Lean body mass in living kidney donors impacts postoperative renal function

PURPOSE

A living donor kidney transplant is the optimal treatment for chronic renal impairment. Our objective is to assess if lean skeletal muscle mass and donor factors such as body mass index, hypertension, and age impact on renal function following donor nephrectomy.

METHODS

Potential donors undergo CT angiography as part of their work-up in our institution. Using dedicated software (Horos®), standardized skeletal muscle area measured at the L3 vertebrae was calculated. When corrected for height, skeletal muscle index can be derived. Skeletal muscle mass index below predefined levels was classified as sarcopenic. The correlation of CT-derived skeletal muscle index and postoperative renal function at 12 months was assessed. Co-variables including donor gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and presence of pre-op hypertension were also assessed for their impact on postoperative renal function.

RESULTS

275 patients who underwent living donor nephrectomy over 10 years were included. Baseline pre-donation glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal function at one year post-op were similar between genders. 29% (n = 82) of patients met the criteria for CT-derived sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients were more likely to have a higher GFR at one year post-op (69.3 vs 63.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001). The main factors impacting better renal function at one year were the presence of sarcopenia and younger age at donation.

CONCLUSION

When selecting donors, this study highlights that patients with low skeletal mass are unlikely to underperform in terms of recovery of their renal function postoperatively at one year when compared to patients with normal muscle mass and should not be a barrier to kidney donation.

Long-term renal function following radical cystectomy and ileal conduit creation

BACKGROUND

Treatment for bladder cancer includes radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion; RC is associated with long-term morbidity, kidney impairment and mortality.

AIM

To identify risk factors associated with postoperative long-term kidney function and mortality.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients with RC and urinary diversion in Beaumont Hospital from 1996 to 2016. We included patients who had follow-up at least 2 years post-procedure. We assessed estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preoperatively and yearly post-procedure, dialysis commencement and mortality. Cox and Fine-Gray regression analyses were applied; p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

We included 264 patients, median age 68.3 years, 73.7% males. The most common diagnosis was bladder cancer 93.3%, TNM stages T ≥ 2 75.9%, N ≥ 1 47.6% and M1 28%. The median eGFR preoperative was 65.8 ml/min/1.73m2 and after 2 years 58.2 ml/min/1.73m2 (p: 0.009); 5.3% required chronic dialysis and 32.8% had a decrease > 10 ml/min/1.73m2. Risk factors associated with ESKD and start dialysis included younger age (HR: 0.90, CI 95% 0.87-0.94) and lower pre-operative eGFR (HR: 0.97, CI 95% 0.94-1.00). Overall mortality was 43.2% and 54.1% at 5 and 10 years, respectively; risk factors were older age (HR: 1.04, CI 95% 1.02-1.06), tumour stage T ≥ 2 (HR: 2.22, CI 95% 1.39-3.54) and no chemotherapy (HR: 1.72, CI 95% 1.18-2.51). Limitations include retrospective design, absence of control group and single centre experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with RC are at risk of progressive kidney function deterioration and elevated mortality and the main risk factors associated were age and preoperative eGFR. Regular monitoring of kidney function will permit early diagnosis and treatment.

The use of an automated electronic registry for bladder cancer surveillance during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Introduction:

We aimed to develop and compare the utility of an automated registry of all patients undergoing surveillance for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) during the severe acute respiratory virus coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

Methods:

We populated an electronic register of all patients undergoing bladder tumour surveillance (July–September 2019). The computerised ‘traffic-light’ system was implemented in September 2019 marking the beginning of phase 2. The register was audited at two- and six-months intervals during phase 2 (November 2019 and April 2020). Audit of the system In April 2020 allowed review of care given during the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Ireland. The primary outcome variable was the number of patients who had delayed surveillance cystoscopy in each group.

Results:

A total of 278 cases were reviewed, 96 in the first cohort and 91 at both intervals of second phase. During the first phase of the audit 17 patients (17.7%) had a missed cystoscopy. Phase 2 showed a sustained decrease in the number of patients with missed surveillance, with eight (8.8%) missing their procedure in both the November and April (SARS-CoV-2) cohorts (17 v. 8, X2 = 10.76, p = 0.0004). Overall, most patients had their procedure done within the recommended time interval (245, 88%).

Conclusion:

A centralised accessible computerised registry of patients with NMIBC undergoing surveillance is superior to traditional manual surveillance methods, especially during the period of SARS-CoV-2. Going forward we aim to have all patients undergo surveillance within schedule with a long-term goal of a centralised national registry.

Level of evidence:

Level 2c: “Outcomes Research”.

Long-term outcome of transplant ureterostomy in children: A National Review

BACKGROUND

CAKUT are the most common cause of end-stage renal failure in children (Pediatr Nephrol. 24, 2009, 1719). Many children with CAKUT have poor urinary drainage which can compromise post-transplant outcome. Identifying safe ways to manage anatomical abnormalities and provide effective urinary drainage is key to transplant success. Much debate exists regarding optimum urinary diversion techniques. The definitive formation of a continent urinary diversion is always preferable but may not always be possible. We explore the role of ureterostomy formation at transplantation in a complex pediatric group.

METHODS

We report six pediatric patients who had ureterostomy formation at the time of transplantation at the National Paediatric Transplant Centre in Dublin, Ireland. We compared renal function and burden of urinary tract infection to a group with alternative urinary diversion procedures and a group with normal bladders over a 5-year period.

RESULTS

There was no demonstrable difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate between the groups at 5-year follow-up. The overall burden of UTI was low and similar in frequency between the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Ureterostomy formation is a safe and effective option for temporary urinary diversion in children with complex abdominal anatomy facilitating transplantation; it is, however, important to consider the implications and risk of ureterostomy for definitive surgery after transplantation.

