Continuous renal replacement therapy circuit failure after antidote administration

A 73-year-old man was transferred to the emergency department (ED). He was found unconscious in his house along with an empty 200-mL bottle of Basta^?, a herbicide containing 18% glufosinate. He was comatose with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3. As his blood pressure dropped to 60/30 mmHg despite fluids and norepinephrine, 20% intravenous fat emulsion product was injected. He experienced repeated cardiopulmonary arrests during his first 4 h in the ED. When the arrests occurred, standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, and boluses of fat emulsion were given. He was given a total of 1500 mL of 20% fat emulsion. In an attempt to correct the acidosis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was started. Within 5 min of starting CRRT, the transmembrane pressure increased sharply and the machine stopped.     

Tc-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA): Is it reliable for assessment of methotrexate-induced cumulative effect on renal filtration in rheumatoid arthritis patients?

Methotrexate[MTX] is commonly employed as the initial DMARD used for treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis[RA]. We aimed to contribute to the safety profile of MTX by assessing its cumulative effect on renal filtration. Fifty two RA adult females with normal base-line serum creatinine and GFR at the initial diagnosis of the disease were included. Group-1[G1] included 30 patients[mean age 40.4 ± 4.4 years] on MTX and NSAIDS, while 22 RA patients[mean age 38.5 ± 8.2 years] who received NSAIDs only served as the control group[G2]. Renal function was assessed by GFR-measurement using Technetium diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid[Tc-99 m-DTPA] at the point of the study time corresponding to disease duration. 21/30[70%] in G1 showed reduced GFR compared to 6/22[27.3%] in G2[P0.007] with 3.3 ± 0.5% annual reduction of GFR. Reduced GFR in G1 showed significant negative correlation with age[r = ?0.396, P = 0.005], MTX-cumulative dose[r = ?0.263, P = 0.049], MTX-intake duration[r = ?0.293, P = 0.031] and NSAID-intake duration[r = ?0.344, P = 0.014]. Low dose MTX has a slow cumulative effect on renal filtration manifested by GFR reduction over time that could be monitored by Tc-99 m DTPA.     

How reliable is eGFR when calculating drug dosage in acute medical admissions?

Background: The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease‐derived estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is used widely. Although validated in stable chronic kidney disease (CKD) outpatients, it is not known how it performs in those presenting with acute medical illness. Aim: We aimed to compare eGFR with Cockroft Gault (CG) – the renal function assessment tool available prior to eGFR – to assess the difference in clinical outcome that would occur when one over another estimation is used in practice. In particular, we wished to assess whether use of eGFR would have resulted in a change of dose of commonly used acutely administered medications. Methods: Acute medical admissions presenting to a tertiary hospital between August and December 2008 were included. Serum creatinine concentration, age, sex, height and weight were collected. Renal function was estimated by both estimates. Movement from CKD class 3 to 4 or 5 was measured – a clinically used cut‐off point for changes in management. Results: A total of 54 patients was included. eGFR values were higher than those estimated by CG. Almost half of patients categorized as CKD stage 4–5 using CG were only categorized as CKD stage 3 using eGFR. Conclusion: Although we did not use a gold standard estimation of GFR, this study shows that estimates of renal function vary in a clinically significant manner. As estimates of GFR are used to adjust drug dosages and to stratify for many other treatments, it is imperative that we find a method of estimating kidney function that is readily available, consistent and accurate.     

The R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometric Nomogram Cannot Accurately Predict Malignancy or Aggressiveness of Small Renal Masses Amenable to Partial Nephrectomy

Introduction/BackgroundThe prediction of histology of SRM could be essential for their management. The RNN is a statistical tool designed to predict malignancy or high grading of enhancing renal masses. In this study we aimed to perform an external validation of the RNN in a cohort of patients who received a PN for SRM.Materials and MethodsThis was a multicentric study in which the data of 506 consecutive patients who received a PN for cT1a SRM between January 2010 and January 2013 were analyzed. For each patient, the probabilities of malignancy and aggressiveness were estimated preoperatively using the RNN. The performance of the RNN was evaluated according to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, and decision curve analyses.ResultsThe area under the ROC curve for malignancy was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.63; P = .031). The calibration plot showed that the predicted probability of malignancy had a bad concordance with observed frequency (Brier score = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.15-0.19). Decision curve analysis confirmed a poor clinical benefit from use of the system. The estimated area under the ROC curve for high-grade prediction was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.49-0.66; P = .064). The calibration plot evidenced a bad concordance (Brier score = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.13-0.17). Decision curve analysis showed the lack of a remarkable clinical usefulness of the RNN when predicting aggressiveness.ConclusionsThe RNN cannot accurately predict histology in the setting of cT1a SRM amenable to PN.     

