Refractory Hypercalcemia in an Infant Secondary to Talc Pleurodesis Resolving After Renal Transplantation

Talc pleurodesis is the definitive therapy of recurrent pneumothorax and has not been associated with metabolic complications. We report an anephric male infant who developed severe hypercalcemia 6 months following talc pleurodesis for recurrent peritoneal dialysis-related hydrothorax. The etiology of hypercalcemia was related to persistently elevated 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25[OH]₂D) levels. The source appeared to be the extrarenal production of 1,25(OH)₂D from macrophages in a large thoracic talc granuloma. Hypercalcemia was controlled with a combination of a low calcium diet, low calcium dialysis, ketoconazole and hydroxychloroquine, but elevated 1,25(OH)₂D levels persisted. At 32 months of age the child underwent renal transplantation with alemtuzumab pre-conditioning. The hypercalcemia resolved immediately, with normalization of serum 1,25(OH)₂D levels and without hypercalciuria. This case demonstrates that hypercalcemia is a potential complication of talc pleurodesis from the extrarenal production of 1,25(OH)₂D and that alemtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD52 antigen (which is expressed on almost all macrophages), may have a role in the treatment of hypercalcemia associated with granulomatous conditions.     

Infective Complications Associated With Ureteral Stents in Renal Transplant Recipients

Objective

Stenting of the ureter is commonly performed during renal transplantation to avoid early complications. However, it predisposes to infections that may pose a significant threat to the graft and patient. Our study sought to investigate the incidence of infections associated with stents in renal transplant recipients.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive renal transplant recipients performed over 1 year with 6 months follow-up.

Results

The median recipient age was 46 years (range, 19-71 years). Among the study group, 75 patients received an organ from deceased donor and 25 from live donor. In our study, there were 79 patients with a stent (ST) and 18 without a stent (WOST); 3 patients who required nephrectomy were excluded from the study. There were 2 ureteric stenoses that occurred following stent removal: 1 required surgical correction and 1 was treated radiologically. There were no cases of urinary leak. The incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) was significantly greater among ST compared with WOST subjects (71% vs 39%; P = .02). New episodes of UTI following removal of the stent were more common among patients who had experienced infections while having a stent compared with infection-free stented patients (54% vs 30%; P = .04).

Conclusions

A ureteric stent may help to reduce early postoperative complications (leak and stricture), but increased the likelihood of UTI. Infection while having a ureteric stent was associated with a high recurrence rate of UTI even after stent removal.     

肾绞痛后输尿管结石自行排出的预测性研究

目的：通过实验室、影像学检查判断患者肾绞痛后输尿管结石自行排出的可能性。方法：2009年6月～2010年12月期间通过B超或CT检查诊断204名输尿管结石肾绞痛患者,收集患者流行病学、实验室检查、影像学检查等资料加以分析。1个月后所有患者复诊,通过相同的影像学方法了解输尿管结石的变化。结果1204名输尿管结石患者中48名患者为输尿管上段结石,30名为输尿管中段结石,126名为输尿管下段结石。其中122名患者输尿管结石自行排出。通过回归分析发现,血白细胞是仅次于结石大小影响输尿管结石排出的重要因素。结论：本研究表明,除了输尿管结石大小以外,血白细胞的变化也是输尿管结石能否自行排出的重要因素。     

Ureteral Complications in Renal Transplant Recipients Successfully Treated With Interventional Radiology

Introduction

Ureteral complications in renal transplantation occur in approximately 8% of renal transplant recipients, occasionally leading to graft loss. This retrospective study presents a single-center experience in managing ureteral complications with interventional radiology as well as the long-term graft function and recipient survival.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed 21 renal transplant recipients with ureteral problems.

