Ultrastructural pathology of nephropathies with organized deposits: a case series
Ultrastructural pathology of nephropathies with organized deposits: a case series
Cases Journal 2008, 1:184
Published: November 2009
Published: November 2009
Abstract
Renal organized or structured deposits are much less frequent than those with usual type immunocomplex deposits and are encountered in a wide variety of primary and systemic disorders. It has been suggested that immunoglobulins (Igs) are responsible for organized deposits. We report 5 cases who have been diagnosed and treated in our hospital. Patients were aged 52 to 72 years, three of them were males and had variable degree of renal function, from normal serum creatinine to uraemia. Proteinuria was detected in all patients while monoclonal component was present only in the serum of one subject. Ultrastructural analysis of renal specimens revealed organized deposits. Diagnoses that were made are the following: membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with finger print, immunotactoid glomerulopathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with arched deposits, primary amyloidosis and light chain deposition disease. In systemic disorders ultrastructural pathology could be particularly valuable for correct deposits classification, precise localization and pattern of deposition of Igs.
Introduction
Differential diagnosis of renal organized or structured deposits is a matter of debate [1]. They are much less frequent than those with usual type immunocomplex deposits and are encountered in a wide variety of primary and systemic disorders [2]. Organized deposits characterization depends on and appears to be related to specific diseases [1,3-6]. In the last years there has been animprovement in understanding of these rare finding with benefits in clinical management of systemic disorders. Electron microscopy (EM) analysis has been crucial, in fact by light microscopy, these entities may mimic different patterns. Aim of our study was to report our experience about morphological characterization of organized deposits.
Keywords:
Ultrastructural pathology, nephropathies, amyloidosis,
Ultrastructural pathology, nephropathies, amyloidosis,
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