Duplex Doppler sonography in renal parenchymal disease. Histopathologic correlation

To evaluate the histopathologic changes influencing Doppler measurements of the resistive index (RI) in renal arteries in renal parenchymal diseases, 68 kidneys in 34 consecutive patients with various forms of renal parenchymal diseases were studied by duplex Doppler ultrasound (duplex US) immediately before percutaneous renal biopsy. The RI, renal length, and renal cortical echogenicity were correlated with the amount of glomerular, interstitial, and vascular changes graded on a scale from 0 to 100. The renal vascular resistance and therefore the RI are significantly correlated with the prevalence of arteriolosclerosis, glomerular sclerosis, arteriosclerosis, edema, and focal interstitial fibrosis. There was no significant difference of the RI in five groups of different renal parenchymal diseases. Of 34 patients, 24 presented with an RI less than 0.7, which was thought to be within the normal range so far. Additionally, the RI increases as the patient's age increases, due to higher incidence of arteriosclerosis. Of our patients, 44% presented with normal cortical echogenicity. Quantitative duplex US using the RI does not reliably distinguish different types of renal medical disorders.     

Increased renal cortical echogenicity in pediatric renal disease: histopathologic correlations

Retrospective comparisons between sonographic renal cortical echogenicity and the results of renal biopsies were made for 65 pediatric patients ranging in age from neonate to 18 years. There was a positive correlation between an increase in renal cortical echoes and interstitial infiltration as well as with glomerular obsolescence, tubular atrophy, and vascular changes. Since the sonographic changes were heterogeneous in origin, they are not specific. The sonographic findings also correlated positively with the clinical severity of disease. However, the heterogeneous origins of the sonographic finding and the absence of strong correlations indicate that gray-scale sonography cannot act as a prognostic index of the type or severity of disease in pediatric patients.     

KIM-1在UUO大鼠肾脏表达的研究

目的探讨KIM-1在UUO大鼠肾脏的表达情况。方法构建单侧输尿管梗阻(UUO)模型获得大鼠肾组织,RT-PCR检测KIM-1mRNA的表达,ELISA法检测尿液中KIM-1的分泌,免疫组织化学SP法检测KIM 1、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(-αSMA)、波形蛋白(Vimentin)表达以及自动生化分析检测血尿生化指标。结果与假手术组比较,UUO组大鼠肾脏可见KIM-1阳性表达,且具有时间依赖性。UUO大鼠尿液中KIM 1的含量明显增加,具有时间依赖性。结论 KIM-1可以作为一种敏感性和特异性都较高的早期诊断梗阻所致肾小管损伤的标志物,具有临床病理诊断的参考意义。     

Acanthocytes in the urine: useful tool to differentiate diabetic nephropathy from glomerulonephritis?

OBJECTIVE: The presence of hematuria has been suggested to indicate nondiabetic nephropathy in diabetic patients with proteinuria. However, hematuria is frequently found in patients with biopsy-proven diabetic glomerulosclerosis without nondiabetic nephropathy. Urine microscopy allows discrimination of glomerular hematuria, which is defined as acanthocyturia (urinary excretion of acanthocytes, which are dysmorphic erythrocytes with vesicle-like protrusions), from nonglomerular hematuria. We hypothesized that acanthocyturia is an uncommon finding in diabetic nephropathy, which suggests the presence of a nondiabetic nephropathy in diabetic patients with proteinuria. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Urine samples of patients with the clinical diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (n = 68), of patients with biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis (n = 43), and of age-matched healthy control subjects (n = 20) were examined by phase-contrast microscopy for the presence of hematuria (>/=8 erythrocytes/ micro l) and acanthocyturia. Acanthocyturia of >/=5% (5 acanthocytes among 100 excreted erythrocytes) was classified as glomerular hematuria; acanthocyturia of 2-4% was classified as suspected glomerular hematuria. RESULTS: Hematuria was found in 62% of patients with the clinical diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, in 84% of patients with glomerulonephritis, and in 20% of the healthy control subjects upon a single urine examination. In contrast, glomerular hematuria occurred in 4% of patients with diabetic nephropathy and in 40% of patients with glomerulonephritis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to hematuria, acanthocyturia is uncommon in patients with the clinical diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. In diabetic patients with proteinuria, the finding of acanthocyturia points to nondiabetic glomerulopathies, and renal biopsy should be considered.     

