Use of Eculizumab in Pediatric Patients with Late Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation

Late antibody-mediated rejection triggered by donor-specific antibodies is a leading cause of kidney allograft failure. Effective treatment options for late antibody-mediated rejection are limited in renal transplant recipients. Here, we report 2 pediatric cases of severe late antibody-mediated rejection resistant to conventional immunosuppressive therapy who were successfully treated with eculizumab. Two patients who fulfilled the late antibody-mediated rejection diagnostic criteria (positive donor-specific antibodies, elevated mean fluorescence index, acute and/or chronic morphological lesions in the microvasculature, and abnormal kidney function test) were included in this study. Both patients were previously unsensitized with negative panel-reactive antibody. Case 1 was a 12-year-old male patient with kidney failure secondary to vesicoureteral reflux who underwent related-living donor kidney transplantation 2 years ago. Eleven months later, he was diagnosed with late antibody-mediated rejection. Despite an aggressive conventional immunosuppressive regimen, signs of rejection persisted. After the patient was treated with 2 doses of eculizumab, his mean fluorescence index dropped and serum creatinine decreased from 3.8 to 1.5 mg/dL. Case 2 was an unsensitized 16-year-old male patient with kidney failure secondary posterior urethral valve who underwent related-living donor kidney transplantation 4 years ago. Two years later, he was diagnosed with late antibody-mediated rejection. Despite an aggressive conventional immunosuppressive regimen, signs of rejection persisted. After treatment with 2 doses of eculizumab, his mean fluorescence index dropped and serum creatinine decreased from 2.1 to 1.01 mg/dL. In both patients, eculizumab therapy effectively reduced the markers of late antibody-mediated rejection and improved the kidney function.

Relation of Anxiety, Depression, and Behavioral Problems With Time Allocated to Television, Computer, and Smartphone in Children Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy

OBJECTIVES

Children and adolescents with chronic diseases have more screen exposure time compared with their healthy peers. In this study, we investigated screen exposure time of children who received renal replacement therapy, which included kidney transplant and dialysis treatment, versus a healthy control group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study included 55 children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 18 years. Although 28 participants did not have any chronic disease, 27 had chronic diseases and received renal replacement therapy. Among these patients, 17 had kidney transplant and 10 were receiving dialysis. A sociodemographic information form and the Conners Short-Form Parent Rating Scale were given to parents. Pediatric and adolescent patients completed the Children's Depression Inventory and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale-2. We analyzed differences between the groups with and without renal replacement therapy and examined relations between continuous variables.

RESULTS

Duration of television screen time was significantly higher in children and adolescents receiving renal replacement therapy. Patients in the renal replacement therapy group showed a positive correlation between the Conners Short-Form Parent Rating Scale anxiety subscores and duration of smartphone use. In the kidney transplant recipient group, smartphone and computer durations were positively correlated and television duration was negatively correlated with the Conners Short-Form Parent Rating Scale behavioral problems subscores.

CONCLUSIONS

Children on renal replacement therapy may be at risk in terms of excessive television exposure. Children who are on dialysis and have had a kidney transplant may be more prone to the negative effects of screen exposure than healthy peers who do not have chronic illnesses. These children and adolescents should be closely monitored to avoid the negative effects of excessive screen exposure.

Clinical Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Patients Over 60 Years Old: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

Although advanced age is no longer considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplant, transplant in elderly patients with comorbid diseases remains debatable because of high risks with surgery. Here, we report patient outcomes in this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 276 liver transplant recipients, grouped by age. Group 1 (≤59 years old) consisted of 247 recipients, and group 2 (≥60 years old) consisted of 29 recipients. Reviewed data included age, sex, cause of liver disease, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, Child-Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores, survival, and posttransplant complications.

RESULTS

In both groups, most patients (n = 108) required liver transplant for hepatitis B virus. Mean age was 40 ± 12.3 and 63 ± 2.3 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with more men than women in both group 1 (71.7% vs 28.3%) and group 2 (75.9% vs 24.1%). No significant differences were shown between groups for patient characteristics, except group 1 had significantly higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score. Group 1 mean survival time was 10.2 ± 0.6 years, with patient survival rates at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years of 65.5%, 53%, 46.3%, and 40%, respectively. In group 2, respective results were 10.6 ± 1.3 years and 75.9%, 68.6%, 61%, and 48.8% (no significant difference vs group 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Liver transplant recipients >60 years of age had survival rates, acute rejection rates, and complications similar to younger recipients. Liver transplant should not be withheld from older recipients on the basis of age alone. However, comprehensive screening for comorbidities should be performed.

567 Features of Burn Injuries in Youth: A Single Center Experience

Introduction

Youth is categorized as combination of adolescence and young adulthood. Young people are prone to injuries, because this period involves essential changes in many aspects of life within a complicated physiological and mental developmental age. Our aim was to investigate the features of burn injuries in youth.

Methods

Subjects were 622 adolescents (10-18yrs, n=313) and young adults (19-24yrs, n=309) who were treated at our burn-center from 2010 to 2021. Data collected for each case were age, sex, social-security status, occupation, marital status, scene of injury, burn extent, burn cause, history of injury, affected major body sites, and need for inpatient-care (median±SD,mean±SD)(p<.05).

Results

Median age was 18yrs±4,76. Male to female ratio was 0,66:1 with female predominance especially among young adults (0,48:1)(p˂.05). Most subjects were in civil social-security-system (n=612, 98,4%); most were students (n=475, 76,4%); a total of 103 subjects were in labour-force(16,5%); 44 were unemployed(7,1%). Most young people were single (n=600, 96,4%); 4 subjects in adolescent group and 18 subjects in young adult group were married(0,64% and %2,9 respectively); 15 of married cases were female(68,2%)(p< .05). Injuries occurred mostly at home (n=411, 66,1%). Mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 3,21 % ± 7,5(min:0,2 max:75). The most commonly affected body site was the hand (n=165, 26,5%). Leading burn cause was scalds (n=433, 69,6%). Female subjects mostly suffered from scalds with mean TBSA burned of 2,0%±2,21 (min:0,2 max:18)(n=297, 79,2%). However, vast majority of flame burn victims were male (n=41, 82,0%) (mean TBSA burned: 12,8%±21,35, min:0,2 max: 75) and almost all severe electrical injuries happened to male subjects (n=13, 86,7%)(mean TBSA burned:14,2±14,81, min:0,2 max:40)(p˂.05). All cases were preventable accidents; the unique instance for ‘substance-abuse related burns’ was butane-lighter-liquid burns in 9 cases(1,4%). Inpatient-care was needed for 52(8,2%) victims. Mean TBSA burned for inpatients was 13,5%±19,6(min:1, max:75). All subjects survived.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that young female subjects are prone to burn injuries, but severe injuries happen to male and there are many other aspects that should be considered. Combined evaluation of adolescents and young adults may provide purposive data for burn repositories.

Clinical impact of complement deposition findings on biopsies in acute rejection episodes of pediatric renal transplant patients

INTRODUCTION

Rejection is the most important problem for renal graft function and survival. Complement system plays a key role in immune responses from host to graft. It was demonstrated that complement system activation is related with renal fibrosis. We evaluate clinical impact of complement deposition findings on biopsies in acute rejection episodes of pediatric renal transplant patients.

METHOD

Demographics of the patients, graft functions, acute rejection episodes and graft loss were recorded from data files of 165 pediatric renal transplant patients. Findings of 98 renal biopsies were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty three patients with kidney transplant had 44 acute rejection episodes (32 pure cellular acute rejection episodes / 1 pure humoral acute rejection episode / 11 combined acute cellular and acute humoral rejection episodes) proven by biopsy. C1q staining was positive in 7 biopsies, C3 staining in 15 biopsies and, C4d staining in 15 biopsies. 26 patients had graft fibrosis. All patients with a rejection history had a significant decrease in GFR value during follow-up. Patients who did not have fibrotic changes in first biopsy had same level of deterioration of GFR when compared with patients who had fibrotic changes in first biopsy.

CONCLUSION

We could not demonstrate a significant relation between complement deposition and renal fibrosis, and between complement deposition and GFR values. Our data demonstrated that graft outcomes and graft loss after acute rejection episodes cannot be predicted only with complement deposition on graft or only with graft fibrosis.

Efficacy of Acupuncture on Pain Mechanisms, Inflammatory Responses, and Wound Healing in the Acute Phase of Major Burns: An Experimental Study on Rats

OBJECTIVES

We investigated acupuncture, a potential contributor for burn-care, on physiological and pathological pain mechanisms and systemic and local inflammatory responses in a rat experimental burn model.

METHODS

Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. One-hour groups(5 rats/group) were observed for 1 hour and included Sh1(sham/observation), ShA1(sham+acupuncture/observation), Brn1(burn/observation), and BrnA1(burn+acupuncture/observation). Seven-day groups(5 rats/group) were observed for 7 days and included Sh7(sham/observation), ShA7(sham+acupuncture/observation), Brn7(burn/observation), and BrnA7(burn+acupuncture/observation). "Pain-distress scores" were noted daily, acupuncture was repeated within every wound-dressing change on alternate days. After observation periods, blood samples for interleukin-6 and beta-endorphin and skin biopsies for inflammatory-changes and immunohistochemical-staining of interleukin-6 were collected for analysis( P< .05 ).

RESULTS

In 1-hour groups, interleukin-6 accumulation in burn wounds of BrnA1 was less than Brn1, with Brn1 having the highest mean blood level(P< .05). Mean beta-endorphin levels were higher in ShA1, Brn1, and BrnA1 than in Sh1(P< .05). In all 7-day groups, the agonizing period was 48 to72 hours after burn, with Brn7 most affected(P< .05). Microvessels were multiplied in Brn7group, with significantly higher numbers in burn wounds of BrnA7(P˂ .05). Burn wounds of BrnA7 had less accumulation of interleukin-6 than Brn7 with Brn7-group having the highest mean blood level and Sh7, ShA7, and BrnA7 having similarly low levels(P˃ .05). Beta-endorphin levels in ShA7, Brn7, and BrnA7 were lower than in Sh7(P< .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Acupuncture contributed to management of physiological and pathological pain, modulation of inflammatory responses, and associated enhancement of angiogenesis in acute phase of burn injury in rats.

The Effect of Renal Transplantation on Cardiac Functions

Chronic renal failure is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular poor outcome. Despite advances in dialysis and renal transplantation, these patients still have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in blood parameters and echocardiographic parameters of patients undergoing renal transplantation in our center. One hundred and eighty-three patients who underwent renal transplantation between September 2012 and January 2016 were included in the study. Pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values, lipid profiles, ejection fractions, presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, presence of diastolic dysfunction, and valve pathologies were retrospectively scanned. Data were obtained from all patients in terms of blood parameters, but we compared 92 patients' echocardiographic data because of lack of both pre- and postoperative echocardiography records. In our study, 124 patients (67.8%) were male, and the mean age was 42.6 ± 14.4 years. Hemoglobin levels (11.2 ± 1.98, 12.7 ± 2.2 mg/dL, P <0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values (37.6 ± 10.5, 46.6 ± 13.6 mg/dL, P <0.001) were found to be different significantly. In echocardiographic evaluation, there was no difference between pre- and postoperative ejection fractions in 92 patients. However, patients with preoperative ejection fraction <50% had a significant increase in postoperative ejection fraction (40.1 ± 6.2, 48.4% ± 9.4%, P = 0.012). Renal transplantation can improve left ventricle ejection fraction in patients with basal ejection fraction less than 50% and also provide a significant increase in hemoglobin and HDL levels in all patients. This suggests that renal transplantation may reverse the process for dilated cardiomyopathy and may improve cardiac function in patients with low ejection fraction. However, transplantation should be performed as early as possible in these patients.

