Rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Necrotizing glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - crescentic; Crescentic glomerulonephritis

Common symptoms include the following:

• Edema (swelling)
  • face
  • eyes
  • ankles, feet, extremities
  • abdomen
  • generalized
• Dark or smoke-colored urine
• Blood in the urine
• Decreased urine volume

• Fever
• Myalgia (muscle aches)
• Arthralgia (joint aches)
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Malaise (a general ill feeling)
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea

An examination reveals edema (swelling). Circulatory overload, with associated abnormal heart and lung sounds, may be present. The blood pressure may be elevated. Rapid, worsening loss of kidney function may be present.

• Urinalysis may be abnormal, showing blood in the urine , urine protein , white blood cells, casts , or other abnormalities.
• The BUN and creatinine may rise rapidly.
• The creatinine clearance decreases.
• Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody tests may be positive in some cases.
• Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) may be present.
• Complement levels may be decreased in some cases.
• Other tests for suspected causes may be performed.
• A kidney biopsy confirms crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Review Date: 09/13/2005
Reviewed By: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.