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Biomedical subjects

A Pruna

Publications and source records attributed to A Pruna.

79 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Critical role of oxalate restriction in association with calcium restriction to decrease the probability of being a stone former: insufficient effect in idiopathic hypercalciuria.

The probability of being a stone former (PSF) was calculated according to the method of Robertson in three groups of idiopathic calcium stone formers (normocalciuria (NCa), dietary hypercalciuria (DH) and idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH] during four conditions: on a free diet; on a calcium and oxalate restricted diet for four days and after an oxalate load (200 g of spinach) while on a calcium unrestricted or calcium restricted diet. Combined calciuria (Ca) and oxaluria (Ox) restriction significantly decreased PSF only in NCa and DH whereas the decrease was not significant in IH because of a concomitant significant increase in oxalate excretion. Increase of PSF with the oxalate load was significantly greater on calcium restricted than on calcium unrestricted diets in all groups of patients (4-6-12 times greater in NCa, DH and IH respectively). This shows the critical role of oxalate restriction when calcium is restricted in order to decrease the PSF. Combined restriction is not sufficient in idiopathic hypercalciuric patients to decrease their probability of stone formation.

Calcium↗

Liver granulomatosis is not an exceptional cause of hypercalcemia with hypoparathyroidism in dialysis patients.

In 4 of our patients on chronic dialysis, we were intrigued by the association of hypercalcemia +/- hyperphosphatemia and normal intact PTH, with anicteric cholestasis without cytolysis. This picture occurred in 2 patients after they resumed dialysis because of a transplant rejection and in a third one after discontinuation of corticosteroids, prescribed for an idiopathic thrombocytopenia. No patient was under calcitriol, CaCO3 therapy, and their hypercalcemia persisted on a low calcium dialyzate (1.25 mmol/l). Obvious etiologies of hypercalcemia were not found: vitamin D or A intoxication, hyperparathyroidism, aluminum intoxication, hemopathy, HIV infection. The hypothesis of a granulomatous disease was made and a liver biopsy was performed showing granulomas with giant epitheloid cells. In one case foreign material (silicon ?) was present in the macrophages. Extensive investigations for sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and mycosis were negative. In 2 cases the so-called "dialysis" granulomatosis actually occurred in transplanted patients, suggesting the role of a transplantation related factor (toxic or virus). In the last case HCV seroconversion was present. In the 4 cases, corticotherapy led to the disappearance of hypercalcemia and to an increase of PTH. Our patients had the biological pattern of low bone turnover disease (hypercalcemia and normal intact PTH) and bone biopsy performed in 2 showed osteomalacia or ABD without aluminum. The association of this pattern with cholestasis should evoke liver granulomatosis, which should be confirmed by a liver biopsy and lead to a treatment by corticosteroids. The masking effect of previous corticoid therapy for transplantation should be pointed out. In 2 cases serial monitoring of plasma calcitriol showed a relation between decreasing high normal calcitriol with prednisone and normalization of calcemia, suggesting the role of inappropriate synthesis of calcitriol by the granuloma. In conclusion, liver granulomatosis should be looked for in dialysis patients on the association of unexplained hypercalcemia and normal PTH with anicteric cholestasis, and confirmed by a liver biopsy. Although still of unknown etiology, its evolution is favourable under corticotherapy.

Adult↗

[Periarteritis nodosa complicated by intrapancreatic vascular rupture].

Clinical pancreatic manifestations are unusual in polyarteritis nodosa. A case of intrapancreatic hemorrhage due to vascular rupture occurring during the course of histologically proven polyarteritis nodosa is described. The patient presented with massive hemoperitoneum requiring emergency laparotomy. Splenopancreatectomy was performed to control bleeding. Steroid therapy was continued during the postoperative course, with favorable outcome. The mechanism of vascular rupture is not clear, but is probably related to focal arteritis with consequent infarction. No ruptured microaneurysm was found in this case.

Arteries↗