[Basal membrane unevenness in glomerular amyloidosis]

Author has studied in 5 needle-biopsy and 25 autopsy samples the wall unevennesses of the glomerular capillary loops developing in kidney amyloidosis. In all cases subepithelial spikes consisting of parallel amyloid fibres were observed. In half of the cases, similar structures occurred also subendothelially. In silver-stained preparations they were readily identified by their increased argyrophilia. In all cases nodular features composed of irregular amyloid fibres were subendothelially present resulting in a considerable narrowing of the lumen. The spikes and nodules causing the unevenness of the basement membrane are of diagnostic value in glomerular amyloidosis.