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G Berlakovich

Publications and source records attributed to G Berlakovich.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Adrenal hemorrhage after orthotopic liver transplantation: MR appearance.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the MR imaging findings of right adrenal hemorrhage after orthotopic liver transplantation. Twenty-seven orthotopic liver transplantation patients underwent MR studies of the liver and/or biliary system. Patients were referred to MR examination because of suspected biliary complications ( n=22) or for evaluation of mass lesions ( n=5). The standard MR protocol included T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) or gradient-recalled echo (GRE) images and T2-weighted turbo SE (TSE) images with fat suppression. In addition, cholangiography pulse sequences and/or contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained according to specific indications. In 2 patients a right adrenal mass was detected at MR imaging. Three to 4 weeks after transplantation, the lesions were markedly hyperintense on T2-weighted images and showed a hypointense capsule. Follow-up MR examinations revealed a slight decrease in size and a change in morphology. Computed tomography examinations of these 2 patients, obtained 10 weeks after transplantation, showed resolution of the hemorrhage and transformation into a cystic lesion in one case and a complete resolution of the hemorrhage and a normal right adrenal gland in the other case. Adrenal hemorrhage after liver transplantation shows typical MR features and should not be mistaken for an adrenal tumor or a postoperative abscess.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Physical performance and health-related quality of life in men on a liver transplantation waiting list.

Twenty-six men on a liver transplant waiting list (12 had alcoholic cirrhosis, 8 suffered from posthepatitic cirrhosis, and 6 from cirrhosis of other etiologies) were eligible for this observation. Nineteen subjects underwent exercise testing to determine oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold. In all patients dynamometry was performed to determine isokinetic muscle strength of knee extensor muscles, and handgrip. Quality of life was evaluated in all patients with the MOS SF-36 questionnaire. Child-Pugh A patients showed 54 +/- 8%, Child-Pugh B patients 36 +/- 2%, and Child-Pugh C patients 31 +/- 4% of VO2 max predicted at the anaerobic threshold (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, p < 0.05). Isokinetic muscle strength of the quadriceps femoris (left/right) was 149 +/- 20/134 +/- 14 Nm in Child-Pugh A, 108 +/- 16/114 +/- 19 Nm in Child-Pugh B, and 89 +/- 10/81 +/- 11 Nm in Child-Pugh C patients (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, p < 0.05). MOS-SF36 revealed a Child-Pugh class dependent reduced functional status (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, p < 0.05). No significant differences in target parameters were found when analysed according to the etiology of cirrhosis. Patients on the liver transplant waiting list do have a stage dependent reduction in physical health. These data are the basis for longitudinal studies measuring the effects of preoperative rehabilitation programs in these patients.

Anaerobic Threshold↗
PubMed2000

Long-term oral ganciclovir prophylaxis for prevention of cytomegalovirus infection and disease in cytomegalovirus high-risk renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Although specific therapy is available with ganciclovir, cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease remains a major problem after renal transplantation especially in CMV seronegative recipients of organs of seropositive donors (D+R-). METHODS: In an open-labeled prospective controlled trial we evaluated the effect of long-term oral ganciclovir prophylaxis (3 g/day for 3 months posttransplantation) in a cohort of 31 CMV-high risk (D+R-) renal transplant recipients (GC) compared with a cohort of 28 high-risk patients with targeted CMV prophylaxis (CO) receiving i.v. ganciclovir during antirejection therapy. Primary end-points were CMV infection, diagnosed by pp65 antigenemia assay or serologic method, and CMV disease. Additionally severity of CMV disease quantified by a scoring system was evaluated. RESULTS: CMV prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of CMV infection (CO: 75%, GC: 45%; P<.05) and CMV disease (CO: 60%, GC: 29%; P<.05) without relevant side effects and without any clinical suspicion of ganciclovir resistance. Severity of CMV disease as quantified by a scoring system was reduced from 8.3+/-6.7 points in controls to 3.3+/-2.6 points in ganciclovir-treated patients (P<.05). Mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (CO: n=3, GC: n=1; NS). However, there was one lethal CMV disease and a second death possibly attributable to CMV disease in the control group, whereas in ganciclovir-treated patients there was no CMV-associated fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Long-term oral ganciclovir prophylaxis is effective and safe in CMV high-risk renal transplant recipients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Successful treatment of a patient suffering from severe acute potassium dichromate poisoning with liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Oral ingestion of potassium dichromate produces a complex spectrum of complications. It has an extremely poor prognosis and usually leads to rapid death. METHODS: We report the case of a 16-year-old male patient who was admitted to hospital after oral ingestion of potassium dichromate with suicidal intention. RESULTS: The patient's condition deteriorated, and he became comatose within 5 days in spite of immediate attempts at detoxification. Because of irreversible liver failure, which occurred within 2 days after admission, and because of cerebral edema, the decision to perform a liver transplantation was made. On day 6 after admission, a compatible donor liver was transplanted. The course of liver transplantation and the patient's subsequent recovery were uneventful. CONCLUSION: The rationale for the delayed transplantation was to avoid damage of the new organ because of high serum chromium levels. Despite severe organ damage, the chromium content of the liver was increased. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of acute toxic liver failure, caused by potassium dichromate poisoning, treated successfully by means of liver transplantation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

