Liver Transplantation Consequential to Caroli's Syndrome: A Case Report

Caroli's disease is a rare condition that includes fibrocystic malformations of the bile duct. It consists of multifocal congenital dilatations of the intrahepatic bile ducts, which may be diffuse or limited, presenting in sack form that produces cystic structures which communicate with the biliary tree. Herein we have presented the case of a 44-year-old woman with recurrent cholangitis consequential to Caroli's syndrome. The distinctive feature of this case was that it was the first and only liver transplantation performed to date for this cause at our center among 700 procedures that had been performed over 19 years. The hepatectomy sample from the liver transplantation showed large cystic dilatations at the level of segments VII and VIII. The pathological study reported congenital dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, associated with congenital hepatic fibrosis (Caroli's syndrome). Caroli's syndrome is a complex association of conditions which usually presents together with polycystic kidney lesions. Orthotopic liver transplantation is still the only therapeutic option for diffuse, uncontrollable cases or those with significant portal hypertension, as well as being the final option in the other cases in the event of a lack of response to other therapeutic options or as an alternative to them.     

Caroli's disease and outcomes after liver transplantation.

Caroli's disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by intrahepatic cystic dilatation of the bile ducts that, when progressive, leads to intrahepatic stones, recurrent cholangitis, portal hypertension, cholangiocarcinoma, and liver failure. Liver transplantation is a promising curative option for advanced Caroli's disease. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of liver transplantation in unselected patients with Caroli's disease and recommend an evidence-based therapeutic algorithm for the management of Caroli's disease. Of the 78,124 patients transplanted in the United States between 1987 and 2006, 104 had Caroli's disease; 96 of these underwent liver alone, and 8 underwent combined liver/kidney transplantation. The patient survival and graft survival were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and risk of death and risk of graft loss were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year graft (79.9%, 72.4%, and 72.4%) and patient (86.3%, 78.4%, and 77%) survival rates were excellent for patients after liver transplantation. For combined liver/kidney transplantation (n = 8), the 1-year patient survival and graft survival were 100%. Proportional hazards analysis identified Asian ethnicity, elevated bilirubin, requirement of life support or hospitalization prior to transplantation, and a cold ischemia time greater than 12 hours as associated with increased risk of both graft loss and death. A history of prior transplant or prior abdominal surgery was also associated with increased risk of graft loss. In conclusion, liver transplantation is an excellent treatment option for patients with advanced Caroli's disease and should be considered in a timely fashion to prevent worsening complications including refractory cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma.     

Caroli's disease and orthotopic liver transplantation.

Caroli's disease is a rare congenital hepatic disease, characterized by segmental dilatation of the biliary tree. Patients who have recurrent bouts of biliary infection, particularly those with complications related to portal hypertension, may require orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Few case reports have described the outcome of OLT in patients with Caroli's disease and to date there is no large series reported in the literature. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of OLT in patients with Caroli's disease who underwent OLT between 1982 and 2002 at Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh. Patients were identified and data was collected by computerized search of the electronic database system. All patients had confirmation of diagnosis by histopathology of explanted liver. A total of 33 patients with Caroli's disease were listed for liver transplantation, 3 of whom were excluded, as they were not transplanted. A total of 90% had signs of hepatic decompensation at the time of OLT. Median posttransplantation follow-up was 7.7 yr. Short-term graft and patient survival at 1 month was 83% and 86%, whereas overall long-term graft survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 yr were 73%, 62%, and 53%, respectively, and patient survival rates were 76%, 65%, and 56%, respectively. Long-term outcome in patients who survived the first year after transplantation was significantly better. Their survival rate at 5 and 10 yr was 90% and 78%. On univariable analysis, recipient age, donor male gender, coexistent congenital hepatic fibrosis, and re-OLT were associated with poor patient survival. Eight patients were retransplanted, 3 of whom had primary nonfunction. A total of 13 patients died; the most common cause of death being sepsis and cardiovascular complications. Patients who died of sepsis had cholangitis pre-OLT. In conclusion, OLT is a form of curative and life-saving therapy in patients with Caroli's disease, especially in those with decompensated liver disease. Overall survival is better with liver transplantation and is comparable with the survival of recipients who undergo OLT for other etiologies of chronic liver disease. Survival was poor in patients with congenital hepatic fibrosis (Caroli's syndrome) and in those who had cholangitis at the time OLT.     

