Arteriovenous malformation in the kidney allograft: A rare cause of hematuria in the post-transplant patient.

Gross hematuria is one of the most common complications in postrenal transplant patients, accounting for 12% of all renal recipients. The management plan in these cases varies depending on different entities, including infection, renal cell carcinoma, chronic graft rejection, kidney calculus, or recurrence of primary disease. On the other hand, vascular malformation like arteriovenous malformation was less likely to be mentioned due to a lack of consensus in the natural history, pathogenesis, and current management. In this article, we report a 62-year-old man presenting with spontaneous hematuria for a week and 2 days of anuria after 3 years of renal transplantation. Abdominal ultrasound and abdominopelvic computed tomography noted an obstruction of the renal pelvis due to blood clots without signs of vascular injuries. An emergency operation was performed to remove blood clots in the renal pelvis, but after that, hematuria was still recurrence. A digital renal graft subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed an arteriovenous malformation (AVM)in the kidney allograft. This lesion was then successfully selective embolized with glue. Given the high accuracy of DSA, our case highlights the potential role of this imaging modality in diagnosing and treating AVM after failure with other modalities.

Primary Reconstruction Using Fibular Strut Allograft for Distal Humerus Intra-articular Comminuted Open Fracture (AO/OTA13C2, G-A type IIIA): A Case Report.

Distal humerus intra-articular comminuted open fracture is a challenging injury, with nonunion, infection and stiffness considered as major concerns. We report a 58-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency department from a car accident, sustaining an open wound with severe comminution of distal humerus and complete articular fracture, classified as AO/OTA 13C2 and Gustillo Anderson type IIIA. Debridement and external fixation was done first, followed by open reduction and internal fixation with fibular strut allograft. The patient showed excellent results in radiological and functional outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

Comparative Analysis of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Heart Transplantation: A Single-Center Study Evaluating Conventional Ice-Cold Storage versus the Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System.

BACKGROUND: Since the 2018 allocation system change in heart transplantation (HT), ischemic times have increased, which may be associated with peri-operative and post-operative complications. This study aimed to compare ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in hearts preserved using ice-cold storage (ICS) and the Paragonix SherpaPak TM Cardiac Transport System (CTS). METHODS: From January 2021 to June 2022, consecutive endomyocardial biopsies from 90 HT recipients were analyzed by a cardiac pathologist in a single-blinded manner: 33 ICS and 57 CTS. Endomyocardial biopsies were performed at three-time intervals post-HT, and the severity of IRI manifesting histologically as coagulative myocyte necrosis (CMN) was evaluated, along with graft rejection and graft function. RESULTS: The incidence of IRI at weeks 1, 4, and 8 post-HT were similar between the ICS and CTS groups. There was a 59.3% statistically significant reduction in CMN from week 1 to 4 with CTS, but not with ICS. By week 8, there were significant reductions in CMN in both groups. Only 1 out of 33 (3%) patients in the ICS group had an ischemic time >240 mins, compared to 10 out of 52 (19%) patients in the CTS group. During the follow-up period of 8 weeks to 12 months, there were no significant differences in rejection rates, formation of de novo donor-specific antibodies and overall survival between the groups. CONCLUSION: The CTS preservation system had similar rates of IRI and clinical outcomes compared to ICS despite longer overall ischemic times. There is significantly more recovery of IRI in the early post operative period with CTS. This study supports CTS as a viable option for preservation from remote locations, expanding the donor pool.

C-reactive protein orchestrates acute allograft rejection in vascularized composite allotransplantation via subset-selective monocyte activation.

INTRODUCTION: Despite recent substantial progress in vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA), such as face transplantations, short- and long-term allograft survival is severely limited by allograft rejection. The acute-phase response, directly after allogeneic transplantation, represents an immune-inflammatory reaction to ischemia/reperfusion and acts as an early initiator of graft rejection. Acute-phase reactants mediate this immune response via crosstalk with the mononuclear phagocyte system. OBJECTIVE: C-reactive protein (CRP), a well-known marker of inflammation, has pro-inflammatory properties and aggravates ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thus, we investigated how CRP impacts acute allograft rejection. METHODS: Based on clinical observations in facial VCAs, we applied a complex hindlimb transplantation model in rats to investigate whether CRP directly affects transplant rejection. We further analyzed subset-specific infiltration and tissue distribution of recipient-derived monocytes in the early phase of acute rejection and assessed their differential regulation by CRP using intravital imaging. RESULTS: We demonstrate that CRP accelerates allograft rejection and reduces allograft survival via selectively activating non-classical monocytes. The therapeutic stabilization of CRP abrogates this activating effect on monocytes, consequently attenuating acute allograft rejection. Intravital imaging of graft-infiltrating, recipient-derived monocytes during the early phase of acute rejection confirmed their differential regulation by CRP and their crucial role in driving the early stage of graft rejection. CONCLUSION: Differential activation of recipient-derived monocytes by CRP aggravates innate immune response and accelerates clinical allograft rejection Thus, therapeutic targeting of CRP represents a novel promising strategy for preventing acute allograft rejection and potentially reducing chronic allograft rejection.

