Extracapillary glomerulonephritis and renal amyloidosis

Am J Kidney Dis. 1996 Nov;28(5):695-9. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(96)90250-4.

Abstract

We report three patients with well-documented renal amyloidosis who developed rapidly progressive renal failure. Renal biopsies from all three patients showed crescentic glomerulonephritis imposed on renal amyloidosis. All patients were treated with intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone pulses combined with immunosuppressive agents and oral corticosteroids. Partial recovery of renal function was obtained in two patients. For the third patient, treatment had to be stopped after a few days because of a septic arthritis. Renal function continued to deteriorate, and the patient had to be placed on regular hemodialysis. We conclude that extracapillary glomerulonephritis may occasionally complicate a preexisting renal amyloidosis and may be reversible if recognized early and treated appropriately.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloidosis / complications*
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis / complications*
  • Glomerulonephritis / pathology
  • Glomerulonephritis / therapy
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Diseases / complications*
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Renal Insufficiency / etiology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Azathioprine
  • Prednisone
  • Methylprednisolone