[Lipid metabolism and its changes in pregnancy].

A survey is made on physiology of lipid metabolism and its variations during pregnancy. The mechanisms leading to an increase in triglycerides and cholesterol during pregnancy are explained. These changes induce increased aterogenic risk, higher risk for developing pathologic 1 changes in blood vessels on microcirculation level on the basis of endothelial disfunction.

[Acute renal insufficiency during pregnancy with acute pancreatitis].

According to current data the incidence of acute pancreatitis is from 1:1000 to 1:5000. Symptoms vary a lot, one of rare but most severe complications being acute renal failure. The case is a 24-year-old pregnant patients--30-th gestational week with symptoms of acute pancreatitis based most probably on hereditary hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia.

[Secondary systemic amyloidosis A combined with primary glomerulonephritis and systemic diseases].

Amyloidosis is characterized by organic dysfunction as a result of deposition of amyloid substance in the walls of the small blood vessels and extracellularly in different organs. The involvement of the kidneys in systemic amyloidoses AL and AA has irreversible evolution to renal failure. The object of the study was to determine the prevalence of the secondary (reactive) systemic amyloidosis AA in combination with primary glomerulonephritis (PGN) and lupus nephropathy (SLE) and to create diagnostic approach for its early detection.

[Comparative echographic and computed tomographic studies of acute focal bacterial nephritis].

The diagnostic potentialities of ultrasound and computed tomography for the early diagnosis of acute focal bacterial nephritis were studied in 12 patients. The echographic findings in all patients are similar: insular tumor-like zone, unclearly defined from the neighbouring parenchyma, hypo-, hyper- or isoechogenic, without liquefaction and lack of distant amplification. The computed tomographic image of 4 from 5 patients studied is as follows: perihilar defect with wedge-shaped form, hypodense structure, radially striated areas from the cavity system toward the parenchyma after applying of a contrast medium.

[Multiple bilateral parapelvic kidney cysts].

8 patients, 2 men and 6 women, 42 to 67 years of age, with bilateral multiple cysts of the renal sinus are described. 3/6 patients had macroscopic hematuria, pyelonephritis, 5/8 patients were with arterial hypertension and 4/8 patients were with renal failure. All patients were examine by ultrasound once more after a greater diuresis was achieved in order to differentiate from hydronephrosis.

[Immunochemical studies in glomerulonephritis with mesangial immunoglobulin A precipitation].

Serum IgA, C3 and circulating immune complexes were examined in 20 patients with morphologically proved chronic glomerulonephritis with mesangial IgA precipitates and in 39 clinically healthy controls. The immune complexes were analyzed. 10 patients were with Berger's disease, 8 patients--with secondary IgA glomerulonephritis accompanying chronic liver disease and 1 patient was with Henoch-Schönlein's purpura.

[Potentials of echography for diagnosing x-ray-negative calculi].

The objective of the authors, with the present paper, is to specify the possibilities of echography in patients with "negative" renal lithiasis. A total of 54 patients were studied, grouped in two subgroups: subgroup A--33 patients with native-graphy, urography and echography, subgroup B--21 patients with chronic renal insufficiency and intolerance to X-ray contrast media, to whom only native-graphy and echography were performed. The authors concluded, on the base of the statistical calculations, that echography in the patients studied by them, has a higher percentage probability of differentiating the negative concrements than urography.

[Possibilities of combined treatment of diffuse collagenous glomerulonephritis].

Combined corticosteroid, immunosuppressive and anticoagulant treatment was performed to 17 patients with various histological forms of collagenous glomerulonephritis, 14--with disseminated lupus erythematodes, 1--with periartheritis nodosa and 2--with Schönlein-Henoch disease. The immunosuppressive treatment was carried out for an average of 14.62 months, the corticosteroid treatment--an average of 17 months and the anticoagulant--18.

[Results of the use of ultrasonic diagnosis in kidney diseases].

The results are reported from application of ultrasound diagnostics (echography) of 400 patients with renal diseases. The diagnoses were confirmed by venous urography, isotope nephrography, scintigraphy and punch renal biopsy. One hundred eighty seven of the patients are with pyelonephritis with and without concretions and hydronephrosis, 50--with diffuse diseases, 34--with congenital diseases, 22--with focal alterations, 10--with diseases of the bladder and prostate, other diseases--88 patients.

[Intravenous "pulsed" methylprednisolone treatment of severe collagenic and rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis].

The results are reported from the "pulse" methylprednisolone treatment of seven patients with severe collagenic and rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis. Good effect was obtained in six patients, manifested in increased and maintained relatively high diuresis, decreased proteinuria and erythocyturia, slowed down ESR, lower values of plasma creatinine, increased creatinine, normalization of the majority of immunologic deviations. The patients with good effect were in a good condition till the end of the follow up, with no complaints, afebrile, without edemas and no manifestations of hypercorticism.

[Renal biopsy following ultrasonic localization of the kidney].

Venous urography is the method most frequently applied in the localization of the kidney for percutaneous renal biopsy. It, however, cannot be applied to patients with acute or chronic renal insufficiency as well as to patients, hypersensitive to roentgen contrast media. The ultrasound localization of the kidney solves that problem.

[Results of ultrasonic diagnosis of patients with renal transplants].

The echography of transplanted kidney is a modern noninvasive investigation method with significant information value. It is easily applicable even in cases of the gravest states of the patients, allowing the dynamic observation almost immediately in the post-transplantation period. The early and chronic crisis of transplant rejection is excellently diagnosed by echography as well as of perirenal liquid collections, arterial and venous thrombosis, obstructions of excretory ducts.