A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study on Management Protocols and Clinical Outcomes After ABO-incompatible Kidney Transplantation in India.

BACKGROUND: There is no robust evidence-based data for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOiKT) from emerging countries. METHODS: Data from 1759 living donor ABOiKT and 33 157 ABO-compatible kidney transplantations (ABOcKT) performed in India between March 5, 2011, and July 2, 2022, were included in this retrospective, multicenter (n = 25) study. The primary outcomes included management protocols, mortality, graft loss, and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR). RESULTS: Protocol included rituximab 100 (232 [13.18%]), 200 (877 [49.85%]), and 500 mg (569 [32.34%]); immunoadsorption (IA) (145 [8.24%]), IVIG (663 [37.69%]), and no induction 200 (11.37%). Mortality, graft loss, and BPAR were reported in 167 (9.49%), 136 (7.73%), and 228 (12.96%) patients, respectively, over a median follow-up of 36.3 mo. In cox proportional hazard model, mortality was higher with IA (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.53 [1.62-3.97]; P < 0.001), BPAR (HR: 1.83 [1.25-2.69]; P = 0.0020), and graft loss (HR: 1.66 [1.05-2.64]; P = 0.0310); improved graft survival was associated with IVIG (HR: 0.44 [0.26-0.72]; P = 0.0010); higher BPAR was reported with conventional tube method (HR: 3.22 [1.9-5.46]; P < 0.0001) and IA use (HR: 2 [1.37-2.92]; P < 0.0001), whereas lower BPAR was reported in the prepandemic era (HR: 0.61 [0.43-0.88]; P = 0.008). Primary outcomes were not associated with rituximab dosing or high preconditioning/presurgery anti-A/anti-B titers. Incidence of overall infection 306 (17.39%), cytomegalovirus 66 (3.75%), and BK virus polyoma virus 20 (1.13%) was low. In unmatched univariate analysis, the outcomes between ABOiKT and ABOcKT were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Our largest multicenter study on ABOiKT provides insights into various protocols and management strategies with results comparable to those of ABOcKT.

Entero-Urachal Fistula: An Unusual Initial Presentation of Penetrating and Stricturing Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) has a wide variety of clinical presentations, ranging from abdominal pain to stricture and fistula. Fistulas involving the genitourinary tract can be severe and often require surgical intervention. Given the array of presenting symptoms, a delay in diagnosis can occur. We present the case of a healthy active duty soldier, with no previous medical history, found to have CD through an initial presentation of isolated umbilical drainage. Imaging workup identified an entero-uracho-cutaneous fistula with involvement of the transverse colon. Urachal anomalies are uncommon, and entero-urachal fistula as an initial presentation of CD is exceedingly rare. This case highlights the need to consider CD in the differential for patients with umbilical drainage despite a lack of concurrent more frequent presenting symptoms (abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and perianal fistula). Maintaining awareness of uncommon initial presentations of CD can minimize delay in diagnosis and thereby mitigate the risk of severe complications.

Minimizing scattered radiation dose in cardiac catheterization laboratory during interventional procedures using lead free drape - MILD study.

OBJECTIVE: RADPAD is a lead-free sterile drape that reduces scattered radiation during fluoroscopic procedures. We aimed to study the effect of using RADPAD on primary operator (PO) and secondary operator (SO) during coronary angiography (CAG) as well as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: 137 patients undergoing elective CAG and PCIwere randomized in a 1:1 pattern with or without the RADPAD. The ratio of PO received dose in mrem to total Air Kerma (AK) in mGy, Dose Area Product (DAP) in mGycm2 and Cine Adjusted Screening Time (CAST) in minute, at the end of the procedure with or without RADPAD were measured and designated as dose relative to AK, DAP and CAST. The exposure ratios were compared for both cohorts. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in CAST, DAP and AK between the two patient cohorts. PO radiation dose relative to CAST was 0.15 ± 0.18 mrem/min for RADPAD cohort and 0.43 ± 0.31 mrem/min for No RADPAD cohort (p < 0.00001). PO dose relative to DAP was 0.00042 ± 0.00049 mrem/mGycm2 for RADPAD cohort and 0.0011 ± 0.0013 mrem/mGycm2 for No RADPAD cohort (p = 0.000014). PO dose relative to AK was 0.0030 ± 0.0037 mrem/mGy for RADPAD cohort and 0.0071 ± 0.0049 mrem/mGy for No RADPAD cohort (p < 0.00001). All PO doses relative to CAST, DAP and AK were significantly reduced in the RADPAD cohort compared to the No RADPAD cohort. Similar findings were observed for the SO also. CONCLUSION: RADPAD significantly reduces radiation exposure to both PO and SO during CAG and PCI.

