BACKGROUND Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) is caused by occlusion of the small renal arteries from embolized cholesterol crystals arising from ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques. This usually manifests as isolated r...BACKGROUND Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) is caused by occlusion of the small renal arteries from embolized cholesterol crystals arising from ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques. This usually manifests as isolated renal disease or involvement from systemic atheroembolic disease. Here we report a case of AERD that responded well to steroid therapy. CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and stage IIIa chronic kidney disease was referred for rapidly worsening renal function over a 4-mo period. She complained of swollen legs, dyspnea on exertion, and two episodes of epistaxis about a month prior to admission. She reported no history of invasive vascular procedures, use of radio contrast agents, or treatment with anticoagulants or thrombolytic agents. Urinalysis showed a few red blood cells and granular casts. Serology was positive for cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA). Non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed diffuse atherosclerotic changes in the aortic arch. Thus, c-ANCA-associated vasculitis was suspected, and the patient was started on pulse intravenous methylprednisolone. Her renal biopsy showed evidence of AERD. She was discharged with oral prednisone, and her renal function continued to improve during the initial follow-up. CONCLUSION In cases of non-vasculitis-associated ANCA, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required to pursue the diagnosis of spontaneous AERD in patients with clinical or radiological evidence of atherosclerotic burden. Although no specific treatment is available, the potential role of statins and steroids requires exploration.展开更多
BACKGROUND Cholesterol crystal embolization(CCE)is a multisystemic and fatal disease with multiple clinical manifestations;however,there are few cases of idiopathic CCE.Here we report a patient with idiopathic CCE acc...BACKGROUND Cholesterol crystal embolization(CCE)is a multisystemic and fatal disease with multiple clinical manifestations;however,there are few cases of idiopathic CCE.Here we report a patient with idiopathic CCE accompanied by atheroembolic renal disease and blue toes who had a relatively good prognosis in the short-term due to early treatment with corticosteroids and statins.CASE SUMMARY A 76-year-old man complained of coldness,numbness and purple color change in his left foot for 7 d.He had a feeling of fatigue,constipation,foamy urine,poor appetite and sleep.He had a lacunar infarction for 5 years and hypertension for 9 mo.Laboratory results showed elevated eosinophils,cholesterol,uric acid,serum creatinine,urea and 24 h urine analysis revealed proteinuria.A renal biopsy revealed atheroembolic renal disease.Taken together,these findings strongly supported the diagnosis of idiopathic CCE and atheroembolic renal disease.CONCLUSION Atheroembolic renal disease and blue toes syndrome can be caused by idiopathic CCE,and early treatment with corticosteroids is effective but requires further investigation.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) is caused by occlusion of the small renal arteries from embolized cholesterol crystals arising from ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques. This usually manifests as isolated renal disease or involvement from systemic atheroembolic disease. Here we report a case of AERD that responded well to steroid therapy. CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and stage IIIa chronic kidney disease was referred for rapidly worsening renal function over a 4-mo period. She complained of swollen legs, dyspnea on exertion, and two episodes of epistaxis about a month prior to admission. She reported no history of invasive vascular procedures, use of radio contrast agents, or treatment with anticoagulants or thrombolytic agents. Urinalysis showed a few red blood cells and granular casts. Serology was positive for cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA). Non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed diffuse atherosclerotic changes in the aortic arch. Thus, c-ANCA-associated vasculitis was suspected, and the patient was started on pulse intravenous methylprednisolone. Her renal biopsy showed evidence of AERD. She was discharged with oral prednisone, and her renal function continued to improve during the initial follow-up. CONCLUSION In cases of non-vasculitis-associated ANCA, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required to pursue the diagnosis of spontaneous AERD in patients with clinical or radiological evidence of atherosclerotic burden. Although no specific treatment is available, the potential role of statins and steroids requires exploration.
文摘BACKGROUND Cholesterol crystal embolization(CCE)is a multisystemic and fatal disease with multiple clinical manifestations;however,there are few cases of idiopathic CCE.Here we report a patient with idiopathic CCE accompanied by atheroembolic renal disease and blue toes who had a relatively good prognosis in the short-term due to early treatment with corticosteroids and statins.CASE SUMMARY A 76-year-old man complained of coldness,numbness and purple color change in his left foot for 7 d.He had a feeling of fatigue,constipation,foamy urine,poor appetite and sleep.He had a lacunar infarction for 5 years and hypertension for 9 mo.Laboratory results showed elevated eosinophils,cholesterol,uric acid,serum creatinine,urea and 24 h urine analysis revealed proteinuria.A renal biopsy revealed atheroembolic renal disease.Taken together,these findings strongly supported the diagnosis of idiopathic CCE and atheroembolic renal disease.CONCLUSION Atheroembolic renal disease and blue toes syndrome can be caused by idiopathic CCE,and early treatment with corticosteroids is effective but requires further investigation.