Immunogenicity and tolerance induction in vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is the transplantation of multiple tissues such as skin, muscle, bone, nerve, and vessels, as a functional unit (i.e., hand or face) to patients suffering from major tissue trauma and functional deficits. Though the surgical feasibility has been optimized, issues regarding graft rejection remains. VCA rejection involves a diverse population of cells but is primarily driven by both donor and recipient lymphocytes, antigen-presenting cells, macrophages, and other immune as well as donor-derived cells. In addition, it is commonly understood that different tissues within VCA, such as the skin, elicits a stronger rejection response. Currently, VCA recipients are required to follow potent and lifelong immunosuppressing regimens to maximize graft survival. This puts patients at risk for malignancies, opportunistic infections, and cancers, thereby posing a need for less perilous methods of inducing graft tolerance. This review will provide an overview of cell populations and mechanisms, specific tissue involved in VCA rejection, as well as an updated scope of current methods of tolerance induction.

Challenges and opportunities for designing clinical trials for antibody mediated rejection.

Significant progress has been made in kidney transplantation, with 1-year graft survival nearing 95%. However, long-term allograft survival remains suboptimal, with a 10-year overall graft survival rate of only 53.6% for deceased donor transplant recipients. Chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is a leading cause of death-censored graft loss, yet no therapy has demonstrated efficacy in large, randomized trials, despite substantial investment from pharmaceutical companies. Several clinical trials aimed to treat chronic ABMR in the past decade have yielded disappointing results or were prematurely terminated, attributed to factors including incomplete understanding of disease mechanisms, heterogeneous patient populations with comorbidities, slow disease progression, and limited patient numbers. This review aims to discuss opportunities for improving retrospective and prospective studies of ABMR, focusing on addressing heterogeneity, outcome measurement, and strategies to enhance patient enrollment to inform study design, data collection, and reporting.

Innate and adaptive effector immune drivers of cytomegalovirus disease in lung transplantation: a double-edged sword.

Up to 90% of the global population has been infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), a herpesvirus that remains latent for the lifetime of the host and drives immune dysregulation. CMV is a critical risk factor for poor outcomes after solid organ transplant, though lung transplant recipients (LTR) carry the highest risk of CMV infection, and CMV-associated comorbidities compared to recipients of other solid organ transplants. Despite potent antivirals, CMV remains a significant driver of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), re-transplantation, and death. Moreover, the extended utilization of CMV antiviral prophylaxis is not without adverse effects, often necessitating treatment discontinuation. Thus, there is a critical need to understand the immune response to CMV after lung transplantation. This review identifies key elements of each arm of the CMV immune response and highlights implications for lung allograft tolerance and injury. Specific attention is paid to cellular subsets of adaptive and innate immune cells that are important in the lung during CMV infection and reactivation. The concept of heterologous immune responses is reviewed in depth, including how they form and how they may drive tissue- and allograft-specific immunity. Other important objectives of this review are to detail the emerging role of NK cells in CMV-related outcomes, in addition to discussing perturbations in CMV immune function stemming from pre-existing lung disease. Finally, this review identifies potential mechanisms whereby CMV-directed treatments may alter the cellular immune response within the allograft.

Impact of removing OPTN region from vascularized composite allograft allocation.

On 6/18/2020, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) implemented new policy replacing OPTN region with a 500 nautical mile (NM) circle around the donor hospital for the purpose of vascularized composite allograft (VCA) allocation. We used OPTN data to assess deceased donor VCA transplants in the 3 years pre- (6/19/2017-6/17/2020) vs. post-implementation (6/18/2020-6/17/2023). A total of 19 deceased donor VCA transplants were performed pre-policy (10 uterus, 3 bilateral upper limb, 1 unilateral upper limb, 3 face, 1 abdominal wall and 1 penis), and 11 post-policy (4 uterus, 1 bilateral upper limb, 2 face, 1 trachea, 2 abdominal wall, and 1 bilateral upper limb and face). Median distance from donor hospital to transplant hospital increased from 70 NM (range: 0-524 NM) pre-policy to 119 NM (range: 0-464 NM) post-policy. The majority of transplants in both policy eras were within 500 NM of the donor hospital [89.5% (N = 17/19) vs. 100% (N = 11/11)] and most remained within the same OPTN region as the donor hospital [68.4% (N = 13/19) vs. 90.9% (N = 10/11)]. Although it is difficult to draw strong conclusions about the policy's impact due to the low transplant volume and timing of implementation relative to the COVID-19 pandemic, data in the 3 years post-implementation suggest that 500 NM circles were a reasonable replacement for OPTN region in VCA allocation. The OPTN will continue to review data to monitor the policy's impact and inform future changes to VCA allocation, such as the transition to continuous distribution, a points-based framework expected to replace the current framework.

Immunosuppressive strategies in face and hand transplantation: a comprehensive systematic review of current therapy regimens and outcomes.

Background: Recipients of Vascularized Composite Allotransplants require effective immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection. This systematic review summarizes the current body of literature on immunosuppressive regimens used in face and hand transplants while summarizing their outcome in terms of rejection, renal failure, and infections. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies from 1998 until July 1st, 2023. We included all studies that discussed immunosuppressive strategies in face and hand transplant recipients according to PRISMA. Results: The standard triple maintenance therapy was mostly adjusted due to nephrotoxicity or high incidence of rejection. The most common alternative treatments utilized were sirolimus (25/91; 27.5%) or everolimus (9/91; 9.9%) following hand- and photophoresis (7/45; 15.6%), sirolimus (5/45; 11.1%) or belatacept (1/45; 2.2%) following face transplantation. Episodes of rejection were reported in 60 (65.9%) of hand- and 33 (73%) of face transplant patients respectively. Graft loss of 12 (13.2%) hand and 4 (8.9%) face transplants was reported. Clinical CMV infection was observed in 6 (6.6%) hand and 7 (15.5%) face transplant recipients. Conclusions: Based on the herein presented data, facial grafts exhibited a heightened incidence of rejection episodes and CMV infections. Facial mucosa adds complexity to the immunological graft composition highlighting the need of individualized immunosuppressive regimens and further research.

Long-term outcomes of lung transplantation with ex vivo lung perfusion technique.

Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has demonstrated encouraging short- and medium-term outcomes with limited data available on its long-term outcomes. This study assesses (1) EVLP long-term outcomes and (2) EVLP era-based sub-analysis in addition to secondary outcomes of recipients with EVLP-treated donor lungs compared with recipients of conventionally preserved donor lungs in unmatched and propensity score-matched cohorts. Double lung transplants performed between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2021 were included. A total of 57 recipients received EVLP-treated lungs compared to 202 unmatched and 57 matched recipients who were subjected to non-EVLP-treated lungs. The EVLP group had a significantly lower mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio and significantly higher mean BMI than the non-EVLP group in the unmatched and matched cohorts. The proportion of smoking history in the unmatched cohort was significantly higher in the EVLP group, while a similar smoking history was demonstrated in the matched cohorts. No difference was demonstrated in overall freedom from death and retransplantation between the groups in the unmatched and matched cohorts (unmatched: hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-2.07, P = 0.32; matched: HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.59-1.89). P = 0.89). In the unmatched cohort, overall freedom from chronic allograft dysfunction (CLAD) was significantly different between the groups (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.07-2.52, P = 0.02); however, the cumulative CLAD incidence was similar (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.48-1.1, P = 0.13). In the matched cohort, the overall freedom from CLAD (HR 1.69, 95% CI 0.97-2.95, P = 0.06) and cumulative CLAD incidence (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.37-2.215, P = 0.83) were similar between the groups. The EVLP era sub-analysis of the unmatched cohort in 2012-2014 had a significantly higher cumulative CLAD incidence in the EVLP group; however, this was not demonstrated in the matched cohort. All secondary outcomes were similar between the groups in the unmatched and matched cohorts. In conclusion, transplantation of marginal donor lungs after EVLP evaluation is non-detrimental compared to conventionally preserved donor lungs in terms of mortality, retransplantation, cumulative CLAD incidence, and secondary outcomes. Although the unmatched EVLP era of 2012-2014 had a significantly higher cumulative CLAD incidence, no such finding was demonstrated in the matched cohort of the same era.