Acute kidney injury and the critically ill

Acute renal failure is commonly encountered in the intensive care unit. It is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. There are many possible aetiologies in the critically ill, including nephrotoxic agents, hypovolaemia and sepsis. While many classification systems for acute renal failure exist, the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage) criteria and the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria are the most commonly utilized. Many supportive therapies are employed to minimize the degree of renal injury once recognized, such as fluid resuscitation, maintenance of an adequate mean arterial pressure (with the use of vasopressors in persistent hypotension despite fluid and treatment of the underlying aetiology). However, if renal failure becomes established, then renal replacement therapy (RRT) may be needed to maintain homeostasis. While there are no clear guidelines with respect to the ideal mode or timing of RRT, we will discuss pros and cons of the various options.     

Percutaneous renal tumour biopsy

The use of percutaneous renal tumour biopsy (RTB) as a diagnostic tool for the histological characterization of renal masses has increased dramatically within the last 30 years. This increased utilization has paralleled advances in imaging techniques and an evolving knowledge of the clinical value of nephron sparing surgery. Improved biopsy techniques using image guidance, coupled with the use of smaller gauge needles has led to a decrease in complication rates. Reports from series containing a large number of cases have shown the non‐diagnostic rate of RTB to range from 4% to 21%. Re‐biopsy has been shown to reduce this rate, while the use of molecular markers further improves diagnostic sensitivity. In parallel with refinements of the biopsy procedure, there has been a rapid expansion in our understanding of the complexity of renal cell neoplasia. The 2013 Vancouver Classification is the current classification for renal tumours, and contains five additional entities recognized as novel forms of renal malignancy. The diagnosis of tumour morphotype on RTB is usually achievable on routine histology; however, immunohistochemical studies may be of assistance in difficult cases. The morphology of the main tumour subtypes, based upon the Vancouver Classification, is described and differentiating features are discussed.     

球囊扩张治疗肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄12例体会

目的探讨球囊扩张治疗肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄的临床疗效。方法回顾分析我院于2009~2012年收治的12例肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄患者的临床资料,根据狭窄情况采用球囊扩张法治疗,术后留置2根双J管6月。结果 12例患者肾积水均明显减轻,肾功恢复正常。结论球囊扩张治疗肾移植术后移植肾输尿管狭窄疗效确切,安全可靠。     

Sentinel lymph node BIOPSY after neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients with lymph node involvement at diagnosis. Could wire localization of clipped node improve our results?

IntroductionSentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in node-positive (N+) breast cancer patients at diagnosis remains a controversial issue, with no consensus on implementation or safety.ObjectivesWe sought to assess the accuracy of SLNB after NAT in biopsy-proven N+ cases at diagnosis and the efficacy and accuracy of wire localization of the clipped node to improve results.Material and methodsA cross-sectional diagnostic technique validation study in N+ patients following NAT was performed. The biopsy-proven affected lymph node was clipped at diagnosis. SLNB and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were performed in cases of clinical-radiological lymph node response after NAT. For the purposes of our study we added wire localization of the clipped node.Results103 patients were included (mean age, 54.4 years [± 12.7]). Wire marking was performed in 28 cases. The overall identification rate (IR) of SLN was 81.6%. The median number of nodes removed was 2 (range 2). The overall false negative rate (FNR) was 6.1%. Sensitivity and overall accuracy were 93.9% and 95.2%, respectively (area under curve 0.97). In the double-marked (clip and wire) group the FNR decreased to 0% and accuracy was 100%. Axillary pathologic complete response was observed in 24.3% of cases.ConclusionsSLNB is useful in node-positive patients at diagnosis who respond to NAT. Combining this with preoperative wire localization of the biopsied lymph node reduces the FNR without increasing the number of complications.