Nephrotic Syndrome Associated with Buerger's Disease

We herein report a 43-year-old woman with Buerger's disease who presented with nephrotic syndrome, renal dysfunction, and mild hypertension. A kidney biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), but there were no findings associated with frequent secondary FSGS or a history of long-term hypertension. A small focal renal infarction was seen on Tc-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy, suggesting that FSGS was due to renal microinfarction associated with Buerger's disease. After the commencement of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy, the hypertension immediately improved, along with significant attenuation of proteinuria. Renal ischemia by vasoconstriction of the glomerular efferent arterioles in association with Buerger's disease may result in glomerular hyperfiltration followed by FSGS.

Automated summary

We report a case of a patient with Buerger's disease presenting with nephrotic syndrome. The kidney biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and a small renal infarction associated with Buerger's disease. Treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor improved the patient's hypertension and proteinuria.