An unusual presentation of infantile fibrosarcoma in a male newborn

We describe a 10-day-old male presenting with drop foot and immobility in his right leg; no abnormality in physical examination had been found upon delivery or discharge. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a pelvic mass with an extension to the great sciatic foramen. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy revealed congenital infantile fibrosarcoma. He was started on vincristine, actinomycin-D, cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. However, he died soon after the second cycle due to veno-occlusive disease of the liver. Differential diagnosis of drop foot and immobility in lower extremity must include infiltrating neoplasms in pelvis.

[Veno-occlusive disease of the liver]

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is seen most often in the group of bone marrow transplant recipients. The essence of this disease is the obstruction of the hepatic sinusoidal and centrolobular venous outflow, because of the injury to the endothelium of the liver vessels. It results in congestion of the liver and hepatomegaly. The typical clinical symptoms of VOD are: jaundice, portal hypertension with peripheral oedemas and the weight gain. Depending on the extent of the injury of the hepatic vessels, VOD is divided into three grades: mild, moderate and severe. The clinical markers that inform about the severity of the disease are: the rate of the serum bilirubin growth and the rate of the weight gain growth within the first 2 weeks since the beginning of the disease. Severe VOD is the third of the most often cause of death among people who underwent bone marrow transplantation. The mortality rate is diverse and depends on severity of the disease. The effectiveness of the VOD therapy is limited, so it is worth putting greater pressure on the prophylaxis of VOD or on finding more effective modes of treatment.

[Sinusoidal obstruction disease (SOS), previous hepatic venoocclusive disease (VOD)--still serious complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Hepatic venocclusive disease (VOD) lastly named sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a serious toxicity associated with high dose therapy used to prepare patients for stem cell transplantation. A sizable proportion of patients who develop VOD/SOS die. It is clear that injury to endothelial cells and hepatocytes in zone 3 of the liver acinus is the initial event in the pathogenesis of VOD/SOS. Although clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria are well known, the cause of VOD/SOS, its prevention and treatment remain still unclear. Currently treatment of VOD/SOS has largely consisted of supportive measures designed to maintain intravascular volume and decrease interstitial edema. Other treatments used with various measures of success have included substitution of antitrombine and glutamine or aggressive fibrinolitic and antithrombotic therapy. Despite these treatments, the outcome remains fairly dismal.

The first prenatal diagnosis for veno-occlusive disease and immunodeficiency syndrome, an autosomal recessive condition associated with mutations in SP110

OBJECTIVES

We present the first prenatal diagnosis of familial hepatic veno-occlusive disease with immunodeficiency (VODI). Homozygous mutations in the gene SP110 are the genetic basis of VODI. The proband in this report presented at three months of age with hepatomegaly hepatic failure and was found to have hypogammaglobulinemia. He died one month after hepatic transplant at eight months of age due to hemophagocytic syndrome. DNA testing detected a homozygous truncating mutation in exon 5; SP110 c.642delC. Prenatal testing was offered to this family in a subsequent pregnancy.

METHODS

Chorion villus was sampled at 12 weeks' gestation. DNA was extracted using standard techniques, and sequencing of SP110 exon 5 was performed using flanking primers. Maternal contamination was excluded by examining STR markers in CVS and maternal DNA.

RESULTS

A heterozygous SP110 c.642delC mutation was detected in exon 5. This mutation was present in heterozygous form in both parents.

CONCLUSIONS

The prenatal test result is predictive of a child with a normal immune and hepatic phenotype. This report presents the first prenatal molecular diagnosis for VODI and shows the importance of molecular genetic research in not only defining the aetiology of syndromes but also in assisting reproductive choices through the collaboration of genetic and feto-maternal services.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease after tranexamic acid administration in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Tranexamic acid is one of the widely used antifibrinolytic agents. In spite of its effective inhibitory activity against plasminogen, thromboembolic adverse events caused by tranexamic acid are rare. We encountered three recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) who developed hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) shortly after the administration of tranexamic acid. Hepatic VOD was resolved completely in all patients with the discontinuation of the drug, and with supportive measures with or without intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration. These findings suggest that administration of tranexamic acid could be one of the possible risk factors for developing hepatic VOD in HSCT recipients.

