1,721,172 research outputs found
Commentary to: "Posterior clinoid meningioma: A case report with discussion on terminology and surgical approach"
No full textCommentary to: "Posterior clinoid meningioma: A case report with discussion on terminology and surgical approach".
No full textAcute Kidney Injury in Cancer Patients
No full textBackground: Renal complications are a relevant clinical issue in patients with cancer; conversely, cancer in patients affected by kidney diseases is a growing problem mainly due to the aging of the general population. Onco-Nephrology is a novel subspecialty addressing these issues. Summary: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, and recognizes a number of different causes, which can impact, directly and indirectly, on kidney function. Furthermore, the appearance of AKI may have a tremendously negative impact on oncological treatments, often denying cancer patients active and life-prolonging treatments. Overall, patients with cancer are at risk of AKI, which could be caused by antineoplastic treatments, sepsis, metabolic disturbances, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, primary thrombotic micro-angiopathies, and direct involvement of the kidney by hematological malignancies and also by solid cancer, in particular kidney and urothelial malignancies. Key Messages: (1) AKI is a frequent and increasing complication of cancer. (2) There is a bidirectional relationship between cancer and kidney disease, and in both cases, AKI is more likely to happen. (3) AKI in patients with cancer is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. (4) In cancer patients, a multidisciplinary approach and early intervention may reduce the incidence of AKI and its life-threatening consequences. (5) Onco-Nephrology is a growing area of nephrology that requires clinicians to have a better understanding of the renal complications of cancer including AKI
Patients' wishes, pregnancy and vascular access: When one size does not fit all
Full text linkPregnancy in dialysis patients is a rare but important event that challenges our knowledge and demands re-thinking many aspects of our practice, including vascular access. This editorial briefly discusses some open questions on vascular access in this situation that challenge the motto ‘fistula first’ and underline the need for personalised approaches. Information on vascular access in pregnant women is scant. Different approaches may be considered between women on dialysis already on a well-functioning tunnelled catheter and newly placed catheters: while a tunnelled catheter in a woman already stabilised on outpatient dialysis, who has shown being able to take correct care of it and who has freely chosen this option, is a reasonable choice, central venous catheters placed during pregnancy, especially in the hospital setting, may have a high risk of complications. Conversely, pregnancy may increase the risk of development of fistula aneurysms, but the frequency of this complication is still unknown. The problem of whether or not shifting pregnant patients on peritoneal dialysis to daily haemodialysis sessions is still open, as well as the role of patients’ preference for avoidance of an invasive procedure, or refuse of pain. In the wait for answers, reflecting on the problems encountered by pregnant women on dialysis should make us reflect on how to improve vascular access management for all our patients
Time for Revival of Bone Biopsy with Histomorphometric Analysis in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Moving from Skepticism to Pragmatism
Full text linkFusaro M., Re Sartò G.V., Gallieni M., Cosmai L., Messa P.G., Rossini M., Chiodini I., Plebani M., Evenepoel P., Harvey N., Ferrari S., Cannata-Andia J., Trombetti A., Brandi M.L., Ketteler M., Nickolas T.L., Cunningham J., Salam S., Della Rocca C., Scarpa A., Minisola S., Malberti F., Cetani F., Cozzolino M., Mazzaferro S., Morrone L., Tripepi G., Zaninotto M., Mereu M.C., Ravera M., Cianciolo G., La Manna G., Aghi A., Giannini S., Dalle Carbonare L
Harmonization of renal function assessment is needed throughout the whole process of anticancer drug development
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Vascular calcifications as a footprint of increased calcium load and chronic inflammation in uremic patients: a need for a neutral calcium balance during hemodialysis?
No full textCardiovascular complications caused by an accelerated atherosclerotic disease represent the largest single cause of mortality in chronic renal failure patients. The rapidly developing atherosclerosis of the uremic syndrome appears to be caused by a synergism of different mechanisms, such as malnutrition, oxidative stress and genetic factors. Recent studies provide evidence that chronic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperphosphatemia and an increased calcium-phosphate ion product have also been associated with an increased risk of death. Cardiovascular calcifications secondary to increases in phosphate and calcium load in dialysis patients might exert an important contribution to the excess cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients. Elevated serum levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with the extent and severity of the atherosclerotic processes as well as with an increased risk of experiencing myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in apparently healthy subjects. In patients affected by pre-dialytic renal failure increased levels of CRP and IL-6 were recorded in 25% of our population; CRP and IL-6 were inversely related with renal function. These data suggest the activation - even in the predialytic phase of renal failure - of mechanisms known to contribute to the enhanced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of the uremic syndrome. In recent years we have investigated the hypothesis that the chronic inflammatory state of the uremic patient could be at least in part due to the dialytic technique. We have shown that the increase of CRP in stable dialysis patients may be due to the stimulation of monocyte/macrophage by backfiltration of dialysate contaminants. During conventional dialysis, a positive calcium balance and a concomitant inflammatory state may act as cofactors in the development of cardiovascular calcifications. We suggest that this hypothesis should be verified by clinical studies. A reevaluation of the ideal calcium levels in the dialysate is warranted: a neutral intradialytic calcium balance is probably more appropriate, although not easily attainable
Onco-nephrology: A decalogue
Full text linkOnco-nephrology is an evolving subspecialty that focuses on the complex relationships existing between kidney and cancer. In this opinion piece, we propose a 'decalogue of onco-nephrology', in order to highlight the areas where the nephrologist and oncologist should work closely over the ensuing years to provide cutting-edge care for patients afflicted with cancer and kidney disease. The 10 points we have highlighted include (1) acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in cancer patients; (2) nephrotoxic effects of anticancer therapy, either traditional chemotherapeutics or novel molecularly targeted agents; (3) paraneoplastic renal manifestations; (4) management of patients nephrectomized for a kidney cancer; (5) renal replacement therapy and active oncological treatments; (6) kidney transplantation in cancer survivors and cancer risk in ESRD patients; (7) oncological treatment in kidney transplant patients; (8) pain management in patients with cancer and kidney disease, (9) development of integrated guidelines for onco-nephrology patients and (10) clinical trials designed specifically for onco-nephrology. Following these points, a multidisciplinary onco-nephrology team will be key to providing outstanding, cutting-edge care in both the acute and chronic setting to these patients
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