NASH with 23 MELD

[dottyg]

My 63 yr old husband was diagonosed with NASH 4 years ago. MELD score has jumped from 15 to 17 to 21 inless than 3 motnhs. We are meeting with the local transplant team in 2 weeks. Where should we go fro a COMPLETE 2nd opinion? and what ???'s should we be prepared to ask?

[cat33]

I have already been eveluated and accepted as a reciepent of a liver transplant. My meld score is thankfullly holding at 9.

[cat33]

I'm not sure where Vandy is but I have heard of one patient who is going there and is quite pleased with it. I go to the Mayo clinic in Arizona.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

wishing you the best of luck

[dottyg]

Thank you so much. We understand the Transplant center here has become highly regarded since several Doctors arrived from Oshners Clinic in New Orleans. We would like to get a 2nd opinion of the NASH diagnosis - so Duke or Vandy would be great options.  

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

U/S is not great looking for liver cancer so an MRI or Ct scan should be performed especially looking at the portal vein.  With a MELD score that high he should get transplanted fairly soon in that UNOS region.  I think some of the North carolina centers are geographically close and the vanderbilt program is also good.

[dottyg]

We live in Memphis, TN. Blood type is A-neg. We have asked about cancer - ultrasound showed no evidence. No PET, MRI or CAT scans have been performed. Only liver biopsy was done 4 years ago. and NASH was the diagnosis at that time.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

where do you live and what is the blood type?  you should be asking about if there is a liver cancer or other reason why the MELD is increasing as it typically does not do this.