Carlijn I. Buis, Eelco F.M. Wijdicks – 30 December 2003 – Central Pontine Myelinolysis (CPM) is a rare neurologic complication after liver transplantation. The true incidence of CPM after orthotopic liver tranplantation remains an estimate. However, with the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging, early recognition became feasible. In this report, we present a case of rapid resolution of CPM followed by serial magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Julie Ratcliffe, Louise Longworth, Tracey Young, Stirling Bryan, Andrew Burroughs, Martin Buxton – 30 December 2003 – We report on a prospective multicenter study to assess pretransplantation and posttransplantation health‐related quality of life (HRQL) of liver transplant recipients. HRQL was assessed at several timepoints using a self‐completion questionnaire consisting of the EuroQol instrument (EQ‐5D) and the 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) health status profile measure.

Ye‐Dong Fan, Marleen Praet, Jacques Van Huysse, Bart Lelie, Bernard De Hemptinne – 30 December 2003 – Although portal venous supply is considered essential to preserve hepatic integrity, in this study, effects of portal arterialization on liver regeneration were evaluated in a rat model of partial hepatectomy (PH). Ninety‐six Lewis rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 24 rats each: PH only (group 1), PH with either venous or arterialized portal supply (groups 2 and 3, respectively), and PH without portal supply (group 4).

Mathias Goyen, Jörg Barkhausen, Jörg F. Debatin, Hilmar Kühl, Silke Bosk, Giuliano Testa, Massimo Malago, Stefan G. Ruehm – 30 December 2003 – The purpose of this study was to determine the practicability and diagnostic accuracy of a magnetic resonance (MR) protocol capable of replacing computed tomography, catheter angiography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the presurgical evaluation of potential liver donors before right hepatectomy. MR imaging (MRI) was performed on a 1.5 T scanner using a phased‐array torso surface coil for signal reception.

Hugo R. Rosen, Robert J. Fontana, Robert S. Brown, Russell H. Wiesner, Thomas D. Schiano, Nathan M. Bass, Joseph R. Bloomer, Lee Kaplan – 30 December 2003

Edmund Q. Sanchez, Shigeru Marubashi, Ghapjoong Jung, Marlon F. Levy, Robert M. Goldstein, Ernesto P. Molmenti, Carlos G. Fasola, Thomas A. Gonwa, Linda W. Jennings, Barbara K. Brooks, Goran B. Klintmalm – 30 December 2003 – The aims of this analysis are to characterize the incidence and types of malignancies and tumor‐specific mortality in our institution. Retransplantation, rejection episodes, and OKT3 use were evaluated. Our single‐institution prospective database of 1,570 liver transplantations in 1,421 patients was analyzed.

Vassilios Smyrniotis, Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, Georgia Kostopanagiotou, Manolis Manesis – 30 December 2003 – We report a case of herniation of the entire small bowel under an infrarenal conduit 8 months after orthotopic liver transplantation. The conduit was compressed by the mesentery and developed a stricture and thrombosis. Liver revascularization was accomplished by an urgent thrombectomy, resection of the stricture, and reanastomosis of the conduit.

Yasuhiko Sugawara, Masatoshi Makuuchi, Tadatoshi Takayama, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Koichi Mizuta, Hideo Kawarasaki – 30 December 2003 – Congenital anatomic anomalies often present technical obstacles during liver transplantation. Biliary atresia (BA) is the most common indication for liver transplantation in children, and up to 28% of children with situs inversus are complicated by BA. A boy aged 2 years 11 months with BA, situs inversus, and dextrocardia received a liver transplant from his father. The donor also had situs inversus and dextrocardia without other anomalies.

Rajiv Jalan, Roger Williams – 30 December 2003

Vivian C. McAlister, Kevork M. Peltekian, Dickran A. Malatjalian, Shannon Colohan, Sara MacDonald, Hinrich Bitter‐Suermann, Allan S. MacDonald – 30 December 2003 – Although sirolimus (SRL) binds the immunophilin FK506‐binding protein‐12 (FKBP‐12) with greater avidity than tacrolimus (TAC), animal studies have shown that SRL and TAC act synergistically to prevent rejection. Dose‐related toxicity is more often the cause of TAC discontinuation than rejection.