The role of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy for the treatment of type 1 biliary dysfunction (papillary stenosis) with or without biliary stones.

BACKGROUND: This study assesses the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (ES) in the treatment of papillary stenosis (PS) with and without biliary stones. METHODS: The records of all patients who had endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (2,689 patients) from January 1, 1991, to August 1, 2010, were reviewed. There were 117 patients with PS who had ES. RESULTS: All patients had biliary pain, a dilated common bile duct (CBD) with a maximum diameter of 10 to 25 mm, and elevated liver function tests. There were 46 patients who had prior cholecystectomy of whom 20 patients had CBD stones. The remaining 71 patients had no prior biliary surgery; there were no biliary stones in 14 patients. All patients were symptom free after ES with or without CBD stone retrieval. CONCLUSIONS: ES is the optimal treatment for PS in patients with or without biliary stones. ES eliminates pain, corrects CBD dilation, and restores LFTs to normal.

Does donor race still make a difference in deceased-donor African-American renal allograft recipients?

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have demonstrated that African-American (AA) donor kidneys are independently associated with an increased risk for graft loss. METHODS: We examined outcomes in comparable groups of AA deceased-donor (DD) kidney transplant patients receiving an AA donor (n=35) versus a Caucasian donor (C group; n=150) organ. RESULTS: There were no differences between AA and C groups in patient survival, new-onset diabetes, or BK nephropathy. The AA group demonstrated a significantly higher 6-month and overall incidence of acute rejection (AR), increased cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, and decreased graft survival. Recurrent or de novo focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) accounted for a significantly higher fraction of graft losses in the AA versus C group. CONCLUSIONS: AA DD renal allograft recipients have equivalent patient but decreased graft survival when transplanted with an AA versus C kidney using current immunosuppression. This may be the result of increased AR, CMV infection, and recurrence/development of FSGS.

Equivalent outcomes with primary and retransplantation in African-American deceased-donor renal allograft recipients.

BACKGROUND: Graft survival following renal retransplantation has been inferior to that following primary allografting, particularly in African Americans (AAs) receiving deceased-donor (DD) kidneys. METHODS: Among 166 AA DD renal allograft recipients transplanted from July 2001 through July 2007, we compared the outcomes of 26 (16%) receiving a second graft with those of 140 primary cases. All patients received either thymoglobulin (ATG) or an IL-2 receptor antagonist for induction, and were maintained on either tacrolimus or sirolimus + mycophenolate mofetil +/- prednisone. RESULTS: When compared with primary transplants, regrafts received kidneys from older donors, were younger, more sensitized, more likely to receive ATG and to be maintained on prednisone, received more doses of ATG, and were less likely diabetic. There was no difference between primary and retransplant groups in overall patient or graft survival; incidence of acute rejection, CMV infection, BK nephropathy, or new-onset diabetes mellitus; and serum creatinine at 1 year. CONCLUSION: AA renal allograft recipients can undergo a second DD transplant with intermediate-term outcomes comparable to that of a primary graft, despite the presence of multiple immunologic and non-immunologic high-risk factors, by extending the course of ATG induction and continuing prednisone therapy in the vast majority of cases.

Large adrenocortical carcinoma.

Adrenal cortical carcinomas (ACCs) are rare, highly malignant tumors that carry a poor prognosis. The large size and possibility of adherence to adjacent structures can make these tumors difficult to excise. We present a patient who underwent successful resection of a massive 19-cm, nonfunctional ACC, which encased the right kidney. The goal of this report is to enrich the growing body of knowledge concerning the presentation, evaluation, and surgical intervention of these rare cancers.

Preliminary experience with renal transplantation in HIV+ recipients: low acute rejection and infection rates.

BACKGROUND: Only four centers have reported their results with renal transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)+ recipients on highly active antiretroviral therapy, and acute rejection (AR) rates have consistently ranged from 43% to 67%. METHODS: We examined the outcomes of eight adult HIV+ primary renal allograft recipients with median 15 (range 8-47) months follow-up with multiple other high-risk factors, including African American ethnicity, hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity, long waiting times, prior sensitization, paucity of live donors, and delayed graft function. Our immunosuppressive protocol consisted of an anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibody for induction, and mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin A, and prednisone for maintenance. Initial and 3- to 6-month cyclosporin A trough level targets were 250 to 300 and 225 to 275 ng/mL, respectively, and mycophenolate mofetil dose was adjusted according to 2 to 4 week surveillance and subsequent as needed mycophenolic acid predose concentrations during the first 6 months. RESULTS: Patient and graft survival were 100% and 88%, respectively, with an AR rate of 13% and excellent renal function. No patients developed new-onset diabetes, opportunistic or other serious infections, malignancy, or progression of hepatitis C virus-related liver disease. Excellent suppression of HIV replication with maintenance of CD4 counts was noted in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that HIV+ patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy can undergo successful renal transplantation with a low incidence of both AR and AIDS-associated and non-AIDS associated infections, despite associated risk factors for poorer outcome. Our encouraging but preliminary results with this protocol will need to be verified in larger numbers of HIV+ renal allograft recipients with longer follow-up.

Spontaneous gastric decompression of peripancreatic collection.

Peripancreatic collections related to acute pancreatitis can range from simple serous fluid to infected phlegmon. The latter can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A patient with striking abdominal computed tomography images of an infected phlegmonous peripancreatic collection was seen at our institution. The clinical picture was much different from what the images predicted. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a fistulous connection between the collection and the stomach, also seen on retrospective abdominal computed tomography scan review, indicating spontaneous decompression, which cured the patient.

Intermediate-term outcomes of hepatitis C-positive compared with hepatitis C-negative deceased-donor renal allograft recipients.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have yielded conflicting results concerning the impact of HCV on renal transplant outcomes. METHODS: We examined outcomes in comparable groups of predominantly African American hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive (n = 34) and HCV-negative (n = 111) kidney transplant patients receiving contemporary immunosuppression. RESULTS: There was no difference in patient survival or acute rejection, but new-onset diabetes (NODM) was increased and graft survival decreased in the HCV-positive group, with increased graft loss secondary to noncompliance and Type I MPGN. The incidence of NODM among patients undergoing early corticosteroid withdrawal was 11% in both groups, while among those on prednisone, it was 47% in HCV-positive versus 25% in HCV-negative recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Deceased-donor HCV-positive renal allograft recipients have equivalent patient but decreased graft survival. Noncompliance and Type I MPGN play a role in producing this negative effect on graft outcome. Steroids may be required for HCV to exert its diabetogenicity in kidney transplant patients.