Percutaneous radiological biliary interventions after failed endoscopic treatment in living liver donors: experience of a high-volume transplantation center.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of percutaneous radiological treatments for biliary complications (BCs) in donors after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We retrospectively evaluated BCs in donors involved in 1839 LDLTs between May 2009 and January 2019 at our centre. BCs were classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification (MCDC). Patients treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary intervention (PTBI) were identified. Complications requiring endoscopic, interventional or surgical treatment (MCDC grades III-IV) involved 123 (6.6%) donors. Complications comprised leakage, n = 73 (60%); stricture, n = 36 (29%); and both leakage and stricture, n = 14 (11%). Percutaneous drainage of biloma formations under ultrasound guidance was performed in 57 donors, endoscopic treatment in 83 and PTBI in 14. Of 83 patients who received endoscopic treatment, 13 were referred for PTBI due to failure or uncannulation. Eight of 14 patients were successfully treated with PTBI. Six patients were treated with a rendezvous procedure combining percutaneous and surgical treatments. In 13 patients, no BCs were developed after catheter or stent removal. In donors with BCs, the treatment should progress from the least invasive method to surgery. In some patients, percutaneous radiological treatments eliminate the need for surgery or can guide surgical treatment.

Diagnostic and therapeutic management algorithm for biliary complications in living liver donors.

This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of our diagnostic and therapeutic management algorithm and catheter-assisted (percutaneous transhepatic biliary tract drainage [PTBD] or transanastomotic feeding tube) hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) procedures in living liver donors (LLDs) with biliary complications. Living donor hepatectomy (LDH) was performed between September 2005 and April 2021 in 2 489 LLDs. Biliary complications developed in 220 LLDs (8.8%), 136 of which were male, and the median age was 29 (interquartile range [IQR]: 12) years. Endoscopic sphincterotomy ± stenting was performed in 132 LLDs, which was unsuccessful in 9 LLDs and required HJ. Overall, 142 LLDs underwent interventional radiologic procedures. Fifteen LLDs with biliary complications underwent HJ (PTBD catheter = 6 and transanastomotic feeding tube = 9) at a median of 44 days (IQR: 82). Following HJ, 14 LLDs did not have any complications throughout the median follow-up period of 1619 days (IQR: 1454). However, percutaneous dilation for HJ anastomotic stricture was performed in one patient. Biliary complications are very common following LDH; therefore, surgeons in the field should have a low threshold to perform HJ for biliary complications that persist after other treatments. Our catheter-assisted HJ techniques demonstrated a high success rate and aided HJ in a hostile abdomen during revisional surgery.

Evaluation of clinical characteristics and outcomes of postoperative infections in living liver donors.

AIM: To analyze developing infections after living donor hepatectomy (LDH) in living liver donors (LLDs). METHODS: Demographic and clinical characteristics of 1106 LLDs were retrospectively analyzed in terms of whether postoperative infection development. Therefore, LLDs were divided into two groups: with (n = 190) and without (n = 916) antimicrobial agent use. RESULTS: The median age was 29.5 (min-max: 18-55). A total of 257 (23.2%) infection attacks (min-max: 1-8) was developed in 190 (17.2%) LLDs. The patients with the infection that were longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays, higher hospital admissions, emergency transplantation, invasive procedures for ERCP, PTC biloma, and abscess drainage, and the presence of relaparatomies and transcystic catheters. Infection attacks are derived from a 58.3% hepatobiliary system, 13.2% urinary system, 6.6% surgical site, and 5.8% respiratory system. The most common onset symptoms were fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A total of 125 positive results was detected from 77 patients with culture positivity. The most detected microorganisms from the cultures taken are Extended-Spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumonia (16.8%) and Escherichia coli (16%), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus [(MRSA) (9.6%)], Methicillin-susceptible S aureus [(MSSA) (9.6%)], and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.8%), respectively. The average number of ICU hospitalization days was 3 ± 2 (min 1-max 30, IQR:1) and hospitalization days was 14 ± 12 (min 3-max 138, IQR: 8). All infection attacks were successfully treated. No patients died because of infection or another surgical complication. CONCLUSION: Infections commonly observed infected biloma, cholangitis, and abscess arising from the biliary system and other nosocomial infections are the feared complications in LLDs. These infections should be managed multidisciplinary without delay and carefully.

