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Difficulty: EasyNephrology

Match the following glomerular diseases with their classic renal biopsy or immunofluorescence findings.

  • Minimal change diseaseDiffuse effacement of podocyte foot processes without immune complex deposition
  • Membranous nephropathyThickened capillary loops with subepithelial 'spike and dome' deposits
  • IgA nephropathyGranular mesangial immune complex deposits, classically presenting with episodic hematuria
  • Goodpasture syndromeLinear immunoglobulin deposition along the glomerular basement membrane

Answer

Minimal change disease pairs with podocyte effacement; Membranous nephropathy pairs with subepithelial 'spike and dome' deposits; IgA nephropathy pairs with mesangial immune complex deposits; and Goodpasture syndrome pairs with linear immunoglobulin deposition.
Each glomerular disease has a pathognomonic finding on biopsy. Minimal change disease requires electron microscopy to see podocyte effacement. Membranous nephropathy shows subepithelial 'spike and dome' deposits. IgA nephropathy localizes to the mesangium. Goodpasture syndrome is distinguished by linear anti-GBM antibody deposition.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the histopathology of Minimal change disease.
Matches with diffuse effacement of podocyte foot processes.
It is the most common cause of pediatric nephrotic syndrome and lacks visible immune complex deposition.
2
Analyze the histopathology of Membranous nephropathy.
Matches with thickened capillary loops and subepithelial 'spike and dome' deposits.
Immune complexes deposit below the podocytes, prompting basement membrane material to grow up around them (spikes).
3
Analyze the histopathology of IgA nephropathy.
Matches with granular mesangial immune complex deposits.
IgA-based immune complexes specifically target and deposit within the mesangium, often following mucosal infections.
4
Analyze the histopathology of Goodpasture syndrome.
Matches with linear immunoglobulin deposition along the glomerular basement membrane.
Direct antibodies against the basement membrane (anti-GBM) coat the membrane smoothly, rather than in granular clumps.

Key Concept

Glomerular Disease Histopathology and Immunofluorescence Patterns
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Nephrology

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