Four-year comparative analysis of return to sport and psychological recovery following ACL revision: Artificial ligament vs. anterior tibial tendon allograft.

Background: Research on return to sport and psychological recovery in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision remains scarce. The clinical efficacy of artificial ligament in ACL revision requires further exploration. Our objectives were (1) to compare the midterm clinical outcomes of artificial ligament versus allogenic tendon graft in ACL revision and (2) to analyze the effects of employing artificial ligament on return to sport and psychological recovery in ACL revision. Methods: This cohort study included the cases receiving ACL revision from 2014 to 2021 in Sports Medicine Department of Huashan Hospital. The grafts used were Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) and ATT allograft. We recorded patients' baseline data. The final follow-up assessment included subjective scales, physical examination, and return to sport status. We recorded the rates and timings of return to sport. Subjective scales included the 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Lysholm Knee Scaling Score (LKSS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner activity score, Marx activity rating score, and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI). Anterior knee stability was assessed using the KT-1000 arthrometer. Results: Fifty cases (LARS group: 27; ATT group: 23) enrolled and 45 (LARS group: 23; ATT group: 22) completed evaluations with a median follow-up period of 49 months. At recent follow-up, LARS group outperformed in knee stability (1.0 ± 1.9 mm vs. 2.6 ± 3.0 mm, P = 0.039), confidence (86.7 ± 12.4 vs. 69.4 ± 18.6, P < 0.001), emotion (82.7 ± 11.3 vs. 70.7 ± 16.2, P < 0.001), KOOS knee function (78.7 ± 8.8 vs. 69.5 ± 11.0, P = 0.003), quality of life (79.1 ± 16.1 vs. 66.4 ± 19.5, P = 0.014), Tegner score (6.3 ± 1.9 vs. 5.2 ± 2.1, P < 0.001), and Marx activity score (10.7 ± 3.7 vs. 7.9 ± 4.0, P = 0.012). The LARS group had significantly higher return rates: recreational (91.3 % vs. 63.6 %, P = 0.026), knee cutting and pivoting (87.0 % vs. 59.1 %, P = 0.035), competitive (78.3 % vs. 45.5 %, P = 0.023), and pre-injury (56.5 % vs. 27.3 %, P = 0.047). For return timings, the LARS group was earlier at recreational (11.2 ± 3.9 vs. 27.8 ± 9.0 weeks, P < 0.001), knee cutting and pivoting (17.2 ± 5.8 vs. 35.6 ± 13.8 weeks, P < 0.001), competitive (24.8 ± 16.2 vs. 53.2 ± 22.0 weeks, P < 0.001), and pre-injury levels (32.8 ± 11.0 vs. 72.8 ± 16.9 weeks, P < 0.001). Conclusion: In ACL revision, using LARS demonstrated improved joint stability and functionality compared to using allogenic ATT four years postoperative. Patients accepting the LARS procedure exhibited higher rates and earlier timings of return to various levels of sport, indicating enhanced confidence and emotional resilience. The translational potential of this article: In ACL revision, the choice of artificial ligament to shorten recovery time, thereby enabling patients to return to sport more quickly and effectively, is thought-provoking. The research value extends beyond mere graft selection, guiding future clinical trials and studies. This research enhances our understanding of the application value of artificial ligament in ACL revision, emphasizing the importance of psychological recovery and updating our perceptions of return to sport levels post-revision. It stimulates exploration into personalized rehabilitation programs and treatment strategies, aiming to optimize clinical outcomes and meet the real-world needs of patients with failed ACL reconstruction.

