ABSTRACT
Kidneys are complex organs with multiple vital functions. They are an essential part of the urinary system and also are necessary for regulation of body homeostasis like electrolytes, acid base balance and blood pressure. Diagnosis of renal injuries is based on clinical and histopathologic features. In a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran, pathology reports of all renal biopsies, by light microscopic examination, immunofluorecence and electron microscopy (EM) were perused. Data were registered in a questionnaire with questions on patients' demographic information such as age, sex and also questions on clinical signs and symptoms and pathologic findings such as H & E, Immunofluorescence (IF) and electron microscopy. All data were analyzed by SPSS-15 software with descriptive analysis. A total of 80 patients were included in this study, 42 men (52.5%) and 38 women (47.5%), aged 19-73 years (mean: 40.59 ± 16.36). Based on H & E, IF and electron microscopic findings, it seems that in 26.4% of cases the IFM was necessary and in 67.6% was helpful and in 6% was unnecessary for diagnosis. Between 42 patients, EM was necessary in 12% of patients, while in 71.5% was helpful and in 16.5% was unnecessary. Based on IFM the most common renal disease was FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) with mean age of 41.3 years. IFM was necessary in RPGN, chronic glomerulonephritis, mesangial hypercellularity, minimal change disease, IgA nephropathy, and was helpful in FSGS, MPGN, tubulointerstitial nephritis, diffuse sclerosing glomerulonephritis and membranous glomerulopathy but was unnecessary in lupus nephritis. EM was necessary in mesangial hypercellularity, chronic glomerulonephritis and diffuse sclerosing glomerulopathy and was helpful in FSGS, MPGN, lupus nephritis and membranous glomerulopathy while it was unnecessary in minimal change disease and IgA nephropathy.
