Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter-associated Right Atrial Thrombus Presenting with Septic Pulmonary Embolism.

Tunneled hemodialysis (HD) catheter-associated right atrial thrombus (CRAT) is an uncommon complication with significant morbidity. We report the case of a patient undergoing HD through tunneled venous catheter who presented with catheter dysfunction and sepsis and was diagnosed to have CRAT with septic embolism. CRAT formation has a significant association with catheter-related infection. The need for early diagnosis and various treatment options for this entity are highlighted.

Hidden in Plain Sight: An Unusual Cause of Rapidly Progressive Renal Failure.

Hyperoxaluria and resultant oxalate nephropathy are infrequently reported causes of irreversible renal failure. A rapid decline in renal function in an otherwise insidiously progressive oxalate nephropathy may be triggered by various superimposed insults like the use of nephrotoxic drugs. We present the case of a patient with rapidly progressive renal failure due to oxalate nephropathy that lead to a retrospective diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. This case highlights the importance of timely assessment for enteric hyperoxaluria in patients with unexplained renal failure of tubulointerstitial nature.

Computerized tomography with and without intraperitoneal contrast for determination of intraabdominal fluid distribution and diagnosis of complications in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Seven computed tomography scans and 19 computed tomograph peritoneography (CTP) studies performed in 20 peritoneal dialysis patients were analyzed retrospectively as to their diagnostic usefulness in peritoneal dialysis related complications. Computed tomographic peritoneography was found to be superior to computed tomography scans in localizing small leak sites. In seven of nine patients with clinically diagnosed dialysate leakage, computed tomographic peritoneography supported the clinical diagnosis and localized the leak site in six patients. All patients with a conspicuous leak site and/or with leaks through hernias had to have surgical treatment. Computed tomographic peritoneography failed to reveal a leak or identify a fluid tract in patients with intermittent, small leaks. Those leaks responded easily to a dialysis regimen with diminished intraabdominal pressure. Normal intraperitoneal fluid distribution was based on 17 studies after intraperitoneal infusion of 2,000 ml of peritoneal dialysis solution in patients without intraabdominal organomegaly and/or any clinical suspicion of fluid maldistribution, with average peritoneal transport characteristics. As appraised in the supine position, approximate fluid contents in the intraperitoneal spaces were pelvis, 30-55%; paracolic gutter, 15-30%; perisplenic and perihepatic, 10-20% each, and lesser sac, 1-3%. Severe fluid maldistribution on computed tomography peritoneography, particularly a small fluid volume in the pelvic space, is a poor prognostic sign as to the feasibility of peritoneal dialysis; neither of our two patients with no fluid in the pelvic space could be maintained on peritoneal dialysis, while patients with no fluid in the lesser sac, perihepatic and perisplenic spaces could be maintained on peritoneal dialysis. No fluid was seen in the peritoneal cavity after drainage in the vertical position.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Long-term increase in peritoneal membrane transport rates following incidental intraperitoneal sodium hypochlorite infusion.

A patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis using an "O" set connection system with sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant incidentally infused the disinfectant intraperitoneally on two occasions. The product of peritoneal membrane permeability and peritoneal membrane surface area increased after both infusions as judged by peritoneal equilibration test results and/or serum chemistries. Elevated peritoneal solute transport rates and reduced ultrafiltration gradually subsided but did not return to preinfusion values. This observation suggests that intraperitoneal sodium hypochlorite infusion may cause significant long-term alteration in peritoneal membrane transport characteristics.

Acute renal failure--a complication of new multidrug regimen for treatment of leprosy.

A leprosy patient who developed acute renal failure on multidrug therapy is reported. The patient had initially received a once-weekly dose of rifampin and after he had stopped taking the drug for a time, was given rifampin on a once-monthly dose schedule. He recovered completely from his acute renal failure. Kidney biopsy showed interstitial nephritis with mononuclear and eosinophilic cellular infiltrates.