A hospital pathology department receives multiple percutaneous renal biopsy samples from the nephrology service over a single week. Match each distinct histopathological and immunofluorescence description to its definitive clinicopathologic diagnosis.
- Diffuse glomerular basement membrane thickening with subepithelial 'spike and dome' appearance on silver stainMembranous nephropathy
- Normal light microscopy with diffuse podocyte foot process effacement seen only on electron microscopyMinimal change disease
- Prominent granular deposition of IgA and C3 localized exclusively to the mesangium on immunofluorescenceIgA nephropathy
- Enlarged, hypercellular glomeruli with subepithelial electron-dense 'humps' on electron microscopyPoststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Sclerosis and hyalinosis affecting a subset of glomeruli and only portions of the affected capillary tuftsFocal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Answer
The correct matching aligns each histopathological description with its hallmark renal disease: the 'spike and dome' appearance matches membranous nephropathy, normal light microscopy with podocyte effacement matches minimal change disease, mesangial IgA deposition matches IgA nephropathy, subepithelial humps match poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, and partial sclerosis of a subset of glomeruli matches focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
Each renal pathology diagnosis has highly specific, pathognomonic morphological features across light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. Accurately matching the biopsy description to the disease requires recognizing these classic textbook patterns.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying definitive renal pathologies through their pathognomonic light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy findings.