Renal Pathology

The operations of the Renal Biopsy Service at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) are supervised by two knowledgeable pathologists who are on call 24/7. They render a preliminary diagnosis within 24 hours following each biopsy. The preliminary diagnosis is based on light microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy findings, and the interpretation is made in the context of clinical findings. The final report is generated within 10 working days by including electron microscopy findings and then entered into the electronic medical record.  

Education

Each biopsy is reviewed with the attending staff, fellows, residents and medical students participating in the renal service. During the review, the team exchanges clinical information and biopsy findings to reach an appropriate conclusion. For pathology residents, the renal pathologists give six to seven didactic sessions each year to familiarize them with various disease processes affecting the kidney.

Research

Since the early '60s, kidney research initiated by the influential renal pathologist Robert B. Jennings, MD, has been a hallmark of the department. Since then, the department has sustained NIH funding to conduct kidney research. Over the past six decades, the research has covered a wide range of kidney diseases, including nephrotic syndrome, immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, acute kidney injury, mitochondrial oxidant stress, polycystic kidney disease, tubulo-interstitial nephritis and diabetic nephropathy/tubulopathy. This is also reflected in a series of publications by the current renal pathologists.

Patient Care and Consultations

At NMH and its affiliates, about 900 renal biopsies are performed each year, out of which 20 percent are native biopsies and 80 percent are renal transplant biopsies. In addition, we routinely consult outside slides from patients admitted to NMH. If needed, additional renal biopsy is recommended in these patients to render an appropriate diagnosis and institute better management and care.