Risk factors for urolithiasis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a prospective case-control study.

It has been reported that renal stone formation increased in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, its reason remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate serially the possible risk factors for renal stone formation in AS patients. Two groups consisted of AS patients with renal stone (n = 30), AS patients without renal stone (n = 30), and 20 healthy controls (HC) were included to the study. Parathyroid hormone, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and immunoglobulin A levels and 24 h urine were evaluated at baseline, and three times monthly. Serum calcium levels were higher in AS patients with urolithiasis than those without at baseline and third-month evaluation (baseline: 9.53 ± 0.3 vs 9.32 ± 0.3 mg/dl; p < 0.03; at third-month evaluation: 9.74 ± 0.2 vs 9.56 ± 0.3 mg/dl; p < 0.01). No significant differences were found between groups in terms of PTH and magnesium levels. In all evaluation times, although urinary calcium excretion was higher in AS patients with urolithiasis than in those without, it did not reach a statistical significance. IgA levels were significantly higher in renal stone sufferers than HC patients in all evaluation times.AS patients with urolithiasis also had high IgA levels compared with AS patients without renal stone at the second-month evaluation time (276 ± 102 vs 219 ± 104 mg/dl, p < 0.002). Increased levels of serum calcium and IgA levels as well as family history for urolithiasis may be an indicator of the development of urolithiasis in AS patients.

Comparison of the symptomatic and chondroprotective effects of glucosamine sulphate and exercise treatments in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the symptomatic effects of glucosamine sulphate (GS) in comparison to the exercise therapy, as well effects on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings of cartilage loss in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients with a diagnosis of knee OA were randomly divided into two groups. First group of patients (n=40) were treated with 1500 mg/day oral glucosamine sulphate and the second group (n=30) performed a home exercise program for a period of 6 months. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, significant improvements were observed in the visual analogue scale pain scores and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index and 20-min walking time in both groups (p< 0.001); there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups. Upon the evaluation of joint cartilage thickness by MRI, an improvement was evident in only in the area of medial femoral condyle of patients who had performed a home exercise program (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that both oral GS treatment and exercise therapy are efficient in the symptomatic treatment of patients with knee OA. However, exercise therapy found to have a better chondroprotective effect than oral GS treatment in this patient population.

Co-existence of renovascular hypertension, polyarteritis nodosa, antiphospholipid syndrome and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation.

We present a hypertensive child with a co-existence of polyarteritis nodosa, anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation and increased lipoprotein a level. Elevated renin, aldosterone and aPL levels, micro-aneurysms, occlusion and thrombosis at left and right renal artery were found. Anti-hypertensive agents, prednisolone and pulse cyclophosphamide therapy were started and a stent was inserted in the left renal artery. Two months later, brain magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance imaging angiography showed acute infarct area of the left parietofrontal lobe and middle cerebral artery stenosis. We found bilateral peripheral neuropathy, persistent aPL and elevated Lp(a) level and heterozygous A1298C/MTHFR mutation. Intravenous immunoglobulin and low-molecular-weight heparin treatment was added. In conclusion, our observation suggests that in patients with systemic vasculitis, such as polyarteritis nodosa, aPL are probably associated with greater thrombotic risks. The investigation of the LP(a) levels and MTHFR mutations as a synergic pro-coagulant effect might also be considered for determining patients with vasculitis at risk for severe thrombotic events.

Value of power Doppler and gray-scale US in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: contribution of cross-sectional area just before the tunnel inlet as compared with the cross-sectional area at the tunnel.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Median nerves at the carpal tunnel were evaluated by using gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasonography and by using accepted and new criteria in 42 patients with CTS (62 wrists) confirmed by electromyogram and 33 control subjects. We evaluated the cross-sectional area of the nerve just proximal to the tunnel inlet (CSAa), and at mid level (CSAb). We then calculated the percentage area increase of CSAb, and area difference (CSAb-CSAa). We measured two dimensions of the nerve at the distal level to calculate the flattening ratio. The power Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess the number of vessels, which proceeded to give a score according to the vessel number, and lastly evaluated the statistical significance by comparing the means of patients with control subjects by the Student t test for independent samples. Sensitivities and specificities were determined for sonographic characteristics mentioned above. We obtained the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to assess the optimal cut-off values for the diagnosis of CTS. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between patients and the control group for mean CSAb, area difference, percentage area increase, and flattening ratio (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). From the ROC curve we obtained optimal cut-off values of 11 mm(2) for CSAb, 3.65 for area difference, 50% for the percentage of area increase, and 2.6 for the flattening ratio. The mean number of vessels obtained by power Doppler ultrasonography from the median nerve was 1.2. We could not detect vessels from healthy volunteers. Mean CSAbs related to vascularity intensity scores were as follows: score 0: 12.3 ± 2.8 mm(2), score 1: 12.3 ± 3.1 mm(2), score 2: 14.95 ± 3.5 mm(2), score 3: 19.3 ± 3.8 mm(2). The mean PI value in vessels of the median nerve was 4.1 ± 1. CONCLUSION: Gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasonography are useful in the evaluation of CTS.

Doppler sonography of ocular and carotid arteries in Behçet patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate by Doppler sonography carotid and ocular hemodynamics in Behçet disease with and without ocular involvement. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with Behçet disease (BD) were separated into three groups: with active uveitis, with inactive uveitis, and without uveitis, and compared with 23 controls. We used duplex Doppler sonography to measure peak systolic (PSV), end-diastolic (EDV), and time-averaged mean (Vmean) blood flow velocity in the ophthalmic, central retinal (CRA), temporal posterior ciliary, nasal posterior ciliary (NPCA), common carotid (CCA), internal carotid (ICA) arteries, and maximum flow velocity (Vmax) in the central retinal veins. We then calculated resistance and pulsatility indexes of all arteries. Comparisons were carried out by two-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak method. RESULTS: Only two patients (2.6%) had atherosclerotic plaques, without significant hemodynamic consequence. Patients with uveitis had significantly lower ICA PSV and EDV (p < 0.05), and lower CRA PSV, EDV, and Vmean (p < 0.001) than controls. Patients with active uveitis had lower NPCA PSV and EDV than patients without uveitis or controls (p < 0.01). There were no differences in temporal posterior ciliary, ophthalmic, and CCA PSV, EDV, and in Vmean between groups (p > 0.05). Patients with uveitis had lower central retinal veins Vmax than patients without uveitis and than controls (p < 0.01). Resistance index, pulsatility index of retrobulbar arteries, CCA, and ICA were similar in the four groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Behçet disease and ocular involvement have lower CRA, CRV, NPCA, and ICA blood flow velocities than healthy volunteers.

Short term effects of atorvastatin on endothelial functions and oxidized LDL levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed in order to investigate the short term effects of atorvastatin on endothelial function and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels and to evaluate the association of endothelial dysfunction to oxLDL levels and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty type 2 diabetic and 11 healthy subjects with LDL levels between 100-160 mg/dl. without a history of cardiovascular event were included in the study. Both groups were matched with respect to age, gender, body mass indices and lipid levels. Flow- mediated dilatation (endothelium dependent, FMD) and nitroglycerine-induced dilatation (endothelium independent, NID) were measured in the brachial artery using high-resolution ultrasound in all participants and carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) were also evaluated. OxLDL levels, lipid parameters, blood glucose, C-peptide, HbA1c and inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were studied. Type 2 diabetic patients received 10 mg. Atorvastatin for 6 weeks and FMD and NID were reevaluated and oxLDL levels and inflammatory markers remeasured. RESULTS: Basal FMD, NID, IMT and oxLDL levels besides inflammatory markers were not significantly different between patients and controls. No correlation was found between inflammatory markers and FMD and NID. Only IMT correlated with fibrinogen levels obtained before treatment. In non-diabetics, IMT also correlated with oxLDL levels (p: 0.013). FMD and NID significantly improved after atorvastatin therapy ((7.62 +/- 7.6 vs. 12.65 +/- 7.8, p<0.001 and 18.22 +/- 9.57 vs. 21.43 +/- 9.6, p: 0.007, respectively). Atorvastatin significantly reduced oxLDL levels (57.85 +/- 10.33 vs. 44.36 +/- 6.34, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin improves endothelial functions and reduces oxLDL levels in type 2 diabetics with average lipid levels in the short term and may have beneficial effects in the prevention of early atherosclerotic changes.

