Tonsillectomy and steroid pulse therapy for recurrent IgA nephropathy in renal allograft

Clin Nephrol. 2010 Jan;73(1):68-71. doi: 10.5414/cnp73068.

Abstract

We experienced two cases of steroid pulse therapy combined with tonsillectomy for recurrent IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in a renal allograft. We defined recurrent IgAN in renal allograft as IgA deposits in glomeruli with persistent proteinuria (> 0.5 g/ day) and microscopic hematuria in renal transplant recipients with biopsy-proven IgAN of their native kidneys. We performed steroid pulse therapy following tonsillectomy as therapeutic protocol for recurrent IgAN. The first patient was diagnosed with recurrent IgAN by allograft biopsy 3 years after renal transplantation, and a second patient was diagnosed after one year. The former patient's proteinuria disappeared 4 months after treatment and the latter patient's proteinuria disappeared after one month. Tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy can induce clinical remission in patients with recurrent IgAN after renal transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / drug therapy*
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / etiology
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / surgery*
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Proteinuria / drug therapy
  • Proteinuria / surgery
  • Recurrence
  • Tonsillectomy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Methylprednisolone