Almost One-Third of Large Sessile Serrated Polyps Are Missed on CT Colonography.

BACKGROUND: Nearly one-third of colorectal cancers (CRC) arise via the serrated pathway. CT colonography (CTC) is a CRC screening examination. Endoscopic detection of sessile serrated polyps (SSPs) varies widely; it is unknown whether CTC effectively detects SSPs. The aim of this study is to determine whether CTC detects SSPs at an institution that performs a large volume of CTC. METHODS: We conducted a search of pathology records to identify serrated polyps (SPs) from 2005 to 2012. We extracted demographic data from the electronic health records (EHRs) of subjects with an SSP and examined endoscopy reports for location and size of each SSP. We identified subjects with a CTC within 1 year prior to the colonoscopy that found an SSP, and determined if the CTC identified the SSP. RESULTS: Our search found 3978 subjects with SP over the 7-year period. Seven hundred thirty-two subjects had at least 1 SSP. Eightytwo subjects had CTC done within 1 year prior to the colonoscopy that identified SSP. Seventy-nine subjects' polyps were identified on CTC. CT colonography was done an average of 38 ± 54 days prior to colonoscopy. One hundred fifteen SSPs were identified endoscopically. A total of 48.7% of all SSPs were identified via CTC; larger SSPs were more likely to be seen on CTC (P < .001), and 69.6% of SSPs larger than 10 mm were found via CTC. Proximal SSPs were more often identified than distal SSPs (P = .005). CONCLUSION: Given the miss rate for SSPs on CTC, endoscopists should be vigilant about examining the proximal colon in subjects referred after CTC, even if the imaging does not reveal a proximal polyp.

Clinical codes combined with procedure codes increase diagnostic accuracy of Crohn's disease in a US Military health record.

Background and aims: Previous examinations of International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes to predict accuracy of diagnosis in inflammatory bowel disease have had limited chart review to confirm diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate using the ICD-9-CM for identifying Crohn's disease (CD) in a large electronic health record (EHR) database. Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study with a 3:1 allocation of EHRs of active duty service members diagnosed with CD from 1996 to 2012. Subjects were selected by having two ICD-9-CM codes for CD during the study period. Gastroenterologists reviewed each chart and confirmed the diagnosis of CD by analysing medication history and clinical, endoscopic, histological, and radiographic exams. Results: 300 cases of CD were selected; 14 cases were discarded due to lack of data, limiting our analysis to 284 subjects. Two diagnostic codes for CD had sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 1.0, 0.53, and 0.69, respectively, for confirmed CD. If two encounters listing CD were with a gastroenterologist, the sensitivity, specificity, and PPV was 0.76, 0.81, and 0.80, respectively. If a colonoscopy was performed within 90 days of any three encounters with a CD code, the sensitivity, specificity, and PPV was 0.51, 0.94, and 0.89, respectively. Conclusions: The poor PPV of ICD-9-CM codes in making the diagnosis of CD should be taken into consideration when interpreting results and when conducting research using such codes. Limiting these codes to those patients who have been given this diagnosis by a gastroenterologist, or to those who have had a colonoscopy near the time of diagnosis, increases the PPV.

Levels of Vitamin D Are Low After Crohn's Disease Is Established But Not Before.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Low serum levels of vitamin D have been associated with Crohn's disease (CD). However, it is unclear whether low vitamin D levels cause CD or CD reduces serum vitamin D. METHODS: United States military personnel with CD (n = 240) and randomly selected individuals without CD (controls, n = 240) were matched by age, sex, race, military branch, and geography. We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D in sera 8-3 years (pre-2) and 3 years to 3 months before diagnosis (pre-1) and 3 months before through 21 months after diagnosis (pre-0). We genotyped VDR and GC vitamin D related polymorphisms. We used conditional logistic regression, including adjustments for smoking, season, enlistment status, and deployment, to estimate relative odds of CD according to vitamin D levels and interactions between genetic factors and levels of vitamin D. RESULTS: Levels of vitamin D before diagnosis were not associated with CD in pre-2 (P trend = .65) or pre-1 samples (P trend = .84). However, we found an inverse correlation between CD and highest tertile of vitamin D level in post-diagnosis samples (P trend = .01; odds ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.86). Interactions were not detected between vitamin D levels and VDR or GC polymorphisms. We observed an association between VDR Taq1 polymorphism and CD (independent of vitamin D) (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: In serum samples from military personnel with CD and matched controls, we found no evidence for an association between CD and vitamin D levels up to 8 years before diagnosis. However, we observed an inverse-association between post-diagnosis vitamin D levels and CD. These findings suggest that low vitamin D does not contribute to development of CD-instead, CD leads to low vitamin D.

Infliximab-Induced Aseptic Meningitis in a Patient with Crohn's Disease.

Infliximab is an anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) monoclonal antibody that treats moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease. In rare cases, infliximab has been associated with drug-induced aseptic meningitis. We present a 46-year-old woman with migraines and inflammatory Crohn's colitis treated with intravenous infliximab and methotrexate. She developed nuchal rigidity, photophobia, and headache 2 days after each of her infliximab infusions, with symptom resolution 1 week post-infusion. Her exam, imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were consistent with drug-induced aseptic meningitis. She discontinued infliximab and started vedolizumab with continued remission of her Crohn's disease.

Extraintestinal Manifestations Are Common in Obese Patients with Crohn's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic condition associated with the risk of malabsorption. The incidence of obesity worldwide is increasing, and the effect of obesity on patients with CD is unknown. We aim to identify traits related to obesity in a cohort of patients with CD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 209 adult patients with CD. Age, Montreal disease classification, sex, race, duration of disease, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, physician global assessment, endoscopic appearance, histologic activity, medication use, and body mass index (BMI) were collected about each patient. RESULTS: The mean age was 43.4 ± 14.9 years; 68.9% were white, and 51.7% were male. The mean duration of disease was 11.0 ± 10.6 years. The mean BMI was 26.8 ± 5.7: underweight 7.7%; normal weight 29.3%; overweight 38.0%; and obese 25%. Patients with higher BMI were more likely to have extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) (P = 0.005) and more likely to have nonarthralgia extraintestinal manifestations (P = 0.047). There was a linear association between proximal CD and decreasing BMI (underweight 31.3%, normal weight 14.8%, overweight 15.0%, obese 7.7%; P = 0.046). There was no difference in BMI between patients with and without perianal disease (P = 0.216). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients were overweight or obese, which correlates with national population trends. Our data suggest disease location plays a role in weight modulation in patients with CD. Increased extraintestinal manifestations in patients with high BMI suggests that the chronic inflammation associated with obesity may play a role in extraintestinal inflammation.

Isolated splenic metastasis from clear cell renal carcinoma - A case report.

BACK GROUND: Metastatic deposits in spleen are rare owing to its physiological functions and sharp angle of splenic artery with coelic axis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 53year old male with clear cell carcinoma of left kidney. Isolated splenic metastasis was detected on a follow up PET CT scan 2 months post radical nephrectomy. Splenectomy was performed; histopathology confirmed multiple metastatic lesions within the spleen CONCLUSION: Timely treatment of isolated metastasis in case of renal cell carcinoma carries good prognosis.

Refeeding syndrome as an unusual cause of anion gap metabolic acidosis.

Refeeding syndrome is characterized by hypophosphatemia in the setting of malnutrition. It is commonly seen in patients with anorexia, alcoholism, or malignancy, and it is often a missed diagnosis. Because of the potential morbidity associated with missing the diagnosis of refeeding syndrome, it is important to monitor for this disease in any malnourished patient. We present a case of a 49-year-old male with chronic alcohol abuse who presented for alcohol detoxification and was found to have low phosphate, potassium, and magnesium on presentation, in addition to an elevated anion gap of unclear etiology. After extensive workup to evaluate the cause of his elevated anion gap and worsening of his electrolyte abnormalities despite replenishment, it was felt his symptoms were a result of refeeding syndrome. After oral intake was held and aggressive electrolyte replenishment was performed for 24 hours, the patient's anion gap closed and his electrolyte levels stabilized. This case demonstrates a unique presentation of refeeding syndrome given the patient's profound metabolic acidosis that provided a clue toward his eventual diagnosis. The standard workup for an anion gap metabolic acidosis was negative, and it was not until his refeeding syndrome had been treated that the anion gap closed.

Posttraumatic posterior urethral strictures in children--management and intermediate-term follow-up in tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the management and intermediate-term follow-up of posttraumatic posterior urethral strictures in children. METHODS: From March 2000 to November 2006, the surgical records of 28 children (< or = 18 years) who had been admitted for treatment of posttraumatic posterior urethral strictures were retrospectively reviewed. The patients had been followed up for a median of 36 months (range 3-58). The cause of trauma, extent of urinary tract injury, radiologic examination findings, previous treatment, and its effect on the final outcome, treatment complications,, and failures were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 12.1 years (range 5-18) at the injury. The estimated radiographic mean stricture length before surgery was 3.41 cm (range 2-6). Of the 28 patients, 27 were treated with transperineal anastomotic urethroplasty, with a success rate of 75%. All treatment failures were at the anastomotic site and occurred within the first year of anastomotic urethroplasty. The failed repairs (7 cases) were successfully managed endoscopically in 4 patients and by redo urethroplasty in 3, for a final success rate of 100%. Of the 28 patients, 15 (80%) with urethral manipulation before anastomotic urethroplasty had a satisfactory result compared with 69.3% of patients without previous surgical treatment. The difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Most posttraumatic posterior urethral strictures in children can be managed through the perineal route. The transpubic approach should be reserved for more complex posterior strictures. Previous urethral manipulations did not affect the intermediate-term results of anastomotic urethroplasty.

Aggressive approach to staghorn calculi-safety and efficacy of multiple tracts percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an aggressive approach to staghorn calculi using multiple-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 149 patients with staghorn calculi, who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy using multiple (two or more) access tracts, at our institute from 1999 to 2006. The data were analyzed with regard to stone burden, stone clearance, perioperative morbidity, complications, and the number of ancillary procedures. RESULTS: A total of 164 renal units in 149 patients (118 men and 31 women, mean age 39.8 years, range 12 to 65 years) were treated. Of the 164 renal units, 43 (26.2%) had a complete staghorn, 85 (51.8%) had a partial staghorn and 36 (21.9%) had a borderline stone bulk. A total of 420 tracts were established in the 164 renal units. The maximal number of tracts used in a single renal unit was six (range two to six), most required three tracts. Supracostal access was established in 98 renal units (59.7%). The complications included blood transfusion in 46 patients, pseudoaneurysm in 4, sepsis in 8, hydrothorax in 7, hemothorax in 1, and perinephric collection in 1 patient. A complete stone clearance rate of 70.7% was achieved after a single session of percutaneous nephrolithotomy that increased to 89% after a second-look procedure (n = 30) and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (n = 16). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have shown that an aggressive approach to staghorn calculi using multiple-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy is safe and effective in achieving a greater stone clearance rate with acceptable morbidity. A supracostal approach can be used more often without increasing the risk of significant complications.

Radio-median cubital / radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula at elbow to prevent vascular steal syndrome associated with brachiocephalic fistula: Review of 320 cases.

AIM: Radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) at wrist is the vascular access of choice for dialysis. In the absence of a suitable vein at the wrist, a brachiocephalic fistula at elbow is usually constructed. In order to avoid the complication of vascular steal syndrome associated with the brachiocephalic fistula, an alternative operative technique involving the creation of radio-median cubital vein / radiocephalic fistula at elbow was evaluated. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1990 and October 2005, 320 patients underwent creation of radio-median cubital vein / radiocephalic AVF at elbow as a primary procedure or following failure of a fistula at the wrist. A transverse skin incision was made 4cm below the elbow crease, centering in line with the brachial artery pulsation. The median cubital vein / cephalic vein was anastomosed to the radial artery in end to side fashion. The surgical complications and patency of the fistulae were analyzed in the immediate and late postoperative period. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 55 +/- 7.15 min. There were no major intraoperative complications. Immediate patency and a palpable distal radial pulse were present in all the patients. Mean time to fistula maturation was 26 +/- 5.2 days. No patient developed a vascular steal syndrome at a median follow-up of 54 months (range 12-168 months) Early fistula failure was seen in 16 (5%) patients whereas eight (2.5%) fistulas failed at a later date. Pseudoaneurysm of the arterialized vein at the fistula site developed in only one (0.3%) patient. Pseudoaneurysm proximal to the anastomosis developed in three (0.9%) patients. Sixteen (5%) patients requested for closure of the fistula following successful renal transplant due to unsightly dilated veins and continuous noisy murmur disturbing their sleep. CONCLUSIONS: The radio-median cubital vein / radiocephalic AV fistula at elbow is safe and is a better vascular access procedure for hemodialysis than brachiocephalic fistula because it leads to the dilatation of both the cephalic and the basilic veins with no incidence of vascular steal phenomenon in our experience. Patency and flow rates are similar to brachiocephalic fistula.