Unusual Case of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Patient with Anti-glomerular Basement Membrane Antibody Glomerulonephritis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by a clinical and radiological entity with the sudden onset of seizures, headache, altered consciousness, and visual disturbances in patients with the findings of reversible vasogenic subcortical edema without infarction. Hypertension, renal disease, and autoimmune disease are co-morbid conditions of PRES. Nevertheless, there have only been a few case reports of PRES in a patient with anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN). This paper presents the possible first Korean case of a 36-year-old woman with the striking features of PRES. She presented with a sudden onset of visual blindness, headache, and seizure. The brain MRI images revealed hyperintense lesions in both the occipital and parietal lobes, which suggested vasogenic edema. Three months before this presentation, she was diagnosed with anti-GBM GN. Since then, she underwent immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide and steroid, and hemodialysis for renal failure with a treatment of anti-GBM GN.

Abdominal Obesity and Mortality in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

BACKGROUND: The relationship between abdominal obesity (AO) and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is controversial. METHODS: The prevalence of AO in 84 PD patients was assessed in a cross-section manner and followed up for 9 years at a single center. AO was defined as a waist circumference (WC) of more than 90 cm in males or more than 80 cm in females. The patients were classified as either with AO(AO group) or without AO(nAO group). RESULTS: The AO group was older, contained more diabetics, more females, and had higher Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) scores, BMI, and triglyceride and lower serum creatinine than the non-AO subjects. The follow-up duration was 53.2+/-34.4 months. At the end of the follow-up, eighteen patients (21.4%) were dead; 9 died of cardiovascular causes. The five year survival rate was 40.8%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that both all-cause and cardiovascular-cause mortalities were similar in the AO and nAO groups. Multivariate analysis revealed the presence of AO not to be an independent risk factor of all-cause and cardiovascular-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: AO itself might not be a risk factor for mortality in PD patients. Nevertheless, further prospective studies with a large number of patients will be needed to prove this.

A Case of Post-radiotherapy Urethral Stricture with Spontaneous Bladder Rupture, Mimicking Obstructive Uropathy due to Cancer Metastasis

Non-traumatic, spontaneous urinary bladder rupture is a rare complication of urethral stricture. Furthermore, its symptoms are often nonspecific, and misdiagnosis is common. The authors experienced a case of urethral stricture with spontaneous bladder rupture and bilateral hydronephrosis, mimicking obstructive uropathy attributed to cancer metastasis. A 55-year-old woman was admitted with abdominal pain and distension, oliguria, and an elevated serum creatinine level. She had undergone radical hysterectomy for uterine cervical cancer and received post-operative concurrent chemoradiation therapy 13 years previously. Non-contrast enhanced computed tomography showed massive ascites and bilateral hydronephrosis. The initial diagnosis was acute kidney injury due to obstructive uropathy caused by malignant disease. After improvement of her renal function by bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy catheterization, contrast-enhanced computed tomography and a cytologic examination of ascites showed no evidence of malignancy. However, during retrograde pyelography, a severe urethral stricture was found, and subsequent cystography showed leakage of contrast into the peritoneal cavity and cystoscopy revealed a defect of the posterior bladder wall. After urethral dilatation and primary closure of the bladder wall, acute kidney injury and ascites were resolved.

Effect of Dialysate Sodium Concentration on Sodium Gradient and Hemodialysis Parameters

This retrospective study was performed to determine the ranges of the sodium gradient (SG) between the dialysate sodium concentration (DNa) and serum sodium concentration (SNa) in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to examine the relationships between HD parameters over a 1 year period. Fifty-five clinically stable HD patients, who had been on HD >2 years were enrolled. Monthly HD [ultrafiltration (UF) amount, systolic blood pressure (SBP), frequency of intradialytic hypotension (IDH)] and laboratory data were collected and 12-month means were subjected to analysis. The SG was calculated by subtracting SNa from prescribed DNa. Mean SG values were 1.5+/-3.3 (range -5.6~9.1). SG was positively related to DNa and the frequency of IDH. A higher SG was associated with larger UF amounts and SBP reduction during HD. The percentages of patients with a SG > or =3mEq/L increased as DNa increased. On the other hand, SG was not found to be associated with SNa or pre-HD SBP. DNa appears to cause a significant increase in SG, and this seems to be related to HD parameters, such as, UF amount and IDH.

