Der Internist
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Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit an increased risk to develop heart failure and the presence of heart failure in CKD patients is associated with a poorer prognosis. The following overview article summarizes the current standard of drug treatment of heart failure and discusses special aspects in the treatment of patients with CKD.
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This article presents a case of recurrent anti-GBM disease (with antibodies against the glomerular basement membrane [GBM]) in a 17-year-old patient successfully treated with rituximab. Kidney biopsy with detection of linear deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) along the basement membrane is the diagnostic gold standard, which should be accompanied by serological testing. ⋯ In this particular case, an increase in proteinuria despite standard therapy (plasmapheresis, steroids, cyclophosphamide) was the clinical correlate of relapsing disease. The use of rituximab completely resolved the recurrent anti-GBM disease.
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Case Reports
[Severe pneumonia and delirium in a 90-year-old male patient with postdeglutition regurgitation].
Pneumonia and in particular aspiration pneumonia, is a common disease in geriatrics. These aspirations are often due to dysphagia, which is frequently first noticed in the context of a geriatric assessment. The reasons for dysphagia are manifold. ⋯ The case highlights the importance of logopedic diagnostics and treatment in geriatric patients with recurrent pneumonia. With the aid of early diagnostics it was possible to quickly recognize the finding of a PSHR that is typical for a Zenker diverticulum. The findings in this case could be clearly demonstrated based on the images of the FEES and contrast esophagography.