Posterior urethral obstruction. Prenatal sonographic findings and clinical outcome in fourteen cases

Fourteen cases of fetal urethral obstruction were reviewed retrospectively. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the following: 1) prenatal sonographic findings: 2) clinical outcome: and 3) associated congenital anomalies. Decreased amniotic fluid volume complicated 12 pregnancies (86%). A dilated posterior urethra was identified in nine fetuses (64%) and an enlarged bladder in 13 (93%). Evaluation of the fetal kidneys revealed hydronephrosis in 81%, increased parenchymal echogenicity in 73% and macroscopic renal cysts in 15%. There were seven live births, but only two neonates survived beyond 5 weeks. Pulmonary hypoplasia contributed to the five postnatal deaths. Associated congenital anomalies were noted at autopsy in six cases.     

Factors associated with renal parenchymal echogenicity in the newborn

A prospective renal ultrasound study of 134 newborns (49 prematures weighing less than 2500 g and 85 more mature babies) was undertaken to investigate factors associated with increased renal cortical echogenicity (RCE). Increased RCE was seen in 39 (29 per cent) babies. It was significantly related to body weight, age, medical status, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine. In view of the interdependence of these factors, however, multivariate analysis was performed, which revealed that age was the most important factor associated with increased echogenicity (r = -0.46), and the other factors had only small independent effects, increasing the multiple r to 0.56. The authors conclude that an infant's immaturity is the most important determinant of increased RCE.     

Role of ultrasound dopplerography with acute captopril test in assessment of renal hemodynamics in chronic glomerulonephritis

AIM: To examine blood flow in renal and intrarenal arteries and its changes in the acute pharmacological test with captopril in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Renal circulation was studied in 50 patients with CGN using ultrasound dopplerography (USDG) of renal vessels on the unit GE Logiq 400 CL PRO Series. The velocity and indices of peripheral blood resistance in the major renal artery (RA) and in intrarenal arteries were estimated. In 26 patients the blood flow was studied again after intake of 50 mg captopril. RESULTS: Poor renal blood flow was registered in cortical parenchyma in 36% CGN patients (with chronic renal failure in 75%). Multifactorial regression analysis has demonstrated that only blood creatinine was independently related with slowing down of the blood flow at the level of RA and intrarenal arteries. Morphological index of activity correlated with resistance indices while a high sclerosis index correlated with blood flow slowing. Older patients had higher resistance indices. Captopril significantly accelerated blood flow and insignificantly changed indices of peripheral resistance including those in CRF patients. CONCLUSION: Poor blood flow in the cortical layer of renal parenchyma in CGN, according to USDG, occurs rather frequently and was associated with CRF and older age of the patients. Blocking of renin-angiotensin system at the level of angiotensin II formation improves renal blood flow in most of the patients.     

Prenatal sonographic patterns in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a specific prenatal sonographic pattern can be identified for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and if so whether it would be helpful in orienting complementary analysis, properly counseling parents and adapting pregnancy management. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted in four prenatal diagnostic centers. The records of fetuses with a prenatal ultrasound examination revealing abnormal kidneys and with a final diagnosis of ADPKD were analyzed. Ultrasound analysis included: amount of amniotic fluid, bladder size, renal length, presence or absence of renal cysts and size of renal pelves, and was focused on parenchyma echogenicity and status of corticomedullary differentiation. Postnatal follow-up was reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 27 patients included in the study, 25 had hyperechogenic renal cortex and 20 had hypoechogenic medulla resulting in increased corticomedullary differentiation (CMD). In six cases, the medulla was hyperechogenic leading to absent or decreased CMD. One patient had normal cortical echogenicity and CMD. Renal cysts were present during the prenatal period in four patients (at 22 weeks in one case and after 30 weeks in three cases). In 12 patients, the cysts appeared after birth (within the first 6 months of postnatal life in 10 cases and by the age of 1 year in two cases). Elevated blood pressure was observed in only two cases and moderate chronic renal failure in one case. CONCLUSION: We have described the sonographic presentation in fetuses with ADPKD: moderately enlarged hyperechogenic kidneys with increased CMD. Although not specific to ADPKD, these findings should prompt familial screening. Other prenatal sonographic features (absent or decreased CMD and cortical cysts) are less frequent.     

Abnormal glucose tolerance in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis without renal failure

An oral glucose tolerance test and an assay of insulin receptor activity were performed in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) to elucidate the aberration of glucose metabolism in such patients. Ninety of 123 patients with CGN without renal failure showed abnormal glucose tolerance, including 72.6% with IgA nephropathy, 81% with benign recurrent hematuria, 87% with chronic proliferative glomerulonephritis, 100% with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and 80.0% with membranous nephropathy. Insulin responses in CGN patients during oral glucose tolerance tests showed lower levels of basal insulin and significantly higher levels after 90, 120, and 180 min compared with those of normal controls. The binding of radiolabeled insulin to blood mononuclear cells in 22 CGN patients with abnormal glucose tolerance was significantly (P = 0.0023) decreased in comparison with 5 normal controls. However, plasma obtained from such patients showed no significant (P = 0.4761) inhibition of the binding of insulin to normal mononuclear cells. It was concluded that glucose tolerance capacity was impaired in 80.4% of patients with CGN without renal failure. Such impairment of glucose metabolism might be due to decreased activity of insulin receptors on cells in CGN patients.     

The type and frequency of fetal renal disorders and management of renal pelvis dilatation.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the frequency of sonographically detected fetal renal disorders, the correlation of fetal renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) with the need for postnatal surgery, and proposed management of RPD. METHODS: The study population consisted of 342 fetuses with prospectively identified isolated renal abnormalities and known follow-up. Fetuses with RPD were considered separately with respect to underlying renal disease, postnatal testing, and the need for surgical correction. Obstructive RPD was defined as the need for surgical treatment. Nonobstructive RPD included those cases that required no therapy. The correlation between prenatal RPD and the need for postnatal evaluation was examined. RESULTS: Renal pelvis dilatation was the primary postnatal sonographic finding in 66.4% of cases. The remainder were distributed between multicystic dysplastic kidney, duplication malformations, and reflux, with a smaller number of other diagnoses. Renal pelvis dilatation in the obstructive group was significantly greater than in the nonobstructive group. However, 10% of fetuses with maximum RPD of 10 mm or less had an obstructive process, whereas 58% of fetuses with RPD of greater than 10 mm did not have obstruction. There were no cases in which preterm delivery was necessitated by RPD. CONCLUSIONS: Renal pelvis dilatation is the most common fetal renal abnormality. The greater the RPD, the more likely it is due to obstruction. However, the overlap between obstruction and no obstruction dictates postnatal evaluation. In that RPD, regardless of degree, did not change the timing of delivery, a single follow-up sonographic examination either late in pregnancy or after delivery is considered adequate for follow-up of RPD detected earlier in pregnancy.     

Bladder distention and pyelectasis in the male fetus: causes,comparisons, and contrasts.

