Nephrocalcinosis and Foam Cell-rich Medullary Interstitial Nephropathy in a Patient with Laxative-induced Hypokalemia.
Aoi Miyashita, Kei Matsumoto, Go Kanzaki et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 62-year-old woman with long-standing laxative dependence was found incidentally to have hypokalemia and kidney dysfunction. Imaging showed bilateral multifocal renal calcification. Kidney biopsy revealed extensive tubulointerstitial fibrosis and prominent clusters of CD68-positive foam cells in the medullary interstitium. The authors considered these findings a possible link between laxative-induced hypokalemia, renal calcification, and foam cell infiltration. The abstract does not report a specific treatment or subsequent clinical resolution.
What made this case unusual
The biopsy showed prominent medullary clusters of CD68-positive foam cells alongside bilateral multifocal renal calcification in the setting of laxative-induced hypokalemia.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In a patient with chronic laxative dependence and hypokalemia, kidney dysfunction may coexist with renal calcification and tubulointerstitial injury; biopsy can reveal medullary foam cell infiltration.
Why it matters
The case highlights a potentially underrecognized kidney presentation associated with laxative abuse.