MEMBRANOUS NEPHROPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH SARCOIDOSIS: AN IDIOPATIC OR SECONDARY GLOMERULOPATHY?

Imen Ben Hassine*, Fatma Ben Fredj Ismail, Monia Karmani, Yosra Guedri, Nihed Abdessayed, Anis Mzabi, Jihed Anoun, Oussema Guezguez, Wafa Baya, Amel Rezgui, Chedia Laouani Kechrid, Abdellatif Achour and Moncef Mokni

ABSTRACT

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic idiopathic inflammatory disorder characterized by non caseating granulomas of unknown cause. Renal involvement in sarcoidosis is rare. Glomerular lesions remain exceptional including essentially membranous glomerulonephritis. Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most frequently encountered form of glomerulopathies. In fact, there is a higher than expected prevalence of MN in patients with sarcoidosis than in idiopatic glomerulopathies without sarcoidosis. As a result, sarcoidosis is listed as one of the secondary causes of MN. We report the case of a 58 year old man who was concomitantly diagnosed with MN and sarcoidosis. The question whether the glomerulopathy should be considered as idiopatic or secondary and the subsequent management are discussed.

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