Successful living donor renal transplantation despite ABO incompatibility and a positive crossmatch

Potential live kidney donors have been rejected when the prospective recipients are blood type or crossmatch incompatible. By utilizing plasmapheresis combined with intravenous immune globulin (PP/IVIg) prior to surgery, donor-specific antibodies against blood group or human leukocyte antigens (HLA) have been removed, thereby allowing successful renal transplantation. A 26-yr-old male with a panel reactive antibody level of 100% and repeated positive crossmatches against deceased donor kidney offers, including zero HLA mismatched donors, successfully underwent ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation from his HLA-identical but nevertheless crossmatch-incompatible sister. The initial anti-A blood group isoagglutinin titers were 128, 256, and 1024 at room temperature, 37 degrees C, and 37 degrees C anti-IgG enhanced, respectively. With an individualized PP/IVIg regimen based on donor-specific antibody titer, however, the relevant antibodies were adequately reduced and hyperacute rejection avoided. Subsequent antibody-mediated rejection, likely directed against a minor histocompatibility antigen, was diagnosed on postoperative day 7 and successfully treated. Neither ABO, or crossmatch incompatibility, or both in combination prohibit kidney transplantation.     

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the liver disseminated to the peritoneum treated with liver transplantation and interferon alpha-2B

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a rare, low-grade, malignant neoplasm of vascular origin that may develop at different sites, such as in the soft tissue, lungs, or liver. We report the case of a 21-year-old female with primary EH of the liver treated by liver transplantation and review the available literature on EH. This patient developed symptomatic recurrence of the tumor in the pelvis 2 months posttransplant. Treatment with interferon alpha-2b resulted in substantial regression of the pelvic metastases and alleviation of symptoms, but the patient developed graft rejection and died of associated complications 16 months posttransplant. This report is the first showing the efficacy of interferon in this setting.     

Kidney Transplant Ureteroneocystostomy Techniques and Complications: Review of the Literature

Despite a variety of urinary tract reconstructive techniques, urinary complications are the most frequent technical adverse event following renal transplantation. These complications can be associated with substantial morbidity and generate excess cost. In this review we comprehensively discuss 4 techniques of ureteroneocystostomy, compare complications, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each technique focusing on 4 specific urologic complications: urine leak, ureteric obstruction, hematuria, and symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux.