Repeat testing for haematuria and underlying urological pathology

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of urological pathology in a group of patients referred for the investigation of haematuria and whose symptoms had resolved at the time of investigation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The results from examination of 395 patients attending for investigation of haematuria were analysed. The group comprised 198 men and 197 women with a mean age of 51 years (range 19-73).

RESULTS

In 220 patients (56%) no evidence of haematuria was detected despite its diagnosis in all patients at the time of referral. One-hundred and thirteen patients (51%) without detectable haematuria had urological pathology and 16 of these (14%) had an underlying malignancy in the urinary tract.

CONCLUSION

Repeat urine analysis to determine whether haematuria persists has been considered as a way to define a high risk group which requires urgent investigation. Our results clearly indicate that the finding of haematuria, even in one urine specimen, warrants full urological assessment.

Loin pain-hematuria syndrome with a distinctive vascular lesion and alternative pathway complement activation

We describe a 48-year-old woman with loin pain-hematuria syndrome. Her renal abnormalities included conspicuous microaneurysmal and glomeruloid (plexiform) angiomatous changes. The deposition of both properdin and the C5b-9 complex, as well as the usual C3, in arterioles argues for complement activation. To our knowledge, neither of these features has been previously described. We speculate about the cause of loin pain-hematuria syndrome and note the uncommonness of this entity in the United States as opposed to Great Britain.

Thin glomerular basement membrane in diabetic patients with urinary abnormalities

To clarify the clinical and pathological significance of thin glomerular basement membranes (Thin-GBM) appearing in evident diabetics, we examined the renal biopsies from 179 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with urinary abnormalities in which the number of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus cases was 140 cases while the remaining 39 cases had insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In addition, 17 of these cases were found to have either segmental or diffuse Thin-GBM by electron microscopy. The clinical and morphological parameters between the diabetics with Thin-GBM (DM-Thin-GBM) and the diabetics without Thin-GBM (the controls) were significantly different regarding DM duration (DM-Thin-GBM vs control: 5.3 +/- 5.5 vs 9.8 +/- 6.5 years, p < 0.01), Ccr (67.0 +/- 25.5 ml/min vs 45.6 +/- 24.4 ml/min, p < 0.01), the incidence of hematuria (52.9% vs 24.5%, p < 0.05) and hypertension (13.3% vs 51.3%, p < 0.05). The severity of glomerular damage was mild in the DM-Thin-GBM group as compared to the control. The renal survival rate from the onset of urinary abnormalities was higher in the DM-Thin-GBM group than in the control (p < 0.01). In the case of DM-Thin-GBM, the grade of proteinuria correlated with the mean width of the thickened GBM (p < 0.01) and the spread of the thickened GBM which was more than 500 nm in width (p < 0.001). The severity of microscopic hematuria correlated with the spread of the Thin-GBM (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Bladder metastases of pulmonary carcinoma. A report of 2 cases]

Metastatic vesical tumours caused by blood- or lymph-borne neoplasias from any part of the body are extremely uncommon (less than 1% of vesical tumours), and even within this group lung tumours are the origin in a very small number of cases. Diagnosis usually happens in advanced stages due to the limited symptomatology exhibited. This paper refers two cases of vesical metastatic neoplasias from lung tumours, one an oat-cell anaplastic carcinoma and one epidermoid. Also, in the first one there was the peculiarity of haematuria being the early manifestation which lead to the diagnosis of lung neoplasia.

Hematuria in sickle cell anemia--not always benign: evidence for excess frequency of sickle cell anemia in African Americans with renal cell carcinoma

Between 1952 and 1992, we identified 117 African Americans with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at the University of Chicago. Three of these had sickle cell disease (SS) and 11 had presumed sickle trait (AS). Based on genotype frequencies, these represented a 16.7-fold excess of SS patients (p < 0.0001), but the incidence of AS patients was as expected. In addition, the median age for the SS patients at presentation with RCC (36 years) was significantly less (p = 0.04) than for the AS patients (55 years). We have found no prior reports of SS in RCC patients and suggest that chronic renal injury from sickling and possible immunosuppressive effects of multiple red cell transfusions may be risk factors. We also suggest the need to be aware of the possibility of RCC in SS patients who may have hematuria solely related to sickling.

Common iliac artery-ureteral fistula: a case report and literature review

The iliac artery-ureteral fistula is a rare complication that can produce a catastrophic situation or even death. Diagnosis is difficult to make preoperatively unless it is highly suspected. We report an additional case that was successfully resolved by surgery and review the previously published cases.

[Berger's disease in children: its form of presentation, pathological anatomy and evolution in 22 cases]

We have reviewed 22 cases of Berger's disease in children (glomerular nephritis with mesangial IgA deposits), all of which were diagnosed by renal biopsy between 1976 and the present time. We describe the clinical and pathological findings in these patients. In addition, we put special emphasis on the evolution of the disease in relationship to some of the parameters that have been reported in the literature as being related to a bad prognosis of glomerular function such as, massive proteinuria at the onset of the disease, histological classification, presence of deposits of IgM or fibrinogen derivatives and glomerular sclerosis. All of the patients started with hematuria, 21 of which had gross hematuria (95%). Fourteen patients (63%) showed proteinuria (2 of which also had a temporary nephrotic syndrome). Five children showed some transient decrease in glomerular filtration rate and another patient rapidly developed renal failure and then end stage renal disease. We were able to follow 15 children for 3 years: 8 (53%) still showed outbreaks of gross hematuria, 5 (33%) only had microhematuria and 2 (14%) showed no signs of hematuria. Four children (27%) still had proteinuria. The glomerular filtration rate was still normal in all but two children (one with rapid evolution to end stage renal disease and another with a glomerular filtration decrease of 20%). Ten children were followed for 6 to 13 years. After 6 years, 2 (20%) still showed outbreaks of gross hematuria, 1 (10%) still had proteinuria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Renal biopsy in children with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria: survey of pediatric nephrologists

The decision to perform a renal biopsy on children with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria remains a problem for clinicians. To assess the current opinion of 349 pediatric nephrologists on this issue, case summaries of a 9-year-old boy with 20 urinary red blood cells per high power field without proteinuria and a 9-year-old boy with 2+ proteinuria (600 mg/day) without hematuria were distributed to each specialist. Seventy-three percent (n = 256; 3:1, male:female) responded. Five percent would biopsy the child with asymptomatic hematuria. The main reasons were academic interest, parental pressure for a diagnosis/prognosis and concern for future economic impact on the child (i.e., life insurance). The determinations to biopsy for hematuria were not related to age or sex of the nephrologist. In contrast, 38% (n = 96) of the pediatric nephrologists would perform a biopsy on the child with proteinuria. The major reasons for biopsy were academic interest and potential for drug therapy. With a normal history, physical examination and laboratory/radiographic evaluation, the vast majority of pediatric nephrologists in North America support a conservative approach to the child with asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria.

An acute model for IgA-mediated glomerular inflammation in rats induced by monoclonal polymeric rat IgA antibodies

An acute model for IgA-mediated glomerular inflammation in rats was induced by the in situ deposition of IgA directly into the glomerular mesangium. F(ab')2 anti-Thy1 MoAb was used to anchor an antigen, DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol), in the glomeruli of rats. Subsequent infusion of rat polymeric (p-) or monomeric (m-) IgA MoAb with specificity for DNP resulted in mesangial deposition of IgA in both groups of rats. However, acute proteinuria was observed only in p-IgA-treated rats and not in PBS- or m-IgA-treated rats. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed deposition of C3 in an identical pattern to that of IgA in the glomeruli of p-IgA-treated rats. No mesangial deposits of C4 or C1q were seen in these animals. Rats receiving m-IgA or PBS displayed no detectable C3, C4 or C1q deposition. The amount of proteinuria in p-IgA-treated rats was related to the amount of deposited C3. The presence of intraglomerular monocytes was only observed 2 days after p-IgA injection. By light microscopy, aneurysm formation, mesangial hypercellularity and matrix expansion were seen only in p-IgA-treated rats. However, by 37 days post-injection complete resolution of the lesions was observed. No histological renal changes were observed in PBS- or m-IgA-treated rats. In conclusion, an acute form of IgA-mediated nephritis in rats was induced by p-IgA but not by m-IgA. This reproducible model provides a basis for further study into the mechanisms of IgA-mediated glomerular inflammation.

Etiology of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria in adults

Asymptomatic microscopic hematuria is a common finding that demands urologic evaluation. Of the 236 patients over the age of 40, 6.8% were found to have a genitourinary cancer, while 27.5% had other significant urologic disease. However, 52.1% of the patients had unknown etiology of microscopic hematuria and 13.6% had insignificant urologic lesions. Of the 72 patients under the age of 40 a positive diagnosis was made in 16 patients (22.2%). Cystoscopic examination was of diagnostic value in only 1 patient. Therefore, cystoscopy is of little diagnostic value in young patients. Once asymptomatic microscopic hematuria is established and no etiological cause is identified, we follow the patient by urinalysis and cytology every three months and reevaluate the patient in whom urological symptoms develop.

