[An unusual cause of ureteral obstruction in kidney transplant].

Inguinal herniation of the ureter in a kidney transplantation is a rare cause of late distal ureteral obstruction. Herniation is usually secondary to the implant of a long redundant ureter and to its course on the spermatic cord. This clinical condition can worsen graft function in the presence of ipsilateral hydroureteronephrosis.

[Rescue endovascular revascularization in two patients with bilateral atherosclerotic renal artery occlusion].

Renal artery stenosis is found in 2% and 40% of general and high cardiovascular risk populations, respectively. Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) has become an increasingly recognized clinical condition, especially in older or otherwise atherosclerosis-prone populations. This increase in prevalence has led to a dramatically increased use of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of renal arteries presenting with bilateral renal infarction in a young man.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) describes a group of conditions which cause nonatheromatous arterial stenoses, most commonly of the renal and carotid arteries, typically in young women. We report the case of a previously healthy 43-year-old white man presenting with acute bilateral flank pain. The pain was more severe on the left side.

The systemic capillary leak syndrome: a scarcely known nephrological entity.

The idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare life-threatening disorder characterized by periodic episodes of hypovolemic shock, due to plasma leakage from the intravascular to the interstitial space, as reflected by accompanying hypoalbuminemia, hemoconcentration and edema. Here we report the case of a 65-year-old woman affected by SCLS who required aggressive resuscitation with norepinephrine, steroids, albumin and crystalloids. Then, a long-term prophylaxis with a ß(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist and theophylline was started.

Is there a link between the late occurrence of a brachial artery aneurysm and the ligation of an arteriovenous fistula?

Arteriomegaly and aneurysms proximal to long-standing posttraumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) have been described. Much fewer are the reports of the late occurrence of brachial artery aneurysms following the closure of a hemodialysis AVF. Here, we report the case of a 55-year-old male patient.

Autogenous side-to-side brachial-basilic fistulas without vein transposition: a valuable option?

An autogenous brachial-basilic arteriovenous fistula (BBAVF) in the upper arm must be considered before placing prosthetic grafts in hemodialysis patients with multiple failures of forearm AVFs. The aim of this observational study was to compare technical and clinical outcomes of a new construction technique for BBAVF (n-BBAVF) with that of the standard one-stage side-artery to end-vein transposed BBAVF (t-BBAVF). A n-BBAVF is constructed in the following way: basilic vein and brachial artery are isolated.

The relationship between the flow of arteriovenous fistula and cardiac output in haemodialysis patients.

Background: Satisfactory haemodialysis (HD) vascular access flow (Qa) is necessary for dialysis adequacy. High Qa is postulated to increase cardiac output (CO) and cause high-output cardiac failure. Aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the relationship between Qa of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and CO in order to have a closer insight into this scarcely explored aspect of HD pathophysiology.

Cinacalcet is effective in relapses of secondary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy.

Background: Relapses of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPTH) after parathyroidectomy (PTx) in haemodialysis patients are relatively frequent. Calcimimetics (cinacalcet HCl) offer a new therapeutic opportunity for their treatment. However, no data about the treatment with cinacalcet of relapses of SHPTH after PTx are available in literature.

Is there a place for duplex screening of the brachial artery in the maturation of arteriovenous fistulas?

Clinically there are some autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) that are obviously mature. The real problem in clinical evaluation is in predicting the ultimate outcome of AVFs that are not clearly mature. Thus it would be advantageous to develop objective quantitative criteria to be applied early after vascular access placement in order to evaluate the suitability of AVFs for dialysis.

Are low plasma levels of 25-(OH)vitamin D a major risk factor for hyperparathyroidism independent of calcitriol in renal transplant patients?

Background: Recently, some studies have emphasized the role of plasma 25-(OH)vitamin D (25OHD) levels in mineral metabolism dysregulation in chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). However, to date little attention has been paid to 25OHD metabolism abnormalities after renal transplantation (Tx). This cross-sectional study aimed to focus on its role in mineral metabolism dysregulation in functioning Tx.

End-stage renal disease in leprosy.

Background: Leprosy or Hansen's disease (HAD) undoubtedly remains an emergency in certain countries. It is an ancient deforming disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The countries with the highest endemic leprosy rate in 2000 were Brazil, India and Madagascar.