Reduced Rates of Post-Transplant Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become the second leading cause of HCC-related liver transplantation in the United States. This study investigated post-transplant recurrence and survival for patients transplanted for NASH-related HCC compared to non-NASH HCC etiologies. Retrospective review of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database identified 7,461 patients with HCC-1,405 with underlying NASH and 6,086 with non-NASH underlying diseases. After propensity score matching (PSM) to account for patient- and tumor-related confounders 1,175 remained in each group. Primary outcomes assessed were recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival. Recurrent malignancy at 5 years post-transplant was lower in NASH compared to non-NASH patients (5.80 vs. 9.41%, p = 0.01). Recurrence-free survival, however, was similar at 5 years between groups. Patients with NASH-related HCC were less likely to have post-transplant recurrence than their non-NASH counterparts, although recurrence-free survival was similar at 5 years.

Evaluating Outcomes Related to Donor and Recipient Metabolic Environment: Macrosteatotic Allografts and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

The increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) affects both recipient and donor populations in liver transplantation. Presently, it is unclear whether transplantation of macrosteatotic allografts is affected by the metabolic milieu of liver transplant recipients. This study investigates fatty liver disease at the intersection of donor and recipient. A retrospective review of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation database identified 5167 NASH and 26,289 non-NASH transplant recipients who received transplants from January 1, 2004, to June 12, 2020. A total of 12,569 donors had allografts with no macrosteatosis (<5%), 16,140 had mild macrosteatosis (5%-29%), and 2747 had moderate to severe macrosteatosis (≥30%). Comparing recipients with NASH to propensity score-matched (PSM) recipients without NASH demonstrated noninferior graft and patient survival up to 10 years in patients with NASH. Similar trends were observed in subgroup analyses of transplants within each strata of allograft macrosteatosis. Assessing allograft macrosteatosis specifically in the NASH population demonstrated that allografts with ≥30% macrosteatosis were associated with reduced early graft survival (30 days, 93.32% versus 96.54% [P = 0.02]; 1 year, 84.53% versus 88.99% [P = 0.05]) compared with PSM grafts with <30% macrosteatosis. Long-term graft survival at 5 and 10 years, however, was similar. The use of carefully selected macrosteatotic allografts can be successful in both recipients with NASH and recipients without NASH. The metabolic environment of patients with NASH does not appear to adversely affect outcomes with regard to the allograft when controlled for numerous confounders. It is, however, important to remain cognizant of the potential for high-risk macrosteatotic allografts to negatively affect outcomes.

Simultaneous liver kidney allocation policy and the Safety Net: an early examination of utilization and outcomes in the United States.

Rates of simultaneous liver kidney (SLK) transplantation in the United States have progressively risen. On 8/10/17, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network implemented a policy defining criteria for SLK, with a "Safety Net" to prioritize kidney allocation to liver recipients with ongoing renal failure. We performed a retrospective review of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database to evaluate policy impact on SLK, kidney after liver (KAL) and kidney transplant alone (KTA). Rates and outcomes of SLK and KAL transplants were compared, as was utilization of high-quality kidney allografts with Kidney Donor Profile Indices (KDPI) <35%. Here, SLK transplants comprised 9.0% and 4.5% of total postpolicy liver and kidney transplants compared to 10.2% and 5.5% prior. Policy enactment did not affect 1-year graft or patient survival for SLK and KAL populations. Less postpolicy SLK transplants utilized high-quality kidney allografts; in all transplant settings, outcomes using high-quality grafts remained stable. These findings suggest that policy implementation has reduced kidney allograft use in SLK transplantation, although both SLK and KAL rates have recently increased. Despite decreased high-quality kidney allograft use, SLK and KAL outcomes have remained stable. Additional studies and long-term follow-up will ensure optimal organ access and sharing.

