Hepatic cysts are increasingly found as a mere coincidence on abdominal imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography (USG), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These cysts often present a diagnostic challenge. Therefore, we performed a review of the recent literature and developed an evidence-based diagnostic algorithm to guide clinicians in characterising these lesions. Simple cysts are the most common cystic liver disease, and diagnosis is based on typical USG characteristics. Serodiagnostic tests and microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) are invaluable in differentiating complicated cysts, echinococcosis and cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma when USG, CT and MRI show ambiguous findings. Therefore, serodiagnostic tests and CEUS reduce the need for invasive procedures. Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is arbitrarily defined as the presence of > 20 liver cysts and can present as two distinct genetic disorders: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (PCLD). Although genetic testing for ADPKD and PCLD is possible, it is rarely performed because it does not affect the therapeutic management of PLD. USG screening of the liver and both kidneys combined with extensive family history taking are the cornerstone of diagnostic decision making in PLD. In conclusion, an amalgamation of these recent advances results in a diagnostic algorithm that facilitates evidence-based clinical decision making.

IMPORTANCE Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by progressive cyst formation in both kidneys and loss of renal function, eventually leading to a need for kidney replacement therapy. There are limited therapeutic management options. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of the somatostatin analogue lanreotide on the rate of kidney function loss in patients with later-stage ADPKD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS An open-label randomized clinical trial with blinded end point assessment that included 309 patients with ADPKD from July 2012 to March 2015 at 4 nephrology outpatient clinics in the Netherlands. Eligible patients were 18 to 60 years of age and had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2. Follow-up of the 2.5-year trial ended in August 2017. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive either lanreotide (120 mg subcutaneously once every 4 weeks) in addition to standard care (n = 153) or standard care only (target blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg; n = 152). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcome was annual change in eGFR assessed as slope through eGFR values during the 2.5-year treatment phase. Secondary outcomes included change in eGFR before vs after treatment, incidence of worsening kidney function (start of dialysis or 30% decrease in eGFR), change in total kidney volume and change in quality of life (range: 1 [not bothered] to 5 [extremely bothered]). RESULTS Among the 309 patients who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 48.4 [7.3] years; 53.4% women), 261 (85.6%) completed the trial. Annual rate of eGFR decline for the lanreotide vs the control group was −3.53 vs −3.46 mL/min/1.73 m 2 per year (difference, −0.08 [95% CI, −0.71 to 0.56]; P = .81). There were no significant differences for incidence of worsening kidney function (hazard ratio, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.49 to 1.52]; P = .87), change in eGFR (−3.58 vs −3.45; difference, −0.13 mL/min/1.73 m 2 per year [95% CI, −1.76 to 1.50]; P = .88), and change in quality of life (0.05 vs 0.07; difference, −0.03 units per year [95% CI, −0.13 to 0.08]; P = .67). The rate of growth in total kidney volume was lower in the lanreotide group than the control group (4.15% vs 5.56%; difference, −1.33% per year [95% CI, −2.41% to −0.24%]; P = .02). Adverse events in the lanreotide vs control group included injection site discomfort (32% vs 0.7%), injection site papule (5.9% vs 0%), loose stools (91% vs 6.6%), abdominal discomfort (79% vs 20%), and hepatic cyst infections (5.2% vs 0%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with later-stage autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, treatment with lanreotide compared with standard care did not slow the decline in kidney function over 2.5 years of follow-up. These findings do not support the use of lanreotide for treatment of later-stage autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background and aims The COVID-19 risk and disease course in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients remains uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to assess the clinical presentation, disease course and outcomes of COVID-19 in IBD patients. Second, we determined COVID-19 incidences in IBD patients and compared this with the general population. Methods We conducted a multicenter, nationwide IBD cohort study in the Netherlands and identified patients with COVID-19. First, we assessed the COVID-19 disease course and outcomes. Second, we compared COVID-19 incidences between our IBD study cohort and the general Dutch population. Results We established an IBD cohort of 34,763 patients. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 100/34,763 patients (0.29%). 20/100 patients (20%) had severe COVID-19 defined as admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, and/or death. Hospitalization occurred in 59/100 (59.0%) patients and 13/100 (13.0%) died. All patients who deceased had comorbidities and all but one were &gt; 65 years. In line, we identified &gt; 1 comorbidity as an independent risk factor for hospitalization (OR 4.20, 95% CI 1.58-11.17, p = 0.004). Incidences of COVID-19 between the IBD study cohort and the general population were comparable (287.6 (95% CI 236.6-349.7) versus 333.0 (95% CI 329.3-336.7) per 100,000 patients, respectively; p = 0.15). Conclusions Of 100 cases with IBD and COVID-19, 20% developed severe COVID-19, 59% was hospitalized and 13% died. A comparable COVID-19 risk was found between the IBD cohort (100/34,763 = 0.29%) and the general Dutch population. The presence of &gt; 1 comorbidities was an independent risk factor for hospitalization due to COVID-19.

Background COVID-19 has dramatically affected gastrointestinal endoscopy practice. We aimed to investigate its impact on procedure types, indications, and findings. Methods We retrospectively analyzed endoscopies performed in 15 Dutch hospitals by comparing periods 15 March to 25 June of 2019 and 2020 using the prospective Trans.IT database. Results During lockdown in 2020, 9776 patients underwent endoscopy compared with 19 296 in 2019. Gastroscopies decreased by 57 % (from 7846 to 4467) and colonoscopies by 45 % (from 12219 to 5609), whereas endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography volumes remained comparable (from 578 to 522). Although endoscopy results indicative of cancer decreased (from 524 to 340), the likelihood of detecting cancer during endoscopy increased (2.7 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.5 – 3.0] in 2019 versus 3.5 % [95 %CI 3.1 – 3.9] in 2020; P < 0.001). After lifting of lockdown, endoscopy volumes started to return to normal, except for colorectal cancer screening. Conclusions Fewer endoscopies were performed during the COVID-19 lockdown, leading to a significant reduction in the absolute detection of cancer. Endoscopies increased rapidly after lockdown, except for colorectal cancer screening.

Cyst infection is a severe complication of renal and hepatic cystic disease that frequently leads to hospitalization. In most cases the diagnosis of cyst infection is made empirically as a cyst aspirate is frequently unavailable. This study aims to evaluate diagnostic criteria, microbiological findings and imaging modalities needed to diagnose cyst infection. In order to do so, we evaluated reports that characterize cyst infection cases published in the English language between 1948 and January 2014. We identified 70 articles documenting a total of 215 cyst infection cases (renal n = 119; hepatic n = 96). Six studies, including 74 cases of renal and 61 cases of hepatic cyst infection, used diagnostic criteria. The criteria that led to a definite cyst infection diagnosis were consistent, whereas criteria for a 'probable diagnosis' varied considerably. Cyst infection cases commonly have abdominal pain, fever and elevated serum inflammatory markers. Urine and blood cultures frequently remained negative, even in definite cases. The diagnostic properties of (18)fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) are probably best to diagnose cyst infection. Cyst aspirate indicating infection is currently the gold standard in diagnosing cyst infection. If not available, a combination of clinical and biochemical parameters is necessary to make a well-considered diagnosis, preferably including (18)F-FDG PET/CT.