Hepatic complications following preoperative chemotherapy with oxaliplatin or irinotecan for hepatic colorectal metastases

AIMS

The aim of this article is to review the current state of knowledge in relation to the development of chemotherapy associated steatohepatitis (CASH) and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) occurring following the administration of irinotecan and oxaliplatin respectively to patients with colorectal liver metastases and also to highlight potential concerns relating to other new agents.

METHODS

An electronic search was performed of the medical literature using the MEDLINE database to identify relevant articles related to the incidence, aetiology, pathology and effects of CASH and SOS outcome in patients undergoing hepatic resection.

RESULTS

CASH and SOS are relatively common findings in liver resection specimens following the administration of irinotecan and oxaliplatin-based regimes being reported in up to 50% and 20% of cases respectively. Whilst the aetiology and pathological changes are well-described, the relationship between the presence of these pathologies and outcomes is less well defined. The data in relation to SOS following oxaliplatin is limited but there may be an increased morbidity associated with the presence of SOS. There is significantly more evidence that the presence of CASH is associated with an increased morbidity and possibly mortality following hepatic resection as a result of the development of liver failure. Further studies are required to clarify these early observations.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequent identification of distinct pathological entities in association with oxaliplatin and irinotecan chemotherapy means that patients undergoing liver resection following treatment with these agents should be carefully monitored to accurately determine the morbidity and mortality attributable to the use of these agents. Furthermore, additional studies are required to clarify risk factors for the development of CASH and SOS so that certain regimens can be avoided in at risk populations thus reducing hepatic damage and increasing the chances of cure and survival following liver resection.

Veno occlusive disease: update on clinical management

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a clinical syndrome characterized by hepatomegaly, ascites, weight gain and jaundice, due to sinusoidal congestion which can be caused by alkaloid ingestion, but the most frequent cause is haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (STC) and is also seen after solid organ transplantation. The incidence of veno occlusive disease (VOD) after STC ranges from 0 to 70%, but is decreasing. Survival is good when VOD is a mild form, but when it is severe and associated with an increase of hepatic venous pressure gradient > 20 mmHg, and mortality is about 90%. Prevention remains the best therapeutic strategy, by using non-myeloablative conditioning regimens before STC. Prophylactic administration of ursodeoxycholic acid, being an antioxidant and antiapoptotic agent, can have some benefit in reducing overall mortality. Defibrotide, which has pro-fibrinolytic and antithrombotic properties, is the most effective therapy; decompression of the sinusoids by a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) can be tried, especially to treat VOD after liver transplantation and when multiorgan failure (MOF) is not present. Liver transplantation can be the last option, but can not be considered a standard rescue therapy, because usually the concomitant presence of multiorgan failure contraindicates this procedure.

Value of CT and Doppler Sonography in the Evaluation of Hepatic Vein Stenosis After Dual-Graft Living Donor Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the imaging findings and role of CT and Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of hepatic vein (HV) stenosis after dual-graft living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using hepatic venography as the reference standard, 73 grafts with venographic evaluation in 43 dual-graft LDLT recipients were classified into either a stenosis (n = 39) or a nonstenosis (n = 34) group. CT scans were evaluated for relative attenuation, enhancement pattern, and HV abnormality for each graft. Doppler sonography evaluation of the flow pattern of HVs for each graft was performed. CT and Doppler sonography findings were compared in the stenosis and nonstenosis groups using the independent sample Student's t test and Fisher's exact test. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the best predictors of the diagnosis of HV stenosis.

RESULTS

Heterogeneous enhancement (p = 0.046), abnormal HV on CT (p = 0.025), and HV wave pattern on Doppler sonography (p = 0.005) were significant findings. The accuracy for the diagnosis of HV stenosis was 60.0% for heterogeneous enhancement, 61.5% for abnormal HV, and 66.2% for a monophasic flow pattern. Heterogeneous enhancement and HV wave pattern were significant independent findings on multifactorial logistic regression analysis. The overall accuracy of the logistic model in the diagnosis of HV stenosis was 71.7%.

CONCLUSION

Although CT and Doppler sonography can be helpful in diagnosing HV stenosis, given the low accuracy of individual imaging findings, the diagnosis of HV stenosis should be made cautiously, with both CT and Doppler sonography regarded as complementary examinations.

Defibrotide for the treatment of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in children

BACKGROUND

This retrospective report describes experience with defibrotide in children with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) following hematopoietic progenitor cell transplant (HPCT) in a single institution.

PROCEDURE

Children who had undergone HPCT between February 1999 and June 2001 and between July 2003 and September 2004 and who received defibrotide during their admission were identified. Demographic data and information regarding the clinical course of these patients were abstracted from their health records.

RESULTS

Fourteen children (mean age: 9.3 years; range: 0.4-18.1) who underwent HPCT during the study period received defibrotide for the treatment of HVOD; nine were girls. Most patients underwent HPCT for hematologic malignancies (8/14) and received matched unrelated donor transplants (8/14). Conditioning regimens included cyclophosphamide with total body irradiation (5/14) and busulfan followed by cyclophosphamide (7/14). HVOD was diagnosed on transplant day -4 to +33 (median: +10.5); defibrotide was started on transplant day -4 to +40 (median: +12). The median initial defibrotide dose was 33 mg/kg/day (11-40 mg/kg/day); the median maximum defibrotide dose was 38.5 mg/kg/day (11-81 mg/kg/day). The median duration of defibrotide therapy was 16 days (4-37 days). Defibrotide was discontinued due to clinical improvement (9), death (3), drug unavailability (1), and neurological toxicity (1). Gastrointestinal hemorrhage was observed in two patients and intra-cranial hemorrhage was observed in one patient during defibrotide therapy. The survival rate to day +100 was 79%.

CONCLUSIONS

Defibrotide appears to be an effective and relatively safe treatment for children with HVOD.

Gynura root induces hepatic veno-occlusive disease: A case report and review of the literature

Gynura root has been used extensively in Chinese folk medicine and plays a role in promoting microcirculation and relieving pain. However, its hepatic toxicity should not be neglected. Recently, we admitted a 62-year old female who developed hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) after ingestion of Gynura root. Only a few articles on HVOD induced by Gynura root have been reported in the literature. It is suspected that pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Gynura root might be responsible for HVOD. In this paper, we report a case of HVOD and review the literature.

Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with fatal veno-occlusive disease in the liver

A 47-year-old man presented with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) without any obvious underlying diseases. On computed tomography, his liver was occupied by multiple ill-defined low intensity lesions. Liver biopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of numerous histiocytes without cytologic atypism and prominent fibrotic changes. These histiocytes showed S100(+), CD68(+), CD1a(-), and lysozyme(+) and Langerhans cell granules were not observed by electron microscopic examination. He failed to respond to immunosuppressive and chemotherapeutic treatments and progressed to severe liver failure. At autopsy, his liver exhibited veno-occlusive disease (VOD). Since VOD is regarded as a rare complication of HPS, the presence of VOD associated with HPS may be easily overlooked.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease due to tacrolimus in a single-lung transplant patient

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is defined as nonthrombotic fibrous obliterative endophlebitis of small centrilobular hepatic venules. Clinically, patients present with elevated liver enzymes and a triad of jaundice, hepatomegaly and ascites. Although reported as a complication of other solid organ and stem cell transplantation, there have been no reported cases to date of veno-occlusive disease following lung transplantation. The present authors report a case of veno-occlusive disease following single-lung transplantation in a patient on a triple-drug immunosuppressive regimen composed of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone. The diagnosis was established by transjugular liver biopsy and by discontinuing tacrolimus; there was clinical regression of symptoms and serological return to baseline.

