Chronic laxative abusers with pseudo-idiopathic oedema and autonomous pseudo-Bartter's syndrome. A spectrum of metabolic madness, or new lights on an old disease?

The numerous metabolic abnormalities encountered in chronic purgative abusers were investigated and the new concept of autonomous pseudo-Bartter's syndrome documented. Detailed metabolic screening tests were performed in 9 women aged 17-54 years. Two patients underwent further studies, including serum renin and aldosterone, blood volume, total body potassium, urinary chloride and prostaglandin determinations, and each underwent renal biopsy on admission and after 1 year free from laxative abuse. Clinical complications included confusion, convulsions, coma, skeletal muscle weakness with or without paralysis or rhabdomyolysis, cardiac failure, urinary tract infections and bone disease (osteomalacia, secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis). Hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia were frequent findings. Serum creatine kinase correlated inversely with the product of the potassium and serum phosphate (r = -0.86; P less than 0.03), suggesting that hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia act synergistically to produce muscle damage. After laxative withdrawal, oedema and weight gain, followed by diuresis, ensued in 7 patients. In the other 2, ongoing chloruresis, kaliuresis, hyper-reninaemia and raised urinary prostaglandin secretion persisted. Renal biopsies in these 2 patients showed the features of juxtaglomerular apparatus hyperplasia as well as medullary interstitial cell hyperplasia. In conclusion, pseudo-Bartter's syndrome was documented in 9 chronic laxative abusers. Because patients often indulged in more than one aberrant habit, e.g. laxative and/or diuretic abuse or bulimia, the clinical syndrome produced a myriad of confounding metabolic derangements, which we termed 'metabolic madness'. Laxative withdrawal was complicated by temporary pseudo-idiopathic oedema, which persisted in 2 patients. Further studies in these 2 women strongly supported the concept of 'autonomous pseudo-Bartter's syndrome'.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biochemical and serological characteristics of children with membranous nephropathy due to hepatitis B virus infection: correlation with hepatitis B e antigen, hepatitis B DNA and hepatitis D.

Fourteen children with biopsy-proven membranous nephropathy associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV-MN) were evaluated biochemically and serologically and compared to 45 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). The mean ages of the two groups were similar (4.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.6 +/- 2.6 years). Serum albumin levels were similar in both groups, but serum cholesterol was significantly reduced in children with HBV-MN compared to INS. Serum C3 was also significantly depressed in children with HBV-MN compared to INS, but no differences in C4 levels were noted. Serum alanine transaminase as well as aspartate transaminase concentrations were significantly elevated in children with HBV-MN compared to those with INS, suggesting the presence of chronic hepatitis in children with HBV-MN. Hepatitis B surface and e antigens were present in serum of all children with HBV-MN, but only 54% had circulating HBV-DNA particles demonstrable in their serum. Serum C3 levels were higher in children with HBV-MN and circulating HBV-DNA, compared to those without circulating HBV-DNA. No other serological or biochemical differences occurred between these two groups. Glomerular deposition of IgG and C3 occurred in 91% of children with HBV-MN; but IgM deposition appeared to occur more frequently and with greater intensity in those children positive for circulating HBV-DNA. Antibody to delta antigen was negative in all children with HBV-MN. We conclude that biochemical and serological differences can be identified between HBV-MN and INS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Eye metastases in carcinoma of the cervix. A case report.

Eye metastases in carcinoma of the cervix are very rare, although not an uncommon presentation of carcinomas in general. A patient with eye symptoms secondary to retro-ocular metastatic carcinoma of the cervix is presented.

Hypertension as the major problem of idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy.

We describe two infants with severe hypertension associated with idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy. In both children, blood pressure control was refractory to aggressive antihypertensive therapy. There was radiologic and laboratory evidence of renovascular disease requiring the use of specific renin antagonists and later nephrectomy, resulting in moderate improvement of hypertension. Although on occasion there is a familial incidence, in the vast majority of cases the diagnosis hinges on a high index of suspicion.

Idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip. A case report.

A report of a case of idiopathic chondrolysis of the right hip in a 13-year-old Black girl is presented. Radiographs and microbiological and biochemical investigations excluded all other diseases. Cartilage and synovium were removed at biopsy of the right hip. Macroscopic and histopathological studies showed the typical features of idiopathic chondrolysis. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the histological findings. Scanning electron microscopy highlighted the irregular pitted and fibrillated surface of the cartilage. Immunofluorescent studies on cartilage and synovium were negative. The possible pathogenesis of the disease is discussed, but the cause still remains unknown.

Monoclonal gammopathy in a patient with chronic active hepatitis. A case report.

A case of chronic active hepatitis associated with monoclonal gammopathy (MG) is reported. In addition, the patient had Bence-Jones proteinuria, which is said to be an unusual finding in benign MG. Although a polyclonal increase in immunoglobulins is not uncommon in patients with liver disease, MG is relatively rare. No evidence of malignant disease was found in our patient, but it should be noted that numerous malignant disorders occur with increased frequency in patients with benign MG. A further reason for careful follow-up in these patients is that the paraproteinaemia itself may become malignant with time.

Hepatic involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. A case report.

The existence of hepatic involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still contested in the literature. We report a patient with SLE and deranged liver function tests, especially marked elevation of alkaline phosphatase levels, an association not hitherto described. These changes have persisted for 3 1/2 years with no evidence of chronic active hepatitis (CAH) on liver biopsy or biliary obstruction. Current concepts of liver involvement in SLE, 'lupoid' hepatitis and aspirin hepatotoxicity are reviewed.

Nephrotic syndrome during captopril therapy.

Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, is being evaluated as an antihypertensive agent. We report on a patient who developed the nephrotic syndrome while on captopril 450 mg/d. Her urinary protein excretion was 5-7 g/24 h, plasma albumin concentration was 25 g/l, plasma cholesterol was 16,2 mmol/l, and she had oedema. Renal biopsy showed subepithelial deposits on the basement membrane.

Asymptomatic arsine nephrotoxicity. A case report.

A completely asymptomatic patient with arsine nephrotoxicity is described. The light and electron microscopic appearances of the kidney biopsy specimen are documented. The pathogenesis of the lesions, the usual manifestations of arsine exposure, and how these differed from those seen in our patient, are discussed.