Portal vein arterialization in 25 liver transplant recipients: A Latin American single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein arterialization (PVA) has been used in liver transplantation (LT) to maximize oxygen delivery when arterial circulation is compromised or has been used as an alternative reperfusion technique for complex portal vein thrombosis (PVT). The effect of PVA on portal perfusion and primary graft dysfunction (PGD) has not been assessed. AIM: To examine the outcomes of patients who required PVA in correlation with their LT procedure. METHODS: All patients receiving PVA and LT at the Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota between 2011 and 2022 were analyzed. To account for the time-sensitive effects of graft perfusion, patients were classified into two groups: prereperfusion (pre-PVA), if the arterioportal anastomosis was performed before graft revascularization, and postreperfusion (post-PVA), if PVA was performed afterward. The pre-PVA rationale contemplated poor portal hemodynamics, severe vascular steal, or PVT. Post-PVA was considered if graft hypoperfusion became evident. Conservative interventions were attempted before PVA. RESULTS: A total of 25 cases were identified: 15 before and 10 after graft reperfusion. Pre-PVA patients were more affected by diabetes, decompensated cirrhosis, impaired portal vein (PV) hemodynamics, and PVT. PGD was less common after pre-PVA (20.0% vs 60.0%) (P = 0.041). Those who developed PGD had a smaller increase in PV velocity (25.00 cm/s vs 73.42 cm/s) (P = 0.036) and flow (1.31 L/min vs 3.34 L/min) (P = 0.136) after arterialization. Nine patients required PVA closure (median time: 62 d). Pre-PVA and non-PGD cases had better survival rates than their counterparts (56.09 months vs 22.77 months and 54.15 months vs 31.91 months, respectively). CONCLUSION: This is the largest report presenting PVA in LT. Results suggest that pre-PVA provides better graft perfusion than post-PVA. Graft hyperperfusion could play a protective role against PGD.

A Histological and Biomechanical Analysis of Human Acellular Dermis (HAD) Created Using a Novel Processing and Preservation Technique.

Background: Large and complex defects requiring reconstruction are challenging for orthopaedic surgeons. The use of human acellular dermal (HAD) matrices to augment large soft tissue defects such as those seen in massive rotator cuff tears, knee extensor mechanism failures and neglected Tendo-Achilles tears has proven to be a valuable tool in surgeons reconstructive armamentarium. Different methods for allograft decellularization and preservation alter the native properties of the scaffold. Traditional processing and preservation methods have shown to have drawbacks that preclude its widespread use. Some of the common issues include inferior biomechanical properties, the risk of rejection, limited customization, difficulty in storing and transporting, the requirement of pre-operative preparation, and last but not the least increased cost. Methods: We describe a novel processing and preservation method utilizing a two-step non-denaturing decellularization method coupled with preservation using a water-sequestering agent (glycerol) to remove immunogenic components while retaining biomechanical properties. The efficiency of this novel process was compared with the traditional freeze-drying method and verified by histological evaluation and biomechanical strength analysis. Results: The absence of cellular components and matrix integrity in hematoxylin and eosin-stained glycerol-preserved HAD (gly-HAD) samples compared to freeze-dried HAD (FD-HAD) demonstrated effective yet gentle decellularization. Biomechanical strength analysis revealed that gly-HADs are stronger with an ultimate tensile load to the failure strength of 210 N compared to FD-HAD (124N). The gly-HADs were found to have an optimal suture-retention strength of 126 N. Finally, sterility testing of the resultant grafts was checked to ensure a sterility assurance level of 10-6 to establish implantability. Conclusion: The novel processing and preservation technique is described in this paper to create a Human Acellular Dermis with higher biomechanical strength and superior histological characteristics. The processing and preservation technique ensured high sterility assurance levels to establish implantability.

Comparison of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Incidence Between Simultaneous Multi-Organ and Isolated Heart Transplant Recipients in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have shown reduced development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in multi-organ transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of CAV between isolated heart transplants and simultaneous multi-organ heart transplants in the contemporary era. METHODS: We utilized the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients to perform a retrospective analysis of first-time adult heart transplant recipients between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019 in the United States. The primary endpoint was the development of angiographic CAV within 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Among 20,591 patients included in the analysis, 1,279 (6%) underwent multi-organ heart transplantation (70% heart-kidney, 16% heart-liver, 13% heart-lung, and 1% triple-organ) and 19,312 (94%) were isolated heart transplant recipients. The average age was 53 years and 74% were male. There were no significant between-group differences in cold ischemic time between the groups. The incidence of acute rejection during the first year after transplant was significantly lower in the multi-organ group (18% vs. 33%, p<0.01). The 5-year incidence of CAV was 33% in the isolated heart group and 27% in the multi-organ group (p<0.0001); differences in CAV incidence were seen as early as 1 year after transplant and persisted over time. In multivariable analysis, multi-organ heart transplant recipients had a significantly lower likelihood of CAV at 5 years (hazard ratio=0.76, 95% confidence interval: 0.66-0.88, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous multi-organ heart transplantation is associated with significantly lower long-term risk of angiographic CAV compared with isolated heart transplantation in the contemporary era.

