Light microscopic features of membranous nephropathy with unusual changes of the podocytes and glomerular basement membrane in a patient with sudden onset of nephrotic syndrome.

摘要

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a pathologic entity characterized by a spectrum of changes in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Diagnostic features include subepi-thelial immune deposits and thickening of the GBM. In 1968, Ehrenreich and Churg proposed a morphologic classification of MN using electron microscopic findings. This classification was based on immune deposits in the GBM, GBM reaction to the deposits, and resolution of glomerular injury with resorption of the deposits. However, some biopsy specimens with features of MN also show spherical microparticles and podocyte microvillous entrapment in thickened GBM on electron microscopy.