The association between mortality and abdominal aortic calcification and relation between its progression and serum calcium concentration in chronic hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: The composite summary score (range, 0-24) of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) devised by Kauppila et al is a simple method of assessing AAC severity. However, few studies have been conducted to determine an optimal AAC cutoff score for the prediction of mortality or to investigate the relation between mineral metabolism and AAC progression using the scoring system. METHODS: The medical records of 112 patients on hemodialysis who had undergone simple lateral lumbar radiography every 6 months from August 2009 were reviewed. Patients were followed until November 2012, and the relationship between the degree of AAC at baseline and mortality was evaluated. In addition, the relationship between the progression of AAC and serum concentrations of calcium and phosphate was evaluated in the 75 patients who were successfully followed until November 2012. RESULTS: The mean AAC score at baseline was 5.5+/-4.8, and the cutoff calcification score for the prediction of mortality was 7.75 (sensitivity=61%, specificity=81%). Patients were allocated to Group A (baseline total calcification score 8.0, n=27), and multivariate analysis showed that Group B was an independent risk factor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Of the 75 patients successfully followed, 51 showed AAC progression (Group 1) and 24 showed no change or improvement (Group 2). Group 1 was found to have significantly higher mean serum corrected calcium levels during the 2nd year and 3rd year of follow-up than Group 2. Furthermore, repeated-measures analysis of variance showed higher monthly corrected calcium concentrations (P=0.099) and mean corrected calcium levels during the 1st year, 2nd year, and 3rd year of follow-up (P=0.062) in Group 1, but without statistical significance. The cutoff values of mean corrected calcium of the 2nd year and 3rd year for the prediction of AAC progression during follow-up years were 8.96mg/dL and 9.45mg/dL, respectively. Serum phosphate levels and corrected calciumxphosphate values were similar in Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: Patients with an AAC score of>8 at baseline seem to be at higher risk of mortality during follow-up. Of the serum variables examined, such as corrected calcium, phosphate, and corrected calciumxphosphate, corrected calcium was found to be marginally associated with AAC progression. However, a larger-scale prospective study is required to confirm our findings.

A Case of Egg-Shell Calcification of Renal Cell Carcinoma in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patient with Sclerosing Encasulating Peritonitis

Acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD), a common complication in patients with end-stage renal disease, is characterized by more than three kidney cysts and normal or decreased sizes of both kidneys without any familial history of cystic kidney disease. In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), however, both kidneys are usually enlarged. Extrarenal manifestations are common in ADPKD, including hepatic cysts, seminal vesicle cysts, mitral valve prolapse. A 40-year-old man presented to the emergency clinic at Inha University Hospital with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for 3 days. He had been undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for 15 years, but it was recently changed to hemodialysis owing to sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP). Radiologic imaging studies revealed bilateral enlarged kidneys with multiple eggshell calcified cysts and some hepatic cysts, which suggested ADPKD. He underwent left nephrectomy, and pathological tests revealed ACKD-associated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) confined to the resected kidney. He was treated with steroids for SEP, and the symptoms resolved. We herein report a case of ACKD-resembling ADPKD-that progressed to RCC in a patient with concurrent SEP who had been undergoing CAPD for 15 years.

Successful antibiotic treatment of Pseudomonas stutzeri-induced peritonitis without peritoneal dialysis catheter removal in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Pseudomonas stutzeri is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, single polar-flagellated, soil bacterium that was first isolated from human spinal fluid and is widely distributed in the environment. It was isolated as an uncommon opportunistic pathogen from humans, and a few cases of P. stutzeri-induced peritonitis have been reported in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Catheter removal with antibiotic treatment is generally recommended because peritonitis by Pseudomonas species is commonly associated with catheter-related infection. Here, we describe the first case of P. stutzeri-induced peritonitis in an 82-year-old woman in Korea. She had received two antipseudomonal antibiotics, an aminoglycoside (isepamicin, Yuhan corporation, Seoul, Korea) and a fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin), and was successfully treated without removal of the CAPD catheter.

A Case of Lithium-Induced Upper Extremity Peripheral Polyneuropathy and Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Lithium is the drug of choice for treating bipolar affective disorders. However, it has a narrow therapeutic index and acute and chronic toxicity can occur in patients with chronic ingestion. Chronic toxicity commonly presents as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus or thyroid dysfunction. Neurologic symptoms such as apathy, hyperreflexia, or clonus can also occur in acute toxicity. However, it rarely causes peripheral neuropathy. We experienced a case of lithium-induced peripheral polyneuropathy who had already nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and chronic kidney disease during 25 years of lithium ingestion due to bipolar disorder.

