Bilateral ureteral obstruction from papillary necrosis secondary to household cleaner ingestion

We report a case of a patient who developed bilateral hydroureteronephrosis from papillary necrosis secondary to ingestion of commercial toilet bowl cleaner. Eight days after her ingestion, acute renal failure prompted a renal ultrasound that showed bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. Emergent bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy tubes were placed and subsequent ureteroscopy revealed a large amount of obstructing necrotic material consistent with papillary necrosis. Ureteroscopic removal of the material and bilateral ureteral stents improved renal function. The etiology of this patient's papillary necrosis was likely due to a combination of hypovolemia, systemic acidosis from the ingestion, and direct toxicity of the substance on the renal vasculature. This case demonstrates the importance of early recognition of renal insults and the extra intestinal manifestations of toxic household ingestions.

Acute Renal Papillary Necrosis with Complete Bilateral Ureteral Obstruction in a Child

A 9-year-old girl presented with apparent meningococcal septicemia and developed acute renal failure after 48 hours of treatment with antibiotics and analgesics. Early ultrasound scanning demonstrated mild bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Intravenous urography showed slow contrast uptake with delay nephrogram and no contrast entering the bladder. Repeat ultrasonography revealed bilateral papillary irregularity and echogenic debris in the distal ureters. Bilateral double-J stents were inserted cystoscopically, resulting in prompt polyuria and a return of normal renal function. Although rare, recognition of sloughed papilla in papillary necrosis causing ureteral obstruction can lead to early management with no long-term sequelae.

An unusual cause of renal allograft dysfunction: graft papillary necrosis

A 43-year-old nondiabetic man, 5 years post-renal transplantation, presented complaining of oliguria, fever and dysuria of 1-day duration. Graft ultrasound did not reveal any obstructive changes. Graft function did not improve in spite of 3 days of antibiotics. On the fourth day he passed fleshy material in urine subsequent to which his urine output improved and fever recovered. His graft function settled near to the previous baseline. Histological analysis of the material revealed necrosed renal papillary tissue. Renal papillary necrosis in allograft is uncommon and generally reported in the immediate postoperative phase, but it can still occur later in transplant follow-up. It is a potentially treatable cause for acute allograft dysfunction and should be suspected in transplant patients presenting with acute pyelonephritis but not getting relief from antibiotic therapy.

Papillary necrosis causing hydronephrosis in renal allograft treated by percutaneous retrieval of sloughed papilla

Obstructive uropathy is the second most common urological complication in a transplanted kidney. The usual causes of obstruction are ureteral stenosis and calculi. Papillary necrosis as a cause of obstruction in a transplant kidney is extremely rare with only one prior report published. Moreover, percutaneous removal of sloughed papilla in a transplant kidney has not previously been reported. We report an unusual case of a sloughed papilla causing hydronephrosis of a transplant kidney and its successful percutaneous removal. The recognition of renal papillary necrosis is important, not only because it can be a sign of acute rejection but also it because it can lead to obstruction, infection and potentially the loss of the transplant as exemplified by our case. Rapid diagnosis and meticulous retrieval technique are the crucial factors in minimizing the complications due to obstruction of a transplanted kidney by sloughed papilla.

[Diagnosis and conservative treatment of acute pyelonephritis in diabetes mellitus]

AIM

To raise efficacy of conservative treatment of patients with acute pyelonephritis (AP) which developed in the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Elderly patients (n = 218, 182 females and 36 males) with DM and AP enered the study. DM type 1 and 2 were diagnosed in 41 and 177 of them. Pyelonephritis was diffuse-purulent, pyodestructive, calculous, pyocalculous.

RESULTS

Conservative treatment was made in 160 patients, surgical treatment--in 58. Lethal outcomes (14 cases) were registered as a rule in patients with bilateral pyodestructive pyelonephritis.

CONCLUSION

AP is a severe complication of DM. The severity of DM decompensation and metabolic disorders is proportional to AP severity. AP in diebetics runs often an asymptomatic course and the diagnosis is difficult. Therapeutic policy is individual with consideration of a clinical course. Positive results were achieved in 80% patients.

Sonographic features of necrosed renal papillae causing hydronephrosis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the sonographic appearance of ureteric obstruction due to necrosed papillae.

METHODS

In this study, carried out over 3 years 6 months, patients with diabetes mellitus who had renal colic were studied by sonography.

RESULTS

In 15 patients with hydronephrosis, there was a soft tissue mass of necrosed papillae filling the ureteric lumen at the site of obstruction. Necrosed papillae were seen in medullary cavities of the ipsilateral kidney in 5 patients. Ureteroscopic removal of necrosed papillae was done in 13 patients. One patient was not fit for an invasive procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

When patients predisposed to renal papillary necrosis have renal colic, and sonography fails to show a ureteric calculus, it is best to look for necrosed papillae in the ureter, which may be causing obstruction.

Pregnancy in a spinal cord-injured bilateral total leg amputee: management and considerations

A 35-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 0, was seen at 20 weeks' gestation with complete T10 spinal cord transection at age 15 years, subsequent bilateral total leg amputation, urinary diversion, colostomy, and lumbar spine resection. Pregnancy complications included recurrent urinary tract infections, preterm contractions without cervical change, lumbosacral abscesses, and fetal malpresentation. Delivery was through cesarean section near term.

Prostaglandin E1 for renal papillary necrosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus

We report a case of renal papillary necrosis with diabetes mellitus which was treated with prostaglandin E1. An intravenous infusion of 40 mg/day prostaglandin E1 was given for 14 days in an attempt to improve renal circulation. Treatment resulted in an improved creatinine clearance, renal plasma flow and renogram, and proteinuria was decreased. The administration of prostaglandin E1 produced an improvement in renal haemodynamics and can be considered as a possible therapy for renal papillary necrosis in diabetic patients.

Renal papillary necrosis in a patient with sickle cell trait

A patient with sickle cell trait who presented with gross hematuria and was subsequently found to have renal papillary necrosis is presented. The hematuria resolved with conservative therapy consisting of bed rest and hydration with hypotonic intravenous fluids. The pathophysiology of renal abnormalities associated with sickle cell trait is described. The management of the primary clinical manifestations of this disorder, hematuria and papillary necrosis, are discussed.

Renal papillary necrosis--a sixteen-year clinical experience

This study sought to characterize patients with renal papillary necrosis seen at one tertiary referral center by reviewing medical records of patients with a confirmed diagnosis between January 1, 1976 and September 1, 1992. One hundred sixty-five cases were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 57 yr (SD 15). The female-to-male ratio was 1.1:1.0. Ninety-two percent of patients were white. Seventy-seven percent of cases were unsuspected before diagnosis, and 16% were diagnosed at autopsy. The most common associated conditions were urinary tract infection, analgesic abuse, urinary tract obstruction, diabetes mellitus, and sickle cell disease. There was considerable overlap in the presence of these conditions, with two or more identified in 36% of patients. In addition, 11% of patients had none of these well-recognized risks. Other diagnoses in this group included lupus nephritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, and renal artery stenosis. A decline in case numbers of approximately 50% was demonstrated over the last 10 yr studied. This period was associated with a 57% reduction in the number of excretory urograms carried out, suggesting that changes in diagnostic imaging preference may have contributed. Vital status and renal outcome data after diagnosis were obtained in 93% of cases. Of those diagnosed while living, survival was lowest among diabetic patients. Ten-year survival for nondiabetics was not significantly different from the expected survival of an age- and sex-matched cohort. The overall risk for requiring renal replacement therapy after the diagnosis of renal papillary necrosis in surviving patients was low (7% of 136 patients at risk).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute pyelonephritis as a cause of hyponatremia/hyperkalemia in young infants with urinary tract malformations

Obstructive uropathy causes tubular resistance to aldosterone and severe metabolic imbalance may be precipitated by an episode of pyelonephritis. In the last 3 years we investigated 52 episodes of pyelonephritis (positive urine culture, elevated C reactive protein, fever, elevated neutrophil count) in 50 children between 15 days and 15 months of age. Ultrasonography voiding cystography and renal scintiscan were performed in all cases and i.v. urography in some. A salt-losing syndrome with hyponatremia and hyperkalemia (Na < 125 meq/liter; K > 6.3 meq/liter) was observed in 17 infants < 3 months, accompanied by plasma aldosterone concentration of 5000 to 23,000 pg/ml (normal value, < 1000 pg/ml). All these children had a severe urinary tract (UT) malformation (ureteropelvic junction stenosis in 7 cases, vesicoureteral reflux in 7, posterior urethral valves in 2, double system in 1). Thirteen infants < 3 months, 7 with no urinary tract malformations, did not have electrolyte imbalance. Pyelonephritis was diagnosed in 20 other patients ages 4 to 15 months, including 16 with severe UT malformations; 4 had normal UTs. We conclude that a salt-losing syndrome with tubular resistance to aldosterone can occur during pyelonephritis in young infants with congenital UT malformation, that the risk diminishes considerably or disappears after 3 months of age and that in the absence of UT malformation pyelonephritis does not cause acute sodium loss of clinical relevance.