Oxalosis Crystals' Redeposition in Cardiac Tissue Leading to New-Onset Fatal Cardiac Complication After Liver Transplant in Primary Oxalosis Patient: Case Report

Primary oxalosis is a rare hereditary disorder of metabolism resulting in accumulation of calcium oxalate in almost all tissues of the body. All published data point out the improvement of cardiac function after transplant. Here, we report the first case in the literature of an 8-year-old patient with primary oxalosis in which oxalosis implantations increased in cardiac tissue after liver transplant and manifested as new-onset ventricular tachycardia and cardiomyopathy, leading to death.

The New Anterior Less Invasive Crescentic Incision for Living Donor Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVES

Living-donor nephrectomy is a devoted procedure performed in a healthy individual; for these procedures, it is essential to complete the surgery with the lowest possible risk and morbidity and allow donors to regain their normal daily activity. To minimize anatomic and physiologic damage, we modified a surgical technique. Here, we report our experiences with the new anterior less invasive crescentic donor nephrectomy technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 728 donor nephrectomy patients who had the new anterior less invasive cresentic incision (n = 224), the classic open (n = 431), or the laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (n = 73) procedures. Demographic characteristics, preoperative and postoperative parameters, acute renal graft dysfunction, and firstyear graft and patient survival rates were compared between groups.

RESULTS

During the operation, the new cresentic incision living-donor nephrectomy allowed a safe and comfortable position for the patient and the anesthesiologist. Also, it procures safe access especially for grefts with multiple vessels. Patients had lower pain scores (P = .010), shorter hospital stays (2.25 vs 3.49 days) than those who received the classic open living-donor nephrectomy. Patients who received laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy had significantly longer mean operation time (P = .016) and warm ischemia time (P ≤ .001) than those who had the new cresentic incision technique. All groups showed similar rates of first-year survival and delayed graft dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

The new anterior less invasive cresentic incision open-donor nephrectomy approach is a safe, comfortable, effective, and less invasive modification of the living donor nephrectomy. Also, it procures safe access for grefts with multiple vessels.

Liver and Kidney Transplant During a 6-Month Period in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

With the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, many studies have indicated that elective surgeries should be postponed. However, postponement of transplants may cause diseases to get worse and increase the number in wait lists. We believe that, with precautions, transplant does not pose a risk during pandemic. Here, we aimed to evaluate our transplant results, which we safely performed during a 6-month pandemic period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Until September 2020, 3140 kidney and 667 liver transplants have been performed in our centers. We evaluated 38 kidney transplants and 9 liver transplants procedures performed during the pandemic (March 1 to September 2, 2020). Recipient and donor candidates were screened for COVID-19 with polymerase chain reaction and thoracic computed tomography. All recipients had routine immunosuppressive protocol. During hospitalization at our COVID-19-free transplant facility, we restricted the interactions during multidisciplinary rounds.

RESULTS

During the pandemic, 38 kidney transplants with an average length of hospital stay of 8.1 days were performed. Mean serum creatinine values of recipients were 0.91, 0.86, and 0.74 mg/dL on postoperative days 7, 30, and 90, respectively. During the pandemic, 9 living donor liver transplants (1 adult, 8 pediatric) were performed with an average length of hospital stay of 17.1 days. Mean serum total bilirubin levels were 0.9, 0.5, and 0.4 mg/dL on postoperative days 7, 30, and 90, respectively. Mean serum aspartate aminotransferase levels were 38.1, 28.3, and 22.3 U/L on postoperative days 7, 30, and 90, respectively. All recipients and donors were successfully discharged. Only 1 liver recipient died (on day 55 after discharge as a result of oxalosis-induced heart failure).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, when precautions are taken, transplant does not pose a risk to patients during the pandemic period. We attribute the safety and success shown to our newly developed protocol in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Success Rate of Grafts With Multiple Renal Vessels in 3136 Kidney Transplants

OBJECTIVES

Multiple renal vessels are often detected in living and deceased organ donors. In the past, transplant with multiple renal vessel grafts has been a contraindication because of high vascular and urological complication rates. However, improvements in vascular reconstruction and anastomosis techniques have allowed graft function to be maintained for many years. Here, we retrospectively evaluated transplant of multiple renal vessel grafts and graft survival and postoperative vascular and urological complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From November 1975 to July 2020, there were 3136 renal transplants (716 deceased donors, 2420 living donors) performed in our center. There were 2167 living donors and 643 deceased donors with single renal vessel grafts and 253 living donors and 73 deceased donors with multiple renal vessel grafts. For anastomoses, external iliac, internal iliac, common iliac, and inferior epigastric arteries and external iliac veins were used. Cold ischemia time, anastomosis time, postoperative vascular and urological complications, acute tubular necrosis, creatinine clearance, serum creatinine levels, graft rejection episodes, and graft and patient survival rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

With regard to creatinine clearance, cold ischemia and anastomosis time, acute tubular necrosis, rejection episodes, and 1-, 2-, and 5-year posttransplant serum creatinine levels, there were no significant differences between the groups. Graft survival rates in the single renal vessel group were 92.9% at 1 year posttransplant and 78.3% at 5 years posttransplant; rates in the multiple renal vessel group were 93.1% at 1 year and 79.7% at 5 years. The corresponding patient survival rates were 95.5% (1 year) and 92.9% (5 years) for the single renal vessel group and 96.9% (1 year) and 87.2% (5 years) for the multiple renal vessel group.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved anastomosis and recon struction techniques have allowed the safe transplant of multiple renal vessel grafts that may remain functional for many years.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Kidney and Liver Transplant Patients: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

The novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) was first described in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and subsequently announced as a pandemic on March 12, 2020. In several studies, solid-organ transplant recipients were reported to have higher risk for COVID-19. Here, we aimed to determine the frequency of COVID-19 in our kidney and liver transplant patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study included 583 transplant patients who were admitted to our outpatient transplant clinics and emergency departments between March 1 and May 1, 2020. Seventy-four of them were liver transplant recipients (46 male, 28 female, of which 14 were pediatric and 60 were adult patients) and 509 of them were kidney transplant recipients (347 male, 162 female, of which 16 were pediatric and 493 were adult patients). We retrospectively evaluated demographic characteristics, currently used immunosuppressant treatment, present complaints, treatment and diagnosis of comorbid diseases, and results of COVID-19 tests.

