Unusual renal presentation of Fabry disease in a female patient

Nat Rev Nephrol. 2009 Jun;5(6):349-54. doi: 10.1038/nrneph.2009.71. Epub 2009 Apr 28.

Abstract

Background: A 29-year-old white woman with a family history of Fabry disease was referred to a nephrology clinic with hypertension and nephropathy. Her renal function was below normal (serum creatinine level 141 micromol/l; estimated glomerular filtration rate 41 ml/min/1.73 m2) with no proteinuria or albuminuria.

Investigations: Medical history, physical examination, leukocyte alpha-galactosidase A assay, laboratory tests (for antinuclear antibodies, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, complement and cryoglobulin), ophthalmological examination, echocardiography, brain magnetic resonance angiography, renal ultrasonography, renal color echo-Doppler scan, renal magnetic resonance angiography, renal angiography and renal biopsy.

Diagnosis: Diffuse sclero-atrophic renal tissue changes and widespread renal arterio-arteriolosclerotic changes secondary to Fabry disease.

Treatment: Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and maintenance treatment with agalsidase-beta, 1 mg/kg body weight, every 2 weeks.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Education, Medical, Continuing
  • Fabry Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Fabry Disease / genetics
  • Fabry Disease / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / blood supply
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed