Acute bacterial nephritis: a clinicoradiologic correlation based on computed tomography.

PURPOSE: Acute bacterial nephritis (ABN) represents localized, nonliquefied renal infection, and the subsequent alteration of tissue densities can be readily detected by computed tomography (CT). In recent literature, a variety of renal parenchymal alterations observed on CT were reported. However, previous reports on the clinical course of ABN were inconsistent and lacked correlation with radiologic findings. In this investigation, we attempt to correlate the severity of clinical manifestations with CT findings in ABN and draw some conclusions regarding the natural history, pathophysiology, and clinical management of this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 1988 to June 1991, 30 cases of ABN were evaluated at our institute. On the basis of postcontrast-enhanced CT findings, 28 cases were grouped into (1) Group I (7 cases), wedge-shaped lesions (focal or diffuse); (2) Group II (12 cases), focal mass-like lesions; and (3) Group III (9 cases), diffuse (multifocal) mass-like lesions. The clinical features and outcomes of the three groups were compared. The positive detecting rates and clinical usefulness of ultrasonographic (US) and urographic examinations were also studied in each group. RESULTS: An excellent correlation can be demonstrated between the clinical parameters (including underlying diseases, maximum temperature and leukocyte count, duration of fever, flank pain, leukocytosis, and pyuria; the incidence of septic shock, diabetic ketoacidosis, and acute renal failure; and outcome) and the pattern of renal parenchymal abnormalities detected on CT. The clinical features in Group I patients displayed many similarities with those in uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis (APN) reported previously, and responded to antibiotic therapy promptly. Most patients in Group II were successfully treated with antibiotics but had a protracted clinical course with a slower clinical improvement than Group I. Only one case with a Group II lesion was noted to progress to renal abscess formation and extrarenal involvement. In comparison, 33% of the patients in Group III died despite antibiotic therapy. Our data also show that US examination is sensitive in detecting Group II ABN lesions (62% positive rate), and revealed marked renal enlargement in most Group III lesions (89%). It is therefore a useful initial imaging modality in providing information vital to clinical decision making. CONCLUSION: Our experiences suggest that renal bacterial infection may show the continuum of severity from uncomplicated APN to ABN, demonstrated on postcontrast CT scan as wedge-shaped lesions to mass-like lesions, and possibly, finally to frank abscess formation. We classify ABN into three subgroups according to CT findings, and good correlation with clinical severity is demonstrated. These findings deliver valuable concepts regarding the pathophysiology and clinical management of this disease.

Diagnostic efficacy of (13)C-urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori infection in hemodialysis patients.

The noninvasive urea breath test (UBT) avoids the discomforts and risks of invasive endoscopic methods of Helicobacter pylori detection. This study investigated the diagnostic efficacy of carbon 13 ((13)C)-labeled UBT for H pylori detection in 70 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and 70 dyspeptic controls without renal impairment. With H pylori infection defined as a positive result on either histological examination or culture of gastric biopsy specimen, we evaluated the reliability of the (13)C-UBT in detecting H pylori infection in both groups. To ascertain whether HD therapy affects the diagnostic efficacy of the UBT, the test was performed twice in patients with ESRD (before and after HD) at least 72 hours apart. In each UBT session, the baseline, 10-minute, and 15-minute (Delta15) gas samples were obtained to analyze excess (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) ratio (ECR). Histological stain and/or culture studies found that 33 of the patients with ESRD (47. 1%) and 42 of the control patients (60%) had H pylori infection. (13)C-UBT for H pylori detection in patients with ESRD was found to be only 93.8% sensitive and 85.3% specific. These results were achieved by gas sampling (Delta15) after HD therapy with a cutoff ECR value greater than 5. Conversely, the UBT in the control group achieved the greatest diagnostic efficacy (sensitivity, 97.6%; specificity, 96.4%) with a comparatively lower ECR cutoff value of 4. We conclude that the diagnostic accuracy for H pylori detection in patients with ESRD could be improved by performing (13)C-UBT (Delta15) after HD therapy and assessing the UBT with a cutoff ECR value greater than 5. However, the diagnostic efficacy of the UBT for patients with ESRD remained less accurate than that for dyspeptic patients without renal impairment.

Acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess in Taiwan: clinical features, diagnosis, treatments and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To study the variations of aetiology in the patients with acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess and identify the appropriate diagnostic modalities as well as therapeutic alternatives (e.g. extraperitoneal or retrofascial percutaneous catheter drainage, PCD) other than surgery. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective review and analysis of 25 patients with acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess in our institution from August 1988 to July 1998. Blood and urine cultures, imaging studies of the plain films of the abdomen (KUB), ultrasonography (echo) and computed tomography (CT scan) were performed in all patients. The therapeutic regimens included antibiotics only, PCD or aspiration, and surgery. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 7: 18. The mean age was 64 years old. Diabetes mellitus (64%) was the dominant predisposing or associated factor. The most common aetiological source was urinary tract infection (52%) with enteric micro-organisms (Escherichia coli: 44% and Klebsiella spp.: 24%). Nineteen patients (76%) had pain in the abdomen, flank or back. Six cases (24%) were classified as 'primary' abscess, and only two patients survived. Nine cases were treated with antibiotics alone, only four responded and the others expired. Of the 15 cases receiving PCD or aspiration, five cases received subsequent surgical drainage or nephrectomy and survived. Another one case of Clostridia gas gangrene received emergency fasciotomy and expired. The total mortality was extremely high (11/25, 44%). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that: (i) the aetiology of iliopsoas abscess may vary with the country of origin, with a preponderance of urinary tract infection in our Taiwanese series; (ii) a high index of suspicion is mandatory to enable early diagnosis of acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess, particularly for older diabetic patients with fever, pain in the abdomen or flank, limp or flexion of the ipsilateral hip; (iii) CT scan can confirm the diagnosis and define the extent of the abscess; (iv) effective management should include appropriate antibiotic therapy and drainage of the abscess; (v) image-guided PCD should be tried first because of its low morbidity. However, should it fail, subsequent surgical drainage should be performed.

Caroli's disease and congenital hepatic fibrosis associated with polycystic kidney disease. A case presenting with acute focal bacterial nephritis.

Congenital cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts (Caroli's disease), until recently, has been infrequently recognized. It is often associated with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) and congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF). We hereby report a case with Caroli's disease, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and CHF: This 24-year-old female patient initially presented with acute bacterial nephritis (ABN). Renal ultrasonography revealed bilateral enlarged kidneys with multiple cysts. Because her parents showed no renal cyst on ultrasonographic examination, she received further studies. Abdominal ultrasonography showed cystic dilatation of the biliary tree. Computed tomography (CT) with meglumine lotroxinate (biliscopin) infusion study and hepatobiliary scintigraphy confirmed the diagnosis of Caroli's disease. Liver biopsy revealed CHF: The radiographic and scintigraphic pictures are hereby illustrated and CT with biliscopin infusion study is emphasized. We conclude that if radiologic evidence of renal cystic lesions is absent in the parents of patients with PKD, the coexistence of Caroli's disease and CHF should be considered. The clinical pictures of ABN in this patient are also discussed. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of ABN in a patient with PKD and Caroli's disease, and it showed good response to antibiotic therapy.

[Parathyroid storm: report of two cases].

Parathyroid storm in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism has previously been described as hyperparathyroid crisis, parathyroid intoxication or acute hyperparathyroidism. Whatever the nomenclature, all emphasize the severity and urgency of this disease entity. Although fewer than 200 cases have been described since the first report by Dawson in 1932, it is generally agreed that parathyroid storm is more prevalent than commonly appreciated. The symptoms and signs of the syndrome are not only due to the hypercalcemia, but also to the toxic effects of the parathyroid hormone (PTH). Its wide, but nonspecific clinical presentations make it easily confused with other cardiovascular or renal diseases. The mortality rate in untreated cases of parathyroid storm is essentially 100%. With combined medical-surgical treatment, it is still reported to be as high as 40%. Two patients with parathyroid storm were encountered at our institute recently, they both presented with severe hypercalcemia, consciousness disturbance and acute renal failure. The serum level of the intact form of PTH (iPTH) in both patients was greater than 1,000 pg/mL. Case 1, a 63-year-old female, presented with hypercalcemic crisis. Initially, good responsiveness to a saline infusion, steroids and furosemide administration was noted. Unfortunately, she became comatous after fine-needle aspiration of the parathyroid tumor. The recurrent storm was refractory to medical therapy, but was treated successfully by surgical removal of the single adenoma. This is a rare reported case regarding a hyperparathyroid storm after fine-needle aspiration of a parathyroid adenoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recurrent emphysematous pyelonephritis. A case report.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an uncommon but necrotizing renal infection due to gas-forming coliform bacteria that usually occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or obstructive uropathy. Bilateral EPN is rarely seen and recurrent infection in different kidneys has never been reported in the literature. Here we present a female diabetic patient who experienced two episodes of EPN in different kidneys within 2.5 years, resulting in death eventually. We discuss the pathogenesis, incompatibility between clinical features and radiological findings of EPN, and the principle of management for this life-threatening infection.