RESULTS

Of 583 transplant recipients, 538 were seen in our outpatient transplant clinics and 45 were seen in our emergency departments. Of these, 18 patients who had had cough and fever were evaluated by respiratory clinic doctors, and nasopharyngeal swab samples were taken. One kidney transplant recipient had a positive COVID-19 test; he was followed with home isolation. He received treatment with hydroxychloroquine (400 mg/day). The other 17 patients had negative tests. There were no mortalities due to COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Transplant patients also got affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the data of our centers, this effect is not much more different from the normal population. We recommend that transplant recipients should be warned in terms of personal hygiene and should be closely monitored by organ transplant centers. If there is an indication for hospitalization, they should be followed in an isolated unit, with no aggressive changes made to immunosuppressive doses unless necessary.

Recurrence and Outcomes of Complement-Related Renal Disease After Pediatric Renal Transplantation

Complement dysregulation is related to different glomerular pathologies. Patients with complement dysregulation have high recurrence risk after transplant; however, with trough-effective therapeutics, renal transplant can be an option for these patients. Here, we present 2 boys with renal disease related to complement dysregulation and their outcomes after renal transplant. Patient 1 had atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, which was treated with eculizumab before renal transplant; eculizumab therapy was also continued after transplant as preventive therapy. Eculizumab therapy was stopped at year 2 post-transplant. At year 4 post-transplant, his serum creatinine level was 0.87 mg/dL. Patient 2, who had chronic renal disease related to C3 glomerulopathy, was not responsive to eculizumab before renal transplant. At month 4 posttransplant, C3 glomerulopathy recurrence was demonstrated with biopsy, and serum creatinine level was 1.96 mg/dL at this time. Eculizumab was started as a rescue therapy. At year 4 posttransplant, his serum creatinine level was 2.07 mg/dL. In our 2 patients with complement dysregulation, eculizumab was an effective and preventive therapy after renal transplant. However, more studies are needed to understand the long-term efficacy and safety of eculizumab after renal transplant.

Importance of Hypomagnesemia on New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Pediatric Renal Transplant Patients

OBJECTIVES

Hypomagnesemia is considered as an independent risk factor for new-onset diabetes mellitus after kidney transplant. New-onset diabetes mellitus is an important comorbidity associated with allograft failure. In this study, our aim was to investigate the correlation between hypomagnesemia and preva-lence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 189 pediatric renal transplant recipients who underwent their first renal transplant. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus before transplant was excluded from the analysis. Hypomagnesemia was defined as having serum magnesium levels lower than 1.7 mg/dL. Diabetes was defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria. Serum magnesium and glucose levels at month 1 after transplant were recorded.

RESULTS

We evaluated the records of 188 patients. New-onset diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 7 patients (3.7%). Hypomagnesemia was shown in 50% of patients (64/120). Mean glucose levels were higher in those with hypomagnesemia than in patients without hypomagnesemia (119.2 vs 91.56 mg/dL, respectively; P = .01) A significant negative correlation was observed between serum magnesium and glucose levels (r = -0.53; P < .05). Mean serum magnesium level in patients with new-onset diabetes mellitus was lower than in patients without diabetes (1.56 ± 0.21 vs 1.75 ± 0.26 mg/dL; P = .052).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypomagnesemia is a common problem in pediatric renal transplant. The relationship between serum magnesium and glucose levels suggests that hypomagnesemia plays a role in the development of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant. Compre-hensive studies are needed to support this association.

Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction and Pediatric Renal Transplant

OBJECTIVES

Lower urinary tract abnormalities have been considered to be contraindications for renal transplant. However, advancements in diagnosis and treatment in this area have allowed renal transplant as a treatment choice in selected cases. We evaluated clinical outcomes of pediatric renal transplant in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated data from 165 pediatric renal transplant patients, and data were compared between patients with and without lower urinary tract dysfunction. Patient demographics, cause of chronic renal failure, acute rejection episodes, and graft loss were included in our analyses.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients had lower urinary tract dysfunction, and the remaining 148 patients had functional lower urinary tracts. Patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction were younger than the other patient group at diagnosis of chronic renal failure. The mean follow-up after renal transplant in the 2 groups was similar. Differences with regard to donor type, immunosuppressive treatment, and acute rejection episodes were not significant between the 2 groups. Eight patients had lost their grafts during follow-up; however, only 1 of these patients was in the lower urinary tract dysfunction group. Graft loss rate was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction had similar graft outcomes versus other pediatric renal transplant patients. Careful evaluation and preparation of the lower urinary tract are important factors for renal transplant success.

The curative treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia: Liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by premature mortal cardiovascular complications. Liver transplantation (LT) is the only curative treatment option. In this study, the long-term clinical follow-up data of 8 patients who underwent LT with a diagnosis of FH in our center are presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 638 LT were performed between December 1985 and June 2019 at Baskent University, of which 8 patients underwent LT with a diagnosis of FH and were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of the 8 patients, 4 underwent deceased donor and 4 living donor transplantation. Five patients had preoperative cardiovascular disease and consequent interventional operations. There was significant reduction in postoperative LDL-C and TC levels starting from the first week, and stabilizing at the first month and first year. The median survival time of patients was 5 years (2-12 years). All patients are still alive. None of the complications of patients with preoperative cardiovascular complications had progressed.