Gastric Outlet Obstruction and Sigmoid Volvulus in a Patient with Pneumatosis intestinalis: An Etiology or a Complication.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a radiographic finding which refers to the presence of gas within the wall of any part of the gastrointestinal tract. While in some cases it is an incidental finding which usually represent its benign nonischemic etiology, it may indicate a catastrophic intra-abdominal condition and distinctly characteristic of ischemic enterocolitis. Herein, we discuss the clinical signs and symptoms, the radiological features, the surgical management and outcome of an extremely rare concurrent triad of PI, gastric outlet obstruction, and the sigmoid volvulus based on a case of a patient who underwent surgery in our hospital, which, we think, can emphasize the mysterious concept of PI's mechanical etiology.

Esophageal Cancer Metastases to Unexpected Sites: A Systematic Review.

The most common pattern of esophageal cancer metastases (ECM) is to the lymph nodes, lung, liver, bones, adrenal glands, and brain. On the other hand, unexpected metastasis (UM) spread to uncommon sites has increasingly reported and consequently affected the pathway of diagnosis, staging, and management. Using the PubMed database, a systematic search of the following headings "Esophageal" and "Metastasis" or "Metastases" was performed, 10049 articles were identified, and the articles were included if they demonstrated unexpected ECM. 84% of cases were men with an average age of 60.7 years. EC was located in the lower third in 65%. Two-thirds of the UM originated from the lower esophagus, and the two major histological types were adenocarcinoma 40% and squamous cell carcinoma 60%. Metastases were disseminated toward five main anatomical sites: the head and neck (42%), thoracic (17%), abdomen and pelvis (25%), extremities (9%), and multiple skin and muscle metastases (7%). The EC metastases were found to be synchronous 42% and metachronous 58%, isolated in 53.5% and multiple in 46.5%. The overall survival rate was 10.2 months. Since distant metastases are responsible for most EC-related deaths, understanding of ECM dissemination patterns needs more extensive studies. These critical data are the cornerstone of optimal cancer approach and treatment.

A systematic review of portomesenteric vein thrombosis after sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) is considered an uncommon complication in general surgery; nevertheless, with the growing popularity of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) as a bariatric procedure we have seen an increase in the occurrence of this complication. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the question if it is a procedure-related complication and explore the modalities of prevention and treatment of this complication, a systematic review of available literature regarding PMVT events after SG was conducted. METHODS: Our systematic review yielded 28 studies enclosing 89 patients. Perioperative data was collected from each study and analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of PMVT after SG ranged from .37% to 1%, 65% of the patients were female, and the mean body mass index was 41.63 kg/m2. Perioperative co-morbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were recorded in 39.7%, 41.63%, and 38.23% of cases respectively. Tachycardia and fever were reported only in 23.9% and 20.89%, respectively, and hereditary thrombophilia studies were positive in 30.43% of cases. The rate of acute major complications after PMVT was 14.6% (13 cases), and mortality was reported in 3 cases (average 3.37%). CONCLUSION: PMVT seems to be an uncommon multifactorial disease, with unpredictable symptoms and varieties of the treatments options, but additional studies are required to further define optimal management and prevention algorithms.

Breast Metastasis in Esophagus Cancer: Literature Review and Report on a Case.

Esophagus cancer metastases often involve locoregional lymph nodes, lung, bone, liver, and brain. Metastatic involvement of the breast from esophagus cancer is uncommon, but if it happened, it usually presents as a part of multiple organ distal metastases. Here we report a case of the largest metastatic esophagus cancer of the breast and the chest wall, and we review the similar reported cases.

Duplication Cyst in the Third Part of the Duodenum Presenting with Gastric Outlet Obstruction and Severe Weight Loss.

Duodenal duplication is a rare developmental abnormality which is usually diagnosed in infancy and childhood, but less frequently in adulthood. We report a case of a 16-year-old female with a duplication cyst in the third part of the duodenum. The patient presented with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, including severe anorexia and weight loss. The diagnosis was made preoperatively by CT scan and upper endoscopy. The cyst was successfully treated by marsupialization on the duodenum using a GIA stapler. Duodenal duplication presents with a wide variety of symptoms. Although illusive, many cases can be properly diagnosed preoperatively by using the appropriate imaging modalities. Treatment choices are tailored according to the size and location of the cyst, in addition to its relation to adjacent structures. The outcomes are favorable in the majority of patients.