Complete biopsy-proven resolution of deposits in recurrent proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits (PGNMIGD) following rituximab treatment in renal allograft.

BACKGROUND: Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits (PGNMIGD) is a disease entity classified under the group of "Monoclonal gammopathy-related kidney diseases", and can recur after transplant. Clinical remission of proteinuria in patients with PGNMIGD has been previously shown following anti-B cell and/or anti-plasma cell therapies. Our case is the first to show complete histologic resolution of the glomerular monoclonal IgG kappa deposits in a case of recurrent PGNMIGD in renal allograft after rituximab and steroid treatment. This is a novel finding and it shows that the deposits are amenable to therapy. This case also highlights the importance of IgG subclass staining in the recognition of the monoclonal nature of the deposits. It is particularly important in PGNMIGD because only 20 to 30% of patients with this disease are reported to have detectable monoclonal gammopathy, and the deposits do not have any organized substructure on electron microscopic examination. Morphologically, they resemble polyclonal immune-type deposits seen in other immune complex glomerulonephritides such as lupus nephritis, infection-associated glomerulonephritis, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN type I). CASE PRESENTATION: The patient is a 44 year old Caucasian male who received a living unrelated donor kidney transplant for end-stage renal disease diagnosed 7 years before transplant. The reported native kidney biopsy diagnosis was membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) with IgG, C3 and kappa restricted deposits. Fourteen months post-transplant, he presented with abrupt worsening of graft function, proteinuria and serum IgG kappa monoclonal spike. Allograft biopsy was consistent with recurrent PGNMIGD, considering the native kidney diagnosis and interval post-transplant. He underwent plasmapheresis, IV pooled immune globulin, steroid pulse and taper, and anti-CD-20 Rituximab therapy. Patient had gradual decline in proteinuria and complete resolution of the immune deposits on repeat biopsy 3 months later. Unfortunately he subsequently developed chronic antibody-mediated rejection and transplant glomerulopathy and graft failure 34 months post-transplant. CONCLUSIONS: In a transplant setting, repeat allograft biopsies are frequently performed for graft dysfunction. This provides a good opportunity to study the evolution of the immune deposits following treatment. Our case shows complete histologic resolution of the deposits in allograft PGNMIGD.

[Left lobe mesenchymal hamartoma of liver. Uncommon location]. / Hamartoma mesenquimatoso del hígado en el lóbulo izquierdo. Localización poco común.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver is a rare benign liver tumor in children, usually arising from the right liver lobe and represents about 5 to 6% of all primary hepatic tumors. Complete surgical resection of the tumor is curative. CLINICAL CASE: A 30 months old male presented with epigastrium abdominal pain and a palpable mass over a period of two days with no other symptom. The mass was excised completely. Postoperatively the patient recovered with an uneventful course and was discharge 13 days following surgery. All microscopic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 75% of mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver occur in the right lobe of the liver. Several diagnostic considerations should be elucidated to differentiate these type of tumors in the left lobe from other benign liver tumors. Sometimes a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to complete a successful complete surgical excision. Our case exemplifies a rare entity in a rare location, an adequate treatment in a third level reference hospital setting.