RENAL AMYLOIDOSIS

Abstract

Of 17 cases of amyloidosis seen at this center between 1954 and 1960, 15 had renal involvement. Ten of these patients had the nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy was very valuable since histology was the only reliable means of distinguishing amyloidosis from the causes of the nephrotic syndrome. We observed no lessening of proteinuria as renal amyloidosis progressed to uremia. In 2 of the 17 cases, there was acidosis in the presence of normal or only slightly elevated blood urea levels. Experience with 3 of our patients raised the possibility that a previously damaged organ was particularly prone to subsequent amyloid infiltration. One case of primary amyloidosis underwent a spontaneous remission of his nephrotic syndrome with little change in a repeated renal biopsy obtained during the remission.