The correct answer is ...
Light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT), kappa-restricted, with crystals.
LCPT is a monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) characterized by light chain deposition that occurs intracellularly, within proximal tubular cells.1 Immunoglobulin light chains can be mutated in the variable domain, become resistant to intracellular enzymatic breakdown, and eventually form intracytoplasmic crystals (particularly when the κ light chain precipitates, like in the current case); the light-chain crystals disrupt lysosomal function and induce cell injury.2,3 The proximal tubular dysfunction can manifest as chronic kidney disease and/or Fanconi’s syndrome and electrolyte disturbances. When crystals are present, standard immunofluorescence could be negative and pronase digestion for antigen retrieval should be performed.1
Many patients with this condition have an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia, including multiple myeloma, which may not be known at the time of the kidney biopsy.4 In fact, once a diagnosis of LCPT is made, a laboratory workup to exclude a hematologic malignancy is warranted.
Incorrect answers:
Light chain cast nephropathy: Light chain cast nephropathy is characterized by crystalline precipitates of monoclonal light chain (either κ or λ) within the lumen of distal tubules.
Heavy chain deposition disease (HCDD): It is a rare monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) characterized by glomerular mesangial nodular sclerosis on light microscopy, and finely granular, powdery deposits along the basement membranes. As the name describes, this entity is characterized by deposition of monotypic mutated heavy chains (not light chains) by immunofluorescence (usually IgG). Therefore, “HCDD, kappa-restricted” not only is the incorrect answer but is also conceptually incorrect.
Light chain deposition disease (LCDD): It is an MIDD characterized by deposition of monotypic immunoglobulin light chains. Histologically, it is distinguished from HCDD by the immunofluorescence findings (either κ or λ light chain-restriction, without monotypic heavy chains).
Alessia Buglioni, M.D.
Fellow, Anatomic Pathology
Mayo Clinic Scholar
Mayo Clinic
Loren Herrera Hernandez, M.D.
Consultant, Anatomic Pathology
Mayo Clinic
Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Mariam (Priya) Alexander, M.D.
Consultant, Anatomic Pathology
Mayo Clinic
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
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