Primary liver tumors are an increasing indication for pediatric liver transplantation. Here we report the cases of 10 patients who underwent liver transplantation for primary liver tumors in our hospital, from 2001 to date. Up to 2011, 1 transplant due to hepatoblastoma was done out of 117 liver transplants (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, and it is not yet clearly understood which patients will progress to liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) has been involved in NAFLD pathogenesis in mice and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SPARC in inflammasome activation, and to evaluate the relationship between the hepatic expression of inflammasome genes and the biochemical and histological characteristics of NAFLD in obese patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare vascular tumor of less malignancy than hemangiosarcoma. In the rare unilobar cases, partial hepatectomy may be indicated with risk of aggressive recurrence; in extensive liver disease, even with extrahepatic involvement, liver transplantation has been performed successfully. Metastases are more common in the lung, peritoneum, lymph nodes, spleen, and nervous system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOperational tolerance (absence of allograft rejection and good outcome without immunosuppression) has been object of intense research in pediatric liver transplant in the last years. The morbidity and mortality related to long-term immunosuppressive treatment of these patients are well known. We report a case of operational tolerance of our unit in a pediatric liver transplant recipient who is immunosuppressant-free since 16 month after transplant after progressive withdrawal related to asymptomatic Epstein-Barr virus first infection.
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