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B Ringe

Publications and source records attributed to B Ringe.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Treatment of transplant ureteral stenosis with Acucise endoureterotomy.

Treatment of ureteral stenosis has been attempted in many patients with transplanted kidneys. Treatment with the Acucise catheter system is a new approach for such patients. Published results of the approach in eight patients promise safety, effectiveness, and low perioperative morbidity. We report two cases of transplant ureteral stenosis treated with Acucise. One patient with stenosis of the pyeloureteral junction was treated successfully and has been free of recurrence for 9 months. The other patient had long-distance stenosis of the lower portion of the transplant ureter. Acucise incision was successful, but the patient had to undergo uretero-neocystostomy because of a ureteroperitoneal fistula. We use these cases to illustrate the disadvantages of endourological ureteral surgery as a standard therapeutic approach after renal transplantation. We suggest that Acucise is reliable when used in patients with uncomplicated short-distance ureteral stenosis; however, patients with long-distance stenosis or stenosis caused by heavily scarred periureteral tissue will not profit from it because of a higher complication rate.

Adult↗

Hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the world's most common malignancies. The aims of the present paper are to review data on (1) epidemiology and screening programmes for the early detection of the tumour and (2) advances in the diagnostic imaging and management. METHODS: Relevant English language articles, published between January 1985 and December 1997, were reviewed. Articles were identified through Medline search, using the key words 'hepatocellular carcinoma'. Articles cited in the bibliographies of these articles were searched manually. RESULTS: Hepatocellular carcinoma has a heterogeneous geographical distribution. Although its risk factors have been identified, the efficacy of screening programmes remains uncertain. Imaging has improved substantially with the recent application of dual-phase helical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging employing specific contrast agents. The comparative efficacy of conservative therapy and surgical resection is uncertain, since well controlled trials are lacking. CONCLUSION: Hepatocellular carcinoma is commonly a problem of two diseases, the malignancy itself and cirrhosis. This renders treatment rarely curative, even when surgical resection can be applied in a technically successful sense. Liver transplantation could be a definitive treatment but this is plagued by limited donor resources.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt after orthotopic liver transplantation in a patient with early recurrence of portal hypertension of unknown origin.

A 65-year-old italian patient developed complicated portal hypertension immediately after orthtopic liver transplantation (OLT) necessitating shunt creation. One to five weeks after OLT, massive ascitic fluid losses of up to 121/day developed. Vascular and major hepatic-parenchymal abnormalities were excluded by duplexsonography, angiography and initial histology, respectively. A peritoneovenous shunt (Denver-shunt) on day 31 after OLT reduced (by about 50%) but did not stop ascitic fluid losses. Furthermore, three variceal bleedings occurred after implantation of the Denver-shunt. Direct portography on day 45 after OLT revealed portal hypertension (pressure gradient of 26 mmHg) requiring the implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS) leading to a reduction of the pressure gradient to 13 mmHg. Subsequently, ascites resolved within ten days and esophageal varices improved. Liver function parameters normalized inspite of recurrence of HCV infection with detection of HCV RNA in serum already in the fifth week after OLT. During follow-up, histological findings deteriorated from mild changes to extended fibrosis at day 61 after OLT, which might have contributed to the maintenance of portal hypertension. The deterioration of liver histology was accompanied by an improvement/normalization of liver graft function. There was no evidence for additional viral liver infections, e.g. hepatitis B or cytomegalovirus infection. This case illustrates an etiologically unclear syndrome developing directly after OLT and reaffirms the effectiveness of TIPS in the treatment of complicated portal hypertension even after liver transplantation.

Aged↗

[Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in hepatocellular adenoma].

