Unveiling Neglected Concerns: Possible Severe Hepatic Complications after Nephrectomy in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease - A Case Report.

Introduction: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic kidney disease and the 4th leading cause of renal replacement therapy in the world. ADPKD is a systemic disorder as cysts may develop in several organs. Liver cysts are the most common extrarenal manifestations and are often incidentally detected. Even though cysts do not influence liver function, they can grow to a very great size and can significantly enlarge liver volume, causing structural distortion of the biliary tree and patient discomfort due to the mass effect. Nephrectomy is frequently considered in preparation for renal transplantation in patients with remarkable kidneys' enlargement. There are currently no globally recognized clinical guidelines for nephrectomy. Although cysts do not normally affect liver function in ADPKD, after nephrectomy cases of liver fibrosis and Budd-Chiari have been reported. These are uncommon disorders due to the obstruction of the blood flow in the hepatic venous causing spleen and liver volume enlargement, portal hypertension, and hepatic cirrhosis. Case Presentation: We present a case of hepatic fibrosis with splenomegaly and severe pancytopenia as a tardive complication after bilateral nephrectomy in 47-year-old ADPKD patient. Conclusion: This finding underscores the critical significance of meticulously examining the anatomical relationship between polycystic kidneys and the liver before performing nephrectomy. Additionally, it highlights the importance of assessing liver involvement and associated complications. By integrating liver assessment into the criteria, we can significantly enhance patient care and improve the overall management of ADPKD before kidney transplantation.

[The Management of Patients with Adult Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) Requires a Multidisciplinary Approach].

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic kidney disease. Its main feature is the progressive enlargement of both kidneys with progressive loss of kidney function. ADPKD is the fourth leading cause of terminal renal failure in the world. Even today there are still uncertainties and poor information. Patients too often have a renunciatory and passive attitude toward the disease. However, there are currently no internationally accepted clinical practice guidelines, and there are significant regional variations in approaches to the diagnosis, clinical evaluation, prevention, and treatment of ADPKD. Therefore, we believe it is important to point out the conduct of our specialist outpatient clinic for ADPKD, which from the beginning has developed a multidisciplinary approach (nephrologists, geneticists, psychologists, radiologists, nutritionists) to face the disease at 360° and therefore not only from a purely nephrological point of view. Such a strategy not only enables patients to receive a timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease, but also ensures that they will receive a thorough and focused follow-up over time, that can prevent or at least slow down the disease in its evolution providing patients with a serene awareness of their condition as much as possible.

[Covid-19 vaccination and renal patients: overcoming unwarranted fears and re-establishing priorities].

The SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) has infected about 124 million people worldwide and the total amount of casualties now sits at a staggering 2.7 million. One enigmatic aspect of this disease is the protean nature of the clinical manifestations, ranging from total absence of symptoms to extremely severe cases with multiorgan failure and death. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has emerged as the primary risk factor in the most severe patients, apart from age. Kidney disease and acute kidney injury have been correlated with a higher risk of death. Notably the Italian Society of Nephrology have reported a 10-fold increase in mortality in patients undergoing dialysis compared to the rest of the population, especially during the second phase of the pandemic (26% vs 2.4). These dramatic numbers require an immediate response. At the moment of writing, three Covid-19 vaccines are being administered already , two of which, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, share the same mRNA mechanism and Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) based on a more traditional approach. All of them are completely safe and reliable. The AIFA scientific commission has suggested that the mRNA vaccines should be administered to older and more fragile patients, while the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) vaccine should be reserved for younger subjects above the age of 18. The near future looks bright: there are tens of other vaccines undergoing clinical and preclinical validation, whose preliminary results look promising. The high mortality of CKD and dialysis patients contracting Covid-19 should mandate top priority for their vaccination.