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Alternative names Return to top
Necrotizing glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - crescentic; Crescentic glomerulonephritisDefinition Return to top
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a form of kidney disease that causes damage to the internal structures of the kidneys and rapid loss of function, with crescent-shaped abnormalities showing on a biopsy of the kidney.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
The glomeruli are the portions of the internal kidney structures where the blood flows through very small capillaries and is filtered through membranes to form urine.Symptoms Return to top
Common symptoms include the following:Signs and tests Return to top
An examination reveals edema (swelling). Circulatory overload, with associated abnormal heart and lung sounds, may be present. The blood pressure may be elevated. Rapid, progressive loss of kidney function may be present.Treatment Return to top
The treatment varies with the suspected cause. The treatment goals may be a cure of the causative disorder, the control of symptoms, or the treatment of renal failure.
Corticosteroids may relieve symptoms in some cases. Other medications may include immunosuppressive agents including cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and others depending on the cause of the disorder.
Plasmapheresis may relieve the symptoms in some cases. The blood plasma (the fluid portion of blood) containing antibodies is removed and replaced with intravenous fluids or donated plasma (without antibodies). The removal of antibodies may reduce inflammation in the kidney tissues.
Observation for a progression to renal failure, and the treatment of renal failure if it is present, should be ongoing. Dialysis or a kidney transplant may ultimately be necessary.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Without treatment, crescentic glomerulonephritis often progresses to renal failure and end-stage renal disease in 6 months or less, although a few cases may resolve spontaneously.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis may be present.Prevention Return to top
The prompt treatment of causative disorders may prevent the development of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Update Date: 10/17/2003 Updated by: Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, Renal Division, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |