Resolution of Diffuse Membranous Changes with Remission of Nephrotic Syndrome

Abstract

A case of membranous glomerulonephritis with initial proliferative changes accompanied by nephrotic syndrome was followed up for seven years. With three serially obtained renal biopsy tissues, the regression of the glomerular membranous alterations was confirmed after the remission of nephrotic syndrome. The diagnosis of lupus nephritis was not conclusive but was suggestive. The resolution of the basement membrane seemed to start structurally at the outer, epithelial surface of the membrane with the formation of basement membrane material. The “microtubular structures” in the glomerular endothelial cytoplasm were continuously observed in three renal tissues obtained serially for five years, regardless of the clinical remission and of glomeru-larstructural resolution.