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Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
A Case of Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis
Maamannan Venkataraj1, Phani P Morisetti2
1Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, USA.
Abstract:
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a very rare manifestation of glomerulonephritis characterized by the presence of deposits of randomly oriented microfibrils (10-30 nm size) in the glomeruli and visible on electron microscopy. Our patient is a 63-year-old African American male who presented with a past medical history of cirrhosis; he was initially suspected to have hepatorenal syndrome, but on kidney biopsy, and was diagnosed with FGN. Possible multiple myeloma was suspected due to its strong association with FGN and an elevated serum kappa-lambda ratio in the patient. This was confirmed by bone biopsy to be smoldering myeloma.
Insights
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN), a rare kidney disease, was diagnosed in a patient with cirrhosis. Further investigation revealed an association with smoldering multiple myeloma.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare kidney disease characterized by microfibrillar deposits in glomeruli.
- It is often associated with other systemic conditions, necessitating comprehensive diagnostic workups.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old male with a history of cirrhosis presented with suspected hepatorenal syndrome.
- Kidney biopsy confirmed Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN).
Findings:
- The patient's elevated serum kappa-lambda ratio prompted investigation for multiple myeloma.
- Bone biopsy confirmed smoldering multiple myeloma, a condition strongly associated with FGN.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering hematologic malignancies in patients diagnosed with FGN.
- Early diagnosis of associated conditions like smoldering myeloma is crucial for appropriate patient management.
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