[Case of cholesterol crystal embolism occurring after treatment of cerebral infarction with urokinase]

Nihon Jinzo Gakkai Shi. 2004;46(4):377-81.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 74-year-old man with hypertension and diabetes mellitus was admitted to our hospital because of acute exacerbation of chronic renal failure after treatment with urokinase for a cerebral infarction. A percutaneous renal biopsy was performed to examine the cause of renal damage, revealing glomerulosclerosis and cholesterol clefts in the small arteries. Subsequently eosinophil was increased to 21% and livedo reticularis was found in the patient's foot. A skin biopsy was performed, and cholesterol clefts were again found in the small arteries. For the reason, our diagnosis was cholesterol crystal embolism. Although 30 mg of prednisolone was administered, the patient's renal function did not improve and maintenance hemodialysis therapy was necessary. This is a rare case of cholesterol crystal embolism caused by urokinase without any invasive vascular procedures.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cerebral Infarction / drug therapy*
  • Crystallization
  • Embolism, Cholesterol / chemically induced*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / etiology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Male
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / administration & dosage
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator