Development of adenocarcinoma in chronic fistula in Crohn's disease

The authors report the case of a 55 yr-old woman suffering from Crohn's disease since 31 years with stricture and fistulas developed in the ileocolic junction and anorectal portion. Long-standing anorectal fistulas and stricture led to adenocarcinoma and finally fistulisation in the vagina. Diagnosis was made by perineal examination with biopsies under general anaesthesia. Treatment was first posterior pelvectomy with resection of the anterior wall of vagina. Secondarily, radiochemotherapy was administrated. The authors discuss the incidence and risk factors of carcinoma in Crohn's disease with chronic fistulas

Cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery

peer reviewedCystic lymphangioma of the mesentery is a benign condition, probably of malformative origin, and frequently appearing in infancy. Its symptomatology can be very polymorphic. Its diagnosis is suspected by ultrasonography and computed tomography, and definitely confirmed by pathology. About a recent case of cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery diagnosed and operated on at the university hospital of Liege in an adult patient, the authors review its classification and its therapeutic strategy. Surgical resection is indicated in symptomatic cystic lymphangioma

Comparative Effects of University of Wisconsin and Euro-Collins Solutions on Pulmonary Mitochondrial Function after Ischemia and Reperfusion

peer reviewedBACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Euro-Collins and University of Wisconsin solutions on pulmonary mitochondrial function after cold ischemia and subsequent warm reperfusion. METHODS: Seventeen pigs underwent lung harvesting after classical lung flush with either University of Wisconsin or Euro-Collins solutions. The mitochondria were isolated from fresh swine lungs, from swine lungs subjected to 24 hr of cold ischemia, and from swine lungs subjected to 24 hr of ischemia followed by 30 min of subsequent ex vivo reperfusion at 37 degrees C with Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution and air ventilation. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation parameters were determined in isolated mitochondria by in vitro measurement of oxygen consumption rates. During reperfusion, the lung function was assessed by the pulmonary aerodynamic parameters and the pulmonary vascular resistance. RESULTS: Relative to controls, mitochondria submitted to cold ischemia showed an alteration in the oxidoreductase activities of the respiratory chain. However, the yield of oxidative phosphorylation was conserved. After reperfusion, pulmonary mitochondria underwent a significant worsening in the oxidoreductase activities of the respiratory chain, and a decrease in the respiratory control and the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation. Meanwhile, the reperfused lungs showed evidence of early dysfunction, assessed by the aerodynamic parameters and pulmonary vascular resistance. In this model, there was no advantage of University of Wisconsin solution over Euro-Collins solution. CONCLUSIONS: The mild mitochondrial alterations after cold ischemia were not sufficient to explain the limited tolerance of lung to ischemia. After reperfusion, the mitochondrial damage was more severe and could be involved in the posttransplant lung dysfunction

Increased risk of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in controlled donation after circulatory death kidney transplantation

