title: Nephrotic syndrome and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an inherited disorder characterized by the development and growth of cysts in the kidneys and other organs. In ADPKD patients, nephrotic range proteinuria is unusual and needs to be investigated further to exclude coexisting glomerular disease. Among the anecdotal case reports of ADPKD associated with nephrotic syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis occurs most frequently.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 26-year-old male with ADPKD and concomitant nephrotic syndrome, in which an ultrasound (US)-guided renal biopsy showed a mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. We treated the patient with prednisone 1 mg/kg/day, because of the failure of treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker association.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months of steroid treatment, we observed a stability of his GFR and a reduction of proteinuria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report and other cases of the literature underline the importance of a renal biopsy in patients with ADPKD and nephrotic syndrome in order to make an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment/prevention of renal function deterioration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology , University of Naples Federico II, Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Visciano
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology , University of Naples Federico II, Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Renata A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology , University of Naples Federico II, Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossano
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology , University of Naples Federico II, Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology , Second University of Naples, Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zamboli
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology , University of Naples Federico II, Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cianciaruso
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology , University of Naples Federico II, Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pisani
keywords: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; glomerulonephritis; nephrotic syndrome; renal biopsy