Minimal Change Disease: Causes and Presentation
Because patients with MCD tend to have very severe proteinuria, clinicians must be alert for the presence of related complications. As in all cases of nephrotic syndrome, patients are at…
Overview of Nephrotic Syndrome: Presentation and Diagnosis
Lifestyle changes are also important. Patients should adopt a low-salt diet to reduce edema and improve blood pressure control. Exercise may help mobilize edema and allow natural diuresis, as well…
Overview of Nephrotic Syndrome: Causes
Patients with edema do not necessarily have nephrotic syndrome, since other diseases—notably congestive heart failure and cirrhosis—can present in this fashion. The diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome is suggested, however, when…
Acid-Base Balance: Renal Bicarbonate Synthesis and Proton Excretion
Titratable Acids. Urine contains several weak acids that serve as urinary buffers. These buffers are also called “titratable acids” because their concentration can be determined based on how much NaOH…
Acute Tubular Necrosis: Histopathologic Findings
PREVENTION The most effective prevention strategy is to maintain euvolemia in hospitalized patients and to avoid excessive exposure to nephrotoxic agents, especially in patients with preexisting renal disease. In situations…
Overview of Nephrotic Syndrome: Pathophysiology
Patients with nephrotic syndrome are at increased risk for lower extremity, pulmonary, and renal vein thromboses (see Plate 4-35) because of urinary losses of anticoagulant proteins, such as antithrombin and…
Acute Tubular Necrosis: Causes, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Features
The first manifestation of disease is typically a sharp increase in serum creatinine concentration on routine laboratory examination. Recent exposure to a known nephrotoxin strongly suggests the diagnosis of ATN,…
Overview of Acute Kidney Injury: Possible Urine Sediment Findings
Once postrenal AKI is suspected, the patient should undergo further evaluation with radiographic imaging to further characterize the obstruction. MANAGEMENT The specific management of these various etiologies is discussed later…
Overview of Acute Kidney Injury: Causes
Patients with prerenal AKI may exhibit other signs of volume depletion, such as tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and dry mucous membranes. In addition, prerenal AKI can be distinguished from other causes…
Major Causes and Symptoms of Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus
TREATMENT All potentially modifiable causes of NDI should be reversed. Lithium, for example, should be discontinued, and hypokalemia or hypercalcemia should be corrected. These measures may lead to complete recovery…
