Renal Amyloidosis (AL Kappa Type) With an Uncommon Presentation: A Case Report.

Amyloidosis is a disease associated with deposits of amyloid fibrils that aggregate in various tissues leading to progressive organ failure and often multi-systemic involvement. It may be classified as localized or systemic, acquired or hereditary. Renal presentation is variable but can include nephrotic syndrome, acute renal failure, tubular dysfunction, or just varying degrees of proteinuria. Although most cases of renal amyloidosis are due to acquired causes, in rare instances, the cause can be gene mutations leading to hereditary amyloidosis. We present the case of a 77-year-old Caucasian man diagnosed with renal biopsy-proven AL (kappa) type amyloidosis with isolated renal involvement who had a significant family history of renal biopsy-proven amyloidosis.

Proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis (Fanconi Syndrome) Induced by Apremilast: A Case Report.

Apremilast is a recently developed phosphodiesterase 4-inhibitory medication approved for use to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We report a case of Fanconi syndrome and proximal renal tubular acidosis that was associated with this medication. Our patient was started on treatment with apremilast 2 weeks before his admission. On arrival, laboratory test results were significant for hypokalemia, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, low uric acid concentration, positive urine anion gap, and proteinuria, which resolved on discontinuation of the drug. Two months after the hospitalization, he was restarted on apremilast therapy; 17 days after resumption, the patient was admitted for similar laboratory values, which again improved when apremilast treatment was discontinued. After discharge, laboratory values remained normal without long-term electrolyte repletion. Proximal renal tubular acidosis (Fanconi syndrome) with quick correction of electrolyte concentrations on discontinuation of the drug was diagnosed. Our patient lacked evidence of other causes. Our patient fulfilled criteria associated with this disease and responded well off treatment with the offending agent. Literature review did not reveal prior cases associated with this medication.

Renal fluid overload diagnosed by retinal optical coherence tomography scanning.

Fluid overload is one of the major findings in patients with end-stage renal disease. Common findings in fluid overload include shortness of breath, pedal edema, ascites, and pericardial effusion. Rarely, vision loss can be associated with decompensated systemic fluid status. In the following case, we report an unusual case of vision loss due to retinal edema as a result of fluid overload diagnosed and followed to resolution by optical coherence tomography testing.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Case Series and Literature Review.

Although originally considered to be uncommon, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is becoming increasingly visible, annually comprising an increasing portion of suspected diagnoses of acute coronary syndrome. This condition is characterized by reversible left ventricular akinesis without significant coronary artery obstruction. This case study presents five patients diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, as confirmed by echocardiogram and angiography. All of the patients presented with classic myocardial chest pain and elevated troponins. Following diagnosis, they were treated with supportive measures, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and beta-blockers. All patients made a full recovery. Though the mechanism of Takotsubo has not been fully elucidated, hypotheses suggest it may be related to excessive catecholamine levels causing either myocardial stunning or coronary vasospasm. Recognition and understanding of this unusual pathology are essential because it can lead to improved clinical management.

Successful management of chylous ascites: A report of two cases.

Chylous ascites consists of the accumulation of chyle in the peritoneal cavity. Diagnosis is established by cytochemical analysis of the fluid revealing fat globules and high triglyceride content. The majority of cases are caused by pathology that interferes with abdominal retroperitoneal lymphatic drainage. We present two cases of postoperative chylous ascites, one following a bilateral nephrectomy, the other following orthotopic heart transplantation. Treatment is typically conservative with the aim to alleviate abdominal distension and reduce the flow of lymph into the mesenteric lymph nodes. Postsurgical chylous ascites has high cure rate with conservative therapy alone. Therapeutic paracentesis, diuretics, salt restriction, a high-protein, low-fat, mediumchain triglyceride diet, and parenteral nutrition are considered in chronic cases. The effects of longterm paracentesis on patients remains to be seen. In patients requiring renal replacement therapy, removal of chyle during peritoneal dialysis is often attempted.

Laparoscopic colon resections with discharge less than 24 hours.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A short hospital stay is one of the main advantages of laparoscopic surgery. Previous studies have shown that after a multimodal fast-track process, the hospital length of stay can be shortened to between 2 and 5 days. The objective of this review is to show that the hospital length of stay can, in some cases, be reduced to <24 hours. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviews a surgeon's experience with laparoscopic surgery over a 12-month period. Seven patients were discharged home within 24 hours after minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical treatment, following a modified fast-track protocol that was adopted for perioperative care. RESULTS: Of the 7 patients, 4 received laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for malignant disease and 3 underwent sigmoid colectomies for recurrent diverticulitis. The mean hospital stay was 21 hours, 47 minutes; the mean volume of intraoperative fluid (lactated Ringer) was 1850 mL; the mean surgical blood loss was only 74.3 mL; the mean duration of surgery was 118 minutes; and the patients were ambulated and fed a liquid diet after recovery from anesthesia. The reviewed patients had functional gastrointestinal tracts and were agreeable to the timing of discharge. On the follow-up visit, they showed no adverse consequences such as bleeding, infection, or anastomotic leak. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic colon surgery that incorporated multimodal perioperative care allowed patients to be discharged within the first 24 hours. Careful postoperative outpatient follow-up is important in monitoring complications such as anastomotic leak, which may not present until postoperative day 5.

Overnight hospital stay after colon surgery for adenocarcinoma.

A short hospital stay is one of the main advantages of the laparoscopic surgical technique. The process of developing and studying the "fast-track" process has contributed to a better understanding of the elements of perioperative care and has resulted in the reduction in length of stay (LOS) after colectomies. As we follow and refine this well-recognized multimodal approach, further decreases in the LOS can be expected. We present 2 octogenarian patients who, after receiving laparoscopic hemicolectomies for malignant disease, were discharged home < 24 hours after their operations. Postoperative follow-ups did not show any adverse reaction to the early discharge. Modifying the multimodal perioperative technique with further refinement to the surgical technique appears to allow patients to be discharged home in the first 24 hours following laparoscopic colectomy.

Blastomycosis: case report investigating a persistent pulmonary lesion in an immunocompromised patient.

Blastomycosis is a well known infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. It appears usually as a mild and self-limited disease, but disseminated cases are seen, especially in immunocompromised patients. In organ transplant recipients, fungal infections play an important role and in some cases can be fatal, but blastomycosis is a rare and uncommon condition in this setting and specifically in renal transplant patients. Its occurrence is probably due to previous exposure, but sometimes there is no clear history that indicates such exposure. We describe a patient who underwent a renal transplant and developed pulmonary blastomycosis.