Myelodysplastic syndrome and extracapillary glomerulonephritis: is there a link?

Abstract

Introduction: The association of myelodysplastic syndrome and extracapillary glomerulonephritis is exceptional. Only two other cases have been reported.

Reported case: A 52-year-old patient with a history of myelodysplastic syndrome developed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsy identified extracapillary glomerulonephritis.

Discussion: The association of myelodysplastic syndrome with glomerulopathy is rare and often regarded as fortuitous. Only a few cases are described in literature on the subject. A relationship between the two diseases is possible but the causal link between these two diseases remains unknown.

Conclusion: The notion that myelodysplastic syndrome may be associated with various glomerular nephropathies involves looking for renal disease in this haematologic disorder.