Acute tubular necrosis

Acute Tubular Necrosis

Acute tubular necrosis (pronunciation: a-kyoot too-buh-luhr ne-kroh-sis) is a medical condition characterized by the death of the tubular epithelial cells that form the renal tubules of the kidneys. This condition is one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Etymology

The term "acute tubular necrosis" is derived from the Latin words "acutus" meaning sharp or severe, "tubulus" meaning a small tube, and "necrosis" meaning death.

Causes

Acute tubular necrosis can be caused by a variety of factors, including severe or prolonged ischemia (lack of blood supply), exposure to nephrotoxic (damaging to the kidneys) substances, and severe systemic infections (sepsis).

Symptoms

Symptoms of acute tubular necrosis may include decreased urine output, fluid retention, and electrolyte imbalances. In severe cases, it can lead to acute kidney failure, which may require dialysis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of acute tubular necrosis is typically based on a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Imaging studies such as ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan may also be used.

Treatment

Treatment of acute tubular necrosis primarily involves addressing the underlying cause and providing supportive care. This may include fluid and electrolyte management, dialysis, and in severe cases, kidney transplantation.

Related Terms

• Nephrology
• Renal failure
• Kidney transplantation
• Dialysis
• Ischemia

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Acute tubular necrosis
• Wikipedia's article - Acute tubular necrosis

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

---

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski