The prognosis of rapidly proliferating glomerulonephritis (Crecentric GN) depands upon -
Number of crescents
Size of crescents
shape of crescents
Cellularity of crescents
Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is characterised by number of crescentsby rapid loss of renal function over days to weeks, usually in association with hypeension and oedema. Non-visible haematuria is almost always present with variable amounts of proteinuria, while characteristic red cell casts and dysmorphic red cells may be observed on urine microscopy . Renal biopsy typically shows crescentic lesions , often associated with necrotising lesions within the glomerulus , paicularly in small-vessel vasculitides. This pattern of presentation is typical of post-infectious glomerulonephritis, anti-GBM disease and small-vessel vasculitides (p. 1040). It can also be observed in SLE and occasionally in IgA and other nephropathies . Causes of glomerulonephritis associated with low serum complement * Post-infectious glomerulonephritis * Subacute bacterial infection, especially endocarditis * Systemic lupus erythematosus * Cryoglobulinaemia * Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, usually complement type Ref Harrison20th edition pg 267
Kidney