Physical Examination of the Spine and Extremities

In the third volume of Current Progress in Nephrology, recent advances in different areas of kidney disease have been authored by eminent clinicians. The first few chapters discuss the genetics of renal development, regenerative medicine in relation to kidney, molecular diagnostics. Newer diagnostic modalities like functional magnetic resonance imaging, point of care ultrasonography and electron microscopy of organised deposits in kidney diseases are discussed in the subsequent 3 chapters. Diagnosing and managing difficult conditions of chronic kidney disease like, hepatorenal syndrome, pregnancy related renal problems, and scleroderma crisis are discussed in appropriate chapters. Anaemia, usually associated with CKD, is a significant cause of left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular disease. The guidelines for correcting anaemia with iron supplementation and erythropoietin stimulating agents are provided in an appropriate chapter. Autosomal dominant rubulointerstitial kidney disease, a frequent cause of progressive CKD often remains an underdiagnosed condition and has been highlighted in one nice review. Understanding another a rare condition, thrombotic miocroangiopathy is important since it may lead to endstage renal disease or death, if not identified and appropriately treated in time.