Histopathology of glomerular diseases

Abstract

Glomerular diseases are complex and establishing the correct diagnosis often requires a renal biopsy. This chapter describes the main techniques used in the evaluation of renal biopsies and how these techniques help to establish a diagnosis. Normal glomerular structure is described along with the variety of pathologic patterns recognized in a wide variety of glomerular diseases. The common glomerular lesions encountered in glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and thrombotic microangiopathies are defined. An overview of how glomerulonephritis is classified based on a combination of pattern of injury, pathogenies mechanism, and etiology is provided.