Rare cause of weight loss in a kidney transplant recipient: iron overload.

Various reasons such as malignancies and chronic infections may cause weight loss in kidney transplant patients. In this report, iron overload as a rare cause of weight loss in a kidney transplant patient is presented. Forty-seven-year-old male patient who transplanted from a deceased donor 5 years ago was hospitalized because of 20 kg of weight loss. In medical history, he had history of hemodialysis for 89 months and received 100-300 mg of intravenous iron therapy per week before transplantation and transfused eight units of blood. In physical examination, weight and height were 45 kg and 185 cm, respectively. Respiratory and cardiac auscultation was normal. Laboratory results revealed as follow: glucose 76 mg/dL, urea 60 mg/dL, creatinine 1.35 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase 74 U/L, alanine aminotransferase 77 U/L, C-reactive protein 2.59 mg/dL, albumin 3.3 g/dL, globulin 3.4 g/dL, white blood cells 3200/mm(3), hemoglobin 13.1 g/dL and platelets 190,000/mm(3). Chest and abdominal tomography didn't reveal any pathology. Portal Doppler ultrasound showed signs of early cirrhosis. Viral and autoimmune hepatitis markers were negative. Ferritin was 5300 ng/mL and transferrin saturation was 82%. In liver biopsy, hemosiderosis was diagnosed and heterozygous H63D gene mutation was detected. Totally, 19 units of phlebotomy were performed. Liver function tests and serum ferritin decreased gradually. At outpatient follow-up in 6 months, he returned to former weight. In conclusion, there can be several causes of weight loss in kidney transplant patients. Iron overload can come across as a rare cause of weight loss. In these patients, ferritin levels should be checked and diagnosis should be clarified by liver biopsy and gene mutation analysis.

Early predictive value of baseline renal transplant scintigraphy in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVES: The value of baseline renal transplant scintigraphy (RTS) with technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Tc-DTPA) performed within 2 days after transplantation in predicting early renal transplant outcome in pediatric recipients was assessed in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Baseline RTS of 48 pediatric patients were studied retrospectively. Hilson's perfusion index, graft index (GI), time between peak perfusion and iliac artery (ΔP), and the ratios of peak perfusion to plateau (P : Pl), to peak iliac artery (P : A), and to peak uptake (P : U) were obtained. In 14 patients younger than 9 years old, because of faint visualization of iliac artery, the perfusion indices and GI could not be calculated. The 'Bedside Schwartz' formula was used for calculation of follow-up estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR) values. The need for dialysis in the first week or decreasing serum creatinine of less than 10%/day during 3 consecutive days after the transplantation was accepted as delayed graft function (DGF). The patients, whose creatinine reduction ratio was less than 70% on day 7 after transplantation without DGF, were accepted as slow graft function (SGF). RESULTS: The means of GI, P : U, and Hilson's perfusion index were significantly high in SGF/DGF (n=10). GI and P : U had very high accuracy in the diagnosis of DGF/SGF (area under the curve>0.90). A strong correlation was found between P : U and same day and between GI and day 15 eGFR values. GI, P : U, and P : A were significant for the prediction of follow-up eGFR of less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m. GI was more accurate than the others. CONCLUSION: Our experience in this study underlines the importance of RTS, especially with the use of GI and P : U, which are very valuable in diagnosing DGF/SGF and predicting early transplant outcome in pediatric recipients.

Diagnostic value of ultrasonography in appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnosis of appendicitis is often difficult in atypical patients. OBJECTIVES: The authors aim to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US) for acute appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 121 consecutive patients with right lower abdomen pain were evaluated. Of them, 25 were excluded due to not having performed a preoperative US and 5 were obese (Body Mass Index > 30). A total of 91 patients were evaluated. The patients were assessed clinically and radiologically. Blood and urine analysis was carried out in all patients. US was performed with a Toshiba Fomio 8 brand machine with 3.75 and 8 MHz linear probes. Patients underwent an operation and an appendicectomy was done. Specimens were sent for histopathology to confirm appendicitis. RESULTS: Ultrasound supported the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in 58 (63.7%) patients. In the US with positive findings, 55 patients (94.8%) had inflamed appendices on histopathology and 5 (8.6%) had normal appendices. The overall sensitivity of ultrasonography was 71.4% and specificity was 78.5%. Positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography are 94.8%, 33.3%, and 72.5% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: All diagnostic tests are adjunctive to the clinician. US should be the first step in the care of patients with right lower abdominal pain after the physical examination.