Papillary necrosis and medullary sponge kidney in a patient with hemoglobin SC

A 22-year-old woman with hemoglobin SC who was hematologically asymptomatic, developed gross hematuria associated with urinary tract infection, without any urological antecedents. Investigations revealed a unilateral hematuria due to papillary necrosis on the left kidney. Medullary sponge kidney was also discovered by radiologic investigations. Papillary cysts could play a role in the occurrence of papillary necrosis.

[Diagnosis and treatment with ureterorenoscopy of ureteral obstruction caused by papillary necrosis]

Increasing use of endourological procedures to establish a diagnosis of pyeloureteral lesions detected as a repletion deficiency during urographic study, which when they are obstructive, affect the upper urinary tract. The present report describes the use of ureterorenoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for the ureteral obstruction occurring in a patient with papillary necrosis secondary to analgesics abuse. The papilla was indwelt in the right distal ureter causing obstruction and symptoms of renal colic and septicemia.

The role of apoptosis in the development of renal cortical tubular atrophy associated with healed experimental renal papillary necrosis

An animal model of chronic analgesic nephropathy, in which renal papillary necrosis was induced by the administration of a single injection of bromoethylamine 2-hydrobromide in male Sprague-Dawley rats, was used to investigate the pathogenesis of the atrophy of tubules that leads to cortical atrophy or 'scarring' in analgesic nephropathy. One of the major objectives was documentation of the participation of apoptosis, a distinctive mode of cell death, in the process of cortical tubular atrophy. Control and treated groups of animals were studied at 2 wks, and at subsequent monthly intervals up to 4 mths. At each time, light microscopy and ultrastructure were used to relate changes in cellular pathology to alterations in renal mass. Apoptosis was quantitated in paraffin sections, and autoradiographic identification of cells showing tritiated thymidine uptake was used as an indication of cell proliferation. In animals with total renal papillary necrosis (RPN), focal or diffuse cortical atrophy developed, the extent of which appeared to be proportional to the extent of the RPN. Renal mass was reduced only in those kidneys that developed extensive, diffuse lesions. Compensatory renal growth occurred in the areas of healthy tissue adjacent to the foci of atrophy, with both cellular hyperplasia and hypertrophy playing roles in its development. One of the prominent cellular events was the appearance of apoptotic cells and bodies, with invading intraepithelial macrophages involved in their phagocytosis and degradation. We propose that this form of cell death plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cortical atrophy. Current descriptions of the cortical lesions that occur in analgesic nephropathy refer to the changes as 'scars'. Although the focal lesions have a macroscopic appearance that resembles scars, the results of the present study indicate that usage of this terminology may be misleading, since scarring is often described after severe tissue injury or necrosis, which was not identified in the present study.

Acute renal failure due to acute pyelonephritis

We report a case of biopsy-proved acute pyelonephritis which caused acute renal failure. Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, recovery of renal function was slow and incomplete. Renal papillary necrosis was an apparent complication, which the patient may have been predisposed to by alcoholism. Although rare, acute pyelonephritis is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure because of the need for specific therapy.

Renal papillary necrosis in diabetes mellitus

Renal papillary necrosis in 4 diabetic patients is described. Two of them had underlying diabetic nephropathy. Urinary tract infection was present in all of them. Three patients had passed fleshy material in the urine while in one the diagnosis was established by excretory urography. Two patients required haemodialysis for acute renal failure caused by sloughed papillae. The condition should be suspected in diabetic subjects who develop recurrent episodes of urinary tract infection, renal colic, haematuria or obstructive uropathy.

