Renal

In this month's "Hot Topic," David Murray, M.D., Ph.D., reviews the role of urine testing for monoclonal gammopathies and discusses Mayo Clinic’s use of MASS-FIX to replace traditional immunofixation testing.

Since March 2019, Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., director of the Metals Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, along with his colleagues across the enterprise and his laboratory staff, have developed, validated, and implemented an artificial intelligence (AI)-augmented test with algorithms designed to interpret kidney stone FTIR spectra. With more than 90,000 kidney stones analyzed each year at Mayo Clinic, this new AI-assisted test has streamlined lab processes and improved patient care.

Linnea M. Baudhuin, Ph.D., and Emily K. Thoreson, M.S., CGC, explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories renal genetics testing provides comprehensive, accurate and actionable results. Identifying a genetic cause helps guide the complex decisions involved with treating kidney disease.

John Lieske, M.D., describes Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new test for primary membranous nephropathy. PMND1 is a diagnostic cascade that provides a cost-effective approach to detecting antigens known to cause membranous nephropathy — a condition that can lead to kidney failure.

John Lieske, M.D., discusses Mayo Clinic Laboratories' urinary ammonium testing. A test that takes the guesswork out of determining acid base disorders by giving nephrologists a true understanding of a patient’s true urinary ammonium level.

Sanjeev Sethi, M.D., Ph.D., discusses how Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ new immunohistochemistry test for the detection of NELL-1 antigen, a biomarker for membranous nephropathy found in 10% to 15% of patients, provides diagnostic certainty and insight on disease expression.

A collaborative study between Mayo Clinic and the University of Illinois debunked the previous consensus about how kidney stones grow.

Part II of this series shows how a breakthrough discovery about how kidney stones form may open the way for new, unorthodox treatments. The discovery was made possible by joining University of Illinois’ geology and biology forces with Mayo Clinic’s urology and nephrology expertise.

This "Pathways" program provides Anatomic and Clinical Pathology cases that include a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. Cases for May include the following sub-specialties: Bone and Soft Tissue & Infectious Disease, Gynecological, Placental, and Renal.

This "Pathways" program provides Anatomic and Clinical Pathology cases that include a history, potential answers, rationale, and relevant references. This case sub-specialty is Renal.

Mayo Clinic researchers are tracking the familiar characteristics of kidney stone formers in an online prediction tool that could help sufferers anticipate if they'll experience future episodes.

John Lieske, M.D., gives an overview of the phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies testing available through Mayo Clinic Laboratories. He discusses when this testing should be ordered, how this testing improves upon previous testing approaches, and what clinical action can be taken due to the results of this testing.

There have been concerns in the U.S. recently about the possible harmful side effects from absorbing gadolinium-based contrast agents into the body during some MRI exams. To address some of the anxiety and concerns over this issue, Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., DABCC, FAACC, and Joshua Bornhorst, Ph.D., DABCC, FAACC, Co-Directors of the Mayo Clinic Metals Laboratory and leading experts in this field, have compiled the following list of the most up-to-date information.