| kidney failure | <nephrology> The inability of the kidneys to adequately remove wastes from the bloodstream, resulting in severe metabolic derangement's. See: acute renal failure. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| kidney failure, acute | A clinical syndrome characterised by a sudden decrease in glomerular filtration rate, often to values of less than 1 to 2 ml per minute. It is usually associated with oliguria (urine volumes of less than 400 ml per day) and is always associated with biochemical consequences of the reduction in glomerular filtration rate such as a rise in blood urea nitrogen (bun) and serum creatinine concentrations. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney failure, chronic | An irreversible and usually progressive reduction in renal function in which both kidneys have been damaged by a variety of diseases to the extent that they are unable to adequately remove the metabolic products from the blood and regulate the body's electrolyte composition and acid-base balance. Chronic kidney failure requires haemodialysis or surgery, usually kidney transplantation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney: gallium imaging | <radiology> 10-20% of Ga-67 excreted via GU tract; no renal activity after 24hrs abnormal uptake (images at 48-72 hrs): tumour, primary renal tumour (variable uptake), lymphoma/leukaemia, metastases (e.g., melanoma), inflammation, acute pyelonephritis (88% sensitivity); abscess, lobar nephroma, others, collagen vascular disease, vasculitis, Wegener granulomatosis, amyloidosis, haemochromatosis, hepatic failure, antineoplastic drugs, transplant rejection: acute, chronic, ATN see also: gallium: indications (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney glomerulus | Globular tufts of capillaries, one projecting into the expanded end or capsule of each of the uriniferous tubules, which together with its surrounding capsule (glomerular capsule) constitute the renal corpuscle. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney medulla | The internal portion of the kidney, consisting of striated conical masses, the renal pyramids, whose bases are adjacent to the cortex and whose apices form prominent papillae projecting into the lumen of the minor calyces. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney neoplasms | Neoplasms or tumours of the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common neoplastic lesion of the kidney, accounting for approximately 85% of all kidney neoplasms. The vast majority of these tumours are adenocarcinoma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney papillary necrosis | A form of acute kidney disease characterised by necrosis of the renal papillae. It is most frequently associated with diabetes mellitus because of the severe vascular disease present in the arteries and capillaries, particularly in the kidney. There is usually a large component of infection present, and in non-diabetics pyelonephritis and obstructive uropathy are the usual aetiologic agents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney pelvis | The expansion from the upper end of the ureter into which the calices of the kidney (kidney calices) open. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney plasminogen activator | <protein> A precursor to the enzyme urokinase that has blood clotting properties. (14 Nov 1997) |
| kidney, polycystic | Kidney whose tissue is displaced by a large number of tightly packed cysts so that cystic volume predominates over the solid parts to a considerable degree. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney, polycystic, autosomal dominant | A genetic disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance characterised by multiple cysts in both kidneys and progressive deterioration of renal function. It is usually caused by a mutant gene at the pkd1 locus on the short arm of chromosome 16, though mutations elsewhere in the genome can also cause the disease. The age of onset of symptoms varies widely. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney, polycystic, autosomal recessive | Rare genetic disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance characterised by multiple cysts in both kidneys and associated hepatic lesions. Serious manifestations are usually present at birth and there is high perinatal mortality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney profile | <investigation> A test which includes the measurement of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the creatinine in a venous specimen. This test allows the physician to make a determination of how effectively the kidneys are functioning. (27 Sep 1997) |
| kidney-shaped | Having the form or shape of a kidney; reniform; as, a kidney-shaped leaf. (01 Mar 1998) |