IgG4-related disease with kidney and lymph nodes involvement: a case-based review

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a rare immune-mediated chronic fibro-inflammatory condition, has various initial symptoms, thus posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Here, we report a case of IgG4-RD in a 35-year-old man with initial clinical symptoms of facial edema and recent onset of proteinuria. It took more than 1 year from the onset of clinical symptoms to diagnosis. Pathological examination of renal biopsy revealed significant renal interstitial lymphoid tissue hyperplasia simulating growth pattern of lymphoma. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining results showed that CD4 + T lymphocyte hyperplasia was dominant. There was no significant deletion of CD2/CD3/CD5/CD7. No monoclone was detected in TCR gene rearrangement. IHC staining showed that the number of IgG4-positive cells was greater than 100/HPF. The ratio of IgG4/IgG was greater than 40%. Combined with clinically examinations, IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis was considered. Further cervical lymph node biopsy results suggested IgG4-related lymphadenopathy. He received methylprednisolone 40 mg/day intravenously for 10 days, leading to normal results of laboratory tests and clinical manifestations. The patient had a good prognosis without recurrence during 14 months of follow-up. This case report can be used as a reference for early diagnosis and treatment of such patients in the future.