Treatment of Renal Transplant Recipients with Concurrent Acute Cellular Rejection and Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis / 대한이식학회지

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a common surgical complication after kidney transplantation (KTP) and is the cause of allograft dysfunction. TRAS is a potentially curable cause of refractory hypertension and allograft dysfunction which accounts for approximately 1% to 5% of cases of post-transplant hypertension. Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is also common after KTP, which is the main cause of allograft dysfunction. Although the incidence of ACR has declined with the advent of new immunosuppressive drugs, it is still around 15% worldwide. Although each disease is frequently seen individually, seeing both together is rare. A 42-year-old man with end stage renal disease underwent KTP, and the donor was his younger brother. Four months after KTP, his serum creatinine was increased to 2.1 mg/dL, and renal biopsy showed interstitial lymphocytic infiltration and tubulitis. With the diagnosis of acute T-cell mediated rejection, steroid pulsing therapy was started, but it was resisted. Therefore thymoglobulin 60 mg (1 mg/kg/day) was administered for 6 days, but serum creatinine was 1.8 mg/dL. Abdomen magnetic resonance angiography showed TRAS, stenosis at the anastomosis site and lobar artery in the lower pole. Percutaneous transluminal angiography was performed successfully. After balloon angioplasty, the stenotic lesion showed a normal size and blood flow. The patient's renal function returned to normal levels and he is currently being followed up for 9 months.

Late Onset Infection of Pneumocystis jirovecii Infection in a Renal Transplant Recipient / 대한이식학회지

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) can be a life-threatening opportunistic infection after kidney transplantation, occurring most frequently in the first 12 months with the symptoms of dyspnea, cough, fever, and hypoxia. Prophylaxis for PCP is usually applied during the first 3 months to 1 year after transplantation, but late onset incidence of PCP can be detected. We report on a patient who developed PCP 9 years after renal transplantation. The patient showed indolent onset of acute respiratory distress and was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and corticosteroid therapy. Previous rescue treatment of acute cellular rejection with ongoing maintenance of an elevated level of immunosuppressants may have predisposed the patient to PCP.

Febuxostat for the Treatment of Chronic Tophaceous Gout in a Patient on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis / 대한내과학회지

Hyperuricemic patients with gouty arthritis or tophi, a serum uric acid concentration of 8.0 mg/dL or higher, and complications should be treated with urate-lowering drugs. Conventionally, allopurinol is used to treat hyperuricemia and gout, but it is necessary to adjust the dosage according to the degree of renal impairment. Uncommonly, allopurinol may have severe or fatal side effects. The non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat undergoes hepatic metabolism and may require less dose adjustment in association with renal function. It is considered to be an alternative treatment for hyperuricemic patients with chronic kidney disease. Our experience suggests that low-dose febuxostat is a promising alternative to allopurinol for the treatment of gouty arthritis or tophi in peritoneal dialysis patients.

A Case of Crohn's Disease Diagnosed After Appendectomy

Crohn' s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal system and multiple extraintestinal organs. Right lower quadrant abdominal pain with fever may be mistaken as a acute appendicitis. Pancreatitis has rarely been reported as a complication of Crohn' s disease. However, we experienced one case of Crohn' s disease with pancreatitis : the histologic examination after appendectomy of a 12-year-old female child who complained about abdominal pain and high fever.