Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Alternative names:

focal and segmental hyalinosis; focal glomerulosclerosis; focal sclerosis with hyalinosis; segmental glomerulosclerosis

Symptoms:

• foamy urine
• swelling of the body (generalized edema from retained fluids)
• weight gain
• poor appetite

Signs and tests:

The examination is nonspecific other than for signs of edema and elevated blood pressure. Signs of chronic renal failure and associated fluid overload may develop as the disorder progresses.

Tests may include:

• A urinalysis shows protein, with or without small amounts of blood.
• A renal biopsy shows scarring of parts of a glomerulus (focal) or of only some of the glomeruli (segmental).
• An immunofluorescence microscopy shows deposits of IgM.