NEPHROTOXIC NEPHRITIS

Although the study of acute renal failure received its first stimulus from experience with war casualties, atraumatic renal failure is now recognized as a major form of this morbid state. With the introduction of new chemicals for industrial and medical use, it may be anticipated that the causes of acute renal failure will become more diverse. Nephrotoxic nephritis, which in many ways resembles ischemic renal tubular necrosis, may result from contact with solvent sprays or drugs; because of frequent, current, pharmacologic innovations, this form of renal disease may be seen more often. The communication by Setter, Maher, and Schreiner in this issue of The Journal (p 000) describes nine patients with acute renal failure that followed the use of bunamiodyl sodium for oral cholecystography. Renal tubular damage appeared to correlate quantitatively with exposure to iodinated cholecystographic media. Patients with the more severe case received intravenous methylglucamine iodipamide and "double doses"