Renal involvement in sarcoidosis: histological patterns and prognosis, an Italian survey.

Background: Granulomatous interstitial nephritis in sarcoidosis (sGIN) is generally clinically silent, but in <1% causes acute kidney injury (AKI).

Methods: This Italian multicentric retrospective study included 39 sarcoidosis-patients with renal involvement at renal biopsy: 31 sGIN-AKI, 5 with other patterns (No-sGIN-AKI), 3 with nephrotic proteinuria. We investigate the predictive value of clinical features, laboratory, radiological parameters and histological patterns regarding steroid response.

[Environmental toxicity and direct renal toxicity from drugs: herbs and plants].

Traditional medicine is a widespread treatment method in the world. Despite the WHO's confirmation of the progressive spread of national policies responsible for controlling the production and distribution of phytotherapy, the risk of toxic side effects is high even if the real incidence is not known. These risks largely result from the self-prescription supported by the assumption that what is natural is not dangerous to health.

[Vascular access survey in the Triveneto area: data analysis for the year 2017].

In 2017 the Italian Society of Nephrology operating in the Triveneto area investigated through a questionnaire, distributed to the various nephrological centers in the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto, the differences concerning organizational models, choice of dialysis, creation and management of vascular access. The results emerging from the analysis of the collected data are presented.

Octreotide-LAR in later-stage autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ALADIN 2): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most frequent genetically determined renal disease. In affected patients, renal function may progressively decline up to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and approximately 10% of those with ESRD are affected by ADPKD. The somatostatin analog octreotide long-acting release (octreotide-LAR) slows renal function deterioration in patients in early stages of the disease.

[Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis: an atypical case].

Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis (KIN) is a rare disease entity that was first described by Burry in 1974. The prevalence of this disease is less than 1% and its pathogenesis is unclear. KIN is characterized by chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with enlarged tubular epithelial cell nuclei, which leads to progressive decline of renal function.

Ultrasound findings of BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant patients.

BK polyomavirus (BKV) is an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients. BKV infection occurs in 1-9 % of renal transplants and causes chronic nephropathy or graft loss. Diagnosis of BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) is based on detection of viruria then viremia and at least a tubule-interstitial nephritis at renal biopsy.

[Renal biopsy in the lateral position in high risk patients: an opportunity to take advantage of].

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy (RB) is the gold standard for diagnosis of renal diseases. The standard procedure involves biopsy in the prone position (PP) for the native kidneys. In high risk patients, transjugular and laparoscopic RB have been proposed.

Novel INF2 mutations in an Italian cohort of patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, renal failure and Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy.

Background: Mutations of INF2 represent the major cause of familial autosomal dominant (AD) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). A few patients present neurological symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease but the prevalence of the association has not been assessed yet.

Methods: We screened 28 families with AD FSGS and identified 8 INF2 mutations in 9 families (32 patients overall), 3 of which were new.

[Ultrasound-guided renal biopsy: evaluation of different models of biological simulator].

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of renal diseases. Recently, many studies strongly support the role of renal biopsy for the management of small renal mass. The experience of the operator is crucial in reducing the incidence of major complications.

[Goodpasture's disease: a case series].

Goodpasture's disease (GD) is an uncommon and severe autoimmune disorder caused by circulating autoantibodies directed against the glomerular basement membrane cross-reacting with the alveolar basement membrane. GD is clinically characterized by rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, often associated with pulmonary hemorrhage representing a nephrological emergency. We present the clinical features of 9 cases, diagnosed in 1997-2012, in our Renal Unit.

Effect of longacting somatostatin analogue on kidney and cyst growth in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ALADIN): a randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease slowly progresses to end-stage renal disease and has no effective therapy. A pilot study suggested that the somatostatin analogue octreotide longacting release (LAR) could be nephroprotective in this context. We aimed to assess the effect of 3 years of octreotide-LAR treatment on kidney and cyst growth and renal function decline in participants with this disorder.

Lung ultrasound during hemodialysis: the role in the assessment of volume status.

Objective: Fluid balance is important in patients undergoing hemodialysis. "Dry" weight is usually estimated clinically, and also, bioimpedance is considered reliable. Ultrasonography of inferior vena cava (IVC) estimates central venous pressure, and lung ultrasound evaluates extravascular (counting B-lines artifact) lung water.

[A case of intrarenal hematoma: role of ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of a possible complication of anticoagulant therapy].

Uremia associated with anticoagulant therapy is a high risk factor for bleeding complications in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We report a case of intrarenal hematoma arising in a uremic patient treated with warfarin. The hematoma was rapidly diagnosed by ultrasonography of the abdomen and treated with embolization.

Measuring and estimating GFR and treatment effect in ADPKD patients: results and implications of a longitudinal cohort study.

Trials failed to demonstrate protective effects of investigational treatments on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) reduction in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). To assess whether above findings were explained by unreliable GFR estimates, in this academic study we compared GFR values centrally measured by iohexol plasma clearance with corresponding values estimated by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-Epi) and abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (aMDRD) formulas in ADPKD patients retrieved from four clinical trials run by a Clinical Research Center and five Nephrology Units in Italy. Measured baseline GFRs and one-year GFR changes averaged 78.

[Herbal remedies: nephrotoxicity and drug interactions].

The first reports of interstitial fibrosis leading to rapidly progressing chronic renal failure (CRF) in young women undergoing slimming treatment appeared at the beginning of the 1990s in Belgium. These slimming pills erroneously contained powdered roots of plants - picked in China - belonging to the Aristolochia instead of Stephania tetranda family. In the following years, after new cases had occurred worldwide, the term aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) came into use.