Crystalluria, medullary matrix crystal deposits and bladder calculi associated with an acutely induced renal papillary necrosis

A single (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneal dose of 2-bromoethanamine hydrobromide induced renal papillary necrosis (RPN) acutely in rodents and caused a transient crystalluria between 4 and 8 h after dosing. These crystals comprised struvite or magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) as assessed by shape, solubility, infra-red spectrum and X-ray microprobe analysis. Acid-soluble, bi-refringent crystals were also present within the renal medullary matrix during the same time period as the crystalluria. The presence of the MAP was associated with loss of the anionic renal medullary mucopolysaccharides staining. A total of 5/64 rats with a 2-bromoethanamine-induced renal papillary necrosis and monitored for up to 160 days had bladder calculi that were predominantly MAP. These data suggest that medullary mucopolysaccharide matrix disruption associated with RPN leads to a release of previously bound cations, super-saturation and the nucleation of crystalline MAP. These processes could also be implicated in the formation of MAP bladder calculi.

[Papillary necrosis and formation of fungal balls in a patient with AIDS: a clinical case and brief review]

An AIDS case, with a Candida urinary infection causing papillary necrosis and accompanied by occurrence of fungal lumps is reported. The paper remarks on the incidence and peculiarities of urinary affectation in these patients, emphasizing the usefulness of percutaneous nephrostomy as a diagnostic, and above all as a therapeutic procedure, in cases of expanded urinary tract.

[Spontaneous kidney rupture]

Spontaneous rupture of the kidney may occur as a complication of various congenital or acquired renal lesions. We describe three patients with non-traumatic rupture of the kidney, recently seen in our hospital. The rupture was related to polyarteritis nodosa in one case, and in the other two respectively to urothelial carcinoma and to acquired renal cystic disease in end-stage renal disease with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. In all patients the hemorrhagic complication led to a previously unsuspected diagnosis. After nephrectomy all patients did well. While spontaneous rupture of the kidney is very rare, it is important to consider this complication in the evaluation of a corresponding clinical picture. The possible causes of renal rupture are discussed.

Neural-renal interactions in the hypertension induced by papillary necrosis: role of dietary salt intake

The effects of high salt intake (1.0% NaCl in the drinking water) on rats made hypertensive by 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide (BEA) treatment (200 mg/kg, i.p.) were examined. BEA-induced medullary necrosis resulted in a mild hypertension (146 +/- 5 mm Hg) that was exacerbated by 4 weeks of high salt intake (163 +/- 6 mmHg). BEA-treated rats had significant salt-induced increases in urinary norepinephrine excretion and hypothalamic and brainstem norepinephrine content, that were not present in BEA-treated rats drinking tap water or control rats drinking saline. BEA treatment in combination with increased salt intake produced a decrease (p less than 0.05) in renal dopamine content and adrenal norepinephrine stores relative to BEA treatment alone. BEA treatment also significantly decreased renal norepinephrine stores and dopamine binding sites irrespective of salt intake. Renal alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and central nervous system stores of dopamine and serotonin were unaffected by BEA treatment. Renal function was well preserved as indicated by normal creatinine, glucose and protein excretion; however, significant (p less than 0.05) disruption of the urinary concentrating mechanism was present. These studies suggest that BEA-induced hypertension has a neural component that is exacerbated by high salt intake. The primary defect in BEA hypertension appears to be the lack of circulating antihypertensive lipids that attenuate the ability of salt loads to simulate sympathetic nervous system activity.

Computed tomographic diagnosis of ureteral obstruction caused by a sloughed papilla

Computed tomographic imaging was utilized to diagnose ureteral obstruction caused by a sloughed papilla in a patient with renal papillary necrosis and distal renal tubular acidosis.

Ureteroscopy in the treatment of ureteral obstruction caused by papillary necrosis

We report a case where renal papillary necrosis caused ureteral obstruction. Sloughed papillary bodies could be successfully removed from the ureter using a rigid ureteroscope.

Phenacetin and papillary necrosis: independent risk factors for renal pelvic cancer

A case-control study was undertaken to determine whether renal papillary necrosis (RPN) is an essential step in the genesis of analgesic-associated cancer of the renal pelvis (CaP). Kidneys of 66 patients (and 86 cases of renal parenchymal cancer (CaK), for comparison) were examined for evidence of RPN. Information concerning past consumption of phenacetin-containing analgesics (PhA) was obtained from all cases and 751 population controls by means of a questionnaire. Separately, RPN and regular consumption of PhA each conferred a relative risk for CaP of 3-1/2 to 7, while together they increased the risk some 20 times that for non-consumers without RPN. This suggests that each factor has independent, and when they coexist sequential, effects. The risk for CaK was doubled by regular PhA consumption but was not increased by RPN.

