Kidney changes in pyloric obstruction.

Four cases of pyloric obstruction have been studied with particular reference to the microscopic changes in the kidney. Of the four, two showed typical tetany, presumably of gastric origin. One of these was under observation only 24 hours, and was unoperated, dying shortly after admission to the hospital. The other case, in which a huge gastrectasia was demonstrated by Roentgen-ray, developed tetany following operative resection of stomach. The two cases without tetany had symtoms of gastric ulcer with signs of obstruction, and were treated surgically.The kidney changes were not appreciated before death, and were only discovered in course of routine microscopical examination of autopsy material. The four cases show almost identical kidney changes. These consist in degeneration of cells lining the spiral and terminal straight portions of the first convoluted tubules. In many sections these cells are necrotic and infiltrated by granules staining dark blue with hematoxylin, which merge into larger masses, en...