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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Single-channel Analysis and Calcium Imaging in the Podocytes of the Freshly Isolated Glomeruli
Published on: June 27, 2015
Glomerular and tubular basement membrane calcinosis: case report and literature review
Megan L Troxell1, John P Higgins, Richard K Sibley
1Department of Pathology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA. troxellm@ohsu.edu
Insights
Glomerular calcinosis, a rare kidney condition, involves calcium deposits in the glomeruli. This case highlights its occurrence in a patient with chronic renal failure, emphasizing the need for further research into its causes and treatments.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Renal Pathology
- Mineral Metabolism
Background:
- Nephrocalcinosis typically presents as kidney stones or tubulointerstitial deposits.
- Glomerular calcification is an exceptionally rare manifestation of nephrocalcinosis.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old male with comorbidities including hepatitis C, diabetes, hypertension, proteinuria, and chronic renal failure was evaluated.
- Renal biopsy revealed significant calcium deposits in glomerular and tubular basement membranes, intracellularly, and in the interstitium.
- Serum calcium levels were normal at the time of biopsy.
Findings:
- The patient progressed to requiring hemodialysis seven months post-biopsy.
- Despite thorough investigation, a treatable cause for the glomerular calcinosis was not identified.
- Literature suggests potential resolution of calcinosis-associated nephrotic syndrome with hypercalcemia treatment in other cases.
Implications:
- This case underscores the rarity and diagnostic challenges of glomerular calcinosis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of calcium deposition in glomeruli.
- Understanding underlying mechanisms may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for this rare renal pathology.
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.
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