Clinical presentation and outcome of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Pakistan: a single center experience

OBJECTIVE

To delineate clinical presentation and outcome of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) in terms of need for renal replacement therapy of kidney transplantation in Pakistani patients.

METHODS

Patients with ADPKD were identified using strict clinical criteria. Medical charts were evaluated retrospectively for initial presenting complaints, co-morbids, family history of ADPKD, any palpable mass on abdominal examination, cardiac examination for any abnormal finding and use of any anti-hypertensive drugs. Laboratory parameters were assessed. Chi square and Logistic regression analyses at 95% CI were used for statistical significance. A p value of less 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 56 patients fulfilled our criteria of ADPKD. There were 40 (71.4%) males and 16 (28.6%) females in our study. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of ADPKD was 47.0 +/- 14.5 years. Mean follow up period for all patients was 7.6 +/- 4.2 years. Most common form of presentation was hypertension in 38 (67.9%) patients. Kidneys were palpable in 33 (58.9%), liver in 16 (28.6%) and spleen in 6 patients (10.7%). Microscopic haematuria was observed in 38 (67.8%) patients while gross haematuria was present in 10 (17.9%) patients. The murmur of mitral valve prolapse was found in 10 patients on clinical examination which was later confirmed on transthoracic echocardiography (TEE). On MRI/MRA 2 (3.6%) patients each had berry aneurysm and AV malformations. Three patients (5.4%) received renal transplant and 19 (33.9%) patients were dialysis dependent at the end of study. A total 11 (20%) were lost to follow up. Two patients (3.5%) died during six years follow up. Male sex and uncontrolled hypertension were most important predictors of poor prognosis (p < 0.03 and < 0.048 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Pre-symptomatic patients with ADPKD should be monitored with blood pressure measurements and assessment of their renal function. The advantages of such monitoring include the ability to prevent or control infection and hypertension, to identify potential kidney donors from among the family, to offer advice on marriage and childbearing, and to provide prenatal diagnosis.

Compression of left inferior vena cava: a form of nutcracker syndrome

Left renal vein hypertension has been described in the literature as a cause of persistent hematuria. We report a case of nutcracker syndrome with hematuria involving the left inferior vena cava diagnosed with Doppler sonography and MRI.

Haematuria in patients with haemophilia and its influence on renal function and proteinuria

To investigate renal function in a group of patients with a history of haemophilia and haematuria. We reviewed 32 medical records of the patients with haemophilia and gross haematuria identified through a computerized haemophilia registry, from January 1993 to December 2004. In all patients but three (two refused to participate and one died) clinical and laboratory tests were performed by the nephrologist. One patient had chronic renal failure because of diabetic nephropathy. In two patients reduced renal function was detected by creatinine clearance measurements, and one of them had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In four patients minimal proteinuria was diagnosed by the biuret method. Mild reduction in renal function of unknown cause was found in only one of the 29 patients tested.

Nutcracker syndrome due to left renal vein compression by an aberrant right renal artery

Classic nutcracker syndrome is caused by left renal vein compression between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta, leading to retrograde venous hypertension associated with such urinary abnormalities as hematuria or proteinuria. We describe a case of symptomatic nutcracker syndrome treated by means of stent placement in which hypertension in the left renal vein was caused by stenosis of this vein compressed by an aberrant right renal artery at a point closer to the inferior vena cava.

[Alport syndrome or progressive hereditary nephritis with hearing loss]

Alport syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by progressive hematuric nephritis with structural defects of the glomerular basement membrane, and sensorineural deafness. Ocular abnormalities are frequently associated. The incidence is approximatively 1/5000. The renal disease is severe in male patients and should be responsible for 2% of end-stage renal failure. Alport syndrome is heterogeneous at the clinical and genetic levels. It occurs as a consequence of structural abnormalities in type IV collagen, the major constituent of basement membranes. Six genetically distinct chains of type IV collagen have been identified. Mutations in the COL4A5 gene located at Xq22, and encoding the alpha 5(IV) chain are responsible for X-linked Alport syndrome whereas COL4A3 or COL4A4 located "head to head" on chromosome 2 are involved in the rarer autosomal forms of the disease.

Effect of renal Doppler ultrasound on the detection of nutcracker syndrome in children with hematuria

To assess the detection rate of nutcracker syndrome in children with isolated hematuria, renal Doppler ultrasound examinations were routinely performed on 216 consecutive children (176 microscopic hematuria and 40 gross hematuria). Renal Doppler ultrasound was also performed on 32 healthy normal children. The peak velocity (PV) was measured at the hilar portion of the left renal vein (LRV) and at the LRV between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. The PV at the aortomesenteric portion (P=0.003) and the PV ratios of the LRV (P=0.003) were significantly higher in children with hematuria than in normal children, while the PV at the hilar portion was not different. If a PV ratio of the LRV of at least 4.1 (the cut-off level set at the mean +/-2 SD of the value for the normal children) was defined as abnormal, 72 cases (33.3%) in children with hematuria and no cases in normal children were diagnosed as having nutcracker syndrome. The prevalence of nutcracker syndrome is relatively high in children with isolated hematuria, and the inclusion of renal Doppler ultrasound as a screening examination has a substantial effect on the detection of nutcracker syndrome.

Evaluation of hematuria using the urinary albumin-to-total-protein ratio to differentiate glomerular and nonglomerular bleeding

BACKGROUND

Depending on the etiology and pathophysiology of hematuria, urinary bleeding is classified as glomerular hematuria or nonglomerular hematuria. Nephritis is usually detected by the presence of proteinuria, especially elevated albumin excretion. In this study, we report on the use of the urinary albumin-to-total-protein ratio to accurately differentiate glomerular and nonglomerular bleeding.

METHODS

A total of 143 fresh, random urine specimens demonstrating microscopic hematuria (5 or more red blood cells per high-power field) from patients with the source of the hematuria confirmed by histopathology and/or clinical criteria were included in the study.

RESULTS

Of the 143 specimens, 104 were from patients diagnosed with glomerular disease and 39 were from patients with nonglomerular disease. Corrected for urine concentration, the mean total-protein-to-creatinine (Cr) and albumin-to-Cr ratios in the glomerular disease group were 1.67 +/- 2.71 g/g Cr and 1.15 +/- 1.77 g/g Cr, respectively (P < 0.001). In the nonglomerular group, the mean total protein-to-Cr and albumin-to-Cr ratios were 0.19 +/- 0.23 g/g Cr and 0.05 +/- 0.06 g/g Cr, respectively (P < 0.001). However, considerable overlap in the ratios among glomerular and nonglomerular disease groups was observed. In contrast, the mean albumin-to-total protein ratios for glomerular and nonglomerular diseases were 0.72 +/- 0.10 and 0.35 +/- 0.17, respectively (P < 0.001). At a cutoff of 0.59, the albumin-to-total-protein ratio demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.1% (101 of 104 cases) in detecting glomerular disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The urinary albumin-to-total-protein ratio is potentially a useful index for the differentiation of glomerular and nonglomerular disease in the presence of microscopic hematuria.

Transverse Vaginal Septum with Congenital Vesical-Vaginal Communication and Cyclical Hematuria

Cyclical hematuria is an unusual presentation of a müllerian fusion anomaly. We report a patient with transverse vaginal septum and menstruation by way of the lower urinary tract because of a vesical-vaginal communication. A defect of vertical fusion, transverse vaginal septum results from failure of canalization of the vaginal plate. Reconstruction using a transvaginal and transabdominal approach created a direct anastomosis between the proximal vaginal segment and the distal vaginal pouch. Previously described cases are reviewed.

Factors that determine an incomplete recovery of renal function in macrohematuria-induced acute renal failure of IgA nephropathy

Acute renal failure that is associated with macroscopic hematuria (ARF-MH) is a widely known complication of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Although spontaneous recovery of renal function after cessation of MH has been described, no long-term outcome studies have been performed. The outcome of patients who had biopsy-proven IgAN and presented an ARF-MH episode in the period 1975 through 2005 was studied. Thirty-six episodes of ARF-MH that occurred in 32 patients were identified. A complete recovery of baseline renal function after cessation of MH was observed in 27 (group 1); in the remaining nine episodes (25%; group 2), estimated GFR (eGFR) did not reach the baseline value. Final eGFR was 89 +/- 28 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in group 1 patients and 38 +/- 12 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in group 2 patients (P = 0.0005). The duration of MH was significantly longer in group 2 patients: 33.7 +/- 25.3 versus 15.4 +/- 18.4 d (P = 0008). A high proportion of tubules that were filled by red blood cell casts and had signs of acute tubular necrosis were the most striking histologic abnormalities. In conclusion, a significant proportion (25%) of ARF-MH in IgAN did not recover the baseline renal function after the disappearance of MH. Duration of MH longer than 10 d, age >50 yr, decreased baseline eGFR, absence of previous episodes of MH, and the severity of tubular necrosis were significant risk factors for an incomplete recovery of renal function.

Renal transplantation in a patient with loin pain hematuria syndrome

We describe a patient with loin pain hematuria syndrome who required bilateral nephrectomy because of intractable pain and urological complications. After bilateral nephrectomy, his pain disappeared for the first time in 40 years. He subsequently received a cadaveric renal transplant which, at 4-year follow-up, is working well. Although he has developed intermittent microscopic hematuria, there has been no significant recurrence of pain over the kidney. This is the first reported case of transplantation after bilateral nephrectomy for loin pain hematuria syndrome. It provides insight tnto the possible pathogenic mechanisms underlying the condition.

Hepatitis-B virus-associated nephropathies in adults: a clinical study in Thailand

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated glomerulonephropathy (HBV-GN) has been increasingly reported, especially in adults. In the present study, the authors investigated the clinical and histopathology features of patients who suspected HBV-GN in 24 patients and age ranging from 23 to 74 years (mean 43 years). Asymptomatic hematuria was the most common presentation (54%); followed by edema and hypertension at equal percentages of 50%. The nephrotic syndrome was presented in 43%, the nephrito-nephrotic syndrome in 3.5%. Clinically suspected rapidly progressive GN was found in 14%. Renal insufficiency was determined in 30%. The most common pathologic finding was IgA nephropathy (IgAN 29%), followed by membranous nephropathy (21%), focal segmental glomerulo sclerosis (FSGS 11%), membranoproliferative GN (11%), post-infectious GN (11%). Liver disease activity also tended to be mild or had no symptoms of hepatitis. The authors remission rates both complete and partial were 75% (higher than the usual report), notwithstanding treatment. The authors achieved a sustained complete remission in half of the patients (3 in 6 cases) treated with steroid alone and 2 out of 7 cases (28.6%) treated with anti-viral therapy. Spontaneous remission was demonstrated in 2 (1 with IgAN + FSGS, and 1 with post infectious GN) out of 6 patients (33.3%). None of the patients in both treatment groups turned to ESRD that occurred in 2 cases receiving non-specific treatment. Of note, all of the patients who received anti-viral therapy or corticosteroid and had complete follow up were in remission either complete or partial.

Nutcracker syndrome in children with gross haematuria: Doppler sonographic evaluation of the left renal vein

BACKGROUND

Nutcracker syndrome is characterized by gross haematuria caused by left renal vein (LRV) entrapment.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of LRV ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the nutcracker syndrome in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve children (eight male, four female; mean age 12.8 years) with venographically confirmed nutcracker syndrome (LRV-IVC pressure gradient > or = 3 mm Hg) underwent LRV sonography including Doppler spectral analysis (n=7). The diameter and peak velocity (PV) were measured at two sites of the LRV (renal hilum and aortomesenteric portion). The US findings of nutcracker syndrome were compared with those of 20 control subjects using the t-test. We identified the optimal cut-off value of the US parameters for the diagnosis of the nutcracker syndrome using ROC analysis.

RESULTS

The PV at the aortomesenteric portion and the ratio of the PV between the two measured points showed significant differences between the two groups (P<0.0001). The optimum cut-off values were found to be 4.7 for the PV ratio (sensitivity 100%, specificity 90%, accuracy 93%), and 93 cm/s for the PV at the aortomesenteric portion (sensitivity 100%, specificity 85%, accuracy 89%).

CONCLUSION

LRV sonography, including Doppler spectral analysis, can demonstrate LRV entrapment haemodynamically.

Evaluation of the effects of stress in cats with idiopathic cystitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of stress in cats with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) by evaluating bladder permeability, sympathetic nervous system function, and urine cortisol:creatinine (C:Cr) ratios during periods of stress and after environmental enrichment.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

ANIMALS

13 cats with FIC and 12 healthy cats.

PROCEDURE

Cats subjected to an acute-onset moderate stressor for 8 days received IV injections of fluorescein. Serum fluorescein concentrations were determined and compared with those of controls to evaluate bladder permeability, and urine C:Cr ratios were compared to evaluate function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were analyzed in a subset of cats. After 8 days of moderate stress, cats were moved to an enriched environment, and tests were repeated after 21 days.