The Irish experience of kidney transplantation among recipients with prior non-renal solid organ transplants: A retrospective study on short- and long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate allograft and patient outcomes among recipients of kidney transplants after non-renal solid organ transplants. We also aim to compare our findings with recipients of a repeat kidney transplant.

METHODS

We performed an analysis on kidney transplant recipients who underwent kidney transplantation after a non-renal solid organ transplant. Survival data were stratified into 2 groups: Group A (n = 37) consisted of recipients of a kidney transplant after prior non-renal solid organ transplant, and Group B (n = 330) consisted of recipients of a repeat kidney transplant.

RESULTS

The 1-,5-, and 10-year graft survival (death-censored) for recipients of a kidney transplant post-non-renal solid organ transplant (Group A) were 97.3%, 91.5%, and 86.9%, compared with 97.9%, 90.2%, and 83.4% for recipients of a repeat kidney transplant (Group B) (p = .32). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival rates were 97.3%, 82.7%, and 79.1% in Group A compared to 97.9%, 90.2%, and 83.4% in Group B. Unadjusted overall patient survival was significantly lower for Group A (p = .017).

CONCLUSION

Kidney transplant recipients who have undergone a previous non-renal solid organ transplant have similar allograft survival outcomes, but higher long-term mortality rates compared to repeat kidney transplant recipients.

Calcium and phosphate levels after kidney transplantation and long-term patient and allograft survival

Background

Non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including calcium and phosphate derangement, may play a role in mortality in renal transplant. The data regarding this effect are conflicting. Our aim was to assess the impact of calcium and phosphate derangements in the first 90 days post-transplant on allograft and recipient outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort review of all-adult, first renal transplants in the Republic of Ireland between 1999 and 2015. We divided patients into tertiles based on serum phosphate and calcium levels post-transplant. We assessed their effect on death-censored graft survival and all-cause mortality. We used Stata for statistical analysis and did survival analysis and spline curves to assess the association.

Results

We included 1525 renal transplant recipients. Of the total, 86.3% had hypophosphataemia and 36.1% hypercalcaemia. Patients in the lowest phosphate tertile were younger, more likely female, had lower weight, more time on dialysis, received a kidney from a younger donor, had less delayed graft function and better transplant function compared with other tertiles. Patients in the highest calcium tertile were younger, more likely male, had higher body mass index, more time on dialysis and better transplant function. Adjusting for differences between groups, we were unable to show any difference in death-censored graft failure [phosphate = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92–1.41; calcium = 0.98, 95% CI 0.80–1.20] or all-cause mortality (phosphate = 1.10, 95% CI 0.91–1.32; calcium = 0.96, 95% CI 0.81–1.13) based on tertiles of calcium or phosphate in the initial 90 days.

Conclusions

Hypophosphataemia and hypercalcaemia are common occurrences post-kidney transplant. We have identified different risk factors for these metabolic derangements. The calcium and phosphate levels exhibit no independent association with death-censored graft failure and mortality.

Predictors of long-term renal allograft survival after second kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Few studies investigate significant perioperative predictors for long-term renal allograft survival after second kidney transplant (SKT). We compared long-term survival following SKT with primary kidney transplant and determined predictors of renal allograft failure after SKT.

METHODS

Outcomes of all primary or second kidney transplant recipients at a national kidney transplant center between 1993 and 2017 were reviewed. The primary outcomes measurements were renal allograft survival for both first and second kidney transplants. Secondary outcome measurements were incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), incidence of acute rejection (AR), and predictors for renal allograft survival in SKT recipients.

RESULTS

In total, there were 392 SKTs and 2748 primary kidney transplants performed between 1993 and 2017. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year death-censored graft survival for deceased-donor recipients was 95.3%, 88.7%, and 78.2% for primary kidney transplant and 94.9%, 87.1%, and 74.9% for SKT (P = .0288). Survival of primary renal allograft <6 years (HR 0.6, P = .017), AR episodes (HR 1.6, P = .031), DGF (HR 2.0, P = .005), and HLA-DR MM (HR 1.7, P = .018) was independent predictors of long-term renal allograft failure after SKT.

CONCLUSION

These findings may provide important information on long-term survival outcomes after SKT and for identifying patients at risk for long-term renal allograft failure after SKT.

Long-Term Outcomes of Renal Transplant in Patients With End-Stage Renal Failure Due to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis

OBJECTIVES

Systemic lupus erythematosus and granulomatosis with polyangiitis are systemic inflammatory conditions associated with renalfailure that can recur after renal transplant. Patients with these conditions are treated with chronic immunosuppression, potentially increasing risk of secondary malignancies. Here, we investigated long-term outcomes in renal transplant recipients with these conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Transplant recipients with end-stage kidney disease due to systemic lupus erythematosus and granulomatosis with polyangiitis seen between 1982 and 2016 at a national kidney transplant center were included. Primary outcome variables were long-term allograft survival and incidence of secondary malignancy. Secondary outcome measures were incidence of delayed graft function, primary disease recurrence, and serum creatinine at follow-up.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight transplant procedures (90 from deceased donors) in 92 consecutive patients (mean age 42.3 ± 14.4 y) were included: 55 with systemic lupus erythematosus and 37 with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Follow-up duration was 110.53 ± 81.95 months (range, 1-393 mo). Overall renal allograft survival was 94.7% at 1 year, 85.4% at 5 years, and 75.4% at 10 years posttransplant. Patientswith systemic lupus erythematosus showed overall allograft survival of 91.6% at 1 year, 84.3% at 5 years, and 74.4% at 10 years. There was 1 allograft failure due to recurrence of primary disease in this group. Patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis showed overall allograft survival of 100% at 1 year, 92.4% at 5 years, and 92.4% at 10 years. There were 21 mortalities, with 5 (23.8%) due to secondary malignancy. In total, 46 malignancies were diagnosed in 31 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

We found excellent long-term renal allograft survival rates in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, with secondary malignancy rates similar to those shown in recipients without autoimmune diseases. These findings provide clinicians with long-term data on transplant recipients with end-stage renal failure due to systemic inflammatory conditions.

