Double rarity: malignant masquerade biliary stricture in a situs inversus totalis patient.

BACKGROUND: Situs inversus totalis is a rare anatomical variation of both the thoracic and the abdominal organs. Common bile duct strictures can be caused by malignant and benign diseases as well. 7-18% of the latter ones are 'malignant masquerade' cases, as pre-operative differentiation is difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 68y male patient with known situs inversus totalis and a recent onset of obstructive jaundice caused by a malignant behaving common bile duct stricture. Technically difficult endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, brush cytology, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound, and percutaneous transhepatic drainage with stent implantation were performed for proper diagnosis. Cholecystectomy, common bile duct resection with hilar lymphadenectomy, and hepatico-jejunostomy have been performed following multidisciplinary consultation. The final histology report did not confirm any clear malignancy, the patient is doing well. CONCLUSION: In situs inversus patients, both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can lead to various difficulties. Benign biliary strictures are frequently misdiagnosed preoperatively as cholangiocellular carcinoma. Surgery is usually unavoidable, involving a significant risk of complications. The co-existence of these two difficult diagnostic and therapeutic features made our case challenging.

How Much Is the Inevitable Loss of Different Coagulation Factors During Blood Product-Free Liver Transplantations?

BACKGROUND: Bloodless liver transplantations (LT) have already been reported, but special characteristics of hemostatic changes remain less defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the "inevitable" loss of coagulation factors (CF) in blood product-free LT. METHODS: Blood product and CF concentrate-free LT patient data were analyzed in terms of the first 2 days of perioperative hemostasis kinetics (N = 59). CF levels (FI, II, V, VII, X, and XIII), platelet (PLT) levels, and hemoglobin levels were measured before LT (T1), on arrival at the intensive care unit (T2), and 12, 24, and 48 hours after LT (T3, T4, and T5, respectively). Thromboelastographic (TEG) parameters were determined before and at the end of LT (T1-T2). RESULTS: Fibrinogen levels decreased by 1.2 ± 0.6 g/L, prothrombin levels by 26% ± 14%, factor V levels by 40% ± 23%, VII levels by 29% ± 19%, and X levels by 39% ± 22% (P < .001). From T2 to T4 fibrinogen increased by 0.9 ± 0.6g/L for 24 hours (P < .001). Factor II, V, and VII levels increased by 20% ± 16%, 31% ± 32%, and 12% ± 27%, respectively, between T3 and T5 (P < .001). However, factor X reached only half of the T1 level (T3-T5, P < .001). Platelet count increased in 34 (58%) patients at T2 (P < .001). The TEG parameters remained in the normal range during LT (T1-T2). CONCLUSION: The major findings of this study advocate that "inevitable" levels of CF decrease during LT by an average of 1.2 g/L in terms of fibrinogen and 23% to 40% regarding factors II, V, VII, and X. The authors suggest that knowing the "magic numbers" and comparing them against baseline laboratory results might predict the possibility of blood product-free transplant, providing confidence and safety to the surgeon and the anesthetist.

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome After Liver Transplant in Drug-Induced Acute Liver Failure: A Case Report.

The incidence of drug-induced acute liver failure (ALF) has been increasing in recent years. Despite the complex intensive treatment, liver transplant should be performed in progressive cases. A systemic inflammatory response syndrome and the burden of surgical intervention promote abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS); observed preoperatively, they are significant negative prognostic factors. THE CASE: We demonstrate a young woman with liver transplant after ALF and a consecutive ACS. We presumed drug toxicity in the background of the rapidly progressive ALF, based on the preoperative hematologic examination and the histology of the removed liver. An ACS has occurred in the postoperative period that must have been resolved with mesh, and later, anatomic segment 2-3 resection had to be performed to further decrease the pressure. The patient left the hospital after 62 days with good graft function. DISCUSSION: A complex intensive care is mandatory in the case of orthotopic liver transplant for ALF. Outcomes are good after orthotopic liver transplant. An ACS might occur after surgery. In these rare cases a delayed abdominal closure or even a liver resection can be the only solution and sometimes an urgent need to resolve the life-threatening problem.

Association between malnutrition-inflammation score and risk of subsequent self-reported bone fractures in prevalent kidney transplant recipients.