Introduction: Comparable transplant outcomes between controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) and donation after brain death (DBD) kidney transplantation (KT) have been confirmed. However, few data describes the histology of cDCD-KT which is subjected to prolonged procurement warm ischemia. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of interstitial fibrosis (IF) and tubular atrophy (TA) on the surveillance biopsy performed in our unit between the 2 and 6 months post KT. Acute rejection was considered as secondary endpoint. Patients and Methods: 330 KT (226 DBD and 104 DCD) have been performed between 2008 and 2014. Surveillance or per-cause biopsy was performed in 272 recipients. Among them, the rate of adequate (≥8 glomeruli and ≥1 large-sized artery) was 76.8%. Results: IFTA was found in 11.5% and 25.7% of DBD and cDCD-KT, respectively (p = 0.004). Considering IF and TA separately, the corresponding rates were 20.4% vs 32% (p = 0.04) and 23% vs 36% (p = 0.03), respectively. If acute rejection before routine biopsy was excluded, either IF or TA rate was significantly higher in cDCD- than DBD-KT (12.6% vs 27.1%, p = 0.006; 17.6% vs 31.4%, p = 0.016; and 20.9% vs 35.7%, p = 0.015 in case of IF-TA, IF, and TA, respectively). A cDCD-KT compared to a DBD-KT was 3.11 (95%CI 1.51– 6.43, p = 0.002), 2.34 (95%CI 1.21–4.53, p = 0.011) and 2.29 (95%CI 1.23– 4.27, p = 0.009) times more likely to have IFTA, IF, and TA, respectively. Extended criteria donor (ECD) vs standard criteria donor (SCD) was also an independent risk factor for IFTA (OR = 3.11, 95%CI 1.51–6.43, p = 0.002), IF (OR = 4.86, 95%CI 1.96–12.05, p = 0.001), and TA (OR = 4.09, 95%CI 1.68– 9.93, p = 0.002). The rate of acute rejection diagnosed by SB was 7.1% and 8.9% in DBD and cDCD kidney grafts (p = ns), respectively.Conclusion: KT from cDCD increased the risk of IF-TA between 3 and 6 months post-transplant. Further studies are warranted to investigate the evolution of this phenomenon over time and its effect on graft function

Evolution of Native Kidney Function After Pancreas Transplantation Alone

peer reviewedIntroduction. This study investigated changes in kidney function over time among a cohort of patients undergoing pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) from January 2002 to December 2011. Patients and Methods. Ten of eighteen PTA patients bearing functioning grafts for at least 1 year were recruited for the analysis. Primary endpoints were changes in mean serum creatinine (SCr, mg/L) and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the 4-variable Levey-MDRD equation (mL/min/1.73 m2) comparing baseline (pretransplantation) to 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year posttransplantation values. Mean follow-up time was 75.7 20.5 months (range, 46–106.5). Results. Baseline eGFR was 89.3 27.9 (range, 58–145). eGFR decreased to 75.7 26.2, 71 20.6, 66.5 14.8, and 62.1 11.2 at 6 months, 1, 3, and 5 years representing 15.2%, 20.5%, 15.8%, and 22.6% percentage decreases respectively (P .05 for all pairwise comparisons). The Baseline SCr was 8.6 2.3 mg/L (range, 5–13). SCr progressively increased to 10.1 3, 10.5 3.1, 10.9 3.1, and 11.3 1.7 at 6 months, 1, 3, and 5 years a 17.1%, 22%, 16.6%, and 19.9% increase respectively (P .05 for all pairwise comparisons). One of ten, 2/8, and 3/7 patients displayed an eGFR 60 at transplantation versus 3 and 5 years thereafter, respectively. No patient developed a SCr 25 mg/L or eGFR 30 or needed dialysis or kidney transplantation. Five of ten patients had micro-albuminuria or proteinuria before transplantation. Tacrolimus levels were within recommended therapeutic ranges over time. Conclusion. Kidney function deteriorated significantly after PTA. Understanding of risk factors for the development of renal impairment is important to preserve kidney function and to select appropriate candidates for PTA

Misdiagnosed malignancy in transplanted organs

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Autoimmune cirrhosis treated by liver transplantation using the right hepatic lobe from a living related donor

peer reviewedThe authors describe the case of a 17-year-old girl who suffered from end-stage liver failure due to chronic autoimmune hepatitis. Liver failure was complicated by severe portal hypertension, hypersplenism and refractory ascites. Liver transplantation was indicated. She was listed for cadaveric whole liver transplantation, but her infrequent blood group (B) increased waiting time. Her condition deteriorated to Child C liver failure and living related liver transplant was considered. Her father was compatible and proposed himself for donation. Right lobe procurement was decided in order to provide sufficient liver mass. No transfusion of red cells, platelets, or fresh frozen plasma was used either in the donor or the recipient. Both recipient and donor left the ward at postoperative day 14, without complication. They were both asymptomatic and with normal liver tests at one year follow-up. Living related liver transplantation using the right lobe may offer an alternative to liver transplant candidates in this period of organ donor shortage