Crystalline Light Chain Casts and Hypercalcemia Induced Acute Kidney Injury: A Rare Presentation of Multiple Myeloma

Intern Med. 2024 Jun 15;63(12):1751-1755. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2603-23. Epub 2023 Nov 6.

Abstract

The most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in multiple myeloma is light-chain cast nephropathy (LCCN), which consists of a light chain and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP). We herein report a 46-year-old woman with hypercalcemia and AKI. A renal biopsy showed crystalline casts, which were consistent with lambda light chains but not THP. Hydration therapy and treatment to lower her serum calcium concentration were initiated immediately. She subsequently received bortezomib-based anti-myeloma therapy and recovered successfully. This was a rare case of LCCN, suggesting that hypercalcemia may play a role in the development of crystalline LCCN.

Keywords: Tamm-Horsfall protein; cast nephropathy; crystalline cast; hypercalcemia; multiple myeloma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury* / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury* / etiology
  • Bortezomib / therapeutic use
  • Crystallization
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia* / blood
  • Hypercalcemia* / diagnosis
  • Hypercalcemia* / etiology
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma* / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma* / diagnosis

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Bortezomib