%0 Journal Article
%T Cholesterol crystal embolization (CCE): Improvement of renal function with high-dose corticosteroid treatment
%A Desai Madhav
%A Ram R
%A Prayaga Aruna
%A Dakshinamurty K
%J Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation
%D 2011
%I Medknow Publications
%X Cholesterol crystal embolization (CCE) is an important and often under-diagnosed cause of renal insufficiency in patients with atherosclerosis. So far, only statins are the mainstay of therapy and the role of corticosteroids is controversial. We describe a 57-year-old gentleman who presented with accelerated hypertension and renal failure three months after coronary angio-gram. Renal biopsy showed cholesterol clefts in the arteriole. Initially, management with anti-hypertensives alone (already receiving statins since angiogram) was unsuccessful. A trial of high-dose corticosteroids resulted in an improvement of the general condition in the next two days, and the serum creatinine reduced gradually to 1.6 mg/dL over the next one month. In conclusion, high-dose corticosteroids are useful in the treatment of CCE associated renal failure, especially in cases with no spontaneous recovery of function.
%U http://www.sjkdt.org/article.asp?issn=1319-2442;year=2011;volume=22;issue=2;spage=327;epage=330;aulast=Desai