A case of sarcoidosis associated with membranous nephropathy

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of right visual disturbance. At admission, she had proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. The pulmonary X-ray showed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL) but tuberculin test were negative. Also, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and renal biopsy were performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) contained a high percentage of OKT 4 positive cells. In renal biopsy, light microscopic study showed thickening glomerular basement membrane (GBM) with tubulo-interstitial legion. Immuno-fluorescent study revealed granular deposits of IgG along glomerular capillary wall. Electron micro-scopic study showed subepithelial electron dense deposits of GBM, which are characteristic for membranous nephropathy (MN). It is well known that both sarcoidosis and MN are associated with immunological abnormality. This case might be significant for the study of pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.