Hepatocyte transplantation in acute liver failure.

The majority of patients with acute liver failure (ALF) die waiting for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). No other treatment modality is shown to improve survival. This study was conducted to assess the safety and feasibility of hepatocyte transplantation (HT) and subsequent engraftment and function of donor cells.

Acute arterial occlusions of the small vessels of the hand and forearm: treatment with regional urokinase therapy.

Purpose: Arterial occlusions of the small vessels of the forearm and hand may have the same consequences as arterial occlusions in the distal lower extremity. There is limited reported experience with the regional thrombolytic therapy in this setting. The authors reviewed their experience with thrombolytic therapy in acute and subacute arterial occlusions of the distal upper extremity to further clarify its role.

Role of TIPS as a bridge to hepatic transplantation in Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as a bridge to transplantation for patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS).

Materials And Methods: Eight patients (five women, three men) with a mean age of 49.8 years (range, 20-61 years) were diagnosed with BCS by means of computed tomography, hepatic venography, and liver biopsy.

Percutaneous mesenteric venous thrombectomy and thrombolysis: successful treatment followed by liver transplantation.

Mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) is a rare cause of intestinal ischemia. Because of its nonspecific symptoms, diagnosis is often delayed. We describe a patient with liver cirrhosis who developed acute MVT while waiting for liver transplantation.