Results

Nine patients experienced urinary leak, six patients had ureteric obstruction, and six patients had obstruction preceded by leak. Median recipient age was 48 (range, 20-63) years; 71% (15/21) of the patients were male and 66.6% (14/21) of transplants were derived from cadaveric donors. Ureteral complications were diagnosed at a mean of 18 days (range, 12-47) after renal transplantation. Initially a percutaneous nephrostomy was performed, followed by antegrade placement of a nephroureteral stent. In cases with ureteral obstruction, ureteral balloon dilation was performed prior to placement of the stent. Median time to the procedure was 53 days, and median follow-up for the purposes of this study was 57 months. Renal graft function improved following treatment of the ureteral complication. Mean serum creatinine values prior to and after the intervention were 4.8 ± 2.12 and 1.79 ± 0.58 mg/dL, respectively (P<.0001). Functional renal grafts were observed at the first, third, and fifth posttransplantation year among 100%, 95.2% and 80.9% of patients, respectively. It should be further noted that no graft was lost due to a ureteral complication.

Conclusions

Interventional radiology was successful in treating immediate and long-term ureteral problems among renal transplant recipients with preservation of good renal function and patient survival.     

Renal Vein Stenosis With Transudative Ascites From Graft After Renal Transplantation With Good Response After Percutaneous Stent Placement

Ascites sometimes occurs as a result of technical complications of transplant surgery or other medical reasons, including hepatic, cardiac, or oncologic pathology. Renal vein stenosis after renal transplant resulting in transudative ascites is rare; thus there are few if any data on such cases. Stent implantation seems to be a safe and elective approach to treatment of this rare condition. We present the case of a 22-year-old woman in whom massive ascites developed 33 months after renal transplantation. After the analysis of the ascites fluid and exclusion of transplant artery stenosis, graft rejection, infection, portal hypertension, and other possible etiologies, the final diagnosis of graft renal vein stenosis with transudative ascites derived from the graft was made based on imaging studies, including Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography. The patient underwent angiographic stent placement, and the ascites markedly improved after the procedure. Renal vein stenosis complicated with ascites after renal transplantation is highly unusual; the patient's response to angiographic stent placement was beneficial, with satisfactory resolution of the blockage and ascites.     

Treatment With Cinacalcet of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism After Renal Transplantation

Background

The treatment of posttransplant secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP) with vitamin D analogues is determined by their effectiveness to reverse hypercalcemia. Calcimimetics inhibit parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion by modulating the calcium-sensing receptor in the parathyroid gland. Cinacalcet, a calcimimetic drug, has proven its effectiveness for the treatment of SHP among patients in phase V of chronic renal disease.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective analysis included 48 patients with SHP who were treated with cinacalcet. The initial dose of 30 mg/d could be increased to 180 mg, administering calcitriol also, depending on the serum calcium and PTH levels. The objectives were a PTH level between 75 and 125 pg/mL or a decrease >40%, and a serum calcium level below 10.5 mg/dL.

Results

The average PTH at baseline was 244 pg/mL, decreasing to 131 pg/mL at 1 year (P < .01). The average calcium at baseline was 10.1 mg/dL descending to 9.2 mg/dL at 1 year (P < .01). Among patients with hypercalcemia, the calcium decreased from 11 to 9.6 mg/dL at 1 year (P < .01). Seventy percent of patients without hypercalcemia reached the desired value of PTH, and 100% of those with hypercalcemia. Among patients with hypercalcemia, the desired calcium level was reached in 91% of cases. Ten patients developed hypocalcemia. In 3 cases we stopped the treatment with cinacalcet due to digestive intolerance.

Conclusions

Treatment with cinacalcet controlled hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia among patients with posttransplant SHP. It was a safe drug, with a low incidence of side effects.     