IGF-1, IGFBP-3, VEGF and MMP-9 levels and their potential relationship with renal functions in patients with compensatory renal growth.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms of compensatory renal growth (CRG) still remain a mystery. Various growth factors, including growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) have been implicated in different forms of CRG. AIMS: To investigate the serum levels of IGF-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF - role in vascular remodelling), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9 - essential for normal nephrogenesis) and correlation of renal function in patients with unilateral nephrectomized, agenesis and hypoplasic kidney. METHODS: Thirty patients were included in this study. In group I, there were 10 patients with unilateral nephrectomy, while in group II, there were 10 patients with unilateral agenesis. As for group III, there were 10 patients with unilateral hypoplastic kidney. The serum levels of IGF-1, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), VEGF and MMP-9 were studied in all the cases. Clearance of creatinin (Ccr) and protein excretion were examined in the 24 h urine. CRG was determined with ultrasonography and scintigraphy. Twenty-six control subjects were also studied. RESULTS: The levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, VEGF and MMP-9 were significantly higher in patients than in the control subjects (P < 0.001). Ccr and protein excretion levels were different in study groups than in those of the control group (P < 0.01). There were positive correlations between the serum levels of IGF-1 with IGFBP-3; IGF-1 with MMP-9; IGFBP-3 with MMP-9 (r = 0.825, P = 0.0001; P < 0.001 r = 0.611; P < 0.001 r = 0.585, respectively). There were negative correlations between GFR and the serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and MMP-9 (P < 0.01 r = -0.708; P = 0.002 r = -0.803; P < 0.05 r = -0.442, respectively). Furthermore, there were positive correlations between proteinuria and the serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and MMP-9 (P = 0.039 r = 0.600; P < 0.05 r = 0.456; P < 0.05 r = 0.424). CONCLUSIONS: Increased IGF-1, IGFBP-3, VEGF and MMP-9 were observed in CRG in the follow-up period. IGF-1 and MMP-9 seemed to have increased in patients with CRG in defiance of the development of fibrosis. Moreover, IGF-1 and MMP-9 seem to be associated with reduced renal function and proteinuria.

Antibiotic resistance in children with complicated urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the resistance of antibiotics for complicated urinary tract infection (UTI), including urinary tract anomaly (UTA), for empirical antibiotic therapy of complicated UTI. METHODS: Four hundred and twenty urine isolates were obtained from 113 patients with recurrent UTI, who used prophylactic antibiotics between February 1999 and November 2004 in the Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey. RESULTS: Reflux was found to be the most important predisposing factor for recurrent UTI (31.9%). Renal scar was detected more in patients with UTA than without UTA (59.2% versus 12.4%, p<0.05). Gram-negative organisms were dominant in patients with and without UTA (91.5% and 79.2%). Enterococci and Candida spp. were more prevalent in children with UTA than without UTA (p<0.001). Isolates were significantly more resistant to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amikacin, co-amoxiclav, ticarcillin-clavulanate, and piperacillin-tazobactam in patients with UTA than without UTA. We found low resistance to ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin in UTI with and without UTA. Enterococci spp. was highly resistance to ampicillin and amikacin in patients with UTA. CONCLUSION: Aztreonam, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin seemed to be the best choice for treatment of UTI with UTA due to Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid may be first choice antibiotics for prophylaxis in UTI with and without UTA. The UTI with UTA caused by Enterococci spp. might not benefit from a combination of amikacin and ampicillin, it could be treated with glycopeptides.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on endothelial dysfunction in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with K/DOQI stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher incidence of cardiovascular events due to the oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which might prevent cardiovascular events by improving oxidative stress on endothelial cells in patients with CKD. METHODS: Thirty uremic patients (age 40 +/- 12 years, 6 males) on hemodialysis (HD) were evaluated for ED by using high-resolution Doppler ultrasound of brachial artery before and after 6 weeks of oral NAC (2 x 600 mg) medication. Also, 13 healthy controls (35 +/- 9 years, 5 males) were included in the study. Reactive hyperemia following 5 min forearm ischemia was accepted as endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (flow-mediated dilatation; FMD) and compared to endothelium-independent vasodilatation in response to sublingual glyceril trinitrate (GTN). RESULTS: Patients on HD had lower DeltaFMD (0.28 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.11, p < 0.05) and FMD% (7.5 +/- 5.05 vs. 11.33 +/- 2.95, p < 0.05) than the controls. Baseline DeltaGTN and GTN% were similar in two groups. NAC treatment significantly increased the DeltaFMD (0.41 +/- 0.11, p < 0.001 vs. baseline) and FMD% (10.59 +/- 3.22, p < 0.01 vs. baseline) of patients on HD, while it had no effect on DeltaGTN and GTN%. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that NAC treatment could improve the ED by preventing the reduction of FMD in patients on HD.

