Nephrotic Syndrome and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia: A Case Report

Abstract

Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) is an IgM associated lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and kidney disease is a rare complication. We report a case of a 41-year-old male with a history of WM diagnosed 16 years ago, currently with no indication for treatment. The patient presented with nephrotic syndrome and acute kidney injury, hypertension, and multiple lymphadenopathies. A kidney biopsy was performed, showing minimal change disease with lymphomatous infiltration of B-lymphocytes CD20+. Therapy with bortezomib, dexametahasone and rituximab was started and after 6 months of follow-up he presented progressive recovery of renal function and remission of proteinuria. This case illustrates the importance of screening renal disease in WM patients. A kidney biopsy should be performed in those presenting with otherwise unexplained renal failure and/or nephrotic syndrome.

Keywords

• biopsy
• kidney/pathology
• nephrotic syndrome
• waldenstrom macroglobulinemia