Overview of Glomerulonephritis: Clinical Features and Histopathologic Findings




art


Light Microscopy


With light microscopy, the pattern of glomerular inflammation is often described as mesangial, endocapillary, and/or extracapillary (crescentic); focal or diffuse; and segmental or global.


Mesangial/Endocapillary/Extracapillary (Crescentic). Inflammation can occur in several different regions of the glomerulus, leading to characteristic structural changes.


Mesangial involvement can manifest as mesangial hypercellularity (defined as more than three mesangial cells per mesangial area) and/or mesangial matrix expansion. These structural changes are often associated with microscopic hematuria and/or mild proteinuria, with preservation of normal filtration function. Common causes include IgA nephropathy and class II lupus nephritis.


Endocapillary involvement can manifest as occlusion of glomerular capillaries by endothelial and mesangial cell proliferation, as well as by leukocyte infiltration. These changes are often associated with hematuria, proteinuria, and reduction of filtration function. Common causes include postinfectious GN and class III or IV lupus nephritis.


< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Jul 4, 2016 | Posted by in UROLOGY | Comments Off on Overview of Glomerulonephritis: Clinical Features and Histopathologic Findings

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access