Treatment of Visceral Artery Aneurysms Using Novel Neurointerventional Devices and Techniques

The presence of branching vessels, a wide aneurysm neck, and/or fusiform morphology represents a challenge to conventional endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms. A variety of techniques and devices have emerged for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, in which more aggressive treatment algorithms aimed at smaller and morphologically diverse aneurysms have driven innovation. Here, modified neurointerventional techniques including the use of compliant balloons, scaffold- or stent-assisted coil embolization, and flow diversion are described in the treatment of visceral aneurysms. Neurointerventional devices and their mechanisms of action are described in the context of their application in the peripheral arterial system.

Increased mid-abdominal circumference is a predictor for surgical wound complications in kidney transplant recipients: A prospective cohort study

Kidney transplant recipients are at an increased risk of developing surgical site wound complications due to their immunosuppressed status. We aimed to determine whether increased mid-abdominal circumference (MAC) is predictive for wound complications in transplant recipients. A prospective study was performed on all kidney transplant recipients from October 2014 to October 2015. "Controls" consisted of kidney transplant recipients without a surgical site wound complication and "cases" consisted of recipients that developed a wound complication. In total, 144 patients underwent kidney transplantation and 107 patients met inclusion criteria. Postoperative wound complications were documented in 28 (26%) patients. Patients that developed a wound complication had a significantly greater MAC, body mass index (BMI), and body weight upon renal transplantation (P<.001, P=.011, and P=.011, respectively). On single and multiple logistic regression analyses, MAC was a significant predictor for developing a surgical wound complication (P=.02). Delayed graft function and a history of preformed anti-HLA antibodies were also predictive for surgical wound complications (P=.003 and P=.014, respectively). Increased MAC is a significant predictor for surgical wound complications in kidney transplant recipients. Integrating clinical methods for measuring visceral adiposity may be useful for stratifying kidney transplant recipients with an increased risk of a surgical wound complication.

Recurrent Non-islet Cell Tumor Hypoglycemia Secondary to Recurrent Renal Sarcoma

Introduction

Non-islet-cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome encountered in the setting of a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors.

Case presentation

A 46 year old lady was referred to our unit, with a large left sided retroperitoneal mass found on surveillance imaging on a background of renal sarcoma 6 years previously, for which she had a left nephrectomy. She had initially presented with symptoms of hypoglycaemia which was a result of tumor secretion of insulin like growth factor 2. She was counselled regarding the recurrence and listed for excision. On the day of surgery she developed symptomatic hypoglycaemia. The tumour was completely resected from the nephrectomy bed. The tumour was histologically identical to the initial tumor.

Conclusion

We report a rare case of recurrent non-islet cell hypoglycaemia in a lady with recurrent malignancy. Her hypoglycaemic episodes fully resolved on each occasion following resection. There have been reports of NICTH associated with recurrent retroperitoneal tumours and synchronous thyroid tumours and uterine leiomyomata. NICTH should be considered in patients with a known malignancy who present with recurrent hypoglycaemia. This is, to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing, the first case in the literature of recurrent NICTH secondary to recurrent renal sarcoma.

Single centre experience of hypothermic machine perfusion of kidneys from extended criteria deceased heart-beating donors: a comparative study

INTRODUCTION

Kidneys from extended criteria donors are associated with higher rates of delayed graft function (DGF). Hypothermic machine perfusion (MP) for storage is associated with more favourable outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed in 93 patients where the kidney was stored using hypothermic MP (LifePort(®)) and compared to an age-matched control group where the kidney was stored in cold static storage (CSS) using University of Wisconsin solution.

RESULTS

Median age was similar in both groups (59.2 years in MP vs 59.9 years in CSS, p = 0.5598). Mean cold storage time was 15.6 h in MP vs 17.9 h in CSS. Post transplant mean serum creatinine was as follows; MP group-144.7 μmol/L at 1 month; 138.3 μmol/L at 3 months and 129.5 μmol/L at 12 months. In the CSS group-163 μmol/L at 1 month; 154.9 μmol/L at 3 months and 140.2 μmol/L at 12 months. There was a statistically significant difference at 1 month (p = 0.0096) and 3 months (p = 0.0236). DGF was defined as the need for haemodialysis within 7 days post transplant. In the MP group, DGF occurred in 17.2 % patients with mean of 6 days (range 1-18). In the CSS group, 25.8 % patients with mean of 8.1 days (range 3-25). One-year graft survival rate was better in the MP group (97.85 vs 96.77 %).

CONCLUSION

Our experience to date recommends the use of hypothermic MP for storage of kidneys from extended criteria deceased heart-beating donors.

Lithium-induced Nephrotoxicity: A Case Report of Renal Cystic Disease Presenting as a Mass Lesion

Lithium is an effective therapeutic agent used in the management of bipolar disorder. However, lithium is also associated with several side effects, including renal toxicity. We present a case of a symptomatic cystic mass lesion in the kidney of a patient who had a history of lithium therapy for the management of bipolar disorder.

Thalamic projection fiber integrity in de novo Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Postmortem studies of advanced PD have revealed disease-related pathology in the thalamus with an apparent predilection for specific thalamic nuclei. In the present study, we used DTI to investigate in vivo the microstructural integrity of 6 thalamic regions in de novo patients with PD relative to healthy controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty subjects (20 with early stage untreated PD and 20 age- and sex-matched controls) were studied with a high-resolution DTI protocol at 3T to investigate the integrity of thalamic nuclei projection fibers. Two blinded, independent raters drew ROIs in the following 6 thalamic regions: AN, VA, VL, DM, VPL/VPM, and PU. FA values were then calculated from the projection fibers in each region.

RESULTS

FA values were reduced significantly in the fibers projecting from the AN, VA, and DM, but not the VPL/VPM and PU, in the PD group compared with the control group. In addition, there was a reduction in FA values that approached significance in the VL of patients with PD. These findings were consistent across both raters.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides preliminary in vivo evidence of thalamic projection fiber degeneration in de novo PD and sheds light on the extent of disrupted thalamic circuitry as a result of the disease itself.

Mycophenolate mofetil in low-risk renal transplantation in patients receiving no cyclosporine: a single-centre experience

BACKGROUND

We assess our long-term experience with regards the safety and efficacy of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) in our low risk renal transplant population and compared it retrospectively to Azathioprine (AZA) immunosuppressive regimen. Patients and methods. Between January 1999 and December 2005, 240 renal transplants received MMF as part of their immunosuppressive protocol (MMF group). AZA group of 135 renal transplants was included for comparative analysis (AZA group). Patients received Cyclosporine was excluded from this study.

RESULTS

The incidence of biopsy proven 3-month acute rejections was 30 (12.5%) in MMF group and 22 (16%) in AZA group respectively (P = 0.307). Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years for the MMF group were 97 and 94%, respectively, compared to 100% and 91% at 1 and 5 years respectively for the AZA group (P = 0.61). Graft survival rates at 1 and 5 years for the MMF group were 95 and 83%, respectively, compared to 97 and 84% at 1 and 5 years, respectively for the AZA group (P = 0.62).

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in acute rejection episodes between MMF and AZA based immunotherapy. Additionally, we observed no significant difference concerning graft survival in the MMF group when compared to AZA group.

Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric renal transplantation: a single center experience

We assessed our long-term experience with regards to the safety and efficacy of MMF in our pediatric renal transplant population and compared it retrospectively to our previous non-MMF immunosuppressive regimen. Forty-seven pediatric renal transplants received MMF as part of their immunosuppressive protocol in the period from January 1997 till October 2006 (MMF group). A previously reported non-MMF group of 59 pediatric renal transplants was included for comparative analysis (non-MMF group). The MMF group comprised 29 boys and 18 girls, whereas the non-MMF group comprised 34 boys and 25 girls. Mean age was 11.7 and 12 yr in the MMF and non-MMF groups, respectively. The incidence of acute rejection episodes was 11 (23.4%) and 14 (24%) in the MMF and non-MMF group, respectively. Two (3.3%) grafts were lost in the non-MMF group compared with one (2.1%) in the MMF group. Twenty-one (44.68%) patients in the MMF group developed post-transplant infections compared with 12 (20.33%) in the non-MMF group (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the use of MMF in pediatric renal transplantation was not associated with a lower rejection rate or immunological graft loss. It did, however, result in a significantly higher rate of viral infections.

Increased fusiform area activation in schizophrenia during processing of spatial frequency-degraded faces, as revealed by fMRI

BACKGROUND

People with schizophrenia demonstrate perceptual organization impairments, and these are thought to contribute to their face processing difficulties.

METHOD

We examined the neural substrates of emotionally neutral face processing in schizophrenia by investigating neural activity under three stimulus conditions: faces characterized by the full spectrum of spatial frequencies, faces with low spatial frequency information removed [high spatial frequency (HSF) condition], and faces with high spatial frequency information removed [low spatial frequency (LSF) condition]. Face perception in the HSF condition is more reliant on local feature processing whereas perception in the LSF condition requires greater reliance on global form processing. Past studies of perceptual organization in schizophrenia indicate that patients perform relatively more poorly with degraded stimuli but also that, when global information is absent, patients may perform better than controls because of their relatively increased ability to initially process individual features. Therefore, we hypothesized that people with schizophrenia (n=14) would demonstrate greater face processing difficulties than controls (n=13) in the LSF condition, whereas they would demonstrate a smaller difference or superior performance in the HSF condition.

RESULTS

In a gender-discrimination task, behavioral data indicated high levels of accuracy for both groups, with a trend toward an interaction involving higher patient performance in the HSF condition and poorer patient performance in the LSF condition. Patients demonstrated greater activity in the fusiform gyrus compared to controls in both degraded conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that impairments in basic integration abilities may be compensated for by relatively increased activity in this region.

Long-term outcome of intensive initial immunosuppression protocol in pediatric deceased donor renal transplantation

To report the long-term outcome of deceased donor kidney transplantation in children with emphasis on the use of an intensive initial immunosuppression protocol using R-ATG as antibody induction. Between January 1991 and December 1997, 82 deceased donor kidney transplantations were performed in 75 pediatric recipients. Mean recipient age at transplantation was 12.9 yr and the mean follow-up period was 12.6 yr. All patients received quadruple immunosuppression with steroid, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and antibody induction using R-ATG-Fresenius. Actual one, five, and 10 yr patient survival rates were 99%, 97%, and 94%, respectively; only one patient (1.2%) developed PTLD. Actual one, five, and 10 yr overall graft survival rates were 84%, 71%, and 50%, respectively; there were five cases (6%) of graft thrombosis and the actual immunological graft survival rates were 91%, 78%, and 63% at one, five, and 10 yr, respectively. The use of an intensive initial immunosuppression protocol with R-ATG as antibody induction is safe and effective in pediatric recipients of deceased donor kidneys with excellent immunological graft survival without an increase in PTLD or other neoplasms over a minimum 10-yr follow up.

Thalamic integrity underlies executive dysfunction in traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the effects of traumatic brain injury on integrity of thalamocortical projection fibers and to evaluate whether damage to these fibers accounts for impairments in executive function in chronic traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

High-resolution (voxel size: 0.78 mm x 0.78 mm x 3 mm(3)) diffusion tensor MRI of the thalamus was conducted on 24 patients with a history of single, closed-head traumatic brain injury (TBI) (12 each of mild TBI and moderate to severe TBI) and 12 age- and education-matched controls. Detailed neuropsychological testing with an emphasis on executive function was also conducted. Fractional anisotropy was extracted from 12 regions of interest in cortical and corpus callosum structures and 7 subcortical regions of interest (anterior, ventral anterior, ventral lateral, dorsomedial, ventral posterior lateral, ventral posterior medial, and pulvinar thalamic nuclei).

