[Renal vasculitis without hematuria in senile patients]

Systemic vasculitis is a disease whose prognosis has improved considerably with steroid and immunosuppressive treatment, which points up the importance of early diagnosis. In elderly, diagnosis is made more difficult because the frequent onset in the form of a febrile syndrome with non-specific disturbances in general condition. In these patients it is not uncommon that a kidney involvement is what leads to diagnosis of the disease. Hematuria is almost a constant in vasculitis nephropathy. In their absence, acute renal failure in elderly is usually attributed to hemodynamic causes and the frequent presence of iatrogenic tubular factors. This is a report on the case of three elderly patients who presented a febrile syndrome with asthenia, anorexia and weight loss. The three cases progressed to acute renal failure with no disorders in urinary sediment. In two cases was a history of administration of gentamycin, indomethacin and iodated contrast. The clinical diagnosis was toxic and ischemic tubulopathy and, when dialysis became necessary, a renal biopsy was done which showed granulomatous vasculitis, intersticial nephritis and in two cases, necrotizing glomerulitis and crescent formation. Treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide was started which improved general condition and renal function in one case. Early renal biopsy is advisable in senile patients with non specific systemic symptoms and progressive acute renal failure of unclear origin, even when hematuria is lacking. In this setting, the appearance of underdiagnosed renal vasculitis is possible, and consequent immunosuppressive treatment is a factor for consideration.