Parameters Predicting Microvascular Invasion and Poor Differentiation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Normal Alpha-fetoprotein Level Before Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the parameters that might be associated with pathologically diagnosed microvascular invasion and poor differentiation, using complete blood count and routine clinical biochemistry test results, in hepatocellular carcinoma patients before liver transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data of patients who underwent liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma at our institute, between March 2006 and November 2021, was researched retrospectively.

RESULTS

The incidence of microvascular invasion was 28.6%, poor differentiation rate was 9.3%, hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence rate after liver transplantation was 12.1%, and median time to recurrence was 13 months, in the patients with normal alpha-fetoprotein levels. After univariate and multivariate analysis, maximum tumor diameter >4.5 cm and the number of nodules (n > 5) were found to be independent risk factors for microvascular invasion, and number of nodules >4 and mean platelet volume ≤8.6 fL were found to be independent risk factors for poor differentiation. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were still within the normal range at the recurrence time, in 53% of the patients who had recurrence after liver transplantation, but surprisingly were elevated in 47% of the patients at time of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

In hepatocellular carcinoma patients with normal alpha-fetoprotein levels before liver transplantation, independent risk factors of the presence of microvascular invasion were maximum tumor diameter and number of nodules, and independent risk factors of poor differentiation were mean platelet volume and number of nodules. Furthermore, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were still normal at time of recurrence in 53% of hepatocellular carcinoma patients whose alpha-fetoprotein levels were normal before liver transplantation but were elevated in 47% of the patients at recurrence time, despite having normal levels before liver transplantation.

Investigation of the effects of preoperative nutritional status scores on renal injury after cardiac surgery in elderly patients

OBJECTIVE

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac operations accompanied by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Nutritional status is an important parameter that reflects the general health status of patients, and its prognostic importance has been shown in numerous diseases. For this reason, various scoring systems are used to show nutritional status, the most known of which are the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). In this current study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic values of the CONUT score and GNRI in predicting AKI after cardiac surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients over sixty-five years of age who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB in our clinic between March 2019 and January 2021, were consecutively included in the study. The patients who did not develop AKI in the postoperative period were recorded as Group 1, whereas the patients who did develop were defined as Group 2.

RESULTS

Postoperative AKI occurred in 126 (28.7%) patients (Group 2). The median age of the 313 patients included in Group 1 and 126 patients in Group 2 was 69 (67 to 81) and 71 (66 to 85) years, respectively (p = 0.033). The two groups were similar in terms of gender, body mass index, hypertension, smoking, and left ventricular ejection fraction rates. In Group 2, albumin and GNRI values were significantly lower (p = 0.019 and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas the CONUT score was significantly higher (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We showed the CONUT score and GNRI values calculated in the preoperative period in patients over 65 years of age as independent predictors of the development of AKI, after cardiac surgery.

The Effect of Pre-transplant Lipid Profile on Post-transplant Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence: Retrospective Single-Center Analysis

BACKGROUND

Plasma lipids have been shown to relate to tumor biology. We aimed to analyze the effect of pre-transplant plasma lipid profiles on post-transplant tumor recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and to identify any possible relationship between the pre-transplant lipid profile with maximum tumor diameter, number of tumor nodules, tumor differentiation, portal vein invasion, or serum biomarker levels.

METHODS

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver transplants between 2006 and 2021 had data collected pro- spectively and were analyzed retrospectively. Patients who did not have lipid profile data before transplant and whose post-transplant follow-up period was <90 days were excluded. Patients who had pre-transplant plasma lipid data and whose post-transplant follow-up period was >90 days were included in this study (n = 254).

RESULTS

Lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were found to be significantly associated with post-Tx recurrence (38 vs 29.5, P < .001) and were also significantly associated with macroscopic portal vein thrombosis (39 vs 30.4, P < .021). There was no significant association between plasma lipids and tumor differentiation. Higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly asso- ciated with good overall and disease-free survivals (P = .024 and P = .001).

CONCLUSION

Pre-transplant low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly associated with portal vein throm- bosis and poor post-transplant overall and disease-free survivals.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome noticed during pancreaticoduodenectomy

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) occurs as a result of compression of the celiac artery by a fibrous band called the median ligament, which originates from the diaphragmatic crus. The prevalence of MALS has been reported as 10-24% among patients. The etiology is not clear. The components of the clinical triad are a chronic post-prandial pain, epigastric murmur and weight loss. Diagnosis is based on clinical and radiological findings. MALS has been reported in a small portion of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Most of the patients have been diagnosed prior to surgery.

