Frequency and spectrum of pulmonary diseases in patients with chronic renal failure associated with spinal cord injury.
We reviewed autopsy records from 20 patients with long-standing spinal cord injury and chronic renal failure. Only 1 patient had normal pulmonary findings at autopsy. Acute and chronic pulmonary diseases were found in 16/20 and 17/20 patients, respectively. Pneumonia and fluid overload were the most common acute diseases. Interstitial and pleural fibrosis were the most common chronic diseases. However, a variety of illnesses including pulmonary amyloidosis, calcification, and arteriosclerosis were also found. Arterial blood gas studies indicated a high prevalence of hypoxemia. We concluded that significant pulmonary abnormalities are present in almost all spinal cord injury-chronic renal failure patients.
D000328:Adult; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*