Hypertension and unilateral hydronephrosis

Three patients with unilateral hydronephrosis, a normal contralateral kidney, and sustained hypertension were investigated by means of arteriography and differential renal vein renin determinations. The close correlation of the onset of hypertension to the obstructive uropathy, as well as the increased renin production from the affected side, were indicative of a causal relationship. Nephrectomy produced a prompt cure of hypertension in each instance.     

Hypertension and unilateral hydronephrosis

We report 2 cases of hypertension associated with unilateral hydronephrosis. Lateralization of renal vein renins and exaggerated hyperreninemia following captopril suggested renin-mediated hypertension in 1 case, which responded well to nephrectomy.     

Hypertension with elevated renal vein renin secondary to unilateral hydronephrosis

A case of hypertension secondary to unilateral hydronephrosis is reported. Renin levels were elevated in peripheral veins and in the renal vein draining the affected kidney. An infusion of angiotensin II analogue resulted in a decrease in blood pressure. After nephrectomy, blood pressure and peripheral plasma renin activity returned to normal. Renal vein renin and angiotensin II analogue studies were useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of curability by surgery in this case.     

A complication of a dropped appendicolith misdiagnosed as Crohn's disease

Appendicoliths are formed by calcium salts and faecal debris layered and lodged within the appendix. They are detected on unenhanced x-rays in less than 10% of patients with appendicitis. When an appendicolith is found extraluminally, it is pathognomonic for perforation of the appendix. Moreover, retained appendicoliths act as a nidus for infection and are likely to be the source of a postoperative intraperitoneal abscess. However, this is very rare with only 30 reported cases of intra-abdominal abscess secondary to an appendicolith in the literature over the past 40 years. Retained, or dropped, appendicoliths most commonly present as an area of high attenuation less than 1cm in diameter with an associated abscess close to the caecum or Morrison's pouch on computed tomography (CT). A study published in 2006 showed that although there is initial success with CT-guided drainage of abscesses secondary to faecaliths, all will recur and formal surgical drainage with removal of the appendicolith is required. This case report highlights not only an unusual complication of a retained appendicolith but also the importance of taking a thorough history and interpreting investigations in the context of the patient's past medical history so as to produce a differential diagnosis and prevent treatment of incorrect conditions.     

Unicentric Castleman's disease associated with hydronephrosis

We describe a patient with an unusual case of unicentric Castleman's disease, which bore a malignant appearance and was located in the pararenal space. She initially presented with hydronephrosis. Two years after surgical removal of the tumor, no recurrence was evident. To our knowledge, only 2 additional cases of this uncommon disease entity associated with hydronephrosis have been reported. Furthermore, our patient was the first to receive conservative surgery. On the basis of our experience, owing to the benign clinical course of this tumor and its excellent response to limited resection, radical surgery may be avoided.     

Tracheo-bronchitis as a complication of Crohn's disease —A case report—

A case of Crohn's enterocolitis associated with diffuse tracheo-bronchitis is presented herein. Although respiratory tract involvement in Crohn's disease is extremely rare, our review of the world literature revealed several common clinical pathologic features. These features include a productive cough with chest X-ray films which are normal except for some peripheral involvement. Bronchoscopy, however, shows diffuse inflammation of the trachea and bronchi with widely scattered whitish lesions while biopsy reveals a granulomatous infiltration of inflammatory cells. This tracheobronchitis typically responds well to treatment with prednisone.     

Bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to ileocolic Crohn's disease

Unilateral hydronephrosis can complicate a far from negligible number of patients with Crohn's disease. Bilateral hydronephrosis associated with Crohn's disease is a much more unusual entity. In the other hand, the treatment for this condition is still controversial. We present the case of a 44 year old female with several bowel obstruction episodes caused by ileocolic Crohn's disease. During the last episode she was also diagnosed of bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis. After the resolution of the bowel obstruction and the placement of a double J catheter in both ureters, the patient was operated. Ileocolic resection and bilateral ureterolysis with omental wrapping were performed. Although urinary and wound infection complicated the postoperative course, and a enterocutaneous fistula had to be medically treated one year later, the patient is now free of symptoms and her renal function is normal.     