Primary Hepatic Actinomycosis Mimicking Neuroendocrine Tumor

INTRODUCTION

The Actinomyces species is a fastidious, gram-positive, non-spore-forming bacteria that thrive in microareophilic and anaerobic conditions. Infection in the liver, an organ rarely affected by this pathogen, is presumed to be caused by hematogenous spread through the portal vein from a mucosal injury or other abdominal injury or a focus of infection.

CASE DESCRIPTION

 A 60-year-old male patient has a mass lesion of 15 × 10 cm in the left lobe on computed tomography. A tru-cut biopsy was performed with USG, and fragmented tissue pieces were obtained. In histopathological examination, these samples were reported as tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation. The biopsy sample contains a large amount of tumor neighborhood, and tumoral area is quite small. And, therefore, a clear diagnosis could not be found. A mass lesion with mildly increased Ga 68 DOTATATE uptake was observed in the left lobe of the liver (SUVmax value 3.8) and was interpreted in favor of the primary neuroendocrine tumor of the liver.

DISCUSSION

Actinomyces cases are very rare and their diagnosis is usually delayed due to its slow and insidious course, and lack of specific clinical and radiological findings. It is difficult to make a correct diagnosis even in microbiological examinations and biopsy materials obtained in the presence of imaging methods. It can mimic tumors of abdominopelvic structures.

CONCLUSION

Actinomyces should be kept in mind in cases with liver masses accompanied by previous abdominal surgery, abdominal trauma, high fever, and leukocytosis.

Rhabdomyolysis as a rare complication of bariatric surgery

Rhabdomyolysis after bariatric surgery is a quite rare occurrence with low recognition. Due to the breakdown of striated muscle fibers, creatine kinase and myoglobin are released into systemic circulation with variable effects on renal filtering functions. Herein, it was aimed to present a patient who de- veloped rhabdomyolysis following revision bariatric surgery. This 34-year-old male patient was admitted for bariatric surgery. He had had a gastric band surgery approximately six years ago, with regain of weight starting one year after surgery gradually reaching the previous weight level. Consequently, the gastric band had been removed with open surgery three years ago. The patient had a body mass index of 69 kg/m2 as well as an incisional hernia due to previous surgery. Although initially laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was planned, a switch to open surgery was made due to the presence of diffuse intra-abdominal adhesions and giant incisional hernia precluding laparoscopic intervention. The total duration of surgery was 420 minutes. Postoperative laboratory work-up showed elevated blood creatine kinase (25837 U/L). Upon the failure of fluid replacement and diuretics, hemodialy- sis was initiated at postoperative day 1. Despite daily sessions of hemodialysis, acidosis did not improve, his general status worsened and the patient died on postoperative day 14. Rhabdomyolysis is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of bariatric surgery. Its severity may vary from asymptomatic elevations of creatine kinase to death. Postoperative creatine kinase levels should be routinely checked in high-risk patients as a practical and inexpensive laboratory modality for early diagnosis.

Incidentally Detected Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor during Living Donor Liver Transplant Surgery for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The First Two Cases

Coexistence of hepatocellular carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor is rare. In this case series, we aimed to present an unusual coincidence of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma who had an incidental gastric gastrointestinal tumor which was detected intraoperatively.

Effect of fibrin glue or suture on leakage in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Introduction

Sleeve gastrectomy represents one of the most common surgical procedures used in bariatric surgery. The most feared complication following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the leak that occurs at the staple line. One method to reduce the risk of leak is the use of reinforcement material at the suture line. In this study, the efficacy of sutures and fibrin glue in the prevention of staple leak has been compared retrospectively.

Methods

A total of 250 patients undergoing LSG between October 2011 and August 2015 at the Medical Faculty of Firat University were retrospectively assessed using the hospital database system records.

Results

There were 77 males (31%) and 173 (69%) females, with a mean age of 34 years (range: 16-65 years) and mean body mass index of 45 kg/m². Staple line was sutured in 54 patients (22%). Neither suture nor fibrin glue was used for reinforcement of the staple line in 61 (24%) patients. Only fibrin glue was used for the reinforcement of the staple line in 135 (54%) patients. Postoperative leak occurred in eight patients (3.2%). Neither suture nor fibrin glue was used for reinforcement in 6 (9.8%) of these patients. One of them was in sutured staple line group and the other was in fibrin glue group (0.7%). One patient died due to leak and the consequent development of sepsis (0.4%).

Conclusion

Despite some controversies, strong evidence exists on the effectiveness of fibrin glue in the prevention of leaks in patients undergoing LSG from this study.

