Antitubercular therapy (ATT)-induced hepatotoxicity is often over looked and active tuberculosis is considered a contraindication for liver transplantation, however it might be the only lifesaving option to certain patients of acute liver failure (ALF) due to ATT. We have assessed the outcome of live donor liver transplantation in ATT-induced ALF. A retrospective analysis of all the cases of ALF that underwent liver transplantation from 2006 to 2014 at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences was done. A total of seven (7.7%) patients with ATT-induced ALF who had underwent live donor liver transplantation were included in the study. Out of seven patients, three (42.8%) had established diagnosis of tuberculosis and the remaining (58.2%) patients were started on ATT empirically. The median duration of ATT intake was 2 months. All the patients underwent live donor liver transplant as they met King's College criteria, and their model for end-stage liver disease score was above 35 on admission, receiving graft from first degree relatives. Histopathology of explant liver showed pan acinar necrosis. Restarting of ATT after transplant was individualized. It was restarted only in two (28%) patients with prior sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis after a median time of 27 days after transplant. ATT was not restarted in rest of the (72%) patients. Postoperative mortality was seen in two (28%) patients due to conditions that masquerade the ATT-induced acute liver failure. The overall survival rate was 71.4% with a median follow up of 22 months. Live donor-related transplantation is feasible option in ATT-induced acute liver failure. Restarting of ATT post liver transplant is feasible and should be individualized along with frequent monitoring of immunosuppressant levels; however, if the primary diagnosis of tuberculosis was empirical, reintroduction of ATT can be omitted.
Introduction
CONTACT is a national multidisciplinary study assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon diagnostic and treatment pathways among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
Methods
The treatment of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PDAC from a pre-COVID-19 pandemic cohort (07/01/2019-03/03/2019) were compared to a cohort diagnosed during the first wave of the UK pandemic (‘COVID’ cohort, 16/03/2020-10/05/2020), with 12-month follow-up.
Results
Among 984 patients (pre-COVID: n = 483, COVID: n = 501), the COVID cohort was less likely to receive staging investigations other than CT scanning (29.5% vs. 37.2%, p = 0.010). Among patients treated with curative intent, there was a reduction in the proportion of patients recommended surgery (54.5% vs. 76.6%, p = 0.001) and increase in the proportion recommended upfront chemotherapy (45.5% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.002). Among patients on a non-curative pathway, fewer patients were recommended (47.4% vs. 57.3%, p = 0.004) or received palliative anti-cancer therapy (20.5% vs. 26.5%, p = 0.045). Ultimately, fewer patients in the COVID cohort underwent surgical resection (6.4% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.036), whilst more patients received no anti-cancer treatment (69.3% vs. 59.2% p = 0.009). Despite these differences, there was no difference in median overall survival between the COVID and pre-COVID cohorts, (3.5 (IQR 2.8–4.1) vs. 4.4 (IQR 3.6–5.2) months, p = 0.093).
Conclusion
Pathways for patients with PDAC were significantly disrupted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with fewer patients receiving standard treatments. However, no significant impact on survival was discerned.
Gallstone ileus and obstructed inguinal hernias are respectively, rare and common causes of small bowel obstruction. There are no published cases of these pathologies occurring simultaneously. Here, we describe a unique case of an elderly male patient presenting with a small bowel obstruction caused by these combined pathologies. Following an acute presentation with obstructive symptoms, a CT scan demonstrated small bowel obstruction due to a large gallstone lodged in the neck of an inguinoscrotal hernia with associated pneumobilia. The case may have been managed conservatively if it was not for the presence of the gallstone. Previous imaging had incidentally demonstrated gallstones in the gallbladder and a large uncomplicated right inguinal scrotal hernia. It is presumed that a cholecystoduodenal fistula formed and a gallstone, then migrated downstream to lodge within the neck of the inguinoscrotal hernia. This case underscores the concept that even in the presence of an “obvious” cause of small bowel obstruction, such as an irreducible, large inguinoscrotal hernia, we must always maintain a healthy clinical skepticism and an open mind to other unexpected aetiologies, which may account for the clinical presentation that may alter subsequent management.
4. During duct to mucosa anastomosis, the knots are placed outside the lumen to prevent obstructing the flow of pancreatic juice. Above methods will increase the possibility of performing perfect pancreatic duct to mucosa anastomosis and probably decrease the pancreatic fistula rate.
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