Regional secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a transplanted kidney: resolution with treatment of a segmental renal artery stenosis.
BACKGROUND
Conditions associated with high intraglomerular filtration pressure can cause secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Unilateral renal artery stenosis (RAS) or its occlusion results in FSGS-like changes and the nephrotic syndrome in the contralateral kidney due to hyperfiltration. However, it has been rarely reported that stenosis of a renal arterial branch can result in FSGS-like changes in a different portion in the same kidney allograft.


METHODS
A 60-year-old male kidney recipient developed allograft dysfunction after angiotensin II receptor blockade for hypertension 4 months after transplantation. It was proven that one of two arterial branches of the graft was markedly stenotic. Graft dysfunction improved after percutaneous transluminal arterioplasty (PTA), however; the stenosis recurred and massive proteinuria developed 5 months later. Graft biopsy showed ischemic changes in the region fed by the stenotic artery branch and in contrast FSGS-like changes in the region fed by the other branch. His clinicopathological manifestation including massive proteinuria almost normalized after the repeat PTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Here we report a case of secondary FSGS of a kidney allograft due to severe RAS of a branch of the same kidney, in which clinical and pathological improvement were confirmed after radiological intervention. When moderate to severe proteinuria appear, secondarily developed FSGS as well as primary (recurrent or de novo) FSGS should be taken into account in kidney transplant recipients.
Department of Kidney Transplant Surgery, Sapporo City General Hospital, Kita, Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. iwamidaiki@ybb.ne.jp
Daiki
D
Iwami
Hiroshi
H
Harada
Hiroaki
H
Usubuchi
Kiyohiko
K
Hotta
Toshimori
T
Seki
Masaki
M
Togashi
Yuichiro
Y
Fukasawa
D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome