Laura Iliescu

By Laura Iliescu and Letitia Toma

Liver sarcoidosis is usually an underdiagnosed disease, which can have severe implications in the evolution of a patient. Due to the fact that sarcoidosis is a disease based on immunological disorders, it is only natural that the liver should be one of the first organs to be affected. The imaging of liver sarcoidosis is of marked importance, especially in the differential diagnosis of the disease. While the histology aspect of sarcoidosis is relatively clear and should prompt a positive diagnosis, finding a liver granuloma in ultrasonography raises a multitude of questions and implies extensive testing for diagnosis. Furthermore, treatment of liver sarcoidosis is controversial, taking into account the possibility of developing end-stage liver disease in patients with a long history of sarcoidosis. This chapter aims to review diagnostic and treatment options for liver sarcoidosis and to determine the best management of these patients.

Part of the book: Sarcoidosis and Granulomatosis

By Laura Iliescu

The development of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies in chronic HCV infection has been associated with increased expectations regarding the prognosis of this infection in the medical community, as the possibility of HCV eradication is now in sight. While the cure of the HVC infection has been associated with a dramatic decrease in its systemic complications, the impact on the progression of the liver disease, especially in patients with cirrhosis, is still controversial. Furthermore, the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after direct-acting antiviral therapy is debatable, with studies presenting an increased prevalence of HCC early after the introduction of these therapies, as well as newer contradicting studies. This chapter aims to examine the current literature data available regarding the impact of new HCV therapies in the incidence and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Part of the book: Advances in Hepatology