title: Should we biopsy kidneys of patients post-liver transplant?
abstract: Thirty days after orthotropic liver transplantation, a 52-year-old Hispanic male developed full-blown nephrotic syndrome. Although the patient was posttransplantation, he underwent a kidney biopsy under real-time ultrasound guidance. The pathological specimen revealed membranous nephropathy. A change in the immunosuppressive regimen resulted in a rapid decrease in urinary protein excretion, leading to resolution of the nephrotic syndrome. We report this case to illustrate the precautions that need to be taken when liver transplant patients require a kidney biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, Box C-281, Denver, CO 80262, USA. michel.chonchol@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chonchol
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wachs
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Popovtzer
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents