Transcolonic retrograde ureteric catheterization assisted by 3-D computed tomography.

A 42-year-old woman had bladder exstrophy at birth, treated by ureterocolic anastomosis of her single kidney. She suffered recurrent hyperammonaemia, leading to comas, but refused an ileal conduit. During her most recent coma, it was decided to divert her urine to test whether this would reduce hyperammonaemia: this was accomplished by transcolonic retrograde catheterization of the ureter. This was only possible after computed tomography ureterography to show the ureterocolic anastomosis.

Potential for bilateral nephrectomy to reduce oxalate release after combined liver and kidney transplantation for primary hyperoxaluria type 1.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH-1) is frequently associated with end stage renal failure due to urinary calculi, obstructive uropathy and interstitial deposits of calcium oxalate. The currently accepted treatment for PH-1 is liver transplantation to replace the deficient enzyme peroxisomal alanine glycoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) and a simultaneous renal transplant to restore renal function. The transplanted kidney may become significantly impaired or fail when systemic calcium oxalate is eliminated by renal excretion. The native kidneys are a major source of this oxalate. This study was undertaken to determine whether there is a difference in oxalate clearance following combined liver-kidney transplant in patients with PH-1 by comparing the effect of native kidney nephrectomy at the time of transplantation against leaving the native kidneys in situ. Regression analysis was used to compare daily urinary oxalate excretion corrected for body surface area. There was a significant reduction in urinary oxalate excretion (P < 0.05) in the patient who had undergone bilateral nephrectomy compared to the patient whose native kidneys remained in situ for the first 100 d following combined liver and kidney transplantation. No difference was observed in the serum oxalate levels between patients over the same period or in the renal function assessed by creatinine clearance corrected for body surface area. Total body oxalate load was not determined in this study. A larger study should be undertaken to examine the benefits of nephrectomy in reducing oxalate deposition in recently inserted allografts for patients with PH-1.

Recurrent graft pain following renal autotransplantation for loin pain haematuria syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To review retrospectively the Perth experience of autotransplantation for loin pain haematuria syndrome and identify possible factors associated with its failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 11 women patients (median age 42 years, range 29-48) who had 12 autotransplantations were reviewed. All patients were then interviewed and asked whether they considered the operation a success. RESULTS: All patients initially had complete relief of symptoms. Three patients who had four transplants are still symptom-free with a follow-up of 24-46 months. Five patients have had partial relief with marked variability in their patterns of recurrent pain. Three patient have symptoms as severe as those before operation. One kidney was lost because of acute thrombosis and another developed a urinoma. No patient had deterioration in renal function. CONCLUSION: Renal autotransplantation is a treatment option of last resort, with acceptable morbidity in patients with intractable, functionally disabling renal pain, but three-quarters of these patients may develop recurrent pain in the transplant site. A current or past history of depression or absence of haematuria may represent risk factors for a poor post-operative prognosis. Treatment failure is predictable by a poor response to sympathetic neurolytic block.

Primary varicella in adult renal transplant recipients: a report of three cases plus a review of the literature.

Disseminated primary varicella zoster infection in renal transplant patients can result in severe and often fatal illness. The disease tends to be much more severe in adults with an 80% mortality in the only reported series (1). We report 3 cases of severe disseminated varicella zoster in adult renal transplant patients who all survived. Early diagnosis, institution of intravenous acyclovir 10 mg/kg tds, zoster immunoglobulin, cessation of azathioprine treatment and aggressive supportive care may improve an otherwise bleak prognosis.