Immunoglobulin G4-Related Kidney Disease

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an emerging fibro-inflammatory condition known to involve potentially every organ system in the body, especially the kidneys, and is characterized by interstitial nephritis, obstructive nephropathy, and in rare cases, glomerular nephropathy. In this article, we report two cases of IgG4-RD with renal manifestations, hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine of the Principal Military Hospital of Instruction of Tunis. In conclusion, the clinical course of IgG4-related kidney disease varies widely and it can sometimes be difficult to diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach can be useful. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy are very important.

MO233RENAL ARTERY STENOSIS: DO NOT FORGET INHERITED THROMBOPHILIA

Background and Aims

Inherited thrombophilia can be defined as a genetically determined predisposition to develop thromboembolic complications. Inherited prothrombotic risk factors include antithrombin deficiency, protein C and protein S deficiencies, activated protein C resistance due to Leiden factor V mutation, inherited hyperhomocysteinemia, prothrombin G20210A variant, dysfibrinogenemia and elevated factor VIII levels.

Method

We report the case of a patient with history of bilateral renal artery stenosis who presented with renal artery bypass thrombosis related to an inherited thrombophilia.

Results

We report a case of 40-year-old male patient who presented with extremely high blood pressure and hypokalemia without other biological abnormalities. The duplex ultrasound showed bilateral renal stenosis with chronic occlusion of the right renal artery and a tight stenosis of the left renal artery estimated at 50%. Renal angiography confirmed the bilateral stenosis, associated to a small right kidney. Renal scintigraphy with DMSA showed normal left renal function and right renal function estimated at 2%. The therapeutic decision was to perform an aorto-renal bypass surgery by the saphenous vein.After renal artery bypass the blood pressure improved markedly, maintaining this result at 12 months follow-up at clinical examination and duplex ultrasound. One year later, the patient presented with high blood pressure. The duplex ultrasound showed a stenosis of the bypass with a double stenosis of the left aorto renal bypass on renal angioscanner. The patient underwent angioplasty of the venous bridge with implantation of 2 stents with improvement of blood pressure after angioplasty. Six months later, the patient presented an unbalanced blood pressure, the ultrasound control with a vascular Doppler showed a stenosis at the stent. The antihypertensive treatment was increased, a thrombophilia balance was requested concluding a combined protein C and protein S deficiency.

Conclusion

An etiological assessment should be carried out systematically in the event of thrombosis occurring before the age of 40 or in the case of iterative venous or arterial thrombosis. A genetic study where appropriate and a family screening are then recommended.

Two Peculiarities of the Nutcracker Syndrome: Rare Association with Multiples Thrombosis and Successful Medical Treatment (Pentoxifylline)

The nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare condition characterized by the entrapment of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Clinically, it presents with hematuria, flank pain, and symptoms of pelvic venous congestion. It is more frequent in females. Conservative treatment is usually proposed children but in adults, NCS has to be treated by surgical or endovascular methods. Drug therapy is not proposed for the treatment of NCS. We report a case of a young patient who presented with recurrent gross hematuria. Our patient was treated with pentoxifylline three times daily and anti-coagulation, with a favorable outcome.

Toxocariasis and nephrotic syndrome

We describe a case of toxocariasis as a rare cause of nephrotic syndrome in an adult woman. This rare association was confirmed by elevated Toxocara-specific immunoglobulin M titers. Renal biopsy was not done because of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. Our patient was treated with prednisone and albendazole. These treatments resulted in partial remission of renal symptoms as well as the abatement of the Toxocariasis infection. The relationship between toxocariasis infection and glomerular disease is still unclear. In the literature, exceptional renal impairment secondary to toxocariasis have been described, especially in children. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of nephrotic syndrome associated with toxocariasis in adults.

A case of abdominal aortic thrombosis associated with the nephrotic syndrome

Thromboembolic disease is an important and frequent complication in patients with the nephrotic syndrome (NS), and the consequences are often severe. Usually, the venous system is affected. Arterial thrombosis has rarely been reported and occurs mainly in children. We report the case of a 27-year-old man with a history of NS due to focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis resistant to steroids and cyclosporine, admitted for bilateral pain in the calves. Aortogram revealed a suspended thrombus in the abdominal aorta just below the origin of the renal arteries with embolism into the left tibioperoneal trunk and the right anterior tibial artery. Endarterectomy was performed followed by systemic heparinization with a good outcome. Arterial thrombosis is rare and must be prevented.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome: A report on four adult cases

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is a rare disease, generally presenting in children and young women. The interstitial nephritis may precede, follow, or develop concurrent to the uveitis. We report the clinical features and outcomes of four adult patients, aged 41-70 years with the TINU syndrome.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis: A retrospective review of clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease and has a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). This retrospective study was carried out with the objective to study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of RPF and identify the risk factors associated with its progression to CKD. All 30 cases (24 males and five females) of RPF admitted from January 1985 to December 2013 in the Military Hospital of Tunis were included in this study. The mean age was 50.5 years. Presentation was with lower back pain, acute renal failure and inflammatory syndrome in 93%, 56% and 43% of the cases, respectively. Sixteen patients (54%) had a creatinine clearance <60 mL/min at the time of diagnosis. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein of >30 mm/h and 10 mg/L were observed in 56% and 53% of cases, respectively. The abdominal computed tomography scan showed ureterohydronephrosis in 63% of the cases. Classes I, II and III according to Scheel's radiological classification were found in, respectively, 16%, 13% and 70% of cases. Biopsy of RPF was performed in 20% of the cases, and all showed an inflammatory infiltrate without signs of vasculitis. RPF was idiopathic in 85% of the cases. Oral corticosteroid therapy was started for all patients. After a mean follow-up time of 53.2 months, an initial favorable response was noted in 76% of the cases. Fifty-three percent of the patients have presented one or more relapses during follow-up and 20% progressed to CKD. Most relapses were successfully treated by corticosteroids; only five patients had required additional immunosuppressive therapy. Two patients died. Elevated creatinine at diagnosis, high urea, clearance of creatinine lower than 60 mL/min and the use of ureteral stents were identified as risk factors for development of CKD.