CONCLUSION

Liver transplantation is the preferred curative treatment for the pathophysiology of FH. In our study, LDL-C levels were brought under control with LT performed on patients with FH. Median 5-year follow-up of patients showed that the progression of cardiac complications was abated.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Potential Indicator of Infection-Associated Emergency Visits of Renal Transplant Recipients

OBJECTIVES

Infection-associated emergency department use in renal transplant recipients has been increasing as solid-organ transplant has become a more common treatment method for chronic kidney failure. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio has been demonstrated to be significantly elevated in nosocomial infections in patients treated at intensive care units and is positively correlated with duration of hospital stay. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio could be used as an indicator of infection in renal transplant patients presenting to emergency departments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-control retrospective study included data from between May 2015 and February 2018. We used the patient information management system to review patient medical records and laboratory test results of study participants.

RESULTS

Our study included 156 adults in the patient group (recipients with infection) and 170 adults in the control group (recipients without infection). We observed significant differences between patient and control groups in terms of the number of days of hospital stay; leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts; the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio; and C-reactive protein levels. We plotted receiver operating characteristic curves to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio along with C-reactive protein. The areas under the curve were 0.892 for C-reactive protein and 0.707 for the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

For systemic inflammation, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio can be used in conjunction with other biomarkers as an indicator of inflammation in renal transplant recipients who present with infection-associated causes to emergency departments.

Over 5 Years of Excellent Graft Kidney Function Determinants: Baskent University Experience

OBJECTIVES

Kidney graft survival may be evaluated according to the duration of time with a functioning graft. Survival alone may not satisfy expectations of a successful kidney transplant if the graft kidney does not show excellent function. In our study, we analyzed the characteristics of kidney transplant recipients who showed excellent graft function after 5 to 10 years of follow-up in an aim to improve graft survival and to ensure the best kidney function in the long term.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated graft function and demographic characteristics of 288 patients who underwent kidney transplant between January 2008 and December 2012.

RESULTS

We found that 149 patients (51.7%) had excellent graft function, 88 patients (30.5%) had a functioning graft with a glomerular filtration rate lower than 60 mL/min and/or had signs of graft kidney dysfunction, and 45 patients (15.6%) experienced graft loss. Of 288 kidney transplant recipients enrolled in the study, most were male (56%), and mean age was 30.47 ± 14.36 years at time of transplant. Median time on dialysis was 39.09 ± 59.30 months. The overall graft survival rate in the patient group was 82.2% after 5 to 10 years of follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that excellent graft survival predictors beyond 5 years were negative panel reactive antibody levels, lower donor age, shorter duration on dialysis, absence of acute rejection episodes, 3 or less HLA mismatches, lower immunosuppressive levels, and lower recipient age at transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower panel reactive antibody levels, lower donor age, shorter duration on dialysis, absence of acute rejection episodes, 3 or less HLA mismatches, and lower recipient age at transplant are major determinants of excellent graft survival in our kidney transplant recipients.

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor outgrowth from the liver

INTRODUCTION

Perivascular epithelioid celltumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasia and can be found in various body sites. On the other hand, hepatic PEComa is very rare, with only a few studies having reported hepatic malignant PEComa. There is no gold standard regarding the use of diagnostic imaging studies. The diagnosis of hepatic PEComa is made by a positive immunohistochemical staining for HMB45 and Melan A. Herein, we discussed the therapeutic and follow-up process of a symptomatic hepatic PEComa case.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 22-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass in abdomen. A computerized tomographic examination showed a giant hepatic mass of left lobe origin, which was excised surgically. The pathology result was reported as a PEComa.

DISCUSSION

The diagnostic approach, treatment modalities, and follow-up procedures are not standard. The main treatment modality for PEComa is surgical excision with adequate surgical margin.

CONCLUSION

A longer follow-up is required for patients with hepatic PEComa because the nature of the disease is not entirely clear.

Posttransplant Malignancies in Adult Renal and Hepatic Transplant Patients

OBJECTIVES

The risk of some cancer types increases after organ transplant compared with that shown in the general population; this has been well documented in clinical studies. With patients having longer survival and with the higher number of transplant procedures, cancer is an increasing health concern at high-volume transplant centers. Malignancy has an important effect on short- and long-term graft and patient survival. In this study, we evaluated cancer frequency during transplant patient follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included patients who underwent solid-organ transplant at the Baskent University Medical Faculty Hospital from 1997 to 2017. Renal and hepatic transplant patients older than 16 years at the time of transplant and diagnosed with cancer after transplant were included the study. In total, 1176 of 2018 renal transplant recipients and 274 of 548 hepatic transplant recipients met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

We determined that 52 of 1176 renal transplant (4.5%) and 9 of 274 hepatic transplant patients (3.3%) developed posttransplant cancer during follow-up. Of 61 total patients with cancer posttransplant, 44 were males (72.1%) and 17 were females (27.9%), with median age at transplant of 39.2 years. Overall, the incidence of cancer in transplant recipients was 4.2%. The most frequent cancers were basal and squamous skin cancers, which were seen in 18 patients (29%), and Kaposi sarcoma, which was seen in 11 patients (18%). Of the 61 patients who developed cancer, 43 (70%) were still alive at the time of this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite recent positive developments in the use of immunosuppressive drugs, posttransplant malignancy is still a health problem. Fortunately, most cancers in this patient group have good prognosis and can be cured by surgical resection. Transplant physicians should aim for early detection of these diseases.

Efficacy of the Sonoelastography Method for Diagnosis of Fibrosis in Renal Transplant Patients

OBJECTIVES

Although biopsy is the most important method for diagnosing the cause of renal allograft dysfunction, sonoelastography, a new ultrasonography method, can be used to distinguish between the soft or hard nature of lesions. In this study, our aim was to investigate whether sonoelastography could diagnose fibrosis in renal transplant patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, we included patients over 18 years old who were recommended for clinical biopsy. Sonoelastographic evaluation was made by conducting acoustic radiation force impulse measurements for each patient after they were admitted to the clinic for biopsy. Measurements were performed just before the biopsy procedure. All results were examined by 2 experienced radiologists using the Siemens S3000 Ultrasound Machine (Erlangen, Germany). Comparisons of ultrasonographic values with biopsy results were made with SPSS software (SPSS: An IBM Company, version 20, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

RESULTS

Of the 65 patients included in this study, pathology showed acute T-cell-mediated rejection in 37 patients. There was a significant correlation between the pathologic Banff scores and the sonographic acoustic radiation force impulse values (P = .002), where the degree of Banff increased as the mean acoustic radiation force impulse values elevated. A rise in mean impulse values correlated with increased degree of interstitial fibrosis in renal allografts. Renal parenchymal echogenicity of patients significantly differed by sex (P = .009), with an average renal echogenicity of grade 1 in women and grade 0 in men. Also, a statistically significant difference was found between age of the renal transplant recipient and resistive index values.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed a significant correlation between Banff degree and the acoustic radiation force impulse values of renal transplant patients. In addition to biopsy, sonoelastography can be beneficial for the diagnosis of fibrosis in renal transplant patients.

Relation of Preoperative and Postoperative Echocardiographic Parameters With Rejection and Mortality in Liver Transplant Patients

OBJECTIVES

Survival in liver transplant after end-stage liver disease is associated with major cardiac functions. In a significant number of patients with end-stage liver disease, cardiac dysfunctions may be observed, which can include high-output heart failure, cardiac valve disease, and pulmonary venous and arterial hypertension. All of these affect perioperative survival. The aim of our study was to determine whether preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic parameters, specifically right heart-related tricuspid regurgitation, estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, are associated with rejection and mortality in liver transplant patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult patients (> 18 years old) who underwent liver transplant at our center between January 2011 and March 2017 were included in the study, with 64 patients retrospectively screened. The echocardiographic images that were taken immediately before and immediately after liver transplant were evaluated. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to rejection data and mortality. All parameters were analyzed for both variables.

RESULTS

For the 24 patients with liver rejection and 40 patients without liver rejection, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of demographic data, echocardiographic parameters, and laboratory data. However, when patients were evaluated according to survival, there was a statistically significant difference between these 2 groups concerning the echocardiography parameters of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (P = .005), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P = .001), and postoperative right ventricular width (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Echocardiography, being a simple and easily accessible technique that is reliable in excluding pulmonary hypertension diagnosis, can be used as a guide in the evaluation of right ventricular function and tricuspid regurgitation, particularly in patients who are not hemodynamically stable before and after liver transplant.

Utility of Mean Platelet Volume to Diagnose Pneumonia in Patients With Solid-Organ Transplant

OBJECTIVES

Despite improved success with solid-organ transplant procedures, recipients remain at risk for infections, including pneumonia, due to their immunosuppressive regimens. In solid-organ transplant patients, clinical findings of pneumonia can be nonspecific, and diagnosis of pneumonia may be difficult as several conditions (drug lung, hypervolemia, infections, hemorrhage) can led to pulmonary infiltrates, mimicking pneumonia in these patients. The role of mean platelet volume, a predictor of inflammatory disease, with elevated values inversely correlated with inflammatory problems, in the diagnosis of pneumonia has not yet been investigated in solid-organ transplant patients. Here, we retrospectively investigated mean platelet volume in diagnosis of pneumonia in transplant patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of solid-organ transplant patients from 2011 to 2016 were reviewed for demographic, clinical, radiographic, laboratory, and microbiology data. Transplant type, immunosuppressive drugs, and clinical outcomes were noted. Pneumonia diagnosis was based on clinical respiratory symptoms and signs, imaging findings, positive microbiological tests, pathologic findings, laboratory findings, or effective clinical treatment trials.

RESULTS

Our study included 70 patients (47 male/23 female; mean age of 46 ± 14 years), comprising 26 liver and 44 renal transplant recipients. Pneumonia was diagnosed radiologically in 30 patients (42.9%), with procalcitonin positive in 11 patients (36.7%), C-reactive protein elevated in 29 patients (96.7%), and leukocytes increased in 6 patients (20%). When laboratory measurements were compared with mean platelet volume, mean platelet volume values were significantly lower in patients with pneumonia who had elevated procalcitonin levels (P = .038).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that mean platelet volume for diagnosis of pneumonia in solid-organ transplant patients was not a promising tool. Considering the difficulties in caring for transplant patients with pulmonary infiltrates, clinical decisions should be based on clinical, laboratory, microbiological, and radiologic findings.

Liver Transplant and Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema: A Case Report

Hydrothorax occurs frequently in patients with endstage liver disease and usually requires drainage of pulmonary effusion during the hepatectomy phase of liver transplant. Reexpansion pulmonary edema is a rare but potentially fatal complication seen after rapid reexpansion of the collapsed lung following thoracentesis of pleural fluid or tube drainage of pneumothorax. This condition, which manifests with various degrees of clinical severity, is rarely reported following liver transplantation. Herein, we present a 62-year-old male patient who developed reexpansion pulmonary edema after drainage of massive pleural effusion, which caused a total collapse in the right hemithorax during liver transplant. Six hours after pleural fluid drainage, the patient developed a nonproductive cough, mild tachypnea, shortness of breath, and low oxygen saturation (88%). His chest radiograph showed diffuse heterogeneous opacities in the right hemithorax. Computed tomography of the thorax revealed consolidations containing air bronchograms and ground glass opacities in the parenchyma of the right lung; these findings did not extend to the periphery and were observed less frequently in the inferoposterior left lung. These symptoms and radiologic findings were diagnosed as reexpansion pulmonary edema. Complete clinical and radiologic improvements were achieved within 72 hours of mechanical ventilatory support.