Chronic inflammation and protein energy wasting (PEW) syndrome are common in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). The presence of inflammation and PEW syndrome can directly affect bone resorption and bone formation, leading to bone loss and fractures. We showed PEW is independently associated with new clinically detected bone fractures in prevalent KTR. INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) have a 4-fold higher risk of fracture compared to the general population. Chronic inflammation and PEW syndrome are common in KTR and are associated with poor outcomes. We hypothesized that the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS), a validated measure of PEW, is associated with higher risk of bone fractures in KTR. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 839 prevalent KTR from a Central European academic center. MIS, a semiquantitative instrument of PEW, was calculated at the study entry. Self-reported history of fractures was recorded during the 2-year follow-up period. The association between MIS and bone fractures was examined in logistic regression analyses with adjustment for age, gender, eGFR, smoking habits, history of pre-transplant bone fractures, and acute rejection. RESULTS: Mean age was 51 ± 13 years, and 56% of patients were males with median (interquartile range) transplant vintage 69 (38-112) months, estimated glomerular filtration rate 55 ± 21 ml/min/1.73 m2, and calculated MIS 3 (2-4) at enrollment. Fifty-five (7%) patients experienced self-reported bone fractures during the 2-year follow-up period. Higher MIS score showed linear association with increased risk of fracture. Each one-point higher MIS was associated with 23% higher risk of bone fractures (odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI 1.23, 1.12-1.34), which remained significant after multivariable adjustments (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.29). CONCLUSION: The MIS is independently associated with new clinically detected bone fractures in prevalent KTR.

Successful Treatment of the Gastrointestinal Manifestation of Prototheca in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: The Prototheca species are achlorophyllic algae and they are recognized pathogens in animals. They have been reported to cause infections in humans; the majority of the infected patients are immunocompromised. Organ transplant recipients are at risk of infection caused by such unusual organisms. THE CASE: Here we present a highly atypical case report of Prototheca mimicking a cecum tumor in a kidney recipient 7 years after the transplantation. Three years before this Prototheca infection, after a native nephrectomy, the patient underwent a complicated duodeno-jejunal reconstruction with feeding catheter jejunostomy. Imaging studies indicated a tumor-like space occupying lesion in the cecum. The patient was treated successfully with colon resection. Detailed histology excluded malignancy and proved Prototheca wickerhamii. DISCUSSION: The pathogenesis and many biological aspects of human protothecosis are unclear. Usually, treatment involves both medical and surgical approaches. The surgical treatment should be complete excision. The literature suggests an extremely high mortality rate, and therefore we advocate aggressive surgery in organ transplant recipients. This case is the first report of a successfully treated gastrointestinal manifestation of protothecosis in an organ transplant recipient.

Management of Portal Hypertension After Liver Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Post-transplantation portal hypertension has severe complications, such as esophageal varix bleeding, therapy refractory ascites, extreme splenomegaly, and graft dysfunction. The aim of our study was to analyze the effectiveness of the therapeutic strategies and how to visualize the procedure. METHODS: A retrospective study involving liver transplantation patients from the Semmelweis University Department of Transplantation and Surgery was performed between 2005 and 2015. The prevalence, etiology, and leading complications of the condition were determined. The applied interventions' effects on the patients' ascites volume, splenic volume, and the occurrence of variceal bleeding were determined. Mean portal blood flow velocity and congestion index values were calculated using Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: The prevalence of post-transplantation portal hypertension requiring intervention was 2.8%. The most common etiology of the disease was portal anastomotic stenosis. The most common complications were esophageal varix bleeding and therapy refractory ascites. The patients' ascites volume decreased significantly (2923.3 ± 1893.2 mL vs. 423.3 ± 634.3 mL; P < .05), their splenic volume decreased markedly. After the interventions, only one case of recurrent variceal bleeding was reported. The calculated Doppler parameters were altered in the opposite direction in cases of pre-hepatic versus intra- or post-hepatic portal hypertension. After the interventions, these parameters shifted towards the physiologic ranges. CONCLUSION: The interventions performed in our clinic were effective in most cases. The patients' ascites volume, splenic volume, and the prevalence of variceal bleeding decreased after the treatment. Doppler ultrasonography has proved to be a valuable imaging modality in the diagnosis and the follow-up of post-transplantation portal hypertension.

