Primary hyperoxaluria (type I): attempted treatment by combined hepatic and renal transplantation

A case is reported of a patient with renal failure and developing systemic and renal oxalosis due to pyridoxine-resistant type I primary hyperoxaluria. In spite of vigorous haemodialysis and hydration before and after operation, an allografted cadaveric kidney failed because of oxalate deposits in the transplant. The patient was treated by combined hepatic and renal transplantation. The liver allograft functioned well but the kidney had poor function due to primary acute tubular necrosis aggravated by steroid-associated acute pancreatitis, systemic cytomegalovirus infection and high cyclosporin A levels. The patient died from generalised cytomegalovirus infection. The early course after operation was associated with a reduced rate of oxalate production, which would slow the rate of oxalate deposition in the tissues. The size of the oxalate metabolic pool was also diminished. These observations are compatible with the grafted liver having corrected the metabolic lesion.