[Acute flank pain syndrome: a common presentation of acute renal failure in young men in Iceland]. / Brátt síðuheilkenni: algeng birtingarmynd bráðrar nýrnabilunar hjá ungum mönnum á Íslandi.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to calculate the incidence of the acute flank pain syndrome in Iceland and to describe the case series. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The hospital records of those who fulfilled the following criteria were studied: age 18-41 years, acute renal failure, and a visit to Landspitali University Hospital in 1998-2007. The acute flank pain syndrome was defined as severe flank pain in combination with acute renal failure, unexplained except for the possible consumption of NSAIDs, ethanol or both. Information was collected about the sales of NSAIDs. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients had acute renal failure. Of those, 21 had the acute flank pain syndrome (20%). The annual incidence of the acute flank pain syndrome increased threefold during the study period. The average incidence was 3.2/100.000/year (relative to the population of the Reykjavik area) and 2.0/100.000/year (relative to the population of Iceland). 18 patients were male and the median age was 26 (19-35) years. The symptoms regressed spontaneously during a few days or weeks. There was history of NSAID intake in 15, ethanol consumption in 15, either in 20, and both in nine patients. The sales figures of NSAIDs were high and they increased during the study period, especially those of the over-the-counter sales of ibuprofen. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of the acute flank pain syndrome was high. The paper describes the largest case series that has been published since the withdrawal of suprofen in 1987. Young people should be warned about consuming NSAIDs during or directly after binge drinking.

[Case report: prolonged croup due to herpes simplex infection]. / Sjúkratilfelli: Langdregin barkabólga í kjölfar herpes simplex sýkingar.

In recent years only a few cases of croup due to herpes simplex infection among healthy children have been reported. This case report concerns a 15 month old, healthy boy who was admitted to the Children's Hospital with croup and failed to recover within the week. The boy had a positive throat culture for herpes simplex type 1 and was diagnosed with croup due to herpes simplex on the basis of serology. The boy was treated with corticosteroids; a recognised practice in severe cases of croup. The harmful effects of corticosteroids in herpes simplex croup, if indeed any, are not known. We surmise that in this case the use of corticosteroids was not a decisive factor, but it has been previously noted that prolonged corticosteroid treatment can play a role in herpes simplex infection. Furthermore it has been debated whether other viral pathogens proceed the infection, but in this case serology indicates otherwise.