A fulminant case of renal vein thrombosis in a patient with autoimmune disorder and membranous nephropathy

Abstract

A previously healthy middle-aged woman noted a rapid onset of flank pain with gross hematuria. Enhanced CT scan showed thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and right renal vein. Laboratory findings revealed nephrotic proteinuria, Sjogren's syndrome (SjS), and Graves' disease (GD). A right nephrectomy was performed because of progressive and refractory renal necrosis. Renal specimens showed venous infarction with diffuse hemorrhagic and severe congestive renal necrosis, and membranous nephropathy (MN). The present case was diagnosed as acute renal necrosis due to catastrophic thrombosis in a patient with SjS, GD, and MN. It was thought that sudden development of thrombosis may have been caused by the status of the autoimmune disorders, and the associated MN.