[Left-Lateral Living Related Liver Donation - The Essen Experience]. / Linkslaterale Leberlebendspende ­ Erfahrungen aus Essen.

Background: The international organ shortage for liver transplantation exists particularly in paediatric transplantation. Therefore left-lateral living related liver donation (LLRLD) plays a major role in this field. The aim of the present study was to analyse all procedures of LLRLD in terms of donor safety from December 2008 to October 2012 at the University Hospital of Essen, Germany. Methods: All procedures of LLRLD from December 2008 to October 2012 at the University Hospital of Essen were included in the present study. All operations were carried out via an open narrowed median longitudinal laparotomy. General donor data were analysed. Complications were recorded and classified in accordance to their relevance. Results: 35 LLRLD were performed between December 2008 and October 2012 at the University Hospital of Essen, Germany. Mean age of the donors was 31.9 (23.4-61.7) years and 60 % were female. Past medical histories of the donors showed no relevant diagnoses. Mean length of the surgical procedure was 180 (± 89) minutes. Survival rate was 100 %. Minor complications were seen in 1 of 35 patients. Laboratory data showed a peak of the transaminases on the first postoperative day which resolved during the further course. Median postoperative hospital stay was 7 (5-11) days. Conclusion: LLRLD can be performed safely for the donors after adequate donor selection. The organ pool for paediatric recipients can be expanded by this procedure at suitable transplant centres.

[Relevance of Ablation Therapies for HCC: "A Real Bridging" for Liver Transplantation?]. / Stellenwert der ablativen Tumortherapie beim HCC: "eine reale Brücke" zur Lebertransplantation?

BACKGROUND: The utilisation of interventional ablation procedures in the context of bridging and downstaging plans for hepatocellular carcinomas before liver transplantation is increasing. The aim of the present study was to summarise current data for the application of bridging and downstaging procedures before liver transplantation. METHODS: The present study is based on an extensive investigation of the literature in PubMed. RESULTS of controlled trials, cohort studies, meta-analyses and reviews were included. RESULTS: Recommendations for the usage of bridging procedures for hepatocellular carcinomas within the Milan criteria and an expected waiting time of more than 6 months until transplantation depend on the size of the lesions and have a low level of evidence. After successful downstaging of hepatocellular carcinomas beyond the Milan criteria into the range of the Milan criteria liver transplantation is recommended with a low level of evidence, as well. CONCLUSION: Randomised controlled trials, clearly proving the success of bridging and downstaging procedures, are not available at the time and are not awaited for ethical reasons. Due to the uncomplicated application and low risk for therapy-associated complications, interventional procedures for bridging and downstaging are accepted and recommended.

Survey About the Cancer Risk of Renal Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: There is a greater risk of malignant tumors developing in kidney transplant patients. Due to this, early detection is of outmost importance, in which screening tests play an important role. METHODS: We have conducted a survey among renal transplant recipients to assess individual risk factors. RESULTS: Of 530 respondents, 55 developed post-transplantation tumors. Cutaneous tumors (36%) and kidney cancer (16%) were the most frequent. In total, 59% of recipients were over the age of 50, 61.7% were over the normal body-mass index range, 40.3% smoked or used to smoke, and 21.8% had diabetes. Five patients had hepatitis B virus and 11 were hepatitis C virus-positive. Malignancies developed significantly more frequent in men than in women (P = .04). The progressing of age (P = .0001) and the time elapsed after transplantation (P < .01) also were associated with a significant increase in the occurrence of post-transplantation tumors. CONCLUSION: We have created a database to facilitate a more personalized and efficient screening program for immunocompromised patients.

Changes in Tumor Characteristics in Kidney Transplanted Patients Over the Last 40 Years.

BACKGROUND: Post-transplantation tumors (PTTs) are the greatest limiting factor for patient survival following organ transplantation. AIM: To describe the incidence and main characteristics of malignancies developed in patients who underwent kidney transplantation in Budapest between 1973 and 2014. METHODS: During this period, the essential data for PTTs were repeatedly evaluated. In this study, the results from 1990, 1995, 2000, 2006, and 2013 were evaluated. RESULTS: Incidence of PTTs increased from 2.3% to 11.1%. Male/female ratio was 2:1. Skin, native kidney, and lung cancers were the most common tumors during the entire observation period. Lymphoma was seen rarely at the beginning and became common in 2013. The same was observed in the most frequent general population tumors (colorectal, breast, hepatic, prostate, gastric cancer, and malignant melanoma) where the occurrence increased in the last 10 years. Mean age of patients increased from 35.7 to 56.5 years. During the last 20 years, age of recipients increased: above 50 years from 22.9% to 40.5%, and above 60 years from 8.2% to 23.1%. Patient survival was different according to tumor stage at discovering, i.e. renal cell carcinoma was usually discovered in stage I. resulting in a 66.1% 5-year survival rate, whereas 43.5% of colorectal cancers were diagnosed in stage IV, with a 13.9% 5-year survival rate. CONCLUSION: The frequency of PTTs and proportion of elderly persons undergoing transplants are continuously increasing. Tumor stage is a determining factor for patient survival. Recognition of precancerous conditions, diagnosis of tumors in early stage, and oncological screening can improve survival time.

Examinations of Factors Influencing Survival of Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience From Budapest.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the best therapy of choice for early, unresectable HCC. The Hungarian Liver Transplantation Program was launched in 1995 at the Department of Transplantation and Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest. From that time more than 60 patients underwent OLT for hepatic tumors, which in most cases were HCC. Our clinical examination was undertaken to analyze the possible influential factors of outcomes for our series of patients who received OLT for HCC. METHODS: We performed a review of all patients who underwent OLT for HCC at our department from 1996 to October 1, 2013. Disease extent was determined by preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance images. All explants were examined and categorized based on tumor number, size, distribution, HCC histologic grade, and vascular invasion. Patients with HCC were classified as having tumors either meeting Milan criteria, beyond Milan criteria but within UCSF criteria, or exceeding UCSF criteria. OLT was performed using standard techniques including orthotopic implantation with cross-clamp technique or with the piggyback technique. Postoperative immunosuppression included a triple drug regimen of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone. mTOR inhibitors have been available since 2004. RESULTS: HCC most commonly occurs in the presence of cirrhosis as a result of longstanding chronic liver disease. Most of our patients who underwent OLT for HCC are 56 to 60 years old, and most also had underlying HCV cirrhosis. As of October 1, 2013, 21 of 49 (42.85%) patients had died after OLT for HCC. The main cause was the recurrence of the HCC in 38%, followed by sepsis in 33%, and HCV recurrence in 19%. One death each (4.7% of the total number of deaths) was caused by primary nonfunction of the graft, acute myocardial infarct, and de novo malignancy, respectively. Overall survival for the entire group at 1, 3, and 5 years after transplantation was 73.48%, 65.2%, and 50.08%, respectively. Using pretransplant imaging, 34 tumors (69.3%) were within Milan criteria, 8 (16.3%) were beyond Milan but within UCSF criteria, and 7 (14.3%) exceeded UCSF criteria. Based on explant pathology, 30 tumors (61.2%) were within Milan criteria, 7 (14,3%) were beyond Milan but within UCSF criteria, and 12 (24.3%) exceeded UCSF criteria. New onset, non-HCC malignant tumor developed in 2 cases (4%). There was no significant difference between the surgical techniques or the immunosuppressive strategies. Using the Cox analysis in our series, it can be seen that mortality was higher with tumors exceeding Milan criteria but within UCSF criteria compared with tumors within Milan criteria (Coef. = 0.5749 in Setting 1 and 0.1226 in Setting 2), and even higher with tumors beyond UCSF criteria compared with tumors within Milan criteria (Coef. = 0.7228 in Setting 1 and 0.1456 in Setting 2). Recurrence of the tumor causes higher mortality (Coef. = 1.709 in Setting 1 and 1.0256 in Setting 2). It seems that using an mTOR inhibitor has a beneficial impact on mortality (Coef. = -1.409 in Setting 1). Vascular invasion was associated with higher mortality (Coef. = 0.6581in Setting 1). Higher AFP levels correlated with higher mortality but not significantly (Coef. = 0.0002 in Setting 2). In our series, survival after OLT for HCC was best with tumors within Milan criteria comparing those exceeded Milan criteria (odds ratio = 4.000). CONCLUSION: According to our findings, the Milan criteria are still the safest criteria system; however, slightly expanded criteria do not have significantly worse results. Preoperative imaging methods sometimes show fewer or smaller tumors, and the explant histology reports the exact staging of HCC at the time of OLT. Histological examination especially of the lymphovascular invasion is mandatory to assess the estimated prognosis. Extremely high levels of AFP mean higher risk. HCC recurrence is an important factor on the outcome; therefore, continuous oncologic screening is mandatory. Immunosuppressant agents are chiefly responsible not just for higher risk of recurrence but for higher risk to develop de novo malignancies. Viral serology must be done periodically to catch HCV recurrence in time and begin adequate antiviral therapy. Potentially, mTOR inhibitors could be potent immunosuppressive agents after OLT for HCC due to this antiproliferative effect.

Analysis of Incretin Hormones After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Several well-known risk factors play an important role in the development of new-onset diabetes mellitus after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Immunosuppressant drugs and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have a direct effect on pancreatic beta cells resulting insulin hyposecretion. Steroids mainly cause peripheral insulin resistance. Although in type 2 diabetes mellitus the incretin-insulin axis is impaired and incretin hormones are advantageous targets of many antidiabetic drugs, the endocrinologic background of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) is still not completely understood. METHODS: During the first postoperative year the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on 21 patients after OLT. Patients' glycemic metabolic status was determined according to the results of OGTT. The level of incretin hormones, namely glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), were measured with competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay reaction. RESULTS: Six patients had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 9 had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, serum glucose 7.8-11.0 mmol/L), and 6 were diagnosed with NODAT (serum glucose >11.1 mmol/L). Fasting insulin and c-peptide levels were higher if IGT/NODAT was found. Insulin secretion was not further stimulated after OGTT. GIP and GLP-1 levels did not differ significantly, not even after glucose load. HCV infection had not influenced the levels of incretin hormones [GLP-1 (0 min): 1.21 ± 0.27 vs 1.38 ± 0.65; P = ns; GLP-1 (120 min): 1.46 ± 0.61 vs 1.07 ± 0.58; P = ns; GIP (0 min): 2.55 ± 0.95 vs 1.99 ± 0.63; P = ns, GIP (120 min): 2.62 ± 0.6 vs 2.33 ± 0.77; P = ns]. CONCLUSION: The stimulation of insulin secretion in NODAT is limited. Incretin hormones are present independently from the current glycemic status. The use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors through their positive effect on the incretin-insulin axis can be beneficial in the therapy of NODAT after liver transplantation.

Single-center experience of transplantation for polycystic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic liver disease (PLD) may lead to massive hepatomegaly, abdominal distension, pain, and various degrees of dyspnea. The surgical treatment of this entity remains controversial. METHODS: We report our experience from a retrospective analysis of 23 patients suffering from PLD who were treated with liver transplantation (LT) in our institution. RESULTS: Liver transplantation for PLD patients with extensive hepatic involvement offers excellent symptoms relief. The actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate after transplantation was 86%. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience demonstrates that PLD patients with extensive hepatic involvement and who are treated with LT have good long-term prognosis and excellent symptoms relief. LT might be considered in severe PLD cases where conventional surgery is not a curative option, and it must be balanced against the risks of LT and lifelong commitment to immunosuppression.

[Orthotopic liver transplantation for polycystic liver disease with massive hepatomegaly]. / Orthotope Lebertransplantation bei polyzystischer Leberdegeneration mit massiver Hepatomegalie.