The objective of this paper was to determine if prenatal sonographic findings can accurately differentiate between the causes of bladder distention and pyelectasis in the male fetus. Twenty-one cases were evaluated for the presence of oligohydramnios, posterior urethral dilation, bladder wall thickening, urachal patency, cortical thinning, cortical cysts, and increased renal echogenicity. Postnatal diagnosis included posterior urethral valves (10 cases), prune belly syndrome (four cases), vesicoureteral reflux (four cases), left ureterovesical junction obstruction (one case), and nonrefluxing, nonobstructive megacystis-megaureter (two cases). Oligohydramnios was present in eight of 10 cases of posterior urethral valves and in one of four cases of prune belly syndrome. A dilated posterior urethra was noted in seven of 10 cases of posterior urethral valves and transiently in two of four cases of prune belly syndrome. Bladder wall thickening developed in all cases of posterior urethral valves and was noted in two of four patients with prune belly syndrome. A patent urachus likewise was identified in two of four cases of prune belly syndrome. The presence of oligohydramnios, progressive bladder wall thickening, and dilated posterior urethra was most suggestive of posterior urethral valves, whereas the presence of a patent urachus was most suggestive of prune belly syndrome. The presence of pyelectasis and megacystis without additional amniotic fluid, bladder, urethral, or renal abnormalities was most suggestive of vesicoureteral reflux, ureterovesical junction obstruction, or nonrefluxing, nonobstructive megacystis-megaureter. Owing to the overlap and evolution of these findings, close follow-up evaluation is recommended.     

同一医院5年期间活体供肾摘取后供者孤肾功能变化117例分析

目的:通过在活体供肾摘取后对供者孤肾功能进行全面性、规律性、连续性地评估,了解供者孤肾在活体供肾摘取后的功能变化,从而分析活体供肾摘取的临床可行性.方法:选择亲属活体肾移植供者117例,肾摘取后通过连续监测血清肌酐水平、肾小球滤过率、尿常规及血压水平等各项指标,并在出院后坚持随访,全面评估供者孤肾在活体供肾摘取后的变化及供者的全身健康状况.结果:117例活体供肾患者均顺利接受手术,其中2例肾摘取后围手术期出现药物过敏反应;8例肾摘取后尿常规镜检有红细胞;5例出现微量蛋白尿;15例出现尿路感染;3例围手术期出现情绪焦虑,对自身健康状况表示担心;22例围手术期出现切口疼痛或不适;19例出现血压轻度增高,但均在正常血压范围内.所有供者肾摘取后均出现肾小球滤过率的下降,下降4～25 mL/min,平均(9.4±4.7) mL/min,均未超出正常肾小球滤过率范围.所有供者肾摘取后均出现血清肌酐升高,43例在供肾后2个月时仍超过正常水平;在肌酐增长水平与肾小球滤过率下降程度的比较中,左侧与右侧孤肾、男性与女性供者间差异均无显著性意义;但50岁以上供者肌酐水平高于50岁以下供者(P < 0.01).所有患者经对症治疗后各项指标均恢复正常,除外5例肌酐水平至今仍异常,但均稳定在135 μmol/L以内.结论:供者孤肾在活体供肾摘取后各项监测指标均有不同程度变化,甚至在短期内超出正常水平,但这些指标变化并不影响孤肾的整体功能,不影响供者的整体健康状况,从临床角度分析,活体供肾移植是安全可行的.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in renal cell carcinoma is correlated with cancer advancement

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) functions as a regulator of neovascularization in malignant cells. VEGF as a mitogen is thought to alter renal cell carcinoma formation and tumor progression. We investigated the expression of the VEGF gene in order to evaluate its clinical significance in renal cell carcinoma. Tissue samples from 198 patients with renal cell carcinoma were examined with an immunohistochemical stain for the expression of the VEGF gene. The expression rate was compared to 34 normal renal cortical samples obtained from renal surgery from noncancer patients. There were significant differences between normal renal cortex (0%) and cancer tissue (54.5%) in positive staining of VEGF protein (P<0.001). With the progression of tumor grade, the positive rate of VEGF gene expression significantly increased. The expression rate of the VEGF gene in the advanced group, such as with lymph node involvement or vein invasion, was greater than that in the locally confined group (P<0.001). The results revealed that expression of the VEGF gene is proportional to the formation and progression of renal cell carcinoma, which may allow VEGF to be used as a prognostic marker for renal cell carcinoma.     