Simultaneous occurrence of transitional cell carcinoma and urothelial adenocarcinoma associated with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis

We report on a patient with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, in situ transitional cell carcinoma, and focal prosoplasia revealing abrupt conversion of transitional epithelium to moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The etiology and pathogenesis of mucinous adenocarcinoma in the renal pelvis very likely involves the prosoplastic transition of pre-existing transitional carcinoma to adenocarcinoma. The urologist should be aware of the increased possibility of this tumor developing in a patient with longstanding infection, and frozen section should be performed more often because the gross structure of the tumor frequently appears normal. This permits the urologist to change his surgical strategy if frozen section is positive for tumor.

Urinoma complicating papillary necrosis in diabetes

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Recurrent hematuria in 4 white patients with sickle cell trait

Extensive investigations failed to disclose the etiology of recurrent gross hematuria in 4 white patients of Algerian descent. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed sickle cell trait in all cases. The hematuria ceased after bed rest and hydration in 3 patients, and following partial nephrectomy after visualization of the bleeding site at operative nephroscopy in 1. We recommend that hemoglobin electrophoresis be considered when evaluating every patient, black or white, presenting with unexplained hematuria.

Clinical, hematological, and biochemical features of Hb SC disease

Twenty-seven patients were seen and followed at our Sickle Cell Center over a period of seven years. Their clinical, hematological, and biochemical features were determined and compared to those of patients with sickle cell anemia who were concurrently investigated. The data indicate that the mild anemia of hemoglobin (Hb) SC disease is slightly microcytic and hyperchromatic. Parameters of hemolysis and the complications of chronic hemolytic anemia (cholelithiasis, leg ulcers, hepatomegaly, and cardiomegaly) are milder in Hb SC disease than in sickle cell anemia. Asplenia and its sequelae (increased platelet count and reduced serum IgM levels) are less frequent in Hb SC disease. Cerebrovascular accidents and the decreased leukocyte alkaline phosphatase scores are similar in both diseases. Thromboembolic complications, retinopathy, and renal papillary necrosis are more frequent in Hb SC disease.

The possibility of scar formation due to intrarenal reflux in analgesic nephropathy

Using an autopsy case of a 59-year-old man with analgesic nephropathy, papillary necrosis, and nephrolithiasis, it is shown that analgesic nephropathy may be complicated by damage resulting from intrarenal urine reflux. The morphologic alterations characteristic of intrarenal and/or pyelointerstitial reflux are caused by high intrapelvic pressure values during episodes of renal colic. Bacterially infected and possibly also sterile urine is then forced into the interstitium, directly within the papillary defect or indirectly via the tubular system after rupture of the tubule. The result is a severe interstitial process with inflammation, destruction, and scarring.

Paraproteinaemia and renal papillary necrosis in three women: coincidence or not?

Three women with acute-on-chronic renal failure and renal papillary necrosis were found to have a paraproteinaemia. One of the patients also had Bence Jones proteinuria. Although this may be a coincidental finding, it is suggested that the paraproteinaemia may be a sequel to analgesic nephropathy.

Renal papillary necrosis in thyroid carcinoma

A thirty-four-year-old man with progressive visual impairment was found to have thyromegaly and renal insufficiency at the time of admission. Subsequent evaluation demonstrated bilateral optic neuritis and a thyroid nodule which proved to be a follicular carcinoma. Nephrologic studies revealed bilateral papillary necrosis and chronic interstitial nephritis on biopsy. The patient's renal function stabilized and twenty-four-hour protein excretion diminished after hemithyroidectomy. Carcinoma-related protein production may have played a role in the development of the observed renal lesions. Carcinoma should be a consideration in patients with unexplained papillary necrosis.

Renal papillary necrosis in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Three patients who developed renal papillary necrosis while receiving long-term, high-dose aspirin therapy for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are presented. It appears that aspirin alone or aspirin in combination with other drugs is the causative agent. The incidence and biologic significance of renal papillary necrosis are insufficient to alter the use of aspirin as the drug of choice in management of JRA. It is recommended that all children with JRA be encouraged to drink ample fluids and be followed with periodic urinalysis and blood pressure measurements. Those children who develop hematuria or hypertension should be evaluated by excretory urography.

Renal papillary necrosis following rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis

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