肝移植时代的门静脉高压治疗

胃食管静脉曲张出血是门静脉高压的常见并发症。药物和内窥镜治疗是静脉曲张的基础治疗。经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流被推荐用于处理难治性或复发性胃食管静脉曲张出血。当患者存在危及生命的出血风险,而传统治疗风险较高、存在禁忌或效果不理想时,应选择肝移植治疗。传统治疗可以获得短期疗效,甚至可以较长时间稳定病情,但如果这些治疗导致门静...     

Curative partial hepatectomy in adult Caroli's disease

Caroli's disease consists of a congenital malformation of the intrahepatic bile ducts characterized by saccular, segmental, cystic dilatations giving rise to recurrent cholangitis. The inheritance pattern is unclear and the disease may be associated with other hereditary diseases such as adult polycystic kidney disease. The most effective therapeutic option in symptomatic unilobar Caroli's disease is resection of the affected lobe. In bilobar involvement, liver transplantation should be considered. Due to their rarity, we report three cases of Caroli's disease successfully resolved through lobectomy of the affected lobe: two patients with recurrent cholangitis and one patient with associated adult polycystic kidney disease.     

Successful treatment of Caroli''s disease by hepatic resection. Report of six patients.

Caroli's disease is a congenital disease of cystic or saccular dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. There are two disease entities: a simple type and a periportal fibrosis type. Frequent complications with the simple type are recurrent cholangitis, liver abscess, intraductal lithiasis, abdominal pain, and fever that often lead to fatal sepsis. Development of portal hypertension and esophageal varices is usually a final feature of the periportal fibrosis type. Malignancies are also possible complications with Caroli's disease. During the recent 13 years, the author had experiences with eight patients with Caroli's disease of the simple type; six of these eight underwent hepatic resection: right lobectomy in two, left lobectomy in three, and left lateral segmentectomy in one. Other two patients died of sepsis and cholangiocellular carcinoma, respectively. All six patients with hepatic resections were relieved from the disabling symptoms after surgery and have had no recurrent hepatobiliary problems for 3 months to 13 years. Hepatic resection may be indicated for more patients than previously assumed in the treatment of Caroli's disease of the simple type.     

Liver transplantation in patients with Caroli's disease and recurrent cholangitis

Caroli's disease is an uncommon congenital disorder of the intrahepatic biliary tree. It is characterized by multiple and segmental dilatations of the bile ducts. The clinical course of Caroli's disease is often complicated by recurrent episodes of bacterial cholangitis that seriously impair the patient's quality of life. Despite wide spectrum antimicrobial agents, medical treatment of cholangitis is frequently unsuccessful in patients with Caroli's disease due to the persistence of bacteria in dilatated bile ducts. Other therapies, including internal or external biliary drainages and various surgical or endoscopic procedures, have been used in the treatment of Caroli's disease, with poor results. There are no previous reports in the literature of liver transplantation for recurrent cholangitis in patients with Caroli's disease. We present two such cases, in which cholangitis is resolved. Received: 16 July 1996 Received after revision: 4 February 1997 Accepted: 5 February 1997     

The role of surgery in Caroli's disease

BACKGROUND: Caroli's disease is a rare congenital disorder characterized by multifocal segmental dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Whether conservative or surgical strategies should be preferred is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of surgery in the management of Caroli's disease. STUDY DESIGN: From April 1998 until August 2005, 12 consecutive patients with Caroli's disease were treated in the Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Germany. All patients were intended to receive liver resections or liver transplantations. RESULTS: There were seven men and five women, with a median age of 39 years (range 7 months to 70 years). Eight patients had monolobar and four patients had bilobar liver involvement. All patients had a history of recurrent cholangitis, with up to 16 unsuccessful conservative treatment attempts. Nine patients (75%) underwent liver resection and two (17%) had liver transplantation. Intraoperatively, three patients (25%) were found to have cholangiocarcinoma, of which one was unresectable. There was no mortality and only low morbidity (16%) postoperatively. After a median followup of 31 months, 11 patients are well with no recurrent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery can offer a definite therapy, with an acceptable morbidity and virtually no mortality in localized Caroli's disease. In diffuse disease, the use of extended resections or liver transplantation can provide good longterm results.     

