BackgroundThe diagnostic utility of repeat kidney biopsy in AL amyloidosis patients in complete (... more BackgroundThe diagnostic utility of repeat kidney biopsy in AL amyloidosis patients in complete (CR) or very good partial hematologic response (VGPR) but with renal organ relapse is not clear.MethodsWe present 8 patients with AL amyloidosis who had a repeat kidney biopsy performed.ResultsAL amyloidosis was initially diagnosed by a kidney biopsy. All patients had a favorable response to treatment (CR/VGPR) and 5 of them also had initially a renal organ response. A repeat kidney biopsy was done due to gradual deterioration of kidney function and/or proteinuria while maintaining a hematologic response. Repeat kidney biopsies showed findings consistent with amyloid deposits in all patients. Seven patients had renal progression with 4 of them requiring dialysis initiation. Only one patient had a favorable renal outcome. This patient had subacute kidney injury with decreasing proteinuria and was found to have granulomatous interstitial nephritis in addition to amyloid deposits and responded well to steroid treatment with rapid improvement in renal function.ConclusionsIn AL amyloidosis patients who achieve a favorable hematologic response to treatment (CR/VGPR) but subsequently develop worsening renal insufficiency or proteinuria, a repeat kidney biopsy should generally not be performed. Amyloid deposits persist in the kidneys even after successful hematologic treatment and it is impossible to differentiate between new versus old amyloid deposits, which makes performing a repeat kidney biopsy unnecessary in most cases. Demonstration of amyloid deposits on repeat kidney biopsy would not aid in the decision making regarding re-initiation of hematologic treatment. A kidney biopsy should be considered only in cases when a specific alternative diagnosis is suspected.
BackgroundThe diagnostic utility of repeat kidney biopsy in AL amyloidosis patients in complete (... more BackgroundThe diagnostic utility of repeat kidney biopsy in AL amyloidosis patients in complete (CR) or very good partial hematologic response (VGPR) but with renal organ relapse is not clear.MethodsWe present 8 patients with AL amyloidosis who had a repeat kidney biopsy performed.ResultsAL amyloidosis was initially diagnosed by a kidney biopsy. All patients had a favorable response to treatment (CR/VGPR) and 5 of them also had initially a renal organ response. A repeat kidney biopsy was done due to gradual deterioration of kidney function and/or proteinuria while maintaining a hematologic response. Repeat kidney biopsies showed findings consistent with amyloid deposits in all patients. Seven patients had renal progression with 4 of them requiring dialysis initiation. Only one patient had a favorable renal outcome. This patient had subacute kidney injury with decreasing proteinuria and was found to have granulomatous interstitial nephritis in addition to amyloid deposits and responded well to steroid treatment with rapid improvement in renal function.ConclusionsIn AL amyloidosis patients who achieve a favorable hematologic response to treatment (CR/VGPR) but subsequently develop worsening renal insufficiency or proteinuria, a repeat kidney biopsy should generally not be performed. Amyloid deposits persist in the kidneys even after successful hematologic treatment and it is impossible to differentiate between new versus old amyloid deposits, which makes performing a repeat kidney biopsy unnecessary in most cases. Demonstration of amyloid deposits on repeat kidney biopsy would not aid in the decision making regarding re-initiation of hematologic treatment. A kidney biopsy should be considered only in cases when a specific alternative diagnosis is suspected.
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