Bilateral hydronephrosis associated with Buerger's disease: a case report

A 28-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of the ulcerous lower extremity. An angiography showed the stenosis of the dorsal digital artery. The clinical diagnosis was Buerger's disease. The administration of prostaglandin I2 (PG I2) and antithrombotic drug were done. The ulcerous lower extremity improved. But a computerized tomographic scan of the abdomen showed the bilateral hydronephrosis incidentally. A retrograde pyelography (RP) revealed the bilateral ureteral strictures. We suspected the etiology was the retroperitoneal fibrosis associated with Buerger's disease.     

Oophorovesicular-colonic fistula: a rare complication of Crohn's disease

Salpingitis and vesicular fistulas are rare complications of Crohn's disease. In this report the authors describe a case of oophorovesicular-colonic fistula secondary to Crohn's disease. The patient presented with bleeding from the bladder during menstruation, fecaluria and pneumaturia. A single-stage left salpingo-oophorectomy, sigmoid resection and repair of the fistula were carried out, with complete resolution of symptoms and preservation of fertility potential.     

Tracheo-bronchitis as a complication of Crohn's disease--a case report

A case of Crohn's enterocolitis associated with diffuse tracheo-bronchitis is presented herein. Although respiratory tract involvement in Crohn's disease is extremely rare, our review of the world literature revealed several common clinical pathologic features. These features include a productive cough with chest X-ray films which are normal except for some peripheral involvement. Bronchoscopy, however, shows diffuse inflammation of the trachea and bronchi with widely scattered whitish lesions while biopsy reveals a granulomatous infiltration of inflammatory cells. This tracheobronchitis typically responds well to treatment with prednisone.     

Granulomatous appendicitis progressing to Crohn's disease with bleeding complication

Granulomatous appendicitis can be idiopathic or due to a number of specific causes. Idiopathic granulomatous appendicitis is regarded as a separate disease entity and usually has a benign course. We report on a case of granulomatous appendicitis, which progressed to fulminant Crohn's colitis shortly after appendicectomy. During the treatment with intravenous steroid, torrential gastro-intestinal bleeding developed and emergency subtotal colectomy had to be performed. The clinical and histological features of the case are presented and the literature on granulomatous appendicitis reviewed.     

Gallstone ileus associated with Crohn's disease

Gallstone ileus in association with Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum is a surprisingly uncommon occurrence. The diseased ileal segment may be responsible for gallstone lithogenesis as well as for luminal stenosis that prevents gallstone passage. We report only the third case of gallstone ileus in Crohn's disease and the first to be correctly diagnosed before surgery. The patient was successfully managed by planned ileal resection and cholecystectomy.     

Management of urinary complication in Crohn's disease

PURPOSE: Although urinary complications of Crohn's disease are relatively rare, they often present diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. However, there is no established strategy for treating urinary complications of Crohn's disease. In the present clinical study, we describe the frequency of urinary complications of Crohn's disease, and discuss various approaches to their diagnosis and treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 1,551 patients who underwent medical treatment for Crohn's disease between January 1994 and May 2002 at Social Insurance Central General Hospital. The subjects were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Urinary complications occuered in 75 of the 1,551 patients (4.8%): urolitiasis in 60 patients, urinary fistula in 14 patients, and urachal abscess (Enterourachocutaneous fitulas) in 1 patient. A total of 41 of the 75 patients with urinary complications (55%) consulted a practicing urologist: 26 patients with urolithiasis, 14 patients with urinary fistula and 1 patient with urachal abscess. 26 patients with urolithiasis received medical treatment: 20 patients underwent conservative therapy, 4 patients underwent ESWL, and 2 patients underwent TUL. In all 26 of those cases, the treatment was successful. Twelve of the 14 patients with urinary fistulas (86%) underwent resection of the inflamed intestine combined with reconstruction of the urinary tract. The 1 patient with urachal abscess underwent resection of the urachus and the inflamed intestine, and partial cystectomy. CONCLUSION: All patients with urolithiasis should be treated the same way, whether or not they have Crohn's disease. In patients with Crohn's disease complicated by urinary fistula, surgery should be performed after preoperative medical therapy, as it improves the quality of life of such patients more rapidly than other approaches and may help avoid intestinal resection.     

Giant hydronephrosis presenting as unilateral iliofemoral vein thrombosis

We report a case of left iliofemoral vein thrombosis with extension to the inferior vena cava associated with giant right hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Surgery revealed marked infrarenal vena caval compression and deviation to the left side caused by the dilated right renal pelvis, with resultant kinking of the origin of the left iliac vein. It is postulated that the reduction in blood flow caused by this compression and distortion predisposed this patient to venous thrombosis.