背驮式原位肝移植术治疗Caroli''s病

目的 总结背驮式原位肝移植技术治疗Caroli's病的经验。方法 回顾性分析2例Caroli's病病人行背驮式原位肝移植手术的临床资料。结果 2例Caroli's病病人背驮式原位肝移植手术获得成功，手术效果好，已分别存活17及18个月，已恢复工作和正常生活，结论 背驮式原位肝移植是目前治疗弥漫的伴反复胆管炎的Caroli's病的有效方法。     

An atypical course of Caroli's disease in a renal transplant patient--case report and review of the literature

This is a rare case of Caroli's disease, diagnosed following renal transplantation in a patient with autosomal recessive polycystic kidneys. Despite advanced cystic transformation of the biliary tree with striking architectural changes, there was no evidence of portal hypertension or hepatic fibrosis. Moreover, the patient did not suffer a single episode of cholangitis, a most interesting feature of this case. Her clinical course was punctuated by repeated episodes of gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections with resistant organisms; but fortunately, she had no evidence of septicemia. Recurrent Salmonella gastroenteritis indicated a chronic carrier state with the dilated bile ducts possibly acting as a potential reservoir. This has significant implications considering the immune suppression associated with renal transplantation. In general, Caroli's disease is rare. Therefore, a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of Caroli's disease is warranted especially in patients with ARPKD or ADPKD. Once confirmed, affected patients with end-stage renal disease such as our patient, should ideally undergo combined liver-kidney transplantation.     

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia: a controversial indication for orthotopic liver transplantation

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver is an uncommon cause of portal hypertension. Patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia have signs and symptoms of portal hypertension, without evidence of hepatocellular failure or encephalopathy. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman with recurrent esophageal bleeding and refractory ascites who had a history of hemosiderosis, hepatitis C, and chronic renal allograft rejection. Our preoperative diagnosis was cirrhotic end-stage liver disease and end-stage renal disease for which the patient underwent combined hepatic and renal transplantation. Her portal hypertension symptoms resolved, and her renal function has been normal for 18 months of follow-up. Histologic examination of the liver revealed nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and a review of the literature regarding the surgical management of patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia revealed that various shunting procedures are generally recommended. After the failure of medical management in patients with nodular regenerative hyperplasia, portosystemic shunting may be indicated before proceeding to hepatic transplantation.     

Hepatorenal syndrome

The hepatorenal syndrome is defined as functional renal failure in advanced chronic or acute liver disease with portal hypertension. Morphologic abnormalities of the kidneys are frequently absent and tubular function is preserved. Patients with the hepatorenal syndrome are characterized by progressive splanchnic and systemic vasodilation and decreased effective arterial blood volume. Compensatory activation of vasoconstrictory systems maintains systemic hemodynamic stability but causes progressive afferent renal vasoconstriction, leading to reduction of glomerular filtration rate. Renal failure may be rapidly progressive (type I hepatorenal syndrome, frequently associated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) or may develop more slowly (type II). Orthotopic liver transplantation is the best current treatment and leads to a gradual recovery of renal function in the vast majority of patients. Because mortality of type I hepatorenal syndrome is excessive, supportive treatment by vasoconstrictor drugs, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, and renal replacement therapy has been investigated to achieve stability until transplantation. The definite role of these promising developments, however, is still uncertain, emphasizing the need for large prospective multicentric investigations.     

A single centre experience of liver disease in adults with cystic fibrosis 1995-2006.

