No abstract

PRES is a neuro-clinical and radiological syndrome that can result as a consequence of several different conditions including hypertension, fluid overload, and immunosuppressive treatment. Herein, we report two children who received kidney and combined liver-kidney transplantation as treatment for renal hypodysplasia associated with bilateral vesico-ureteral reflux and methylmalonic acidemia, respectively. Early after surgery (seven and 10 days), both patients presented with hypertension and seizures. The patients' immunosuppressive regimen included steroid and calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and cyclosporine, respectively) and basiliximab and one with anti-IL2 receptor. In both cases, the imaging strongly supported the diagnosis of PRES. In details, the CT scan showed hypodensities in the posterior areas of the brain, and brain MRI demonstrated parieto-occipital alterations indicative of vasogenic edema. Treatment with calcineurin inhibitors was temporally discontinued and restarted at lower dosage; arterial hypertension was treated with Ca-channel blockers. Both children fully recovered without any neurological sequels. In conclusion, in children undergoing solid organ transplantation, who develop neurological symptoms PRES, should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis and once the diagnosis is ruled in, we recommend strict arterial blood pressure control and adjustment or withholding of calcineurin inhibitor therapy should be considered based upon blood levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a synthetic polyethy lenglycol (PEG) sealant to prevent lymphocele formation after kidney transplantation. The examined group consisted of 719 recipients including 294 female and 425 male who were immunosuppressed with a calcineurin inhibitor, plus basiliximab since 1999, and with mycophenolate mofetil in addition since 2000. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of lymphoceles among 545 recipients operated between November 1999 and November 2007 (group I), 93 recipients at standard risk for lymphocele transplanted between December 2007 and December 2009 (group II) in whom we performed only routine ligation of the lymphatic vessels during preparation of the graft, and 31 patients also transplanted between December 2007 and December 2009 who were at higher risk for lymphocele (group III) and underwent an off-label application of the PEG sealant. There was no significant difference in patient demographic features among the groups. In total, 21 group I, patients (3.5%) developed symptoms of a lymphocele that required Ն1 corrective procedures, whereas only 1 group II patient (1.07%) developed a lymphocele and no group III patient evidenced a symptomatic lymphocele. No adverse events were observed among group III patients after PEG sealant application. although the preliminary results are interesting, a prospective randomized study is required to assess the costeffectiveness of PEG sealant to prevent lymphocele formation.

CDI did not show significant differences in the resistance indexes of the internal CA, the OA, and the CRA after treatment with carteolol 2% but the resistance index of the SPCA was significantly reduced. Carteolol 2% induced significant changes in the perimetric indexes examined, with an increase in MS and a decrease in MD. These findings suggest that the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity of carteolol may reduce peripheral vascular resistance of the SCA, thus improving perfusion of the optic nerve head, with a protective effect on visual function.