Effects of raloxifene on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women on chronic hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal women with end-stage renal failure are at an increased risk of fracture because of the effects of secondary hyperparathyroidism and postmenopausal osteoporosis. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of using raloxifene to prevent fractures in postmenopausal women with end-stage renal failure on hemodialysis. METHODS: This study was conducted using a multicenter, single-arm, prospective design. Raloxifene was administered to postmenopausal women aged ≥50 years who were on maintenance hemodialysis and met any of the following criteria after a 24-week run-in period: an alkaline phosphatase level (bone formation marker) of ≥6.18 µkat/L (≥370 U/L), a bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP; bone formation marker) level of ≥0.59 µkat/L (≥35.4 U/L), or a bone-derived tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP-5b; bone resorption marker) level of ≥4.2 U/L. RESULTS: A total of 48 individuals were eligible for study inclusion. Of them, 30 individuals participated in this study. The BAP levels were significantly decreased at week 4, but returned to the baseline levels at week 24. Similarly, the TRACP-5b levels were significantly decreased at week 4, but returned to the baseline levels at week 24. The serum calcium value decreased consistently after the start of raloxifene therapy. The intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were likely increased at week 4. The ratio of BAP to iPTH levels and the ratio of TRACP-5b to iPTH levels both showed significant decreases over time. During the raloxifene therapy, no thrombosis or other drug-related adverse events developed. CONCLUSION: The study results indicated that raloxifene can transiently reduce the levels of bone metabolism markers and might be useful for preventing fractures in postmenopausal women with end-stage renal failure, although raloxifene use over the long term may not have adequate efficacy in the absence of appropriate concomitant active vitamin D therapy.

[Ureteral-abdominal aortic fistula during the exchange of ureteral stenting: a case report].

We report a case of a patient with a fistula between the left ureter and abdominal aorta. The patient was a 44-year-old male who had undergone radiation therapy (intraoperative: 25 Gy, external beam: 50 Gy) and chemotherapy (CDDP: 250 mg) for retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis from seminoma. His postoperative course was complicated by stenosis of bilateral ureters, which were treated by indwelling double J-stents. Fifteen years after the operation, gross hematuria occurred from the left ureteral orifice when exchanging the left ureteral double J-stent. Computed tomographic scan demonstrated left ureteral-abdominal aortic fistula formation at the crossing point. Massive hemorrhage was suspected to have prompt fistula formation between the left ureter and the aorta. At exploration, there was a fistula of about 7 mm in diameter at the anterior surface of the aorta, and the stent was presumably inserted from it. The aortic fistula was successfully closed. In addition, the left ureter was ligated proximal to the fistula and percutaneous left nephrostomy were performed. His postoperative course was uneventful. We should be aware that uretero-arterial fistula can occur as a serious complication of ureteral catheter exchange after prolonged ureteral stenting and radiation therapy.

[Pancreatic and duodenal metastases from renal cell carcinoma 13 years after radical nephrectomy: a case report].

A 52-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of orthostatic vertigo, fatigue and weight loss, who underwent right total nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma(RCC) with curative operation 13 years ago (in 1992). Endoscopic examination revealed a submucosal tumor with erosion in the duodenum. The diagnosis made from the biopsy specimens was metastatic RCC in the duodenum. Abdominal CT scan revealed that his metastasis has spread to the pancreas. Five million units of interferon a was administered intramuscularly three times a week for 1 month. He received blood transfusions and palliative care. He died 5 months later because of disease progression. Metastases of RCC have been often reported in the lungs, the liver, and the bones, but rarely in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a very rare case of metastatic RCC in the duodenum, which was diagnosed 13 years after curative right nephrectomy. Since late recurrence is characteristic of renal cell carcinoma, careful long-term follow-up is needed. To our knowledge, this is the 19th case of duodenal metastasis from RCC reported in the literature.