RESULTS

Serum fluorescein concentrations were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points. In the cats in which plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined, concentrations of dihydroxyphenylalanine, norepinephrine, and dihyroxyphenylglycol were significantly higher in cats with FIC at all time points, whereas no differences in urine C:Cr ratio between groups were observed.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Cats with FIC appeared to have altered bladder permeability, most notably during the period of initial stress. The increase in plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine concentration suggests that there may be stress-induced increase in the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis. In contrast, no effects of stress on C:Cr ratios were observed, which suggests there was dissociation between the sympathetic nervous system and HPA-axis responses to stress.

The Bell-Shaped Nitinol Prostatic Stent in the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Experience in 108 Patients

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy, safety, and durability of the bell-shaped nitinol prostatic stent in the treatment of moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic enlargement in otherwise healthy patients.

METHODS

Stents were inserted in an outpatient setting under local anaesthesia. Assessments included maximum urinary flow (Qmax), postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), including quality of life (QoL) item, at baseline and follow-up visits.

RESULTS

108 men were enrolled in the trial. Stents were successfully inserted in 97% of the patients. Spontaneous voiding was achieved in all patients. After one month Qmax (+3.7 ml/s), PVR (-99 ml), IPSS (-12) and QoL (-1.7) all showed statistically significant improvements compared to baseline. Substantial improvements, however, were maintained for only one to two months. The main complications were haematuria (19%), urge incontinence (22%), and migration (15%). The median indwelling time was 105 days. The main reason for removal of stents was worsening of symptoms, which might be attributable to the tilting of stents within the prostatic urethra, found upon removal.

CONCLUSIONS

Insertion of the bell-shaped nitinol prostatic stent temporarily improves voiding parameters and symptom scores. Because of the limited durability, however, the bell-shaped prostatic stent is not suitable for clinical practice.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease in infancy and childhood: progression and outcome

BACKGROUND

The natural history of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has not been well described in children and infants.

METHODS

The present study analyzed the characteristics of 46 ADPKD children diagnosed before 18 months of life (VEO) and 153 children diagnosed between 18 months of age and 18 years of age (non-VEO).

RESULTS

VEO children had more cysts and larger renal volumes than non-VEO children when adjusted for age. In both VEO and non-VEO children, the presence of signs or symptoms at the time of diagnosis as well as the presence of hematuria or proteinuria at the study visit were associated with larger renal volumes. Children diagnosed early (VEO) or diagnosed due to signs or symptoms were also more likely to have high blood pressure. Two VEO children and no non-VEO children reached end-stage renal disease during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to many published case reports suggesting the occurrence of early end-stage renal disease in VEO children, the results of the present study were much more optimistic. Over 90% of the VEO children maintained preserved renal function well into childhood.

Factors affecting spontaneous resolution of hematuria in childhood nutcracker syndrome

To identify factors affecting spontaneous resolution of hematuria in children with nutcracker syndrome, 20 patients diagnosed as having nutcracker syndrome using renal Doppler ultrasound (US) were analyzed retrospectively. Sixteen patients had microscopic hematuria, and four had gross hematuria at presentation. The mean age was 10.6 years (range 2.5-14 years). All underwent a follow-up Doppler US examination after a mean period of 1.4 years (range 0.5-3.5 years) after the first US was performed, and height and weight were measured at the time of US. At the time of follow-up US, hematuria disappeared in 15 patients and improved in 3. The peak velocity (PV) ratios of the left renal vein (LRV) at the follow-up US decreased significantly when compared to the first US examination (7.74+/-2.64 vs 3.50+/-1.09, p<0.0001), and height (147.4+/-20.1 vs 152.3+/-18.8 cm) and weight (36.1+/-10.9 vs 42.3+/-12.7 kg) increased (p<0.0001). Changes in the PV ratios of the LRV correlated positively with changes in the PV at the aortomesenteric portion (r=0.569, p=0.009). Changes in the PV at the aortomesenteric portion correlated negatively with changes in body mass index (BMI) (r=-0.543, p=0.013). Although spontaneous resolution of hematuria in children with nutcracker syndrome is obscure, our findings suggest the increase in BMI may be a possible hemodynamic factor.