HISTORY: A 51-year-old man (126 kg, 192 cm) with massive hepatomegaly causing cardiopulmonary symptoms was referred to our transplant center 14 years after initial diagnosis of polycystic liver disease. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Uneventful hepatectomy was followed by orthotopic liver transplantation using caval replacement. Donor liver came from a 73-year-old woman (extended criteria donor organ offer). A portocaval shunting was not established during transplantation although the explanted liver weighed 22 kg. 18 months after transplantation liver function is stable and the patient enjoys normal quality of life. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates the value and success of transplantation for patients suffering from enormous hepatomegaly due to polycystic liver disease.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma using extended criteria donor grafts.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (OLT) represents the treatment of choice for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in patients with end-stage liver disease. However, because of organ scarcity, alternative options must be explored, such as the use of extended criteria donor (ECD) grafts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed data of transplanted HCC patients using ECD grafts. Statistical analysis included uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression and survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Over a 6-year period, we transplanted 53 HCC patients with ECD grafts. The 38 men and 15 women showed a mean age of 56.3 ± 8.26 years. Thirty-four patients underwent a bridging treatment before OLT. Thirty-eight patients (72%) were outside the Milan criteria. The median value for alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level was 30.7 ng/dL. Pathologic tumor grade was G1 (n = 4), G2 (n = 32), G3 (n = 6), or Gx (n = 11). Median follow-up time was 23 months (range, 9-75). Overall 3- and 5- year patient survivals were 79% and 74%, respectively. The 5-year survivals for patients within or outside the Milan criteria were 87% versus 69%, respectively (P = .3728). Donor transaminases and post-OLT hemodialysis were prognostic factors for patient survival upon mutivariate regression analysis (P = .0043 and P = .0003, respectively). CONCLUSION: OLT with ECD grafts constitutes an additional option for patients with HCC and cirrhosis, particularly subjects outside the Milan criteria. The risk- benefit ratio in these instances should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Orthotopic liver transplantation in patients with portal vein thrombosis in the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (OLT) in the setting of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been a matter of controversy in the past. We herein report our experience with OLT for PVT in the absence of hepatocellular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from patients undergoing OLT for end-stage liver disease, having a documented PVT before OLT, were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included for the period July, 2003 to December, 2009. There were 20 men and 5 women of median age 57 years. Median values for waiting time and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score were 150 days and 18, respectively. PVT was classified as grade II (n = 6), IIIa (n = 7), IIIb (n = 9), or IVa (n = 3). Partial portal vein resection/reconstruction, operative thrombectomy, and eversion thromboendovenectomy were performed in 2, 16, and 7 instances, respectively. After a median follow-up of 18 months, 14 patients are alive. Survival rates at 3, 6, 9, and 12, months and 3 years post-OLT were 68%, 64%, 61%, 61%, and 61%, respectively. PVT grade was a negative predictor of survival by Cox proportional hazard analysis (P = .0253). CONCLUSION: Despite the technical innovations in recent years, PVT grade correlated with poor patient survival irrespective of the surgical technique.

Long-term outcomes of liver transplant patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and end-stage-liver-disease: single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Orthotopic-liver-transplantation (OLT) in patients with Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus infection (HIV) and end-stage-liver-disease (ESDL) is rarely reported. The purpose of this study is to describe our institutional experience on OLT for HIV positive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all HIV-infected patients who underwent OLT at the University Hospital of Essen, from January 1996 to December 2009. Age, sex, HIV transmission-way, CDC-stage, etiology of ESDL, concomitant liver disease, last CD4cell count and HIV-viral load prior to OLT were collected and analysed. Standard calcineurin-inhibitors-based immunosuppression was applied. All patients received anti-fungal and anti-pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis post-OLT. RESULTS: Eight transplanted HIV-infected patients with a median age of 46 years (range 35-61years) were included. OLT indications were HCV (n = 5), HBV (n = 2), HCV/HBV/HDV-related cirrhosis (n = 1) and acute liver-failure (n = 1). At OLT, CD4 cell-counts ranged from 113-621 cells/µl, and HIV viral-loads from <50-175,000 copies/ml. Seven of eight patients were exposed to HAART before OLT. Patients were followed-up between 1-145 months. Five died 1, 3, 10, 31 and 34 months after OLT due to sepsis and graft-failure respectively. Graft-failure causes were recurrent hepatic-artery thrombosis, HCV-associated hepatitis and chemotherapy-induced liver damage due to Hodgkin-disease. One survivor is relisted for OLT due to recurrent chronic HCV-disease but non-progredient HIV-infection 145 months post-OLT. Two other survivors show stable liver function and non-progredient HIV-disease under HAART 21 and 58 months post-OLT. CONCLUSIONS: OLT in HIV-infected patients and ESLD is an acceptable therapeutic option in selected patients. Long-term survival can be achieved without HIV disease-progression under antiretroviral therapy and management of the viral hepatitis co-infection.

