Increased serum levels of hyaluronic acid in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Fifteen percent of patients who later have hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome develop initially have nonspecific symptoms. Early diagnosis could ensure adequate obstetric management; however, prognostic biochemical tests are lacking. We hypothesized that elevated hyaluronic acid serum levels might be an early indicator of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome because it is known to be a sensitive marker of liver cell function. STUDY DESIGN: Hyaluronic acid in serum was measured in patients with normal pregnancies (n = 109) and in those patients with pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (n = 14) or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome (n = 11). RESULTS: A significant increase in hyaluronic acid serum concentrations was observed in patients with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome or with preeclampsia (p < 0.05). The extent of hyaluronic acid serum levels in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome correlated with the clinical severity of the individual course of disease as measured by intensive care unit time (r = 0.72; p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of hyaluronic acid in preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome are significantly elevated and might play an important diagnostic and prognostic role in patients with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome.

[Tumors of the renal pelvis--diagnostic possibilities using CT]. / Tumoren des Nierenbeckens--Diagnostische Möglichkeiten mit CT.

The urographic results obtained in 14 patients with tumors of the renal pelvis are compared with those of computer tomography (CT), and the diagnostic possibilities emerging from CT are described. CT is superior to urography and angiography not only in the discovery of renal pelvic tumors but also in their further differentiation. In addition, CT gives information in case if bilateral processes and lymph node metastases. Nonetheless, intravenous pyelography continues to hold the first place in the diagnosis of pathological processes of the renal pelvis. This holds both for tumor detection and suspicion and for indirect signs, namely the "mute" kidney or hydronephrosis. Angiography is less information with renal pelvic tumors, and with ultrasonic diagnostics there is no sufficient experience up to now.