A case report of hepatic veno-occlusive disease after ingesting dainties

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) is rarely encountered and easily misjudged as Budd-Chiari syndrome. It is often related to stem cell transplantation in recent years. We report a case of HVOD that is related to ingestion of some palatable local dishes. The diagnosis was confirmed by liver biopsy pathology with specific observation of inflammatory changes and fibrosis of venules intima, dilated sinusoids and central veins. Chronic diarrhea is unique for this case as a result of ingesting harmful stuffs. This case demonstrated that supervision and instruction of food recipe and traditional medicine are crucial, and prompt diagnosis, supportive care and specific treatment are essential to decreasing the morbidity and mortality of HVOD.

[Clinical characteristics of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome: analysis of 8 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS).

METHODS

The data of 8 patients with SOS, including clinical manifestations, laboratory results, imaging, pathology, and the course of diagnosis and treatment were reviewed. All cases were followed up.

RESULTS

The main clinical manifestations included abdominal distention, hepatalgia and signs of ascites and hepatomegaly. There were mild or moderate hepatocellular injury in 6 patients and heavy injury in 2. All patients' serum-ascites albumin gradient exceeded 11.1 g/L. The levels of CA125 in both serum and ascites elevated significantly. All patients' ultrasonography showed hepatomegaly, appearance of portal hypertension and attenuated hepatic veins. Reverse blood flow in portal vein was observed in 5 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that contrast agent accumulated unevenly in liver in both portal period and lag period, but filled poorly in hepatic veins. Per cutsem liver biopsy showed that all patients' hepatic sinusoids were congested, but venular occlusion was observed in only 3 cases. Five cases had been misdiagnosed. One patient healed after liver transplantation, 4 patients recovered gradually by treatment with heparin and so on and 3 patients died.

CONCLUSIONS

Signs of outstanding portal hypertension with mild hepatocellular injury is the main clinical feature of SOS. Both serum and ascites CA125 levels in SOS patients are elevated significantly. The misdiagnosis rate of SOS is quite high, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging have significant value in diagnosis and differential diagnosis, while the value of per cutsem liver biopsy is limited. Combination of imaging and pathology should contribute to correct diagnosis of SOS. Application of anticoagulant in early course is vital, liver transplantation should be considered in severe cases.

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome of the liver after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: decision making for orthotopic liver transplantation

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a specific complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) that can lead to substantial morbidity and treatment-related mortality. Heparin is frequently used as prophylaxis of and defibrotide as therapy for mild to moderate SOS. In severe cases of SOS these therapies are often ineffective, and orthotopic liver trans-plantation (OLT) may be the only option. Reports in the literature about the outcome of liver transplantation for SOS are contradictory. We describe our second case of OLT after HSCT. The patient died of intracranial hemorrhage 2 weeks after liver transplantation with good initial organ function. In the first case at our center, however, the patient survived more then 8 years. The reported short- to medium-range survival rate for OLT following HSCT is approximately 50%. On the basis of the experience at our center and the findings in a review of the literature, we developed a rational approach to the selection for liver transplantation of patients with life-threatening liver dysfunction after marrow transplantation.

Defibrotide, a polydisperse mixture of single-stranded phosphodiester oligonucleotides with lifesaving activity in severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease: clinical outcomes and potential mechanisms of action

Veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD) remains a troubling and potentially fatal complication of high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation conditioning regimens. No effective therapy has been available for these patients to date, and the best supportive care measures remain woefully inadequate. Defibrotide (DF) (Gentium, S.p.A., Como, Italy), a polydisperse mixture of all the single-stranded phosphodiester oligodeoxyribonucleotides that can be obtained from the controlled depolymerization of porcine intestinal mucosal genomic DNA, seems to offer a safe and effective treatment for some patients suffering from severe VOD, a condition for which no accepted standard therapy currently exists. Early clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of DF for the treatment of severe VOD in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been very encouraging. Approximately 45% of the patients treated in multiple initial phase II clinical trials achieved a complete response at day +100, demonstrating normalization of serum bilirubin and resolution of the clinical syndrome. However, although multi-institutional, these represented single arm studies. A large, FDA-approved, pivotal, prospective, multi-institutional, global phase III trial of DF vs. historical controls (best available therapy) commenced in the first quarter of 2006 and should provide further validation of DF's efficacy. The drug seems to have few significant side effects, and almost all test subjects who have received this treatment have tolerated it well. Although the mechanism of action remains unclear, the drug exerts minimal systemic anticoagulant effects yet appears to induce numerous antithrombotic and profibrinolytic effects both in vitro and in vivo. It may function as an adenosine receptor agonist and causes increased concentrations of endogenous prostaglandins, which modulate thrombomodulin, platelets, and fibrinolysis. It also appears to block lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tissue factor (TF) expression. However, despite the fact the DF is composed of oligonucleotides, its mechanism of action, which at the present time is unclear, is not related to Watson-Crick base pair-dependent downregulation of gene expression but is rather likely a result of its polyanionic nature.

Use of prophylactic anticoagulation and the risk of hepatic veno-occlusive disease in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is a serious regimen-related toxicity in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the effect of anticoagulation in preventing veno-occlusive disease. Several databases and online journals were searched for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. Twelve studies (2782 patients) were eligible. Anticoagulation prophylaxis was associated with a statistically nonsignificant decrease in risk of veno-occlusive disease (pooled relative risk (RR), 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62-1.29). Results of one of three randomized controlled trials may have been affected by delayed introduction of anticoagulation. A second trial enrolled patients who received conventional chemoradiotherapy for early-stage disease (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04-0.78). The third trial was a pilot study with a small sample size (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.53-1.04). Significant heterogeneity and methodologic weaknesses preclude drawing a meaningful conclusion from the pooled analysis. Despite some limitations, results of two of three eligible randomized controlled trials suggest that prophylactic anticoagulation may help prevent veno-occlusive disease. However, a large randomized controlled trial is needed for confirmation. Additionally, in future studies, owing to the wide spectrum of severity of veno-occlusive disease, outcomes such as 100-day mortality should strongly be considered.

Diagnosis of Hepatic Veno-occlusive Disease by Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Plasma Antigen Levels: A Prospective Analysis in 350 Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Recipients

BACKGROUND

Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the most serious complications following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is associated with a high mortality. We conducted a large trial in order to investigate the value of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) plasma antigen levels in VOD patients as PAI-1 has been described as a possible diagnostic marker of VOD.

METHODS

In all, 350 stem cell recipients were included in our study. PAI-1 levels were analyzed prior to conditioning therapy and then weekly until eight weeks after HSCT. Transplantation-related complications (TRC) including VOD, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were recorded weekly throughout the study.

RESULTS

Maximum PAI-1 antigen levels were increased in all patients with VOD (n=15; mean 248 ng/ml; 95% CI 183-314 ng/ml). Maximum PAI-1 levels above 120 ng/ml showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 30.6% for VOD after HSCT.

CONCLUSION

Our study underlines that maximum PAI-1 plasma antigen levels not exceeding 120 ng/ml have a strong negative predictive value in the diagnosis of VOD and thus represent a helpful non-invasive tool for exclusion of VOD after HSCT.

Demonstration of reversed flow in segmental branches of the portal vein with hand-held color Doppler ultrasonography after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a severe complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). When monitored with hand-held color Doppler ultrasonography during day -7 to +35 around SCT, reversed blood flow in the segmental branches of the portal vein was detected in nine of 56 patients who had undergone SCT. Three of nine patients had clinical evidence of VOD, but six patients did not fulfill the criteria for diagnosis of VOD initially. Two patients progressed to clinical VOD at a later date and the reversed portal flow disappeared with or without treatment for VOD in the other four patients. Monitoring for reversed portal flow with color Doppler ultrasonography may be a useful tool for the early diagnosis of VOD, and may improve prognosis by allowing early initiation of treatment.