Acute renal failure in a case of nephrotic syndrome secondary to focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis

Nephrotic syndrome is infrequently complicated with appearance of acute renal failure and minimal change disease is the glomerulopathy more usually involved. Pathogenesis is unclear and three possible mechanisms it has been proposed to explain the decrease of glomerular filtration rate: a severe reduction of glomerular permeability, the presence of acute tubular necrosis or an increased intrarenal pressure related with interstitial oedema. Here we present a 36 years-old-male with a nephrotic syndrome caused by focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis who developed an anuric acute renal failure. Renal function did not change despite oedema removal with haemodialysis and only after corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy introduction we observed a rapid recovery of urinary output and resolution of acute renal failure. Renal biopsy did not show signs of tubular damage or obstruction with proteins nor significant interstitial oedema. Therefore, in this case we think acute renal failure was caused by a severe reduction in glomerular ultrafiltration rate and steroids were the effective treatment that allowed recovery of renal function.