纤维连接蛋白在肾间质纤维化大鼠肾组织中的表达

背景:纤维连接蛋白表达增加在肾间质纤维化疾病进展过程中发挥着的重要作用。目的:观察纤维连接蛋白在肾间质纤维化大鼠肾组织中的表达。方法:72只大鼠随机等分为对照组、假手术组和模型组。模型组建立单侧输尿管梗阻模型;假手术组仅开腹游离左侧输尿管;对照组不做任何处理。结果与结论:与对照组及假手术组比较,模型组大鼠梗阻时间越长,肾小管间质损害程度越重,纤维化越明显,肾组织中纤维连接蛋白、基质金属蛋白酶9和转化生长因子β1表达即明显增多,且随着梗阻时间延长,肾组织中纤维连接蛋白、基质金属蛋白酶9和转化生长因子β1表达呈持续增加趋势,至造模后第14天达到高峰,与同期对照组、假手术组相比差异有显著性意义(P<0.01),说明在大鼠肾纤维化形成过程中,纤维连接蛋白的蛋白表达在肾损伤早期即显著增加,并随肾间质纤维化程度加重而逐步升高,从而促进肾纤维化的发生。而基质金属蛋白酶9的高表达可能是加重肾间质损害的因素之一。     

A sonographic assessment of neonatal renal parameters

One hundred twenty infants ranging in weight from 600 to 4,000 grams were entered into a prospective sonographic study to establish normal renal growth parameters. Renal cortical echogenicity was demonstrated to decrease with increasing infant weight. Observations on the use of Doppler analysis for assessing renal vascular flow are presented.     

过敏性紫癜肾脏损害的临床因素分析

目的探讨过敏性紫癜肾脏损害的临床因素。方法回顾性分析72例过敏性紫癜患儿的临床资料，根据尿常规检查，分为尿检正常组和紫癜肾损害组；紫癜肾损害组分为一过性尿异常组及持续性尿异常组。观察相应的临床因素，并行统计学分析。结果紫癜肾损害组年龄，皮疹反复、皮疹持续时间，消化道出血的发生率及严重程度均高于尿检正常组，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。持续性尿异常组皮疹持续时间、血尿并蛋白尿发生率均高于一过性尿异常组，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。单纯皮肤紫癜者、紫癜加关节症状者、紫癜加消化道症状者以及同时有紫癜、关节症状和消化道症状者肾损害发生率分别是33．3％、41．7％、54．5％和75．0％，混合型和单纯紫癜者肾损害发生率的差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。结论发病年龄较大，皮疹反复及持续时间长，消化道出血者易发生肾损害；除皮肤紫癜外，合并关节症状和消化道症状者易发生肾损害；皮疹持续时间长、血尿合并蛋白尿与肾脏持续受累有关。     

