What is medullary sponge kidney (MSK)? Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a congenital disorder, meaning it is present at birth. MSK occurs when small cysts (sacs) full of fluid form within the inner area (called the medulla) of the kidneys. It is also called Cacchi-Ricci Disease. In 70% of patients small stones form within the […]
What is medullary sponge kidney (MSK)? Read More »
Should patients with renovascular disease have a renal angiogram/plasty and stent? The short answer, in most cases, is no. We will now explain why Renovascular disease (RVD) is a condition where there is narrowing or blockage of the renal (kidney) arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys. It leads to reduced blood flow to the
Should patients with renovascular disease have a renal angiogram/plasty and stent? Read More »
What is a renal angiogram and angioplasty? A renal angiogram is a special x-ray examination where pictures are taken of the main artery (blood vessel) to the kidney. A catheter (small plastic tube) is inserted into an artery, usually the femoral (leg) artery in your groin, the catheter follows the blood vessels to reach the
What is a renal angiogram and angioplasty? Read More »
Are vaccinated kidney transplant patients adequately protected against COVID-19? This question has been recently addressed in a study by Wijkström, 2023. The short answer is no, not really. This is a summary of what they found. Why is this important? Patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT, i.e. dialysis or a kidney transplant) have been identified
Are vaccinated kidney transplant patients adequately protected against COVID-19? Read More »
Potassium restriction CKD – pros and cons Have you ever asked yourself what is the evidence for potassium restriction in CKD? Or should potassium be restricted in CKD? We will answer these questions in this article. In fact the whole area was debated recently by Bernier-Jean in 2022. The practice of recommending a low-potassium diet
Potassium restriction CKD – pros and cons Read More »
Kidney outcomes after mild to moderate COVID-19 Why is this important? Severe coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a high rate of kidney involvement. This can be severe, both in the short-term (AKI) and long-term (CKD). But knowledge on kidney outcomes in non-severe COVID-19 is limited. A recent study done by kidney specialists in Hamburg (Germany) has
Kidney outcomes after mild to moderate COVID-19 Read More »
What is a glomerulus? A glomerulus is a tiny filter in the kidney. There are a million in each kidney. In other words, the kidney is not one big filter, it is a million tiny ones. So. What is a glomerulus? It is a ball shape structure. Inside it, there is a scrunched up ball
What is a glomerulus? Read More »
What should your GFR be at 70 years old? It may be 70-75 ml/min (+/- 10 ml/min) or less. This compares to the ‘normal’ level of 90-120 ml/min, according to the CKD/GFR classification. But that is a (scientific-ish) estimated average number for people of any age, gender and race. Therefore, not surprisingly, studies show approximately
What should your GFR be at 70 years old? Read More »
What is normal human GFR? This is an article for those of you who want to know more about normal human GFR (glomerular filtration rate). It is a very controversial area [“Oh no, not another one” CKDEx Ed]. Normal eGFR number is 90-120 ml/min (in adults; according to the CKD/GFR classification – the higher the
What is normal human GFR? Read More »
Alport Syndrome Alport Syndrome is a rare inherited disease that can cause kidney failure, deafness and eye abnormalities (Alport UK). It can lead to the need for dialysis, and/or a kidney transplant, when people are in their 20s and 30s. The average age of commencing dialysis in X-linked Alports syndrome is about 35 years. Even
