Glomerular Pathology and Clinical Presentations of Kidney Disease Flashcards
What are the 4 renal cortical ‘compartments’?
Glomerular
Tubular
Interstitial
Vascular
What are the 3 parts of the filtering mechanism?
Podocytes
Basement membrane
Endothelium
(Pathology can occur in any one of these)
What are the effects if the filter gets blocked?
Decreased GFR
Renal failure
What is nephrotic syndrome?
Loss of significant amounts of protein
(Mainly albumin)
Decreased oncotic pressure - oedema
What is nephritic syndrome?
Blockage of the glomerulus
Decreased GFR - AKI
Go into renal failure
Often haematuria and hypertension
If a patient presents with nephrotic syndrome, what is the likely site of injury?
Podocyte layer (Subepithelial)
What are the common primary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
Minimal change glomerulonephritis
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
Membranous glomerulonephritis
What are the common secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome?
Diabetes mellitus
Amyloidosis
Describe minimal change glomerulonephritis
Childhood/adolescence Incidence reduces with increasing age Heavy proteinuria/nephrotic syndrome Responds to steroids May recur Usually no progression to renal failure Glomerulus looks normal under a microscope - need electron An unknown circulating factor damages the podocytes
Describe FSGS
Nephrotic Glomerulosclerosis (scarred) Adults Less responsive to steroids Circulating factor damages podocytes Progressive to renal failure - dialysis needed
Describe membranous glomerulonephritis
Commonest cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults
Rule of thirds:
1/3 get better
1/3 stay the same
1/3 go onto end stage renal failure
Immune complex deposited - antigen attaches to podocytes then lots of IgG binds
Probably autoimmune but may be secondary
Describe the long term effects of diabetes mellitus on the kidneys
Kidneys get more and more leaky - progressive renal failure
Mesangial sclerosis - nodules that are easy to pick up histologically
Basement membrane thickening
Describe IgA nephropathy
Commonest glomerulonephritis Can occur at any age Classically presents with haematuria Relationship with mucosal infections Variable histological features and course \+/- proteinuria A significant proportion progress to renal failure No effective treatment
What are the 2 extremes of hereditary nephropathies?
Thin GBM nephropathy and benign familial nephropathy
To
Alport syndrome
Describe thin GBM nephropathy
Isolated haematuria
Thin GBM
Benign course
Describe Alport syndrome
X linked Abnormal collage IV Associated with deafness Abnormal appearing GBM Progresses to renal failure 'Basket weaving' abnormally split
Describe Goodpasture syndrome
Anti GBM disease
Relatively uncommon but clinically important
Rapidly progressive - acute onset of severe nephritic syndrome
Difficult to reverse
Association with pulmonary haemorrhage (high BP)
Autoantibody to collage IV in BM
What is the treatment for Goodpasture syndrome?
Immunosuppression Plasmaphoresis (give donor plasma to get rid of the autoantibody)
Describe vasculitis
Group of systemic disorders
No immune complex or antibody deposition
Association with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)
Nephritic presentation
Treatable if caught early
Urgent biopsy
Are kidney diseases painful?
Rarely