十年同一单位1 160例肾移植输尿管并发症23例回顾性分析

背景:输尿管梗阻的发生原因有外科技术性、缺血性、周围病变压迫和排斥反应等,其中外科因素最为重要.如何有效降低肾移植后输尿管并发症的发生,并对其作出及时诊断、处理对临床有重要的指导意义.目的:回顾解放军济南军区总医院23例肾移植后输尿管并发症的诊治情况,分析总结肾移植后输尿管并发症的发病原因及防治经验.方法:回顾分析解放军济南军区总医院1998-01/2008-12肾移植患者1 160例的临床资料,肾移植后发生输尿管并发症23例,占1.98%.其中尸体供肾移植共924例,发生移植肾输尿管并发症18例,占1.95%;活体供肾移植236例,发生移植肾输尿管并发症5例,占2.12%.17例行移植肾输尿管膀胱重新吻合术;2例行移植肾输尿管-自体输尿管吻合术;1例行输尿管皮肤造瘘术;1例行移植肾输尿管游离,重新放置输尿管支架管;1例行球囊扩张术;1例行软膀胱镜下逆行输尿管支架管插管治疗.输尿管并发症治疗后复查B超明确肾盂输尿管扩张恢复情况.结果与结论:23例患者中19例为输尿管膀胱吻合口狭窄,2例输尿管坏死,2例输尿管扭曲.治疗后随访3～98个月,其中20例患者经手术治疗,恢复了移植肾肾盂与膀胱的通畅,移植肾功能均有明显的改善,术后4 d内血肌酐浓度下降,术后无复发.1例皮肤造瘘患者术后8年余,移植肾功能正常,定期更换造瘘管.1例扩张及1例留置输尿管支架管患者治疗后效果欠佳,仍输尿管狭窄,后行手术治疗.提示肾移植后输尿管梗阻病因复杂,以输尿管膀胱吻合口狭窄最常见;外科手术是解除梗阻的主要方法,经及时恰当的外科处理,对移植肾功能的恢复及长期存活无明显影响.     

连续性血液净化对严重创伤后应激反应的影响

目的　探讨连续性血液净化 (CBP)对严重创伤后患者应激反应的影响及其临床意义。方法　将2 9例严重创伤患者中 15例在伤后 12 h内进行连续性静静脉血液滤过 (CVVH)治疗者定为 CBP治疗组 ,其余 14例为对照组。定时检测两组患者血浆中皮质醇、白细胞介素 6 (IL 6 )和肿瘤坏死因子 α(TNFα)的水平 ,并观察患者体温、心率、呼吸、血压等变化。结果　伤后 12 h两组皮质醇、IL 6水平均明显升高。对照组皮质醇呈进行性升高 ,4 8h前后达到高峰 ,72 h后仍明显高于正常 ,且 IL 6亦进行性升高。治疗组皮质醇在2 4 h后逐渐降低 ,72 h其血浆水平接近正常 ,在 2 4、4 8和 72 h时的血浆水平均显著低于对照组 (P均 <0 .0 0 1) ;IL 6于 12 h后随即显著降低 ,在 2 4、4 8和 72 h时的血浆水平均明显低于对照组 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。伤后两组 TNFα呈持续升高趋势 ,但两组间无统计学差异。CBP治疗组患者的临床症状也显著改善。结论　 CBP能有效清除患者血中的应激激素 ,降低应激反应 ;其中 IL 6的变化较皮质醇更为灵敏。     

马兜铃酸肾病临床及病理改变多样性

目的：探讨有或无肾炎病史马兜铃酸肾病患者发病后临床表现及肾脏病理改变。方法：11例表现为急性肾功能衰竭的马兜铃酸肾病患者,按发病前肾功能正常时有或无肾炎病史分为有肾炎史组5例和无肾炎史组6例。比较2组发病时临床表现、实验室检查指标及肾组织活检病理改变。结果：有肾炎史组表现为少尿型急性肾功能衰竭（40％）,同时伴有大量蛋白尿（60％）、镜下血尿（40％）及高血压（40%）,尿糖定量、尿N-乙酰-β-D 葡萄糖苷酶、尿视黄醇结合蛋白及尿氨基酸均比正常明显升高,但无肾炎病史组升高更明显。肾脏病理改变同时伴有不同性质和程度的肾小球痛变及肾间质炎性细胞浸润。无肾炎痛史组表现为非少尿型急性肾功能衰竭（100％）．镜下血尿（16％）,无或仅少量蛋白尿,无高血压。尿糖定量、尿N-乙酰-B-D葡萄糖苷酶、尿视黄醇结合蛋白及尿氨基酸升高更为明显;肾脏病理改变呈急性肾小管坏死。结论：马兜铃酸肾病患者发病前有或无肾炎病史,发病后临床表现及肾脏病理改变明显不同。无肾炎病史者肾小管功能损伤明显．肾小管功能相关检查可协助诊断,尿糖阳性,是提示临床诊断的一个重要线索。