Katalin Dévényi

Mediastinal Bulky Tumour in Hodgkin’s Disease and Prognostic Value of Positron Emission Tomography in the Evaluation of Post-Treatment Residual Masses

Among the 193 patients (82 female, 111 male) treated primarily for Hodgkin’s disease at our clinic between 1990 and 2001 and followed up until 2003, 42 (22%) had mediastinal bulky tumours (MBTs) by the Cotswolds criteria. The rate of MBT diagnosis was significantly greater in the early stage of the disease, these patients were younger and – in contrast to the other group – they all received combined therapy. No significant differences were found in the overall and relapse-free survival rate in the two groups, but relapse and death rates were lower in the patients with bulky tumours. Of the total number of patients, 27 underwent a total of 31 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) examinations, mainly for the evaluation of post-treatment residual mass viability. In the 12 positive cases, the majority of patients received further therapy. During the mean follow-up time of 58 months (range 5–98 months) after obtaining negative results, progression of the disease was found in 2 cases 14 and 23 months later, respectively. Based on our results, we conclude that FDG-PET examinations show a good correlation with clinical follow-up results.

Successful renal transplantation following lung transplantation: a survey of the first Hungarian case

The authors review the case of their young patient, who underwent a lung transplantation in Vienna because of an end stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. During the prolonged postoperative phase renal failure full of complications developed, which necessitated haemodialysis. As the pulmonological rehabilitation was complete, but the regular dialyses considerably raised the risk of opportunistic infections, and also significantly reduced the quality of life of the patient, renal transplantation was performed in Debrecen four years after the lung transplantation. This is the first lung transplanted patient in Hungary who also underwent renal transplantation. Now, more than two years after the renal transplantation the patient lives a compensated, rehabilitated life, the respiratory function values have improved and the renal function values are also acceptable. The number of transplanted patients has significantly increased in recent years worldwide, and also in Hungary. However, due to immunosuppressive medications, calcineurin inhibitors mainly, numerous complications must be reckoned with. An outstanding one among them is the secondary renal failure which may occur both in acute and chronic form and may even necessitate renal transplantation. Renal transplantation is an excellent treatment option for end stage renal failure patients, who had received another organ transplant earlier. Kidney transplantation improves quality of life and increases expected survival, too.