Focal Segmental Glomerulonephritis (FSGS)

WHAT IS IT?

Focal segmental glomerulonephritis (FSGS) refers to a particular histological pattern of kidney injury that is characterized by podocyte injury and glomerular scarring. FSGS is not a single disease however it does commonly present as nephrotic syndrome.  

WHAT CAUSES IT?

 

WHY IS IT CONCERNING MEDICALLY?

 

WHAT IS THE INTIAL PRESENTATION?

Patient Chief Complaints:

 

Detected Medical Problems:

 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY?

Risk Factors:

  • African ethnicity
  • Hispanic ethnicity 
  • Obesity 
  • HIV infection
  • Heroin usage 

Medical History:

 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL EXAM?

Vital Signs:

 

Other:

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: SERUM STUDIES

Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) might demonstrate:

  • Hypoalbuminemia 
CLINICAL WORKUP: URINE STUDIES

Urinalysis (dipstick) might reveal 

  • Proteinuria that is nephrotic range (often 4+)
CLINICAL WORKUP: OTHER

 

HOW DO WE NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL?

Conditions that present similarly and how to exclude them:

 

WHAT IS OUR THRESHOLD FOR DIAGNOSING THIS CONDITION?

 

PATIENT MANAGMENT: SYMPTOM RELEIF

 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: DISEASE TREATMENT

 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES

 

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

 

ARCHIVE OF STANDARDIZED EXAM QUESTIONS 

This archive compiles standardized exam questions that relate to this topic.

 

Page Updated: 02.22.2017