Coccidioidomycosis After Renal Transplantation in an Endemic Area

Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal infection of the desert southwestern United States of particular concern for immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients. The clinical course of coccidioidomycosis can be severe in immunosuppressed patients, with high rates of dissemination and mortality, and antifungal prophylaxis is routinely administered to high-risk patients. We sought to determine the impact of coccidioidomycosis on patients who received their renal transplant at our hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. A retrospective records review of the first 205 patients who received a renal transplant between June 1999 and December 2003 identified 6 patients (3%) who had contracted coccidioidomycosis after transplantation. All six cases occurred more than 6 months after transplantation. Two of these six patients had disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Two patients, one with pulmonary infection and one with disseminated infection, died. None of the six patients with coccidioidomycosis after transplantation had identified risk factors before transplantation. No high-risk patient who received targeted antifungal prophylaxis had a reactivation of coccidioidomycosis after transplantation. Treatment for acute rejection and induction with antithymocyte globulin did not appear to increase the risk of subsequent coccidioidomycosis.     

Serum Ion Level After Metal-on-metal THA in Patients With Renal Failure

We retrospectively reviewed cementless THAs with metal-on-metal bearings in five patients with chronic renal failure and investigated the relations between renal failure and elevated serum cobalt and chromium levels and the side effects of these elevations. Serum cobalt and chromium levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry at a minimum followup of 2.7 years (mean, 3.9 years; range, 2.7-6.2 years) in five patients with chronic renal failure and in six patients with normal renal function after THA. Mean serum cobalt concentration was 12.5 microg/L in patients with chronic renal failure; this was more than 100-fold higher than in patients with the same prosthesis type and similar followup period, but with no known renal disease. However, the mean serum chromium concentration was 5.1 microg/L, which was within the normal range in all 11 study patients. Side effects related to elevation of serum cobalt or serum chromium concentration were not identified and overall clinical results were good 4 years after surgery. The serum cobalt level was higher in patients with chronic renal failure. Longer followup is necessary to determine any clinical effects.     

NMSCT 输尿管重建联合肾血流图诊断输尿管结石

目的:探讨非增强MSCT(NMSCT)输尿管重建联合肾血流图诊断输尿管结石的价值。方法:采用输尿管重建技术,对162例初步诊断为输尿管结石的患者进行NMSCT扫描,同时行核素肾动态显像检查,结合患者的临床资料,回顾性分析NMSCT联合肾血流图的应用价值。结果:最终明确诊断输尿管结石102例,非输尿管结石60例,结石平均宽度为(7.6±2.8) mm。NMSCT诊断输尿管结石的灵敏度和特异性分别为88.2%、91.7%,肾血流图的灵敏度和特异性分别为83.3%、88.3%,NMSCT联合肾血流图诊断输尿管结石具有最高的灵敏度92.2%和特异性93.3%(表1)。NMSCT显示输尿管结石患者肾积水情况一定程度上能够提示肾血流图显示的泌尿系统梗阻严重程度(即肾功能)。结论:NMSCT输尿管重建可以获得良好的尿路成像,能准确、清晰地显示输尿管结石。NMSCT结合肾血流图可以完成输尿管结石的诊断及肾功能评价。对临床诊断及治疗具有重要价值,可以替代传统CTU检查。     

复方鳖甲软肝片对单侧输尿管结扎大鼠肾组织NF-κB 表达的影响

目的:探讨核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)在肾间质纤维化中的表达情况及其复方鳖甲软肝片的干预作用.方法:采用单侧输尿管结扎(UUO)肾间质纤维化模型.将大鼠随机分为7组,即:正常组、假手术组、模型组、苯那普利组和复方鳖甲软肝片低、中、高剂量组.术后4周处死大鼠,观察肾组织病理改变,并应用免疫组织化学方法检测肾组织NF-κB的表达.结果:模型组肾组织表现为纤维化病理改变,正常组及假手术组肾小管上皮细胞、肾间质细胞胞浆有较弱的NF-κB表达;模型组肾小管上皮细胞、肾间质细胞激活的NF-κB在胞核强阳性表达;复方鳖甲软肝片组病理改变较模型组纤维化程度减轻,NF-κB的表达较模型组显著减少,有统计学差异(P<0.05),与苯那普利组比无统计学差异但也有所减少.结论:复方鳖甲软肝片通过抑制NF-κB的过度表达而减缓肾纤维化病程进展.