Fokko J. van der Woude

TL;DR: Plasma exchange increased the rate of renal recovery in ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis that presented with renal failure when compared with intravenous methylprednisolone, and survival and severe adverse event rates were similar in both groups.

TL;DR: The value of the IIF test for ANCA detection can be greatly increased by the addition of a well standardized antigen-specific ELISA, and the diagnostic specificity increased to 99%.

TL;DR: Any report of positive neutrophil fluorescence issued before the ELISA results are available should indicate that positive fluorescence alone is not specific for the diagnosis of Wegener granulomatosis or microscopic polyangiitis and that decisions about treatment should not be based solely on the ANCA results.

TL;DR: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing acetylcysteine and hydration with hydration alone for preventing contrast nephropathy in patients with chronic renal insufficiency revealed no significant relation between the relative risk of contrast ne phropathy and the volume of radiocontrast media administered or the degree of chronic renalInsufficiency before the procedure.