The role of EEG and neuroimaging in the diagnosis of non-convulsive status epilepticus in Subacute Encephalopathy with Seizures in Alcoholics (SESA syndrome): a case report and overview of the literature.

Epileptic seizures are frequently associated with liver dysfunction and alcoholism. Subacute encephalopathy with seizures in chronic alcoholics (SESA) is an underrecognized condition with peculiar clinical, EEG and neuroradiological features.We report the case of a 58-year-old man with previous alcohol use disorder (AUD) and acute-on chronic liver failure on alcohol-related cirrhosis, referred for urgent Orthotopic Liver Transplantation evaluation. The patient presented with delirium, aphasia and progressive deterioration of consciousness leading to intensive care unit admission. EEG showed slow activity with superimposed lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs) over the left temporo-occipital regions and ictal discharges with focal motor phenomena, consistent with focal status epilepticus. Antiseizure treatment with lacosamide and levetiracetam was administered with progressive improvement of consciousness.Brain MRI disclosed T2/FLAIR areas of hyperintensity in the left pulvinar and T2/FLAIR hyperintensity with corresponding DWI hyperintensity in the left hippocampal cortex, suggestive of post/peri-ictal excitotoxic changes with anatomical correspondence to focal LPDs distribution. SWI demonstrated decreased prominence of cortical veins in the left temporo-occipital region consistent with increased venous blood oxygenation in compensatory hyperperfusion.In conclusion, SESA should be suspected in the differential diagnosis of patients with AUD presenting with focal neurological deficits, seizures and focal EEG abnormalities. In this context, EEG and brain MRI represent useful tools with both diagnostic and prognostic value.

Improving outcomes of in situ split liver transplantation in Italy over the last 25 years.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Split liver transplant(ation) (SLT) is still considered a challenging procedure that is by no means widely accepted. We aimed to present data on 25-year trends in SLT in Italy, and to investigate if, and to what extent, outcomes have improved nationwide during this time. METHODS: The study included all consecutive SLTs performed from May 1993 to December 2019, divided into three consecutive periods: 1993-2005, 2006-2014, and 2015-2019, which match changes in national allocation policies. Primary outcomes were patient and graft survival, and the relative impact of each study period. RESULTS: SLT accounted for 8.9% of all liver transplants performed in Italy. A total of 1,715 in situ split liver grafts were included in the analysis: 868 left lateral segments (LLSs) and 847 extended right grafts (ERGs). A significant improvement in patient and graft survival (p <0.001) was observed with ERGs over the three periods. Predictors of graft survival were cold ischaemia time (CIT) <6 h (p = 0.009), UNOS status 2b (p <0.001), UNOS status 3 (p = 0.009), and transplant centre volumes: 25-50 cases vs. <25 cases (p = 0.003). Patient survival was significantly higher with LLS grafts in period 2 vs. period 1 (p = 0.008). No significant improvement in graft survival was seen over the three periods, where predictors of graft survival were CIT <6 h (p = 0.007), CIT <6 h vs. ≥10 h (p = 0.019), UNOS status 2b (p = 0.038), and UNOS status 3 (p = 0.009). Retransplantation was a risk factor in split liver graft recipients, with significantly worse graft and patient survival for both types of graft (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed Italian SLT outcomes to have improved over the last 25 years. These results could help to dispel reservations regarding the use of this procedure. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Split liver transplant(ation) (SLT) is still considered a challenging procedure and is by no means widely accepted. This study included all consecutive in situ SLTs performed in Italy from May 1993 to December 2019. With more than 1,700 cases, it is one of the largest series, examining long-term national trends in in situ SLT since its introduction. The data presented indicate that the outcomes of SLT improved during this 25-year period. Improvements are probably due to better recipient selection, refinements in surgical technique, conservative graft-to-recipient matching, and the continuous, yet carefully managed, expansion of donor selection criteria under a strict mandatory split liver allocation policy. These results could help to dispel reservations regarding the use of this procedure.

Reversed saphenous bypass for hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) is found in 1-2% of liver transplantation (LT) patients. The mortality associated with pseudoaneurysm formation after orthotopic LT is reported to be as high as 75%. Because of the rarity of complications, particularly when considered individually, much of the direction for the management of complications is anecdotal. This article discusses the presentation, etiology, types, treatment indications, and vascular procedures used to manage complications with LT. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2011, 464 LTs were performed at our institution. Of these, 9 (1.9%) consecutive patients underwent surgical treatment of HAP (8 men and 1 woman; median age, 58.4 years [range, 46-67 years]). Four patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization before LT for hepatocellular carcinoma. In all cases, revascularization with a reversed autologous saphenous vein bypass was performed. RESULTS: Four patients had ruptured pseudoaneurysms, and the others were diagnosed as having asymptomatic pseudoaneurysms during the follow-up period. The median delay between LT and the diagnosis of HAP was 39.6 days (range, 22-92 days). All were anatomically extrahepatic. The median diameter was 15.3 mm (range, 9-30 mm). Four patients had a T-tube. In 6 cases, biliary leakage was associated with the LT and, in the remaining 3, mycosis was recorded. After surgery, 1 patient underwent retransplantation because of ischemic cholangitis. Five years later, 5 patients had normal arterial anatomy, and the other 3 patients had stenosis that was successfully treated by stents. All of the patients had normal liver function at follow-up. One patient died 16 months later because of a heart attack. CONCLUSIONS: HAP with massive intraperitoneal bleeding is a rare but serious life-threatening complication when it occurs after LT. The majority of HAP cases are associated with bile leakage and mycosis; therefore, surgery must be the treatment of choice. Our conclusions support surgical revascularization with reversed saphenous grafts as a feasible and efficient treatment in cases of HAP.

Sister Joseph's nodule in a liver transplant recipient: Case report and mini-review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical metastasis is one of the main characteristic signs of extensive neoplastic disease and is universally referred to as Sister Mary Joseph's nodule. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-years-old Caucasian female underwent liver transplant for end stage liver disease due to hepatitis C with whole graft from cadaveric donor in 2003. After transplantation the patient developed multiple subcutaneous nodules in the umbilical region and bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy. The excision biopsy of the umbilical mass showed the features of a poorly differentiated papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma. Computed tomographic scan and transvaginal ultrasonography were unable to demonstrate any primary lesion. Chemotherapy was start and the dosage of the immunosuppressive drugs was reduced. To date the patient is doing well and liver function is normal. CONCLUSIONS: The umbilical metastasis can arise from many sites. In some cases, primary tumor may be not identified; nonetheless chemotherapy must be administrated based on patient's history, anatomical and histological findings.