Pretransplantation splenomegaly frequently persists after liver transplantation and can manifest as hypersplenism and graft fibrosis - a retrospective study
Nguyen Hai Nam
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Kojiro Taura
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Correspondence
Kojiro Taura, MD, PhD, Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
Tel.: +81-75-751-3242;
fax: +81-75-751-4263;
e-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorSiyuan Yao
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorToshimi Kaido
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYusuke Uemoto
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYusuke Kimura
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTakayuki Anazawa
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKen Fukumitsu
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTakashi Ito
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorShintaro Yagi
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorNaoko Kamo
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKoichiro Hata
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorShinji Uemoto
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorNguyen Hai Nam
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Kojiro Taura
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Correspondence
Kojiro Taura, MD, PhD, Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
Tel.: +81-75-751-3242;
fax: +81-75-751-4263;
e-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorSiyuan Yao
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorToshimi Kaido
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYusuke Uemoto
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYusuke Kimura
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTakayuki Anazawa
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKen Fukumitsu
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorTakashi Ito
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorShintaro Yagi
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorNaoko Kamo
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorKoichiro Hata
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorShinji Uemoto
Division of Hepato Biliary Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
The risk factors and clinical impact of post-transplantation splenomegaly (SM) are poorly understood. We investigated the predictors and impacts of post-transplantation SM in 415 LT patients at Kyoto University Hospital from April 2006 to December 2015. First, the predictors and clinical consequences of SM three years post-transplantation were analyzed among spleen-preserved recipients. Second, the clinical data of surviving recipients three years post-transplantation were compared between splenectomized and spleen-preserved recipients. There was no difference in indication for liver transplantation between these two groups. Third, survival outcomes were compared between splenectomized and spleen-preserved recipients. SM was determined as a SV/body surface area (BSA) higher than 152 ml/m2. In the first analysis, preoperative SM occurred in 79.9% recipients and SM persisted three years post-transplantation in 72.6% recipients among them. Preoperative SV/BSA was the only independent predictor of three year post-transplantation SM, which was associated with lower platelet (PLT), white blood cell (WBC) counts and significant graft fibrosis (21.4% vs. 2.8%). In the second analysis, spleen-preservation was related to lower PLT, WBC counts and a higher proportion of significant graft fibrosis (26.7% vs. 7.1%) three years post-transplantation. In the third analysis, spleen-preserved recipients showed worse survival than splenectomized recipients. In conclusion, preoperative SM frequently persists more than three years post-transplantation and is associated with subclinical hypersplenism, graft fibrosis, graft loss, and even death.
Conflict of interest
The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
References
- 1Sharma M, Rameshbabu CS. Collateral pathways in portal hypertension. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2012; 2: 338.
- 2Quintini C, Hirose K, Hashimoto K, et al. “Splenic artery steal syndrome” is a misnomer: The cause is portal hyperperfusion, not arterial siphon. Liver Transpl 2008; 14: 374.
- 3Morihara D, Kobayashi M, Ikeda K, et al. Effectiveness of combination therapy of splenectomy and long-term interferon in patients with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia. Hepatology Research 2009; 39: 439.
- 4Tashiro H, Itamoto T, Ohdan H, et al. Should splenectomy be performed for hepatitis C patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation? J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007; 22: 959.
- 5Egawa H, Teramukai S, Haga H, Tanabe M, Fukushima M, Shimazu M. Present status of ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation in Japan. Hepatology 2008; 47: 143.
- 6Ikegami T, Shimada M, Imura S, et al. Current concept of small-for-size grafts in living donor liver transplantation. Surg Today 2008; 38: 971.
- 7Gadiparthi C, Cholankeril G, Perumpail BJ, et al. Use of direct-acting antiviral agents in hepatitis C virus-infected liver transplant candidates. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24: 315.
- 8Egawa H, Teramukai S, Haga H, et al. Impact of Rituximab Desensitization on Blood-Type-Incompatible Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Japanese Multicenter Study. Am J Transplant 2014; 14: 102.
- 9Ito K, Akamatsu N, Ichida A, et al. Splenectomy is not indicated in living donor liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2016; 22: 1526.
- 10He C, Liu X, Peng W, Li C, Wen T. Evaluation the efficacy and safety of simultaneous splenectomy in liver transplantation patients: A meta-analysis. Medicine 2018; 97: e0087.
- 11Settmacher U, Nüssler N, Glanemann M, et al. Venous complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2000; 14: 235.
- 12Chen T-Y, Chen C-L, Huang T-L, et al. Predictive Factors for Persistent Splenomegaly and Hypersplenism After Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation. Transpl Proc 2012; 44: 752.
- 13Chen T-Y, Chen C-L, Huang T-L, et al. Does Hepatic Graft Weight Affect the Reduction of Spleen Size After Living Donor Liver Transplantation? Transpl Proc 2010; 42: 882.
- 14Ohira M, Ishifuro M, Ide K, et al. Significant correlation between spleen volume and thrombocytopenia in liver transplant patients: a concept for predicting persistent thrombocytopenia. Liver Transpl 2009; 15: 208.
- 15Eyraud D, Granger B, Ionescu C, et al. Thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, and portal blood flow in patients who have undergone liver transplantation for cirrhosis. Liver Transpl 2012; 18: 340.
- 16Yao S, Kaido T, Uozumi R, et al. Is Portal Venous Pressure Modulation Still Indicated for All Recipients in Living Donor Liver Transplantation? Liver Transpl 2018; 24: 1578.
- 17Schlesinger AE, Edgar KA, Boxer LA. Volume of the spleen in children as measured on CT scans: normal standards as a function of body weight. Am J Roentgenol 1993; 160: 1107.