RESULTS

Relative to controls, patients with a history of brain injury showed reductions in fractional anisotropy in both the anterior and posterior corona radiata, forceps major, the body of the corpus callosum, and fibers identified from seed voxels in the anterior and ventral anterior thalamic nuclei. Fractional anisotropy from cortico-cortico and corpus callosum regions of interest did not account for significant variance in neuropsychological function. However, fractional anisotropy from the thalamic seed voxels did account for variance in executive function, attention, and memory.

CONCLUSIONS

The data provide preliminary evidence that traumatic brain injury and resulting diffuse axonal injury results in damage to the thalamic projection fibers and is of clinical relevance to cognition.

Impairments in memory and hippocampal function in HIV-positive vs HIV-negative women: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

Neurocognitive studies of HIV typically target executive functions dependent on frontostriatal circuitry. The integrity of medial temporal systems has received considerably less attention despite high hippocampal viral load. Studies also predominately involve HIV+ men, though HIV+ women may be at increased risk for cognitive dysfunction due to the high prevalence of psychosocial/mental health problems and lower educational attainment. Our aim was to conduct a preliminary investigation of episodic memory and its neural correlates in HIV-infected and at-risk uninfected women.

METHODS

Participants included 54 HIV+ and 12 HIV- women (mean age = 43 years; 86% African American) recruited from the Chicago site of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Participants completed standardized tests of verbal and visual episodic memory, working memory, and executive function. A subset of 11 women also underwent functional MRI during a delayed verbal episodic memory task.

RESULTS

HIV serostatus predicted significantly lower immediate and delayed verbal episodic memory, working memory, and visual memory. Preliminary neuroimaging findings revealed group differences in bilateral hippocampal function, with HIV+ women showing decreased activation during encoding and increased activation during delayed recognition. These alterations correlated with worse episodic verbal memory.

CONCLUSIONS

Verbal episodic memory deficits are evident in HIV+ women and may be associated with hippocampal dysfunction at both encoding and retrieval.

An unusual case of cancer of the urachal remnant following repair of bladder exstrophy

INTRODUCTION

We report the first case of cancer of the urachal remnant following repair of bladder exstrophy, in a renal transplant recipient.

METHOD

A retrospective review of this clinical case and the associated literature were performed.

CONCLUSION

This unusual case highlights two very rare entities. Bladder exstrophy has an incidence of 1 in 50,000 newborns, whereas urachal cancer accounts for less than 1% of all bladder tumours.

A rare case of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix in a renal transplant recipient

INTRODUCTION

We report the first described case of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix in the setting of a female renal cadaveric transplant recipient.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of this clinical case was performed.

CONCLUSION

This rare cancer represents only about 1% of all cervical adenocarcinoma.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia presenting with renal failure--what is the role for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)?

The aim of the study was to determine the role of transurethralresection of prostate (TURP) in normalising renal function in men presenting with obstructive renal failure secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. We reviewed the cases of 14 men who presented in the last 5 years with renal impairment associated with symptoms of bladder outflow obstruction and radiological evidence of obstructive uropathy. The mean serum creatinine at presentation was 632 ng/mL (range 1299 - 225). The mean age at presentation was 68.2 years (range 50 - 83 years). Duration of symptoms prior to presentation ranged between 1 - 118 months (mean 21.5 months). Following catheter insertion, all patients underwent TURP. Six of the 14 patients required dialysis prior to surgery. Histology of the resected prostate confirmed benign prostatic hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia in all cases. Patients with carcinoma of the prostate were excluded from the study. Following TURP, 2 of the 14 men (14%) failed to void spontaneously following removal of catheter - one patient performs clean self intermittent catheterization (CSIC), the other man has an in-dwelling catheter in situ. One patient died 7 months following TURP due to a myocardial infarction. However, 8 patients, (57%) remained dialysis dependent following TURP. Two of these patients have since undergone successful renal transplantation. Of the remaining 6 patients, only 3 have normal renal function with the other 3 experiencing moderately elevated serum creatinine (range 236 - 344 ng/mL). In patients presenting with renal failure due to bladder outflow obstruction, TURP restores normal voiding pattern in many cases. However renal failure due to bladder outflow obstruction tends to be more refractory and only 3 of 14 patients experienced return to normal renal function post treatment.

High-resolution diffusion tensor imaging in the substantia nigra of de novo Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND

In the midbrain of patients with Parkinson disease (PD), there is a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the ventrolateral and caudal substantia nigra (SN). In a mouse model of PD, investigators have administered 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and found that measures derived using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were correlated with the number of dopamine neurons lost following intoxication.

METHODS

Twenty-eight subjects (14 with early stage, untreated PD and 14 age- and gender-matched controls) were studied with a high-resolution DTI protocol at 3 Tesla using an eight-channel phase array coil and parallel imaging to study specific segments of degeneration in the SN. Regions of interest were drawn in the rostral, middle, and caudal SN by two blinded and independent raters.

RESULTS

Fractional anisotropy (FA) was reduced in the SN of subjects with PD compared with controls (p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis identified that reduced FA for patients with PD was greater in the caudal compared with the rostral region of interest (p < 0.00001). A receiver operator characteristic analysis in the caudal SN revealed that sensitivity and specificity were 100% for distinguishing patients with PD from healthy subjects. Findings were consistent across both raters.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide evidence that high resolution diffusion tensor imaging in the substantia nigra distinguishes early stage, de novo patients with Parkinson disease (PD) from healthy individuals on a patient by patient basis and has the potential to serve as a noninvasive early biomarker for PD.

