Are you looking for concise, practical answers to questions that are often left unanswered by traditional liver references? Are you seeking brief, evidence-based advice for complicated cases or complications? Curbside Consultation of the Liver: 49 Clinical Questions provides quick and direct answers to the thorny questions commonly posed during a "curbside consultation" between colleagues. Dr. Mitchell Shiffman has designed this unique reference, which offers expert advice, preferences, and opinions on tough clinical questions commonly associated with the liver. The unique Q&A format provides quick access to current information related to the liver with the simplicity of a conversation between two colleagues. Numerous images, diagrams, and references are included to enhance the text and to illustrate the treatment of the liver. Curbside Consultation of the Liver: 49 Clinical Questions provides information basic enough for residents while also incorporating expert advice that even high-volume clinicians will appreciate. Gastroenterologists, fellows, residents in training, and medical students will benefit from the user-friendly and casual format and the expert advice contained within. Some of the questions that are answered: How often should I follow a patient who had chronic hepatitis C after they achieved a sustained virologic response? Should I stop the HIV medications in a patient who has developed an elevation in serum liver transaminases? What should I tell my patient who is a carrier for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency? Which patients with fatty liver disease on an ultrasound examination require a liver biopsy? Which patients with chronic liver disease should I screen for hepatocellular carcinoma? How much ascites is safe to remove at any time?

In this issue of Clinics in Liver Disease, guest editor Mitchell L Shiffman brings considerable expertise to the topic of Challenging Issues in the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus. Provides in-depth, clinical reviews on the latest updates in Challenging Issues in the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus, providing actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field; Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create these timely topic-based reviews.

Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Lessons from the Past, Promise for the Future documents the monumental advances that have been made in our understanding of chronic HCV during the past decade. The first section reviews the natural history of chronic HCV, how this virus can affect other organs in addition to the liver, and whether treating chronic HCV alters the natural history of this disease. Section 2 reviews the advances that have been made in the treatment of chronic HCV during the past decade with interferon based therapy. Separate chapters on response guided therapy and how to manage the adverse events associated with these medications provide the physician with the concepts required to more effectively treat chronic HCV now and in the future. As the genetics of virologic response have recently been elucidated, a chapter is devoted to helping the clinician understand how genes that modulate disease processes and their treatment are identified and utilized in clinical care. Section 3 deals with the future of HCV treatment and specific inhibitors of HCV. Specific chapters explain how targets for drugs are identified and how drugs are then developed and tested; how mutations of HCV develop and how anti-viral agents will affect this process; the most up to date data regarding the treatment of chronic HCV with peginterferon, ribavirin and anti-viral agents; and the potential to treat chronic HCV with just oral anti-viral agents and without peginterferon and ribavirin in the future. The final section of this book covers issues related to liver transplantation in patients with chronic HCV. Separate chapters review the natural history of chronic HCV in liver transplant recipients and the impact of utilizing HCV positive donors. The volume concludes with chapters that cover the treatment of chronic HCV both prior to and after liver transplantation with potent anti-viral agents. Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Lessons from the Past, Promise for the Future is a valuable resource for all physicians caring for patients with chronic HCV.