical trauma. While US is widely used for large joints to visualize internal structures and guide the injection, this technique has only recently gained popularity for the TMJ procedures. Hence, the literature on this topic is scarce. The present review describes the potential advantages and the clinical technique of US guidance for TMJ arthrocentesis and intra-articular injection (IAI).
Topics: Humans; Arthrocentesis; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Ultrasonography; Injections, Intra-Articular
PubMed: 36583838
DOI: 10.17219/dmp/146820 -
Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine =... Dec 2021Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication in patients with liver cirrhosis, with an increased risk of mortality. For this reason, a diagnostic...
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication in patients with liver cirrhosis, with an increased risk of mortality. For this reason, a diagnostic paracentesis should be performed in all patients with ascites and clinical features with high diagnostic suspicion. Although literature data abound in identifying new diagnostic markers in serum or ascites, they have not yet been validated. The final diagnosis requires the analysis of ascites and the presence of > 250 mm neutrophil polymorphonuclear (PMN) in ascites. If previous data showed that the most common microorganisms identified were represented by gram-negative bacteria, we are currently facing an increase in gram-positive bacteria and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Although prompt and effective treatment is required to prevent outcomes, this becomes challenging as first-line therapies may become ineffective leading to worsening prognosis and increased in-hospital mortality. In this paper we will make a brief review of existing data on the diagnosis and treatment of SBP.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascites; Bacterial Infections; Female; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Paracentesis; Peritonitis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34182617
DOI: 10.2478/rjim-2021-0024 -
The Journal of International Medical... Nov 2020Chronic massive pericardial effusion without cardiac tamponade is relatively rare. Nearly half of all patients with chronic large pericardial effusion are asymptomatic.... (Review)
Review
Chronic massive pericardial effusion without cardiac tamponade is relatively rare. Nearly half of all patients with chronic large pericardial effusion are asymptomatic. We report a case of a 77-year-old man who presented with an asymptomatic chronic massive pericardial effusion, with no evidence of cardiac tamponade or pericardial constriction during a 10-year follow-up. The patient had a complex history of lymph node tuberculosis, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and polycythemia vera, as well as high-dose P radiation exposure 45 years ago. There was no evidence of tuberculosis infection, hypothyroidism, malignant tumor, severe heart failure, uremia, trauma, severe bacterial or fungal infection, chronic myeloid leukemia, or bone marrow fibrosis after admission. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis twice. The pericardial effusion comprised exudate fluid with a high proportion of monocytes. The patient refused indwelling catheter drainage or pericardiectomy. The likely final diagnosis was recurrent chronic large idiopathic pericardial effusion.
Topics: Aged; Cardiac Tamponade; Humans; Male; Pericardial Effusion; Pericardiectomy; Pericardiocentesis; Pericarditis
PubMed: 33233991
DOI: 10.1177/0300060520973091 -
Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi = Chinese... May 2020Intraoperative aspiration is a common pulmonary complication in the surgery, anesthesia and position were main factors leading to the operative aspiration. In recent... (Review)
Review
Intraoperative aspiration is a common pulmonary complication in the surgery, anesthesia and position were main factors leading to the operative aspiration. In recent years, perioperative lung protection has attracted wide attention of thoracic surgeons and anesthetist; how to accelerate the process of postoperative rehabilitation, reduce the incidence of related complications and significantly improve the prognosis of patients, these have become a chief goal of surgical treatment. This article will center on operative aspiration and summarize it from anatomy, pathophysiology, manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Topics: Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Lung Neoplasms; Medical Errors; Paracentesis
PubMed: 32429641
DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2020.101.22