Equal rates of bone healing and reduced surgical time with iliac crest allograft compared to autograft in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Iliac crest autograft is frequently used to fill in bone defects after osteotomies. Nonetheless, surgery for bone autograft procurement is associated with morbidity and pain at the donor site. Alternatives to it have been explored, but there is no consensus to guide their application as a routine practice in several orthopedic procedures. Thus, this study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety between iliac crest autograft and allograft in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with a symptomatic unilateral genu varum and an indication for high tibial osteotomy were randomly assigned to receive either autograft or allograft to fill the osteotomy site. Operative time, bone healing, and complication rates (delayed union, nonunion, superficial and deep infection, loss of correction, and hardware failure) were recorded after a one-year follow-up. Data were expressed as Mean ± Standard Deviation and considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: The time to radiologic union was similar between both groups (Allograft: 2.38 ± 0.97 months vs. Autograft: 2.45 ± 0.91 months; p = 0.79). Complication rates were also similar in both groups, with one infection in the allograft group and two in the autograft group, two delayed unions in the allograft group, and three in the autograft group. The operative time differed by 11 min between the groups, being lower in the allograft group (Allograft: 65.4 ± 15.1 min vs. Autograft: 76.3 ± 15.2 min; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Iliac crest allografts can be safely and effectively used in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy as it promotes the same rates of bone union as those achieved by autologous grafts, with the benefits of a shorter operative time. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: U1111-1280-0637 1 December 2022, retrospectively registered.

Outcomes Following the Use of Extracellular Matrix Cartilage Allograft for the Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Systematic Review.

Extracellular matrix cartilage allograft (EMCA) is a novel biological strategy utilized to augment the repair of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). However, there is no consensus on the precise role and outcomes following its use in the treatment of OLTs. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes following the use of EMCA for the treatment of OLT. During July 2023, the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically reviewed to identify clinical studies examining outcomes following EMCA for the management of OLTs. In total, 162 patients (162 ankles) across five studies received EMCA as part of their surgical procedure at a weighted mean follow-up time of 23.8±4.2 months. Across all five studies, there were improvements in subjective clinical outcomes following the use of EMCA, regardless of the clinical scoring tool utilized. Two studies demonstrated superior postoperative magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scores in the EMCA cohort compared to the bone marrow stimulation (BMS) cohort alone. In the EMCA-BMS cohort, there were seven complications (9%) and three failures (4.1%). In the autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) cohort, there were 10 complications (38.5%), zero failures, and six secondary surgical procedures (23.1%). In the EMCA alone cohort, there were zero complications and three failures (4.3%), all of which underwent an unspecified revision procedure. This current systematic review demonstrated improvements in both clinical and radiological outcomes following the use of EMCA for the treatment of OLTs. Further prospective comparative studies with longer follow-up times are warranted to determine the precise role of EMCA in the management of OLT.

Renal Aspergillosis Complicating Renal Allograft Transplantation: A Case Report.

Renal aspergillosis is a rare yet potentially devastating complication following renal allograft transplantation. We present the case of a 45-year-old male with a history of crescentic IgA nephropathy who underwent renal allograft transplantation from his mother. Despite initial favorable progress, he developed post-transplant renal dysfunction attributed to active antibody-mediated rejection. Subsequently, he presented with signs of systemic infection and graft dysfunction, leading to the diagnosis of renal aspergillosis. Despite aggressive management, including antifungal therapy and cessation of immunosuppression, the patient progressed to renal graft cortical necrosis, necessitating nephrectomy. This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing renal aspergillosis in transplant recipients and highlights the importance of early recognition and prompt intervention to improve outcomes in such cases.

Keratoconus: imaging modalities and management.