[Liver transplantation in acute liver failure].

Acute hepatic failure is characterized by jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy within eight weeks after the onset of disease. Although acute hepatic failure is a rare occurrence, its rapid progression and high mortality (50 to 90%, depending on the etiology of disease) necessitate immediate intervention. In the absence of causal therapy, orthotopic liver transplantation is currently the only definitive and effective means of treating acute hepatic failure in Europe, acute hepatic failure accounts for 11% of all liver transplantations. At the University department of transplantation surgery in Vienna a total of 27 patients with acute hepatic failure underwent 31 liver transplantations in the last 10 years (1.1.1987 to 31.12.1996). Twenty (74%) of the 27 patients survived the acute event and were discharged from hospital in good general condition after a median postoperative stay of 25 days (range 14-81 days). Seven patients (26%) died between the first and 34th postoperative day (median 26 days) in the intensive care unit, although all potential modern options of intensive care and surgery were used. The causes of death were irreversible cerebral edema (n = 3), multiple organ failure due to bacterial sepsis (n = 3) and uncontrollable haemolysis (n = 1). With a 3-year graft survival rate of 70% the 3-year patient survival rate was 74%. A retrospective analysis of our patients revealed that the postoperative graft function and the incidence of re-transplantation were significant prognostic factors (p < 0.05) for survival following orthotopic liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure. In the absence of further prognostically relevant preoperative indices and in consideration of the potentially fulminant progression of disease, we strongly recommend that any patient, in whom acute hepatic failure is suspected, is immediately transferred to a specialized center with experience both in the conservative treatment of acute hepatic failure and emergency liver transplantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Management of lymphoceles after kidney transplantation.

Post-transplant lymphoceles (LC) may lead to impaired graft function. Treatment modalities include fine-needle aspiration, percutaneous drainage, and surgical internal drainage. Recently, laparoscopic fenestration has been performed with good results, but experience is still limited. Between January 1991 and August 1996, 919 kidney transplantations were performed in 876 patients at our department. There were 745 first, 133 second, 30 third, 9 fourth, and 2 fifth operations. Sixty-three symptomatic LCs were detected in 62 patients (6.8%) after 39 +/- 31 days. In 44% of the cases, graft function was impaired; in 29% hydronephrosis was documented and in 6% infection of the LC. Forty-five of the 62 patients with LC (73%) had histologically proven rejection. Thirty-five of the 63 LCs were drained percutaneously, 20 LCs were internally drained by open surgery, and 8 LCs were drained by laparoscopy. In 14 of the 47 patients (30%) with primary percutaneous drainage, LC recurred; infection occurred in 17%. Twelve of these patients underwent surgery. One surgical redrainage was necessary after open fenestration. No conversion or complication was noted in the laparoscopy group. We conclude that surgery for post-transplant lymphoceles is safe and effective. We favor the laparoscopic technique in selected patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Achalasia. Results of myotomy and antireflux operation after failed dilatations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with achalasia who had undergone myotomy and an antireflux operation because dilatations had not yielded satisfactory results. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University-based tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Of 39 patients who met inclusion criteria, 18 female patients and 18 male patients (age range; 17-85 years; median age, 54 years; range of time elapsed since operation, 1-22 years; median time, 6 years) could be studied. Antireflux operations included 360 degrees fundoplications in 27 patients, anterior hemifundoplications in 5 and other procedures in 4. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dysphagia for solid foods and liquids, regurgitation, heartburn, retrosternal pain and body weight. RESULTS: Excellent, good, and fair results of myotomy and antireflux operation were encountered in 14, 3, and 6 patients, respectively, and poor or absent results in the remaining 13 patients. The resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter was significantly lower at follow-up than preoperatively, and this was associated with reduced dysphagia for solid foods in 14 patients and for liquids in 16 of 17 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Myotomy and antireflux operation yielded excellent to fair results in 23 patients in whom dilatations had not facilitated swallowing. Poor results in the remaining 13 patients seemed to be attributable to the 360 degrees fundoplication performed in 12 of them. In these patients, a further surgical intervention seemed to be indicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Determinants of pouch function after continence-preserving proctocolectomy].

