Korean J Med.  2013 Feb;84(2):290-294.

A Case of Sarcoidosis Associated with Renal Failure in a Kidney Transplant Patient

• Park HL
• Ban GY
• Bae CB
• Yim HE
• Kim HS
• Park I
• Shin GT

Abstract

Sarcoidosis, systemic inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas, is rarely associated with renal failure in a kidney transplant. We report a 51-year-old woman with a kidney transplant who was diagnosed to have renal sarcoidosis. After 7 years of renal transplantation, the patient presented with relatively rapid deterioration of renal function and, subsequently, she underwent kidney transplant biopsy. Renal biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis with non-caseating granulomas compatible with granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN). She was also found to have granulomatous lymphadenitis and skin lesions. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made based on histopathologic findings, the high serum angiotensin converting enzyme level and exclusions of other causes of GIN including tuberculosis, ANCA associated glomerulonephritis and tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome. The patient was started on oral prednisolone, and subsequently her renal function improved.

Keyword

Sarcoidosis; Renal insufficiency; Kidney transplantation

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Biopsy
Female
Glomerulonephritis
Granuloma
Humans
Kidney
Kidney Transplantation
Lymphadenitis
Nephritis, Interstitial
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Prednisolone
Renal Insufficiency
Sarcoidosis
Skin
Transplants
Tuberculosis
Uveitis
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
Nephritis, Interstitial
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Prednisolone
Uveitis