BACKGROUND: Liver disease is an important cause of death in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may slow progression. Managing varices and timely evaluation for liver transplantation are important. METHODS: Adults with CF underwent annual review. Abnormalities of liver function tests or ultrasound prompted referral to the CF/liver clinic where UDCA was commenced. Endoscopic surveillance for varices was undertaken if ultrasound suggested portal hypertension. RESULTS: 154 patients were followed for a median 5 years. 43 had significant liver disease, 29 had cirrhosis with portal hypertension and 14 had ultrasound evidence of cirrhosis without portal hypertension. All started UDCA. Only one patient developed chronic liver failure and none required liver transplantation. 27 underwent endoscopy; 1 required variceal banding, the others had insignificant varices. Ultrasound was normal in 97 patients while five had steatosis; nine further patients had splenomegaly but no other evidence of portal hypertension. Neither spleen size nor platelet count correlated with portal hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Liver disease was common in adults with CF but disease progression was rare. Thus liver disease detected and closely monitored in adults appeared to have a milder course than childhood CF. Splenomegaly, unrelated to portal hypertension may be a consequence of CF.     

Anaesthesia for caesarean section in a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome and hepatopulmonary syndrome post liver transplantation

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is characterised by hypoxaemia and intrapulmonary shunting in the presence of portal hypertension. It is uncommon in the obstetric population but may occur in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome in the absence of severe liver dysfunction. We discuss the management of a primigravida with Budd-Chiari syndrome and persistent hepatopulmonary syndrome post liver transplantation. A literature review revealed only one report of a successful pregnancy in association with hepatopulmonary syndrome. We discuss its recognition in patients with liver disease and anaesthetic considerations in its presence.     

Use of splenic artery embolization to relieve tense ascites following liver transplantation in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Recurrent venous thrombosis following liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome is common, particularly in the setting of an underlying myeloproliferative disorder. We describe a patient who developed refractory ascites due to portal vein thrombosis following liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome in the setting of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Extensive portal vein thrombosis, dense abdominal adhesions, and portosystemic collaterals precluded the use of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or surgical portosystemic shunt to manage the patient's ascites. Splenic artery embolization to decrease portal hypertension was performed, and this resulted in complete resolution of ascites. This case demonstrates the successful use of splenic artery embolization to manage ascites due to portal vein thrombosis following liver transplantation. Splenic artery embolization may be considered as an alternative option for the management of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension in patients who are unable to undergo safe transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or surgical shunt placement.     

亲属活体供肝移植治疗儿童终末期肝病六例

目的 探讨亲属活体供肝移植(LDLT)治疗儿童终末期肝病的效果,并总结治疗经验.方法 2005年9月至2007年1月对6例终末期肝病患儿进行了LDLT.6例患者中,原发病为肝内外胆管弥漫性囊性扩张症Ⅳ型伴肝硬化1例、肝豆状核变性2例、门静脉海绵样变性3例;供者为患儿的母亲3例、父亲2例及舅父1例,分别切取供者的右半肝1例和左半肝5例作为供肝;在切除受者全部病肝和保留下腔静脉后,对受者施行部分供肝的原位肝移植.术后依据供、受者的临床表现、血液学指标和影像学检查,对活体供肝移植的治疗效果进行评价.结果 术后对供、受者随访了6～21个月.6例供者均健康存活,未发生并发症.6例受者中,1例于术后第4天死于门静脉血栓形成,1例于术后5个月时死于肝内静脉血栓形成,其余4例均长期健康存活.结论 亲属活体供肝移植是治疗儿童终末期肝病的有效方法.术前进行仔细的供、受者选择和完善的影像学检查,术中应用精确的手术技术,术后给予严格的管理是儿童LDLT成功的关键.     

The surgeon''s role in the management of portal hypertension.

