Clinical management of a granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with a bilateral granulomatous anterior uveitis: A challenging case report and review of the literature

Clin Nephrol. 2022 Sep;98(3):155-161. doi: 10.5414/CN110841.

Abstract

Acute granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis (GTIN) is a rare finding in renal biopsy. Differential diagnosis is facilitated when GTIN is associated with granulomatous bilateral anterior uveitis (GBAU). Nevertheless, differentiation between a rare form of granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU) and sarcoidosis can be challenging. We report a case of biopsy-proven GTIN with concomitant GBAU, leading to a dead-end diagnosis. We discuss workup and propose a diagnostic algorithm based on a literature review. We also report a successful treatment of ophthalmologic and renal relapse using mycophenolate mofetil.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Humans
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Nephritis, Interstitial* / complications
  • Nephritis, Interstitial* / diagnosis
  • Nephritis, Interstitial* / drug therapy
  • Uveitis* / diagnosis
  • Uveitis* / drug therapy
  • Uveitis* / etiology
  • Uveitis, Anterior* / diagnosis
  • Uveitis, Anterior* / drug therapy
  • Uveitis, Anterior* / etiology

Substances

  • Mycophenolic Acid

Supplementary concepts

  • Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis