Dual Kidney Transplantation: Case Report

Chronic shortage of kidney transplants worldwide has led to the use of organs from so called marginal or borderline donors, now termed »expanded-criteria donors«. There has been an emerging practice of dual kidney transplantation (DKT) to compensate for sub optimal nephron mass of such kidneys. We performed DKT in »Merkur« University Hospital in August 2005. The donor was a 72-year old female with a history of long-term hypertension, aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery, cerebrovascular insult (CVI), and with normal creatinine values and kidney function at the time of explantation. Initial biopsy of donor kidneys revealed acute tubular damage, with connective changes in 22% and 11% of glomeruli in the left and the right kidney, respectively.The recipient was a 60-year old male diagnosed with the IgA nephropathy on the last biopsy in 1999, and on dialysis since November 2003. Postoperative course was uneventful without any surgical complications. A triple immunosuppressive protocol was used. On follow-up ultrasonography 4 years posttransplantation both kidneys appeared of normal size and parenchymal pattern and with no signs of dilatation of the canal system, and color Doppler examination demonstrated normal flow in both kidneys. In conclusion, the use of DKT, ie. donors by the expanded-criteria will continue to increase, and further studies of the results will, with no doubt, support this method

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Adrenocortical Carcinoma – Case Report

A 49-year-old woman presented for hirsutism, deep voice and hypertension. Ultrasonography (US) revealed a solitary tumor mass, eight cm in size, of the right adrenal gland. Laboratory tests showed it to be a hormonally active, androgen secreting tumor (elevated testosterone level), which was consistent with the clinical picture of the disease. After histopathological analysis tumor was signed out as adrenocortical carcinoma, a low risk carcinoma according to Weiss’ classification. One year later on regular follow up, US revealed a suspicious growth measuring 65x43 mm in the projection of the lower pole of the right kidney. The finding was verified by computerized tomography and the patient was reoperated on. Exploration revealed secondary growth in the region of greater omentum, without infiltration of adjacent organs. Histopathologic analysis confirmed metastatic ACC. 8 months after the second operation and after 6 chemotherapy cycles according to EAP protocol, control CT showed enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes and a node along the upper pole of the right kidney. Cytologic puncture was performed. Cytologic opinion was recidive of primary malignant disease. ACC is a rare malignant epithelial tumor of adrenal cortical cells, with high malignant potential. Morphologically (histopathology and cytology), differential diagnosis includes adenoma on the one hand, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on the other hand. A combined evaluation of clinical features, size or weight, microscopic appearance, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic data is necessary to ensure a correct diagnosis. The purpose of this case report is to present clinical and cytomorphologic features of our case of adrenocortical carcinoma which is very rare in cytology practice

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Adrenocortical Carcinoma – Case Report

A 49-year-old woman presented for hirsutism, deep voice and hypertension. Ultrasonography (US) revealed a solitary tumor mass, eight cm in size, of the right adrenal gland. Laboratory tests showed it to be a hormonally active, androgen secreting tumor (elevated testosterone level), which was consistent with the clinical picture of the disease. After histopathological analysis tumor was signed out as adrenocortical carcinoma, a low risk carcinoma according to Weiss’ classification. One year later on regular follow up, US revealed a suspicious growth measuring 65x43 mm in the projection of the lower pole of the right kidney. The finding was verified by computerized tomography and the patient was reoperated on. Exploration revealed secondary growth in the region of greater omentum, without infiltration of adjacent organs. Histopathologic analysis confirmed metastatic ACC. 8 months after the second operation and after 6 chemotherapy cycles according to EAP protocol, control CT showed enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes and a node along the upper pole of the right kidney. Cytologic puncture was performed. Cytologic opinion was recidive of primary malignant disease. ACC is a rare malignant epithelial tumor of adrenal cortical cells, with high malignant potential. Morphologically (histopathology and cytology), differential diagnosis includes adenoma on the one hand, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on the other hand. A combined evaluation of clinical features, size or weight, microscopic appearance, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic data is necessary to ensure a correct diagnosis. The purpose of this case report is to present clinical and cytomorphologic features of our case of adrenocortical carcinoma which is very rare in cytology practice

Role of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single Centre Experience

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mostly occurs in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Liver resection and liver transplantation (LT) represent potentially curative treatments of choice and if not feasible, palliative strategies such as percutaneous interventional techniques (PITs) and chemotherapy (ChT) are considered. Elevated alfa-fetoprotein, typical imaging pattern, needle core biopsy (NCB) and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) complement diagnostic assessment of HCC. We have retrospectively analyzed all patients with contraindications for NCB in which HCC was diagnosed by FNAC during consecutive 5 years in our hospital. Ultrasound guided FNAC provided a safe method of approach and, except for mild transitory discomfort at the site of puncture, no complications were documented. The diagnosis was established on May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG) stained aspirates and additional immunocytochemistry. Of our 62 patients, HCC developed in 61.3% cirrhotic and 38.7% non-cirrhotic livers. In the setting of cirrhosis 18.4% of patients underwent LT, 15.8% PITs, 26.3% ChT and 39.5% symptomatic therapy. In non-cirrhotic setting 46% of patients underwent liver resection, and PIT, ChT, and symptomatic therapy were applied in 4%, 25%, 25% of cases, respectively. Pathohistology of resected and explanted livers (18 cases) confirmed the initial diagnosis made on FNAC. Since only early stage of HCC has a better prognosis, every effort should be made to establish prompt and accurate diagnosis. Our observations demonstrate that FNAC offers minimally invasive, rapid and uncomplicated diagnostic approach, with sensitivity from 67% to 93% and specificity from 96% to 100%. FNAC, is of utmost importance in the setting of abnormal coagulation tests and ascites commonly seen in advanced liver disease, facilitating diagnostic workup and treatment decisions

Sakralna neuromodulacija u liječenju bolesnika s prekomjerno aktivnim mokraćnim mjehurom - prva primjena u Hrvatskoj

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a safe, efficacious, and minimally invasive advanced therapy that involves electrical stimulation to sacral nerve root to modulate neural pathway. Indications for SNM include symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urgency and frequency and, regarding bowel dysfunction, fecal incontinence . In Europe and Canada, indication is also established for chronic constipation. The mechanism of action is still not fully elucidated and complete understanding is yet to be determined. It is proposed that SNM modulates neural circuits in both central and peripheral pathways, thus having an impact on the brain, as well as on the bladder-targeting neuronal activity. Another possible significant effect on irregular bladder activity is through inhibition of the bladder afferent pathways by stimulation of the pudendal nerve. Over the past two decades, with more than 300 000 treated patients, SNM has confirmed its efficacy to relieve refractory OAB symptoms, as well as urinary retention or fecal incontinence. First SNM applications in Croatia were uneventful and we are glad to offer our patients this novel therapy in the future.Sakralna neuromodulacija (SNM) je sigurna, učinkovita i minimalno invazivna napredna terapija koja uključuje električnu stimulaciju korijena sakralnog živca s ciljem podešavanja aktivnosti neuralnih putova. Indikacije za SNM uključuju simptome prekomjerno aktivnog mokraćnog mjehura (PAMM), inkontinenciju mokraće, zadržavanje mokraće, urgenciju i učestalost, kao i fekalnu inkontinenciju. U Europi i Kanadi dodatno je postavljena indikacija za kroničnu opstipaciju. Mehanizam djelovanja još uvijek nije u cijelosti razjašnjen te potpuno razumijevanje tek treba utvrditi. Smatra se da SNM modulira neuronske krugove središnjih i perifernih živčanih putova čime utječe na aktivnost u mozgu, kao i na neuronsku aktivnost usmjerenu na mjehur. Drugi mogući značajan učinak na poremećenu aktivnost mokraćnog mjehura je inhibicijom aferentnih putova mjehura stimulativnim djelovanjem na pudendni živac. Tijekom posljednja dva desetljeća s više od 300.000 liječenih bolesnika SNM se sve češće rabi za ublažavanje refraktornih simptoma PAMM-a, kao i za liječenje zadržavanja mokraće te fekalne inkontinencije. Prvi postupci postavljanja SNM-a u Hrvatskoj protekli su bez komplikacija i zadovoljastvo nam je bolesnicima ponuditi ovu novu terapiju i u budućnosti