A prospective study was undertaken in 17 patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (13 patients) or familial adenomatous polyposis (4 patients) to determine relationship between pre- and postoperative anal sphincter function, pouch characteristics and functional results. Postoperatively all manometric parameters were significantly reduced and remained so permanently. Only squeeze pressure rose to normal values again. The most important factor for a favourable functional outcome was pouch volume. A capacious reservoir was associated with a low stool frequency, low risk of incontinence and general success of the operation, as assessed subjectively. Perianal soreness with considerable skin problems occurred frequently when resting and squeeze pressures were markedly reduced postoperatively.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1991

Submucous large-bowel lipomas--presentation and management. An 18-year study.

Gastrointestinal lipomas are rare, but commonest in the colon and rectum, characteristically submucosal and seldom subserosal. An 18-year analysis revealed 17 cases of large-bowel lipoma, 13 presenting with colicky pain, abdominal discomfort, blood-stained feces or rectal bleeding and altered bowel habits and four asymptomatic. The 17 patients had totally 21 lipomas, all submucosal. No patients with multiple lipoma had evidence of lipoma at other sites. The ileocecal valve and cecum were most commonly affected, followed by the rectum, sigmoid colon and descending colon. Tumor size (largest diameter) was 0.5-10 cm, averaging 3.1 cm (3.5 cm in symptomatic, and 1.8 cm in asymptomatic patients). The primary diagnosis (with barium enema, colonoscopy and CT) was lipoma in only five cases, but CT gave the correct diagnosis in all three cases in which it was used. Two lipomas were found in surgical specimens from colorectal malignancy, while nine were misinterpreted as polyps and one as angiodysplasia. In symptomatic patients unnecessary colotomy or colonic resection may be avoidable by colonscopic removal of lipoma.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The advantage of allocating kidneys from old cadaveric donors to old recipients: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: In January 1999 a new kidney allocation program was launched by the Eurotransplant Foundation, the 'Eurotransplant Senior Program' (ESP). Cadaveric donors above the age of 65 yr are allocated to kidney transplant recipients of the same age group. METHODS: Using a single-center database, 91 patients who underwent first renal transplantation at the age of 65 yr and older in the years 1999-2002 were identified. Fifty-six patients were transplanted through ESP allocation (study group) and 35 patients (control group) via normal Eurotransplant Kidney Allocation System (ETKAS) procedure. RESULTS: Age, sex and comorbid conditions did not differ by group. The rate of acute rejection episodes, primary non-function, delayed graft function, perioperative mortality did not differ by group. Serum creatinine was significantly lower in the ETKAS group (1.3 vs. 1.9 mg/dL; p=0.015) from six months after the transplantation on. Overall graft survival at six yr was 56% in the ETKAS group and 52% in the ESP group. With 73% in the ETKAS group and 71% in the ESP group, cumulative patient survival according to the Kaplan-Meier estimation was not statistically different at five yr. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a relevant difference in the outcome between young and old kidney transplants in old recipients after this long observation period.

Aged↗