Citation

Bautista JE, Merhi B, Gregory O, Hu S, Henriksen K, Gohh R. Clin. Kidney J. 2015; 8(3): 339-342.

Affiliation

Division of Kidney Disease and Hypertension, Department of Medicine , Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine , Providence, RI , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/ckj/sfv018

PMID

26034599

PMCID

PMC4440465

Abstract

In this paper we present an interesting case of acute kidney injury and severe metabolic alkalosis in a patient with a history of heavy heroin abuse. Urine microscopy showed numerous broomstick-like crystals. These crystals are also identified in light and electron microscopy. We hypothesize that heroin crystalizes in an alkaline pH, resulting in tubular obstruction and acute kidney injury. Management is mainly supportive as there is no known specific therapy for this condition. This paper highlights the utility of urine microscopy in diagnosing the etiology of acute kidney injury and proposes a novel disease called heroin crystal nephropathy.

Language: en