The term stuck catheter refers to the condition in which a catheter is not removable from a central vein using standard techniques. Although it is a rare complication, in the last few years it has been reported ever more frequently in hemodialysis due to the widespread use of tunneled catheters. Poor knowledge of the correct procedures and limited experience and training of the specialist in facing this problem are the main reasons for catheter internalization. Stuck catheter is often diagnosed by the nephrologist who should be competent enough to manage this clinical complication. Among the many options for removing a stuck catheter from the fibrin sleeve, an interventional radiology approach, mainly with endoluminal balloon dilatation, probably provides the best solution. Vascular surgery should be reserved to selected cases in which percutaneous techniques have failed. Nephrologists must play a central role in organizing the treatment of this complication with other specialists in order to avoid making mistakes that may preclude future positive results.

Background Acute renal infarction is a rare condition whose diagnosis is often delayed. Major risk factors include atrial fibrillation, valvular or ischemic heart disease, renal artery thrombosis/dissection and coagulopathy. MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of 18 patients admitted to our Nephrology Department between 1999 and 2015 for acute renal infarction diagnosed by computed tomography. Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy was performed in some patients during follow-up to assess parenchymal lesions and estimate differential kidney function. ResultsMean age was 59.8 years. Major associated risk factors included hypertension (44 %), obesity (33 %), atrial fibrillation (28 %), peripheral vascular disease (17 %), smoking (17 %), prior thromboembolic event (11 %), diabetes (11 %), estroprogestinic therapy (11 %). Seventy-two percent of patients presented with flank pain. Mean serum creatinine was 1.2 ± 0.6 mg/dl. Acute kidney injury occurred as the initial manifestation in two patients. Patients were managed conservatively, with low molecular weight heparin (83 %) or aspirin (11 %). At the end of follow-up serum creatinine was 1.1 ± 0.3 mg/dl; one patient remained on chronic hemodialysis. 58 % of patients who underwent renal scintigraphy after a median of 8 months had a reduced contribution of the previously affected kidney to total renal function. ConclusionRisk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease following renal infarction are unknown. In our subjects, renal function remained stable in all but one patient who developed end stage renal disease. Further studies should focus on etiology and evolution of kidney function in patients with acute renal infarction. IntroductionAcute renal infarction, due to an abrupt interruption of renal arterial flow, is a rare condition with an estimated incidence of 0.004-0.007 % in the Emergency Department setting [1,2]. Non-specific clinical presentation mimicking other pathologic states (e.g. urolithiasis, acute pyelonephritis, other acute abdominal diseases) often causes a delay in the diagnosis, which may increase the risk of impaired renal failure [3][4][5]. Radiologic diagnosis of renal infarction is based on enhanced contrast computed tomography (CT), which typically indicates the presence of a wedge-shaped hypodense area in the peripheral region [2]. Major risk factors for renal infarction include atrial fibrillation, valvular or ischemic heart disease, renal artery thrombosis/dissection and coagulopathy. Etiology remains unknown in many cases [4,6,7]. We describe the clinical and radiological characteristics and renal prognosis of 18 patients with acute renal infarction.

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The Venous Window Needle Guide (VWINGTM) has recently been proposed for patients with difficult arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access for hemodialysis due to deep vessels or other cannulation-related problems. This totally subcutaneous titanium device is sutured onto the upper wall of the matured fistula and may facilitate cannulation by the button-hole technique. We describe our initial experience with nine implants in six patients with a cumulative followup of 83 months, and make some experience-based technical suggestions for implant and surveillance radiological imaging. The indication for implantation was deep vessel, previous failure of cannulation or unsuitable site for direct cannulation. No infectious complications were observed during follow-up and proper blood flow was constantly achieved. Some difficulties were occasionally encountered with regard to cannulation; nonetheless, patient satisfaction was not significantly affected. VWING seems to be an interesting option in some patients provided that surgical implantation is carefully carried out and preventive measures against infections are strictly observed.

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