Analysis of vascular access in hemodialysis patients: a report from a dialysis unit in Casablanca.

Vascular access (VA) for patients needing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) remains a major obstacle in the management of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We retrospectively analyzed 190 patients, (92 males and 98 females) who had been on HD for a period ranging from 12 to 240 months. Their mean age was 42.8 years (range: 13 to 83 years). The study was carried out to analyze the VA, including the management of its complications. The cause of renal failure was chronic glomerulonephritis in 34.2% and unknown in 30.5% of the study cases. In 164 patients (86.3%), HD was initiated through a temporary catheter inserted in the internal jugular vein. Each patient had, on an average, two catheters inserted that lasted for a mean duration of 29 days. All patients had a native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) as the permanent VA. A primary radial-cephalic AVF was created in 96.3% of the patients. The median period before cannulation was 15 days. Failure of AVF function occurred in 18.4% of cases while the median survival of the primary AVF was 54.8 months. Thrombosis, seen in 26.4% of the patients, was the predominant complication, and this event seemed to be causally related to prior insertion of temporary catheters. Ten patients had arterio-venous grafts (AVG) placed due to recurrent thrombosis of the AVF. The AVG was brachial-cephalic in five patients. A tunneled cuffed catheter was placed in four patients who had no other possible access sites available. These catheters were placed in the right internal jugular vein in all of these patients. The success of VA in patients on HD requires a multi-disciplinary approach and early referral to a vascular surgeon

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and anterior uveitis (TINU syndrome): a report of two cases.

TINU or Dobrin syndrome is a rare oculo-renal inflammatory condition which is comprised of acute idiopathic tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis. We report here two female patients aged 35 and 44 years, who were admitted with severe renal failure of acute onset (serum creatinine of 607 and 310 Umol/L [Editor note: do you mean "micromol/L"?] respectively) with the first patient requiring hemodialysis. The cause of acute renal failure was unclear on clinical and laboratory assessment, and a percutaneous renal biopsy was performed which showed features of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis in both cases. Both patients were started on oral steroids at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day. There was progressive improvement of their renal function. Three months later, the two patients presented with bilateral anterior uveitis requiring local corticosteroid therapy. This was followed by total resolution of the uveitis. The cause of the interstitial nephritis and the uveitis could not be identified in the two cases. The renal function was normal in these patients after 24 and 27 months of follow-up, respectively. Dobrin or TINU syndrome is rare, and must be considered in patients who present with acute tubular interstitial [Editor note: for consistency with the title, you may wish to replace this with "tubulointerstitial"] nephritis and anterior uveitis.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome coexisting with juvenile nephronophtisis.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a heterogeneous disease of the connective tissues, is diagnosed by a triad of symptoms that include skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility and connective tissue fragility. Nephronophtisis (NPH) is an autosomal recessive interstitial nephritis leading to terminal renal insufficiency around puberty. The occurrence of these two rare diseases together is unusual. A review of the literature discloses no case of this association. We report here on a 16-year-old man with undiagnosed EDS, who was referred to our hospital because of renal insufficiency, history of polyuria and polydipsia. Renal ultrasound showed normal kidney size, with a lack of corticomedullary differentiation. Renal biopsy specimen disclosed chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis resembling NPH. Further evaluation identified hypermobile joints and hyperextensible skin, which led to the diagnosis of the EDS. These data suggest that patients with EDS need to be evaluated carefully for the presence of renal anomalies.

Cauda equina compression revealing brown tumor of the spine in a long-term hemodialysis patient.

Brown tumors, or osteoclastomas, are erosive bony lesions arising as a complication of hyperparathyroidism (HPT). In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), brown tumors are classic skeletal manifestations usually seen in severe forms of secondary HPT. However, involvement of the spine is considered extremely rare. We report a long-term hemodialysis case, in which cauda equina compression developed due to a sacral brown tumor. A decompressive surgery and subtotal parathyroidectomy were indicated to preserve neurologic function, and to ensure remineralization of the lesion. This case illustrates that, though rare, brown tumors should be considered in uremic patients with neurological symptoms. Emergent decompressive surgery is required to remove pressure on neurological structures and to stabilize the spine.

Nephrotic syndrome revealing a disseminated Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a clonal disorder of proliferating histiocytes, which can affect various organs. The clinical picture ranges from localized to disseminated disease with multiple organ involvement and severe organ dysfunction. Renal involvement is uncommon and the association with glomerulonephritis is unusual. We report here a case of nephrotic syndrome caused by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) in a 20-year-old woman, which revealed a disseminated form of LCH. Surgical removal of the LCH process and high doses of corticosteroids led to the remission of the basic disease and the renal involvement. The occurence of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in the course of LCH might be mediated by circulating immune complexes, composed at least in part of antigens or neoantigenes which may cause the abnormal proliferation of the Langerhans' cells.

[Severe anguilluliasis in a chronic haemodialysis patient]. / Anguillulose sévère chez une hémodialysée chronique.

INTRODUCTION: Strongyloidiasis can result in severe forms in immunodepressed patients or those treated with prolonged corticosteroids. OBSERVATION: A 59 year-old woman suffering from chronic kidney failure, treated for the past year by haemodialysis, was hospitalized for alteration in her general status of health and severe digestive problems. Three parasitological examinations of the faeces revealed the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis larvae, although she had never spent time in the Tropics. The outcome was rapidly good following treatment with thiabendazole. DISCUSSION: Some severe forms of strongyloidiasis occurring in immunodepressed or chronic dialysed patients can be fatal in the absence of early management.

[Prevalence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV infection among haemodialysis patients in Ibn-Rochd university hospital, Casablanca]. / Infections virales : VHC, VHB et VIH chez les hémodialyses, CHU Ibn-Rochd, Casablanca.

The viral infections are frequent in haemodialysis patients, notably those due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of the hepatitis C, the hepatitis B, the HIV infection in haemodialysis patients and the main risk factors for hepatitis C in the chronic haemodialysis patients treated in haemodialysis unit of Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca. This retrospective study was performed in 186 chronic haemodialysis patients and showed a high prevalence of HVC infection (76%), the prevalence of HBV infection was at 2%, none of the patients had detectable antibodies of HIV. Among the patients infected by the HCV, the mean duration of dialysis was 8,7 years. The mean number of blood units transfused was 16,5. Seventeen patients (11%) had no history of blood transfusion. In conclusion, the blood transfusion is not considered to be a like a major risk factor of the HCV infection in haemodialysis patients and this since the systematic detection of the anti-HCV antibodies in the blood donors. The nosocomial transmission of HCV seems to be the main risk factor HCV infection in the haemodialysis units requiring a strict adherence to infection control procedures for prevention of HVC infection in haemodialysis patients.

Sexual dysfunction in male patients undergoing hemodialysis in morocco.

Sexual dysfunction impairs the quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the nature of sexual dysfunction in a Moroccan cohort of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on HD. This cross-sectional study was carried out with a questionnaire in 86 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Clinical and biological investigations were done. The mean age of our patients was 46.27 +/- 15.68 years old. 81.4% of the cases suffered from a decrease in sexual activity after the onset of HD. The decrease or the loss of libido was noted in 59.3% of the cases. Total impotence was present in 22.1% of the cases and 36% reported partial impotence. Ejaculation was present in 86% of the cases. The comparison between the group of patients who had no sexual dysfunction (group I) and the group of those who had this problem (group II) showed significant differences of age, social status and sexual life before HD. Other significant differences were found regarding frequency of intercourses and sexual satisfaction. Group II was divided into 2 subgroups: IIA included patients who had sexual dysfunction before HD and IIB: those who developed it after. The comparison of this subgroups showed that differences were significant regarding age, weight and vascular risk factors (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis). Sildenafil was more efficient in the patients of the subgroup IIB. This study suggested that HD was one of many factors causing sexual dysfunction in hemodialysed patients. After this clinical evaluation of sexual dysfunction, we emphasize the value of a global approach of this problem. The use of sildenafil seems to be more valuable in young patients with erectile dysfunction which appeared after long dialysis duration.

Renal manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal-dominant neurocutaneous disorder involving the skin, brain, kidney, heart and other organs. Renal manifestations are mainly angiomyolipomas, renal cysts and cancer. We report three female patients, mean aged of 31 years (range: 22-37), with a family history of TSC in one case. Cutaneous and nervous symptoms were found in all patients. Clinical complaints were mainly abdominal pain (3 cases), hematuria (2 cases), right flank palpable mass (1 case). Angiomyolipomas (AML) were diagnosed by ultrasonography in all patients, associated to renal cysts in one case. A patient underwent total right nephrectomy without any event during the follow-up. In a second patient, a selective arterial embolization of AML was indicated. Total left nephrectomy was performed due to the persistence of hematuria and the increased flank mass. Pathological examination of the kidney revealed a clear cell carcinoma. The third patient with small AML, associated with renal cysts, required careful monitoring. Renal manifestations in TSC are frequent and serious, they are the second leading cause of death after nervous lesions. Clinical and morphological aspects are variable and different therapeutic indications must be discussed.

[Calcium needs in hemodialyzed-parathyroidectomized patients]. / Les besoins en calcium chez les hémodialysés parathyroïdectomisés.

Parathyroidectomy changes the homeostasis of calcium balance in patients under dialysis for kidney failure. The aim of this work is to value calcium needs in 20 hemodialysed patients who underwent parathyroidectomy, in the department of nephrology of UHC Ibn Rochd of Casablanca from January 1994 to June 1999. These patients, 12 women (60%) and 8 men (40%), aged between 14 and 70 years (mean=46.10+/-13.62 years). Hungry bone syndrome was noted in 8 patients and postoperative hypocalcemia in 15 (75%). Mean minimal serum calcium was 196+/-0.21 mmol/l, with clinical signs in 6 patients. Mean calcium supplement the first postoperative week was 18.1+/-0,54 g/day in the 8 patients with hungry bone syndrome and 14.28+/-0,86 g/day in the 12 remaining patients. Between 6 and 18 months postoperatively, required calcium supplementation was 4.5 to 12 g/day in patients with hungry bone syndrome compared with 3 to 6g/day at the remaining patients. Mean serum calcium remained stable between 2.16 mmol/l to the 3(rd) month and 2.48 mmol/l to the 36(th) month. Postoperative hypocalcemia remains a major concern after parathyroidectomy requiring massive substitution with calcium and active vitamin D metabolite under close supervision to spare these patients from hypercalcemia resulting from parathyroid dysfunction.