Artificial Intelligence Imaging to Observe the Protective Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide on Acute Kidney Injury Caused by Urinary Sepsis

With the development of medical technology products and the rapid development of computer technology, medical AI has become a hotbed in scientific research and clinical practice. Some medical AI-assisted diagnosis has been applied to the clinic to assist doctors in formulating treatment plans. The traditional method of clinical diagnosis and treatment is that the physician makes an intentional diagnosis and then performs ancillary tests. The clinician performs diagnosis and treatment by identifying clinical symptoms and analyzing auxiliary examination results. Modern medical AI is based on big data collection and analyzes the test results through artificial intelligence and computer algorithms. It can output diagnostic results with high sensitivity and specificity for clinical tests. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical emergency. The main clinical features are elevated blood creatinine, decreased urine output, and sharp decline in renal function within a short period of time, and it is a hot spot worldwide. In this experiment, a rabbit sepsis model was replicated by inoculating E. coli bacteria into the rabbit’s unilateral ureteral lumen and ligation. NaHS was used as an exogenous hydrogen sulfide donor to observe the effects of hydrogen sulfide on UTIs. The protective effect of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in acute kidney injury with hyperemia. In the experiment, the production of endogenous hydrogen sulfide was decreased in the Sepsis group, and the renal CSE activity was decreased, while the content of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in the NaHS group was higher than that of the Sepsis group, and the CSE activity of renal tissue was increased. It can be seen that the plasma hydrogen sulfide and renal tissue SCE levels in septic acute kidney injury increased after NaHS intervention, and the renal tissue damage was reduced, suggesting that hydrogen sulfide is mainly generated endogenously through the action of CSE, which causes damage to the kidneys. The expressions of iNOS and HO-1 in renal tissues of urinary sepsis are increased. H2S can play a certain protective effect on acute kidney injury in urinary sepsis by down-regulating iNOS and up-regulating the expression of HO-1.

Comparison of retrograde intrarenal surgery and standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy for management of stones at ureteropelvic junction with high-grade hydronephrosis

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) are the two main treatments for upper urinary tract stones. The aim of our study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of standard PCNL (S-PCNL) and RIRS for the treatment of stones at ureteropelvic junction with high-grade hydronephrosis. The study included 118 patients who underwent surgery for stones at ureteropelvic junction. S-PCNL and RIRS were performed on 66 and 52 patients, respectively. Patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), stone side, history of urinary tract infection (UTI), history of diabetes, history of ESWL, stone size, Hounsfield unit (HU) values of stones, grade of hydronephrosis, operating time, postoperative hemoglobin loss, narcotic analgesic use, postoperative transfusion rates, stone-free rates (SFRs), length of hospital stay, complication rates and number of secondary interventions were recorded. The comparison of the operative data between the two groups revealed no statistically significant differences in the operative time, SFRs, narcotic analgesic use, postoperative transfusion rate or other postoperative complications defined according to the Clavien system (P > 0.05). The postoperative urinary sepsis rate in the RIRS group was as high as 15.4%, which was much higher than the 1.5% rate observed in the S-PCNL group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). A total of 13.5% of the patients in the RIRS group required a second operation due to failure of the placement of the ureteral access sheath. Additionally, S-PCNL had an advantage in operation time, while RIRS in duration of hospital stay and postoperative hemoglobin loss. RIRS and S-PCNL were safe and effective methods for the treatment of stones at ureteropelvic junction with high-grade hydronephrosis. Importantly, S-PCNL had more advantages in terms of the postoperative urinary sepsis rate and secondary surgery rate.

Infected hepatic cyst complicating urinary sepsis

Congenital hepatic cysts are a common disorder. Usually they are asymptomatic and do not have to be treated. However, some serious complications can occur. We report here the case of an 86-year old patient who has been treated by a percutaneous drainage for an infected solitary hepatic cyst due to urinary sepsis. She was admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine for epigastric pain with fever and chills. The patient was treated for a urinary tract infection 3 weeks ago by her General Practitioner. On admission, blood tests showed 21 620 neutrophils per microliter with a C-reactive protein level at 443.7 mg/L, procalcitonin > 200 ng/mL, total bilirubin at 1.43 mg/dL, lactate dehydrogenase at 666 U/L and alanine aminotransferase at 227 U/L. Urinalysis and hemocultures highlighted the presence of Escherichia coli and Streptococcus constellatus. The abdominal tomodensitometry indicated the pre-sence of a left hepatic biliary cyst with banal appearance. She was first treated with intravenous amoxicillin clavulanic acid. After a few days, another abdominal tomodensitometry with contrast pinpointed a large abscess of 11 centimeters in diameter extending to liver segments II and IV with a similar small lesion in segments IV and V. clindamycin per os was added to the treatment because of its good diffusion in tissues. Percutaneous drain was inserted under tomodensitometric control and stayed in place until the follow-up at three weeks. Bacteriologic culture on the fluid sample demonstrated the presence of Escherichia coli and Streptococcus constellatus. The abscess completely regressed after 6 weeks of treatment and the biologic abnormalities resolved at the same time.

Massive inguinoscrotal herniation of the bladder: challenges in non-operative management

Massive inguinoscrotal hernias containing the bladder are rare but can present with significant complications such as obstructive uropathy and urinary sepsis. A comorbid 71-year-old gentleman presented with an enlarging inguinoscrotal mass and an acute kidney injury (AKI). Imaging revealed a large inguinoscrotal hernia containing the bladder, and bilateral hydronephrosis. Renal function improved on urethral catheterization. Admitted under general surgery originally, the patient declined any surgical intervention and had his catheter removed as an outpatient, without urological follow up. He represented 6 months later with urinary sepsis and a new AKI. Repeat imaging revealed a progression of the bilateral hydronephrosis. Subsequently admitted under urology, bilateral nephrostomies as well as a catheter were inserted. Once stable, he was discharged with both as part of his long-term management. Non-operative management of this condition may occasionally be necessary, and so requires effective multidisciplinary decision making. Real-world organizational and geographical factors contributed to the challenges in this case.

Blood Cyst of the Mitral Valve Diagnosed in an Adult after Systemic Thrombolysis

Blood cysts in valves are very rare entities in adults, which can be distinguished through their echocardiographic features. A 57-year-old woman developed sudden dyspnea while hospitalized in the context of urinary sepsis; high-risk pulmonary embolism was diagnosed and she was prescribed systemic thrombolysis. She persisted with fever raising the suspicion of bacterial endocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography did not report any masses, but later transesophageal imaging revealed a vegetation that was finally characterized as a blood cyst of the mitral valve based on ultrasound features. The patient evolved satisfactorily and did not require surgery.

A Case of Urinary Sepsis Secondary to Streptococcus sanguinis

We report a case of a 71-year-old male with a history of BPH who presented with flank pain, fever, chills, abdominal pain, and nausea. He had a dental cleaning 1 month prior to admission and flosses daily. Laboratory data revealed both urine and blood cultures to be positive for streptococcus sanguinis. Computed tomography revealed a 10 mm right ureteral stone, and an ultrasound demonstrated moderate right hydronephrosis. He underwent an ureteroscopy with stent placement. A transesophageal echocardiogram was negative for endocarditis. He completed 2 weeks of IV ceftriaxone and made a complete recovery.