Renal dysfunction after allogeneic BMT is strongly related to the delivered TBI dose (and dose per fraction) and to the presence of GvHD. Renal shielding should be recommended if a TBI dose greater than 12 Gy (fractionated twice daily over 3 days) is to be prescribed. Furthermore, in those cases with a high risk of developing GvHD (eg, unrelated allogeneic BMT, absence of T-cell depletion), these data suggest that kidney doses greater than 10 Gy should be avoided.

The first purpose of this study was to evaluate the saddle prosthesis in patients with periacetabular tumors in terms of the functional results obtained after several postoperative intervals. The second purpose was to evaluate the complications and how they might be prevented in the future. Functional results according to the MSTS functional rating system were evaluated at several postoperative intervals in 15 patients treated with internal hemipelvectomy and reconstruction with the saddle prosthesis because of periacetabular primary (n = 9) or secondary (n = 6) malignancies. All complications were evaluated. Three months postoperatively, 7/9 patients with a primary tumor and 2/4 patients with a secondary tumor were able to walk outside without pain. Median functional results 3 and 6 months postoperatively were 40% and 50%, respectively. Deep infection occurred in 4 patients and fracture of the iliac remnant in 2. Heterotopic ossifications along the interpositional component were seen in 5 patients, but they did not negatively influence the functional outcome. Three (relative) contraindications to reconstruction with the saddle prosthesis could be ascertained: osteoporosis, extended involvement of the iliac wing by tumor, and insufficient soft-tissue quality after previous procedures. (Short-term) functional results after reconstruction with the saddle prosthesis are satisfactory if the above-mentioned contraindications are taken into consideration.

Renal graft survival has improved over the past years, mainly owing to better immunosuppression. Vascular thrombosis, though rare, therefore accounts for up to one third of early graft loss. We assess current literature on transplantation, identify thrombosis risk factors, and discuss means of avoiding thrombotic events and saving thrombosed grafts. The incidence of arterial thrombosis was reported to 0.2–7.5% and venous thrombosis 0.1–8.2%, with the highest incidence among children and infants, and the lowest in living donor reports. The most significant risk factors for developing thrombosis were donor-age below 6 or above 60 years, or recipient-age below 5-6 years, per- or postoperative hemodynamic instability, peritoneal dialysis, diabetic nephropathy, a history of thrombosis, deceased donor, or >24 hours cold ischemia. Multiple arteries were not a risk factor, and a right kidney graft was most often reported not to be. Given the thrombosed kidney graft is diagnosed in time, salvage is possible by urgent reoperation and thrombectomy. Despite meticulous attentions to reduce thrombotic risk factors, thrombosis cannot be entirely prevented and means to an early detection of this complication is desirable in order to save the kidneys through prompt reoperation. Microdialysis may be a new tool for this.

(11)C-acetate PET was found to be valuable in the early evaluation of prostate cancer relapse. Optimising scanning time and use of modern PET-CT equipment might allow further improvement.