Mediastinal gastroenteric cyst in a neonate containing respiratory-type epithelium and pancreatic tissue.

Mediastinal gastroenteric cyst is an uncommon congenital malformation and a distinct histopathological entity within the family of foregut duplication cysts. This lesion is mainly encountered in neonates and infants. Histologically, it is characterized by double-layered smooth muscle wall and gastric lining mucosa.

Pivotal role of paricalcitol in the treatment of calcific uremic arteriolopathy in the presence of a parathyroid adenoma.

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy, or calciphylaxis, is a serious and life-threatening complication of end-stage renal disease. Its pathogenesis is not yet fully elucidated and treatment is controversial. In the presence of severe hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy should be considered.

Urinary levels of epidermal growth factor, interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 may act as predictor markers of renal function outcome in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Aim: Urinary cytokine excretion may reflect histological changes in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), and their measurement can give information about disease outcome.

Methods: Thirty-three IgAN patients were prospectively followed for 5.6 +/- 3.

Unusual manifestation of diarrhea-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome in an adult.

Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is an uncommon disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytica anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. There are two forms of HUS: diarrhoea (D+)- and non-diarrhoea (D-)-associated HUS. We report the case of a 21-year-old woman presented to our department with jaundice, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and anuria, preceded by a diarrheal prodrome, secondary to infection with Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Serum thyrotropin concentration as a biochemical predictor of thyroid malignancy in patients presenting with thyroid nodules.

Purpose: Serum thyrotropin (TSH) is a well-established growth factor for thyroid nodules and suppression of TSH concentrations by administering exogenous thyroxine may interfere with the growth of established nodules as well as the formation of new thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum TSH at presentation is a predictor of thyroid malignancy in patients with thyroid nodules.

Methods: A total of 565 patients without overt thyroid dysfunction, who presented with palpable thyroid nodule(s) between 1988 and 2004 and underwent at least one fine-needle aspiration biopsy, were retrospectively evaluated.

Fibrotic mechanisms in idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis: the role of TGF-beta1 and C5b-9.

Background: Idiopathic IRPGN is a form of renal vasculitis in which a high chronicity index is present despite minimal impairment of renal function. The present study investigated the mechanisms underlining the relatively early appearance of fibrosis.

Methods: In all, 34 patients (17 males) with biopsy proven idiopathic RPGN were included.

Necrotic vasculitis in a patient with abdominal fibromatosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The case of a 65-year-old woman presenting with Guillain-Barré syndrome is herein reported. Tomographic investigation revealed abdominal and retroperitoneal fibromatosis. During her hospitalization, renal involvement ensued, and subsequent renal biopsy demonstrated findings of crescentic pauci-immune glomerulonephritis negative for ANCA antibodies and with characteristics indicative of necrotic angiitis.

Predictors of outcome in idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (IRPGN).

Background: Small vessel vasculitides are known to follow a devastating course towards end-stage renal disease, unless treated with immunosuppressive regiments. We investigated the value of clinical, histological and immunohistochemical parameters as predictors of outcome at diagnosis in patients with pauci immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis.

Methods: In 34 patients the percentage and evolution stage of crescents, the presence of glomerular necrosis, the degree or severity of arteriosclerosis, as well as the extent of tubulointerstitial infiltration, interstial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were assessed.

Renal cancer in a patient with Crohn's disease and secondary amyloidosis.

Herein we report the case of a patient suffering from renal amyloidosis secondary to Crohn's disease (CD) who presented with anuria and anasarca 8 years after commencement of colchicine treatment. End-stage renal disease was confirmed. Renal imaging prior to hemodialysis showed tumor of the left kidney.

Induction and long-term treatment with cyclosporine in membranous nephropathy with the nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Cyclosporine A (CyA) has been shown to be effective in membranous nephropathy (MN). However, the optimal dose and the duration of treatment remain controversial issues. We evaluated the efficacy of low-dose CyA alone or combined with corticosteroids as induction and long-term treatment for nephrotic patients with MN.

Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis in 6 children.

Introduction: Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a rare disorder in children, and the diagnosis is often delayed. However, many commonly prescribed antibiotics seem to be implicated.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 6 children, age range from 10 months to 14 years, with biopsy-confirmed antibiotics-induced AIN.

Colchicine treatment of liver fibrosis.

Background/aims: Because of its antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects, colchicine has been proposed as a treatment for liver disease. The results from clinical trials have however been inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of colchicine in the treatment of patients with hepatic fibrosis of various etiologies.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a patient with large bilateral asymptomatic adrenal myelolipomas.

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors, usually discovered by chance in patients with hypertension, obesity or various endocrine disorders. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) can occur as a primary disease or in a variety of secondary settings. So far, no association between the two conditions has been described.

C5b-9 and adhesion molecules in human idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Background: Cellular immune responses and C5b-9 seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). The aim of the study was to investigate the role of C5b-9 and adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 35 patients with biopsy-proven IMN were correlated with immunohistochemical findings using monoclonal antibodies against T lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages (MM), HLA-DR antigens, C5b-9, and adhesion molecules such as alpha3beta1, LFA-1beta, and ICAM-1.