Perforation of the upper ureter: a rare complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Perforation of the upper ureter is a rare but serious complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). Ureteral perforation can cause a series of problems including the retroperitoneal urinoma, urosepsis, abscess formation, infection, and subsequent renal function impairment. We reported here a rare case of SWL-induced upper ureteral rupture resulting in an expanding retroperitoneal urinoma that required percutaneous drainage. Ureteral perforation was treated successfully without major surgical intervention by employing temporary percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. The present case indicates that potential ureter rupture may form in rare cases; especially in patients having infected stones and exposed to a high number of shock waves. This complication further emphasizes the importance of adequate pre-and post-operative evaluation and the precise identification of the cause of the persistent pain after SWL.

[Our three-year experience with an ultrasonographic hip screening program conducted in infants at 3 to 4 weeks of age]. / Uç-dört haftalik bebeklerde yürütülen ultrasonografik kalça taramasi programinda üç yillik deneyimimiz.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of a newborn ultrasonographic hip screening program conducted at 3-4 weeks of life, and to assess its utility and feasibility in Turkey. METHODS: During a three-year period, parents of 1440 newborns were interviewed within 48 hours following birth to be informed in detail about developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and its risk factors. They were asked to bring their infants for clinical and ultrasonographic examinations of the hips 3 to 4 weeks after birth. RESULTS: A total of 975 infants (67.7%; 488 girls, 487 boys; mean age 26 days; range 17 to 34 days) were available on the day of screening. According to the Graf's classification, 1664 hips (85.3%) were considered type I. Immediate treatment was initiated for 22 hips (1.2%) which were considered type IIc, D, or IIIa. All but one hip were found to be type I after eight weeks of treatment. Among type IIa hips with a complete follow-up, 12% required treatment. In total, 45 hips (2.3%) of 35 infants (3.6%) were treated preferably with a Pavlik harness. Of these, 10 infants (28.6%) had at least one risk factor for DDH, the most common being a positive family history (n=7, 20%). Of 45 treated hips, 12 hips (26.7%) exhibited positive clinical findings, the most common being asymmetry of the thigh/inguinal folds. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic hip screening program conducted at the age of 3 to 4 weeks is effective for early diagnosis and successful treatment of DDH. However, nearly one-thirds of the infants were not available at the appointed date, despite transmission of detailed information to the parents just after birth.

