Epidural Abscesses in ESRD Patients

Infectious metastases (e.g., infective endocarditis, epidural abscess, liver & lung abscesses, etc) are unfortunately not uncommon in the ESRD population, particularly in those with in-dwelling catheters.  I have personally seen several cases of epidural abscesses as a fellow,…

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ATRA Syndrome

The M3 subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia–also known as acute promyelocytic leukemia–is one of the most responsive forms of leukemia, as the addition of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is known to overcome the maturation block in affected lymphocytes.  While…

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Review: The Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

The juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) is located between the afferent arteriole and the returning distal convoluted tubule of the same nephron. It is responsible for regulating both intrarenal (tubuloglomerular feedback) and extrarenal (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone) mechanisms necessary to maintain both renal…

WAGR

The WAGR Syndrome is a rare genetic syndrome whose acronym stands for Wilms tumor, Aniridia (an absence of the iris), Genitourinary abnormalities, and mental Retardation. It is caused by a deletion of chromosome 17p. The genitourinary abnormalities may…

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Ciliary Hypothesis

The “ciliary hypothesis” refers to the idea that primary cilia–single, non-motile, microtubule-based structures which are found on the apical surface of renal tubular epithelial cells–play an integral role in the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease. Scientists have long…

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Differential Diagnosis for Large Kidneys

The differential diagnosis for large kidneys (often demonstrated on renal ultrasound) is interesting, as there are a few conditions which are especially associated with this finding. Of course, with any type of chronic damage, the kidneys tend to…

Double Antibody Disease

The incidence of ANCA-positive disease is in the ballpark of 1:10,000. The incidence of anti-GBM disease is even more rare, at about 1:1,000,000. One would expect if these 2 disease-causing antibodies were entirely independent of one another, the…

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Ret & Kidney Development

The Ret gene plays an integral role in kidney development. As is covered in any basic embryology class, the cross-talk between the ureteric bud (destined to become the collecting system of the kidney) and the metanephrogenic mesenchyme (destined…

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