Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a dependent virus that relies on hepatitis B virus for its replication and transmission. Chronic hepatitis D is a severe form of viral hepatitis that can result in end stage liver disease. Currently, pegylated interferon alpha is the only approved therapy for chronic HDV infection and is associated with significant side effects. Liver transplantation (LT) is the only treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, or fulminant hepatitis due to coinfection with HDV. As LT for HDV and hepatitis B virus coinfection is uncommon in the United States, most data on the long-term impact of LT on HDV are from international centers. In this review, we discuss the indications and results of LT with treatment options in HDV patients.
Objective: Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) have long been treated with either surgery or radioactive iodine (RAI). Being an invasive procedure, even thyroid lobectomy for this condition is associated with complications such as anesthesia side effects, scarring, iatrogenic hypothyroidism, and injury to other structures. Similarly, RAI is associated with hypothyroidism and may require multiple courses. Therefore, minimally invasive techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are being advocated as an alternative treatment for AFTNs. To date, only few studies have been published on this topic and are largely on European and Asian populations. The aim of this review is to assess the efficacy and safety of RFA as a potential alternative for treatment of AFTNs compared to conventional surgery and radioiodine.Methods/Study design: Comprehensive PubMed and Embase searches were performed using the following terms such as (autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and radiofrequency ablation), (radiofrequency ablation and hyperthyroidism), and (radiofrequency ablation and toxic thyroid nodule). Both prospective and retrospective studies were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria specified in the text.Results: Initially, 57 studies were identified and after excluding 47 studies, finally 10 studies were included in the review.
Conclusion:Although surgery remains the first line treatment for AFTN. However, RFA is a safe option compared to RAI or surgery, especially in patients who are high-risk surgical candidates or have absolute contraindications to RAI. Currently, trials with follow-up greater than or equal to 5 years are warranted. It will aid in formulating a standardized surveillance protocol and also generalize RFA's use for AFTN.
The ideal management for end stage liver disease, acute liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), within specific criteria, is liver transplantation (LT). Over the years, there has been a steady increase in the candidates listed for LT, without a corresponding increase in the donor pool. Therefore, due to organ shortage, it has been substantially difficult to reduce waitlist mortality among patients awaiting LT. Thus, marginal donors such as elderly donors, steatotic donors, split liver, and donors after cardiac death (DCD), which were once not commonly used, are now considered. Furthermore, it is encouraging to see the passing of Acts, such as the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, enabling further research and development in utilizing HIV grafts. Subsequently, the newer antivirals have aided in successful post-transplant period, especially for hepatitis C positive grafts. However, currently, there is no standardization, and protocols are center specific in the usage of marginal donors. Therefore, studies with longer follow ups are required to standardize its use.
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