Investigating the role of ultrasound-based shear wave elastography in kidney transplanted patients: correlation between non-invasive fibrosis detection, kidney dysfunction and biopsy results-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy are leading causes of renal allograft failure. Shear wave elastography could be a promising noninvasive method for providing information on the state of the kidney, with specific regard to fibrosis but currently available data in the literature are controversial. Our study aimed to analyze the correlation between shear wave elastography and various kidney dysfunction measures. METHODS: This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021283152). We systematically searched three major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL) for articles concerning renal transplant recipients, shear wave elastography, fibrosis, and kidney dysfunction. Meta-analytical calculations for pooled Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients (r) were interpreted with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was tested with Cochran's Q test. I2 statistic and 95% CI were reported as a measurement of between-study heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed with the QUADAS2 tool. RESULTS: In total, 16 studies were included in our meta-analysis. Results showed a moderate correlation between kidney stiffness and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, graded according to BANFF classification, on biopsy findings for pooled Pearson (r = 0.48; CI: 0.20, 0.69; I2 = 84%) and Spearman correlations (r = 0.57; CI: 0.35, 0.72; I2 = 74%). When compared to kidney dysfunction parameters, we found a moderate correlation between shear wave elastography and resistive index (r = 0.34 CI: 0.13, 0.51; I2 = 67%) and between shear wave elastography and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) (r = -0.65; CI: - 0.81, - 0.40; I2 = 73%). All our outcomes had marked heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Our results showed a moderate correlation between kidney stiffness measured by shear wave elastography and biopsy results. While noninvasive assessment of kidney fibrosis after transplantation is an important clinical goal, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of elastography over the performance of a kidney biopsy.

Treatment of benign thyroid nodules by radiofrequency thermal ablation / Jóindulatú pajzsmirigygöbök rádiófrekvenciás hoablatiós kezelése.

INTRODUCTION: Benign thyroid nodules are frequent findings in imaging studies, most of the time not requiring any intervention. Treatment is usually started when nodules increase in size, the patient becomes symptomatic or clinically relevant hyperthyroidism develops. Thermoablation is an effective alternative modality. In Hungary, our team has pioneered these interventions using radiofrequency ablation for decreasing the size of the nodules. AIM: We are presenting our results showing the effectiveness of this treatment after introducing the role, importance and technique of thermoablation in benign thyroid nodules. METHOD: Between June of 2016 and September of 2019, 186 nodules of 140 patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation and had at least 6 months of follow up. The volume and diameter of all the ablated nodules were measured and calculated, then the decreases of these parameters were followed using ultrasonography. The mean follow-up time was 12.5 ± 5.9 months. RESULTS: The size measurements at the follow-up ultrasonography examinations showed a decrease in size and vascularity. The mean volume reduction was 44.7 ± 17.6% at one-month post-treatment and 72.9 ± 17.9% at 6 months. There were 3 minor complications. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation represents a feasible, effective, well tolerated method for outpatient treatment of benign thyroid nodules. This method is a valuable alternative to surgical treatments in selected cases. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(27): 1131-1136.

[Role of interventional radiology in the transplantation of abdominal solid organs]. / Az intervenciós radiológia szerepe a hasi szervek átültetésében.

The transplantation of the abdominal organs has a major role in the treatment of several diseases. All subspecialities affected with the transplantation showed a rapid development in the last decades. The cooperation of the specialists of different segments of medicine provides the success of organ transplantation. Teamwork is necessary throughout the whole process starting from securing the technical background and proper human workforce, followed by the lifelong management of organs and recipients as well. One of the key players of organ transplantation is radiology and interventional radiology - the role of the latter one is discussed in this review, including the minimally invasive treatment of pre- and post-transplantation situations and diseases. Besides vascular and non-vascular interventions, the options of interventional oncology will be mentioned based on international literature and Hungarian experience. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(46): 1940-1947.

[Thermoablation therapy in the treatment of benign lesions]. / Thermoablatiós lehetoségek a benignus térfoglaló képletek gyógyításában.

INTRODUCTION: Depending on their size and location, some benign tumors can cause prolonged discomfort and even rupture and fatal bleeding in severe cases. Hitherto the therapeutic strategies for such lesions were observation, surgery and in selected cases transarterial embolization. AIM: Our aim was to present the possibilities of thermoablation for treating lesions. METHOD: Here we present interventions of four patients in Semmelweis University Department of Transplantation and Surgery. A thyroid adenoma and a kidney angiomyolipoma were treated with radiofrequency ablation. Two patients with a liver haemangioma were treated with microwave thermoablation technique. RESULTS: Complications were not observed in any of the cases. In most cases, the size of the treated lesions decreased. The mean decrease in volume was 32.7%. The contrast enhancement of the lesions also decreased, the mean reduction in contrast enhancing volume was 75.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Thermoablational procedures for the benign tumors presented above are safe. The therapy shows excellent cosmetic results, a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(51), 2040-2047.

Detection and management of renal cell carcinoma in the renal allograft.

PURPOSE: Tumours of the transplanted kidney represent a rare form of post-transplantation malignancies. An important aspect of the treatment option is whether the transplanted kidney can be saved or not. Aim of our study was the analysis of our allograft tumours. METHODS: In the Budapest Centre, 3,530 kidney transplantations were performed between 1973 and 2012. Retrospective analysis of 9 patients who developed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the transplanted kidney was done. RESULTS: Mean age of recipients was 45.3 ± 13.4 years at the time of transplantation and 57.0 ± 11.6 years at the time of tumour detection. Mean age of their donors was 43.5 ± 11.5 years. Mean time from transplantation to tumour diagnosis was 134.6 ± 40.8 months. Seven RCC were stage pT1a, 1 was stage pT1b and 1 was pT3a. Eight patients had stage I. (pT1a-b, N0, M0) and 1 patient had stage IV. (pT3a, N1, M1) disease. Histological types were clear cell (n = 6), papillary (n = 2) and sarcomatoid (n = 1) carcinomas. The tumour growth rate of RCC was 16.7 ± 13.5 mm/year. In 4 cases, transplant nephrectomy was performed; 5 cases had percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Ablative therapy had no influence on renal graft function. Six patients (including 5 patients who were treated with RFA) are still alive and tumour-free; 3 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: According to our observation, we can state that RCC of the kidney allograft diagnosed at an early stage can be successfully treated with RFA instead of graft removal. A longer follow-up is needed to assess the effectivity of the RFA treatment in these cases.