Background Glomerulonephritides (GN) are relatively rare kidney diseases with substantial morbidity and mortality. They are often difficult to treat, sometimes with no cure, and can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Kidney biopsy is the diagnostic procedure of choice with variable indications from center to center. It helps in identifying the exact specific diagnosis, assessing the level of disease activity and severity, and hence aids in proper therapy and helps predicting prognosis. There is a global change of pattern of glomerular disease over the last five decades. Methods Retrospective analysis of all kidney biopsies (545 cases) that were done in patients over 12 year-old over last six years in four major hospitals in Kuwait. The indications for kidney biopsy were categorized into six clinical syndromes: nephrotic syndrome, sub-nephrotic proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome plus acute kidney injury (AKI), sub-nephrotic proteinuria plus AKI, isolated hematuria, and Unexplained renal impairment. We calculated the incidence of each type of kidney disease and indication of biopsy. Results most common indication of kidney biopsy was sub-nephrotic proteinuria associated with AKI in 179 cases (32.8%). Primary Glomerulonephritis was the main diagnosis that was reported in 356 cases (65.3%). Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) was the commonest lesion in primary glomerulonephritis in 85 (23.9%) cases. Secondary Glomerulonephritis was diagnosed in 134 cases (24.6%), 56 (41.8%) of them were reported as lupus nephritis cases. In young adults (below 18 years of age) there were 31 cases reviews, 35.5% were found to have minimal change disease (MCD). Conclusion IgAN is the commonest glomerulonephritis in primary nephrotic syndromes in Kuwait over the past six years. Lupus nephritis is the leading secondary glomerulonephritis diagnosis.
Acute stroke could be the presentation of unrecognised cardiomyopathy postanabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse. A 39-year-old male patient displayed signs of acute stroke, which were associated with AAS abuse over the last 3 years. Despite the absence of symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure at presentation, AAS-induced cardiomyopathy with a thrombus in the left ventricle was discovered to be the aetiology of his stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Awareness of the complications of AAS led to the prompt treatment of the initially unrecognised dilated cardiomyopathy, and stroke.
Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands are novel PET radiotracers for prostate cancer. These radiotracers also localize in the normal renal cortex to a high degree and can demonstrate parenchymal defects. We recently started a prospective research study to compare 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with 99m Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan in adults with pyelonephritis. Here, we present a side-by-side comparison of renal cortical PSMA PET/CT and DMSA images of an adult patient with chronic recurring pyelonephritis. Methods: Our prospective study was approved by the Ethical Committees. DMSA images (multiple planar and SPECT) were obtained 3 h after intravenous injection of 111 MBq (3 mCi) of 99m Tc-DMSA. On a separate day, we obtained PET/CT images of the kidneys 60 min after intravenous injection of 74 MBq (2 mCi) of 68 Ga-PSMA-11 after the patient provided written informed consent. Results: The patient was a 46-y-old woman with history of chronic recurring pyelonephritis. Both DMSA scan and PSMA PET/CT demonstrated slight cortical thinning with mildly reduced uptake in the upper pole of the right kidney, with no significant cortical defects. There was an excellent distribution of activity in the renal cortex and better image resolution with PSMA PET than with DMSA scan. Non-attenuation-corrected PSMA PET images also showed the same findings, with reasonable image quality. Conclusion: In our first case, 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging provided promising results in an adult patient with pyelonephritis. The results of our prospective study on a larger number of adult patients will provide a more accurate comparison of 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET to 99m Tc-DMSA scanning in pyelonephritis.
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