The Vicious Cycling: Bicycling Related Urogenital Disorders

PURPOSE

Bicycle riding is one of the most popular means of transportation, recreation, fitness and sports among millions of people of all ages who ride on road and off road, using a variety of bicycle types. It is also a readily available form of aerobic non-impact exercise with established cardiovascular beneficial effects. Bicycles are also a common source of significant injuries. This review focuses upon the specific bicycling related overuse injuries affecting the genitourinary tract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE search of the literature on bicycling and genitourinary disorders was performed using multiple subject headings and additional keywords. The search yielded overall 62 pertinent articles. We focused primarily on the most prevalent related disorders such as pudendal nerve entrapment, erectile dysfunction and infertility. The potential effect of bicycling on serum PSA level was also discussed in depth in view of its recognized clinical importance. Infrequent disorders, which were reported sporadically, were still addressed, despite their rarity, for the comprehensiveness of this review.

RESULTS

The reported incidence of bicycling related urogenital symptoms varies considerably. The most common bicycling associated urogenital problems are nerve entrapment syndromes presenting as genitalia numbness, which is reported in 50-91% of the cyclists, followed by erectile dysfunction reported in 13-24%. Other less common symptoms include priapism, penile thrombosis, infertility, hematuria, torsion of spermatic cord, prostatitis, perineal nodular induration and elevated serum PSA, which are reported only sporadically.

CONCLUSIONS

Urologists should be aware that bicycling is a potential and not an infrequent cause of a variety of urological and andrological disorders caused by overuse injuries affecting the genitourinary system.

Development of immune-complex glomerulonephritis in athymic mice: T cells are not required for the genesis of glomerular injury

Chronic injection of dextran into normal mice elicits a glomerulonephritis (GN) that models IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in humans. Since athymic mice lack T cells but nonetheless develop antibodies to polysaccharide antigens such as dextran (DEX), we used athymic mice to study the role of T lymphocytes in the induction of this form of GN, independent of the role of T cells in antibody synthesis. Both mice given injections of diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-DEX and uninjected mice had circulating IgM and IgA anti-DEX antibodies, which apparently arise as 'natural antibodies', but immune complex GN was observed only in the injected mice. All of 15 injected mice exhibited capillary staining for IgA and IgM; none of 12 control mice contained such IgA deposits and only one had capillary staining for IgM (both P<0.001). In addition, IgG and C3 were detected in injected but not control animals. By light microscopy, injected mice exhibited marked expansion of mesangial matrix relative to controls. Electron microscopy showed no glomerular abnormalities in control mice, whereas injected mice showed large organized fibrillar deposits principally in the mesangium. Hematuria and proteinuria were present in all 15 injected mice, but only one of 11 control mice showed hematuria or proteinuria (both P<0.001). These results indicate that chronic injection of DEAE-DEX into athymic mice generates the same clinical and histologic features of GN as in euthymic mice, suggesting that T cells are not necessary to promote GN in this model.

Kidneys and sports

With better understanding of the nature of renal disease and its treatment, many more adolescents are now allowed to participate in recreational and competitive sports. The positive physiologic and psychological effects of exercise are increasingly being appreciated in adolescents with chronic diseases. This article reviews relevant aspects of renal disease that have implications for sports participation by adolescents, including hematuria, proteinuria, hyponatremia, hypertension, solitary kidney, exercise-related acute renal failure, and chronic/end-stage renal disease. It also reviews the renal effects of creatine and protein supplementation in athletes.

Spontaneous remission of persistent severe hematuria in an adolescent with nutcracker syndrome: seven years' observation

A Japanese boy aged 14 years presented with gross hematuria associated with mild proteinuria and was diagnosed as having nutcracker syndrome. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed significant compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery with collaterals. A percutaneous renal biopsy on the right kidney revealed no evidence of glomerular or interstitial changes with immune deposition. He was observed closely without any intervention thereafter. Although repeat MRA performed 4 years after our first observation disclosed the development of collateral veins, severe hematuria with an intermittent exacerbation remained unchanged. During the next 2 years, the hematuria completely subsided spontaneously. Although the etiology of spontaneous remission of the disease remains speculative, his good physical development (i.e., approximately 10 cm taller than his height at the onset) may change presumptive hemodynamic factors. These clinical observations suggest that a proportion of pubertal patients with nutcracker syndrome should be treated conservatively for a relatively long time.

Familial Mediterranean fever and glomerulonephritis and review of the literature

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent and self-limited attacks of fever usually accompanied by polyserositis. Amyloidosis is its most common renal complication. A number of reports have shown vasculitic diseases such as polyarteritis nodosa and Henoch-Schönlein purpura affecting the kidney in FMF. Here we present a patient with FMF and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and analyze the data published on these two entities.