Rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis

Alternative names:

crescentic glomerulonephritis; glomerulonephritis - crescentic; necrotizing glomerulonephritis

Symptoms:

Common symptoms include:

• edema (swelling)
  • face
  • eyes
  • ankles, feet, extremities
  • abdomen
  • generalized

• dark urine
• smoke colored urine
• blood in the urine
• decreased urine volume

Symptoms that may also appear include:

• fever
• myalgia (muscle aches)
• arthralgia (joint aches)
• shortness of breath
• cough
• malaise (general ill feeling)
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• diarrhea

Signs and tests:

An examination reveals edema (swelling). Circulatory overload, with associated abnormal heart and lung sounds, may be present. The blood pressure may be elevated. Rapid, progressive loss of kidney function may be present.

• Urinalysis may be abnormal, showing blood in the urine, urine protein, white blood cells, casts, or other abnormalities.
• The BUN and creatinine may rise rapidly.
• The creatinine clearance decreases.
• Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody tests may be positive in some cases.
• Complement levels may be decreased in some cases.
• Other tests for suspected causes may be performed.
• A kidney biopsy confirms crescentic glomerulonephritis.