Glomerular and tubular basement membrane calcinosis: case report and literature review

Am J Kidney Dis. 2006 Feb;47(2):e23-6. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2005.10.030.

Abstract

Nephrocalcinosis most commonly manifests as renal calculi or deposition within the tubulointerstitial compartment. Conversely, calcium deposition within glomeruli is extremely rare. We present the case of a 50-year-old man with multiple medical problems, including hepatitis C, diabetes, hypertension, proteinuria, and chronic renal failure. Renal biopsy showed impressive calcium deposits along glomerular basement membranes and tubular basement membranes, within intracellular organelles, and in the interstitium in the setting of a normal serum calcium level. Seven months after biopsy, the patient is on hemodialysis therapy. Although serological and medical examination failed to show a treatable cause for this patient's glomerular calcinosis, individual case reports in the literature have described resolution of calcinosis-associated nephrotic syndrome with treatment of the primary cause of hypercalcemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Basement Membrane
  • Glomerular Basement Membrane*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Tubules*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrocalcinosis / pathology*