Cargando…

Heroin crystal nephropathy

In this paper we present an interesting case of acute kidney injury and severe metabolic alkalosis in a patient with a history of heavy heroin abuse. Urine microscopy showed numerous broomstick-like crystals. These crystals are also identified in light and electron microscopy. We hypothesize that he...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Bautista, Josef Edrik Keith, Merhi, Basma, Gregory, Oliver, Hu, Susie, Henriksen, Kammi, Gohh, Reginald
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Oxford University Press 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4440465/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26034599
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfv018
Descripción
Sumario:In this paper we present an interesting case of acute kidney injury and severe metabolic alkalosis in a patient with a history of heavy heroin abuse. Urine microscopy showed numerous broomstick-like crystals. These crystals are also identified in light and electron microscopy. We hypothesize that heroin crystalizes in an alkaline pH, resulting in tubular obstruction and acute kidney injury. Management is mainly supportive as there is no known specific therapy for this condition. This paper highlights the utility of urine microscopy in diagnosing the etiology of acute kidney injury and proposes a novel disease called heroin crystal nephropathy.