Preoperative arterial embolization of large liver hemangiomas

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of preoperative selective intra-arterial embolization (PSIAE) in the surgical treatment of large liver hemangiomas.

METHODS

Data of 22 patients who underwent resection of large liver hemangiomas were retrospectively analyzed. PSIAE was performed in cases having a high risk of severe blood loss during surgery (n=11), while it was not applied in cases with a low risk of blood loss (n=11).

RESULTS

A total of 19 enucleations and six anatomic resections were performed. Operative time, intraoperative bleeding amount, Pringle period, and blood transfusion were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05, for all). The perioperative serum aspartate transaminase level was not different between groups (P = 1.000). Perioperative total bilirubin levels were significantly increased in the PSIAE group (P = 0.041). Postoperative hospital stay was longer in the PSIAE group. Surgical complications were comparable between groups (P = 0.476).

CONCLUSION

Patients who underwent PSIAE due to a high risk of severe blood loss during resection of large liver hemangiomas had comparable operative success as patients with a low risk of blood loss who were operated without PSIAE. Hence, PSIAE can be used for the control of intraoperative blood loss, especially in surgically difficult cases.

Strangulated congenital mesenteric hernia: a case report

Congenital mesenteric defects are rare and often recognized only in surgery or autopsy. Preoperative diagnosis of an internal hernia is quite rare. A common symptom of trans-mesenteric intestinal herniation is intermittent postprandial pain. If there is strangulation of the mesenteric internal herniation, there is often vomiting and constipation. Signs and symptoms of a bowel obstruction in a patient without previous abdominal surgery or inguinal hernia as well as without history of intra-abdominal operation and infection suggest the possibility of a congenital mesenteric defect with internal herniation. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment are important to reduce morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to present the case of a 20-year-old female patient on whom preoperative diagnosis of internal trans-mesenteric internal hernia was made.

Fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis after methotrexate and prednisone therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis is an aggressive and usually fatal form of viral hepatitis in immunosuppressed patients. We assessed the hepatotoxicity of methotrexate and prednisolone combination therapy in the background of hepatitis B virus infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report the clinical course of a 55-year-old woman who underwent a deceased-donor liver transplant for fulminant liver failure.

RESULTS

The patient's medical history was significant for hepatitis B virus infection and rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate and prednisolone combination therapy were started 5 months earlier. The patient was hospitalized because of an elevation in her liver enzymes and total bilirubin. Deterioration of liver functions and encephalopathy were developed 5 weeks after hospital admission. A deceased-donor liver transplant was performed, and pathological examination of recipient liver revealed fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. The patient was reoperated on for bile leak and discharged 40 days after the deceased-donor liver transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

The natural course of the current case was similar to previously reported cases with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. Clinicians should consider the potential hepatotoxicity of methotrexate and steroid therapy in hepatitis B virus infected patients.

Fibrin glue and biliary anastomotic leak after liver transplant

OBJECTIVES

Fibrin sealants may prevent hemorrhage and biliary leakage after liver resection. We evaluated the effects of topical fibrin glue application on biliary anastomosis in deceased-donor liver transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2011 to July 2013, fibrin glue was applied around the biliary anastomosis in 10 patients who had deceased-donor liver transplant (recipients: female, 8 patients; median age, 46.9 y) with end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy in 9 patients and hepaticojejunostomy in 1 patient. Biliary leakage was diagnosed with abdominal computed tomography.

RESULTS

Biliary leakage was observed in 1 patient at 18 days after deceased-donor liver transplant with end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy. This was treated with revision laparotomy and reconstruction of the biliary anastomotic leak with a hepaticojejunostomy and placement of an internal stent and fibrin glue; the patient 's condition improved. There were no perioperative deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

In deceased-donor liver transplant, application of fibrin glue at the biliary anastomosis may be associated with.

Suppression of B-cell activation and IgE, IgA, IgG1 and IgG4 production by mammalian telomeric oligonucleotides

BACKGROUND

The fine balance of immunoglobulins (Ig) E, IgG1, IgG4 and IgA in healthy production is maintained by the interaction of B cells with adaptive and innate immune response. The regulation of toll-like receptors (TLRs)-driven innate and adaptive immune effector B-cell response and the role of mammalian telomeric TTAGGG repeat elements represent an important research area.

METHODS

Human PBMC and purified naive and memory B cells were stimulated with specific ligands for TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 in the presence or absence of telomeric oligonucleotides. B-cell proliferation, differentiation and antibody production were determined.

RESULTS

TLR9 ligand directly activates naive and memory B cells, whereas TLR7 can stimulate them in the presence of plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Human B cells proliferate and turn into antibody-secreting cells in response to TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9, but not to TLR2, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR8 ligands. Stimulation of B cells with intracellular TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 induced an activation cascade leading to memory B-cell generation and particularly IgG1, but also IgA, IgG4 and very low levels of IgE production. Mammalian telomeric oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) significantly inhibited all features of TLR ligand-induced events in B cells including B-cell proliferation, IgE, IgG1, IgG4, IgA production, class switch recombination, plasma cell differentiation induced by TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 ligands.

CONCLUSION

B cells require specific TLR stimulation, T-cell and plasmacytoid dendritic cell help for distinct activation and Ig production profiles. Host-derived telomeric ODN suppress B-cell activation and antibody production demonstrating a natural mechanism for the control of overexuberant B-cell activation, antibody production and generation of memory.