Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) makes up 75%-85% of all primary liver cancers and is the fourth most common cause of cancer related death worldwide. Chronic liver disease is the most significant risk factor for HCC with 80%-90% of new cases occurring in the background of cirrhosis. Studies have shown that early diagnosis of HCC through surveillance programs improve prognosis and availability of curative therapies. All patients with cirrhosis and high-risk hepatitis B patients are at risk for HCC and should undergo surveillance. The recommended surveillance modality is abdominal ultrasound (US) given that it is cost effective and noninvasive with good sensitivity. However, US is limited in obese patients and those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). With the current obesity epidemic and rise in the prevalence of NAFLD, abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be indicated as the primary screening modality in these patients. The addition of alpha-fetoprotein to a surveillance regimen is thought to improve the sensitivity of HCC detection. Further investigation of serum biomarkers is needed. Semiannual screening is the suggested surveillance interval. Surveillance for HCC is underutilized and low adherence disproportionately affects certain demographics such as non-Caucasian race and low socioeconomic status.

INTRODUCTION: Crohn's Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition, primarily of the gastrointestinal tract with an increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. In clinical practice, gastroenterologists are often faced with challenges in evaluating disease activity, severity, and prognosis to guide appropriate management of CD. We studied the association between serum albumin level and the rate of active clinical disease in CD patients seen at a tertiary care Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) referral center. METHODS: We designed a retrospective cohort study using adult patients (>18 years) with CD followed for at least one year at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) IBD center by a single trained IBD specialist between 2014-2018. Serum albumin levels were divided into: low mean serum albumin (≤3.2 mg/dL) vs. appropriate mean serum albumin (>3.2 mg/dL). Clinical disease activity was measured using the Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI). Active disease was defined as HBI score of 8 or higher. Poisson Regression Models (GPR) for Rate Data were used to estimate partially adjusted and fully adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) of active clinical disease among CD patients. We also examined IRRs for serum albumin level as a continuous variable. RESULTS: In this single IBD practice at UAB, 269 patients with CD had albumin drawn at initial visit and serially at each subsequent visit. Poisson regression model adjusted for age, gender, race, duration of disease, steroid use, smoking and Crohns location demonstrated that CD patients with a low mean serum albumin during clinical observation were approximately 1.5 times more likely to have active clinical disease during observation (IRR 1.49, 95% CI 1.04-2.15, P = 0.032) compared to those with a serum albumin level of >3.2 mg/dL. The adjusted model with serum albumin as a continuous variable demonstrated that with every unit (0.1 mg/dL) reduction in mean serum albumin, there was 30% higher likelihood of active Crohns in clinic (IRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02-1.66, P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Lower mean serum albumin during clinical observation is associated with a higher likelihood of active clinical disease among CD patients. Whether interventions designed to correct or increase serum albumin stores/levels in these patients would be beneficial remains to be examined.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), although exceedingly rare, are the most common mesenchymal tumors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GISTs are often asymptomatic; approximately 10% are found incidentally on imaging or endoscopy for other indications, although GI bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and perforation can occur. We present a case of upper GI bleeding from a duodenal GIST. Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy resulted in complete endoscopic ulcer healing, yet a discrete mass lesion was identified on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Case Report: A 70-year-old female presented with upper GI bleeding, and a duodenal ulcer was identified with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed duodenal bulb thickening without clear mass. The ulcer was treated with 1:10,000 concentration epinephrine, injected in 4 quadrants around the ulcer base. The patient's GI bleeding resolved, and she was discharged with a referral for outpatient EUS follow-up. One month later, EUS showed resolution of the ulcer after PPI therapy but also showed a lesion consistent with GIST that was confirmed by cytologic analysis. The patient was started on imatinib therapy and had no further bleeding. Conclusion: Initial EGD and CT findings could have easily been attributed to duodenal peptic ulcer disease for which follow-up endoscopy is not routinely recommended given the low risk of malignancy. However, because of the high index of suspicion on the part of the referring physicians, duodenal GIST was diagnosed. This case extends the spectrum of the presentation, evaluation, and diagnosis of GISTs and stresses the importance of keeping this rare disease on the provider's differential, even after routine workup shows no findings of tumor.

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INTRODUCTION: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare but serious condition defined by severe acute liver injury with coagulopathy (INR ≥ 1.5) and encephalopathy without preexisting cirrhosis. ALF carries a high morbidity and mortality. Liver transplantation (LT) is the only definitive treatment for patients that fail other supportive therapies. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 28 year-old female with hyperthyroidism due to Grave disease was transferred to our institution for acute liver failure (ALF) and transplant evaluation. One month prior, she developed jaundice and pruritus. She had been treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) for 1 year but that was stopped 1 week prior to transfer due to elevated liver enzymes. On evaluation she was found to have elevated AST/ALT (2800/1900), hyperbilirubinemia (28.6) and an elevated INR (2.85). The patient progressively worsened and developed encephalopathy thus fulfilling the criteria for ALF. On admission, her MELD-Na was 33 and she had grade III hepatic encephalopathy. Her thyroid studies were found to be TSH <0.010, free T3 17.9 and free T4 >5.6. Her Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale was >45, which is highly suggestive of thyroid storm. She was subsequently started on plasmapheresis, methimazole, hydrocortisone and cholestyramine for thyroid dysfunction. Patient continued to clinically decompensate requiring an emergent thyroidectomy followed by LT. Post-operatively patient had an acute change in her neurological status with loss of reflexes. CT head showed diffuse global cerebral edema with brainstem compression and herniation. Medical care was withdrawn and patient expired. DISCUSSION: This is a case of ALF from PTU drug induced liver injury complicated by thyroid storm. PTU is the second most common non-acetaminophen related cause of DILI that requires liver transplantation. PTU-related ALF can occur at any point of treatment and the onset is usually sudden with rapid progression. While extremely rare, thyroid storm is also a reported cause of ALF. Excess thyroid hormone may cause hepatocyte dysfunction. This case poses a diagnostic dilemma given the coexistence of thyroid storm and PTU therapy. It is possible that the initial hepatic injury due to PTU-related DILI made the liver more susceptible to fulminant hepatic failure from thyroid storm. Despite the rapid listing and transplantation within 48 hours of arrival, the patient did not survive. This case extends the spectrum of the presentation of ALF in the setting of thyroid dysfunction.