- 18Özdikici M. The relationship between splenic length in healthy children from the Eastern Anatolia Region and sex, age, body height and weight. J Ultrason 2018; 18: 5.
- 19Badran DH, Kalbouneh HM, Al-Hadidi MT, et al. Ultrasonographic assessment of splenic volume and its correlation with body parameters in a Jordanian population. Saudi Med J 2015; 36: 967.
- 20Caglar V, Kumral B, Uygur R, Alper Alkoc O, Ozen O, Demirel H. Study of Volume, Weight and Size of Normal Pancreas, Spleen and Kidney in Adults Autopsies., 2014.
- 21Du Bois D, Du Bois EF. A formula to estimate the approximate surface area if height and weight be known. Nutrition 1989; 5: 303.
- 22Engelke K, Adams JE, Armbrecht G, et al. Clinical Use of Quantitative Computed Tomography and Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography in the Management of Osteoporosis in Adults: The 2007 ISCD Official Positions. J Clin Densitom 2008; 11: 123.
- 23Link TM, Koppers BB, Licht T, Bauer J, Lu Y, Rummeny EJ. In Vitro and in Vivo Spiral CT to Determine Bone Mineral Density: Initial Experience in Patients at Risk for Osteoporosis. Radiology 2004; 231: 805.
- 24Bedossa P, Poynard T. An algorithm for the grading of activity in chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology 1996; 24: 289.
- 25Sutedja DS, Wai C-T, Teoh K-F, et al. Persistent thrombocytopenia in liver transplant patients. Transpl Proc 2004; 36: 2331.
- 26Chikamori F, Nishida S, Selvaggi G, et al. Effect of liver transplantation on spleen size, collateral veins, and platelet counts. World J Surg 2010; 34: 320.
- 27Chezmar JL, Redvanly RD, Nelson RC, Henderson JM. Persistence of portosystemic collaterals and splenomegaly on CT after orthotopic liver transplantation. Am J Roentgenol 1992; 159: 317.
- 28Yao S, Kaido T, Yagi S, et al. The impact of imbalanced graft-to-spleen volume ratio on outcomes following living donor liver transplantation in an era when simultaneous splenectomy is not typically indicated. Am J Transplant 2019; 19: 2783.
- 29Danzinger-Isakov L, Kumar D. the AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Guidelines for Vaccination of Solid Organ Transplant Candidates and Recipients. Am J Transplant 2009; 9: S258.
- 30Sester M, Gärtner BC, Girndt M, Sester U. Vaccination of the solid organ transplant recipient. Transplant Rev 2008; 22: 274.
- 31Chow J, Golan Y. Vaccination of Solid-Organ Transplantation Candidates. Clin Infect Dis 2009; 49: 1550.
- 32Ikegami T, Toshima T, Takeishi K, et al. Bloodless Splenectomy During Liver Transplantation for Terminal Liver Diseases with Portal Hypertension. J Am Coll Surg 2009; 208: e1.
- 33Yoshizumi T, Taketomi A, Soejima Y, et al. The beneficial role of simultaneous splenectomy in living donor liver transplantation in patients with small-for-size graft. Transpl Int 2008; 21: 833.
- 34Marubashi S, Dono K, Miyamoto A, et al. Impact of Graft Size on Postoperative Thrombocytopenia in Living Donor Liver Transplant. JAMA Surgery 2007; 142: 1054.
- 35Cescon M, Sugawara Y, Takayama T, et al. Role of splenectomy in living-donor liver transplantation for adults. Hepatogastroenterology 2002; 49: 721.
- 36Scheenstra R, Peeters PMGJ, Verkade HJ, Gouw ASH. Graft fibrosis after pediatric liver transplantation: Ten years of follow-up. Hepatology 2009; 49: 880.
- 37Akahoshi T, Hashizume M, Tanoue K, et al. Role of the spleen in liver fibrosis in rats may be mediated by transforming growth factor β-1. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2002; 17: 59.
- 38Nakamura T, Sakata R, Ueno T, Sata M, Ueno H. Inhibition of transforming growth factor β prevents progression of liver fibrosis and enhances hepatocyte regeneration in dimethylnitrosamine-treated rats. Hepatology 2000; 32: 247.
- 39Sanchez A, Alvarez AM, Benito M, Fabregat I. Apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor-beta in fetal hepatocyte primary cultures: involvement of reactive oxygen intermediates. J Biol Chem 1996; 271: 7416.
- 40Asanoma M, Ikemoto T, Mori H, et al. Cytokine expression in spleen affects progression of liver cirrhosis through liver–spleen cross-talk. Hepatology Research 2014; 44: 1217.
- 41Tanabe K, Taura K, Koyama Y, et al. Migration of splenic lymphocytes promotes liver fibrosis through modification of T helper cytokine balance in mice. J Gastroenterol 2015; 50: 1054.
- 42Yamada S, Morine Y, Imura S, et al. Liver regeneration after splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis. Hepatol Res 2016; 46: 443.
- 43Nomura Y, Kage M, Ogata T, et al. Influence of splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism. Hepatol Res 2014; 44: E 100.
- 44Zeng D-B, Di L, Zhang R-C, et al. The Effect of Splenectomy on the Reversal of Cirrhosis: a Prospective Study. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2019; 2019: 5459427.
- 45Yamamoto N, Okano K, Oshima M, et al. Laparoscopic splenectomy for patients with liver cirrhosis: Improvement of liver function in patients with Child-Pugh class B. Surgery 2015; 158: 1538.
- 46Ogata T, Okuda K, Sato T, et al. Long-Term Outcome of Splenectomy in Advanced Cirrhotic Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Thrombocytopenia. Kurume Med J 2013; 60: 37.