Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Arteriolar nephrosclerosis

    Sclerosis of the smaller renal arterioles, especially the afferent glomerular arterioles with resulting fibrosis, ischemic necrosis, and glomerular degeneration and failure. This type of nephrosclerosis occurs in most cases of essential hypertension.  

  • Arterial nephrosclerosis

    Arteriosclerosis of the renal arteries resulting in ischemia, atrophy of parenchyma, and fibrosis of the kidney.  

  • Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy

    Nephropathy caused by the use of radiological contrast media (e.g., the “dye” used during angiography). It is usually defined as one of the following: an increase in the serum creatinine of 0.5 mg/dL within 48 hr of exposure to contrast agents when no other cause is apparent; a decrease in renal function of 25%; or…

  • Membranous nephropathy

    A glomerular disease of unknown cause that produces nephrotic syndrome. It may be distinguished from lipoid nephrosis by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy.  

  • Immunoglobulin A nephropathy

    A form of glomerulonephritis in which immunoglobulin A molecules are deposited in the glomeruli. The disease, more common in boys than girls, may eventually cause renal failure in as many as 40% of patients. The cause is unknown.  

  • Hypokalemic nephropathy

    Renal damage due to abnormal depletion of potassium, regardless of the basic cause of the electrolyte abnormality. Characteristically, there are multiple vacuoles in microscopic sections of the renal tubular epithelium. Clinically, the patient is unable to concentrate urine. Therapy for the primary cause of the hypokalemia may allow the kidney lesions to become completely reversed.…

  • Hypercalcemic Nephropathy

    Renal damage due to hypercalcemia. It is usually caused by hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, excess intake of vitamin D, excess use of calcium-containing antacids, multiple myeloma, malignant disease, and, occasionally, by immobilization or Paget’s disease.  

  • Nephropathia epidemica

    A mosquito-borne viral infection found almost exclusively in northern European nations (e.g., Finland and Sweden). Its principal symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, and renal failure.  

  • Nephrolysis

    Surgical detachment of an inflamed kidney from paranephric adhesions.  

  • Nephrogenetic

    Arising in or from the renal organs; capable of giving rise to kidney tissue.