Long-term cosmetic results of single-incision vs. conventional laparoscopic appendectomy A prospective observational cohort study

AIM

The purpose of this study was to compare cosmetic, along with surgical, results between single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA), particularly from patients' points of view.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All of the patients who underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis and were eligible for laparoscopic surgery were evaluated prospectively in our center between June 2013 and January 2015. Patients were underwent CLA or SILA were compared for operative results and cosmetic outcomes by Body Image Questionnaire. Nonparametric tests were used in the intergroup comparisons of quantitative data. Chi-square test was used in the comparison of qualitative data.

RESULTS

A total of consecutive 166 patients were underwent SILA (55) or CLA (111) were included to the study. There was no conversion to another procedure.

DURATION

of operation was significantly longer in SILA group (36.69±12.79 vs. 42.64±15.15; p= 0.009). There were no significant differences in length of stay, complications. SILA patients had more postoperative pain at first day after operation (p=0.002). After 12 months, body image and cosmetic appearance were excellent for both groups and indistinguishable by most measures (55.79±2.31 vs. 55,76±2,13; p= 0,937).

CONCLUSIONS

SILA resulted in more pain and longer operative times without improving short-term recovery or complications. Long-term body image and cosmetic appearance were similar and excellent in both groups.

KEY WORDS

Acute appendicitis, Cosmesis, Emergency surgery Minimally invasive.

Preoperative Cardiac Risk Assessment in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy and in kidney transplant recipients. There are no specific recommendations for preoperative cardiac risk assessment before renal transplant. The aim of our study was to analyze preoperative cardiac test frequencies, test results, patient characteristics, and relations between cardiac stress test results and severe coronary artery disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined patients who underwent renal transplant between December 2011 and December 2016 in our hospital (Ankara, Turkey). Our study group included 216 patients. All patients had preoperative echocardiography. We recorded results of exercise stress tests, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, and coronary angiography. For all patients, preoperative complete blood cell count, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and red cell distribution width values were obtained and recorded.

RESULTS

We classified patient groups according to presence or absence of severe coronary artery disease. Fourteen of 66 patients had severe coronary artery disease. In univariate analyses, age, having a history of familial coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, presence of coronary artery disease, and triglyceride levels were risk factors for severe coronary artery disease. In multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus, presence of coronary artery disease, and having a history of familial coronary artery disease were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal transplant recipients are a special patient population, and there must be specific suggestions for this population. If patients present with more than 1 risk factor, a stress test should be performed to evaluate cardiovascular risk. In some patients, especially those whose risk factors include prior cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, stress tests should be skipped and patients should directly undergo coronary angiography to look for severe coronary artery disease.

Incisional Hernia After Liver Transplant

OBJECTIVES

An incisional hernia seriously burdens the quality of life after liver transplant. The incidence of incisional hernia after liver transplant is reported to be 4% to 20%. Here, we evaluated incisional hernias that occurred after adult liver transplant and incisional hernias intentionally made in infant liver transplant procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between December 1988 and May 2016, we performed 536 liver transplant procedures in 515 patients. Demographic features, surgical outcomes, and predisposing factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 452 liver transplant patients included, incisional hernias were diagnosed in 29 patients (6.4%; 7 pediatric, 22 adult). Most were males (77%) with Child-Pugh score C cirrhosis (62%), moderate/severe ascites (81%), and serum albumin levels <3.5 g/L (86%). Incisional hernia developed in 16 of 51 patients (31%) with wound infection. Twelve incisional hernias were seen in 40 recipients (30%) with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. Eight of 45 patients (18%) with repeated surgery had incisional hernias. Five of 22 adult incisional hernias (23%) had primary fascia repair, and 17 (77%) were repaired with Prolene mesh graft (3 sublay, 14 onlay). No other complications and no hernia recurrence were shown during follow-up (range, 8-138 mo). Of 7 pediatric liver transplant patients with intentionally made incisional hernias during liver transplant, 5 patients had primary fascia repair and 2 patients had onlay mesh repair. No complications or recurrence were shown during follow-up (range, 12-60 mo).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated surgery, postoperative wound infection, and obesity were found to be predisposing risk factors for incisional hernia development after liver transplant in adults. Abdomen closure in infant liver transplant with large-for-size grafts is a different area of discussion. Here, we suggest that an intentionally made incisional hernia with staged closure of the abdomen is safe and effective for graft and patient survival.

Auxiliary Partial Orthotopic Living Liver Transplant for Wilson Disease

Wilson disease is a genetic disease involving copper metabolism disturbances that result in copper accumulations, especially in the liver and brain. Wilson disease can be treated with pharmacologic agents, such as chelators that induce urinary excretion of copper or zinc salts that inhibit copper absorption in the digestive tract. Liver transplant is the only treatment option for Wilson disease when liver failure has occurred. In some patients, that is, in those with Child-Pugh A score, neurologic disease can be seen without hepatic failure. Our recommendation is for these patients to have auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplant. Here, we present a 36-year-old male patient with neurologic disease associated with Wilson disease who had successful related living-donor auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplant using a left lobe. The patient, as a result of neurologic symptoms that included tremor walking and speaking problems and low serum ceruloplasmin level of 7 mg/dL, was diagnosed with Wilson disease, and a liver biopsy was performed. Chronic necroinflammatory disease activity was 4/18, and the patient received chelation treatment. His hepatic functions were normal. The donor was the patient's 57-year-old father whose liver function tests were also normal. The graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 1% using a left lobe graft. After transplant, serum ceruloplasmin levels on day 15 and month 1 were 14 and 19 mg/dL. At month 1, liver function tests were normal. Doppler ultrasonography showed normal vascular flow of the native liver and the graft. The patient's neurologic symptoms were progressively reduced. Progressive neurologic deterioration with no hepatic insufficiency is considered a suitable indication for auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplant; this procedure is suggested before the neurologic and liver failure symptoms of Wilson disease occur.