Safety of outpatient kidney biopsies

BACKGROUND: Kidney biopsy is frequently performed in our centre as an outpatient procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of biopsy in the outpatient setting. ----- METHODS: We analysed kidney biopsies performed from March 2013 to February 2017. Seven hundred twenty-five biopsies performed in the outpatient setting were identified: There were 592 transplant and 133 native biopsies including 3 solitary kidney biopsies. All were performed under ultrasound guidance using a 16G or 18G needle, with freehand technique. In all patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 10%), without need for transfusion or intervention and macrohaematuria. ----- RESULTS: There were 506 (69.8%) male patients. Average age was 50.3 ± 12.7 years. Indications for native kidney biopsy included nephrotic syndrome (39.8%), nephritic syndrome (42.9%), follow-up biopsy (15.8%), and other (1.5%). There were no major complications. A decline in Hb was observed in 72% of patients. Average Hb decline was 4.2 ± 6.3 g/L. In 10.1% patients there was >10% reduction in Hb level, with no evident bleeding, including by ultrasonography. In 2.5% of patients, macrohaematuria was present. In a multivariate analysis, male gender, lower eGFR, higher pre-biopsy Hb and native kidney biopsy were predictive for Hb decline. No therapeutic interventions were required. ----- CONCLUSION: We found that kidney biopsy performed in an outpatient setting in select patients is only rarely associated with adverse events and is a safe procedure

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY

Background: Patients with epilepsy commonly report sexual dysfunction (SD) and reproductive difficulties. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and SD, and its association with the quality of life and depressive symptoms. Subjects and methods: This was a prospective study carried out in a tertiary healthcare centre. SD was evaluated using the internationally acclaimed questionnaire Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) that was successfully translated into Croatian and validated for this purpose. Depressive symptoms and quality of life were evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) and Quality of life in epilepsy-31 inventory (QOLIE-31). Results: Of 108 patients (68 (63 %) women, 40 (37 %) men, mean age 39.54±15.91 (range18-80) years) with epilepsy, 16 (14.8%) had focal, 38 (35.2%) generalized and 44 (40.7%) both types of epilepsy. Mean overall total score on the ASEX questionnaire was 11.94±5.61 (mean total score women 12.85±6.00, mean total score men 10.4±4.55), with 48 reporting that they had sexual activity in the past week. Nine (8.33%) patients (7 (6.48%) women, 2 (1.85%) men, mean age 47.66±19.33 (range 25-80) years) had a score 19 and above, 38 (35.18%) patients (27 (25%) women, 9 (8.33%) men, mean age 46.82±17.78 (range 19-80) years) individual score 5 and above on any one item, and 33 (30.55%) patients (26 (24.07%) women, 7 (6.48%) men, mean age 48.87±17.8 (range 19-80) years) had an individual score 4 and above on any three items. Significant correlations were found between SD and older age (p=0.001) and between more pronounced symptoms regarding SD on ASEX and female gender (p=0.000). There were no significant correlations between the type of epilepsy and SD, nor between the AEDs (old generation vs. modern) and SD. Significant correlations were found between the SD and more pronounced depressive symptoms (p=0.003) and between the SD and a lower quality of life (p=0.001). Conclusions: Results of our study suggest SD is experienced by around one-third of patients in our group, which is similar to the previous percentage of SD reported in the community sample. Women were found to experience more pronounced symptoms of SD on ASEX. Symptoms of SD were found to be significantly correlated with older age, female gender, lower quality of life and depressive symptoms, while no significant correlations were found with the type of epilepsy and the AEDs

Low-dose Computed Tomography in a Pregnant Woman with a Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta

Imaging the pregnant patient presents a unique challenge to radiologist due to the risk of radiation to the conceptus (embryo/fetus). A rare case of a successfully recognized and treated pseudoaneurysm (PA) of the abdominal aorta is to be presented. The pseudoaneurysm occurred in the third trimester and had a favorable outcome for the mother and the baby. Emergent abdominal ultrasound (US) is the first modality in diagnostic algorithm for the rupture of aortic aneurysm in a pregnant woman. It provides the most rapid diagnostic information, although intestinal gas and abdominal tenderness may limit its accuracy. To confirm the findings, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA) can be used. In our case, the diagnosis was established using a color Doppler ultrasonography of the abdomen and was later confirmed by a low dose CT scan of the abdominal aorta. MRA in such cases have some disadvantages. At many health centers, the monitoring of patients with acute ruptures is more difficult in the MR suite than at the CT scanner. MRA angiographic images are also subject to degradation by multiple artifacts, and the visualization of the distal vasculature is suboptimal and inferior to the one done by CTA. Due to fetal movements, a small quantity of fresh blood can be overlooked by MR. MRA is often not available on a 24-hours basis, and the time required for making a diagnosis can preclude the use of MRA in an unstable patient. For this reason, we used a low dose CTA protocol to confirm the diagnosis. Low dose scanning protocols in CT can obtain sufficient diagnostic information while reducing the risk of radiation. A particular focus is put on the outline of new concepts for dose management and optimization. We used new approaches based on tube current modulation. The birth was induced by an urgent Caesarean section followed by a resection of a pseudoaneurysm and a reconstruction of the aorta with an end-to- end vascular prosthesi

Relationship between recipient and donor factors and kidney transplant outcome

Cilj: Iako je transplantacija bubrega najbolja metoda nadomještanja bubrežne funkcije, još uvijek postoji potreba za poboljšanjem dugoročnih ishoda. Cilj rada bio je utvrditi neovisnu povezanost demografskih čimbenika primatelja i darivatelja, osnovne bubrežne bolesti, trajanja liječenja dijalizom, tkivne nepodudarnosti i senzibilizacije s ishodima transplantacije u suvremenoj kohorti pacijenata kojima je presađen bubreg. Ispitanici i metode: U istraživanje su uključeni pacijenti kojima je transplantiran bubreg u Kliničkoj bolnici Merkur od lipnja 2007. do kraja 2018. god. Ishodi transplantacije praćeni su do 31. 12. 2019. godine. Najkraće vrijeme praćenja bila je jedna godina. Podaci su prikupljeni korištenjem izvješća iz aplikacije Eurotransplant Network Information System (ENIS; www.eurotransplant.org). Preživljenje je prikazano Kaplan-Meierovim krivuljama. Povezanost preživljenja s određenim obilježjima primatelja i darivatelja analizirana je univarijatnom i multivarijatnom Coxovom regresijom. Rezultati: U razdoblju od lipnja 2007. do konca 2018. presađeno je 480 bubrega u 472 pacijenta. 10-godišnje preživljenje pacijenata iznosilo je 72 %. Desetgodišnje preživljenje bubrega cenzurirano za smrt pacijenata s bubregom u funkciji bilo je 93 %. U multivarijatnoj analizi jedino dob primatelja pri transplantaciji, šećerna bolest kao uzrok osnovne bubrežne bolesti i trajanje liječenja dijalizom ostali su neovisno povezani s preživljenjem pacijenata. Zaključak: Transplantacija bubrega rezultira odličnim dugoročnim preživljenjem bubrega. Potrebno je poboljšati dugoročno preživljenje pacijenata, prevencijom, ranim otkrivanjem i intenzivnim liječenjem kroničnih bolesti.Aim: Although kidney transplantation is the best method of replacing renal function, there is still a need to improve long-term outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the independent association of recipient and donor demographic factors, underlying renal disease, duration of dialysis treatment, tissue typing mismatch, and sensitization with transplant outcomes in a contemporary cohort of kidney transplant patients. Patients and methods: The study included patients who had a kidney transplantation at Clinical Hospital Merkur from June 2007 to the end of 2018. Transplant outcomes were monitored until December 31, 2019. The minimum follow-up time was 1 year. Data were collected using reports from the Eurotransplant Network Information System (ENIS) application (www.eurotransplant.org). Survival is shown by Kaplan-Meier curves. The association of survival with specific recipient and donor characteristics was analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Results: In the period from June 2007 to the end of 2018, 480 kidneys were transplanted in 472 patients. The 10-year patient survival was 72%. Ten-year renal survival censored for the death of renal function patients was 93%. In the multivariate analysis, only recipient age at transplantation, diabetes as the cause of underlying renal disease and duration of dialysis remained independently associated with patient survival. Conclusion: Long-term graft survival is excellent after kidney transplantation. Long-term patient survival can be improved by prevention, early detection and intensive treatment of chronic diseases