A Case Report of Acute Kidney Injury after Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy / 대한내과학회지

We report a case of acute kidney injury following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. A 41-year-old man with diabetes mellitus had suffered from urinary difficulty after several treatments of ESWL, bilaterally. It was suspected that fragments of renal stones had caused an obstructive nephropathy with bilateral hydronephrosis. Fortunately, even without renal replacement therapy, renal function gradually returned.

A Case Report of Acute Kidney Injury after Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy / 대한내과학회지

We report a case of acute kidney injury following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. A 41-year-old man with diabetes mellitus had suffered from urinary difficulty after several treatments of ESWL, bilaterally. It was suspected that fragments of renal stones had caused an obstructive nephropathy with bilateral hydronephrosis. Fortunately, even without renal replacement therapy, renal function gradually returned.

A case of biopsy-proven chronic kidney disease on progression from acute phosphate nephropathy

Acute phosphate nephropathy (APhN) following oral sodium phosphate solution (OSP) ingestion as a bowel purgative has been frequently reported. It was recently suggested that APhN could progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a history of APhN might be considered as one of the causes of CKD. However, there are few reports proving APhN as a cause of CKD. Here, we report a case of APhN that progressed to CKD, as proven by renal biopsy.

Current Controversies over the Management of Elderly Hypertension with Impaired Renal Function

Both hypertension and aging impact renal function. Elderly patients are more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CKD), usually defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Multiple studies over the past two decades have shown that CKD is a powerful cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Reduced kidney function in elderly people is a marker for adverse outcomes. The major goals of lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients with CKD include reduction of mortality, CVD events and slowing progression. Main considerations in the management of hypertension include selection of a target BP and selection of agents used to attain the chosen target. Current clinical practice guidelines for BP targets and choice of anti-hypertensive agents in elderly patients with CKD are not specific. Older patients with CKD might experience increased mortality and hospitalizations in association with lower baseline BP values. This review outlines controversies in applying current guidelines for the management of BP to older patients with CKD. Because of the high burden of other comorbidities in older patients with CKD, strict adherence to guidelines for the management of hypertension may not always represent the most adequate approach.

The Use of Single-pass Albumin Dialysis to Correct Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in Acute Hepatitis A: A Case Report / 대한신장학회지

In cases of acute liver failure or acute or chronic liver failure, extracorporeal albumin dialysis utilizing a Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System has been used to treat liver failure and to reduce serum total bilirubin concentrations as a bridge therapy until either liver transplantation or spontaneous recovery. However, the procedure is expensive and is not easily administered in clinical practice. Recently, single pass albumin dialysis (SPAD) using continuous renal replacement therapy was introduced, but information is scarce regarding its efficacy in controlling serum bilirubin. The authors report a case of acute hepatitis A, in which SPAD was performed to correct severe hyperbilirubinemia.

Effect of Anti-embolism Stocking on Intrasession Hemodynamic Variables in Hemodialysis Patients / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: There is no data about the effect of anti-embolism stockings on intrasession hemodynamics in end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis (HD). We investigated whether it affects the hemodynamic changes during HD or not. METHODS: We performed 2 HD sessions, before (stocking negative, SN) and after (stocking positive, SP) putting on thigh-high anti-embolism stockings in 11 ESRD patients on HD. In each session, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), central blood volume (CBV), and peripheral resistance (PR) were measured by ultrasound velocity dilution method at 1 and 3 hours of HD. Ultrafiltration (UF) amount was matched during study. Hemodynamic variables were compared between SN and SP. RESULTS: Mean ages were 51+/-14 years, female was 8, diabetes mellitus was 4, and duration of HD was 56.9+/-28.9 months. There were no differences in pre- and post-HD SBP and DBP, UF amount at 1 hr and 3 hr of HD, and total UF amount between SN and SP. At 1 hr of HD, CBV was greater in SP than in SN (0.85+/-0.32 L vs. 0.93+/-0.32 L, p=0.003). CO (5.56+/-1.22 L/min vs. 5.14+/-1.35 L/min, p=0.075) and SV (73.77+/-19.11 mL vs. 68.95+/-22.21 mL, p=0.05) tended to be increased in SP than in SN. However, there were no differences in TPR between 2 groups. At 3 hr of HD, there were no differences in all hemodynamic variables bewteen SP and SN. CONCLUSION: At early phase of HD, anti-embolism stockings seem to increase CBV, but this effect seems to be attenuated at later phase.

Combination Treatment of RAS Blockers and Corticosteroids in IgA Nephropathy with Variable Amount of Proteinuria / 대한신장학회지

No abstract available.