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin related decrease in platelet count reduced risk of pediatric renal transplant graft thrombosis

Graft thrombosis is a serious complication in pediatric renal transplantation. We assess a potential protective effect for the decrease in platelet count associated with RATG therapy against pediatric renal transplant graft vascular thrombosis. Between January 1986 and December 1998, 120 kidney transplants were performed in 95 pediatric recipients. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 61), non-RATG group received cyclosporine, azathioprine and steroids, while group 2 (n = 59), RATG group, received in addition, RATG at day 1 and continued for 4-10 days postoperatively. Platelet count prior to transplant, median change in absolute platelet count at 1 and 3 days post-transplant was recorded. Graft thrombosis incidence was examined. Six grafts (5%) developed thrombosis. All were in group 1 (p = 0.028). Median pretransplant platelet count (x10(9)/L) in group 1 was 283 vs. 280 in group 2 (p = 0.921). Median decrease in absolute platelet count (x10(9)/L) from pretransplant levels at one and three days post-transplant for group 1 and 2 was 18 vs. 83 (p </= 0.001) and 39 vs. 105 (p </= 0.001), respectively. Graft thrombosis risk factors were similar in both groups. RATG use was statistically significant (p = 0.044) for reduced risk of graft thrombosis in multivariate analysis. Patients receiving RATG showed significant decrease in both platelet count and graft thrombosis incidence. A role for RATG related effect on platelet count is assumed.

Long-Term Outcome of Cadaveric Renal Transplant After Treatment of Symptomatic Lymphocele

PURPOSE

Between January 1993 and December 2002 a total of 1,289 renal transplants were performed at our institution. Symptomatic post-transplant lymphocele presenting as increased creatinine and hydronephrosis of the allograft was recorded at 0.02%. Records of the 27 patients in whom symptomatic lymphocele developed and of those who underwent contralateral kidney transplant (control group) were compared to determine the long-term effects of lymphocele formation on allograft function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 37 procedures for the treatment of lymphocele were performed in 24 patients. Open marsupialization (12) and laparoscopic marsupialization (3) procedures were performed as primary treatments. Two patients underwent repeat open marsupialization. Aspiration and percutaneous catheter drainage were performed as a primary procedure in 7 and 1 cases, respectively. Percutaneous nephrostomy was required in 4 cases before definitive treatment.

RESULTS

The mean time to development of a lymphocele was 121 days (range 35 to 631). Symptomatic lymphocele did not require treatment in 3 patients. Of 19 patients undergoing primary marsupialization, recurrence in 2 necessitated repeat surgery. However, aspiration and percutaneous drainage proved to be definitive in only 2 cases. In total 8 patients required more than 1 procedure. At a mean followup of 63 months (SD 30.3) 21 allografts continued to function with a mean serum creatinine of 152 mumol/l (SD 67.9). In the control group 3 patients experienced graft failure and mean serum creatinine was 154 mumol/l (SD 51.9). Five patients died in the lymphocele group, 2 with functioning grafts compared to 4 deaths in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical marsupialization is the preferred primary treatment for symptomatic lymphocele and is associated with excellent long-term allograft outcome.

Vascular complications of allograft nephrectomy

OBJECTIVES

To identify risk factors that predisposes patients to vascular complications from allograft nephrectomy and to determine the safe management of this group of patients.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective review of 1543 renal transplants performed in our institution between January 1990 and January 2002.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During this period, 161 (10.4%) transplant nephrectomies were performed, of which we identified nine patients (5.6%) who sustained significant vascular complications.

RESULTS

Seven patients required ligation of external iliac artery for control of haemorrhage. Immediate vascular reconstructions (femoral-femoral cross-over bypass in two cases and one vein patch to an external iliac artery defect) were performed in three patients. Two patients had endovascular stenting of their external iliac artery pseudoaneurysm. No patient suffered limb loss. However, three patients died-two died from overwhelming sepsis and one patient died of an intra-cerebral haemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

While vascular complications associated with transplant nephrectomy are relatively rare, they are associated with a significantly poor outcome. Immediate attempts to reconstruct the vascular supply to the lower limb are associated with a high complication rate. We advocate that where possible, vascular reconstruction should be deferred and that external iliac artery ligation can be performed safely with surprisingly low limb ischaemia rate.

Reduced graft function (with or without dialysis) vs immediate graft function--a comparison of long-term renal allograft survival

BACKGROUND

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a common complication in cadaveric kidney transplants affecting graft outcome. However, the incidence of DGF differs widely between centres as its definition is very variable. The purpose of this study was to define a parameter for DGF and immediate graft function (IGF) and to compare the graft outcome between these groups at our centre.

METHODS

The renal allograft function of 972 first cadaveric transplants performed between 1990 and 2001 in the Republic of Ireland was examined. The DGF and IGF were defined by a creatinine reduction ratio (CRR) between time 0 of transplantation and day 7 post-transplantation of <70 and >70%, respectively. Recipients with reduced graft function (DGF) not requiring dialysis were defined as slow graft function (SGF) patients. The serum creatinine at 3 months, 6 months, 1, 2 and 5 years after transplantation was compared between these groups of recipients. The graft survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years and the graft half-life for DGF, SGF and IGF recipients were also assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 972 renal transplant recipients, DGF was seen in 102 (10.5%) patients, SGF in 202 (20.8%) recipients and IGF in 668 (68.7%) patients. Serum creatinine levels were significantly different between the three groups at 3 and 6 months, 1, 2 and 5 years. Graft survival at 5 years for the DGF patients was 48.5%, 60.5% for SGF recipients and 75% for IGF patients with graft half-life of 4.9, 8.7 and 10.5 years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that the CRR at day 7 correlates with renal function up to 5 years post-transplantation and with long-term graft survival. We have also demonstrated that amongst patients with reduced graft function after transplantation, two groups with significantly different outcomes exist.

The impact of donor spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage vs. other donors on long-term renal graft and patient survival

BACKGROUND

Donor cause of death has a significant impact on transplant survival in heart transplants recipients. The objective of this study was to determine if long-term renal allograft and patient survival differed between grafts donated by donors who died of spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (SIH) compared with those with other causes of death (OCOD).

METHODS

Between 1990 and 2001, 1526 renal transplants were performed (711 SIH donors and 815 OCOD donors) at our unit. Serum creatinine levels at 1 yr, graft half-life and annual graft failure rate were measured for both groups. Renal graft and patient survivals between the groups were compared. Relative risk for SIH donors and other confounding variables was measured using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Graft half-life results were obtained for SIH (8 yr) and OCOD (10.13 yr) recipients. Graft and patient survival at 5 and 10 yr was 68.5% and 39.3% respectively for the SIH group vs. 76.8% and 51.9% respectively for the OCOD group (p < 0.001). However, SIH graft recipients were significantly older with more females. After adjustment for differences in baseline variables between the groups, donor cause of death did not have an independent effect on long-term graft or patient survival.

CONCLUSION

Spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage as a cause of donor death, failed to have a significant independent effect on long-term allograft and patient survival.

Long-Term Outcome of Cadaveric Pediatric En Bloc Transplantation — A 15-Year Experience

Pediatric en bloc transplantation of infant organs into adult recipients is a recognized technique to expand the number of kidneys available for transplantation. We reviewed our experience with this technique over a 15-year period to determine the long-term outcomes. Twelve patients underwent pediatric en bloc transplantation from donors aged <4 years. All transplants functioned immediately with no graft thrombosis. Two patients died 12 and 10 years posttransplant with functioning grafts. The remaining 10 recipients experienced excellent graft function with a mean follow-up time of 73.8 months (range, 10 to 169 months) with no evidence of hyperfiltration injury. We conclude that pediatric en bloc transplantations achieve excellent long-term allograft function in selected recipients.

RABBIT ANTITHYMOCYTE GLOBULIN AS INDUCTION IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR PEDIATRIC DECEASED DONOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

PURPOSE

There is scant literature describing the long-term outcome of the use of antithymocyte globulin induction immunotherapy in pediatric deceased donor kidney transplants. We retrospectively studied the long-term results and safety of antithymocyte globulin as induction immunotherapy in all children undergoing transplantation at our institution since 1991.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 120 kidney transplants were performed in 95 patients 18 years or younger between January 1986 and December 1998. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The control group (63 patients) received cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisolone, while the treatment group (59 patients) received rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) induction immunotherapy for 6 to 10 days, combined with cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisolone.

RESULTS

Actuarial patient survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 96%, 95%, 95% and 90%, respectively. Actuarial graft survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 76%, 69%, 64% and 49%, respectively. The 1, 3, 5 and 10-year graft survival rates in the control group were 62%, 57%, 51% and 36%, respectively, compared to 90%, 82%, 79% and 69%, respectively, in the RATG group (p = 0.001). There was a significant difference in the incidence of graft loss secondary to acute cellular rejection between the control and RATG groups (19.7% vs 3.3%, p = 0.008). There was no difference in infectious complications between the control and RATG groups (13% vs 20%, p = 0.33), and there was no case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder encountered in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin in pediatric deceased donor kidney transplant recipients resulted in significant improvement in graft survival and was relatively safe.

Cadaveric Kidney Transplantation in Children ≤20 kg in Weight: Long-Term Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

We report long-term follow-up data on cadaveric kidney transplantation in children < or =20 kg in weight.

METHODS

Between January 1990 and October 2003, we performed 19 cadaveric renal transplants in 19 children < or =20 kg in weight. Mean age at transplantation was 4.7 years (range 18 months to 9 years). Mean weight at transplantation was 14.4 kg (range 9 to 20 kg). Nine patients had preemptive kidney transplantation, whereas 10 were maintained on renal replacement therapy before the transplant operation.

RESULTS

Actuarial 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival rates were 89.5%, 89.5%, 89.5%, and 82%, respectively. Actuarial 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year graft survival rates were 79%, 73%, 73%, 65%, respectively. Three patients died. Eight grafts failed. Cause of graft failure was death with a functioning graft in 3 patients, chronic rejection in 1, acute cellular rejection in 1, vascular rejection in 1, hemolytic-uremic syndrome in 1, and unknown in 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate the success of cadaveric kidney transplantation in the very small child with results comparable to living related donor transplantation.

Outcomes of adult cadaveric renal transplantation in Ireland 1986 to 2001

BACKGROUND

Since the introduction of renal transplantation in the Republic of Ireland in 1964, the number of transplants performed annually has increased from single figures in the 1960s to the current rate of approximately 130 renal transplants per year. Improvements in graft and patient outcomes have been associated with the introduction of the immunosuppressive agent Cyclosporin (CSA) in the mid 1980s.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine trends in outcomes and factors that influence outcomes for adult kidney transplantation from 1986 to 2001.

METHODS

All adult cadaveric kidney transplantations carried out between 1986 and 2001 were included. We separated the transplanted grafts and patients into four time periods; 1986-1989, 1990-1993, 1994-1997, 1998-2001. Graft and patient survival outcomes were compared for the different periods.

RESULTS

The one-year kidney graft survival rate increased from 82% during 1986-1989 to 86% during 1998-2001. Patient survival over the four time periods studied has remained stable at approximately 95% at one year.

CONCLUSION

We report a significant improvement in kidney graft outcomes over the past 16 years. Patient survival has remained relatively stable during this period.

