Facial Nerve Palsy after Temporal Artery Biopsy.

A 79-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with a chief complaint of headache of 1 month's duration. Her medical history consisted of hypertension, congestive heart failure, anemia, chronic kidney disease, and hyperlipidemia. She reported the headache as waxing and waning, and occurring bilaterally in the frontal and occipital regions. On examination, she was found to have mild right-sided ptosis and possible early right-sided papilledema. She was also found to have bilateral shoulder tenderness and scalp tenderness. She denied double vision, vision changes, or jaw claudication.

Prevalence of polyomavirus among United Arab Emirates kidney transplant recipients: results from a single center.

BACKGROUND: BK viremia and nephropathy are increasing problems in renal transplant recipients. The absence of a safe and effective antiviral therapy made screening-based prevention a recommended strategy. The prevalence of its reactivation among recipients of kidney transplants in the Middle East has not been well established. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of BK virus (BKV) infection for renal transplant recipients at our medical center. METHODS: All renal transplant recipients followed up in our transplantation clinic between 2012 and 2013 (n = 116) were screened. Urine and blood quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the BKV were performed in all of the study patients. Renal biopsy was performed only in patients with deteriorating renal function associated with positive PCR. Patients who showed positive BKV PCR were followed up for 6 to 12 months. This included clinical and kidney function assessment along with BKV PCR viral load. RESULTS: Among the 116 kidney transplant recipients studied, 65 (56%) were male, age 51 ± 15 years, with a transplantation vintage of 131 ± 61 months; 17 (14.7%) were positive for BKV PCR. Three (2.7%) showed viremia; 2 of them had deterioration of kidney function, renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of BK nephropathy (NP) in both cases. The 3 cases were managed by reducing the immunosuppressive treatment with stabilization of their kidney function. Cases with stable renal function and positive urine for BKV cleared the virus spontaneously during follow-up after minor reduction of the immunosuppressive treatment or without any intervention. None of our patients lost the graft due to BK NP. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that BKV is not uncommon in our kidney transplant recipients. Routine screening suggested by the KDIGO Guidelines could help minimize its detrimental impact on the transplant outcome.

Gonadal dysfunction and infertility in kidney transplant patients receiving sirolimus.

Sirolimus is an immunosupressor of the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTOR-I) group. Recent studies have emphasized a potential impact of sirolimus on male gonadal function. We report our clinical experience with sirolimus-induced gonadal dysfunction and infertility in both male and female kidney transplant patients. Of the 170 kidney transplant patients, nine (5.3%) patients (six males and three females) were receiving sirolimus. Follow-up data for two male patients were not available. The one unmarried female patient developed amenorrhea post-transplantation and had resumption of her menstrual cycles after discontinuation of sirolimus. The remaining six married patients (four males and two females), who all had fathered or conceived children in the pre-transplantation period, developed gonadal dysfunction and infertility on average 5-12 months after transplantation. Sirolimus was discontinued in all four male patients with full recovery of the oligo/azospermia and restoration of fertility. Both married female patients developed amenorrhea post-transplantation. Sirolimus was discontinued in one female patient with resumption of her menstrual cycles. In this small population of patients treated with sirolimus, the prevalence rate of reversible gonadal dysfunction and infertility was significant in both males and females. Infertility secondary to sirolimus is under-diagnosed and should be studied further.

Hyperferritinemia in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, severe nephritis and an iron-rich intraspinal schwannoma mimicking lupus myelopathy.

We describe a lupus flare in a 59-year-old woman who presented with pancytopenia, nephritis, severe renal dysfunction and marked hyperferritinemia. The course of the disease was further complicated by an iron-laden, intraspinal ancient schwannoma that compressed the cervical cord mimicking a lupus-related myelopathy and was removed surgically. Treatment with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and prednisone induced a gradual decline in levels of serum ferritin with a concomitant improvement in renal function and reduction of proteinuria. Serum ferritin may be a useful marker of the response to treatment with MMF in renal lupus.

Long-term use of low-molecular-weight heparin in hemodialysis patients: a 7-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH) is not routinely used as anticoagulant in hemodialysis (HD). The ideal dose and the safety of long-term use are not known. METHODS: A prospective three-phase interventional study. Phase 1 involved dose titration, phase 2 safety and efficacy and phase 3 routine practice. RESULTS: During 7 years of the use of the LMWH enoxaparin (EN), 236 patients were treated with a total number of 60,987 HD sessions. The mean dose used during the titration phase was 0.43 +/- 0.16 mg/kg/session, which was subsequently reduced in phase 3 to 0.36 +/- 0.14 mg/kg/session. The long-term effects of EN on the platelet count and lipid profile were comparable to unfractionated heparin. CONCLUSION: The long-term use of LMWH (EN) with a reduced dose in HD is practical and safe.

Fasting Ramadan in kidney transplant patients is safe.

Muslims with renal transplant often ask their doctors whether fasting Ramadan is safe. Scanty studies have addressed this question. This prospective study was undertaken to identify any clinical or biological changes with Muslim fasting. 22 kidney transplant patients with stable kidney functions, who were transplanted for more than one year, and voluntarily chose to fast during Ramadan in 1425 H (October-November 2004), were studied. Total of 22 subjects (10 men and 12 women) with a mean age of 47 +/- 11.6 years were studied. Full clinical and biological assessment was done before during and after the month of Ramadan fasting. Medications were taken in two divided doses at sunset (time of breaking the fast) and pre dawn (before the fast). None of the patients experienced any undue fatigue, or symptoms. Body weight, blood pressure, kidney function tests, blood sugar, lipid profile, and cyclosporine levels remained stable. In conclusion it is safe for renal transplant recipients of more than one year and having stable graft function to fast during the month of Ramadan; however caution is advised for moderate to severe impaired renal function.

Pattern of acute renal failure in a tertiary hospital in the United Arab Emirates.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a challenging problem in nephrology. To evaluate the pattern, management and outcome of ARF in our tertiary hospital, we analyzed the data of all 81 patients admitted with or developing ARF in hospital between January 2002 and June 2003. The 45 men and 36 women of mean age 56.2 +/- 21 (range 13 to 91) years were managed either on the ward (n = 48; 59%) and or in the ICU (n = 33; 41%) 10% were direct admissions to the nephrology service with ARF, and 90% developed ARF in hospital. Thirty percent were referred by oncology services and 15% by general medicine. Sepsis was the cause of ARF in 36 (44%) patients, followed by drug nephrotoxicity in 11 (14%), and obstructive uropathy in 9 (11%). Comorbid conditions were hypertension in 28 (35%); diabetes in 27 (33%); chronic renal failure, 19 (23%); ischemic heart disease 19 (23%); and liver disease 12 (15%). The most common predisposing factor was hypotension in 42 (52%), dehydration in 32 (40%), and drug nephrotoxicity in 20 (25%). Sixty patients (74%) were managed conservatively, and 21 (26%) required renal replacement therapy. The length of hospital stay was 29.5 +/- 38.4 (range 2 to 279) days. Patient survival for those managed on the ward was 71% compared to 33% for ICU patients (P <.00001). Renal survival was 83% for ward patients, compared to 48% for those in the ICU (P <.001). This study showed that majority of ARF developed in-hospital with oncology patients constituting the greatest proportion. Sepsis was the leading cause of ARF and hypotension, the main predisposing factor. Patients treated in the ICU showed a worse prognosis for both patient and renal survival.

Outcome and predictive factors of acute renal failure in the intensive care unit.

The development of acute renal failure (ARF) in the ICU setting carries a high morbidity and mortality. To assess the outcomes and its predictive factors in our ICU, we analyzed the data of patients with ARF treated during 18 months. The 33 patients included 21 men and 12 women of mean age 51 +/- 21.7 years (13 to 87). Sepsis with multi-organ dysfunction (MOD) was the leading cause of ARF (58%). Comorbid conditions were malignancy in 30% of patients, diabetes mellitus in 24%, hypertension in 21%, ischemic heart disease in 21%, liver disease in 15%, and chronic renal failure in 15%. Predisposing factors were hypotension in 67% of cases, dehydration in 36%, drug related in 33%, congestive heart failure in 24%, and liver cirrhosis in 6%. Twenty-five (76%) patients needed mechanical ventilation, 22 (67%) were anuric, 18 (55%) had MODS, and 15 (45%) needed inotropic support. Length of stay in hospital was 27.2 +/- 28.0 days (2 to 94). Nineteen patients (58%) were managed conservatively and 14 (42%) by renal replacement therapy. Patient mortality was 67% and renal mortality 52%. The impact of the following factor: was assessed on patient and renal outcome was assessed ventilation support, presence of oliguria, need for inotropes, and presence of MOD. Patient mortality was significantly influenced by an elevated odds ratios (OR) (95% CI): mechanical ventilation [OR = 34 (95% CI 1.95 to 538)], and presence of MODS [OR = 12.3 (95% CI 2 to 75)]. Renal mortality was influenced by mechanical ventilation [OR = 12.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 119)], oliguria [OR = 12 (95% CI 2 to 72)], inotrope support [OR = 10 (95% CI 2 to 52), and MOD [OR = 35 (95% CI 3.5 to 35.0)]. This study confirms the high patient and renal mortality of ARF among patients to ICU. The four parameters were excellent predictors of renal outcome, while only the need for mechanical ventilation and the presence of MOD were predictors for patient survival.