Rhabdomyolysis as a rare but fatal complication of bariatric surgery: A case report

Rhabdomyolysis after bariatric surgery is a quite rare occurrence with low recognition. Due to the breakdown of the striated muscle fibers, creatine kinase and myoglobin are released into the systemic circulation with variable effects on the renal filtration functions. Herein we present the case of a patient who developed rhabdomyolysis following revision bariatric surgery. A 34-year-old male patient was admitted for bariatric surgery. He had undergone a gastric band surgery approximately 6 years ago, with weight regain starting 1 year postoperatively gradually reaching the previous weight level. Consequently, the gastric band was removed with open surgery 3 years ago. The patient had a body mass index of 69 kg/m2 and an incisional hernia due to the previous surgery. Although initially, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was planned, a switch to open surgery was made due to the presence of diffuse intra-abdominal adhesions and a giant incisional hernia precluding a laparoscopic intervention. The total duration of surgery was 420 min. Postoperative laboratory work-up showed elevated blood creatine kinase levels (25837 U/L). Upon the failure of fluid replacement and diuretics, hemodialysis was initiated on postoperative day 1. Despite daily sessions of hemodialysis, the patient's acidosis did not improve; his general status worsened, and he died on postoperative day 14. Rhabdomyolysis is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of bariatric surgery. Its severity may vary from asymptomatic elevation in creatine kinase levels to death. Postoperative creatine kinase levels should be routinely monitored in high-risk patients as a practical and inexpensive laboratory modality for early diagnosis.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome during pancreaticoduodenectomy

Median arcuate ligament syndrome is caused by the compression of the celiac artery by a fibrous band called the median ligament, which originates from the crus of diaphragm. The prevalence of Median arcuate ligament syndrome has been reported as 10%-24% among patients; however, the etiology is unclear. The components of the clinical triad include a chronic post-prandial pain, epigastric murmur, and weight loss. Diagnosis is based on clinical and radiological findings. Median arcuate ligament syndrome has been reported in a small portion of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Most patients have been diagnosed prior to surgery.

A Late Complication Occurring Due to Tacrolimus After Liver Transplant: Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare condition of the central nervous system that may occur in adults as well as in children. Clinically, it presents with mental status changes, visual loss, headaches, seizures, or coma. The diagnosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is based on the typical appearance in occipital and parietal lobes in radiologic imaging studies, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, which exhibit the typical appearance due to vasogenic edema. Causative factors include hypertensive encephalopathy, renal failure, preeclampsia, autoimmune conditions, and the use of cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents. Rare cases of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome due to treatment with tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive agent commonly used after organ transplant, have been reported. In these patients, the tacrolimus dose is reduced or discontinued. In transplant patients with neurologic symptoms, the possibility of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome should be kept in mind.

Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia of The Breast Presenting As A Giant Breast Tumor: A Case Report

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) of the breast is a benign proliferative lesion of mammary stroma. It is identified as stromal cleavage surrounded by spindle-shaped stromal cells histomorphologicaly. Generally, it is determined in premenopausal women incidentally during breast biopsy. Clinically, it is rarely emerges as a palpable mass. PASH may be confused with low-grade angiosarcoma, hamartomas and phyllodes tumors in histopathological examination. Here, we report a giant left breast lesion that caused breast asymmetry and pain, and treated by total excision of the mass. The patient was a 39 years old women. Histopathologic examination of the specimen was evaluated as PASH. No additional medical treatment and clinical follow-up was recommended to patient. Within four months of the patient fallow-up, no problem occured.

The role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel parameter for cardiovascular research area. The higher values of NLR have been found to be associated with worse clinical outcomes in atherosclerotic heart disease, heart failure, heart valve disease and other various cardiovascular disorders. Although the relationship between NLR and almost all cardiovascular disorders have been investigated, the association between NLR and diastolic dysfunction remains unclear. We herein evaluated the association between NLR and diastolic dysfunction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 41 hypertensive patients with any grade of diastolic dysfunction and 41 hypertensive patients without diastolic dysfunction determined by echocardiographic evaluation constituted the control group.

RESULTS

Mean NLR value was found to be 2.07 ± 0.82 in the diastolic dysfunction group while the control group had a mean value of 1.69 ± 0.60 (p = 0.020). The patients with diastolic dysfunction had significantly higher values of NLR. When grades of diastolic dysfunction were evaluated, NLR was 1.80 ± 0.82, 2.32 ± 0.73 and 2.75 ± 0.45 in patients with grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 diastolic dysfunction, respectively. The patients with higher grade of diastolic dysfunction had higher values of NLR (p = 0.001). None of the other hematologic parameters differed significantly in patients with diastolic dysfunction when compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with diastolic dysfunction had higher values of NLR compared to subjects without diastolic dysfunction. Furthermore higher grades of diastolic dysfunction were associated with higher levels of NLR. Further studies are needed to search the possible use of NLR as a marker for prognostic stratification in diastolic dysfunction which is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes.

Thyroid pathologies accompanying primary hyperparathyroidism: a high rate of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Thyroid pathologies and non-medullary thyroid cancer often accompany primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between thyroid diseases, especially micropapillary thyroid cancer, with PHPT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data regarding 46 patients who were operated on with a diagnosis of PHPT at Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, General Surgery Clinic between June 2009 and March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Age, gender, levels of preoperative calcium, parathyroid hormone and phosphorus, and the histopathological results of the removed parathyroid and thyroid tissues were evaluated. All of the patients had a preoperative diagnosis of PHPT and there was no history of radiation to the head and neck region in any of the patients.

RESULTS

Out of the 46 patients who were operated on for PHPT, 39 were female and 7 were male. The mean age was 52.8 years (25-76). Simultaneous thyroidectomy was performed in 35 patients (76.1%) due to an accompanying thyroid disorder. Papillary microcarcinoma was detected in 5 of these 35 (10.9%) patients who underwent thyroidectomy, two of which (40%) were multifocal tumors. The benign thyroid pathologies detected in the remaining 30 (65.2%) cases included lymphocytic thyroiditis in 3, Hashimoto thyroiditis in 1, follicular adenoma in 3 (two of which was Hurtle cell), and nodular colloidal goiter in 23 patients. The preoperative serum phosphate level was significantly higher in the group with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (p=0.013).

CONCLUSION

In regions where goiter is endemic, thyroid diseases and thyroid papillary microcarcinoma occur in association with PHPT at a higher rate compared to the normal population. Therefore, we believe that patients who are planned for surgery due to PHPT should be thoroughly investigated for the presence of any concomitant malignant thyroid pathologies in the preoperative period. It should also be kept in mind that patients with high blood serum phosphate values may have an increased risk of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Outcomes of left-lobe donor hepatectomy for living-donor liver transplantation: a single-center experience

Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an excellent option for patients with end-stage liver disease in situations of donor shortage. The aims of this study were to evaluate our experience with left-lobe donor hepatectomy for LDLT and to grade postoperative complications using the 5-tier Clavien classification system. Data from medical records of 60 adult living liver donors (30 men, 30 women) who underwent left-lobe hepatectomy between November 2006 and April 2012 were reviewed. The median donor age was 31.7 ± 8.9 (range, 19-63) years. Sixteen complications were observed in 12/60 (20%) donors. Complications developed in 6/15 (40%) donors who underwent left hepatectomy and in 6/45 (13.3%) donors who underwent left lateral segmentectomy. Seven of 16 (43.7%) complications were Grade I and 2 (12.5%) were Grade II. Major complications consisted of 4 (25%) Grade IIIa and 3 (18.7%) Grade IIIb complications; no Grade IVb or V complications occurred. The most common complication was biliary, occurring in 7 (11.6%) donors and comprising 43.7% of all 16 complications. The mean duration of follow-up was 30 ± 7.1 (range, 2-58) months. No donor mortality occurred. Left-lobe donor hepatectomy for LDLT, which does not benefit the completely healthy donor, was performed safely and with low complication rates, but carries the risk of morbidity. Low morbidity rates following living-donor hepatectomy can be expected when surgical and clinical monitoring and follow-up are adequate and the surgeon has gained increased experience.

Therapy of regional lymphadenitis following BCG vaccination

In this study we presented 92 cases with regional lymphadenitis (over 1 cm in diameter) which was caused by BCG vaccination generally performed a few days after birth. The patients were divided into four therapy groups. In group I, the lymphadenitis in 26 cases was excised totally by a surgical operation and they improved in a median period of four weeks (average: 4.4). No therapy was applied in 33 patients constituting group II and their periods of improvement were 28 weeks (average: 29.1). Sixteen cases in group III were given isoniazid (INH) 10 mg/kg for six months in addition to total surgical excision and their healing period was 4.5 weeks (average: 4). Seventeen cases in group IV were administered only INH for six months and the median improvement period was found to be 27 weeks (average: 28.2). The statistical differences in terms of the improvement periods between groups I and III, and groups II and IV were found to be insignificant (p greater than 0.05) but these differences were significant between groups I and II, groups I and IV, groups II and III, and groups III and IV (p less than 0.05). These results show that spontaneous healing is possible. Total excision is the best therapy for BCG lymphadenitis in suppurative forms and INH has no effect in shortening the therapy period.