Summary Chronic allograft nephropathy characterized by interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy is a major cause of renal transplant failure. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) quantification is a promising noninvasive method for assessing tissue stiffness. We evaluated if the method could reveal renal transplant fibrosis. In a prospective study, 30 adult renal transplant recipients were included. ARFI quantification, given as shear wave velocity (SWV), of the renal cortex was performed by two observers. SWV was compared to grade of fibrosis (0–3) in biopsies. The median SWV was 2.8 m/s (range: 1.6–3.6), 2.6 m/s (range: 1.8–3.5) and 2.5 m/s (range: 1.6–3) for grade 0 (n = 12), 1 (n = 10) and grades 2/3 (n = 8) fibrosis respectively. SWV did not differ significantly in transplants without and with fibrosis (grade 0 vs. grade 1, P = 0.53 and grade 0 vs. grades 2/3, P = 0.11). The mean intraobserver coefficient of variation was 22% for observer 1 and 24% for observer 2. Interobserver agreement, expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.31 (95% CI: −0.03 to 0.60). This study does not support the use of ARFI quantification to assess low‐grade fibrosis in renal transplants. ARFI quantification in its present stage of development has also high intra‐ and interobserver variation in renal transplants.
The use of ultrasound contrast agents has increased over recent years. The Contrast Media Safety Committee (CMSC) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) decided to review the safety of ultrasound contrast agents in humans and to draw up guidelines. A comprehensive literature search and review was carried out. The resulting report was discussed by the CMSC of ESUR and at the 11th European Symposium on Urogenital Radiology in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, in 2004. Ultrasound contrast agents approved for clinical use are well tolerated, and serious adverse reactions are rarely observed. Adverse events are usually minor (e.g. headache, nausea, altered taste, sensation of heat) and self-resolving. These symptoms may not be related to the ultrasound contrast materials as they have also been observed in placebo-control groups. Intolerance to some components may occur. Generalized allergy-like reactions occur rarely. Ultrasound contrast agents are generally safe. The ultrasound scanning time and the acoustic output should be kept to the lowest level consistent with obtaining diagnostic information. Adverse reactions should be treated symptomatically.
The dialyzability of iohexol was examined in patients with chronic renal failure on long-term hemodialysis treatment. Eight patients had iohexol (Omnipaque® 240 or 350 mg I/ml) injected in doses between 98 and 1,493 mg I/kg body weight (BW) 25 h (mean time) before start of hemodialysis. Dialysance of iohexol was 81 ± 15 ml/min (mean ± SD) compared to 120 ± 16.8 ml/min for creatinine. Elimination half-life for iohexol during hemodialysis was 3.9 ± 1.1 h while plasma clearance was 64 ± 17 ml/min. The distribution volume calculated (0.25 ± 0.05 liters/kg BW) confirms previous observations with distribution in the extracellular fluid only. Before the start of hemodialysis 36 ± 28% of the dose injected was eliminated, indicating some extrarenal elimination. After 4 h of hemodialysis 72 ± 11% of the dose was removed.
The incidence of common bile duct stenosis in patients with chronic pancreatitis was studied in a consecutive series of patients admitted for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Thirty-six out of 79 patients (46 per cent) with moderate or advanced chronic pancreatitis as defined by radiological criteria were found to have a stenosis of the intrapancreatic portion of the common bile duct. There were no age or sex differences between the patients with and without biliary stenosis, but significantly more patients with stenosis had advanced chronic pancreatitis. In about two-thirds of the patients the stenosis was smooth, symmetrical and tapering. In the remaining cases, a shorter stricture of the hour-glass type was found. A complete obstruction was never seen. About one-half of the patients with bile duct stenosis were icteric at the time of the investigation. The jaundice resolved spontaneously in all but 1 patient in 3-42 (median 14) days. Stenosis of the common bile duct is a frequent complication of chronic pancreatitis, but biliary-enteric bypass operation seems to be unnecessary in the great majority of the patients.
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