Artificial vascular graft migration into hollow viscus organs in patients who underwent right lobe living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: To share our experience with hollow viscus migration of artificial vascular grafts (AVG) used for venous reconstruction of the right anterior sector in living donor liver transplantations (LDLT). METHODS: Clinical, radiological, and endoscopic data of 13 right lobe LDLT patients (range: 26-67 years) with a diagnosis of postoperative AVG migration into adjacent hollow viscus were analyzed. RESULTS: Biliary complications were detected in 12 patients. A median of four times endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures were performed in 11 patients prior to AVG migration diagnosis. A median of 2.5 times various percutaneous radiological interventional procedures were performed in eight patients prior to AVG migration diagnosis. The site of migration was the duodenum in eight patients, gastric antrum in four, and Roux limb in the remaining one patient. The migrated AVS were made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in 10 patients and polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron) in three. The migrated AVGs were endoscopically removed in seven patients and surgically removed in six. Only one patient died due to sepsis unrelated to AVG migration. CONCLUSION: AVG migration into the adjacent hollow viscus following right lobe LDLT is a rare and serious complication. Repetitive ERCP, interventional radiological procedures, infection related to biliary leakage, and thrombosis of AVGs are among the possible risk factors.

Reconstruction of Anomalous Portal Venous Branching in Right Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Malatya Approach.

Reconstruction of anomalous portal vein branching (APVB) during right lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can be challenging. The goal of this article is to describe our surgical technique, named the Malatya Approach, in case of APVB during right lobe LDLT. The technique unifies the APVB and obtains a funnel-shaped common extension with a circumferential fence by a saphenous vein conduit. In total, 126 (10.6%) of 1192 right lobe grafts had APVB that were divided into 2 groups according to the adopted surgical techniques: the Malatya Approach group (n = 91) and the previously defined other techniques group (n = 35). Both groups were compared regarding portal vein thrombosis (PVT), postoperative 90-day mortality and survival. PVT developed in 3 patients (3.3%) in the Malatya Approach group and developed in 10 (28.6%) patients for the other group (P < 0.001). There were 8 (8.8%) 90-day mortalities in the Malatya Approach group (1 PVT related) and 15 patients (9 PVT related) died in the other techniques group (P < 0.001). Mean follow-up time for both groups was similar (999.1 days for the Malatya Approach group versus 1024.7 days for the other group; P = 0.47), but longterm survival in the Malatya Approach group was better than in the other group (84.6% versus 40%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the Malatya Approach group showed less PVT development and longer survival (P < 0.001). This technique is promising to avoid PVT and mortalities in cases of APVB during right lobe LDLT. Liver Transplantation 23 751-761 2017 AASLD.

Evalution of Renal Involvement in Patients with Behçet Disease: Need to be Aware About Potential Hypertension in Long Term Follow Up?

BACKROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate frequency and severity of kidney involvement with some clinical, ultrasonography and color Doppler measurements in patients with Behçet disease. MATERIAL/METHODS: This study was including 32 patients with Behçet disease and 32 healthy sex and age-matched control subjects. Patients were divided into two groups as period of disease 0-6 years and 7 years and above to evaluate effect of duration of disease. We evaluated some biochemical tests in both blood and urine related to renal functions, blood pressure values. Gray scale and color Doppler findings were noted. RESULTS: Renal artery volume flow in patients with a duration of 7 years or above was significantly decreased compared to control group (p<0.05). However, gray scale ultrasound and color Doppler measurements reveal there was not statistically significant change compared to control group. There was no biochemical abnormalities in any patient. Four patients had elevated blood pressure but mean blood pressure values were not statistically different compared to volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Renal involvement ratios varies in different studies but not common. End stage renal failure can be seen very rare. Furthermore, vasculitic changes can lead renal artery narrowness and can result to decrease in renal blood flow. It has a potential to activate renin angiotensin aldosterone cascade to elevate blood pressure. We must be aware about blood pressure of patients with Behçet disease, especially with long term follow up.

An unexpected complication of bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy: arteriovenous fistula.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) following bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 76-year-old man was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Pain and hematoma were detected in his left leg and hip 4 days after bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy. A pelvic arteriography was performed, and a diagnosis of AVF was made. CONCLUSION: This case shows that clinicians should be aware of AVF, especially in cases with refractory bleeding after bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy despite normal blood coagulation parameters.

Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Features of Abdominal Viscera in a Patient with Gaucher's Disease.