Vascular Complications After Renal Transplant: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

Despite surgical and medical advances, vascular complications are still among the major concerns after renal transplant, with a reported incidence of 3% to 15%. We evaluated the incidence and management of our transplant team 's vascular complications over 40 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From November 1975 to the present, we have performed a total of 2594 renal transplant procedures. Of these, 1997 grafts (76%) were obtained from living donors, and 597 grafts (24%) were obtained from deceased donors. All renal transplant procedures, including those performed in pediatric patients, used the extraperitoneal approach to the contralateral iliac fossa. Revascularization was performed for all grafts. A single end-to-end internal iliac artery anastomosis was performed in 1082 patients (41.8%), an end-to-side external iliac artery anastomosis was performed in 1289 patients (49.7%), and an end-to-side common iliac artery anastomosis was performed in 66 patients (2.5%). In 157 procedures (6%), there were at least 2 renal arteries, and both internal iliac arteries or external iliac arteries were used for anastomosis.

RESULTS

We observed 57 vascular complications (2.1%) in 54 renal transplant procedures. The most frequent complication was renal artery stenosis (n = 17; 0.6%). There were 8 instances of renal artery thrombosis (0.4%), 7 of renal artery kinking (0.3%), 5 of renal vein thrombosis (0.2%), 9 of renal vein kinking (0.5%), 3 of external iliac artery dissection (0.01%), 5 renal vein lacerations (0.2%), and 3 renal artery lacerations (0.01%). We performed urgent surgery for 41 vascular complications; 38 were managed successfully. Percutaneous interventional techniques were used successfully for 18 vascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The vascular complication rate in our patients is lower than that reported in the literature. Surgical complications can be minimized with careful transplant technique and close follow-up, as early diagnosis is crucial to early management and successful treatment of complications.

Preoperative Cardiac Risk Assessment in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplant Due to Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Should It Be Different?

OBJECTIVES

Liver transplant is a high-risk surgery for cardiac events. The risk of 30-day major cardiac adverse events is estimated at more than 5%. In this retrospective study, we evaluated our preoperative cardiac risk assessment approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated 58 adult patients who underwent liver transplant between May 2011 and May 2015. Preoperative cardiac risk factors and results of diagnostic tests were noted. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with or without hepatocellular carcinoma. Electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and treadmill tests were performed for preoperative cardiac evaluation in all candidates for liver transplant. Results of these tests showed our preference for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and/or coronary angiography and heart catheterization.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients was 46.5 ± 14.5 years. The most common cardiovascular risk factor was family history of coronary artery disease (24.1%) in all patients. Diabetes mellitus (15.5%) was the most common risk factor in the patient group without hepatocellular carcinoma. Three patients had already known coronary artery disease (5.2%). Of 16 patients (27.6%) who underwent coronary angiography, 4 were in the hepatocellular carcinoma group. Coronary revascularization by stent implantation was necessary for 1 patient in the hepatocellular carcinoma group; 1 patient in the group without hepatocellular carcinoma underwent preoperative coronary bypass surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

No consensus exists for cardiovascular risk stratification and preoperative cardiovascular evaluation of liver transplant candidates. Noninvasive stress tests are not always feasible for all liver transplant candidates because of poor mobility and poor exercise capacity. With early diagnoses of cardiovascular conditions and preventive recommendations, liver transplant can be performed safely before spread of the disease, which is essential for carcinoma patients. Angiographic evaluation of liver transplant candidates for hepatocellular carcinoma is strongly recommended.

Pediatric Liver Transplant For Hepatoblastoma: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to analyze our experience with orthotopic liver transplant for hepatoblastoma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of 6 orthotopic liver transplant cases in children with hepatoblastoma from 2001 to March 2015. We evaluated patient demographic features, pretreatment extent of disease stage, type of transplant, change in serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, complications, and follow-up results.

RESULTS

Orthotopic liver transplant was performed for pretreatment extent of disease stage III with a central location (n = 3) and pretreatment extent of disease stage IV (n = 3). All children underwent living-donor orthotopic liver transplant. Postoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein levels remained below 10 ng/mL during the follow-up period in 3 patients who were free of recurrences or metastases. Five patients were free of tumor recurrences at a median follow-up of 29.9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The limited number of cases we present without long-term follow-up of orthotopic liver transplant for unresectable hepatoblastoma seemed to show good clinical results.

Unusual Indications for a Liver Transplant: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of liver transplant for unusual liver diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The results of 476 patients who underwent liver transplant from 1988 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Two hundred forty-five of them were adult patients and 231 of them were pediatric. Thirty-one patients had unusual liver disease.

RESULTS

Of the 31 patients with unusual liver disease, 9 (29%) were adult and 22 (71%) were pediatric patients. In the pediatric group, indications for liver transplant were Alagille syndrome (n = 5), Crigler-Najjar syndrome type 1 (n = 5), glycogen storage disease (n = 3), oxalosis (n = 3), familial hypercholesterolemia (n = 2), alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (n = 2), Caroli disease (n = 1), and cystic neuroblastoma metastasis (n = 1). Six patients (27.2%) had acute rejection episodes and were successfully treated with pulse steroids. In 2 patients, retransplant was performed for chronic rejection. Three patients died during follow-up (13.6%): 2 because of sepsis and 1 because of cranial hemorrhage. In the adult group, indications for liver transplant were neuroendocrine tumor metastasis (n = 1), liver angiosarcoma (n = 1), familial hypercholesterolemia (n = 2), alveolar hydatid disease (n = 2), cystic fibrosis (n = 1), congenital hepatic fibrosis (n = 1), and oxalosis (n = 1). Four patients (44.4%) had acute rejection episodes and were successfully treated with pulse steroid therapy. One patient died due to the recurrence of primary disease (liver angiosarcoma) during follow-up (11.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Advances in liver transplant and our understanding about unusual liver disease have led to significant improvements in managing these diseases. Liver transplant effectively treats the underlying defect and the complications of portal hypertension, or risk of malignancy for those disorders, in which the liver is affected.