Late cytomegalovirus disease with atypical presentation in renal transplant patients: case reports.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease typically occurs 1 to 4 months (median 35 days) after solid organ transplantation. Recent reports documented that the natural history of CMV disease associated with solid organ transplantation has been modified as a result of the widespread use of potent immunosuppressents and antiviral prophylaxis. We herein report three pretransplant CMV seropositive recipients (with unknown donor status) who were diagnosed recently to display late and atypical CMV disease. Two men and one woman included two patients who presented with allograft dysfunction at 12 years and at 3 years after transplantation. Both patients showed increased serum creatinine approximately from baseline 200 to >400 micromol/L over 3 months in the absence of features of rejection or cyclosporine toxicity. A renal biopsy was refused by both patients. Two of the three patients presented with symptoms of enterocolitis (diarrhea, nausea, weight loss), which had persisted for more than 6 months. Other symptoms and signs of overt CMV disease (fever, leukopenia) were absent. None had pulmonary, hepatic, or other major organ involvement. In all patients IgG antibodies and CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction were positive with negative IgM antibodies. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), steroids, and calcineurin inhibitors. The kidney function significantly improved in both patients with renal dysfunction. Gastrointestinal symptoms resolved completely with gradual weight gain. The recognition and early diagnosis of late atypical CMV disease in kidney transplant patients presenting with allograft dysfunction and/or other organ systems is important. The MMF has a red herring effect in our cases due to its GI side effects.

Femoral mononeuropathy induced by the lithotomy position: a report of 5 cases with a review of literature.

We report 5 young women who developed femoral mononeuropathy (FMN) after placement in the lithotomy position. Three had uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and 2 underwent exploratory laparoscopies. EMG was performed on 3 patients. The lesions were localized to the inguinal ligament and probably demyelinating, accounting for their excellent prognosis. On reviewing the literature, however, we believe that lithotomy position can cause FMN, not only by nerve compression at the inguinal ligament, but also by stretching of the nerve by excessive hip abduction and external rotation.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: report of two cases.

We report the clinical, radiologic, and postmortem findings in two patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who developed cerebral venous thromboses (CVTs). In contrast with those in most published cases, our patients did not have focal neurologic signs. Antemortem diagnosis of CVT had been made by MR cerebral venograms. We conclude that (1) PNH should be considered in any patient with stroke associated with iron deficiency anemia, hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, or hemosiderinuria; (2) PNH should be in the differential diagnosis of CVT; (3) the latter could present without focal neurologic signs; and (4) MR cerebral venography may be a reliable diagnostic alternative to cerebral angiography when CVT is suspected.

Postmortem examination of relapsing acute Guillain-Barre syndrome.

We report a patient who had six episodes of acute Guillain-Barre syndrome during his life. He is the fifth such case with postmortem analysis.

Extraocular muscles are spared in advanced Duchenne dystrophy.

Fast-twitch extremity muscle fibers are preferentially affected in Duchenne's and Becker's muscular dystrophy. Since saccades are thought to be mediated by fast-twitch fibers, saccadic velocities would be expected to be decreased in these patients. Using infrared oculography, we found that the peak velocities of saccades in 3 patients with advanced Duchenne's or Becker's muscular dystrophy were normal. Clinical findings in 7 other patients with these forms of dystrophy were normal. This investigation is the first study of ocular motility in Duchenne's and Becker's muscular dystrophy. It demonstrates that extraocular muscle function is preserved and suggests that fast-twitch fibers in extraocular muscles possess properties that protect against degeneration.

Iron environment in soybean lipoxygenase-1.

The iron coordination in native, Fe(II), lipoxygenase has been studied by Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS). The ligands are 6 +/- 1 nitrogen and/or oxygen ligands at 2.05-2.09 A, with a maximum variance of 0.09 A. The number of imidazole ligands is estimated at 4 +/- 1 using multiple scattering simulations. The remaining ligands are proposed to be carboxylate oxygens.