A 46-year-old woman with Gaucher's disease (GD) consulted our clinic for abdominopelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as physical examination had revealed hepatosplenomegaly. Upper abdominal MRI showed massive hepatosplenomegaly and innumerable hypointense splenic nodules on T1-weighted images. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were performed to liver parenchyma and splenic nodules. MRS revealed lactate, lipid, acetate, and alanine peaks in splenic nodules, and choline, creatine, lipid, myo-inositol-glycine, and lactate peaks in the liver parenchyma. The DW-MRI showed diffusion restriction in splenic nodules. It was concluded that MRI is a reliable method for the diagnosis and follow up of GD. Coupling DW-MRI and MRS allows quantitative evaluation, thereby increasing the efficacy of the method. This is the first report in the literature presenting advanced abdominal MRI findings in GD.

The Course of Endoscopic Treatment Success in Biliary Complications After Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Objective: Our aim was to present the results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) between February 2015 and June 2021. Methods: Clinical data included LDLT indications, time to perform ERCP after LDLT, number of ERCP procedures, indications for ERCP, and all treatment outcomes, including ERCP, percutaneous, and surgical interventions. We compared the obtained data with our previous study published by our team in 2018, which included 446 patients who underwent ERCP for biliary complications after LDLT between 2005 and 2015. Results: We performed ERCP in 283 of 1506 patients with LDLT who underwent duct-to-duct anastomosis during transplantation and then developed biliary complications. Our endoscopic success rates were 60.9% and 71.0% in the previous and present studies, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the success rate of endoscopic treatment of biliary complications in patients with LDLT increases in correlation with the increasing experience of clinicians treating these patients.

ABO-incompatible liver transplantation in acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) liver transplantation (LTx) may be mandatory in urgent conditions such as acute liver failure (ALF) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) when deceased donor (DD) is unavailable or living donor (LD) selection is limited. This study specifically addresses the problem of urgent ABO-I LTx in critically ill adult patients having ALF or severely decompensated end-stage liver disease. METHODOLOGY: This series included 16 patients, 10 underwent ABO-I LD LTx and 6 underwent 7 ABO-I DD LTx. Multiple sessions of plasmapheresis reduced isoaglutinin titres to 1/16 or below, before and after LTx. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 10.37 months (1 to 38). Median for MELD scores was 22.5 (17 to 30). Median survival was 9 months and mean survival was 19.5 months. Hospital mortality was 3 (18.7%). Two patients died due to small for size graft syndrome and cerebrovascular bleeding respectively. Hepatic artery thrombosis developed in 3 patients. Two of them died at postoperative 4th and 9th months. Third patient is still alive with hepatic necrosis problem. CONCLUSIONS: ABO-I LTx remains an important and unavoidable therapeutic option in adult patients with ALF or ACLF and urgent need for an allograft without the possibility to allocate a blood group compatible liver graft.

Single-center analysis of the first 304 living-donor liver transplantations in 3 years.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Living donor liver transplantations (LDLT) is a definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), especially in the countries with donation problem. Between April 2007 and April 2010, we performed LDLT in 289 patients. Fifteen of the cases required re-transplantations. This study evaluates these 304 consecutive LDLTs donor and recipient outcomes. METHODOLOGY: Complication rates and survival data of the recipients and donors of 304 LDLT cases were analyzed. RESULTS: All donors are alive and well. Overall complication rate was 27%. Early postoperative recipient complication rate was 51%. Most frequent complication was infection. In the long-term there were 57 biliary stricture and 5 chronic bile fistula cases. Chronic and acute rejection attacks developed in 7 and 103 patients, respectively. Hepatic artery thrombosis rate was 8%. One, two and three year survival rates were 82%, 79% and 75%, respectively. Recipient mortality was 25%, mostly due to vascular complications, septic complications, liver dysfunction and chronic rejection. CONCLUSIONS: More than 150 liver tranplantations per year in a single center is a challenge in Turkey, where there is a shortage of deceased donor grafts. LDLT is a safe procedure for donors and effective for ESLD. Improvement in surgical technique would provide better outcomes.

Undetectable Brain Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by PET-CT After Liver Transplantation: a Case Report.

PURPOSE: Management of the unexplained AFP elevation after transplantation. F18 FDG PET/CT may not be helpful to detect post-transplant brain metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CASE REPORT: A-61-year old male patient with HBV related HCC have undergone living donor liver transplantation after successfully downstaging. AFP level started to increase on Post-transplant one year and there was no detectable metastases on PET/CT, abdominal thorax tomography. Patient admitted to hospital with confusion and seizure on post-transplant 16th month and diagnosed brain metastasis by brain tomography. Surgical resection was performed but the patientd died on post-transplant 20th month. CONCLUSION: In the unexplained elevation of AFP after transplantation, it is beneficial to keep brain metastases in mind and perform cranial scanning with conventional imaging methods (CT, MRI) rather than FDG PET.

