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Abstract Background The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the spectrum of genital and associated malformations in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome using evaluated diagnostic procedures and the Vagina Cervix Uterus Adnex – associated Malformation classification system (VCUAM). Methods 290 women with MRKH syndrome were clinically evaluated with using clinical examinations, abdominal and perineal/rectal ultrasound, MRI, and laparoscopy. Results Classification of female genital malformation according to the Vagina Cervix Uterus Adnex – associated Malformation classification system was possible in 284 women (97.9%). Complete atresia of Vagina (V5b) and bilateral atresia of Cervix (C2b) were found in 284 patients (100%). Uterus: bilateral rudimentary or a plastic uterine horns were found in 239 women (84.2%). Adnexa: normal Adnexa were found in 248 women (87.3%). Malformations: associated malformations were found in 126 of 282 evaluable women (44.7%), 84 women (29.6%) had malformations of the renal system. Of 284 women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome 212 women (74.7%) could be classified as V5bC2bU4bA0. The most frequent classification was V5bC2bU4bA0M0 (46.8%) diagnosed in 133 of 284 women. Conclusions Complete atresia of vagina and cervix were found in all patients, variable malformations were found with uterus and adnexa. A variety of associated malformations were present, predominantly of the renal system. It is therefore recommended that all patients with genital malformations should be evaluated for renal abnormalities.

Background: Plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides are often elevated in chronic hemodialysis patients and difficult to interpret due to accumulation, high incidence of cardiac disease and changes in volume status. Mid-regional pro-ANP is a newly developed assay whereas BNP and its fragment NT-pro-BNP are available for a longer time. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the plasma concentration of MR-pro-ANP, BNP and NT-pro-BNP in stable ambulatory hemodialysis patients (n = 239) and investigated their associations with clinical factors such as residual diuresis, cardiac status and interdialytic weight gain and with mortality. Methods and Results: In all patients enrolled, the plasma concentration of all natriuretic peptides were largely elevated with a median concentration of 337 pg/ml (interquartile range 146-684) for BNP, 4435 pg/ml (1687-16228) for NT-proBNP and 907 pmol/L (650-1298) for MR-pro-ANP. Plasma concentration of all natriuretic peptides correlated independently with age, degree of systolic dysfunction and negatively with residual diuresis. Dependency on residual renal clearance was strongest for the fragments MR-pro-ANP and NT-pro-BNP. The plasma concentration of all natriuretic peptides was associated with mortality within 2 years of follow-up. Receiver-operated curves revealed a low sensitivity (32-45%), but high specificity for all natriuretic peptides (85-93%) resulting in a high negative predictive (82-87%). Best cut-off values obtained from were 18 611 pg/ml for NT-pro-BNP, 958 pg/ml for BNP and 1684 pmol/L for MR-pro-ANP. Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients, the fragments NTproBNP and MR-pro-ANP are largely elevated compared to BNP which is explained by accumulation. The prognostic performance of MR-pro-ANP is similar to that of NT-pro-BNP or BNP. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

History and Admission Findings: A 90-year-old female patient treated with dabigatran for atrial fibrillation presented emergently with a spontaneous vaginal bleeding due to endometrium carcinoma., Investigations: Laboratory analysis revealed azotemia consistent with acute-on-chronic renal failure. Coagulation was deranged (prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) by 3.5-fold, international normalized ratio (INR) 7.8) due to a massive accumulation of dabigatran (measured plasma concentration 2230 ng/ml)., Diagnosis, Treatment and Course: Vaginal bleedings were treated with external tamponade. Hemodialysis treatment was commenced due to uremia and dabigatran accumulation. Over night, the patient was dialysed with a SLED (sustained low efficiency dialysis) regimen. After volume resuscitation renal function promptly ensued indicating prerenal azotemia as a cause of renal failure. After two more hemodialysis sessions dabigatran concentrations were no longer detecable and this was paralleled by normalization of coagulation tests., Conclusions: Dabigatran can accumulate massively during acute renal failure and evoke a life-threatening bleeding diathesis. Dabigatran can be removed with low efficient dialysis (such as SLED)., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

History and Admission Findings: We report two patients with medullary nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis. The first patients had unspecific symptoms of a systemic inflammatory disease, the second patient was asymptomatic., Investigations: Both patients had normocalcemia and normal parathyroid hormone levels, very high 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D and normal to low 25-OH-vitamin D levels. On renal ultrasound, both patients displayed nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis., Diagnosis: Both patients showed dysregulation of the 1α-hydroxylase activity. The first patient suffered from a systemic inflammatory disease with consecutive activation of macrophages with extrarenal α-hydroxylase activity. The second patient had a "loss of function" mutation of the calcium sensing receptor with - for the situation - inadequatly high parathyroid hormone levels and consequently a renal dysregulation of the 1α-hydroxylase., Treatment and Course: After immunosuppressive treatment with prednisolone and hydroxychloroquin there was complete remission of the systemic inflammatory disease in the first patient. In consequence the 1,25-(OH)(2)-vitamin D levels regressed and renal function stabilized. The second patient was completely asymptomatic with normal renal function, so far we did not initiate any treatment., Conclusions: Nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis can result from hypercalciuria due to dysregulated hydroxylation of vitamin D. For both renal and extrarenal sources causal treatment is available., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

History and Admission Findings: A 48-year-old patient presented with an insufficient control of his diabetes mellitus which was known since 3 years. The antidiabetic medication comprised metformin and exenatide., Investigations: Physical examination revealed, beside elevated blood pressure, abdominal purple striae. Endocrine testing was consistent with ectopic Cushing's syndrome. Abdominal CT showed a 5 cm measuring, inhomogeneous, contrast-enhanced mass in the right suprarenal area which was positive on iodine-131 MIBG SPECT. Furthermore, urinary catecholamines were markedly increased., Diagnosis, Treatment and Course: Diagnosis of an ACTH-producing pheochromocytoma was made and an open adrenalectomy was performed. Histology confirmed a pheochromocytoma with potential aggressive clinical behaviour according to the Pheocromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score. 6 months after the intervention, glucose control was significantly improved with an HbA1c of 5.5%., Conclusions: An ACTH-producing pheochromocytoma is a very rare cause of deterioration of glucose control. However, in presence of typical clinical findings an endocrine work-up is warranted.