Mixed acid fermentation of glucose as a mechanism of emphysematous urinary tract infection.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe necrotizing infection that usually occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus or obstructive uropathy. Although glucose fermentation has been considered as the main cause of gas production the actual mechanism remains controversial. Compositions of gas samples from 2 patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis recently encountered were analyzed, and showed 15% hydrogen, 4.8% carbon dioxide, 60% nitrogen, 6.7% oxygen and some unknown gases in case 1, and 3.4% hydrogen, 22% carbon dioxide, 66% nitrogen and 9.8% oxygen in case 2. These results tend to implicate mixed acid fermentation of glucose as the pathway by which emphysematous urinary tract infections develop.

Gas in hepatic veins: a rare and critical presentation of emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Although emphysematous pyelonephritis has been recognized for more than a hundred years, the actual etiology is still unknown. Glucose fermentation has been implicated as a mechanism of gas formation. We report a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in which real-time ultrasonography demonstrated intravascular gas bubbles originating in the involved kidney, and passing into the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins. Gas from the affected kidney was analyzed by chromatography; the result showed hydrogen 10.5%, carbon dioxide 39%, nitrogen 49.6% and oxygen 0.8%. The clinical presentation and the results of gas analysis implicate a critical condition that bacteria proliferated rapidly by mixed acid fermentation of glucose. Additionally, the finding of gas production and transportation could explain the previous hypothesis of gas transport. In this critical situation immediate drainage with medical intervention is indicated to treat this life threatening condition.

Incidence, transmission, and clinical significance of hepatitis G virus infection in hemodialysis patients.

A high prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection has been noted in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD) therapy, yet the incidence rate and transmission route have rarely been reported. Serum samples from 160 chronically uremic patients in a HD unit were initially collected at the time chronic HD therapy was begun, and thereafter annually in July and, finally, in November 1999. Serum HGV RNA was detected using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and HGV E2 antibody was determined using an enzyme immunoassay. Nucleotide sequences of the 5'-noncoding region were studied in the HD patients with HGV viremia. Forty healthy staff members were also enrolled as control subjects. Three of the 40 (7.5%) healthy staff members were positive for HGV RNA or HGV E2 antibodies, in contrast to 40 of the 160 (25%) HD patients, including 14 (8.8%) who were positive for HGV RNA only, 25 (15.6%) who were positive for HGV E2 antibody only, and 1 (0.6%) who had both markers. HGV exposure did not correlate with gender, age, duration of HD therapy, or history of blood transfusions. At least 20 of the 40 (50%) patients with HGV exposure had been infected before the start of chronic HD therapy. Nevertheless, at least nine (22.5%) patients acquired new HGV infections after starting chronic HD therapy, with an incidence rate of > or = 2.6% per year. Three patients with newly acquired HGV viremia after HD therapy was started and two with pre-existing HGV viremia before HD therapy was started had the same nucleotide sequences. HGV and HCV infections (with a prevalence of 14.4%) might have been transmitted independently in HD patients. In addition, HGV infection was not found to cause significant elevation of alanine aminotransferase levels in the group exposed to HGV. To conclude, the incidence of new HGV infections was at least 2.6% per year. In addition to transmission through blood transfusion, HGV may have been transmitted nosocomially patient-to-patient within the HD unit. The compliance with standard universal precautions should be carefully re-examined, but it is not necessary to routinely screen for HGV infection among patients on chronic HD.