J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol.  2012 Apr;16(1):21-31.

Pathology and Classification of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

• Kim YJ

Abstract

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the name of the primary glomerular disease as well as the terminology to describe the secondary phenomena of any other glomerular diseases. It is characterized by sclerosis, hyalinosis, foam cell infiltration, vacuolar change of podocytes, and halo formation in the glomerulus. Throughout the interstitium, lymphocytes infiltration, tubular atrophy and vascular changes are accompanied. Occasionally, IgM and/or C3 depositions are noted in the sclerotic areas. Electron microscopically, diffuse effacement of foot processes are seen in non-sclerotic area like minimal change disease. Podocyte injury patterns including vacuolar changes are frequently examined. Recently, Columbia group has suggested morphologic classification of FSGS and they demonstrated very good prognosis of tip lesion and poor prognosis of both collapsing and cellular types. However, the pathogenetic classification has been suggested by others; hyperfilteration, podocyte injury, genetic lesions etc. Further studies are necessary to understand and treat this disease.

Keyword

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; Histopathology; Classification

MeSH Terms

Atrophy
Electrons
Foam Cells
Foot
Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental
Immunoglobulin M
Lymphocytes
Nephrosis, Lipoid
Podocytes
Prognosis
Sclerosis
Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental
Immunoglobulin M