Prognostic Value of Modified Banff Score in the Evolution of Renal Function.

BACKGROUND: Some lesions not included in the Banff classification, such as inflammation in the scarred areas and total inflammation, have been described to have prognostic value in the evaluation of graft biopsies. Our aim was to reassess kidney graft biopsies and study the impact of histopathologic lesions, both those graded in the Banff classification and those related to inflammation, on the graft function and evolution. METHODS: We selected 20 biopsies exhibiting chronic pathology without a specific phenotype, and we reevaluated them with the use of a modified Banff score. RESULTS: We found statistically significant association between the presence of total inflammation (P = .048; P = .038), the presence of inflammation in scared area (P = .037; P = .018), and creatinine at the time of renal biopsy and 1 year after the renal biopsy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the presence of both inflammation in the scarred areas and total inflammation are related to renal function at the time of the biopsy and to renal function 1 year after the biopsy.

Late Onset of Cholesterol Embolism Leading to Graft Failure After Renal Transplantation: Report of Two Cases.

Cholesterol-crystal embolization (CE) usually presents as an acute or subacute multisystemic disease. When affecting native kidneys prognosis is poor, often leading to chronic kidney disease. Presentation in renal allografts is a rare condition although probably underdiagnosed. If renal CE originates from the recipient, allograft survival is usually good, whereas if the donor is the origin, graft dysfunction and subsequent graft loss are common. Associated risk factors are common to native and transplanted kidneys. We report 2 renal graft recipients of different cadaveric donors, both male and 68 years old, diagnosed with CE in renal grafts at 19 and 72 months after transplantation, respectively. They presented previous risk factors for CE, including severe atherosclerosis. They presented insidious and asymptomatic impairment of renal function initially. Renal graft biopsy specimens showed CE in the interlobular arteries. Potential triggers for CE were suspended and high doses of steroids were started. However, progressive decline in renal function and requirement of chronic dialysis occurred within the first year after diagnosis in both cases. Herein we discuss the causal or incidental role of CE in the graft failure of these cases, highlighting the serious outcome despite the recipient origin of the CE and the initiation of treatment.

Nodular Arteriolar Hyalinosis as Histopathologic Hallmark of Calcineurin Inhibitor Nephrotoxicity: Does It Always Have the Same Meaning?

INTRODUCTION: Nodular arteriolar hyalinosis (NAH) is a typical, although not specific, histological finding of calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (CNIT). The objective of our study was to assess the reason why some patients showing strong NAH in renal graft biopsies who underwent calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal presented very poor outcome whereas others improved graft function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed 207 renal graft biopsies between January 2011 and May 2014 due to clinical criteria. In 13 patients CNI withdrawal was performed, and the major histopathological finding was severe NAH. The results after this action were analyzed. RESULTS: We selected 2 groups: good outcome and poor outcome. Eight patients showed good results including stabilization or improvement of graft function. Five patients presented poor results requiring chronic hemodialysis. C4d staining was negative in all biopsy specimens, and peritubular capillaritis was not observed. To identify potential prognostic markers we retrospectively reviewed biopsy samples looking for minor or nonspecific features, especially inflammation scores both global and on fibrotic areas as per Banff classification. Mean serum creatinine level at time of biopsy and mean arteriolar hyalinosis score did not show significant differences between both groups. In contrast, the poor results group presented a higher mean global inflammation score compared with the good results patients. CONCLUSIONS: NAH is not a risk factor for poor renal graft outcome by itself. Other histopathologic findings, usually considered as secondary markers, like the inflammation score, should be considered before deciding CNI withdrawal.