The histopathology of acute renal failure

The morphologic and immunohistologic features in acute renal failure (ARF) are discussed in this article. The focus is on tubular epithelial cell injury, the central pathologic finding in the majority of cases of ARF. Tubular damage may be due to sublethal or lethal cell injury. Cell necrosis, including classic coagulative necrosis and apoptosis, manifestations of sublethal injury, and tubular cell exfoliation are described in detail. Pathologic findings in native kidneys are described.