Agreements between Indirect Calorimetry and Prediction Equations of Resting Energy Expenditure in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

PURPOSE: Equations are frequently used to estimate resting energy expenditure (REE) in a clinical setting. However, few studies have examined their accuracy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To investigate agreement between indirect calorimetry and several REE estimating equations in 38 ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis, we performed indirect calorimetry and compared the results with REEs estimated using 5 equations [Harris-Benedict (HBE), Mifflin, WHO, Schofield, and Cunningham]. RESULTS: Measured REE was 1393.2 +/- 238.7kcal/day. There were no significant differences between measured and estimated REEs except Mifflin (1264.9 +/- 224.8kcal/day). Root mean square errors were smallest for HBE, followed by Schofield, Cunningham, and WHO, and largest for Mifflin (171.3, 171.9, 174.6, 175.3, and 224.6, respectively). In Bland-Altman plot, correlation coefficients between mean values and differences were significant for HBE (r=0.412, p=0.012) and tended to be significant for Cunningham (r=0.283, p=0.086). In DM patients and patients with overhydration, HBE showed significant underestimation when REE increased. CONCLUSION: In ESRD patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), REE-estimating equations have no significant differences from indirect calorimetry, except Mifflin. However, HBE showed greater bias than others when REE was high.

A Case of Hemoperitoneum after Transplant Kidney Biopsy / 대한신장학회지

Percutaneous transplant kidney biopsy has become the most important tool for diagnosing allograft dysfunction. However, renal biopsy has various complications. Among them, hemoperitoneum is a rare complication and has not been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of hemoperitoneum after transplant kidney biopsy. A 43-year-old man, 3 years after renal transplantation, was presented with elevated serum creatinine. Percutaneous renal biopsy was executed by real-time ultrasound guidance and 14-gauged spring loaded automated biopsy gun at upper pole of transplanted kidney. Renal biopsy was completed after 5 trials due to poor visualization of biopsy needle tip. After 2 hours, the patient complained of acute right side abdominal pain and dizziness. Abdominal pelvis CT showed moderate amount of hemoperitoneum. The patient underwent emergency laparotomy. Hematoma was seen in the omentum with minor vessel bleeding. Ligation was done. The patient was discharged after 15 days.

A Case of Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patient / 대한신장학회잡지

Liposarcoma accounts for at least 20% of all soft tissue sarcoma in adults and occur anywhere in the body, although about 14% of cases arise from retroperitoneum. Liposarcoma usually presents as a painless, enlarging mass that can slowly grow over many years. We here report a case of retroperitoneal liposarcoma in a 52 years old female patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma was incidentally found by computed tomography which was performed due to ventral hernia and confirmed by ultrasonography guided-biopsy. She was treated successfully by wide surgical resection and transferred to hemodialysis.

A Case of Idiopathic Nodular Glomerulosclerosis Related to Hypertension and Smoking / 대한신장학회지

A 39-year-old man with a history of hypertension for 10 years and 10 pack-years smoking, was admitted with dyspnea and generalized edema. On admission, renal insufficiency accompanied with nephrotic syndrome was diagnosed. Even on careful examination including history, blood chemistry test, and fundoscopic examination, no clinical evidence of diabetes was found. Renal biopsy findings, which strongly resembled that of diabetic nodular glomerulosclerosis in microscopic features, showed glomerular hypertrophy and nodular mesangeal sclerosis. Additional immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural investigations excluded other possible diseases that should be differentiated; membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, thrombotic microangiopathy, amyloidosis, monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease, fibrillary glomerulonephritis, and immunotactoid glomerulopathy. Idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis is histopathologically similar to nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis but is unusually developed in persons with hypertension and smoking history. Though there were three reports about cases of nodular glomerulosclerosis in the Korean literature, the cases were related to hepatitis B virus or diabetic retinopathy without overt diabetes. We report a rare case of idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis that was related to hypertension and smoking without other medical history.

Rectus Muscle Hematoma Due to Severe Cough in CAPD Patient / 대한신장학회지

Rectus muscle hematoma is uncommon condition, caused by a tear in an epigastric vessel. Most cases were caused by direct trauma or anticoagulation therapy. In addition, it has been frequently associated with other conditions such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, pregnancy, hypertension, prior paracentesis or laparotomy, excessive retraction in surgery. There are several reports of rectus muscle hematoma in renal failure, but no report has come out with CAPD patients in Korea. We herein present a case of rectus muscle hematoma due to severe cough in end-stage renal disease patient on CAPD.