Background: Keratoconus (KCN) is characterized by gradual thinning and steepening of the cornea, which can lead to significant vision problems owing to high astigmatism, corneal scarring, or even corneal perforation. The detection of KCN in its early stages is crucial for effective treatment. In this review, we describe current advances in the diagnosis and treatment of KCN. Methods: This narrative review focuses on recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of KCN, especially evolving approaches and strategies. To ensure the inclusion of the most recent literature, relevant publications discussing advanced imaging techniques and treatment options for KCN were extensively gathered from the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases. The following index terms and keywords were used for the online search: keratoconus, diagnosis of keratoconus, advances in the diagnosis of keratoconus, topography or tomography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, treatment of keratoconus, advances in the treatment of keratoconus, collagen crosslinking, intrastromal ring, keratoplasty, and new techniques in keratoconus. Results: Various screening methods such as corneal topography, tomography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and assessment of corneal biomechanics have been developed to identify KCN in its early stages. After diagnosis, KCN management focuses on preventing disease progression. Corneal collagen crosslinking is a minimally invasive treatment that can slow or stop the progression of the condition. Recent research has also explored the use of copper sulfate eye drops (IVMED-80) as a noninvasive treatment to prevent the progression of KCN. Current treatment options for visual improvement include scleral lenses, intracorneal ring segments, corneal allogeneic intrastromal ring segments, and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Recently, novel alternative procedures, such as isolated Bowman layer transplantation, either as a corneal stromal inlay or onlay, have demonstrated encouraging outcomes. Artificial intelligence has gained acceptance for providing best practices for the diagnosis and management of KCN, and the science of its application is contentiously debated; however, it may not have been sufficiently developed. Conclusions: Early detection and advancements in screening methods using current imaging modalities have improved diagnosis of KCN. Improvement in the accuracy of current screening or diagnostic tests and comparison of their validities are achievable by well-designed, large-scale, prospective studies. The safety and effectiveness of emerging treatments for KCN are currently being investigated. There is an ongoing need for studies to track progress and evaluate clinicians' knowledge and practices in treating patients with KCN. Artificial intelligence capabilities in management approach considering the currently available imaging modalities and treatment options would best benefit the patient.

Knee Extensor Apparatus Reconstruction with Allograft after Patellar Resection: A Case Report.

Background: The extensor apparatus of the knee can be thought of a chain that transmits the muscular strength developed by the quadriceps muscles to the proximal tibia. This complex is essential to allow the extension of the tibia over the femur, being essential to provide knee mobility and stability. In case of lesions which irreparably damage the patella, such as a locally aggressive bone tumor, it is necessary to restore both the apparatus' anatomical continuity and its strength. Case report: A 39-years-old Caucasian man with a history of lung carcinoma developed atraumatic swelling and soreness in his left knee. Imaging evidence reported a degeneration of the left patella. We performed an en bloc resection of the patella and the nearby soft tissues of the extensor apparatus. The resulting gap was fulfilled with a massive allograft consisting of a quadriceps tendon, a patella and a patellar ligament. No complication or local recurrences were observed. At the patient's latest follow-up, he did not have any extension lag and quadriceps strength was completely restored. Conclusion: Massive allografts can represent a reliable alternative for the reconstruction of the patella and the knee extensor apparatus in orthopedic oncology.

Changes in Numbers of Glomerular Macrophages Between Two Consecutive Biopsies and the Association With Renal Transplant Graft Survival.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages are involved in kidney transplants. The aim of the study was to investigate if changes exist in the levels of glomerular macrophage index (GMI) between two consecutive kidney transplant biopsies, and if so to determine their potential impact on graft survival. METHODS: Two consecutive biopsies were performed on the same renal graft in 623 patients. GMI was categorized into three GMI classes: ≤1.8 Low, 1.9-4.5 Medium, and ≥4.6 High. This division yielded nine possible switches between the first and second biopsies (Low-Low, Low-Medium, etc.). Cox-regressions were used and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) are presented. RESULTS: The worst graft survival was observed in the High-High group, and the best graft survival was observed in the Low-Low and High-Low groups. Compared to the High-High group, a reduction of risk was observed in nearly all other decreasing groups (reductions between 65% and 80% of graft loss). After adjustment for covariates, the risk for graft-loss was lower in the Low-Low (HR = 0.24, CI 0.13-0.46), Low-Medium (HR = 0.25, CI 0.11-0.55), Medium-Low (HR = 0.29, CI 0.11-0.77), and the High-Low GMI (HR = 0.31, CI 0.10-0.98) groups compared to the High-High group as the reference. CONCLUSIONS: GMI may change dynamically, and the latest finding is of most prognostic importance. GMI should be considered in all evaluations of biopsy findings since high or increasing GMI levels are associated with shorter graft survival. Future studies need to consider therapeutic strategies to lower or maintain a low GMI. A high GMI besides a vague histological finding should be considered as a warning sign requiring more frequent clinical follow up.