Late graft loss after intestinal transplantation in an adult patient as a result of necrotizing enterocolitis.
A 50-year-old recipient of an intestinal and coecal graft with sudden onset of abdominal distention and pain, lack of bowel movements, and vomiting after closure of the diagnostic ostomy 7 months after transplantation is reported. A plain abdominal radiograph revealed pneumatosis intestinalis. An angiography excluded obstruction of large vessels, however, with absent microcirculation of the intestine. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed extensive ulcerative enteritis with several spontaneous perforations. The patient underwent exploration demonstrating a nonviable intestine. The entire necrotic intestine was removed. Vascular thrombosis was excluded. Clinical data, and macroscopic and histologic features of the intestinal graft were diagnostic for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Though there has been evidence for the occurrence of NEC not only in premature infants but even in older infants, children and adolescents, the presented case is, to our knowledge, the first report of NEC as etiology of late graft loss after intestinal transplantation in an adult recipient.
Pascher
Andreas
A
Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow, Berlin, Germany. pascher@charite.de
Radke
Cornelia
C
Dignass
Axel
A
Schulz
Ralf
R
Sauer
Igor M
IM
Platz
Klaus
K
Klupp
Jochen
J
Neuhaus
Peter
P
Mueller
Andrea R
AR
D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged