Renal manifestations of sarcoidosis

Abstract

Sarcoidosis may involve the kidneys in several ways. Most commonly, aberrations of calcium metabolism, including hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and nephrocalcinosis, are responsible for the renal manifestations of sarcoidosis. Granulomatous infiltration of the renal interstitium may also produce severe derangements of renal function. Glomerulonephritis can occur with sarcoidosis, although the pathogenesis remains unclear. Besides renal insufficiency and frank renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, nephrolithiasis, hypertension, and a variety of tubular defects may complicate sarcoidosis. The sensitivity of "sarcoid nephropathy" to corticosteroids usually warrants therapeutic trial.