Korean J Nephrol.  2010 Mar;29(2):256-259.

A Case of Crescentic Glomerulonephritis Superimposed on Membranous Glomerulopathy

• Cho AJ
• Lee JH
• Jeong B
• Chung S
• Lee JE
• Kwon GY
• Huh W
• Kim YG
• Kim DJ
• Oh HY

Abstract

Membranous glomerulopathy (MGN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Renal failure gradually develops in patients with MGN and crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN) superimposed on MGN is a rare cause of acute renal failure. In most cases patients showed nephrotic syndrome with acute renal failure. We report a 33-year-old woman with azotemia but with no other symptoms such as nephrotic syndrome she had been diagnosed to have MGN 15 months before. There seemed to be no other cause of azotemia. Renal biopsy was performed and revealed CGN on existing MGN. She was treated with immunosuppression treatment and azotemia was improved. When unexplained azotemia develops in patients with MGN, we should promptly investigate superimposed conditions including CGN. In CGN superimposed on MN, a potentially reversible condition with appropriate immunosuppression therapy should be considered.

Keyword

Membranous glomerulopathy; Nephrotic syndrome; Immunosuppression

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Adult
Azotemia
Biopsy
Female
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis, Membranous
Humans
Immunosuppression
Nephrotic Syndrome
Renal Insufficiency