Hi:

I Have been seeing this patient for the last 2 months:

67 WM with stable CKD stage IIIB, S Cr 1.8, GFR 40, and New onset nephrotic syndrome of 5 grams confirmed on 24 hour urine collection, Repeat UPCR showed 5.5 gm/day.

PMH: Malignant HTN, Diet controlled DM; A1c 6%, No Diabetic Retinopathy, CKD, CAD, Dyslipidemia

BP 170/110 on ABPM, Clear lungs, B/L LE edema of ++

Na, K, Hco3 Normal, Scr stable at 1.8 for one year, Hx of negative proteinuria 3 years ago; 300 mg/day on 24 hour proteion collection, this was repeated few weeks ago FOR WORSENING BP control and LE Edema and now its 5.5 grams, LDL 150, Alb 3, UA: ++++ Protein, negative RBC, negative WBC.

ANA, RF, HBSAg, HBSAb, HCVAb, UPEP, SPEP, Freelite Assay, C3, C4, CH50, HbA1c, H/H, WBC, Platelets, Colonoscopy 5y ago: all are Within Normal.

Renal US: B/L diffuse small cortical Cysts, Rt kidney 12 cm, Left kidney 12.5 cm, No Hydro. Radiologist: This isn't PKD.

Abdomen MRI: B/L diffuse few mm sized cortical Cysts.

Besides controlling BP, treating fluid overload, lowering lipids, and maximizing ACEI/ARB, What would you do? Would you biopsy this man?

Mohammad Samih, MD

Harlan, KY, USA