Introduction Adrenal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare entity and can be treated by resection, local ablative therapy, or systemic therapy. Unfortunately, data about treatment outcome, especially in liver transplant recipients, are rare. Patients and Methods From 2005 to 2015, 990 liver resections and 303 liver transplantations because of HCC were performed at our clinic. We retrospectively analyzed treatment outcome of the patients with metachronous adrenal metastasis of HCC, who received either resection, local ablation, or surveillance only. Results 10 patients were identified (0.8%). 7 patients received liver transplantation for primary HCC therapy, 3 liver resection, and 1 a local ablative therapy. 8 patients underwent adrenalectomy (one via retroperitoneoscopy), one was treated with local ablation, and one had surveillance only. Seven out of eight patients had no surgical complications and one experienced a pancreatic fistula, treated conservatively. 37.5% of the resected patients had recurrence 1 year after adrenalectomy and 75% after 2 years. The mean survival time after primary diagnosis of HCC was 96.6±22.4 months. After adrenalectomy, the mean survival time was 112.4±25.2 months. The mean time until tumor recurrence was 13.2±3.8 in the total cohort and 15.8±3.8 months in patients after adrenalectomy. The estimated overall survival after adrenalectomy was 77.2±17.4 months. Conclusion Metachronous adrenal metastasis occured in less than 1% of HCC patients. Adrenalectomy is a safe procedure and leads to acceptable survival rates even after liver transplantion. Therefore, it should be performed whenever the primary tumor is well controlled and the patient is in adequate physical condition.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals allow efficient and safe treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) before and after liver transplantation (LT). However, the impact of sofosbuvir on the graft, diabetes, and on kidney function is not answered yet. Primary endpoint of this analysis was the evaluation of kidney function after antiviral treatment (AVT).Secondary endpoints were the assessment of extrahepatic manifestation of HCV-infection by diabetes mellitus and the histopathological changes in terms of inflammation, content of fat, and fibrosis stage.Methods: From 2014 to 4/2015, 100 patients with HCV-recurrence after LT were successfully treated with AVT. Ninety-eight received a sofosbuvir-based regimen.Indication was based on genotype, transplant fibrosis stage, and urgency. Biopsies were evaluated before and after treatment. Renal function and diabetes were assessed before, during, and after AVT.Results: All patients achieved sustained virological response. A significant improvement of inflammation (P = 0.001) and fibrosis stage (P = 0.031) were observed.Significantly less insulin was required in 32 patients with diabetes (P < 0.001) to keep Hb1Ac unchanged after AVT. Kidney function was stable during, 12 weeks after and 48 weeks after antiviral therapy. Stages of renal insufficiency were comparable before and after AVT. Conclusion: Successful sofosbuvir-based AVT leads to a variety of positive development in transplant patients including a significant improvement of inflammation, fat content and fibrosis, a significant decrease in daily insulin dose and no significant impairment of kidney function. K E Y W O R D S antiviral treatment, direct-acting antivirals, HCV-recurrence, liver transplantation, renal function, sofosbuvir

Uncontrolled HBV-reinfection does not occur any more. Even in the presence of Hbs-antigen, transplant fibrosis does not develop. The most reliable mode to prevent HBV-recurrence remains the combination of NUCs with a high genetic barrier and HBIG. However, HBIG can safely be discontinued after LT.

Background: Data regarding cardiac remodeling in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis are scarce. We sought to investigate right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) structure, function, and mechanics in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional investigation included 67 end-stage cirrhotic patients, who were referred for evaluation for liver transplantation and 36 healthy controls. All participants underwent echocardiographic examination including strain analysis, which was performed offline. Results: RV basal diameter and RV thickness were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis. Conventional parameters of the RV systolic function were similar between the observed groups. Global, endocardial, and epicardial RV longitudinal strains were significantly lower in patients with cirrhosis. Active RA function was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls. The RA reservoir and conduit strains were significantly lower in cirrhotic patients, while there was no difference in the RA contractile strain. Early diastolic and systolic RA strain rates were significantly lower in cirrhotic patients than in controls, whereas there was no difference in the RA late diastolic strain rate between the two groups. Transaminases and bilirubin correlated negatively with RV global longitudinal strain and RV-free wall strain in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, predictor of 3-month mortality, correlated with parameters of RV structure and systolic function, and RA active function in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis. Conclusions: RA and RV remodeling is present in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis even though RV systolic function is preserved. Liver enzymes, bilirubin, and the MELD score correlated with RV and RA remodeling.

Liver transplantation has been established as a first-line therapy for a number of indications. Conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) are methods of choice during the postoperative period as a safe and fast tool to detect potential complications and to enable early intervention if necessary. CEUS increases diagnostic quality and is an appropriate procedure for the examination of vessels and possibly bile ducts. This article presents the state of the art of ultrasound application during the early period after liver transplantation. It addresses common vascular complications and describes the identification of postoperative abnormal findings using ultrasound and CEUS.

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Background: Gender differences in medicine are gaining in importance. In transplant surgery, not only the patient's gender but also that of the donor play an important role in the outcome of transplantation due to sociocultural and genetic factors. Methods: This review article gives an overview of the latest investigations into gender-related influences in the field of visceral transplantation. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature was performed. Results: In general, women are less often evaluated for and subjected to transplantation worldwide. Significantly poorer outcome can be observed in women with liver transplantation following hepatitis C cirrhosis. Furthermore, female renal grafts are less favorable in terms of outcome and survival. Gender disparities affect transplant medicine due to subtle gender-specific immunological factors. Sociocultural factors also lead to differences in the clinical treatment of men and women, which may influence overall survival. Conclusion: For a better understanding of gender-specific differences in transplant medicine and a possible improvement in outcome, further research in this field is necessary.

BackgroundLienalis steal syndrome is a rare complication after orthotopic liver transplantation leading to severe complications. Routine duplex sonography allows early and safe detection of lienalis steal syndrome and secondarily helps to monitor the outcome by evaluating the hemodynamics.Material/MethodsThis analysis included eight patients who after orthotopic liver transplantation needed splenic artery embolization due to lienalis steal syndrome. Lienalis steal syndrome was assumed in case of elevated transaminases, bilirubinemia or persistent ascites, and the absence of further pathologies. Diagnosis was supported by ultrasound, confirmed by digital subtraction angiography, and followed by splenic artery embolization for treatment. We analyzed blood levels and ultrasound findings before and after splenic artery embolization as well as during follow-up and evaluated for incidence of severe biliary complications and survival.ResultsArterial resistive index (RI) significantly regularized after splenic artery embolization while the maximum arterial velocity increased. The portal venous flow volume and maximum velocity decrease. Laboratory parameters normalized. Two of eight patients developed ischemic-type biliary disease. Survival rate was 88% over a median follow-up of 33 months.ConclusionsBeside unspecific clinical findings, bedside ultrasound examination enabled a quick verification of the diagnosis and allowed direct treatment to minimize further complications. Furthermore, ultrasound can immediately monitor the therapeutic effect of splenic artery embolization.