Comparison of liver resection and living donor liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria and well-preserved liver function.

Background and Aim: Liver resection (LR) and liver transplantation (LT) are curative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The main purpose of this study was to compare the survival of LR and LDLT in patients with HCC within the Milan criteria. Materials and Methods: The results of the LR (n=67) and LDLT (n=391) groups were compared for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Twenty-six of the HCCs in the LRs met the Milan and Child A criteria. Also, 200 of the HCC patients in the LDLTs met the Milan criteria, of which 70 also met the Child A criteria. Results: Early mortality was higher in the LDLT group (13.9% vs 1.47%; p=0.003). The 5-year OS was higher in the LDLTs than the LRs, but not statistically significant (84.6% vs 74.2%; p=0.287). However, 5-year DFS was better in the LDLT group (96.8% vs 64.3%; p<0.001). When the LRs (n=26) and the LDLTs (n=70) that met both Milan and Child A criteria were compared, 5-year OS was similar (81.4% vs 74.2%; p=0.512), but DFS was better in the LDLTs (98.6% vs 64.3%; p<0.001). Conclusion: LR can be justified as the first-line treatment for HCC patients who meet Milan and Child A criteria in terms of early mortality and OS.

Fulminant hepatitis A infection in second trimester of pregnancy requiring living-donor liver transplantation.

We present an 18-year-old pregnant woman who was referred to our emergency clinic as a case of acute hepatic failure and hepatic encephalopathy. Laboratory tests showed abnormal liver function tests and serological workup was consistent with acute hepatitis A infection. Ultrasonography revealed a single live fetus with fetal biometry compatible with 18 gestational weeks. The patient underwent a highly urgent liver transplantation using a right lobe graft from her husband. Histological examination of the explanted liver showed acute, lymphocyte-rich, diffuse necrotizing hepatitis, consistent with acute necrotizing hepatitis A. After the operation her allograft function gradually recovered. Her follow-up obstetrics ultrasound revealed a male fetus with severely decreased amniotic fluid. The patient was informed about the poor prognosis of her pregnancy and the pregnancy was terminated by vaginal misoprostol induction. She has maintained a good general condition and liver function for 4 months postoperatively, up to the present time.

Successful Bronchial Artery Embolization after Stabilization with Nitric Oxide for the Treatment of Haemoptysis in a Patient with Eisenmenger Syndrome.

Hemoptysis, accompanying various chronic lung diseases, some systemic diseases, infections, structural heart diseases, or syndromes is a clinical condition that is quite mortal when it is massive. Hemoptysis is a common complication of Eisenmenger syndrome. Its frequency increases with age. It is an important cause of mortality in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome. Embolization of systemic-pulmonary collateral arteries is an effective method in the treatment of hemoptysis in eligible patients with Eisenmenger syndrome. In this case report, a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome, developed due to large patent ductus arteriosus, received dual pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific treatment, after the development of hemoptysis, medical stabilization was provided with initial inhaled nitric oxide therapy and then treated with bronchial artery embolization without complications is presented.

Role of percutaneous radiological treatment in biliary complications associated with adult left lobe living donor liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Biliary complications develop at a higher rate in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) compared with cadaveric liver transplantation. Almost all studies about biliary complications after LDLT were made with the right lobe. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of biliary complications developing after adult left lobe LDLT and to evaluate the efficacy of the algorithm followed in diagnosis and treatment, particularly percutaneous radiological treatment. METHODS: A total of 2185 LDLT operations performed in our center between May 2009 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and patients receiving left lobe LDLT were analyzed regarding biliary complications and treatments. Biliary complications were treated via percutaneous drainage under ultrasound (US) guidance, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)/ percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). Patient demographics, ERCP procedures before percutaneous treatment, and percutaneous treatment indications were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 69 adult patients received left lobe LDLT. Biliary complications requiring endoscopic and/or percutaneous treatment developed in 28 patients (40%). Of these patients, 4 had bile leakage (14%), 20 had anastomosis stricture (72%), and 4 had both leakage and anastomosis stricture (14%). External drainage treatment under ultrasound guidance was sufficient for 2 of 4 patients with bile leakage, and these cases were accepted as minor bile leakage (7%). Overall, 26 patients underwent ERCP; of these, 8 were referred for PTC/PTBD because the guidewire and/or balloon-stent could not pass the anastomosis stricture (n=7) and common bile duct cannulation could not be obtained because of duodenal diverticulum (n=1). Diagnostic PTC was performed in 10 patients, 8 were referred after inadequate/failed ERCP procedure and two were referred directly without ERCP. Anastomosis stricture was found in 7 patients and anastomosis stricture and bile leakage in 3. In 7 patients determined to have stricture, balloon dilatation was applied and then biliary drainage was performed. In 3 patients who had leakage and anastomosis stricture, balloon dilatation was applied for stricture; after dilatation, an IEBD catheter was placed through the leakage region in 2 patients, while a covered metallic stent passing through the leakage region was placed in one patient. CONCLUSION: Generally, ERCP is the first preferred method in biliary complications of LDLT; however, in cases where a response cannot be obtained by endoscopic treatment or require complex and/or aggressive treatment, percutaneous radiological treatment should be the treatment of choice before surgery in left lobe LDLT.

Hepatic Venous Outflow Obstruction After Living-Donor Liver Transplant: Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we share our approach for care of patients with hepatic venous outlet obstruction after living-donor liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined the demographic, clinical, and radiologic data of 35 patients who developed hepatic venous outlet obstruction after living-donor liver transplant. Patients were subgrouped on the basis of onset (8 patients with early onset [< 30 days posttransplant] and 27 patients with late onset [≥ 30 days posttransplant]) and postoperative survival (24 survivors, 11 nonsurvivors). RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from 1 to 61 years (24 adults and 11 children). All adult patients had undergone right lobe living-donor liver transplant. In the pediatric group, 8 had undergone left lateral segment and 3 had undergone left lobe living-donor liver transplant. Nineteen adult patients and all 11 pediatric patients underwent hepatic venous reconstruction, with all procedures based on common large-opening drainage models using various vascular graft materials. Development of hepatic venous outlet obstruction occurred at mean posttransplant day 233 ± 298.5 in the adult patients and mean posttransplant day 139 ± 97.8 in the pediatric patients. After development of obstruction, the patients underwent 1-6 sessions (1.5 ± 1.1 sessions) of balloon angioplasty. After the first balloon angioplasty procedure, 25% of the adults and 36.3% of the pediatric patients developed recurrence. The early-onset and late-onset subgroups showed statistically significant differences in serum albumin (P = .01), underlying causes (P < .001), time from transplant to obstruction (P = .02), and time from transplant to last visit (P = .02). The survivor and nonsurvivor subgroups showed statistically significant differences in total bilirubin (P = .03) and time from transplant to last visit (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Common large-opening reconstruction minimizes hepatic venous outlet obstruction development after living-donor liver transplant. Balloon angioplasty and/or stenting is almost always the first option in the care of this complication.

Comprehensive Analysis of Long-term Splenic Volume Changes in Pediatric Liver Transplant Patients: Does It Correlate With Adverse Graft Outcomes?

OBJECTIVES: Splenomegaly and hypersplenism caused by liver failure increase the mortality and morbidity of patients even after liver transplantation if they do not regress. We evaluated the relation of splenic volume change and transplanted liver function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 59 of 207 pediatric patients who had liver transplantation between 2013 and 2018 in our institute were evaluated. The relation of spleen volume changes (splenic volume to standard splenic volume ratio [SV/SSV]) were measured at 0, 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of follow-up by constructing electronic three-dimensional structure of the spleen at dynamic computed tomography (CT), and the course of liver functions were evaluated. RESULTS: The SV/SSV ratio decreases in the first postoperative 6 months. After 6 months, SV increases and SV/SSV increases gradually. In a normal functioning graft, SV/SSV significantly decreased in all time points (P < .001). In patients with adverse events, SV/SSV started to increase after 6 months. In patients with fulminant hepatic failure, SV/SSV started to increase after postoperative 6 months. Adverse events in patients with fulminant hepatic failure were more than the patients with chronic liver disease (58% vs 28%). There was an inverse correlation between SV/SSV and thrombocyte levels (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: SV/SSV seems to be correlated to the adverse events (ie, rejection). Together with thrombocyte levels, it can be used as a noninvasive test for follow-up of transplant patients in terms of adverse events in graft function.