Multicenter analysis of immunosuppressive medications on the risk of malignancy following adult solid organ transplantation.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk of maintenance immunosuppression on the post-transplant risk of malignancy across all solid organ transplant types. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study from a multicenter hospital system in the United States. The electronic health record was queried from 2000 to 2021 for cases of solid organ transplant, immunosuppressive medications, and post-transplant malignancy. Results: A total of 5,591 patients, 6,142 transplanted organs, and 517 post-transplant malignancies were identified. Skin cancer was the most common type of malignancy at 52.8%, whereas liver cancer was the first malignancy to present at a median time of 351 days post-transplant. Heart and lung transplant recipients had the highest rate of malignancy, but this finding was not significant upon adjusting for immunosuppressive medications (heart HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.72 - 1.3, p = 0.88; lung HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.77 - 1.33, p = 0.94). Random forest variable importance calculations and time-dependent multivariate cox proportional hazard analysis identified an increased risk of cancer in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy with sirolimus (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.9, p = 0.04), azathioprine (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.58 - 2.79, p < 0.001), and cyclosporine (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17 - 2.17, p = 0.007), while tacrolimus (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.44 - 0.81, p < 0.001) was associated with low rates of post-transplant neoplasia. Conclusion: Our results show varying risks of immunosuppressive medications associated with the development of post-transplant malignancy, demonstrating the importance of cancer detection and surveillance strategies in solid organ transplant recipients.

A Rare Case of Spontaneous Fungal Peritonitis Caused by Candida lusitaniae in a Patient With Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

Candida lusitaniae is a rare cause of peritonitis most commonly associated with peritoneal dialysis patients. Pancreatitis is one possible cause of ascites with a low serum ascites albumin gradient. Herein, we present a case of spontaneous fungal peritonitis caused by Candida lusitaniae in a patient with necrotizing pancreatitis. The patient was treated with antifungal medication, while her pancreatitis was managed endoscopically with necrosectomy. She improved clinically and was discharged in stable condition.

A Rare Case of Paraesophageal Hernia Repair Complicated by Pancreatic Injury.

Esophageal hernias are anatomical defect that affects up to 50% of the population. While they may be asymptomatic, hernias may also result in reflux and dysphagia, among other symptoms. In such cases, hernia repair is warranted. The most common type of repair is laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, which is usually well-tolerated. Herein, we present a rare case of paraesophageal hernia repair complicated by pancreatic injury and pancreatic leak.

Immunoglobulin G4 Cholangiopathy Masquerading as a Klatskin Tumor: An Interesting Case.

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) cholangiopathy is used to describe regional biliary involvement in a systemic fibro-inflammatory and infiltrative disease, IgG4-related disease. Occasionally, it tends to present with localized disease leading to an extensive workup to rule out malignancy and infections, especially since IgG4-related disease is an uncommon entity. Herein, we present a case of a 68-year-old male who presented with pruritus and steatorrhea with imaging studies revealing a biliary hilar mass concerning for malignancy. Subsequent extensive testing was inconclusive of malignancy and finally noted to have elevated IgG4 levels as part of a broader workup. The patient was started on prednisone with the resulting improvement in his symptoms and the imaging findings.

Mean arterial pressure maintenance following spinal cord injury: Does meeting the target matter?

INTRODUCTION: Neurosurgical guidelines recommend maintaining mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 85 and 90 mm Hg following acute spinal cord injury (SCI). In our hospital, SCI patients receive orders for MAP targeting for 72 hours following admission, but it is unclear how often the patient's MAP meets the target and whether or not this affects outcome. We hypothesized that the proportion of MAP measurements ≥85 mm Hg would be associated with neurologic recovery. METHODS: Spinal cord injury patients with blunt mechanism of injury admitted between 2014 and 2019 were identified from the registry of a level 1 trauma center. Proportion of MAP values ≥85 mm Hg was calculated for each patient. Neurologic improvement, as measured by positive change in American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale by ≥1 level from admission to discharge was evaluated with respect to proportion of elevated MAP values. RESULTS: A total of 136 SCI patients were evaluated. Average proportion of elevated MAP values was 75%. Admission ASIA grades were as follows: A, 30 (22.1%); B, 20 (14.7%); C, 28 (20.6%); and D, 58 (42.6%). One hundred six patients (77.9%) required vasopressors to elevate MAP (ASIA A, 86.7%; B, 95.0%; C, 92.9%; D, 60.3%). Forty patients (29.4%) were observed to have improvement in ASIA grade by discharge (admission ASIA A, 15%; B, 33%; C, 40%; D, 13%). The proportion of elevated MAP values was higher for patients with neurologic improvement (0.81 ± 0.15 vs. 0.72 ± 0.25, p = 0.014). Multivariate modeling demonstrated a significant association between proportion of elevated MAP values and neurologic improvement (p = 0.028). An interaction revealed this association to be moderated by vasopressor dose (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The proportion of MAP measurements ≥85 mm Hg was determined to be an independent predictor of neurologic improvement. Increased vigilance regarding MAP maintenance above 85 mm Hg is warranted to optimize neurologic recovery following SCI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.