Chyluria with massive proteinuria: Do not reach for the biopsy gun!

Abstract

We report on a patient presenting with persistent chyluria due to filariasis, whose clinical course was complicated by massive proteinuria and severe hypoalbuminemia. Treatment with dietary manipulation, antifilarials, and sclerotherapy resulted in successful reversal of the above abnormalities. It has been reported that chyluria is not associated with massive proteinuria, or that even in cases of massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia is not seen and implies a glomerular pathology. We argue that chyluria is always associated with proteinuria, which may be massive, and does not warrant a kidney biopsy unless proteinuria persists despite resolution of chyluria.