Favorable graft survival in renal transplant recipients with polycystic kidney disease

Graft survival in the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) transplant population at our center was compared to other end stage renal disease (ESRD) transplant recipients (excluding diabetics). There were 1512 adult cadaveric renal transplants carried out at our center between 1989 and 2002. After exclusions, 1372 renal grafts were included in the study. Using Kaplan-Meier methods, patient and graft survival were determined and compared between the two groups. Mean age at transplant was significantly older for the ADPKD group of patients. The age adjusted graft survival at 5 years was 79% for ADPKD patients compared to 68% in the controls. Patient survival for ADPKD patients improved from 89% at 5 years to 95% when age adjusted. Using the Cox proportional hazards models to compare ADPKD with other causes of ESRD (including recipient age and other variables) in a multifactorial model, ADPKD was significant at the 5% level (p=0.036). This study demonstrates a graft and patient survival advantage in ADPKD patients when age-matched compared to other ESRD patients.

Urological evaluation prior to renal transplantation

Renal transplantation is the best available therapy for patients with end-stage renal failure. Urologists are often consulted regarding pretransplant evaluation and treatment of potential renal transplant recipients. Frequently the urologist is the primary surgeon in the transplant unit. This review highlights the importance of performing a comprehensive urological assessment before renal transplantation. A retrospective review of the urological and transplant literature using Medline was performed from 1976 to 2002, searching for renal transplantation and its association with urological cancers and urinary tract malformations. The pretransplant urological assessment aims to diagnose, treat, and optimize any preexisting urological disease. On occasion, certain urological diseases may not be obvious or may not have contributed to the progression to end-stage renal failure such as occult urinary tract neoplasms, urinary calculus disease, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. A thorough evaluation of the urinary tract prior to renal transplantation is mandatory to avoid unforeseen problems occurring posttransplant. If this assessment is consistently adhered to, only in very rare circumstances does a potential recipient have to be denied the opportunity of receiving an allograft based on a preexisting urological disease.

Toxoplasmosis after a simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation

We report the case of a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant recipient who presented with vague neurologic symptoms 21 months following the surgery. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fundoscopy findings were normal. Serology titers for antitoxoplasmic antibodies were increased. This was an atypical presentation of toxoplasmosis in a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant patient.

Successful renal transplantation in children with spina bifida: long term single center experience

We report long-term follow up data on cadaveric renal transplantation for end stage renal failure (ESRF) in spina bifida children. Between February 1989 and July 2001, 12 cadaveric renal transplants were performed in 10 children, eight females and two males. Mean age at transplantation was 13.4 yr (range 9-16). Of the patients, eight were wheelchair bound and two were independently mobile. Before transplantation surgical management of the urological tract included, enterocystoplasty and clean intermittent-self catheterization in five patients and ileal conduit urinary diversion in one. A total of eight patients were on renal replacement therapy before receiving the graft while two underwent preemptive transplantation. The 1- and 5-yr graft survival rates were 81 and 81%, respectively. Four grafts failed--two patients have successfully undergone subsequent transplantation. Causes of graft failure were chronic rejection in two, acute rejection and vascular thrombosis in one and vascular thrombosis in one patient, respectively. Two patients died after graft nephrectomy. At a median follow-up of 4.08 yr (range 1 day to 10.65 yr), eight of the 12 grafts are functioning with median serum creatinine of 123 mmol/L (range 65-169). These data demonstrate the feasibility of cadaveric renal transplantation in patients with spina bifida and ESRF. We currently recommend that patients with spina bifida should not be deprived of the benefits of renal transplantation.

Improved patient survival in recipients of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant compared with kidney transplant alone in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease

BACKGROUND

There are emerging data that simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK) prolongs life compared with kidney transplant alone (KTA) in type 1 diabetics with end-stage renal disease. This study was a retrospective comparison of SPK with KTA in patients with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Between 1 January 1992 and 30 April 2002, 101 patients with type 1 diabetes were transplanted. Fifty-one of these patients received a KTA and 50 had a SPK. All patients underwent coronary angiography with surgical correction of any coronary artery disease before being listed. All patients who underwent SPK received quadruple immunosuppressive therapy consisting of antilymphocyte globulin, calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporin), azathioprine and steroids. Those who underwent KTA received calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporin), azathioprine and steroids.

RESULTS

Patient survival at 1, 3, 5 and 8 years was 96, 93, 89 and 77 per cent respectively after SPK, and 93, 75, 57 and 47 per cent respectively after KTA (P = 0.018 at 8 years).

CONCLUSION

The addition of pancreatic transplantation prolongs life in type 1 diabetic patients with renal failure compared with renal transplantation alone.

A single-center study of the technical aspects and outcome of third and subsequent renal transplants

BACKGROUND

Third, fourth, and fifth renal transplants are historically associated with poor outcomes. The reasons for these inferior results are unclear. In the current work, we analyzed the outcome of third and subsequent transplants and determined whether technical failure accounted for significant allograft loss.

METHODS

The outcome and operative details of 49 transplants performed in 38 patients from a single center were reviewed. Thirty-eight patients received a third transplant, nine patients received a fourth transplant, and two patients received a fifth transplant.

RESULTS

Actuarial patient survival was 100% and 97% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. One- and 5-year actuarial graft survival for third transplants was 90% and 62%, respectively, and for fourth transplants, 67% and 55%, respectively. Technical failure accounted for the loss of 2 third allografts and for no fourth or fifth allografts. Of the remaining third grafts, 12 failed as the result of chronic allograft nephropathy, and one failed as the result of recurrent membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (type I). Of the fourth allografts, one failed as the result of acute rejection, two failed as the result of chronic allograft nephropathy, and one failed as the result of primary nonfunction. The mean graft survival of third and fourth transplants after a biopsy-proven acute rejection episode requiring steroid boost was significantly reduced. Of the fifth transplants, one graft failed as the result of hyperacute rejection, and one patient died with a functioning graft. Favorable human leukocyte antigen matching and a panel-reactive antibody less than 80% provided no statistical benefit to graft survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The major cause of graft loss of third and fourth renal transplants is immune mediated. Although technically demanding, surgical failure is an unusual cause of graft loss.