Morphological changes due to diabetes are similar in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and can be observed in all the 4 structural compartments of the kidney: glomeruli, vessels, interstitium, and tubules. Approximately one-third of diabetics will develop…
Our review of normal kidney histology concludes with the vasculature. The kidneys are richly vascular organs, receiving approximately one-quarter of the cardiac output. The renal vascular architecture is unique and complex, allowing the kidney to perform its many…
Last month, we focussed on the renal cortex in the tubulointersitium, as part of the Kidney Biopsy of the Month: What is Normal series. We will now concentrate on the renal medulla, a region of the kidney sometimes…
The tubulointerstitium of the kidney is broadly divided into the cortex and the medulla. These are extremely important components of the kidney, which can show a broad spectrum of changes ranging from subtle to significant, in both acute…
RFN is proud to introduce a new series: “Kidney Biopsy of the Month.” We begin with normal histology of the kidney and specifically the glomerulus or renal corpuscle. After all, one needs to know what is normal before…
Patient with a history of kidney transplant s/p biopsy 2 weeks prior now undergoing chemotherapy treatment for leukemia develops acute abdominal pain, worsening renal function and hypertension. Renal US followed by CT are shown below: Renal US with…
This month’s eJournal Club concerns a paper (with an accompanying editorial) reporting the experience of renal biopsies in Norway. One issue that arises again and again is whether or not patients should undergo outpatient biopsies. The argument against…
Diabetes is a common cause of CKD and the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy is increasing. A question that sometimes arises in the clinic is when it is appropriate to biopsy a patient with a presumptive diagnosis of diabetic…
Important new findings were recently published in relation to proteinuria and FSGS, which are definitely of interest to our community. First, the punch line: There is new evidence for a “circulating factor” in recurrent FSGS in a fascinating…
Kidney biopsy is considered the most invasive procedure nephrologists are involved. Though complication rates are small, bleeding requiring surgery has been reported to occur in 1 in 1,000 kidney biopsies. More commonly, patients may develop a decrease in…
