Glomerulopathies with organized deposits

Glomerulopathies with organized deposits are much less frequent than those with usual-type immune complex deposits, even in busy renal biopsy practices. It is important to be able to provide the correct diagnosis because of the therapeutic and prognostic implications that may follow. This goal is achieved by thoughtful consideration of all pathologic and clinical findings. This review presents the salient features of amyloidosis, cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis, fibrillary glomerulonephritis, immunotactoid glomerulopathy, collagenofibrotic glomerulopathy, and fibronectin glomerulopathy. We also point out matrical fibrillary deposits that may mimic some of the above entities at the ultrastructural level. Emphasis is placed, through comparative illustrations, on the prominent role of electron microscopy.