Effects of hemodialysis on macular and retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses in non-diabetic patients with end stage renal failure

Objectives: To investigate corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), morphology, and central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with gout compared with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Fifty eyes of 50 gout patients and 50 eyes of 50 healthy subjects without gout or any other systemic disease were included in this study. After detailed ophthalmologic examination, specular microscopy (Tomey EM-4000; Tomey Corp) measurement was performed for all participants. ECD, average cell area (ACA), coefficient of variation (CV), hexagonality ratio, and CCT values were recorded. Results: Mean ECD and hexagonality ratio were lower (p = 0.004 and p = 0.002) and CV, ACA, and CCT values were higher (p = 0.001, p = 0.007, and p = 0.001) in patients with gout when compared to healthy subjects. There were significant correlations between gout disease duration and CD and hexagonality ratio (p = 0.019 and p = 0.043) and also between uric acid value and hexagonality ratio and CCT (p = 0.044 and p = 0.003). Conclusion: Altered corneal endothelial function was found in patients with gout when compared to healthy subjects and the alteration increased as gout duration and uric acid value increased.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is characterized by headache, altered consciousness, seizures, and cortical blindness. The most frequent etiological factors are hypertension, kidney diseases, and immunosuppressive drugs such as steroids and cyclophosphamide. Herein we present a case of a 22-year-old female patient presented with alveolar hemorrhage and acute renal failure necessitating hemodialysis. In renal biopsy, necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis and immunofluorescence pattern compatible with Goodpasture syndrome were found. Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody result was positive. At follow-up, respiratory failure ensued, steroid pulse treatment was started, and she was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU). In the ICU, she had visual disturbances and blindness together with seizures. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed irregular T2- and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-weighted lesions in bilateral occipital lobes. On clinical and radiological grounds, RPLS was diagnosed. With the supportive and anti-hypertensive treatment, RPLS was resolved without a sequela. Subsequent cranial MRI was totally normal. In the literature, RPLS associated with Goodpasture syndrome was reported only once. Hypertension and methylprednisolone might be the responsible etiologies in this case.