[The morphological characteristics of the nephrotic form of glomerulonephritis in children at puberty]

67 children (from 3 to 18 years of age) and 26 adults (19-30-year-olds) with nephrotic or mixed forms of glomerulonephritis (GN) are studied. The most severe and pleiomorphic forms of GN are found in children of 12 to 15 years of age: mesangio-capillary, mesangial proliferative, extracapillary proliferative GN with "half-moon" structures, sclerosing GN. Pronounced disturbances of the vimentine content and distribution in the basal lamina, of i.v. type collagen, fibronectin in combination with its damage under the influence of various immune deposits (particularly subepithelial ones) are found in these patients.

Glomerular injury in end-stage liver disease--role of circulating IgG and IgM immune complexes

The relationship of IgG- and IgM-bound circulating immune complexes and immune dysfunction to glomerular injury was evaluated in 15 children with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) awaiting liver transplantation. Compared with age-matched controls, children with ESLD had significantly (P < 0.01) increased serum IgG, IgA, and IgM levels, as well as IgG- and IgM-bound circulating immune complexes. Furthermore, they showed a significant (P < 0.05) depression of C3 and C4 levels compared with controls. Hematuria occurred in 66% of children with ESLD, and the urinary protein/creatinine ratio was also significantly (P < 0.01) increased compared with controls (4.65 +/- 2.56 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.04 mg/mg). Light microscopy of renal biopsy tissue obtained from 6 children with ESLD at the time of transplantation demonstrated mesangial proliferation and expansion with basement membrane splitting. This was associated with subendothelial deposits on electron-microscopic examination, compatible with a diagnosis of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. By immunofluorescence, deposition of IgG, IgA, and IgM occurred in various combinations with co-deposition of complement fragments. We conclude that membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is a common finding in children with ESLD, probably due to entrapment of circulating IgG- and IgM-bound immune complexes.

Glomerular lesions in adolescents with gross hematuria or the nephrotic syndrome. Report of the Southwest Pediatric Nephrology Study Group

We report clinical and pathological data in 56 adolescents presenting with gross hematuria (GH) and 65 presenting with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). IgA nephropathy (present in 52%) and other mesangial lesions were found in the majority of the 56 patients with GH. Many of these patients had complex urological procedures prior to consideration of a nephrological problem. This often led to significant delays in making the appropriate diagnosis. Pathological lesions in the 65 patients with INS included minimal change NS (MCNS) in 31%, membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 18.5% each, and membranoproliferative GN (MPGN) in 12%. In 47 of the patients with INS, in whom no specific treatment had been given prior to renal biopsy, MCNS and MGN were observed with a similar frequency (26% and 23%, respectively), with FSGS and MPGN being found in 21% and 11%. These results indicate that the pathological lesions in adolescents with INS who undergo a renal biopsy more closely resemble those in adults, and are usually more severe than those in young children. However, it should be noted that our study was retrospective. Hence, there were probably some adolescents with INS who had a successful response to therapy and therefore did not have a renal biopsy performed.

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy in a child with Down syndrome

A 9-year-old girl with Down (21-trisomy) syndrome was found to have proteinuria and microscopic haematuria at age 6 years. Proteinuria gradually increased during the next 3 years, although blood pressure and renal function remained normal. The patient exhibited no underlying systemic diseases, monoclonal gammopathy, cryoglobulinaemia or histological evidence of plasmacytoma. A percutaneous renal biopsy revealed immunotactoid glomerulopathy (fibrillary glomerulonephritis) characterized by thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, diffuse mesangial expansion and various-sized acid-Schiff-positive nodules that were intensely positive for IgG, light chains (kappa and lambda) and complement components (C3, C4, C1q) along the glomerular capillaries in the mesangium. Congo red dye and amyloid thioflavine T staining were negative. Fibrils (15-17 nm in diameter--larger than amyloid fibrils) were present in the mesangial area and within the glomerular basement membrane. We are not aware of a previous report of immunotactoid glomerulopathy and a patient with chromosomal abnormalities.

Idiopathic adult focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: a clinicopathological study and response to steroid

A total of 65 adult cases (53 males, 12 females) with biopsy-proven focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) were studied. Hypertension, ascites and haematuria were seen in 13, 12 and 24 cases, respectively. Decreased creatinine clearance at presentation was found in 9 cases. Mean proteinuria per day, serum cholesterol and total protein were 7.5 +/- 4.3 g, 388.95 +/- 213.4 mg% (10.11 +/- 5.55 mmol/l) and 5.27 +/- 1.1 g% (0.527 +/- 0.11 milligram), respectively. Mesangial proliferation was seen in 13 cases and hilar sclerosis in 5. Fifty percent showed positive immunofluorescence; IgM in 10, C3 in 8, and IgG in 2. Forty-two cases could be followed (mean 32 months), out of which 38 had nephrotic syndrome and were treated with prednisolone; 58% showed response (31% complete remission and 27% partial remission). One patient in each group of responders and nonresponders had renal failure at the end of follow-up. Hypertension, degree of proteinuria, mesangial proliferation, degree of tubular atrophy and immunofluorescence findings did not significantly affect the response to steroids. We conclude that a group of patients with idiopathic adult FSGS has a favourable response to steroids, which cannot be predicted clinically.

Loin pain hematuria syndrome

LPHS is a disorder of obscure etiology and inconsistent pathology whose most prominent clinical feature is severe flank pain. Were it not for the hematuria which nearly always accompanies the pain, there would be no specific objective correlate of the syndrome. In this sense, it is similar to a number of chronic conditions which have inspired heated controversy about their very existence as discrete diseases. As the foregoing discussion of pathogenesis, pathology and diagnosis illustrates, with respect to two important characteristics of a 'prototypical' disease--specificity and mechanism--LPHS falls far short. This, coupled with a rather unimpressive 'visible' concomitant of the symptoms (hematuria), has inspired skepticism and even suspicion in some physicians confronted with the demands for analgesia by these patients. On the part of physicians who have been involved in the care of these patients over time, however, there is no doubt that they suffer from a bona fide illness, if not a disease. The severity of the illness is evinced by the rather extreme measures that have been taken in its treatment; e.g., surgical denervation of the kidney, nephrectomy, autotransplantation. Only the last of these appears to offer the hope of enduring pain relief while preserving renal function, but the risk of pain recurrence in the autograft may limit the usefulness of this procedure. Accordingly, narcotic analgesics may need to be the treatment of first and last resort. Development of specific treatment will depend upon elucidating the pathogenesis of the disorder. The available data suggest further investigation of the role of vasoactive mediators, and the coagulation and immune systems.

Differentiation of hematuria using a uniquely shaped red cell

Although variously shaped urinary red cells have been reported in glomerulonephritic hematuria, no specific shapes with concrete definition have been proposed. This made morphological differentiation of hematuria vague and caused different results among different observers. To solve these problems and improve the diagnostic rate, we employed a uniquely shaped red cell, which only appeared in glomerulonephritic hematuria, as a probe for diagnosis. We studied 182 hematuria cases from 90 glomerulonephritic patients and 95 hematuria cases from 68 urological disease patients. Fresh urine was collected and observed by differential interference microscopy. The red cell, referred to as G1, has a distinctive doughnut-like shape with blebs and was highly specific for glomerulonephritic hematuria. Occurrence of G1 cells increased at lower pH an higher osmolality of urine. A presence of 5% or more G1 cells could be an indicator of glomerulonephritic hematuria. Specificity and sensitivity of this criterion were 100 and 73%. However, when only acidic concentrated urine (pH < or = 6.4, osmolality > or = 400 mosm/kg H2O) was used, the specificity and sensitivity increased to 100 and 99.2%, respectively. Glomerulonephritic and urological hematuria were correctly diagnosed by counting the urinary red cells with doughnut-like shape in acidic and concentrated urine. This method seems to be superior to others in diagnostic rate, simplicity and clarity.

[Isolated hematuria in adolescents and adults. The value of renal biopsy]

In 103 subjects with asymptomatic isolated haematuria (persisting for more than 6 months in the absence of proteinuria, bacteriuria, impaired haemocoagulation or urological disease) renal biopsy was performed. The mean age of the patients was 25.2 years, range 14-58 years. In 94% glomerular changes were detected--most frequently minimal glomerular lesions (67%) and proliferative mesangial glomerulonephritis (15%). Focal segmental proliferative glomerulonephritis was rare (4%). Immunofluorescent examination revealed IgA nephropathy in 40% (all cases of diffuse and focally segmental proliferative glomerulonephritis and one quarter of minimal glomerular lesions). Changes of tubules and interstitium were recorded in 26%, with the exception of one patient they were always associated with glomerular affection. From the investigation ensues that the predominating cause of isolated asymptomatic haematuria, not clarified by non-invasive examination, is usually not serious and is an affection frequently associated with tubulointerstitial changes. As many as 40% of isolated cases of haematuria may be the manifestation of IgA nephropathy. The deposition of IgA is more frequently associated with a more advanced grade of glomerular affection. Indication of diagnostic renal biopsy in isolated haematuria remains individual.

Idiopathic renal hematuria in a military working dog

A 1.5-year-old male Belgian Malinosis Military Working Dog presented with a 1-month history of intermittent hematuria. Diagnostic ultrasound and contrast radiography demonstrated large blood clots in the urinary bladder and a filling defect in the right renal pelvis. At surgery, clotted blood was present in the right ureter and bladder. Following right nephrectomy, the dog returned to training. One month later, elevations in urea nitrogen and creatinine were noted. Hematuria recurred at 3 months and the dog was found dead in its kennel. Necropsy showed a blood-filled left renal pelvis and ureter.