Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation : an official publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia
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The aim of our study was to assess the role of rituximab (Mabthera) in the treatment of patients with corticosteroid-resistant and calcineurin-inhibitors ± cellcept refractory idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). A total of 83 patients who had required the previous treatment for a minimum of two years were included in the study. Our protocol included the use of rituximab in four-weekly slow infusions. ⋯ Relapsers in all groups responded in a similar pattern to repeat dosing with the drug subsequently. Our prospective study represents an adequate number of patients with biopsy-proven subgroups of INS in both children and adults with long-term follow-up of treatment with rituximab. The drug is effective and safe for treatment of patients refractory to the conventional agents.
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Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl · Jul 2012
Case ReportsMycophenolate mofetil associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with successful outcome.
The use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is known to be associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). We report a case of PML in a patient receiving MMF, who showed improvement upon discontinuation of the drug. ⋯ He showed prompt recovery upon stopping the drug again and made full recovery without any residual neurological deficit. This case is being reported to further highlight this neurological side-effect of MMF.
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Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl · Jul 2012
Case ReportsPheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder: a rare cause of severe hypertension.
Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder is a rare entity, and accounts for less than 0.5% of all bladder tumors. In the genitourinary tract, the urinary bladder is the most common site for paragangliomas. ⋯ We herewith report a 38-year-old lady who presented with a two month history of pain abdomen, burning micturition, headache and uncontrolled hypertension. Detailed investigations revealed a pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder, which was treated with partial cystectomy, following which her blood pressure stabilized.
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Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl · Jul 2012
The perception of organ donation among health-care providers in the intensive care units at a tertiary center.
The growing demand for organs continues to outpace the supply. The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and awareness of organ donation procedures among the health-care providers in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at a tertiary hospital. This was a questionnaire-based study conducted in December 2011 among the health-care providers at five ICUs in a tertiary teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ⋯ Interestingly, only 57% were willing to donate their organs. Our results suggest that more measures should be taken to educate the health-care providers regarding the concept of organ donation and the ethical and religious beliefs. Also, the policy of the hospital and the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation regarding the process of organ donation should be strongly emphasized.