Efficacy and safety of linezolid in liver transplant patients.

Bacterial infections are the main cause of death within the first year after liver transplantation, and the increased incidence of multidrug-resistant gram-positive pathogens has created a major challenge in the treatment of these patients. Linezolid, the first US Food & Drug Administration-approved oxazolidinone, offers a valuable novel treatment option for serious gram-positive infections. Linezolid is relatively non-toxic but prolonged treatment with linezolid was associated with thrombocytopenia. Here we report on the experience of linezolid treatment in adult liver transplant patients, who are at an increased risk for thrombocytopenia because of hypersplenism. From November 2003 until December 2009, we evaluated the clinical course of 46 liver transplant patients (27 male/19 female) in our surgical intensive care unit. For proven or probable gram-positive infection, all patients received linezolid 600 mg intravenously every 12 h. On clinical improvement, treatment was changed to oral linezolid 600 mg twice daily. Treatment duration was 11 ± 7 days. Treatment indications were pneumonia (n = 8), blood stream infection (n = 30), and surgical site/abdominal infection (n = 3). Clinical cure was achieved in 43 out of 46 patients. During the course of treatment, no cases of severe thrombocytopenia occurred and a statistically significant platelet count increase was seen from day 1 (110 ± 73/nL) to day 7 (165 ± 116/nL) and day 14 (180 ± 140/nL). We did not observe any further adverse events, especially no severe neurological complications (e.g., serotonin syndrome) or signs of lactate acidosis. Two patients died from uncontrolled vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium sepsis with septic shock and one due to uncontrolled methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. These deaths were considered to be unrelated to linezolid treatment, and linezolid was regarded as the optimal treatment choice in these patients. A subgroup analysis of patients treated for >14 days revealed no statistically significant differences when compared with patients on shorter treatment. In particular, no cases of thrombocytopenia occurred during longer treatment. In conclusion, linezolid is a safe and effective treatment for adult liver transplant patients with gram-positive infections.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum after kidney transplantation: case report.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare condition with nonspecific signs and symptoms. A 39-year-old underwent cadaver kidney transplantation. After an uncomplicated operation, progressive dyspnea of unknown origin developed. Findings at chest radiography suggested pneumomediastinum, which was confirmed at computed tomography. Esophageal or tracheal injury was ruled out. The rapidly developing atelectasis of the left lung necessitated urgent bronchoscopy, which revealed occlusion of the left main bronchus. After removal of the occluding mucus plug, the clinical symptoms immediately improved, and the spontaneous pneumomediastinum resolved within 3 days. Asymptomatic increase in airway secretions in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis may result in mucus plug formation during general anesthesia, which can cause spontaneous pneumomediastinum.

Use of marginal organs in kidney transplantation for marginal recipients: too close to the margins of safety?

OBJECTIVE: Due to organ shortage, average waiting time for a kidney in Germany is about 4 years after start of dialysis. Number of kidney grafts recovered can only be maintained by accepting older and expanded criteria donors. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of donor and recipient risk on kidney long-term function. METHODS: All deceased kidney transplantations were considered. We retrospectively studied 332 patients between 2002 and 2006; divided in 4 groups reflecting donor and recipient risk. RESULTS: Non-marginal recipients were less likely to receive a marginal organ (69 of 207, 33%) as compared to marginal recipients, of whom two-thirds received a marginal organ (p<0.0001). Graft function significantly differed between the groups, but detrimental effect of marginal recipient status on eGFR after 12 months (-6 ml/min/1.73qm, 95% CI -2 to -9) was clearly smaller than the effect of marginal donor status (-10 ml/min/1.73qm, 95% CI -7 to -14). CONCLUSIONS: As we were able to show expanded criteria donor has a far bigger effect on long-term graft function than the "extra risk" recipient. Although there have been attempts to define groups of recipients who should be offered ECD kidneys primarily the discussion is still ongoing.