While liver hemangioma and focal nodular hyperplasia are not considered an indication for surgery in asymptomatic patients resection has been recommended for hepatocellular adenoma because of the risk of rupture and malignant transformation. Problems arise from differential diagnosis and the appropriate surgical radicality including the indication for liver transplantation. This retrospective analysis deals with 58 patients who underwent surgery for hepatocellular adenoma: resection of different extension: n = 54, liver transplantation n = 4. In 39.6% of the patients the tumor was an incidental finding. In 62.0% of the character of the lesion was unclear prior to surgery. Tumor rupture and bleeding occurred in 17.2%, malignant transformation in 6.9%. Surgical morbidity was 27.6%, mortality 5.2% with the transplant patients alive for 1.5, 7, 9 and 10 years. Two and five years after resection 2 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma in the liver remnant. The results confirm the indication for surgery in hepatocellular adenoma. Diagnostic approach for solid liver tumors without serum increase of tumor markers should rule out FNH and hemangioma. In all other patients surgery should be considered whenever possible with the radicality of malignant disease. Liver transplantation can be discussed even in asymptomatic patients with multiple adenoma.

Adenoma, Liver Cell↗

[Technique, risks and results of additional portal vein resection in surgical therapy of proximal bile duct carcinoma].

The infiltration of the portal vein is not considered an absolute contraindication for resection therapy of proximal bile duct carcinomas. Portal vein resection and reconstruction may be performed without additional perioperative risk after hilar resection and hepatectomy. The resected hepatic vein is a suitable material for portal vein reconstruction. The median survival of patients with additional portal vein resection is comparable with patients without vascular infiltration in the same tumor stage.

Adult↗

[Refractory hydrothorax in primary biliary cirrhosis: successful treatment with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 55-year-old woman with known primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) was hospitalized because of increasing dyspnoea. A year before she had for the first time experienced a right-sided pleural effusion which had to be drained every 4 weeks. Physical examination revealed dullness on percussion and greatly decreased breath sounds on auscultation over the entire right thorax. In addition there were signs of moderate ascites and leg oedema. INVESTIGATIONS: Chest radiograph showed a homogeneous shadowing of the right thorax without mediastinal shift. Diagnostic thoracocentesis produced a serous effusion, a transudate on chemical analysis, comparable to the composition of the ascitic fluid. Bacteriological and cytological tests on both fluids were unremarkable. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The right pleural effusion was presumed to be due to a hydrothorax from the ascites caused by portal hypertension associated with the PBC. Despite continuous diuretic treatment and thoracocentesis with albumin substitution every 3 days there was no improvement and implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS) was performed. This effectively lowered portal pressure and markedly improved the patient's condition so that further thoracocentesis were no longer necessary. 3 weeks after TIPSS implantation she was discharged in good condition. Radiography 3 weeks later demonstrated continued reduction in the hydrothorax. CONCLUSION: Hydrothorax is a rare complication of liver cirrhosis. TIPSS implantation can provide lasting resolution and corresponding clinical improvement of a hydrothorax, especially in those conditions which are refractory to diuretic treatment and thoracocentesis.

Diuretics↗

[TIPSS in the Budd-Chiari syndrome with portal vein thrombosis].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 41-year-old woman, known for 10 month to have polycythaemia vera, developed severe right upper abdominal pain. The abdomen was tense from marked ascites and the liver enlarged by 18 cm in the mid-clavicular line. INVESTIGATIONS: Serum bilirubin was slightly elevated to 2.2mg/dl, liver synthesis being much reduced (recalcifying time minimally 23%, albumin minimally 2.8 g/dl). Doppler sonography detected no flow in the right and middle hepatic veins, indicating Budd-Chiari syndrome. Portal vein flow was diminished. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Heparin treatment had to be stopped because of heparin-associated type II thrombocytopenia and hirudin was substituted. Attempted lysis with a total of 100 mg r-tPA failed. As the patient's condition deteriorated a TIPSS was implanted to provide portal decompression. Incomplete portal vein thrombosis was demonstrated and worsened during the procedure until nearly complete occlusion. Local lysis treatment for 2 days with urokinase, 50,000-60,000 U/h, and two shunt revisions finally succeeded in completely dissolving the thrombus. Portocaval pressure fell from 32 to 21 mm Hg, and the size and function of the liver became almost normal and the ascites disappeared. Anticoagulation with a coumarin derivative was started and hydrocarbamide again given for recurrent thrombocytosis. The patient remained largely symptom-free one year after TIPSS. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the effectiveness of TIPSS in Budd-Chiari syndrome, even in complicated portal vein thrombosis.

Adult↗