Duplex sonography of retro-orbital and carotid arteries in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrobulbar and carotid arterial hemodynamics in patients with normal-tension glaucoma using Doppler sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Duplex sonography was performed in 41 patients with normal-tension glaucoma and 30 control subjects to evaluate resistance indices (RIs) in retro-orbital and carotid arteries. Mean values were compared using the independent t-test. The ratios of the RI in retro-orbital to RIs in the carotid arteries (CCA and ICA) and interocular and intercarotid differences in RI (DeltaRI) were also calculated. RESULTS: Is in the central retinal (CRA) and temporal and nasal posterior ciliary arteries (TPCA and NPCA) were statistically significantly greater in glaucomatous eyes (p < 0.001). Plaque formation in carotid arteries without significant stenosis was noted in 12% of patients and 10% of control subjects. Ratios of RI of CRA or TPCA or NPCA to that of CCA and the ratios of RI of CRA or NPCA to that of ophthalmic arteries (OA) were significantly greater in glaucomatous eyes. We also found that ratios of the RI of CRA or TPCA or NPCA to that of ICA and the ratio of the RI of OA to CCA were nearly equal to 1 in both patients and control subjects. We found no significant difference between interocular and intercarotid DeltaRIs in patients and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symmetric normal-tension glaucoma, duplex sonography showed an elevated RI in CRA and PCA. The Doppler evaluation of carotid arteries was useful.

Assessment of the use of hip ultrasonography by Graf's method between 1 and 6 years of age.

Ultrasonographic examinations of both hips of 133 children whose age ranged from 13 to 72 months were performed using the Graf's method. A standard plane which was mandatory prior to the hip typing could be obtained in 93, 91, 84, 79 and 66% of the sonograms for 13-24, 25-36, 37-48, 49-60 and 61-72 months age groups, respectively. The 61-72 months age group had the lowest percentage of valid sonograms and this difference was considered significant (P=0.001). It was concluded that plain radiography was still the gold standard imaging technique in developmental dysplasia of the hip, but hip ultrasonography by the Graf's method might be an alternative imaging technique in experienced hands for the evaluation of developmental dysplasia of the hip in children between 1 and 5 years of age.

A case of macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita and review of neuroradiologic features.

Macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (M-CMTC) is characterized by macrocephaly, cutis marmorata, capillary malformations, toe syndactily, joint laxity and pre-natal overgrowth. Cerebral abnormalities might also be seen. We reported cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a case with M-CMTC, who had giant atrial septal aneurysm and atrial septal defect. Cerebral alterations determined by MRI were bilateral prominent lateral ventricles, bilateral cortical dysplasia, cavum septi pellucidum cyst and calvarial hemangioma. At 17th day of his life he suddenly developed cardiorespiratory arrest and died.

Intratesticular arterial resistance and testicular volume in infertile men with subclinical varicocele.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intratesticular arterial resistance and testicular volume differed between infertile men with subclinical varicoceles and infertile men without varicoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight infertile men were examined by gray-scale and color Doppler sonography for presence of varicocele, testicular volume, and arterial resistance. For men in the study group, mean testicular volume and resistance index (RI) in testes with varicoceles were compared with those in the contralateral testis by the paired t-test; statistical analyses between the study and control groups were performed by independent t-tests. RESULTS: Twenty-seven men had left-sided varicoceles (96% of which were subclinical), and 31 infertile men without varicoceles served as controls. Mean volumes of the right and left testes of study subjects were 14.8 ml and 14.6 ml, respectively, and in controls were 14.2 ml and 13.6 ml, respectively. Mean RI values for the right and left testes of study subjects were 0.61 and 0.58, respectively, and in controls were 0.61 and 0.58, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in volume or RI, either between the right and left testes within patient groups or between the control and study groups' combined mean values. While the mean intertesticular volume differences for the study and control groups were 2.2 ml and 3.4 ml, respectively, the mean intertesticular RI differences were 0.04 and 0.07, respectively. These values also did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical varicocele is not associated with ipsilateral testicular atrophy, and does not affect the intratesticular arterial RI.

Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of urinary tract obstruction by stone.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of Doppler sonography in renal colic due to obstruction and to assess whether the resistance index (RI) and interrenal RI difference (DeltaRI) are time-dependent parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Obstructed and unobstructed contralateral kidneys in 28 patients with renal colic and normal kidneys in 27 control subjects were prospectively evaluated with Doppler sonography. Mean RI, mean DeltaRI, and duration of pain were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done using paired and independent t-tests. RESULTS: Mean RIs of the control-group, obstructed, and contralateral kidneys were 0.60, 0.71, and 0.61, respectively; mean DeltaRI values of the obstructed and control-group kidneys were 0.10 and 0.03, respectively. Differences in mean RI between obstructed and contralateral or control-group kidneys were statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in DeltaRI between patients and controls (p < 0.001). The difference between the RI values of kidneys with low-grade (0.70) and high-grade obstructions (0.72) was not statistically significant. The difference between the DeltaRI values of kidneys with low-grade (0.08) and high-grade obstructions (0.13) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Differences in the mean RI and mean DeltaRI values between 3 groups of patients categorized according to the duration of pain were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Along with gray-scale sonography and intravenous urography, Doppler sonography can be used in the evaluation of renal obstruction. RI and DeltaRI are not time-dependent parameters.

Effect of sertraline hydrochloride on cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with hemodialysis-induced hypotension.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It was previously shown that sertraline hydrochloride treatment improved hemodynamic parameters of patients with dialysis induced hypotension (DIH). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of sertraline on the autonomic functions of patients with DIH. METHODS: Ten patients with DIH, 10 hemodialysis patients without DIH and 10 healthy control subjects were included into the study. All of the patients were treated with sertraline 50 mg per day for 4 weeks. Pre-treatment and post-treatment heart rate variability (HRV) in supine and tilt position was evaluated. In order to evaluate the autonomic response to tilt position, gap values were calculated by subtracting the HRV in supine position from the HRV in tilt position. RESULTS: Analysis of the HRV response to tilt, demonstrated a paradoxical reduction in the indices of sympathetic modulation and sympathovagal balance in the patients with DIH while there was an increase in normalized powers of low frequency components (LFNU) and low frequency to high frequency components ratio (LFP/HFP) in the patients without DIH and control group. The number of therapeutic interventions for restoration of DIH decreased significantly in the sertraline period (p < 0.001). The gap values of the patients with DIH in LFNU (sympathetic modulation) (p < 0.05) and LFP/HFP (sympathovagal balance) increased in the sertraline period (p < 0.01). The decrease in gap value of normalized powers of high frequency components (parasympathetic modulation) was pronounced in the sertraline period in the patients with DIH (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The preventive effect of sertraline on DIH might be related to the improvement of regulation of autonomic response to hypovolemia.

An unusual presentation for nephrotic syndrome. Bilateral perirenal subcapsular fluid collection.

We present a 30-year-old man with nephrotic syndrome presenting with bilateral perirenal massive collection compatible with transudation. After drainage of collections kidney biopsy was performed and the histologic diagnosis was focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. The patient was treated with cyclophosphamide, prednisone, furosemide and enalapril. After remission of nephrotic syndrome renal ultrasound showed complete resolution of perirenal collections. In conclusion, the case shows that perirenal subcapsular transudation is a rare complication of nephrotic syndrome and massive collections can be treated successfully by percutaneous drainage.

Progressive ventricular enlargement in the absence of high ventricular pressure in an experimental neonatal rat model.

OBJECT: In the present study, we compared ventricular pressures (VP) and the progression of ventricular enlargement in a new experimental neonatal hydrocephalus model, to gain an understanding of how communicating hydrocephalus progresses. METHODS: Kaolin was injected into the subarachnoid space at the cranial convexity of neonatal rats. Gross examination was performed on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days, and ultrasonographic examination on the 15th day, and at the end of the 1st and 2nd months following the kaolin application. Ventricular size indexes (VSI) were calculated in the case of a large ventricular dilatation. VPs were assessed on the 15th day, and at the end of the 1st and 2nd months, with a computerized data acquisition system. CONCLUSIONS: In the 1st and 2nd months VSIs were significantly higher than in control rats on the 15th day after kaolin administration. VP on the 15th day was significantly increased compared with that in control rats. VP in the 1st month was still high, but had subsided. In the 2nd month VP was not increased over control. In the late stages, the progression of infantile communicating hydrocephalus is not related to VP levels.