Patients with portal hypertension are referred to surgeons for several reasons. These include the management of continued active variceal bleeding; therapy after a variceal bleed to prevent further recurrent bleeds; consideration for prophylactic surgical therapy to prevent the first variceal bleed; or, rarely, an unusual cause of portal hypertension which may require some specific surgical therapy. Injection sclerotherapy is the most widely used treatment for both acute variceal bleeding and long-term management after a variceal bleed. Unfortunately it has probably been overused in the past. The need to identify the failures of sclerotherapy early and to treat them by other forms of major surgery is emphasized. The selective distal splenorenal shunt is the most widely used portosystemic shunt today, particularly in nonalcoholic cirrhotic patients. The standard portacaval shunt is still used for the management of acute variceal bleeding as well as for long-term management, particularly in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. For acute variceal bleeding the surgical alternative to sclerotherapy or shunting is simple staple-gun esophageal transection, whereas in long-term management the main alternative is an extensive devascularization and transection operation. Liver transplantation is the only therapy that cures both the portal hypertension and the underlying liver disease. All patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension should be assessed as potential liver transplant recipients. If they are candidates for transplantation, sclerotherapy should be used to treat bleeding varices whenever possible, as this will interfere least with a subsequent liver transplant.     

Budd-Chiari syndrome. A report of 3 cases

Three patients with the Budd-Chiari syndrome are presented. This is a rare condition characterized by hepatomegaly, progressive and refractory ascites, distension of the abdominal wall veins, abdominal pain and leg oedema. These features are attributed to congestion of the liver and portal hypertension. The condition has been notoriously difficult to treat medically. Surgical measures are directed towards relieving the liver congestion and lowering pressure in the portal system by portal-systemic shunting operations. In some cases refractory ascites may be treated by peritoneovenous shunting with a Le Veen shunt. In a select group of patients orthotopic liver transplantation has proved to be worth while.     

肝移植治疗Caroli病七例报道

目的 探讨肝移植治疗Caroli病的临床效果.方法 回顾性分析1999年9月至2008年2月期间7例弥漫型Caroli病患者行肝移植治疗后的临床资料.对其临床特征、手术方式、并发症类型以及随访情况进行分析.结果 7例患者术前均表现为复发性胆管炎症状并最终确诊为弥散型Caroli病.其中男性3例,女性4例;年龄10～31岁,平均16岁.6例患者肝移植术前接受保守治疗,1例曾行胆囊切除、T型管引流术.4例患者行劈离式肝移植,2例行全肝移植,1例行亲属活体供肝肝移植.其中2例患者术中采用静脉-静脉转流术.手术平均耗时9.1 h.术后并发症包括:肺部感染3例、急性排斥反应2例、胸腔积液2例、肝断面胆汁漏1例.经抗感染、调整免疫抑制方案及用量、胸腔穿刺抽吸及经皮穿刺引流等对症保守治疗后症状得到控制.1例肝移植受者术后19 d死于急性肾功能衰竭合并多器官功能衰竭,其余6例受者均存活.随访发现,存活的6例受者健康状况良好,其中最长存活已达7年.结论 应用肝移植治疗弥散型Caroli病具有良好的临床效果.     

Liver transplantation for hepatopulmonary syndrome due to noncirrhotic portal hypertension

Background

Hepatopulmomary syndrome is defined by the triad of chronic liver disease, increased alveolar-arterial gradient, and evidence of intrapulmonary vasodilation. It is commonly seen in association with cirrhosis (90%). Four percent to 8% of the hepatopulmomary syndrome cases are reported in noncirrhotic portal hypertension. The management of patients with hepatopulmomary syndrome due to noncirrhotic portal hypertension is not well described.

Methods

We report a case of a 26-year-old woman who underwent liver transplantation for hepatopulmomary syndrome due to noncirrhotic portal hypertension. The patient presented with dyspnea and platypnea, requiring home oxygen therapy. She had orthodexia, severe hypoxemia, and positive bubble echocardiography consistent with hepatopulmomary syndrome. Her Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was 10. Liver biopsy revealed diffuse nodular regenerative hyperplasia.

Results

The patient underwent liver transplantation with Model for End-stage Liver Disease exception points. Her oxygen requirements gradually improved during the postoperative period. The patient's symptoms and hypoxemia resolved at 15-month follow-up posttransplantation.

Conclusion

We suggest hepatopulmonary syndrome in this setting is an indication for liver transplantation despite the absence of cirrhosis.